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Zhou Q, Guo Y, Tian Z, Qiu Y, Liu Y, Liu Q, Liu Y, Yang Y, Shi L, Li X, Gao G, Fan S, Zeng Z, Xiong W, Tan M, Li G, Zhang W. PLUNC inhibits invasion and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167352. [PMID: 39004379 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the nasopharynx. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) has been identified as an early secreted protein that is specifically expressed in the nasopharynx. The aim of this study was to determine the role and mechanism of PLUNC in NPC. We used mRNA sequencing (seq) combined with ribosome-nascent chain complex (RNC)-seq to determine the biological role of PLUNC. The expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules was detected by western blotting. Then, cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and Transwell chamber assays. NPC cells were injected into the tail vein of nude mice to explore the biological role of PLUNC in vivo. The sequencing results showed that PLUNC inhibited the progression of NPC and its expression was correlated with that of NOD-like receptors. Experiments confirmed that PLUNC inhibited the invasion and metastasis of NPC cells by promoting the ubiquitination degradation of NLRP3. PLUNC overexpression in combination with the treatment by MCC950, an inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, was most effective in inhibiting NPC invasion and metastasis. In vivo experiments also confirmed that the combination of PLUNC overexpression and MCC950 treatment effectively inhibited the lung metastasis of NPC cells. In summary, our research suggested that PLUNC inhibited the invasion and metastasis of NPC by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and targeting the PLUNC-NLRP3 inflammasome axis could provide a new strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of NPC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhou
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yilin Guo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ziying Tian
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanbing Qiu
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhengzhou Orthopaedics Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qingluan Liu
- Changsha Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yijun Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonresolving Inflammation and Cancer, Disease Genome Research Center, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuqin Yang
- Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Pathology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiayu Li
- Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ge Gao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Pathology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Tan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taiwan; Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenling Zhang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Huang J, Zhang X, Nie X, Zhang X, Wang Y, Huang L, Geng X, Li D, Zhang L, Gao G, Gao P. Assembly and activation of EBV latent membrane protein 1. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00695-0. [PMID: 38996527 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.021] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is the primary oncoprotein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and plays versatile roles in the EBV life cycle and pathogenesis. Despite decades of extensive research, the molecular basis for LMP1 folding, assembly, and activation remains unclear. Here, we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of LMP1 in two unexpected assemblies: a symmetric homodimer and a higher-order filamentous oligomer. LMP1 adopts a non-canonical and unpredicted fold that supports the formation of a stable homodimer through tight and antiparallel intermolecular packing. LMP1 dimers further assemble side-by-side into higher-order filamentous oligomers, thereby allowing the accumulation and specific organization of the flexible cytoplasmic tails for efficient recruitment of downstream factors. Super-resolution microscopy and cellular functional assays demonstrate that mutations at both dimeric and oligomeric interfaces disrupt LMP1 higher-order assembly and block multiple LMP1-mediated signaling pathways. Our research provides a framework for understanding the mechanism of LMP1 and for developing potential therapies targeting EBV-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaohua Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xuyuan Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Linlong Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiaohan Geng
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dong Li
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liguo Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Guangxia Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Pu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, China.
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An G, Liu J, Lin T, He L, He Y. Global trends in research of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a bibliometric and visualization analysis. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1392245. [PMID: 39015496 PMCID: PMC11249725 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1392245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to assess the current research status, focus areas, and developmental trends in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) through a bibliometric analysis. Methods Articles focusing on NPC published from 2000 to 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used for bibliometric and visual analysis. Results A total of 14516 related publications were retrieved. There has been a steady increase in the number of NPC-related publications from 2000 to 2023. China was the dominant country in this field with 8948 papers (61.64%), followed by the USA (2234, 15.39%). Sun Yat-sen University was the most influential institution, while Ma J was the most prolific author. Furthermore, Head And Neck-journal For The Sciences And Specialties Of The Head And Neck was the most prolific journal. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics had the highest total citation counts. "Introduction chemotherapy", "Concurrent chemotherapy", "Epithelial-mesenchymal transition", "Cancer stem cells", "MicroRNAs", "LncRNA", "Exosomes", and "Biomarker" were the most common keywords. The reference "Chen YP, 2019, Lancet" had the highest citations and strong outbreak value. Conclusion The past two decades have witnessed a significant increase in research on NPC. The optimization of treatment mode is the most widely studied aspect at present. The mechanism of occurrence and development and the most favorable diagnostic and therapeutic targets are the research hotspots in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilin An
- Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ting Lin
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lan He
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- The First Clinical College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yingchun He
- Hunan Provincial Engineering and Technological Research Center for Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Chinese Medicine and Protecting Visual Function, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
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Ahmed K, Sheikh A, Fatima S, Ghulam T, Haider G, Abbas F, Sarria-Santamera A, Ghias K, Mughal N, Abidi SH. Differential analysis of histopathological and genetic markers of cancer aggressiveness, and survival difference in EBV-positive and EBV-negative prostate carcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10315. [PMID: 38705879 PMCID: PMC11070424 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60538-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Several studies have shown an association between prostate carcinoma (PCa) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); however, none of the studies so far have identified the histopathological and genetic markers of cancer aggressiveness associated with EBV in PCa tissues. In this study, we used previously characterized EBV-PCR-positive (n = 39) and EBV-negative (n = 60) PCa tissues to perform an IHC-based assessment of key histopathological and molecular markers of PCa aggressiveness (EMT markers, AR expression, perineural invasion, and lymphocytic infiltration characterization). Additionally, we investigated the differential expression of key oncogenes, EMT-associated genes, and PCa-specific oncomiRs, in EBV-positive and -negative tissues, using the qPCR array. Finally, survival benefit analysis was also performed in EBV-positive and EBV-negative PCa patients. The EBV-positive PCa exhibited a higher percentage (80%) of perineural invasion (PNI) compared to EBV-negative PCa (67.3%) samples. Similarly, a higher lymphocytic infiltration was observed in EBV-LMP1-positive PCa samples. The subset characterization of T and B cell lymphocytic infiltration showed a trend of higher intratumoral and tumor stromal lymphocytic infiltration in EBV-negative tissues compared with EBV-positive tissues. The logistic regression analysis showed that EBV-positive status was associated with decreased odds (OR = 0.07; p-value < 0.019) of CD3 intratumoral lymphocytic infiltration in PCa tissues. The analysis of IHC-based expression patterns of EMT markers showed comparable expression of all EMT markers, except vimentin, which showed higher expression in EBV-positive PCa tissues compared to EBV-negative PCa tissues. Furthermore, gene expression analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the expression of CDH1, AR, CHEK-2, CDKN-1B, and CDC-20 and oncomiRs miR-126, miR-152-3p, miR-452, miR-145-3p, miR-196a, miR-183-3p, and miR-146b in EBV-positive PCa tissues compared to EBV-negative PCa tissues. Overall, the survival proportion was comparable in both groups. The presence of EBV in the PCa tissues results in an increased expression of certain oncogenes, oncomiRs, and EMT marker (vimentin) and a decrease in CD3 ITL, which may be associated with the aggressive forms of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Ahmed
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Alisalman Sheikh
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saira Fatima
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Tahira Ghulam
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Haider
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Farhat Abbas
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Kulsoom Ghias
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nouman Mughal
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Syed Hani Abidi
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan.
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5
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Xu X, Zhu N, Zheng J, Peng Y, Zeng MS, Deng K, Duan C, Yuan Y. EBV abortive lytic cycle promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression through recruiting monocytes and regulating their directed differentiation. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1011934. [PMID: 38206974 PMCID: PMC10846743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several types of human cancer including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The activation of EBV to the lytic cycle has been observed in advanced NPC and is believed to contribute to late-stage NPC development. However, how EBV lytic cycle promotes NPC progression remains elusive. Analysis of clinical NPC samples indicated that EBV reactivation and immunosuppression were found in advanced NPC samples, as well as abnormal angiogenesis and invasiveness. To investigate the role of the EBV lytic cycle in tumor development, we established a system that consists of two NPC cell lines, respectively, in EBV abortive lytic cycle and latency. In a comparative analysis using this system, we found that the NPC cell line in EBV abortive lytic cycle exhibited the superior chemotactic capacity to recruit monocytes and polarized their differentiation toward tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-like phenotype and away from DCs, compared to EBV-negative or EBV-latency NPC cells. EBV-encoded transcription activator ZTA is responsible for regulating monocyte chemotaxis and TAM phenotype by up-regulating the expression of GM-CSF, IL-8, and GRO-α. As a result, TAM induced by EBV abortive lytic cycle promotes NPC angiogenesis, invasion, and migration. Overall, this study elucidated the role of the EBV lytic life cycle in the late development of NPC and revealed a mechanism underlying the ZTA-mediated establishment of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that promotes NPC late-stage progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Xu
- Laboratory of Clinical, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Nannan Zhu
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junming Zheng
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingying Peng
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mu-Sheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Deng
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chaohui Duan
- Laboratory of Clinical, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- Institute for Advanced Medical Research, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Singh DR, Nelson SE, Pawelski AS, Kansra AS, Fogarty SA, Bristol JA, Ohashi M, Johannsen EC, Kenney SC. Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 protein promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation of epithelial cells via activation of YAP and TAZ. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219755120. [PMID: 37155846 PMCID: PMC10193989 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219755120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection promotes undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) in humans, but the mechanism(s) for this effect has been difficult to study because EBV cannot transform normal epithelial cells in vitro and the EBV genome is often lost when NPC cells are grown in culture. Here we show that the latent EBV protein, LMP1 (Latent membrane protein 1), induces cellular proliferation and inhibits spontaneous differentiation of telomerase-immortalized normal oral keratinocytes (NOKs) in growth factor-deficient conditions by increasing the activity of the Hippo pathway effectors, YAP (Yes-associated protein) and TAZ (Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif). We demonstrate that LMP1 enhances YAP and TAZ activity in NOKs both by decreasing Hippo pathway-mediated serine phosphorylation of YAP and TAZ and increasing Src kinase-mediated Y357 phosphorylation of YAP. Furthermore, knockdown of YAP and TAZ is sufficient to reduce proliferation and promote differentiation in EBV-infected NOKs. We find that YAP and TAZ are also required for LMP1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Importantly, we demonstrate that ibrutinib (an FDA-approved BTK inhibitor that blocks YAP and TAZ activity through an off-target effect) restores spontaneous differentiation and inhibits proliferation of EBV-infected NOKs at clinically relevant doses. These results suggest that LMP1-induced YAP and TAZ activity contributes to the development of NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deo R. Singh
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Scott E. Nelson
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Abigail S. Pawelski
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Alisha S. Kansra
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Stuart A. Fogarty
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Jillian A. Bristol
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Makoto Ohashi
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Eric C. Johannsen
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
| | - Shannon C. Kenney
- Department of Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, WIMR II, Madison, WI53705
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Arbune M, Padurariu-Covit MD, Niculet E, Chiscop I, Arbune AA, Tatu AL. Ulceration and a White Lesion of the Tongue in a Male HIV Positive Patient: A Journey on the Avenue of Differential Diagnoses in Search of a Solution. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13040901. [PMID: 37109430 PMCID: PMC10147043 DOI: 10.3390/life13040901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral lesions are early indicator of immunosuppression, leading to HIV new diagnoses. The type of oral lesions can reveal opportunistic diseases that are correlated with the severity of immune depletion. Highly active antiretroviral therapy decreases the incidence of opportunistic oral infections, whereas a large variety of lesions are frequently experienced in people with HIV. Overlapping pathogenic mechanisms and multiple contributing etiologies are related to unusual, atypical oral lesions that are challenging in the clinical practice. We present a rare case of eosinophilic granuloma of the tongue in an older male HIV patient with severe immunosuppression due to the failure of antiretroviral treatment. Differential diagnoses considered squamous carcinoma, lymphoma, viral, fungal or bacterial infections and autoimmune disorders, as well as the influence of HIV immune disfunctions or the influence of cannabidiol use. The histopathologic and immunohistochemistry examination clarified the inflammatory reactive benign substrate of the lesion, although future survey of the oral lesions is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Arbune
- Clinical Medical Department, Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania; (M.A.); (A.-L.T.)
- Infectious Diseases Clinic Department I, Infectious Diseases Clinic Hospital “Sf. Cuv. Parascheva”, 800179 Galati, Romania
- Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research (MIC-DIR), “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800010 Galati, Romania;
| | - Monica-Daniela Padurariu-Covit
- The School for Doctoral Studies in Biomedical Sciences, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galați, 800008 Galati, Romania
- Hematology Department, Emergency County Hospital “Sf. Apostol Andrei”, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.-D.P.-C.); (E.N.)
| | - Elena Niculet
- Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research (MIC-DIR), “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800010 Galati, Romania;
- The School for Doctoral Studies in Biomedical Sciences, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galați, 800008 Galati, Romania
- Pathology Department, Emergency County Hospital “Sf. Apostol Andrei”, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Correspondence: (M.-D.P.-C.); (E.N.)
| | - Iulia Chiscop
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Emergency County Hospital “Sf. Apostol Andrei”, 800578 Galati, Romania;
- Clinical Surgery Department, Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania
| | - Anca-Adriana Arbune
- Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research (MIC-DIR), “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800010 Galati, Romania;
- Neurology Department, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alin-Laurențiu Tatu
- Clinical Medical Department, Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania; (M.A.); (A.-L.T.)
- Multidisciplinary Integrated Center of Dermatological Interface Research (MIC-DIR), “Dunarea de Jos” University, 800010 Galati, Romania;
- Dermato-Venerology Clinic Department, Infectious Diseases Clinic Hospital “Sf. Cuv. Parascheva”, 800179 Galati, Romania
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Wang H, Mi K. Emerging roles of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the cellular plasticity of cancer cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1110881. [PMID: 36890838 PMCID: PMC9986440 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1110881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular plasticity is a well-known dynamic feature of tumor cells that endows tumors with heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance and alters their invasion-metastasis progression, stemness, and drug sensitivity, thereby posing a major challenge to cancer therapy. It is becoming increasingly clear that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a hallmark of cancer. The dysregulated expression of ER stress sensors and the activation of downstream signaling pathways play a role in the regulation of tumor progression and cellular response to various challenges. Moreover, mounting evidence implicates ER stress in the regulation of cancer cell plasticity, including epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, drug resistance phenotype, cancer stem cell phenotype, and vasculogenic mimicry phenotype plasticity. ER stress influences several malignant characteristics of tumor cells, including epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stem cell maintenance, angiogenic function, and tumor cell sensitivity to targeted therapy. The emerging links between ER stress and cancer cell plasticity that are implicated in tumor progression and chemoresistance are discussed in this review, which may aid in formulating strategies to target ER stress and cancer cell plasticity in anticancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Breast Surgery, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun Mi
- Radiation Oncology Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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Ahmed N, Abusalah MAHA, Farzand A, Absar M, Yusof NY, Rabaan AA, AlSaihati H, Alshengeti A, Alwarthan S, Alsuwailem HS, Alrumaih ZA, Alsayyah A, Yean CY. Updates on Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Emphasis on the Latent Gene Products of EBV. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 59:medicina59010002. [PMID: 36676626 PMCID: PMC9863520 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59010002] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an uncommon type of malignancy/cancer worldwide. However, NPC is an endemic disease in southeast Asia and southern China and the reasons behind the underlying for such changes are unclear. Even though the Epstein-Barr infection (EBV) has been suggested as an important reason for undistinguishable NPC, the EBV itself is not adequate to source this type of cancer. The risk factors, for example, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors might be associated with EBV to undertake a part in the NPC carcinogenesis. Normal healthy people have a memory B cell pool where the EBV persists, and any disturbance of this connection leads to virus-associated B cell malignancies. Less is known about the relationship between EBV and epithelial cell tumors, especially the EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (EBVaNPC) and EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC). Currently, it is believed that premalignant genetic changes in epithelial cells contribute to the aberrant establishment of viral latency in these tumors. The early and late phases of NPC patients' survival rates vary significantly. The presence of EBV in all tumor cells presents prospects for the development of innovative therapeutic and diagnostic techniques, despite the fact that the virus's exact involvement in the carcinogenic process is presently not very well known. EBV research continues to shed light on the carcinogenic process, which is important for a more comprehensive knowledge of tumor etiology and the development of targeted cancer therapeutics. In order to screen for NPC, EBV-related biomarkers have been widely used in a few high-incidence locations because of their close associations with the risks of NPC. The current review highlights the scientific importance of EBV and its possible association with NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveed Ahmed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | | | - Anam Farzand
- Department of Allied Health Science, Superior University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Absar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Nik Yusnoraini Yusof
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Hajir AlSaihati
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39831, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amer Alshengeti
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, National Guard Health Affairs, Al-Madinah 41491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara Alwarthan
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haifa S. Alsuwailem
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Princess Norah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 84428, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zainb A. Alrumaih
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Alsayyah
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chan Yean Yean
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
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Ahmed K, Sheikh A, Fatima S, Haider G, Ghias K, Abbas F, Mughal N, Abidi SH. Detection and characterization of latency stage of EBV and histopathological analysis of prostatic adenocarcinoma tissues. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10399. [PMID: 35729214 PMCID: PMC9213544 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14511-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of prostate cancer involves both genetic and acquired factors, including pathogens, such as viruses. A limited number of studies have shown the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in prostate cancer tissues. However, there is a dearth of data exploring EBV latency profile in prostate cancer, and the relationship of EBV with histopathological features of prostate cancer. In this study, prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples were screened for the presence of EBV, followed by the characterization of the EBV latency profile and analysis of histopathological parameters in EBV-positive and EBV-negative groups. A conventional PCR strategy was employed using virus-specific primers to screen EBV in 99 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) prostate cancer and 33 BPH samples received for histopathological analysis during the years 2019-2020. Subsequently, cDNA samples were used in a qPCR array to analyze the expression of EBV latency-associated genes to map the latency profile EBV maintains in the samples. Finally, statistical analyses were performed to determine the correlation between EBV and several histopathological features of the samples. EBV was detected in 39% of prostate cancer and 24% of BPH samples. The histopathological analysis of prostate cancer samples identified all samples as prostatic adenocarcinoma of acinar type, while statistical analyses revealed EBV-positive samples to exhibit significantly higher (p < 0.05) Gleason major and total Gleason scores as compared to EBV-negative samples. In the EBV-positive samples, variable expression patterns of latency-associated genes were observed, where most of the samples exhibited EBV latency II/III-like profiles in prostate cancer, while latency-II-like profiles in BPH samples. This study suggests a high prevalence of EBV in prostate samples, where EBV exhibited latency II/III-like profiles. Furthermore, EBV-positive samples exhibited a higher Gleason score suggesting a possible link between EBV and the onset/progression of prostate cancers. However, future functional studies are required to understand the role of the EBV gene expression profile in the onset/progression of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Ahmed
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Alisalman Sheikh
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saira Fatima
- Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Haider
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Kulsoom Ghias
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Farhat Abbas
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nouman Mughal
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Syed Hani Abidi
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
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11
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Wan F, Zhang H, Hu J, Chen L, Geng S, Kong L, Lu JJ. Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibits Migration and Vasculogenic Mimicry in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Via Exosomal MiR-125a. Front Oncol 2022; 12:781979. [PMID: 35251967 PMCID: PMC8892602 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.781979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a kind of tumor vasculature providing blood supply for tumor growth, and the formation of VM is independent of vascular endothelial cells. Instead, VM structures are formed by differentiated tumor cells such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Recently, studies have shown that anti-angiogenic therapy failed to improve the overall survival for patients, namely, nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. The existence of VM structure is probably one of the reasons for resistance for anti-angiogenic therapy. Therefore, it is important to study the mechanism for VM formation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In this study, the bioinformatic analysis revealed that microRNA-125a-3p (miR-125a) was highly expressed in normal nasopharyngeal epithelial tissue than in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. An in vitro study demonstrated that miR-125a plays an inhibitory role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell migration and VM formation, and further studies confirmed that TAZ is a direct downstream target for miR-125a. On this basis, we artificially engineered human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to generate exosomes with high miR-125a expression. Treatment with these miR-125a-over-expressing exosomes attenuated the migration and VM formation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. In addition, the inhibitory role of these exosomes on VM formation and migration in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was also confirmed in vivo. Overall, the current study shows that MSCs can be utilized to generate exosomes with high miR-125a level, which could be therapeutic nanoparticles targeting VM formation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and used as a complement to anti-angiogenic therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhu Wan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
| | - Haojiong Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
- Rui-jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiyi Hu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
| | - Shikai Geng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Kong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jiade J. Lu, ; Lin Kong,
| | - Jiade J. Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jiade J. Lu, ; Lin Kong,
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EBV LMP1-activated mTORC1 and mTORC2 Coordinately Promote Nasopharyngeal Cancer Stem Cell Properties. J Virol 2022; 96:e0194121. [PMID: 35019715 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01941-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is associated with several malignant diseases, including Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), certain types of lymphomas, and a portion of gastric cancers. Virus-encoded oncoprotein LMP1 induces the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to cancer stem cell formation. In the current study, we investigated how LMP1 contributes to cancer stem cell development in NPC. We found that LMP1 plays an essential role in acquiring CSC characteristics, including tumor initiation, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance by activating the PI3K/mTOR/Akt signaling pathway. We dissected the functions of distinct signaling (mTORC1 and mTORC2) in the acquisition of different CSC characteristics. Side population (SP) formation, which represents the chemotherapy resistance feature of CSC, requires mTORC1 signaling. Tumor initiation capability is mainly attributed to mTORC2, which confers on NPC the capabilities of proliferation and survival by activating mTORC2 downstream genes c-Myc. Both mTORC1 and mTORC2 enhance cell migration and invasion of NPC cells, suggesting that mTORC1/2 co-regulate metastasis of NPC. The revelation of the roles of the mTOR signaling pathways in distinct tumorigenic features provides a guideline for designing efficient therapies by choosing specific mTOR inhibitors targeting mTORC1, mTORC2, or both to achieve durable remission of NPC in patients. Importance LMP1 endows NPC to gain cancer stem cell characteristics through activating mTORC1 and mTORC2 pathways. The different mTOR pathways are responsible for distinct tumorigenic features. Rapamycin-insensitive mTORC1 is essential for CSC drug resistance. NPC tumor initiation capacity is mainly attributed to mTORC2 signaling. mTORC1 and mTORC2 co-regulate NPC cell migration and invasion. The revelation of the roles of mTOR signaling in NPC CSC establishment has implications for novel therapeutic strategies to treat relapsed and metastatic NPC and achieve durable remission.
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Chen W, Ding Y, Liu D, Lu Z, Wang Y, Yuan Y. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus vFLIP promotes MEndT to generate hybrid M/E state for tumorigenesis. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009600. [PMID: 34936683 PMCID: PMC8735625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative and invasive tumor caused by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). The cellular origin of KS tumor cells remains contentious. Recently, evidence has accrued indicating that KS may arise from KSHV-infected mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) through mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition (MEndT), but the transformation process has been largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the KSHV-mediated MEndT process and found that KSHV infection rendered MSCs incomplete endothelial lineage differentiation and formed hybrid mesenchymal/endothelial (M/E) state cells characterized by simultaneous expression of mesenchymal markers Nestin/PDGFRA/α-SAM and endothelial markers CD31/PDPN/VEGFR2. The hybrid M/E cells have acquired tumorigenic phenotypes in vitro and the potential to form KS-like lesions after being transplanted in mice under renal capsules. These results suggest a homology of KSHV-infected MSCs with Kaposi’s sarcoma where proliferating KS spindle-shaped cells and the cells that line KS-specific aberrant vessels were also found to exhibit the hybrid M/E state. Furthermore, the genetic analysis identified KSHV-encoded FLICE inhibitory protein (vFLIP) as a crucial regulator controlling KSHV-induced MEndT and generating hybrid M/E state cells for tumorigenesis. Overall, KSHV-mediated MEndT that transforms MSCs to tumorigenic hybrid M/E state cells driven by vFLIP is an essential event in Kaposi’s sarcomagenesis. Kaposi’s sarcoma manifests as multifocal lesions with spindle cell proliferation, intense angiogenesis, and erythrocyte extravasation. Although the origin and malignant nature of KS remain contentious, it is established that KSHV infection with concomitant viral oncogene expression in normal cell progenitors causes KS. The mechanism of KSHV oncogenesis could be revealed through a reproduction of KS by infection of normal cells. This study reports that the KSHV infection of mesenchymal stem cells initiates mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition (MEndT) that generates mesenchymal/endothelial (M/E) hybrid state cells. The hybrid M/E cells acquired tumorigenic phenotypes, including tumor initiation, angiogenesis, migration, and the potential to form KS-like lesions after transplanted in mice. This finding faithfully recapitulates Kaposi’s sarcoma where proliferating KS spindle cells and the cells that line KS-specific aberrant vessels are also found to exhibit the hybrid M/E phenotype. We also found that KSHV-encoded viral FLICE inhibitory protein (vFLIP) plays a crucial role in promoting MEndT and the generation of M/E state cells. These results provide a new layer of evidence for KSHV-infected MSCs being the cell source of KS spindle cells and reveal novel insight into KS pathogenesis and viral tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Chen
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yao Ding
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dawei Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengzhou Lu
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guanghua School of Stomatology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- Department of Basic and Translational Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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