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Yoshitake R, Mori H, Ha D, Wu X, Wang J, Wang X, Saeki K, Chang G, Shim HJ, Chan Y, Chen S. Molecular features of luminal breast cancer defined through spatial and single-cell transcriptomics. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1548. [PMID: 38282415 PMCID: PMC10823285 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intratumour heterogeneity is a hallmark of most solid tumours, including breast cancers. We applied spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing on patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) to profile spatially resolved cell populations within oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+ ) breast cancer and to elucidate their importance in oestrogen-dependent tumour growth. METHODS Two PDXs of 'ER-high' breast cancers with opposite oestrogen-mediated growth responses were investigated: oestrogen-suppressed GS3 (80-100% ER) and oestrogen-dependent SC31 (40-90% ER) models. The observation was validated via single-cell analyses on an 'ER-low' PDX, GS1 (5% ER). The results from our spatial and single-cell analyses were further supported by a public ER+ breast cancer single-cell dataset and protein-based dual immunohistochemistry (IHC) of SC31 examining important luminal cancer markers (i.e., ER, progesterone receptor and Ki67). The translational implication of our findings was assessed by clinical outcome analyses on publicly available cohorts. RESULTS Our space-gene-function study revealed four spatially distinct compartments within ER+ breast cancers. These compartments showed functional diversity (oestrogen-responsive, proliferative, hypoxia-induced and inflammation-related). The 'proliferative' population, rather than the 'oestrogen-responsive' compartment, was crucial for oestrogen-dependent tumour growth, leading to the acquisition of luminal B-like features. The cells expressing typical oestrogen-responsive genes like PGR were not directly linked to oestrogen-dependent proliferation. Dual IHC analyses demonstrated the distinct contribution of the Ki67+ proliferative cells toward oestrogen-mediated growth and their response to a CDK4/6 inhibitor. The gene signatures derived from the proliferative, hypoxia-induced and inflammation-related compartments were significantly correlated with worse clinical outcomes, while patients with the oestrogen-responsive signature showed better prognoses, suggesting that this compartment would not be directly associated with oestrogen-dependent tumour progression. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified the gene signature in our 'proliferative' compartment as an important determinant of luminal cancer subtypes. This 'proliferative' cell population is a causative feature of luminal B breast cancer, contributing toward its aggressive behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryohei Yoshitake
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Hitomi Mori
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Surgery and OncologyGraduate School of Medicine, Kyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Desiree Ha
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Integrative Genomics CoreBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeMonroviaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Integrative Genomics CoreBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeMonroviaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Xiaoqiang Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kohei Saeki
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
- Faculty of Veterinary MedicineOkayama University of ScienceImabariEhimeJapan
| | - Gregory Chang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Hyun Jeong Shim
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yin Chan
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
| | - Shiuan Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular MedicineBeckman Research Institute of City of HopeDuarteCaliforniaUSA
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Yoshitake R, Mori H, Ha D, Wu X, Wang J, Wang X, Saeki K, Chang G, Shim HJ, Chan Y, Chen S. Identification and characterization of a proliferative cell population in estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer through spatial and single-cell transcriptomics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.31.526403. [PMID: 36778271 PMCID: PMC9915610 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.31.526403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Intratumor heterogeneity is a hallmark of most solid tumors, including breast cancers. We applied spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing technologies to profile spatially resolved cell populations within estrogen receptor-positive (ER + ) metastatic breast cancers and elucidate their importance in estrogen-dependent tumor growth. Methods Spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing were performed on two patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) of "ER-high" metastatic breast cancers with opposite estrogen-mediated growth responses: estrogen-suppressed GS3 (80-100% ER) and estrogen-stimulated SC31 (30-75% ER) models. The analyses included samples treated with and without 17β-estradiol. The findings were validated via scRNA-seq analyses on "ER-low" estrogen-accelerating PDX, GS1 (5% ER). The results from our spatial and single-cell analyses were further supported by the analysis of a publicly available single cell dataset and a protein-based dual immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation using three important clinical markers [i.e., ER, progesterone receptor (PR), and Ki67]. The translational implication of these results was assessed by clinical outcome analyses on public breast cancer cohorts. Results Our novel space-gene-function study revealed a "proliferative" cell population in addition to three major spatially distinct compartments within ER + metastatic breast cancers. These compartments showed functional diversity (i.e., estrogen-responsive, proliferative, hypoxia-induced, and inflammation-related). The "proliferative ( MKI67 + )" population, not "estrogen-responsive" compartment, was crucial for estrogen-dependent tumor growth, leading to the acquisition of luminal B features. The cells with induction of typical estrogen-responsive genes such as PGR were not directly linked to estrogen-dependent proliferation. Additionally, the dual IHC analyses demonstrated the distinct contribution of the Ki67 + proliferative cells toward estrogen-mediated growth and their response to palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor. The gene signatures developed from the proliferative, hypoxia-induced, and inflammation-related compartments were significantly correlated with worse clinical outcomes, while patients with the high estrogen-responsive scores showed better prognosis, confirming that the estrogen-responsive compartment would not be directly associated with estrogen-dependent tumor progression. Conclusions For the first time, our study elucidated a "proliferative" cell population distinctly distributed in ER + metastatic breast cancers. They contribute differently toward progression of these cancers, and the gene signature in the "proliferative" compartment is an important determinant of luminal cancer subtypes.
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Willman M, Willman J, Lucke-Wold B. Endocrine resistant breast cancer: brain metastasis. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2022; 3:240-251. [PMID: 35505937 PMCID: PMC9060566 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2022.00081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocrine resistant breast cancer metastasis continues to serve as a significant clinical challenge with high morbidity and mortality for patients. As the number of breast cancer cases continues to rise, the rate of brain metastasis has also increased. For single lesions or a large symptomatic lesion with other smaller lesions, surgical resection is a viable option in non-eloquent regions. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a great option for post-operative therapy or for 10 or fewer small lesions (< 3 cm in size). Whole-brain radiation can be used sparingly for large tumor burdens but should encompass hippocampus sparing techniques. Chemotherapy options have remained relatively limited due to decreased permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Emerging monoclonal antibody treatments have offered initial promise, especially for endocrine resistant breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Willman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0265, USA
| | - Jonathan Willman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0265, USA
| | - Brandon Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0265, USA
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Wang Y, Chen S. TXNIP Links Anticipatory Unfolded Protein Response to Estrogen Reprogramming Glucose Metabolism in Breast Cancer Cells. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6382455. [PMID: 34614512 PMCID: PMC8570585 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen and estrogen receptor (ER) play a fundamental role in breast cancer. To support the rapid proliferation of ER+ breast cancer cells, estrogen increases glucose uptake and reprograms glucose metabolism. Meanwhile, estrogen/ER activates the anticipatory unfolded protein response (UPR) preparing cancer cells for the increased protein production required for subsequent cell proliferation. Here, we report that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is an important regulator of glucose metabolism in ER+ breast cancer cells, and estrogen/ER increases glucose uptake and reprograms glucose metabolism via activating anticipatory UPR and subsequently repressing TXNIP expression. In 2 widely used ER+ breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and T47D, we showed that MCF7 cells express high TXNIP levels and exhibit mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) phenotype, while T47D cells express low TXNIP levels and display aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) phenotype. Knockdown of TXNIP promoted glucose uptake and Warburg effect, while forced overexpression of TXNIP inhibited glucose uptake and Warburg effect. We further showed that estrogen represses TXNIP expression and activates UPR sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) via ER in the breast cancer cells, and IRE1 activity is required for estrogen suppression of TXNIP expression and estrogen-induced cell proliferation. Our study suggests that TXNIP is involved in estrogen-induced glucose uptake and metabolic reprogramming in ER+ breast cancer cells and links anticipatory UPR to estrogen reprogramming glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanzhong Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Shiuan Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Correspondence: Shiuan Chen, PhD, Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, 1500 E Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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Wang SF, Chang YL, Tzeng YD, Wu CL, Wang YZ, Tseng LM, Chen S, Lee HC. Mitochondrial stress adaptation promotes resistance to aromatase inhibitor in human breast cancer cells via ROS/calcium up-regulated amphiregulin-estrogen receptor loop signaling. Cancer Lett 2021; 523:82-99. [PMID: 34610415 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Many breast cancer patients harbor high estrogen receptor (ER) expression in tumors that can be treated with endocrine therapy, which includes aromatase inhibitors (AI); unfortunately, resistance often occurs. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been thought to contribute to progression and to be related to hormone receptor expression in breast tumors. Mitochondrial alterations in AI-resistant breast cancer have not yet been defined. In this study, we characterized mitochondrial alterations and their roles in AI resistance. MCF-7aro AI-resistant breast cancer cells were shown to have significant changes in mitochondria. Low expressions of mitochondrial genes and proteins could be poor prognostic factors for breast cancer patients. Long-term mitochondrial inhibitor treatments-mediated mitochondrial stress adaptation could induce letrozole resistance. ERα-amphiregulin (AREG) loop signaling was activated and contributed to mitochondrial stress adaptation-mediated letrozole resistance. The up-regulation of AREG-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) crosstalk activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and ERK pathways and was responsible for ERα activation. Moreover, mitochondrial stress adaptation-increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium were shown to induce AREG expression and secretion. In conclusion, our results support the claim that mitochondrial stress adaptation contributes to AI resistance via ROS/calcium-mediated AREG-ERα loop signaling and provide possible treatment targets for overcoming AI resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Fan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 110, Taiwan; Department and Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Lih Chang
- Department of Pharmacy, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; Department and Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Dun Tzeng
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, 813, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ling Wu
- Department and Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Zhong Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Ling-Ming Tseng
- Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
| | - Shiuan Chen
- Department of Cancer Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, CA, 91010, USA.
| | - Hsin-Chen Lee
- Department and Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan; Faculty of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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