WNT5A is regulated by PAX2 and may be involved in blastemal predominant Wilms tumorigenesis

Renal cancer: signaling pathways and advances in targeted therapies

Renal cancer is a highlyheterogeneous malignancy characterized by rising global incidence and mortalityrates. The complex interplay and dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways,including von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)/hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Hippo-yes-associated protein (YAP), Wnt/ß-catenin, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met, contribute to theinitiation and progression of renal cancer. Although surgical resection is thestandard treatment for localized renal cancer, recurrence and metastasiscontinue to pose significant challenges. Advanced renal cancer is associatedwith a poor prognosis, and current therapies, such as targeted agents andimmunotherapies, have limitations. This review presents a comprehensiveoverview of the molecular mechanisms underlying aberrant signaling pathways inrenal cancer, emphasizing their intricate crosstalk and synergisticinteractions. We discuss recent advancements in targeted therapies, includingtyrosine kinase inhibitors, and immunotherapies, such as checkpoint inhibitors.Moreover, we underscore the importance of multiomics approaches and networkanalysis in elucidating the complex regulatory networks governing renal cancerpathogenesis. By integrating cutting-edge research and clinical insights, this review contributesto the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, whichhave the potential to improve risk stratification, precision medicine, andultimately, patient outcomes in renal cancer.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in carcinogenesis and cancer therapy

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, encompassing development, tissue homeostasis, and cell proliferation. Under normal physiological conditions, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is meticulously regulated. However, aberrant activation of this pathway and downstream target genes can occur due to mutations in key components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, epigenetic modifications, and crosstalk with other signaling pathways. Consequently, these dysregulations contribute significantly to tumor initiation and progression. Therapies targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling transduction have exhibited promising prospects and potential for tumor treatment. An increasing number of medications targeting this pathway are continuously being developed and validated. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the latest advances in our understanding of the role played by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in carcinogenesis and targeted therapy, providing valuable insights into acknowledging current opportunities and challenges associated with targeting this signaling pathway in cancer research and treatment.

Altered binding affinity of SIX1-Q177R correlates with enhanced WNT5A and WNT pathway effector expression in Wilms tumor

Wilms tumors present as an amalgam of varying proportions of tissues located within the developing kidney, one being the nephrogenic blastema comprising multipotent nephron progenitor cells (NPCs). The recurring missense mutation Q177R in NPC transcription factors SIX1 and SIX2 is most correlated with tumors of blastemal histology and is significantly associated with relapse. Yet, the transcriptional regulatory consequences of SIX1/2-Q177R that might promote tumor progression and recurrence have not been investigated extensively. Utilizing multiple Wilms tumor transcriptomic datasets, we identified upregulation of the gene encoding non-canonical WNT ligand WNT5A in addition to other WNT pathway effectors in SIX1/2-Q177R mutant tumors. SIX1 ChIP-seq datasets from Wilms tumors revealed shared binding sites for SIX1/SIX1-Q177R within a promoter of WNT5A and at putative distal cis-regulatory elements (CREs). We demonstrate colocalization of SIX1 and WNT5A in Wilms tumor tissue and utilize in vitro assays that support SIX1 and SIX1-Q177R activation of expression from the WNT5A CREs, as well as enhanced binding affinity within the WNT5A promoter that may promote the differential expression of WNT5A and other WNT pathway effectors associated with SIX1-Q177R tumors.

Haspin balances the ratio of asymmetric cell division through Wnt5a and regulates cell fate decisions in mouse embryonic stem cells

Many different types of stem cells utilize asymmetric cell division (ACD) to produce two daughter cells with distinct fates. Haspin-catalyzed phosphorylation of histone H3 at Thr3 (H3T3ph) plays important roles during mitosis, including ACD in stem cells. However, whether and how Haspin functions in ACD regulation remains unclear. Here, we report that Haspin knockout (Haspin-KO) mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) had increased ratio of ACD, which cumulatively regulates cell fate decisions. Furthermore, Wnt5a is significantly downregulated due to decreased Pax2 in Haspin-KO mESCs. Wnt5a knockdown mESCs phenocopied Haspin-KO cells while overexpression of Wnt5a in Haspin-KO cells rescued disproportionated ACD. Collectively, Haspin is indispensable for mESCs to maintain a balanced ratio of ACD, which is essential for normal development and homeostasis.

Podocyte-Parietal Epithelial Cell Interdependence in Glomerular Development and Disease

Podocytes and parietal epithelial cells (PECs) are among the few principal cell types within the kidney glomerulus, the former serving as a crucial constituent of the kidney filtration barrier and the latter representing a supporting epithelial layer that adorns the inner wall of Bowman's capsule. Podocytes and PECs share a circumscript developmental lineage that only begins to diverge during the S-shaped body stage of nephron formation-occurring immediately before the emergence of the fully mature nephron. These two cell types, therefore, share a highly conserved gene expression program, evidenced by recently discovered intermediate cell types occupying a distinct spatiotemporal gene expression zone between podocytes and PECs. In addition to their homeostatic functions, podocytes and PECs also have roles in kidney pathogenesis. Rapid podocyte loss in diseases, such as rapidly progressive GN and collapsing and cellular subtypes of FSGS, is closely allied with PEC proliferation and migration toward the capillary tuft, resulting in the formation of crescents and pseudocrescents. PECs are thought to contribute to disease progression and severity, and the interdependence between these two cell types during development and in various manifestations of kidney pathology is the primary focus of this review.

New insights into fibrotic signaling in renal cell carcinoma

Fibrotic signaling plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of solid cancers including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Intratumoral fibrosis (ITF) and pseudo-capsule (PC) fibrosis are significantly correlated to the disease progression of renal cell carcinoma. Targeting classic fibrotic signaling processes such as TGF-β signaling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) shows promising antitumor effects both preclinically and clinically. Therefore, a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of fibrotic signaling in renal cell carcinoma at molecular resolution can facilitate the development of precision therapies against solid cancers. In this review, we systematically summarized the latest updates on fibrotic signaling, from clinical correlation and molecular mechanisms to its therapeutic strategies for renal cell carcinoma. Importantly, we examined the reported fibrotic signaling on the human renal cell carcinoma dataset at the transcriptome level with single-cell resolution to assess its translational potential in the clinic.

A network medicine approach for identifying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and exploring drug repurposing in human cancer

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease mainly driven by abnormal gene perturbations in regulatory networks. Therefore, it is appealing to identify the common and specific perturbed genes from multiple cancer networks. We developed an integrative network medicine approach to identify novel biomarkers and investigate drug repurposing across cancer types. We used a network-based method to prioritize genes in cancer-specific networks reconstructed using human transcriptome and interactome data. The prioritized genes show extensive perturbation and strong regulatory interaction with other highly perturbed genes, suggesting their vital contribution to tumorigenesis and tumor progression, and are therefore regarded as cancer genes. The cancer genes detected show remarkable performances in discriminating tumors from normal tissues and predicting survival times of cancer patients. Finally, we developed a network proximity approach to systematically screen drugs and identified dozens of candidates with repurposable potential in several cancer types. Taken together, we demonstrated the power of the network medicine approach to identify novel biomarkers and repurposable drugs in multiple cancer types. We have also made the data and code freely accessible to ensure reproducibility and reusability of the developed computational workflow.

Downregulated TICAM1 is a prognostic biomarker and associated with immune tolerance of Wilms tumor patients

Background

TIR domain containing adaptor molecule 1 (TICAM1) is a coding gene participating in immune and inflammation responses to malignant cells. However, the role of TICAM1 in Wilms tumor (WT) is rarely known.

Materials and methods

The expression level of TICAM1 was calculated in the WT TARGET cohort and validated using the GSE66405 cohort. The Kaplan–Meier method was employed to investigate the potential clinical value of TICAM1 and the association between its expression level and clinical features. The influence of TICAM1 on immune infiltration was examined by ESTIMATE, CIBERSORT and MCPcounter algorithms. IC50 of chemotherapeutic drugs was calculated by “pRRophetic” R package.

Results

TICAM1 was downregulated in WT patients with worse prognosis and a more advanced clinical stage. Moreover, a low expression level of TICAM1 contributed to less immune cell infiltration, few protective immune cells and more antitumor immune cells.

Conclusions

TICAM1 exerts a significant impact on the prognosis, progression and immune infiltration condition of WT.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12920-022-01326-5.

Hematopoietic stem cell regeneration through paracrine regulation of the Wnt5a/Prox1 signaling axis

The crosstalk between the BM microenvironment (niche) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is critical for HSC regeneration. Here, we show that in mice, deletion of the Fanconi anemia (FA) genes Fanca and Fancc dampened HSC regeneration through direct effects on HSCs and indirect effects on BM niche cells. FA HSCs showed persistent upregulation of the Wnt target Prox1 in response to total body irradiation (TBI). Accordingly, lineage-specific deletion of Prox1 improved long-term repopulation of the irradiated FA HSCs. Forced expression of Prox1 in WT HSCs mimicked the defective repopulation phenotype of FA HSCs. WT mice but not FA mice showed significant induction by TBI of BM stromal Wnt5a protein. Mechanistically, FA proteins regulated stromal Wnt5a expression, possibly through modulating the Wnt5a transcription activator Pax2. Wnt5a treatment of irradiated FA mice enhanced HSC regeneration. Conversely, Wnt5a neutralization inhibited HSC regeneration after TBI. Wnt5a secreted by LepR⁺CXCL12⁺ BM stromal cells inhibited β-catenin accumulation, thereby repressing Prox1 transcription in irradiated HSCs. The detrimental effect of deregulated Wnt5a/Prox1 signaling on HSC regeneration was also observed in patients with FA and aged mice. Irradiation induced upregulation of Prox1 in the HSCs of aged mice, and deletion of Prox1 in aged HSCs improved HSC regeneration. Treatment of aged mice with Wnt5a enhanced hematopoietic repopulation. Collectively, these findings identified the paracrine Wnt5a/Prox1 signaling axis as a regulator of HSC regeneration under conditions of injury and aging.

The Iroquois homeobox proteins IRX3 and IRX5 have distinct roles in Wilms tumour development and human nephrogenesis

Wilms tumour is a paediatric malignancy with features of halted kidney development. Here, we demonstrate that the Iroquois homeobox genes IRX3 and IRX5 are essential for mammalian nephrogenesis and govern the differentiation of Wilms tumour. Knock‐out Irx3⁻/Irx5⁻ mice showed a strongly reduced embryonic nephron formation. In human foetal kidney and Wilms tumour, IRX5 expression was already activated in early proliferative blastema, whereas IRX3 protein levels peaked at tubular differentiation. Accordingly, an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of Wilms tumour showed that IRX3^−/− cells formed bulky renal tumours dominated by immature mesenchyme and active canonical WNT/β‐catenin‐signalling. In contrast, IRX5^−/− cells displayed activation of Hippo and non‐canonical WNT‐signalling and generated small tumours with abundant tubulogenesis. Our findings suggest that promotion of IRX3 signalling or inhibition of IRX5 signalling could be a route towards differentiation therapy for Wilms tumour, in which WNT5A is a candidate molecule for enforced tubular maturation. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Paired box 2 promotes progression of endometrial cancer via regulating cell cycle pathway

Background: Human paired box 2 (PAX2) plays a key role in cell fate, early patterning and organogenesis.

Methods: We investigated the function of PAX2 on the biological behavior of endometrial cancer in vitro and in vivo and to explore the regulation mechanism, stable knocking-down and over-expression PAX2 endometrial cancer cell lines were established. CCK-8 and transwell assays were applied to determine proliferation, invasion and migration ability. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. Affymetrix GeneChip® human Exon 1.0 ST arrays was used to screen the downstream target genes of PAX2.

Results: PAX2 significantly enhanced proliferation and invasiveness. In addition, PAX2 influenced the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1), which play pivotal roles in cell cycle pathway. When CDK1 was knocked down, and the cell proliferation promotion role of PAX2 was attenuated dramatically to a level comparable with the control groups.

Conclusions: PAX2, though influencing the expression of CDK1, promotes the proliferation, enhances the mobility of endometrial cancer cells, thus exerts an important role in the carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer. PAX2 may be a potential therapeutic target for endometrial cancer.

In vivo induction of human chorionic gonadotropin by osmotic pump advances sexual maturation during pre-spawning phase in adult catfish

Gonadal maturation is a critical event wherein gonads, under the influence of several hormones and factors, undergo cyclic morphological and physiological changes to produce functional gametes during the spawning phase. However, artificial induction can be effectively used to advance the maturation of gonad vis-à-vis spawning like behavior in seasonal breeders during the off-breeding season. In the present study, osmotic pumps loaded with 5000IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or saline as control were implanted intraperitoneally for 21days during the pre-spawning phase (May-June) in catfish Clarias batrachus and C. gariepinus. Significant increase in gonado-somatic index and sperm motility, and in the levels of certain sex steroids were observed in the hCG treated catfish when compared to control while estradiol-17β (E₂) was low. Histological analysis in hCG treated testis revealed densely packed sperm and/or spermatids inside the lumen wherein the control testis displayed normal characteristics of the pre-spawning phase. In females, histological analysis showed a significant increase in post-vitellogenic full-grown immature follicles as seen in the spawning phase. In accordance with this, the steroid hormone profile correlated well with steroidogenic shift from E₂ to 17α,20β-DP indicating oocyte maturation. However, in the control ovaries of C. batrachus, perinucleolar and pre-vitellogenic oocytes were seen to be predominant. In addition, when compared with the control, the hCG treated group displayed a significant increase in the transcripts of several genes associated with gonadal growth. Taken together, artificial induction by slow release of hCG is an effective strategy to advance sexual maturation in catfish in a programmed manner.

Expression of wnt4/5 during reproductive cycle of catfish and wnt5 promoter analysis

Signaling molecules, Wnt4 and Wnt5, are essential for ovarian growth during developmental stages in mammals. Although these molecules were identified in several teleosts, their precise expression and role in reproductive processes have not yet been explored in any lower vertebrates. In view of this, using catfish, Clarias batrachus as an animal model, cloning and expression analysis of wnt4 and wnt5 were analyzed in different tissues, at various developmental stages, during ovarian reproductive cycle and after gonadotropin induction. These studies indicate a plausible influence of Wnts in ovarian development and recrudescence. Transcript and protein localization revealed their presence in peri-nucleolar, pre-vitellogenic, vitellogenic and follicular layer of post-vitellogenic oocytes. Synchronous expression of pax2 and wnt5 during the ovarian development and recrudescence of catfish led us to analyze the importance of putative binding element of Pax2 in the 5'-promoter motif of wnt5 Promoter activity of wnt5 was analyzed by luciferase assays after transfecting progressive deletion constructs in pGL3 basic vector into the mammalian cell lines (HEK 293 and CHO). The constructs having putative Pax2 motif showed high promoter activity compared with controls. Likewise, the constructs with site-directed mutagenesis showed increased activity after supplementing recombinant Pax2 indicating the prominence of this motif in wnt5 promoter, in vitro Electrophoretic gel mobility shift, supershift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed the binding of Pax2 to its corresponding cis-acting element in the upstream of wnt5 This study is the first of its kind to report the critical transcriptional interaction of Pax2 on wnt5 vis-à-vis ovarian development in teleosts.

Involvement of pax2 in ovarian development and recrudescence of catfish: a role in steroidogenesis

PAX2, a member of paired box family, is an essential transcription factor for the organ development in vertebrates including teleosts, yet no evidence has been shown for its involvement in reproduction. To study this, partial- and/or full-length cDNA of pax2 was isolated from the ovary of catfish, Clarias batrachus, along with its other Pax family members, pax1 and pax9 Tissue distribution and ontogeny expression analysis indicated the prevalence of pax2 but not pax1 and pax9 in ovary. Varied phase-wise expression during ovarian cycle and elevation of pax2 after human chorionic gonadotropin induction showed probable regulation by gonadotropins. Pax2 could be localized in various stages of oocytes and in follicular layer of vitellogenic and post-vitellogenic oocytes. To assess the functional significance of pax2, transient RNA silencing was performed using primary catfish ovarian follicle culture, in vitro, and in catfish, in vivo, through ovary-targeted injection of PEI-esiRNA. Pax2 siRNA treatment reduced the expression of various transcripts related to ovarian development like signaling molecules such as wnt4 and wnt5, estrogen receptors, several steroidogenic enzymes and transcription factors. These transitions in transcript levels might have been mediated by Pax2 acting upstream of wnt4/5 that may play a role in steroidogenesis and/or ovarian development along with ad4bp/sf-1 or by direct or indirect interaction with steroidogenic enzyme genes, which is evident from the change in the levels of serum estradiol-17β but not 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one. Taken together, it seems that pax2 has a plausible role during ovarian development and/or recrudescence of catfish either directly or indirectly through Wnt signaling pathway.

Wnt Signaling in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 90% of all kidney cancers. Due to poor diagnosis, high resistance to the systemic therapies and the fact that most RCC cases occur sporadically, current research switched its focus on studying the molecular mechanisms underlying RCC. The aim is the discovery of new effective and less toxic anti-cancer drugs and novel diagnostic markers. Besides the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, HGF/Met and VHL/hypoxia cellular signaling pathways, the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in RCC is commonly studied. Wnt signaling and its targeted genes are known to actively participate in different biological processes during embryonic development and renal cancer. Recently, studies have shown that targeting this pathway by alternating/inhibiting its intracellular signal transduction can reduce cancer cells viability and inhibit their growth. The targets and drugs identified show promising potential to serve as novel RCC therapeutics and prognostic markers. This review aims to summarize the current status quo regarding recent research on RCC focusing on the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and how its understanding could facilitate the identification of potential therapeutic targets, new drugs and diagnostic biomarkers.

Pax8 and Pax2 are specifically required at different steps of Xenopus pronephros development

The respective role of Pax2 and Pax8 in early kidney development in vertebrates is poorly understood. In this report, we have studied the roles of Pax8 and Pax2 in Xenopus pronephros development using a loss-of-function approach. Our results highlight a differential requirement of these two transcription factors for proper pronephros formation. Pax8 is necessary for the earliest steps of pronephric development and its depletion leads to a complete absence of pronephric tubule. Pax2 is required after the establishment of the tubule pronephric anlage, for the expression of several terminal differentiation markers of the pronephric tubule. Neither Pax2 nor Pax8 is essential to glomus development. We further show that Pax8 controls hnf1b, but not lhx1 and Osr2, expression in the kidney field as soon as the mid-neurula stage. Pax8 is also required for cell proliferation of pronephric precursors in the kidney field. It may exert its action through the wnt/beta-catenin pathway since activation of this pathway can rescue MoPax8 induced proliferation defect and Pax8 regulates expression of the wnt pathway components, dvl1 and sfrp3. Finally, we observed that loss of pronephros in Pax8 morphants correlates with an expanded vascular/blood gene expression domain indicating that Pax8 function is important to delimit the blood/endothelial genes expression domain in the anterior part of the dorso-lateral plate.

Differential regulation of the mouse and human Wnt5a alternative promoters A and B

Wnt5a is an extracellular glycoprotein that activates Wnt signaling pathways, important in development and tissue homeostasis. Wnt5a expression is often misregulated during cancer progression. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptional regulation of two of the Wnt5a alternative promoters, termed A and B. Transient transfection of promoter A and B luciferase reporter constructs in to NIH3T3 and Caco-2 cells indicated that the separated promoters are both functional and that 300-450 base pair (bp) of upstream sequence is sufficient for activity. Promoter B constructs displayed distinct patterns of expression in the two cell types. The endogenous levels of promoter A-derived transcripts were found to be greater than the promoter B transcripts by four- to sixfold in fibroblast cells. Treatment of NIH3T3 cells with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha leads to an increase in both promoter A and B activities, but promoter B was more responsive. Using inhibitors of TNF-alpha effector proteins, we provide evidence that the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB and the MEK1/2 and p38 kinases have distinct roles in determining the activity levels of promoters, A and B. These results support the conclusion that Wnt5a promoters, A and B, are differentially regulated and provide a model for complex transcriptional regulation of Wnt5a.

Pax2 regulates a fadd-dependent molecular switch that drives tissue fusion during eye development

Tissue fusion is an essential morphogenetic mechanism in development, playing a fundamental role in developing neural tube, palate and the optic fissure. Disruption of genes associated with the tissue fusion can lead to congenital malformations, such as spina bifida, cleft lip/palate and ocular coloboma. For instance, the Pax2 transcription factor is required for optic fissure closure, although the mechanism of Pax2 action leading to tissue fusion remains elusive. This lack of information defining how transcription factors drive tissue morphogenesis at the cellular level is hampering new treatments options. Through loss- and gain-of-function analysis, we now establish that pax2 in combination with vax2 directly regulate the fas-associated death domain (fadd) gene. In the presence of fadd, cell proliferation is restricted in the developing eye through a caspase-dependent pathway. However, the loss of fadd results in a proliferation defect and concomitant activation of the necroptosis pathway through RIP1/RIP3 activity, leading to an abnormal open fissure. Inhibition of RIP1 with the small molecule drug necrostatin-1 rescues the pax2 eye fusion defect, thereby overcoming the underlying genetic defect. Thus, fadd has an essential physiological function in protecting the developing optic fissure neuroepithelium from RIP3-dependent necroptosis. This study demonstrates the molecular hierarchies that regulate a cellular switch between proliferation and the apoptotic and necroptotic cell death pathways, which in combination drive tissue morphogenesis. Furthermore, our data suggest that future therapeutic strategies may be based on small molecule drugs that can bypass the gene defects causing common congenital tissue fusion defects.

Expression profiling reveals MSX1 and EphB2 expression correlates with the invasion capacity of Wilms tumors

BACKGROUND

Wilms tumor is the most common pediatric renal malignancy, but the parameters that are important to its invasion capacity are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify new proteins associated with the invasion capacity of Wilms tumor.

PROCEDURE

Gene expression profiles for 15 primary Wilms tumor samples were determined by Affymetrix Genechip® Human Genome Ul33A microarray analysis. The gene expression profiles for selected genes was further confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 25 Wilms tumor cases to confirm expression for Bcl2A1, EphB2, MSX1, and RIN1.

RESULTS

Using microarray analysis 14 genes showed differential expression (P < 0.05) comparing stage 1 non-invasive Wilms tumor to stages 2-4 invasive Wilms tumor. The differential expression for Bcl2A1, EphB2, MSX1, and RIN1 was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. MSX1 protein was statistically significantly lower in stages 2-4 invasive Wilms tumor cases compared to stage 1 non-invasive cases (P = 0.013). EphB2 protein was higher in stages 2-4 Wilms tumor cases compared to stage 1 cases (P = 0.006). There was no statistically significant difference between stages 1 and 2-4 Wilms tumor for Bcl2A1 (P = 0.230) or RIN1 (P = 0.969) at the protein level.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that MSX1 may be associated with the invasion capacity of Wilms tumors. RIN1 is a downstream effector of RAS and Bcl2A1 functions as an anti-apoptotic protein. EphB2 is an ephrin receptor and is up-regulated in invasive tumors but its role needs to be confirmed in further cases of Wilms tumors.

Temporal blastemal cell gene expression analysis in the kidney reveals new Wnt and related signaling pathway genes to be essential for Wilms' tumor onset

Wilms' tumors (WTs) originate from metanephric blastema cells that are unable to complete differentiation, resulting in triphasic tumors composed of epithelial, stromal and blastemal cells, with the latter harboring molecular characteristics similar to those of the earliest kidney development stages. Precise regulation of Wnt and related signaling pathways has been shown to be crucial for correct kidney differentiation. In this study, the gene expression profile of Wnt and related pathways was assessed in laser-microdissected blastemal cells in WTs and differentiated kidneys, in human and in four temporal kidney differentiation stages (i.e. E15.5, E17.5, P1.5 and P7.5) in mice, using an orthologous cDNA microarray platform. A signaling pathway-based gene signature was shared between cells of WT and of earliest kidney differentiation stages, revealing genes involved in the interruption of blastemal cell differentiation in WT. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR showed high robustness of the microarray data demonstrating 75 and 56% agreement in the initial and independent sample sets, respectively. The protein expression of CRABP2, IGF2, GRK7, TESK1, HDGF, WNT5B, FZD2 and TIMP3 was characterized in WTs and in a panel of human fetal kidneys displaying remarkable aspects of differentiation, which was recapitulated in the tumor. Taken together, this study reveals new genes candidate for triggering WT onset and for therapeutic treatment targets.

The transcription factor PAX2 regulates ADAM10 expression in renal cell carcinoma

ADAM10 is a metalloprotease that plays an important role in the progression and metastasis of various cancers. In the present study, we present compelling evidence that PAX2 can bind to the promotor of ADAM10 and regulate ADAM10 protein expression in renal cancer cells. We further show that ADAM10 is the major sheddase for the constitutive cleavage of L1-CAM and c-Met, two important proteins involved in the progression of renal cancer. The downregulation of ADAM10 led to a more scattered cell phenotype, which was accompanied by the induction of Slug and the loss of E-cadherin, which is observed during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, the downregulation of ADAM10 reduced the proliferation but induced the migration of renal cancer cells. Notably, the downregulation of PAX2 led to an increased L1-CAM expression, which was accompanied by a massive metalloprotease-mediated release of soluble L1-CAM. Importantly, soluble L1-CAM induced the proliferation of endothelial cells and the migration of renal cancer cells. Finally, we can demonstrate that the silencing of PAX2 led to an L1-CAM-dependent activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, one important pathway mediating cancer cell survival. In summary, we identified PAX2 as a regulator of L1-CAM and ADAM10, which play crucial roles in the progression of various cancers including renal cell carcinoma and the downregulation of ADAM10 maybe an earlier step in renal cancer development as it seems to be involved in processes of EMT.

Prospero and Pax2 combinatorially control neural cell fate decisions by modulating Ras- and Notch-dependent signaling

BACKGROUND

The concept of an equivalence group, a cluster of cells with equal potential to adopt the same specific fate, has served as a useful paradigm to understand neural cell type specification. In the Drosophila eye, a set of five cells, called the 'R7 equivalence group', generates a single photoreceptor neuron and four lens-secreting epithelial cells. This choice between neuronal versus non-neuronal cell fates rests on differential requirements for, and cross-talk between, Notch/Delta- and Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent signaling pathways. However, many questions remain unanswered related to how downstream events of these two signaling pathways mediate distinct cell fate decisions.

RESULTS

Here, we demonstrate that two direct downstream targets of Ras and Notch signaling, the transcription factors Prospero and dPax2, are essential regulators of neuronal versus non-neuronal cell fate decisions in the R7 equivalence group. Prospero controls high activated MAPK levels required for neuronal fate, whereas dPax2 represses Delta expression to prevent neuronal fate. Importantly, activity from both factors is required for proper cell fate decisions to occur.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that Ras and Notch signaling are integrated during cell fate decisions within the R7 equivalence group through the combinatorial and opposing activities of Pros and dPax2. Our study provides one of the first examples of how the differential expression and synergistic roles of two independent transcription factors determine cell fate within an equivalence group. Since the integration of Ras and Notch signaling is associated with many developmental and cancer models, these findings should provide new insights into how cell specificity is achieved by ubiquitously used signaling pathways in diverse biological contexts.

Dinosaurs and ancient civilizations: reflections on the treatment of cancer

Research efforts in the area of palaeopathology have been seen as an avenue to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of cancer. Answers to questions of whether dinosaurs had cancer, or if cancer plagued ancient civilizations, have captured the imagination as well as the popular media. Evidence for dinosaurian cancer may indicate that cancer may have been with us from the dawn of time. Ancient recorded history suggests that past civilizations attempted to fight cancer with a variety of interventions. When contemplating the issue why a generalized cure for cancer has not been found, it might prove useful to reflect on the relatively limited time that this issue has been an agenda item of governmental attention as well as continued introduction of an every evolving myriad of manmade carcinogens relative to the total time cancer has been present on planet Earth. This article reflects on the history of cancer and the progress made following the initiation of the "era of cancer chemotherapy."

The War on Cancer rages on

In 1971, the "War on Cancer" was launched by the US government to cure cancer by the 200-year anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, 1976. This article briefly looks back at the progress that has been made in cancer research and compares progress made in other areas of human affliction. While progress has indeed been made, the battle continues to rage on.

An intron 9 containing splice variant of PAX2

BACKGROUND

PAX2 is a transcription factor with an important role in embryogenic development. However, PAX2 expression was frequently identified in neoplasia responsible for the growth and survival of cancer cells. Due to alternative splicing of exon 6, exon 10 and exon 12 four isoforms of PAX2 are described so far.

METHODS

The expression of an intron 9 containing PAX2 splice variant was analyzed in neoplastic B cell and solid tumor cell lines as well as in primary tumor samples by quantitative RT-PCR. PAX2 proteins were detected by Western Blot in a subset of cell lines.

RESULTS

All 14 lymphoma cell lines expressed an undescribed PAX2 splice variant containing the entire intron 9 sequence and the exon 10 sequence. This splice variant could also be detected in 35 solid tumor cell lines, in leukemia and lymphoma as well as in colon carcinoma and melanoma patient samples and in blood samples of healthy donors. Expression of this new splice variant on protein level was verified by Western Blot analysis.

CONCLUSION

We discovered a previously undescribed intron 9 and exon 10 containing splice variant of PAX2 in B-cell neoplasia and in solid tumors on mRNA and protein level.

Neoplasia: the second decade

This issue marks the end of the 10-year anniversary of Neoplasia where we have seen exciting growth in both number of submitted and published articles in Neoplasia. Neoplasia was first published in 1999. During the past 10 years, Neoplasia has dynamically adapted to the needs of the cancer research community as technologies have advanced. Neoplasia is currently providing access to articles through PubMed Central to continue to facilitate rapid broad-based dissemination of published findings to the scientific community through an Open Access model. This has in part helped Neoplasia to achieve an improved impact factor this past year, demonstrating that the manuscripts published by Neoplasia are of great interest to the overall cancer research community. This past year, Neoplasia received a record number of articles for review and has had a 21% increase in the number of published articles.