LSD1 binds to HPV16 E7 and promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cervical cancer by demethylating histones at the Vimentin promoter

Immune system and tumor microenvironment in early-stage breast cancer: different mechanisms for early recurrence after mastectomy and chemotherapy on ductal and lobular types

Background: The most common type of breast cancer is the ductal type (IDC), followed by lobular type (ILC). Surgery is the main therapy for early-stage breast cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy might be given to those at high risk of recurrence. Recurrence is still possible after mastectomy and chemotherapy and most often occurs in the first two years. We aimed to determine the mechanisms in early local recurrence in both types. Methods: We used an observational method with a cross-sectional study design. The samples were patients with early-stage IDC and ILC, who underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and got adjuvant chemotherapy with taxan and anthracycline base, and experienced recurrence in the first two years after surgery. The materials in this study were paraffin blocks from surgical specimens; we examined vimentin, α-SMA and MMP1, PDGF and CD95 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Data analysis was done using OpenEpi 3.0.1 and EZR. We used pathway analysis with linear regression. Results: There were 25 samples with local recurrence and 25 samples without recurrence in the ductal type group. The lobular type group consisted of six subjects without recurrence and seven with recurrence. There were significant differences in the expression of vimentin (p=0.000 and 0.021, respectively), PDGF (p=0.000 and 0.002) and CD95 (p=0.000 and 0.045) in ductal and lobular cancer types, respectively. MMP1 (p=0.000) and α-SMA (p=0.000) only showed a significant difference in the ductal type. The pathway analysis showed that in the ductal type, the mechanism of recurrence was enabled by two factors: α-SMA and CD95. Meanwhile, for the lobular type, the recurrence mechanism was through the CD95 pathway. Conclusions: Local recurrence in early-stage IDC and ILC had different mechanisms.  These findings are expected to make cancer treatment in both types more focused and efficient.

CRISPR/Cas9 Screen in Gastric Cancer Patient-Derived Organoids Reveals KDM1A-NDRG1 Axis as a Targetable Vulnerability

Viability CRISPR screens have proven indispensable in parsing genome function. However, their application in new, more physiologically relevant culturing systems like patient-derived organoids (PDOs) has been much slower. To probe epigenetic contribution to gastric cancer (GC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, the first negative selection CRISPR screen in GC PDOs that faithfully preserve primary tumor characteristics is performed. Extensive quality control measurements showing feasibility of CRISPR screens in primary organoid culture are provided. The screen reveals the histone lysine demethylase-1A (KDM1A) to constitute a GC vulnerability. Both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of KDM1A cause organoid growth retardation. Further, it is shown that most of KDM1A cancer-supporting functions center on repression of N-myc downstream regulates gene-1 (NDRG1). De-repression of NDRG1 by KDM1A inhibitors (KDM1Ai) causes inhibition of Wnt signaling and a strong G1 cell cycle arrest. Finally, by profiling 20 GC PDOs, it is shown that NDRG1 upregulation predicts KDM1Ai response with 100% sensitivity and 82% specificity in the tested cohort. Thus, this work pioneers the use of negative selection CRISPR screens in patient-derived organoids, identifies a marker of KDM1Ai response, and accordingly a cohort of patients who may benefit from such therapy.

LSD1 silencing inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of hypopharyngeal cancer cells by inducing autophagy and pyroptosis

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a subtype of the head and neck malignancies. We aimed to explore the role of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) in the progression of hypopharyngeal cancer and to identify the potential mechanisms. First, LSD1 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissues and the correlation between LSD1 and the stage of HNSC were analyzed by the University of ALabama at Birmingham CANcer data analysis Portal (UALCAN). Following LSD1 silencing, proliferation of pharyngeal cancer cell line FaDu cells was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays. Wounding healing and transwell assays were used to measure the capacities of migration and invasion. In addition, expression of proteins related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, and pyroptosis was tested by Western blot analysis or immunofluorescence. After treatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inhibitor MCC950, the malignant biological properties were measured again. High LSD1 expression was observed in HNSC tissues, which was correlated with stage. LSD1 knockdown significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of hypopharyngeal cancer cells. Moreover, autophagy and pyroptosis were induced by LSD1 depletion, observed by the enhanced fluorescence intensity of LC3, gasdermin-D (GSDMD)-N, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), accompanied by upregulated expression of LC3II/LC3I, Beclin-1, NLRP3, cleaved-caspase 1, ASC, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-18 and downregulated expression of p62. Importantly, 3-MA or MCC950 addition obviously reversed the inhibitory effects of LSD1 silencing on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of hypopharyngeal cancer cells. To sum up, LSD1 silencing could restrain the progression of hypopharyngeal cancer cells by inducing autophagy and pyroptosis.

Advances in epigenetic modifications and cervical cancer research

Cervical cancer (CC) is an important public health problem for women, and perspectives and information regarding its prevention and treatment are quickly evolving. Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been recognized as a major contributor to CC development; however, HPV infection is not the only cause of CC. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression levels caused by non-gene sequence changes. Growing evidence suggests that the disruption of gene expression patterns which were governed by epigenetic modifications can result in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and various other maladies. This article mainly reviews the current research status of epigenetic modifications in CC based on four aspects, respectively DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNA regulation and chromatin regulation, and we also discuss their functions and molecular mechanisms in the occurrence and progression of CC. This review provides new ideas for early screening, risk assessment, molecular targeted therapy and prognostic prediction of CC.

Epigenetic compounds targeting pharmacological target lysine specific demethylase 1 and its impact on immunotherapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for treatment of tumor recurrence and resistance

It has been proven that metastatic recurrence and therapeutic resistance are linked. Due to the variability of individuals and tumors, as well as the tumor's versatility in avoiding therapies, therapy resistance is more difficult to treat. Therapy resistance has significantly restricted the clinical feasibility and efficacy of tumor therapy, despite the discovery of novel compounds and therapy combinations with increasing efficacy. In several tumors, lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has been associated to metastatic recurrence and therapeutic resistance. For researchers to better comprehend how LSD1-mediated tumor therapy resistance occurs and how to overcome it in various tumors, this study focused on the role of LSD1 in tumor recurrence and therapeutic resistance. The importance of therapeutically targeted LSD1 was also discussed. Most gene pathway signatures are related to LSD1 inhibitor sensitivity. However, some gene pathway signatures, especially in AML, negatively correlate with LSD1 inhibitor sensitivity, but targeting LSD1 makes the therapy-resistant tumor sensitive to physiological doses of conventional therapy. We propose that combining LSD1 inhibitor with traditional tumor therapy can help patients attain a complete response and prevent cancer relapse.

RNA N6-methyladenosine modification mediates downregulation of NR4A1 to facilitate malignancy of cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

N⁶-methyladenosine is the most abundant eukaryotic mRNA modification and alters a wide range of cellular processes in cancer. Therefore, defining the molecular details are critical for understanding the regulatory mechanism of m⁶A modification.

RESULTS

We found that METTL3, a core m⁶A methyltransferase component, is upregulated and functions as an oncogene in cervical cancer. Mechanistically, METTL3 induces the degradation of m⁶A-modified transcripts of NR4A1 though YTHDF2-DDX6 pathway. In addition, NR4A1 overexpression attenuates the malignant progression through recruiting the LSD1/HDAC1/CoREST transcriptional repression complex to AKT1 promoter.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal that m⁶A regulates cervical cancer cellular progression through manipulating NR4A1 pathway.

Infection by High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses, Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Squamous Pre-Malignant or Malignant Lesions of the Uterine Cervix: A Series of Chained Events?

Wound healing requires static epithelial cells to gradually assume a mobile phenotype through a multi-step process termed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although it is inherently transient and reversible, EMT perdures and is abnormally activated when the epithelium is chronically exposed to pathogens: this event deeply alters the tissue and eventually contributes to the development of diseases. Among the many of them is uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most frequent malignancy of the female genital system. SCC, whose onset is associated with the persistent infection of the uterine cervix by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), often relapses and/or metastasizes, being resistant to conventional chemo- or radiotherapy. Given that these fearsome clinical features may stem, at least in part, from the exacerbated and long-lasting EMT occurring in the HPV-infected cervix; here we have reviewed published studies concerning the impact that HPV oncoproteins, cellular tumor suppressors, regulators of gene expression, inflammatory cytokines or growth factors, and the interactions among these effectors have on EMT induction and cervical carcinogenesis. It is predictable and desirable that a broader comprehension of the role that EMT inducers play in SCC pathogenesis will provide indications to flourish new strategies directed against this aggressive tumor.

OTUB2 Facilitates Tumorigenesis of Gastric Cancer Through Promoting KDM1A-Mediated Stem Cell-Like Properties

Otubain 2 (OTUB2), a deubiquitinating enzyme, overexpression is considered to predict poor outcome in various cancers. However, the function and potential regulatory mechanisms of OTUB2 in gastric cancer (GC) progression remains unclear. To determine how OTUB2 participate in GC progression, the gain and loss of-function experiments were conducted in vivo and in vitro. We found that OTUB2 was upregulated in GC samples (n=140) and cells. Moreover, the overall, first progression and post progression survival rates of GC patients with high OTUB2 expression showed a poorer prognosis than that in those patients with low OTUB2 expression. Down-regulation of OTUB2 suppressed sphere formation and reduced expression of stem cell markers in GC cells. Furthermore, OTUB2-silenced GC cells also showed a decreased proliferation, invasion, migration, and in vivo tumorigenic ability. However, OTUB2 overexpression showed the opposite effects. Notably, we demonstrated that OTUB2 increased lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A) expression through deubiquitination. KDM1A, a demethylase known to promote demethylation of downstream genes, was identified to promote the maintenance of cancer stem cell characteristics. Moreover, the alterations caused by OTUB2 overexpression were partly inversed by KDM1A knockdown and in turn KDM1A overexpression reversed the changes induced by OTUB2 shRNA. Taken together, we demonstrate that OTUB2 may serve as a vital driver in GC tumorigenesis by enhancing KDM1A-mediated stem cell-like properties.

Arborinine, a potential LSD1 inhibitor, inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition of SGC-7901 cells and adriamycin-resistant gastric cancer SGC-7901/ADR cells

Arborinine is a natural product isolated from G. parva leaf extracts, which displays potentially antiproliferative activity against human cervical cancer cells. In contrast, its anticancer effects against gastric cancer cells and drug-resistant gastric cancer cells remain unknown. In this work, arborinine was evaluated as a broad-spectrum antiproliferative agent, and it exhibited potently inhibitory activity against NCI-N87 (IC50 = 5.67 μM), BGC-823 (IC50 = 7.26 μM), MGC803 (IC50 = 4.75 μM), SGC-7901 (IC50 = 1.96 μM), HGC-27 (IC50 = 5.70 μM), SGC-7901/ADR (IC50 = 0.24 μM), SGC-7901/VCR (IC50 = 1.09 μM), and MGC803/PTX (IC50 = 1.32 μM) cell lines. Subsequent target verification experiments demonstrated that arborinine selectively and reversibly inhibited LSD1 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was found that arborinine suppressed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and adriamycin-resistant gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901/ADR in a dose-dependent manner. The in vivo antitumor study further indicated that arborinine can significantly reduce the growth of tumors both in SGC-7901 and SGC-7901/ADR xenograft mouse models. Overall, we demonstrated the potential of arborinine as an effective treatment for gastric cancer and adriamycin-resistant gastric cancer.

LSD1 silencing contributes to enhanced efficacy of anti-CD47/PD-L1 immunotherapy in cervical cancer

Anti-CD47/PD-L1 immunotherapies aiming to enhance antitumor immunity are being intensively investigated and show promising results in cancer therapy; however, not all patients treated with these new drugs respond. Thus, developing new immunotherapy agents or combination treatments to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy is an urgent challenge. Here, we found that LSD1 knockdown directly downregulated the expression of CD47 and PD-L1 through upregulating H3K4me2 levels in the CD47 and CD274 promoter regions. In addition, the LSD1/wild-type p53/miR-34a signaling axis was also involved in the regulation of CD47/PD-L1 expression by targeting the 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of CD47/PD-L1. Further, the results showed that an LSD1 inhibitor (ORY-1001) combined with anti-CD47/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies inhibited tumor growth in an established subcutaneous xenograft model more effectively than a single blockade strategy. Collectively, these findings indicate that LSD1 inhibition enhances the therapeutic efficacy of PD-L1/CD47 blockade by reducing CD47 and PD-L1 expression in cervical cancer.

Lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (LSD1) in cervical cancer

Purpose

Demethylation of DNA through enzymes like LSD1 showed a crucial impact on different kind of cancers. Epigenetic modifications in cervical cancer are still not fully investigated nevertheless of high interest for a therapeutic use.

Methods

Tumor samples of 250 cervical cancer patients were immunochemically stained and evaluated based on Immunoreactive Score. Results were statistically analyzed for clinical and pathological parameters.

Results

Our patient collective showed a disadvantage for 10-year survival for patients with a strong expression of LSD1 in the cytoplasm of cervical cancer cells. The results of the correlational analysis further revealed a negative correlation of LSD1 to G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER).

Conclusions

Epigenetic changes through enzymes like LSD1 may also be of interest for patients with cervical cancer. A combined therapy with other proteins relayed to cervical cancer like GPER might be of interest for future investigations.

Knockdown of KDM1A suppresses tumour migration and invasion by epigenetically regulating the TIMP1/MMP9 pathway in papillary thyroid cancer

Epigenetic dysregulation plays an important role in cancer. Histone demethylation is a well‐known mechanism of epigenetic regulation that promotes or inhibits tumourigenesis in various malignant tumours. However, the pathogenic role of histone demethylation modifiers in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), which has a high incidence of early lymphatic metastasis, is largely unknown. Here, we detected the expression of common histone demethylation modifiers and found that the histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) and H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) demethylase KDM1A (or lysine demethylase 1A) is frequently overexpressed in PTC tissues and cell lines. High KDM1A expression correlated positively with age <55 years and lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC. Moreover, KDM1A was required for PTC cell migration and invasion. KDM1A knockdown inhibited the migration and invasive abilities of PTC cells both in vitro and in vivo. We also identified tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) as a key KDM1A target gene. KDM1A activated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) through epigenetic repression of TIMP1 expression by demethylating H3K4me2 at the TIMP1 promoter region. Rescue experiments clarified these findings. Altogether, we have uncovered a new mechanism of KDM1A repression of TIMP1 in PTC and suggest that KDM1A may be a promising therapeutic target in PTC.

Polyamine flux suppresses histone lysine demethylases and enhances ID1 expression in cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit tumorigenic potential and can generate resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A labeled ornithine decarboxylase (ODC, a rate-limiting enzyme involved in polyamine [PA] biosynthesis) degradation motif (degron) system allows visualization of a fraction of CSC-like cells in heterogeneous tumor populations. A labeled ODC degradation motif system allowed visualization of a fraction of CSC-like cells in heterogeneous tumor populations. Using this system, analysis of polyamine flux indicated that polyamine metabolism is active in CSCs. The results showed that intracellular polyamines inhibited the activity of histone lysine 4 demethylase enzymes, including lysine-specific demethylase-1 (LSD1). Chromatin immunoprecipitation with Pol II antibody followed by massively parallel DNA sequencing, revealed the global enrichment of Pol II in transcription start sites in CSCs. Increase of polyamines within cells resulted in an enhancement of ID1 gene expression. The results of this study reveal details of metabolic pathways that drive epigenetic control of cancer cell stemness and determine effective therapeutic targets in CSCs.

DPY30 is required for the enhanced proliferation, motility and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of epithelial ovarian cancer cells

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies and is known to be associated with the accumulation of various genetic and epigenetic alterations. As a member of the human histone-lysine N-methyltransferase SETD1A (SET1)/histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2A (MLL) complexes that are required for full SET1/MLL methyltransferase activity, protein dpy-30 homolog (DPY30) catalyzes histone H3K4 methylation, and its dysfunction has been associated with the occurrence of cancer. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of DPY30 in EOC and the potential association between DPY30 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of EOC. The expression of DPY30 was examined in EOC tissues and cell lines to identify any correlations between the clinico-pathological characteristics of EOC and DPY30 expression, and to determine the effects of DPY30 on EOC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. DPY30 was highly expressed in EOC tissues and cell lines, and high DPY30 expression was significantly associated with notable clinicopathological variables in EOC patients, including International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, pathological grade and lymph node metastasis. Functional studies on EOC cell lines demonstrated that DPY30 significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, accelerated cell cycle progression, and promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay results revealed that DPY30 regulates histone H3K4 modification via interaction with the vimentin gene promoter, suggesting that DPY30 promotes the transcription of vimentin. Finally, high expression of DPY30 was significantly associated with reduced survival in patients with EOC. The results indicated that DPY30 may act as an oncogene in EOC and thus represents a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in EOC.

HPV16 E7 increases COX-2 expression and promotes the proliferation of breast cancer

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Human papilloma virus 16 (HPV16) may serve a function in the pathogenesis and development of breast cancer. However, the detection rate of HPV16 in breast carcinoma may vary by region. In the present study, the expression of HPV16 E7 in paraffin-embedded tissues from patients with breast cancer from North China was detected. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of HPV16 E7 in the proliferation of breast cancer cells were examined. The results demonstrated that the DNA of HPV16 E7 was detected in 30.5% of the samples, and that HPV16 E7 promoted the proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, HPV16 E7-mediated proliferation of breast cancer cells was suppressed in response to treatment with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-specific small interfering RNA and celecoxib. The results of the present study revealed that HPV16 E7 may promote the proliferation of breast cancer cells by upregulating COX-2, suggesting that COX-2 may be a potential therapeutic target for HPV16 E7-mediated progression of breast cancer.

S100A6 promotes the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality among women. S100A6 has been reported to be associated with the development of many types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of S100A6 on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of cervical cancer cells and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Quantative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the basic mRNA level of S100A6 in HeLa, SiHa and CaSki cells. Western blot analysis was used to detect the protein level of S100A6, epithelial cadherin, neuronal cadherin, phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), t-Akt, p-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), t-GSK3β and β-catenin. Semi-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA level of Snail, Twist and Vimentin. MTT and Hoechst staining assays were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of cells, and wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect the migration of cells. The results of the present study demonstrate that the levels of S100A6 were decreased in HeLa cells compared with in SiHa and CaSki cells. Overexpression of S100A6 in HeLa and CaSki cells promoted the proliferative and migratory ability, and had no significant effect on cellular apoptosis. Whereas the knockdown of S100A6 in SiHa and CaSki cells inhibited the proliferative and migratory ability, it had no significant effect on apoptosis. The overexpression of S100A6 in HeLa cells increased the levels of neuronal (N)-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Twist. Conversely, knockdown of S100A6 in SiHa cells decreased the levels of N-cadherin, vimentin, Snail and Twist and increased the levels of epithelial (E)-cadherin. Furthermore, overexpression of S100A6 in HeLa cells activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, and treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 partially repressed S100A6-enhanced proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells. These results indicate that S100A6 facilitates the malignant potential of cervical cancer cells, particularly metastatic ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is mediated by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Inversed Expression Patterns of S100A4 and E-Cadherin in Cervical Cancers: Implication in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Cervical cancer/CC is the third commonest female malignancy worldwide. The aggressive growth and distal metastases are the leading causes of CC mortality, which is largely due to epithelial-mesenchymal transition/EMT. Fibroblast specific protein S100A4 promotes cancer metastasis and epithelial type cadherin/E-cadherin play pivotal roles in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interaction. Therefore, the expression patterns of S100A4 and E-cadherin reflect statuses of EMT of carcinoma cells. However, S100A4 expression and its relevance with E-cadherin and HPV16 infection in cervical cancers remain unknown. This study aims to address the above issues using cervical cancer specimens. Immunohistochemistry reveals that the levels of mesenchymal marker S100A4 is upregulated (>++) in cervical adenocarcinomas/CACs (12/16; 75%) and squamous cell carcinomas/CSCCs (23/28; 82%) than that in noncancerous glandular epithelia/GE (0/12; 0%) and squamous epithelia/SE (0/12; 0%). Epithelial marker membranous E-cadherin is remarkably reduced on the surface of CAC and CSCC cells (P = 0.00; P = 0.00), especially those showing poorly differentiated phenotypes (P < 0.05) in comparison with their noncancerous counterparts. Correlative analyses revealed an inverse relationship between S100A4 and E-cadherin expression among the cervical cancer samples (P = 0.01, r = -0.38). S100A4 expression level in HPV16-infected group is higher than that in HPV16-free group (P = 0.02). These results suggest the close correlation of S100A4 upregulation with cervical cancer formation and HPV16 infection and E-cadherin reduction with the grades of CC dedifferentiation. The concurrent gain of S100A4 and loss of membrane E-cadherin suggest EMT tendency of CC cells and can be regarded as an unfavorable prognostic parameter of CC patients. Anat Rec, 300:2184-2191, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.