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Park S, Choi J, Ko N, Mondal S, Pal U, Lee BI, Oh J. Beta cyclodextrin conjugated AuFe 3O 4 Janus nanoparticles with enhanced chemo-photothermal therapy performance. Acta Biomater 2024; 182:213-227. [PMID: 38734286 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.05.008] [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: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The strategic integration of multi-functionalities within a singular nanoplatform has received growing attention for enhancing treatment efficacy, particularly in chemo-photothermal therapy. This study introduces a comprehensive concept of Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) composed of Au and Fe3O4 nanostructures intricately bonded with β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) to encapsulate 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Ibuprofen (IBU). This strategic structure is engineered to exploit the synergistic effects of chemo-photothermal therapy, underscored by their exceptional biocompatibility and photothermal conversion efficiency (∼32.88 %). Furthermore, these β-CD-conjugated JNPs enhance photodynamic therapy by generating singlet oxygen (1O2) species, offering a multi-modality approach to cancer eradication. Computer simulation results were in good agreement with in vitro and in vivo assays. Through these studies, we were able to prove the improved tumor ablation ability of the drug-loaded β-CD-conjugated JNPs, without inducing adverse effects in tumor-bearing nude mice. The findings underscore a formidable tumor ablation potency of β-CD-conjugated Au-Fe3O4 JNPs, heralding a new era in achieving nuanced, highly effective, and side-effect-free cancer treatment modalities. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The emergence of multifunctional nanoparticles marks a pivotal stride in cancer therapy research. This investigation unveils Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) amalgamating gold (Au), iron oxide (Fe3O4), and β-cyclodextrins (β-CD), encapsulating 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and Ibuprofen (IBU) for synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy. Demonstrating both biocompatibility and potent photothermal properties (∼32.88 %), these JNPs present a promising avenue for cancer treatment. Noteworthy is their heightened photodynamic efficiency and remarkable tumor ablation capabilities observed in vitro and in vivo, devoid of adverse effects. Furthermore, computational simulations validate their interactions with cancer cells, bolstering their utility as an emerging therapeutic modality. This endeavor pioneers a secure and efficacious strategy for cancer therapy, underscoring the significance of β-CD-conjugated Au-Fe3O4 JNPs as innovative nanoplatforms with profound implications for the advancement of cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumin Park
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyeop Choi
- Smart Gym-Based Translational Research Center for Active Senior's Healthcare, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Namsuk Ko
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Sudip Mondal
- Digital Healthcare Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
| | - Umapada Pal
- Institute of Physics, Autonomous University of Puebla, Puebla 72570, Mexico
| | - Byeong-Il Lee
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Smart Gym-Based Translational Research Center for Active Senior's Healthcare, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Digital Healthcare Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Department of Smart Healthcare, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
| | - Junghwan Oh
- Industry 4.0 Convergence Bionics Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Smart Gym-Based Translational Research Center for Active Senior's Healthcare, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Digital Healthcare Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Department of Smart Healthcare, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea; Ohlabs Corp., Busan 48513, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Dehbokri SG, Noorolyai S, Baghbani E, Moghaddamneshat N, Javaheri T, Baradaran B. Effects of CD44 siRNA on inhibition, survival, and apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and 4T1). Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:646. [PMID: 38727931 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09572-9] [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: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Despite the many advances that have been made in treating patients, many patients are still resistant to treatment. CD44 is one of the surface glycoproteins of BC cells that plays an important role in the proliferation of these cells and inhibition of their apoptosis. Therefore, targeting it can be a treatment way for BC patients. METHODS In this study, the effect of anti-CD44 siRNA on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration rate of MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells was investigated. The techniques used in this study were MTT assay, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry. RESULTS The apoptosis and proliferation rates in CD44 siRNA-treated cells were higher and lower, respectively, compared to untreated cells. Also, cell migration was less in treated cells compared to untreated cells. CD44 siRNA also decreased the expression of CXCR4, c-myc, Vimentin, ROCK, and MMP-9. CONCLUSION Finally, CD44 targeting can be a good treatment option to make BC cells more sensitive to apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saeed Noorolyai
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshghah Ave, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elham Baghbani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshghah Ave, Tabriz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nilofar Moghaddamneshat
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Islamic Azad University of Center Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tohid Javaheri
- Young Researchers and Elites Club, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Daneshghah Ave, Tabriz, Iran.
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3
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Lai J, Shang C, Chen W, Izevbaye I, Chu MP, Sandhu I, Brandwein J, Lai R, Wang P. An In Vitro Model for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapse Using the SORE6 Reporter. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:496. [PMID: 38203669 PMCID: PMC10779023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Many patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse within two years of the initial remission. The biology of AML relapse is incompletely understood, although cancer stem-like (CSL) cells have been hypothesized to be important. To test this hypothesis, we employed SORE6, a reporter designed to detect the transcriptional activity of the embryonic stem cell proteins Oct4 and Sox2, to identify/purify CSL cells in two FLT3-mutated AML cell lines. Both cell lines contained ~10% of SORE6+ cells in the steady state. Compared to SORE6- cells, SORE6+ cells exhibited more characteristics of CSL cells, with significantly higher chemoresistance and rates of spheroid formation. SORE6+ cells had substantially higher expression of Myc and FLT3 proteins, which are drivers of SORE6 activity. Using a mixture of SORE6-/SORE6+ cells that were molecularly barcoded, we generated an in vitro study model for AML relapse. Specifically, after 'in vitro remission' induced by Ara-C, both cell lines regenerated after 13 ± 3 days. Barcode analysis revealed that most of the regenerated cells were derived from the original SORE6+ cells. Regenerated cells exhibited more CSL features than did the original SORE6+ cells, even though a proportion of them lost SORE6 activity. In bone marrow samples from a patient cohort, we found that relapsed blasts expressed significantly higher levels of Myc, a surrogate marker of SORE6 activity, compared to pre-treatment blasts. To conclude, using our in vitro model, we have provided evidence that CSL cells contribute to AML relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Lai
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (M.P.C.); (I.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Chuquan Shang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.S.); (W.C.); (I.I.); (R.L.)
| | - Will Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.S.); (W.C.); (I.I.); (R.L.)
| | - Iyare Izevbaye
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.S.); (W.C.); (I.I.); (R.L.)
| | - Michael P. Chu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (M.P.C.); (I.S.); (J.B.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Irwindeep Sandhu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (M.P.C.); (I.S.); (J.B.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Joseph Brandwein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (M.P.C.); (I.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Raymond Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (C.S.); (W.C.); (I.I.); (R.L.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (M.P.C.); (I.S.); (J.B.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
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4
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Lee ND, Kaveh K, Bozic I. Clonal interactions in cancer: integrating quantitative models with experimental and clinical data. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 92:61-73. [PMID: 37023969 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.04.002] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumors consist of different genotypically distinct subpopulations-or subclones-of cells. These subclones can influence neighboring clones in a process called "clonal interaction." Conventionally, research on driver mutations in cancer has focused on their cell-autonomous effects that lead to an increase in fitness of the cells containing the driver. Recently, with the advent of improved experimental and computational technologies for investigating tumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics, new studies have shown the importance of clonal interactions in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. In this review we provide an overview of clonal interactions in cancer, discussing key discoveries from a diverse range of approaches to cancer biology research. We discuss common types of clonal interactions, such as cooperation and competition, its mechanisms, and the overall effect on tumorigenesis, with important implications for tumor heterogeneity, resistance to treatment, and tumor suppression. Quantitative models-in coordination with cell culture and animal model experiments-have played a vital role in investigating the nature of clonal interactions and the complex clonal dynamics they generate. We present mathematical and computational models that can be used to represent clonal interactions and provide examples of the roles they have played in identifying and quantifying the strength of clonal interactions in experimental systems. Clonal interactions have proved difficult to observe in clinical data; however, several very recent quantitative approaches enable their detection. We conclude by discussing ways in which researchers can further integrate quantitative methods with experimental and clinical data to elucidate the critical-and often surprising-roles of clonal interactions in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Lee
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kamran Kaveh
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Ivana Bozic
- Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America; Herbold Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.
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5
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Alkaabi D, Arafat K, Sulaiman S, Al-Azawi AM, Attoub S. PD-1 Independent Role of PD-L1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076420. [PMID: 37047395 PMCID: PMC10094894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast malignancy characterized by a high proliferative rate and metastatic potential leading to treatment failure, relapse, and poor prognosis. Therefore, efforts are continuously being devoted to understanding its biology and identifying new potential targets. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immunosuppressive protein that inactivates T cells by binding to the inhibitory receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1). PD-L1 overexpression in cancer cells contributes to immune evasion and, subsequently, poor survival and prognosis in several cancers, including breast cancer. Apart from its inhibitory impact on T cells, this ligand is believed to have an intrinsic role in cancer cells. This study was performed to clarify the PD-1 independent role of PD-L1 in TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells by knocking out the PD-L1 using three designs of CRISPR-Cas9 lentiviral particles. Our study revealed that PD-L1 knockout significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and tumor growth in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model in vivo. PD-L1 knockout also decreased the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. We have shown that PD-L1 knockout MDA-MB-231 cells have low levels of p-Akt and p-ERK in addition to some of their downstream proteins, c-Fos, c-Myc, p21, survivin, and COX-2. Furthermore, PD-L1 knockout significantly decreased the expression of Snail and RhoA. This study shows the intrinsic role of PD-L1 in TNBC independently of its binding to PD-1 receptors on T cells. It may pave the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies using PD-L1 inhibitors alone and in combination to treat TNBC more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duaa Alkaabi
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kholoud Arafat
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahrazad Sulaiman
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Aya Mudhafar Al-Azawi
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Samir Attoub
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), 75013 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
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6
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Banerjee N, Chatterjee O, Roychowdhury T, Basu D, Dutta A, Chowdhury M, Dastidar SG, Chatterjee S. Sequence driven interaction of amino acids in de-novo designed peptides determines c-Myc G-quadruplex unfolding inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023; 1867:130267. [PMID: 36334788 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
c-MYC proto-oncogene harbors a putative G-quadruplex structure (Pu27) at the NHEIII1 domain, which can shuffle between transcriptional inhibitor quadruplex and transcriptionally active duplex. In cancer cells this quadruplex destabilization is preferred and NHEIII1 domain assume a duplex topology thereby inducing c-MYC overexpression and tumorigenesis. Hence, the c-MYC quadruplex acts as an excellent target for anti-cancer therapy. Though researcher have tried to develop G-quadruplex targeted small molecules, work with G-quadruplex targeting peptides is very limited. Here we present a peptide that can bind to c-MYC quadruplex, destabilize the tetrad core, and permit the formation of a substantially different structure from the quartet core seen in the canonical G-quadruplexes. Such conformation potentially acted as a roadblock for transcription factors thereby reducing cMYC expression. This event sensitizes the cancer cell to activate apoptotic cascade via the c-MYC-VEGF-A-BCL2 axis. This study provides a detailed insight into the peptide-quadruplex interface that encourages better pharmacophore design to target dynamic quadruplex structure. We believe that our results will contribute to the development, characterization, and optimization of G-quadruplex binding peptides for potential clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjan Banerjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Unified Academic campus, EN-80, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Oishika Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Unified Academic campus, EN-80, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Tanaya Roychowdhury
- Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Debadrita Basu
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, Unified Academic campus, EN-80, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Anindya Dutta
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Unified Academic campus, EN-80, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Madhurima Chowdhury
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Unified Academic campus, EN-80, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Shubhra Ghosh Dastidar
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, Unified Academic campus, EN-80, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Subhrangsu Chatterjee
- Department of Biophysics, Bose Institute, Unified Academic campus, EN-80, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India.
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7
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Guo L, Kong D, Liu J, Zhan L, Luo L, Zheng W, Zheng Q, Chen C, Sun S. Breast cancer heterogeneity and its implication in personalized precision therapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 36624542 PMCID: PMC9830930 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00363-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer heterogeneity determines cancer progression, treatment effects, and prognosis. However, the precise mechanism for this heterogeneity remains unknown owing to its complexity. Here, we summarize the origins of breast cancer heterogeneity and its influence on disease progression, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. We review the possible mechanisms of heterogeneity and the research methods used to analyze it. We also highlight the importance of cell interactions for the origins of breast cancer heterogeneity, which can be further categorized into cooperative and competitive interactions. Finally, we provide new insights into precise individual treatments based on heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liantao Guo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Deguang Kong
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Ling Zhan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Lan Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, No. 28 Guiyi Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Weijie Zheng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Qingyuan Zheng
- Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Chuang Chen
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
| | - Shengrong Sun
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 238 Jiefang Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
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8
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Kim M, Singh M, Lee BK, Hibbs M, Richardson K, Ellies L, Wintle L, Stuart LM, Wang JY, Voon DC, Blancafort P, Wang J, Kim J, Leedman PJ, Woo AJ. A MYC-ZNF148-ID1/3 regulatory axis modulating cancer stem cell traits in aggressive breast cancer. Oncogenesis 2022; 11:60. [PMID: 36207293 PMCID: PMC9546828 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-022-00435-1] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The MYC proto-oncogene (MYC) is one of the most frequently overexpressed genes in breast cancer that drives cancer stem cell-like traits, resulting in aggressive disease progression and poor prognosis. In this study, we identified zinc finger transcription factor 148 (ZNF148, also called Zfp148 and ZBP-89) as a direct target of MYC. ZNF148 suppressed cell proliferation and migration and was transcriptionally repressed by MYC in breast cancer. Depletion of ZNF148 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and CRISPR/Cas9 increased triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell proliferation and migration. Global transcriptome and chromatin occupancy analyses of ZNF148 revealed a central role in inhibiting cancer cell de-differentiation and migration. Mechanistically, we identified the Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 and 3 (ID1, ID3), drivers of cancer stemness and plasticity, as previously uncharacterized targets of transcriptional repression by ZNF148. Silencing of ZNF148 increased the stemness and tumorigenicity in TNBC cells. These findings uncover a previously unknown tumor suppressor role for ZNF148, and a transcriptional regulatory circuitry encompassing MYC, ZNF148, and ID1/3 in driving cancer stem cell traits in aggressive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijeong Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Manjot Singh
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
- Centre for Precision Health, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia
| | - Bum-Kyu Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Moira Hibbs
- RPH Research Centre, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
| | - Kirsty Richardson
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
| | - Lesley Ellies
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
| | - Larissa Wintle
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
| | - Lisa M Stuart
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
| | - Jenny Y Wang
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Dominic C Voon
- Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
- Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
- The Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Jianlong Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Peter J Leedman
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia.
| | - Andrew J Woo
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia.
- Centre for Precision Health, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, 6027, Australia.
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia.
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Comparetti EJ, Lins PMP, Quitiba J, Zucolotto V. Cancer cell membrane‐derived nanoparticles block the expression of immune checkpoint proteins on cancer cells and coordinate modulatory activity on immunosuppressive macrophages. J Biomed Mater Res A 2022; 110:1499-1511. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edson J. Comparetti
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, Physics Institute of São Carlos University of São Paulo São Carlos Brazil
| | - Paula M. P. Lins
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, Physics Institute of São Carlos University of São Paulo São Carlos Brazil
| | - João Quitiba
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, Physics Institute of São Carlos University of São Paulo São Carlos Brazil
| | - Valtencir Zucolotto
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, Physics Institute of São Carlos University of São Paulo São Carlos Brazil
- Institute of Advanced Studies University of Sao Paulo Sao Carlos Brazil
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10
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Marqués M, Sorolla MA, Urdanibia I, Parisi E, Hidalgo I, Morales S, Salud A, Sorolla A. Are Transcription Factors Plausible Oncotargets for Triple Negative Breast Cancers? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051101. [PMID: 35267409 PMCID: PMC8909618 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Triple negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have a selective and effective therapy. It is known that this cancer possesses high abundance of certain proteins called transcription factors, which are essential for their growth. However, inhibiting transcription factors is very difficult with common therapeutics due to their inaccessibility inside the cell and their molecular structure. In this work, we identified the most important transcription factors for the growth of triple negative breast cancers, and that can predict worse clinical outcome. Moreover, we described different strategies that have been utilised to inhibit them. A successful inhibition of these transcription factors could reduce the mortality and convalescence associated with triple negative breast cancers. Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer worldwide and one of the main causes of cancer deaths. BC is a heterogeneous disease composed of different BC intrinsic subtypes such as triple-negative BC (TNBC), which is one of the most aggressive subtypes and which lacks a targeted therapy. Recent comprehensive analyses across cell types and cancer types have outlined a vast network of protein–protein associations between transcription factors (TFs). Not surprisingly, protein–protein networks central to oncogenesis and disease progression are highly altered during TNBC pathogenesis and are responsible for the activation of oncogenic programs, such as uncontrollable proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. From the therapeutic viewpoint, inhibiting the interactions between TFs represents a very significant challenge, as the contact surfaces of TFs are relatively large and featureless. However, promising tools have emerged to offer a solution to the targeting problem. At the clinical level, some TF possess diagnostic and prognostic value in TNBC. In this review, we outline the recent advances in TFs relevant to TNBC growth and progression. Moreover, we highlight different targeting approaches to inhibit these TFs. Furthermore, the validity of such TFs as clinical biomarkers has been explored. Finally, we discuss how research is likely to evolve in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Marqués
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Maria Alba Sorolla
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Izaskun Urdanibia
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Eva Parisi
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
| | - Iván Hidalgo
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Serafín Morales
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital (HUAV), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Antonieta Salud
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
- Department of Medical Oncology, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital (HUAV), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Anabel Sorolla
- Research Group of Cancer Biomarkers, Lleida Institute for Biomedical Research Dr. Pifarré Foundation (IRBLleida), Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (M.M.); (M.A.S.); (I.U.); (E.P.); (I.H.); (S.M.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Naz F, Shi M, Sajid S, Yang Z, Yu C. Cancer stem cells: a major culprit of intra-tumor heterogeneity. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5782-5811. [PMID: 35018226 PMCID: PMC8727794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is recognized as a preeminent factor of the world's mortality. Although various modalities have been designed to cure this life-threatening ailment, a significant impediment in the effective output of cancer treatment is heterogeneity. Cancer is characterized as a heterogeneous health disorder that comprises a distinct group of transformed cells to assist anomalous proliferation of affected cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a leading cause of cancer heterogeneity that is continually transformed by cellular extrinsic and intrinsic factors. They intensify neoplastic cells aggressiveness by strengthening their dissemination, relapse and therapy resistance. Considering this viewpoint, in this review article we have discussed some intrinsic (transcription factors, cell signaling pathways, genetic alterations, epigenetic modifications, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and epitranscriptomics) and extrinsic factors (tumor microenvironment (TME)) that contribute to CSC heterogeneity and plasticity, which may help scientists to meddle these processes and eventually improve cancer research and management. Besides, the potential role of CSCs heterogeneity in establishing metastasis and therapy resistance has been articulated which signifies the importance of developing novel anticancer therapies to target CSCs along with targeting bulk tumor mass to achieve an effective output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiza Naz
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijing 100029, China
| | - Mengran Shi
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijing 100029, China
| | - Salvia Sajid
- Department of Biotechnology, Jinnah University for WomenKarachi 74600, Pakistan
| | - Zhao Yang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijing 100029, China
- College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, Tarim UniversityAlar 843300, Xinjiang, China
| | - Changyuan Yu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical TechnologyBeijing 100029, China
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12
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Parker TM, Gupta K, Palma AM, Yekelchyk M, Fisher PB, Grossman SR, Won KJ, Madan E, Moreno E, Gogna R. Cell competition in intratumoral and tumor microenvironment interactions. EMBO J 2021; 40:e107271. [PMID: 34368984 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020107271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors are complex cellular and acellular environments within which cancer clones are under continuous selection pressures. Cancer cells are in a permanent mode of interaction and competition with each other as well as with the immediate microenvironment. In the course of these competitive interactions, cells share information regarding their general state of fitness, with less-fit cells being typically eliminated via apoptosis at the hands of those cells with greater cellular fitness. Competitive interactions involving exchange of cell fitness information have implications for tumor growth, metastasis, and therapy outcomes. Recent research has highlighted sophisticated pathways such as Flower, Hippo, Myc, and p53 signaling, which are employed by cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment cells to achieve their evolutionary goals by means of cell competition mechanisms. In this review, we discuss these recent findings and explain their importance and role in evolution, growth, and treatment of cancer. We further consider potential physiological conditions, such as hypoxia and chemotherapy, that can function as selective pressures under which cell competition mechanisms may evolve differently or synergistically to confer oncogenic advantages to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor M Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Kartik Gupta
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Michail Yekelchyk
- Department of Cardiac Development and Remodelling, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Massey Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Steven R Grossman
- Department of Medicine, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kyoung Jae Won
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen North, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen North, Denmark
| | - Esha Madan
- Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Rajan Gogna
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen North, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen North, Denmark
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13
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Cytoprotective Effect of Vitamin D on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac Toxicity in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147439. [PMID: 34299059 PMCID: PMC8305038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Doxorubicin (Dox) is a first-line treatment for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), but its use may be limited by its cardiotoxicity mediated by the production of reactive oxygen species. We evaluated whether vitamin D may prevent Dox-induced cardiotoxicity in a mouse TNBC model. Methods: Female Balb/c mice received rodent chow with vitamin D3 (1500 IU/kg; vehicle) or chow supplemented with additional vitamin D3 (total, 11,500 IU/kg). the mice were inoculated with TNBC tumors and treated with intraperitoneal Dox (6 or 10 mg/kg). Cardiac function was evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography. The cardiac tissue was evaluated with immunohistochemistry and immunoblot for levels of 4-hydroxynonenal, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), C-MYC, and dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) phosphorylation. Results: At 15 to 18 days, the mean ejection fraction, stroke volume, and fractional shortening were similar between the mice treated with vitamin D + Dox (10 mg/kg) vs. vehicle but significantly greater in mice treated with vitamin D + Dox (10 mg/kg) vs. Dox (10 mg/kg). Dox (10 mg/kg) increased the cardiac tissue levels of 4-hydroxynonenal, NQO1, C-MYC, and DRP1 phosphorylation at serine 616, but these increases were not observed with vitamin D + Dox (10 mg/kg). A decreased tumor volume was observed with Dox (10 mg/kg) and vitamin D + Dox (10 mg/kg). Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation decreased Dox-induced cardiotoxicity by decreasing the reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial damage, and did not decrease the anticancer efficacy of Dox against TNBC.
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14
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Shibasaki H, Kinoh H, Cabral H, Quader S, Mochida Y, Liu X, Toh K, Miyano K, Matsumoto Y, Yamasoba T, Kataoka K. Efficacy of pH-Sensitive Nanomedicines in Tumors with Different c-MYC Expression Depends on the Intratumoral Activation Profile. ACS NANO 2021; 15:5545-5559. [PMID: 33625824 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Effective inhibition of the protein derived from cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) is one of the most sought-after goals in cancer therapy. While several c-Myc inhibitors have demonstrated therapeutic potential, inhibiting c-Myc has proven challenging, since c-Myc is essential for normal tissues and tumors may present heterogeneous c-Myc levels demanding contrasting therapeutic strategies. Herein, we developed tumor-targeted nanomedicines capable of treating both tumors with high and low c-Myc levels by adjusting their ability to spatiotemporally control drug action. These nanomedicines loaded homologues of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) motif inhibitor JQ1 as epigenetic c-Myc inhibitors through pH-cleavable bonds engineered for fast or slow drug release at intratumoral pH. In tumors with high c-Myc expression, the fast-releasing (FR) nanomedicines suppressed tumor growth more effectively than the slow-releasing (SR) ones, whereas, in the low c-Myc tumors, the efficacy of the nanomedicines was the opposite. By studying the tumor distribution and intratumoral activation of the nanomedicines, we found that, despite SR nanomedicines achieved higher accumulation than the FR counterparts in both c-Myc high and low tumors, the antitumor activity profiles corresponded with the availability of activated drugs inside the tumors. These results indicate the potential of engineered nanomedicines for c-Myc inhibition and spur the idea of precision pH-sensitive nanomedicine based on cancer biomarker levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Shibasaki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kinoh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Horacio Cabral
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Sabina Quader
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Yuki Mochida
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Xueying Liu
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazuko Toh
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazuki Miyano
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tokyo Yamate Medical Center, 3-22-1, Hyakunin-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan
| | - Yu Matsumoto
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14, Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki 210-0821, Japan
- Policy Alternative Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
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15
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Crizotinib Resistance Mediated by Autophagy Is Higher in the Stem-Like Cell Subset in ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, and This Effect Is MYC-Dependent. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020181. [PMID: 33430343 PMCID: PMC7825760 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously it was shown that autophagy contributes to crizotinib resistance in ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK + ALCL). We asked if autophagy is equally important in two distinct subsets of ALK + ALCL, namely Reporter Unresponsive (RU) and Reporter Responsive (RR), of which RR cells display stem-like properties. Autophagic flux was assessed with a fluorescence tagged LC3 reporter and immunoblots to detect endogenous LC3 alongside chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor. The stem-like RR cells displayed significantly higher autophagic response upon crizotinib treatment. Their exaggerated autophagic response is cytoprotective against crizotinib, as inhibition of autophagy using chloroquine or shRNA against BECN1 or ATG7 led to a decrease in their viability. In contrast, autophagy inhibition in RU resulted in minimal changes. Since the differential protein expression of MYC is a regulator of the RU/RR dichotomy and is higher in RR cells, we asked if MYC regulates the autophagy-mediated cytoprotective effect. Inhibition of MYC in RR cells using shRNA significantly blunted crizotinib-induced autophagic response and effectively suppressed this cytoprotective effect. In conclusion, stem-like RR cells respond with rapid and intense autophagic flux which manifests with crizotinib resistance. For the first time, we have highlighted the direct role of MYC in regulating autophagy and its associated chemoresistance phenotype in ALK + ALCL stem-like cells.
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16
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Schaafsma E, Zhao Y, Zhang L, Li Y, Cheng C. MYC Activity Inference Captures Diverse Mechanisms of Aberrant MYC Pathway Activation in Human Cancers. Mol Cancer Res 2020; 19:414-428. [PMID: 33234576 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-20-0526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
c-MYC (MYC) is deregulated in more than 50% of all cancers. While MYC amplification is the most common MYC-deregulating event, many other alterations can increase MYC activity. We thus systematically investigated MYC pathway activity across different tumor types. Using a logistic regression framework, we established tumor type-specific, transcriptomic-based MYC activity scores that can accurately capture MYC activity. We show that MYC activity scores reflect a variety of MYC-regulating mechanisms, including MYCL and/or MYCN amplification, MYC promoter methylation, MYC mRNA expression, lncRNA PVT1 expression, MYC mutations, and viral integrations near the MYC locus. Our MYC activity score incorporates all of these mechanisms, resulting in better prognostic predictions compared with MYC amplification status, MYC promoter methylation, and MYC mRNA expression in several cancer types. In addition, we show that tumor proliferation and immune evasion are likely contributors to this reduction in survival. Finally, we developed a MYC activity signature for liquid tumors in which MYC translocation is commonly observed, suggesting that our approach can be applied to different types of genomic alterations. In conclusion, we developed a MYC activity score that captures MYC pathway activity and is clinically relevant. IMPLICATIONS: By using cancer type-specific MYC activity profiles, we were able to assess MYC activity across many more tumor types than previously investigated. The range of different MYC-related alterations captured by our MYC activity score can be used to facilitate the application of future MYC inhibitors and aid physicians to preselect patients for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Schaafsma
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Yanding Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Lanjing Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey.,Department of Pathology, Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, New Jersey
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. .,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire.,The Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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17
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Parker TM, Henriques V, Beltran A, Nakshatri H, Gogna R. Cell competition and tumor heterogeneity. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 63:1-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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18
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High MYC mRNA Expression Is More Clinically Relevant than MYC DNA Amplification in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010217. [PMID: 31905596 PMCID: PMC6981812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA abnormalities are used in inclusion criteria of clinical trials for treatments with specific targeted molecules. MYC is one of the most powerful oncogenes and is known to be associated with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Its DNA amplification is often part of the targeted DNA-sequencing panels under the assumption of reflecting upregulated signaling. However, it remains unclear if MYC DNA amplification is a surrogate of its upregulated signaling. Thus, we investigated the difference between MYC DNA amplification and mRNA high expression in TNBCs utilizing publicly available cohorts. MYC DNA amplified tumors were found to have various mRNA expression levels, suggesting that MYC DNA amplification does not always result in elevated MYC mRNA expression. Compared to other subtypes, both MYC DNA amplification and mRNA high expression were more frequent in the TNBCs. MYC mRNA high expression, but not DNA amplification, was significantly associated with worse overall survival in the TNBCs. The TNBCs with MYC mRNA high expression enriched MYC target genes, cell cycle related genes, and WNT/β-catenin gene sets, whereas none of them were enriched in MYC DNA amplified TNBCs. In conclusion, MYC mRNA high expression, but not DNA amplification, reflects not only its upregulated signaling pathway, but also clinical significance in TNBCs.
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19
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Kreuzaler P, Clarke MA, Brown EJ, Wilson CH, Kortlever RM, Piterman N, Littlewood T, Evan GI, Fisher J. Heterogeneity of Myc expression in breast cancer exposes pharmacological vulnerabilities revealed through executable mechanistic modeling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22399-22408. [PMID: 31611367 PMCID: PMC6825310 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1903485116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells with higher levels of Myc proliferate more rapidly and supercompetitively eliminate neighboring cells. Nonetheless, tumor cells in aggressive breast cancers typically exhibit significant and stable heterogeneity in their Myc levels, which correlates with refractoriness to therapy and poor prognosis. This suggests that Myc heterogeneity confers some selective advantage on breast tumor growth and progression. To investigate this, we created a traceable MMTV-Wnt1-driven in vivo chimeric mammary tumor model comprising an admixture of low-Myc- and reversibly switchable high-Myc-expressing clones. We show that such tumors exhibit interclonal mutualism wherein cells with high-Myc expression facilitate tumor growth by promoting protumorigenic stroma yet concomitantly suppress Wnt expression, which renders them dependent for survival on paracrine Wnt provided by low-Myc-expressing clones. To identify any therapeutic vulnerabilities arising from such interdependency, we modeled Myc/Ras/p53/Wnt signaling cross talk as an executable network for low-Myc, for high-Myc clones, and for the 2 together. This executable mechanistic model replicated the observed interdependence of high-Myc and low-Myc clones and predicted a pharmacological vulnerability to coinhibition of COX2 and MEK. This was confirmed experimentally. Our study illustrates the power of executable models in elucidating mechanisms driving tumor heterogeneity and offers an innovative strategy for identifying combination therapies tailored to the oligoclonal landscape of heterogenous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kreuzaler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
- Oncogenes and Tumour Metabolism Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew A Clarke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth J Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine H Wilson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Roderik M Kortlever
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Nir Piterman
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Gothenburg, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Trevor Littlewood
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard I Evan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom;
| | - Jasmin Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom;
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, United Kingdom
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20
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Hypoxia Induces the Acquisition of Cancer Stem-like Phenotype Via Upregulation and Activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT3) in MDA-MB-231, a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Line. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT 2018; 11:141-152. [PMID: 30255421 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-018-0218-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The finding that hypoxia can induce cancer stemness in various experimental models is in agreement with the conceptual basis of cancer cell plasticity. Here, we aimed to gain insights into the molecular basis of hypoxia-induced cancer cell plasticity in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). To achieve this goal, we employed our previously published in-vitro model of TNBC, in which a small subset of stem-like cells can be distinguished from the bulk cell population based on their responsiveness to a Sox2 reporter. In MDA-MB-231, a TNBC cell line, we observed that hypoxia significantly increased the expression of luciferase and green fluorescence protein (GFP), the readouts of the Sox2 reporter. Upon hypoxic challenge, the bulk, reporter unresponsive (RU) cells acquired stem-like features, as evidenced by the significant increases in the proportion of CD44high/CD24low cells, colony formation and resistance to cisplatin. Correlating with these phenotypic changes, RU cells exposed to hypoxia exhibited a substantial upregulation of the active/phosphorylated form of STAT3 (pSTAT3). This hypoxia-induced activation of STAT3 correlated with increased STAT3 transcriptional activity, as evidenced by increased STAT3-DNA binding and an altered gene expression profile. This hypoxia-induced STAT3 activation is biologically significant, since siRNA knockdown of STAT3 in RU cells significantly attenuated the hypoxia-induced acquisition of Sox2 activity and stem-like phenotypic features. In conclusion, our data have provided the proof-of-concept that STAT3 is a critical mediator in promoting the hypoxia-induced acquisition of cancer stemness in TNBC. Targeting STAT3 in TNBC may be useful in overcoming chemoresistance and decreasing the risk of disease relapse.
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Cao L, Xu C, Xiang G, Liu F, Liu X, Li C, Liu J, Meng Q, Jiao J, Niu Y. AR-PDEF pathway promotes tumour proliferation and upregulates MYC-mediated gene transcription by promoting MAD1 degradation in ER-negative breast cancer. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:136. [PMID: 30217192 PMCID: PMC6138935 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in 60%~ 70% oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer (BC) cases and promotes the growth of this cancer subtype. Expression of prostate-derived Ets factor (PDEF), a transcription factor, is highly restricted to epithelial cells in hormone-regulated tissues. MYC and its negative regulator MAD1 play an important role in BC progression. Previously, we found that PDEF expression is strongly correlated with AR expression. However, the relationship between AR and PDEF and the function of PDEF in ER-negative BC proliferation are unclear. Methods AR and PDEF expression in ER-negative BC tissues and cell lines was determined by performing immunohistochemistry or western blotting. Protein expression levels and location were analysed by performing western blotting, RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining. Co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to validate the regulation of AR–PDEF–MAD1–MYC axis. Moreover, the effect of AR and PDEF on BC progression was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Results We found that PDEF was overexpressed in ER-negative BC tissues and cell lines and appeared to function as an oncogene. PDEF expression levels were strongly correlated with AR expression in ER-negative BC, and PDEF transcription was positively regulated by AR. PDEF upregulated MYC-mediated gene transcription by promoting MAD1 degradation in ER-negative BC. Finally, we found that compared with the inhibition of AR expression alone, simultaneous inhibition of AR and PDEF expression further suppressed tumour proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Our data highlight the role of the AR–PDEF–MAD1–MYC axis in BC progression and suggest that PDEF can be used as a new clinical therapeutic target for treating ER-negative BC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-018-0883-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Cao
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Cong Xu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Guomin Xiang
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xiaozhen Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Congying Li
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qingxiang Meng
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jiao Jiao
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Yun Niu
- Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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Gupta N, Gopal K, Wu C, Alshareef A, Chow A, Wu F, Wang P, Ye X, Bigras G, Lai R. Phosphorylation of Sox2 at Threonine 116 is a Potential Marker to Identify a Subset of Breast Cancer Cells with High Tumorigenecity and Stem-Like Features. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10020041. [PMID: 29401647 PMCID: PMC5836073 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously identified a novel phenotypic dichotomy in breast cancer (BC) based on the response to a SRR2 (Sox2 regulatory region 2) reporter, with reporter responsive (RR) cells being more tumorigenic/stem-like than reporter unresponsive (RU) cells. Since the expression level of Sox2 is comparable between the two cell subsets, we hypothesized that post-translational modifications of Sox2 contribute to their differential reporter response and phenotypic differences. By liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found Sox2 to be phosphorylated in RR but not RU cells. Threonine 116 is an important phosphorylation site, since transfection of the T116A mutant into RR cells significantly decreased the SRR2 reporter luciferase activity and the RR-associated phenotype. Oxidative stress-induced conversion of RU into RR cells was accompanied by Sox2 phosphorylation at T116 and increased Sox2-DNA binding. In a cohort of BC, we found significant correlations between the proportion of tumor cells immuno-reactive with anti-phosphorylated Sox2T116 and a high tumor grade (p = 0.006), vascular invasion (p = 0.001) and estrogen receptor expression (p = 0.032). In conclusion, our data suggests that phosphorylation of Sox2T116 contributes to the tumorigenic/stem-like features in RR cells. Detection of phospho-Sox2T116 may be useful in identifying a small subset of tumor cells carrying stem-like/tumorigenic features in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Gupta
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Keshav Gopal
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Chengsheng Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Abdulraheem Alshareef
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Chow
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Fang Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Xiaoxia Ye
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Gilbert Bigras
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
| | - Raymond Lai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
- DynaLIFEDX Medical Laboratories, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada.
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Abstract
In 2015, cancer was the cause of almost 22% of deaths worldwide. The high frequency of relapsing diseases and metastasis requires the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and the use of nanomaterials is a promising tool for fighting cancer. Among the more extensively studied nanomaterials are carbon nanotubes (CNTs), synthesized as graphene sheets, whose spiral shape is varied in length and thickness. Their physicochemical features, such as the resistance to tension, and thermal and electrical conductivity, allow their application in several fields. In this review, we show evidence supporting the applicability of CNTs in biomedical practice as nanocarriers for drugs and immunomodulatory material, emphasizing their potential for use in cancer treatment.
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