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Mikheeva SA, Funk CC, Horner PJ, Rostomily RC, Mikheev AM. Novel TCF4:TCF12 heterodimer inhibits glioblastoma growth. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:517-527. [PMID: 37507199 PMCID: PMC10920085 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13496] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
TWIST1 (TW) is a pro-oncogenic basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor and promotes the hallmark features of malignancy (e.g., cell invasion, cancer cell stemness, and treatment resistance), which contribute to poor prognoses of glioblastoma (GBM). We previously reported that specific TW dimerization motifs regulate unique cellular phenotypes in GBM. For example, the TW:E12 heterodimer increases periostin (POSTN) expression and promotes cell invasion. TW dimer-specific transcriptional regulation requires binding to the regulatory E-box consensus sequences, but alternative bHLH dimers that balance TW dimer activity in regulating pro-oncogenic TW target genes are unknown. We leveraged the ENCODE DNase I hypersensitivity data to identify E-box sites and tethered TW:E12 and TW:TW proteins to validate dimer binding to E-boxes in vitro. Subsequently, TW knockdown revealed a novel TCF4:TCF12 bHLH dimer occupying the same TW E-box site that, when expressed as a tethered TCF4:TCF12 dimer, markedly repressed POSTN expression and extended animal survival. These observations support TCF4:TCF12 as a novel dimer with tumor-suppressor activity in GBM that functions in part through displacement of and/or competitive inhibition of pro-oncogenic TW dimers at E-box sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana A. Mikheeva
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteTexasUSA
| | - Cory C. Funk
- Institute for Systems BiologySeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Philip J. Horner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteTexasUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Robert C. Rostomily
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteTexasUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Andrei M. Mikheev
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for NeuroregenerationHouston Methodist Research InstituteTexasUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
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2
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Li C, Li Z, Zhang M, Dai J, Wang Y, Zhang Z. An overview of Twist1 in glioma progression and recurrence. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 172:285-301. [PMID: 37833014 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Glioma cells are characterized by high migration ability, resulting in the aggressive growth of the tumors and poor prognosis of patients. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the most important steps for tumor migration and metastasis and be elevated during glioma progression and recurrence. Twist1 is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor and a key transcription factor involved in the process of EMT. Twist1 is related to glioma mesenchymal change, invasion, heterogeneity, self-renewal of tumor stem cells, angiogenesis, etc., and may be used as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for glioma patients. This paper mainly reviews the structural characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and apparent regulation of Twist1, as well as the roles of Twist1 during glioma progression and recurrence, providing new revelations for its use as a potential drug target and glioma treatment research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Zixuan Li
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Mengyi Zhang
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxuan Dai
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Yunmin Wang
- The Jining City Center Blood Station, Jining, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China.
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3
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Brachi G, Ruiz-Ramírez J, Dogra P, Wang Z, Cristini V, Ciardelli G, Rostomily RC, Ferrari M, Mikheev AM, Blanco E, Mattu C. Intratumoral injection of hydrogel-embedded nanoparticles enhances retention in glioblastoma. NANOSCALE 2020; 12:23838-23850. [PMID: 33237080 PMCID: PMC8062960 DOI: 10.1039/d0nr05053a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Intratumoral drug delivery is a promising approach for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). However, drug washout remains a major challenge in GBM therapy. Our strategy, aimed at reducing drug clearance and enhancing site-specific residence time, involves the local administration of a multi-component system comprised of nanoparticles (NPs) embedded within a thermosensitive hydrogel (HG). Herein, our objective was to examine the distribution of NPs and their cargo following intratumoral administration of this system in GBM. We hypothesized that the HG matrix, which undergoes rapid gelation upon increases in temperature, would contribute towards heightened site-specific retention and permanence of NPs in tumors. BODIPY-containing, infrared dye-labeled polymeric NPs embedded in a thermosensitive HG (HG-NPs) were fabricated and characterized. Retention and distribution dynamics were subsequently examined over time in orthotopic GBM-bearing mice. Results demonstrate that the HG-NPs system significantly improved site-specific, long-term retention of both NPs and BODIPY, with co-localization analyses showing that HG-NPs covered larger areas of the tumor and the peri-tumor region at later time points. Moreover, NPs released from the HG were shown to undergo uptake by surrounding GBM cells. Findings suggest that intratumoral delivery with HG-NPs has immense potential for GBM treatment, as well as other strategies where site-specific, long-term retention of therapeutic agents is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Brachi
- Politecnico di Torino
, DIMEAS
,
C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24
, 10129 Torino
, Italy
.
; Tel: +390110906792
- Department of Nanomedicine
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Javier Ruiz-Ramírez
- Mathematics in Medicine Program
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Prashant Dogra
- Mathematics in Medicine Program
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Zhihui Wang
- Mathematics in Medicine Program
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Vittorio Cristini
- Mathematics in Medicine Program
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Gianluca Ciardelli
- Politecnico di Torino
, DIMEAS
,
C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24
, 10129 Torino
, Italy
.
; Tel: +390110906792
| | - Robert C. Rostomily
- Department of Neurosurgery
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Mauro Ferrari
- Department of Nanomedicine
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Andrei M. Mikheev
- Department of Neurosurgery
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Elvin Blanco
- Department of Nanomedicine
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
| | - Clara Mattu
- Politecnico di Torino
, DIMEAS
,
C.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24
, 10129 Torino
, Italy
.
; Tel: +390110906792
- Department of Nanomedicine
, Houston Methodist Research Institute
,
6670 Bertner Ave
, Houston
, TX 77030
, USA
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4
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Xu R, Zhou F, Yu T, Xu G, Zhang J, Wang Y, Zhao L, Liu N. MicroRNA-940 inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition of glioma cells via targeting ZEB2. Am J Transl Res 2019; 11:7351-7363. [PMID: 31934283 PMCID: PMC6943459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs have been found ectopically expressed in many cancers and play essential roles in tumor EMT progress. Recent studies identified decreased miR-940 expression in glioma cells and may serve as a tumor-suppressor. However, whether miR-940 involve in glioma EMT remain poorly understood. Here we confirmed that miR-940 was significantly reduced in glioma cells and tissues. Introduction of miR-940 dramatically suppressed invasion and migration of glioma cells. Gain-of-function experiments showed ZEB2 as a direct target of miR-940, knockdown of ZEB2 evidently repressed invasive capacity of glioma cells through EMT. Moreover, reintroduction of ZEB2 effectively reversed the tumor suppressive effect of miR-940 treatment. In vivo study showed reduced tumor cell motion in miR-940-injected groups. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated inversely correlated expression of ZEB2 and miR-940 in gliomas and NBTs. Altogether, miR-940-ZEB2 cascade may play important roles in glioma cells invasion and EMT progression, and might provide new therapeutic approaches for better outcomes of GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Fengqi Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Tianfu Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Guanhua Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Junxia Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Yingyi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China
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5
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Mikheev AM, Mikheeva SA, Severs LJ, Funk CC, Huang L, McFaline-Figueroa JL, Schwensen J, Trapnell C, Price ND, Wong S, Rostomily RC. Targeting TWIST1 through loss of function inhibits tumorigenicity of human glioblastoma. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:1188-1202. [PMID: 29754406 PMCID: PMC6026950 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
TWIST1 (TW) is a bHLH transcription factor (TF) and master regulator of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vitro, TW promotes mesenchymal change, invasion, and self-renewal in glioblastoma (GBM) cells. However, the potential therapeutic relevance of TW has not been established through loss-of-function studies in human GBM cell xenograft models. The effects of TW loss of function (gene editing and knockdown) on inhibition of tumorigenicity of U87MG and GBM4 glioma stem cells were tested in orthotopic xenograft models and conditional knockdown in established flank xenograft tumors. RNAseq and the analysis of tumors investigated putative TW-associated mechanisms. Multiple bioinformatic tools revealed significant alteration of ECM, membrane receptors, signaling transduction kinases, and cytoskeleton dynamics leading to identification of PI3K/AKT signaling. We experimentally show alteration of AKT activity and periostin (POSTN) expression in vivo and/or in vitro. For the first time, we show that effect of TW knockout inhibits AKT activity in U87MG cells in vivo independent of PTEN mutation. The clinical relevance of TW and candidate mechanisms was established by analysis of the TCGA and ENCODE databases. TW expression was associated with decreased patient survival and LASSO regression analysis identified POSTN as one of top targets of TW in human GBM. While we previously demonstrated the role of TW in promoting EMT and invasion of glioma cells, these studies provide direct experimental evidence supporting protumorigenic role of TW independent of invasion in vivo and the therapeutic relevance of targeting TW in human GBM. Further, the role of TW driving POSTN expression and AKT signaling suggests actionable targets, which could be leveraged to mitigate the oncogenic effects of TW in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei M Mikheev
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Svetlana A Mikheeva
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Liza J Severs
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cory C Funk
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Systems Medicine& Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, Weil Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Jeanette Schwensen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cole Trapnell
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Stephen Wong
- Department of Systems Medicine& Bioengineering, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, Weil Cornell Medical College, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert C Rostomily
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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