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Luo C, He S, Shi F, Zhou J, Shang L. The Role of TRAIL Signaling in Cancer: Searching for New Therapeutic Strategies. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:521. [PMID: 39056714 PMCID: PMC11274015 DOI: 10.3390/biology13070521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer continues to pose a significant threat to global health, with its status as a leading cause of death remaining unchallenged. Within the realm of cancer research, the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) stands out as a critical player, having been identified in the 1990s as the tenth member of the TNF family. This review examines the pivotal role of TRAIL in cancer biology, focusing on its ability to induce apoptosis in malignant cells through both endogenous and exogenous pathways. We provide an in-depth analysis of TRAIL's intracellular signaling and intercellular communication, underscoring its potential as a selective anticancer agent. Additionally, the review explores TRAIL's capacity to reshape the tumor microenvironment, thereby influencing cancer progression and response to therapy. With an eye towards future developments, we discuss the prospects of harnessing TRAIL's capabilities for the creation of tailored, precision-based cancer treatments, aiming to enhance efficacy and improve patient survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Luo
- Department of Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders/Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (C.L.); (J.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (S.H.); (F.S.)
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of National Health Commission, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Shan He
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (S.H.); (F.S.)
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of National Health Commission, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Feng Shi
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (S.H.); (F.S.)
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of National Health Commission, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Jianhua Zhou
- Department of Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders/Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (C.L.); (J.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (S.H.); (F.S.)
| | - Li Shang
- Department of Pathology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders/Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (C.L.); (J.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (S.H.); (F.S.)
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Vanheer L, Fantuzzi F, To SK, Schiavo A, Van Haele M, Ostyn T, Haesen T, Yi X, Janiszewski A, Chappell J, Rihoux A, Sawatani T, Roskams T, Pattou F, Kerr-Conte J, Cnop M, Pasque V. Inferring regulators of cell identity in the human adult pancreas. NAR Genom Bioinform 2023; 5:lqad068. [PMID: 37435358 PMCID: PMC10331937 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqad068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular identity during development is under the control of transcription factors that form gene regulatory networks. However, the transcription factors and gene regulatory networks underlying cellular identity in the human adult pancreas remain largely unexplored. Here, we integrate multiple single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets of the human adult pancreas, totaling 7393 cells, and comprehensively reconstruct gene regulatory networks. We show that a network of 142 transcription factors forms distinct regulatory modules that characterize pancreatic cell types. We present evidence that our approach identifies regulators of cell identity and cell states in the human adult pancreas. We predict that HEYL, BHLHE41 and JUND are active in acinar, beta and alpha cells, respectively, and show that these proteins are present in the human adult pancreas as well as in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived islet cells. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we found that JUND represses beta cell genes in hiPSC-alpha cells. BHLHE41 depletion induced apoptosis in primary pancreatic islets. The comprehensive gene regulatory network atlas can be explored interactively online. We anticipate our analysis to be the starting point for a more sophisticated dissection of how transcription factors regulate cell identity and cell states in the human adult pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - San Kit To
- Department of Development and Regeneration; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Single-cell Omics Institute and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrea Schiavo
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research; Université Libre de Bruxelles; Route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias Van Haele
- Department of Imaging and Pathology; Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven; Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tessa Ostyn
- Department of Imaging and Pathology; Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven; Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tine Haesen
- Department of Development and Regeneration; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Single-cell Omics Institute and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xiaoyan Yi
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research; Université Libre de Bruxelles; Route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Adrian Janiszewski
- Department of Development and Regeneration; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Single-cell Omics Institute and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joel Chappell
- Department of Development and Regeneration; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Single-cell Omics Institute and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrien Rihoux
- Department of Development and Regeneration; KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Single-cell Omics Institute and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Toshiaki Sawatani
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research; Université Libre de Bruxelles; Route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tania Roskams
- Department of Imaging and Pathology; Translational Cell and Tissue Research, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven; Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Francois Pattou
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institute Pasteur Lille, U1190-EGID, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, F-59000 Lille, France
- University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Julie Kerr-Conte
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institute Pasteur Lille, U1190-EGID, F-59000 Lille, France
- European Genomic Institute for Diabetes, F-59000 Lille, France
- University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Miriam Cnop
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Miriam Cnop. Tel: +32 2 555 6305; Fax: +32 2 555 6239;
| | - Vincent Pasque
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +32 16 376283; Fax: +32 16 330827;
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3
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Agrawal R, Natarajan KN. Oncogenic signaling pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:251-283. [PMID: 37268398 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common (∼90% cases) pancreatic neoplasm and one of the most lethal cancer among all malignances. PDAC harbor aberrant oncogenic signaling that may result from the multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations such as the mutation in driver genes (KRAS, CDKN2A, p53), genomic amplification of regulatory genes (MYC, IGF2BP2, ROIK3), deregulation of chromatin-modifying proteins (HDAC, WDR5) among others. A key event is the formation of Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN) that often results from the activating mutation in KRAS. Mutated KRAS can direct a variety of signaling pathways and modulate downstream targets including MYC, which play an important role in cancer progression. In this review, we discuss recent literature shedding light on the origins of PDAC from the perspective of major oncogenic signaling pathways. We highlight how MYC directly and indirectly, with cooperation with KRAS, affect epigenetic reprogramming and metastasis. Additionally, we summarize the recent findings from single cell genomic approaches that highlight heterogeneity in PDAC and tumor microenvironment, and provide molecular avenues for PDAC treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Agrawal
- DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Nallasamy P, Nimmakayala RK, Parte S, Are AC, Batra SK, Ponnusamy MP. Tumor microenvironment enriches the stemness features: the architectural event of therapy resistance and metastasis. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:225. [PMID: 36550571 PMCID: PMC9773588 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01682-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer divergence has many facets other than being considered a genetic term. It is a tremendous challenge to understand the metastasis and therapy response in cancer biology; however, it postulates the opportunity to explore the possible mechanism in the surrounding tumor environment. Most deadly solid malignancies are distinctly characterized by their tumor microenvironment (TME). TME consists of stromal components such as immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocytes, and fibroblast cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) or cancer stem-like cells are a small sub-set of the population within cancer cells believed to be a responsible player in the self-renewal, metastasis, and therapy response of cancer cells. The correlation between TME and CSCs remains an enigma in understanding the events of metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer biology. Recent evidence suggests that TME dictates the CSCs maintenance to arbitrate cancer progression and metastasis. The immune, inflammatory, endothelial, adipocyte, and fibroblast cells in the TME release growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, microRNAs, and exosomes that provide cues for the gain and maintenance of CSC features. These intricate cross-talks are fueled to evolve into aggressive, invasive, migratory phenotypes for cancer development. In this review, we have abridged the recent developments in the role of the TME factors in CSC maintenance and how these events influence the transition of tumor progression to further translate into metastasis and therapy resistance in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palanisamy Nallasamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Rama Krishna Nimmakayala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Abhirup C Are
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA
| | - Surinder K Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Moorthy P Ponnusamy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5870, USA.
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
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5
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Shi J, Yang X, Kang Q, Lu J, Denzinger M, Kornmann M, Traub B. JNK inhibitor IX restrains pancreatic cancer through p53 and p21. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1006131. [PMID: 36568248 PMCID: PMC9768178 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1006131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel treatment options for pancreatic cancer are desperately needed. De-regulated kinases can be regularly detected in pancreatic cancer. Multiple pathway inhibitors were developed to exploit these features, among them selective inhibitors of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase isoforms 1 and 2 (JNK1 and 2). We evaluated the effectiveness of four different JNK inhibitors on pancreatic cancer cell lines. Cell mobility and migration were evaluated in scratch assay and Boyden chamber assay. Mechanism of cell death was analyzed via apoptosis assays in FACS and immunoblotting as well as cell cycle analysis via FACS, and qPCR. JNK2 knockout cells were generated using siRNA transfection. Among the inhibitors, JNK inhibitor IX (JNK-in-IX), designed as specific inhibitor against JNK2 was proven highly effective in inhibiting cell growth, mobility and migration. We were able to show that JNK-in-IX caused DNA damage resulting in G2 arrest mediated through p53 and p21. Interestingly, JNK-in-IX acted independently of its primary target JNK2. In summary, JNK-in-IX was shown highly effective in pancreatic cancer. This study underlines the need for modeling systems in testing therapeutic options as JNK2 was previously not indicated as a potential target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Shi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Qi Kang
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jian Lu
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Maximilian Denzinger
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marko Kornmann
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Benno Traub
- Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany,*Correspondence: Benno Traub,
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c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 suppresses pancreatic cancer growth and invasion and is opposed by c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:73-86. [PMID: 33526844 PMCID: PMC8761571 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-020-00290-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) JNK1 and JNK2 can act as either tumor suppressors or pro-oncogenic kinases in human cancers. The isoform-specific roles for JNK1 and JNK2 in human pancreatic cancer are still unclear, the question which should be addressed in this project. Human pancreatic cancer cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 clones were established either expressing either JNK1 or -2 shRNA in a stable manner. Basal anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth, single-cell movement, and invasion using the Boyden chamber assay were analyzed. Xenograft growth was assessed using an orthotopic mouse model. All seven tested pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed JNKs as did human pancreatic cancer samples determined by immunohistochemistry. Pharmacological, unspecific JNK inhibition (SP600125) reduced cell growth of all cell lines but PANC-1. Especially inhibition of JNK2 resulted in overall increased oncogenic potential with increased proliferation and invasion, associated with alterations in cytoskeleton structure. Specific inhibition of JNK1 revealed opposing functions. Overall, JNK1 and JNK2 can exert different functions in human pancreatic cancer and act as counter players for tumor invasion. Specifically modulating the activity of JNKs may be of potential therapeutic interest in the future.
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Tam SY, Law HKW. JNK in Tumor Microenvironment: Present Findings and Challenges in Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092196. [PMID: 34063627 PMCID: PMC8124407 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Apart from having both tumor promoting and tumor suppressing roles in cancers due to its impact on apoptosis and autophagy pathways, JNK also plays complex roles in the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) and is involved in different tumorigenesis pathways. The JNK pathway influences various stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions along with different cell populations in TME. In this review, we aim to present the current knowledge of JNK-mediated processes in TME and the challenges in clinical translation. Abstract The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are a group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). JNK is mainly activated under stressful conditions or by inflammatory cytokines and has multiple downstream targets for mediating cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, and immune responses. JNK has been demonstrated to have both tumor promoting and tumor suppressing roles in different cancers depending on the focused pathway in each study. JNK also plays complex roles in the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME). JNK is involved in different tumorigenesis pathways. TME closely relates with tumor development and consists of various stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions along with different cell populations, in which the JNK pathway may have various mediating roles. In this review, we aim to summarize the present knowledge of JNK-mediated processes in TME, including hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, inflammation, immune responses, angiogenesis, as well as the regulation of various cell populations within TME. This review also suggests future research directions for translating JNK modulation in pre-clinical findings to clinical benefits.
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Peyre L, Meyer M, Hofman P, Roux J. TRAIL receptor-induced features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition increase tumour phenotypic heterogeneity: potential cell survival mechanisms. Br J Cancer 2021; 124:91-101. [PMID: 33257838 PMCID: PMC7782794 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-01177-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuing efforts to exploit the death receptor agonists, such as the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), for cancer therapy, have largely been impaired by the anti-apoptotic and pro-survival signalling pathways leading to drug resistance. Cell migration, invasion, differentiation, immune evasion and anoikis resistance are plastic processes sharing features of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that have been shown to give cancer cells the ability to escape cell death upon cytotoxic treatments. EMT has recently been suggested to drive a heterogeneous cellular environment that appears favourable for tumour progression. Recent studies have highlighted a link between EMT and cell sensitivity to TRAIL, whereas others have highlighted their effects on the induction of EMT. This review aims to explore the molecular mechanisms by which death signals can elicit an increase in response heterogeneity in the metastasis context, and to evaluate the impact of these processes on cell responses to cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Peyre
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR 7284, Inserm U 1081, Institut de Recherche sur le Cancer et le Vieillissement de Nice (IRCAN), Centre Antoine Lacassagne, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Mickael Meyer
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR 7284, Inserm U 1081, Institut de Recherche sur le Cancer et le Vieillissement de Nice (IRCAN), Centre Antoine Lacassagne, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Paul Hofman
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR 7284, Inserm U 1081, Institut de Recherche sur le Cancer et le Vieillissement de Nice (IRCAN), Centre Antoine Lacassagne, 06107, Nice, France
| | - Jérémie Roux
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR 7284, Inserm U 1081, Institut de Recherche sur le Cancer et le Vieillissement de Nice (IRCAN), Centre Antoine Lacassagne, 06107, Nice, France.
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Suzuki S, Okada M, Sanomachi T, Togashi K, Seino S, Sato A, Yamamoto M, Kitanaka C. Therapeutic targeting of pancreatic cancer stem cells by dexamethasone modulation of the MKP-1-JNK axis. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18328-18342. [PMID: 33115754 PMCID: PMC7939393 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Postoperative recurrence from microscopic residual disease must be prevented to cure intractable cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Key to this goal is the elimination of cancer stem cells (CSCs) endowed with tumor-initiating capacity and drug resistance. However, current therapeutic strategies capable of accomplishing this are insufficient. Using in vitro models of CSCs and in vivo models of tumor initiation in which CSCs give rise to xenograft tumors, we show that dexamethasone induces expression of MKP-1, a MAPK phosphatase, via glucocorticoid receptor activation, thereby inactivating JNK, which is required for self-renewal and tumor initiation by pancreatic CSCs as well as for their expression of survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein implicated in multidrug resistance. We also demonstrate that systemic administration of clinically relevant doses of dexamethasone together with gemcitabine prevents tumor formation by CSCs in a pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Our study thus provides preclinical evidence for the efficacy of dexamethasone as an adjuvant therapy to prevent postoperative recurrence in patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Cancer Science, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan; Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Masashi Okada
- Department of Molecular Cancer Science, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.
| | - Tomomi Sanomachi
- Department of Molecular Cancer Science, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan; Department of Clinical Oncology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Keita Togashi
- Department of Molecular Cancer Science, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Shizuka Seino
- Department of Molecular Cancer Science, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sato
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular Cancer Science, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Chifumi Kitanaka
- Department of Molecular Cancer Science, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan; Research Institute for Promotion of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan.
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10
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Elsherbiny NM, Eisa NH, El-Sherbiny M, Said E. Chemo-preventive effect of crocin against experimentally-induced hepatocarcinogenesis via regulation of apoptotic and Nrf2 signaling pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103494. [PMID: 32942000 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The results of the current study investigated the chemo-preventive effect of crocin against hepatocarcinogenesis in rats with particular focus on the evaluation of the modulatory impact of crocin on apoptotic and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways. Thioacetamide (TAA) (200 mg/kg, I.P.) was used for experimental induction of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Crocin administration significantly attenuated TAA-induced cancerous lesions with concomitant attenuation of impaired liver functions. This was associated with significant enhancement in hepatic Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression with parallel suppression in Keap-1 expression. Inline, crocin induced a significant improvement in hepatic oxidative status with enhanced antioxidant batteries. Crocin administration significantly suppressed the hepatic content of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (c-JNK) with significant upregulation in TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and caspase-8 protein expression as well as p53 gene expression; biomarkers of apoptosis. Moreover, hepatic expression of the apoptotic BAX significantly increased and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 significantly decreased in the liver specimen; biomarkers of intrinsic apoptosis. In conclusion; crocin attenuates experimentally induced hepato-carcinogenesis via modulation of oxidative/apoptotic signaling. Namely, crocin induced hepatic expression of Nrf2 with downstream modulation of endogenous HO-1 and Keap-1 signaling with modulation of various key players of apoptosis including; c-JNK, p53, TRAIL, caspase-8, BAX, and Bcl-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal M Elsherbiny
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nada H Eisa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Sherbiny
- Department of Anatomy, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt; Almaarefa University, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Said
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt.
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11
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Jabeen A, Sharma A, Gupta I, Kheraldine H, Vranic S, Al Moustafa AE, Al Farsi HF. Elaeagnus angustifolia Plant Extract Inhibits Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Induces Apoptosis via HER2 Inactivation and JNK Pathway in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells. Molecules 2020; 25:E4240. [PMID: 32947764 PMCID: PMC7570883 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA) is a medicinal plant used for treating several human diseases in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the outcome of EA extract on HER2-positive breast cancer remains nascent. Thus, we herein investigated the effects of the aqueous EA extract obtained from the flowers of EA on two HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines, SKBR3 and ZR75-1. Our data revealed that EA extract inhibits cell proliferation and deregulates cell-cycle progression of these two cancer cell lines. EA extract also prevents the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an important event for cancer invasion and metastasis; this is accompanied by upregulations of E-cadherin and β-catenin, in addition to downregulations of vimentin and fascin, which are major markers of EMT. Thus, EA extract causes a drastic decrease in cell invasion ability of SKBR3 and ZR75-1 cancer cells. Additionally, we found that EA extract inhibits colony formation of both cell lines in comparison with their matched control. The molecular pathway analysis of HER2 and JNK1/2/3 of EA extract exposed cells revealed that it can block HER2 and JNK1/2/3 activities, which could be the major molecular pathway behind these events. Our findings implicate that EA extract may possess chemo-preventive effects against HER2-positive breast cancer via HER2 inactivation and specifically JNK1/2/3 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Jabeen
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (A.J.); (A.S.); (I.G.); (H.K.); (S.V.)
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Anju Sharma
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (A.J.); (A.S.); (I.G.); (H.K.); (S.V.)
| | - Ishita Gupta
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (A.J.); (A.S.); (I.G.); (H.K.); (S.V.)
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Hadeel Kheraldine
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (A.J.); (A.S.); (I.G.); (H.K.); (S.V.)
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Semir Vranic
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (A.J.); (A.S.); (I.G.); (H.K.); (S.V.)
| | - Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (A.J.); (A.S.); (I.G.); (H.K.); (S.V.)
- Biomedical Research Centre, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Halema F. Al Farsi
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (A.J.); (A.S.); (I.G.); (H.K.); (S.V.)
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12
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Ray D, Epstein DM. Tumorigenic de-differentiation: the alternative splicing way. Mol Cell Oncol 2020; 7:1809959. [PMID: 33235913 PMCID: PMC7671003 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2020.1809959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of acquisition of tumorigenic properties by somatic cells at the onset of cancer and later during relapse is a question of paramount importance in cancer biology. We have recently discovered a Muscleblind like-1 (MBNL1)-driven alternative-splicing mediated mechanism of tumorigenic de-differentiation that is associated with poor prognosis, relapse and metastasis in common cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debleena Ray
- Cancer & Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David M Epstein
- Cancer & Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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13
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Qiao X, Wang C, Wang W, Shang Y, Li Y, Ni J, Chen SZ. Levamisole enhances DR4-independent apoptosis induced by TRAIL through inhibiting the activation of JNK in lung cancer. Life Sci 2020; 257:118034. [PMID: 32621923 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
THE HEADINGS AIMS Levamisole has anti-parasite and antitumor activities, but the anti-lung cancer mechanism has not been studied. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is regarded as a promising drug because of the ability to selectively target cancer cells. However, the tolerance of cancer cells to TRAIL limits its antitumor activity. Other drugs combined with TRAIL need to be explored to enhance its antitumor activity. Based on the adjuvant anticancer effect of levamisole on anticancer drugs activity, the antitumor activity of levamisole combined with TRAIL will be investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro and in vivo experiments were employed to investigate the anti-tumor activity. Flow-cytometry analysis, western blotting and siRNA transfection were used to explore the molecular mechanism. KEY FINDINGS Levamisole decreased the proliferation of lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. Besides, levamisole also enhanced TRAIL-induced DR4-independent apoptosis by inhibiting the phosphorylation of cJUN. A new cellular protective pathway LC3B-DR4/Erk was also disclosed, in which levamisole only increased the expression of LC3B and then activated the phosphorylation of Erk and increased the expression of DR4, while p-Erk and DR4 inter-regulated. SIGNIFICANCE Levamisole may be used as an adjuvant of TRAIL in treating lung cancer. The discovery of LC3B-DR4/Erk as a new protective pathway provides a new direction for sensitizing lung cancer cells to TRAIL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Qiao
- Institute of Medicinal Biotehnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotehnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Wendie Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotehnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Yue Shang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotehnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Yi Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotehnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Jun Ni
- Institute of Medicinal Biotehnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China
| | - Shu-Zhen Chen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotehnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, China.
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14
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Arisan ED, Rencuzogullari O, Keskin B, Grant GH, Uysal-Onganer P. Inhibition on JNK Mimics Silencing of Wnt-11 Mediated Cellular Response in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9070142. [PMID: 32605008 PMCID: PMC7407974 DOI: 10.3390/biology9070142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers among men, and one of the leading causes of cancer death for men. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is required for several cellular functions, such as survival, proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Wnt-11, a member of the Wnt family, has been identified for its upregulation in PCa; however, downstream signalling of Wnt-11 remains to be fully characterized. In this study, we investigated the role of the JNK pathway as a potential downstream factor for Wnt-11 signalling. For this purpose, LNCaP, DU145, and PC-3 PCa cells and normal epithelial PNT1A cells were treated with a specific JNK kinase inhibitor: JNKVIII. Our results showed that JNK inhibition decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted cell death in a cell type-dependent manner. We found that JNK inhibition led to an increase in autophagy and prevented epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in independently growing androgen cells. JNK inhibition and the silencing of Wnt-11 showed similar responses in DU145 and PC-3 cells and decreased metastasis-related biomarkers, cell migration, and invasion. Overall, our results suggest that JNK signalling plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of PCa by mediating Wnt-11 induced signals. Our data highlights that both the JNK pathway and Wnt-11 could be a useful therapeutic target for the combinatory application of current PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Damla Arisan
- Gebze Technical University, Institute of Biotechnology, 41400 Gebze-Kocaeli, Turkey;
| | - Ozge Rencuzogullari
- Istanbul Kultur University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atakoy Campus, 34156 Istanbul, Turkey; (O.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Buse Keskin
- Istanbul Kultur University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atakoy Campus, 34156 Istanbul, Turkey; (O.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Guy H. Grant
- School of Life Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, Park Square, Luton LU1 3JU, UK;
| | - Pinar Uysal-Onganer
- Cancer Research Group, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)207-911-5151 (ext. 64581)
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15
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Lipner MB, Peng XL, Jin C, Xu Y, Gao Y, East MP, Rashid NU, Moffitt RA, Herrera Loeza SG, Morrison AB, Golitz BT, Vaziri C, Graves LM, Johnson GL, Yeh JJ. Irreversible JNK1-JUN inhibition by JNK-IN-8 sensitizes pancreatic cancer to 5-FU/FOLFOX chemotherapy. JCI Insight 2020; 5:129905. [PMID: 32213714 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.129905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over 55,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) yearly, and fewer than 20% of these patients survive a year beyond diagnosis. Chemotherapies are considered or used in nearly every PDAC case, but there is limited understanding of the complex signaling responses underlying resistance to these common treatments. Here, we take an unbiased approach to study protein kinase network changes following chemotherapies in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of PDAC to facilitate design of rational drug combinations. Proteomics profiling following chemotherapy regimens reveals that activation of JNK-JUN signaling occurs after 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin (5-FU + LEU) and FOLFOX (5-FU + LEU plus oxaliplatin [OX]), but not after OX alone or gemcitabine. Cell and tumor growth assays with the irreversible inhibitor JNK-IN-8 and genetic manipulations demonstrate that JNK and JUN each contribute to chemoresistance and cancer cell survival after FOLFOX. Active JNK1 and JUN are specifically implicated in these effects, and synergy with JNK-IN-8 is linked to FOLFOX-mediated JUN activation, cell cycle dysregulation, and DNA damage response. This study highlights the potential for JNK-IN-8 as a biological tool and potential combination therapy with FOLFOX in PDAC and reinforces the need to tailor treatment to functional characteristics of individual tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B Lipner
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | | | - Chong Jin
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Biostatistics
| | - Yi Xu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Yanzhe Gao
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Pathology, and
| | - Michael P East
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Naim U Rashid
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Biostatistics
| | | | | | | | | | - Cyrus Vaziri
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Pathology, and
| | - Lee M Graves
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Gary L Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Jen Jen Yeh
- Department of Pharmacology.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.,Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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16
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Sun HR, Wang S, Yan SC, Zhang Y, Nelson PJ, Jia HL, Qin LX, Dong QZ. Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Cancer Stem Cells and Their Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1104. [PMID: 31709180 PMCID: PMC6821685 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been demonstrated in a variety of tumors and are thought to act as a clonogenic core for the genesis of new tumor growth. This small subpopulation of cancer cells has been proposed to help drive tumorigenesis, metastasis, recurrence and conventional therapy resistance. CSCs show self-renewal and flexible clonogenic properties and help define specific tumor microenvironments (TME). The interaction between CSCs and TME is thought to function as a dynamic support system that fosters the generation and maintenance of CSCs. Investigation of the interaction between CSCs and the TME is shedding light on the biologic mechanisms underlying the process of tumor malignancy, metastasis, and therapy resistance. We summarize recent advances in CSC biology and their environment, and discuss the challenges and future strategies for targeting this biology as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ran Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Can Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peter J Nelson
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Hu-Liang Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lun-Xiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong-Zhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Kong Y, Yu T. A graph-embedded deep feedforward network for disease outcome classification and feature selection using gene expression data. Bioinformatics 2018; 34:3727-3737. [PMID: 29850911 PMCID: PMC6198851 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivation Gene expression data represents a unique challenge in predictive model building, because of the small number of samples (n) compared with the huge amount of features (p). This 'n≪p' property has hampered application of deep learning techniques for disease outcome classification. Sparse learning by incorporating external gene network information could be a potential solution to this issue. Still, the problem is very challenging because (i) there are tens of thousands of features and only hundreds of training samples, (ii) the scale-free structure of the gene network is unfriendly to the setup of convolutional neural networks. Results To address these issues and build a robust classification model, we propose the Graph-Embedded Deep Feedforward Networks (GEDFN), to integrate external relational information of features into the deep neural network architecture. The method is able to achieve sparse connection between network layers to prevent overfitting. To validate the method's capability, we conducted both simulation experiments and real data analysis using a breast invasive carcinoma RNA-seq dataset and a kidney renal clear cell carcinoma RNA-seq dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The resulting high classification accuracy and easily interpretable feature selection results suggest the method is a useful addition to the current graph-guided classification models and feature selection procedures. Availability and implementation The method is available at https://github.com/yunchuankong/GEDFN. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunchuan Kong
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Tianwei Yu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
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18
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Huang M, Zhu H, Yi C, Yan J, Wei L, Yang X, Chen S, Huang Y. A novel TRAIL mutant-TRAIL-Mu3 enhances the antitumor effects by the increased affinity and the up-expression of DR5 in pancreatic cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2018; 82:829-838. [PMID: 30167846 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-018-3658-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system with poor prognosis and high mortality, and the treatment of pancreatic cancer still remains a major challenge. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can induce apoptosis selectively in cancer cells while causing virtually no damage to normal cells, which is promising for cancer therapy. However, many primary tumors and cancer cell lines including various human pancreatic cancer cell lines were found to be resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to improve antitumor effect of TRAIL on pancreatic cancer. METHODS The 114-121 amino acid coding sequence "VRERGPQR" of wild type TRAIL protein that was selected changed into "RRRRRRRR", and the novel membrane-penetrating peptide-alike mutant protein was named TRAIL-Mu3. The antitumor effect of TRAIL-Mu3 was analyzed both in vitro and in vivo. Western blotting, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS TRAIL-Mu3 could enhance the antitumor effects on pancreatic cancer cell lines, and the antitumor effect of TRAIL-Mu3 was stronger than gemcitabine in vivo. The immunofluorescence results suggested that TRAIL-Mu3 could remarkably enhance the affinity to pancreatic cancer cells. The Western blot results showed that treatment with TRAIL-Mu3 caused a clear cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-8. In addition, both the Western blot and flow cytometry suggested a significantly up-expression of DR5 in TRAIL-Mu3 group. CONCLUSIONS Membrane-penetrating peptide-alike mutant-TRAIL-Mu3 induced pancreatic cancer cell death more efficiently than TRAIL, and this effect was supposed to be mediated by the increased affinity to cell membrane, the up-regulation of DR5 and the enhancement of activated caspase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Physiology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Yi
- Department of Medical Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Yan
- Chengdu Huachuang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijia Wei
- Chengdu Huachuang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Medical Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shouchun Chen
- Chengdu Huachuang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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19
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Wang C, Chen L, Yang Y, Zhang M, Wong G. Identification of bladder cancer prognostic biomarkers using an ageing gene-related competitive endogenous RNA network. Oncotarget 2017; 8:111742-111753. [PMID: 29340088 PMCID: PMC5762356 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) are a newly proposed RNA interaction mechanism that has been associated with the initiation and progression of various cancers. In this study, we constructed an ageing gene related ceRNA network (AgeingCeNet) in bladder cancer. Network analysis revealed that ageing gene ceRNAs have a larger degree and closeness centrality than ageing genes themselves. Notably, the difference of betweenness centrality of ageing genes and their ceRNAs is not significant, suggesting that the ceRNAs of ageing genes and ageing genes themselves both play important communication roles in AgeingCeNet. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for genes in AgeingCeNet revealed that AgeingCeNet genes are enriched in cancer pathways and several cancer related singaling pathways. We also identified 37 core modules from AgeingCeNet using CFinder software. Next, we identified 2 potential prognostic modules, named K11M14 and K13M4, whose prognostic ability is better than that of age and gender. Finally, we identified microRNAs (miRNAs) regulating the two modules, which include miR-15b-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-30 family members, and several other cancer-related miRNAs. Our study demonstrated that constructing an ageing gene related ceRNA network is a feasible strategy to explore the mechanism of initiation and progression of bladder cancer, which might benefit the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changliang Wang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Menglei Zhang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Garry Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
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20
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Abrams SL, Ruvolo PP, Ruvolo VR, Ligresti G, Martelli AM, Cocco L, Ratti S, Tafuri A, Steelman LS, Candido S, Libra M, McCubrey JA. Targeting signaling and apoptotic pathways involved in chemotherapeutic drug-resistance of hematopoietic cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:76525-76557. [PMID: 29100331 PMCID: PMC5652725 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.20408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical problem in leukemia as well as other cancer therapies is the development of chemotherapeutic drug-resistance. We have developed models of hematopoietic drug resistance that are based on expression of dominant-negative TP53 [TP53 (DN)] or constitutively-active MEK1 [MEK1(CA)] oncogenes in the presence of chemotherapeutic drugs. In human cancer, functional TP53 activity is often lost in human cancers. Also, activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway frequently occurs due to mutations/amplification of upstream components of this and other interacting pathways. FL5.12 is an interleukin-3 (IL−3) dependent hematopoietic cell line that is sensitive to doxorubicin (a.k.a Adriamycin). FL/Doxo is a derivative cell line that was isolated by culturing the parental FL5.12 cells in doxorubicin for prolonged periods of time. FL/Doxo + TP53 (DN) and FL/Doxo + MEK1 (CA) are FL/Doxo derivate cell lines that were infected with retrovirus encoding TP53 (DN) or MEK1 (CA) and are more resistant to doxorubicin than FL/Doxo cells. This panel of cell lines displayed differences in the sensitivity to inhibitors that suppress mTORC1, BCL2/BCLXL, MEK1 or MDM2 activities, as well as, the proteasomal inhibitor MG132. The expression of key genes involved in cell growth and drug-resistance (e.g., MDM2, MDR1, BAX) also varied in these cells. Thus, we can begin to understand some of the key genes that are involved in the resistance of hematopoietic cells to chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Abrams
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Peter P Ruvolo
- Section of Signal Transduction and Apoptosis, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA.,Current/Present address: Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vivian R Ruvolo
- Section of Signal Transduction and Apoptosis, Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA.,Current/Present address: Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Giovanni Ligresti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Pathology and Oncology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Current/Present address: Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alberto M Martelli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucio Cocco
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Ratti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Agostino Tafuri
- Hematology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Linda S Steelman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Saverio Candido
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Pathology and Oncology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Massimo Libra
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Pathology and Oncology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - James A McCubrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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21
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Repurposing Established Compounds to Target Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs). Med Sci (Basel) 2017; 5:medsci5020014. [PMID: 29099030 PMCID: PMC5635789 DOI: 10.3390/medsci5020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) carries a dismal prognosis, in particular, when patients present with unresectable disease. While significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of PDAC, this knowledge has not translated into a clear clinical benefit and current chemotherapeutic strategies only offer a modest improvement in overall survival. Accordingly, novel approaches are desperately needed. One hypothesis that could—at least in part—explain the desolate response of PDAC to chemotherapy is the so-called cancer stem cell (CSC) concept, which attributes specific traits, such as chemoresistance, metastatic potential and a distinct metabolism to a small cellular subpopulation of the whole tumor. At the same time, however, some of these attributes could make CSCs more permissive for novel therapeutic strategies with compounds that are already in clinical use. Most recently, several publications have tried to enlighten the field with the idea of repurposing established drugs for antineoplastic use. As such, recycling drugs could present an intriguing and fast-track method with new therapeutic paradigms in anti-cancer and anti-CSC treatments. Here, we aim to summarize important aspects and novel findings of this emerging field.
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22
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Gao J, Long B, Wang Z. Role of Notch signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:173-186. [PMID: 28337369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 09/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the highly aggressive malignancies in the United States. It has been shown that multiple signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of PC, such as JNK, PI3K/AKT, Rho GTPase, Hedgehog (Hh) and Skp2. In recent years, accumulated evidence has demonstrated that Notch signaling pathway plays critical roles in the development and progression of PC. Therefore, in this review we discuss the recent literature regarding the function and regulation of Notch in the pathogenesis of PC. Moreover, we describe that Notch signaling pathway could be down-regulated by its inhibitors or natural compounds, which could be a novel approach for the treatment of PC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiankun Gao
- Sichuan College of Tranditional Chinese Medicine Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Long
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Mianyang 404 Hospital Mianyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- The Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow UniversitySuzhou 215123, China; Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolMA 02215, USA
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