1
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Şişli HB, Hayal TB, Şenkal S, Bulut E, Kıratlı B, Asutay AB, Şahin F, Bayrak ÖF, Doğan A. Activation of Wnt Pathway Suppresses Growth of MUG-Chor1 Chordoma Cell Line. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:823-837. [PMID: 37751039 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01178-5] [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] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Chordoma as a malignant bone tumor, occurs along the axial skeleton and does not have an effective therapy. Brachyury, which is a crucial player for the formation of early embryonic notochord, is abundantly found in both sporadic and familial chordoma. During embryonic development, Brachyury expression was reported to be regulated by the Wnt pathway. The objective of the study is to investigate the role of Wnt signaling in a human chordoma cell line in terms of proliferation, survival, and invasiveness. We tried to elucidate the signaling events that regulate Chordoma cancer. In this regard, Wnt pathway was activated or inhibited using various strategies including small molecules, siRNA-based knockdown and overexpression applications. The results indicated the negative regulatory effect of Wnt signaling activity on proliferation and migration capacity of the chordoma cells. It was revealed that when GSK3β was inhibited, the Wnt pathway was activated and negatively regulated T/Bra expression. Activity of the Wnt pathway caused cell cycle arrest, reduced migration potential of the cells, and led to cell death. Therefore, the present study suggests that the Wnt pathway plays a key role in suppressing the proliferation and invasive characteristics of human chordoma cells and has a great potential as a therapeutic target in further clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Burcu Şişli
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Taha Bartu Hayal
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Selinay Şenkal
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Bulut
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Binnur Kıratlı
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ayla Burçin Asutay
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Fikrettin Şahin
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ömer Faruk Bayrak
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Doğan
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey.
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2
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Quintero M, Bangi E. Disruptions in cell fate decisions and transformed enteroendocrine cells drive intestinal tumorigenesis in Drosophila. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113370. [PMID: 37924517 PMCID: PMC10841758 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113370] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most epithelial tissues are maintained by stem cells that produce the different cell lineages required for proper tissue function. Constant communication between different cell types ensures precise regulation of stem cell behavior and cell fate decisions. These cell-cell interactions are often disrupted during tumorigenesis, but mechanisms by which they are co-opted to support tumor growth in different genetic contexts are poorly understood. Here, we introduce PromoterSwitch, a genetic platform we established to generate large, transformed clones derived from individual adult Drosophila intestinal stem/progenitor cells. We show that cancer-driving genetic alterations representing common colon tumor genome landscapes disrupt cell fate decisions within transformed tissue and result in the emergence of abnormal cell fates. We also show that transformed enteroendocrine cells, a differentiated, hormone-secreting cell lineage, support tumor growth by regulating intestinal stem cell proliferation through multiple genotype-dependent mechanisms, which represent potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Quintero
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA
| | - Erdem Bangi
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32304, USA.
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3
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Zhou R, Li L, Xi S, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Zeng D, Sun H, Wu J, Wang L, Shi M, Bin J, Liao Y, Liao W. Expression pattern of secretory-cell-related transcriptional signatures in colon adenocarcinomas defines tumor microenvironment characteristics and correlates with clinical outcomes. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:499-517. [PMID: 36349418 PMCID: PMC9980301 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the connection of secretory cells to distinct mucus-containing colon cancer histological subtypes and the interaction of secretory cells with immune cells in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammatory diseases, whether the secretory cell signatures are associated with tumor microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity and can aid in colon cancer patient classification have not been investigated. Here, by performing the principal component analysis and consensus clustering analysis, we identified four distinct expression patterns based on secretory cell signatures which were significantly associated with different clinical behaviors, TME landscape, pathway activation, genomic mutations, and DNA methylation characteristics. Subsequently, a 'SCS score' model was constructed. The high SCS score indicated a pattern of 'secretory cell subtype 2', which was characterized by stromal infiltration and activation, and predicted poor prognosis and low sensitivity to fluorouracil-based chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but high sensitivity to PI3K catalytic subunit inhibitors. In conclusion, our study comprehensively uncovered the tumor heterogeneity related to secretory cell signature expression patterns. Moreover, the SCS score can supplement routine histopathological assessments to guide personalized therapeutic strategies in colon cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingbo Li
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoyan Xi
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihong Liu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongqiang Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiying Sun
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Wu
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Shi
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Bin
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yulin Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangjun Liao
- Department of Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Mechanobiology of Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081945. [PMID: 35454852 PMCID: PMC9028036 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081945] [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] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary It is well documented that colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type, responsible for high mortality in developed countries, resulting in a high socio-economic impact. Several biochemical and gene expression pathways explaining the manifestation of this cancer in humans have already been identified. However, explanations for some of the related biophysical mechanisms and their influence on CRC remain elusive. In CRC, biophysics and medical research have already revealed the importance of studying the effects of the stiffness and viscoelasticity of the substrate on cells, as well as the effect of the shear stress of blood and lymphatic vessels on the behavior of cells and tissues. A deeper understanding of the relationship between the biophysical cues and biochemical signals could be advantageous to develop new diagnostic techniques and therapeutic strategies. Being a disease with a high mortality rate, it becomes crucial to dedicate efforts to finding effective, alternative therapeutic strategies. Abstract In this review, the mechanobiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) are discussed. Mechanotransduction of CRC is addressed considering the relationship of several biophysical cues and biochemical pathways. Mechanobiology is focused on considering how it may influence epithelial cells in terms of motility, morphometric changes, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and metastization in CRC development. The roles of the tumor microenvironment, ECM, and stroma are also discussed, taking into account the influence of alterations and surface modifications on mechanical properties and their impact on epithelial cells and CRC progression. The role of cancer-associated fibroblasts and the impact of flow shear stress is addressed in terms of how it affects CRC metastization. Finally, some insights concerning how the knowledge of biophysical mechanisms may contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies and targeting molecules and how mechanical changes of the microenvironment play a role in CRC disease are presented.
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5
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Patients with Lynch syndrome have a high probability of developing colorectal and other carcinomas. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the immunologic aspects of Lynch syndrome pathogenesis and provides an overview of potential immune interventions for patients with Lynch syndrome polyps and Lynch syndrome-associated carcinomas. RECENT FINDINGS Immunogenic properties of the majority of Lynch syndrome polyps and associated cancers include microsatellite instability leading to a high mutational burden and the development of novel frameshift peptides, i.e., neoantigens. In addition, patients with Lynch syndrome develop T cell responses in the periphery and in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to tumor-associated antigens, and a proinflammatory cytokine TME has also been identified. However, Lynch syndrome lesions also possess immunosuppressive entities such as alterations in MHC class I antigen presentation, TGFβ receptor mutations, regulatory T cells, and upregulation of PD-L1 on tumor-associated lymphocytes. The rich immune microenvironment of Lynch syndrome polyps and associated carcinomas provides an opportunity to employ the spectrum of immune-mediating agents now available to induce and enhance host immune responses and/or to also reduce immunosuppressive entities. These agents can be employed in the so-called prevention trials for the treatment of patients with Lynch syndrome polyps and for trials in patients with Lynch syndrome-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Pastor
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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6
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Guo X, Lv J, Xi R. The specification and function of enteroendocrine cells in Drosophila and mammals: a comparative review. FEBS J 2021; 289:4773-4796. [PMID: 34115929 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) in both invertebrates and vertebrates derive from intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and are scattered along the digestive tract, where they function in sensing various environmental stimuli and subsequently secrete neurotransmitters or neuropeptides to regulate diverse biological and physiological processes. To fulfill these functions, EECs are specified into multiple subtypes that occupy specific gut regions. With advances in single-cell technology, organoid culture experimental systems, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genomic editing, rapid progress has been made toward characterization of EEC subtypes in mammals. Additionally, studies of genetic model organisms-especially Drosophila melanogaster-have also provided insights about the molecular processes underlying EEC specification from ISCs and about the establishment of diverse EEC subtypes. In this review, we compare the regulation of EEC specification and function in mammals and Drosophila, with a focus on EEC subtype characterization, on how internal and external regulators mediate EEC subtype specification, and on how EEC-mediated intra- and interorgan communications affect gastrointestinal physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingting Guo
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaying Lv
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Rongwen Xi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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7
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Pinto F, Costa ÂM, Andrade RP, Reis RM. Brachyury Is Associated with Glioma Differentiation and Response to Temozolomide. Neurotherapeutics 2020; 17:2015-2027. [PMID: 32785847 PMCID: PMC7851232 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-020-00911-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most aggressive tumor type of the central nervous system, mainly due to their high invasiveness and innate resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, with temozolomide (TMZ) being the current standard therapy. Recently, brachyury was described as a novel tumor suppressor gene in gliomas, and its loss was associated with increased gliomagenesis. Here, we aimed to explore the role of brachyury as a suppressor of glioma invasion, stem cell features, and resistance to TMZ. Using gene-edited glioma cells to overexpress brachyury, we found that brachyury-positive cells exhibit reduced invasive and migratory capabilities and stem cell features. Importantly, these brachyury-expressing cells have increased expression of differentiation markers, which corroborates the results from human glioma samples and in vivo tumors. Glioma cells treated with retinoic acid increased the differentiation status with concomitant increased expression of brachyury. We then selected TMZ-resistant (SNB-19) and TMZ-responsive (A172 and U373) cell lines to evaluate the role of brachyury in the response to TMZ treatment. We observed that both exogenous and endogenous brachyury activation, through overexpression and retinoic acid treatment, are associated with TMZ sensitization in glioma-resistant cell lines. In this study, we demonstrate that brachyury expression can impair aggressive glioma features associated with treatment resistance. Finally, we provide the first evidence that brachyury can be a potential therapeutic target in GBM patients who do not respond to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto - IPATIMUP, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
- INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-135, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel P Andrade
- Centre for Biomedical Research - CBMR, University of Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center, Campus Gambelas, Edificio 2. Ala Norte, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rui Manuel Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, SP, 14784-400, Brazil.
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8
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Pinto F, Costa ÂM, Santos GC, Matsushita MM, Costa S, Silva VA, Miranda-Gonçalves V, Lopes CM, Clara CA, Becker AP, Neder L, Hajj GN, da Cunha IW, Jones C, Andrade RP, Reis RM. The T-box transcription factor brachyury behaves as a tumor suppressor in gliomas. J Pathol 2020; 251:87-99. [PMID: 32154590 DOI: 10.1002/path.5419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The oncogene brachyury (TBXT) is a T-box transcription factor that is overexpressed in multiple solid tumors and is associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor patient prognosis. Gliomas comprise the most common and aggressive group of brain tumors, and at the present time the functional and clinical impact of brachyury expression has not been investigated previously in these neoplasms. Brachyury expression (mRNA and protein) was assessed in normal brain (n = 67), glioma tissues (n = 716) and cell lines (n = 42), and further in silico studies were undertaken using genomic databases totaling 3115 samples. Our glioma samples were analyzed for copy number (n = 372), promoter methylation status (n = 170), and mutation status (n = 1569 tissues and n = 52 cell lines) of the brachyury gene. The prognostic impact of brachyury expression was studied in 1524 glioma patient tumors. The functional impact of brachyury on glioma proliferation, viability, and cell death was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. Brachyury was expressed in the normal brain, and significantly downregulated in glioma tissues. Loss of brachyury was associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor survival in glioma patients. Downregulation of brachyury was not associated with gene deletion, promoter methylation, or inactivating point mutations. Brachyury re-expression in glioma cells was found to decrease glioma tumorigenesis by induction of autophagy. These data strongly suggest that brachyury behaves as a tumor suppressor gene in gliomas by modulating autophagy. It is important to note that brachyury constitutes an independent positive biomarker of patient prognosis. Our findings indicate that the role of brachyury in tumorigenesis may be tissue-dependent and demands additional investigation to guide rational interventions. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal.,I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto - IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal.,I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gisele C Santos
- Department of Pathology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Sandra Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Viviane Ao Silva
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vera Miranda-Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Celeste M Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos A Clara
- Neurosurgery Department, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline P Becker
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciano Neder
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Nm Hajj
- International Research Center, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabela W da Cunha
- Department of Molecular Diagnosis, Anatomic Pathology Department, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Chris Jones
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), Sutton, UK
| | - Raquel P Andrade
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal.,Regenerative Medicine Program; Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,CBMR, Centre for Biomedical Research, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rui M Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal.,Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
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9
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Brachyury: Strategies for Drugging an Intractable Cancer Therapeutic Target. Trends Cancer 2020; 6:271-273. [PMID: 32209441 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
New approaches to drug discovery are unlocking enormous therapeutic potential residing in cancer-specific molecules. Brachyury is emerging as an exciting new drug target for the rare bone cancer chordoma. Here, recent advances targeting Brachyury in chordoma are discussed and how these might open doors to the targeting of other, more common cancer types.
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10
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Shah SR, David JM, Tippens ND, Mohyeldin A, Martinez-Gutierrez JC, Ganaha S, Schiapparelli P, Hamilton DH, Palena C, Levchenko A, Quiñones-Hinojosa A. Brachyury-YAP Regulatory Axis Drives Stemness and Growth in Cancer. Cell Rep 2018; 21:495-507. [PMID: 29020634 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.09.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular factors that define stem cell identity have recently emerged as oncogenic drivers. For instance, brachyury, a key developmental transcriptional factor, is also implicated in carcinogenesis, most notably of chordoma, through mechanisms that remain elusive. Here, we show that brachyury is a crucial regulator of stemness in chordoma and in more common aggressive cancers. Furthermore, this effect of brachyury is mediated by control of synthesis and stability of Yes-associated protein (YAP), a key regulator of tissue growth and homeostasis, providing an unexpected mechanism of control of YAP expression. We further demonstrate that the brachyury-YAP regulatory pathway is associated with tumor aggressiveness. These results elucidate a mechanism of controlling both tumor stemness and aggressiveness through regulatory coupling of two developmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar R Shah
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, The Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Justin M David
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nathaniel D Tippens
- Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ahmed Mohyeldin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Sara Ganaha
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, The Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Duane H Hamilton
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Claudia Palena
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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11
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Moorefield EC, Andres SF, Blue RE, Van Landeghem L, Mah AT, Santoro MA, Ding S. Aging effects on intestinal homeostasis associated with expansion and dysfunction of intestinal epithelial stem cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 9:1898-1915. [PMID: 28854151 PMCID: PMC5611984 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs) are critical to maintain intestinal epithelial function and homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that aging promotes IESC dysfunction using old (18-22 months) and young (2-4 month) Sox9-EGFP IESC reporter mice. Different levels of Sox9-EGFP permit analyses of active IESC (Sox9-EGFPLow), activatable reserve IESC and enteroendocrine cells (Sox9-EGFPHigh), Sox9-EGFPSublow progenitors, and Sox9-EGFPNegative differentiated lineages. Crypt-villus morphology, cellular composition and apoptosis were measured by histology. IESC function was assessed by crypt culture, and proliferation by flow cytometry and histology. Main findings were confirmed in Lgr5-EGFP and Lgr5-LacZ mice. Aging-associated gene expression changes were analyzed by Fluidigm mRNA profiling. Crypts culture from old mice yielded fewer and less complex enteroids. Histology revealed increased villus height and Paneth cells per crypt in old mice. Old mice showed increased numbers and hyperproliferation of Sox9-EGFPLow IESC and Sox9-EGFPHigh cells. Cleaved caspase-3 staining demonstrated increased apoptotic cells in crypts and villi of old mice. Gene expression profiling revealed aging-associated changes in mRNAs associated with cell cycle, oxidative stress and apoptosis specifically in IESC. These findings provide new, direct evidence for aging associated IESC dysfunction, and define potential biomarkers and targets for translational studies to assess and maintain IESC function during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Moorefield
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Sarah F Andres
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - R Eric Blue
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Laurianne Van Landeghem
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Amanda T Mah
- Department of Hematology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - M Agostina Santoro
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shengli Ding
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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12
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Pinto F, Cárcano FM, da Silva ECA, Vidal DO, Scapulatempo-Neto C, Lopes LF, Reis RM. Brachyury oncogene is a prognostic factor in high-risk testicular germ cell tumors. Andrology 2018; 6:597-604. [PMID: 29749711 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The T-box transcription factor Brachyury has been considered a cancer-specific marker and a novel oncotarget in solid tumors. Brachyury overexpression has been described in various cancers, being associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and poor prognosis. However, its clinical association with testicular germ cell tumor is unknown. We analyzed the expression of Brachyury by immunohistochemistry in a series of well-characterized testicular germ cell tumor samples and at transcript level by in silico analysis. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of Brachyury in testicular germ cell tumor. Brachyury cytoplasm immunostaining was present in 89.6% (86/96) of cases with nuclear staining observed in 24% (23/96) of testicular germ cell tumor. Bioinformatics microarray expression analysis of two independent cohorts of testicular germ cell tumors showed similar results with increased levels of Brachyury in testicular germ cell tumors and metastasis compared with normal testis. Clinically, Brachyury nuclear staining was statistically associated with lower event-free survival (p = 0.04) and overall survival (p = 0.01) in intermediate/high-risk testicular germ cell tumors. Univariate analysis showed that Brachyury nuclear subcellular localization was a predictor of poor prognosis (p = 0.02), while a tendency was observed by multivariate analysis (HR: 3.56, p = 0.06). In conclusion, these results indicate that Brachyury plays an oncogenic role in testicular germ cell tumors and its subcellular localization in the nucleus may constitute a novel biomarker of poor prognosis and a putative oncotarget for intermediate/high-risk testicular germ cell tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto - IPATIMUP, Porto, Portugal
| | - F M Cárcano
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Barretos School of Health Sciences, Dr. Paulo Prata-FACISB, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - E C A da Silva
- Department of Pathology, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - D O Vidal
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Hospital, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - C Scapulatempo-Neto
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - L F Lopes
- Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Children's Cancer Hospital, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - R M Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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13
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Hamilton DH, McCampbell KK, Palena C. Loss of the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 1 in the Context of Brachyury-Mediated Phenotypic Plasticity Drives Tumor Resistance to Immune Attack. Front Oncol 2018; 8:143. [PMID: 29774202 PMCID: PMC5943507 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of mesenchymal features by carcinoma cells is now recognized as a driver of metastasis and tumor resistance to a range of anticancer therapeutics, including chemotherapy, radiation, and certain small-molecule targeted therapies. With the recent successful implementation of immunotherapies for the treatment of various types of cancer, there is growing interest in understanding whether an immunological approach could be effective at eradicating carcinoma cells bearing mesenchymal features. Recent studies, however, demonstrated that carcinoma cells that have acquired mesenchymal features may also exhibit decreased susceptibility to lysis mediated by immune effector cells, including antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, innate natural killer (NK), and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells. Here, we investigated the mechanism involved in the immune resistance of carcinoma cells that express very high levels of the transcription factor brachyury, a molecule previously shown to drive the acquisition of mesenchymal features by carcinoma cells. Our results demonstrate that very high levels of brachyury expression drive the loss of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (p21CIP1, p21), an event that results in decreased tumor susceptibility to immune-mediated lysis. We show here that reconstitution of p21 expression markedly increases the lysis of brachyury-high tumor cells mediated by antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, NK, and LAK cells, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, and chemotherapy. Several reports have now demonstrated a role for p21 loss in cancer as an inducer of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. The results from the present study situate p21 as a central player in many of the aspects of the phenomenon of brachyury-mediated mesenchymalization of carcinomas, including resistance to chemotherapy and immune-mediated cytotoxicity. We also demonstrate here that the defects in tumor cell death described in association with very high levels of brachyury could be alleviated via the use of a WEE1 inhibitor. Several vaccine platforms targeting brachyury have been developed and are undergoing clinical evaluation. These studies provide further rationale for the use of WEE1 inhibition in combination with brachyury-based immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duane H Hamilton
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kristen K McCampbell
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Claudia Palena
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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14
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Pinto F, Pértega-Gomes N, Vizcaíno JR, Andrade RP, Cárcano FM, Reis RM. Brachyury as a potential modulator of androgen receptor activity and a key player in therapy resistance in prostate cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:28891-902. [PMID: 27049720 PMCID: PMC5045364 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Acquisition of resistance to conventional therapy is a major problem for PCa patient management. Several mechanisms have been described to promote therapy resistance in PCa, such as androgen receptor (AR) activation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), acquisition of stem cell properties and neuroendocrine transdifferentiation (NEtD). Recently, we identified Brachyury as a new biomarker of PCa aggressiveness and poor prognosis. In the present study we aimed to assess the role of Brachyury in PCa therapy resistance. We showed that Brachyury overexpression in prostate cancer cells lines increased resistance to docetaxel and cabazitaxel drugs, whereas Brachyury abrogation induced decrease in therapy resistance. Through ChiP-qPCR assays we further demonstrated that Brachyury is a direct regulator of AR expression as well as of the biomarker AMACR and the mesenchymal markers Snail and Fibronectin. Furthermore, in vitro Brachyury was also able to increase EMT and stem properties. By in silico analysis, clinically human Brachyury-positive PCa samples were associated with biomarkers of PCa aggressiveness and therapy resistance, including PTEN loss, and expression of NEtD markers, ERG and Bcl-2. Taken together, our results indicate that Brachyury contributes to tumor chemotherapy resistance, constituting an attractive target for advanced PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nelma Pértega-Gomes
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - José R Vizcaíno
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel P Andrade
- CBMR, Centre for Biomedical Research, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Regenerative Medicine Program, Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Flavio M Cárcano
- Clinical Oncology Department, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, S. Paulo, Brazil.,Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, S. Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rui Manuel Reis
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Molecular Oncology Research Center, Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, S. Paulo, Brazil
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15
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Worthington JJ, Reimann F, Gribble FM. Enteroendocrine cells-sensory sentinels of the intestinal environment and orchestrators of mucosal immunity. Mucosal Immunol 2018; 11:3-20. [PMID: 28853441 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2017.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium must balance efficient absorption of nutrients with partitioning commensals and pathogens from the bodies' largest immune system. If this crucial barrier fails, inappropriate immune responses can result in inflammatory bowel disease or chronic infection. Enteroendocrine cells represent 1% of this epithelium and have classically been studied for their detection of nutrients and release of peptide hormones to mediate digestion. Intriguingly, enteroendocrine cells are the key sensors of microbial metabolites, can release cytokines in response to pathogen associated molecules and peptide hormone receptors are expressed on numerous intestinal immune cells; thus enteroendocrine cells are uniquely equipped to be crucial and novel orchestrators of intestinal inflammation. In this review, we introduce enteroendocrine chemosensory roles, summarize studies correlating enteroendocrine perturbations with intestinal inflammation and describe the mechanistic interactions by which enteroendocrine and mucosal immune cells interact during disease; highlighting this immunoendocrine axis as a key aspect of innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Worthington
- Lancaster University, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Lancaster, Lancashire, UK
| | - F Reimann
- University of Cambridge, Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust/MRC Institute of Metabolic Science & MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - F M Gribble
- University of Cambridge, Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust/MRC Institute of Metabolic Science & MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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16
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Planells-Palop V, Hazazi A, Feichtinger J, Jezkova J, Thallinger G, Alsiwiehri NO, Almutairi M, Parry L, Wakeman JA, McFarlane RJ. Human germ/stem cell-specific gene TEX19 influences cancer cell proliferation and cancer prognosis. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:84. [PMID: 28446200 PMCID: PMC5406905 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-017-0653-4] [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: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer/testis (CT) genes have expression normally restricted to the testis, but become activated during oncogenesis, so they have excellent potential as cancer-specific biomarkers. Evidence is starting to emerge to indicate that they also provide function(s) in the oncogenic programme. Human TEX19 is a recently identified CT gene, but a functional role for TEX19 in cancer has not yet been defined. Methods siRNA was used to deplete TEX19 levels in various cancer cell lines. This was extended using shRNA to deplete TEX19 in vivo. Western blotting, fluorescence activated cell sorting and immunofluorescence were used to study the effect of TEX19 depletion in cancer cells and to localize TEX19 in normal testis and cancer cells/tissues. RT-qPCR and RNA sequencing were employed to determine the changes to the transcriptome of cancer cells depleted for TEX19 and Kaplan-Meier plots were generated to explore the relationship between TEX19 expression and prognosis for a range of cancer types. Results Depletion of TEX19 levels in a range of cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo restricts cellular proliferation/self-renewal/reduces tumour volume, indicating TEX19 is required for cancer cell proliferative/self-renewal potential. Analysis of cells depleted for TEX19 indicates they enter a quiescent-like state and have subtle defects in S-phase progression. TEX19 is present in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in both cancerous cells and normal testis. In cancer cells, localization switches in a context-dependent fashion. Transcriptome analysis of TEX19 depleted cells reveals altered transcript levels of a number of cancer-/proliferation-associated genes, suggesting that TEX19 could control oncogenic proliferation via a transcript/transcription regulation pathway. Finally, overall survival analysis of high verses low TEX19 expressing tumours indicates that TEX19 expression is linked to prognostic outcomes in different tumour types. Conclusions TEX19 is required to drive cell proliferation in a range of cancer cell types, possibly mediated via an oncogenic transcript regulation mechanism. TEX19 expression is linked to a poor prognosis for some cancers and collectively these findings indicate that not only can TEX19 expression serve as a novel cancer biomarker, but may also offer a cancer-specific therapeutic target with broad spectrum potential. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12943-017-0653-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Planells-Palop
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Ali Hazazi
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Julia Feichtinger
- Computational Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.,Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jana Jezkova
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Gerhard Thallinger
- Computational Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Group, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.,Omics Center Graz, BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Naif O Alsiwiehri
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Mikhlid Almutairi
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.,Present address: Department of Zoology, King Saud University, Al-Ryiadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lee Parry
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Jane A Wakeman
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Ramsay J McFarlane
- North West Cancer Research Institute, School of Medical Sciences, Bangor University, Brambell Building, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK.
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