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Peng H, Yang M, Feng K, Lv Q, Zhang Y. Semaphorin 3C (Sema3C) reshapes stromal microenvironment to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:169. [PMID: 38956074 PMCID: PMC11220018 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01887-0] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
More than 90% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases develop in the presence of fibrosis or cirrhosis, making the tumor microenvironment (TME) of HCC distinctive due to the intricate interplay between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs), which collectively regulate HCC progression. However, the mechanisms through which CSCs orchestrate the dynamics of the tumor stroma during HCC development remain elusive. Our study unveils a significant upregulation of Sema3C in fibrotic liver, HCC tissues, peripheral blood of HCC patients, as well as sorafenib-resistant tissues and cells, with its overexpression correlating with the acquisition of stemness properties in HCC. We further identify NRP1 and ITGB1 as pivotal functional receptors of Sema3C, activating downstream AKT/Gli1/c-Myc signaling pathways to bolster HCC self-renewal and tumor initiation. Additionally, HCC cells-derived Sema3C facilitated extracellular matrix (ECM) contraction and collagen deposition in vivo, while also promoting the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Mechanistically, Sema3C interacted with NRP1 and ITGB1 in HSCs, activating downstream NF-kB signaling, thereby stimulating the release of IL-6 and upregulating HMGCR expression, consequently enhancing cholesterol synthesis in HSCs. Furthermore, CAF-secreted TGF-β1 activates AP1 signaling to augment Sema3C expression in HCC cells, establishing a positive feedback loop that accelerates HCC progression. Notably, blockade of Sema3C effectively inhibits tumor growth and sensitizes HCC cells to sorafenib in vivo. In sum, our findings spotlight Sema3C as a novel biomarker facilitating the crosstalk between CSCs and stroma during hepatocarcinogenesis, thereby offering a promising avenue for enhancing treatment efficacy and overcoming drug resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Peng
- Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Meng Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical. Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Kun Feng
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qingpeng Lv
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yewei Zhang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Nattasit P, Niibe K, Yamada M, Ohori-Morita Y, Limraksasin P, Tiskratok W, Yamamoto M, Egusa H. Stiffness-Tunable Hydrogel-Sandwich Culture Modulates the YAP-Mediated Mechanoresponse in Induced-Pluripotent Stem Cell Embryoid Bodies and Augments Cardiomyocyte Differentiation. Macromol Biosci 2023:e2300021. [PMID: 36871184 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202300021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironmental factors, including substrate stiffness, regulate stem cell behavior and differentiation. However, the effects of substrate stiffness on the behavior of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)- derived embryoid bodies (EB) remain unclear. To investigate the effects of mechanical cues on iPSC-EB differentiation, a 3D hydrogel-sandwich culture (HGSC) system is developed that controls the microenvironment surrounding iPSC-EBs using a stiffness-tunable polyacrylamide hydrogel assembly. Mouse iPSC-EBs are seeded between upper and lower polyacrylamide hydrogels of differing stiffness (Young's modulus [E'] = 54.3 ± 7.1 kPa [hard], 28.1 ± 2.3 kPa [moderate], and 5.1 ± 0.1 kPa [soft]) and cultured for 2 days. HGSC induces stiffness-dependent activation of the yes-associated protein (YAP) mechanotransducer and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement in the iPSC-EBs. Moreover, moderate-stiffness HGSC specifically upregulates the mRNA and protein expression of ectoderm and mesoderm lineage differentiation markers in iPSC-EBs via YAP-mediated mechanotransduction. Pretreatment of mouse iPSC-EBs with moderate-stiffness HGSC promotes cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation and structural maturation of myofibrils. The proposed HGSC system provides a viable platform for investigating the role of mechanical cues on the pluripotency and differentiation of iPSCs that can be beneficial for research into tissue regeneration and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praphawi Nattasit
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kunimichi Niibe
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamada
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yumi Ohori-Morita
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
| | - Phoonsuk Limraksasin
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
- Dental Stem Cell Biology Research Unit, Center of Excellence for Regenerative Dentistry, and Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Watcharaphol Tiskratok
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
- Institute of Dentistry, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Masaya Yamamoto
- Department of Material Processing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Engineering, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Egusa
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
- Center for Advanced Stem Cell and Regenerative Research, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
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Trtkova KS, Luzna P, Drozdkova DW, Cizkova K, Janovska L, Gursky J, Prukova D, Frydrych I, Hajduch M, Minarik J. The epigenetic impact of suberohydroxamic acid and 5‑Aza‑2'‑deoxycytidine on DNMT3B expression in myeloma cell lines differing in IL‑6 expression. Mol Med Rep 2022; 26:321. [PMID: 36043519 PMCID: PMC9471560 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12837] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene inactivation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16INK4a, p15INK4b and p21WAF is frequently mediated by promoter gene methylation, whereas histone deacetylases (HDACs) control gene expression through their ability to deacetylate proteins. The effect of suberohydroxamic acid (SBHA) and 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (Decitabine) (DAC) treatments on the transcription of CDKN2A, CDKN2B and CDKN1A genes, and their effects on molecular biological behavior were examined in two myeloma cell lines, RPMI8226 and U266, which differ in p53-functionality and IL-6 expression. In both tested myeloma cell lines, a non-methylated state of the CDKN2B gene promoter region was detected with normal gene expression, and the same level of p15INK4b protein was detected by immunocytochemical staining. Furthermore, in myeloma cells treated with SBHA and DAC alone, the expression of both p15INK4b and p21WAF was significantly upregulated in RPMI8226 cells (p53-functional, without IL-6 expression), whereas in the U266 cell line (p53 deleted, expressing IL-6) only p21WAF expression was significantly increased. Moreover, the analysis revealed that treatment with DAC induced DNMT3B enhancement in U266 cells. In conclusion, in myeloma cells with IL-6 expression, significantly increased DNMT3B expression indicated the tumorigenic consequences of 5-Aza-2′deoxycytidine treatment, which requires careful use in diseases involving epigenetic dysregulation, such as multiple myeloma (MM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Smesny Trtkova
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 777 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Luzna
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 777 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Denisa Weiser Drozdkova
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 777 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Cizkova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 777 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Janovska
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 777 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Gursky
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 777 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Dana Prukova
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 121 08 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivo Frydrych
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Marian Hajduch
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Minarik
- Department of Hemato‑Oncology, University Hospital Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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YAP and TAZ play a crucial role in human erythrocyte maturation and enucleation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:467. [PMID: 36076260 PMCID: PMC9461202 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03166-7] [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: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1 (WWTR1, also known as TAZ) are two key transcription co-activators of the Hippo pathway. Both were originally characterized as organ size and cell proliferation regulators. Later studies demonstrated that the Hippo pathway may play a role in Drosophila and mammal hematopoiesis. However, the role of the Hippo pathway in human erythropoiesis has not yet been fully elucidated. METHODS The role of YAP and TAZ was studied in human erythropoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) lineage determination by using mobilized peripheral blood (PB) and cord blood (CB)-derived HSC as a model. HSCs were isolated and cultured in an erythroid differentiation medium for erythroid differentiation and culture in methylcellulose assay for HSC lineage determination study. RESULTS YAP and TAZ were barely detectable in human HSCs, but became highly expressed in pro-erythroblasts and erythroblasts. Depletion or knockdown of YAP and/or TAZ did not affect the ability of HSC lineage specification to erythroid lineage in either methylcellulose assay or liquid culture. However, depletion of YAP and TAZ did impair erythroblast terminal differentiation to erythrocytes and their enucleation. Moreover, ectopic expression of YAP and TAZ in pro-erythroblasts did not exert an apparent effect on erythroid differentiation, expansion, or morphology. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that YAP/TAZ plays important role in erythroid maturation and enucleation but is dispensable for lineage determination of human HSCs.
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Fabris L, Milani C, Fiorotto R, Mariotti V, Kaffe E, Seller B, Sonzogni A, Strazzabosco M, Cadamuro M. Dysregulation of the Scribble/YAP/β-catenin axis sustains the fibroinflammatory response in a PKHD1 -/- mouse model of congenital hepatic fibrosis. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22364. [PMID: 35593740 PMCID: PMC9150862 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101924r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF), a genetic cholangiopathy characterized by fibropolycystic changes in the biliary tree, is caused by mutations in the PKHD1 gene, leading to defective fibrocystin (FPC), changes in planar cell polarity (PCP) and increased β-catenin-dependent chemokine secretion. In this study, we aimed at understanding the role of Scribble (a protein involved in PCP), Yes-associated protein (YAP), and β-catenin in the regulation of the fibroinflammatory phenotype of FPC-defective cholangiocytes. Immunohistochemistry showed that compared with wild type (WT) mice, in FPC-defective (Pkhd1del4/del4 ) mice nuclear expression of YAP/TAZ in cystic cholangiocytes, significantly increased and correlated with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and pericystic fibrosis, while Scribble expression on biliary cyst cells was markedly decreased. Cholangiocytes isolated from WT mice showed intense Scribble immunoreactivity at the membrane, but minimal nuclear expression of YAP, which conversely increased, together with CTGF, after small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of Scribble. In FPC-defective cholangiocytes, inhibition of YAP nuclear import reduced β-catenin nuclear expression, and CTGF, integrin β6, CXCL1, and CXCL10 mRNA levels, whereas inhibition of β-catenin signaling did not affect nuclear translocation of YAP. Notably, siRNA silencing of Scribble and YAP in WT cholangiocytes mimics the fibroinflammatory changes of FPC-defective cholangiocytes. Conditional deletion of β-catenin in Pkhd1del4/del4 mice reduced cyst growth, inflammation and fibrosis, without affecting YAP nuclear expression. In conclusion, the defective anchor of Scribble to the membrane facilitates the nuclear translocation of YAP and β-catenin with gain of a fibroinflammatory phenotype. The Scribble/YAP/β-catenin axis is a critical factor in the sequence of events linking the genetic defect to fibrocystic trait of cholangiocytes in CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- International Center for Digestive Health (ICDH), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Liver Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven (CT), US
| | - Chiara Milani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Romina Fiorotto
- Liver Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven (CT), US
| | - Valeria Mariotti
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Liver Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven (CT), US
| | - Eleanna Kaffe
- Liver Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven (CT), US
| | - Barbara Seller
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Aurelio Sonzogni
- Department of Pathology, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- Liver Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven (CT), US
- Corresponding authors: Mario Strazzabosco, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Cedar Street 333 Room LMP1080, New Haven, CT 06517, USA. Phone: +1‐203‐785‐5110, , Massimiliano Cadamuro, PhD, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Gabelli Street 63, Padova, 35121, Italy. Phone: +39-049-827-6113,
| | - Massimiliano Cadamuro
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- International Center for Digestive Health (ICDH), University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Corresponding authors: Mario Strazzabosco, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, Cedar Street 333 Room LMP1080, New Haven, CT 06517, USA. Phone: +1‐203‐785‐5110, , Massimiliano Cadamuro, PhD, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Gabelli Street 63, Padova, 35121, Italy. Phone: +39-049-827-6113,
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Wei X, Lou H, Zhou D, Jia Y, Li H, Huang Q, Ma J, Yang Z, Sun C, Meng Y, Xu S, Yang X, Li X, Ji T, Guo Z, Gao Q. TAGLN mediated stiffness-regulated ovarian cancer progression via RhoA/ROCK pathway. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:292. [PMID: 34538264 PMCID: PMC8451140 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02091-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer (OC) progression is an unmet medical challenge. Since omental metastases were palpated harder than their primary counterparts during cytoreductive surgery of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), we were inspired to investigate OC progression from the perspective of biomechanics. Methods Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was used to measure the Young’s modulus of tissues. The collagen-coated polyacrylamide hydrogel (PA gel) system was prepared to mimic the soft and stiff substrates in vitro. The effect of TAGLN was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo using transwell assay, immunofluorescence, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results We quantitatively confirmed that omental metastases were stiffer and more abundant in desmoplasia compared with paired primary tumors, and further demonstrated that matrix stiffness could notably regulate OC progression. Remarkably, TAGLN, encoding an actin cross-linking/gelling protein, was identified as a potent mechanosensitive gene that could form a regulation loop with Src activation reacting to environmental stiffness, thus mediating stiffness-regulated OC progression through regulating RhoA/ROCK pathway. Conclusions These data demonstrate that targeting extra-cellular matrix (ECM) stiffness could probably hamper OC progression, and of note, targeting TAGLN might provide promising clinical therapeutic value for OC therapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02091-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Lou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongchen Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijuan Jia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuhan First Hospital, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Huayi Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanfu Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongyuan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoyang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunchong Meng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Wuhan Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sen Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoting Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Teng Ji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongzhen Guo
- Shenzhen Dapeng New District Maternity & Child Health Hospital Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Anv, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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Verduci L, Tarcitano E, Strano S, Yarden Y, Blandino G. CircRNAs: role in human diseases and potential use as biomarkers. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:468. [PMID: 33976116 PMCID: PMC8113373 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03743-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of endogenous RNAs characterized by a covalent loop structure. In comparison to other types of RNAs, the abundance of circRNAs is relatively low but due to the circular configuration, their stability is very high. In addition, circRNAs display high degree of tissue specificity. The sponging activity of circRNAs toward microRNAs is the best-described mode of action of circRNAs. However, the ability of circRNAs to bind with specific proteins, as well as to encode short proteins, propose alternative functions. This review introduces the biogenesis of circRNAs and summarizes the roles played by circRNAs in human diseases. These include examples of their functional roles in several organ-specific cancers, such as head and neck and breast and lung cancers. In addition, we review potential functions of circRNAs in diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, a growing number of studies have demonstrated involvement of circRNAs in a wide spectrum of signaling molecular pathways, but at the same time many different and controversial views on circRNAs role and function are emerging. We conclude by offering cellular homeostasis generated by networks comprising circular RNAs, other non-coding RNAs and RNA-binding proteins. Accordingly, it is predictable that circRNAs, due to their highly stable nature and remarkable tissue specificity, will emerge as reliable biomarkers of disease course and treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Verduci
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Tarcitano
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sabrina Strano
- SAFU Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Yosef Yarden
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Unit of Oncogenomic and Epigenetic, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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Walther BK, Rajeeva Pandian NK, Gold KA, Kiliç ES, Sama V, Gu J, Gaharwar AK, Guiseppi-Elie A, Cooke JP, Jain A. Mechanotransduction-on-chip: vessel-chip model of endothelial YAP mechanobiology reveals matrix stiffness impedes shear response. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1738-1751. [PMID: 33949409 PMCID: PMC9761985 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01283a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial mechanobiology is a key consideration in the progression of vascular dysfunction, including atherosclerosis. However mechanistic connections between the clinically associated physical stimuli, vessel stiffness and shear stress, and how they interact to modulate plaque progression remain incompletely characterized. Vessel-chip systems are excellent candidates for modeling vascular mechanobiology as they may be engineered from the ground up, guided by the mechanical parameters present in human arteries and veins, to recapitulate key features of the vasculature. Here, we report extensive validation of a vessel-chip model of endothelial yes-associated protein (YAP) mechanobiology, a protein sensitive to both matrix stiffness and shearing forces and, importantly, implicated in atherosclerotic progression. Our model captures the established endothelial mechanoresponse, with endothelial alignment, elongation, reduction of adhesion molecules, and YAP cytoplasmic retention under high laminar shear. Conversely, we observed disturbed morphology, inflammation, and nuclear partitioning under low, high, and high oscillatory shear. Examining targets of YAP transcriptional co-activation, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is strongly downregulated by high laminar shear, whereas it is strongly upregulated by low shear or oscillatory flow. Ankyrin repeat domain 1 (ANKRD1) is only upregulated by high oscillatory shear. Verteporfin inhibition of YAP reduced the expression of CTGF but did not affect ANKRD1. Lastly, substrate stiffness modulated the endothelial shear mechanoresponse. Under high shear, softer substrates showed the lowest nuclear localization of YAP whereas stiffer substrates increased nuclear localization. Low shear strongly increased nuclear localization of YAP across stiffnesses. Together, we have validated a model of endothelial mechanobiology and describe a clinically relevant biological connection between matrix stiffness, shear stress, and endothelial activation via YAP mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon K Walther
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA. and Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | | | - Karli A Gold
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
| | - Ecem S Kiliç
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
| | - Vineeth Sama
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, USA.
| | - Jianhua Gu
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | - Akhilesh K Gaharwar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA. and Department of Materials Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| | - Anthony Guiseppi-Elie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA. and Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas 77030, USA. and ABTECH Scientific, Inc., Biotechnology Research Park, 800 East Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, USA and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina 29621, USA.
| | - John P Cooke
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA. and Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Institute for Academic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Ave., Houston, Texas 77030, USA. and Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
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Zhuang Q, Li F, Liu J, Wang H, Tian Y, Zhang Z, Wang F, Zhao Z, Chen J, Wu H. Nuclear exclusion of YAP exacerbates podocyte apoptosis and disease progression in Adriamycin-induced focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. J Transl Med 2021; 101:258-270. [PMID: 33203894 PMCID: PMC7815513 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-020-00503-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a chronic glomerular disease with poor clinical outcomes. Podocyte loss via apoptosis is one important mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of FSGS. Recently, Yes-associated-protein (YAP), a key downstream protein in the Hippo pathway, was identified as an activator for multiple gene transcriptional factors in the nucleus to control cell proliferation and apoptosis. To investigate the potential role of YAP in the progression of FSGS, we examined kidney samples from patients with minimal change disease or FSGS and found that increases in podocyte apoptosis is positively correlated with the cytoplasmic distribution of YAP in human FSGS. Utilizing an established mT/mG transgenic mouse model and primary cultured podocytes, we found that YAP was distributed uniformly in nucleus and cytoplasm in the podocytes of control animals. Adriamycin treatment induced gradual nuclear exclusion of YAP with enhanced phospho-YAP/YAP ratio, accompanied by the induction of podocyte apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, we used verteporfin to treat an Adriamycin-induced FSGS mouse model, and found YAP inhibition by verteporfin induced nuclear exclusion of YAP, thus increasing podocyte apoptosis and accelerating disease progression. Therefore, our findings suggest that YAP nuclear distribution and activation in podocytes is an important endogenous anti-apoptotic mechanism during the progression of FSGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyuan Zhuang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyu Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchen Tian
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhonghua Zhao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianchun Chen
- Division of Nephrology in Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Huijuan Wu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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10
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YAP/TAZ inhibition reduces metastatic potential of Ewing sarcoma cells. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:2. [PMID: 33419969 PMCID: PMC7794350 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00294-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a highly metastatic bone cancer characterized by the ETS fusion oncoprotein EWS-FLI1. EwS cells are phenotypically highly plastic and switch between functionally distinct cell states dependent on EWS-FLI1 fluctuations. Whereas EWS-FLI1high cells proliferate, EWS-FLI1low cells are migratory and invasive. Recently, we reported activation of MRTFB and TEAD, effectors of RhoA and Hippo signalling, upon low EWS-FLI1, orchestrating key steps of the EwS migratory gene expression program. TEAD and its co-activators YAP and TAZ are commonly overexpressed in cancer, providing attractive therapeutic targets. We find TAZ levels to increase in the migratory EWS-FLI1low state and to associate with adverse prognosis in EwS patients. We tested the effects of the potent YAP/TAZ/TEAD complex inhibitor verteporfin on EwS cell migration in vitro and on metastasis in vivo. Verteporfin suppressed expression of EWS-FLI1 regulated cytoskeletal genes involved in actin signalling to the extracellular matrix, effectively blocked F-actin and focal-adhesion assembly and inhibited EwS cell migration at submicromolar concentrations. In a mouse EwS xenograft model, verteporfin treatment reduced relapses at the surgical site and delayed lung metastasis. These data suggest that YAP/TAZ pathway inhibition may prevent EwS cell dissemination and metastasis, justifying further preclinical development of YAP/TAZ inhibitors for EwS treatment.
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11
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Verteporfin inhibits the persistent fibrotic phenotype of lesional scleroderma dermal fibroblasts. J Cell Commun Signal 2021; 15:71-80. [PMID: 33398723 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-020-00596-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is perpetuated by an autocrine, pro-adhesive signaling loop maintained by the synthetic and contractile abilities of myofibroblasts and the stiff, highly-crosslinked extracellular matrix. Transcriptional complexes that are exquisitely responsive to mechanotransduction include the co-activator YAP1, which regulates the expression of members of the CCN family of matricellular proteins such as CCN2 and CCN1. Although selective YAP1 inhibitors exist, the effect of these inhibitors on profibrotic gene expression in fibroblasts is largely unknown, and is the subject of our current study. Herein, we use genome-wide expression profiling, real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses, cell migration and collagen gel contraction assays to assess the ability of a selective YAP inhibitor verteporfin (VP) to block fibrogenic activities in dermal fibroblasts from healthy individual human controls and those from isolated from fibrotic lesions of patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). In control fibroblasts, VP selectively reduced expression of fibrogenic genes and also blocked the ability of TGFbeta to induce actin stress fibers in dermal fibroblasts. VP also reduced the persistent profibrotic phenotype of dermal fibroblasts cultured from fibrotic lesions of patients with dcSSc. Our results are consistent with the notion that, in the future, YAP1 inhibitors may represent a novel, valuable method of treating fibrosis as seen in dcSSc.
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12
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Cheng S, Prieto-Dominguez N, Yang S, Connelly ZM, StPierre S, Rushing B, Watkins A, Shi L, Lakey M, Baiamonte LB, Fazili T, Lurie A, Corey E, Shi R, Yeh Y, Yu X. The expression of YAP1 is increased in high-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma but is reduced in neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2020; 23:661-669. [PMID: 32313141 PMCID: PMC7572469 DOI: 10.1038/s41391-020-0229-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After long-term androgen deprivation therapy, 25-30% prostate cancer (PCa) acquires an aggressive neuroendocrine (NE) phenotype. Dysregulation of YAP1, a key transcription coactivator of the Hippo pathway, has been related to cancer progression. However, its role in neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) has not been assessed. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to evaluate YAP1 expression levels during PCa initiation and progression. RESULTS YAP1 expression was present in the basal epithelial cells in benign prostatic tissues, lost in low-grade PCa, but elevated in high-grade prostate adenocarcinomas. Interestingly, the expression of YAP1 was reduced/lost in both human and mouse NEPC. CONCLUSIONS The expression of YAP1 is elevated in high-grade prostate adenocarcinomas but lost in NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | | | - Shu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Zachary M Connelly
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Samantha StPierre
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Bryce Rushing
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Andy Watkins
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Lawrence Shi
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | | | | | - Tajammul Fazili
- Urology Service, Overton Brooks Medical Center, Shreveport, LA, USA.,Department of Urology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Aubrey Lurie
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Runhua Shi
- Department of Medicine, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Yunshin Yeh
- Department of Urology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA.,Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Xiuping Yu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA. .,Department of Urology, LSU Health-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA.
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13
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Dasari VR, Carey DJ, Gogoi R. Synergistic enhancement of efficacy of platinum drugs with verteporfin in ovarian cancer cells. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:273. [PMID: 32245422 PMCID: PMC7318501 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-06752-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) comprises the majority of malignant ovarian neoplasms. Combination treatment with chemotherapeutic agents seems to be a promising strategy in ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients in order to overcome drug resistance. In this in vitro study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of verteporfin (VP) alone and in combination with cisplatin (CDDP), carboplatin (CP) and paclitaxel (Taxol). The main objectives of this study are to determine the nature of interactions between VP and CDDP/CP/Taxol and to understand the mechanism of action of VP in OVCA cells. Methods The efficacy of VP on cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, invasion and clonogenic capacity was assayed in CDDP-sensitive (COV504, OV-90) and CDDP-resistant (A2780Cis) cell lines. The cytotoxic effects of drugs either alone or in combination were evaluated using MTT assay and Cell Viability Blue assay. The effects of drugs on the metabolic functions were studied using matrigel invasion assay and clonogenic assay. Immunoblot analysis was carried out to investigate changes in YAP and cell cycle genes. Changes in the cytokines due to drug treatments were analyzed using a cytokine array. Results Treatment with VP inhibited cell proliferation, invasion and increased cytotoxicity of OVCA cells. We observed that VP chemosensitized CDDP-resistant cells, even at lower doses. When added either in constant or non-constant ratios, VP produced synergistic effects in combination with CDDP/CP/Taxol. A cytokine array identified upregulation of cytokines in OVCA cells that were inhibited by VP treatment. Conclusions Either in cisplatin-resistant cell lines or cisplatin-sensitive cell lines, VP proves to be more efficient in inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cytotoxicity. Our results suggest that novel combinations of VP with CDDP or CP or Taxol might be an attractive therapeutic strategy to enhance OVCA chemosensitivity. The fact that lower doses of VP are effective in chemosensitizing the CDDP-resistant cells, might ultimately lead to the development of an innovative combination therapy for the treatment of OVCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkata Ramesh Dasari
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA
| | - David J Carey
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA
| | - Radhika Gogoi
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA. .,Department of Women's Health, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA.
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14
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Thompson BJ. YAP/TAZ: Drivers of Tumor Growth, Metastasis, and Resistance to Therapy. Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900162. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Barry J. Thompson
- EMBL AustraliaJohn Curtin School of Medical ResearchThe Australian National University 131 Garran Rd, Acton 2602 Canberra ACT Australia
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15
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Pajtler KW, Wei Y, Okonechnikov K, Silva PBG, Vouri M, Zhang L, Brabetz S, Sieber L, Gulley M, Mauermann M, Wedig T, Mack N, Imamura Kawasawa Y, Sharma T, Zuckermann M, Andreiuolo F, Holland E, Maass K, Körkel-Qu H, Liu HK, Sahm F, Capper D, Bunt J, Richards LJ, Jones DTW, Korshunov A, Chavez L, Lichter P, Hoshino M, Pfister SM, Kool M, Li W, Kawauchi D. YAP1 subgroup supratentorial ependymoma requires TEAD and nuclear factor I-mediated transcriptional programmes for tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3914. [PMID: 31477715 PMCID: PMC6718408 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
YAP1 fusion-positive supratentorial ependymomas predominantly occur in infants, but the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis are unknown. Here we show YAP1-MAMLD1 fusions are sufficient to drive malignant transformation in mice, and the resulting tumors share histo-molecular characteristics of human ependymomas. Nuclear localization of YAP1-MAMLD1 protein is mediated by MAMLD1 and independent of YAP1-Ser127 phosphorylation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing analyses of human YAP1-MAMLD1-positive ependymoma reveal enrichment of NFI and TEAD transcription factor binding site motifs in YAP1-bound regulatory elements, suggesting a role for these transcription factors in YAP1-MAMLD1-driven tumorigenesis. Mutation of the TEAD binding site in the YAP1 fusion or repression of NFI targets prevents tumor induction in mice. Together, these results demonstrate that the YAP1-MAMLD1 fusion functions as an oncogenic driver of ependymoma through recruitment of TEADs and NFIs, indicating a rationale for preclinical studies to block the interaction between YAP1 fusions and NFI and TEAD transcription factors. The molecular mechanisms driving proliferation in the pediatric brain cancer epdendymoma are poorly understood. Here the authors show that a YAP1- MAMLD1 fusion drives tumor formation in mice and show that the fusion protein can collaborate with the TEAD and NFI transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian W Pajtler
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yiju Wei
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Konstantin Okonechnikov
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patricia B G Silva
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mikaella Vouri
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lei Zhang
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Sebastian Brabetz
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laura Sieber
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melissa Gulley
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Monika Mauermann
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tatjana Wedig
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norman Mack
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuka Imamura Kawasawa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Tanvi Sharma
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Zuckermann
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felipe Andreiuolo
- Department of Neuropathology, Ste. Anne Hospital, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Eric Holland
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Kendra Maass
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Huiqin Körkel-Qu
- Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hai-Kun Liu
- Division of Molecular Neurogenetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Capper
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Neuropathology, Partner Site Berlin, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens Bunt
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Linda J Richards
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - David T W Jones
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Pediatric Glioma Research Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrey Korshunov
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuropathology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neuropathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lukas Chavez
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Lichter
- Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mikio Hoshino
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Neuroscience, NCNP, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Stefan M Pfister
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcel Kool
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wei Li
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| | - Daisuke Kawauchi
- Hopp-Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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16
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Du Y, Montoya C, Orrego S, Wei X, Ling J, Lelkes PI, Yang M. Topographic cues of a novel bilayered scaffold modulate dental pulp stem cells differentiation by regulating YAP signalling through cytoskeleton adjustments. Cell Prolif 2019; 52:e12676. [PMID: 31424140 PMCID: PMC6869304 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Topographic cues can modulate morphology and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. This study aimed to determine how topographic cues of a novel bilayered poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold affect osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Methods The surface morphology of the scaffolds was visualized by scanning electron microscope, and the surface roughness was measured by profilometry. DPSCs were cultured on each side of the scaffolds. Cell morphology, expression of Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation were analysed by immunohistochemistry, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and Alizarin Red S staining. In addition, cytochalasin D (CytoD), an F‐actin disruptor, was used to examine the effects of F‐actin on intracellular YAP localisation. Verteporfin, a YAP transcriptional inhibitor, was used to explore the effects of YAP signalling on osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Results The closed side of our scaffold showed smaller pores and less roughness than the open side. On the closed side, DPSCs exhibited enhanced F‐actin stress fibre alignment, larger spreading area, more elongated appearance, predominant nuclear YAP localization and spontaneous osteogenic differentiation. Inhibition of F‐actin alignments was correlated with nuclear YAP exclusion of DPSCs. Verteporfin restricted YAP localisation to the cytoplasm, down‐regulated expression of early osteogenic/odontogenic markers and inhibited mineralization of DPSCs cultures. Conclusions The surface topographic cues changed F‐actin alignment and morphology of DPSCs, which in turn regulated YAP signalling to control osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Du
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Regenerative Health Research Laboratory, Department of Endodontology, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Carolina Montoya
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Santiago Orrego
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Xi Wei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junqi Ling
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Peter I Lelkes
- Regenerative Health Research Laboratory, Department of Endodontology, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maobin Yang
- Regenerative Health Research Laboratory, Department of Endodontology, Kornberg School of Dentistry, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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17
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Wang X, Sommerfeld MR, Jahn-Hofmann K, Cai B, Filliol A, Remotti HE, Schwabe RF, Kannt A, Tabas I. A Therapeutic Silencing RNA Targeting Hepatocyte TAZ Prevents and Reverses Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice. Hepatol Commun 2019; 3:1221-1234. [PMID: 31497743 PMCID: PMC6719739 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging as a major public health issue and is associated with significant liver-related morbidity and mortality. At present, there are no approved drug therapies for NASH. The transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ; encoded by WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 [WWTR1]) is up-regulated in hepatocytes in NASH liver from humans and has been shown to causally promote inflammation and fibrosis in mouse models of NASH. As a preclinical test of targeting hepatocyte TAZ to treat NASH, we injected stabilized TAZ small interfering RNA (siRNA) bearing the hepatocyte-specific ligand N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc-siTAZ) into mice with dietary-induced NASH. As a preventative regimen, GalNAc-siTAZ inhibited inflammation, hepatocellular injury, and the expression of profibrogenic mediators, accompanied by decreased progression from steatosis to NASH. When administered to mice with established NASH, GalNAc-siTAZ partially reversed hepatic inflammation, injury, and fibrosis. Conclusion: Hepatocyte-targeted siTAZ is potentially a novel and clinically feasible treatment for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY
| | | | | | - Bishuang Cai
- Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY
| | - Aveline Filliol
- Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY
| | - Helen E Remotti
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY
| | - Aimo Kannt
- Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH Frankfurt am Main Germany.,Institute of Experimental Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Mannheim University of Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Ira Tabas
- Department of Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY.,Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY
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18
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Sugihara T, Isomoto H, Gores G, Smoot R. YAP and the Hippo pathway in cholangiocarcinoma. J Gastroenterol 2019; 54:485-491. [PMID: 30815737 PMCID: PMC6536462 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-019-01563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has an increasing incidence and remains a difficult to treat malignancy. In a search for more effective treatment options, progress has been made in identifying molecular drivers of oncogenic signaling including IDH mutations and FGFR2 fusions. In addition, multiple investigators have identified increased activity of YAP, the effector protein of the Hippo pathway, in CCA. The Hippo pathway regulates organ size, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis via YAP, a transcriptional co-activator. Targeting of the pathway has been difficult due the lack of a dedicated cell-surface receptor. However, more recently, additional cross-regulatory pathways have been identified that are potentially targetable. In this review, we address the current treatment landscape for CCA, the Hippo pathway broadly, animal models of CCA with attention to Hippo-related models, and the current strategies for targeting YAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Sugihara
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Hajime Isomoto
- Division of Medicine and Clinical Science, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Gregory Gores
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Rory Smoot
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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19
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AlAmri MA, Kadri H, Alderwick LJ, Jeeves M, Mehellou Y. The Photosensitising Clinical Agent Verteporfin Is an Inhibitor of SPAK and OSR1 Kinases. Chembiochem 2018; 19:2072-2080. [PMID: 29999233 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) and oxidative-stress-responsive kinase 1 (OSR1) are two serine/threonine protein kinases that play key roles in regulating ion homeostasis. Various SPAK and OSR1 mouse models exhibited reduced blood pressure. Herein, the discovery of verteporfin, a photosensitising agent used in photodynamic therapy, as a potent inhibitor of SPAK and OSR1 kinases is reported. It is shown that verteporfin binds the kinase domains of SPAK and OSR1 and inhibits their catalytic activity in an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-independent manner. In cells, verteporfin was able to suppress the phosphorylation of the ion co-transporter NKCC1; a downstream physiological substrate of SPAK and OSR1 kinases. Kinase panel screening indicated that verteporfin inhibited a further eight protein kinases more potently than that of SPAK and OSR1. Although verteporfin has largely been studied as a modifier of the Hippo signalling pathway, this work indicates that the WNK-SPAK/OSR1 signalling cascade is also a target of this clinical agent. This finding could explain the fluctuation in blood pressure noted in patients and animals treated with this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubarak A AlAmri
- School of Pharmacy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hachemi Kadri
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
| | - Luke J Alderwick
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mark Jeeves
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Youcef Mehellou
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NB, UK
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20
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Yang Y, Ren J, Sun Y, Xue Y, Zhang Z, Gong A, Wang B, Zhong Z, Cui Z, Xi Z, Yang GY, Sun Q, Bian L. A connexin43/YAP axis regulates astroglial-mesenchymal transition in hemoglobin induced astrocyte activation. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1870-1884. [PMID: 29880858 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0137-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive astrogliosis is a common response to insults to the central nervous system, but the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we found the temporal and spatial differential expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Vimentin in the intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mouse brain, indicating that the de-differentiation and astroglial-mesenchymal transition (AMT) of astrocytes might be an early event in reactive astrogliosis. Further we verified the AMT finding in purified astrocyte cultures exposed to hemoglobin (Hb). Additionally, Connexin 43 (Cx43) downregulation and YAP nuclear translocation were observed in Hb-activated astrocytes. Knocking down Cx43 by siRNA triggered YAP nuclear translocation. Cx43 and YAP were physically associated as determined by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation. We propose that astrocytes undergo AMT during Hb-induced activation where Cx43 downregulation facilitates YAP nuclear translocation is a novel mechanism involved in this process. Cx43-YAP interaction may represent a potential therapeutic target for modulating astrocyte activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yuhao Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Zhenjiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhenjiang, 212000, China
| | - Zhijian Zhang
- Basic Medical Science Research Center, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, China
| | - Aihua Gong
- Basic Medical Science Research Center, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212000, China
| | - Baofeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zhihong Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zhenwen Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Zhiyu Xi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Guo-Yuan Yang
- Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Research Center, Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Qingfang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital Luwan Branch, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Liuguan Bian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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21
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Next generation sequencing and large-scale analysis of patient specimens has created a more complete picture of multiple myeloma (MM) revealing that epigenetic deregulation is a prominent factor in MM pathogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS Over half of MM patients have mutations in genes encoding epigenetic modifier enzymes. The DNA methylation profile of MM is related to the stage of the disease and certain classes of mutations in epigenetic modifiers are more prevalent upon disease relapse, suggesting a role in disease progression. Many small molecules targeting regulators of epigenetic machinery have been developed and clinical trials are underway for some of these in MM. SUMMARY Recent findings suggest that epigenetic targeting drugs could be an important strategy to cure MM. Combining these agents along with other strategies to affect the MM cell such as immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors may enhance efficacy of combination regimens in MM.
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22
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Targeting Neph1 and ZO-1 protein-protein interaction in podocytes prevents podocyte injury and preserves glomerular filtration function. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12047. [PMID: 28935902 PMCID: PMC5608913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12134-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting protein-protein interaction (PPI) is rapidly becoming an attractive alternative for drug development. While drug development commonly involves inhibiting a PPI, in this study, we show that stabilizing PPI may also be therapeutically beneficial. Junctional proteins Neph1 and ZO-1 and their interaction is an important determinant of the structural integrity of slit diaphragm, which is a critical component of kidney's filtration system. Since injury induces loss of this interaction, we hypothesized that strengthening this interaction may protect kidney's filtration barrier and preserve kidney function. In this study, Neph1-ZO-1 structural complex was screened for the presence of small druggable pockets formed from contributions from both proteins. One such pocket was identified and screened using a small molecule library. Isodesmosine (ISD) a rare naturally occurring amino acid and a biomarker for pulmonary arterial hypertension was selected as the best candidate and to establish the proof of concept, its ability to enhance Neph1-CD and ZO-1 binding was tested. Results from biochemical binding analysis showed that ISD enhanced Neph1 and ZO-1 interaction under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Importantly, ISD treated podocytes were resistant to injury-induced loss of transepithelial permeability. Finally, mouse and zebrafish studies show that ISD protects from injury-induced renal damage.
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Guillemette S, Rico C, Godin P, Boerboom D, Paquet M. In Vitro Validation of the Hippo Pathway as a Pharmacological Target for Canine Mammary Gland Tumors. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2017; 22:203-214. [PMID: 28822004 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-017-9384-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are the most common neoplasms in intact female dogs. Some clinical and molecular similarities between certain CMT subtypes and breast cancer make them a potential model for the study of the human disease. As misregulated Hippo signaling is thought to play an important role in breast cancer development and also occurs in CMTs, we sought to determine if Hippo represents a valid pharmacological target for the treatment of CMTs. Six CMT cell lines were assessed for their expression of the Hippo pathway effectors YAP and TAZ and for their sensitivity to verteporfin, an inhibitor of YAP-mediated transcriptional coactivation. Four cell lines that expressed YAP (CMT-9, -12, -28, -47) were found to be very sensitive to verteporfin treatment, which killed the cells through induction of apoptosis with ED50 values of 14-79 nM. Conversely, two YAP-negative cell lines (CF-35, CMT-25) were an order of magnitude more resistant to verteporfin. Verteporfin suppressed the expression of YAP/TAZ target genes, particularly CYR61 and CTGF, which play important roles in breast cancer development. Verteporfin was also able to inhibit cell migration and anchorage-independent growth. Likewise, verteporfin efficiently suppressed tumor cell invasiveness in the CMT-28 and -47 lines, but not in CF-35 cells. Together, our findings provide proof of principle that pharmacological targeting of the Hippo pathway compromises the viability and attenuates the malignant behavior of CMT cells. These results will serve as the basis for the development of novel chemotherapeutic approaches for CMTs that could translate to human medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Guillemette
- Département de pathologie et de microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Charlène Rico
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Philippe Godin
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Marilène Paquet
- Département de pathologie et de microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
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24
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Al-Moujahed A, Brodowska K, Stryjewski TP, Efstathiou NE, Vasilikos I, Cichy J, Miller JW, Gragoudas E, Vavvas DG. Verteporfin inhibits growth of human glioma in vitro without light activation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7602. [PMID: 28790340 PMCID: PMC5548915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07632-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Verteporfin (VP), a light-activated drug used in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of choroidal neovascular membranes, has also been shown to be an effective inhibitor of malignant cells. Recently, studies have demonstrated that, even without photo-activation, VP may still inhibit certain tumor cell lines, including ovarian cancer, hepatocarcinoma and retinoblastoma, through the inhibition of the YAP-TEAD complex. In this study, we examined the effects of VP without light activation on human glioma cell lines (LN229 and SNB19). Through western blot analysis, we identified that human glioma cells that were exposed to VP without light activation demonstrated a downregulation of YAP-TEAD-associated downstream signaling molecules, including c-myc, axl, CTGF, cyr61 and survivin and upregulation of the tumor growth inhibitor molecule p38 MAPK. In addition, we observed that expression of VEGFA and the pluripotent marker Oct-4 were also decreased. Verteporfin did not alter the Akt survival pathway or the mTor pathway but there was a modest increase in LC3-IIB, a marker of autophagosome biogenesis. This study suggests that verteporfin should be further explored as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Al-Moujahed
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cRetina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 USA
| | - Katarzyna Brodowska
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cRetina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 USA
| | - Tomasz P. Stryjewski
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cRetina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 USA
| | - Nikolaos E. Efstathiou
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cRetina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 USA
| | - Ioannis Vasilikos
- 0000 0000 9428 7911grid.7708.8University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Joanna Cichy
- 0000 0001 2162 9631grid.5522.0Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joan W. Miller
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cRetina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 USA
| | - Evangelos Gragoudas
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cRetina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 USA
| | - Demetrios G. Vavvas
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cRetina Service, Angiogenesis Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114 USA
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25
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Gibault F, Bailly F, Corvaisier M, Coevoet M, Huet G, Melnyk P, Cotelle P. Molecular Features of the YAP Inhibitor Verteporfin: Synthesis of Hexasubstituted Dipyrrins as Potential Inhibitors of YAP/TAZ, the Downstream Effectors of the Hippo Pathway. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:954-961. [PMID: 28334506 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201700063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Porphyrin derivatives, in particular verteporfin (VP), a photosensitizer initially designed for cancer therapy, have been identified as inhibitors of the YAP-TEAD interaction and transcriptional activity. Herein we report the efficient convergent synthesis of the dipyrrin half of protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester (PPIX-DME), in which the sensitive vinyl group was created at the final stage by a dehydroiodination reaction. Two other dipyrrin derivatives were synthesized, including dipyrrin 19 [(Z)-2-((3,5-dimethyl-4-vinyl-2H-pyrrol-2-ylidene)methyl)-3,5-dimethyl-4-vinyl-1H-pyrrole], containing two vinyl groups. We found that VP and dipyrrin 19 showed significant inhibitory effects on TEAD transcriptional activity in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, whereas other compounds did not show significant changes. In addition, we observed a marked decrease in both YAP and TAZ levels following VP treatment, whereas dipyrrin 19 treatment primarily decreased the levels of YAP and receptor kinase AXL, a downstream target of YAP. Together, our data suggest that, due to their chemical structures, porphyrin- and dipyrrin-related derivatives can directly target YAP and/or TAZ proteins and inhibit TEAD transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriane Gibault
- Department of Onco and NeuroChemistry, University of Lille, INSERM UMR-S 1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, 3, rue du professeur Laguesse, BP 83, 59006, Lille Cedex, France
| | - Fabrice Bailly
- Department of Onco and NeuroChemistry, University of Lille, INSERM UMR-S 1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, 3, rue du professeur Laguesse, BP 83, 59006, Lille Cedex, France
| | - Matthieu Corvaisier
- Department of Mucins, Epithelial Differentiation and Carcinogenesis, University of Lille, INSERM UMR-S 1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, Bâtiment Biserte, 1, place de Verdun, 59045, Lille Cedex, France
| | - Mathilde Coevoet
- Department of Onco and NeuroChemistry, University of Lille, INSERM UMR-S 1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, 3, rue du professeur Laguesse, BP 83, 59006, Lille Cedex, France
| | - Guillemette Huet
- Department of Mucins, Epithelial Differentiation and Carcinogenesis, University of Lille, INSERM UMR-S 1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, Bâtiment Biserte, 1, place de Verdun, 59045, Lille Cedex, France
| | - Patricia Melnyk
- Department of Onco and NeuroChemistry, University of Lille, INSERM UMR-S 1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, 3, rue du professeur Laguesse, BP 83, 59006, Lille Cedex, France
| | - Philippe Cotelle
- Department of Onco and NeuroChemistry, University of Lille, INSERM UMR-S 1172, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, 3, rue du professeur Laguesse, BP 83, 59006, Lille Cedex, France
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