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Heidari-Foroozan M, Rezalotfi A, Rezaei N. The molecular landscape of T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment and reinvigoration strategies. Int Rev Immunol 2024:1-22. [PMID: 39257319 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2024.2401352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment by harnessing the immune system to target cancer cells. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy is hindered by the tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising regulatory T cells (Tregs), macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), neutrophils, soluble factors (TGF-β, IL-35, IL-10), and hypoxia. These components interact with inhibitory receptors (IRs) on T cells, leading to alterations in T cell transcriptomes, epigenomes, and metabolism, ultimately resulting in T cell exhaustion and compromising the effectiveness of immunotherapy. T cell exhaustion occurs in two phases: pre-exhaustion and exhaustion. Pre-exhausted T cells exhibit reversibility and distinct molecular properties compared to terminally exhausted T cells. Understanding these differences is crucial for designing effective interventions. This comprehensive review summarizes the characteristics of pre-exhausted and exhausted T cells and elucidates the influence of TME components on T cell activity, transcriptomes, epigenomes, and metabolism, ultimately driving T cell exhaustion in cancer. Additionally, potential intervention strategies for reversing exhaustion are discussed. By gaining insights into the mechanisms underlying T cell exhaustion and the impact of the TME, this review aims to inform the development of innovative approaches for combating T cell exhaustion and enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Heidari-Foroozan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Immunology Project (CIP), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Alaleh Rezalotfi
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center Hospital, Dr. Qarib St, Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Zhou Z, Xu J, Liu S, Lv Y, Zhang R, Zhou X, Zhang Y, Weng S, Xu H, Ba Y, Zuo A, Han X, Liu Z. Infiltrating treg reprogramming in the tumor immune microenvironment and its optimization for immunotherapy. Biomark Res 2024; 12:97. [PMID: 39227959 PMCID: PMC11373505 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00630-9] [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: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has shown promising anti-tumor effects across various tumors, yet it encounters challenges from the inhibitory tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important contributors to immunosuppressive TIME, limiting tumor immunosurveillance and blocking effective anti-tumor immune responses. Although depletion or inhibition of systemic Tregs enhances the anti-tumor immunity, autoimmune sequelae have diminished expectations for the approach. Herein, we summarize emerging strategies, specifically targeting tumor-infiltrating (TI)-Tregs, that elevate the capacity of organisms to resist tumors by reprogramming their phenotype. The regulatory mechanisms of Treg reprogramming are also discussed as well as how this knowledge could be utilized to develop novel and effective cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaokai Zhou
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Jiaxin Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Shutong Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Yingying Lv
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Ruiqi Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Xing Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Yuyuan Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Siyuan Weng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Yuhao Ba
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Anning Zuo
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
| | - Zaoqu Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
- Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
- Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Wei L, Mei D, Hu S, Du S. Dual-target EZH2 inhibitor: latest advances in medicinal chemistry. Future Med Chem 2024; 16:1561-1582. [PMID: 39082677 PMCID: PMC11370917 DOI: 10.1080/17568919.2024.2380243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase, plays a crucial role in tumor progression by regulating gene expression. EZH2 inhibitors have emerged as promising anti-tumor agents due to their potential in cancer treatment strategies. However, single-target inhibitors often face limitations such as drug resistance and side effects. Dual-target inhibitors, exemplified by EZH1/2 inhibitor HH-2853(28), offer enhanced efficacy and reduced adverse effects. This review highlights recent advancements in dual inhibitors targeting EZH2 and other proteins like BRD4, PARP1, and EHMT2, emphasizing rational design, structure-activity relationships, and safety profiles, suggesting their potential in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Sijia Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Shufang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology Department of Orthodontics, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
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Sardoiwala MN, Biswal L, Choudhury SR. Immunomodulator-Derived Nanoparticles Induce Neuroprotection and Regulatory T Cell Action to Alleviate Parkinsonism. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:38880-38892. [PMID: 39016239 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c18226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Post-translational modification, mitochondrial abruptions, neuroinflammation, and α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation are considered as major causes of Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis. The recent literature highlights neuroimmune cross talk and the negative role of immune effector T (Teff) and positive regulation by regulatory T (Treg) cells in PD treatment. Herein, a strategy to endow Treg action paves the path for development of PD treatment. Thus, we explored the neuroprotective efficiency of the immunomodulator and PP2A (protein phosphatase 2) activator, FTY720 nanoparticles in in vivo experimental PD models. Repurposing of FTY720 for PD is known due to its protective effect by reducing PD and its camouflaged role in endowing EZH2-mediated epigenetic regulation of PD. EZH2-FOXP3 interaction is necessary for the neuroprotective Treg cell activity. Therefore, we synthesized FTY720 nanoparticles to improve FTY720 protective efficacy in an in vivo PD model to explore the PP2A mediated signaling. We confirmed the formation of FTY720NPs, and the results of the behavioral and protein expression study showed the significant neuroprotective efficiency of our nanoformulations. In the exploration of neuroprotective mechanism, several lines of evidence confirmed FTY720NPs mediated induction of PP2A/EZH2/FOXP3 signaling in the induction of Treg cells effect in in vivo PD treatment. In summary, our nanoformulations have novel potential to alleviate PD by inducing PP2A-induced epigenetic regulation-mediated neuroimmunomodulation at the clinical setup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Nadim Sardoiwala
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Liku Biswal
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Subhasree Roy Choudhury
- Epigenetics Research Laboratory, Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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Li T, Han B, Wang L, Sun L, Cai Y, Yu M, Xiao W, Yang H. Activation of mucosal insulin receptor exacerbates intestinal inflammation by promoting tissue resident memory T cells differentiation through EZH2. J Transl Med 2024; 22:78. [PMID: 38243324 PMCID: PMC10797971 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04789-x] [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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), an autoimmune disease characterised by abnormal intestinal immunity, are related to vital morbidity around the world. However, therapeutic agents for IBD have not achieved desired benefit. Exploring new therapeutic targets for IBD, especially based on its abnormally intestinal immunity, could alleviate the flare-up and worsening of IBD. Tissue resident memory T cells (TRM) are core of multiple autoimmune diseases, including IBD. However, the mechanism of TRM differentiation remains to be investigated. METHODS The alterations in mRNA and lncRNA profile of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), the largest component of intestinal TRM, were analyzed in DSS-induced chronic colitis. Based on it, we examined the function of rectal insulin instillation in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced chronic colitis. Furthermore, we investigated the downstream-target of the insulin pathway-EZH2 and the crucial role of EZH2 in intestinal tissue resident memory T cell differentiation by utilizing EZH2fl/flCD4cre mice. RESULTS Insulin receptor (INSR) expression was found to be significantly reduced. Activation of mucosal insulin pathway by rectal insulin instillation exacerbated colitis by disrupting IELs subgroups and up-regulating TNF-ɑ and IL-17 expression. Rectal insulin instillation promoted EZH2 expression and EZH2 inhibition alleviated chronic colitis. EZH2fl/flCD4cre mice restored the normal IEL subgroups and suppressed TNF-ɑ and IL-17 expression, exhibiting alleviated colitis. IELs from EZH2fl/flCD4cre mice exhibit significant changes in TRM related phenotype. CD4+TRM was significantly increased in chronic colitis and decreased in EZH2fl/flCD4cre mice. CONCLUSION Insulin receptor of intestinal mucosal T-cells could promote intestinal TRM differentiation via EZH2. Our discoveries suggest that therapies targeting colonic INSR and EZH2 could be potential treatment for IBD based on its regulatory effects on TRM. Insulin receptor inhibitors rather than insulin should be applied during colitis-active phase. In addition, EZH2 shows to be a downstream signal of the insulin pathway and EZH2 inhibitor could alleviating intestinal inflammation. However, the critical role of EZH2 in TRM differentiation restricts the anti-tumor effects of EZH2 inhibitor in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teming Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Department of General Surgery, Army 953 Hospital, Shigatse Branch of Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Shigatse, 857000, China
| | - Ben Han
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Liucan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Lihua Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yujiao Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Min Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China.
| | - Weidong Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, 401147, China.
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Farjood F, Manos JD, Wang Y, Williams AL, Zhao C, Borden S, Alam N, Prusky G, Temple S, Stern JH, Boles NC. Identifying biomarkers of heterogeneity and transplantation efficacy in retinal pigment epithelial cells. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20230913. [PMID: 37728563 PMCID: PMC10510736 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20230913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells holds great promise for patients with retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration. In-depth characterization of RPE cell product identity and critical quality attributes are needed to enhance efficacy and safety of replacement therapy strategies. Here, we characterized an adult RPE stem cell-derived (RPESC-RPE) cell product using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), assessing functional cell integration in vitro into a mature RPE monolayer and in vivo efficacy by vision rescue in the Royal College of Surgeons rats. scRNA-seq revealed several distinct subpopulations in the RPESC-RPE product, some with progenitor markers. We identified RPE clusters expressing genes associated with in vivo efficacy and increased cell integration capability. Gene expression analysis revealed lncRNA (TREX) as a predictive marker of in vivo efficacy. TREX knockdown decreased cell integration while overexpression increased integration in vitro and improved vision rescue in the RCS rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yue Wang
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, Rensselaer, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Nazia Alam
- Burke Neurological Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Glen Prusky
- Burke Neurological Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine, White Plains, NY, USA
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Gao M, Li Y, Cao P, Liu H, Chen J, Kang S. Exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting polycomb repressive complex 2 in lung cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1216289. [PMID: 37909018 PMCID: PMC10613995 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1216289] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of lung cancer (LC) is a multifaceted process that is influenced by a variety of factors. Alongside genetic mutations and environmental influences, there is increasing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms play a significant role in the development and progression of LC. The Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), composed of EZH1/2, SUZ12, and EED, is an epigenetic silencer that controls the expression of target genes and is crucial for cell identity in multicellular organisms. Abnormal expression of PRC2 has been shown to contribute to the progression of LC through several pathways. Although targeted inhibition of EZH2 has demonstrated potential in delaying the progression of LC and improving chemotherapy sensitivity, the effectiveness of enzymatic inhibitors of PRC2 in LC is limited, and a more comprehensive understanding of PRC2's role is necessary. This paper reviews the core subunits of PRC2 and their interactions, and outlines the mechanisms of aberrant PRC2 expression in cancer and its role in tumor immunity. We also summarize the important role of PRC2 in regulating biological behaviors such as epithelial mesenchymal transition, invasive metastasis, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, autophagy, and PRC2-mediated resistance to LC chemotherapeutic agents in LC cells. Lastly, we explored the latest breakthroughs in the research and evaluation of medications that target PRC2, as well as the latest findings from clinical studies investigating the efficacy of these drugs in the treatment of various human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, First Clinical Medical College, Hohhot, China
| | - Yongwen Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Peijun Cao
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Lung Cancer Metastasis and Tumor Microenvironment, Tianjin Lung Cancer Institute, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shirong Kang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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Baßler K, Schmidleithner L, Shakiba MH, Elmzzahi T, Köhne M, Floess S, Scholz R, Ohkura N, Sadlon T, Klee K, Neubauer A, Sakaguchi S, Barry SC, Huehn J, Bonaguro L, Ulas T, Beyer M. Identification of the novel FOXP3-dependent T reg cell transcription factor MEOX1 by high-dimensional analysis of human CD4 + T cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1107397. [PMID: 37559728 PMCID: PMC10407399 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1107397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play a central role in the adaptive immune response through their capacity to activate, support and control other immune cells. Although these cells have become the focus of intense research, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying regulatory networks that orchestrate CD4+ T cell function and activation is still incomplete. Here, we analyzed a large transcriptomic dataset consisting of 48 different human CD4+ T cell conditions. By performing reverse network engineering, we identified six common denominators of CD4+ T cell functionality (CREB1, E2F3, AHR, STAT1, NFAT5 and NFATC3). Moreover, we also analyzed condition-specific genes which led us to the identification of the transcription factor MEOX1 in Treg cells. Expression of MEOX1 was comparable to FOXP3 in Treg cells and can be upregulated by IL-2. Epigenetic analyses revealed a permissive epigenetic landscape for MEOX1 solely in Treg cells. Knockdown of MEOX1 in Treg cells revealed a profound impact on downstream gene expression programs and Treg cell suppressive capacity. These findings in the context of CD4+ T cells contribute to a better understanding of the transcriptional networks and biological mechanisms controlling CD4+ T cell functionality, which opens new avenues for future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Baßler
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lisa Schmidleithner
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Tarek Elmzzahi
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maren Köhne
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Floess
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rebekka Scholz
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Naganari Ohkura
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Timothy Sadlon
- Molecular Immunology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Norwich Centre, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kathrin Klee
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna Neubauer
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Shimon Sakaguchi
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Simon C. Barry
- Molecular Immunology, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Norwich Centre, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jochen Huehn
- Experimental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lorenzo Bonaguro
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Ulas
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- LIMES-Institute, Laboratory for Genomics and Immunoregulation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- PRECISE, Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marc Beyer
- Immunogenomics & Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
- PRECISE, Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Lee EY, Choi W, Burkholder AB, Perera L, Mack JA, Miller FW, Fessler MB, Cook DN, Karmaus PWF, Nakano H, Garantziotis S, Madenspacher JH, House JS, Akhtari FS, Schmitt CS, Fargo DC, Hall JE, Motsinger-Reif AA. Race/ethnicity-stratified fine-mapping of the MHC locus reveals genetic variants associated with late-onset asthma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1173676. [PMID: 37415598 PMCID: PMC10321602 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1173676] [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: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that impairs normal breathing. The etiology of asthma is complex and involves multiple factors, including the environment and genetics, especially the distinct genetic architecture associated with ancestry. Compared to early-onset asthma, little is known about genetic predisposition to late-onset asthma. We investigated the race/ethnicity-specific relationship among genetic variants within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region and late-onset asthma in a North Carolina-based multiracial cohort of adults. Methods: We stratified all analyses by self-reported race (i.e., White and Black) and adjusted all regression models for age, sex, and ancestry. We conducted association tests within the MHC region and performed fine-mapping analyses conditioned on the race/ethnicity-specific lead variant using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. We applied computational methods to infer human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and residues at amino acid positions. We replicated findings in the UK Biobank. Results: The lead signals, rs9265901 on the 5' end of HLA-B, rs55888430 on HLA-DOB, and rs117953947 on HCG17, were significantly associated with late-onset asthma in all, White, and Black participants, respectively (OR = 1.73, 95%CI: 1.31 to 2.14, p = 3.62 × 10-5; OR = 3.05, 95%CI: 1.86 to 4.98, p = 8.85 × 10-6; OR = 19.5, 95%CI: 4.37 to 87.2, p = 9.97 × 10-5, respectively). For the HLA analysis, HLA-B*40:02 and HLA-DRB1*04:05, HLA-B*40:02, HLA-C*04:01, and HLA-DRB1*04:05, and HLA-DRB1*03:01 and HLA-DQB1 were significantly associated with late-onset asthma in all, White, and Black participants. Conclusion: Multiple genetic variants within the MHC region were significantly associated with late-onset asthma, and the associations were significantly different by race/ethnicity group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Y. Lee
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Wonson Choi
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Adam B. Burkholder
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Lalith Perera
- Genomic Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jasmine A. Mack
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frederick W. Miller
- Environmental Autoimmunity Group, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Michael B. Fessler
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Donald N. Cook
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
- Immunogenetics Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Peer W. F. Karmaus
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Hideki Nakano
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Stavros Garantziotis
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer H. Madenspacher
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - John S. House
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Farida S. Akhtari
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Charles S. Schmitt
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - David C. Fargo
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Janet E. Hall
- Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alison A. Motsinger-Reif
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
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10
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Tian C, Zhou J, Li X, Gao Y, Wen Q, Kang X, Wang N, Yao Y, Jiang J, Song G, Zhang T, Hu S, Liao J, Yu C, Wang Z, Liu X, Pei X, Chan K, Liu Z, Gan H. Impaired histone inheritance promotes tumor progression. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3429. [PMID: 37301892 PMCID: PMC10257670 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39185-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Faithful inheritance of parental histones is essential to maintain epigenetic information and cellular identity during cell division. Parental histones are evenly deposited onto the replicating DNA of sister chromatids in a process dependent on the MCM2 subunit of DNA helicase. However, the impact of aberrant parental histone partition on human disease such as cancer is largely unknown. In this study, we construct a model of impaired histone inheritance by introducing MCM2-2A mutation (defective in parental histone binding) in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The resulting impaired histone inheritance reprograms the histone modification landscapes of progeny cells, especially the repressive histone mark H3K27me3. Lower H3K27me3 levels derepress the expression of genes associated with development, cell proliferation, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. These epigenetic changes confer fitness advantages to some newly emerged subclones and consequently promote tumor growth and metastasis after orthotopic implantation. In summary, our results indicate that impaired inheritance of parental histones can drive tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Tian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiaqi Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinran Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, USA
| | - Qing Wen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xing Kang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiuhang Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, 510642, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guibing Song
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, 712100, Shaanxi, Angling, China
| | - Tianjun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Suili Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, 510642, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - JingYi Liao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chuanhe Yu
- Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, 55912, USA
| | - Zhiquan Wang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Xiangyu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, International Cancer Center, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinhai Pei
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, 518060, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kuiming Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China
- Key Laboratory of Biochip Technology, Biotech and Health Centre, Shenzhen Research Institute of City University of Hong Kong, 518172, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zichuan Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University and Health-Biotech United Group Joint Laboratory of Innovative Drug Development and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Haiyun Gan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 518055, Shenzhen, China.
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11
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Chandnani N, Choudhari VS, Talukdar R, Rakshit S, Shanmugam G, Guchait S, Gupta I, George M, Sarkar K. Depletion of enhancer zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) directs transcription factors associated with T cell differentiation through epigenetic regulation of Yin Yang 1(YY1) in combating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Med Oncol 2023; 40:185. [PMID: 37212947 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02053-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of death in all countries alike. In the current study, we have found out that Histone H3Lys4trimethylation is abnormal on YY1 in CD4+T Helper (TH) cells of NSCLC patients which is evident by Histone H3Lys27 trimethylation mediated via EZH2. We investigated the status of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and the involvement of certain transcription factors that lead to tumorigenesis after depleting endogenous EZH2 in vitro by CRISPR/Cas9 in the CD4+TH1-or-TH2-polarized cells isolated initially as CD4+TH0 cells from the PBMC of the control subjects and patients suffering from NSCLC. After depletion of endogenous EZH2, RT-qPCR based mRNA expression analysis showed that there was an increase in the expression of TH1 specific genes and a decrease in the expression of TH2 specific genes in NSCLC patients CD4+TH cells. We can conclude that this group of NSCLC patients may have the tendency at least in vitro to elucidate adaptive/protective immunity through the depletion of endogenous EZH2 along with the reduction in the expression of YY1. Moreover, depletion of EZH2 not only suppressed the CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Regulatory T cells (Treg) but also it aided the generation of CD8+Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL) which were involved in killing of the NSCLC cells. Thus the transcription factors involved in EZH2 mediated T cell differentiation linked to malignancies offers us an appealing avenue of targeted therapeutic intervention for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Chandnani
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vedika Shrirang Choudhari
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajat Talukdar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sudeshna Rakshit
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Geetha Shanmugam
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shiuli Guchait
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ishika Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Melvin George
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
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12
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Nourmohammadi F, Forghanifard MM, Abbaszadegan MR, Zarrinpour V. EZH2 regulates oncomiR-200c and EMT markers in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18290. [PMID: 36316365 PMCID: PMC9622866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23253-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
EZH2, as a histone methyltransferase, has been associated with cancer development and metastasis possibly through the regulation of microRNAs and cellular pathways such as EMT. In this study, the effect of EZH2 expression on miR-200c and important genes of the EMT pathway was investigated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Comparative qRT-PCR was used to examine EZH2 expression in ESCC lines (YM-1 and KYSE-30) following the separately transfected silencing and ectopic expressional EZH2 vectors in ESCC. Subsequently, expression of miR-200c and EMT markers was also assessed using qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Underexpression of Mir200c was detected in YM-1 and KYSE-30 cells after EZH2 silencing, while its overexpression was observed after EZH2 induced expression. Following EZH2 silencing, downregulation of mesenchymal markers and upregulation of epithelial markers were detected in the ESCCs. Our results demonstrate that EZH2 regulates the expression of miR-200c and critical EMT genes, implying that overexpression of Zeb2, Fibronectin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin lead to a mesenchymal phenotype and morphology while underexpression of epithelial genes, enhance cell migration after enforced expression of EZH2 in ESCCs. EZH2 gene can be a beneficial treatment marker for patients with esophageal cancer through decrease invasiveness of the disease and efficient response to neoadjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vajiheh Zarrinpour
- Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
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13
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Yang Y, Liu K, Liu M, Zhang H, Guo M. EZH2: Its regulation and roles in immune disturbance of SLE. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1002741. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1002741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is related to immune homeostasis imbalance. Epigenetic mechanisms have played a significant role in breaking immune tolerance. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the specific methylation transferase of lysine at position 27 of histone 3, is currently found to participate in the pathogenesis of SLE through affecting multiple components of the immune system. This review mainly expounds the mechanisms underlying EZH2-mediated disruption of immune homeostasis in SLE patients, hoping to provide new ideas in the pathogenesis of SLE and new targets for future treatment.
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14
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German B, Ellis L. Polycomb Directed Cell Fate Decisions in Development and Cancer. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:28. [PMID: 36135315 PMCID: PMC9497807 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6030028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a subset of transcription regulators highly conserved throughout evolution. Their principal role is to epigenetically modify chromatin landscapes and control the expression of master transcriptional programs to determine cellular identity. The two mayor PcG protein complexes that have been identified in mammals to date are Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and 2 (PRC2). These protein complexes selectively repress gene expression via the induction of covalent post-translational histone modifications, promoting chromatin structure stabilization. PRC2 catalyzes the histone H3 methylation at lysine 27 (H3K27me1/2/3), inducing heterochromatin structures. This activity is controlled by the formation of a multi-subunit complex, which includes enhancer of zeste (EZH2), embryonic ectoderm development protein (EED), and suppressor of zeste 12 (SUZ12). This review will summarize the latest insights into how PRC2 in mammalian cells regulates transcription to orchestrate the temporal and tissue-specific expression of genes to determine cell identity and cell-fate decisions. We will specifically describe how PRC2 dysregulation in different cell types can promote phenotypic plasticity and/or non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming, inducing the development of highly aggressive epithelial neuroendocrine carcinomas, including prostate, small cell lung, and Merkel cell cancer. With this, EZH2 has emerged as an important actionable therapeutic target in such cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz German
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Leigh Ellis
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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15
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Cai J, Wu S, Zhang F, Dai Z. Construction and Validation of an Epigenetic Regulator Signature as A Novel Biomarker For Prognosis, Immunotherapy, And Chemotherapy In Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:952413. [PMID: 35911718 PMCID: PMC9330038 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.952413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epigenetic modification regulates various aspects of cancer biology, from tumor growth and invasion to immune microenvironment modulation. Whether epigenetic regulators (EGRs) can decide tumor malignant degree and risk of immune evasion in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) remains unclear. Method An EGR signature called “EGRscore” was constructed based on bulk RNA-seq data of EGR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The correlation between EGRscore and overall survival (OS) was validated in HCC cohorts and other tumor cohorts. Mutation profiles, copy number alterations (CNAs), enriched pathways, and response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy were compared between EGRscore-high and EGRscore-low patients. Results We found that EGRscore was associated with OS in HCC as well as several tumors including glioma, uveal melanoma (UVM), and kidney tumors. A mechanism study demonstrated that the distinct mutation profile of TP53 was present in EGRscore-high and EGRscore-low patients. Meanwhile, EGRscore-low patients were characterized with immune cells that promote killing tumors. Furthermore, EGRscore was associated with genes regulating drug resistance in HCC. Finally, we indicated that EGRscore-low patients had higher response rates to immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Conclusions EGRscore could be used to distinguish OS, tumor progression, mutation pattern, and immune microenvironment. The present study contributes to improving hepatocellular carcinoma patient prognosis and predicting response to immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialiang Cai
- Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Suiyi Wu
- Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Dai
- Zhongshan Hospital, Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi Dai,
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16
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Mirzaei S, Gholami MH, Hushmandi K, Hashemi F, Zabolian A, Canadas I, Zarrabi A, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Crea F, Wang Y, Ashrafizadeh M, Kumar AP. The long and short non-coding RNAs modulating EZH2 signaling in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:18. [PMID: 35236381 PMCID: PMC8892735 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a large family of RNA molecules with no capability in encoding proteins. However, they participate in developmental and biological processes and their abnormal expression affects cancer progression. These RNA molecules can function as upstream mediators of different signaling pathways and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is among them. Briefly, EZH2 belongs to PRCs family and can exert functional roles in cells due to its methyltransferase activity. EZH2 affects gene expression via inducing H3K27me3. In the present review, our aim is to provide a mechanistic discussion of ncRNAs role in regulating EZH2 expression in different cancers. MiRNAs can dually induce/inhibit EZH2 in cancer cells to affect downstream targets such as Wnt, STAT3 and EMT. Furthermore, miRNAs can regulate therapy response of cancer cells via affecting EZH2 signaling. It is noteworthy that EZH2 can reduce miRNA expression by binding to promoter and exerting its methyltransferase activity. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) are synthetic, short ncRNAs capable of reducing EZH2 expression and suppressing cancer progression. LncRNAs mainly regulate EZH2 expression via targeting miRNAs. Furthermore, lncRNAs induce EZH2 by modulating miRNA expression. Circular RNAs (CircRNAs), like lncRNAs, affect EZH2 expression via targeting miRNAs. These areas are discussed in the present review with a focus on molecular pathways leading to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Hashemi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, 1417466191, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, 5th Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
| | - Israel Canadas
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34396, Turkey
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urological Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Crea
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Department of Urological Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada.
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, Istanbul, 34956, Turkey.
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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17
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Karin M, Shalapour S. Regulation of antitumor immunity by inflammation-induced epigenetic alterations. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:59-66. [PMID: 34465885 PMCID: PMC8752743 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00756-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation promotes tumor development, progression, and metastatic dissemination and causes treatment resistance. The accumulation of genetic alterations and loss of normal cellular regulatory processes are not only associated with cancer growth and progression but also result in the expression of tumor-specific and tumor-associated antigens that may activate antitumor immunity. This antagonism between inflammation and immunity and the ability of cancer cells to avoid immune detection affect the course of cancer development and treatment outcomes. While inflammation, particularly acute inflammation, supports T-cell priming, activation, and infiltration into infected tissues, chronic inflammation is mostly immunosuppressive. However, the main mechanisms that dictate the outcome of the inflammation-immunity interplay are not well understood. Recent data suggest that inflammation triggers epigenetic alterations in cancer cells and components of the tumor microenvironment. These alterations can affect and modulate numerous aspects of cancer development, including tumor growth, the metabolic state, metastatic spread, immune escape, and immunosuppressive or immunosupportive leukocyte generation. In this review, we discuss the role of inflammation in initiating epigenetic alterations in immune cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and cancer cells and suggest how and when epigenetic interventions can be combined with immunotherapies to improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Karin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shabnam Shalapour
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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18
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The Role of microRNAs in the Mammary Gland Development, Health, and Function of Cattle, Goats, and Sheep. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:ncrna7040078. [PMID: 34940759 PMCID: PMC8708473 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Milk is an integral and therefore complex structural element of mammalian nutrition. Therefore, it is simple to conclude that lactation, the process of producing milk, is as complex as the mammary gland, the organ responsible for this biochemical activity. Nutrition, genetics, epigenetics, disease pathogens, climatic conditions, and other environmental variables all impact breast productivity. In the last decade, the number of studies devoted to epigenetics has increased dramatically. Reports are increasingly describing the direct participation of microRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, in the regulation of mammary gland development and function. This paper presents a summary of the current state of knowledge about the roles of miRNAs in mammary gland development, health, and functions, particularly during lactation. The significance of miRNAs in signaling pathways, cellular proliferation, and the lipid metabolism in agricultural ruminants, which are crucial in light of their role in the nutrition of humans as consumers of dairy products, is discussed.
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19
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Barili V, Vecchi A, Rossi M, Montali I, Tiezzi C, Penna A, Laccabue D, Missale G, Fisicaro P, Boni C. Unraveling the Multifaceted Nature of CD8 T Cell Exhaustion Provides the Molecular Basis for Therapeutic T Cell Reconstitution in Chronic Hepatitis B and C. Cells 2021; 10:2563. [PMID: 34685543 PMCID: PMC8533840 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections persistently elevated antigen levels drive CD8+ T cells toward a peculiar differentiation state known as T cell exhaustion, which poses crucial constraints to antiviral immunity. Available evidence indicates that T cell exhaustion is associated with a series of metabolic and signaling deregulations and with a very peculiar epigenetic status which all together lead to reduced effector functions. A clear mechanistic network explaining how intracellular metabolic derangements, transcriptional and signaling alterations so far described are interconnected in a comprehensive and unified view of the T cell exhaustion differentiation profile is still lacking. Addressing this issue is of key importance for the development of innovative strategies to boost host immunity in order to achieve viral clearance. This review will discuss the current knowledge in HBV and HCV infections, addressing how innate immunity, metabolic derangements, extensive stress responses and altered epigenetic programs may be targeted to restore functionality and responsiveness of virus-specific CD8 T cells in the context of chronic virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Barili
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Vecchi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Marzia Rossi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Ilaria Montali
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Camilla Tiezzi
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Amalia Penna
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
| | - Diletta Laccabue
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Gabriele Missale
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Paola Fisicaro
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Carolina Boni
- Laboratory of Viral Immunopathology, Unit of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (V.B.); (A.V.); (M.R.); (I.M.); (C.T.); (A.P.); (D.L.); (G.M.)
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20
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Epigenetic Regulation in Melanoma: Facts and Hopes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082048. [PMID: 34440824 PMCID: PMC8392422 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a lethal disease, even when diagnosed in advanced stages. Although recent progress in biology and treatment has dramatically improved survival rates, new therapeutic approaches are still needed. Deregulation of epigenetics, which mainly controls DNA methylation status and chromatin remodeling, is implied not only in cancer initiation and progression, but also in resistance to antitumor drugs. Epigenetics in melanoma has been studied recently in both melanoma preclinical models and patient samples, highlighting its potential role in different phases of melanomagenesis, as well as in resistance to approved drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and MAPK inhibitors. This review summarizes what is currently known about epigenetics in melanoma and dwells on the recognized and potential new targets for testing epigenetic drugs, alone or together with other agents, in advanced melanoma patients.
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21
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Hu Y, Bien SA, Nishimura KK, Haessler J, Hodonsky CJ, Baldassari AR, Highland HM, Wang Z, Preuss M, Sitlani CM, Wojcik GL, Tao R, Graff M, Huckins LM, Sun Q, Chen MH, Mousas A, Auer PL, Lettre G, Tang W, Qi L, Thyagarajan B, Buyske S, Fornage M, Hindorff LA, Li Y, Lin D, Reiner AP, North KE, Loos RJF, Raffield LM, Peters U, Avery CL, Kooperberg C. Multi-ethnic genome-wide association analyses of white blood cell and platelet traits in the Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) study. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:432. [PMID: 34107879 PMCID: PMC8191001 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07745-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating white blood cell and platelet traits are clinically linked to various disease outcomes and differ across individuals and ancestry groups. Genetic factors play an important role in determining these traits and many loci have been identified. However, most of these findings were identified in populations of European ancestry (EA), with African Americans (AA), Hispanics/Latinos (HL), and other races/ethnicities being severely underrepresented. RESULTS We performed ancestry-combined and ancestry-specific genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for white blood cell and platelet traits in the ancestrally diverse Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) Study, including 16,201 AA, 21,347 HL, and 27,236 EA participants. We identified six novel findings at suggestive significance (P < 5E-8), which need confirmation, and independent signals at six previously established regions at genome-wide significance (P < 2E-9). We confirmed multiple previously reported genome-wide significant variants in the single variant association analysis and multiple genes using PrediXcan. Evaluation of loci reported from a Euro-centric GWAS indicated attenuation of effect estimates in AA and HL compared to EA populations. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlighted the potential to identify ancestry-specific and ancestry-agnostic variants in participants with diverse backgrounds and advocate for continued efforts in improving inclusion of racially/ethnically diverse populations in genetic association studies for complex traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Hu
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephanie A Bien
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Katherine K Nishimura
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Haessler
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chani J Hodonsky
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Antoine R Baldassari
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Heather M Highland
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zhe Wang
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Preuss
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Colleen M Sitlani
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Ran Tao
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- The Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Division of Genetic Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mariaelisa Graff
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Quan Sun
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ming-Huei Chen
- The Framingham Heart Study, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Framingham, MA, USA
- Population Sciences Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Abdou Mousas
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paul L Auer
- School of Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Guillaume Lettre
- Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Weihong Tang
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lihong Qi
- School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Steve Buyske
- Department of Statistics and Biostatistics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Myriam Fornage
- Brown Foundation Institute for Molecular Medicine, the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lucia A Hindorff
- Division of Genomic Medicine, NIH National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Genetics, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Danyu Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexander P Reiner
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kari E North
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ruth J F Loos
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura M Raffield
- Department of Genetics, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ulrike Peters
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christy L Avery
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Charles Kooperberg
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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22
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Jones DM, Read KA, Oestreich KJ. Dynamic Roles for IL-2-STAT5 Signaling in Effector and Regulatory CD4 + T Cell Populations. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 205:1721-1730. [PMID: 32958706 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
CD4+ Th cells are responsible for orchestrating diverse, pathogen-specific immune responses through their differentiation into a number of subsets, including TH1, TH2, TH9, T follicular helper, T follicular regulatory, and regulatory T cells. The differentiation of each subset is guided by distinct regulatory requirements, including those derived from extracellular cytokine signals. IL-2 has emerged as a critical immunomodulatory cytokine that both positively and negatively affects the differentiation of individual Th cell subsets. IL-2 signals are propagated, in part, via activation of STAT5, which functions as a key regulator of CD4+ T cell gene programs. In this review, we discuss current understanding of the mechanisms that allow IL-2-STAT5 signaling to exert divergent effects across CD4+ T cell subsets and highlight specific roles for this pathway in the regulation of individual Th cell differentiation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin M Jones
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210; and.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Kaitlin A Read
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210; and.,Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Kenneth J Oestreich
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210; and
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23
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Kiefer KC, Cremer S, Pardali E, Assmus B, Abou-El-Ardat K, Kirschbaum K, Dorsheimer L, Rasper T, Berkowitsch A, Serve H, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM, Rieger MA. Full spectrum of clonal haematopoiesis-driver mutations in chronic heart failure and their associations with mortality. ESC Heart Fail 2021; 8:1873-1884. [PMID: 33779075 PMCID: PMC8120376 DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.13297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Somatic mutations in haematopoietic stem cells can lead to the clonal expansion of mutated blood cells, known as clonal haematopoiesis (CH). Mutations in the most prevalent driver genes DNMT3A and TET2 with a variant allele frequency (VAF) ≥ 2% have been associated with atherosclerosis and chronic heart failure of ischemic origin (CHF). However, the effects of mutations in other driver genes for CH with low VAF (<2%) on CHF are still unknown. Methods and results Therefore, we analysed mononuclear bone marrow and blood cells from 399 CHF patients by deep error‐corrected targeted sequencing of 56 genes and associated mutations with the long‐term mortality in these patients (3.95 years median follow‐up). We detected 1113 mutations with a VAF ≥ 0.5% in 347 of 399 patients, and only 13% had no detectable CH. Despite a high prevalence of mutations in the most frequently mutated genes DNMT3A (165 patients) and TET2 (107 patients), mutations in CBL, CEBPA, EZH2, GNB1, PHF6, SMC1A, and SRSF2 were associated with increased death compared with the average death rate of all patients. To avoid confounding effects, we excluded patients with DNMT3A‐related, TET2‐related, and other clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP)‐related mutations with a VAF ≥ 2% for further analyses. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses revealed a significantly higher mortality in patients with mutations in either of the seven genes (53 patients), combined as the CH‐risk gene set for CHF. Baseline patient characteristics showed no significant differences in any parameter including patient age, confounding diseases, severity of CHF, or blood cell parameters except for a reduced number of platelets in patients with mutations in the risk gene set in comparison with patients without. However, carrying a mutation in any of the risk genes remained significant after multivariate cox regression analysis (hazard ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.8–5.4; P < 0.001), whereas platelet numbers did not. Conclusions Somatic mutations with low VAF in a distinct set of genes, namely, in CBL, CEBPA, EZH2, GNB1, PHF6, SMC1A, and SRSF2, are significantly associated with mortality in CHF, independently of the most prevalent CHIP‐mutations in DNMT3A and TET2. Mutations in these genes are prevalent in young CHF patients and comprise an independent risk factor for the outcome of CHF, potentially providing a novel tool for risk assessment in CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina C Kiefer
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sebastian Cremer
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.,Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin (partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main), Frankurt, Germany
| | - Evangelia Pardali
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Birgit Assmus
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Giessen University Hospital, Giessen, Germany
| | - Khalil Abou-El-Ardat
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klara Kirschbaum
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lena Dorsheimer
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tina Rasper
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Hubert Serve
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin (partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main), Frankurt, Germany
| | - Andreas M Zeiher
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Berlin (partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main), Frankurt, Germany
| | - Michael A Rieger
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt, Germany
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24
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Gao B, Liu X, Li Z, Zhao L, Pan Y. Overexpression of EZH2/NSD2 Histone Methyltransferase Axis Predicts Poor Prognosis and Accelerates Tumor Progression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 10:600514. [PMID: 33665162 PMCID: PMC7921704 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.600514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Two histone methyltransferases, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and nuclear SET domain-containing 2 (NSD2), are aberrantly expressed in several types of human cancers. However, the regulatory relationship between EZH2 and NSD2 and their prognostic values in breast cancer (BC) have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that EZH2 and NSD2 were overexpressed in BC compared with benign lesions and normal tissues using tissue microarray, immunohistochemistry, and bioinformatic databases. Both EZH2 and NSD2 expression were associated with pathological grade of tumor and lymph node metastasis. A comprehensive survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier Plotter database indicated that EZH2 expression was negatively correlated with relapse-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and postprogression survival (PPS) in 3951 BC patients, and NSD2 expression was negatively correlated with RFS and DMFS. Notably, EZH2 and NSD2 expression were coordinately higher in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) than that in other subtypes. Stable knockdown of EZH2 using lentiviral shRNA vector significantly reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468, and downregulated NSD2 expression as well as the levels of H3K27me3 and H3K36me2, two histone methylation markers catalyzed by EZH2 and NSD2, respectively. By contrast, overexpression of EZH2 using adenovirus vector displayed an inverse phenotype. Furthermore, knockdown of NSD2 in EZH2-overexpressing cells could dramatically attenuate EZH2-mediated oncogenic effects. Bioinformatic analysis further revealed the function and pathway enrichments of co-expressed genes and interactive genes of EZH2/NSD2 axis, suggesting that EZH2/NSD2 axis was associated with cell division, mitotic nuclear division and transition of mitotic cell cycle in TNBC. Taken together, EZH2/NSD2 axis may act as a predictive marker for poor prognosis and accelerate the progression of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Gao
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xiumin Liu
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Zhengjin Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Lixian Zhao
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Yun Pan
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dali University, Dali, China
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25
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Neele AE, Chen HJ, Gijbels MJJ, van der Velden S, Hoeksema MA, Boshuizen MCS, Van den Bossche J, Tool AT, Matlung HL, van den Berg TK, Lutgens E, de Winther MPJ. Myeloid Ezh2 Deficiency Limits Atherosclerosis Development. Front Immunol 2021; 11:594603. [PMID: 33574814 PMCID: PMC7871783 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages define a key component of immune cells present in atherosclerotic lesions and are central regulators of the disease. Since epigenetic processes are important in controlling macrophage function, interfering with epigenetic pathways in macrophages might be a novel approach to combat atherosclerosis. Histone H3K27 trimethylation is a repressive histone mark catalyzed by polycomb repressive complex with EZH2 as the catalytic subunit. EZH2 is described to increase macrophage inflammatory responses by supressing the suppressor of cytokine signaling, Socs3. We previously showed that myeloid deletion of Kdm6b, an enzymes that in contrast to EZH2 removes repressive histone H3K27me3 marks, results in advanced atherosclerosis. Because of its opposing function and importance of EZH2 in macrophage inflammatory responses, we here studied the role of myeloid EZH2 in atherosclerosis. A myeloid-specific Ezh2 deficient mouse strain (Ezh2del) was generated (LysM-cre+ x Ezh2fl/fl) and bone marrow from Ezh2del or Ezh2wt mice was transplanted to Ldlr-/- mice which were fed a high fat diet for 9 weeks to study atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic lesion size was significantly decreased in Ezh2del transplanted mice compared to control. The percentage of macrophages in the atherosclerotic lesion was similar, however neutrophil numbers were lower in Ezh2del transplanted mice. Correspondingly, the migratory capacity of neutrophils was decreased in Ezh2del mice. Moreover, peritoneal Ezh2del foam cells showed a reduction in the inflammatory response with reduced production of nitric oxide, IL-6 and IL-12. In Conclusion, myeloid Ezh2 deficiency impairs neutrophil migration and reduces macrophage foam cell inflammatory responses, both contributing to reduced atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette E Neele
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hung-Jen Chen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marion J J Gijbels
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pathology and Department of Molecular Genetics, CARIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Saskia van der Velden
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marten A Hoeksema
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Marieke C S Boshuizen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan Van den Bossche
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anton T Tool
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hanke L Matlung
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Timo K van den Berg
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Institue for Cardivascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig Maximilias University (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Menno P J de Winther
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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26
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Bhat KP, Ümit Kaniskan H, Jin J, Gozani O. Epigenetics and beyond: targeting writers of protein lysine methylation to treat disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:265-286. [PMID: 33469207 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-00108-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein lysine methylation is a crucial post-translational modification that regulates the functions of both histone and non-histone proteins. Deregulation of the enzymes or 'writers' of protein lysine methylation, lysine methyltransferases (KMTs), is implicated in the cause of many diseases, including cancer, mental health disorders and developmental disorders. Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in developing drugs to target KMTs that are involved in histone methylation and epigenetic regulation. The first of these inhibitors, tazemetostat, was recently approved for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma, and several more are in clinical and preclinical evaluation. Beyond chromatin, the many KMTs that regulate protein synthesis and other fundamental biological processes are emerging as promising new targets for drug development to treat diverse diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamakoti P Bhat
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Or Gozani
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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27
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The Epigenetic Regulator EZH2 Instructs CD4 T Cell Response to Acute Viral Infection via Coupling of Cell Expansion and Metabolic Fitness. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.01627-20. [PMID: 32999031 PMCID: PMC7925195 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01627-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The CD4 T cell response is critical in curtailing viral infection or eliciting efficacious viral vaccination. Highly efficient expansion of virus-specific CD4 T cells culminates in a qualified CD4 T cell response. Here, we found that the epigenetic regulator EZH2 is a prerequisite for the virus-specific CD4 T cell response, with a mechanism coupling cell expansion and metabolism. Thus, our study provides valuable insights for strategies targeting EZH2 to improve the efficacy of CD4 T cell-based viral vaccines and to help treat diseases associated with aberrant CD4 T cell responses. The protection of a majority of viral vaccines is mediated by CD4 T cell-dependent humoral immunity. The methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) dictates the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into distinct effector T helper subsets at the onset of acute viral infection. However, whether and how EZH2 manipulates differentiated virus-specific CD4 T cell expansion remain to be elucidated. Here, we found that EZH2 is integral for virus-specific CD4 T cell expansion in a mouse model of acute viral infection. By a mechanism that involves fine-tuning the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, EZH2 participates in integrating metabolic pathways to support cell expansion. The genetic ablation of EZH2 leads to impaired cellular metabolism and, consequently, poor CD4 T cell response to acute viral infection. Thus, we identified EZH2 as a novel regulator in virus-specific CD4 T cell expansion during acute viral infection. IMPORTANCE The CD4 T cell response is critical in curtailing viral infection or eliciting efficacious viral vaccination. Highly efficient expansion of virus-specific CD4 T cells culminates in a qualified CD4 T cell response. Here, we found that the epigenetic regulator EZH2 is a prerequisite for the virus-specific CD4 T cell response, with a mechanism coupling cell expansion and metabolism. Thus, our study provides valuable insights for strategies targeting EZH2 to improve the efficacy of CD4 T cell-based viral vaccines and to help treat diseases associated with aberrant CD4 T cell responses.
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28
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Papadogianni G, Ravens I, Dittrich-Breiholz O, Bernhardt G, Georgiev H. Impact of Aging on the Phenotype of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Mouse Thymus. Front Immunol 2020; 11:575764. [PMID: 33193368 PMCID: PMC7662090 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.575764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells represent a subclass of T cells possessing a restricted repertoire of T cell receptors enabling them to recognize lipid derived ligands. iNKT cells are continuously generated in thymus and differentiate into three main subpopulations: iNKT1, iNKT2, and iNKT17 cells. We investigated the transcriptomes of these subsets comparing cells isolated from young adult (6–10 weeks old) and aged BALB/c mice (25–30 weeks of age) in order to identify genes subject to an age-related regulation of expression. These time points were selected to take into consideration the consequences of thymic involution that radically alter the existing micro-milieu. Significant differences were detected in the expression of histone genes affecting all iNKT subsets. Also the proliferative capacity of iNKT cells decreased substantially upon aging. Several genes were identified as possible candidates causing significant age-dependent changes in iNKT cell generation and/or function such as genes coding for granzyme A, ZO-1, EZH2, SOX4, IGF1 receptor, FLT4, and CD25. Moreover, we provide evidence that IL2 differentially affects homeostasis of iNKT subsets with iNKT17 cells engaging a unique mechanism to respond to IL2 by initiating a slow rate of proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inga Ravens
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Günter Bernhardt
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hristo Georgiev
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Koss B, Shields BD, Taylor EM, Storey AJ, Byrum SD, Gies AJ, Washam CL, Choudhury SR, Hyun Ahn J, Uryu H, Williams JB, Krager KJ, Chiang TC, Mackintosh SG, Edmondson RD, Aykin-Burns N, Gajewski TF, Wang GG, Tackett AJ. Epigenetic Control of Cdkn2a.Arf Protects Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes from Metabolic Exhaustion. Cancer Res 2020; 80:4707-4719. [PMID: 33004350 PMCID: PMC7642172 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
T-cell exhaustion in cancer is linked to poor clinical outcomes, where evidence suggests T-cell metabolic changes precede functional exhaustion. Direct competition between tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and cancer cells for metabolic resources often renders T cells dysfunctional. Environmental stress produces epigenome remodeling events within TIL resulting from loss of the histone methyltransferase EZH2. Here, we report an epigenetic mechanism contributing to the development of metabolic exhaustion in TIL. A multiomics approach revealed a Cdkn2a.Arf-mediated, p53-independent mechanism by which EZH2 inhibition leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and the resultant exhaustion. Reprogramming T cells to express a gain-of-function EZH2 mutant resulted in an enhanced ability of T cells to inhibit tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that manipulation of T-cell EZH2 within the context of cellular therapies may yield lymphocytes that are able to withstand harsh tumor metabolic environments and collateral pharmacologic insults. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that manipulation of T-cell EZH2 in cellular therapies may yield cellular products able to withstand solid tumor metabolic-deficient environments. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/80/21/4707/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Koss
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Bradley D Shields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Erin M Taylor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Aaron J Storey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Allen J Gies
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Charity L Washam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Samrat Roy Choudhury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Jeong Hyun Ahn
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Hidetaka Uryu
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jason B Williams
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kimberly J Krager
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Tung-Chin Chiang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Samuel G Mackintosh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Rick D Edmondson
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Nukhet Aykin-Burns
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Thomas F Gajewski
- Department of Pathology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Alan J Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas
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30
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Eich ML, Athar M, Ferguson JE, Varambally S. EZH2-Targeted Therapies in Cancer: Hype or a Reality. Cancer Res 2020; 80:5449-5458. [PMID: 32978169 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-2147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation genomic sequencing has identified multiple novel molecular alterations in cancer. Since the identification of DNA methylation and histone modification, it has become evident that genes encoding epigenetic modifiers that locally and globally regulate gene expression play a crucial role in normal development and cancer progression. The histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the enzymatic catalytic subunit of the polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that can alter gene expression by trimethylating lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27). EZH2 is involved in global transcriptional repression, mainly targeting tumor-suppressor genes. EZH2 is commonly overexpressed in cancer and shows activating mutations in subtypes of lymphoma. Extensive studies have uncovered an important role for EZH2 in cancer progression and have suggested that it may be a useful therapeutic target. In addition, tumors harboring mutations in other epigenetic genes such as ARID1A, KDM6, and BAP1 are highly sensitive to EZH2 inhibition, thus increasing its potential as a therapeutic target. Recent studies also suggest that inhibition of EZH2 enhances the response to tumor immunotherapy. Many small-molecule inhibitors have been developed to target EZH2 or the PRC2 complex, with some of these inhibitors now in early clinical trials reporting clinical responses with acceptable tolerability. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in targeting EZH2, its successes, and potential limitations, and we discuss the future directions of this therapeutic subclass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Lisa Eich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mohammad Athar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - James E Ferguson
- Department of Urology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Sooryanarayana Varambally
- Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Informatics Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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31
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Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is enzymatic catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that can alter downstream target genes expression by trimethylation of Lys-27 in histone 3 (H3K27me3). EZH2 could also regulate gene expression in ways besides H3K27me3. Functions of EZH2 in cells proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence have been identified. Its important roles in the pathophysiology of cancer are now widely concerned. Therefore, targeting EZH2 for cancer therapy is a hot research topic now and different types of EZH2 inhibitors have been developed. In this review, we summarize the structure and action modes of EZH2, focusing on up-to-date findings regarding the role of EZH2 in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immunity regulation. Furtherly, we highlight the advance of targeting EZH2 therapies in experiments and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Duan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfang Du
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijian Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Zhen Y, Smith RD, Finkelman FD, Shao WH. Ezh2-mediated epigenetic modification is required for allogeneic T cell-induced lupus disease. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:133. [PMID: 32503684 PMCID: PMC7275547 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), have not been fully elucidated. Some of these mechanisms involve epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The histone methyltransferase Ezh2 contributes to epigenetic regulation of gene expression, is highly expressed in germinal center (GC) B cells and follicular T helper (TFH) cells, and may be involved in lupus pathogenesis. METHODS The murine bm12 model of lupus-like chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of negatively isolated allogeneic CD4+ T cells. Lupus-like disease development was monitored by ELISA determination of serum anti-dsDNA and anti-chromatin antibody titers. Immune cell activation and Ezh2 expression were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS Decreased autoantibody production and GC formation are observed when Ezh2-deficient CD4+ T cells are used instead of wild-type (WT) to induce cGVHD and when mice that receive allogeneic WT donor T cells to induce cGVHD are treated with GSK503, an Ezh2-specific inhibitor. In the bm12 cGVHD model, WT donor T cells are normally fully activated 1 week after infusion into an allogeneic host, exhibit a TFH cell (PD-1hi/CXCR5hi) phenotype with upregulated Ezh2, and activate B cells to form germinal centers (GCs). In contrast, Ezh2-deficient donor T cells generate fewer TFH cells that fail to activate B cells or promote GC formation. Despite similar T-independent, LPS-induced B cell responses, OVA-immunized CD4.Ezh2-KO mice had a skewed low-affinity IgM phenotype in comparison to similarly treated WT mice. In addition, early after OVA immunization, more CD4+ T cells from B6.CD4.Ezh2-KO mice had a CD44lo/CD62Llo phenotype, which suggests arrested or delayed activation, than CD4+ T cells from ovalbumin-immunized B6.WT mice. CONCLUSION Ezh2 gene deletion or pharmacological Ezh2 inhibition suppresses autoantibody production and GC formation in bm12 lupus-like cGVHD and decreases affinity maturation and isotype switching in response to immunization with a T cell-dependent antigen. Ezh2 inhibition may be useful for the treatment of lupus and other autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhen
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Roger D Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Fred D Finkelman
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.,Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Wen-Hai Shao
- Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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33
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Burr ML, Sparbier CE, Chan KL, Chan YC, Kersbergen A, Lam EYN, Azidis-Yates E, Vassiliadis D, Bell CC, Gilan O, Jackson S, Tan L, Wong SQ, Hollizeck S, Michalak EM, Siddle HV, McCabe MT, Prinjha RK, Guerra GR, Solomon BJ, Sandhu S, Dawson SJ, Beavis PA, Tothill RW, Cullinane C, Lehner PJ, Sutherland KD, Dawson MA. An Evolutionarily Conserved Function of Polycomb Silences the MHC Class I Antigen Presentation Pathway and Enables Immune Evasion in Cancer. Cancer Cell 2019; 36:385-401.e8. [PMID: 31564637 PMCID: PMC6876280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 373] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Loss of MHC class I (MHC-I) antigen presentation in cancer cells can elicit immunotherapy resistance. A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen identified an evolutionarily conserved function of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that mediates coordinated transcriptional silencing of the MHC-I antigen processing pathway (MHC-I APP), promoting evasion of T cell-mediated immunity. MHC-I APP gene promoters in MHC-I low cancers harbor bivalent activating H3K4me3 and repressive H3K27me3 histone modifications, silencing basal MHC-I expression and restricting cytokine-induced upregulation. Bivalent chromatin at MHC-I APP genes is a normal developmental process active in embryonic stem cells and maintained during neural progenitor differentiation. This physiological MHC-I silencing highlights a conserved mechanism by which cancers arising from these primitive tissues exploit PRC2 activity to enable immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian L Burr
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK.
| | - Christina E Sparbier
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Kah Lok Chan
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Yih-Chih Chan
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Ariena Kersbergen
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cell Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Enid Y N Lam
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | - Dane Vassiliadis
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Charles C Bell
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Omer Gilan
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Susan Jackson
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Lavinia Tan
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen Q Wong
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sebastian Hollizeck
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ewa M Michalak
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Hannah V Siddle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Michael T McCabe
- Epigenetics Research Unit, Oncology R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Rab K Prinjha
- Epigenetics Research Unit, Oncology R&D, GlaxoSmithKline, Collegeville, PA, USA; Epigenetics Research Unit, GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, UK
| | - Glen R Guerra
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Solomon
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Shahneen Sandhu
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sarah-Jane Dawson
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Paul A Beavis
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Richard W Tothill
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carleen Cullinane
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Paul J Lehner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Kate D Sutherland
- ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cell Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Mark A Dawson
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Centre for Cancer Research, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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34
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EZH2, JMJD3, and UTX epigenetically regulate hepatic plasticity inducing retro-differentiation and proliferation of liver cells. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:518. [PMID: 31285428 PMCID: PMC6614397 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1755-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Modification of histones by lysine methylation plays a role in many biological processes, and it is dynamically regulated by several histone methyltransferases and demethylases. The polycomb repressive complex contains the H3K27 methyltransferase EZH2 and controls dimethylation and trimethylation of H3K27 (H3K27me2/3), which trigger gene suppression. JMJD3 and UTX have been identified as H3K27 demethylases that catalyze the demethylation of H3K27me2/3, which in turns lead to gene transcriptional activation. EZH2, JMJD3 and UTX have been extensively studied for their involvement in development, immune system, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer. However, their role in molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation process of hepatic cells is yet to be elucidated. Here, we show that EZH2 methyltransferase and JMJD3/UTX demethylases were deregulated during hepatic differentiation of human HepaRG cells resulting in a strong reduction of H3K27 methylation levels. Inhibition of JMJD3 and UTX H3K27 demethylase activity by GSK-J4 epi-drug reverted phenotype of HepaRG DMSO-differentiated cells and human primary hepatocytes, drastically decreasing expression of hepatic markers and inducing cell proliferation. In parallel, inhibition of EZH2 H3K27me3 activity by GSK-126 epi-drug induced upregulation of hepatic markers and downregulated the expression of cell cycle inhibitor genes. To conclude, we demonstrated that modulation of H3K27 methylation by inhibiting methyl-transferase and dimethyl-transferase activity influences the differentiation status of hepatic cells, identifying a possible new role of EZH2, JMJD3 and UTX epi-drugs to modulate hepatic cell plasticity.
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35
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Keenan CR, Iannarella N, Garnham AL, Brown AC, Kim RY, Horvat JC, Hansbro PM, Nutt SL, Allan RS. Polycomb repressive complex 2 is a critical mediator of allergic inflammation. JCI Insight 2019; 4:127745. [PMID: 31092733 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.127745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Strategies that intervene with the development of immune-mediated diseases are urgently needed, as current treatments mostly focus on alleviating symptoms rather than reversing the disease. Targeting enzymes involved in epigenetic modifications to chromatin represents an alternative strategy that has the potential to perturb the function of the lymphocytes that drive the immune response. Here, we report that 2 major epigenetic silencing pathways are increased after T cell activation. By specific inactivation of these molecules in the T cell compartment in vivo, we demonstrate that the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is essential for the generation of allergic responses. Furthermore, we show that small-molecule inhibition of the PRC2 methyltransferase, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2), reduces allergic inflammation in mice. Therefore, by systematically surveying the pathways involved in epigenetic gene silencing we have identified Ezh2 as a target for the suppression of allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine R Keenan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nadia Iannarella
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexandra L Garnham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexandra C Brown
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Richard Y Kim
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Jay C Horvat
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Philip M Hansbro
- Priority Research Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.,Centre for Inflammation, Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephen L Nutt
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rhys S Allan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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36
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Wang X, Brea LT, Yu J. Immune modulatory functions of EZH2 in the tumor microenvironment: implications in cancer immunotherapy. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL UROLOGY 2019; 7:85-91. [PMID: 31139703 PMCID: PMC6526357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb group protein EZH2, a histone methyltransferase, is the enzymatic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) that catalyzes histone H3 lysine 27 methylation. They are epigenetic modifiers that mediate gene repression, or epigenetic silencing. EZH2 controls developmental regulators in embryonic stem cells and is essential for cell fate determination and transition. In the last two decades, EZH2 was reported upregulated in a variety of solid tumors, including prostate cancer, and mutated in multiple hematological malignancies, such as lymphoma. EZH2 represses the expression of a plethora of tumor suppressor genes in tumor cells, thereby promoting cell cycle, cell proliferation, and cell invasion and driving cancer progression. Recently, evidence is emerging indicating important roles of EZH2 in immune cells. Here, we review EZH2 regulation of various immune cell types, the tumor microenvironment, immune responses, and cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohai Wang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Lourdes T Brea
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
| | - Jindan Yu
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, IL, USA
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37
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Jones BA, Varambally S, Arend RC. Histone Methyltransferase EZH2: A Therapeutic Target for Ovarian Cancer. Mol Cancer Ther 2019; 17:591-602. [PMID: 29726819 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females in the United States. There were an estimated 22,440 new cases and 14,080 deaths due to ovarian cancer in 2017. Most patients present with advanced-stage disease, revealing the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies targeting pathways of tumorigenesis and chemotherapy resistance. While multiple genomic changes contribute to the progression of this aggressive disease, it has become increasingly evident that epigenetic events play a pivotal role in ovarian cancer development. One of the well-studied epigenetic modifiers, the histone methyltransferase EZH2, is a member of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and is commonly involved in transcriptional repression. EZH2 is the enzymatic catalytic subunit of the PRC2 complex that can alter gene expression by trimethylating lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27). In ovarian cancer, EZH2 is commonly overexpressed and therefore potentially serves as an effective therapeutic target. Multiple small-molecule inhibitors are being developed to target EZH2, which are now in clinical trials. Thus, in this review, we highlight the progress made in EZH2-related research in ovarian cancer and discuss the potential utility of targeting EZH2 with available small-molecule inhibitors for ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(3); 591-602. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayley A Jones
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Rebecca C Arend
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
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38
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Sinclair LV, Howden AJM, Brenes A, Spinelli L, Hukelmann JL, Macintyre AN, Liu X, Thomson S, Taylor PM, Rathmell JC, Locasale JW, Lamond AI, Cantrell DA. Antigen receptor control of methionine metabolism in T cells. eLife 2019; 8:e44210. [PMID: 30916644 PMCID: PMC6497464 DOI: 10.7554/elife.44210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune activated T lymphocytes modulate the activity of key metabolic pathways to support the transcriptional reprograming and reshaping of cell proteomes that permits effector T cell differentiation. The present study uses high resolution mass spectrometry and metabolic labelling to explore how murine T cells control the methionine cycle to produce methyl donors for protein and nucleotide methylations. We show that antigen receptor engagement controls flux through the methionine cycle and RNA and histone methylations. We establish that the main rate limiting step for protein synthesis and the methionine cycle is control of methionine transporter expression. Only T cells that respond to antigen to upregulate and sustain methionine transport are supplied with methyl donors that permit the dynamic nucleotide methylations and epigenetic reprogramming that drives T cell differentiation. These data highlight how the regulation of methionine transport licenses use of methionine for multiple fundamental processes that drive T lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda V Sinclair
- Cell Signalling and ImmunologyUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew JM Howden
- Cell Signalling and ImmunologyUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Brenes
- Centre for Gene Regulation and ExpressionUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Laura Spinelli
- Cell Signalling and ImmunologyUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Jens L Hukelmann
- Centre for Gene Regulation and ExpressionUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Xiaojing Liu
- Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Sarah Thomson
- Cell Signalling and ImmunologyUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter M Taylor
- Cell Signalling and ImmunologyUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey C Rathmell
- Center for ImmunobiologyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleUnited States
| | - Jason W Locasale
- Pharmacology and Cancer BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamUnited States
| | - Angus I Lamond
- Centre for Gene Regulation and ExpressionUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Doreen A Cantrell
- Cell Signalling and ImmunologyUniversity of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
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39
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The histone methyltransferase EZH2 primes the early differentiation of follicular helper T cells during acute viral infection. Cell Mol Immunol 2019; 17:247-260. [PMID: 30842630 PMCID: PMC7052164 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-019-0219-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications to histones dictate the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into different subsets of effector T helper (TH) cells. The histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been implicated in the mechanism regulating the differentiation of TH1, TH2 and regulatory T (Treg) cells. However, whether and how EZH2 regulates follicular helper T (TFH) cell differentiation remain unknown. Using a mouse model of acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, we observed abundant EZH2 expression and associated H3K27me3 modifications preferentially in the early committed virus-specific TFH cells compared to those in TH1 cells. Ablation of EZH2 in LCMV-specific CD4+ T cells leads to a selective impairment of early TFH cell fate commitment, but not late TFH differentiation or memory TFH maintenance. Mechanistically, EZH2 specifically stabilizes the chromatin accessibility of a cluster of genes that are important for TFH fate commitment, particularly B cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6), and thus directs TFH cell commitment. Therefore, we identified the chromatin-modifying enzyme EZH2 as a novel regulator of early TFH differentiation during acute viral infection.
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40
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Complex Immune Contextures Characterise Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Loss of Adaptive Immunological Signature in the More Aggressive Histological Types. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:5804230. [PMID: 30510965 PMCID: PMC6231377 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5804230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MpM), arising in the setting of local inflammation, is a rare aggressive tumour with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. The three major MpM histological variants, epithelioid (E-MpMs), biphasic, and sarcomatoid MpMs (S-MpMs), are characterised by an increased aggressiveness and enhanced levels of EZH2 expression. To investigate the MpM immune contexture along the spectrum of MpM histotypes, an extended in situ analysis was performed on a series of 14 cases. Tumour-infiltrating immune cells and their functionality were assessed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and flow cytometry analysis. MpMs are featured by a complex immune landscape modulated along the spectrum of MpM variants. Tumour-infiltrating T cells and evidence for pre-existing antitumour immunity are mainly confined to E-MpMs. However, Th1-related immunological features are progressively impaired in the more aggressive forms of E-MpMs and completely lost in S-MpM. Concomitantly, E-MpMs show also signs of active immune suppression, such as the occurrence of Tregs and Bregs and the expression of the immune checkpoint inhibitory molecules PD1 and PDL1. This study enriches the rising rationale for immunotherapy in MpM and points to the E-MpMs as the most immune-sensitive MpM histotypes, but it also suggests that synergistic interventions aimed at modifying the tumour microenvironment (TME) should be considered to make immunotherapy beneficial for these patients.
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41
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Chen G, Subedi K, Chakraborty S, Sharov A, Lu J, Kim J, Mi X, Wersto R, Sung MH, Weng NP. Ezh2 Regulates Activation-Induced CD8 + T Cell Cycle Progression via Repressing Cdkn2a and Cdkn1c Expression. Front Immunol 2018; 9:549. [PMID: 29632530 PMCID: PMC5879148 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition from resting to cell cycle in response to antigenic stimulation is an essential step for naïve CD8+ T cells to differentiate to effector and memory cells. Leaving the resting state requires dramatic changes of chromatin status in the key cell cycle inhibitors but the details of these concerted events are not fully elucidated. Here, we showed that Ezh2, an enzymatic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) catalyzing the trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3), regulates activation induced naïve CD8+ T cells proliferation and apoptosis. Upon deletion of Ezh2 during thymocyte development (Ezh2fl/flCd4Cre+ mice), naive CD8+ T cells displayed impaired proliferation and increased apoptosis in response to antigen stimulation. However, naive CD8+ T cells only had impaired proliferation but no increase in apoptosis when Ezh2 was deleted after activation (Ezh2fl/flGzmBCre+ mice), suggesting cell cycle and apoptosis are temporally separable events controlled by Ezh2. We then showed that deletion of Ezh2 resulted in the increase in expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors Cdkn2a (p16 and Arf) and Cdkn1c (p57) in activated naïve CD8+ T cells as the consequence of reduced levels of H3K27me3 at these two gene loci. Finally, with real time imaging, we observed prolonged cell division times of naïve CD8+ T cells in the absence of Ezh2 post in vitro stimulation. Together, these findings reveal that repression of Cdkn1c and Cdkn2a by Ezh2 plays a critical role in execution of activation-induced CD8+ T cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guobing Chen
- Lymphocyte Differentiation Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kalpana Subedi
- Lymphocyte Differentiation Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sayantan Chakraborty
- Transcription Systems Dynamics and Biology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alexie Sharov
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jian Lu
- Lymphocyte Differentiation Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jaekwan Kim
- Lymphocyte Differentiation Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xiaofan Mi
- Lymphocyte Differentiation Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Robert Wersto
- Flow Cytometry Unit, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Myong-Hee Sung
- Transcription Systems Dynamics and Biology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nan-Ping Weng
- Lymphocyte Differentiation Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging (NIH), Baltimore, MD, United States
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42
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Gan L, Yang Y, Li Q, Feng Y, Liu T, Guo W. Epigenetic regulation of cancer progression by EZH2: from biological insights to therapeutic potential. Biomark Res 2018; 6:10. [PMID: 29556394 PMCID: PMC5845366 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-018-0122-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase and a catalytic component of PRC2, catalyzes tri-methylation of histone H3 at Lys 27 (H3K27me3) to regulate gene expression through epigenetic machinery. EZH2 also functions both as a transcriptional suppressor and a transcriptional co-activator, depending on H3K27me3 or not and on the different cellular contexts. Unsurprisingly, numerous studies have highlighted the role of EZH2 in cancer development and progression. Through modulating critical gene expression, EZH2 promotes cell survival, proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal, invasion, and drug resistance of cancer cells. The tumor suppressive effects of EZH2 are also identified. What is more, EZH2 has decisive roles in immune cells (for example, T cells, NK cells, dendritic cells and macrophages), which are essential components in tumor microenvironment. In this review, we aim to discuss the molecular functions of EZH2, highlight recent findings regarding the physiological functions and related regulation of EZH2 in cancer pathogenesis. Furthermore, we summarized and updated the emerging roles of EZH2 in tumor immunity, and current pre-clinical and clinical trials of EZH2 inhibitors in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Gan
- 1Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No.270, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China.,2Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, No.130, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China.,3Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180, Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yanan Yang
- 1Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No.270, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Qian Li
- 2Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, No.130, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China.,3Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180, Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yi Feng
- 2Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, No.130, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China.,3Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180, Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Tianshu Liu
- 2Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, No.130, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China.,3Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No.180, Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Weijian Guo
- 1Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No.270, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China.,2Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical college, Fudan University, No.130, Dongan Road, Shanghai, 200032 China
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43
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Khan S, Iqbal M, Tariq M, Baig SM, Abbas W. Epigenetic regulation of HIV-1 latency: focus on polycomb group (PcG) proteins. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:14. [PMID: 29441145 PMCID: PMC5800276 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0441-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 latency allows the virus to persist until reactivation, in a transcriptionally silent form in its cellular reservoirs despite the presence of effective cART. Such viral persistence represents a major barrier to HIV eradication since treatment interruption leads to rebound plasma viremia. Polycomb group (PcG) proteins have recently got a considerable attention in regulating HIV-1 post-integration latency as they are involved in the repression of proviral gene expression through the methylation of histones. This epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 latency. In fact, PcG proteins act in complexes and modulate the epigenetic signatures of integrated HIV-1 promoter. Key role played by PcG proteins in the molecular control of HIV-1 latency has led to hypothesize that PcG proteins may represent a valuable target for future HIV-1 therapy in purging HIV-1 reservoirs. In this regard, various small molecules have been synthesized or explored to specifically block the epigenetic activity of PcG. In this review, we will highlight the possible therapeutic approaches to achieve either a functional or sterilizing cure of HIV-1 infection with special focus on histone methylation by PcG proteins together with current and novel pharmacological approaches to reactivate HIV-1 from latency that could ultimately lead towards a better clearance of viral latent reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheraz Khan
- Health Biotechnology Division (HBD), National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), PO Box 577, Jhang road, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mazhar Iqbal
- Health Biotechnology Division (HBD), National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), PO Box 577, Jhang road, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biology (Epigenetics group), SBA School of Science and Engineering, LUMS, Lahore, 54792 Pakistan
| | - Shahid M. Baig
- Health Biotechnology Division (HBD), National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), PO Box 577, Jhang road, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Wasim Abbas
- Health Biotechnology Division (HBD), National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), PO Box 577, Jhang road, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
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44
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Luoreng ZM, Wang XP, Mei CG, Zan LS. Comparison of microRNA Profiles between Bovine Mammary Glands Infected with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:87-99. [PMID: 29483828 PMCID: PMC5821052 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.22498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating innate and adaptive immunity in humans and animals. Infection with E. coli or S. aureus can cause inflammation of the mammary glands, which results in significant economic losses in dairy cattle. However, the regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in response to E. coli or S. aureus infection in bovine mammary glands have not been thoroughly explored. To discover the differential expression of miRNA in bovine mammary gland challenged with E. coli or S. aureus, we performed miRNA sequencing on tissue samples. A total of 1838 miRNAs were identified, including 580 known-miRNAs (included in the miRbase database) and 1258 predicted novel miRNAs. The miRNA expression patterns indicated that, compared with control samples, 279 miRNAs and 305 miRNAs were differentially expressed miRNAs (DIE-miRNA) in S. aureus and E. coli infected tissues, respectively. Moreover, the results of comparison the DIE-miRNAs between the E. coli and S. aureus infected groups showed that 197 DIE-miRNAs are identical, 108 DIE-miRNAs are specific to the E. coli group, and 82 DIE-miRNAs are specific to the S. aureus group. Many DIE-miRNAs, such as bta-miR-144, bta-miR-451 and bta-miR-7863, might be the useful biomarkers of mastitis caused by E. coli and S. aureus. In addition, target genes of the DIE-miRNAs were predicted. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these DIE-miRNAs are likely involved in many immune signaling pathways, including the Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathway, cell adhesion molecules, TGF-β signaling pathway, leukocyte trans endothelial migration, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and chemokine signaling pathways. This study has provided supportive evidence that miRNAs may serve as diagnostic biomarkers of mastitis in dairy cows, and suggests potentially of effective strategies to combat mastitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo-Ma Luoreng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoology in Hunan Higher Education, College of Life Science, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde Hunan, China
| | - Xing-Ping Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoology in Hunan Higher Education, College of Life Science, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde Hunan, China
| | - Chu-Gang Mei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi, China
| | - Lin-Sen Zan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, National Beef Cattle Improvement Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling Shaanxi, China
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45
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Pham HTT, Maurer B, Prchal-Murphy M, Grausenburger R, Grundschober E, Javaheri T, Nivarthi H, Boersma A, Kolbe T, Elabd M, Halbritter F, Pencik J, Kazemi Z, Grebien F, Hengstschläger M, Kenner L, Kubicek S, Farlik M, Bock C, Valent P, Müller M, Rülicke T, Sexl V, Moriggl R. STAT5BN642H is a driver mutation for T cell neoplasia. J Clin Invest 2017; 128:387-401. [PMID: 29200404 PMCID: PMC5749501 DOI: 10.1172/jci94509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
STAT5B is often mutated in hematopoietic malignancies. The most frequent STAT5B mutation, Asp642His (N642H), has been found in over 90 leukemia and lymphoma patients. Here, we used the Vav1 promoter to generate transgenic mouse models that expressed either human STAT5B or STAT5BN642H in the hematopoietic compartment. While STAT5B-expressing mice lacked a hematopoietic phenotype, the STAT5BN642H-expressing mice rapidly developed T cell neoplasms. Neoplasia manifested as transplantable CD8+ lymphoma or leukemia, indicating that the STAT5BN642H mutation drives cancer development. Persistent and enhanced levels of STAT5BN642H tyrosine phosphorylation in transformed CD8+ T cells led to profound changes in gene expression that were accompanied by alterations in DNA methylation at potential histone methyltransferase EZH2-binding sites. Aurora kinase genes were enriched in STAT5BN642H-expressing CD8+ T cells, which were exquisitely sensitive to JAK and Aurora kinase inhibitors. Together, our data suggest that JAK and Aurora kinase inhibitors should be further explored as potential therapeutics for lymphoma and leukemia patients with the STAT5BN642H mutation who respond poorly to conventional chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Thi Thanh Pham
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Maurer
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Prchal-Murphy
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Grausenburger
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Grundschober
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tahereh Javaheri
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harini Nivarthi
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Thomas Kolbe
- Biomodels Austria (Biat), University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,IFA-Tulln, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Tulln, Austria
| | - Mohamed Elabd
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Halbritter
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Pencik
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zahra Kazemi
- Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Grebien
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Unit of Pathology of Laboratory Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kubicek
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Farlik
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Bock
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.,Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology and Hemostaseology, and.,Ludwig Boltzmann-Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Müller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Veronika Sexl
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Honma D, Kanno O, Watanabe J, Kinoshita J, Hirasawa M, Nosaka E, Shiroishi M, Takizawa T, Yasumatsu I, Horiuchi T, Nakao A, Suzuki K, Yamasaki T, Nakajima K, Hayakawa M, Yamazaki T, Yadav AS, Adachi N. Novel orally bioavailable EZH1/2 dual inhibitors with greater antitumor efficacy than an EZH2 selective inhibitor. Cancer Sci 2017; 108:2069-2078. [PMID: 28741798 PMCID: PMC5623739 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) methylates histone H3 lysine 27 and represses gene expression to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) or its close homolog EZH1 functions as a catalytic subunit of PRC2, so there are two PRC2 complexes containing either EZH2 or EZH1. Tumorigenic functions of EZH2 and its synthetic lethality with some subunits of SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes have been observed. However, little is known about the function of EZH1 in tumorigenesis. Herein, we developed novel, orally bioavailable EZH1/2 dual inhibitors that strongly and selectively inhibited methyltransferase activity of both EZH2 and EZH1. EZH1/2 dual inhibitors suppressed trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 in cells more than EZH2 selective inhibitors. They also showed greater antitumor efficacy than EZH2 selective inhibitor in vitro and in vivo against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells harboring gain-of-function mutation in EZH2. A hematological cancer panel assay indicated that EZH1/2 dual inhibitor has efficacy against some lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and leukemia with fusion genes such as MLL-AF9, MLL-AF4, and AML1-ETO. A solid cancer panel assay demonstrated that some cancer cell lines are sensitive to EZH1/2 dual inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. No clear correlation was detected between sensitivity to EZH1/2 dual inhibitor and SWI/SNF mutations, with a few exceptions. Severe toxicity was not seen in rats treated with EZH1/2 dual inhibitor for 14 days at drug levels higher than those used in the antitumor study. Our results indicate the possibility of EZH1/2 dual inhibitors for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Honma
- Oncology Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Kanno
- Medicinal Chemistry Function, Asubio Pharma Co, Ltd., Kobe, Japan
| | - Jun Watanabe
- Oncology Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junzo Kinoshita
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Hirasawa
- Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Emi Nosaka
- Oncology Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Takeshi Takizawa
- Biological Research Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Isao Yasumatsu
- Biological Research Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takao Horiuchi
- Oncology Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Nakao
- End-Organ Disease Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Suzuki
- Pain & Neuroscience Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Miho Hayakawa
- Pharmacovigilance Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanori Yamazaki
- New Drug Regulatory Affairs Department, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Nobuaki Adachi
- Oncology Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
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47
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Xue WZ, Gu X, Wu Y, Li D, Xu Y, Wang HL. Multiple regulatory aspects of histone methyltransferase EZH2 in Pb-induced neurotoxicity. Oncotarget 2017; 8:85169-85184. [PMID: 29156711 PMCID: PMC5689601 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pb is a pervasive environmental threat to human health. Although remarkable progress has been made in its neurotoxicity, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this widespread toxicant still remain elusive. In this study, the detailed roles of EZH2, a transcriptional repressor, in the regulation of Pb-led neurotoxicity were investigated, highlighting its sub-functionalization, compartmentalization, functional chaperones and downstream partners. Based on the findings, EZH2’s protein levels were significantly reduced in response to Pb treatment; EZH2’s gain-of-function trials recovered the dampened neurite outgrowth; EZH2’ recruitment to ploycomb complex, as well as its interaction with cytosolic Vav1, was altered in a distinct manner, suggesting that EZH2’s multiple roles were markedly redistributed in this context; EZH2’s cytosolic and nuclear presence differed in their respective response towards Pb treatment; EZH2 directly occupied the promoters of EGR2, NGFR and CaMKK2, genes responsible for various nerve functions and repair mechanisms, and essentially contributed to their aberrant expression. It indicated that EZH2 mediated the dynamic changes of a cascade of key molecules and consequently the related neurological impairments. In summary, EZH2 emerges as a central player to regulate Pb-led neurotoxicity in a transcriptionally dependent and independent manner, and thereby provided a promising molecular target for medical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Zhen Xue
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, PR China
| | - Xiaozhen Gu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, PR China
| | - Yulan Wu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, PR China
| | - Danyang Li
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, PR China
| | - Yi Xu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, PR China
| | - Hui-Li Wang
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, PR China
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Hou TY, Chen MR, Chou YC, Kan PC, Tsai YT, Cha TL. Impact of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 on T Helper Cell-Mediated Allergic Rhinitis. Front Immunol 2017; 8:790. [PMID: 28740493 PMCID: PMC5502279 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2) has been shown to play a role in the differentiation of T helper (Th) 1 and 2 cells in mice studies using Ezh2-deficient T cells. However, the results have been inconsistent, and the function of Ezh2 in human Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation and its association with disease remains controversial. We measured the expression of Ezh2 in Th1 and Th2 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells after acute challenge with house dust mite using flow cytometry in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and controls. The role of Ezh2 was further explored by adding the p38 inhibitor to see if this affected allergen-induced Th1 and Th2 differentiation. The expression of Ezh2 in the Th1 and Th2 cells was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls and was negatively correlated with serum IL-17A levels in the patients. Ex vivo allergen challenge resulted in rapid Th2 cell differentiation, which was negatively associated with the Ezh2 expression in Th2 cells. Inhibiting p38 activity increased the expression of Ezh2 in Th2 cells and reduced the number of differentiated Th2 cells. Our findings suggest that Ezh2 expression is potentially associated with AR development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Yun Hou
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Rong Chen
- Graduate Institutes of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ching Chou
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chieh Kan
- Graduate Institutes of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ta Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Lung Cha
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institutes of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Mirlekar B, Gautam D, Chattopadhyay S. Chromatin Remodeling Protein SMAR1 Is a Critical Regulator of T Helper Cell Differentiation and Inflammatory Diseases. Front Immunol 2017; 8:72. [PMID: 28232831 PMCID: PMC5298956 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell differentiation from naïve T cells to specialized effector subsets of mature cells is determined by the iterative action of transcription factors. At each stage of specific T cell lineage differentiation, transcription factor interacts not only with nuclear proteins such as histone and histone modifiers but also with other factors that are bound to the chromatin and play a critical role in gene expression. In this review, we focus on one of such nuclear protein known as tumor suppressor and scaffold matrix attachment region-binding protein 1 (SMAR1) in CD4+ T cell differentiation. SMAR1 facilitates Th1 differentiation by negatively regulating T-bet expression via recruiting HDAC1–SMRT complex to its gene promoter. In contrast, regulatory T (Treg) cell functions are dependent on inhibition of Th17-specific genes mainly IL-17 and STAT3 by SMAR1. Here, we discussed a critical role of chromatin remodeling protein SMAR1 in maintaining a fine-tuned balance between effector CD4+ T cells and Treg cells by influencing the transcription factors during allergic and autoimmune inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhalchandra Mirlekar
- Chromatin and Disease Biology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dipendra Gautam
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, NC , USA
| | - Samit Chattopadhyay
- Chromatin and Disease Biology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India; Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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Hedgehog Signaling Overcomes an EZH2-Dependent Epigenetic Barrier to Promote Cholangiocyte Expansion. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168266. [PMID: 27936185 PMCID: PMC5148157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Developmental morphogens play an important role in coordinating the ductular reaction and portal fibrosis occurring in the setting of cholangiopathies. However, little is known about how membrane signaling events in ductular reactive cells (DRCs) are transduced into nuclear transcriptional changes to drive cholangiocyte maturation and matrix deposition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate potential mechanistic links between cell signaling events and epigenetic regulators in DRCs. METHODS Using directed differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), isolated DRCs, and in vivo models, we examine the mechanisms whereby sonic hedgehog (Shh) overcomes an epigenetic barrier in biliary precursors and promotes both cholangiocyte maturation and deposition of fibronectin (FN). RESULTS We demonstrate, for the first time, that Gli1 influences the differentiation state and fibrogenic capacity of iPSC-derived hepatic progenitors and isolated DRCs. We outline a novel pathway wherein Shh-mediated Gli1 binding in key cholangiocyte gene promoters overcomes an epigenetic barrier conferred by the polycomb protein, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and initiates the transcriptional program of cholangiocyte maturation. We also define previously unknown functional Gli1 binding sites in the promoters of cytokeratin (CK)7, CK19, and FN. Our in vivo results show that EZH2 KO mice fed the choline-deficient, ethanolamine supplemented (CDE) diet have an exaggerated cholangiocyte expansion associated with more robust ductular reaction and increased peri-portal fibrosis. CONCLUSION We conclude that Shh/Gli1 signaling plays an integral role in cholangiocyte maturation in vitro by overcoming an EZH2-dependent epigenetic barrier and this mechanism also promotes biliary expansion in vivo.
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