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Zhang X, Yang F, Huang Z, Liu X, Xia G, Huang J, Yang Y, Li J, Huang J, Liu Y, Zhou T, Qi W, Gao G, Yang X. Macrophages Promote Subtype Conversion and Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:678. [PMID: 38339428 PMCID: PMC10854660 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030678] [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: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The progression of tumors from less aggressive subtypes to more aggressive states during metastasis poses challenges for treatment strategies. Previous studies have revealed the molecular subtype conversion between primary and metastatic tumors in breast cancer (BC). However, the subtype conversion during lymph node metastasis (LNM) and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. METHODS We compared clinical subtypes in paired primary tumors and positive lymph nodes (PLNs) in BC patients and further validated them in the mouse model. Bioinformatics analysis and macrophage-conditioned medium treatment were performed to investigate the role of macrophages in subtype conversion. RESULTS During LNM, hormone receptors (HRs) were down-regulated, while HER2 was up-regulated, leading to the transformation of luminal A tumors towards luminal B tumors and from luminal B subtype towards HER2-enriched (HER2-E) subtype. The mouse model demonstrated the elevated levels of HER2 in PLN while retaining luminal characteristics. Among the various cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), macrophages were the most clinically relevant in terms of prognosis. The treatment of a macrophage-conditioned medium further confirmed the downregulation of HR expression and upregulation of HER2 expression, inducing tamoxifen resistance. Through bioinformatics analysis, MNX1 was identified as a potential transcription factor governing the expression of HR and HER2. CONCLUSION Our study revealed the HER2-E subtype conversion during LNM in BC. Macrophages were the crucial cell type in TME, inducing the downregulation of HR and upregulation of HER2, probably via MNX1. Targeting macrophages or MNX1 may provide new avenues for endocrine therapy and targeted treatment of BC patients with LNM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Fengyu Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Zhijian Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
- Department of Pathology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Gan Xia
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Jieye Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Junchen Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Jin Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Ti Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Weiwei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
| | - Guoquan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510700, China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xia Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; (X.Z.); (F.Y.); (Z.H.); (X.L.); (G.X.); (J.H.); (Y.Y.); (J.L.); (J.H.); (Y.L.); (T.Z.); (W.Q.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510700, China
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for Gene Manipulation and Biomacromolecular Products, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
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Chi W, Xiu B, Xiong M, Wang X, Li P, Zhang Q, Hou J, Sang Y, Zhou X, Chen M, Zheng S, Zhang L, Xue J, Chi Y, Wu J. MNX1 Promotes Anti-HER2 Therapy Sensitivity via Transcriptional Regulation of CD-M6PR in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:221. [PMID: 38203393 PMCID: PMC10778903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010221] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Although targeted therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer has significantly prolonged survival time and improved patients' quality of life, drug resistance has gradually emerged. This study explored the mechanisms underlying the effect of the motor neuron and pancreatic homeobox 1 (MNX1) genes on drug sensitivity in HER2-positive breast cancer. From July 2017 to 2018, core needle biopsies of HER2-positive breast cancer were collected from patients who received paclitaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab neoadjuvant therapy at our center. Based on treatment efficacy, 81 patients were divided into pathological complete response (pCR) and non-pCR groups. High-throughput RNA sequencing results were analyzed along with the GSE181574 dataset. MNX1 was significantly upregulated in the pCR group compared with the non-pCR group in both sequencing datasets, suggesting that MNX1 might be correlated with drug sensitivity in HER2-positive breast cancer. Meanwhile, tissue array results revealed that high MNX1 expression corresponded to a good prognosis. In vitro functional tests showed that upregulation of MNX1 significantly increased the sensitivity of HER2-positive breast cancer cells to lapatinib and pyrotinib. In conclusion, MNX1 may serve as a prognostic marker for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, and its expression may facilitate clinical screening of patients sensitive to anti-HER2-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiru Chi
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bingqiu Xiu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Min Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xuliren Wang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Pei Li
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jianjing Hou
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuting Sang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xujie Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ming Chen
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shuyue Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Liyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jingyan Xue
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yayun Chi
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jiong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Department of Breast Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 200032, China (L.Z.)
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Li JK, Liu H, Zhang HW, Li J, Liang ZT. A Positive Feedback Loop of E2F4-Mediated Activation of MNX1 Regulates Tumour Progression in Colorectal Cancer. J Cancer 2023; 14:2739-2750. [PMID: 37779874 PMCID: PMC10539396 DOI: 10.7150/jca.86718] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most prevalent malignant tumour globally. Although significant strides have been made in diagnosis and treatment, its prognosis at the moment remains unpromising. Therefore, there is an urgent and desperate need to identify novel biomarkers of CRC and evaluate its mechanism of tumourigenesis and development. Methods: JASPAR and RNAinter databases are used to analyze target genes associated with colorectal cancer. Western blotting, q-PCR and immunohistochemistry et, al. were used to detect the level of MNX1 in patients with colorectal cancer, and Chip-PCR was used to detect the targeted binding ability of E2F4 and MNX1. The cells and animal models overexpressed MNX1 and E2F4 were constructed by shRNA transfection. Results: Herein, MNX1 was highly expressed and linked to favourable overall survival curves in colorectal cancer. The functional assay revealed that MNX1 overexpression could promote proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. Based on the prediction of the JASPAR and RNAinter databases, the transcription factor, E2F4, was bound to the MNX1 promoter region. The Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay verified the interactions between MNX1 and E2F4 in CRC. Additionally, we found that sh-E2F4 markedly downregulated the MNX1 levels and reduced CRC progression in vivo and in vitro, which reversed MNX1 overexpression. Conclusion: Therefore, our research discovered that E2F4-mediated abnormal MNX1 expression promotes CRC progression and could become a novel diagnostic or therapeutic target of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ke Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Hai Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Hui-Wen Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Zhuo-Tao Liang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Wu J, Yue C, Xu W, Li H, Zhu J, Li L. MNX1 facilitates the malignant progress of lung adenocarcinoma through transcriptionally upregulating CCDC34. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:325. [PMID: 37415626 PMCID: PMC10320431 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) represents the most prevalent subtype of lung cancer and typically has high incidence and fatality rates. Motor neuron and pancreas homeobox 1 (MNX1) and coiled-coil domain-containing 34 (CCDC34) serve as oncogenes in multiple types of cancer. However, their role in LUAD remains to be elucidated. In the present study, bioinformatics analysis and LUAD cell lines were adopted to examine the expression of MNX1 and CCDC34. The proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of A549 cells were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, wound-healing and Transwell assay, and flow cytometry was conducted to assess cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The interaction between MNX1 and CCDC34 was verified by luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. In addition, an in vivo animal model of LUAD was established for validation. The results demonstrated that both MNX1 and CCDC34 were upregulated in LUAD cell lines. MNX1 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, hindered cell cycle progression and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. However, the antitumor effect of MNX1 knockdown was weakened by simultaneous CCDC34 overexpression in vitro. In terms of mechanism, MNX1 was demonstrated to directly bind to the CCDC34 promoter and transcriptionally activate CCDC34 expression. In conclusion, the present study highlighted a critical role of the MNX1/CCDC34 axis in regulating LUAD progression, providing novel therapeutic targets for LUAD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Wu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
| | - Chongmei Yue
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
| | - Weiguo Xu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
| | - Hui Li
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
| | - Lin Li
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
- School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China
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