Collagen XI Alpha 1 Chain, a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cancer Treatment

The Dynamic Changes of COL11A1 Expression During the Carcinogenesis and Development of Breast Cancer and as a Candidate Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker

Purpose: Collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1), a critical member of the collagen superfamily, is essential for tissue structure and integrity. This study aimed to validate previously identified variations in COL11A1 expression during breast cancer carcinogenesis and progression, as well as elucidate their clinical implications. Methods: COL11A1 mRNA expression levels were assessed using real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) in 30 pairs of normal breast tissue and primary breast cancer, 30 pairs of primary breast cancer and lymph node metastases, 30 benign tumors, and 107 primary breast cancers. COL11A1 protein expression was evaluated by Western blot in six matched trios of normal tissue, primary cancer, and lymph node metastasis. Results: COL11A1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in primary breast cancer tissues (n = 30) than in adjacent normal breast tissues (p < 0.001). Conversely, lymph node metastases (n = 30) showed significantly lower COL11A1 mRNA levels compared to their primary breast cancer counterparts (p=0.005). In a larger cohort, primary breast cancers (n = 107) had significantly elevated COL11A1 mRNA levels relative to adjacent normal tissues (n = 30) and benign tumors (n = 30) (p < 0.001). Benign tumors also demonstrated higher levels compared to normal tissues (p=0.012). The protein expression patterns were consistent with the mRNA findings. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the diagnostic relevance of COL11A1 expression levels. Significant associations were found between COL11A1 mRNA levels and clinical parameters including lymph node involvement (p=0.046), clinical stage (p=0.004), and progesterone receptor status (p=0.048). Overexpression of COL11A1 was correlated with poor prognosis. Conclusions: COL11A1 expression varies during breast tumor initiation and progression, with elevated levels linked to worse prognoses. These findings underscore COL11A1's potential as a biomarker in breast cancer, suggesting its assessment could enhance diagnostic and prognostic strategies for more personalized patient management.

The Multifaced Role of Collagen in Cancer Development and Progression

Collagen is a crucial protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM) essential for preserving tissue architecture and supporting crucial cellular functions like proliferation and differentiation. There are twenty-eight identified types of collagen, which are further divided into different subgroups. This protein plays a critical role in regulating tissue homeostasis. However, in solid tumors, the balance can be disrupted, due to an abundance of collagen in the tumor microenvironment, which significantly affects tumor growth, cell invasion, and metastasis. It is important to investigate the specific types of collagens in cancer ECM and their distinct roles in tumor progression to comprehend their unique contribution to tumor behavior. The diverse pathophysiological functions of different collagen types in cancers illustrate collagen's dual roles, offering potential therapeutic options and serving as prognostic markers.

Comparative evaluation of collagen modifications in breast cancer in human and canine carcinomas

New diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been increasingly demanded due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. Recently, changes in the collagen fibres in mammary neoplasms have been shown to provide information that can be helpful for more accurate diagnosis. We aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the tumour stroma in human and canine mammary neoplasms to assess the relationship between collagen modifications and the behaviour of carcinomas in both species, by multiphoton microscopy. We present a retrospective study of 70 cases of human mammary tumour and 74 cases of canine mammary tumour. We analysed sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin from 1,200 representative areas of normal mammary tissue, fibroadenoma, grade I invasive carcinoma, grade III invasive carcinoma and invasive micropapillary carcinoma in human species and 1,304 representative areas of normal mammary tissue, benign mixed tumour, mixed carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, invasive micropapillary carcinoma and solid carcinoma in canine species. We obtained that both human and canine mammary carcinomas present lower density of collagen fibres, higher density of cells and the collagen fibres are more aligned than in normal tissue. For human mammary carcinomas, the collagen fibres are more linear as compared to normal tissue. In addition, we demonstrated that the carcinomas with unfavourable prognosis present shorter collagen fibres, and these collagen changes correlate with the clinical and pathological data in human and canine species. For dogs, there is a correlation between the mean fibre length with the specific survival times. Thus, we demonstrate that dogs provide an excellent comparative perspective for studying how changes in the tumour stroma affect patient survival.

Glioma actively orchestrate a self-advantageous extracellular matrix to promote recurrence and progression

The intricate interplay between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment has emerged as a critical factor driving the aggressive progression of various malignancies, including gliomas. Among the various components of this dynamic microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM) holds particular significance. Gliomas, intrinsic brain tumors that originate from neuroglial progenitor cells, have the remarkable ability to actively reform the ECM, reshaping the structural and biochemical landscape to their advantage. This phenomenon underscores the adaptability and aggressiveness of gliomas, and highlights the intricate crosstalk between tumor cells and their surrounding matrix.In this review, we delve into how glioma actively regulates glioma ECM to organize a favorable microenvironment for its survival, invasion, progression and therapy resistance. By unraveling the intricacies of glioma-induced ECM remodeling, we gain valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting this symbiotic relationship and curbing the relentless advance of gliomas within the brain.

DeepPIG: deep neural network architecture with pairwise connected layers and stochastic gates using knockoff frameworks for feature selection

Selecting relevant feature subsets is essential for machine learning applications. Among the feature selection techniques, the knockoff filter procedure proposes a unique framework that minimizes false discovery rates (FDR). However, employing a deep neural network architecture for a knockoff filter framework requires higher detection power. Using the knockoff filter framework, we present a Deep neural network with PaIrwise connected layers integrated with stochastic Gates (DeepPIG) for the feature selection model. DeepPIG exhibited better detection power in synthetic data than the baseline and recent models such as Deep feature selection using Paired-Input Nonlinear Knockoffs (DeepPINK), Stochastic Gates (STG), and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) while not violating the preselected FDR level, especially when the signal of the features were weak. The selected features determined by DeepPIG demonstrated superior classification performance compared with the baseline model in real-world data analyses, including the prediction of certain cancer prognosis and classification tasks using microbiome and single-cell datasets. In conclusion, DeepPIG is a robust feature selection approach even when the signals of features are weak. Source code is available at https://github.com/DMCB-GIST/DeepPIG .

Analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts related genes identifies COL11A1 associated with lung adenocarcinoma prognosis

BACKGROUND

The treatment of lung adenocarcinoma is difficult due to the limited therapeutic options. Cancer-associated fibroblasts play an important role in the development of cancers. This study aimed to identify a promising molecular target associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The Cancer Genome Atlas lung adenocarcinoma dataset was used to screen hub genes associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts via the EPIC algorithm and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. Multiple databases were used together with our data to verify the differential expression and survival of COL11A1. Functional enrichment analysis and the single-cell TISCH database were used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying COL11A1 expression. The correlation between COL11A1 and immune checkpoint genes in human cancers was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Using the EPIC algorithm and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis, 13 hub genes associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts in lung adenocarcinoma were screened. Using the GEPIA database, Kaplan-Meier Plotter database, GSE72094, GSE75037, GSE32863, and our immunohistochemistry experiment data, we confirmed that COL11A1 overexpresses in lung adenocarcinoma and that high expression of COL11A1 is associated with a poor prognosis. COL11A1 has a genetic alteration frequency of 22% in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. COL11A1 is involved in the extracellular matrix activities of lung adenocarcinoma. Using the TISCH database, we found that COL11A1 is mainly expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment rather than by lung adenocarcinoma cells. Finally, we found that COL11A1 is positively correlated with HAVCR2(TIM3), CD274 (PD-L1), CTLA4, and LAG3 in lung adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSION

COL11A1 may be expressed and secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts, and a high expression of COL11A1 may result in T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma. COL11A1 may serve as an attractive biomarker to provide new insights into cancer therapeutics.

The downregulation of miR-509-3p expression by collagen type XI alpha 1-regulated hypermethylation facilitates cancer progression and chemoresistance via the DNA methyltransferase 1/Small ubiquitin-like modifier-3 axis in ovarian cancer cells

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNAs that are involved in development and diseases such as cancer. Previously, we demonstrated that miR-335 is crucial for preventing collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1)-mediated epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression and chemoresistance. Here, we examined the role of miR-509-3p in EOC.

METHODS

The patients with EOC who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery and postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy were recruited. Their clinic-pathologic characteristics were collected, and disease-related survivals were determined. The COL11A1 and miR-509-3p mRNA expression levels of 161 ovarian tumors were determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, miR-509-3p hypermethylation was evaluated by sequencing in these tumors. The A2780CP70 and OVCAR-8 cells transfected with miR-509-3p mimic, while the A2780 and OVCAR-3 cells transfected with miR-509-3p inhibitor. The A2780CP70 cells transfected with a small interference RNA of COL11A1, and the A2780 cells transfected with a COL11A1 expression plasmid. Site-directed mutagenesis, luciferase, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed in this study.

RESULTS

Low miR-509-3p levels were correlated with disease progression, a poor survival, and high COL11A1 expression levels. In vivo studies reinforced these findings and indicated that the occurrence of invasive EOC cell phenotypes and resistance to cisplatin are decreased by miR-509-3p. The miR-509-3p promoter region (p278) is important for miR-509-3p transcription regulation via methylation. The miR-509-3p hypermethylation frequency was significantly higher in EOC tumors with a low miR-509-3p expression than in those with a high miR-509-3p expression. The patients with miR-509-3p hypermethylation had a significantly shorter overall survival (OS) than those without miR-509-3p hypermethylation. Mechanistic studies further indicated that miR-509-3p transcription was downregulated by COL11A1 through a DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) stability increase. Moreover, miR-509-3p targets small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-3 to regulate EOC cell growth, invasiveness, and chemosensitivity.

CONCLUSION

The miR-509-3p/DNMT1/SUMO-3 axis may be an ovarian cancer treatment target.

The Downregulation of miR-509-3p Expression by Collagen Type XI Alpha 1-Regulated Hypermethylation Facilitates Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance via the DNA Methyltransferase 1/Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier-3 Axis in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Background MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNAs that are involved in development and diseases such as cancer. Previously, we demonstrated that miR-335 is crucial for preventing collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1)-mediated epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression and chemoresistance. Here, we examined the role of miR-509-3p in EOC. Methods The patients with EOC who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery and postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy were recruited. Their clinic-pathologic characteristics were collected, and disease-related survivals were determined. The COL11A1 and miR-509-3p mRNA expression levels of 161 ovarian tumors were determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, miR-509-3p hypermethylation was evaluated by sequencing in these tumors. The A2780CP70 and OVCAR-8 cells transfected with miR-509-3p mimic, while the A2780 and OVCAR-3 cells transfected with miR-509-3p inhibitor. The A2780CP70 cells transfected with a small interference RNA of COL11A1, and the A2780 cells transfected with a COL11A1 expression plasmid. Site-directed mutagenesis, luciferase, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed in this study. Results Low miR-509-3p levels were correlated with disease progression, a poor survival, and high COL11A1 expression levels. In vivo studies reinforced these findings and indicated that the occurrence of invasive EOC cell phenotypes and resistance to cisplatin are decreased by miR-509-3p. The miR-509-3p promoter region (p278) is important for miR-509-3p transcription regulation via methylation. The miR-509-3p hypermethylation frequency was significantly higher in EOC tumors with a low miR-509-3p expression than in those with a high miR-509-3p expression. The patients with miR-509-3p hypermethylation had a significantly shorter overall survival (OS) than those without miR-509-3p hypermethylation. Mechanistic studies further indicated that miR-509-3p transcription was downregulated by COL11A1 through a DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) phosphorylation and stability increase. Moreover, miR-509-3p targets small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)-3 to regulate EOC cell growth, invasiveness, and chemosensitivity. Conclusion The miR-509-3p/DNMT1/SUMO-3 axis may be an ovarian cancer treatment target.

Collagen Family as Promising Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Cancer

Despite advances in cancer detection and therapy, it has been estimated that the incidence of cancers will increase, while the mortality rate will continue to remain high, a fact explained by the large number of patients diagnosed in advanced stages when therapy is often useless. Therefore, it is necessary to invest knowledge and resources in the development of new non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of cancer and new therapeutic targets for better health management. In this review, we provided an overview on the collagen family as promising biomarkers and on how they may be exploited as therapeutic targets in cancer. The collagen family tridimensional structure, organization, and functions are very complex, being in a tight relationship with the extracellular matrix, tumor, and immune microenvironment. Moreover, accumulating evidence underlines the role of collagens in promoting tumor growth and creating a permissive tumor microenvironment for metastatic dissemination. Knowledge of the molecular basis of these interactions may help in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, in overcoming chemoresistance, and in providing new targets for cancer therapies.

Collagen Remodeling along Cancer Progression Providing a Novel Opportunity for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a significant factor in cancer progression. Collagens, as the main component of the ECM, are greatly remodeled alongside cancer development. More and more studies have confirmed that collagens changed from a barrier to providing assistance in cancer development. In this course, collagens cause remodeling alongside cancer progression, which in turn, promotes cancer development. The interaction between collagens and tumor cells is complex with biochemical and mechanical signals intervention through activating diverse signal pathways. As the mechanism gradually clears, it becomes a new target to find opportunities to diagnose and treat cancer. In this review, we investigated the process of collagen remodeling in cancer progression and discussed the interaction between collagens and cancer cells. Several typical effects associated with collagens were highlighted in the review, such as fibrillation in precancerous lesions, enhancing ECM stiffness, promoting angiogenesis, and guiding invasion. Then, the values of cancer diagnosis and prognosis were focused on. It is worth noting that several generated fragments in serum were reported to be able to be biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, which is beneficial for clinic detection. At a glance, a variety of reported biomarkers were summarized. Many collagen-associated targets and drugs have been reported for cancer treatment in recent years. The new targets and related drugs were discussed in the review. The mass data were collected and classified by mechanism. Overall, the interaction of collagens and tumor cells is complicated, in which the mechanisms are not completely clear. A lot of collagen-associated biomarkers are excavated for cancer diagnosis. However, new therapeutic targets and related drugs are almost in clinical trials, with merely a few in clinical applications. So, more efforts are needed in collagens-associated studies and drug development for cancer research and treatment.