1
|
Liu B, Liu Y, Yang S, Ye J, Hu J, Chen S, Wu S, Liu Q, Tang F, Liu Y, He Y, Du Y, Zhang G, Guo Q, Yang C. Enhanced desmosome assembly driven by acquired high-level desmoglein-2 promotes phenotypic plasticity and endocrine resistance in ER + breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2024; 600:217179. [PMID: 39154704 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217179] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Acquired resistance to endocrine treatments remains a major clinical challenge. In this study, we found that desmoglein-2 (DSG2) plays a major role in acquired endocrine resistance and cellular plasticity in ER+ breast cancer (BC). By analysing the well-established fulvestrant-resistant ER+ BC model using single-cell RNA-seq, we revealed that ER inhibition leads to a specific increase in DSG2 in cancer cell populations, which in turn enhances desmosome formation in vitro and in vivo and cell phenotypic plasticity that promotes resistance to treatment. DSG2 depletion reduced tumorigenesis and metastasis in fulvestrant-resistant xenograft models and promoted fulvestrant efficiency. Mechanistically, DSG2 forms a desmosome complex with JUP and Vimentin and triggers Wnt/PCP signalling. We showed that elevated DSG2 levels, along with reduced ER levels and an activated Wnt/PCP pathway, predicted poor survival, suggesting that a DSG2high signature could be exploited for therapeutic interventions. Our analysis highlighted the critical role of DSG2-mediated desmosomal junctions following antiestrogen treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bohan Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingwen Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajie Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyi Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinqing Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fen Tang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqing He
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Du
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Guo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuixia Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gagneja S, Capalash N, Sharma P. Hyaluronic acid as a tumor progression agent and a potential chemotherapeutic biomolecule against cancer: A review on its dual role. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 275:133744. [PMID: 38986990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133744] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid is a major constituent of the extracellular matrix of vertebrate tissue that provides mechanical support to cells and acts as a mediator in regulation of necessary biochemical process essential for maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The variation in quantity of hyaluronic acid content in tissues is often associated with different pathological conditions. It is associated with tumor aggression and progression as it plays crucial role in regulating different aspects of tumorigenesis and several defined hallmarks of cancer. It assists in tumor progression by undergoing extracellular remodeling to establish tumor microenvironment which restricts the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to neoplastic cells due to increase in interstitial pressure. Hyaluronic acid catabolic and anabolic genes and low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid play significant role in the establishing tumor microenvironment by assisting in cell proliferation, metastasis and invasion. On the other hand, it is also used as an effective drug-delivery platform in cancer therapies as its biocompatibility and biodegradability lower the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs and increase drug retention. High-molecular weight hyaluronic acid-bioconjugates specifically bind with hyaladherins, facilitating targeted drug delivery and also exert anti-inflammatory properties. This review also highlights the market and patent trends in the development of effective chemotherapeutic hyaluronic acid formulations and the current scenario regarding clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simran Gagneja
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Neena Capalash
- Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Prince Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Car I, Dittmann A, Vasieva O, Bočkor L, Grbčić P, Piteša N, Klobučar M, Kraljević Pavelić S, Sedić M. Ezrin Inhibition Overcomes Acquired Resistance to Vemurafenib in BRAFV600E-Mutated Colon Cancer and Melanoma Cells In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12906. [PMID: 37629086 PMCID: PMC10454476 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612906] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the advancements in targeted therapy for BRAFV600E-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), the development of resistance to BRAFV600E inhibition limits the response rate and durability of the treatment. Better understanding of the resistance mechanisms to BRAF inhibitors will facilitate the design of novel pharmacological strategies for BRAF-mutated mCRC. The aim of this study was to identify novel protein candidates involved in acquired resistance to BRAFV600E inhibitor vemurafenib in BRAFV600E-mutated colon cancer cells using an integrated proteomics approach. Bioinformatic analysis of obtained proteomics data indicated actin-cytoskeleton linker protein ezrin as a highly ranked protein significantly associated with vemurafenib resistance whose overexpression in the resistant cells was additionally confirmed at the gene and protein level. Ezrin inhibition by NSC305787 increased anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of vemurafenib in the resistant cells in an additive manner, which was accompanied by downregulation of CD44 expression and inhibition of AKT/c-Myc activities. We also detected an increased ezrin expression in vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells harbouring the BRAFV600E mutation. Importantly, ezrin inhibition potentiated anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of vemurafenib in the resistant melanoma cells in a synergistic manner. Altogether, our study suggests a role of ezrin in acquired resistance to vemurafenib in colon cancer and melanoma cells carrying the BRAFV600E mutation and supports further pre-clinical and clinical studies to explore the benefits of combined BRAF inhibitors and actin-targeting drugs as a potential therapeutic approach for BRAFV600E-mutated cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iris Car
- Centre for Applied Bioanthropology, Institute for Anthropological Research, Ljudevita Gaja 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.C.); (L.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Antje Dittmann
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, Y59 H38, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Olga Vasieva
- INGENET Ltd., 27 Market Street, Hoylake, Wirral CH47 2BG, UK;
| | - Luka Bočkor
- Centre for Applied Bioanthropology, Institute for Anthropological Research, Ljudevita Gaja 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.C.); (L.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Petra Grbčić
- Faculty of Medicine, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka ul. 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia;
| | - Nikolina Piteša
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička Cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Marko Klobučar
- Centre for Applied Bioanthropology, Institute for Anthropological Research, Ljudevita Gaja 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.C.); (L.B.); (M.K.)
| | | | - Mirela Sedić
- Centre for Applied Bioanthropology, Institute for Anthropological Research, Ljudevita Gaja 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (I.C.); (L.B.); (M.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Parnigoni A, Moretto P, Viola M, Karousou E, Passi A, Vigetti D. Effects of Hyaluronan on Breast Cancer Aggressiveness. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3813. [PMID: 37568628 PMCID: PMC10417239 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153813] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in breast cancer cells is critical for determining tumor aggressiveness and targeting therapies. The presence of such receptors allows for the use of antagonists that effectively reduce breast cancer growth and dissemination. However, the absence of such receptors in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) reduces the possibility of targeted therapy, making these tumors very aggressive with a poor outcome. Cancers are not solely composed of tumor cells, but also include several types of infiltrating cells, such as fibroblasts, macrophages, and other immune cells that have critical functions in regulating cancer cell behaviors. In addition to these cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has become an important player in many aspects of breast cancer biology, including cell growth, motility, metabolism, and chemoresistance. Hyaluronan (HA) is a key ECM component that promotes cell proliferation and migration in several malignancies. Notably, HA accumulation in the tumor stroma is a negative prognostic factor in breast cancer. HA metabolism depends on the fine balance between HA synthesis by HA synthases and degradation yielded by hyaluronidases. All the different cell types present in the tumor can release HA in the ECM, and in this review, we will describe the role of HA and HA metabolism in different breast cancer subtypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Davide Vigetti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (A.P.); (P.M.); (M.V.); (E.K.); (A.P.)
| |
Collapse
|