Molecular Signaling of Progesterone, Growth Hormone, Wnt, and HER in Mammary Glands of Dogs, Rodents, and Humans: New Treatment Target Identification

Neurosteroids in Glioma: A Novel Therapeutic Concept

Glioma, a diverse group of brain and spinal cord tumors arising from glial cells, is characterized by varying degrees of malignancy, with some types exhibiting highly aggressive behavior, rapid proliferation, and invasive growth patterns, posing significant therapeutic challenges. This review delves into the complex interactions between glioma cells, neurotransmitters, and neurosteroids, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic targets. Key neurotransmitters, like glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), play crucial roles in glioma growth, invasion, and treatment response. This review examines the involvement of neurosteroids in glioma biology and explores innovative therapeutic strategies targeting these systems. It encompasses the biosynthesis and mechanisms of neurosteroids, interactions between gliomas and neurotransmitters, the spatial distribution of neurosteroid synthesis in gliomas, the role of ion channels, hormonal influences, enzyme modulation, and the neuroimmune system in glioma progression. Additionally, it highlights the potential of neurosteroids to modulate these pathways for therapeutic benefit.

Anti-MUC1 nanobody can synergize the Tamoxifen and Herceptin effects on breast cancer cells by inducing ER, PR and HER2 overexpression

INTRODUCTION

One of the most pressing concerns associated with breast cancer-targeted therapies is resistance to Tamoxifen and Herceptin. Such drug resistance is usually characterized by reduced expression of certain cell surface receptors. Some biological regimens can induce perceptible overexpression of these receptors in favor of drug responsiveness.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this research, drug-responsive MCF-7 and SKBR-3, along with drug-resistant MCF-7R (Tamoxifen resistant) and JIMT-1 (Herceptin resistant) breast cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D cultures were exposed to anti-MUC1 nanobody and then assessed for their ER, PR, and HER2 gene and protein expression using qRT-PCR and immunofluorescent staining analyses. Cell viability and the synergistic relationships of combination treatments were determined with MTT assay followed by CompuSyn software. Apoptotic cells were evaluated with Annexin V/propidium Iodide (PI) and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining.

RESULTS

Anti-MUC1 exposure elevated the expression levels of ER (42 folds), PR (18.5 folds), and HER2 (4.7 folds). As a result of co-treatment, the IC50 levels for Tamoxifen and Herceptin were reduced by up to 10 and 3 folds, respectively. MCF-7R cells responded positively to Tamoxifen, as evidenced by a 5-fold reduction in the IC50 and enhanced apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The ER, PR, and HER2 overexpression after MUC1 blocking could signal drug hypersensitization and facilitate drug resistance management.

The Novel Diagnostic Techniques and Biomarkers of Canine Mammary Tumors

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are considered a serious clinical problem in older bitches. Due to the high malignancy rate and poor prognosis, an early diagnosis is essential. This article is a summary of novel diagnostic techniques as well as the main biomarkers of CMTs. So far, CMTs are detected only when changes in mammary glands are clinically visible and surgical removal of the mass is the only recommended treatment. Proper diagnostics of CMT is especially important as they represent a very diverse group of tumors and therefore different treatment approaches may be required. Recently, new diagnostic options appeared, like a new cytological grading system of CMTs or B-mode ultrasound, the Doppler technique, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and real-time elastography, which may be useful in pre-surgical evaluation. However, in order to detect malignancies before macroscopic changes are visible, evaluation of serum and tissue biomarkers should be considered. Among them, we distinguish markers of the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, metastatic potential and prognosis, hormone receptors, inflammatory and more recent: metabolomic, gene expression, miRNA, and transcriptome sequencing markers. The use of a couple of the above-mentioned markers together seems to be the most useful for the early diagnosis of neoplastic diseases as well as to evaluate response to treatment, presence of tumor progression, or further prognosis. Molecular aspects of tumors seem to be crucial for proper understanding of tumorigenesis and the application of individual treatment options.

Small molecules to regulate the GH/IGF1 axis by inhibiting the growth hormone receptor synthesis

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) play an important role in mammalian development, cell proliferation and lifespan. Especially in cases of tumor growth there is an urgent need to control the GH/IGF1 axis. In this study we screened a 38,480-compound library, and in two consecutive rounds of analogues selection, we identified active lead compounds based on the following criteria: inhibition the GH receptor (GHR) activity and its downstream effectors Jak2 and STAT5, and inhibition of growth of breast and colon cancer cells. The most active small molecule (BM001) inhibited both the GH/IGF1 axis and cell proliferation with an IC50 of 10-30 nM of human cancer cells. BM001 depleted GHR in human lymphoblasts. In preclinical xenografted experiments, BM001 showed a strong decrease in tumor volume in mice transplanted with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, the drug acts on the synthesis of the GHR. Our findings open the possibility to inhibit the GH/IGF1 axis with a small molecule.

Establishment of a New Cell Line of Canine Mammary Tumor CMT-1026

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) have histopathological, epidemiologic and clinical characteristics similar to those in humans and are known to be one of the best models for human breast cancer (HBC). This research aimed to describe a newly established canine cell line, CMT-1026. Tumor samples were collected from a female dog exhibiting clinical mammary neoplasm, and the adherent cells were cultured. Both the histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of tumor samples were estimated. Cell growth, ultrastructural, cytological and immunocytochemistry (ICC) features of CMT-1026 were examined. CMT-1026 cells were inoculated into 10 female BALB/c nude mice to evaluate oncogenicity and metastatic ability. Hematoxylin-eosin (H.E.) staining of the tumors revealed an epithelial morphology. Electron microscopy was used to detect histological and cytological of smears, and ultrathin sections showed that CMT-1026 cells were polygonal and characterized by atypia and high mitotic index in the tumor, with prominent nucleoli and multinucleated cells. IHC characterization of CMT-1026 indicated ER-, PR-, HER-2, p63+, CK5/6+, and α-SMA+ epithelial cells. ICC characterization of CMT-1026 showed high expression of Claudin-1, Delta-catenin, SOX-2, and KI-67. At 2 weeks after inoculation of the CMT-1026 cells, phyma was found in 100% of the mice. The xenograft cancers showed conservation of the original H.E. features of the female dog cancer. In conclusion, CMT-1026 may be a model of canine mammary cancer that can be used in research on the pathogenesis of both CMT and HBC.

Pathological and Immunohistochemical Microscopy of Natural Cases of Canine and Feline Neoplastic Mammary Lesions

Mammary cancer is the second most common tumor worldwide. Small animal mammary neoplasms provide an outstanding model to study cancer in humans, as tumors in both share a similar environment, histopathologic features, and biological behavior. This study aims to investigate the percentage and microscopy of breast tumors in affected dogs and cats; its relationship to breed, age, and sex; and the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki-67, and cytokeratin 8. Twenty-four females (12 dogs and 12 cats) and one male were examined from February 2018 to February 2020. The highest percentage of mammary neoplasia from the highest to the lowest manifested as tubular carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, fibroadenoma, and cystic papillary carcinoma. The current study reported the second micropapillary invasive carcinoma in a male cat and the third lipid-rich carcinoma in a female cat. Although tubular carcinoma was the most common mammary neoplasm in cats, leiomyosarcoma was the most common in dogs. The immunohistochemical staining revealed diffuse and intense cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for cytokeratin 8 in lipid-rich carcinomas. However, moderate expression of ER in benign tumors and slight to moderate ER expression in malignant mammary lesions were reported. On the contrary, there was a negative PR expression in benign lesion. It could be concluded that a close relationship between ER expression and nuclear antigen Ki-67 was found.

Molecular mechanisms of mammary gland remodeling: A review of the homeostatic versus bisphenol a disrupted microenvironment

Mammary gland (MG) undergoes critical points of structural changes throughout a woman's life. During the perinatal and pubertal stages, MG develops through growth and differentiation to establish a pre-mature feature. If pregnancy and lactation occur, the epithelial compartment branches and differentiates to create a specialized structure for milk secretion and nurturing of the newborn. However, the ultimate MG modification consists of a regression process aiming to reestablish the smaller and less energy demanding structure until another production cycle happens. The unraveling of these fascinating physiologic cycles has helped the scientific community elucidate aspects of molecular regulation of proliferative and apoptotic events and remodeling of the stromal compartment. However, greater understanding of the hormonal pathways involved in MG developmental stages led to concern that endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A (BPA), may influence these specific development/involution stages, called "windows of susceptibility". Since it is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, BPA is a ubiquitous chemical present in human everyday life, exerting an estrogenic effect. Thus, descriptions of its deleterious effects on the MG, especially in terms of serum hormone concentrations, hormonal receptor expression, molecular pathways, and epigenetic alterations, have been widely published. Therefore, allied to a didactic description of the main physiological mechanisms involved in different critical points of MG development, the current review provides a summary of key mechanisms by which the endocrine disruptor BPA impacts MG homeostasis at different windows of susceptibility, causing short- and long-term effects.

Proteomics Approach of Rapamycin Anti-Tumoral Effect on Primary and Metastatic Canine Mammary Tumor Cells In Vitro

Rapamycin is an antifungal drug with antitumor activity and acts inhibiting the mTOR complex. Due to drug antitumor potential, the aim of this study was to evaluate its effect on a preclinical model of primary mammary gland tumors and their metastases from female dogs. Four cell lines from our cell bank, two from primary canine mammary tumors (UNESP-CM1, UNESP-CM60) and two metastases (UNESP-MM1, and UNESP-MM4) were cultured in vitro and investigated for rapamycin IC₅₀. Then, cell lines were treated with rapamycin IC₅₀ dose and mRNA and protein were extracted in treated and non-treated cells to perform AKT, mTOR, PTEN and 4EBP1 gene expression and global proteomics by mass spectrometry. MTT assay demonstrated rapamycin IC₅₀ dose for all different tumor cells between 2 and 10 μM. RT-qPCR from cultured cells, control versus treated group and primary tumor cells versus metastatic tumor cells, did not shown statistical differences. In proteomics were found 273 proteins in all groups, and after data normalization 49 and 92 proteins were used for statistical analysis for comparisons between control versus rapamycin treatment groups, and metastasis versus primary tumor versus metastasis rapamycin versus primary tumor rapamycin, respectively. Considering the two statistical analysis, four proteins, phosphoglycerate mutase, malate dehydrogenase, l-lactate dehydrogenase and nucleolin were found in decreased abundance in the rapamycin group and they are related with cellular metabolic processes and enhanced tumor malignant behavior. Two proteins, dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase, also related with metabolic processes, were found in higher abundance in rapamycin group and are associated with apoptosis. The results suggested that rapamycin was able to inhibit cell growth of mammary gland tumor and metastatic tumors cells in vitro, however, concentrations needed to reach the IC₅₀ were higher when compared to other studies.

From Conventional to Precision Therapy in Canine Mammary Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are the most common neoplasm in intact female dogs. Canine mammary cancer (CMC) represents 50% of CMTs, and besides surgery, which is the elective treatment, additional targeted and non-targeted therapies could offer benefits in terms of survival to these patients. Also, CMC is considered a good spontaneous intermediate animal model for the research of human breast cancer (HBC), and therefore, the study of new treatments for CMC is a promising field in comparative oncology. Dogs with CMC have a comparable disease, an intact immune system, and a much shorter life span, which allows the achievement of results in a relatively short time. Besides conventional chemotherapy, innovative therapies have a large niche of opportunities. In this article, a comprehensive review of the current research in adjuvant therapies for CMC is conducted to gather available information and evaluate the perspectives. Firstly, updates are provided on the clinical-pathological approach and the use of conventional therapies, to delve later into precision therapies against therapeutic targets such as hormone receptors, tyrosine kinase receptors, p53 tumor suppressor gene, cyclooxygenases, the signaling pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immunotherapy in different approaches. A comparison of the different investigations on targeted therapies in HBC is also carried out. In the last years, the increasing number of basic research studies of new promising therapeutic agents on CMC cell lines and CMC mouse xenografts is outstanding. As the main conclusion of this review, the lack of effort to bring the in vitro studies into the field of applied clinical research emerges. There is a great need for well-planned large prospective randomized clinical trials in dogs with CMC to obtain valid results for both species, humans and dogs, on the use of new therapies. Following the One Health concept, human and veterinary oncology will have to join forces to take advantage of both the economic and technological resources that are invested in HBC research, together with the innumerable advantages of dogs with CMC as a spontaneous animal model.

Growth Hormone Receptor Regulation in Cancer and Chronic Diseases

The GHR signaling pathway plays important roles in growth, metabolism, cell cycle control, immunity, homeostatic processes, and chemoresistance via both the JAK/STAT and the SRC pathways. Dysregulation of GHR signaling is associated with various diseases and chronic conditions such as acromegaly, cancer, aging, metabolic disease, fibroses, inflammation and autoimmunity. Numerous studies entailing the GHR signaling pathway have been conducted for various cancers. Diverse factors mediate the up- or down-regulation of GHR signaling through post-translational modifications. Of the numerous modifications, ubiquitination and deubiquitination are prominent events. Ubiquitination by E3 ligase attaches ubiquitins to target proteins and induces proteasomal degradation or starts the sequence of events that leads to endocytosis and lysosomal degradation. In this review, we discuss the role of first line effectors that act directly on the GHR at the cell surface including ADAM17, JAK2, SRC family member Lyn, Ubc13/CHIP, proteasome, βTrCP, CK2, STAT5b, and SOCS2. Activity of all, except JAK2, Lyn and STAT5b, counteract GHR signaling. Loss of their function increases the GH-induced signaling in favor of aging and certain chronic diseases, exemplified by increased lung cancer risk in case of a mutation in the SOCS2-GHR interaction site. Insight in their roles in GHR signaling can be applied for cancer and other therapeutic strategies.

Dasatinib inhibition of cSRC prevents the migration and metastasis of canine mammary cancer cells with enhanced Wnt and HER signalling

Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) overexpression leads to aggressive mammary tumour growth. Although the prognosis of HER2⁺ tumours in humans is greatly improved using biologicals, therapy resistance, which may be caused by increased phosphatidyl-3-kinase (PI3K), rous sarcoma proto-oncogene (cSRC) or wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt) activity, is a major concern. A recent analysis of 12 canine mammary cell lines showed an association between HER2/3 overexpression and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) deletion with elevated Wnt-signalling. Wnt-activity appeared to be insensitive to phosphatidyl-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors but sensitive to Src-I1. We hypothesized that Wnt activation, was caused by HER2/3-activated cSRC activation. The role of HER2/3 on Wnt signalling was investigated by silencing HER2/3 expression using specific small interfering RNA (siRNAs). Next, the effect of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor on Wnt activity and migration was investigated and compared to other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of related signalling pathways. Finally, two TKIs, a cSRC and a PI3K inhibitor, were investigated in a zebrafish xenograft model. Silencing of HER1-3 did not inhibit the intrinsic high Wnt activity, whereas the HER kinase inhibitor afatinib showed enhanced Wnt activity. The strongest inhibition of Wnt activity and cell viability and migration was shown by cSRC inhibitors, which also showed strong inhibition of cell viability and metastasis in a zebrafish xenograft model. HER2/3 overexpression or HER2/3-induced cSRC activation is not the cause of enhanced Wnt activity. However, inhibition of cSRC resulted in a strong inhibition of Wnt activity and cell migration and metastasis. Further studies are needed to unravel the mechanism of cSRC activation and cSRC inhibition to restore sensitivity to HER-inhibitors in HER2/3-positive breast cancer.

P-cadherin mutations are associated with high basal Wnt activity and stemness in canine mammary tumor cell lines

Purpose: To find underlying mutations causing highly-activated Wnt activity in mammary tumor cell lines associated with rounded morphology indicative of stemness/EMT. Methods: Stemness of high Wnt cell lines was confirmed using qPCR on selected genes and microRNA profiling, followed by whole-exome sequencing of 3 high Wnt canine mammary tumor cell lines and 5 low/absent Wnt cell lines. Candidate genes were identified and their involvement in Wnt activity investigated using siRNA silencing. Results: The high Wnt cell lines had morphological and gene expression characteristics reminiscent of stemness. All individual cell lines had about 4000 mutations in the exome in comparison to the reference canine genome. The three high basal Wnt cell lines had 167 unique exome mutations. Seven of these mutations resulted in a SIFT score <0.2 of proteins related to Wnt signaling. However, gene silencing did not change the Wnt pathway activation. Renewed analysis with respect to putative relations to Wnt signaling revealed that P-cadherin (CDH3) had three mutations in the coding region of the extracellular domain and was associated with high Wnt signaling. Silencing by siRNA not only in lowered Wnt activity, but also decreased levels of phosphorylated cSRC and sP-cad, and changed cell morphology towards spindle cell appearance. Conclusion: It is concluded that expression of mutated CDH3 is associated with activation of cSRC, stabilization of ß-catenin and a rounded morphology related to a stemness/EMT phenotype. A decreased Wnt activity can be found also by cSRC inhibition, but CDH3 silencing has an additional effect on morphology indicating reversal of EMT.

Effect of Anacardic Acid against Thiram Induced Tibial Dyschondroplasia in Chickens via Regulation of Wnt4 Expression

Simple Summary

This study evaluated the ameliorating effect of anacardic acid (AA) in tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) chickens. Our results showed that AA can increase the feed conversion ratio, improve the weight, length and width of the tibia. AA administration restored the antioxidant parameters significantly (p < 0.05). The gene expression analysis revealed a decrease in wingless-type member 4 (Wnt4) expressions in TD chickens as compared to the control group, while AA treatment up-regulated the Wnt4 expression. The present study demonstrates that the AA plays an important role to prevent the lameness and restore the size of the tibial growth plate of chickens by regulating the expression of Wnt4.

Abstract

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a tibia bone problem in broilers. Anacardic acid (AA) is a traditional Chinese medicine, which is commonly used to treat arthritis in human. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of AA against TD. A total of 300 day-old poultry birds were equally divided and distributed into three different groups: Control, TD and AA groups. The results showed that the feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in the TD group than control chickens. The tibia bone parameters including weight, length and width were of low quality in TD chickens, while the width of the tibial growth plate was enlarged remarkably. Whereas, in the AA treatment group, the tibia bone parameters showed improvement and tend to return to normal. The antioxidant parameters level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total and antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly decreased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) level was increased significantly in TD affected chickens. AA administration restored the antioxidant parameters significantly. The gene expression revealed a decrease in Wnt4 expression in TD chickens as compared to control chickens, while AA treatment up-regulated the Wnt4 expression. The present study demonstrates that the AA plays an important role to prevent the lameness and restore the size of tibial growth plate of chickens by regulating the expression of Wnt4.

Icariin Ameliorate Thiram-Induced Tibial Dyschondroplasia via Regulation of WNT4 and VEGF Expression in Broiler Chickens

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is main bone problem in fast growing poultry birds that effect proximal growth plate (GP) of tibia bone. TD is broadly defined as non-vascularized and non-mineralized, and enlarged GP with tibia bone deformation and lameness. Icariin (Epimedium sagittatum) is a traditional Chinese medicine, which is commonly practiced in the treatment of various bone diseases. Recently, many researcher reports about the beneficial effects of icariin in relation to various types of bone conditions but no report is available about promoting effect of icariin against TD. Therefore, current study was conducted to explore the ameliorating effect of icariin in thiram-induced TD chickens. A total of 180 broiler chicks were equally distributed in three groups; control, TD induced by thiram (50 mg/kg), and icariin group (treated with icariin @10 mg/kg). All groups were administered with normal standard diet ad libitum regularly until the end of experiment. The wingless-type member 4 (WNT4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes and proteins expression were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis respectively. Tibial bone parameters, physiological changes in serum, antioxidant enzymes, and chicken growth performance were determined to assess advantage and protective effect of the medicine in broiler chicken. The expression of WNT4 was decreased while VEGF increased significantly (P < 0.05) in TD affected chicks. TD enhanced the GP, lameness, and irregular chondrocytes, while reduced the liver function, antioxidant enzymes in liver, and performance of chickens. Icariin treatment up-regulated WNT4 and down-regulated VEGF gene and protein expressions significantly (P < 0.05), restored the GP width, increased growth performance, corrected liver functions and antioxidant enzymes levels in liver, and mitigated the lameness in broiler chickens. In conclusion, icariin administration recovered GP size, normalized performance and prevented lameness significantly. Therefore, icariin treatments are encouraged to reduce the incidence of TD in broiler chickens.