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Smith DJ, Lunj S, Adamson AD, Nagarajan S, Smith TAD, Reeves KJ, Hoskin PJ, Choudhury A. CRISPR-Cas9 potential for identifying novel therapeutic targets in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Nat Rev Urol 2024:10.1038/s41585-024-00901-y. [PMID: 38951705 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00901-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Gene editing technologies help identify the genetic perturbations driving tumour initiation, growth, metastasis and resistance to therapeutics. This wealth of information highlights tumour complexity and is driving cancer research towards precision medicine approaches based on an individual's tumour genetics. Bladder cancer is the 11th most common cancer in the UK, with high rates of relapse and low survival rates in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). MIBC is highly heterogeneous and encompasses multiple molecular subtypes, each with different responses to therapeutics. This evidence highlights the need to identify innovative therapeutic targets to address the challenges posed by this heterogeneity. CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have been used to advance our understanding of MIBC and determine novel drug targets through the identification of drug resistance mechanisms, targetable cell-cycle regulators, and novel tumour suppressor and oncogenes. However, the use of these technologies in the clinic remains a substantial challenge and will require careful consideration of dosage, safety and ethics. CRISPR-Cas9 offers considerable potential for revolutionizing bladder cancer therapies, but substantial research is required for validation before these technologies can be used in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J Smith
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Sapna Lunj
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Antony D Adamson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Research and Innovation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sankari Nagarajan
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Function, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tim A D Smith
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Nuclear Futures Institute, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
| | | | - Peter J Hoskin
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Ananya Choudhury
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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Frerichs LM, Frerichs B, Petzsch P, Köhrer K, Windolf J, Bittersohl B, Hoffmann MJ, Grotheer V. Tumorigenic effects of human mesenchymal stromal cells and fibroblasts on bladder cancer cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1228185. [PMID: 37781195 PMCID: PMC10534007 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1228185] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer face a poor prognosis due to rapid disease progression and chemoresistance. Thus, there is an urgent need for a new therapeutic treatment. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has crucial roles in tumor development, growth, progression, and therapy resistance. TME cells may also survive standard treatment of care and fire up disease recurrence. However, whether specific TME components have tumor-promoting or tumor-inhibitory properties depends on cell type and cancer entity. Thus, a deeper understanding of the interaction mechanisms between the TME and cancer cells is needed to develop new cancer treatment approaches that overcome therapy resistance. Little is known about the function and interaction between mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) or fibroblasts (FB) as TME components and bladder cancer cells. Methods We investigated the functional impact of conditioned media (CM) from primary cultures of different donors of MSC or FB on urothelial carcinoma cell lines (UCC) representing advanced disease stages, namely, BFTC-905, VMCUB-1, and UMUC-3. Underlying mechanisms were identified by RNA sequencing and protein analyses of cancer cells and of conditioned media by oncoarrays. Results Both FB- and MSC-CM had tumor-promoting effects on UCC. In some experiments, the impact of MSC-CM was more pronounced. CM augmented the aggressive phenotype of UCC, particularly of those with epithelial phenotype. Proliferation and migratory and invasive capacity were significantly increased; cisplatin sensitivity was reduced. RNA sequencing identified underlying mechanisms and molecules contributing to the observed phenotype changes. NRF2 and NF-κB signaling was affected, contributing to improved cisplatin detoxification. Likewise, interferon type I signaling was downregulated and regulators of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) were increased. Altered protein abundance of CXCR4, hyaluronan receptor CD44, or TGFβ-signaling was induced by CM in cancer cells and may contribute to phenotypical changes. CM contained high levels of CCL2/MCP-1, MMPs, and interleukins which are well known for their impact on other cancer entities. Conclusions The CM of two different TME components had overlapping tumor-promoting effects and increased chemoresistance. We identified underlying mechanisms and molecules contributing to the aggressiveness of bladder cancer cells. These need to be further investigated for targeting the TME to improve cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie M. Frerichs
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bastian Frerichs
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patrick Petzsch
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Windolf
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bernd Bittersohl
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michèle J. Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Vera Grotheer
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Matar M, Prince G, Hamati I, Baalbaky M, Fares J, Aoude M, Matar C, Kourie HR. Implication of KDM6A in bladder cancer. Pharmacogenomics 2023; 24:509-522. [PMID: 37458596 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2023-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Bladder cancer is a common urogenital malignancy characterized by frequent genetic alterations. Histone demethylase gene KDM6A is commonly mutated in bladder cancer. Aim: To review the characteristics of KDM6A and its mutation consequences, and to introduce a potential KDM6A-targeted treatment. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using two electronic databases, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library, to retrieve topic-related articles from July 2013 to July 2022 using keywords 'KDM6A', 'bladder cancer', 'UTX', 'treatment' and 'mutation'. Five reviewers independently screened literature search results and abstracted data from included studies. Descriptive analysis was conducted and 30 articles were retained. Main Results: A total of 30 articles were retrieved. Experimental and clinical data were collected and grouped by theme. Therapeutic strategies are depicted and organized by tables for a better understanding. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that KDM6A has crucial implications in bladder cancer pathogenesis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Matar
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Lebanon
| | - Gilles Prince
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Lebanon
| | - Ibrahim Hamati
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Lebanon
| | - Maria Baalbaky
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Lebanon
| | - Jonas Fares
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Lebanon
| | - Marc Aoude
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Lebanon
| | - Charbel Matar
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Internal Medicine Department, George Washington University Hospital, 20037, Washington DC, USA
| | - Hampig Raphael Kourie
- Hematology-Oncology Department, Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, Lebanon
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Chen LJ, Xu XY, Zhong XD, Liu YJ, Zhu MH, Tao F, Li CY, She QS, Yang GJ, Chen J. The role of lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) in tumorigenesis and its therapeutic potentials in cancer therapy. Bioorg Chem 2023; 133:106409. [PMID: 36753963 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106409] [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: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Histone demethylation is a key post-translational modification of chromatin, and its dysregulation affects a wide array of nuclear activities including the maintenance of genome integrity, transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic inheritance. Lysine specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A, also known as UTX) is an Fe2+- and α-ketoglutarate- dependent oxidase which belongs to KDM6 Jumonji histone demethylase subfamily, and it can remove mono-, di- and tri-methyl groups from methylated lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me1/2/3). Mounting studies indicate that KDM6A is responsible for driving multiple human diseases, particularly cancers and pharmacological inhibition of KDM6A is an effective strategy to treat varieties of KDM6A-amplified cancers in cellulo and in vivo. Although there are several reviews on the roles of KDM6 subfamily in cancer development and therapy, all of them only simply introduce the roles of KDM6A in cancer without systematically summarizing the specific mechanisms of KDM6A in tumorigenesis, which greatly limits the advances on the understanding of roles KDM6A in varieties of cancers, discovering targeting selective KDM6A inhibitors, and exploring the adaptive profiles of KDM6A antagonists. Herein, we present the structure and functions of KDM6A, simply outline the functions of KDM6A in homeostasis and non-cancer diseases, summarize the role of KDM6A and its distinct target genes/ligand proteins in development of varieties of cancers, systematically classify KDM6A inhibitors, sum up the difficulties encountered in the research of KDM6A and the discovery of related drugs, and provide the corresponding solutions, which will contribute to understanding the roles of KDM6A in carcinogenesis and advancing the progression of KDM6A as a drug target in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xin-Yang Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Ming-Hui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Fan Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Chang-Yun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Qiu-Sheng She
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Henan University of Urban Construction, Pingdingshan 467044, Henan, China.
| | - Guan-Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
| | - Jiong Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang, China; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Aquacultural Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
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Özden-Yılmaz G, Savas B, Bursalı A, Eray A, Arıbaş A, Senturk S, Karaca E, Karakülah G, Erkek-Ozhan S. Differential Occupancy and Regulatory Interactions of KDM6A in Bladder Cell Lines. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060836. [PMID: 36980177 PMCID: PMC10047809 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060836] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic deregulation is a critical theme which needs further investigation in bladder cancer research. One of the most highly mutated genes in bladder cancer is KDM6A, which functions as an H3K27 demethylase and is one of the MLL3/4 complexes. To decipher the role of KDM6A in normal versus tumor settings, we identified the genomic landscape of KDM6A in normal, immortalized, and cancerous bladder cells. Our results showed differential KDM6A occupancy in the genes involved in cell differentiation, chromatin organization, and Notch signaling depending on the cell type and the mutation status of KDM6A. Transcription factor motif analysis revealed HES1 to be enriched at KDM6A peaks identified in the T24 bladder cancer cell line; moreover, it has a truncating mutation in KDM6A and lacks a demethylase domain. Our co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed TLE co-repressors and HES1 as potential truncated and wild-type KDM6A interactors. With the aid of structural modeling, we explored how truncated KDM6A could interact with TLE and HES1, as well as RUNX and HHEX transcription factors. These structures provide a solid means of studying the functions of KDM6A independently of its demethylase activity. Collectively, our work provides important contributions to the understanding of KDM6A malfunction in bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Busra Savas
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Bursalı
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aleyna Eray
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Alirıza Arıbaş
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Serif Senturk
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Karaca
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Karakülah
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti, 35340 Izmir, Turkey
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6
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Intravesical delivery of KDM6A-mRNA via mucoadhesive nanoparticles inhibits the metastasis of bladder cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2112696119. [PMID: 35131941 PMCID: PMC8851555 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112696119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study provides proof-of-principle evidence for intravesical delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA) via a mucoadhesive nanoparticle (NP) strategy and reveals the therapeutic potential of KDM6A in treating bladder cancer metastasis, which remains difficult due to the physiological bladder barriers. The mucoadhesive NPs could protect loaded mRNA, prolong exposure of mRNA in disease sites, and benefit the penetration and effective expression, which all represent challenging hurdles for intravesical delivery of mRNA therapeutics. mRNA local delivery can also avoid potential toxicity issues via systemic delivery and unwanted protein expression throughout the body. We expect this mucoadhesive mRNA nanotechnology can be useful for the effective up-regulation of targeted proteins in bladder tissues in situ for both mechanistic understanding and translational study of bladder-related diseases. Lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A), also named UTX, is frequently mutated in bladder cancer (BCa). Although known as a tumor suppressor, KDM6A’s therapeutic potential in the metastasis of BCa remains elusive. It also remains difficult to fulfill the effective up-regulation of KDM6A levels in bladder tumor tissues in situ to verify its potential in treating BCa metastasis. Here, we report a mucoadhesive messenger RNA (mRNA) nanoparticle (NP) strategy for the intravesical delivery of KDM6A-mRNA in mice bearing orthotopic Kdm6a-null BCa and show evidence of KDM6A’s therapeutic potential in inhibiting the metastasis of BCa. Through this mucoadhesive mRNA NP strategy, the exposure of KDM6A-mRNA to the in situ BCa tumors can be greatly prolonged for effective expression, and the penetration can be also enhanced by adhering to the bladder for sustained delivery. This mRNA NP strategy is also demonstrated to be effective for combination cancer therapy with other clinically approved drugs (e.g., elemene), which could further enhance therapeutic outcomes. Our findings not only report intravesical delivery of mRNA via a mucoadhesive mRNA NP strategy but also provide the proof-of-concept for the usefulness of these mRNA NPs as tools in both mechanistic understanding and translational study of bladder-related diseases.
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7
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Hua C, Chen J, Li S, Zhou J, Fu J, Sun W, Wang W. KDM6 Demethylases and Their Roles in Human Cancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:779918. [PMID: 34950587 PMCID: PMC8688854 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.779918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy is moving beyond traditional chemotherapy to include epigenetic approaches. KDM6 demethylases are dynamic regulation of gene expression by histone demethylation in response to diverse stimuli, and thus their dysregulation has been observed in various cancers. In this review, we first briefly introduce structural features of KDM6 subfamily, and then discuss the regulation of KDM6, which involves the coordinated control between cellular metabolism (intrinsic regulators) and tumor microenvironment (extrinsic stimuli). We further describe the aberrant functions of KDM6 in human cancers, acting as either a tumor suppressor or an oncoprotein in a context-dependent manner. Finally, we propose potential therapy of KDM6 enzymes based on their structural features, epigenetics, and immunomodulatory mechanisms, providing novel insights for prevention and treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Hua
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | | | - Shuting Li
- Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | | | - Jiahong Fu
- Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Weijian Sun
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenqian Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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8
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Grunewald CM, Haist C, König C, Petzsch P, Bister A, Nößner E, Wiek C, Scheckenbach K, Köhrer K, Niegisch G, Hanenberg H, Hoffmann MJ. Epigenetic Priming of Bladder Cancer Cells With Decitabine Increases Cytotoxicity of Human EGFR and CD44v6 CAR Engineered T-Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:782448. [PMID: 34868059 PMCID: PMC8637820 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.782448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment of B-cell malignancies with CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells marked a new era in immunotherapy, which yet has to be successfully adopted to solid cancers. Epigenetic inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTi) and histone deacetylases (HDACi) can induce broad changes in gene expression of malignant cells, thus making these inhibitors interesting combination partners for immunotherapeutic approaches. Methods Urothelial carcinoma cell lines (UCC) and benign uroepithelial HBLAK cells pretreated with the DNMTi decitabine or the HDACi romidepsin were co-incubated with CAR T-cells directed against EGFR or CD44v6, and subsequent cytotoxicity assays were performed. Effects on T-cell cytotoxicity and surface antigen expression on UCC were determined by flow cytometry. We also performed next-generation mRNA sequencing of inhibitor-treated UCC and siRNA-mediated knockdown of potential regulators of CAR T-cell killing. Results Exposure to decitabine but not romidepsin enhanced CAR T-cell cytotoxicity towards all UCC lines, but not towards the benign HBLAK cells. Increased killing could neither be attributed to enhanced target antigen expression (EGFR and CD44v6) nor fully explained by changes in the T-cell ligands PD-L1, PD-L2, ICAM-1, or CD95. Instead, gene expression analysis suggested that regulators of cell survival and apoptosis were differentially induced by the treatment. Decitabine altered the balance between survival and apoptosis factors towards an apoptosis-sensitive state associated with increased CAR T-cell killing, while romidepsin, at least partially, tilted this balance in the opposite direction. Knockdown experiments with siRNA in UCC confirmed BID and BCL2L1/BCLX as two key factors for the altered susceptibility of the UCC. Conclusion Our data suggest that the combination of decitabine with CAR T-cell therapy is an attractive novel therapeutic approach to enhance tumor-specific killing of bladder cancer. Since BID and BCL2L1 are essential determinants for the susceptibility of a wide variety of malignant cells, their targeting might be additionally suitable for combination with immunotherapies, e.g., CAR T-cells or checkpoint inhibitors in other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla M Grunewald
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Corinna Haist
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Carolin König
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Patrick Petzsch
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Arthur Bister
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elfriede Nößner
- Immunoanalytics: Tissue Control of Immunocytes, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Constanze Wiek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Kathrin Scheckenbach
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl Köhrer
- Biological and Medical Research Center (BMFZ), Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Günter Niegisch
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Helmut Hanenberg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics III, University Children's Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michèle J Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
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9
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Koch J, Lang A, Whongsiri P, Schulz WA, Hoffmann MJ, Greife A. KDM6A mutations promote acute cytoplasmic DNA release, DNA damage response and mitosis defects. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:54. [PMID: 34702163 PMCID: PMC8549169 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-021-00394-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background KDM6A, encoding a histone demethylase, is one of the top ten mutated epigenetic cancer genes. The effect of mutations on its structure and function are however poorly characterized. Methods Database search identified nonsense and missense mutations in the N-terminal TPR motifs and the C-terminal, catalytic JmjC domain, but also in the intrinsically disordered region connecting both these two well-structured domains. KDM6A variants with cancer-derived mutations were generated using site directed mutagenesis and fused to eGFP serving as an all-in-one affinity and fluorescence tag to study demethylase activity by an ELISA-based assay in vitro, apoptosis by FACS, complex assembly by Co-immunoprecipitation and localization by microscopy in urothelial cells and apoptosis by FACS. Results Independent of the mutation and demethylase activity, all KDM6A variants were detectable in the nucleus. Truncated KDM6A variants displayed changes in complex assemblies affecting (1) known interactions with the COMPASS complex component RBBP5 and (2) KDM6A-DNA associated assemblies with the nuclear protein Nucleophosmin. Some KDM6A variants induced a severe cellular phenotype characterized by multiple acute effects on nuclear integrity, namely, release of nuclear DNA into the cytoplasm, increased level of DNA damage indicators RAD51 and p-γH2A.X, and mitosis defects. These damaging effects were correlated with increased cell death. Conclusion These observations reveal novel effects of pathogenic variants pointing at new specific functions of KDM6A variants. The underlying mechanisms and affected pathways have to be investigated in future research to understand how tumor cells cope with and benefit from KDM6A truncations. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-021-00394-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Koch
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - A Lang
- Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - P Whongsiri
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University Bangkog, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - W A Schulz
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - M J Hoffmann
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - A Greife
- Department of Molecular Physical Chemistry, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
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10
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Chen YH, Chen CH, Chien CY, Su YY, Luo SD, Li SH. Overexpression of UTX promotes tumor progression in Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving surgical resection: a case control study. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:979. [PMID: 34465286 PMCID: PMC8408955 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08726-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat on chromosome X (UTX) has been identified as a histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) demethylase and acted as a tumor suppressor gene or oncogenic function. The current study was to explore the significance of UTX in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) patients who received surgical resection. Methods A total of 148 OTSCC patients who underwent surgical resection were identified, including 64 patients (43%) with overexpression of UTX and 84 patients (57%) harboring low expression of UTX. We also used two OTSCC cell lines, SAS and Cal 27, to determine the modulation of cancer. Chi-square test was used to investigate the difference of categorical variables between the groups; survival outcome was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method in univariate analysis, and a Cox regression model was performed for multivariate analyses. Results Univariate and multivariate analyses showed overexpression of UTX were significantly related to worse disease-free survival (P = 0.028) and overall survival (P = 0.029). The two OTSCC cell lines were treated with GSK-J4, a potent inhibitor of UTX, and transwell migration and invasion assays showed an inhibitory effect with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, western blot analyses also revealed the inhibition of cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Conclusion Our study suggests that UTX plays an important role in the process of OTSCC and overexpression of UTX may predict poor prognosis in OTSCC patients who received surgical resection. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08726-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Hao Chen
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No.123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist, Kaohsiung City, 833, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung, 912, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Han Chen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 402, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yen Chien
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yan-Ye Su
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Dean Luo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shau-Hsuan Li
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No.123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist, Kaohsiung City, 833, Taiwan.
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11
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Chen X, Lin X, Pang G, Deng J, Xie Q, Zhang Z. Significance of KDM6A mutation in bladder cancer immune escape. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:635. [PMID: 34051747 PMCID: PMC8164329 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08372-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BC) is the fourth most prevalent neoplasm in men and is associated with high tumour recurrence rates, leading to major treatment challenges. Lysine-specific demethylase 6A (KDM6A) is frequently mutated in several cancer types; however, its effects on tumour progression and clinical outcome in BC remain unclear. Here, we explored the potential role of KDM6A in regulating the antitumor immune response. Methods We mined The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases for somatic mutation and clinical data in patients with BC. Results We found frequent mutations in 12 genes in both cohorts, including TP53, KDM6A, CSMD3, MUC16, STAG2, PIK3CA, ARID1A, RB1, EP300, ERBB2, ERBB3, and FGFR3. The frequency o KDM6A mutations in the TCGA and ICGC datasets was 25.97 and 24.27%, respectively. In addition, KDM6A mutation was associated with a lower number of tumour-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and indicated a state of immune tolerance. KDM6A mutation was associated with lower KDM6A mRNA level compared with that in samples carrying the wild-type gene. Further, survival analysis showed that the prognosis of patients with low KDM6A expression was worse than that with high KDM6A expression. Using the CIBERSORT algorithm, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource site, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, we found that KDM6A mutation downregulated nine signalling pathways that participate in the immune system and attenuated the tumour immune response. Conclusion Overall, we conclude that KDM6A mutation is frequent in BC and promotes tumour immune escape, which may serve as a novel biomarker to predict the immune response. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08372-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Chen
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Kangning Road No.79, in Zhuhai city, Guang Dong Province, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuehua Lin
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Kangning Road No.79, in Zhuhai city, Guang Dong Province, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guofu Pang
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Kangning Road No.79, in Zhuhai city, Guang Dong Province, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Deng
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Kangning Road No.79, in Zhuhai city, Guang Dong Province, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qun Xie
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Kangning Road No.79, in Zhuhai city, Guang Dong Province, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengrong Zhang
- Department of Urology, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital affiliated with Jinan University, Kangning Road No.79, in Zhuhai city, Guang Dong Province, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Liu L, Cui J, Zhao Y, Liu X, Chen L, Xia Y, Wang Y, Chen S, Sun S, Shi B, Zou Y. KDM6A-ARHGDIB axis blocks metastasis of bladder cancer by inhibiting Rac1. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:77. [PMID: 34006303 PMCID: PMC8130406 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01369-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background KDM6A, a histone demethylase, is frequently mutated in bladder cancer (BCa). However, the role and detailed molecular mechanism of KDM6A involved in bladder cancer progression remains unknown. Methods Tissue specimens were used to determine the expression levels and prognostic values of KDM6A and ARHGDIB. The MTT, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell migration and invasion assays were employed to detect the BCa cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Chemotaxis of macrophages was used to evaluate the ability of KDM6A to recruit macrophages. A subcutaneous tumour model and tail vein tumour injection in nude mice were used to assess the role of KDM6A in vivo. RNA sequencing, qPCR, Western blot, ChIP and phalloidin staining assay were performed to investigate the molecular functions of KDM6A. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the effects of KDM6A and FOXA1 on the promoters of the ARHGDIB and KDM6A. Results We showed that the KDM6A inhibited the motility and invasiveness of the BCa cells. Mechanistically, KDM6A promotes the transcription of ARHGDIB by demethylating histone H3 lysine di/trimethylation (H3K27me2/3) and consequently leads to inhibition of Rac1. EZH2, which catalyses the methylation of H3K27, functions to silence ARHGDIB expression, and an EZH2 inhibitor can neutralize the metastatic effect caused by KDM6A deficiency. Furthermore, we demonstrated that FOXA1 directly binds to the KDM6A promoter and thus transactivates KDM6A, leading to diminished metastatic potential. Conclusion Our findings establish the critical role of the FOXA1-KDM6A-ARHGDIB axis in restraining the malignancy of BCa and identify KDM6A and EZH2 as potential therapeutic targets in the management of BCa. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-021-01369-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Jianfeng Cui
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Yajing Zhao
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaochen Liu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lipeng Chen
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Yangyang Xia
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Shouzhen Chen
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China
| | - Shuna Sun
- Department of Dermatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Benkang Shi
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China.
| | - Yongxin Zou
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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13
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Epigenetic Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma Cells Sensitizes to Cisplatin Chemotherapy and PARP Inhibitor Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061376. [PMID: 33803654 PMCID: PMC8002916 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UC) is treated with chemotherapies based on the DNA-damaging drug cisplatin, which only works temporarily due to the development of drug resistance. In this study, we show that it may be possible to overcome such resistances by treating the cancer cells with specific epigenetic drugs. We investigated the “epidrug” PLX51107 that inhibits the chromatin regulator BRD4 (Bromodomain Containing 4). PLX51107 inhibited cell growth, caused DNA damage, and blocked DNA repair response in UC cells. Concomitant application of PLX51107 with cisplatin or the drug talazoparib, interfering with DNA repair, caused cell death very efficiently. PLX51107 thus sensitizes UC cells to other drugs and may allow therapy with novel effective anti-tumor drugs like talazoparib that normally only work in a small proportion of patients with specific gene mutations. These results may help to improve current standard therapy and to develop new treatment options urgently required for UC patients. Abstract Muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC) is treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, which is only moderately efficient, mostly due to development of resistance. New therapy approaches are therefore urgently needed. Epigenetic alterations due to frequent mutations in epigenetic regulators contribute to development of the disease and to treatment resistance, and provide targets for novel drug combination therapies. Here, we determined the cytotoxic impact of the second-generation bromodomain protein inhibitor (BETi) PLX51107 on UC cell lines (UCC) and normal HBLAK control cells. PLX51107 inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis, and acted synergistically with the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin. While PLX51107 caused significant DNA damage, DNA damage signaling and DNA repair were impeded, a state defined as BRCAness. Accordingly, the drug strongly synergized with cisplatin more efficiently than romidepsin, and with the PARP inhibitor talazoparib to inhibit proliferation and induce cell death in UCC. Thus, a BETi can be used to “episensitize” UC cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy and inhibitors of DNA repair by inducing BRCAness in non BRCA1/2 mutated cancers. In clinical applications, the synergy between PLX51107 and other drugs should permit significant dosage reductions to minimize effects on normal tissues.
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14
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Zhang C, Shen L, Zhu Y, Xu R, Deng Z, Liu X, Ding Y, Wang C, Shi Y, Bei L, Wei D, Thorne RF, Zhang XD, Yu L, Chen S. KDM6A promotes imatinib resistance through YY1-mediated transcriptional upregulation of TRKA independently of its demethylase activity in chronic myelogenous leukemia. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:2691-2705. [PMID: 33456567 PMCID: PMC7806474 DOI: 10.7150/thno.50571] [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: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Despite landmark therapy of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), drug resistance remains problematic. Cancer pathogenesis involves epigenetic dysregulation and in particular, histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) have been implicated in TKI resistance. We sought to identify KDMs with altered expression in CML and define their contribution to imatinib resistance. Methods: Bioinformatics screening compared KDM expression in CML versus normal bone marrow with shRNA knockdown and flow cytometry used to measure effects on imatinib-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. Transcriptomic analyses were performed against KDM6A CRISPR knockout/shRNA knockdown K562 cells along with gene rescue experiments using wildtype and mutant demethylase-dead KDM6A constructs. Co-immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter and ChIP were employed to elucidate mechanisms of KDM6A-dependent resistance. Results: Amongst five KDMs upregulated in CML, only KDM6A depletion sensitized CML cells to imatinib-induced apoptosis. Re-introduction of demethylase-dead KDM6A as well as wild-type KDM6A restored imatinib resistance. RNA-seq identified NTRK1 gene downregulation after depletion of KDM6A. Moreover, NTRK1 expression positively correlated with KDM6A in a subset of clinical CML samples and KDM6A knockdown in fresh CML isolates decreased NTRK1 encoded protein (TRKA) expression. Mechanistically, KDM6A was recruited to the NTRK1 promoter by the transcription factor YY1 with subsequent TRKA upregulation activating down-stream survival pathways to invoke imatinib resistance. Conclusion: Contrary to its reported role as a tumor suppressor and independent of its demethylase function, KDM6A promotes imatinib-resistance in CML cells. The identification of the KDM6A/YY1/TRKA axis as a novel imatinib-resistance mechanism represents an unexplored avenue to overcome TKI resistance in CML.
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15
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Ramezankhani R, Solhi R, Es HA, Vosough M, Hassan M. Novel molecular targets in gastric adenocarcinoma. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 220:107714. [PMID: 33172596 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. A high mortality rate and resistance to treatment protocols due to a heterogeneous molecular pathogenesis has made discovering the key etiologic molecular alterations of the utmost importance. The remarkable role played by epigenetic modifications in repressing or activating many cancer-related genes and forming new epigenetic signatures can affect cancer initiation and progression. Hence, targeting the key epigenetic drivers could potentially attenuate cancer progression. MLLs, ARID1A and EZH2 are among the major epigenetic players that are frequently mutated in GACs. In this paper, we have proposed the existence of a network between these proteins that, together with PCAF and KDM6A, control the 3D chromatin structure and regulate the expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and oncogenes in GAC. Therefore, we suggest that manipulating the expression of EZH2, PCAF, and KDM6A or their downstream targets may reduce the cancerous phenotype in GAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Ramezankhani
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Basic Science and Advanced Medical Technologies, Royan Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran; Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, KU Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roya Solhi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Tehran, Iran; Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; ECM, Clinical research center (KFC), Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Sweden.
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16
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Tricarico R, Nicolas E, Hall MJ, Golemis EA. X- and Y-Linked Chromatin-Modifying Genes as Regulators of Sex-Specific Cancer Incidence and Prognosis. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:5567-5578. [PMID: 32732223 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-1741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Biological sex profoundly conditions organismal development and physiology, imposing wide-ranging effects on cell signaling, metabolism, and immune response. These effects arise from sex-specified differences in hormonal exposure, and from intrinsic genetic and epigenetic differences associated with the presence of an XX versus XY chromosomal complement. In addition, biological sex is now recognized to be a determinant of the incidence, presentation, and therapeutic response of multiple forms of cancer, including cancers not specifically associated with male or female anatomy. Although multiple factors contribute to sex-based differences in cancer, a growing body of research emphasizes a role for differential activity of X- and Y-linked tumor-suppressor genes in males and females. Among these, the X-linked KDM6A/UTX and KDM5C/JARID1C/SMCX, and their Y-linked paralogs UTY/KDM6C and KDM5D/JARID1D/SMCY encode lysine demethylases. These epigenetic modulators profoundly influence gene expression, based on enzymatic activity in demethylating H3K27me3 and H3K4me3, and nonenzymatic scaffolding roles for large complexes that open and close chromatin for transcription. In a growing number of cases, mutations affecting these proteins have been recognized to strongly influence cancer risk, prognosis, and response to specific therapies. However, sex-specific patterns of mutation, expression, and activity of these genes, coupled with tissue-specific requirement for their function as tumor suppressors, together exemplify the complex relationship between sex and cancer vulnerabilities. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current state of the literature on the roles of these proteins in contributing to sex bias in cancer, and the status of clinical agents relevant to their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Tricarico
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. .,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Nicolas
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael J Hall
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Department of Clinical Genetics, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Erica A Golemis
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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17
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Knockdown of UTX/KDM6A Enriches Precursor Cell Populations in Urothelial Cell Cultures and Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12041023. [PMID: 32326336 PMCID: PMC7226239 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12041023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone demethylase UTX (gene: KDM6A) directs cell and tissue differentiation during development. Deleterious mutations in KDM6A occur in many human cancers, most frequently in urothelial carcinoma. The consequences of these mutations are poorly understood; plausibly, they may disturb urothelial differentiation. We therefore investigated the effects of UTX siRNA-mediated knockdown in two in vitro models of urothelial differentiation; namely, primary cultures of urothelial epithelial cells treated with troglitazone and PD153035 and the immortalized urothelial cell line HBLAK treated with high calcium and serum. In both models, efficient UTX knockdown did not block morphological and biochemical differentiation. An apparent delay was due to a cytotoxic effect on the cell cultures before the initiation of differentiation, which induced apoptosis partly in a p53-dependent manner. As a consequence, slowly cycling, smaller, KRT14high precursor cells in the HBLAK cell line were enriched at the expense of more differentiated, larger, proliferating KRT14low cells. UTX knockdown induced apoptosis and enriched KRT14high cells in the BFTC-905 papillary urothelial carcinoma cell line as well. Our findings suggest an explanation for the frequent occurrence of KDM6A mutations across all stages and molecular subtypes of urothelial carcinoma, whereby loss of UTX function does not primarily impede later stages of urothelial differentiation, but favors the expansion of precursor populations to provide a reservoir of potential tumor-initiating cells.
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18
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The CUL4B-miR-372/373-PIK3CA-AKT axis regulates metastasis in bladder cancer. Oncogene 2020; 39:3588-3603. [PMID: 32127645 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CUL4B, which acts as a scaffold protein in CUL4B-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL4B) complexes, participates in a variety of biological processes. Previous studies have shown that CUL4B is often overexpressed and exhibits oncogenic activities in a variety of solid tumors. However, the roles and the underlying mechanisms of CUL4B in bladder cancer (BC) were poorly understood. Here, we showed that CUL4B levels were overexpressed and positively correlated with the malignancy of BC, and CUL4B could confer BC cells increased motility, invasiveness, stemness, and chemoresistance. The PIK3CA/AKT pathway was identified as a critical downstream mediator of CUL4B-driven oncogenicity in BC cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CRL4B epigenetically repressed the transcription of miR-372/373, via catalyzing monoubiquitination of H2AK119 at the gene cluster encoding miR-372/373, leading to upregulation of PIK3CA and activation of AKT. Our findings thus establish a critical role for the CUL4B-miR-372/373-PIK3CA/AKT axis in the pathogenesis of BC and have important prognostic and therapeutic implications in BC.
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19
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Nieminen TT, Walker CJ, Olkinuora A, Genutis LK, O'Malley M, Wakely PE, LaGuardia L, Koskenvuo L, Arola J, Lepistö AH, Brock P, Yilmaz AS, Eisfeld AK, Church JM, Peltomäki P, de la Chapelle A. Thyroid Carcinomas That Occur in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Patients Recurrently Harbor Somatic Variants in APC, BRAF, and KTM2D. Thyroid 2020; 30:380-388. [PMID: 32024448 PMCID: PMC7080217 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a condition typically caused by pathogenic germline mutations in the APC gene. In addition to colon polyps, individuals with FAP have a substantially increased risk of developing papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Little is known about the events underlying this association, and the prevalence of somatic "second-hit" mutations in APC is controversial. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed on paired thyroid tumor and normal DNA from 12 FAP patients who developed PTC. Somatic mutation profiles were compared with clinical characteristics and previously sequenced sporadic PTC cases. Germline variant profiling was performed to assess the prevalence of variants in genes previously shown to have a role in PTC predisposition. Results: All 12 patients harbored germline mutations in APC, consistent with FAP. Seven patients also had somatic mutations in APC, and seven patients harbored somatic mutations in KMT2D, which encodes a lysine methyl transferase. Mutation of these genes is extremely rare in sporadic PTCs. Notably, only two of the tumors harbored the somatic BRAF p.V600E mutation, which is the most common driver mutation found in sporadic PTCs. Six tumors displayed a cribriform-morular variant of PTC (PTC-CMV) histology, and all six had somatic mutations in APC. Additionally, nine FAP-PTC patients had rare germline variants in genes that were previously associated with thyroid carcinoma. Conclusions: Our data indicate that FAP-associated PTCs typically have distinct mutations compared with sporadic PTCs. Roughly half of the thyroid cancers that arise in FAP patients have somatic "second-hits" in APC, which is associated with PTC-CMV histology. Somatic BRAF p.V600E variants also occur in some FAP patients, a novel finding. We speculate that in carriers of heterozygous pathogenic mutations of tumor suppressor genes such as APC, a cooperating second-hit somatic variant may occur in a different gene such as KTM2D or BRAF, leading to differences in phenotypes. The role of germline variance in genes other than APC (9 of the 12 patients in this series) needs further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taina T. Nieminen
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Address correspondence to: Taina T. Nieminen, PhD, Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, 850 Biomedical Research Tower, 460 W 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Christopher J. Walker
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Alisa Olkinuora
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Luke K. Genutis
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Margaret O'Malley
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinical, Lakewood, Ohio
- Sanford R. Weiss MD Center for Hereditary Colorectal Neoplasia, Cleveland Clinic, Lakewood, Ohio
| | - Paul E. Wakely
- Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Lisa LaGuardia
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinical, Lakewood, Ohio
- Sanford R. Weiss MD Center for Hereditary Colorectal Neoplasia, Cleveland Clinic, Lakewood, Ohio
| | - Laura Koskenvuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Arola
- Department of Pathology, HUSLAB, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna H. Lepistö
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Abdominal Center, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pamela Brock
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ayse Selen Yilmaz
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - James M. Church
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinical, Lakewood, Ohio
- Sanford R. Weiss MD Center for Hereditary Colorectal Neoplasia, Cleveland Clinic, Lakewood, Ohio
| | - Päivi Peltomäki
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Albert de la Chapelle
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
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Gažová I, Lengeling A, Summers KM. Lysine demethylases KDM6A and UTY: The X and Y of histone demethylation. Mol Genet Metab 2019; 127:31-44. [PMID: 31097364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Histone demethylases remove transcriptional repressive marks from histones in the nucleus. KDM6A (also known as UTX) is a lysine demethylase which acts on the trimethylated lysine at position 27 in histone 3. The KDM6A gene is located on the X chromosome but escapes X inactivation even though it is not located in the pseudoautosomal region. There is a homologue of KDM6A on the Y chromosome, known as UTY. UTY was thought to have lost its demethylase activity and to represent a non-functional remnant of the ancestral KDM6A gene. However, results with knockout mice suggest that the gene is expressed and the protein performs some function within the cell. Female mice with homozygous deletion of Kdm6a do not survive, but hemizygous males are viable, attributed to the presence of the Uty gene. KDM6A is mutated in the human condition Kabuki syndrome type 2 (OMIM 300867) and in many cases of cancer. The amino acid sequence of KDM6A has been conserved across animal phyla, although it is only found on the X chromosome in eutherian mammals. In this review, we reanalyse existing data from various sources (protein sequence comparison, evolutionary genetics, transcription factor binding and gene expression analysis) to determine the function, expression and evolution of KDM6A and UTY and show that UTY has a functional role similar to KDM6A in metabolism and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iveta Gažová
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Andreas Lengeling
- Max Planck Society, Administrative Headquarters, Hofgartenstrasse 8, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Kim M Summers
- Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, 37 Kent St, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia.
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