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Logotheti S, Pavlopoulou A, Rudsari HK, Galow AM, Kafalı Y, Kyrodimos E, Giotakis AI, Marquardt S, Velalopoulou A, Verginadis II, Koumenis C, Stiewe T, Zoidakis J, Balasingham I, David R, Georgakilas AG. Intercellular pathways of cancer treatment-related cardiotoxicity and their therapeutic implications: the paradigm of radiotherapy. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 260:108670. [PMID: 38823489 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108670] [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: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Advances in cancer therapeutics have improved patient survival rates. However, cancer survivors may suffer from adverse events either at the time of therapy or later in life. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a clinically important, but mechanistically understudied complication, which interfere with the continuation of best-possible care, induce life-threatening risks, and/or lead to long-term morbidity. These concerns are exacerbated by the fact that targeted therapies and immunotherapies are frequently combined with radiotherapy, which induces durable inflammatory and immunogenic responses, thereby providing a fertile ground for the development of CVDs. Stressed and dying irradiated cells produce 'danger' signals including, but not limited to, major histocompatibility complexes, cell-adhesion molecules, proinflammatory cytokines, and damage-associated molecular patterns. These factors activate intercellular signaling pathways which have potentially detrimental effects on the heart tissue homeostasis. Herein, we present the clinical crosstalk between cancer and heart diseases, describe how it is potentiated by cancer therapies, and highlight the multifactorial nature of the underlying mechanisms. We particularly focus on radiotherapy, as a case known to often induce cardiovascular complications even decades after treatment. We provide evidence that the secretome of irradiated tumors entails factors that exert systemic, remote effects on the cardiac tissue, potentially predisposing it to CVDs. We suggest how diverse disciplines can utilize pertinent state-of-the-art methods in feasible experimental workflows, to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of radiotherapy-related cardiotoxicity at the organismal level and untangle the desirable immunogenic properties of cancer therapies from their detrimental effects on heart tissue. Results of such highly collaborative efforts hold promise to be translated to next-generation regimens that maximize tumor control, minimize cardiovascular complications, and support quality of life in cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Logotheti
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15780, Athens, Greece; Biomedical Physics in Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Athanasia Pavlopoulou
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey; Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Anne-Marie Galow
- Institute for Genome Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Yağmur Kafalı
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey; Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Efthymios Kyrodimos
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hippocrateion General Hospital Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aris I Giotakis
- First Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hippocrateion General Hospital Athens, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stephan Marquardt
- Institute of Translational Medicine for Health Care Systems, Medical School Berlin, Hochschule Für Gesundheit Und Medizin, 14197 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anastasia Velalopoulou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ioannis I Verginadis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Constantinos Koumenis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thorsten Stiewe
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Philipps-University, 35043 Marburg, Germany; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), 35043 Marburg, Germany; Genomics Core Facility, Philipps-University, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jerome Zoidakis
- Department of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece; Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Robert David
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany; Department of Life, Light & Matter, Interdisciplinary Faculty, Rostock University, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Alexandros G Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, 15780, Athens, Greece.
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Zhang QY, Ding W, Mo JS, Ou-Yang SM, Lin ZY, Peng KR, Liu GP, Lu JJ, Yue PB, Lei JP, Wang YD, Zhang XL. Novel STAT3 oligonucleotide compounds suppress tumor growth and overcome the acquired resistance to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1701-1714. [PMID: 38609562 PMCID: PMC11272795 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01261-4] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of tumors, leading to resistance and poor prognosis. Activation of STAT3 signaling is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but potent and less toxic STAT3 inhibitors have not been discovered. Here, based on antisense technology, we designed a series of stabilized modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting STAT3 mRNA (STAT3 ASOs). Treatment with STAT3 ASOs decreased the STAT3 mRNA and protein levels in HCC cells. STAT3 ASOs significantly inhibited the proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion of cancer cells by specifically perturbing STAT3 signaling. Treatment with STAT3 ASOs decreased the tumor burden in an HCC xenograft model. Moreover, aberrant STAT3 signaling activation is one of multiple signaling pathways involved in sorafenib resistance in HCC. STAT3 ASOs effectively sensitized resistant HCC cell lines to sorafenib in vitro and improved the inhibitory potency of sorafenib in a resistant HCC xenograft model. The developed STAT3 ASOs enrich the tools capable of targeting STAT3 and modulating STAT3 activity, serve as a promising strategy for treating HCC and other STAT3-addicted tumors, and alleviate the acquired resistance to sorafenib in HCC patients. A series of novel STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide were designed and showed potent anti-cancer efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo by targeting STAT3 signaling. Moreover, the selected STAT3 ASOs enhance sorafenib sensitivity in resistant cell model and xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Yi Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wen Ding
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jian-Shan Mo
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shu-Min Ou-Yang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zi-You Lin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ke-Ren Peng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guo-Pin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Pei-Bin Yue
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, and Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Jin-Ping Lei
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yan-Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Xiao-Lei Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Singh N, Khan FM, Bala L, Vera J, Wolkenhauer O, Pützer B, Logotheti S, Gupta SK. Logic-based modeling and drug repurposing for the prediction of novel therapeutic targets and combination regimens against E2F1-driven melanoma progression. BMC Chem 2023; 17:161. [PMID: 37993971 PMCID: PMC10666365 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-023-01082-2] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma presents increasing prevalence and poor outcomes. Progression to aggressive stages is characterized by overexpression of the transcription factor E2F1 and activation of downstream prometastatic gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Appropriate therapeutic manipulation of the E2F1-governed GRNs holds the potential to prevent metastasis however, these networks entail complex feedback and feedforward regulatory motifs among various regulatory layers, which make it difficult to identify druggable components. To this end, computational approaches such as mathematical modeling and virtual screening are important tools to unveil the dynamics of these signaling networks and identify critical components that could be further explored as therapeutic targets. Herein, we integrated a well-established E2F1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) map with transcriptomics data from E2F1-expressing melanoma cells to reconstruct a core regulatory network underlying aggressive melanoma. Using logic-based in silico perturbation experiments of a core regulatory network, we identified that simultaneous perturbation of Protein kinase B (AKT1) and oncoprotein murine double minute 2 (MDM2) drastically reduces EMT in melanoma. Using the structures of the two protein signatures, virtual screening strategies were performed with the FDA-approved drug library. Furthermore, by combining drug repurposing and computer-aided drug design techniques, followed by molecular dynamics simulation analysis, we identified two potent drugs (Tadalafil and Finasteride) that can efficiently inhibit AKT1 and MDM2 proteins. We propose that these two drugs could be considered for the development of therapeutic strategies for the management of aggressive melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, BBDCODS, BBD University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Faiz M Khan
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lakshmi Bala
- Department of Biochemistry, BBDCODS, BBD University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Julio Vera
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-European Metropolitan Area of Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India
- Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Brigitte Pützer
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stella Logotheti
- Institute of Experimental Gene Therapy and Cancer Research, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Zografou, Athens, Greece
| | - Shailendra K Gupta
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
- Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India.
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Wądzyńska J, Simiczyjew A, Pietraszek-Gremplewicz K, Kot M, Ziętek M, Matkowski R, Nowak D. The impact of cellular elements of TME on melanoma biology and its sensitivity to EGFR and MET targeted therapy. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119549. [PMID: 37506884 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Microenvironment of the melanoma consists of cellular elements like fibroblasts, adipocytes, and keratinocytes as well as extracellular matrix and physicochemical conditions. In our previous research, we have established that melanoma influences strongly above mentioned cells present in the tumor niche and recruits them to support cancer progression. In this work, we evaluated the impact of cancer-associated cells, namely fibroblasts (CAFs), adipocytes (CAAs), and keratinocytes (CAKs) on melanoma proliferation, signaling pathways activation, metabolism as well as the effectiveness of used anti-cancer therapy. Obtained results indicated elevated phosphorylation of STAT3, upregulated GLUT1 and GLUT3 as well as downregulated of MCT-1 expression level in melanoma cells under the influence of all examined cells present in the tumor niche. The proliferation of melanoma cells was increased after co-culture with CAFs and CAKs, while epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers' expression level was raised in the presence of CAFs and CAAs. The level of perilipin 2 and lipid content was elevated in melanoma cells under the influence of CAAs. Moreover, increased expression of CYP1A1, gene encoding drug metabolizing protein, in melanoma cells co-cultured with CAFs and CAKs prompted us to verify the effectiveness of the previously proposed by us anti-melanoma therapy based on combination of EGFR and MET inhibitors. Obtained results indicate that the designed therapy is still efficient, even if the fibroblasts, adipocytes, and keratinocytes, are present in the melanoma vicinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Wądzyńska
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Simiczyjew
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Magdalena Kot
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Ziętek
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology, and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Matkowski
- Department of Oncology and Division of Surgical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland; Lower Silesian Oncology, Pulmonology, and Hematology Center, Plac Hirszfelda 12, 53-413 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowak
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wroclaw, Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-383 Wroclaw, Poland.
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Liang J, Hu F, Mao L, Qiu Y, Jiang F, Wang Q, Abulikemu K, Hong Y, Ge X, Kang X. Interleukin-37 inhibits desmoglein-3 endocytosis and keratinocyte dissociation via upregulation of Caveolin-1 and inhibition of the STAT3 pathway. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:1920-1927. [PMID: 37262304 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially fatal autoimmune bullous disease primarily caused by acantholysis of keratinocytes attributed to pathogenic desmoglein-3 (Dsg3) autoantibodies. Interleukin-37 (IL-37) reportedly plays important roles in a variety of autoimmune diseases, but its role in PV is not clear. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether IL-37 plays a role in the occurrence and progression of PV. METHODS HaCaT keratinocytes were stimulated with anti-Dsg3 antibody to establish an in vitro PV model, which was defined as anti-Dsg3 group. Cells incubated with medium without anti-Dsg3 treatment were used as control. IL-37 was cultured with these cells infected with or without lentiviral vector shRNA-Caveolin-1 (sh-Cav-1-LV). Cell dissociation assay and immunocytofluorescence were performed to assess keratinocyte dissociation, keratin retraction and Dsg3 endocytosis. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA level of Cav-1, and western blot was used to determine the protein expression of Cav-1, Dsg3, STAT3 and phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3). RESULTS The anti-Dsg3 group showed more cell debris, increased keratin retraction, increased Dsg3 endocytosis, reduced Cav-1 expression and co-localization than the control group, while IL-37 treatment neutralized all of these changes. Interestingly, Cav-1 knockdown supressed the inhibitory effect of IL-37 on keratinocyte dissociation and Dsg3 internalization. The protein expression of p-STAT3 was increased in keratinocytes of the PV model but decreased by IL-37. Re-activation of the STAT3 pathway by colivelin supressed the inhibitory effect of IL-37 on keratinocyte dissociation and Dsg3 internalization, along with upregulation of Cav-1 and Dsg3. CONCLUSIONS IL-37 inhibited keratinocyte dissociation and Dsg3 endocytosis in an in vitro PV model through the upregulating Cav-1 and inhibiting STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqin Liang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Fengxia Hu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Lidan Mao
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Yun Qiu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Fanhe Jiang
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Kailibinuer Abulikemu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Yongzhen Hong
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Xinyu Ge
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
| | - Xiaojing Kang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic Diseases, Urumqi, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Dermatology Research (XJYS1707), Urumqi, China
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Wang X, Ren Z, Xu Y, Gao X, Huang H, Zhu F. KCNQ1OT1 sponges miR-34a to promote malignant progression of malignant melanoma via upregulation of the STAT3/PD-L1 axis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:368-380. [PMID: 36399467 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant melanoma is a leading cause of skin cancer-related death. In over 30% of cases, the melanoma is invasive and has a metastatic phenotype. KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) was previously identified as an oncogenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). Our study intends to uncover the mechanism of KCNQ1OT1 functioning in melanoma. METHODS qRT-PCR, immunohistochemical analysis, and Western blotting were used to investigate mechanisms of the lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, on its downstream genes in melanoma tissues, cells as well as the impact on CD8+ T cells. Proliferation, apoptosis, and migration/invasion were assessed in melanoma cells to evaluate the effects of KCNQ1OT1, miR-34a, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). The RNA interactions were determined by dual-luciferase reporter, and melanoma cells were co-cultured with CD8+ T cells to study immune evasion. A lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay was used to investigate the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells toward melanoma cells. The in vivo tumorigenic potential of KCNQ1OT1 was defined using xenograft models. RESULTS KCNQ1OT1 was upregulated in melanoma tissues leading to a poor prognosis, and knocking down it inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. KCNQ1OT1 regulated the progression of the melanoma via its action as a miR-34a sponge. STAT3 was found to be a downstream target of miR-34a, resulting in transcriptional regulation of Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). KCNQ1OT1 regulated STAT3 by targeting miR-34a. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 reduced PD-L1 level, enhanced CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity, and proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSION Melanoma cells overexpressed KCNQ1OT1, which influenced the miR-34a/STAT3 axis, to promote proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells. In addition, KCNQ1OT1 inhibited CD8+ T cell function, also via the miR-34a/STAT3/PD-L1 axis, thus promoting immune evasion of melanoma cells. The current findings expose a potential therapeutic target of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyao Ren
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunfeng Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Hainian Huang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Zhu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
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7
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Drug Repurposing at the Interface of Melanoma Immunotherapy and Autoimmune Disease. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010083. [PMID: 36678712 PMCID: PMC9865219 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells have a remarkable ability to evade recognition and destruction by the immune system. At the same time, cancer has been associated with chronic inflammation, while certain autoimmune diseases predispose to the development of neoplasia. Although cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized antitumor treatment, immune-related toxicities and adverse events detract from the clinical utility of even the most advanced drugs, especially in patients with both, metastatic cancer and pre-existing autoimmune diseases. Here, the combination of multi-omics, data-driven computational approaches with the application of network concepts enables in-depth analyses of the dynamic links between cancer, autoimmune diseases, and drugs. In this review, we focus on molecular and epigenetic metastasis-related processes within cancer cells and the immune microenvironment. With melanoma as a model, we uncover vulnerabilities for drug development to control cancer progression and immune responses. Thereby, drug repurposing allows taking advantage of existing safety profiles and established pharmacokinetic properties of approved agents. These procedures promise faster access and optimal management for cancer treatment. Together, these approaches provide new disease-based and data-driven opportunities for the prediction and application of targeted and clinically used drugs at the interface of immune-mediated diseases and cancer towards next-generation immunotherapies.
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8
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Logotheti S, Pavlopoulou A, Marquardt S, Takan I, Georgakilas AG, Stiewe T. p73 isoforms meet evolution of metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:853-869. [PMID: 35948758 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10057-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cancer largely adheres to Darwinian selection. Evolutionary forces are prominent during metastasis, the final and incurable disease stage, where cells acquire combinations of advantageous phenotypic features and interact with a dynamically changing microenvironment, in order to overcome the metastatic bottlenecks, while therapy exerts additional selective pressures. As a strategy to increase their fitness, tumors often co-opt developmental and tissue-homeostasis programs. Herein, 25 years after its discovery, we review TP73, a sibling of the cardinal tumor-suppressor TP53, through the lens of cancer evolution. The TP73 gene regulates a wide range of processes in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis and cancer via an overwhelming number of functionally divergent isoforms. We suggest that TP73 neither merely mimics TP53 via its p53-like tumor-suppressive functions, nor has black-or-white-type effects, as inferred by the antagonism between several of its isoforms in processes like apoptosis and DNA damage response. Rather, under dynamic conditions of selective pressure, the various p73 isoforms which are often co-expressed within the same cancer cells may work towards a common goal by simultaneously activating isoform-specific transcriptional and non-transcriptional programs. Combinatorial co-option of these programs offers selective advantages that overall increase the likelihood for successfully surpassing the barriers of the metastatic cascade. The p73 functional pleiotropy-based capabilities might be present in subclonal populations and expressed dynamically under changing microenvironmental conditions, thereby supporting clonal expansion and propelling evolution of metastasis. Deciphering the critical p73 isoform patterns along the spatiotemporal axes of tumor evolution could identify strategies to target TP73 for prevention and therapy of cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Logotheti
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780, Zografou, Greece.
| | - Athanasia Pavlopoulou
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Stephan Marquardt
- Institute of Translational Medicine for Health Care Systems, Medical School Berlin, Hochschule Für Gesundheit Und Medizin, 14197, Berlin, Germany
| | - Işıl Takan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey.,Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Alexandros G Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780, Zografou, Greece
| | - Thorsten Stiewe
- Institute of Molecular Oncology, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.,Institute of Lung Health, Giessen, Germany.,German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
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9
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Evaluating Risk: Benefit Ratio of Fat-Soluble Vitamin Supplementation to SARS-CoV-2-Infected Autoimmune and Cancer Patients: Do Vitamin–Drug Interactions Exist? Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12101654. [PMID: 36295089 PMCID: PMC9604733 DOI: 10.3390/life12101654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review brings attention to a crucial yet under-investigated subject which is vitamin–drug interactions. Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K have been proven to possess many beneficial effects in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Moreover, it has been reported that deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins have been directly linked to COVID-19 infection-related morbidity and mortality, especially in high-risk populations such as cancer and autoimmune patients. However, many vitamin–drug interactions exist between most of the newly COVID-19 FDA-approved medications and fat-soluble vitamins. Hence, this mandates personalizing the COVID-19 treatment protocols, especially for patients who have any deficiency in any of these vital vitamins. Weighing the risk-to-benefit ratio of supplementing any of these fat-soluble vitamins with COVID-19 medications is considered crucial to maximize the therapeutic benefit and decrease the side effects of these drugs. Abstract COVID-19 is a recent pandemic that mandated the scientific society to provide effective evidence-based therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment for such a global threat, especially to those patients who hold a higher risk of infection and complications, such as patients with autoimmune diseases and cancer. Recent research has examined the role of various fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) in reducing the severity of COVID-19 infection. Studies showed that deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins abrogates the immune system, thus rendering individuals more susceptible to COVID-19 infection. Moreover, another line of evidence showed that supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins during the course of infection enhances the viral clearance episode by promoting an adequate immune response. However, more thorough research is needed to define the adequate use of vitamin supplements in cancer and autoimmune patients infected with COVID-19. Moreover, it is crucial to highlight the vitamin–drug interactions of the COVID-19 therapeutic modalities and fat-soluble vitamins. With an emphasis on cancer and autoimmune patients, the current review aims to clarify the role of fat-soluble vitamins in SARS-CoV-2 infection and to estimate the risk-to-benefit ratio of a fat-soluble supplement administered to patients taking FDA-approved COVID-19 medications such as antivirals, anti-inflammatory, receptor blockers, and monoclonal antibodies.
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10
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Li C, Ren J, Zhang M, Wang H, Yi F, Wu J, Tang Y. The heterogeneity of microglial activation and its epigenetic and non-coding RNA regulations in the immunopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:511. [PMID: 36066650 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04536-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are resident immune cells in the brain and play a central role in the development and surveillance of the nervous system. Extensive gliosis is a common pathological feature of several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia. Microglia can respond to multiple inflammatory insults and later transform into different phenotypes, such as pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, thereby exerting different functions. In recent years, an increasing number of studies based on both traditional bulk sequencing and novel single-cell/nuclear sequencing and multi-omics analysis, have shown that microglial phenotypes are highly heterogeneous and dynamic, depending on the severity and stage of the disease as well as the particular inflammatory milieu. Thus, redirecting microglial activation to beneficial and neuroprotective phenotypes promises to halt the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. To this end, an increasing number of studies have focused on unraveling heterogeneous microglial phenotypes and their underlying molecular mechanisms, including those due to epigenetic and non-coding RNA modulations. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic mechanisms in the form of DNA and histone modifications, as well as the general non-coding RNA regulations that modulate microglial activation during immunopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and discuss promising research approaches in the microglial era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyi Li
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Mengfei Zhang
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Huakun Wang
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Yi
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Junjiao Wu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
- Provincial Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yu Tang
- Aging Research Center, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- The Biobank of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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11
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IL-27 regulates autophagy in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes via STAT3 signaling. Immunobiology 2022; 227:152241. [PMID: 35820245 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2022.152241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly prevalent autoimmune condition associated with pronounced synovial inflammation. The majority of RA patients required long-term treatment to control disease progression, thus imposing a significant financial burden on affected individuals. The development of RA is critically influenced by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) within the synovial lining. IL-27 is an IL-6/IL-12 family cytokine that has recently been shown to play varied pro-inflammatory or protective roles in particular autoimmune diseases. However, the effects of IL-27 on FLSs in the context of RA have yet to be clarified and warrant further research. This study was developed to evaluate the impact of IL-27 treatment on apoptotic and autophagic activity in RA-associated FLSs, with a particular focus on the role of the STAT3 pathway in this regulatory context. Through these experiments, we found that IL-27 was able to suppress FLS proliferation and autophagic activity, with a high dose of this cytokine (100 ng/mL) markedly suppressing autophagy while simultaneously inducing some level of cellular apoptosis. The STAT3 inhibitor STA21 was found to reverse the IL-27-mediated suppression of autophagic activity in these RA-associated FLSs. Imbalanced cellular proliferation and apoptosis is of critical importance in the context of RA progression, and we found that IL-27 was able to regulate such imbalance and to enhance the apoptotic activity of RA FLSs by inhibiting rapamycin-activated autophagy. Together, these results indicate that IL-27 can regulate autophagic activity within RA-associated FLSs via the STAT3 signaling pathway, leading to inhibition of cellular proliferation.
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12
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Torres GM, Yang H, Park C, Spezza PA, Khatwani N, Bhandari R, Liby KT, Pioli PA. T Cells and CDDO-Me Attenuate Immunosuppressive Activation of Human Melanoma-Conditioned Macrophages. Front Immunol 2022; 13:768753. [PMID: 35265066 PMCID: PMC8898828 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.768753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma tumors are highly immunogenic, making them an attractive target for immunotherapy. However, many patients do not mount robust clinical responses to targeted therapies, which is attributable, at least in part, to suppression of immune responses by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Using a human in vitro tri-culture system of macrophages with activated autologous T cells and BRAFV600E mutant melanoma cells, we now show that activated T cells and the synthetic triterpenoid the methyl ester of 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO-Me) attenuate immune suppression. Surface expression of CD206, CD16 and CD163 on melanoma-conditioned macrophages was inhibited by the addition of T cells, suggesting relief of immuno-suppressive macrophage activation. We also demonstrated that addition of CDDO-Me to tri-cultures enhanced T cell-mediated reductions in CCL2, VEGF and IL-6 production in a contact-independent manner. Because these results suggest CDDO-Me alters melanoma-conditioned macrophage activation, we interrogated CDDO-Me-mediated changes in macrophage signaling pathway activation. Our results indicated that CDDO-Me inhibited phosphorylation of STAT3, a known inducer of TAM activation. Collectively, our studies suggest that activated T cells and CDDO-Me synergistically relieve immune suppression in melanoma cultures and implicate the potential utility of CDDO-Me in the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretel M Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Heetaek Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Chanhyuk Park
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Paul A Spezza
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Nikhil Khatwani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Rajan Bhandari
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
| | - Karen T Liby
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Patricia A Pioli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, United States
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13
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Lin A, De Backer J, Quatannens D, Cuypers B, Verswyvel H, De La Hoz EC, Ribbens B, Siozopoulou V, Van Audenaerde J, Marcq E, Lardon F, Laukens K, Vanlanduit S, Smits E, Bogaerts A. The effect of local
non‐thermal
plasma therapy on the
cancer‐immunity
cycle in a melanoma mouse model. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 7:e10314. [PMID: 36176603 PMCID: PMC9472020 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma remains a deadly cancer despite significant advances in immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapies. The incidence of melanoma is also growing worldwide, which highlights the need for novel treatment options and strategic combination of therapies. Here, we investigate non‐thermal plasma (NTP), an ionized gas, as a promising, therapeutic option. In a melanoma mouse model, direct treatment of tumors with NTP results in reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. Physical characterization of NTP treatment in situ reveals the deposited NTP energy and temperature associated with therapy response, and whole transcriptome analysis of the tumor identified several modulated pathways. NTP treatment also enhances the cancer‐immunity cycle, as immune cells in both the tumor and tumor‐draining lymph nodes appear more stimulated to perform their anti‐cancer functions. Thus, our data suggest that local NTP therapy stimulates systemic, anti‐cancer immunity. We discuss, in detail, how these fundamental insights will help direct the translation of NTP technology into the clinic and inform rational combination strategies to address the challenges in melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Lin
- PLASMANT‐Research Group University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON) University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Joey De Backer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Delphine Quatannens
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON) University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Bart Cuypers
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science University of Antwerp Antwerpen Belgium
| | - Hanne Verswyvel
- PLASMANT‐Research Group University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON) University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | | | - Bart Ribbens
- Industrial Vision Lab (InViLab) University of Antwerp Antwerpen Belgium
| | - Vasiliki Siozopoulou
- Department of Pathology University Hospital of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Jonas Van Audenaerde
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON) University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Elly Marcq
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON) University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Filip Lardon
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON) University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Kris Laukens
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science University of Antwerp Antwerpen Belgium
| | - Steve Vanlanduit
- Industrial Vision Lab (InViLab) University of Antwerp Antwerpen Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized & Precision Oncology Network (IPPON) University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Annemie Bogaerts
- PLASMANT‐Research Group University of Antwerp Antwerpen‐Wilrijk Belgium
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14
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Expression of Autoimmunity-Related Genes in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040991. [PMID: 35205739 PMCID: PMC8870167 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The present study selected four genes strongly related to autoimmunity. Their expression was found to be significantly altered in melanoma patients according to a multi-validation procedure carried out on 1948 patients. Such genes may represent suitable molecular targets to further investigate the role autoimmunity may play in melanoma setup and development. Our data suggest that autoimmunity may play a beneficial role in melanoma set up, at least to some extent. Abstract (1) Background. Immune response dysregulation plays a key role in melanoma, as suggested by the substantial prognosis improvement observed under immune-modulation therapy. Similarly, the role of autoimmunity is under large investigation in melanoma and other cancers. (2) Methods. Expression of 98 autoimmunity-related genes was investigated in 1948 individuals (1024 melanoma and 924 healthy controls). Data were derived from four independent databases, namely, GEO in the selection phase, and Ist Online, GEPIA2 and GENT2, in three sequential validation-steps. ROC analyses were performed to measure the ability to discriminate melanoma from controls. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to combine expression data; survival analysis was carried out on the GEPIA2 platform. (3) Results. Expression levels of NOD2, BAX, IL-18 and ADRB2 were found to be significantly different in melanoma vs. controls and discriminate melanoma from controls in an extremely effective way, either as single molecules (AUC > 0.93 in all cases) or as a profile, according to the PCA analysis. Patients showing high-expression of NOD2 and of IL-18 also show a significant survival improvement as compared to low-expression patients. (4) Conclusions. Four genes strongly related to autoimmunity show a significant altered expression in melanoma samples, highlighting the role they may play in melanoma.
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15
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Salviolone from Salvia miltiorrhiza Roots Impairs Cell Cycle Progression, Colony Formation, and Metalloproteinase-2 Activity in A375 Melanoma Cells: Involvement of P21(Cip1/Waf1) Expression and STAT3 Phosphorylation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031121. [PMID: 35163058 PMCID: PMC8835475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly malignant solid tumor characterized by an elevated growth and propagation rate. Since, often, melanoma treatment cannot prevent recurrences and the appearance of metastasis, new anti-melanoma agents need to be discovered. Salvia miltiorrhiza roots are a source of diterpenoid derivatives, natural compounds with several biological activities, including antiproliferative and anticancer effects. Seven diterpenoid derivatives were purified from S. miltiorrhiza roots and identified by NMR and MS analysis. Tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone were detected as the main components of S. miltiorrhiza root ethanol extract. Although their antitumor activity is already known, they have been confirmed to induce a reduction in A375 and MeWo melanoma cell growth. Likewise, salviolone has been shown to impair the viability of melanoma cells without affecting the growth of normal melanocytes. The underlying anticancer activity of salviolone has been investigated and compared to that of cryptotanshinone in A375 cells, showing an increased P21 protein expression in a P53-dependent manner. In that way, salviolone, even more than cryptotanshinone, displays a multitarget effect on cell-cycle-related proteins. Besides, it modulates the phosphorylation level of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3. Unexpectedly, salviolone and cryptotanshinone induce sustained activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and the protein kinase B (Akt). However, the blockage of ERK1/2 or Akt activities suggests that kinase activation does not hinder their ability to inhibit A375 cell growth. Finally, salviolone and cryptotanshinone inhibit to a comparable extent some crucial malignancy features of A375 melanoma cells, such as colony formation in soft agar and metalloproteinase-2 activity. In conclusion, it has been shown for the first time that salviolone, harboring a different molecular structure than tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone, exhibits a pleiotropic effect against melanoma by hampering cell cycle progression, STAT3 signaling, and malignant phenotype of A375 melanoma cells.
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16
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Gotte G, Campagnari R, Loreto D, Bettin I, Calzetti F, Menegazzi M, Merlino A. The crystal structure of the domain-swapped dimer of onconase highlights some catalytic and antitumor activity features of the enzyme. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 191:560-571. [PMID: 34563576 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.09.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Onconase (ONC) is a monomeric amphibian "pancreatic-type" RNase endowed with remarkable anticancer activity. ONC spontaneously forms traces of a dimer (ONC-D) in solution, while larger amounts can be formed when ONC is lyophilized from mildly acidic solutions. Here, we report the crystal structure of ONC-D and analyze its catalytic and antitumor activities in comparison to ONC. ONC-D forms via the three-dimensional swapping of the N-terminal α-helix between two monomers, but it displays a significantly different quaternary structure from that previously modeled [Fagagnini A et al., 2017, Biochem J 474, 3767-81], and based on the crystal structure of the RNase A N-terminal swapped dimer. ONC-D presents a variable quaternary assembly deriving from a variable open interface, while it retains a catalytic activity that is similar to that of ONC. Notably, ONC-D displays antitumor activity against two human melanoma cell lines, although it exerts a slightly lower cytostatic effect than the monomer. The inhibition of melanoma cell proliferation by ONC or ONC-D is associated with the reduction of the expression of the anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), as well as of the total expression and phosphorylation of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT)-3. Phosphorylation is inhibited in both STAT3 Tyr705 and Ser727 key-residues, as well as in its upstream tyrosine-kinase Src. Consequently, both ONC species should exert their anti-cancer action by inhibiting the pro-tumor pleiotropic STAT3 effects deriving either by its phospho-tyrosine activation or by its non-canonical signaling pathways. Both ONC species, indeed, increase the portion of A375 cells undergoing apoptotic cell death. This study expands the variety of RNase domain-swapped dimeric structures, underlining the unpredictability of the open interface arrangement upon domain swapping. Structural data also offer valuable insights to analyze the differences in the measured ONC or ONC-D biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Gotte
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Biological Chemistry Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Rachele Campagnari
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Biological Chemistry Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Domenico Loreto
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bettin
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Biological Chemistry Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federica Calzetti
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Marta Menegazzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Biological Chemistry Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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17
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Zhi D, Yang T, Zhang T, Yang M, Zhang S, Donnelly RF. Microneedles for gene and drug delivery in skin cancer therapy. J Control Release 2021; 335:158-177. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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18
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Artesunate inhibits melanoma progression in vitro via suppressing STAT3 signaling pathway. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:650-663. [PMID: 33609273 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is a life-threatening cancer characterized with a potentially metastatic tumor of melanocytic origin. Improved methods or novel therapies are urgently needed to eliminate the development of metastases. Artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin used for trarment of malaria and cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of artesunate and the role on STAT3 signaling in A375 human melanoma cell line. METHODS Melanoma cells were treated with artesunate at concentrations of 0-5 μM for 24 and 48 h. The inhibition of cell viability, colony formation, migration, invasion, adhesion, percentage of apoptotic cells, and expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) and related proteins were examined. RESULTS Artesunate inhibited cellular proliferation of cancer cells by induction of apoptosis at sub-toxic doses. Cells treated with artesunate showed an inhibition in adhesion to extracellular matrix substrate matrigel and type IV collagen. Artesunate treatment showed a decreased cellular migration, invasion, and colony formation in melanoma cells. Artesunate also inhibited STAT3 and Src activations and STAT3 related protein expressions; such as metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, Mcl-1, Bxl-xL, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Twist. Moreover, overexpression of constitutively active STAT3 in A375 cells attenuated the anti-proliferative, apoptotic and anti-invasive effects of artesunate. CONCLUSION The results obtained from this study demonstrated that the anticancer activity of artesunate occurred via STAT3 pathway and its target proteins. Therefore, it can be suggested that artesunate may be an important candidate molecule in the treatment of melanoma.
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MicroRNA-21-Enriched Exosomes as Epigenetic Regulators in Melanomagenesis and Melanoma Progression: The Impact of Western Lifestyle Factors. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082111. [PMID: 32751207 PMCID: PMC7464294 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA mutation-induced activation of RAS-BRAF-MEK-ERK signaling associated with intermittent or chronic ultraviolet (UV) irradiation cannot exclusively explain the excessive increase of malignant melanoma (MM) incidence since the 1950s. Malignant conversion of a melanocyte to an MM cell and metastatic MM is associated with a steady increase in microRNA-21 (miR-21). At the epigenetic level, miR-21 inhibits key tumor suppressors of the RAS-BRAF signaling pathway enhancing proliferation and MM progression. Increased MM cell levels of miR-21 either result from endogenous upregulation of melanocytic miR-21 expression or by uptake of miR-21-enriched exogenous exosomes. Based on epidemiological data and translational evidence, this review provides deeper insights into environmentally and metabolically induced exosomal miR-21 trafficking beyond UV-irradiation in melanomagenesis and MM progression. Sources of miR-21-enriched exosomes include UV-irradiated keratinocytes, adipocyte-derived exosomes in obesity, airway epithelium-derived exosomes generated by smoking and pollution, diet-related exosomes and inflammation-induced exosomes, which may synergistically increase the exosomal miR-21 burden of the melanocyte, the transformed MM cell and its tumor environment. Several therapeutic agents that suppress MM cell growth and proliferation attenuate miR-21 expression. These include miR-21 antagonists, metformin, kinase inhibitors, beta-blockers, vitamin D, and plant-derived bioactive compounds, which may represent new options for the prevention and treatment of MM.
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de Araujo ED, Keserű GM, Gunning PT, Moriggl R. Targeting STAT3 and STAT5 in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2002. [PMID: 32707820 PMCID: PMC7465272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Insights into the mutational landscape of the human cancer genome coding regions defined about 140 distinct cancer driver genes in 2013, which approximately doubled to 300 in 2018 following advances in systems cancer biology studies [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvin D. de Araujo
- Centre for Medicinal Chemistry, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (E.D.d.A.); (P.T.G.)
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - György M. Keserű
- Medicinal Chemistry, Research Center for Natural Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Patrick T. Gunning
- Centre for Medicinal Chemistry, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada; (E.D.d.A.); (P.T.G.)
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
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Kieslinger M, Swoboda A, Kramer N, Pratscher B, Wolfesberger B, Burgener IA. Companion Animals as Models for Inhibition of STAT3 and STAT5. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11122035. [PMID: 31861073 PMCID: PMC6966487 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11122035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of transgenic mouse models has revolutionized the study of many human diseases. However, murine models are limited in their representation of spontaneously arising tumors and often lack key clinical signs and pathological changes. Thus, a closer representation of complex human diseases is of high therapeutic relevance. Given the high failure rate of drugs at the clinical trial phase (i.e., around 90%), there is a critical need for additional clinically relevant animal models. Companion animals like cats and dogs display chronic inflammatory or neoplastic diseases that closely resemble the human counterpart. Cat and dog patients can also be treated with clinically approved inhibitors or, if ethics and drug safety studies allow, pilot studies can be conducted using, e.g., inhibitors of the evolutionary conserved JAK-STAT pathway. The incidence by which different types of cancers occur in companion animals as well as mechanisms of disease are unique between humans and companion animals, where one can learn from each other. Taking advantage of this situation, existing inhibitors of known oncogenic STAT3/5 or JAK kinase signaling pathways can be studied in the context of rare human diseases, benefitting both, the development of drugs for human use and their application in veterinary medicine.
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Targeting STAT3 and STAT5 in Tumor-Associated Immune Cells to Improve Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121832. [PMID: 31766350 PMCID: PMC6966642 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oncogene-induced STAT3-activation is central to tumor progression by promoting cancer cell expression of pro-angiogenic and immunosuppressive factors. STAT3 is also activated in infiltrating immune cells including tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) amplifying immune suppression. Consequently, STAT3 is considered as a target for cancer therapy. However, its interplay with other STAT-family members or transcription factors such as NF-κB has to be considered in light of their concerted regulation of immune-related genes. Here, we discuss new attempts at re-educating immune suppressive tumor-associated macrophages towards a CD8 T cell supporting profile, with an emphasis on the role of STAT transcription factors on TAM functional programs. Recent clinical trials using JAK/STAT inhibitors highlighted the negative effects of these molecules on the maintenance and function of effector/memory T cells. Concerted regulation of STAT3 and STAT5 activation in CD8 T effector and memory cells has been shown to impact their tumor-specific responses including intra-tumor accumulation, long-term survival, cytotoxic activity and resistance toward tumor-derived immune suppression. Interestingly, as an escape mechanism, melanoma cells were reported to impede STAT5 nuclear translocation in both CD8 T cells and NK cells. Ours and others results will be discussed in the perspective of new developments in engineered T cell-based adoptive therapies to treat cancer patients.
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