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De Rosa L, Di Stasi R, Fusco V, D'Andrea LD. AXL receptor as an emerging molecular target in colorectal cancer. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104005. [PMID: 38685399 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) is a receptor tyrosine kinase whose aberrant expression has recently been associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to tumor growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), increased invasiveness, metastatic spreading, and the development of drug resistance. In this review we summarize preclinical data, the majority of which are limited to recent years, convincingly linking the AXL receptor to CRC. These findings support the value of targeting AXL with molecules in drug discovery, offering novel and advanced therapeutic or diagnostic tools for CRC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Virginia Fusco
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, via P. Castellino, 111 - 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca D D'Andrea
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche 'G. Natta', CNR, via M. Bianco, 9 - 20131 Milan, Italy.
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2
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Vandewalle N, Satilmis H, Verheye E, Fan R, Wang Y, De Groof TW, Bridoux J, Kerre T, De Beule N, De Becker A, De Bruyne E, Menu E, Vanderkerken K, Breckpot K, Devoogdt N, De Veirman K. AXL-specific single domain antibodies show diagnostic potential and anti-tumor activity in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Theranostics 2024; 14:2656-2674. [PMID: 38773967 PMCID: PMC11103505 DOI: 10.7150/thno.91456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: AXL expression has been identified as a prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is detectable in approximately 50% of AML patients. In this study, we developed AXL-specific single domain antibodies (sdAbs), cross-reactive for both mouse and human AXL protein, to non-invasively image and treat AXL-expressing cancer cells. Methods: AXL-specific sdAbs were induced by immunizing an alpaca with mouse and human AXL proteins. SdAbs were characterized using ELISA, flow cytometry, surface plasmon resonance and the AlphaFold2 software. A lead compound was selected and labeled with 99mTc for evaluation as a diagnostic tool in mouse models of human (THP-1 cells) or mouse (C1498 cells) AML using SPECT/CT imaging. For therapeutic purposes, the lead compound was fused to a mouse IgG2a-Fc tail and in vitro functionality tests were performed including viability, apoptosis and proliferation assays in human AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Using these in vitro models, its anti-tumor effect was evaluated as a single agent, and in combination with standard of care agents venetoclax or cytarabine. Results: Based on its cell binding potential, cross-reactivity, nanomolar affinity and GAS6/AXL blocking capacity, we selected sdAb20 for further evaluation. Using SPECT/CT imaging, we observed tumor uptake of 99mTc-sdAb20 in mice with AXL-positive THP-1 or C1498 tumors. In THP-1 xenografts, an optimized protocol using pre-injection of cold sdAb20-Fc was required to maximize the tumor-to-background signal. Besides its diagnostic value, we observed a significant reduction in tumor cell proliferation and viability using sdAb20-Fc in vitro. Moreover, combining sdAb20-Fc and cytarabine synergistically induced apoptosis in human AML cell lines, while these effects were less clear when combined with venetoclax. Conclusions: Because of their diagnostic potential, sdAbs could be used to screen patients eligible for AXL-targeted therapy and to follow-up AXL expression during treatment and disease progression. When fused to an Fc-domain, sdAbs acquire additional therapeutic properties that can lead to a multidrug approach for the treatment of AXL-positive cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Vandewalle
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hatice Satilmis
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Emma Verheye
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
- Brussels Center of Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rong Fan
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yanmeng Wang
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Timo W.M. De Groof
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jessica Bridoux
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tessa Kerre
- Department of Hematology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathan De Beule
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ann De Becker
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elke De Bruyne
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Eline Menu
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karin Vanderkerken
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- Laboratory of Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Translational Oncology Research Center (TORC), team Hematology and Immunology (HEIM), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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3
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Azizidoost S, Nasrolahi A, Sheykhi-Sabzehpoush M, Anbiyaiee A, Khoshnam SE, Farzaneh M, Uddin S. Signaling pathways governing the behaviors of leukemia stem cells. Genes Dis 2024; 11:830-846. [PMID: 37692500 PMCID: PMC10491880 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia is a malignancy in the blood that develops from the lymphatic system and bone marrow. Although various treatment options have been used for different types of leukemia, understanding the molecular pathways involved in the development and progression of leukemia is necessary. Recent studies showed that leukemia stem cells (LSCs) play essential roles in the pathogenesis of leukemia by targeting several signaling pathways, including Notch, Wnt, Hedgehog, and STAT3. LSCs are highly proliferative cells that stimulate tumor initiation, migration, EMT, and drug resistance. This review summarizes cellular pathways that stimulate and prevent LSCs' self-renewal, metastasis, and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Azizidoost
- Atherosclerosis Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6193673111, Iran
| | - Ava Nasrolahi
- Infectious Ophthalmologic Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6193673111, Iran
| | - Mohadeseh Sheykhi-Sabzehpoush
- Department of Laboratory, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 2193672411, Iran
| | - Amir Anbiyaiee
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6193673111, Iran
| | - Seyed Esmaeil Khoshnam
- Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6193673111, Iran
| | - Maryam Farzaneh
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6193673111, Iran
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute and Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
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Yee SM, Choi H, Seon JE, Ban YJ, Kim MJ, Seo JE, Seo JH, Kim S, Moon SH, Yun CH, Lee HB, Kang HS. Axl alleviates DSS-induced colitis by preventing dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5371. [PMID: 37005456 PMCID: PMC10067963 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32527-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Axl is a tyrosine kinase receptor, a negative regulator for innate immune responses and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The gut microbiota regulates intestinal immune homeostasis, but the role of Axl in the pathogenesis of IBD through the regulation of gut microbiota composition remains unresolved. In this study, mice with DSS-induced colitis showed increased Axl expression, which was almost entirely suppressed by depleting the gut microbiota with antibiotics. Axl-/- mice without DSS administration exhibited increased bacterial loads, especially the Proteobacteria abundant in patients with IBD, significantly consistent with DSS-induced colitis mice. Axl-/- mice also had an inflammatory intestinal microenvironment with reduced antimicrobial peptides and overexpression of inflammatory cytokines. The onset of DSS-induced colitis occurred faster with an abnormal expansion of Proteobacteria in Axl-/- mice than in WT mice. These findings suggest that a lack of Axl signaling exacerbates colitis by inducing aberrant compositions of the gut microbiota in conjunction with an inflammatory gut microenvironment. In conclusion, the data demonstrated that Axl signaling could ameliorate the pathogenesis of colitis by preventing dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Therefore, Axl may act as a potential novel biomarker for IBD and can be a potential candidate for the prophylactic or therapeutic target of diverse microbiota dysbiosis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Min Yee
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Harim Choi
- Department of Nursing, Nambu University, 23 Chumdan Jungang-Ro, Gwangsan-Gu, Gwangju, 62271, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Seon
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu-Jin Ban
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jae Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Eun Seo
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Hun Seo
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehyeon Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Hee Moon
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul-Ho Yun
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang Burm Lee
- Environmental Microbiology Lab, Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Sik Kang
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-Ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea.
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Harihar S, Welch DR. KISS1 metastasis suppressor in tumor dormancy: a potential therapeutic target for metastatic cancers? Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:183-196. [PMID: 36720764 PMCID: PMC10103016 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10090-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Present therapeutic approaches do not effectively target metastatic cancers, often limited by their inability to eliminate already-seeded non-proliferative, growth-arrested, or therapy-resistant tumor cells. Devising effective approaches targeting dormant tumor cells has been a focus of cancer clinicians for decades. However, progress has been limited due to limited understanding of the tumor dormancy process. Studies on tumor dormancy have picked up pace and have resulted in the identification of several regulators. This review focuses on KISS1, a metastasis suppressor gene that suppresses metastasis by keeping tumor cells in a state of dormancy at ectopic sites. The review explores mechanistic insights of KISS1 and discusses its potential application as a therapeutic against metastatic cancers by eliminating quiescent cells or inducing long-term dormancy in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sitaram Harihar
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 603203, India
| | - Danny R. Welch
- Department of Cancer Biology, The Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
- The University of Kansas Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd. Kansas City, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Role of NF-κB Signaling in the Interplay between Multiple Myeloma and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031823. [PMID: 36768145 PMCID: PMC9916119 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factors play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). The survival, proliferation and chemoresistance of malignant plasma cells largely rely on the activation of canonical and noncanonical NF-κB pathways. They are triggered by cancer-associated mutations or by the autocrine and paracrine production of cytokines and growth factors as well as direct interaction with cellular and noncellular components of bone marrow microenvironment (BM). In this context, NF-κB also significantly affects the activity of noncancerous cells, including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which have a critical role in disease progression. Indeed, NF-κB transcription factors are involved in inflammatory signaling that alters the functional properties of these cells to support cancer evolution. Moreover, they act as regulators and/or effectors of pathways involved in the interplay between MSCs and MM cells. The aim of this review is to analyze the role of NF-κB in this hematologic cancer, focusing on NF-κB-dependent mechanisms in tumor cells, MSCs and myeloma-mesenchymal stromal cell crosstalk.
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Skurikhin EG, Ermakova N, Zhukova M, Pershina O, Pan E, Pakhomova A, Kogai L, Goldberg V, Simolina E, Skurikhina V, Widera D, Kubatiev A, Morozov SG, Kushlinskii N, Dygai A. Analysis of Circulating Tumor and Cancer Stem Cells Provides New Opportunities in Diagnosis and Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810853. [PMID: 36142766 PMCID: PMC9503899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Current methods for diagnosis and treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have only a modest efficacy. In this pilot study, we analyzed circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) in patients with SCLC to search for new diagnostic and prognostic markers and novel approaches to improve the treatment of the disease. In other forms of lung cancer, we showed a heterogeneity of blood CTCs and CSCs populations, as well as changes in other cell populations (ALDH+, CD87+CD276+, and EGF+Axl+) in smokers. A number of CTCs and CSCs in patients with SCLC have been shown to be resistant to chemotherapy (CT). High cytotoxic activity and resistance to apoptosis of reprogrammed CD3+CD8+ T-lymphocytes (rTcells) in relation to naive CD3+CD8+ T-lymphocytes was demonstrated in a smoking patient with SCLC (Patient G) in vitro. The target for rTcells was patient G’s blood CSCs. Reprogramming of CD3+CD8+ T-lymphocytes was carried out with the MEK1/2 inhibitor and PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blocker nivolumab. The training procedure was performed with a suspension of dead CTCs and CSCs obtained from patient’s G blood. The presented data show a new avenue for personalized SCLC diagnosis and targeted improvement of chemotherapy based on the use of both CTCs and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii G. Skurikhin
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-3822-418-375
| | - Natalia Ermakova
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Mariia Zhukova
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
- Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Siberian State Medical University, Moskovski, 2, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Olga Pershina
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Edgar Pan
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Angelina Pakhomova
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Lena Kogai
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
- Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Siberian State Medical University, Moskovski, 2, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Victor Goldberg
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Kooperativny, 5, 634009 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Elena Simolina
- Cancer Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Kooperativny, 5, 634009 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Victoria Skurikhina
- Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Siberian State Medical University, Moskovski, 2, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Darius Widera
- Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Group, School of Pharmacy, Whiteknights Campus, Reading RG6 6AP, UK
| | - Aslan Kubatiev
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey G. Morozov
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Alexander Dygai
- Laboratory of Regenerative Pharmacology, Goldberg ED Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lenin, 3, 634028 Tomsk, Russia
- Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315 Moscow, Russia
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Kosta A, Mekhloufi A, Lucantonio L, Zingoni A, Soriani A, Cippitelli M, Gismondi A, Fazio F, Petrucci MT, Santoni A, Stabile H, Fionda C. GAS6/TAM signaling pathway controls MICA expression in multiple myeloma cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:942640. [PMID: 35967396 PMCID: PMC9368199 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.942640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NKG2D ligands play a relevant role in Natural Killer (NK) cell -mediated immune surveillance of multiple myeloma (MM). Different levels of regulation control the expression of these molecules at cell surface. A number of oncogenic proteins and miRNAs act as negative regulators of NKG2D ligand transcription and translation, but the molecular mechanisms sustaining their basal expression in MM cells remain poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the role of the growth arrest specific 6 (GAS6)/TAM signaling pathway in the regulation of NKG2D ligand expression and MM recognition by NK cells. Our data showed that GAS6 as well as MERTK and AXL depletion in MM cells results in MICA downregulation and inhibition of NKG2D-mediated NK cell degranulation. Noteworthy, GAS6 derived from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) also increases MICA expression at both protein and mRNA level in human MM cell lines and in primary malignant plasma cells. NF-kB activation is required for these regulatory mechanisms since deletion of a site responsive for this transcription factor compromises the induction of mica promoter by BMSCs. Accordingly, knockdown of GAS6 reduces the capability of BMSCs to activate NF-kB pathway as well as to enhance MICA expression in MM cells. Taken together, these results shed light on molecular mechanism underlying NKG2D ligand regulation and identify GAS6 protein as a novel autocrine and paracrine regulator of basal expression of MICA in human MM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kosta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Abdelilah Mekhloufi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lorenzo Lucantonio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Zingoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Cippitelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Gismondi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Fazio
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine and Precision, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Petrucci
- Division of Hematology, Department of Translational Medicine and Precision, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Helena Stabile
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Cinzia Fionda, ; Helena Stabile,
| | - Cinzia Fionda
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Cinzia Fionda, ; Helena Stabile,
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Engelsen AST, Lotsberg ML, Abou Khouzam R, Thiery JP, Lorens JB, Chouaib S, Terry S. Dissecting the Role of AXL in Cancer Immune Escape and Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2022; 13:869676. [PMID: 35572601 PMCID: PMC9092944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.869676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and implementation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in clinical oncology have significantly improved the survival of a subset of cancer patients with metastatic disease previously considered uniformly lethal. However, the low response rates and the low number of patients with durable clinical responses remain major concerns and underscore the limited understanding of mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity and tumor immune resistance. There is an urgent unmet need for novel approaches to enhance the efficacy of ICI in the clinic, and for predictive tools that can accurately predict ICI responders based on the composition of their tumor microenvironment. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL has been associated with poor prognosis in numerous malignancies and the emergence of therapy resistance. AXL is a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MERTK (TAM) kinase family. Upon binding to its ligand GAS6, AXL regulates cell signaling cascades and cellular communication between various components of the tumor microenvironment, including cancer cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Converging evidence points to AXL as an attractive molecular target to overcome therapy resistance and immunosuppression, supported by the potential of AXL inhibitors to improve ICI efficacy. Here, we review the current literature on the prominent role of AXL in regulating cancer progression, with particular attention to its effects on anti-tumor immune response and resistance to ICI. We discuss future directions with the aim to understand better the complex role of AXL and TAM receptors in cancer and the potential value of this knowledge and targeted inhibition for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete S. T. Engelsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria L. Lotsberg
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
| | - James B. Lorens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Research Department, Inovarion, Paris, France
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10
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Lee W, Kim DK, Synn CB, Lee HK, Park S, Jung DS, Choi Y, Kim JH, Byeon Y, Kim YS, Lee S, Lee S, Joo Y, Lee EJ, Yun MR, Heo SG, Yang W, Jung JE, Kim EK, Park J, Park JD, Lee DJ, Kim HW, Lim SM, Hong MH, Ahn BC, Lee JB, Pyo KH. Incorporation of SKI-G-801, a Novel AXL Inhibitor, With Anti-PD-1 Plus Chemotherapy Improves Anti-Tumor Activity and Survival by Enhancing T Cell Immunity. Front Oncol 2022; 12:821391. [PMID: 35356198 PMCID: PMC8959645 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.821391] [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: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A recently developed treatment strategy for lung cancer that combines immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy has been applied as a standard treatment for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), and it has improved the outcomes of chemotherapy. Maintenance treatment with anti-PD-1 antibody (aPD-1) enhances the effect of immunochemical combination therapy and improves therapeutic efficacy, which contributes toward a significant improvement in patient survival rates. The AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL), which is expressed in tumor cells, plays an essential role in the resistance of cancers to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and stimulates signaling associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in metastatic cancer. AXL is thus an attractive target for controlling resistance to anti-tumor therapies. In this study, we examined the effect of AXL inhibitors on immune activation and tumor growth in TC1 and C3PQ mouse tumor models, in the context of clinical immunotherapy/chemotherapy and maintenance treatment, using an aPD-1 with/without pemetrexed. To determine the optimal timing for administration of SKI-G-801, an AXL inhibitor, we investigated its anti-tumor effects based on inclusion at the immunochemotherapy and maintenance therapy stages. We also performed flow cytometry-based immune profiling of myeloid cells and lymphoid cells at different points in the treatment schedule, to investigate the immune activation and anti-tumor effects of the AXL inhibitor. The addition of SKI-G-801 to the immune checkpoint inhibitor and chemotherapy stage, as well as the maintenance therapy stage, produced the best anti-tumor results, and significant tumor growth inhibition was observed in both the TC1 and C3PQ models. Both models also exhibited increased proportion of effector memory helper T cells and increased expression of CD86+ macrophages. Especially, regulatory T cells were significantly reduced in the TC1 tumor model and there was an increase in central memory cytotoxic T cell infiltration and an increased proportion of macrophages with high CD80 expression in the C3PQ tumor model. These results suggest increased infiltration of T cells, consistent with previous studies using AXL inhibitors. It is expected that the results from this study will serve as a stepping stone for clinical research to improve the existing standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wongeun Lee
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-si, South Korea.,Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Kwon Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chun-Bong Synn
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee Kyu Lee
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Sungho Park
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dong-Sik Jung
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Yewon Choi
- Department of Discovery Biology, Oscotec Inc., Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Jae Hwan Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youngseon Byeon
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Seob Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seul Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soyeon Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yunjoo Joo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Ji Lee
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Mi Ran Yun
- JEUK Institute for Cancer Research, JEUK Co., Ltd., Gumi-si, South Korea
| | - Seong Gu Heo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wookyeom Yang
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji Eun Jung
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Kyung Kim
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jooyeon Park
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - June Dong Park
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, South Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Doo Jae Lee
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Woo Kim
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, South Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Min Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Beung-Chul Ahn
- Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Center for Lung Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang-si, South Korea
| | - Jii Bum Lee
- Division of Hemato-oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, South Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Pyo
- Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Division of Medical Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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11
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Jiang X, Liang L, Chen G, Liu C. Modulation of Immune Components on Stem Cell and Dormancy in Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:2826. [PMID: 34831048 PMCID: PMC8616319 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) refer to a certain subpopulation within the tumor entity that is characterized by restricted cellular proliferation and multipotent differentiation potency. The existence of CSCs has been proven to contribute to the heterogeneity of malignancies, accounting for intensified tumorigenesis, treatment resistance, and metastatic spread. Dormancy was proposed as a reversible state of cancer cells that are temporarily arrested in the cell cycle, possessing several hallmarks that facilitate their survival within a devastating niche. This transient period is evoked to enter an actively proliferating state by multiple regulatory alterations, and one of the most significant and complex factors comes from local and systemic inflammatory reactions and immune components. Although CSCs and dormant cancer cells share several similarities, the clear relationship between these two concepts remains unclear. Thus, the detailed mechanism of immune cells interacting with CSCs and dormant cancer cells also warrants elucidation for prevention of cancer relapse and metastasis. In this review, we summarize recent findings and prospective studies on CSCs and cancer dormancy to conclude the relationship between these two concepts. Furthermore, we aim to outline the mechanism of immune components in interfering with CSCs and dormant cancer cells to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention of relapse and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Caigang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China; (X.J.); (L.L.); (G.C.)
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12
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Chung SH, Park J, Lee JW, Song J, Jung D, Min KH. Structure-activity relationship of 7-aryl-2-anilino-pyrrolopyrimidines as Mer and Axl tyrosine kinase inhibitors. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 35:1822-1833. [PMID: 32972253 PMCID: PMC7534383 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1825407] [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] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The TAM (Axl, Mer, and Tyro3) family is implicated in the survival and chemoresistance of tumours and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. A novel series of 7-aryl-2-anilino-pyrrolopyrimidines were identified as potent Axl/Mer tyrosine kinase inhibitors without significant inhibition of Tyro3. A representative compound 27 exhibited IC50 values of 2 nM and 16 nM for Mer and Axl, respectively, and considerable inhibition for Mer phosphorylation in cells. Docking studies suggested that the formation of a salt bridge between the nitrogen of the aniline moiety with ASP678 of the Mer kinase domain as well as an interaction with the hinge region that most kinase inhibitors have in common would be essential to retain activity. These results could provide useful information for finding promising inhibitors of Axl/Mer for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Hyuck Chung
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Wuk Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiho Song
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Danbee Jung
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hoon Min
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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13
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Xu D, Sun D, Wang W, Peng X, Zhan Z, Ji Y, Shen Y, Geng M, Ai J, Duan W. Discovery of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as potent Axl inhibitors: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113497. [PMID: 33957388 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Axl has emerged as an attractive target for cancer therapy due to its strong correlation with tumor growth, metastasis, poor survival, and drug resistance. Herein, we report the design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigation of a series of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as new Axl inhibitors. Among them, the most promising compound 13b showed high enzymatic and cellular Axl potencies. Furthermore, 13b possessed preferable pharmacokinetic properties and displayed promising therapeutic effect in BaF3/TEL-Axl xenograft tumor model. Compound 13b may serve as a lead compound for new antitumor drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Xu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Deqiao Sun
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xia Peng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhengsheng Zhan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yinchun Ji
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yanyan Shen
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Meiyu Geng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jing Ai
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1 Xiangshan Branch Lane, Xihu District, Hangzhou, 330106, China.
| | - Wenhu Duan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
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14
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Humtsoe JO, Kim HS, Leonard B, Ling S, Keam B, Marchionni L, Afsari B, Considine M, Favorov AV, Fertig EJ, Kang H, Ha PK. Newly Identified Members of FGFR1 Splice Variants Engage in Cross-talk with AXL/AKT Axis in Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1001-1013. [PMID: 33408119 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is the second most common malignancy of the salivary gland. Although characterized as an indolent tumor, ACC often leads to incurable metastatic disease. Patients with ACC respond poorly to currently available therapeutic drugs and factors contributing to the limited response remain unknown. Determining the role of molecular alterations frequently occurring in ACC may clarify ACC tumorigenesis and advance the development of effective treatment strategies. Applying Splice Expression Variant Analysis and outlier statistics on RNA sequencing of primary ACC tumors and matched normal salivary gland tissues, we identified multiple alternative splicing events (ASE) of genes specific to ACC. In ACC cells and patient-derived xenografts, FGFR1 was a uniquely expressed ASE. Detailed PCR analysis identified three novel, truncated, intracellular domain-lacking FGFR1 variants (FGFR1v). Cloning and expression analysis suggest that the three FGFR1v are cell surface proteins, that expression of FGFR1v augmented pAKT activity, and that cells became more resistant to pharmacologic FGFR1 inhibitor. FGFR1v-induced AKT activation was associated with AXL function, and inhibition of AXL activity in FGFR1v knockdown cells led to enhanced cytotoxicity in ACC. Moreover, cell killing effect was increased by dual inhibition of AXL and FGFR1 in ACC cells. This study demonstrates that these previously undescribed FGFR1v cooperate with AXL and desensitize cells to FGFR1 inhibitor, which supports further investigation into combined FGFR1 and AXL inhibition as an effective ACC therapy.This study identifies several FGFR1 variants that function through the AXL/AKT signaling pathway independent of FGF/FGFR1, desensitizing cells to FGFR1 inhibitor suggestive of a potential resistance mechanism in ACC. SIGNIFICANCE: This study identifies several FGFR1 variants that function through the AXL/AKT signaling pathway independent of FGF/FGFR1, desensitizing cells to FGFR1 inhibitor, suggestive of a potential resistance mechanism in ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph O Humtsoe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Hyun-Su Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Brandon Leonard
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Shizhang Ling
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of South Korea
| | - Luigi Marchionni
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bahman Afsari
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael Considine
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexander V Favorov
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Laboratory of Systems Biology and Computational Genetics, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elana J Fertig
- Department of Oncology, Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hyunseok Kang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Patrick K Ha
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, California.
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15
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Kim Y, Lee KW, Yeom H, Kim M, Lee YK, Lee J, Hwang JY, Min Y, Ryu DH, Lee CH, Cho SY. Design and Synthesis of
5‐Aryl
‐substituted Phenylpyrimidine‐2,4‐diamine Derivatives as Novel Mer and Tyro3 Kinase Inhibitors. B KOREAN CHEM SOC 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/bkcs.12167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yeonji Kim
- Department of Chemistry Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 440‐746 Korea
| | - Kyung Won Lee
- Therapeutic and Biotechnology Division Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology 141 Gajeong‐ro, Yuseong‐gu, Daejeon 34114 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyesu Yeom
- Department of Chemistry Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 440‐746 Korea
| | - Miok Kim
- Therapeutic and Biotechnology Division Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology 141 Gajeong‐ro, Yuseong‐gu, Daejeon 34114 Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Kyung Lee
- College of Pharmacy Chung Nam National University Daejeon 34134 Korea
| | - Joo‐Youn Lee
- Therapeutic and Biotechnology Division Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology 141 Gajeong‐ro, Yuseong‐gu, Daejeon 34114 Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Yeon Hwang
- Therapeutic and Biotechnology Division Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology 141 Gajeong‐ro, Yuseong‐gu, Daejeon 34114 Republic of Korea
| | - Youngki Min
- Therapeutic and Biotechnology Division Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology 141 Gajeong‐ro, Yuseong‐gu, Daejeon 34114 Republic of Korea
| | - Do Hyun Ryu
- Department of Chemistry Sungkyunkwan University Suwon 440‐746 Korea
| | - Chang Hoon Lee
- Therapeutic and Biotechnology Division Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology 141 Gajeong‐ro, Yuseong‐gu, Daejeon 34114 Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Yun Cho
- Therapeutic and Biotechnology Division Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology 141 Gajeong‐ro, Yuseong‐gu, Daejeon 34114 Republic of Korea
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16
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AXL Receptor in Breast Cancer: Molecular Involvement and Therapeutic Limitations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228419. [PMID: 33182542 PMCID: PMC7696061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer was one of the first malignancies to benefit from targeted therapy, i.e., treatments directed against specific markers. Inhibitors against HER2 are a significant example and they improved the life expectancy of a large cohort of patients. Research on new biomarkers, therefore, is always current and important. AXL, a member of the TYRO-3, AXL and MER (TAM) subfamily, is, today, considered a predictive and prognostic biomarker in many tumor contexts, primarily breast cancer. Its oncogenic implications make it an ideal target for the development of new pharmacological agents; moreover, its recent role as immune-modulator makes AXL particularly attractive to researchers involved in the study of interactions between cancer and the tumor microenvironment (TME). All these peculiarities characterize AXL as compared to other members of the TAM family. In this review, we will illustrate the biological role played by AXL in breast tumor cells, highlighting its molecular and biological features, its involvement in tumor progression and its implication as a target in ongoing clinical trials.
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17
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Ryu J, Ahn Y, Kook H, Kim YK. The roles of non-coding RNAs in vascular calcification and opportunities as therapeutic targets. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 218:107675. [PMID: 32910935 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC) is characterized by an accumulation of calcium phosphate crystals inside the vessel wall. VC is often associated with diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Even though the number of patients with VC remains prevalent, there are still no approved therapies for the treatment of VC. Since the pathogenesis of VC is diverse and involves multiple factors and mechanisms, it is critical to reveal the novel mechanisms involved in VC. Although protein-coding RNAs involved in VC have been extensively studied, the roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are not yet fully understood. The field of ncRNAs has recently received attention, and accumulating evidence from studies in VC suggests that ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play an important role in the regulation of VC. NcRNAs can modulate VC by acting as promoters or inhibitors and may be useful in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of VC. In this article, we review and discuss ncRNAs that regulate VC and present the therapeutic implications of these ncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhee Ryu
- Basic Research Laboratory for Vascular Remodeling, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngkeun Ahn
- Basic Research Laboratory for Vascular Remodeling, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Kook
- Basic Research Laboratory for Vascular Remodeling, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young-Kook Kim
- Basic Research Laboratory for Vascular Remodeling, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Creative Biomedical Scientists at Chonnam National University, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea; Department of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Latest Development in Multiple Myeloma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092544. [PMID: 32906677 PMCID: PMC7563652 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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19
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Jiang C, Cheng Z, Jiang T, Xu Y, Wang B. MicroRNA-34a inhibits cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via targeting AXL/PI3K/AKT/Snail signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Genes Genomics 2020; 42:971-978. [PMID: 32648233 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-020-00963-3] [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: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) has been reported to inhibit TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Using the bioinformatics, we found that the AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) is a predicted target of miR-34a. OBJECTIVE we aimed to reveal the relationship between miR-34a and AXL, and investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-34a in NPC progression. METHODS The expression patterns of miR-34a and AXL in 30 paired NPC tissues and the adjacent tissues were examined by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). The target relationship between miR-34a and AXL was evaluated by the luciferase gene reporter assay. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and transwell chamber assays, respectively. RESULTS miR-34a level was dramatically decreased in the NPC tissues compared to the adjacent tissues, while AXL expression was increased. Overexpression of miR-34a significantly reduced the luciferase activity of the luciferase vector of AXL (pGL3-AXL-WT), whereas this effect was abrogated when binding sites between miR-34a and AXL were mutated. In addition, ectopic expression of miR-34a dramatically inhibited Sune-1 cell migration and invasion abilities, decreased the levels of N-cadherin and Vimentin and increased E-cadherin and γ-catenin expressions, as well as induced significant reductions in the expressions of p-AKT and Snail. However, these effects were attenuated when the cells were treated with recombinant human AXL protein. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that miR-34a/AXL can inhibit NPC cell migration, invasion and EMT through inhibition of AKT/Snail signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyi Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu City, 233004, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Zhongqiang Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu City, 233004, Anhui Province, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu City, 233004, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yajia Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu City, 233004, Anhui Province, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, No. 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu City, 233004, Anhui Province, China
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20
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He L, Lei Y, Hou J, Wu J, Lv G. Implications of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Gastric Cancer Progression. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:5901-5911. [PMID: 32606800 PMCID: PMC7319943 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s257606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive malignancy with high lethality. Systematic chemotherapy is the main therapeutic strategy for advanced GC patients. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and regulates tumor growth and metastasis in many types of cancer. However, the role of Axl in GC progression remains elusive. Materials and Methods Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR assay (RT-PCR) assays were used to detect the expression of Gas6, Axl, ZEB1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers in GC cells. Cell proliferation was determined by EdU cell proliferation assay and CCK-8 assay. Transwell invasion assay was performed to explore the effect of Axl and ZEB1 on cell invasion. Tumor xenografts and lung metastasis models were conducted to examine the effect of Axl on the growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. Results In our study, we found that high levels of Gas6 and Axl expression were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) in GC patients and the expression of Gas6 and Axl was upregulated in GC cell lines. Ectopic expression of Axl induced EMT and promoted GC cell invasion and proliferation. The knockdown of Axl inhibited EMT and suppressed the proliferation and invasion of GC cell. In vivo study showed that inhibition of Axl impaired tumor growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Axl promoted EMT, invasion, and proliferation via upregulating ZEB1 expression in GC cells. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that the Gas6/Axl/ZEB1 signaling pathway regulated EMT, invasion, and proliferation in GC cells and might represent a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirui He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Lei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianing Hou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianlong Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoqing Lv
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, People's Republic of China
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