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Kucinski JP, Calderon D, Kendall GC. Biological and therapeutic insights from animal modeling of fusion-driven pediatric soft tissue sarcomas. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050704. [PMID: 38916046 PMCID: PMC11225592 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Survival for children with cancer has primarily improved over the past decades due to refinements in surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Although these general therapies are sometimes curative, the cancer often recurs, resulting in poor outcomes for patients. Fusion-driven pediatric soft tissue sarcomas are genetically defined by chromosomal translocations that create a chimeric oncogene. This distinctive, almost 'monogenic', genetic feature supports the generation of animal models to study the respective diseases in vivo. This Review focuses on a subset of fusion-driven pediatric soft tissue sarcomas that have transgenic animal tumor models, which includes fusion-positive and infantile rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma, alveolar soft part sarcoma and clear cell sarcoma. Studies using the animal models of these sarcomas have highlighted that pediatric cancers require a specific cellular state or developmental stage to drive tumorigenesis, as the fusion oncogenes cause different outcomes depending on their lineage and timing of expression. Therefore, understanding these context-specific activities could identify targetable activities and mechanisms critical for tumorigenesis. Broadly, these cancers show dependencies on chromatin regulators to support oncogenic gene expression and co-opting of developmental pathways. Comparative analyses across lineages and tumor models will further provide biological and therapeutic insights to improve outcomes for these children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack P. Kucinski
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Delia Calderon
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Genevieve C. Kendall
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology PhD Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
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2
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Zhong J, Zhang W, Zhang L, Li J, Kang L, Li X. CircFLNA/miR-214 modulates regulatory T cells by regulating PD-1 in acute lung injury induced by sepsis. Autoimmunity 2023; 56:2259131. [PMID: 37724530 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2023.2259131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a major complication of death from bacterial infection. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important regulators in addressing lung injury. Considering the extensive research of circular RNAs (circRNAs), the role of circRNA in Treg modulation during ARDS remains unclear. In this study, patients with sepsis-induced ARDS along with non-ARDS controls were obtained, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected as clinical samples. Additionally, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was performed to construct a septic ARDS model, and lung tissues as well as peripheral blood were collected. mRNA expressions were measured by RT-qPCR. ELISA was carried out to measure the concentration of inflammatory factors. A combination of online bioinformatics, dual-luciferase reporter, and RND pull-down assays was performed to verify interactions between microRNA (miRNA) and circRNA/mRNA. Tregs were measured by flow cytometry. Our data suggested that circFLNA was aberrantly elevated in ARDS, and depletion of circFLNA upregulated CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs and decreased inflammatory response. Additionally, miR-214-5p which binds with circFLNA, reversed circFLNA-induced effects in ARDS. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is a downstream target gene of miR-214-5p, and abrogated the effects of miR-214-5p on regulating CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs and inflammatory response. In a word, circFLNA/miR-214-5p/PD-1 signaling is a novel pathway that modulates Tregs in ARDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhong
- Department of Emergency, Dongguan Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Dongguan Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Leiyun Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Dongguan Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Jieying Li
- Department of Emergency, Dongguan Tungwah Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Lingkai Kang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaoyue Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
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3
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Tanaka M, Nakamura T. Targeting epigenetic aberrations of sarcoma in CRISPR era. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:510-525. [PMID: 36967299 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are rare malignancies that exhibit diverse biological, genetic, morphological, and clinical characteristics. Genetic alterations, such as gene fusions, mutations in transcriptional machinery components, histones, and DNA methylation regulatory molecules, play an essential role in sarcomagenesis. These mutations induce and/or cooperate with specific epigenetic aberrations required for the growth and maintenance of sarcomas. Appropriate mouse models have been developed to clarify the significance of genetic and epigenetic interactions in sarcomas. Studies using the mouse models for human sarcomas have demonstrated major advances in our understanding the developmental processes as well as tumor microenvironment of sarcomas. Recent technological progresses in epigenome editing will not only improve the studies using animal models but also provide a direct clue for epigenetic therapies. In this manuscript, we review important epigenetic aberrations in sarcomas and their representative mouse models, current methods of epigenetic editing using CRISPR/dCas9 systems, and potential applications in sarcoma studies and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Tanaka
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Tanaka M, Homme M, Teramura Y, Kumegawa K, Yamazaki Y, Yamashita K, Osato M, Maruyama R, Nakamura T. HEY1-NCOA2 expression modulates chondrogenic differentiation and induces mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in mice. JCI Insight 2023; 8:160279. [PMID: 37212282 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.160279] [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: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma affects adolescents and young adults, and most cases usually have the HEY1::NCOA2 fusion gene. However, the functional role of HEY1-NCOA2 in the development and progression of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma remains largely unknown. This study aimed to clarify the functional role of HEY1-NCOA2 in transformation of the cell of origin and induction of typical biphasic morphology of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. We generated a mouse model for mesenchymal chondrosarcoma by introducing HEY1-NCOA2 into mouse embryonic superficial zone (eSZ) followed by subcutaneous transplantation into nude mice. HEY1-NCOA2 expression in eSZ cells successfully induced subcutaneous tumors in 68.9% of recipients, showing biphasic morphologies and expression of Sox9, a master regulator of chondrogenic differentiation. ChIP sequencing analyses indicated frequent interaction between HEY1-NCOA2 binding peaks and active enhancers. Runx2, which is important for differentiation and proliferation of the chondrocytic lineage, is invariably expressed in mouse mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, and interaction between HEY1-NCOA2 and Runx2 is observed using NCOA2 C-terminal domains. Although Runx2 knockout resulted in significant delay in tumor onset, it also induced aggressive growth of immature small round cells. Runx3, which is also expressed in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma and interacts with HEY1-NCOA2, replaced the DNA-binding property of Runx2 only in part. Treatment with the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat suppressed tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, abrogating expression of genes downstream of HEY1-NCOA2 and Runx2. In conclusion, HEY1::NCOA2 expression modulates the transcriptional program in chondrogenic differentiation, affecting cartilage-specific transcription factor functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Tanaka
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, The Cancer Institute, and
| | - Mizuki Homme
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyo Teramura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kohei Kumegawa
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, The Cancer Institute, and
| | - Yukari Yamazaki
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Yamashita
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motomi Osato
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reo Maruyama
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, The Cancer Institute, and
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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5
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Ali RM, Seerwan K, Ali SM, Abdullah AM, Hawrami O, Hussein DM, Mohammed BJ, Karim M, Abdullah F, Abdalla BA, Kakamad FH. Primary pancreatic synovial sarcoma: Report of a rare case and review of the literature. MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL 2023; 3:22. [PMID: 37214230 PMCID: PMC10192948 DOI: 10.3892/mi.2023.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Synovial sarcoma is a mesenchymal spindle cell tumor. Primary pancreatic sarcomas are extremely rare. The present study describes a rare case of synovial sarcoma in the head of the pancreas. A 35-year-old male presented with left upper quadrant abdominal pain. An endoscopic ultrasound examination revealed a complex solid-cystic lesion in the pancreatic head. He had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure). A histological examination yielded negative results for AE1/AE3, CD10, S100, CD34, desmin, smooth muscle actin, β-catenin, CD117, HMB45, chromogranin and synaptophysin. However, the results were positive for TLEI and vimentin, which is consistent with synovial sarcoma. Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue malignant tumor. Primary pancreatic sarcomas frequently present as large, high-grade tumors in the pancreatic head. Histologically, there are several types of synovial sarcoma, such as monophasic, biphasic and poorly differentiated. A histological examination is necessary for the diagnosis as the imaging findings are not specifically suggestive of synovial sarcoma. The preferred course of treatment is complete resection with wide margins, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Primary mesenchymal tumors of the pancreas are extremely uncommon. As a result, a diagnosis requires careful evaluation. Surgical resection is the main modality of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebaz M. Ali
- Deparment of Oncology, Hiwa Hospital, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Karzan Seerwan
- College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Shano M. Ali
- Deparment of Oncology, Hiwa Hospital, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Ari M. Abdullah
- Department of Pathology, Sulaimani Teaching Hospital, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Smart Health Tower, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Omar Hawrami
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Smart Health Tower, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Dlsoz M. Hussein
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Smart Health Tower, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Bruj Jamil Mohammed
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Smart Health Tower, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
- Department of Medicine, Shar Hospital, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Muhammad Karim
- Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Fakher Abdullah
- Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Berun A. Abdalla
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Smart Health Tower, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
- Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
| | - Fahmi H. Kakamad
- College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Smart Health Tower, Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
- Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Sulaimani, Kurdistan 46000, Iraq
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6
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Teo AYT, Lim VY, Yang VS. MicroRNAs in the Pathogenesis, Prognostication and Prediction of Treatment Resistance in Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030577. [PMID: 36765536 PMCID: PMC9913386 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas are highly aggressive malignant neoplasms of mesenchymal origin, accounting for less than 1% of adult cancers, but comprising over 20% of paediatric solid tumours. In locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic disease, outcomes from even the first line of systemic treatment are invariably poor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are short non-coding RNA molecules, target and modulate multiple dysregulated target genes and/or signalling pathways within cancer cells. Accordingly, miRNAs demonstrate great promise for their utility in diagnosing, prognosticating and improving treatment for soft tissue sarcomas. This review aims to provide an updated discussion on the known roles of specific miRNAs in the pathogenesis of sarcomas, and their potential use in prognosticating outcomes and prediction of therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea York Tiang Teo
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Vivian Yujing Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Valerie Shiwen Yang
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 169610, Singapore
- Oncology Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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7
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Jiang S, Hu Y, Zhou Y, Tang G, Cui W, Wang X, Chen B, Hu Z, Xu B. miRNAs as Biomarkers and Possible Therapeutic Strategies in Synovial Sarcoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:881007. [PMID: 36003502 PMCID: PMC9394702 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.881007] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an epithelial-differentiated malignant stromal tumor that has the highest incidence in young people and can occur almost anywhere in the body. Many noncoding RNAs are involved in the occurrence, development, or pathogenesis of SS. In particular, the role of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in SS is receiving increasing attention. MiRNA is a noncoding RNA abundant in cells and extracellular serums. Increasing evidence suggests that miRNA has played a significant role in the incidence and development of tumors in recent years, including sarcomas. Previous studies show that various sarcomas have their unique miRNA expression patterns and that various miRNA expression profiles can illustrate the classes of miRNAs that may elicit cancer-relevant activities in specific sarcoma subtypes. Furthermore, SS has been reported to have the most number of differentially expressed miRNAs, which indicated that miRNA is linked to SS. In fact, according to many publications, miRNAs have been shown to have a role in the development and appearance of SS in recent years, according to many publications. Since many studies showing that various miRNAs have a role in the development and appearance of SS in recent years have not been systematically summarized, we summarize the recent studies on the relationship between miRNA and SS in this review. For example, miR-494 promotes the development of SS via modulating cytokine gene expression. The role of miR-494-3p as a tumor suppressor is most likely linked to the CXCR4 (C-X-C chemokine receptor 4) regulator, although the exact mechanism is unknown. Our review aims to reveal in detail the potential biological value and clinical significance of miRNAs for SS and the potential clinical value brought by the association between SS and miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, China
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- The First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Guozheng Tang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Orthopedics, Lu’an People’s Hospital, Lu’an, China
| | - Wenxu Cui
- The First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bangjie Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zuhong Hu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bing Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Bing Xu,
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8
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Jiang H, Ma G, Nie Z, Zhu J, Yan Q, Chen H, Nan H, Guo Y. A case of a 22-year-old man with primary synovial sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space with an AR somatic mutation: A case report and review of the literature. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2022; 10:2050313X211068646. [PMID: 35024148 PMCID: PMC8743932 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x211068646] [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: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This case report describes a 22-year-old man with a pharyngeal foreign body sensation arising from the left side of the postpharyngeal wall. Histological examination showed a biphasic pattern of epithelioid and spindle cells including glandular differentiation. The tumour was positive for vimentin and SS18-SSX, and the spindle cells were positive for bcl-2; in contrast, the epithelioid tumour cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen and CD99. There was no INI-loss in tumour cells. Then, the presence of the SYT-SSX gene fusion was demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization. In addition, androgen receptor gene somatic mutations were detected by next-generation sequencing. However, 6 months postoperatively, the patient had neither developed a recurrence nor received adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Accurate diagnosis depends on morphological and immunohistochemical examination and a proper molecular analysis, and novel technologies can detect a wide variety of genetic alterations. Although androgen receptor somatic mutations cannot provide addition treatment at present, surgical resection with a clean margin and follow-up is an appropriate approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Ge Ma
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Zunzhen Nie
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Qingguo Yan
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hongzhang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Haiyan Nan
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Department of Pathology, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, China.,Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
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Lanzi C, Favini E, Dal Bo L, Tortoreto M, Arrighetti N, Zaffaroni N, Cassinelli G. Upregulation of ERK-EGR1-heparanase axis by HDAC inhibitors provides targets for rational therapeutic intervention in synovial sarcoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:381. [PMID: 34857011 PMCID: PMC8638516 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02150-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an aggressive soft tissue tumor with limited therapeutic options in advanced stage. SS18-SSX fusion oncogenes, which are the hallmarks of SS, cause epigenetic rewiring involving histone deacetylases (HDACs). Promising preclinical studies supporting HDAC targeting for SS treatment were not reflected in clinical trials with HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) monotherapies. We investigated pathways implicated in SS cell response to HDACi to identify vulnerabilities exploitable in combination treatments and improve the therapeutic efficacy of HDACi-based regimens. METHODS Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of the HDACi SAHA and FK228 were examined in SS cell lines in parallel with biochemical and molecular analyses to bring out cytoprotective pathways. Treatments combining HDACi with drugs targeting HDACi-activated prosurvival pathways were tested in functional assays in vitro and in a SS orthotopic xenograft model. Molecular mechanisms underlying synergisms were investigated in SS cells through pharmacological and gene silencing approaches and validated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS SS cell response to HDACi was consistently characterized by activation of a cytoprotective and auto-sustaining axis involving ERKs, EGR1, and the β-endoglycosidase heparanase, a well recognized pleiotropic player in tumorigenesis and disease progression. HDAC inhibition was shown to upregulate heparanase by inducing expression of the positive regulator EGR1 and by hampering negative regulation by p53 through its acetylation. Interception of HDACi-induced ERK-EGR1-heparanase pathway by cell co-treatment with a MEK inhibitor (trametinib) or a heparanase inhibitor (SST0001/roneparstat) enhanced antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects. HDAC and heparanase inhibitors had opposite effects on histone acetylation and nuclear heparanase levels. The combination of SAHA with SST0001 prevented the upregulation of ERK-EGR1-heparanase induced by the HDACi and promoted caspase-dependent cell death. In vivo, the combined treatment with SAHA and SST0001 potentiated the antitumor efficacy against the CME-1 orthotopic SS model as compared to single agent administration. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides preclinical rationale and mechanistic insights into drug combinatory strategies based on the use of ERK pathway and heparanase inhibitors to improve the efficacy of HDACi-based antitumor therapies in SS. The involvement of classes of agents already clinically available, or under clinical evaluation, indicates the transferability potential of the proposed approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Lanzi
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrica Favini
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Dal Bo
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Tortoreto
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Noemi Arrighetti
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Zaffaroni
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuliana Cassinelli
- Department of Applied Research and Technological Development, Molecular Pharmacology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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10
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Tanaka M, Nakamura T. Modeling fusion gene-associated sarcoma: Advantages for understanding sarcoma biology and pathology. Pathol Int 2021; 71:643-654. [PMID: 34265156 DOI: 10.1111/pin.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Disease-specific gene fusions are reportedly major driver mutations in approximately 30% of bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Most fusion genes encode transcription factors or co-factors that regulate downstream target genes, altering cell growth, lineage commitment, and differentiation. Given the limitations of investigating their functions in vitro, the generation of mouse models expressing fusion genes in the appropriate cellular lineages is pivotal. Therefore, we generated a series of mouse models by introducing fusion genes into embryonic mesenchymal progenitors. This review describes mouse models of Ewing, synovial, alveolar soft part, and CIC-rearranged sarcomas. Furthermore, we describe the similarities between these models and their human counterparts. These models provide remarkable advantages to identify cells-of-origin, specific collaborators of fusion genes, angiogenesis key factors, or diagnostic biomarkers. Finally, we discuss the relationship between fusion proteins and the epigenetic background as well as the possible role of the super-enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Tanaka
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Kannan S, Lock I, Ozenberger BB, Jones KB. Genetic drivers and cells of origin in sarcomagenesis. J Pathol 2021; 254:474-493. [DOI: 10.1002/path.5617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarmishta Kannan
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Ian Lock
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Benjamin B Ozenberger
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Kevin B Jones
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Oncological Sciences Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine Salt Lake City UT USA
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12
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Identification of Novel Fusion Genes in Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Their Implication in the Generation of a Mouse Model. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092345. [PMID: 32825119 PMCID: PMC7565474 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fusion genes induced by chromosomal aberrations are common mutations causally associated with bone and soft tissue sarcomas (BSTS). These fusions are usually disease type-specific, and identification of the fusion genes greatly helps in making precise diagnoses and determining therapeutic directions. However, there are limitations in detecting unknown fusion genes or rare fusion variants when using standard fusion gene detection techniques, such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In the present study, we have identified 19 novel fusion genes using target RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in 55 cases of round or spindle cell sarcomas in which no fusion genes were detected by RT-PCR. Subsequent analysis using Sanger sequencing confirmed that seven out of 19 novel fusion genes would produce functional fusion proteins. Seven fusion genes detected in this study affect signal transduction and are ideal targets of small molecule inhibitors. YWHAE-NTRK3 expression in mouse embryonic mesenchymal cells (eMCs) induced spindle cell sarcoma, and the tumor was sensitive to the TRK inhibitor LOXO-101 both in vitro and in vivo. The combination of target RNA-seq and generation of an ex vivo mouse model expressing novel fusions provides important information both for sarcoma biology and the appropriate diagnosis of BSTS.
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