1
|
Green KJ, Pokorny J, Jarrell B. Dangerous liaisons: Loss of keratinocyte control over melanocytes in melanomagenesis. Bioessays 2024:e2400135. [PMID: 39233509 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202400135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Melanomas arise from transformed melanocytes, positioned at the dermal-epidermal junction in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanocytes are completely surrounded by keratinocyte neighbors, with which they communicate through direct contact and paracrine signaling to maintain normal growth control and homeostasis. UV radiation from sunlight reshapes this communication network to drive a protective tanning response. However, repeated rounds of sun exposure result in accumulation of mutations in melanocytes that have been considered as primary drivers of melanoma initiation and progression. It is now clear that mutations in melanocytes are not sufficient to drive tumor formation-the tumor environment plays a critical role. This review focuses on changes in melanocyte-keratinocyte communication that contribute to melanoma initiation and progression, with a particular focus on recent mechanistic insights that lay a foundation for developing new ways to intercept melanoma development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen J Green
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Jenny Pokorny
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Brieanna Jarrell
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Waddell A, Grbic N, Leibowitz K, Wyant WA, Choudhury S, Park K, Collard M, Cole PA, Alani RM. p300 KAT Regulates SOX10 Stability and Function in Human Melanoma. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1894-1907. [PMID: 38994683 PMCID: PMC11293458 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
SOX10 is a lineage-specific transcription factor critical for melanoma tumor growth; on the other hand, SOX10 loss-of-function drives the emergence of therapy-resistant, invasive melanoma phenotypes. A major challenge has been developing therapeutic strategies targeting SOX10's role in melanoma proliferation while preventing a concomitant increase in tumor cell invasion. In this study, we report that the lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) EP300 and SOX10 gene loci on chromosome 22 are frequently co-amplified in melanomas, including UV-associated and acral tumors. We further show that p300 KAT activity mediates SOX10 protein stability and that the p300 inhibitor A-485 downregulates SOX10 protein levels in melanoma cells via proteasome-mediated degradation. Additionally, A-485 potently inhibits proliferation of SOX10+ melanoma cells while decreasing invasion in AXLhigh/MITFlow melanoma cells through downregulation of metastasis-related genes. We conclude that the SOX10/p300 axis is critical to melanoma growth and invasion and that inhibition of p300 KAT activity through A-485 may be a worthwhile therapeutic approach for SOX10-reliant tumors. SIGNIFICANCE The p300 KAT inhibitor A-485 blocks SOX10-dependent proliferation and SOX10-independent invasion in hard-to-treat melanoma cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Waddell
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Nicole Grbic
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Kassidy Leibowitz
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - William Austin Wyant
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Sabah Choudhury
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Kihyun Park
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Marianne Collard
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Rhoda M. Alani
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian and Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
El-Hachem N, Leclercq M, Susaeta Ruiz M, Vanleyssem R, Shostak K, Körner PR, Capron C, Martin-Morales L, Roncarati P, Lavergne A, Blomme A, Turchetto S, Goffin E, Thandapani P, Tarassov I, Nguyen L, Pirotte B, Chariot A, Marine JC, Herfs M, Rapino F, Agami R, Close P. Valine aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase promotes therapy resistance in melanoma. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:1154-1164. [PMID: 38849541 PMCID: PMC11252002 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01439-2] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Transfer RNA dynamics contribute to cancer development through regulation of codon-specific messenger RNA translation. Specific aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases can either promote or suppress tumourigenesis. Here we show that valine aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (VARS) is a key player in the codon-biased translation reprogramming induced by resistance to targeted (MAPK) therapy in melanoma. The proteome rewiring in patient-derived MAPK therapy-resistant melanoma is biased towards the usage of valine and coincides with the upregulation of valine cognate tRNAs and of VARS expression and activity. Strikingly, VARS knockdown re-sensitizes MAPK-therapy-resistant patient-derived melanoma in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, VARS regulates the messenger RNA translation of valine-enriched transcripts, among which hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase mRNA encodes for a key enzyme in fatty acid oxidation. Resistant melanoma cultures rely on fatty acid oxidation and hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase for their survival upon MAPK treatment. Together, our data demonstrate that VARS may represent an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of therapy-resistant melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Najla El-Hachem
- Laboratory of Cancer Signaling, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marine Leclercq
- Laboratory of Cancer Signaling, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Miguel Susaeta Ruiz
- Laboratory of Cancer Signaling, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Raphael Vanleyssem
- Laboratory of Cancer Signaling, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Kateryna Shostak
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pierre-René Körner
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Coralie Capron
- Laboratory of Cancer Stemness, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Patrick Roncarati
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Lavergne
- Bioinformatics platform, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Blomme
- Laboratory of Cancer Signaling, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Silvia Turchetto
- Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Eric Goffin
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines-Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Palaniraja Thandapani
- Department of Hematopoietic Biology and Malignancy, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ivan Tarassov
- UMR 7156 - Molecular Genetics, Genomics, Microbiology, University of Strasbourg/CNRS, Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurent Nguyen
- Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- WELBIO department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium
| | - Bernard Pirotte
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines-Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Alain Chariot
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- WELBIO department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael Herfs
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Francesca Rapino
- Laboratory of Cancer Stemness, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- WELBIO department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium
| | - Reuven Agami
- Division of Oncogenomics, Oncode Institute, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus MC, Department of Genetics, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pierre Close
- Laboratory of Cancer Signaling, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
- WELBIO department, WEL Research Institute, Wavre, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Durand S, Tang Y, Pommier RM, Benboubker V, Grimont M, Boivin F, Barbollat-Boutrand L, Cumunel E, Dupeuble F, Eberhardt A, Plaschka M, Dalle S, Caramel J. ZEB1 controls a lineage-specific transcriptional program essential for melanoma cell state transitions. Oncogene 2024; 43:1489-1505. [PMID: 38519642 PMCID: PMC11090790 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03010-7] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Cell plasticity sustains intra-tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance in melanoma. Deciphering the transcriptional mechanisms governing reversible phenotypic transitions between proliferative/differentiated and invasive/stem-like states is required. Expression of the ZEB1 transcription factor is frequently activated in melanoma, where it fosters adaptive resistance to targeted therapies. Here, we performed a genome-wide characterization of ZEB1 transcriptional targets, by combining ChIP-sequencing and RNA-sequencing, upon phenotype switching in melanoma models. We identified and validated ZEB1 binding peaks in the promoter of key lineage-specific genes crucial for melanoma cell identity. Mechanistically, ZEB1 negatively regulates SOX10-MITF dependent proliferative/melanocytic programs and positively regulates AP-1 driven invasive and stem-like programs. Comparative analyses with breast carcinoma cells revealed lineage-specific ZEB1 binding, leading to the design of a more reliable melanoma-specific ZEB1 regulon. We then developed single-cell spatial multiplexed analyses to characterize melanoma cell states intra-tumoral heterogeneity in human melanoma samples. Combined with scRNA-Seq analyses, our findings confirmed increased ZEB1 expression in Neural-Crest-like cells and mesenchymal cells, underscoring its significance in vivo in both populations. Overall, our results define ZEB1 as a major transcriptional regulator of cell states transitions and provide a better understanding of lineage-specific transcriptional programs sustaining intra-tumor heterogeneity in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Durand
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Yaqi Tang
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Roxane M Pommier
- Fondation Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de bio-informatique Gilles Thomas, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Valentin Benboubker
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Maxime Grimont
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Felix Boivin
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Laetitia Barbollat-Boutrand
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Eric Cumunel
- Fondation Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de bio-informatique Gilles Thomas, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Centre Léon Bérard, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Florian Dupeuble
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Anaïs Eberhardt
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, 165 chemin du Grand Revoyet, 69495, Pierre Bénite, Cedex, France
| | - Maud Plaschka
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, 165 chemin du Grand Revoyet, 69495, Pierre Bénite, Cedex, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- "Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma" lab, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, 69008, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ebrahimi N, Manavi MS, Faghihkhorasani F, Fakhr SS, Baei FJ, Khorasani FF, Zare MM, Far NP, Rezaei-Tazangi F, Ren J, Reiter RJ, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Chen C, Ertas YN, Lu Q. Harnessing function of EMT in cancer drug resistance: a metastasis regulator determines chemotherapy response. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:457-479. [PMID: 38227149 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10162-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complicated molecular process that governs cellular shape and function changes throughout tissue development and embryogenesis. In addition, EMT contributes to the development and spread of tumors. Expanding and degrading the surrounding microenvironment, cells undergoing EMT move away from the main location. On the basis of the expression of fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), collagen, and smooth muscle actin (-SMA), the mesenchymal phenotype exhibited in fibroblasts is crucial for promoting EMT. While EMT is not entirely reliant on its regulators like ZEB1/2, Twist, and Snail proteins, investigation of upstream signaling (like EGF, TGF-β, Wnt) is required to get a more thorough understanding of tumor EMT. Throughout numerous cancers, connections between tumor epithelial and fibroblast cells that influence tumor growth have been found. The significance of cellular crosstalk stems from the fact that these events affect therapeutic response and disease prognosis. This study examines how classical EMT signals emanating from various cancer cells interfere to tumor metastasis, treatment resistance, and tumor recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nasim Ebrahimi
- Genetics Division, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | | | - Siavash Seifollahy Fakhr
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Science and Biotechnology, Campus Hamar, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | | | | | - Mohammad Mehdi Zare
- Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Nazanin Pazhouhesh Far
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei-Tazangi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Translational Medicine Group, Xsphera Biosciences, 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA, 02210, USA.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Chu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, 226001, China
| | - Yavuz Nuri Ertas
- ERNAM-Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Türkiye.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Türkiye.
| | - Qi Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Jiangsu, 226001, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Waddell A, Grbic N, Leibowitz K, Wyant WA, Choudhury S, Park K, Collard M, Cole PA, Alani RM. p300 KAT regulates SOX10 stability and function in human melanoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.20.581224. [PMID: 38469149 PMCID: PMC10926666 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.20.581224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
SOX10 is a lineage-specific transcription factor critical for melanoma tumor growth, while SOX10 loss-of-function drives the emergence of therapy-resistant, invasive melanoma phenotypes. A major challenge has been developing therapeutic strategies targeting SOX10's role in melanoma proliferation, while preventing a concomitant increase in tumor cell invasion. Here, we report that the lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) EP300 and SOX10 gene loci on Chromosome 22 are frequently co-amplified in melanomas, including UV-associated and acral tumors. We further show that p300 KAT activity mediates SOX10 protein stability and that the p300 inhibitor, A-485, downregulates SOX10 protein levels in melanoma cells via proteasome-mediated degradation. Additionally, A-485 potently inhibits proliferation of SOX10+ melanoma cells while decreasing invasion in AXLhigh/MITFlow melanoma cells through downregulation of metastasis-related genes. We conclude that the SOX10/p300 axis is critical to melanoma growth and invasion, and that inhibition of p300 KAT activity through A-485 may be a worthwhile therapeutic approach for SOX10-reliant tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Waddell
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| | - Nicole Grbic
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| | - Kassidy Leibowitz
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| | - W. Austin Wyant
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| | - Sabah Choudhury
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| | - Kihyun Park
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| | - Marianne Collard
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Division of Genetics, Departments of Medicine and Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Rhoda M. Alani
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, 609 Albany Street, Boston, MA, USA 02118
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shirley CA, Chhabra G, Amiri D, Chang H, Ahmad N. Immune escape and metastasis mechanisms in melanoma: breaking down the dichotomy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1336023. [PMID: 38426087 PMCID: PMC10902921 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1336023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most lethal neoplasms of the skin. Despite the revolutionary introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, metastatic spread, and recurrence remain critical problems in resistant cases. Melanoma employs a multitude of mechanisms to subvert the immune system and successfully metastasize to distant organs. Concerningly, recent research also shows that tumor cells can disseminate early during melanoma progression and enter dormant states, eventually leading to metastases at a future time. Immune escape and metastasis have previously been viewed as separate phenomena; however, accumulating evidence is breaking down this dichotomy. Recent research into the progressive mechanisms of melanoma provides evidence that dedifferentiation similar to classical epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), genes involved in neural crest stem cell maintenance, and hypoxia/acidosis, are important factors simultaneously involved in immune escape and metastasis. The likeness between EMT and early dissemination, and differences, also become apparent in these contexts. Detailed knowledge of the mechanisms behind "dual drivers" simultaneously promoting metastatically inclined and immunosuppressive environments can yield novel strategies effective in disabling multiple facets of melanoma progression. Furthermore, understanding progression through these drivers may provide insight towards novel treatments capable of preventing recurrence arising from dormant dissemination or improving immunotherapy outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl A Shirley
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Gagan Chhabra
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Deeba Amiri
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Hao Chang
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nihal Ahmad
- Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wu M, Hanly A, Gibson F, Fisher R, Rogers S, Park K, Zuger A, Kuang K, Kalin JH, Nocco S, Cole M, Xiao A, Agus F, Labadorf A, Beck S, Collard M, Cole PA, Alani RM. The CoREST repressor complex mediates phenotype switching and therapy resistance in melanoma. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e171063. [PMID: 38300709 PMCID: PMC10940100 DOI: 10.1172/jci171063] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Virtually all patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma develop resistance to MAPK inhibitors largely through nonmutational events. Although the epigenetic landscape is shown to be altered in therapy-resistant melanomas and other cancers, a specific targetable epigenetic mechanism has not been validated. Here, we evaluated the corepressor for element 1-silencing transcription factor (CoREST) epigenetic repressor complex and the recently developed bivalent inhibitor corin within the context of melanoma phenotype plasticity and therapeutic resistance. We found that CoREST was a critical mediator of the major distinct melanoma phenotypes and that corin treatment of melanoma cells led to phenotype reprogramming. Global assessment of transcript and chromatin changes conferred by corin revealed specific effects on histone marks connected to epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated (EMT-associated) transcription factors and the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSPs). Remarkably, treatment of BRAF inhibitor-resistant (BRAFi-R) melanomas with corin promoted resensitization to BRAFi therapy. DUSP1 was consistently downregulated in BRAFi-R melanomas, which was reversed by corin treatment and associated with inhibition of p38 MAPK activity and resensitization to BRAFi therapies. Moreover, this activity was recapitulated by the p38 MAPK inhibitor BIRB 796. These findings identify the CoREST repressor complex as a central mediator of melanoma phenotype plasticity and resistance to targeted therapy and suggest that CoREST inhibitors may prove beneficial for patients with BRAFi-resistant melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muzhou Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ailish Hanly
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Frederick Gibson
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert Fisher
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samantha Rogers
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kihyun Park
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angelina Zuger
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Kuang
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jay H. Kalin
- Division of Genetics, Departments of Medicine and Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Nocco
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew Cole
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Filisia Agus
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam Labadorf
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Samuel Beck
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marianne Collard
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Philip A. Cole
- Division of Genetics, Departments of Medicine and Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rhoda M. Alani
- Department of Dermatology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cerdido S, Abrisqueta M, Sánchez-Beltrán J, Lambertos A, Castejón-Griñán M, Muñoz C, Olivares C, García-Borrón JC, Jiménez-Cervantes C, Herraiz C. MGRN1 depletion promotes intercellular adhesion in melanoma by upregulation of E-cadherin and inhibition of CDC42. Cancer Lett 2024; 581:216484. [PMID: 38008393 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Mahogunin Ring Finger 1 is an E3-ubiquitin ligase encoded by the color gene MGRN1. Our previous in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that Mgrn1 deletion in mouse melanoma cells induced cell differentiation and adhesion, and decreased cell motility and invasion on collagen I, and lung colonization in an in vivo model. Here, we investigated the role of MGRN1 on human melanoma cell morphology, adhesion and expression of genes/proteins involved in an EMT-like transition. We demonstrated that wild-type BRAF human melanoma cells adopted a clustering-like morphology on collagen I, with permanent MGRN1 abrogation resulting in bigger cell clusters. Enhanced intercellular adhesion was mostly mediated by induction of E-cadherin and higher co-localization with β-catenin. Transcriptional upregulation of E-cadherin likely occurred through downregulation of the ZEB1 repressor. Finally, pulldown assays showed reduced activation of CDC42 in the absence of MGRN1, which was reverted after E-cadherin silencing. Overall, these findings highlight a new MGRN1-dependent pathway regulating melanoma cell shape, motility, and invasion potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Cerdido
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Abrisqueta
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - J Sánchez-Beltrán
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - A Lambertos
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - M Castejón-Griñán
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Muñoz
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Olivares
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - J C García-Borrón
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Jiménez-Cervantes
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - C Herraiz
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120, Murcia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Fontana F, Sommariva M, Anselmi M, Bianchi F, Limonta P, Gagliano N. Differentiation States of Phenotypic Transition of Melanoma Cells Are Revealed by 3D Cell Cultures. Cells 2024; 13:181. [PMID: 38247872 PMCID: PMC10814891 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020181] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is characterized by high metastatic potential favored by the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading melanoma cells to exhibit a spectrum of typical EMT markers. This study aimed to analyze the expression of EMT markers in A375 and BLM melanoma cell lines cultured in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids using morphological and molecular methods. The expression of EMT markers was strongly affected by 3D arrangement and revealed a hybrid phenotype for the two cell lines. Indeed, although E-cadherin was almost undetectable in both A375 and BLM cells, cortical actin was detected in A375 2D monolayers and 3D spheroids and was strongly expressed in BLM 3D spheroids. The mesenchymal marker N-cadherin was significantly up-regulated in A375 3D spheroids while undetectable in BLM cells, but vimentin was similarly expressed in both cell lines at the gene and protein levels. This pattern suggests that A375 cells exhibit a more undifferentiated/mesenchymal phenotype, while BLM cells have more melanocytic/differentiated characteristics. Accordingly, the Zeb1 and 2, Slug, Snail and Twist gene expression analyses showed that they were differentially expressed in 2D monolayers compared to 3D spheroids, supporting this view. Furthermore, A375 cells are characterized by a greater invasive potential, strongly influenced by 3D arrangement, compared to the BLM cell line, as evaluated by SDS-zymography and TIMPs gene expression analysis. Finally, TGF-β1, a master controller of EMT, and lysyl oxidase (LOX), involved in melanoma progression, were strongly up-regulated by 3D arrangement in the metastatic BLM cells alone, likely playing a role in the metastatic phases of melanoma progression. Overall, these findings suggest that A375 and BLM cells possess a hybrid/intermediate phenotype in relation to the expression of EMT markers. The former is characterized by a more mesenchymal/undifferentiated phenotype, while the latter shows a more melanocytic/differentiated phenotype. Our results contribute to the characterization of the role of EMT in melanoma cells and confirm that a 3D cell culture model could provide deeper insight into our understanding of the biology of melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Michele Sommariva
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
| | - Martina Anselmi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Francesca Bianchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
- U. O. Laboratorio Morfologia Umana Applicata, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences “Rodolfo Paoletti”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (F.F.); (M.A.); (P.L.)
| | - Nicoletta Gagliano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; (M.S.); (F.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alsadi N, Yahfoufi N, Nessim C, Matar C. Role of a Polyphenol-Enriched Blueberry Preparation on Inhibition of Melanoma Cancer Stem Cells and Modulation of MicroRNAs. Biomedicines 2024; 12:193. [PMID: 38255297 PMCID: PMC10813708 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer known for its high mortality rate. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that significantly contribute to tumour recurrence and differentiation. Epigenetic-specific changes involving miRNAs maintain CSCs. Plant polyphenols have been reported to be involved in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy, with miRNAs being the novel effectors in their biological activities. A polyphenol-enriched blueberry preparation (PEBP) derived from fermented blueberries has demonstrated promising chemopreventative properties on breast cancer stem cells by influencing inflammatory pathways and miRNAs. In our current investigation, we seek to unveil the impact of PEBP on inhibiting melanoma development and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our study employs various human cell lines, including an ex vivo cell line derived from a patient's metastatic tumour. We found that it elevates miR-200c, increasing E-cadherin expression and inhibiting miR-210-3p through NF-κB signalling, impacting Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a critical process in cancer progression. PEBP increases the SOCS1 expression, potentially contributing to miR-210-3p inhibition. Experiments involving miRNA manipulation confirm their functional roles. The study suggests that PEBP's anti-inflammatory effects involve regulating miR-200c and miR-210 expression and their targets in EMT-related pathways. The overall aim is to provide evidence-based supportive care and preclinical evaluation of PEBP, offering a promising strategy for skin cancer chemoprevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nawal Alsadi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (N.A.); (N.Y.)
| | - Nour Yahfoufi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (N.A.); (N.Y.)
| | - Carolyn Nessim
- Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada;
| | - Chantal Matar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (N.A.); (N.Y.)
- School of Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Monti M, Benerini Gatta L, Bugatti M, Pezzali I, Picinoli S, Manfredi M, Lavazza A, Vanella VV, De Giorgis V, Zanatta L, Missale F, Lonardi S, Zanetti B, Bozzoni G, Cadei M, Abate A, Vergani B, Balzarini P, Battocchio S, Facco C, Turri-Zanoni M, Castelnuovo P, Nicolai P, Fonsatti E, Leone BE, Marengo E, Sigala S, Ronca R, Perego M, Lombardi D, Vermi W. Novel cellular systems unveil mucosal melanoma initiating cells and a role for PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in mucosal melanoma fitness. J Transl Med 2024; 22:35. [PMID: 38191367 PMCID: PMC10775657 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04784-2] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mucosal Melanomas (MM) are highly aggressive neoplasms arising from mucosal melanocytes. Current treatments offer a limited survival benefit for patients with advanced MM; moreover, the lack of pre-clinical cellular systems has significantly limited the understanding of their immunobiology. METHODS Five novel cell lines were obtained from patient-derived biopsies of MM arising in the sino-nasal mucosa and designated as SN-MM1-5. The morphology, ultrastructure and melanocytic identity of SN-MM cell lines were validated by transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, in vivo tumorigenicity of SN-MM1-5 was tested by subcutaneous injection in NOD/SCID mice. Molecular characterization of SN-MM cell lines was performed by a mass-spectrometry proteomic approach, and their sensitivity to PI3K chemical inhibitor LY294002 was validated by Akt activation, measured by pAkt(Ser473) and pAkt(Thr308) in immunoblots, and MTS assay. RESULTS This study reports the validation and functional characterization of five newly generated SN-MM cell lines. Compared to the normal counterpart, the proteomic profile of SN-MM is consistent with transformed melanocytes showing a heterogeneous degree of melanocytic differentiation and activation of cancer-related pathways. All SN-MM cell lines resulted tumorigenic in vivo and display recurrent structural variants according to aCGH analysis. Of relevance, the microscopic analysis of the corresponding xenotransplants allowed the identification of clusters of MITF-/CDH1-/CDH2 + /ZEB1 + /CD271 + cells, supporting the existence of melanoma-initiating cells also in MM, as confirmed in clinical samples. In vitro, SN-MM cell lines were sensitive to cisplatin, but not to temozolomide. Moreover, the proteomic analysis of SN-MM cell lines revealed that RICTOR, a subunit of mTORC2 complex, is the most significantly activated upstream regulator, suggesting a relevant role for the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in these neoplasms. Consistently, phosphorylation of NDRG1 and Akt activation was observed in SN-MM, the latter being constitutive and sustained by PTEN loss in SN-MM2 and SN-MM3. The cell viability impairment induced by LY294002 confirmed a functional role for the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in SN-MM cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these novel and unique cellular systems represent relevant experimental tools for a better understanding of the biology of these neoplasms and, as an extension, to MM from other sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Monti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Benerini Gatta
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Histocompatibility Laboratory "Vittorio Mero", Department of Transfusion Medicine, ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Irene Pezzali
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Picinoli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marcello Manfredi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia E Dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Virginia Vita Vanella
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Veronica De Giorgis
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Center for Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Lucia Zanatta
- Department of Pathology, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy
| | - Francesco Missale
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Head & Neck Oncology & Surgery Otorhinolaryngology, Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek, Nederlands Kanker Instituut, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia Lonardi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Zanetti
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bozzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia E Dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Moris Cadei
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Abate
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Vergani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Piera Balzarini
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simonetta Battocchio
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia-"ASST Spedali Civili Di Brescia", Brescia, Italy
| | - Carla Facco
- Unit of Pathology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, ASST Sette-Laghi, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Mario Turri-Zanoni
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, ASST Sette Laghi, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Paolo Castelnuovo
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, ASST Sette Laghi, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Piero Nicolai
- Section of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ester Fonsatti
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Emilio Marengo
- Department of Sciences and Technological Innovation, University of Piemonte Orientale, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Sandra Sigala
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Davide Lombardi
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - William Vermi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Section of Pathology, University of Brescia, P.Le Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hong A, Cao M, Li D, Wang Y, Zhang G, Fang F, Zhao L, Wang Q, Lin T, Wang Y. Lnc-PKNOX1-1 inhibits tumor progression in cutaneous malignant melanoma by regulating NF-κB/IL-8 axis. Carcinogenesis 2023; 44:871-883. [PMID: 37843471 PMCID: PMC10818096 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgad073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous malignant melanoma is one of the most lethal cutaneous malignancies. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated the potential influence of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in biological behaviors of melanoma. Herein, we reported a novel lncRNA, lnc-PKNOX1-1 and systematically studied its functions and possible molecular mechanisms in melanoma. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR assay showed that lnc-PKNOX1-1 was significantly decreased in melanoma cells and tissues. Low lnc-PKNOX1-1 expression was significantly correlated with invasive pathological type and Breslow thickness of melanoma. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed lnc-PKNOX1-1 dramatically inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanically, protein microarray analysis suggested that interleukin-8 (IL-8) was negatively regulated by lnc-PKNOX1-1 in melanoma, which was confirmed by western blot and ELISA. Western blot analysis also showed that lnc-PKNOX1-1 could promote p65 phosphorylation at Ser536 in melanoma. Subsequent rescue assays proved IL-8 overexpression could partly reverse the tumor-suppressing function of lnc-PKNOX1-1 overexpression in melanoma cells, indicating that lnc-PKNOX1-1 suppressed the development of melanoma by regulating IL-8. Taken together, our study demonstrated the tumor-suppressing ability of lnc-PKNOX1-1 in melanoma, suggesting its potential as a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anlan Hong
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Meng Cao
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongqing Li
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Yixin Wang
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoqiang Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Zhao
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Tong Lin
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Hospital for Skin Diseases, Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang T, Jia H, Song T, Lv L, Gulhan DC, Wang H, Guo W, Xi R, Guo H, Shen N. De novo identification of expressed cancer somatic mutations from single-cell RNA sequencing data. Genome Med 2023; 15:115. [PMID: 38111063 PMCID: PMC10726641 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-023-01269-1] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying expressed somatic mutations from single-cell RNA sequencing data de novo is challenging but highly valuable. We propose RESA - Recurrently Expressed SNV Analysis, a computational framework to identify expressed somatic mutations from scRNA-seq data. RESA achieves an average precision of 0.77 on three in silico spike-in datasets. In extensive benchmarking against existing methods using 19 datasets, RESA consistently outperforms them. Furthermore, we applied RESA to analyze intratumor mutational heterogeneity in a melanoma drug resistance dataset. By enabling high precision detection of expressed somatic mutations, RESA substantially enhances the reliability of mutational analysis in scRNA-seq. RESA is available at https://github.com/ShenLab-Genomics/RESA .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Hanying Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Kidney Disease Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, 311121, China
| | - Tairan Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Lin Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Doga C Gulhan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Haishuai Wang
- College of Computer Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing, 314400, China
| | - Ruibin Xi
- School of Mathematical Sciences and Center for Statistical Science, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Road, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hongshan Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ning Shen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital & Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Harmange G, Hueros RAR, Schaff DL, Emert B, Saint-Antoine M, Kim LC, Niu Z, Nellore S, Fane ME, Alicea GM, Weeraratna AT, Simon MC, Singh A, Shaffer SM. Disrupting cellular memory to overcome drug resistance. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7130. [PMID: 37932277 PMCID: PMC10628298 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41811-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression states persist for varying lengths of time at the single-cell level, a phenomenon known as gene expression memory. When cells switch states, losing memory of their prior state, this transition can occur in the absence of genetic changes. However, we lack robust methods to find regulators of memory or track state switching. Here, we develop a lineage tracing-based technique to quantify memory and identify cells that switch states. Applied to melanoma cells without therapy, we quantify long-lived fluctuations in gene expression that are predictive of later resistance to targeted therapy. We also identify the PI3K and TGF-β pathways as state switching modulators. We propose a pretreatment model, first applying a PI3K inhibitor to modulate gene expression states, then applying targeted therapy, which leads to less resistance than targeted therapy alone. Together, we present a method for finding modulators of gene expression memory and their associated cell fates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Harmange
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raúl A Reyes Hueros
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dylan L Schaff
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin Emert
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Michael Saint-Antoine
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Laura C Kim
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zijian Niu
- Department of Chemistry, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Physics, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shivani Nellore
- Department of Biology, College of the Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Research Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Abhyudai Singh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Sydney M Shaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Yang X, Sun F, Gao Y, Li M, Liu M, Wei Y, Jie Q, Wang Y, Mei J, Mei J, Ma L, Shi Y, Chen M, Li Y, Li Q, Liu M, Ma Y. Histone acetyltransferase CSRP2BP promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of cervical cancer cells by activating N-cadherin. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:268. [PMID: 37845756 PMCID: PMC10580587 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02839-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in cervical cancer metastasis and associated with histone acetylation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of histone acetylation in cervical cancer EMT and metastasis are still elusive. METHODS We systematically investigated the expression patterns of histone acetylation genes and their correlations with the EMT pathway in cervical cancer. The expression of CSRP2BP among cervical cancer tissues and cell lines was detected using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses. The effects of CSRP2BP on cervical cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenicity were examined by cell growth curve, EdU assay, flow cytometry and xenotransplantation assays. Wound healing assays, transwell migration assays and pulmonary metastasis model were used to evaluate the effects of CSRP2BP on cell invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. RNA-seq, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and luciferase reporter assays were used to uncover the molecular mechanisms of CSRP2BP in promoting cervical cancer EMT and metastasis. RESULTS We prioritized a top candidate histone acetyltransferase, CSRP2BP, as a key player in cervical cancer EMT and metastasis. The expression of CSRP2BP was significantly increased in cervical cancer tissues and high CSRP2BP expression was associated with poor prognosis. Overexpression of CSRP2BP promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, while knockdown of CSRP2BP obtained the opposite effects. In addition, CSRP2BP promoted resistance to cisplatin chemotherapy. Mechanistically, CSRP2BP mediated histone 4 acetylation at lysine sites 5 and 12, cooperated with the transcription factor SMAD4 to bind to the SEB2 sequence in the N-cadherin gene promotor and upregulated N-cadherin transcription. Consequently, CSRP2BP promoted cervical cancer cell EMT and metastasis through activating N-cadherin. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the histone acetyltransferase CSRP2BP promotes cervical cancer metastasis partially through increasing the EMT and suggests that CSRP2BP could be a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for combating cervical cancer metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Yang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yueying Gao
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - MengYongwei Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Mian Liu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - Yunjian Wei
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Qiuling Jie
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Yibing Wang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Jiaoqi Mei
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Jingjing Mei
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Linna Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Yuechuan Shi
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Manling Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China
| | - Yongsheng Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China.
- College of Biomedical Information and Engineering, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
| | - Qi Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China.
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China.
- Hainan Modern Women and Children's Hospital, Reproductive Medicine, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China.
| | - Mingyao Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yanlin Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China.
- Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, National Center for International Research, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571101, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hartman ML, Koziej P, Kluszczyńska K, Czyz M. Pro-Apoptotic Activity of MCL-1 Inhibitor in Trametinib-Resistant Melanoma Cells Depends on Their Phenotypes and Is Modulated by Reversible Alterations Induced by Trametinib Withdrawal. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4799. [PMID: 37835493 PMCID: PMC10571954 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although BRAFV600/MEK inhibitors improved the treatment of melanoma patients, resistance is acquired almost inevitably. METHODS Trametinib withdrawal/rechallenge and MCL-1 inhibition in trametinib-resistance models displaying distinct p-ERK1/2 levels were investigated. RESULTS Trametinib withdrawal/rechallenge caused reversible changes in ERK1/2 activity impacting the balance between pro-survival and pro-apoptotic proteins. Reversible alterations were found in MCL-1 levels and MCL-1 inhibitors, BIM and NOXA. Taking advantage of melanoma cell dependency on MCL-1 for survival, we used S63845. While it was designed to inhibit MCL-1 activity, we showed that it also significantly reduced NOXA levels. S63845-induced apoptosis was detected as the enhancement of Annexin V-positivity, caspase-3/7 activation and histone H2AX phosphorylation. Percentages of Annexin V-positive cells were increased most efficiently in trametinib-resistant melanoma cells displaying the p-ERK1/2low/MCL-1low/BIMhigh/NOXAlow phenotype with EC50 values at concentrations as low as 0.1 μM. Higher ERK1/2 activity associated with increased MCL-1 level and reduced BIM level limited pro-apoptotic activity of S63845 further influenced by a NOXA level. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the notion that the efficiency of an agent designed to target a single protein can largely depend on the phenotype of cancer cells. Thus, it is important to define appropriate phenotype determinants to stratify the patients for the novel therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Małgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland; (M.L.H.); (P.K.); (K.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Giraulo C, Turiello R, Orlando L, Leonardelli S, Landsberg J, Belvedere R, Rolshoven G, Müller CE, Hölzel M, Morello S. The CD73 is induced by TGF-β1 triggered by nutrient deprivation and highly expressed in dedifferentiated human melanoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115225. [PMID: 37517292 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
CD73 is the key enzyme in the generation of extracellular adenosine, a mediator involved in tumor progression, tumor immune escape and resistance to anti-cancer therapeutics. Microenvironmental conditions influence the expression of CD73 in tumor cells. However how CD73 expression and activity is regulated in a stress condition of lower nutrient availability are largely unknown. Our results indicate that serum starvation leads to a marked up-regulation of CD73 expression on A375 melanoma cells in a time-dependent manner. The cell-surface expression of CD73 is associated with an increased release of TGF-β1 by starved cells. Blockade of TGF-β1 receptors or TGFβ/SMAD3 signaling pathway significantly reduce the expression of CD73 induced by starvation. Treatment of cells with rTGF-β1 up-regulates the expression of CD73 in a concentration-dependent manner, confirming the role of this pathway in regulating CD73 in melanoma A375 cells. The increased expression of CD73 is associated with enhanced AMPase activity, which is selectively reduced by inhibitors of CD73 activity, APCP and PSB-12489. Pharmacological blockade of CD73 significantly inhibits invasion of melanoma cells in a transwell system. Furthermore, using multiplex immunofluorescence imaging we found that, within human melanoma metastases, tumor cells at the dedifferentiated stage show the highest CD73 protein expression. In summary, our data provide new insights into the mechanism regulating the expression/activity of CD73 in melanoma cells in a condition of lower availability of nutrients, which is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment. Within human metastatic melanoma tissues elevated protein expression of CD73 is associated with an invasive-like phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Giraulo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Roberta Turiello
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lavinia Orlando
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy; PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Sonia Leonardelli
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Georg Rolshoven
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Silvana Morello
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Haerinck J, Goossens S, Berx G. The epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity landscape: principles of design and mechanisms of regulation. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:590-609. [PMID: 37169858 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00601-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) enables cells to interconvert between several states across the epithelial-mesenchymal landscape, thereby acquiring hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypic features. This plasticity is crucial for embryonic development and wound healing, but also underlies the acquisition of several malignant traits during cancer progression. Recent research using systems biology and single-cell profiling methods has provided novel insights into the main forces that shape EMP, which include the microenvironment, lineage specification and cell identity, and the genome. Additionally, key roles have emerged for hysteresis (cell memory) and cellular noise, which can drive stochastic transitions between cell states. Here, we review these forces and the distinct but interwoven layers of regulatory control that stabilize EMP states or facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) and discuss the therapeutic potential of manipulating the EMP landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jef Haerinck
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Guo L, Mohanty A, Singhal S, Srivastava S, Nam A, Warden C, Ramisetty S, Yuan YC, Cho H, Wu X, Li A, Vohra M, Saladi SV, Wheeler D, Arvanitis L, Massarelli E, Kulkarni P, Zeng Y, Salgia R. Targeting ITGB4/SOX2-driven lung cancer stem cells using proteasome inhibitors. iScience 2023; 26:107302. [PMID: 37554452 PMCID: PMC10405066 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107302] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the role of integrin β4 (ITGB4) and stemness-associated factor SOX2 in platinum resistance in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). The expression of SOX2 and ITGB4 is found to be high in all LUSC subtypes, but the impact of ITGB4 expression on overall patient survival varies by subtype. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) isolated from LUSC patients were found to be resistant to cisplatin, but knocking down ITGB4 or SOX2 sensitized them to cisplatin. Carfilzomib (CFZ) synergized with cisplatin and suppressed CSC growth by inhibiting ITGB4 and SOX2 expression. Additionally, CFZ was found to inhibit SOX2 expression epigenetically by inhibiting histone acetylation at the SOX2 promoter site. CFZ also suppressed the growth of SOX2-dependent small cell lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The study highlights the unique function of CFZ as a transcriptional suppressor of SOX2, independent of its proteasome inhibitory function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Respirology Medicine Centre of Fujian Province, Quanzhou, China
| | - Atish Mohanty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Sharad Singhal
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Saumya Srivastava
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Arin Nam
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Charles Warden
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Sravani Ramisetty
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Yate-Ching Yuan
- Divison of Translational Bioinformatics, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hyejin Cho
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Xiwei Wu
- Integrative Genomics Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Monrovia, CA 91016, USA
| | - Aimin Li
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Manik Vohra
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Srinivas Vinod Saladi
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Deric Wheeler
- Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Leonidas Arvanitis
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Erminia Massarelli
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Yiming Zeng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Respirology Medicine Centre of Fujian Province, Quanzhou, China
| | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Shen X, Jin X, Fang S, Chen J. EFEMP2 upregulates PD-L1 expression via EGFR/ERK1/2/c-Jun signaling to promote the invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2023; 28:53. [PMID: 37420173 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-023-00471-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 2 (EFEMP2) has been reported to be related to the progression of various cancers. We have previously reported that EFEMP2 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer and was strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients. This study intends to further explore its interacting proteins and possible downstream signaling pathways. METHOD The expression of EFEMP2 was detected by RT-qPCR, ICC and western blot in 4 kinds of ovarian cancer cells with different migration and invasion ability. Cell models with strong or weak EFEMP2 expression were constructed by lentivirus transfection. The effects of the down-regulation and up-regulation of EFEMP2 on the biological behavior of ovarian cancer cells were studied through in-vitro and in-vivo functional tests. The phosphorylation pathway profiling array and KEGG database analyses identified the downstream EGFR/ERK1/2/c-Jun signaling pathway and the programmed death-1 (PD-L1) pathway enrichment. Additionally, the protein interaction between EFEMP2 and EGFR was detected by immunoprecipitation. RESULT EFEMP2 was positively correlated with the invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells, its down-regulation inhibited the migrative, invasive and cloning capacity of cancer cells in vitro and suppressed the tumor proliferation and intraperitoneal diffusion in vivo, while its up-regulation did the opposite. Moreover, EFEMP2 could bind to EGFR to induce PD-L1 regulation in ovarian cancer, which was caused by the activation of EGFR/ERK1/2/c-Jun signaling. Similar to EFEMP2, PD-L1 was also highly expressed in aggressive cells and had the ability to promote the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and PD-L1 upregulation was partly caused by EFEMP2 activation. Afatinib combined with trametinib had an obvious effect of inhibiting the intraperitoneal diffusion of ovarian cancer cells, especially in the group with low expression of EFEMP2, while overexpression of PD-L1 could reverse this phenomenon. CONCLUSION EFEMP2 could bind to EGFR to activate ERK1/2/c-Jun pathway and regulate PD-L1 expression, furthermore PD-L1 was extremely essential for EFEMP2 to promote ovarian cancer cells invasion and dissemination in vitro and in vivo. Targeted therapy against the source gene EFEMP2 is our future research direction, which may better inhibit the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Shen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Xuli Jin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Shuang Fang
- Jinan Medical Center Management Committee, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Romano B, Maresca DC, Somma F, Ahmadi P, Putra MY, Rahmawati SI, Chianese G, Formisano C, Ianaro A, Ercolano G. Ircinia ramosa Sponge Extract (iSP) Induces Apoptosis in Human Melanoma Cells and Inhibits Melanoma Cell Migration and Invasiveness. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:371. [PMID: 37504902 PMCID: PMC10381260 DOI: 10.3390/md21070371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine compounds represent a varied source of new drugs with potential anticancer effects. Among these, sponges, including those belonging to the Irciniidae family, have been demonstrated to exert cytotoxic effects on different human cancer cells. Here, we investigated, for the first time, the therapeutic effect of an extract (referred as iSP) from the sponge, Ircinia ramosa (Porifera, Dictyoceratida, and Irciniidae), on A375 human melanoma cells. We found that iSP impaired A375 melanoma cells proliferation, induced cell death through caspase-dependent apoptosis and arrested cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, as demonstrated via both flow cytometry and qPCR analysis. The proapoptotic effect of iSP is associated with increased ROS production and mitochondrial modulation, as observed by using DCF-DHA and mitochondrial probes. In addition, we performed wound healing, invasion and clonogenic assays and found that iSP was able to restrain A375 migration, invasion and clonogenicity. Importantly, we observed that an iSP treatment modulated the expression of the EMT-associated epithelial markers, E-CAD and N-CAD, unveiling the mechanism underlying the effect of iSP in modulating A375 migration and invasion. Collectively, this study provides the first evidence to support the role of Ircinia ramosa sponge extracts as a potential therapeutic resource for the treatment of human melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Romano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Claudia Maresca
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Somma
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Peni Ahmadi
- Research Center for Vaccine and Drug, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), JI. Raya Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, Indonesia
| | - Masteria Yunovilsa Putra
- Research Center for Vaccine and Drug, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), JI. Raya Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, Indonesia
| | - Siti Irma Rahmawati
- Research Center for Vaccine and Drug, Research Organization for Health, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), JI. Raya Bogor Km. 46, Cibinong 16911, Indonesia
| | - Giuseppina Chianese
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Formisano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Ianaro
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ercolano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Beretti F, Gatti M, Zavatti M, Bassoli S, Pellacani G, Maraldi T. Reactive Oxygen Species Regulation of Chemoresistance and Metastatic Capacity of Melanoma: Role of the Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD271. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041229. [PMID: 37189846 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BRAF mutations are present in 30-50% of cases of cutaneous melanoma, and treatment with selective BRAF and MEK inhibitors has been introduced. However, the development of resistance to these drugs often occurs. Chemo-resistant melanoma cells show increased expression of CD271, a stem cell marker that features increased migration. Concordantly, resistance to the selective inhibitor of oncogenic BRAFV600E/K, vemurafenib, is mediated by the increased expression of CD271. It has recently been shown that the BRAF pathway leads to an overexpression of the NADPH oxidase Nox4, which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we examined in vitro how Nox-derived ROS in BRAF-mutated melanoma cells regulates their drug sensitivity and metastatic potential. We demonstrated that DPI, a Nox inhibitor, reduced the resistance of a melanoma cell line (SK-MEL-28) and a primary culture derived from a BRAFV600E-mutated biopsy to vemurafenib. DPI treatment affected the expression of CD271 and the ERK and Akt signaling pathways, leading to a drop in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which undoubtedly promotes an invasive phenotype in melanoma. More importantly, the scratch test demonstrated the efficacy of the Nox inhibitor (DPI) in blocking migration, supporting its use to counteract drug resistance and thus cell invasion and metastasis in BRAF-mutated melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Beretti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Martina Gatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Zavatti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Bassoli
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pellacani
- Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tullia Maraldi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Davalos V, Lovell CD, Von Itter R, Dolgalev I, Agrawal P, Baptiste G, Kahler DJ, Sokolova E, Moran S, Piqué L, Vega-Saenz de Miera E, Fontanals-Cirera B, Karz A, Tsirigos A, Yun C, Darvishian F, Etchevers HC, Osman I, Esteller M, Schober M, Hernando E. An epigenetic switch controls an alternative NR2F2 isoform that unleashes a metastatic program in melanoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1867. [PMID: 37015919 PMCID: PMC10073109 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36967-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma develops once transformed melanocytic cells begin to de-differentiate into migratory and invasive melanoma cells with neural crest cell (NCC)-like and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like features. However, it is still unclear how transformed melanocytes assume a metastatic melanoma cell state. Here, we define DNA methylation changes that accompany metastatic progression in melanoma patients and discover Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 2 Group F, Member 2 - isoform 2 (NR2F2-Iso2) as an epigenetically regulated metastasis driver. NR2F2-Iso2 is transcribed from an alternative transcriptional start site (TSS) and it is truncated at the N-terminal end which encodes the NR2F2 DNA-binding domain. We find that NR2F2-Iso2 expression is turned off by DNA methylation when NCCs differentiate into melanocytes. Conversely, this process is reversed during metastatic melanoma progression, when NR2F2-Iso2 becomes increasingly hypomethylated and re-expressed. Our functional and molecular studies suggest that NR2F2-Iso2 drives metastatic melanoma progression by modulating the activity of full-length NR2F2 (Isoform 1) over EMT- and NCC-associated target genes. Our findings indicate that DNA methylation changes play a crucial role during metastatic melanoma progression, and their control of NR2F2 activity allows transformed melanocytes to acquire NCC-like and EMT-like features. This epigenetically regulated transcriptional plasticity facilitates cell state transitions and metastatic spread.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Davalos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Claudia D Lovell
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Richard Von Itter
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Igor Dolgalev
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Praveen Agrawal
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Montefiore, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Gillian Baptiste
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - David J Kahler
- High Throughput Biology Core, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Elena Sokolova
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Sebastian Moran
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laia Piqué
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Eleazar Vega-Saenz de Miera
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Barbara Fontanals-Cirera
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Alcida Karz
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Chi Yun
- High Throughput Biology Core, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Farbod Darvishian
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | | | - Iman Osman
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red, Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Markus Schober
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, New York Grossman University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Jarrosson L, Dalle S, Costechareyre C, Tang Y, Grimont M, Plaschka M, Lacourrège M, Teinturier R, Le Bouar M, Maucort‐Boulch D, Eberhardt A, Castellani V, Caramel J, Delloye‐Bourgeois C. An in vivo avian model of human melanoma to perform rapid and robust preclinical studies. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e16629. [PMID: 36692026 PMCID: PMC9994476 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202216629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma patients carrying a BRAFV600 mutation can be treated with a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi), but innate and acquired resistance invariably occurs. Predicting patient response to targeted therapies is crucial to guide clinical decision. We describe here the development of a highly efficient patient-derived xenograft model adapted to patient melanoma biopsies, using the avian embryo as a host (AVI-PDXTM ). In this in vivo paradigm, we depict a fast and reproducible tumor engraftment of patient samples within the embryonic skin, preserving key molecular and phenotypic features. We show that sensitivity and resistance to BRAFi/MEKi can be reliably modeled in these AVI-PDXTM , as well as synergies with other drugs. We further provide proof-of-concept that the AVI-PDXTM models the diversity of responses of melanoma patients to BRAFi/MEKi, within days, hence positioning it as a valuable tool for the design of personalized medicine assays and for the evaluation of novel combination strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
- Centre Hospitalier Lyon SudHospices Civils de LyonPierre BéniteFrance
| | | | - Yaqi Tang
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | - Maxime Grimont
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | - Maud Plaschka
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | | | | | - Myrtille Le Bouar
- Centre Hospitalier Lyon SudHospices Civils de LyonPierre BéniteFrance
| | | | - Anaïs Eberhardt
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
- Centre Hospitalier Lyon SudHospices Civils de LyonPierre BéniteFrance
| | - Valérie Castellani
- University of Lyon, University of Lyon 1 Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MeLiS, CNRS UMR5284, INSERM U1314, NeuroMyoGene InstituteLyonFrance
| | - Julie Caramel
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of LyonLyonFrance
| | - Céline Delloye‐Bourgeois
- University of Lyon, University of Lyon 1 Claude Bernard Lyon 1, MeLiS, CNRS UMR5284, INSERM U1314, NeuroMyoGene InstituteLyonFrance
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Castro MV, Barbero GA, Máscolo P, Villanueva MB, Nsengimana J, Newton-Bishop J, Illescas E, Quezada MJ, Lopez-Bergami P. ROR2 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition by hyperactivating ERK in melanoma. J Cell Commun Signal 2023; 17:75-88. [PMID: 35723796 PMCID: PMC10030744 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) is a protein with important functions during embryogenesis that is dysregulated in human cancer. An intriguing feature of this receptor is that it plays opposite roles in different tumor types either promoting or inhibiting tumor progression. Understanding the complex role of this receptor requires a more profound exploration of both the altered biological and molecular mechanisms. Here, we describe that ROR2 promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) by inducing cadherin switch and the upregulation of the transcription factors ZEB1, Twist, Slug, Snail, and HIF1A, together with a mesenchymal phenotype and increased migration. We show that ROR2 activates both p38 and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways independently of Wnt5a. Further, we demonstrated that the upregulation of EMT-related proteins depends on the hyperactivation of the ERK pathway far above the typical high constitutive activity observed in melanoma. In addition, ROR2 also promoted ERK phosphorylation, EMT, invasion, and necrosis in xenotransplanted mice. ROR2 also associates with EMT in tumor samples from melanoma patients where analysis of large cohorts revealed that increased ROR2 levels are linked to EMT signatures. This important role of ROR2 translates into melanoma patient' s prognosis since elevated ROR2 levels reduced overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival of patients with lymph node metastasis. In sum, these results demonstrate that ROR2 contributes to melanoma progression by inducing EMT and necrosis and can be an attractive therapeutic target for melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Castro
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Alexis Barbero
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Máscolo
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Villanueva
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jérémie Nsengimana
- Biostatistics Research Group, Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | | | - Edith Illescas
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Josefina Quezada
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602., 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hossain SM, Eccles MR. Phenotype Switching and the Melanoma Microenvironment; Impact on Immunotherapy and Drug Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021601. [PMID: 36675114 PMCID: PMC9864717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, a highly heterogeneous tumor, is comprised of a functionally diverse spectrum of cell phenotypes and subpopulations, including stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Melanoma has been shown to dynamically shift between different transcriptional states or phenotypes. This is referred to as phenotype switching in melanoma, and it involves switching between quiescent and proliferative cell cycle states, and dramatic shifts in invasiveness, as well as changes in signaling pathways in the melanoma cells, and immune cell composition in the TME. Melanoma cell plasticity is associated with altered gene expression in immune cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as changes in extracellular matrix, which drive the metastatic cascade and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, resistance to therapy in melanoma is not only dependent on genetic evolution, but it has also been suggested to be driven by gene expression changes and adaptive phenotypic cell plasticity. This review discusses recent findings in melanoma phenotype switching, immunotherapy resistance, and the balancing of the homeostatic TME between the different melanoma cell subpopulations. We also discuss future perspectives of the biology of neural crest-like state(s) in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sultana Mehbuba Hossain
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Michael R. Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
CHRNA1 and its correlated-myogenesis/cell cycle genes are prognosis-related markers of metastatic melanoma. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 33:101425. [PMID: 36654921 PMCID: PMC9841360 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (CHRNs) expression and their critical role in various types of cancer have been reported. However, it is still unclear which CHRNs and their associated genes play essential roles in metastasis in melanoma patients. Here, we performed bioinformatics analyses on publicly available bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of patients with melanoma to identify the CHRNs highly expressed in metastatic melanoma. We found that CHRNA1 was highly expressed in metastatic melanoma samples compared to primary melanoma samples and was strongly associated with CHRNB1 and CHRNG. These muscle-type CHRNs (CHRNA1, CHRNB1, and CHRNG) were correlated with the ZEB1 and Rho/ROCK pathway-related genes in metastatic melanoma samples. Pairwise correlations and enrichment analyses revealed that CHRNA1 was significantly associated with myogenesis/muscle contraction and cell cycle genes. Kaplan-Meier curves illustrated the involvement of CHRNA1, four of its correlated genes (DES, FLNC, CDK1, and CDC20), and the myogenesis gene signature in the prognosis of melanoma patients. Following the bulk RNA-seq analysis, single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) analysis showed that the CHRNA1-expressing melanoma cells are primarily metastatic and had high expression levels of CHRNB1, CHRNG, and myogenesis/cell cycle-related genes. Our bioinformatics analyses of the bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data of patients with melanoma revealed that CHRNA1 and its correlated myogenesis/cell-related cycle genes are critical prognosis-related markers of metastatic melanoma.
Collapse
|
29
|
Kang Y, Ji Z, Li H, Tsao H. Divergent BRAF Inhibitor Resistance Mechanisms Revealed through Epigenetic Mapping. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 143:842-853.e6. [PMID: 36529262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Although tremendous progress has been made in targeted and immune-based treatments for advanced melanoma, there remains a substantial therapeutic failure rate. For patients with BRAF(V600)-mutant melanomas, resistance to BRAF inhibitors remains a significant survival hurdle. Although multiple compensatory mechanisms to bypass BRAF blockade have been discovered, the epigenetic patterns are still poorly characterized. In this report, we generated eight matched pairs of vemurafenib-sensitive/-resistant melanoma lines and subjected these to concurrent RNA-sequencing and H3K27ac chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis. Globally, we identified two classes of epigenetic profiles that correlate with resistance. Class 1 resistance involves fewer RNA expression alterations accompanied by fewer enhancer mark changes with H3K27ac. Class 2 resistance shows widespread alterations in transcription and enhancer profiles, which converge on epithelial‒mesenchymal transition and hypoxia-related pathways. We also observed significant and dynamic changes in superenhancers that underpin these transcriptomic patterns. We subsequently verified the two-class structure in pre-BRAF inhibitors and postrelapse human melanoma specimens. Our findings reveal a broad and underappreciated spectrum of epigenetic plasticity during acquired BRAF inhibitor resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Kang
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Mass General Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhenyu Ji
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Mass General Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - He Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hensin Tsao
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Mass General Research Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Yang RN, Zhou FR, Wang HY, Wang QH, Ji JL, Huang T, Guo C, Dong Z, Cao YW. Antitumor activity of RUNX3: Upregulation of E-cadherin and downregulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Open Life Sci 2022; 17:1579-1590. [DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
RUNX3 is a transcription factor and tumor suppressor that is silenced or inactivated in diverse tumors. The effect of RUNX3 on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) remains unclear. We determined the expression of RUNX3 and E-cadherin in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 30 CCRCC patients; established cultured CCRCC cells with the overexpression of RUNX3; and examined the in vivo tumorigenic function of RUNX3 in a nude mouse xenograft model of CCRCC. RUNX3 and E-cadherin were downregulated in human CCRCC samples. Cell lines with RUNX3 overexpression had reduced cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, a prolonged cell cycle, increased apoptosis, and increased expression of E-cadherin. In the nude mouse xenograft model of CCRCC, tumors with the overexpression of RUNX3 had smaller volumes and weights and had increased expression of E-cadherin. In conclusion, RUNX3 overexpression increased the level of E-cadherin and inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of CCRCC in vitro and in vivo. RUNX3 has potential use as a biomarker for prognostic monitoring of CCRCC and as a therapeutic target for the treatment of this cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Nan Yang
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| | - Fu-Rong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital , Yantai , Shandong , China
| | - Hong-Yang Wang
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| | - Qing-Hai Wang
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| | - Jian-Lei Ji
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| | - Chen Guo
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| | - Zhen Dong
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| | - Yan-Wei Cao
- Department of Renal Transplantation and Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University , No. 59 Haier Road , Qingdao , Shandong , China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Lopez-Bergami P. ROR2, a driver of "phenotype switching" in melanoma? Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:288. [PMID: 36127680 PMCID: PMC9487041 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02711-x] [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: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) is a receptor for the Wnt5a ligand that was shown to play a dual role in cancer. ROR2 was shown to either suppress or promote tumor progression in different tumor types by regulating the same biological processes (i.e. proliferation, invasion) in opposite ways. We have recently observed that ROR2 plays multiple and somewhat contradictory roles in melanoma where it impairs cell proliferation but promotes migration, EMT and chemoresistance. In the present article, ROR2 is proposed to be a major driver of “phenotype switching” in melanoma that can tilt the cellular behavior toward proliferative or invasive phenotypes. This function of ROR2 has therapeutic implications since it would provide an opportunity for targeting specific phenotypes such as invasive and drug-resistant ones by inhibiting ROR2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Characterization of Vemurafenib-Resistant Melanoma Cell Lines Reveals Novel Hallmarks of Targeted Therapy Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179910. [PMID: 36077308 PMCID: PMC9455970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179910] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Regardless of the significant improvements in treatment of melanoma, the majority of patients develop resistance whose mechanisms are still not completely understood. Hence, we generated and characterized two melanoma-derived cell lines, primary WM793B and metastatic A375M, with acquired resistance to the RAF inhibitor vemurafenib. The morphology of the resistant primary WM793B melanoma cells showed EMT-like features and exhibited a hybrid phenotype with both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics. Surprisingly, the vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells showed a decreased migration ability but also displayed a tendency to collective migration. Signaling pathway analysis revealed the reactivation of MAPK and the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway depending on the vemurafenib-resistant cell line. The acquired resistance to vemurafenib caused resistance to chemotherapy in primary WM793B melanoma cells. Furthermore, the cell-cycle analysis and altered levels of cell-cycle regulators revealed that resistant cells likely transiently enter into cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and gain slow-cycling cell features. A decreased level of NME1 and NME2 metastasis suppressor proteins were found in WM793B-resistant primary melanoma, which is possibly the result of vemurafenib-acquired resistance and is one of the causes of increased PI3K/AKT signaling. Further studies are needed to reveal the vemurafenib-dependent negative regulators of NME proteins, their role in PI3K/AKT signaling, and their influence on vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cell characteristics.
Collapse
|
33
|
Expression of Cell Cycle Markers and Proliferation Factors during Human Eye Embryogenesis and Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169421. [PMID: 36012688 PMCID: PMC9409163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression pattern of the markers p19, Ki-67, MSX1, MSX2, PDL1, pRB, and CYCLINA2 was quantitatively and semiquantitatively analyzed in histologic sections of the developing and postnatal human eye at week 8, in retinoblastoma, and in various uveal melanomas post hoc studies by double immunofluorescence. The p19 immunoreactivity characterized retinal and/or choroidal cells in healthy and tumor tissues: expression was lower in the postnatal retina than in the developing retina and retinoblastoma, whereas it was high in epithelioid melanomas. Ki67 expression was high in the developing eye, retinoblastoma, and choroidal melanomas. MSX1 and MSX2 expression was similar in the developing eye and retinoblastoma, whereas it was absent in the postnatal eye. Their different expression was evident between epithelioid and myxoid melanomas. Similarly, PDL1 was absent in epithelioid melanomas, whereas it was highly expressed in developing and tumor tissues. Expression of pRB and CYCA2 was characteristic of developing and tumorous eye samples but not of the healthy postnatal eye. The observed expression differences of the analyzed markers correlate with the origin and stage of cell differentiation of the tissue samples. The fine balance of expression could play a role in both human eye development and ocular tumorigenesis. Therefore, understanding their relationship and interplay could open new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions and a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the developmental plasticity of the eye and the development of neoplasms.
Collapse
|
34
|
Pillai M, Rajaram G, Thakur P, Agarwal N, Muralidharan S, Ray A, Barbhaya D, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Mapping phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma onto the epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal axis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:913803. [PMID: 36003764 PMCID: PMC9395132 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.913803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-studied hallmark of epithelial-like cancers that is characterized by loss of epithelial markers and gain of mesenchymal markers. Melanoma, which is derived from melanocytes of the skin, also undergo phenotypic plasticity toward mesenchymal-like phenotypes under the influence of various micro-environmental cues. Our study connects EMT to the phenomenon of de-differentiation (i.e., transition from proliferative to more invasive phenotypes) observed in melanoma cells during drug treatment. By analyzing 78 publicly available transcriptomic melanoma datasets, we found that de-differentiation in melanoma is accompanied by upregulation of mesenchymal genes, but not necessarily a concomitant loss of an epithelial program, suggesting a more “one-dimensional” EMT that leads to a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype. Samples lying in the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype also correspond to the intermediate phenotypes in melanoma along the proliferative-invasive axis - neural crest and transitory ones. As melanoma cells progress along the invasive axis, the mesenchymal signature does not increase monotonically. Instead, we observe a peak in mesenchymal scores followed by a decline, as cells further de-differentiate. This biphasic response recapitulates the dynamics of melanocyte development, suggesting close interactions among genes controlling differentiation and mesenchymal programs in melanocytes. Similar trends were noted for metabolic changes often associated with EMT in carcinomas in which progression along mesenchymal axis correlates with the downregulation of oxidative phosphorylation, while largely maintaining glycolytic capacity. Overall, these results provide an explanation for how EMT and de-differentiation axes overlap with respect to their transcriptional and metabolic programs in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maalavika Pillai
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Undergraduate Programme, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Gouri Rajaram
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Pradipti Thakur
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Nilay Agarwal
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Undergraduate Programme, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Srinath Muralidharan
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Ankita Ray
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India
| | - Dev Barbhaya
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- *Correspondence: Mohit Kumar Jolly,
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Mediated Tumor Therapeutic Resistance. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27154750. [PMID: 35897925 PMCID: PMC9331826 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27154750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the world’s most burdensome diseases, with increasing prevalence and a high mortality rate threat. Tumor recurrence and metastasis due to treatment resistance are two of the primary reasons that cancers have been so difficult to treat. The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is essential for tumor drug resistance. EMT causes tumor cells to produce mesenchymal stem cells and quickly adapt to various injuries, showing a treatment-resistant phenotype. In addition, multiple signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms are involved in the EMT, resulting in resistance to treatment and hard eradication of the tumors. The purpose of this study is to review the link between EMT, therapeutic resistance, and the molecular process, and to offer a theoretical framework for EMT-based tumor-sensitization therapy.
Collapse
|
36
|
Bakr MN, Takahashi H, Kikuchi Y. Analysis of Melanoma Gene Expression Signatures at the Single-Cell Level Uncovers 45-Gene Signature Related to Prognosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071478. [PMID: 35884783 PMCID: PMC9313451 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the current melanoma clinicopathological staging system remains restricted to predicting survival outcomes, establishing precise prognostic targets is needed. Here, we used gene expression signature (GES) classification and Cox regression analyses to biologically characterize melanoma cells at the single-cell level and construct a prognosis-related gene signature for melanoma. By analyzing publicly available scRNA-seq data, we identified six distinct GESs (named: “Anti-apoptosis”, “Immune cell interactions”, “Melanogenesis”, “Ribosomal biogenesis”, “Extracellular structure organization”, and “Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)”). We verified these GESs in the bulk RNA-seq data of patients with skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Four GESs (“Immune cell interactions”, “Melanogenesis”, “Ribosomal biogenesis”, and “Extracellular structure organization”) were significantly correlated with prognosis (p = 1.08 × 10−5, p = 0.042, p = 0.001, and p = 0.031, respectively). We identified a prognostic signature of melanoma composed of 45 genes (MPS_45). MPS_45 was validated in TCGA-SKCM (HR = 1.82, p = 9.08 × 10−6) and three other melanoma datasets (GSE65904: HR = 1.73, p = 0.006; GSE19234: HR = 3.83, p = 0.002; and GSE53118: HR = 1.85, p = 0.037). MPS_45 was independently associated with survival (p = 0.002) and was proved to have a high potential for predicting prognosis in melanoma patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Nabil Bakr
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516, Egypt
| | - Haruko Takahashi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (Y.K.); Tel.: +81-82-424-7440 (Y.K.)
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan;
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Kagamiyama 1-3-1, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Correspondence: (H.T.); (Y.K.); Tel.: +81-82-424-7440 (Y.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Guendisch U, Loos B, Cheng PF, Dummer R, Levesque MP, Varum S, Sommer L. Loss of YY1, a Regulator of Metabolism in Melanoma, Drives Melanoma Cell Invasiveness and Metastasis Formation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:916033. [PMID: 35693944 PMCID: PMC9178194 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.916033] [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: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of cellular metabolism through metabolic rewiring and translational reprogramming are considered hallmark traits of tumor development and malignant progression. The transcription factor YY1 is a master regulator of metabolism that we have previously shown to orchestrate a metabolic program required for melanoma formation. In this study, we demonstrate that YY1, while being essential for primary melanoma formation, suppresses metastatic spreading. Its downregulation or loss resulted in the induction of an invasiveness gene program and sensitized melanoma cells for pro-invasive signaling molecules, such as TGF-β. In addition, NGFR, a key effector in melanoma invasion and phenotype switching, was among the most upregulated genes after YY1 knockdown. High levels of NGFR were also associated with other metabolic stress inducers, further indicating that YY1 knockdown mimics a metabolic stress program associated with an increased invasion potential in melanoma. Accordingly, while counteracting tumor growth, loss of YY1 strongly promoted melanoma cell invasiveness in vitro and metastasis formation in melanoma mouse models in vivo. Thus, our findings show that the metabolic regulator YY1 controls phenotype switching in melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Guendisch
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Loos
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Phil F. Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Sandra Varum
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Sommer
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Lukas Sommer,
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Papaiz DD, Rius FE, Ayub ALP, Origassa CS, Gujar H, Pessoa DDO, Reis EM, Nsengimana J, Newton‐Bishop J, Mason CE, Weisenberger DJ, Liang G, Jasiulionis MG. Genes regulated by DNA methylation are involved in distinct phenotypes during melanoma progression and are prognostic factors for patients. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:1913-1930. [PMID: 35075772 PMCID: PMC9067153 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to mutations, epigenetic alterations are important contributors to malignant transformation and tumor progression. The aim of this work was to identify epigenetic events in which promoter or gene body DNA methylation induces gene expression changes that drive melanocyte malignant transformation and metastasis. We previously developed a linear mouse model of melanoma progression consisting of spontaneously immortalized melanocytes, premalignant melanocytes, a nonmetastatic tumorigenic, and a metastatic cell line. Here, through the integrative analysis of methylome and transcriptome data, we identified the relationship between promoter and/or gene body DNA methylation alterations and gene expression in early, intermediate, and late stages of melanoma progression. We identified adenylate cyclase type 3 (Adcy3) and inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase type II (Inpp4b), which affect tumor growth and metastatic potential, respectively. Importantly, the gene expression and DNA methylation profiles found in this murine model of melanoma progression were correlated with available clinical data from large population-based primary melanoma cohorts, revealing potential prognostic markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Debora D’Angelo Papaiz
- Pharmacology DepartmentEscola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São PauloBrazil
| | | | - Ana Luísa Pedroso Ayub
- Pharmacology DepartmentEscola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São PauloBrazil
| | - Clarice S. Origassa
- Pharmacology DepartmentEscola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São PauloBrazil
| | - Hemant Gujar
- Department of UrologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | | | | | - Jérémie Nsengimana
- Biostatistics Research GroupFaculty of Medical SciencesPopulation Health Sciences InstituteNewcastle UniversityUK
- University of Leeds School of MedicineUK
| | | | | | - Daniel J. Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Gangning Liang
- Department of UrologyUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION IN MELANOMA PROGRESSION: THE CONTRIBUTION OF ADAPTOR PROTEIN RUK/CIN85. BIOTECHNOLOGIA ACTA 2022. [DOI: 10.15407/biotech15.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that Ruk/CIN85 overexpression/knockdown in melanoma cells may be involved in the regulation of EMT. Materials and methods. The mouse melanoma cell line B16-F10 and its sublines with up-/down-regulation of Ruk/CIN85 (generated early using lentiviral technology) were used as a model for research. Melanoma cells were cultured in the complete RPMI 1610 medium under standard conditions. Proliferative activity of the cells was estimated using the MTT-test, and cell migratory potential was studied by the wound-healing assay. The data obtained were analyzed with parametric Student`s t-test. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM and significance was set at P<0.05. Results and Discussion. Cutaneous melanoma genesis is a multi-step process initiated by the transformation of a normal melanocyte following an oncogenic insult. Due to the transcriptome and metabolome reprogramming in the course of EMT, transformed melanoma cells change their phenotype and acquire increased proliferative rate, cell motility, invasiveness, and metastatic potential. According to the data obtained, overexpression of Ruk/CIN85 in B16 mouse melanoma cells (subclones Up7 and Up21) led to an increase in their proliferative activity by 1,6 and 1.8 times, respectively, at 24th hour in comparison with control Mock cells . At the 48th hour, when the cells reached confluence, the cell viability of subclones did not differ from the control ones. No statistically significant changes in the proliferative activity of B16 cells with suppressed expression of the adaptor protein (subclone Down) were found. In accordance with previous data, B16 cells overexpressing Ruk/CIN85 were characterized by strongly increased motility rate (more than twofold for both Up7 and Up21 subclones compared to control Mock cells). At the same time, knockdown of Ruk/CIN85 in B16 cells resulted in a decrease in their migratory activity by about 30%. Conclusions. All findings obtained demonstrated that the malignancy traits of melanoma B16 cells are inversely modulated upon up- and down-changes in adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 expression levels suggesting its possible role in the control of EMT.
Collapse
|
40
|
Benboubker V, Boivin F, Dalle S, Caramel J. Cancer Cell Phenotype Plasticity as a Driver of Immune Escape in Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:873116. [PMID: 35432344 PMCID: PMC9012258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.873116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies blocking negative immune checkpoints are now approved for the treatment of a growing number of cancers. However, even in metastatic melanoma, where sustained responses are observed, a significant number of patients still do not respond or display resistance. Increasing evidence indicates that non-genetic cancer cell-intrinsic alterations play a key role in resistance to therapies and immune evasion. Cancer cell plasticity, mainly associated with the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in carcinoma, relies on transcriptional, epigenetic or translational reprogramming. In melanoma, an EMT-like dedifferentiation process is characterized by the acquisition of invasive or neural crest stem cell-like features. Herein, we discuss recent findings on the specific roles of phenotypic reprogramming of melanoma cells in driving immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapies. The mechanisms by which dedifferentiated melanoma cells escape T cell lysis, mediate T cell exclusion or remodel the immune microenvironment will be detailed. The expanded knowledge on tumor cell plasticity in melanoma should contribute to the development of novel therapeutic combination strategies to further improve outcomes in this deadly metastatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Benboubker
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| | - Félix Boivin
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite Cedex, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM, CNRS, Centre Léon Bérard, “Cancer cell Plasticity in Melanoma” team, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
More than half of metastatic melanoma patients receiving standard therapy fail to achieve a long-term survival due to primary and/or acquired resistance. Tumor cell ability to switch from epithelial to a more aggressive mesenchymal phenotype, attributed with AXLhigh molecular profile in melanoma, has been recently linked to such event, limiting treatment efficacy. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of the AXL inhibitor (AXLi) BGB324 alone or in combination with the clinically relevant BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) vemurafenib. Firstly, AXL was shown to be expressed in majority of melanoma lymph node metastases. When treated ex vivo, the largest reduction in cell viability was observed when the two drugs were combined. In addition, a therapeutic benefit of adding AXLi to the BRAF-targeted therapy was observed in pre-clinical AXLhigh melanoma models in vitro and in vivo. When searching for mechanistic insights, AXLi was found to potentiate BRAFi-induced apoptosis, stimulate ferroptosis and inhibit autophagy. Altogether, our findings propose AXLi as a promising treatment in combination with standard therapy to improve therapeutic outcome in metastatic melanoma.
Collapse
|
42
|
Plaschka M, Benboubker V, Grimont M, Berthet J, Tonon L, Lopez J, Le-Bouar M, Balme B, Tondeur G, de la Fouchardière A, Larue L, Puisieux A, Grinberg-Bleyer Y, Bendriss-Vermare N, Dubois B, Caux C, Dalle S, Caramel J. ZEB1 transcription factor promotes immune escape in melanoma. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2021-003484. [PMID: 35288462 PMCID: PMC8921918 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The efficacy of immunotherapies in metastatic melanoma depends on a robust T cell infiltration. Oncogenic alterations of tumor cells have been associated to T cell exclusion. Identifying novel cancer cell-intrinsic non-genetic mechanisms of immune escape, the targeting of which would reinstate T cell recruitment, would allow to restore the response to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody therapy. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factor ZEB1 is a major regulator of melanoma cell plasticity, driving resistance to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) targeted therapies. We thus wondered whether ZEB1 signaling in melanoma cells may promote immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapy. Methods We evaluated the putative correlation between ZEB1 expression in melanoma cells and the composition of the immune infiltrate in a cohort of 60 human melanoma samples by combining transcriptomic (RNA-sequencing) and seven-color spatial multi-immunofluorescence analyses. Algorithm-based spatial reconstitution of tumors allowed the quantification of CD8+, CD4+ T cells number and their activation state (PD-1, Ki67). ZEB1 gain-of-function or loss-of-function approaches were then implemented in syngeneic melanoma mouse models, followed by monitoring of tumor growth, quantification of immune cell populations frequency and function by flow cytometry, cytokines secretion by multiplex analyses. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation was used to demonstrate the direct binding of this transcription factor on the promoters of cytokine-encoding genes. Finally, the sensitivity to anti-PD-1 antibody therapy upon ZEB1 gain-of-function or loss-of-function was evaluated. Results Combined spatial and transcriptomic analyses of the immune infiltrates in human melanoma samples demonstrated that ZEB1 expression in melanoma cells is associated with decreased CD8+ T cell infiltration, independently of β-catenin pathway activation. ZEB1 ectopic expression in melanoma cells impairs CD8+ T cell recruitment in syngeneic mouse models, resulting in tumor immune evasion and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that ZEB1 directly represses the secretion of T cell-attracting chemokines, including CXCL10. Finally, Zeb1 knock-out, by promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration, synergizes with anti-PD-1 antibody therapy in promoting tumor regression. Conclusions We identify the ZEB1 transcription factor as a key determinant of melanoma immune escape, highlighting a previously unknown therapeutic target to increase efficacy of immunotherapy in melanoma. Trial registration number NCT02828202.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maud Plaschka
- Cancer Cell Plasticity in Melanoma, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Valentin Benboubker
- Cancer Cell Plasticity in Melanoma, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Maxime Grimont
- Cancer Cell Plasticity in Melanoma, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Justine Berthet
- Cancer Immune Surveillance and Therapeutic Targeting, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Laboratory of Immunotherapy of Cancer of Lyon (LICL), Lyon, France
| | - Laurie Tonon
- Fondation Synergie Lyon Cancer, Plateforme de bio-informatique Gilles Thomas, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Jonathan Lopez
- Cancer Cell Plasticity in Melanoma, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Myrtille Le-Bouar
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Brigitte Balme
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Garance Tondeur
- Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Arnaud de la Fouchardière
- Cancer Cell Plasticity in Melanoma, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Lionel Larue
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | | | - Yenkel Grinberg-Bleyer
- Molecular Regulation of Immunity in Cancer, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Nathalie Bendriss-Vermare
- Cancer Immune Surveillance and Therapeutic Targeting, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Laboratory of Immunotherapy of Cancer of Lyon (LICL), Lyon, France
| | - Bertrand Dubois
- Cancer Immune Surveillance and Therapeutic Targeting, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Laboratory of Immunotherapy of Cancer of Lyon (LICL), Lyon, France
| | - Christophe Caux
- Cancer Immune Surveillance and Therapeutic Targeting, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Laboratory of Immunotherapy of Cancer of Lyon (LICL), Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Dalle
- Cancer Cell Plasticity in Melanoma, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France.,Dermatology Unit, Hospices Civils de Lyon, CH Lyon Sud, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Julie Caramel
- Cancer Cell Plasticity in Melanoma, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of KRAS G12C Inhibitors in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Models by Cotargeting the MAPK Pathway or HSP90. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:2721466. [PMID: 34858498 PMCID: PMC8632397 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2721466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background KRASG12C inhibitors have shown promising efficacy in early clinical trials, but drug resistance compromises their long-term benefits. Therefore, it is critical to understand the mechanisms of drug resistance and to design appropriate combinatory treatments to improve efficacy. Methods To understand the comprehensive mechanisms of drug resistance, we treated lung cancer cells with KRASG12C inhibitors for different periods and performed transcriptional profiling and signaling analysis to identify critical factors and pathways that drive drug tolerance and resistance. We also evaluated several drug combinations in vitro and in vivo to identify potentially effective therapeutics. Results We found that the feedback activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) may have cooperatively induced intrinsic and adaptive resistance to KRASG12C inhibitors. Notably, continuous KRAS inhibition induced a multidrug-resistant phenotype, implying that upfront combinatory treatment might be required to treat this group of patients. We also demonstrated that concurrently targeting multiple nodes in the RTK/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK axis improved the efficacy of KRASG12C inhibitors, mainly by suppressing the reactivation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Moreover, the combined use of HSP90 and KRASG12C inhibitors effectively induced tumor regression in lung adenocarcinoma models in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion Together, our findings revealed mechanisms underlying KRASG12C inhibitors resistance and provided novel candidate combinatory strategies to improve their anticancer activity.
Collapse
|
44
|
Jandova J, Wondrak GT. Vemurafenib Drives Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition Gene Expression in BRAF Inhibitor‒Resistant BRAF V600E/NRAS Q61K Melanoma Enhancing Tumor Growth and Metastasis in a Bioluminescent Murine Model. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1456-1465.e1. [PMID: 34687745 PMCID: PMC9021323 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) resistance compromises long-term survivorship of patients with malignant melanoma, and mutant NRAS is a major mediator of BRAFi resistance. In this study, employing phenotypic and transcriptomic analysis of isogenic melanoma cells that differ only by NRAS mutational status (BRAFi-sensitive A375-BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 vs. BRAFi-resistant A375-BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K), we show that BRAFi (vemurafenib) treatment selectively targets BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells upregulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene expression, paradoxically promoting invasiveness and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. First, NanoString nCounter transcriptomic analysis identified the upregulation of specific gene expression networks (EMT and EMT to metastasis) as a function of NRASQ61K status. Strikingly, BRAFi treatment further exacerbated the upregulation of genes promoting EMT in BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells (with opposing downregulation of EMT-driver genes in the BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 genotype) as detected by EMT-focused RT2 Profiler qPCR array analysis. In BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells, BRAFi treatment enhanced proliferation and invasiveness, together with activation of phosphorylated protein kinase B (Ser473), with opposing phenotypic effects observable in BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 cells displaying downregulation of phosphorylated protein kinase B and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In a SCID mouse bioluminescent melanoma metastasis model, BRAFi treatment enhanced lung tumor burden imposed by BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K cells while blocking BRAFV600E/NRASQ61 metastasis. These preclinical data document the BRAFi-driven enhancement of tumorigenesis and metastasis in BRAFi-resistant human BRAFV600E/NRASQ61K melanoma, a finding with potential clinical implications for patients with NRAS-driven BRAFi-resistant tumors receiving BRAFi treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Georg T Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA; UA Cancer Center, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Battaglia L, Scomparin A, Dianzani C, Milla P, Muntoni E, Arpicco S, Cavalli R. Nanotechnology Addressing Cutaneous Melanoma: The Italian Landscape. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1617. [PMID: 34683910 PMCID: PMC8540596 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive solid tumors, with a low survival for the metastatic stage. Currently, clinical melanoma treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. Of note, innovative therapeutic regimens concern the administration of multitarget drugs in tandem, in order to improve therapeutic efficacy. However, also, if this drug combination is clinically relevant, the patient's response is not yet optimal. In this scenario, nanotechnology-based delivery systems can play a crucial role in the clinical treatment of advanced melanoma. In fact, their nano-features enable targeted drug delivery at a cellular level by overcoming biological barriers. Various nanomedicines have been proposed for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, and a relevant number of them are undergoing clinical trials. In Italy, researchers are focusing on the pharmaceutical development of nanoformulations for malignant melanoma therapy. The present review reports an overview of the main melanoma-addressed nanomedicines currently under study in Italy, alongside the state of the art of melanoma therapy. Moreover, the latest Italian advances concerning the pre-clinical evaluation of nanomedicines for melanoma are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Battaglia
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Anna Scomparin
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
- . Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Chiara Dianzani
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Paola Milla
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Elisabetta Muntoni
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Silvia Arpicco
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| | - Roberta Cavalli
- . Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Torino, 10125 Turin, Italy; (L.B.); (A.S.); (C.D.); (P.M.); (E.M.); (S.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
New Insight into the Effects of Metformin on Diabetic Retinopathy, Aging and Cancer: Nonapoptotic Cell Death, Immunosuppression, and Effects beyond the AMPK Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179453. [PMID: 34502359 PMCID: PMC8430477 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Under metabolic stress conditions such as hypoxia and glucose deprivation, an increase in the AMP:ATP ratio activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, resulting in the modulation of cellular metabolism. Metformin, which is widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, regulates blood sugar by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis and promoting insulin sensitivity to facilitate glucose uptake by cells. At the molecular level, the most well-known mechanism of metformin-mediated cytoprotection is AMPK pathway activation, which modulates metabolism and protects cells from degradation or pathogenic changes, such as those related to aging and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Recently, it has been revealed that metformin acts via AMPK- and non-AMPK-mediated pathways to exert effects beyond those related to diabetes treatment that might prevent aging and ameliorate DR. This review focuses on new insights into the anticancer effects of metformin and its potential modulation of several novel types of nonapoptotic cell death, including ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. In addition, the antimetastatic and immunosuppressive effects of metformin and its hypothesized mechanism are also discussed, highlighting promising cancer prevention strategies for the future.
Collapse
|
47
|
Ashrafizadeh M, Mirzaei S, Hashemi F, Zarrabi A, Zabolian A, Saleki H, Sharifzadeh SO, Soleymani L, Daneshi S, Hushmandi K, Khan H, Kumar AP, Aref AR, Samarghandian S. New insight towards development of paclitaxel and docetaxel resistance in cancer cells: EMT as a novel molecular mechanism and therapeutic possibilities. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111824. [PMID: 34175815 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism is responsible for metastasis and migration of cancer cells to neighboring cells and tissues. Morphologically, epithelial cells are transformed to mesenchymal cells, and at molecular level, E-cadherin undergoes down-regulation, while an increase occurs in N-cadherin and vimentin levels. Increasing evidence demonstrates role of EMT in mediating drug resistance of cancer cells. On the other hand, paclitaxel (PTX) and docetaxel (DTX) are two chemotherapeutic agents belonging to taxene family, capable of inducing cell cycle arrest in cancer cells via preventing microtubule depolymerization. Aggressive behavior of cancer cells resulted from EMT-mediated metastasis can lead to PTX and DTX resistance. Upstream mediators of EMT such as ZEB1/2, TGF-β, microRNAs, and so on are involved in regulating response of cancer cells to PTX and DTX. Tumor-suppressing factors inhibit EMT to promote PTX and DTX sensitivity of cancer cells. Furthermore, three different strategies including using anti-tumor compounds, gene therapy and delivery systems have been developed for suppressing EMT, and enhancing cytotoxicity of PTX and DTX against cancer cells that are mechanistically discussed in the current review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey; Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Hashemi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Saleki
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Omid Sharifzadeh
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Salman Daneshi
- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
| | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haroon Khan
- Department of Pharmacy, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117599, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vice President at Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Oba J, Woodman SE. The genetic and epigenetic basis of distinct melanoma types. J Dermatol 2021; 48:925-939. [PMID: 34008215 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.15957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma represents the deadliest skin cancer. Recent therapeutic developments, including targeted and immune therapies have revolutionized clinical management and improved patient outcome. This progress was achieved by rigorous molecular and functional studies followed by robust clinical trials. The identification of key genomic alterations and gene expression profiles have propelled the understanding of distinct characteristics within melanoma subtypes. The aim of this review is to summarize and highlight the main genetic and epigenetic findings of melanomas and highlight their pathological and therapeutic importance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junna Oba
- Genomics Unit, Keio Cancer Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Scott E Woodman
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Pedri D, Karras P, Landeloos E, Marine JC, Rambow F. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition events in melanoma. FEBS J 2021; 289:1352-1368. [PMID: 33999497 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process through which epithelial tumor cells acquire mesenchymal phenotypic properties, contributes to both metastatic dissemination and therapy resistance in cancer. Accumulating evidence indicates that nonepithelial tumors, including melanoma, can also gain mesenchymal-like properties that increase their metastatic propensity and decrease their sensitivity to therapy. In this review, we discuss recent findings, illustrating the striking similarities-but also knowledge gaps-between the biology of mesenchymal-like state(s) in melanoma and mesenchymal state(s) from epithelial cancers. Based on this comparative analysis, we suggest hypothesis-driven experimental approaches to further deepen our understanding of the EMT-like process in melanoma and how such investigations may pave the way towards the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers for prognosis and new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Pedri
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory of Membrane Trafficking, Center for Brain and Disease Research, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Panagiotis Karras
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ewout Landeloos
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Florian Rambow
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Cohen G, Chandran P, Lorsung RM, Aydin O, Tomlinson LE, Rosenblatt RB, Burks SR, Frank JA. Pulsed-Focused Ultrasound Slows B16 Melanoma and 4T1 Breast Tumor Growth through Differential Tumor Microenvironmental Changes. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071546. [PMID: 33801627 PMCID: PMC8036693 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Focused ultrasound (FUS) has shown promise as a non-invasive treatment modality for solid malignancies. FUS targeting to tumors has been shown to initiate pro-inflammatory immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Pulsed FUS (pFUS) can alter the expression of cytokines, chemokines, trophic factors, cell adhesion molecules, and immune cell phenotypes within tissues. Here, we investigated the molecular and immune cell effects of pFUS on murine B16 melanoma and 4T1 breast cancer flank tumors. Temporal changes following sonication were evaluated by proteomics, RNA-seq, flow-cytometry, and histological analyses. Proteomic profiling revealed molecular changes occurring over 24 h post-pFUS that were consistent with a shift toward inflamed tumor microenvironment. Over 5 days post-pFUS, tumor growth rates were significantly decreased while flow cytometric analysis revealed differences in the temporal migration of immune cells. Transcriptomic analyses following sonication identified differences in gene expression patterns between the two tumor types. Histological analyses further demonstrated reduction of proliferation marker, Ki-67 in 4T1, but not in B16 tumors, and activated cleaved-caspase 3 for apoptosis remained elevated up to 3 days post-pFUS in both tumor types. This study revealed diverse biological mechanisms following pFUS treatment and supports its use as a possible adjuvant to ablative tumor treatment to elicit enhanced anti-tumor responses and slow tumor growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gadi Cohen
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (P.C.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Parwathy Chandran
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (P.C.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Rebecca M. Lorsung
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
| | - Omer Aydin
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
| | - Lauren E. Tomlinson
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
| | - Robert B. Rosenblatt
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
| | - Scott R. Burks
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
| | - Joseph A. Frank
- Frank Laboratory, Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA; (R.M.L.); (O.A.); (L.E.T.); (R.B.R.); (S.R.B.)
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1074, USA
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (P.C.); (J.A.F.)
| |
Collapse
|