1
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Zhang Q, Hu W, Guo M, Zhang X, Zhang Q, Peng F, Yan L, Hu Z, Tangthianchaichana J, Shen Y, Hu H, Du S, Lu Y. MMP-2 Responsive Peptide Hydrogel-Based Nanoplatform for Multimodal Tumor Therapy. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:53-71. [PMID: 38187906 PMCID: PMC10771791 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s432112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Responsive drug delivery systems hold great promise for tumor treatment as they focus on therapeutic agents directly, thus minimizing systemic toxicities and drug leakage. In this study, we covalently bound a matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) enzyme-sensitive peptide to a tissue-penetrating peptide to rationally design a MMP-2 responsive multifunctional peptide hydrogel platform (aP/IR@FMKB) for cancer photothermal-chemo-immunotherapy. The constructed aP/IR@FMKB with bufalin (BF) loaded in trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles (TB NPs), photothermal agent IR820, and immune checkpoint inhibitor aPD-L1 by self-assembly could be dissociated in the presence of MMP-2 enzyme, triggering content release. Methods TB NPs, IR820, and aPD-L1 were encapsulated by intermolecular self-assembly and enzyme-sensitive nanogels (aP/IR@FMKB) were constructed. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the blank gels and their ability to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in aP/IR@FMKB were evaluated using 4T1 cells. The promotion of deep tumor penetration and enzyme responsiveness was analyzed using a 3D cell model. The retention and antitumor activity at the tumor sites were examined using the primary tumor model. To assess the antitumor effect of aP/IR@FMKB induced by the immune response and its mechanism of action, recurrent tumor and distal tumor models were constructed. Results This hydrogel system demonstrated exceptional photothermal performance and displayed prolonged local retention. Furthermore, the induction of ICD through IR820 and TB NPs sensitized the PD-L1 blockade, resulting in a remarkable 3.5-fold and 5.2-fold increase in the frequency of intratumor-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells in the primary tumor and distal tumor, respectively. Additionally, this system demonstrated remarkable efficacy in suppressing primary, distal, and recurrent tumors, underscoring its potential as a highly potent therapeutic strategy. Conclusion This innovative design of the responsive hydrogel can effectively modulate the tumor immune microenvironment while also demonstrating sensitivity to the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. This significant finding highlights the promising potential of this hydrogel in the field of multimodal tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjun Hu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mingxue Guo
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Zhang
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fengqi Peng
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liwen Yan
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zucheng Hu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | | | - Yan Shen
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haiyan Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Beijing Health Vocational College, Beijing, 101100, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shouying Du
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Lu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, People’s Republic of China
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2
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Potokar M, Zorec R, Jorgačevski J. Astrocytes Are a Key Target for Neurotropic Viral Infection. Cells 2023; 12:2307. [PMID: 37759529 PMCID: PMC10528686 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182307] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are increasingly recognized as important viral host cells in the central nervous system. These cells can produce relatively high quantities of new virions. In part, this can be attributed to the characteristics of astrocyte metabolism and its abundant and dynamic cytoskeleton network. Astrocytes are anatomically localized adjacent to interfaces between blood capillaries and brain parenchyma and between blood capillaries and brain ventricles. Moreover, astrocytes exhibit a larger membrane interface with the extracellular space than neurons. These properties, together with the expression of various and numerous viral entry receptors, a relatively high rate of endocytosis, and morphological plasticity of intracellular organelles, render astrocytes important target cells in neurotropic infections. In this review, we describe factors that mediate the high susceptibility of astrocytes to viral infection and replication, including the anatomic localization of astrocytes, morphology, expression of viral entry receptors, and various forms of autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Potokar
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology–Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Zorec
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology–Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jernej Jorgačevski
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology–Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Celica Biomedical, Tehnološki Park 24, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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3
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Jumapili NA, Zivalj M, Barthelmess RM, Raes G, De Groof TWM, Devoogdt N, Stijlemans B, Vincke C, Van Ginderachter JA. A few good reasons to use nanobodies for cancer treatment. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250024. [PMID: 37366246 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
mAbs have been instrumental for targeted cancer therapies. However, their relatively large size and physicochemical properties result in a heterogenous distribution in the tumor microenvironment, usually restricted to the first cell layers surrounding blood vessels, and a limited ability to penetrate the brain. Nanobodies are tenfold smaller, resulting in a deeper tumor penetration and the ability to reach cells in poorly perfused tumor areas. Nanobodies are rapidly cleared from the circulation, which generates a fast target-to-background contrast that is ideally suited for molecular imaging purposes but may be less optimal for therapy. To circumvent this problem, nanobodies have been formatted to noncovalently bind albumin, increasing their serum half-life without majorly increasing their size. Finally, nanobodies have shown superior qualities to infiltrate brain tumors as compared to mAbs. In this review, we discuss why these features make nanobodies prime candidates for targeted therapy of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neema Ahishakiye Jumapili
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maida Zivalj
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Romina Mora Barthelmess
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Geert Raes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Timo W M De Groof
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoît Stijlemans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cécile Vincke
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A Van Ginderachter
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Laboratory, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
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4
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Ma X, Zhao Y, Shi C, Jiang H, Liu H, Wang H, Qin X, Wang Y, Han Z. Systematic pan-cancer analysis identified neuropilin 1 as an immunological and prognostic biomarker. Cell Biochem Funct 2023; 41:658-675. [PMID: 37306257 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3821] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, nontyrosine kinase receptor that plays an important role in axonal growth and angiogenesis in the nervous system. Although currently more and more studies have shown that NRP1 plays an important role in some cancers, no systematic pan-cancer analysis of NRP-1 has been performed to date. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associated immune function and prognostic value of NRP1 in 33 tumors of various cancer types. In this study, based on The Cancer Genome Atlas, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, Genotype Tissue Expression, cBioportal for cancer genomics, and Human Protein Atlas (HPA databases), various bioinformatics analysis methods were used to investigate the potential carcinogenic effects of NRP1 activation, pan-cancer analysis of NRP1 expression, and the relationship between NRP1 expression and prognosis indicators including overall survival, disease-specific survival, disease-free interval, and progression-free interval, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). The results showed that NRP1 was highly expressed in most tumors. In addition, NRP1 was found to be positively or negatively correlated with the prognosis of different tumors. Also, the expression of NRP1 was associated with TMB and MSI in in 27 and 21 different types of tumors, respectively, and with DNA methylation in almost all the various types of tumors. The expression of the NRP1 gene was negatively correlated with the infiltration levels of most immune cells. In addition, the correlation between the level of immune cell infiltration and NRP1 expression varied according to immune cell subtype. Our study suggests that NRP1 plays an important role in tumor development and tumor immunity and could potentially be used as a prognostic indicator in a variety of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ma
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Congcong Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Jiawang People's Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haonan Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaobing Qin
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuqin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengxiang Han
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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5
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Pal D, De K, Yates TB, Kolape J, Muchero W. Mutating novel interaction sites in NRP1 reduces SARS-CoV-2 spike protein internalization. iScience 2023; 26:106274. [PMID: 36910328 PMCID: PMC9957656 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has become a severe global health problem because of its rapid spread. Both Ace2 and NRP1 provide initial viral binding sites for SARS-CoV-2. Here, we show that cysteine residues located in the vestigial plasminogen-apple-nematode (PAN) domain of NRP1 are necessary for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein internalization. Mutating novel cysteine residues in the PAN altered NRP1 stability and downstream activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway and impaired its interaction with the spike protein. This resulted in a significant reduction in spike protein abundance in Vero-E6 cells for the original, alpha, and delta SARS-CoV-2 variants even in the presence of the Ace2. Moreover, mutating these cysteine residues in NRP1 significantly lowered its association with Plexin-A1. As the spike protein is a critical component for targeted therapy, our biochemical study may represent a distinct mechanism to develop a path for future therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debjani Pal
- Radioisotope Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
- Bioscience Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Kuntal De
- Bioscience Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Timothy B. Yates
- Bioscience Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Jaydeep Kolape
- Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Bioscience Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- Corresponding author
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6
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Mahmoudian RA, Akhlaghipour I, Lotfi M, Shahidsales S, Moghbeli M. Circular RNAs as the pivotal regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastrointestinal tumor cells. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 245:154472. [PMID: 37087995 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as the most common human malignancies are always considered one of the most important health challenges in the world. Late diagnosis in advanced tumor stages is one of the main reasons for the high mortality rate and treatment failure in these patients. Therefore, investigating the molecular pathways involved in GI tumor progression is required to introduce the efficient markers for the early tumor diagnosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the main cellular mechanisms involved in the GI tumor metastasis. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are one of the main regulatory factors in EMT process. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of covalently closed loop ncRNAs that have higher stability in body fluids compared with other ncRNAs. Considering the importance of circRNAs in regulation of EMT process, in the present review we discussed the role of circRNAs in EMT process during GI tumor invasion. It has been reported that circRNAs mainly affect the EMT process through the regulation of EMT-specific transcription factors and signaling pathways such as WNT, PI3K/AKT, TGF-β, and MAPK. This review can be an effective step in introducing a circRNA/EMT based diagnostic panel marker for the early tumor detection among GI cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reihaneh Alsadat Mahmoudian
- Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Cancer Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Iman Akhlaghipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Malihe Lotfi
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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7
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Kiss M, Lebegge E, Murgaski A, Van Damme H, Kancheva D, Brughmans J, Scheyltjens I, Talebi A, Awad RM, Elkrim Y, Bardet PMR, Arnouk SM, Goyvaerts C, Swinnen J, Nana FA, Van Ginderachter JA, Laoui D. Junctional adhesion molecule-A is dispensable for myeloid cell recruitment and diversification in the tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1003975. [PMID: 36531986 PMCID: PMC9751033 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1003975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A), expressed on the surface of myeloid cells, is required for extravasation at sites of inflammation and may also modulate myeloid cell activation. Infiltration of myeloid cells is a common feature of tumors that drives disease progression, but the function of JAM-A in this phenomenon and its impact on tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells is little understood. Here we show that systemic cancer-associated inflammation in mice enhanced JAM-A expression selectively on circulating monocytes in an IL1β-dependent manner. Using myeloid-specific JAM-A-deficient mice, we found that JAM-A was dispensable for recruitment of monocytes and other myeloid cells to tumors, in contrast to its reported role in inflammation. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that loss of JAM-A did not influence the transcriptional reprogramming of myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment. Overall, our results support the notion that cancer-associated inflammation can modulate the phenotype of circulating immune cells, and we demonstrate that tumors can bypass the requirement of JAM-A for myeloid cell recruitment and reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Máté Kiss
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,*Correspondence: Máté Kiss, ; Damya Laoui,
| | - Els Lebegge
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aleksandar Murgaski
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Helena Van Damme
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Daliya Kancheva
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jan Brughmans
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ali Talebi
- Laboratory of Lipid Metabolism and Cancer, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yvon Elkrim
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pauline M. R. Bardet
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sana M. Arnouk
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johan Swinnen
- Laboratory of Lipid Metabolism and Cancer, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank Aboubakar Nana
- Division of Pneumology, CHU UCL Namur (Godinne Site), UCLouvain, Yvoir, Belgium,Division of Pneumology, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jo A. Van Ginderachter
- Myeloid Cell Immunology Lab, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Damya Laoui
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium,Laboratory of Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy, VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Brussels, Belgium,*Correspondence: Máté Kiss, ; Damya Laoui,
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8
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Feng Z, Hom ME, Bearrood TE, Rosenthal ZC, Fernández D, Ondrus AE, Gu Y, McCormick AK, Tomaske MG, Marshall CR, Kline T, Chen CH, Mochly-Rosen D, Kuo CJ, Chen JK. Targeting colorectal cancer with small-molecule inhibitors of ALDH1B1. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:1065-1075. [PMID: 35788181 PMCID: PMC9529790 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01048-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are promising cancer drug targets, as certain isoforms are required for the survival of stem-like tumor cells. We have discovered selective inhibitors of ALDH1B1, a mitochondrial enzyme that promotes colorectal and pancreatic cancer. We describe bicyclic imidazoliums and guanidines that target the ALDH1B1 active site with comparable molecular interactions and potencies. Both pharmacophores abrogate ALDH1B1 function in cells; however, the guanidines circumvent an off-target mitochondrial toxicity exhibited by the imidazoliums. Our lead isoform-selective guanidinyl antagonists of ALDHs exhibit proteome-wide target specificity, and they selectively block the growth of colon cancer spheroids and organoids. Finally, we have used genetic and chemical perturbations to elucidate the ALDH1B1-dependent transcriptome, which includes genes that regulate mitochondrial metabolism and ribosomal function. Our findings support an essential role for ALDH1B1 in colorectal cancer, provide molecular probes for studying ALDH1B1 functions and yield leads for developing ALDH1B1-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiping Feng
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marisa E Hom
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Thomas E Bearrood
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zachary C Rosenthal
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Fernández
- Macromolecular Structure Knowledge Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alison E Ondrus
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuchao Gu
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Cody R Marshall
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Toni Kline
- SPARK at Stanford, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Che-Hong Chen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Daria Mochly-Rosen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Calvin J Kuo
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - James K Chen
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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9
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Neuropilin (NRPs) Related Pathological Conditions and Their Modulators. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158402. [PMID: 35955539 PMCID: PMC9368954 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) represents one of the two homologous neuropilins (NRP, splice variants of neuropilin 2 are the other) found in all vertebrates. It forms a transmembrane glycoprotein distributed in many human body tissues as a (co)receptor for a variety of different ligands. In addition to its physiological role, it is also associated with various pathological conditions. Recently, NRP1 has been discovered as a coreceptor for the SARS-CoV-2 viral entry, along with ACE2, and has thus become one of the COVID-19 research foci. However, in addition to COVID-19, the current review also summarises its other pathological roles and its involvement in clinical diseases like cancer and neuropathic pain. We also discuss the diversity of native NRP ligands and perform a joint analysis. Last but not least, we review the therapeutic roles of NRP1 and introduce a series of NRP1 modulators, which are typical peptidomimetics or other small molecule antagonists, to provide the medicinal chemistry community with a state-of-the-art overview of neuropilin modulator design and NRP1 druggability assessment.
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10
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Awad RM, Meeus F, Ceuppens H, Ertveldt T, Hanssens H, Lecocq Q, Mateusiak L, Zeven K, Valenta H, De Groof TWM, De Vlaeminck Y, Krasniqi A, De Veirman K, Goyvaerts C, D'Huyvetter M, Hernot S, Devoogdt N, Breckpot K. Emerging applications of nanobodies in cancer therapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 369:143-199. [PMID: 35777863 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease, requiring treatment tailored to the unique phenotype of the patient's tumor. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and variants thereof have enabled targeted therapies to selectively target cancer cells. Cancer cell-specific mAbs have been used for image-guided surgery and targeted delivery of radionuclides or toxic agents, improving classical treatment strategies. Cancer cell-specific mAbs can further inhibit tumor cell growth or can stimulate immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells, a feature that has also been achieved through mAb-mediated manipulation of immune cells and pathways. Drawbacks of mAbs and their variants, together with the discovery of camelid heavy chain-only antibodies and the many advantageous features of their variable domains, referred to as VHHs, single domain antibodies or nanobodies (Nbs), resulted in the exploration of Nbs as an alternative targeting moiety. We therefore review the state-of-the-art as well as novel exploitation strategies of Nbs for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Maximilian Awad
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fien Meeus
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hannelore Ceuppens
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas Ertveldt
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heleen Hanssens
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Quentin Lecocq
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lukasz Mateusiak
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katty Zeven
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hana Valenta
- Lab for Nanobiology, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Timo W M De Groof
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yannick De Vlaeminck
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ahmet Krasniqi
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kim De Veirman
- Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cleo Goyvaerts
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'Huyvetter
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Hernot
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nick Devoogdt
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Medical Imaging, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
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11
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Zhang J, Yu Y, Yin X, Feng L, Li Z, Liu X, Yu X, Li B. A Circ-0007022/miR-338-3p/Neuropilin-1 Axis Reduces the Radiosensitivity of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Activating Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition and PI3K/AKT Pathway. Front Genet 2022; 13:854097. [PMID: 35571014 PMCID: PMC9100939 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.854097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy resistance is an important cause of treatment failure in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Circular RNAs have attracted a lot of attention in cancer research, but their role in ESCC radiosensitivity has not been elucidated yet. Here, we aimed to evaluated the functional impacts of circ-0007022 on ESCC radiosensitivity. In this study, a stable radiotherapy-resistant cell line was established and verified by a series of functional experiments. Subsequently, high-throughput sequencing revealed that circ-0007022 was significantly overexpressed in the radiotherapy-resistant cell line and this conclusion was verified in ESCC patients’ tumor tissues by real-time quantitative PCR. Moreover, loss-of-function and overexpression experiments in vitro and in vivo revealed that, after irradiation, the abilities of proliferation and migration in circ-0007022-overexpressing stable transgenic strain were significantly higher than that in circ-0007022-knockdown stable transgenic strain. Additionally, RNA Immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, luciferase reporter assays, and fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments demonstrated the mechanism of how circ-0007022 could sponge miR-338-3p and upregulate downstream target of miR-338-3p, neuropilin-1 (NRP1). Moreover, NRP1 led to poor prognosis for ESCC patients receiving radiotherapy, and NRP1 knock-down enhanced radiosensitivity of ESCC cells. Furthermore, circ-0007022 overexpression activated Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and PI3K/Akt pathway, and NRP1 knock-down could reversed this phenomenon. Finally, Akt Inhibitor reversed circ-0007022s role in radiotherapy in ESCC cells. Taken together, the circ-0007022/miR-338-3p/NRP1 axis enhances the radiation resistance of ESCC cells via regulating EMT and PI3K/Akt pathway. The new circRNA circ-0007022 is thus expected to be a therapeutic target for ESCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Zhang
- Department of Graduate, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Yanyan Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyang Yin
- Department of Graduate, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Graduate, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Department of Graduate, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaomeng Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xinshuang Yu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Baosheng Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Baosheng Li,
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12
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Jiang J, Zhang F, Wan Y, Fang K, Yan ZD, Ren XL, Zhang R. Semaphorins as Potential Immune Therapeutic Targets for Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:793805. [PMID: 35155237 PMCID: PMC8830438 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.793805] [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: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Semaphorins are a large class of secreted or membrane-bound molecules. It has been reported that semaphorins play important roles in regulating several hallmarks of cancer, including angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune evasion. Semaphorins and their receptors are widely expressed on tumor cells and immune cells. However, the biological role of semaphorins in tumor immune microenvironment is intricate. The dysregulation of semaphorins influences the recruitment and infiltration of immune cells, leading to abnormal anti-tumor effect. Although the underlying mechanisms of semaphorins on regulating tumor-infiltrating immune cell activation and functions are not fully understood, semaphorins can notably be promising immunotherapy targets for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Jiang
- Department of Health Service, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Wan
- Department of Health Service, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ke Fang
- Department of Health Service, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ze-Dong Yan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin-Ling Ren
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Shenzhen General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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13
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Karami E, Naderi S, Roshan R, Behdani M, Kazemi-Lomedasht F. Targeted therapy of angiogenesis using anti-VEGFR2 and anti-NRP-1 nanobodies. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2022; 89:165-172. [PMID: 34988654 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-021-04372-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Targeted therapy in cancer researches is a promising approach that can resolve drawbacks of systematic therapeutics. Nanobodies are potent therapeutics due to their high specificity and affinity to the target. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the effect of the combination of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (anti-VEGFR2) and anti-neuropilin-1 (anti-NRP1) nanobodies both in vitro (MTT, and tube formation assay) and in vivo (chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), and Nude mice treatment assay). RESULTS Our results showed that the combination of two nanobodies (anti-VEGFR2/NRP-1 nanobodies) significantly inhibited proliferation as well as tube formation of human endothelial cells effective than a single nanobody. In addition, the mixture of both nanobodies inhibited vascularization of chick chorioallantoic membrane ex ovo CAM assay as compared to a single nanobody. Moreover, the mixture of both nanobodies significantly inhibited tumor growth of the mice (tumor volume and weight) higher than individual nanobodies (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our results offer a promising role of combination therapies in cancer therapy as well as angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmira Karami
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shamsi Naderi
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Roshan
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Behdani
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kazemi-Lomedasht
- Venom and Biotherapeutics Molecules Laboratory, Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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14
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Chapoval SP, Keegan AD. Perspectives and potential approaches for targeting neuropilin 1 in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mol Med 2021; 27:162. [PMID: 34961486 PMCID: PMC8711287 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00423-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel type b coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 224 million confirmed infections with this virus and more than 4.6 million people dead because of it, it is critically important to define the immunological processes occurring in the human response to this virus and pathogenetic mechanisms of its deadly manifestation. This perspective focuses on the contribution of the recently discovered interaction of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein with neuropilin 1 (NRP1) receptor, NRP1 as a virus entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, its role in different physiologic and pathologic conditions, and the potential to target the Spike-NRP1 interaction to combat virus infectivity and severe disease manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana P Chapoval
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
- Program in Oncology at the Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- SemaPlex LLC, Ellicott City, MD, USA.
| | - Achsah D Keegan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 800 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Program in Oncology at the Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
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15
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H19- and hsa-miR-338-3p-mediated NRP1 expression is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in glioblastoma. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260103. [PMID: 34843522 PMCID: PMC8629300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and also the most invasive brain cancer. GBM progression is rapid and its prognosis is poor. Therefore, finding molecular targets in GBM is a critical goal that could also play important roles in clinical diagnostics and treatments to improve patient prognosis. We jointly analyzed the GSE103227, GSE103229, and TCGA databases for differentially expressed RNA species, obtaining 52 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 31 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 186 mRNAs, which were used to build a competing endogenous RNA network. Kaplan–Meier and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses revealed five survival-related lncRNAs: H19, LINC01574, LINC01614, RNF144A-AS1, and OSMR-AS1. With multiple optimization mRNAs, we found the H19-hsa-miR-338-3P-NRP1 regulatory pathway. Additionally, we noted high NRP1 expression in GBM patients, and Kaplan–Meier and ROC analyses showed that NRP1 expression was associated with GBM prognosis. Cox analysis indicated that NRP1 is an independent prognostic factor in GBM patients. In conclusion, H19 and hsa-miR-338-3P regulate NRP1 expression, and this pathway plays an important role in GBM.
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16
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Napolitano V, Russo D, Morra F, Merolla F, Varricchio S, Ilardi G, Di Crescenzo RM, Martino F, Mascolo M, Celetti A, Tamagnone L, Staibano S. Neuropilin-1 Expression Associates with Poor Prognosis in HNSCC and Elicits EGFR Activation upon CDDP-Induced Cytotoxic Stress. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3822. [PMID: 34359721 PMCID: PMC8345038 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) includes a group of aggressive malignancies characterized by the overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in 90% of cases. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) acts as an EGFR co-receptor, enhancing, upon ligand stimulation, EGFR signaling in several cellular models. However, NRP-1 remains poorly characterized in HNSCC. By utilizing in vitro cellular models of HNSCC, we report that NRP-1 is involved in the regulation of EGFR signaling. In fact, NRP-1 can lead to cisplatin-induced EGFR phosphorylation, an escape mechanism activated by cancer cells upon cytotoxic stress. Furthermore, we evaluated Neuropilin-1 staining in tissue samples of an HNSCC case series (n = 218), unraveling a prognostic value for the Neuropilin-1 tissue expression. These data suggest a potential role for NRP-1 in HNSCC cancer progression, expanding the repertoire of signaling in which NRP-1 is involved and eliciting the need for further investigations on NRP-1 as a suitable target for HNSCC novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Napolitano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.N.); (L.T.)
| | - Daniela Russo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.R.); (S.V.); (G.I.); (R.M.D.C.); (F.M.); (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Francesco Morra
- Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Francesco Merolla
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Scienze della Salute “V. Tiberio”, Università degli Studi del Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Silvia Varricchio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.R.); (S.V.); (G.I.); (R.M.D.C.); (F.M.); (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Gennaro Ilardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.R.); (S.V.); (G.I.); (R.M.D.C.); (F.M.); (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Rosa Maria Di Crescenzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.R.); (S.V.); (G.I.); (R.M.D.C.); (F.M.); (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Francesco Martino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.R.); (S.V.); (G.I.); (R.M.D.C.); (F.M.); (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Massimo Mascolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.R.); (S.V.); (G.I.); (R.M.D.C.); (F.M.); (M.M.); (S.S.)
| | - Angela Celetti
- Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale “Gaetano Salvatore”, CNR, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (F.M.); (A.C.)
| | - Luca Tamagnone
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.N.); (L.T.)
- Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli”, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Staibano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Unità di Anatomia Patologica, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (D.R.); (S.V.); (G.I.); (R.M.D.C.); (F.M.); (M.M.); (S.S.)
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17
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Benedicto A, García-Kamiruaga I, Arteta B. Neuropilin-1: A feasible link between liver pathologies and COVID-19. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:3516-3529. [PMID: 34239266 PMCID: PMC8240058 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i24.3516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has a tremendous impact on the health of millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, those suffering from previous pathological conditions are more vulnerable and tend to develop more severe disease upon infection with the new SARS-CoV-2. This coronavirus interacts with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor to invade the cells. Recently, another receptor, neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), has been reported to amplify the viral infection. Interestingly, NRP-1 is expressed in nonparenchymal liver cells and is related to and upregulated in a wide variety of liver-related pathologies. It has been observed that SARS-CoV-2 infection promotes liver injury through several pathways that may be influenced by the previous pathological status of the patient and liver expression of NRP-1. Moreover, coronavirus disease 2019 causes an inflammatory cascade called cytokine storm in patients with severe disease. This cytokine storm may influence liver sinusoidal-cell phenotype, facilitating viral invasion. In this review, the shreds of evidence linking NRP-1 with liver pathologies such as hepatocellular carcinoma, liver fibrosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and inflammatory disorders are discussed in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, the involvement of the infection-related cytokine storm in NRP-1 overexpression and the subsequent increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection are also analyzed. This review aims to shed some light on the involvement of liver NRP-1 during SARS-CoV-2 infection and emphasizes the possible involvement this receptor with the observed liver damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Benedicto
- Department of Cellular Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Iñigo García-Kamiruaga
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, San Eloy Hospital, Barakaldo 48902, Spain
| | - Beatriz Arteta
- Department of Cellular Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain
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18
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Gudowska-Sawczuk M, Mroczko B. The Role of Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Review. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2772. [PMID: 34202613 PMCID: PMC8267897 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), discovered in 2019, is responsible for the global coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. The main protein that interacts with the host cell receptor is the Spike-1 (S1) subunit of the coronavirus. This subunit binds with receptors present on the host cell membrane. It has been identified from several studies that neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is one of the co-receptors for SARS-CoV-2 entry. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the significance of NRP-1 in SARS-CoV-2 infection. MEDLINE/PubMed database was used for a search of available literature. In the current review, we report that NRP-1 plays many important functions, including angiogenesis, neuronal development, and the regulation of immune responses. Additionally, the presence of this glycoprotein on the host cell membrane significantly augments the infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2. Literature data suggest that NRP-1 facilitates entry of the virus into the central nervous system through the olfactory epithelium of the nasal cavity. Moreover, published findings show that interfering with VEGF-A/NRP-1 using NRP-1 inhibitors may produce an analgesic effect. The review describes an association between NRP-1, SARS-CoV-2 and, inter alia, pathological changes in the retina. Based on the published findings, we suggest that NRP-1 is a very important mediator implicated in, inter alia, neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, it appears that the use of NRP-1 inhibitors is a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Gudowska-Sawczuk
- Department of Biochemical Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A St., 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Barbara Mroczko
- Department of Biochemical Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A St., 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Neurodegeneration Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 15A St., 15-269 Bialystok, Poland
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19
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TNPO1-Mediated Nuclear Import of FUBP1 Contributes to Tumor Immune Evasion by Increasing NRP1 Expression in Cervical Cancer. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:9994004. [PMID: 33987449 PMCID: PMC8093035 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9994004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Far upstream element binding protein 1 (FUBP1), a DNA-binding protein, participates in diverse tumor-promoting behaviors by regulating the expression of oncogenes in the nucleus, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we found that FUBP1 mRNA and protein expressions were markedly upregulated and closely linked with poor prognosis in cervical cancer. In vitro, functional experiments showed that knockdown of FUBP1 inhibited CC cell proliferation and migration. Therefore, FUBP1 plays a prooncogenic function in CC progression. Further investigations for the first time demonstrated that nuclear localization of FUBP1 regulated the gene expression of immune checkpoint NRP1. Moreover, our work demonstrated that FUBP1 translocated into the nucleus which was mediated by interacting with Transportin-1 (TNPO1). Collectively, this study revealed that FUBP1 might be a potential therapeutic target for the restriction of tumor progression.
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20
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Valentini E, Di Martile M, Del Bufalo D, D'Aguanno S. SEMAPHORINS and their receptors: focus on the crosstalk between melanoma and hypoxia. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:131. [PMID: 33858502 PMCID: PMC8050914 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01929-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia, a condition of oxygen deprivation, is considered a hallmark of tumor microenvironment regulating several pathways and promoting cancer progression and resistance to therapy. Semaphorins, a family of about 20 secreted, transmembrane and GPI-linked glycoproteins, and their cognate receptors (plexins and neuropilins) play a pivotal role in the crosstalk between cancer and stromal cells present in the tumor microenvironment. Many studies reported that some semaphorins are involved in the development of a permissive tumor niche, guiding cell-cell communication and, consequently, the development and progression, as well as the response to therapy, of different cancer histotypes, including melanoma. In this review we will summarize the state of art of semaphorins regulation by hypoxic condition in cancer with different origin. We will also describe evidence about the ability of semaphorins to affect the expression and activity of transcription factors activated by hypoxia, such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1. Finally, we will focus our attention on findings reporting the role of semaphorins in melanocytes transformation, melanoma progression and response to therapy. Further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms through which semaphorins induce their effect and to shed light on the possibility to use semaphorins or their cognate receptors as prognostic markers and/or therapeutic targets in melanoma or other malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Valentini
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Via Chianesi 53 (00144), Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Di Martile
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Via Chianesi 53 (00144), Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Del Bufalo
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Via Chianesi 53 (00144), Rome, Italy.
| | - Simona D'Aguanno
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agents Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Via Chianesi 53 (00144), Rome, Italy
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Van Hoecke L, Verbeke R, Dewitte H, Lentacker I, Vermaelen K, Breckpot K, Van Lint S. mRNA in cancer immunotherapy: beyond a source of antigen. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:48. [PMID: 33658037 PMCID: PMC7926200 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA therapeutics have become the focus of molecular medicine research. Various mRNA applications have reached major milestones at high speed in the immuno-oncology field. This can be attributed to the knowledge that mRNA is one of nature's core building blocks carrying important information and can be considered as a powerful vector for delivery of therapeutic proteins to the patient.For a long time, the major focus in the use of in vitro transcribed mRNA was on development of cancer vaccines, using mRNA encoding tumor antigens to modify dendritic cells ex vivo. However, the versatility of mRNA and its many advantages have paved the path beyond this application. In addition, due to smart design of both the structural properties of the mRNA molecule as well as pharmaceutical formulations that improve its in vivo stability and selective targeting, the therapeutic potential of mRNA can be considered as endless.As a consequence, many novel immunotherapeutic strategies focus on the use of mRNA beyond its use as the source of tumor antigens. This review aims to summarize the state-of-the-art on these applications and to provide a rationale for their clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Van Hoecke
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heleen Dewitte
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karim Vermaelen
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Immuno-Oncology Network Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 MRB2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103 Building E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Lint
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Immuno-Oncology Network Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 MRB2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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