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Amato CM, Yao HHC. New uses for an old technique: live imaging on the slice organ culture to study reproductive processes†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:1055-1064. [PMID: 38315794 PMCID: PMC11180704 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae023] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Reproductive processes are dynamic and involve extensive morphological remodeling and cell-cell interactions. Live imaging of organs enhances our understanding of how biological processes occur in real time. Slice culture is a type of organ culture where thick slices are collected from an organ and cultured for several days. Slice culture is a useful and easy-to-implement technique for live imaging of reproductive events at cellular resolution. Here we describe a pipeline of live imaging on slice culture to visualize the process of urethra closure in mouse embryonic penis as a proof of principle. In combination with genetic reporter mice, nuclear stains, and exposure experiments, we demonstrate the feasibility of slice culture on a reproductive organ. We also provide a step-by-step protocol and troubleshooting guide to facilitate the adoption of slice culture with live imaging in other reproductive organs. Lastly, we discuss potential utilities and experiments that could be implemented with slice culture in reproductive sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Maurizio Amato
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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2
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Lliberos C, Richardson G, Papa A. Oncogenic Pathways and Targeted Therapies in Ovarian Cancer. Biomolecules 2024; 14:585. [PMID: 38785992 PMCID: PMC11118117 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050585] [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: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most aggressive forms of gynaecological malignancies. Survival rates for women diagnosed with OC remain poor as most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Debulking surgery and platinum-based therapies are the current mainstay for OC treatment. However, and despite achieving initial remission, a significant portion of patients will relapse because of innate and acquired resistance, at which point the disease is considered incurable. In view of this, novel detection strategies and therapeutic approaches are needed to improve outcomes and survival of OC patients. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the genetic landscape and molecular pathways underpinning OC and its many subtypes. By examining therapeutic strategies explored in preclinical and clinical settings, we highlight the importance of decoding how single and convergent genetic alterations co-exist and drive OC progression and resistance to current treatments. We also propose that core signalling pathways such as the PI3K and MAPK pathways play critical roles in the origin of diverse OC subtypes and can become new targets in combination with known DNA damage repair pathways for the development of tailored and more effective anti-cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Lliberos
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;
- Neil Beauglehall Department of Medical Oncology Research, Cabrini Health, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia
| | - Gary Richardson
- Neil Beauglehall Department of Medical Oncology Research, Cabrini Health, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia
| | - Antonella Papa
- Cancer Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia;
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3
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Cheng Q, Xu L. FABP5 inhibitor SBFI-26 regulates FOXM1 expression and Wnt signaling pathway in ovarian granulosa cell of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Prev Med 2023; 174:107634. [PMID: 37473924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107634] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrinopathy among females of reproductive age. Due to its unclear etiopathogenesis, it is of vital significance to take a deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying PCOS. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot were applied for detection of gene expression and protein expression individually. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were used for the evaluation of cell proliferation while Caspase-3/9 activity was measured for the assessment of cell apoptosis. We found that FOXM1 was overexpressed in ovarian granulosa cell (OGC) of patients with PCOS. Functionally, upregulation of FOXM1 promotes the proliferative ability of PCOS-OGC cells. As for mechanism, FOXM1 exerts its functions in PCOS-OGC cell through activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. More importantly, a novel FABP5 inhibitor, SBFI-26, was verified to downregulate the expression of FOXM1 to impede the proliferation of PCOS-OGC cells. In addition, SBFI-26 inactivates Wnt signaling pathway in PCOS-OGC cells. FABP5 inhibitor SBFI-26 regulates FOXM1 expression and Wnt signaling pathway in OGC of patients with PCOS, which might provide a new perspective into PCOS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunxian Cheng
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Xu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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4
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Dong J, Yuan L, Hu C, Cheng X, Qin JJ. Strategies to overcome cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) through targeting P-glycoprotein (ABCB1): An updated review. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 249:108488. [PMID: 37442207 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in malignant tumors is one of the leading threats encountered currently in many chemotherapeutic agents. The overexpression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters is involved in MDR. P-glycoprotein (P-gp)/ABCB1 is a member of the ABC transporter family that significantly increases the efflux of various anticancer drugs from tumor cells. Therefore, targeting P-gp with small molecule inhibitors is an effective therapeutic strategy to overcome MDR. Over the past four decades, diverse compounds with P-gp inhibitory activity have been identified to sensitize drug-resistant cells, but none of them has been proven clinically useful to date. Research efforts continue to discover an effective approach for circumventing MDR. This review has provided an overview of the most recent advances (last three years) in various strategies for circumventing MDR mediated by P-gp. It may be helpful for the scientists working in the field of drug discovery to further synthesize and discover new chemical entities/therapeutic modalities with less toxicity and more efficacies to overcome MDR in cancer chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyun Dong
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China.
| | - Li Yuan
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Can Hu
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Xiangdong Cheng
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China.
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310022, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310022, China.
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5
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Wu C, Gong S, Duan Y, Deng C, Kallendrusch S, Berninghausen L, Osterhoff G, Schopow N. A tumor microenvironment-based prognostic index for osteosarcoma. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:23. [PMID: 37055822 PMCID: PMC10099847 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00917-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tumor microenvironment (TME) has a central role in the oncogenesis of osteosarcomas. The composition of the TME is essential for the interaction between tumor and immune cells. The aim of this study was to establish a prognostic index (TMEindex) for osteosarcoma based on the TME, from which estimates about patient survival and individual response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy can be deduced. METHODS Based on osteosarcoma samples from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) database, the ESTIMATE algorithm was used to estimate ImmuneScore and StromalScore. Combined differentially expressed gene analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analyses, the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression and stepwise regression to construct the TMEindex. The prognostic role of TMEindex was validated in three independent datasets. The molecular and immune characteristics of TMEindex and the impact on immunotherapy were then comprehensively investigated. The expression of TMEindex genes in different cell types and its effects on osteosarcoma cells were explored by scRNA-Seq analysis and molecular biology experiments. RESULTS Fundamental is the expression of MYC, P4HA1, RAMP1 and TAC4. Patients with high TMEindex had worse overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and metastasis-free survival. TMEindex is an independent prognostic factor in osteosarcoma. TMEindex genes were mainly expressed in malignant cells. The knockdown of MYC and P4HA1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of osteosarcoma cells. A high TME index is related to the MYC, mTOR, and DNA replication-related pathways. In contrast, a low TME index is related to immune-related signaling pathways such as the inflammatory response. The TMEindex was negatively correlated with ImmuneScore, StromalScore, immune cell infiltration, and various immune-related signature scores. Patients with a higher TMEindex had an immune-cold TME and higher invasiveness. Patients with a low TME index were more likely to respond to ICI therapy and achieve clinical benefit. In addition, the TME index correlated with response to 29 oncologic drugs. CONCLUSIONS The TMEindex is a promising biomarker to predict the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma and their response to ICI therapy, and to distinguish the molecular and immune characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwu Wu
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Siming Gong
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Yingjuan Duan
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Chao Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Sonja Kallendrusch
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Medical University Potsdam, 14471, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Laura Berninghausen
- Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg Osterhoff
- Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nikolas Schopow
- Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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6
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Preclinical models of epithelial ovarian cancer: practical considerations and challenges for a meaningful application. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:364. [PMID: 35705879 PMCID: PMC9200670 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite many improvements in ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment, until now, conventional chemotherapy and new biological drugs have not been shown to cure the disease, and the overall prognosis remains poor. Over 90% of ovarian malignancies are categorized as epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC), a collection of different types of neoplasms with distinctive disease biology, response to chemotherapy, and outcome. Advances in our understanding of the histopathology and molecular features of EOC subtypes, as well as the cellular origins of these cancers, have given a boost to the development of clinically relevant experimental models. The overall goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive description of the available preclinical investigational approaches aimed at better characterizing disease development and progression and at identifying new therapeutic strategies. Systems discussed comprise monolayer (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of established and primary cancer cell lines, organoids and patient-derived explants, animal models, including carcinogen-induced, syngeneic, genetically engineered mouse, xenografts, patient-derived xenografts (PDX), humanized PDX, and the zebrafish and the laying hen models. Recent advances in tumour-on-a-chip platforms are also detailed. The critical analysis of strengths and weaknesses of each experimental model will aid in identifying opportunities to optimize their translational value.
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7
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Gong S, Wu C, Köhler F, Meixensberger J, Schopow N, Kallendrusch S. Procollagen-Lysine, 2-Oxoglutarate 5-Dioxygenase Family: Novel Prognostic Biomarkers and Tumor Microenvironment Regulators for Lower-Grade Glioma. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:838548. [PMID: 35250490 PMCID: PMC8894330 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.838548] [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: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lower-grade glioma (LGG) is a group of tumors arising from the cells of the central nervous system. Although various therapy interventions are used, the prognosis remains different. Novel biomarkers are needed for the prognosis of disease and novel therapeutic strategies in LGG. The procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase (PLOD) family contains three members and is related to multiple cancers, yet it was not investigated in LGG. Data from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohorts were used to analyze the role of PLOD in LGG. As the PLOD family is involved in processes, such as tumor formation and cancer metastasis, we focused on its relationship to the tumor microenvironment (TME) in LGG. A high expression of the PLOD family relates to poor prognosis and high infiltration of immune cells within the TME. The expression level of the PLOD family might become a novel biomarker for prognosis and is a potential target for individual treatment decisions in LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siming Gong
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Changwu Wu
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Changwu Wu,
| | | | | | - Nikolas Schopow
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sonja Kallendrusch
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Health and Medical University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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8
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Gong S, Duan Y, Wu C, Osterhoff G, Schopow N, Kallendrusch S. A Human Pan-Cancer System Analysis of Procollagen-Lysine, 2-Oxoglutarate 5-Dioxygenase 3 (PLOD3). Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189903. [PMID: 34576068 PMCID: PMC8467482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of the enzymes involved in the degradation of procollagen lysine is correlated with various tumor entities. Procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 3 (PLOD3) expression was found to be correlated to the progression and migration of cancer cells in gastric, lung and prostate cancer. Here, we analyzed the gene expression, protein expression, and the clinical parameters of survival across 33 cancers based on the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), function annotation of the mammalian genome 5 (FANTOM5), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. Genetic alteration, immune infiltration and relevant cellular pathways were analyzed in detail. PLOD3 expression negatively correlated with survival periods and the infiltration level of CD8+ T cells, but positively correlated to the infiltration of cancer associated fibroblasts in diverse cancers. Immunohistochemistry in colon carcinomas, glioblastomas, and soft tissue sarcomas further confirm PLOD 3 expression in human cancer tissue. Moreover, amplification and mutation accounted for the largest proportion in esophageal adenocarcinoma and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma, respectively; the copy number alteration of PLOD3 appeared in all cancers from TCGA; and molecular mechanisms further proved the effect of PLOD3 on tumorigenesis. In particular, PLOD3 expression appears to have a tumor immunological effect, and is related to multiple immune cells. Furthermore, it is also associated with tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability in various tumors. PLOD3 acts as an inducer of various cancers, and it could be a potential biomarker for prognosis and targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siming Gong
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (S.G.); (N.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Yingjuan Duan
- Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Changwu Wu
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (S.G.); (N.S.); (S.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Georg Osterhoff
- Sarcoma Center, Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Nikolas Schopow
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (S.G.); (N.S.); (S.K.)
- Sarcoma Center, Department of Orthopedics, Trauma and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Sonja Kallendrusch
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Liebigstraße 13, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; (S.G.); (N.S.); (S.K.)
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9
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Kuttikrishnan S, Prabhu KS, Khan AQ, Alali FQ, Ahmad A, Uddin S. Thiostrepton inhibits growth and induces apoptosis by targeting FoxM1/SKP2/MTH1 axis in B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 2021; 62:3170-3180. [PMID: 34369229 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1957873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in the etiology of many cancers, however, its role has not been elucidated in B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-pre-ALL). In the current study, we showed that the downregulation of FoxM1 by its inhibitor thiostrepton inhibited cell viability and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in a panel of B-pre-ALL cell lines. Thiostrepton led downregulation of FoxM1 accompanied by decreased expression of Aurora kinase A, B, matrix metalloproteinases, and oncogene SKP2 as well as MTH1. Downregulation of the FoxM1/SKP2/MTH1 axis led to increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and suppression of antiapoptotic proteins. Thiostrepton-mediated apoptosis was prevented by N-acetyl cysteine, a scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Co-treatment of B-pre-ALL with subtoxic doses of thiostrepton and bortezomib potentiated the proapoptotic action. Altogether, our results suggest that targeting FoxM1expression could be an attractive strategy for the treatment of B-pre-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Kuttikrishnan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Feras Q Alali
- College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University
| | - Aamir Ahmad
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Laboratory of Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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10
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Liu C, Barger CJ, Karpf AR. FOXM1: A Multifunctional Oncoprotein and Emerging Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3065. [PMID: 34205406 PMCID: PMC8235333 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is a member of the conserved forkhead box (FOX) transcription factor family. Over the last two decades, FOXM1 has emerged as a multifunctional oncoprotein and a robust biomarker of poor prognosis in many human malignancies. In this review article, we address the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of regulation and oncogenic functions of FOXM1, particularly in the context of ovarian cancer. FOXM1 and its associated oncogenic transcriptional signature are enriched in >85% of ovarian cancer cases and FOXM1 expression and activity can be enhanced by a plethora of genomic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms. As a master transcriptional regulator, FOXM1 promotes critical oncogenic phenotypes in ovarian cancer, including: (1) cell proliferation, (2) invasion and metastasis, (3) chemotherapy resistance, (4) cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, (5) genomic instability, and (6) altered cellular metabolism. We additionally discuss the evidence for FOXM1 as a cancer biomarker, describe the rationale for FOXM1 as a cancer therapeutic target, and provide an overview of therapeutic strategies used to target FOXM1 for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adam R. Karpf
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68918-6805, USA; (C.L.); (C.J.B.)
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11
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Barger CJ, Chee L, Albahrani M, Munoz-Trujillo C, Boghean L, Branick C, Odunsi K, Drapkin R, Zou L, Karpf AR. Co-regulation and function of FOXM1/ RHNO1 bidirectional genes in cancer. eLife 2021; 10:e55070. [PMID: 33890574 PMCID: PMC8104967 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The FOXM1 transcription factor is an oncoprotein and a top biomarker of poor prognosis in human cancer. Overexpression and activation of FOXM1 is frequent in high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), the most common and lethal form of human ovarian cancer, and is linked to copy number gains at chromosome 12p13.33. We show that FOXM1 is co-amplified and co-expressed with RHNO1, a gene involved in the ATR-Chk1 signaling pathway that functions in the DNA replication stress response. We demonstrate that FOXM1 and RHNO1 are head-to-head (i.e., bidirectional) genes (BDG) regulated by a bidirectional promoter (BDP) (named F/R-BDP). FOXM1 and RHNO1 each promote oncogenic phenotypes in HGSC cells, including clonogenic growth, DNA homologous recombination repair, and poly-ADP ribosylase inhibitor resistance. FOXM1 and RHNO1 are one of the first examples of oncogenic BDG, and therapeutic targeting of FOXM1/RHNO1 BDG is a potential therapeutic approach for ovarian and other cancers.
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MESH Headings
- Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/genetics
- Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins/metabolism
- Carboplatin/pharmacology
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Carrier Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Checkpoint Kinase 1/genetics
- Checkpoint Kinase 1/metabolism
- Databases, Genetic
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Female
- Forkhead Box Protein M1/genetics
- Forkhead Box Protein M1/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/genetics
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/metabolism
- Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous/pathology
- Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
- Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism
- Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology
- Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Recombinational DNA Repair
- Signal Transduction
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Affiliation(s)
- Carter J Barger
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaUnited States
| | - Linda Chee
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaUnited States
| | - Mustafa Albahrani
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaUnited States
| | - Catalina Munoz-Trujillo
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaUnited States
| | - Lidia Boghean
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaUnited States
| | - Connor Branick
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaUnited States
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Departments of Gynecologic Oncology, Immunology, and Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer CenterBuffaloUnited States
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of MedicinePhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Lee Zou
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical SchoolCharlestownUnited States
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical CenterOmahaUnited States
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12
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Molecular Biology of Ovarian Cancer: From Mechanisms of Intraperitoneal Metastasis to Therapeutic Opportunities. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071661. [PMID: 33916182 PMCID: PMC8037638 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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