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Nguyen TTT, Greene LA, Mnatsakanyan H, Badr CE. Revolutionizing Brain Tumor Care: Emerging Technologies and Strategies. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1376. [PMID: 38927583 PMCID: PMC11202201 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive forms of brain tumor, characterized by a daunting prognosis with a life expectancy hovering around 12-16 months. Despite a century of relentless research, only a select few drugs have received approval for brain tumor treatment, largely due to the formidable barrier posed by the blood-brain barrier. The current standard of care involves a multifaceted approach combining surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy. However, recurrence often occurs within months despite these interventions. The formidable challenges of drug delivery to the brain and overcoming therapeutic resistance have become focal points in the treatment of brain tumors and are deemed essential to overcoming tumor recurrence. In recent years, a promising wave of advanced treatments has emerged, offering a glimpse of hope to overcome the limitations of existing therapies. This review aims to highlight cutting-edge technologies in the current and ongoing stages of development, providing patients with valuable insights to guide their choices in brain tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang T. T. Nguyen
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lloyd A. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Hayk Mnatsakanyan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA; (H.M.); (C.E.B.)
| | - Christian E. Badr
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA; (H.M.); (C.E.B.)
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Zhou Q, Nguyen TTT, Mun JY, Siegelin MD, Greene LA. DPEP Inhibits Cancer Cell Glucose Uptake, Glycolysis and Survival by Upregulating Tumor Suppressor TXNIP. Cells 2024; 13:1025. [PMID: 38920655 PMCID: PMC11201471 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121025] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
We have designed cell-penetrating peptides that target the leucine zipper transcription factors ATF5, CEBPB and CEBPD and that promote apoptotic death of a wide range of cancer cell types, but not normal cells, in vitro and in vivo. Though such peptides have the potential for clinical application, their mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Here, we show that one such peptide, Dpep, compromises glucose uptake and glycolysis in a cell context-dependent manner (in about two-thirds of cancer lines assessed). These actions are dependent on induction of tumor suppressor TXNIP (thioredoxin-interacting protein) mRNA and protein. Knockdown studies show that TXNIP significantly contributes to apoptotic death in those cancer cells in which it is induced by Dpep. The metabolic actions of Dpep on glycolysis led us to explore combinations of Dpep with clinically approved drugs metformin and atovaquone that inhibit oxidative phosphorylation and that are in trials for cancer treatment. Dpep showed additive to synergistic activities in all lines tested. In summary, we find that Dpep induces TXNIP in a cell context-dependent manner that in turn suppresses glucose uptake and glycolysis and contributes to apoptotic death of a range of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (Q.Z.); (T.T.T.N.); (J.-Y.M.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Trang Thi Thu Nguyen
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (Q.Z.); (T.T.T.N.); (J.-Y.M.); (M.D.S.)
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jeong-Yeon Mun
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (Q.Z.); (T.T.T.N.); (J.-Y.M.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Markus D. Siegelin
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (Q.Z.); (T.T.T.N.); (J.-Y.M.); (M.D.S.)
| | - Lloyd A. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; (Q.Z.); (T.T.T.N.); (J.-Y.M.); (M.D.S.)
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3
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Zhang Y, Li L, Chu F, Wu H, Xiao X, Ye J, Li K. Itraconazole inhibits tumor growth via CEBPB-mediated glycolysis in colorectal cancer. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1154-1169. [PMID: 38278779 PMCID: PMC11007002 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16082] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by a high recurrence and metastasis rate, which is the primary cause of patient mortality. Unfortunately, effective anti-cancer drugs for CRC are still lacking in clinical practice. We screened FDA-approved drugs by utilizing targeted organoid sequencing data and found that the antifungal drug itraconazole had a potential therapeutic effect on CRC tumors. However, the effect and mechanism of itraconazole on CRC tumors have not been investigated. A cell line-derived xenograft model in tumor-bearing mice was established and single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on tumor samples from four mice with or without itraconazole treatment. The proportion of cell populations and gene expression profiles was significantly different between the two groups. We found that itraconazole could inhibit tumor growth and glycolysis. We revealed that CEBPB was a new target for itraconazole, and that silencing CEBPB could repress CRC glycolysis and tumor growth by inhibiting ENO1 expression. Clinical analysis showed that CEBPB expression was obviously elevated in CRC patients, and was associated with poor survival. In summary, itraconazole treatment remodeled cell composition and gene expression profiles. Itraconazole inhibited cell glycolysis and tumor growth via the CEBPB-ENO1 axis. In this study, we illustrate a new energy metabolism mechanism for itraconazole on tumor growth in CRC that will provide a theoretical basis for CRC targeting/combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhang
- Branch Center of Advanced Medical Research CenterZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Department of GastroenterologyZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Medical Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Henan ProvinceZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Diagnosis, Treatment and Research of Colorectal CancerZhengzhouChina
| | - Lu Li
- Department of GastroenterologyZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Medical Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Henan ProvinceZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Diagnosis, Treatment and Research of Colorectal CancerZhengzhouChina
| | - Feifei Chu
- Department of GastroenterologyZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Medical Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Henan ProvinceZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Diagnosis, Treatment and Research of Colorectal CancerZhengzhouChina
| | - Huili Wu
- Department of GastroenterologyZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Medical Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Henan ProvinceZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Diagnosis, Treatment and Research of Colorectal CancerZhengzhouChina
| | - Xingguo Xiao
- Department of GastroenterologyZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Medical Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Henan ProvinceZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Diagnosis, Treatment and Research of Colorectal CancerZhengzhouChina
| | - Jianping Ye
- Branch Center of Advanced Medical Research CenterZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Kunkun Li
- Department of GastroenterologyZhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Medical Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Henan ProvinceZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for Diagnosis, Treatment and Research of Colorectal CancerZhengzhouChina
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Banerjee D, Boboila S, Okochi S, Angelastro JM, Kadenhe-Chiweshe AV, Lopez G, Califano A, Connolly EP, Greene LA, Yamashiro DJ. Activating Transcription Factor 5 Promotes Neuroblastoma Metastasis by Inducing Anoikis Resistance. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2518-2530. [PMID: 38014922 PMCID: PMC10714915 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma often presents as a highly aggressive metastatic disease with a poor prognosis. Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is implicated in neural cell differentiation and cancer cell survival. Here, we show that ATF5 is highly expressed in patients with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, with increased expression correlating with a poorer prognosis. We demonstrated that ATF5 promotes the metastasis of neuroblastoma cell lines in vivo. Functionally, ATF5 depletion significantly reduced xenograft tumor growth and metastasis of neuroblastoma cells to the bone marrow and liver. Mechanistically, ATF5 endows tumor cells with resistance to anoikis, thereby increasing their survival in systemic circulation and facilitating metastasis. We identified the proapoptotic BCL-2 modifying factor (BMF) as a critical player in ATF5-regulated neuroblastoma anoikis. ATF5 suppresses BMF under suspension conditions at the transcriptional level, promoting anoikis resistance, whereas BMF knockdown significantly prevents ATF5 depletion-induced anoikis. Therapeutically, we showed that a cell-penetrating dominant-negative ATF5 peptide, CP-d/n-ATF5, inhibits neuroblastoma metastasis to the bone marrow and liver by inducing anoikis sensitivity in circulating tumor cells. Our study identified ATF5 as a metastasis promoter and CP-d/n-ATF5 as a potential antimetastatic therapeutic agent for neuroblastoma. SIGNIFICANCE This study shows that resistance to anoikis in neuroblastoma is mediated by ATF5 and offers a rationale for targeting ATF5 to treat metastatic neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debarshi Banerjee
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Shuobo Boboila
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Shunpei Okochi
- Department of Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - James M. Angelastro
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California
| | | | - Gonzalo Lopez
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Andrea Califano
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Eileen P. Connolly
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Lloyd A. Greene
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Darrell J. Yamashiro
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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5
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Zhou Q, Greene LA. Dpep Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth and Survival via Shared and Context-Dependent Transcriptome Perturbations. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5318. [PMID: 38001578 PMCID: PMC10669862 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225318] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Dpep is a cell-penetrating peptide targeting transcription factors ATF5, CEBPB, and CEBPD, and that selectively promotes the apoptotic death of multiple tumor cell types in vitro and in vivo. As such, it is a potential therapeutic. To better understand its mechanism of action, we used PLATE-seq to compare the transcriptomes of six cancer cell lines of diverse origins before and after Dpep exposure. This revealed a context-dependent pattern of regulated genes that was unique to each line, but that exhibited a number of elements that were shared with other lines. This included the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes and tumor suppressors as well as the enrichment of genes associated with responses to hypoxia and interferons. Downregulated transcripts included oncogenes and dependency genes, as well as enriched genes associated with different phases of the cell cycle and with DNA repair. In each case, such changes have the potential to lie upstream of apoptotic cell death. We also detected the regulation of unique as well as shared sets of transcription factors in each line, suggesting that Dpep may initiate a cascade of transcriptional responses that culminate in cancer cell death. Such death thus appears to reflect context-dependent, yet shared, disruption of multiple cellular pathways as well as of individual survival-relevant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lloyd A. Greene
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA;
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Stillger K, Neundorf I. Cell-permeable peptide-based delivery vehicles useful for subcellular targeting and beyond. Cell Signal 2023:110796. [PMID: 37423344 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Personal medicine aims to provide tailor-made diagnostics and treatments and has been emerged as a promising but challenging strategy during the last years. This includes the active delivery and localization of a therapeutic compound to a targeted site of action within a cell. An example being targeting the interference of a distinct protein-protein interaction (PPI) within the cell nucleus, mitochondria or other subcellular location. Therefore, not only the cell membrane has to be overcome but also the final intracellular destination has to be reached. One approach which fulfills both requirements is to use short peptide sequences that are able to translocate into cells as targeting and delivery vehicles. In fact, recent progress in this field demonstrates how these tools can modulate the pharmacological parameters of a drug without compromising its biological activity. Beside classical targets that are addressed by various small molecule drugs such as receptors, enzymes, or ion channels, PPIs have received increasing attention as potential therapeutic targets. Within this review, we will provide a recent update on cell-permeable peptides targeting subcellular destinations. We include chimeric peptide probes that combine cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and a targeting sequence, as well peptides having intrinsic cell-permeability and which are often used to target PPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Stillger
- Institute for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ines Neundorf
- Institute for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47a, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
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Hartl L, Duitman J, Maarten FB, Spek CA. The Dual Role of C/EBPδ in Cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 185:103983. [PMID: 37024021 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein delta (C/EBPδ) is a transcription factor involved in differentiation and inflammation. While sparsely expressed in adult tissues, aberrant expression of C/EBPδ has been associated with different cancers. Initially, re-expression of C/EBPδ in cell cultures limited tumor cell proliferation, assigning it a tumor suppressor role. However, opposing observations were made in pre-clinical models and patients, suggesting that C/EBPδ not only mediates cell proliferation but dictates a broader spectrum of tumorigenesis-related effects. It is now widely accepted that C/EBPδ contributes to an inflammatory, tumor-promoting microenvironment, aids hypoxia adaption and contributes to the recruitment of blood vessels for improved nutrient supply to tumor cells and facilitated extravasation. This review summarizes the work published on this transcription factor in the field of cancer over the past decade. It points out areas in which a consensus on C/EBPδ's role appears to emerge and seek to explain seemingly contradictory results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Hartl
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - JanWillem Duitman
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Experimental Immunology, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F Bijlsma Maarten
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - C Arnold Spek
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Laboratory for Experimental Oncology and Radiobiology, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Wang S, Wu J, Zhao W, Li M, Li S. CEBPB upregulates P4HA2 to promote the malignant biological behavior in IDH1 wildtype glioma. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22848. [PMID: 36906285 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201244rrrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ), the primary drug for glioma treatment, has limited treatment efficacy. Additionally, considerable evidence shows that isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation-type (IDH1 mut) gliomas have a better response to TMZ than isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 wildtype (IDH1 wt) gliomas. Here, we aimed to identify potential mechanisms underlying this phenotype. Herein, the Cancer Genome Atlas bioinformatic data and 30 clinical samples from patients were analyzed to reveal the expression level of cytosine-cytosine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT) Enhancer Binding Protein Beta (CEBPB) and prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 2 (P4HA2) in gliomas. Next, cellular and animal experiments, including cell proliferation, colony formation, transwell, CCK-8, and xenograft assays, were performed to explore the tumor-promoting effects of P4HA2 and CEBPB. Then, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to confirm the regulatory relationships between them. Finally, a co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was performed to confirm the effect of IDH1-132H to CEBPB proteins. We found that CEBPB and P4HA2 expression was significantly upregulated in IDH1 wt gliomas and associated with poor prognosis. CEBPB knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and temozolomide resistance of glioma cells and hindered the growth of glioma xenograft tumors. CEBPE, as a transcription factor, exerted its function by transcriptionally upregulating P4HA2 expression in glioma cells. Importantly, CEBPB is prone to ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation in IDH1 R132H glioma cells. We also demonstrated that both genes are related to collagen synthesis, as confirmed by in vivo experiments. Thus, CEBPE promotes proliferation and TMZ resistance by inducing P4HA2 expression in glioma cells and offers a potential therapeutic target for glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Jingheng Wu
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Wujun Zhao
- Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China.,Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Shaoyi Li
- Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
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Targeting Transcription Factors ATF5, CEBPB and CEBPD with Cell-Penetrating Peptides to Treat Brain and Other Cancers. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040581. [PMID: 36831248 PMCID: PMC9954556 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040581] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing novel therapeutics often follows three steps: target identification, design of strategies to suppress target activity and drug development to implement the strategies. In this review, we recount the evidence identifying the basic leucine zipper transcription factors ATF5, CEBPB, and CEBPD as targets for brain and other malignancies. We describe strategies that exploit the structures of the three factors to create inhibitory dominant-negative (DN) mutant forms that selectively suppress growth and survival of cancer cells. We then discuss and compare four peptides (CP-DN-ATF5, Dpep, Bpep and ST101) in which DN sequences are joined with cell-penetrating domains to create drugs that pass through tissue barriers and into cells. The peptide drugs show both efficacy and safety in suppressing growth and in the survival of brain and other cancers in vivo, and ST101 is currently in clinical trials for solid tumors, including GBM. We further consider known mechanisms by which the peptides act and how these have been exploited in rationally designed combination therapies. We additionally discuss lacunae in our knowledge about the peptides that merit further research. Finally, we suggest both short- and long-term directions for creating new generations of drugs targeting ATF5, CEBPB, CEBPD, and other transcription factors for treating brain and other malignancies.
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10
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Matherne MG, Phillips ES, Embrey SJ, Burke CM, Machado HL. Emerging functions of C/EBPβ in breast cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1111522. [PMID: 36761942 PMCID: PMC9905667 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1111522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast tumorigenesis relies on complex interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment, orchestrated by tightly regulated transcriptional networks. C/EBPβ is a key transcription factor that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of multiple cell types and modulates a variety of biological processes such as tissue homeostasis and the immune response. In addition, C/EBPβ has well-established roles in mammary gland development, is overexpressed in breast cancer, and has tumor-promoting functions. In this review, we discuss context-specific roles of C/EBPβ during breast tumorigenesis, isoform-specific gene regulation, and regulation of the tumor immune response. We present challenges in C/EBPβ biology and discuss the importance of C/EBPβ isoform-specific gene regulation in devising new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G. Matherne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Emily S. Phillips
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Samuel J. Embrey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Caitlin M. Burke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Heather L. Machado
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States,Tulane Cancer Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, New Orleans, LA, United States,*Correspondence: Heather L. Machado,
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11
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Wang Z, Pang J, Wang L, Dong Q, Jin D. CEBPB regulates the bile acid receptor FXR to accelerate colon cancer progression by modulating aerobic glycolysis. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24703. [PMID: 36129029 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aerobic glycolysis is a main characteristic of tumors, and inhibited glycolysis impedes the tumor development. Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) mainly regulates bile acid metabolism. In this research, we mainly investigated whether FXR was involved in the regulation of glycolysis in colon cancer. METHODS The differential expression analysis was performed on FXR and Enhancer Binding Protein Beta (CEBPB) data in colon cancer downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression levels of CEBPB and FXR. The upstream gene of FXR was predicted through bioinformatic analysis. ChIP and dual luciferease assays were performed to confirm the targeted relationship between CEBPB and FXR. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed on FXR. Finally, the glycolysis capabilities of cells in each treatment group were detected. CCK-8, colony formation assay and flow cytometry were performed to test proliferation and apoptosis of colon cancer cells. RESULTS FXR was lowly expressed at the cell level in colon cancer. In vitro assays verified the antitumor effect of FXR on colon cancer. ChIP and dual luciferase assays verified that transcription factor CEBPB bound with the promotor region of FXR, and negatively regulated the expression of FXR. Cell function assays proved that silenced expression of FXR promoted glycolysis, which promoted the development of colon cancer cells. CONCLUSION The study on FXR-regulated glycolysis of colon cancer cells helps us to further understand the molecular mechanism by which FXR regulated the development of colon cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China.,Department of Oncology, Enze Hospital, Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group), Taizhou, China
| | - Jinghuan Pang
- Department of Functional Examination, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Lingyan Wang
- Department of Oncology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Qinhui Dong
- Department of Oncology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
| | - Dan Jin
- Department of Oncology, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Linhai, China
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Jubeen F, Ijaz S, Jabeen I, Aftab U, Mehdi W, Altaf A, Alissa SA, Al-Ghulikah HA, Ezzine S, Bejaoui I, Iqbal M. Anticancer potential of novel 5-Fluorouracil co-crystals against MCF7 breast and SW480 colon cancer cell lines along with docking studies. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein Delta Regulates Glioblastoma Survival through Catalase-Mediated Hydrogen Peroxide Clearance. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:4081380. [PMID: 36035213 PMCID: PMC9411925 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4081380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
It has long been documented that cancer cells show increased and persistent oxidative stress due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is necessary for their increased proliferative rate. Due to the high levels of ROS, cancer cells also stimulate the antioxidant system, which includes the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), to eliminate ROS. However, overexpressed antioxidant enzymes often lead to drug resistance and therapeutic failure. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor and has the poorest prognosis. The transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD) is highly expressed in GBM and correlates with drug resistance, prompting us to elucidate its role in GBM cell survival. In this study, we first demonstrated that loss of CEBPD significantly inhibited GBM cell viability and increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of CAT was attenuated through promoter regulation following CEBPD knockdown, accelerating intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation. In addition, mitochondrial function was impaired in CEBPD knockdown cells. Together, we revealed the mechanism by which CEBPD-mediated CAT expression regulates H2O2 clearance for GBM cell survival.
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Cell-penetrating peptides enhance peptide vaccine accumulation and persistence in lymph nodes to drive immunogenicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204078119. [PMID: 35914154 PMCID: PMC9371699 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204078119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based cancer vaccines are widely investigated in the clinic but exhibit modest immunogenicity. One approach that has been explored to enhance peptide vaccine potency is covalent conjugation of antigens with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), linear cationic and amphiphilic peptide sequences designed to promote intracellular delivery of associated cargos. Antigen-CPPs have been reported to exhibit enhanced immunogenicity compared to free peptides, but their mechanisms of action in vivo are poorly understood. We tested eight previously described CPPs conjugated to antigens from multiple syngeneic murine tumor models and found that linkage to CPPs enhanced peptide vaccine potency in vivo by as much as 25-fold. Linkage of antigens to CPPs did not impact dendritic cell activation but did promote uptake of linked antigens by dendritic cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, T cell priming in vivo required Batf3-dependent dendritic cells, suggesting that antigens delivered by CPP peptides were predominantly presented via the process of cross-presentation and not through CPP-mediated cytosolic delivery of peptide to the classical MHC class I antigen processing pathway. Unexpectedly, we observed that many CPPs significantly enhanced antigen accumulation in draining lymph nodes. This effect was associated with the ability of CPPs to bind to lymph-trafficking lipoproteins and protection of CPP-antigens from proteolytic degradation in serum. These two effects resulted in prolonged presentation of CPP-peptides in draining lymph nodes, leading to robust T cell priming and expansion. Thus, CPPs can act through multiple unappreciated mechanisms to enhance T cell priming that can be exploited for cancer vaccines with enhanced potency.
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Paerhati P, Liu J, Jin Z, Jakoš T, Zhu S, Qian L, Zhu J, Yuan Y. Advancements in Activating Transcription Factor 5 Function in Regulating Cell Stress and Survival. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137129. [PMID: 35806136 PMCID: PMC9266924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) belongs to the activating transcription factor/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein family of basic region leucine zipper transcription factors. ATF5 plays an important role in cell stress regulation and is involved in cell differentiation and survival, as well as centrosome maintenance and development. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that ATF5 plays an oncogenic role in cancer by regulating gene expressions involved in tumorigenesis and tumor survival. Recent studies have indicated that ATF5 may also modify the gene expressions involved in other diseases. This review explores in detail the regulation of ATF5 expression and signaling pathways and elucidates the role of ATF5 in cancer biology. Furthermore, an overview of putative therapeutic strategies that can be used for restoring aberrant ATF5 activity in different cancer types is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pameila Paerhati
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Pharmacy, Shanghai 200240, China; (P.P.); (J.L.); (Z.J.); (T.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jing Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Pharmacy, Shanghai 200240, China; (P.P.); (J.L.); (Z.J.); (T.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Zhedong Jin
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Pharmacy, Shanghai 200240, China; (P.P.); (J.L.); (Z.J.); (T.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Tanja Jakoš
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Pharmacy, Shanghai 200240, China; (P.P.); (J.L.); (Z.J.); (T.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Shunyin Zhu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (S.Z.); (L.Q.)
| | - Lan Qian
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (S.Z.); (L.Q.)
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Pharmacy, Shanghai 200240, China; (P.P.); (J.L.); (Z.J.); (T.J.); (J.Z.)
| | - Yunsheng Yuan
- Engineering Research Center of Cell & Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Pharmacy, Shanghai 200240, China; (P.P.); (J.L.); (Z.J.); (T.J.); (J.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Liu H, Huang Q, Lv Y, Dong Y, Song D. CEBPB knockdown sensitizes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to cisplatin by promoting the expression of serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5. Anticancer Drugs 2022; 33:e327-e335. [PMID: 34387602 DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000001208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5) has been indicated to act as a prognostic predictor for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, its specific role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignancy that has a high propensity for chemoresistance, remains largely obscure. We, thus, sought to investigate the importance of SPINK5 expression in regulating chemoresistance in NPC. Differentially expressed genes in NPC were screened using the cancer genome atlas-head and neck squamous cell carcinoma database and microarray analysis. SPINK5 was downregulated in NPC tissues and cells. After SPINK5 upregulation, the cells treated with cisplatin showed reduced cell survival and the ability to migrate, invade and metastasize. Mechanistically, the transcription factors regulating SPINK5 were queried through the JASPAR website, followed by dual-luciferase and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay validation. CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (CEBP) beta (CEBPB) bound to the SPINK5 promoter region in NPC cells. The silencing of CEBPB enhanced the expression of SPINK5. CEBPB overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of cisplatin on NPC cell malignant phenotype in the presence of SPINK5 overexpression. In conclusion, CEBPB silencing promoted chemoresistance of NPC cells via activating SPINK5, signifying that targeting CEBPB was a new approach to enhance the chemotherapy efficacy in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liu
- Department of Oncology, Binzhou Central Hospital, Binzhou
| | - Qingli Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Liaocheng People's Hospital
| | - Yunxia Lv
- Department of Otolaryngology, Yanggu People's Hospital, Liaocheng
| | - Youwei Dong
- Department of Otolaryngology, Juxian people's Hospital, Rizhao
| | - Daoliang Song
- Department of Otorhinolargology Head and Neck Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, People's Republic of China
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