1
|
Keshavarz F, Soltanshahi M, Khosravani F, Bakhshiyan F, Ghanbari A, Hassanzadeh S, Amirpour M, Ghalamfarsa G. Thymol-loaded liposomes effectively induced apoptosis and decreased EGFR expression in colorectal cancer cells. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:5157-5165. [PMID: 38240780 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-02945-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Different factors, such as environmental and genetic factors and lifestyle, affect it. Owing to the presence of phenolic, alkaloid, antioxidant, and terpenoid compounds, herbal compounds can be effective in the treatment of various cancers. Thymol is a natural monoterpene phenol that is abundant in some plants and exerts several biological effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptotic, anti-proliferative effect and EGFR gene expression under the influence of thymol-loaded nanoliposome in SW84 and SW111 cell lines derived from colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS The lipid thin-film hydration method was used to synthesize thymol-loaded liposomes, and their characterization was performed using TEM, DLS, and HPLC analyses. SW84 and SW1111 cells were treated with thymol- and thymol-loaded liposomes at different doses, the inhibition of cell proliferation was evaluated using an MTT assay, the rate of apoptosis induction was assessed using flow cytometry, and EGFR gene expression was measured using real-time PCR. RESULTS The nanoparticles produced were spherical, uniform, and 200 ± 10 nm in size. HPLC analysis showed that approximately 98% thymol was loaded into the nanoliposome. The results of the MTT assay showed that thymol and thymol-nanoliposomes decreased the proliferation of SW84 and SW1111 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of thymol and thymol-nanoliposomes were 18 and 14.2 µg/ml for the SW48 cell line (P = 0.04) and 10.5 and 6.4 µg/ml for the SW1116 cell line (P = 0.001). Thymol-nanoliposomes significantly inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells compared to free thymol. Flow cytometry showed an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells, especially in the thymol-nanoliposome group in the treated cells. Real-time PCR results also showed that thymol and thymol-nanoliposome both caused a decrease in the expression of EGFR genes in both cell lines, but this effect of decreasing gene expression was significantly higher in the thymol-nanoliposome group. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that thymol-nanoliposomes reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and decreased EGFR expression in colorectal cancer-derived cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Keshavarz
- Department of Immunology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Soltanshahi
- Department of Immunology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Khosravani
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Bakhshiyan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Amir Ghanbari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Sajad Hassanzadeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Dr. Ghorban Ali Jalil Street, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Amirpour
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Ghalamfarsa
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Guduru AT, Mansuri A, Singh U, Kumar A, Bhatia D, Dalvi SV. Engineered microbubbles decorated with red emitting carbon nanoparticles for efficient delivery and imaging. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 161:213886. [PMID: 38735200 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Altering the route of uptake by the cells is an attractive strategy to overcome drug-receptor adaptation problems. Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) with emission beyond tissue autofluorescence for imaging biological tissues were used to study the phenomenon of uptake by the cells. In this regard, red-emitting carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were synthesized and incorporated onto lipid microbubbles (MBs). The CNPs showed red emissions in the range of 640 nm upon excitation with 480 nm wavelength of light. Atomic force microscopic and confocal microscopic images showed the successful loading of CNPs onto the MB. Carbon nanoparticle loaded microbubbles (CNP-MBs) were treated with NIH 3 T3 cells at different concentrations. Confocal microscopic imaging studies confirm the presence of CNPs inside the treated cells. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that the CNPs showed minimal toxicity towards cells after loading onto MBs. The CNPs are usually taken up by the cells through the clathrin-mediated (CME) pathway, but when loaded onto MBs, the mechanism of uptake of CNPs is altered, and the uptake by the cells was observed even in the presence of inhibitors for the CME pathway. Loading CNPs onto MBs resulted in the uptake of CNPs by the cell through micropinocytosis and sonophoresis in the presence of ultrasound. The in vivo uptake CNP-MBs were performed in Danio rerio (Zebrafish larvae). This study provides insights into altering the uptake pathway through reformulation by loading nanoparticles onto MBs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Teja Guduru
- Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Abdulkhalik Mansuri
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India
| | - Udisha Singh
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Biological and Life Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Ahmedabad University, Central Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380009, India
| | - Dhiraj Bhatia
- Biological Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India
| | - Sameer V Dalvi
- Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382355, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wilson PG, Abdelmoti L, Gao T, Galperin E. The expression of congenital Shoc2 variants induces AKT-dependent crosstalk activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae100. [PMID: 38881369 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae100] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The Shoc2 scaffold protein is crucial in transmitting signals within the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mediated Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK1/2) pathway. While the significance of Shoc2 in this pathway is well-established, the precise mechanisms through which Shoc2 governs signal transmission remain to be fully elucidated. Hereditary variants in Shoc2 are responsible for Noonan Syndrome with Loose anagen Hair (NSLH). However, due to the absence of known enzymatic activity in Shoc2, directly assessing how these variants affect its function is challenging. ERK1/2 phosphorylation is used as a primary parameter of Shoc2 function, but the impact of Shoc2 mutants on the pathway activation is unclear. This study investigates how the NSLH-associated Shoc2 variants influence EGFR signals in the context of the ERK1/2 and AKT downstream signaling pathways. We show that when the ERK1/2 pathway is a primary signaling pathway activated downstream of EGFR, Shoc2 variants cannot upregulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation to the level of the WT Shoc2. Yet, when the AKT and ERK1/2 pathways were activated, in cells expressing Shoc2 variants, ERK1/2 phosphorylation was higher than in cells expressing WT Shoc2. In cells expressing the Shoc2 NSLH mutants, we found that the AKT signaling pathway triggers the PAK activation, followed by phosphorylation of Raf-1/MEK1/2 and activation of the ERK1/2 signaling axis. Hence, our studies reveal a previously unrecognized feedback regulation downstream of the EGFR and provide additional evidence for the role of Shoc2 as a "gatekeeper" in controlling the selection of downstream effectors within the EGFR signaling network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia G Wilson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, 741 S Limestone St, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Lina Abdelmoti
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, 741 S Limestone St, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Tianyan Gao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, 741 S Limestone St, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| | - Emilia Galperin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, 741 S Limestone St, Lexington, KY 40536, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jin F, Lin Y, Yuan W, Wu S, Yang M, Ding S, Liu J, Chen Y. Recent advances in c-Met-based dual inhibitors in the treatment of cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116477. [PMID: 38733884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116477] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) located on the 7q31 locus encoding the Met proto-oncogene and plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation, metastasis, differentiation, and apoptosis through various signaling pathways. However, its aberrant activation and overexpression have been implicated in many human cancers. Therefore, c-Met is a promising target for cancer treatment. However, the anticancer effect of selective single-targeted drugs is limited due to the complexity of the signaling system and the involvement of different proteins and enzymes. After inhibiting one pathway, signal molecules can be transmitted through other pathways, resulting in poor efficacy of single-targeted drug therapy. Dual inhibitors that simultaneously block c-Met and another factor can significantly improve efficacy and overcome some of the shortcomings of single-target inhibitors, including drug resistance. In this review, We introduced c-Met kinase and the synergism between c-Met and other anti-tumor targets, then dual-target inhibitors based on c-Met for the treatment of cancers were summarized and their design concepts and structure-activity relationships (SARs) were discussed elaborately, providing a valuable insight for the further development of novel c-Met-based dual inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanqi Jin
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Yihan Lin
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Weidong Yuan
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Shuang Wu
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Min Yang
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Shi Ding
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; API Engineering Technology Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; Small Molecular Targeted Drug R&D Engineering Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Ju Liu
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; API Engineering Technology Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; Small Molecular Targeted Drug R&D Engineering Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China.
| | - Ye Chen
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; API Engineering Technology Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; Small Molecular Targeted Drug R&D Engineering Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Atmaca H, Ilhan S, Çamli Pulat Ç, Dundar BA, Zora M. Evaluation of Novel Spiro-pyrrolopyridazine Derivatives as Anticancer Compounds: In Vitro Selective Cytotoxicity, Induction of Apoptosis, EGFR Inhibitory Activity, and Molecular Docking Analysis. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:23713-23723. [PMID: 38854531 PMCID: PMC11154717 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, remains a global health challenge. Despite advancements in cancer treatment, drug resistance and adverse effects on normal cells remain challenging. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane tyrosine kinase protein, is crucial in controlling cell proliferation and is implicated in various cancers. Here, the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of 21 newly synthesized spiro-pyrrolopyridazine (SPP) derivatives was investigated on breast (MCF-7), lung (H69AR), and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells. XTT assay was used for cytotoxicity assessment. Flow cytometry and western blot (WB) analyses were conducted for apoptosis detection. Additionally, the EGFR inhibitory potential of these derivatives was evaluated via a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay, and WB and molecular docking studies were conducted to analyze the binding affinities of SPP10 with EGFR. SPPs, especially SPP10, exhibit significant cytotoxicity across MCF-7, H69AR, and PC-3 cancer cells with IC50 values of 2.31 ± 0.3, 3.16 ± 0.8, and 4.2 ± 0.2 μM, respectively. Notably, SPP10 demonstrates selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells with a low impact on nontumorigenic cells (IC50 value: 26.8 ± 0.4 μM). Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the potent induction of apoptotic cell death by SPP10 in all of the tested cancer cells. Western blot analysis revealed the involvement of key apoptotic proteins, with SPP10 notably inhibiting antiapoptotic Bcl-2 while inducing pro-apoptotic Bax and cytochrome c. SPP10 exhibited significant EGFR kinase inhibitory activity, surpassing the efficacy of the reference drug erlotinib. Molecular docking studies support these findings, revealing strong binding affinities of SPP10 with both wild-type and mutated EGFR. The study underscores the significance of heterocyclic compounds, particularly spiro-class heterocyclic molecules, in advancing cancer research. Overall, SPP10 emerges as a promising candidate for further investigations in cancer treatment, combining potent cytotoxicity, apoptotic induction, and targeted EGFR inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harika Atmaca
- Department
of Biology, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa 45140, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Ilhan
- Department
of Biology, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa 45140, Turkey
| | - Çisil Çamli Pulat
- Applied
Science Research Center, Manisa Celal Bayar
University, Manisa 45140, Turkey
| | - Buse Aysen Dundar
- Department
of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| | - Metin Zora
- Department
of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Stoup N, Liberelle M, Lebègue N, Van Seuningen I. Emerging paradigms and recent progress in targeting ErbB in cancers. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:552-576. [PMID: 38797570 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.04.009] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family is a class of transmembrane proteins, highly regarded as anticancer targets due to their pivotal role in various malignancies. Standard cancer treatments targeting the ErbB receptors include tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Despite their substantial survival benefits, the achievement of curative outcomes is hindered by acquired resistance. Recent advancements in anti-ErbB approaches, such as inhibitory peptides, nanobodies, targeted-protein degradation strategies, and bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), aim to overcome such resistance. More recently, emerging insights into the cell surface interactome of the ErbB family open new avenues for modulating ErbB signaling by targeting specific domains of ErbB partners. Here, we review recent progress in ErbB targeting and elucidate emerging paradigms that underscore the significance of EGF domain-containing proteins (EDCPs) as new ErbB-targeting pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Stoup
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Maxime Liberelle
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - LiNC -Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Lebègue
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - LiNC -Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Isabelle Van Seuningen
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR9020-U1277 - CANTHER - Cancer Heterogeneity Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee HJ, Choi HJ, Jeong YJ, Na YH, Hong JT, Han JM, Hoe HS, Lim KH. Developing theragnostics for Alzheimer's disease: Insights from cancer treatment. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 269:131925. [PMID: 38685540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131925] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its associated economic and societal burdens are on the rise, but there are no curative treatments for AD. Interestingly, this neurodegenerative disease shares several biological and pathophysiological features with cancer, including cell-cycle dysregulation, angiogenesis, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein misfolding, and DNA damage. However, the genetic factors contributing to the overlap in biological processes between cancer and AD have not been actively studied. In this review, we discuss the shared biological features of cancer and AD, the molecular targets of anticancer drugs, and therapeutic approaches. First, we outline the common biological features of cancer and AD. Second, we describe several anticancer drugs, their molecular targets, and their effects on AD pathology. Finally, we discuss how protein-protein interactions (PPIs), receptor inhibition, immunotherapy, and gene therapy can be exploited for the cure and management of both cancer and AD. Collectively, this review provides insights for the development of AD theragnostics based on cancer drugs and molecular targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ju Lee
- Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), 61, Cheomdan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jeong Choi
- Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), 61, Cheomdan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Joo Jeong
- Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), 61, Cheomdan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), 333, Techno jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Hee Na
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju-si 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Tae Hong
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju-si 28160, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Min Han
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju-si 28160, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyang-Sook Hoe
- Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI), 61, Cheomdan-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), 333, Techno jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Key-Hwan Lim
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju-si 28160, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu HJ, Kim JH, Choi SJ, Cho SD. In vitro antimetastatic potential of pseudolaric acid B in HSC-3 human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line. Arch Oral Biol 2024; 162:105940. [PMID: 38479277 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2024.105940] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pseudolaric acid B (PAB) is a novel diterpenoid derived from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Cortex pseudolaricis that exerts anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. While the anticancer potential of PAB has been studied, its effects on metastasis have not been well-studied. This study aims to determine the inhibitory effects of PAB on HSC-3 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cell line. DESIGN Cell viability and soft agar colony formation assays were conducted to assess cellular proliferation and in vitro tumorigenic capacity of TSCC cells, respectively. Additionally, wound healing, transwell migration, and invasion assays were conducted to monitor the aggressive behavior of TSCC cells. Furthermore, Western blotting analysis was conducted to reveal the signaling pathways involved in the modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RESULTS The migratory and invasive capacities of HSC-3 cells were suppressed by PAB irrespective of their proliferation states. PAB's effects on EMT involved upregulation of E-cadherin expression and downregulation of Twist; these were concomitantly accompanied by downregulated phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). CONCLUSIONS PAB suppresses human TSCC in vitro by regulating Twist/E-cadherin through the EGFR signaling pathway. PAB may have potential as a candidate antimetastatic drug for TSCC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ju Yu
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Kim
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Jung Choi
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Dae Cho
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bae S, Bae S, Kim HS, Lim YJ, Kim G, Park IC, So KA, Kim TJ, Lee JH. Deguelin Restores Paclitaxel Sensitivity in Paclitaxel-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Cells via Inhibition of the EGFR Signaling Pathway. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:507-525. [PMID: 38827785 PMCID: PMC11144006 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s457221] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer is one of women's malignancies with the highest mortality among gynecological cancers. Paclitaxel is used in first-line ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Research on paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer holds significant clinical importance. Methods Cell viability and flow cytometric assays were conducted at different time and concentration points of deguelin and paclitaxel treatment. Immunoblotting was performed to assess the activation status of key signaling molecules important for cell survival and proliferation following treatment with deguelin and paclitaxel. The fluo-3 acetoxymethyl assay for P-glycoprotein transport activity assay and cell viability assay in the presence of N-acetyl-L-cysteine were also conducted. Results Cell viability and flow cytometric assays demonstrated that deguelin resensitized paclitaxel in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cotreatment with deguelin and paclitaxel inhibited EGFR and its downstream signaling molecules, including AKT, ERK, STAT3, and p38 MAPK, in SKOV3-TR cells. Interestingly, cotreatment with deguelin and paclitaxel suppressed the expression level of EGFR via the lysosomal degradation pathway. Cotreatment did not affect the expression and function of P-glycoprotein. N-acetyl-L-cysteine failed to restore cell cytotoxicity when used in combination with deguelin and paclitaxel in SKOV3-TR cells. The expression of BCL-2, MCL-1, and the phosphorylation of the S155 residue of BAD were downregulated. Moreover, inhibition of paclitaxel resistance by deguelin was also observed in HeyA8-MDR cells. Conclusion Our research showed that deguelin effectively suppresses paclitaxel resistance in SKOV3-TR ovarian cancer cells by downregulating the EGFR and its downstream signaling pathway and modulating the BCL-2 family proteins. Furthermore, deguelin exhibits inhibitory effects on paclitaxel resistance in HeyA8-MDR ovarian cancer cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for paclitaxel resensitization that may not be cell-specific. These findings suggest that deguelin holds promise as an anticancer therapeutic agent for overcoming chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seunghee Bae
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sowon Bae
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Su Kim
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Jin Lim
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeongmi Kim
- Division of Fusion Radiology Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Chul Park
- Division of Fusion Radiology Research, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, 01812, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeong A So
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, 05030, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Jin Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, 05030, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Lee
- Department of Cosmetics Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hindle J, Williams A, Kim Y, Kim D, Patil K, Khatkar P, Osgood Q, Nelson C, Routenberg DA, Howard M, Liotta LA, Kashanchi F, Branscome H. hTERT-Immortalized Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Large-Scale Manufacturing, Cargo Profiling, and Functional Effects in Retinal Epithelial Cells. Cells 2024; 13:861. [PMID: 38786083 PMCID: PMC11120263 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100861] [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: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As the economic burden associated with vision loss and ocular damage continues to rise, there is a need to explore novel treatment strategies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are enriched with various biological cargo, and there is abundant literature supporting the reparative and immunomodulatory properties of stem cell EVs across a broad range of pathologies. However, one area that requires further attention is the reparative effects of stem cell EVs in the context of ocular damage. Additionally, most of the literature focuses on EVs isolated from primary stem cells; the use of EVs isolated from human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized stem cells has not been thoroughly examined. Using our large-scale EV-manufacturing platform, we reproducibly manufactured EVs from hTERT-immortalized mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and employed various methods to characterize and profile their associated cargo. We also utilized well-established cell-based assays to compare the effects of these EVs on both healthy and damaged retinal pigment epithelial cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish proof of concept for reproducible, large-scale manufacturing of hTERT-immortalized MSC EVs and to investigate their potential reparative properties against damaged retinal cells. The results from our studies confirm that hTERT-immortalized MSC EVs exert reparative effects in vitro that are similar to those observed in primary MSC EVs. Therefore, hTERT-immortalized MSCs may represent a more consistent and reproducible platform than primary MSCs for generating EVs with therapeutic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anastasia Williams
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (K.P.)
| | - Yuriy Kim
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (K.P.)
| | | | - Kajal Patil
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (K.P.)
| | - Pooja Khatkar
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (K.P.)
| | | | - Collin Nelson
- Meso Scale Diagnostics, L.L.C., Rockville, MD 20850, USA (D.A.R.)
| | | | - Marissa Howard
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Lance A. Liotta
- Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
| | - Fatah Kashanchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (K.P.)
| | - Heather Branscome
- ATCC, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, VA 20110, USA (K.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang R, Zheng Y, Zhu Q, Gu X, Xiang B, Gu X, Xie T, Sui X. β-Elemene Reverses Gefitinib Resistance in NSCLC Cells by Inhibiting lncRNA H19-Mediated Autophagy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:626. [PMID: 38794196 PMCID: PMC11124058 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050626] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, especially among Asian patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Initially, first-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are commonly administered as the primary treatment option; however, encountering resistance to these medications poses a significant obstacle. Hence, it has become crucial to address initial resistance and ensure continued effectiveness. Recent research has focused on the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor drug resistance, especially lncRNA H19. β-elemene, derived from Curcuma aromatic Salisb., has shown strong anti-tumor effects. However, the relationship between β-elemene, lncRNA H19, and gefitinib resistance in NSCLC is unclear. This study aims to investigate whether β-elemene can enhance the sensitivity of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells to gefitinib and to elucidate its mechanism of action. The impact of gefitinib and β-elemene on cell viability was evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Furthermore, western blotting and qRT-PCR analysis were employed to determine the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins and genes, respectively. The influence on cellular proliferation was gauged through a colony-formation assay, and apoptosis induction was quantified via flow cytometry. Additionally, the tumorigenic potential in vivo was assessed using a xenograft model in nude mice. The expression levels of LC3B, EGFR, and Rab7 proteins were examined through immunofluorescence. Our findings elucidate that the resistance to gefitinib is intricately linked with the dysregulation of autophagy and the overexpression of lncRNA H19. The synergistic administration of β-elemene and gefitinib markedly attenuated the proliferative capacity of resistant cells, expedited apoptotic processes, and inhibited the in vivo proliferation of lung cancer. Notably, β-elemene profoundly diminished the expression of lncRNA H19 and curtailed autophagic activity in resistant cells, thereby bolstering their responsiveness to gefitinib. Moreover, β-elemene disrupted the Rab7-facilitated degradation pathway of EGFR, facilitating its repositioning to the plasma membrane. β-elemene emerges as a promising auxiliary therapeutic for circumventing gefitinib resistance in NSCLC, potentially through the regulation of lncRNA H19-mediated autophagy. The participation of Rab7 in this dynamic unveils novel insights into the resistance mechanisms operative in lung cancer, paving the way for future therapeutic innovations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruonan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; (R.Z.); (B.X.)
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (X.G.); (T.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yintao Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (X.G.); (T.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | - Qianru Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (X.G.); (T.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xiaoqing Gu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (X.G.); (T.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Bo Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China; (R.Z.); (B.X.)
| | - Xidong Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310002, China
| | - Tian Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (X.G.); (T.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xinbing Sui
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; (Y.Z.); (Q.Z.); (X.G.); (T.X.)
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sharma D, Adnan D, Abdel-Reheem MK, Anafi RC, Leary DD, Bishehsari F. Circadian transcriptome of pancreatic adenocarcinoma unravels chronotherapeutic targets. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e177697. [PMID: 38716727 PMCID: PMC11141942 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.177697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a lethal cancer characterized by a poor outcome and an increasing incidence. A significant majority (>80%) of newly diagnosed cases are deemed unresectable, leaving chemotherapy as the sole viable option, though with only moderate success. This necessitates the identification of improved therapeutic options for PDA. We hypothesized that there are temporal variations in cancer-relevant processes within PDA tumors, offering insights into the optimal timing of drug administration - a concept termed chronotherapy. In this study, we explored the presence of the circadian transcriptome in PDA using patient-derived organoids and validated these findings by comparing PDA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas with noncancerous healthy pancreas data from GTEx. Several PDA-associated pathways (cell cycle, stress response, Rho GTPase signaling) and cancer driver hub genes (EGFR and JUN) exhibited a cancer-specific rhythmic pattern intricately linked to the circadian clock. Through the integration of multiple functional measurements for rhythmic cancer driver genes, we identified top chronotherapy targets and validated key findings in molecularly divergent pancreatic cancer cell lines. Testing the chemotherapeutic efficacy of clinically relevant drugs further revealed temporal variations that correlated with drug-target cycling. Collectively, our study unravels the PDA circadian transcriptome and highlights a potential approach for optimizing chrono-chemotherapeutic efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Sharma
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Darbaz Adnan
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Mostafa K. Abdel-Reheem
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ron C. Anafi
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel D. Leary
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Faraz Bishehsari
- Rush Center for Integrated Microbiome and Chronobiology Research, Rush Medical College, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ginley-Hidinger M, Abewe H, Osborne K, Richey A, Kitchen N, Mortenson KL, Wissink EM, Lis J, Zhang X, Gertz J. Cis-regulatory control of transcriptional timing and noise in response to estrogen. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100542. [PMID: 38663407 PMCID: PMC11099348 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Cis-regulatory elements control transcription levels, temporal dynamics, and cell-cell variation or transcriptional noise. However, the combination of regulatory features that control these different attributes is not fully understood. Here, we used single-cell RNA-seq during an estrogen treatment time course and machine learning to identify predictors of expression timing and noise. We found that genes with multiple active enhancers exhibit faster temporal responses. We verified this finding by showing that manipulation of enhancer activity changes the temporal response of estrogen target genes. Analysis of transcriptional noise uncovered a relationship between promoter and enhancer activity, with active promoters associated with low noise and active enhancers linked to high noise. Finally, we observed that co-expression across single cells is an emergent property associated with chromatin looping, timing, and noise. Overall, our results indicate a fundamental tradeoff between a gene's ability to quickly respond to incoming signals and maintain low variation across cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Ginley-Hidinger
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Hosiana Abewe
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kyle Osborne
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alexandra Richey
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Noel Kitchen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Katelyn L Mortenson
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Erin M Wissink
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Zhang
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jason Gertz
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Younis MA, Harashima H. Understanding Gene Involvement in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Gene Therapy and Personalized Medicine. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2024; 17:193-213. [PMID: 38737776 PMCID: PMC11088404 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s431346] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the dominant type of liver cancers and is one of the deadliest health threats globally. The conventional therapeutic options for HCC are hampered by low efficiency and intolerable side effects. Gene therapy, however, now offers hope for the treatment of many disorders previously considered incurable, and gene therapy is beginning to address many of the shortcomings of conventional therapies. Herein, we summarize the involvement of genes in the pathogenesis and prognosis of HCC, with a special focus on dysregulated signaling pathways, genes involved in immune evasion, and non-coding RNAs as novel two-edged players, which collectively offer potential targets for the gene therapy of HCC. Herein, the opportunities and challenges of HCC gene therapy are discussed. These include innovative therapies such as genome editing and cell therapies. Moreover, advanced gene delivery technologies that recruit nanomedicines for use in gene therapy for HCC are highlighted. Finally, suggestions are offered for improved clinical translation and future directions in this area of endeavor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A Younis
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Porter T, del Valle MM, Kucheryavykh L. Ethnicity-Based Variations in Focal Adhesion Kinase Signaling in Glioblastoma Gene Expression: A Study of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Population. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4947. [PMID: 38732165 PMCID: PMC11084467 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094947] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer, has a higher incidence in non-Hispanics when compared to the US Hispanic population. Using data from RT-PCR analysis of 21 GBM tissue from Hispanic patients in Puerto Rico, we identified significant correlations in the gene expression of focal adhesion kinase and proline-rich tyrosine kinase (PTK2 and PTK2B) with NGFR (nerve growth factor receptor), PDGFRB (platelet-derived growth factor receptor B), EGFR (epithelial growth factor receptor), and CXCR1 (C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 1). This study further explores these correlations found in gene expression while accounting for sex and ethnicity. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations with an r value > ±0.7 were subsequently contrasted with mRNA expression data acquired from cBioPortal for 323 GBM specimens. Significant correlations in Puerto Rican male patients were found between PTK2 and PTK2B, NGFR, PDGFRB, EGFR, and CXCR1, which did not arise in non-Hispanic male patient data. The data for Puerto Rican female patients showed correlations in PTK2 with PTK2B, NGFR, PDGFRB, and EGFR, all of which did not appear in the data for non-Hispanic female patients. The data acquired from cBioPortal for non-Puerto Rican Hispanic patients supported the correlations found in the Puerto Rican population for both sexes. Our findings reveal distinct correlations in gene expression patterns, particularly involving PTK2, PTK2B, NGFR, PDGFRB, and EGFR among Puerto Rican Hispanic patients when compared to non-Hispanic counterparts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyrel Porter
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA;
| | - Miguel Mayol del Valle
- Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery Section, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00921, USA
| | - Lilia Kucheryavykh
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nasser Binjawhar D, Al-Salmi FA, Alghamdi MA, Alqahtani AS, Fayad E, Saleem RM, Zaki I, Youssef Moustafa AM. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Newly Synthesized Cinnamide-Fluorinated Containing Compounds as Bioactive Anticancer Agents. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:18505-18515. [PMID: 38680330 PMCID: PMC11044220 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
A new series of cinnamide-fluorinated derivatives has been synthesized and characterized by using different spectroscopic and elemental microanalyses methods. All of the prepared p-fluorocinnamide derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the HepG2 liver cancerous cell line. The imidazolone derivative 6, which bears N-(N-pyrimidin-2-ylbenzenesulphamoyl) moiety, displayed antiproliferative activity against HepG2 liver cancerous cells with an IC50 value of 4.23 μM as compared to staurosporin (STU) (IC50 = 5.59 μM). In addition, compound 6 experienced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitory activity comparable to palatinib. The cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry indicated that compound 6 arrested the cellular cycle of HepG2 cells at the G1 phase. Additionally, as demonstrated by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) technique, compound 6 increased both early and late apoptotic ratios compared to control untreated HepG2 cells. Moreover, imidazolone compound 6 induced apoptosis via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by decreasing the level of mitochondrial membrane polarization (MMP) compared to untreated HepG2 cells. Therefore, the new N-(N-pyrimidin-2-ylbenzenesulphamoyl)imidazolone derivative 6 could be considered a potential platform for further optimizing an antitumor agent against hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dalal Nasser Binjawhar
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess
Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O.
Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawziah A. Al-Salmi
- Biology
Department, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha Ali Alghamdi
- Department
of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif
University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arwa sultan Alqahtani
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, Imam Mohammad
Ibn Saud Islamic University(IMSIU), P.O.
Box 90950, Riyadh 11623, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Fayad
- Department
of Biotechnology, College of Sciences, Taif
University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasha Mohammed Saleem
- Department
of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha 65431, Saudi Arabia
| | - Islam Zaki
- Pharmaceutical
Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said 42526, Egypt
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Amorós-Pérez B, Rivas-Pardo B, Gómez del Moral M, Subiza JL, Martínez-Naves E. State of the Art in CAR-T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors: Is There a Sweeter Future? Cells 2024; 13:725. [PMID: 38727261 PMCID: PMC11083689 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has proven to be a powerful treatment for hematological malignancies. The situation is very different in the case of solid tumors, for which no CAR-T-based therapy has yet been approved. There are many factors contributing to the absence of response in solid tumors to CAR-T cells, such as the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), T cell exhaustion, or the lack of suitable antigen targets, which should have a stable and specific expression on tumor cells. Strategies being developed to improve CAR-T-based therapy for solid tumors include the use of new-generation CARs such as TRUCKs or bi-specific CARs, the combination of CAR therapy with chemo- or radiotherapy, the use of checkpoint inhibitors, and the use of oncolytic viruses. Furthermore, despite the scarcity of targets, a growing number of phase I/II clinical trials are exploring new solid-tumor-associated antigens. Most of these antigens are of a protein nature; however, there is a clear potential in identifying carbohydrate-type antigens associated with tumors, or carbohydrate and proteoglycan antigens that emerge because of aberrant glycosylations occurring in the context of tumor transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Amorós-Pérez
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ORL, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.A.-P.); (B.R.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Inmunotek S.L., 28805 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Benigno Rivas-Pardo
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ORL, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.A.-P.); (B.R.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Gómez del Moral
- Department of Cellular Biology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Eduardo Martínez-Naves
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ORL, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (B.A.-P.); (B.R.-P.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Totonji S, Ramos-Triguero A, Willmann D, Sum M, Urban S, Bauer H, Rieder A, Wang S, Greschik H, Metzger E, Schüle R. Lysine Methyltransferase 9 (KMT9) Is an Actionable Target in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1532. [PMID: 38672614 PMCID: PMC11049522 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081532] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Novel treatment modalities are imperative for the challenging management of muscle-invasive and metastatic BC to improve patient survival rates. The recently identified KMT9, an obligate heterodimer composed of KMT9α and KMT9β, regulates the growth of various types of tumors such as prostate, lung, and colon cancer. While the overexpression of KMT9α was previously observed to be associated with aggressive basal-like MIBC in an analysis of patients' tissue samples, a potential functional role of KMT9 in this type of cancer has not been investigated to date. In this study, we show that KMT9 regulates proliferation, migration, and invasion of various MIBC cell lines with different genetic mutations. KMT9α depletion results in the differential expression of genes regulating the cell cycle, cell adhesion, and migration. Differentially expressed genes include oncogenes such as EGFR and AKT1 as well as mediators of cell adhesion or migration such as DAG1 and ITGA6. Reduced cell proliferation upon KMT9α depletion is also observed in Pten/Trp53 knockout bladder tumor organoids, which cannot be rescued with an enzymatically inactive KMT9α mutant. In accordance with the idea that the catalytic activity of KMT9 is required for the control of cellular processes in MIBC, a recently developed small-molecule inhibitor of KMT9 (KMI169) also impairs cancer cell proliferation. Since KMT9α depletion also restricts the growth of xenografts in mice, our data suggest that KMT9 is an actionable novel therapeutic target for the treatment of MIBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sainab Totonji
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Anna Ramos-Triguero
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Dominica Willmann
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Manuela Sum
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Sylvia Urban
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Helena Bauer
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Astrid Rieder
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Sheng Wang
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Holger Greschik
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
| | - Eric Metzger
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
- Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Standort Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Roland Schüle
- Klinik für Urologie und Zentrale Klinische Forschung, Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; (S.T.)
- Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, Standort Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS Centre of Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Khosravani F, Amiri F, Mahmoudi R, Morshedi D, Kobarfard F, Alipour M, Hosseini E, Bardania H. RGD-decorated nanoliposomes for combined delivery of arsenic trioxide and curcumin to prostate cancer cells. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:2347-2357. [PMID: 37831114 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02752-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanotechnology and drug co-delivery offer a novel avenue in drug delivery research liposome-based co-delivery of anticancer drugs targeting the apoptosis pathway as a promising new approach to treat cancer. In this study, a co-delivery system of liposomes (arsenic trioxide/curcumin) modified with RGD peptide was designed to aim for enhancing the treatment of prostate cancer cells (PC3 cell line). Liposomal co-loaded curcumin and arsenic trioxide modified by RGD peptide (NLPs-RGD-Cur-ATO) were prepared by thin-layer lipid hydration techniques for the treatment of prostate cancer. The stability of the NLPs-RGD-Cur-ATO was evaluated by particle size analysis through dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The percentage of cytotoxicity and apoptotic effect in PC3 cells treated with NLPs-RGD-Cur-ATO were detected by MTT and Annexin V-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate)/PI affinity assay, respectively. The particle size of NLPs-RGD-Cur-ATO was approximately 100 nm, with an encapsulation efficiency of about 99.52% and 70.61%, for ATO and Cur, respectively. Besides, NLPs-RGD-Cur-ATO displayed an enhanced anti-proliferative effect, increased the percentage of apoptotic cells 98 ± 1.85% (p < 0.0001), and significantly reduced EGFR gene expression level (p < 0.001) in the cell line tested. These results indicated that our NLPs-RGD-Cur-ATO co-delivery system was a promising strategy for prostate cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Khosravani
- Student Research Committee, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Amiri
- Student Research Committee, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Rouzbeh Mahmoudi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Dina Morshedi
- Bioprocess Engineering Research Group, Department of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Kobarfard
- Department of Medical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Shams Alley, Vali-E-Asr Ave, Tehran, Iran
- Phytochemistry Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Shams Alley, Vali-E-Asr Ave, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Alipour
- Department of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Hosseini
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
| | - Hassan Bardania
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hu Y, Geng Y, Wang H, Chen H, Wang Z, Fu L, Huang B, Jiang W. Improved Prediction of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Status by Combined Radiomics of Primary Nonsmall-Cell Lung Cancer and Distant Metastasis. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2024:00004728-990000000-00298. [PMID: 38498926 DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000001591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate radiomics based on primary nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and distant metastases to predict epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status. METHODS A total of 290 patients (mean age, 58.21 ± 9.28) diagnosed with brain (BM, n = 150) or spinal bone metastasis (SM, n = 140) from primary NSCLC were enrolled as a primary cohort. An external validation cohort, consisting of 69 patients (mean age, 59.87 ± 7.23; BM, n = 36; SM, n = 33), was enrolled from another center. Thoracic computed tomography-based features were extracted from the primary tumor and peritumoral area and selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to build a radiomic signature (RS-primary). Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging-based features were calculated and selected from the BM and SM to build RS-BM and RS-SM, respectively. The RS-BM-Com and RS-SM-Com were developed by integrating the most important features from the primary tumor, BM, and SM. RESULTS Six computed tomography-based features showed high association with EGFR mutation status: 3 from intratumoral and 3 from peritumoral areas. By combination of features from primary tumor and metastases, the developed RS-BM-Com and RS-SM-Com performed well with areas under curve in the training (RS-BM-Com vs RS-BM, 0.936 vs 0.885, P = 0.177; RS-SM-Com vs RS-SM, 0.929 vs 0.843, P = 0.003), internal validation (RS-BM-Com vs RS-BM, 0.920 vs 0.858, P = 0.492; RS-SM-Com vs RS-SM, 0.896 vs 0.859, P = 0.379), and external validation (RS-BM-Com vs RS-BM, 0.882 vs 0.805, P = 0.263; RS-SM-Com vs RS-SM, 0.865 vs 0.816, P = 0.312) cohorts. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that the accuracy of detecting EGFR mutations significantly enhanced in the presence of metastases in primary NSCLC. The established radiomic signatures from this approach may be useful as new predictors for patients with distant metastases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Hu
- From the Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing
| | - Yikang Geng
- School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University, Liaoning
| | - Huan Wang
- Radiation Oncology Department of Thoracic Cancer, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), Liaoning
| | - Huanhuan Chen
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang
| | - Zekun Wang
- Department of Medical Iconography, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Liaoning
| | - Langyuan Fu
- School of Intelligent Medicine, China Medical University, Liaoning
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Pathology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Liaoning
| | - Wenyan Jiang
- Department of Scientific Research and Academic, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zanetti-Domingues LC, Hirsch M, Wang L, Eastwood TA, Baker K, Mulvihill DP, Radford S, Horne J, White P, Bateman B. Toward quantitative super-resolution methods for cryo-CLEM. Methods Cell Biol 2024; 187:249-292. [PMID: 38705627 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2024.02.028] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Cryogenic ultrastructural imaging techniques such as cryo-electron tomography have produced a revolution in how the structure of biological systems is investigated by enabling the determination of structures of protein complexes immersed in a complex biological matrix within vitrified cell and model organisms. However, so far, the portfolio of successes has been mostly limited to highly abundant complexes or to structures that are relatively unambiguous and easy to identify through electron microscopy. In order to realize the full potential of this revolution, researchers would have to be able to pinpoint lower abundance species and obtain functional annotations on the state of objects of interest which would then be correlated to ultrastructural information to build a complete picture of the structure-function relationships underpinning biological processes. Fluorescence imaging at cryogenic conditions has the potential to be able to meet these demands. However, wide-field images acquired at low numeric aperture (NA) using air immersion objective have a low resolving power and cannot provide accurate enough three-dimensional (3D) localization to enable the assignment of functional annotations to individual objects of interest or target sample debulking to ensure the preservation of the structures of interest. It is therefore necessary to develop super-resolved cryo-fluorescence workflows capable of fulfilling this role and enabling new biological discoveries. In this chapter, we present the current state of development of two super-resolution cryogenic fluorescence techniques, superSIL-STORM and astigmatism-based 3D STORM, show their application to a variety of biological systems and discuss their advantages and limitations. We further discuss the future applicability to cryo-CLEM workflows though examples of practical application to the study of membrane protein complexes both in mammalian cells and in Escherichia coli.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Zanetti-Domingues
- CLF Octopus Facility, UKRI-Science and Technology Facilities Council, R92, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, United Kingdom.
| | - Michael Hirsch
- CLF Octopus Facility, UKRI-Science and Technology Facilities Council, R92, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Lin Wang
- CLF Octopus Facility, UKRI-Science and Technology Facilities Council, R92, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Tara A Eastwood
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Baker
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sheena Radford
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jim Horne
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Paul White
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Benji Bateman
- CLF Octopus Facility, UKRI-Science and Technology Facilities Council, R92, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Stenger TD, Miller JS. Therapeutic approaches to enhance natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1356666. [PMID: 38545115 PMCID: PMC10966407 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1356666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhancing the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells has emerged as a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapy, due to their pivotal role in immune surveillance and tumor clearance. This literature review provides a comprehensive overview of therapeutic approaches designed to augment NK cell cytotoxicity. We analyze a wide range of strategies, including cytokine-based treatment, monoclonal antibodies, and NK cell engagers, and discuss criteria that must be considered when selecting an NK cell product to combine with these strategies. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and limitations associated with each therapeutic strategy, as well as the potential for combination therapies to maximize NK cell cytotoxicity while minimizing adverse effects. By exploring the wealth of research on this topic, this literature review aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers and clinicians seeking to develop and implement novel therapeutic strategies that harness the full potential of NK cells in the fight against cancer. Enhancing NK cell cytotoxicity holds great promise in the evolving landscape of immunotherapy, and this review serves as a roadmap for understanding the current state of the field and the future directions in NK cell-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terran D. Stenger
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Bednarska-Szczepaniak K, Ebenryter-Olbińska K, Gajek G, Śmiałkowski K, Suwara J, Fiedorowicz L, Leśnikowski Z. Synthesis of DNA-Boron Cluster Composites and Assembly into Functional Nanoparticles with Dual, Anti-EGFR, and Anti-c-MYC Oncogene Silencing Activity. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303531. [PMID: 38214885 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303531] [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: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
A versatile method for the automated synthesis of composites containing DNA-oligonucleotides and boron cluster scaffolds and their assembly into functional nanoparticles is described. The obtained, torus-like nanoparticles carry antisense oligonucleotides that target two different oncogenes simultaneously. The nanoparticles exhibited notable silencing efficiency in vitro in a pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC-1 toward EGFR and c-Myc genes at the mRNA level, and a significant efficiency at the protein level. The proposed approach may be an attractive alternative to methods currently used, including one therapeutic nucleic acid, one genetic target, or the use of cocktails of therapeutic nucleic acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Bednarska-Szczepaniak
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa Łódź, 106, 92-232, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Ebenryter-Olbińska
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza, Łódź, 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Gabriela Gajek
- Laboratory of Immunobiology of Infections, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa Łódź, 106, 92-232, Lodz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Śmiałkowski
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa Łódź, 106, 92-232, Lodz, Poland
- Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Science, The Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School, University of Lodz, Poland
| | - Justyna Suwara
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza, Łódź, 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Lidia Fiedorowicz
- Laboratory of Mycobacterium Genetics and Physiology, Institute of Medical Biology Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa Łódź, 106, 92-232, Lodz, Poland
- Lodz Institutes of the Polish Academy of Science, The Bio-Med-Chem Doctoral School, University of Lodz, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Leśnikowski
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa Łódź, 106, 92-232, Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Siwo GH, Singal AG, Waljee AK. Pan-cancer molecular signatures connecting aspartate transaminase (AST) to cancer prognosis, metabolic and immune signatures. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.01.582939. [PMID: 38496547 PMCID: PMC10942358 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.01.582939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Serum aspartate transaminase (sAST) level is used routinely in conjunction with other clinical assays to assess liver health and disease. Increasing evidence suggests that sAST is associated with all-cause mortality and has prognostic value in several cancers, including gastrointestinal and urothelial cancers. Here, we undertake a systems approach to unravel molecular connections between AST and cancer prognosis, metabolism, and immune signatures at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels. Methods We mined public gene expression data across multiple normal and cancerous tissues using the Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEX) resource and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to assess the expression of genes encoding AST isoenzymes (GOT1 and GOT2) and their association with disease prognosis and immune infiltration signatures across multiple tumors. We examined the associations between AST and previously reported pan-cancer molecular subtypes characterized by distinct metabolic and immune signatures. We analyzed human protein-protein interaction networks for interactions between GOT1 and GOT2 with cancer-associated proteins. Using public databases and protein-protein interaction networks, we determined whether the subset of proteins that interact with AST (GOT1 and GOT2 interactomes) are enriched with proteins associated with specific diseases, miRNAs and transcription factors. Results We show that AST transcript isoforms (GOT1 and GOT2) are expressed across a wide range of normal tissues. AST isoforms are upregulated in tumors of the breast, lung, uterus, and thymus relative to normal tissues but downregulated in tumors of the liver, colon, brain, kidney and skeletal sarcomas. At the proteomic level, we find that the expression of AST is associated with distinct pan-cancer molecular subtypes with an enrichment of specific metabolic and immune signatures. Based on human protein-protein interaction data, AST physically interacts with multiple proteins involved in tumor initiation, suppression, progression, and treatment. We find enrichments in the AST interactomes for proteins associated with liver and lung cancer and dermatologic diseases. At the regulatory level, the GOT1 interactome is enriched with the targets of cancer-associated miRNAs, specifically mir34a - a promising cancer therapeutic, while the GOT2 interactome is enriched with proteins that interact with cancer-associated transcription factors. Conclusions Our findings suggest that perturbations in the levels of AST within specific tissues reflect pathophysiological changes beyond tissue damage and have implications for cancer metabolism, immune infiltration, prognosis, and treatment personalization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amit G. Singal
- Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX
- Center for Global Health Equity, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Akbar K. Waljee
- Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX
- Center for Global Health Equity, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Li K, Deng Z, Lei C, Ding X, Li J, Wang C. The Role of Oxidative Stress in Tumorigenesis and Progression. Cells 2024; 13:441. [PMID: 38474405 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050441] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Its involvement in cell senescence, apoptosis, and series diseases has been demonstrated. Advances in carcinogenic research have revealed oxidative stress as a pivotal pathophysiological pathway in tumorigenesis and to be involved in lung cancer, glioma, hepatocellular carcinoma, leukemia, and so on. This review combs the effects of oxidative stress on tumorigenesis on each phase and cell fate determination, and three features are discussed. Oxidative stress takes part in the processes ranging from tumorigenesis to tumor death via series pathways and processes like mitochondrial stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and ferroptosis. It can affect cell fate by engaging in the complex relationships between senescence, death, and cancer. The influence of oxidative stress on tumorigenesis and progression is a multi-stage interlaced process that includes two aspects of promotion and inhibition, with mitochondria as the core of regulation. A deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the effects of oxidative stress on tumorigenesis is conducive to exploring more tumor therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Li
- Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, 49 Xilingol South Road, Yu Quan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Zhangyuzi Deng
- Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, 49 Xilingol South Road, Yu Quan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Chunran Lei
- Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, 49 Xilingol South Road, Yu Quan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Xiaoqing Ding
- Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, 49 Xilingol South Road, Yu Quan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Jing Li
- Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, 49 Xilingol South Road, Yu Quan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Changshan Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, 49 Xilingol South Road, Yu Quan District, Hohhot 010020, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kubatka P, Koklesova L, Mazurakova A, Brockmueller A, Büsselberg D, Kello M, Shakibaei M. Cell plasticity modulation by flavonoids in resistant breast carcinoma targeting the nuclear factor kappa B signaling. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:87-113. [PMID: 37789138 PMCID: PMC11016017 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cell plasticity plays a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis and is implicated in the multiple cancer defense mechanisms associated with therapy resistance and therapy evasion. Cancer resistance represents one of the significant obstacles in the clinical management of cancer. Some reversal chemosensitizing agents have been developed to resolve this serious clinical problem, but they have not yet been proven applicable in oncological practice. Activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a frequently observed biomarker in chemoresistant breast cancer (BC). Therefore, it denotes an attractive cellular target to mitigate cancer resistance. We summarize that flavonoids represent an essential class of phytochemicals that act as significant regulators of NF-κB signaling and negatively affect the fundamental cellular processes contributing to acquired cell plasticity and drug resistance. In this regard, flavokawain A, icariin, alpinetin, genistein, wogonin, apigenin, oroxylin A, xanthohumol, EGCG, hesperidin, naringenin, orientin, luteolin, delphinidin, fisetin, norwogonin, curcumin, cardamonin, methyl gallate and catechin-3-O-gallate, ampelopsin, puerarin, hyperoside, baicalein, paratocarpin E, and kaempferol and also synthetic flavonoids such as LFG-500 and 5,3'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,4'-pentamethoxyflavone have been reported to specifically interfere with the NF-κB pathway with complex signaling consequences in BC cells and could be potentially crucial in re-sensitizing unresponsive BC cases. The targeting NF-κB by above-mentioned flavonoids includes the modification of tumor microenvironment and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, growth factor receptor regulations, and modulations of specific pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAP kinase/ERK, and Janus kinase/signal transduction in BC cells. Besides that, NF-κB signaling in BC cells modulated by flavonoids has also involved the regulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters, apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle, and changes in the activity of cancer stem cells, oncogenes, or controlling of gene repair. The evaluation of conventional therapies in combination with plasticity-regulating/sensitizing agents offers new opportunities to make significant progress towards a complete cure for cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Kubatka
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia.
| | - Lenka Koklesova
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovakia
| | - Aranka Brockmueller
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 11, D-80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Dietrich Büsselberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Martin Kello
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia.
| | - Mehdi Shakibaei
- Chair of Vegetative Anatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 11, D-80336, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abdel-Mohsen HT, Anwar MM, Ahmed NS, Abd El-Karim SS, Abdelwahed SH. Recent Advances in Structural Optimization of Quinazoline-Based Protein Kinase Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy (2021-Present). Molecules 2024; 29:875. [PMID: 38398626 PMCID: PMC10892255 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29040875] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complicated, multifaceted disease that can impact any organ in the body. Various chemotherapeutic agents have a low selectivity and are very toxic when used alone or in combination with others. Resistance is one of the most important hurdles that develop due to the use of many anticancer therapeutics. As a result, treating cancer requires a target-specific palliative care strategy. Remarkable scientific discoveries have shed light on several of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer, resulting in the development of various targeted anticancer agents. One of the most important heterocyclic motifs is quinazoline, which has a wide range of biological uses and chemical reactivities. Newer, more sophisticated medications with quinazoline structures have been found in the last few years, and great strides have been made in creating effective protocols for building these pharmacologically active scaffolds. A new class of chemotherapeutic agents known as quinazoline-based derivatives possessing anticancer properties consists of several well-known compounds that block different protein kinases and other molecular targets. This review highlights recent updates (2021-2024) on various quinazoline-based derivatives acting against different protein kinases as anticancer chemotherapeutics. It also provides guidance for the design and synthesis of novel quinazoline analogues that could serve as lead compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heba T. Abdel-Mohsen
- Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, El-Bohouth Street, Dokki, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt;
| | - Manal M. Anwar
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, El-Bohouth Street, Dokki, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt; (M.M.A.); (N.S.A.); (S.S.A.E.-K.)
| | - Nesreen S. Ahmed
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, El-Bohouth Street, Dokki, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt; (M.M.A.); (N.S.A.); (S.S.A.E.-K.)
| | - Somaia S. Abd El-Karim
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre, El-Bohouth Street, Dokki, Cairo P.O. Box 12622, Egypt; (M.M.A.); (N.S.A.); (S.S.A.E.-K.)
| | - Sameh H. Abdelwahed
- Department of Chemistry, Prairie View A & M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ginley-Hidinger M, Abewe H, Osborne K, Richey A, Kitchen N, Mortenson KL, Wissink EM, Lis J, Zhang X, Gertz J. Cis-regulatory control of transcriptional timing and noise in response to estrogen. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.14.532457. [PMID: 36993565 PMCID: PMC10054948 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.14.532457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Cis-regulatory elements control transcription levels, temporal dynamics, and cell-cell variation or transcriptional noise. However, the combination of regulatory features that control these different attributes is not fully understood. Here, we used single cell RNA-seq during an estrogen treatment time course and machine learning to identify predictors of expression timing and noise. We find that genes with multiple active enhancers exhibit faster temporal responses. We verified this finding by showing that manipulation of enhancer activity changes the temporal response of estrogen target genes. Analysis of transcriptional noise uncovered a relationship between promoter and enhancer activity, with active promoters associated with low noise and active enhancers linked to high noise. Finally, we observed that co-expression across single cells is an emergent property associated with chromatin looping, timing, and noise. Overall, our results indicate a fundamental tradeoff between a gene's ability to quickly respond to incoming signals and maintain low variation across cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Ginley-Hidinger
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Hosiana Abewe
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kyle Osborne
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Alexandra Richey
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Noel Kitchen
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Katelyn L. Mortenson
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Erin M. Wissink
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John Lis
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Zhang
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jason Gertz
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Dudkina E, Ulyanova V, Asmandiyarova V, Vershinina V, Ilinskaya O. Two Main Cancer Biomarkers as Molecular Targets of Binase Antitumor Activity. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 2024:8159893. [PMID: 38374954 PMCID: PMC10876309 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8159893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is frequently coupled with the disturbance of key signaling pathways. Aberrant activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade, occurring in over 85% of cancers, is mainly caused by the genetic alterations of its main components-oncogenes EGFR and RAS, and plays a crucial role in cell fate. The importance of EGFR and RAS proteins in a variety of tumors suggests that they would be good therapeutic targets, but at present, no effective targeted therapy against these two oncogenes has been proven. Here, we show that ribonuclease from Bacillus pumilus (binase) inhibits MAPK signaling through direct interaction with EGFR and RAS proteins. This effect contributes to the antitumor potential of binase along with its enzymatic activity. Multitargeticity of binase prevents the development of drug resistance, which is considered a major obstacle to effective anticancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dudkina
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Vera Ulyanova
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Violetta Asmandiyarova
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Valentina Vershinina
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| | - Olga Ilinskaya
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan 420008, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Chai Y, Liu JL, Zhang S, Li N, Xu DQ, Liu WJ, Fu RJ, Tang YP. The effective combination therapies with irinotecan for colorectal cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1356708. [PMID: 38375031 PMCID: PMC10875015 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1356708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer worldwide and has become one of the major human disease burdens. In clinical practice, the treatment of colorectal cancer has been closely related to the use of irinotecan. Irinotecan combines with many other anticancer drugs and has a broader range of drug combinations. Combination therapy is one of the most important means of improving anti-tumor efficacy and overcoming drug resistance. Reasonable combination therapy can lead to better patient treatment options, and inappropriate combination therapy will increase patient risk. For the colorectal therapeutic field, the significance of combination therapy is to improve the efficacy, reduce the adverse effects, and improve the ease of treatment. Therefore, we explored the clinical advantages of its combination therapy based on mechanism or metabolism and reviewed the rationale basis and its limitations in conducting exploratory clinical trials on irinotecan combination therapy, including the results of clinical trials on the combination potentiation of cytotoxic drugs, targeted agents, and herbal medicine. We hope that these can evoke more efforts to conduct irinotecan in the laboratory for further studies and evaluations, as well as the possibility of more in-depth development in future clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chai
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing-Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Na Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Ding-Qiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen-Juan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rui-Jia Fu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu-Ping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Sombal W, Khan NU, Khan BM, Ismail M, Almutairi MH, Khan S, Khan AU, Mustafa A, Iftikhar B, Ali I. Human epidermal growth receptor polymorphisms ( HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201) exhibited significant association with breast cancer risk in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1846. [PMID: 38317673 PMCID: PMC10839356 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1846] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. The genetic polymorphism in HER (HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201) were found to be associated with breast cancer risk in different ethnicities worldwide with inconsistent results. The aim of this research study was to evaluate the association of HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201 polymorphisms as a risk of breast cancer in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods A total of 314 women including 164 breast cancer patients and 150 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled from June 2021 to May 2022. All the samples were subjected to DNA extraction followed by Tetra-ARMS-PCR for genotyping and gel electrophoresis. Results Our results indicated that HER1-rs11543848 risk allele A (p = 0.0001) and heterozygous genotype GA (p = 0.0001) displayed highly significant association with breast cancer, while the homozygous mutant genotype AA indicated association but nonsignificant results (odds ratio [OR] = 2.637, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2258-5.6756, p = 0.0833). Similarly, the HER2-rs1136201 risk allele G (p = 0.0023), the heterozygous genotype AG (p = 0.0530) and homozygous mutant genotype GG showed significant association (OR = 2.5946, 95% CI = 0.9876-6.8165, p = 0.0530) with breast cancer risk. Both the SNPs presented a higher but nonsignificant risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women (OR = 2.242, p = 0.08 and OR = 2.009, p = 0.06). However, both the SNPs showed significant association (p < 0.005) with family history, metastasis, stage, luminal B, and TNBC. Conclusion In conclusion, HER1-rs11543848 and HER2-rs1136201 polymorphisms are significantly associated with the higher risk of breast cancer in Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. These findings advocate for further exploration with larger datasets, offering promising avenues for personalized approaches in breast cancer research and potentially enhancing clinical practices for better risk assessment and targeted management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Sombal
- Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (Health Division)The University of Agriculture PeshawarPeshawarPakistan
| | - Najeeb Ullah Khan
- Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (Health Division)The University of Agriculture PeshawarPeshawarPakistan
| | - Bibi Maryam Khan
- School of Life ScienceJiangsu UniversityZhejiangJiangsu ProvincePeople's Republic of China
| | | | | | - Samiullah Khan
- Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM)PeshawarPakistan
| | - Aakif Ullah Khan
- Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM)PeshawarPakistan
| | - Adeela Mustafa
- Department of Community MedicineKhyber Medical CollegePeshawarPakistan
| | - Bushra Iftikhar
- Department of Community MedicineKhyber Medical CollegePeshawarPakistan
| | - Ijaz Ali
- Centre for Applied Mathematics and Bioinformatics (CAMB)Gulf University for Science and TechnologyHawallyKuwait
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Brock BA, Mir H, Flenaugh EL, Oprea-Ilies G, Singh R, Singh S. Social and Biological Determinants in Lung Cancer Disparity. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:612. [PMID: 38339362 PMCID: PMC10854636 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030612] [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: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of death in the United States and globally, despite progress in treatment and screening efforts. While mortality rates have decreased in recent years, long-term survival of patients with lung cancer continues to be a challenge. Notably, African American (AA) men experience significant disparities in lung cancer compared to European Americans (EA) in terms of incidence, treatment, and survival. Previous studies have explored factors such as smoking patterns and complex social determinants, including socioeconomic status, personal beliefs, and systemic racism, indicating their role in these disparities. In addition to social factors, emerging evidence points to variations in tumor biology, immunity, and comorbid conditions contributing to racial disparities in this disease. This review emphasizes differences in smoking patterns, screening, and early detection and the intricate interplay of social, biological, and environmental conditions that make African Americans more susceptible to developing lung cancer and experiencing poorer outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Briana A. Brock
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (B.A.B.); (H.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Hina Mir
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (B.A.B.); (H.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Eric L. Flenaugh
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA;
| | - Gabriela Oprea-Ilies
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Rajesh Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (B.A.B.); (H.M.); (R.S.)
| | - Shailesh Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA; (B.A.B.); (H.M.); (R.S.)
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Gowtham H, Revanasiddappa PD, Murali M, Singh SB, Abhilash M, Pradeep S, Shivamallu C, Achar RR, Silina E, Stupin V, Manturova N, Shati AA, Alfaifi MY, Elbehairi SEI, Kollur SP. Secondary metabolites of Trichoderma spp. as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Evaluation of anticancer efficacy through computational approach. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296010. [PMID: 38266021 PMCID: PMC10824427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The present study explores the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibition efficacy of secondary metabolites in Trichoderma spp. through molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and MM-PBSA approach. The result of molecular docking confirmed that out of 200 metabolites screened, three metabolites such as Harzianelactone A, Pretrichodermamide G and Aspochalasin M, potentially bound with the active binding site of EGFR tyrosine kinase domain(PDB ID: 1M17) with a threshold docking score of ≤- 9.0 kcal/mol when compared with the standard EGFR inhibitor (Erlotinib). The MD simulation was run to investigate the potential for stable complex formation in EGFR tyrosine kinase domain-unbound/lead metabolite (Aspochalasin M)-bound/standard inhibitor (Erlotinib)-bound complex. The MD simulation analysis at 100 ns revealed that Aspochalasin M formed the stable complex with EGFR. Besides, the in silico predication of pharmacokinetic properties further confirmed that Aspochalasin M qualified the drug-likeness rules with no harmful side effects (viz., hERG toxicity, hepatotoxicity and skin sensitization), non-mutagenicity and favourable logBB value. Moreover, the BOILED-Egg model predicted that Aspochalasin M showed a higher gastrointestinal absorption with improved bioavailability when administered orally and removed from the central nervous system (CNS). The results of the computational studies concluded that Aspochalasin M possessed significant efficacy in binding EGFR's active sites compared to the known standard inhibitor (Erlotinib). Therefore, Aspochalasin M can be used as a possible anticancer drug candidate and further in vitro and in vivo experimental validation of Aspochalasin M of Trichoderma spp. are required to determine its anticancer potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H.G. Gowtham
- Department of PG Studies in Biotechnology, Nrupathunga University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | | | - M.R. Abhilash
- Department of Studies in Environmental Science, University of Mysore, Mysore, India
| | - Sushma Pradeep
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Chandan Shivamallu
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Raghu Ram Achar
- Division of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Ekaterina Silina
- Department of Human Pathology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Victor Stupin
- Department of Hospital Surgery, NI. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia Manturova
- Department of Hospital Surgery, NI. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ali A. Shati
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Y. Alfaifi
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Shiva Prasad Kollur
- School of Physical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Mysuru Campus, Mysuru, Karnataka, India
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Singh S, Ghosh P, Roy R, Behera A, Sahadevan R, Kar P, Sadhukhan S, Sonawane A. 4″-Alkyl EGCG Derivatives Induce Cytoprotective Autophagy Response by Inhibiting EGFR in Glioblastoma Cells. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:2286-2301. [PMID: 38250397 PMCID: PMC10795032 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy has been proven vital in the last two decades for the treatment of multiple cancer types, including nonsmall cell lung cancer, glioblastoma, breast cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, the majority of approved EGFR inhibitors fall into the drug resistance category because of continuous mutations and acquired resistance. Recently, autophagy has surfaced as one of the emerging underlying mechanisms behind resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Previously, we developed a series of 4″-alkyl EGCG (4″-Cn EGCG, n = 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18) derivatives with enhanced anticancer effects and stability. Therefore, the current study hypothesized that 4″-alkyl EGCG might induce cytoprotective autophagy upon EGFR inhibition, and inhibition of autophagy may lead to improved cytotoxicity. In this study, we have observed growth inhibition and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in 4″-alkyl EGCG derivative-treated glioblastoma cells (U87-MG). We also confirmed that 4″-alkyl EGCG could inhibit EGFR in the cells, as well as mutant L858R/T790M EGFR, through an in vitro kinase assay. Furthermore, we have found that EGFR inhibition with 4″-alkyl EGCG induces cytoprotective autophagic responses, accompanied by the blockage of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, cytotoxicity caused by 4″-C10 EGCG, 4″-C12 EGCG, and 4″-C14 EGCG was significantly increased after the inhibition of autophagy by the pharmacological inhibitor chloroquine. These findings enhance our understanding of the autophagic response toward EGFR inhibitors in glioblastoma cells and suggest a potent combinatorial strategy to increase the therapeutic effectiveness of EGFR-TKIs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satyam Singh
- Department
of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453 552, India
| | - Priya Ghosh
- Department
of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453 552, India
| | - Rajarshi Roy
- Department
of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453 552, India
| | - Ananyaashree Behera
- School
of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa 751 024, India
| | - Revathy Sahadevan
- Department
of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala 678 623, India
| | - Parimal Kar
- Department
of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453 552, India
| | - Sushabhan Sadhukhan
- Department
of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology
Palakkad, Palakkad, Kerala 678 623, India
| | - Avinash Sonawane
- Department
of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453 552, India
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Torabi M, Yasami-Khiabani S, Sardari S, Golkar M, Pérez-Sánchez H, Ghasemi F. Identification of new potential candidates to inhibit EGF via machine learning algorithm. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 963:176176. [PMID: 38000720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
One of the cost-effective alternative methods to find new inhibitors has been the repositioning approach of existing drugs. The advantage of computational drug repositioning method is saving time and cost to remove the pre-clinical step and accelerate the drug discovery process. Hence, an ensemble computational-experimental approach, consisting of three steps, a machine learning model, simulation of drug-target interaction and experimental characterization, was developed. The machine learning type used here was a different tree classification method, which is one of the best randomize machine learning model to identify potential inhibitors from weak inhibitors. This model was trained more than one-hundred times, and forty top trained models were extracted for the drug repositioning step. The machine learning step aimed to discover the approved drugs with the highest possible success rate in the experimental step. Therefore, among all the identified molecules with more than 0.9 probability in more than 70% of the models, nine compounds, were selected. Besides, out of the nine chosen drugs, seven compounds have been confirmed to inhibit EGF in the published articles since 2019. Hence, two identified compounds, in addition to gefitinib, as a positive control, five weak-inhibitors and one neutral, were considered via molecular docking study. Finally, the eight proposed drugs, including gefitinib, were investigated using MTT assay and In-Cell ELISA to characterize the drugs' effect on A431 cell growth and EGF-signaling. From our experiments, we could conclude that salicylic acid and piperazine could play an EGF-inhibitor role like gefitinib.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Torabi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | | | - Soroush Sardari
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Golkar
- Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Horacio Pérez-Sánchez
- Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Reseach Group (BIO-HPC), Computer Engineering Department, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, E30107, Spain
| | - Fahimeh Ghasemi
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran; Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Kim JJ, Schaeffner IK, Heppner DE, To C, Jänne PA, Beyett TS, Eck MJ. A Constitutive EGFR Kinase Dimer to Study Inhibitor Pharmacology. Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:97-103. [PMID: 38164587 PMCID: PMC10794983 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is commonly caused by activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Allosteric kinase inhibitors are unaffected by common ATP-site resistance mutations and represent a promising therapeutic strategy for targeting drug-resistant EGFR variants. However, allosteric inhibitors are antagonized by kinase dimerization, and understanding this phenomenon has been limited to cellular experiments. To facilitate the study of allosteric inhibitor pharmacology, we designed and purified a constitutive EGFR kinase dimer harboring the clinically relevant L858R/T790M mutations. Kinetic characterization revealed that the EGFR kinase dimer is more active than monomeric EGFR(L858R/T790M) kinase and has the same Km,ATP Biochemical profiling of a large panel of ATP-competitive and allosteric EGFR inhibitors showed that allosteric inhibitor potency decreased by >500-fold in the kinase dimer compared with monomer, yielding IC50 values that correlate well with Ba/F3 cellular potencies. Thus, this readily purifiable constitutive asymmetric EGFR kinase dimer represents an attractive tool for biochemical evaluation of EGFR inhibitor pharmacology, in particular for allosteric inhibitors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Drugs targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase are commonly used to treat lung cancers but are affected by receptor dimerization. Here, we describe a locked kinase dimer that can be used to study EGFR inhibitor pharmacology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin J Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.), Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), and Department of Medical Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.) and Department of Medicine (C.T., P.A.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.); Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.)
| | - Ilse K Schaeffner
- Department of Cancer Biology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.), Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), and Department of Medical Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.) and Department of Medicine (C.T., P.A.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.); Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.)
| | - David E Heppner
- Department of Cancer Biology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.), Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), and Department of Medical Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.) and Department of Medicine (C.T., P.A.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.); Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.)
| | - Ciric To
- Department of Cancer Biology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.), Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), and Department of Medical Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.) and Department of Medicine (C.T., P.A.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.); Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.)
| | - Pasi A Jänne
- Department of Cancer Biology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.), Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), and Department of Medical Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.) and Department of Medicine (C.T., P.A.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.); Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.)
| | - Tyler S Beyett
- Department of Cancer Biology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.), Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), and Department of Medical Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.) and Department of Medicine (C.T., P.A.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.); Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.)
| | - Michael J Eck
- Department of Cancer Biology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.), Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), and Department of Medical Oncology (C.T., P.A.J.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (J.J.K., I.K.S., T.S.B., M.J.E.) and Department of Medicine (C.T., P.A.J.), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.); Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York (D.E.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wang L, Li P, Zhang X, Gu Z, Pan X, Wu Y, Li H. The role of basic leucine zipper transcription factor E4BP4 in cancer: a review and update. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:91. [PMID: 38193973 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09079-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Mutations in the genes of tumor cells and the disorder of immune microenvironment are the main factors of tumor development. The sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy drugs affect the treatment of tumor. Nuclear transcription factor E4BP4 is dysregulated in a variety of malignant tumors. It can suppress the transcription of NFKBIA, RASSF8, SOSTDC1, FOXO-induced genes (TRAIL, FAS, GADD45a and GADD45b) and Hepcidin, up-regulate RCAN1-1 and PRNP, activate mTOR and p38 in cancer cells. Also, E4BP4 can regulate tumor immune microenvironment. TGFb1/Smad3/E4BP4/ IFNγ axis in NK cells plays an important role in antitumor immunotherapy. Over expression of E4BP4 inhibited the development of Th17 cells by directly binding to the RORγt promoter. Moreover, recent studies have shown that E4BP4 inhibited the expression of multidrug resistance genes. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanism of E4BP4 in cancer cellular process, the effects of E4BP4 in cancer immunotherapy and antitumor drug resistance, to provide theoretical basis for tumor treatment strategies targeting E4BP4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peifen Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xueying Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenwu Gu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinyu Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yihao Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huanan Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kong X, Liu C, Zhang Z, Cheng M, Mei Z, Li X, Liu P, Diao L, Ma Y, Jiang P, Kong X, Nie S, Guo Y, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang Y, Tang L, Guo S, Liu Z, Li D. BATMAN-TCM 2.0: an enhanced integrative database for known and predicted interactions between traditional Chinese medicine ingredients and target proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D1110-D1120. [PMID: 37904598 PMCID: PMC10767940 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasingly recognized and utilized worldwide. However, the complex ingredients of TCM and their interactions with the human body make elucidating molecular mechanisms challenging, which greatly hinders the modernization of TCM. In 2016, we developed BATMAN-TCM 1.0, which is an integrated database of TCM ingredient-target protein interaction (TTI) for pharmacology research. Here, to address the growing need for a higher coverage TTI dataset, and using omics data to screen active TCM ingredients or herbs for complex disease treatment, we updated BATMAN-TCM to version 2.0 (http://bionet.ncpsb.org.cn/batman-tcm/). Using the same protocol as version 1.0, we collected 17 068 known TTIs by manual curation (with a 62.3-fold increase), and predicted ∼2.3 million high-confidence TTIs. In addition, we incorporated three new features into the updated version: (i) it enables simultaneous exploration of the target of TCM ingredient for pharmacology research and TCM ingredients binding to target proteins for drug discovery; (ii) it has significantly expanded TTI coverage; and (iii) the website was redesigned for better user experience and higher speed. We believe that BATMAN-TCM 2.0, as a discovery repository, will contribute to the study of TCM molecular mechanisms and the development of new drugs for complex diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangren Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Zuzhen Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Meiqi Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Zhijun Mei
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Lihong Diao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yajie Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Beijing Geneworks Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xiangya Kong
- Beijing Geneworks Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shiyan Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yingzi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ze Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xinlei Zhang
- Beijing Geneworks Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Liujun Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Shuzhen Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhongyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Dong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 102206, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Huang L, Ravi M, Zhang XO, Verdejo-Torres O, Shendy NAM, Nezhady MAM, Gopalan S, Wang G, Durbin AD, Fazzio TG, Wu Q. PRMT5 orchestrates EGFR and AKT networks to activate NFκB and promote EMT. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.03.574104. [PMID: 38260418 PMCID: PMC10802358 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.03.574104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma remains a formidable challenge in pediatric oncology, representing 15% of cancer-related mortalities in children. Despite advancements in combinatorial and targeted treatments improving survival rates, nearly 50% of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma will ultimately succumb to their disease. Dysregulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key mechanism of tumor cell dissemination, resulting in metastasis and poor outcomes in many cancers. Our prior work identified PRMT5 as a key regulator of EMT via methylation of AKT at arginine 15, enhancing the expression of EMT-driving transcription factors and facilitating metastasis. Here, we identify that PRMT5 directly regulates the transcription of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). PRMT5, through independent modulation of the EGFR and AKT pathways, orchestrates the activation of NFκB, resulting in the upregulation of the pro-EMT transcription factors ZEB1, SNAIL, and TWIST1. Notably, EGFR and AKT form a compensatory feedback loop, reinforcing the expression of these EMT transcription factors. Small molecule inhibition of PRMT5 methyltransferase activity disrupts EGFR/AKT signaling, suppresses EMT transcription factor expression and ablates tumor growth in vivo . Our findings underscore the pivotal role of PRMT5 in the control of the EMT program in high-risk neuroblastoma.
Collapse
|
40
|
Attiogbe MKI, Zhao HY, Wang J, Huang TT, Yan PP, Liu YN, Li W, Cao L, Zhang SQ, Cao YX. Anticancer effect of covalent purine-containing EGFR TKI, ZZC4 and its mechanism of action through network pharmacology. Life Sci 2024; 336:122308. [PMID: 38030059 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122308] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been documented in many malignancies as participating in the progression of cancer cells. Here, we present a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ZZC4, and examine its effect on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and tumor-bearing xenograft models. MAIN METHODS The antiproliferative effect of ZZC4 was assessed in vitro by MTT assay, colony formation, and wound healing assay and in vivo with tumor-bearing xenograft nude mice. Further, Western blotting analysis and computational network pharmacology were used to explore and understand the mechanism of ZZC4. KEY FINDINGS The results showed that ZZC4 potently inhibited the proliferation of lung, breast, and melanoma cells, and was more sensitive to lung cancer cells HCC827, H1975, and breast cancer cell T47D. In vitro findings were corroborated in vivo as results showed the suppressive effect of ZZC4 on HCC827 and H1975 tumor growth. Western blotting analysis confirmed that ZZC4 is an effective inhibitor of the EGFR pathways as it down-regulated p-EGFR, p-Akt, and p-MAPK. Computational molecular docking confirmed the strong binding affinity between ZZC4 and EGFR. Moreover, network pharmacology suggested that ZZC4 might play a suppressive role in the progression of malignancies with EGFR/PI-3K/Akt axis dysregulation or in cancer-related drug resistance. SIGNIFICANCE Our study showed that ZZC4 is an anticancer drug candidate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mawusse K I Attiogbe
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Hong-Yi Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, PR China
| | - Ting-Ting Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Ping-Ping Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yan-Ni Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Lei Cao
- Precision Medical Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - San-Qi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Yong-Xiao Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Zhou Y, Takahashi JI, Sakurai H. New Directions for Advanced Targeting Strategies of EGFR Signaling in Cancer. Biol Pharm Bull 2024; 47:895-903. [PMID: 38692865 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00924] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling studies paved the way for a basic understanding of growth factor and oncogene signaling pathways and the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Due to resistance mutations and the activation of alternative pathways when cancer cells escape TKIs, highly diverse cell populations form in recurrent tumors through mechanisms that have not yet been fully elucidated. In this review, we summarize recent advances in EGFR basic research on signaling networks and intracellular trafficking that may clarify the novel mechanisms of inhibitor resistance, discuss recent clinical developments in EGFR-targeted cancer therapy, and offer novel strategies for cancer drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama
| | - Jun-Ichiro Takahashi
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama
| | - Hiroaki Sakurai
- Department of Cancer Cell Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Bardaweel SK, Zhong HA. Targeting the EGFR/RAS/RAF signaling pathway in anticancer research: a recent update on inhibitor design and clinical trials (2020-2023). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:51-69. [PMID: 38450537 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2327307] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent years have seen significant strides in drug developmenttargeting the EGFR/RAS/RAF signaling pathway which is critical forcell growth and proliferation. Protein-protein interaction networksamong EGFR, RAS, and RAF proteins offer insights for drug discovery. This review discusses the drug design and development efforts ofinhibitors targeting these proteins over the past 3 years, detailingtheir structures, selectivity, efficacy, and combination therapy.Strategies to combat drug resistance and minimize toxicities areexplored, along with future research directions. AREA COVERED This review encompasses clinical trials and patents on EGFR, KRAS,and BRAF inhibitors from 2020 to 2023, including advancements indesign and synthesis of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) forprotein degradation. EXPERT OPINION To tackle drug resistance, designing allosteric fourth-generationEGFR inhibitors is vital. Covalent, allosteric, or combinationaltherapies, along with PROTAC degraders, are key methods to addressresistance and toxicity in KRAS and BRAF inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Board Member, National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Disease Control (JCDC), Amman, Jordan
| | - Dima A Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sanaa K Bardaweel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Haizhen A Zhong
- DSC 309, Department of Chemistry, The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tutunchi S, Bereimipour A, Ghaderian SMH. Hsa_circITGA4/ miR-1468/EGFR/ PTEN a Master Regulators Axis in Glioblastoma Development and Progression. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:90-101. [PMID: 37031335 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00735-w] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
In the fight against glioblastoma, circular RNA is emerging as a functional molecule. However, how circular RNA (circRNA) is regulated and what role it plays is still a mystery. In this research, different bioinformatics approaches were used to evaluate glioblastoma circRNA sequencing and array data, with the goal of developing a putative molecular sponge mechanism control network. The circRNAs were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. MicroRNA-circRNA interactions were predicted using CircInteractome. The microRNAs' expression and survival trends were screened using the TCGA database. MicroRNA gene targets were predicted using the MiRnet database. Sponge network gene candidates were screened using data from the GEPIA. The roles of the targeted genes were to be explained by analyzing data from Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. To build the network and display the outcomes, we utilized python program, and enrichment online Bioinformatics databases. The circRNAs hsa_circITGA4_002, hsa_circITGA4_001, hsa_circITGA4_003, hsa_circ_0030855, hsa_circ_0030857 were chosen from among GBM patients and control group. Upregulation of hsa-miR-1468, hsa-miR-3683, hsa-miR-1273c, and hsa-miR-4665-3p were associated with a poor prognosis in GBM. MicroRNA targets such as ITGA4, LAMA2, EGFR, PTEN, COL1A4, and NCAM2 were analyzed using expression and survival data. The Apoptosis, cell adhesion molecules, PI3K/AKT and P53 signaling pathways were the most abundant functional categories among gene targets. The circRNA molecular sponge regulatory network includes hsa-miR-1468 and hsa-miR-4665-3p. In this network, hs hsa_circITGA4_002, hsa_circITGA4_001, hsa_circ_0030857, EGFR, PTEN, and ITGA4 may represent GBM therapeutic targets. Their role in GBM needs additional study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Tutunchi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Bereimipour
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Tech Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biological Sciences and BioDiscovery Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, 76203, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Schartl M, Lu Y. Validity of Xiphophorus fish as models for human disease. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050382. [PMID: 38299666 PMCID: PMC10855230 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Platyfish and swordtails of the genus Xiphophorus provide a well-established model for melanoma research and have become well known for this feature. Recently, modelling approaches for other human diseases in Xiphophorus have been developed or are emerging. This Review provides a comprehensive summary of these models and discusses how findings from basic biological and molecular studies and their translation to medical research demonstrate that Xiphophorus models have face, construct and predictive validity for studying a broad array of human diseases. These models can thus improve our understanding of disease mechanisms to benefit patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Schartl
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
- Developmental Biochemistry, Theodor-Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg 97074, Germany
| | - Yuan Lu
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wilson P, Abdelmoti L, Gao T, Galperin E. The expression of congenital Shoc2 variants induces AKT-dependent feedback activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.23.573219. [PMID: 38187642 PMCID: PMC10769455 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.23.573219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The Shoc2 scaffold protein is crucial in transmitting signals within the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mediated Extracellular signal-regulated Kinase (ERK1/2) pathway. While the significance of Shoc2 in this pathway is well-established, the precise mechanisms through which Shoc2 governs signal transmission remain to be fully elucidated. Hereditary mutations in Shoc2 are responsible for Noonan Syndrome with Loose anagen Hair (NSLH). However, due to the absence of known enzymatic activity in Shoc2, directly assessing how these mutations affect its function is challenging. ERK1/2 phosphorylation is used as a primary parameter of Shoc2 function, but the impact of Shoc2 mutants on the pathway activation is unclear. This study investigates how the NSLH-associated Shoc2 variants influence EGFR signals in the context of the ERK1/2 and AKT downstream signaling pathways. We show that when the ERK1/2 pathway is a primary signaling pathway activated downstream of EGFR, Shoc2 variants cannot upregulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation to the level of the WT Shoc2. Yet, when the AKT and ERK1/2 pathways were activated, in cells expressing Shoc2 variants, ERK1/2 phosphorylation was higher than in cells expressing WT Shoc2. We found that, in cells expressing the Shoc2 NSLH mutants, the AKT signaling pathway triggers the PAK activation, followed by phosphorylation and Raf-1/MEK1/2 /ERK1/2 signaling axis activation. Hence, our studies reveal a previously unrecognized feedback regulation downstream of the EGFR and provide evidence for the Shoc2 role as a "gatekeeper" in controlling the selection of downstream effectors within the EGFR signaling network.
Collapse
|
46
|
Balachandran AA, Raguraman P, Rahimizadeh K, Veedu RN. Splice-Switching Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting Extra- and Intracellular Domains of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Cancer Cells. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3299. [PMID: 38137520 PMCID: PMC10741442 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123299] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Epidermal growth factor receptor is one of the proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation, differentiation, and invasion. Antisense oligonucleotides are chemical nucleic acids that bind to target messenger ribonucleic acid and modulate its expression. Herein, we demonstrate the efficacy of splice-modulating antisense oligonucleotides to target specific exons in the extracellular (exon 3) and intracellular (exon 18, 21) domains of epidermal growth factor receptor. These antisense oligonucleotides were synthesized as 25mer 2'-O methyl phosphorothioate-modified ribonucleic acids that bind to complementary specific regions in respective exons. We found that PNAT524, PNAT525, PNAT576, and PNAT578 effectively skipped exon 3, exon 18, and exon 21 in glioblastoma, liver cancer, and breast cancer cell lines. PNAT578 treatment also skipped partial exon 19, complete exon 20, and partial exon 21 in addition to complete exon 21 skipping. We also found that a cocktail of PNAT576 and PNAT578 antisense oligonucleotides performed better than their individual counterparts. The migration potential of glioblastoma cancer cells was reduced to a greater extent after treatment with these antisense oligonucleotides. We firmly believe that using these splice-modulating antisense oligonucleotides in combination with existing EGFR-targeted therapies could improve therapeutic outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akilandeswari Ashwini Balachandran
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Prithi Raguraman
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Kamal Rahimizadeh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Rakesh N. Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Noh SS, Shin HJ. Role of Virus-Induced EGFR Trafficking in Proviral Functions. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1766. [PMID: 38136637 PMCID: PMC10741569 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery in the early 1980s, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has emerged as a pivotal and multifaceted player in elucidating the intricate mechanisms underlying various human diseases and their associations with cell survival, proliferation, and cellular homeostasis. Recent advancements in research have underscored the profound and multifaceted role of EGFR in viral infections, highlighting its involvement in viral entry, replication, and the subversion of host immune responses. In this regard, the importance of EGFR trafficking has also been highlighted in recent studies. The dynamic relocation of EGFR to diverse intracellular organelles, including endosomes, lysosomes, mitochondria, and even the nucleus, is a central feature of its functionality in diverse contexts. This dynamic intracellular trafficking is not merely a passive process but an orchestrated symphony, facilitating EGFR involvement in various cellular pathways and interactions with viral components. Furthermore, EGFR, which is initially anchored on the plasma membrane, serves as a linchpin orchestrating viral entry processes, a crucial early step in the viral life cycle. The role of EGFR in this context is highly context-dependent and varies among viruses. Here, we present a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge regarding the intricate interactions between EGFR and viruses. These interactions are fundamental for successful propagation of a wide array of viral species and affect viral pathogenesis and host responses. Understanding EGFR significance in both normal cellular processes and viral infections may not only help develop innovative antiviral therapies but also provide a deeper understanding of the intricate roles of EGFR signaling in infectious diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Se Sil Noh
- Department of Microbiology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jin Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Joshi P, Verma K, Kumar Semwal D, Dwivedi J, Sharma S. Mechanism insights of curcumin and its analogues in cancer: An update. Phytother Res 2023; 37:5435-5463. [PMID: 37649266 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7983] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is the world's second leading cause of mortality and one of the major public health problems. Cancer incidence and mortality rates remain high despite the great advancements in existing therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive approaches. Therefore, a quest for less toxic and more efficient anti-cancer strategies is still at the forefront of the current research. Traditionally important, curcumin commonly known as a wonder molecule has received considerable attention as an anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant candidate. However, limited water solubility and low bioavailability restrict its extensive utility in different pathological states. The investigators are making consistent efforts to develop newer strategies to overcome its limitations by designing different analogues with better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. The present review highlights the recent updates on curcumin and its analogues with special emphasis on various mechanistic pathways involved in anti-cancer activity. In addition, the structure-activity relationship of curcumin analogues has also been precisely discussed. This article will also provide key information for the design and development of newer curcumin analogues with desired pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles and will provide in depth understanding of molecular pathways involved in the anti-cancer activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Joshi
- Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, Rajasthan, India
| | - Kanika Verma
- Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, Rajasthan, India
| | - Deepak Kumar Semwal
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Jaya Dwivedi
- Department of Chemistry, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, Rajasthan, India
| | - Swapnil Sharma
- Department of Pharmacy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, Rajasthan, India
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Pinilla-Macua I, Sorkin A. Cbl and Cbl-b independently regulate EGFR through distinct receptor interaction modes. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:ar134. [PMID: 37903221 PMCID: PMC10848940 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-02-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly homologous E3 ubiquitin ligases, Cbl and Cbl-b, mediate ubiquitination of EGF receptor (EGFR), leading to its endocytosis and lysosomal degradation. Cbl and Cbl-b, are thought to function in a redundant manner by binding directly to phosphorylated Y1045 (pY1045) of EGFR and indirectly via the Grb2 adaptor. Unexpectedly, we found that inducible expression of Cbl or Cbl-b mutants lacking the E3 ligase activity but fully capable of EGFR binding does not significantly affect EGFR ubiquitination and endocytosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC3) cells which endogenously express Cbl-b at a relatively high level. Each endogenous Cbl species remained associated with ligand-activated EGFR in the presence of an overexpressed counterpart species or its mutant, although Cbl-b overexpression partially decreased Cbl association with EGFR. Binding to pY1045 was the preferential mode for Cbl-b:EGFR interaction, whereas Cbl relied mainly on the Grb2-dependent mechanism. Overexpression of the E3-dead mutant of Cbl-b slowed down EGF-induced degradation of active EGFR, while this mutant and a similar mutant of Cbl did not significantly affect MAPK/ERK1/2 activity. EGF-guided chemotaxis migration of HSC3 cells was diminished by overexpression of the E3-dead Cbl-b mutant but was not significantly affected by the E3-dead Cbl mutant. By contrast, the inhibitory effect of the same Cbl mutant on the migration of OSC-19 cells expressing low Cbl-b levels was substantially stronger than that of the Cbl-b mutant. Altogether, our data demonstrate that Cbl and Cbl-b may operate independently through different modes of EGFR binding to jointly control receptor ubiquitination, endocytic trafficking, and signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Itziar Pinilla-Macua
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261
| | - Alexander Sorkin
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Tripathi N, Shah H, Bhardwaj N, Sarkar R, Jain SK. In silico analysis, isolation, and cytotoxicity evaluation of the coumestans from Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik. Nat Prod Res 2023:1-8. [PMID: 38012958 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2285875] [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: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Cullen corylifolium is well known for diverse phytoconstituents that possess multifaceted pharmacology, and one such less explored class is coumestans, which have not been well explored for their anticancer activities. One of the popular cancer targets is the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, a tyrosine kinase involved in various cancers, especially breast and lung cancer hence, a crucial cancer target. This work is focussed on molecular docking and molecular simulation studies on coumestans against EGFR. The rigorous docking studies resulted in two coumestans (1 and 5) with binding energy less than Gefitinib and Erlotinib. Compounds 1 and 5 were subjected to molecular simulation, binding free energy calculation, per-residue energy decomposition, and in silico ADMET prediction. The best hit, compound 1 was evaluated for its cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 and A549 cells via in vitro assay. The ligand-protein complex exhibited good stability, binding free energies, better in silico pharmacokinetics, low toxicity, and good cytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Tripathi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, India
| | - Himisa Shah
- B.D. Patel Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Charotar University of Science & Technology, CHARUSAT Campus, Gujarat, India
| | - Nivedita Bhardwaj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, India
| | - Ruma Sarkar
- B.D. Patel Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Charotar University of Science & Technology, CHARUSAT Campus, Gujarat, India
| | - Shreyans K Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, India
| |
Collapse
|