1
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Sehgal M, Nayak SP, Sahoo S, Somarelli JA, Jolly MK. Mutually exclusive teams-like patterns of gene regulation characterize phenotypic heterogeneity along the noradrenergic-mesenchymal axis in neuroblastoma. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2301802. [PMID: 38230570 PMCID: PMC10795782 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2301802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most frequent extracranial pediatric tumor and leads to 15% of all cancer-related deaths in children. Tumor relapse and therapy resistance in neuroblastoma are driven by phenotypic plasticity and heterogeneity between noradrenergic (NOR) and mesenchymal (MES) cell states. Despite the importance of this phenotypic plasticity, the dynamics and molecular patterns associated with these bidirectional cell-state transitions remain relatively poorly understood. Here, we analyze multiple RNA-seq datasets at both bulk and single-cell resolution, to understand the association between NOR- and MES-specific factors. We observed that NOR-specific and MES-specific expression patterns are largely mutually exclusive, exhibiting a "teams-like" behavior among the genes involved, reminiscent of our earlier observations in lung cancer and melanoma. This antagonism between NOR and MES phenotypes was also associated with metabolic reprogramming and with immunotherapy targets PD-L1 and GD2 as well as with experimental perturbations driving the NOR-MES and/or MES-NOR transition. Further, these "teams-like" patterns were seen only among the NOR- and MES-specific genes, but not in housekeeping genes, possibly highlighting a hallmark of network topology enabling cancer cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Sehgal
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Sonali Priyadarshini Nayak
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Max Planck School Matter to Life, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Department of Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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2
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Louault K, Blavier L, Lee MH, Kennedy RJ, Fernandez GE, Pawel BR, Asgharzadeh S, DeClerck YA. Nuclear factor-κB activation by transforming growth factor-β1 drives tumour microenvironment-mediated drug resistance in neuroblastoma. Br J Cancer 2024; 131:90-100. [PMID: 38806726 PMCID: PMC11231159 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02686-8] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrinsic and extrinsic factors in the tumour microenvironment (TME) contribute to therapeutic resistance. Here we demonstrate that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 produced in the TME increased drug resistance of neuroblastoma (NB) cells. METHODS Human NB cell lines were tested in vitro for their sensitivity to Doxorubicin (DOX) and Etoposide (ETOP) in the presence of tumour-associated macrophages (TAM) and mesenchymal stromal cells/cancer-associated fibroblasts (MSC/CAF). These experiments were validated in xenotransplanted and primary tumour samples. RESULTS Drug resistance was associated with an increased expression of efflux transporter and anti-apoptotic proteins. Upregulation was dependent on activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB by TGF-β-activated kinase (TAK1) and SMAD2. Resistance was reversed upon pharmacologic and genetic inhibitions of NF-κB, and TAK1/SMAD2. Interleukin-6, leukaemia inhibitory factor and oncostatin M were upregulated by this TGF-β/TAK1/NF-κB/SMAD2 signalling pathway contributing to drug resistance via an autocrine loop activating STAT3. An analysis of xenotransplanted NB tumours revealed an increased presence of phospho (p)-NF-κB in tumours co-injected with MSC/CAF and TAM, and these tumours failed to respond to Etoposide but responded if treated with a TGF-βR1/ALK5 inhibitor. Nuclear p-NF-κB was increased in patient-derived tumours rich in TME cells. CONCLUSIONS The data provides a novel insight into a targetable mechanism of environment-mediated drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kévin Louault
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Laurence Blavier
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Men-Hua Lee
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Rebekah J Kennedy
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - G Esteban Fernandez
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
| | - Bruce R Pawel
- Department of Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA
- Department of Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Yves A DeClerck
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
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3
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Fredlund E, Andersson S, Hilgert E, Monferrer E, Álvarez-Hernán G, Karakaya S, Loontiens S, Bek JW, Gregor T, Lecomte E, Magnusson E, Miltenyte E, Cabirol M, Kyknas M, Engström N, Henriksson MA, Hammarlund E, Rosenblum JS, Noguera R, Speleman F, van Nes J, Mohlin S. MOXD1 is a lineage-specific gene and a tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado1583. [PMID: 38905335 PMCID: PMC11192077 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a childhood developmental cancer; however, its embryonic origins remain poorly understood. Moreover, in-depth studies of early tumor-driving events are limited because of the lack of appropriate models. Herein, we analyzed RNA sequencing data obtained from human neuroblastoma samples and found that loss of expression of trunk neural crest-enriched gene MOXD1 associates with advanced disease and worse outcome. Further, by using single-cell RNA sequencing data of human neuroblastoma cells and fetal adrenal glands and creating in vivo models of zebrafish, chick, and mouse, we show that MOXD1 is a determinate of tumor development. In addition, we found that MOXD1 expression is highly conserved and restricted to mesenchymal neuroblastoma cells and Schwann cell precursors during healthy development. Our findings identify MOXD1 as a lineage-restricted tumor-suppressor gene in neuroblastoma, potentiating further stratification of these tumors and development of novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Fredlund
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Stina Andersson
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Elien Hilgert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ezequiel Monferrer
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA Biomedical Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Low Prevalence Tumors, Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Álvarez-Hernán
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sinan Karakaya
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Siebe Loontiens
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Willem Bek
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tomas Gregor
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Estelle Lecomte
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Emma Magnusson
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Enrika Miltenyte
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Cabirol
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Michail Kyknas
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Niklas Engström
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Emma Hammarlund
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jared S. Rosenblum
- Section on Medical Neuroendocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rosa Noguera
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Valencia-INCLIVA Biomedical Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Low Prevalence Tumors, Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Frank Speleman
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johan van Nes
- Department of Oncogenomics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sofie Mohlin
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund University Cancer Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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4
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Nakatani N, Win KHN, Mon CY, Fujikawa T, Uemura S, Saito A, Ishida T, Mori T, Hasegawa D, Kosaka Y, Inoue S, Nishimura A, Nino N, Tamura A, Yamamoto N, Nozu K, Nishimura N. Distinct Expression Profiles of Neuroblastoma-Associated mRNAs in Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow of Non-High-Risk and High-Risk Neuroblastoma Patients. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:345. [PMID: 38785826 PMCID: PMC11117621 DOI: 10.3390/biology13050345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Non-high-risk (non-HR) neuroblastoma (NB) patients have excellent outcomes, with more than a 90% survival rate, whereas HR NB patients expect less than a 50% survival rate. Metastatic disease is the principal cause of death among both non-HR and HR NB patients. Previous studies have reported the significant but limited prognostic value of quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based assays, measuring overlapping but different sets of neuroblastoma-associated mRNAs (NB-mRNAs), to detect metastatic disease in both non-HR and HR patient samples. A droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)-based assay measuring seven NB-mRNAs (CRMP1, DBH, DDC, GAP43, ISL1, PHOX2B, and TH mRNAs) was recently developed and exhibited a better prognostic value for HR patient samples than qPCR-based assays. However, it remained to be tested on non-HR patient samples. In the present study, we employed the ddPCR-based assay to study peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples collected at diagnosis from eight non-HR and eleven HR cases and characterized the expression profiles of NB-mRNAs. The most highly expressed NB-mRNAs in PB and BM differed between non-HR and HR cases, with the CRMP1 mRNA being predominant in non-HR cases and the GAP43 mRNA in HR cases. The levels of NB-mRNAs in PB and BM were 5 to 1000 times lower in non-HR cases than in HR cases. The PB to BM ratio of NB-mRNAs was 10 to 100 times higher in non-HR cases compared to HR cases. The present case series suggests that non-HR and HR NB patients have the distinct expression profiles of NB-mRNAs in their PB and BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Nakatani
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (N.N.); (T.F.); (S.I.); (A.N.); (A.T.); (N.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Kaung Htet Nay Win
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Science, Kobe 654-0142, Japan; (K.H.N.W.); (C.Y.M.)
| | - Cho Yee Mon
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Science, Kobe 654-0142, Japan; (K.H.N.W.); (C.Y.M.)
| | - Tomoko Fujikawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (N.N.); (T.F.); (S.I.); (A.N.); (A.T.); (N.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Suguru Uemura
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kobe Children’s Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (S.U.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (T.M.); (D.H.); (Y.K.); (N.N.)
| | - Atsuro Saito
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kobe Children’s Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (S.U.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (T.M.); (D.H.); (Y.K.); (N.N.)
| | - Toshiaki Ishida
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kobe Children’s Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (S.U.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (T.M.); (D.H.); (Y.K.); (N.N.)
| | - Takeshi Mori
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kobe Children’s Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (S.U.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (T.M.); (D.H.); (Y.K.); (N.N.)
| | - Daiichiro Hasegawa
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kobe Children’s Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (S.U.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (T.M.); (D.H.); (Y.K.); (N.N.)
| | - Yoshiyuki Kosaka
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kobe Children’s Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (S.U.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (T.M.); (D.H.); (Y.K.); (N.N.)
| | - Shotaro Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (N.N.); (T.F.); (S.I.); (A.N.); (A.T.); (N.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Akihiro Nishimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (N.N.); (T.F.); (S.I.); (A.N.); (A.T.); (N.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Nanako Nino
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kobe Children’s Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; (S.U.); (A.S.); (T.I.); (T.M.); (D.H.); (Y.K.); (N.N.)
| | - Akihiro Tamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (N.N.); (T.F.); (S.I.); (A.N.); (A.T.); (N.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Nobuyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (N.N.); (T.F.); (S.I.); (A.N.); (A.T.); (N.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Kandai Nozu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; (N.N.); (T.F.); (S.I.); (A.N.); (A.T.); (N.Y.); (K.N.)
| | - Noriyuki Nishimura
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Science, Kobe 654-0142, Japan; (K.H.N.W.); (C.Y.M.)
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5
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Polychronopoulos PA, Bedoya-Reina OC, Johnsen JI. The Neuroblastoma Microenvironment, Heterogeneity and Immunotherapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1863. [PMID: 38791942 PMCID: PMC11119056 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16101863] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a peripheral nervous system tumor that almost exclusively occurs in young children. Although intensified treatment modalities have led to increased patient survival, the prognosis for patients with high-risk disease is still around 50%, signifying neuroblastoma as a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Neuroblastoma is an embryonal tumor and is shaped by its origin from cells within the neural crest. Hence, neuroblastoma usually presents with a low mutational burden and is, in the majority of cases, driven by epigenetically deregulated transcription networks. The recent development of Omic techniques has given us detailed knowledge of neuroblastoma evolution, heterogeneity, and plasticity, as well as intra- and intercellular molecular communication networks within the neuroblastoma microenvironment. Here, we discuss the potential of these recent discoveries with emphasis on new treatment modalities, including immunotherapies which hold promise for better future treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Alkinoos Polychronopoulos
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
| | - Oscar C. Bedoya-Reina
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 11883 Stockholm, Sweden; (P.A.P.); (O.C.B.-R.)
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6
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Saldana-Guerrero IM, Montano-Gutierrez LF, Boswell K, Hafemeister C, Poon E, Shaw LE, Stavish D, Lea RA, Wernig-Zorc S, Bozsaky E, Fetahu IS, Zoescher P, Pötschger U, Bernkopf M, Wenninger-Weinzierl A, Sturtzel C, Souilhol C, Tarelli S, Shoeb MR, Bozatzi P, Rados M, Guarini M, Buri MC, Weninger W, Putz EM, Huang M, Ladenstein R, Andrews PW, Barbaric I, Cresswell GD, Bryant HE, Distel M, Chesler L, Taschner-Mandl S, Farlik M, Tsakiridis A, Halbritter F. A human neural crest model reveals the developmental impact of neuroblastoma-associated chromosomal aberrations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3745. [PMID: 38702304 PMCID: PMC11068915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47945-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Early childhood tumours arise from transformed embryonic cells, which often carry large copy number alterations (CNA). However, it remains unclear how CNAs contribute to embryonic tumourigenesis due to a lack of suitable models. Here we employ female human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation and single-cell transcriptome and epigenome analysis to assess the effects of chromosome 17q/1q gains, which are prevalent in the embryonal tumour neuroblastoma (NB). We show that CNAs impair the specification of trunk neural crest (NC) cells and their sympathoadrenal derivatives, the putative cells-of-origin of NB. This effect is exacerbated upon overexpression of MYCN, whose amplification co-occurs with CNAs in NB. Moreover, CNAs potentiate the pro-tumourigenic effects of MYCN and mutant NC cells resemble NB cells in tumours. These changes correlate with a stepwise aberration of developmental transcription factor networks. Together, our results sketch a mechanistic framework for the CNA-driven initiation of embryonal tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid M Saldana-Guerrero
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Katy Boswell
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) & Royal Marsden NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lisa E Shaw
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dylan Stavish
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rebecca A Lea
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sara Wernig-Zorc
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Bozsaky
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Irfete S Fetahu
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Zoescher
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Pötschger
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marie Bernkopf
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
- Labdia Labordiagnostik GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Caterina Sturtzel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Celine Souilhol
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Department of Biosciences and Chemistry, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sophia Tarelli
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Mohamed R Shoeb
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Polyxeni Bozatzi
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Rados
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Guarini
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michelle C Buri
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Weninger
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva M Putz
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Miller Huang
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Cancer and Blood Disease Institutes, and The Saban Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ruth Ladenstein
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter W Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ivana Barbaric
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Helen E Bryant
- Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids (SInFoNiA), School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Martin Distel
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) & Royal Marsden NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Matthias Farlik
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anestis Tsakiridis
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Neuroscience Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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7
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Villasante A, Corominas J, Alcon C, Garcia-Lizarribar A, Mora J, Lopez-Fanarraga M, Samitier J. Identification of GB3 as a Novel Biomarker of Tumor-Derived Vasculature in Neuroblastoma Using a Stiffness-Based Model. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1060. [PMID: 38473417 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051060] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood cancer in sympathetic nervous system cells. NB exhibits cellular heterogeneity, with adrenergic and mesenchymal states displaying distinct tumorigenic potentials. NB is highly vascularized, and blood vessels can form through various mechanisms, including endothelial transdifferentiation, leading to the development of tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs) associated with chemoresistance. We lack specific biomarkers for TECs. Therefore, identifying new TEC biomarkers is vital for effective NB therapies. A stiffness-based platform simulating human arterial and venous stiffness was developed to study NB TECs in vitro. Adrenergic cells cultured on arterial-like stiffness transdifferentiated into TECs, while mesenchymal state cells did not. The TECs derived from adrenergic cells served as a model to explore new biomarkers, with a particular focus on GB3, a glycosphingolipid receptor implicated in angiogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Notably, the TECs unequivocally expressed GB3, validating its novelty as a marker. To explore targeted therapeutic interventions, nanoparticles functionalized with the non-toxic subunit B of the Shiga toxin were generated, because they demonstrated a robust affinity for GB3-positive cells. Our results demonstrate the value of the stiffness-based platform as a predictive tool for assessing NB aggressiveness, the discovery of new biomarkers, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranzazu Villasante
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Corominas
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Alcon
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Garcia-Lizarribar
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaume Mora
- Oncology Department, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, 08950 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Josep Samitier
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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8
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Felipe I, Martínez-de-Villarreal J, Patel K, Martínez-Torrecuadrada J, Grossmann LD, Roncador G, Cubells M, Farrell A, Kendsersky N, Sabroso-Lasa S, Sancho-Temiño L, Torres K, Martinez D, Perez JM, García F, Pogoriler J, Moreno L, Maris JM, Real FX. BPTF cooperates with MYCN and MYC to link neuroblastoma cell cycle control to epigenetic cellular states. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.11.579816. [PMID: 38405949 PMCID: PMC10888818 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.11.579816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The nucleosome remodeling factor BPTF is required for the deployment of the MYC-driven transcriptional program. Deletion of one Bptf allele delays tumor progression in mouse models of pancreatic cancer and lymphoma. In neuroblastoma, MYCN cooperates with the transcriptional core regulatory circuitry (CRC). High BPTF levels are associated with high-risk features and decreased survival. BPTF depletion results in a dramatic decrease of cell proliferation. Bulk RNA-seq, single-cell sequencing, and tissue microarrays reveal a positive correlation of BPTF and CRC transcription factor expression. Immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry shows that BPTF interacts with MYCN and the CRC proteins. Genome-wide distribution analysis of BPTF and CRC in neuroblastoma reveals a dual role for BPTF: 1) it co-localizes with MYCN/MYC at the promoter of genes involved in cell cycle and 2) it co-localizes with the CRC at super-enhancers to regulate cell identity. The critical role of BPTF across neuroblastoma subtypes supports its relevance as a therapeutic target.
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Odarenko KV, Salomatina OV, Chernikov IV, Salakhutdinov NF, Zenkova MA, Markov AV. Soloxolone Methyl Reduces the Stimulatory Effect of Leptin on the Aggressive Phenotype of Murine Neuro2a Neuroblastoma Cells via the MAPK/ERK1/2 Pathway. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1369. [PMID: 37895840 PMCID: PMC10610011 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the proven tumorigenic effect of leptin on epithelial-derived cancers, its impact on the aggressiveness of neural crest-derived cancers, notably neuroblastoma, remains largely unexplored. In our study, for the first time, transcriptome analysis of neuroblastoma tissue demonstrated that the level of leptin is elevated in neuroblastoma patients along with the severity of the disease and is inversely correlated with patient survival. The treatment of murine Neuro2a neuroblastoma cells with leptin significantly stimulated their proliferation and motility and reduced cell adhesion, thus rendering the phenotype of neuroblastoma cells more aggressive. Given the proven efficacy of cyanoenone-bearing semisynthetic triterpenoids in inhibiting the growth of neuroblastoma and preventing obesity in vivo, the effect of soloxolone methyl (SM) on leptin-stimulated Neuro2a cells was further investigated. We found that SM effectively abolished leptin-induced proliferation of Neuro2a cells by inducing G1/S cell cycle arrest and restored their adhesiveness to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins to near control levels through the upregulation of vimentin, zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1), cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1cam), and neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (Ncam1). Moreover, SM significantly suppressed the leptin-associated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase A1 (p90RSK), which are key kinases that ensure the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. Further molecular modeling studies demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of SM on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK1/2 signaling pathway can be mediated by its direct interaction with ERK2 and its upstream regulators, son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1). Taken together, our findings in murine Neuro2a cells provide novel evidence of the stimulatory effect of leptin on the aggressiveness of neuroblastoma, which requires further detailed studies in human neuroblastoma cells and relevant animal models. The obtained results indicate that SM can be considered a promising drug candidate capable of reducing the impact of adipokines on tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill V. Odarenko
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.V.O.); (O.V.S.); (I.V.C.); (M.A.Z.)
| | - Oksana V. Salomatina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.V.O.); (O.V.S.); (I.V.C.); (M.A.Z.)
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Ivan V. Chernikov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.V.O.); (O.V.S.); (I.V.C.); (M.A.Z.)
| | - Nariman F. Salakhutdinov
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Marina A. Zenkova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.V.O.); (O.V.S.); (I.V.C.); (M.A.Z.)
| | - Andrey V. Markov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.V.O.); (O.V.S.); (I.V.C.); (M.A.Z.)
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10
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Wang X, Guo Y, Chen G, Fang E, Wang J, Li Q, Li D, Hu A, Bao B, Zhou Y, Gao H, Song J, Du X, Zheng L, Tong Q. Therapeutic targeting of FUBP3 phase separation by GATA2-AS1 inhibits malate-aspartate shuttle and neuroblastoma progression via modulating SUZ12 activity. Oncogene 2023; 42:2673-2687. [PMID: 37537343 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS) is essential for maintaining glycolysis and energy metabolism in tumors, while its regulatory mechanisms in neuroblastoma (NB), the commonest extracranial malignancy during childhood, still remain to be elucidated. Herein, by analyzing multi-omics data, GATA binding protein 2 (GATA2) and its antisense RNA 1 (GATA2-AS1) were identified to suppress MAS during NB progression. Mechanistic studies revealed that GATA2 inhibited the transcription of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2 (GOT2) and malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2). As a long non-coding RNA destabilized by RNA binding motif protein 15-mediated N6-methyladenosine methylation, GATA2-AS1 bound with far upstream element binding protein 3 (FUBP3) to repress its liquid-liquid phase separation and interaction with suppressor of zest 12 (SUZ12), resulting in decrease of SUZ12 activity and epigenetic up-regulation of GATA2 and other tumor suppressors. Rescue experiments revealed that GATA2-AS1 inhibited MAS and NB progression via repressing interaction between FUBP3 and SUZ12. Pre-clinically, administration of lentivirus carrying GATA2-AS1 suppressed MAS, aerobic glycolysis, and aggressive behaviors of NB xenografts. Notably, low GATA2-AS1 or GATA2 expression and high FUBP3, SUZ12, GOT2 or MDH2 levels were linked with unfavorable outcome of NB patients. These findings suggest that GATA2-AS1 inhibits FUBP3 phase separation to repress MAS and NB progression via modulating SUZ12 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
- Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Yanhua Guo
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Erhu Fang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Jianqun Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Qilan Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Anpei Hu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Banghe Bao
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Haiyang Gao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Jiyu Song
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Xinyi Du
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China
| | - Liduan Zheng
- Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China.
- Department of Pathology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China.
| | - Qiangsong Tong
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China.
- Clinical Center of Human Genomic Research, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, P. R. China.
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11
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Gao J, Fosbrook C, Gibson J, Underwood TJ, Gray JC, Walters ZS. Review: Targeting EZH2 in neuroblastoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 119:102600. [PMID: 37467626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest extra-cranial pediatric tumors, and accounts for over 15% of all childhood cancer mortality. Risk stratification for children with neuroblastoma is based on age, stage, histology, and tumor cytogenetics. The majority of patients are considered to have high-risk neuroblastoma, for which the long-term survival is less than 50%. Current treatments combine surgical resection, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy, anti-GD2 based immunotherapy as well as the differentiating agent isotretinoin. Despite the intensive multimodal therapies applied, there are high relapse rates, and recurrent disease is often resistant to further therapy. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a histone methyltransferase that represses transcription through trimethylation of lysine residue K27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3). It is responsible for epigenetic repression of transcription, making EZH2 an essential regulator for cell differentiation. Overexpression of EZH2 has been shown to promote tumorigenesis, cancer cell proliferation and prevent tumor cells from differentiating in a number of cancers. Therefore, research has been ongoing for the past decade, developing treatments that target EZH2 in neuroblastoma. This review summarises the role of EZH2 in neuroblastoma and evaluates the latest research findings on the therapeutic potential of targeting EZH2 in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Gao
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Claire Fosbrook
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Juliet C Gray
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
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12
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Thirant C, Peltier A, Durand S, Kramdi A, Louis-Brennetot C, Pierre-Eugène C, Gautier M, Costa A, Grelier A, Zaïdi S, Gruel N, Jimenez I, Lapouble E, Pierron G, Sitbon D, Brisse HJ, Gauthier A, Fréneaux P, Grossetête S, Baudrin LG, Raynal V, Baulande S, Bellini A, Bhalshankar J, Carcaboso AM, Geoerger B, Rohrer H, Surdez D, Boeva V, Schleiermacher G, Delattre O, Janoueix-Lerosey I. Reversible transitions between noradrenergic and mesenchymal tumor identities define cell plasticity in neuroblastoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2575. [PMID: 37142597 PMCID: PMC10160107 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38239-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Noradrenergic and mesenchymal identities have been characterized in neuroblastoma cell lines according to their epigenetic landscapes and core regulatory circuitries. However, their relationship and relative contribution in patient tumors remain poorly defined. We now document spontaneous and reversible plasticity between the two identities, associated with epigenetic reprogramming, in several neuroblastoma models. Interestingly, xenografts with cells from each identity eventually harbor a noradrenergic phenotype suggesting that the microenvironment provides a powerful pressure towards this phenotype. Accordingly, such a noradrenergic cell identity is systematically observed in single-cell RNA-seq of 18 tumor biopsies and 15 PDX models. Yet, a subpopulation of these noradrenergic tumor cells presents with mesenchymal features that are shared with plasticity models, indicating that the plasticity described in these models has relevance in neuroblastoma patients. This work therefore emphasizes that intrinsic plasticity properties of neuroblastoma cells are dependent upon external cues of the environment to drive cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Thirant
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Agathe Peltier
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Simon Durand
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Amira Kramdi
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Louis-Brennetot
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Pierre-Eugène
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Margot Gautier
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Ana Costa
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Amandine Grelier
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Sakina Zaïdi
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Nadège Gruel
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, Paris, France
| | - Irène Jimenez
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Laboratoire Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique (RTOP), Laboratoire "Gilles Thomas", Paris, France
| | - Eve Lapouble
- Institut Curie, Unité de Génétique Somatique, Paris, France
| | - Gaëlle Pierron
- Institut Curie, Unité de Génétique Somatique, Paris, France
| | - Déborah Sitbon
- Institut Curie, Unité de Génétique Somatique, Paris, France
| | - Hervé J Brisse
- Institut Curie, Department of Imaging, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | | | - Paul Fréneaux
- Institut Curie, Department of Biopathology, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Grossetête
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Laura G Baudrin
- Institut Curie, Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Paris, France. Institut Curie, Single Cell Initiative, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Raynal
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Paris, France. Institut Curie, Single Cell Initiative, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Baulande
- Institut Curie, Genomics of Excellence (ICGex) Platform, Paris, France. Institut Curie, Single Cell Initiative, Paris, France
| | - Angela Bellini
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Laboratoire Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique (RTOP), Laboratoire "Gilles Thomas", Paris, France
| | - Jaydutt Bhalshankar
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Laboratoire Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique (RTOP), Laboratoire "Gilles Thomas", Paris, France
| | - Angel M Carcaboso
- SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Birgit Geoerger
- Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, INSERM U1015, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Oncology, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Hermann Rohrer
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt/M, Germany
| | - Didier Surdez
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Balgrist University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Boeva
- Inserm, U1016, Cochin Institute, CNRS UMR8104, Paris University, Paris, France
- ETH Zürich, Department of Computer Science, Institute for Machine Learning, Zürich, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gudrun Schleiermacher
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Department of Translational Research, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Laboratoire Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie Pédiatrique (RTOP), Laboratoire "Gilles Thomas", Paris, France
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- Institut Curie, Unité de Génétique Somatique, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Janoueix-Lerosey
- Institut Curie, Inserm U830, PSL Research University, Diversity and Plasticity of Childhood Tumors Lab, Paris, France.
- SIREDO: Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
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13
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Blanco HM, Perez CN, Banchio C, Alvarez SE, Ciuffo GM. Neurite outgrowth induced by stimulation of angiotensin II AT 2 receptors in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells involves c-Src activation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15656. [PMID: 37144208 PMCID: PMC10151373 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor occurring in childhood, originates from the aberrant proliferation of neural crest cells. Accordingly, the mechanism underling neuronal differentiation could provide new strategies for neuroblastoma treatment. It is well known that neurite outgrowth could be induced by Angiotensin II (Ang II) AT2 receptors; however, the signaling mechanism and its possible interaction with NGF (neural growth factor) receptors remain unclear. Here, we show that Ang II and CGP42112A (AT2 receptor agonist) promote neuronal differentiation by inducing neurite outgrowth and βIII-tubulin expression in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. In addition, we demonstrate that treatment with PD123319 (AT2 receptor antagonist) reverts Ang II or CGP42112A-induced differentiation. By using specific pharmacological inhibitors we established that neurite outgrowth induced by CGP42112A requires the activation of MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase), SphK (sphingosine kinase) and c-Src but not PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase). Certainly, CGP42112A stimulated a rapid and transient (30 s, 1 min) phosphorylation of c-Src at residue Y416 (indicative of activation), following by a Src deactivation as indicated by phosphorylation of Y527. Moreover, inhibition of the NGF receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) reduced neurite outgrowth induced by Ang II and CGP42112A. In summary, we demonstrated that AT2 receptor-stimulated neurite outgrowth in SH-SY5Y cells involves the induction of MEK, SphK and c-Src and suggests a possible transactivation of TrkA. In that regard, AT2 signaling pathway is a key player in neuronal differentiation and might be a potential target for therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga M. Blanco
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina
| | - Celia N. Perez
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas (IMIBIO-SL), CONICET, Argentina
| | - Claudia Banchio
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR, CONICET) Ocampo y Esmeralda, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), 2000 Rosario, Argentina
| | - Sergio E. Alvarez
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas (IMIBIO-SL), CONICET, Argentina
- Corresponding author. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas (IMIBIO-SL CONICET), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina.
| | - Gladys M. Ciuffo
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas (IMIBIO-SL), CONICET, Argentina
- Corresponding author. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas (IMIBIO-SL CONICET), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina.
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14
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Italia M, Wertheim KY, Taschner-Mandl S, Walker D, Dercole F. Mathematical Model of Clonal Evolution Proposes a Personalised Multi-Modal Therapy for High-Risk Neuroblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071986. [PMID: 37046647 PMCID: PMC10093626 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial solid tumour in children. Despite multi-modal therapy, over half of the high-risk patients will succumb. One contributing factor is the one-size-fits-all nature of multi-modal therapy. For example, during the first step (induction chemotherapy), the standard regimen (rapid COJEC) administers fixed doses of chemotherapeutic agents in eight two-week cycles. Perhaps because of differences in resistance, this standard regimen results in highly heterogeneous outcomes in different tumours. In this study, we formulated a mathematical model comprising ordinary differential equations. The equations describe the clonal evolution within a neuroblastoma tumour being treated with vincristine and cyclophosphamide, which are used in the rapid COJEC regimen, including genetically conferred and phenotypic drug resistance. The equations also describe the agents’ pharmacokinetics. We devised an optimisation algorithm to find the best chemotherapy schedules for tumours with different pre-treatment clonal compositions. The optimised chemotherapy schedules exploit the cytotoxic difference between the two drugs and intra-tumoural clonal competition to shrink the tumours as much as possible during induction chemotherapy and before surgical removal. They indicate that induction chemotherapy can be improved by finding and using personalised schedules. More broadly, we propose that the overall multi-modal therapy can be enhanced by employing targeted therapies against the mutations and oncogenic pathways enriched and activated by the chemotherapeutic agents. To translate the proposed personalised multi-modal therapy into clinical use, patient-specific model calibration and treatment optimisation are necessary. This entails a decision support system informed by emerging medical technologies such as multi-region sequencing and liquid biopsies. The results and tools presented in this paper could be the foundation of this decision support system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Italia
- Department of Electronic, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Kenneth Y. Wertheim
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Modelling, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK
- School of Computer Science, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | | | - Dawn Walker
- Insigneo Institute for in Silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Fabio Dercole
- Department of Electronic, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
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15
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Golkowski M, Lius A, Sapre T, Lau HT, Moreno T, Maly DJ, Ong SE. Multiplexed kinase interactome profiling quantifies cellular network activity and plasticity. Mol Cell 2023; 83:803-818.e8. [PMID: 36736316 PMCID: PMC10072906 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic changes in protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks underlie all physiological cellular functions and drive devastating human diseases. Profiling PPI networks can, therefore, provide critical insight into disease mechanisms and identify new drug targets. Kinases are regulatory nodes in many PPI networks; yet, facile methods to systematically study kinase interactome dynamics are lacking. We describe kinobead competition and correlation analysis (kiCCA), a quantitative mass spectrometry-based chemoproteomic method for rapid and highly multiplexed profiling of endogenous kinase interactomes. Using kiCCA, we identified 1,154 PPIs of 238 kinases across 18 diverse cancer lines, quantifying context-dependent kinase interactome changes linked to cancer type, plasticity, and signaling states, thereby assembling an extensive knowledgebase for cell signaling research. We discovered drug target candidates, including an endocytic adapter-associated kinase (AAK1) complex that promotes cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity and drug resistance. Our data demonstrate the importance of kinase interactome dynamics for cellular signaling in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Golkowski
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Andrea Lius
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tanmay Sapre
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Ho-Tak Lau
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Taylor Moreno
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dustin J Maly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Shao-En Ong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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16
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Schäfer P, Muhs S, Turnbull L, Garwal P, Maar H, Yorgan TA, Tolosa E, Lange T, Windhorst S. Ex Vivo Model of Neuroblastoma Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041274. [PMID: 36831616 PMCID: PMC9954615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor plasticity is essential for adaptation to changing environmental conditions, in particular during the process of metastasis. In this study, we compared morphological and biochemical differences between LAN-1 neuroblastoma (NB) cells recovered from a subcutaneous xenograft primary tumor (PT) and the corresponding three generations of bone metastasis (BM I-III). Moreover, growth behavior, as well as the response to chemotherapy and immune cells were assessed. For this purpose, F-actin was stained, mRNA and protein expression assessed, and lactate secretion analyzed. Further, we measured adhesion to collagen I, the growth rate of spheroids in the presence and absence of vincristine, and the production of IL-6 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) co-incubated with PT or BM I-III. Analysis of PT and the three BM generations revealed that their growth rate decreased from PT to BM III, and accordingly, PT cells reacted most sensitively to vincristine. In addition, morphology, adaption to hypoxic conditions, as well as transcriptomes showed strong differences between the cell lines. Moreover, BM I and BM II cells exhibited a significantly different ability to stimulate human immune cells compared to PT and BM III cells. Interestingly, the differences in immune cell stimulation corresponded to the expression level of the cancer-testis antigen MAGE-A3. In conclusion, our ex vivo model allows to analyze the adaption of tumor populations to different microenvironments and clearly demonstrates the strong alteration of tumor cell populations during this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Schäfer
- Department of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Muhs
- Department of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lucas Turnbull
- Department of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Palwasha Garwal
- Department of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Maar
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Timur A. Yorgan
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eva Tolosa
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Lange
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy I, Jena University Hospital, Teichgraben 7, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Sabine Windhorst
- Department of Biochemistry and Signal Transduction, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-40-7410-56013
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17
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Breedy S, Ratnayake W, Lajmi L, Hill R, Acevedo-Duncan M. 14-3-3 and Smad2/3 are crucial mediators of atypical-PKCs: Implications for neuroblastoma progression. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1051516. [PMID: 36776326 PMCID: PMC9910080 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1051516] [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: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a cancer that develops in the neuroblasts. It is the most common cancer in children under the age of 1 year, accounting for approximately 6% of all cancers. The prognosis of NB is linked to both age and degree of cell differentiation. This results in a range of survival rates for patients, with outcomes ranging from recurrence and mortality to high survival rates and tumor regression. Our previous work indicated that PKC-ι promotes cell proliferation in NB cells through the PKC-ι/Cdk7/Cdk2 cascade. We report on two atypical protein kinase inhibitors as potential therapeutic candidates against BE(2)-C and BE(2)-M17 cells: a PKC-ι-specific 5-amino-1-2,3-dihydroxy-4-(methylcyclopentyl)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide and a PKC-ζ specific 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonic acid. Both compounds induced apoptosis and retarded the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of NB cells. Proteins 14-3-3 and Smad2/3 acted as central regulators of aPKC-driven progression in BE(2)-C and BE(2)-M17 cells in relation to the Akt1/NF-κB and TGF-β pathways. Data indicates that aPKCs upregulate Akt1/NF-κB and TGF-β pathways in NB cells through an association with 14-3-3 and Smad2/3 that can be diminished by aPKC inhibitors. In summary, both inhibitors appear to be promising potential neuroblastoma therapeutics and merit further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Breedy
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - W.S. Ratnayake
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - L. Lajmi
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - R. Hill
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - M. Acevedo-Duncan
- Department of Chemistry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
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18
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Apfelbaum AA, Wu F, Hawkins AG, Magnuson B, Jiménez JA, Taylor SD, Wrenn ED, Waltner O, Pfaltzgraff ER, Song JY, Hall C, Wellik DM, Ljungman M, Furlan SN, Ryan RJ, Sarthy JF, Lawlor ER. EWS::FLI1 and HOXD13 Control Tumor Cell Plasticity in Ewing Sarcoma. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4466-4478. [PMID: 35653119 PMCID: PMC9588607 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Propagation of Ewing sarcoma requires precise regulation of EWS::FLI1 transcriptional activity. Determining the mechanisms of fusion regulation will advance our understanding of tumor progression. Here we investigated whether HOXD13, a developmental transcription factor that promotes Ewing sarcoma metastatic phenotypes, influences EWS::FLI1 transcriptional activity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Existing tumor and cell line datasets were used to define EWS::FLI1 binding sites and transcriptional targets. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and CRISPR interference were employed to identify enhancers. CUT&RUN and RNA sequencing defined binding sites and transcriptional targets of HOXD13. Transcriptional states were investigated using bulk and single-cell transcriptomic data from cell lines, patient-derived xenografts, and patient tumors. Mesenchymal phenotypes were assessed by gene set enrichment, flow cytometry, and migration assays. RESULTS We found that EWS::FLI1 creates a de novo GGAA microsatellite enhancer in a developmentally conserved regulatory region of the HOXD locus. Knockdown of HOXD13 led to widespread changes in expression of developmental gene programs and EWS::FLI1 targets. HOXD13 binding was enriched at established EWS::FLI1 binding sites where it influenced expression of EWS::FLI1-activated genes. More strikingly, HOXD13 bound and activated EWS::FLI1-repressed genes, leading to adoption of mesenchymal and migratory cell states that are normally suppressed by the fusion. Single-cell analysis confirmed that direct transcriptional antagonism between HOXD13-mediated gene activation and EWS::FLI1-dependent gene repression defines the state of Ewing sarcoma cells along a mesenchymal axis. CONCLUSIONS Ewing sarcoma tumors are comprised of tumor cells that exist along a mesenchymal transcriptional continuum. The identity of cells along this continuum is, in large part, determined by the competing activities of EWS::FLI1 and HOXD13. See related commentary by Weiss and Bailey, p. 4360.
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Affiliation(s)
- April A. Apfelbaum
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA,Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Feinan Wu
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Allegra G. Hawkins
- Childhood Cancer Data Lab Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brian Magnuson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Jennifer A. Jiménez
- Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Sean D. Taylor
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Emma D. Wrenn
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Olivia Waltner
- Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | | | - Jane Y. Song
- Immunology Discovery, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Cody Hall
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Deneen M. Wellik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705
| | - Mats Ljungman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Scott N. Furlan
- Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Russell J.H. Ryan
- Immunology Discovery, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jay F. Sarthy
- Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. Lawlor
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.,Correspondence: Elizabeth R. Lawlor MD, PhD, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Olive Lab, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 100 Seattle, WA 98101,
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19
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Martín D, Bocio-Nuñez J, Scagliusi SF, Pérez P, Huertas G, Yúfera A, Giner M, Daza P. DC electrical stimulation enhances proliferation and differentiation on N2a and MC3T3 cell lines. J Biol Eng 2022; 16:27. [PMID: 36229846 PMCID: PMC9563743 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-022-00306-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Electrical stimulation is a novel tool to promote the differentiation and proliferation of precursor cells. In this work we have studied the effects of direct current (DC) electrical stimulation on neuroblastoma (N2a) and osteoblast (MC3T3) cell lines as a model for nervous and bone tissue regeneration, respectively. We have developed the electronics and encapsulation of a proposed stimulation system and designed a setup and protocol to stimulate cell cultures. Methods Cell cultures were subjected to several assays to assess the effects of electrical stimulation on them. N2a cells were analyzed using microscope images and an inmunofluorescence assay, differentiated cells were counted and neurites were measured. MC3T3 cells were subjected to an AlamarBlue assay for viability, ALP activity was measured, and a real time PCR was carried out. Results Our results show that electrically stimulated cells had more tendency to differentiate in both cell lines when compared to non-stimulated cultures, paired with a promotion of neurite growth and polarization in N2a cells and an increase in proliferation in MC3T3 cell line. Conclusions These results prove the effectiveness of electrical stimulation as a tool for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, both for neural and bone injuries. Bone progenitor cells submitted to electrical stimulation have a higher tendency to differentiate and proliferate, filling the gaps present in injuries. On the other hand, neuronal progenitor cells differentiate, and their neurites can be polarized to follow the electric field applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Martín
- Electronics Technology Department, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain. .,Microelectronics Institute of Seville, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
| | - J Bocio-Nuñez
- Bone Metabolism Unit, UGC Medicina Interna, HUV Macarena, Seville, Spain
| | - Santiago F Scagliusi
- Electronics Technology Department, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Microelectronics Institute of Seville, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Pablo Pérez
- Electronics Technology Department, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Microelectronics Institute of Seville, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Gloria Huertas
- Microelectronics Institute of Seville, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Electronics and Electromagnetism Department, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Alberto Yúfera
- Electronics Technology Department, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.,Microelectronics Institute of Seville, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Mercè Giner
- Departamento de Citologia e Histologia Normal y Patologica, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Paula Daza
- Cell Biology Department, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
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20
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Nino N, Ishida T, Nakatani N, Lin KS, Win KHN, Mon CY, Nishimura A, Inoue S, Tamura A, Yamamoto N, Uemura S, Saito A, Mori T, Hasegawa D, Kosaka Y, Nozu K, Nishimura N. Minimal residual disease detected by droplet digital PCR in peripheral blood stem cell grafts has a prognostic impact on high-risk neuroblastoma patients. Heliyon 2022; 8:e10978. [PMID: 36276741 PMCID: PMC9578974 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
More than half of high-risk neuroblastoma (NB) patients have experienced relapse due to the activation of chemoresistant minimal residual disease (MRD) even though they are treated by high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. Although MRD in high-risk NB patients can be evaluated by quantitative PCR with several sets of neuroblastoma-associated mRNAs (NB-mRNAs), the prognostic significance of MRD in PBSC grafts (PBSC-MRD) is unclear. In the present study, we collected 20 PBSC grafts from 20 high-risk NB patients and evaluated PBSC-MRD detected by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) with 7NB-mRNAs (CRMP1, DBH, DDC, GAP43, ISL1, PHOX2B, and TH mRNA). PBSC-MRD in 11 relapsed patients was significantly higher than that in 9 non-relapsed patients. Patients with a higher PBSC-MRD had a lower 3-year event-free survival (P = 0.0148). The present study suggests that PBSC-MRD detected by ddPCR with 7NB-mRNAs has a prognostic impact on high-risk NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanako Nino
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Ishida
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Naoko Nakatani
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kyaw San Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kaung Htet Nay Win
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Science, Kobe, Japan
| | - Cho Yee Mon
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Science, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akihiro Nishimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Shotaro Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Suguru Uemura
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Atsuro Saito
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takeshi Mori
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Daiichiro Hasegawa
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Kosaka
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kobe Children's Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kandai Nozu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nishimura
- Department of Public Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Science, Kobe, Japan,Corresponding author.
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21
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Single-cell profiling of peripheral neuroblastic tumors identifies an aggressive transitional state that bridges an adrenergic-mesenchymal trajectory. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111455. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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22
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Gomez RL, Ibragimova S, Ramachandran R, Philpott A, Ali FR. Tumoral heterogeneity in neuroblastoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188805. [PMID: 36162542 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188805] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a solid, neuroendocrine tumor with divergent clinical behavior ranging from asymptomatic to fatal. The diverse clinical presentations of neuroblastoma are directly linked to the high intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity it presents. This heterogeneity is strongly associated with therapeutic resistance and continuous relapses, often leading to fatal outcomes. The development of successful risk assessment and tailored treatment strategies lies in evaluating the extent of heterogeneity via the accurate genetic and epigenetic profiling of distinct cell subpopulations present in the tumor. Recent studies have focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive tumoral heterogeneity in pursuing better therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. This review describes the cellular, genetic, and epigenetic aspects of neuroblastoma heterogeneity. In addition, we summarize the recent findings on three crucial factors that can lead to heterogeneity in solid tumors: the inherent diversity of the progenitor cells, the presence of cancer stem cells, and the influence of the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshna Lawrence Gomez
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shakhzada Ibragimova
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Revathy Ramachandran
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anna Philpott
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Center, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fahad R Ali
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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23
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Khazeem MM, Casement JW, Schlossmacher G, Kenneth NS, Sumbung NK, Chan JYT, McGow JF, Cowell IG, Austin CA. TOP2B Is Required to Maintain the Adrenergic Neural Phenotype and for ATRA-Induced Differentiation of SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5987-6008. [PMID: 35831557 PMCID: PMC9463316 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02949-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y is widely used to study retinoic acid (RA)-induced gene expression and differentiation and as a tool to study neurodegenerative disorders. SH-SY5Y cells predominantly exhibit adrenergic neuronal properties, but they can also exist in an epigenetically interconvertible alternative state with more mesenchymal characteristics; as a result, these cells can be used to study gene regulation circuitry controlling neuroblastoma phenotype. Using a combination of pharmacological inhibition and targeted gene inactivation, we have probed the requirement for DNA topoisomerase IIB (TOP2B) in RA-induced gene expression and differentiation and in the balance between adrenergic neuronal versus mesenchymal transcription programmes. We found that expression of many, but not all genes that are rapidly induced by ATRA in SH-SY5Y cells was significantly reduced in the TOP2B null cells; these genes include BCL2, CYP26A1, CRABP2, and NTRK2. Comparing gene expression profiles in wild-type versus TOP2B null cells, we found that long genes and genes expressed at a high level in WT SH-SY5Y cells were disproportionately dependent on TOP2B. Notably, TOP2B null SH-SY5Y cells upregulated mesenchymal markers vimentin (VIM) and fibronectin (FN1) and components of the NOTCH signalling pathway. Enrichment analysis and comparison with the transcription profiles of other neuroblastoma-derived cell lines supported the conclusion that TOP2B is required to fully maintain the adrenergic neural-like transcriptional signature of SH-SY5Y cells and to suppress the alternative mesenchymal epithelial-like epigenetic state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mushtaq M Khazeem
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.,National Center of Hematology, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - John W Casement
- Bioinformatics Support Unit, The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - George Schlossmacher
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Niall S Kenneth
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.,Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Nielda K Sumbung
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Janice Yuen Tung Chan
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Jade F McGow
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Ian G Cowell
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
| | - Caroline A Austin
- The Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
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PRMT5 activates AKT via methylation to promote tumor metastasis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3955. [PMID: 35803962 PMCID: PMC9270419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31645-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is the primary methyltransferase generating symmetric-dimethyl-arginine marks on histone and non-histone proteins. PRMT5 dysregulation is implicated in multiple oncogenic processes. Here, we report that PRMT5-mediated methylation of protein kinase B (AKT) is required for its subsequent phosphorylation at Thr308 and Ser473. Moreover, pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of PRMT5 abolishes AKT1 arginine 15 methylation, thereby preventing AKT1 translocation to the plasma membrane and subsequent recruitment of its upstream activating kinases PDK1 and mTOR2. We show that PRMT5/AKT signaling controls the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal-transition transcription factors ZEB1, SNAIL, and TWIST1. PRMT5 inhibition significantly attenuates primary tumor growth and broadly blocks metastasis in multiple organs in xenograft tumor models of high-risk neuroblastoma. Collectively, our results suggest that PRMT5 inhibition augments anti-AKT or other downstream targeted therapeutics in high-risk metastatic cancers.
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Abstract
Purpose of Review The evolving information of the initiation, tumor cell heterogeneity, and plasticity of childhood neuroblastoma has opened up new perspectives for developing therapies based on detailed knowledge of the disease. Recent Findings The cellular origin of neuroblastoma has begun to unravel and there have been several reports on tumor cell heterogeneity based on transcriptional core regulatory circuitries that have given us important information on the biology of neuroblastoma as a developmental disease. This together with new insight of the tumor microenvironment which acts as a support for neuroblastoma growth has given us the prospect for designing better treatment approaches for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Here, we discuss these new discoveries and highlight some emerging therapeutic options. Summary Neuroblastoma is a disease with multiple facets. Detailed biological and molecular knowledge on neuroblastoma initiation, heterogeneity, and the communications between cells in the tumor microenvironment holds promise for better therapies.
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Ponzoni M, Bachetti T, Corrias MV, Brignole C, Pastorino F, Calarco E, Bensa V, Giusto E, Ceccherini I, Perri P. Recent advances in the developmental origin of neuroblastoma: an overview. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:92. [PMID: 35277192 PMCID: PMC8915499 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02281-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric tumor that originates from neural crest-derived cells undergoing a defective differentiation due to genomic and epigenetic impairments. Therefore, NB may arise at any final site reached by migrating neural crest cells (NCCs) and their progeny, preferentially in the adrenal medulla or in the para-spinal ganglia. NB shows a remarkable genetic heterogeneity including several chromosome/gene alterations and deregulated expression of key oncogenes that drive tumor initiation and promote disease progression. NB substantially contributes to childhood cancer mortality, with a survival rate of only 40% for high-risk patients suffering chemo-resistant relapse. Hence, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology and the need of designing new therapies targeted to specific genetic/epigenetic alterations become imperative to improve the outcome of high-risk NB patients with refractory disease or chemo-resistant relapse. In this review, we give a broad overview of the latest advances that have unraveled the developmental origin of NB and its complex epigenetic landscape. Single-cell RNA sequencing with spatial transcriptomics and lineage tracing have identified the NCC progeny involved in normal development and in NB oncogenesis, revealing that adrenal NB cells transcriptionally resemble immature neuroblasts or their closest progenitors. The comparison of adrenal NB cells from patients classified into risk subgroups with normal sympatho-adrenal cells has highlighted that tumor phenotype severity correlates with neuroblast differentiation grade. Transcriptional profiling of NB tumors has identified two cell identities that represent divergent differentiation states, i.e. undifferentiated mesenchymal (MES) and committed adrenergic (ADRN), able to interconvert by epigenetic reprogramming and to confer intra-tumoral heterogeneity and high plasticity to NB. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing has disclosed the existence of two super-enhancers and their associated transcription factor networks underlying MES and ADRN identities and controlling NB gene expression programs. The discovery of NB-specific regulatory circuitries driving oncogenic transformation and maintaining the malignant state opens new perspectives on the design of innovative therapies targeted to the genetic and epigenetic determinants of NB. Remodeling the disrupted regulatory networks from a dysregulated expression, which blocks differentiation and enhances proliferation, toward a controlled expression that prompts the most differentiated state may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for NB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Ponzoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Bachetti
- U.O. Proteomica e Spettrometria di Massa, IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Valeria Corrias
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brignole
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Pastorino
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enzo Calarco
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Veronica Bensa
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Giusto
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Ceccherini
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Rare Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perri
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies in Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy.
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Single-cell transcriptomics of neuroblastoma identifies chemoresistance-associated genes and pathways. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4437-4445. [PMID: 36051886 PMCID: PMC9418686 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
High-Risk neuroblastoma (NB) survival rate is still <50%, despite treatments being more and more aggressive. The biggest hurdle liable to cancer therapy failure is the drug resistance by tumor cells that is likely due to the intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH). To investigate the link between ITH and therapy resistance in NB, we performed a single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of etoposide and cisplatin resistant NB and their parental cells. Our analysis showed a clear separation of resistant and parental cells for both conditions by identifying 8 distinct tumor clusters in etoposide-resistant/parental and 7 in cisplatin-resistant/parental cells. We discovered that drug resistance can affect NB cell identities; highlighting the bi-directional ability of adrenergic-to-mesenchymal transition of NB cells. The biological processes driving the identified resistant cell subpopulations revealed genes such as (BARD1, BRCA1, PARP1, HISTH1 axis, members of RPL family), suggesting a potential drug resistance due to the acquisition of DNA repair mechanisms and to the modification of the drug targets. Deconvolution analysis of bulk RNAseq data from 498 tumors with cell subpopulation signatures showed that the transcriptional heterogeneity of our cellular models reflected the ITH of NB tumors and allowed the identification of clusters associated with worse/better survival. Our study demonstrates the distinct cell populations characterized by genes involved in different biological processes can have a role in NB drug treatment failure. These findings evidence the importance of ITH in NB drug resistance studies and the chance that scRNA-seq analysis offers in the identification of genes and pathways liable for drug resistance.
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