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Zeng P, Shu LZ, Zhou YH, Huang HL, Wei SH, Liu WJ, Deng H. Stem Cell Division and Its Critical Role in Mammary Gland Development and Tumorigenesis: Current Progress and Remaining Challenges. Stem Cells Dev 2024. [PMID: 38943275 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2024.0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The origin of breast cancer (BC) has traditionally been a focus of medical research. It is widely acknowledged that BC originates from immortal mammary stem cells and that these stem cells participate in two division modes: symmetric cell division (SCD) and asymmetrical cell division (ACD). Although both of these modes are key to the process of breast development and their imbalance is closely associated with the onset of BC, the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena deserve in-depth exploration. In this review, we first outline the molecular mechanisms governing ACD/SCD and analyze the role of ACD/SCD in various stages of breast development. We describe that the changes in telomerase activity, the role of polar proteins, and the stimulation of ovarian hormones subsequently lead to two distinct consequences: breast development or carcinogenesis. Finally, gene mutations, abnormalities in polar proteins, modulation of signal-transduction pathways, and alterations in the microenvironment disrupt the balance of BC stem cell division modes and cause BC. Important regulatory factors such as mammalian Inscuteable mInsc, Numb, Eya1, PKCα, PKCθ, p53, and IL-6 also play significant roles in regulating pathways of ACD/SCD and may constitute key targets for future research on stem cell division, breast development, and tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zeng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin-Zhen Shu
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yu-Hong Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Hai-Lin Huang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Shu-Hua Wei
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen-Jian Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jiangxi Armed Police Corps Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Huan Deng
- Affiliated Rehabilitation Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Tumor Immunology Institute, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Zou Z, Luo T, Wang X, Wang B, Li Q. Exploring the interplay between triple-negative breast cancer stem cells and tumor microenvironment for effective therapeutic strategies. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31278. [PMID: 38807378 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive and metastatic malignancy with poor treatment outcomes. The interaction between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) plays an important role in the development of TNBC. Owing to their ability of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation, BCSCs maintain tumor growth, drive metastatic colonization, and facilitate the development of drug resistance. TME is the main factor regulating the phenotype and metastasis of BCSCs. Immune cells, cancer-related fibroblasts (CAFs), cytokines, mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, and extracellular matrix within the TME form a complex communication network, exert highly selective pressure on the tumor, and provide a conducive environment for the formation of BCSC niches. Tumor growth and metastasis can be controlled by targeting the TME to eliminate BCSC niches or targeting BCSCs to modify the TME. These approaches may improve the treatment outcomes and possess great application potential in clinical settings. In this review, we summarized the relationship between BCSCs and the progression and drug resistance of TNBC, especially focusing on the interaction between BCSCs and TME. In addition, we discussed therapeutic strategies that target the TME to inhibit or eliminate BCSCs, providing valuable insights into the clinical treatment of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoling Zou
- Queen Mary College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Tinglan Luo
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical College of Chongqing Medicine University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh People's Hospital of Chongqing (Affiliated Central Hospital of Chongqing University of Technology), Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Zhu S, Liu B, Fu G, Yang L, Wei D, Zhang L, Zhang Q, Gao Y, Sun D, Wei W. PKC-θ is an important driver of fluoride-induced immune imbalance of regulatory T cells/effector T cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173081. [PMID: 38754514 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Fluoride is unnecessary in the human body. Long-term fluoride exposure may lead to immune system abnormalities. However, the mechanism remains unclear. This study aim to explore the mechanism of fluoride interference in the immune system and also identify the key indicators of fluoride-induced immune damage. Questionnaires were used to collect basic information. Multiple linear analyses and other statistical methods were used in order to process the data. Flow cytometry was used to detect relevant immunomarkers and analyze immune damage. Simultaneously, Wistar rats and cell models exposed to fluoride were established to detect the effects of fluoride on immune homeostasis. The results showed that sex, residence time, smoking, and Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may indirectly influence fluoride-induced immune damage. In residents of fluoride-exposed areas, there was a significant decrease in CD3+ T lymphocytes and CD4+ and CD8+ cells and a downward trend in the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio. CD4+CD8+/CD4+, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and Tregs/effector T cells (Teffs) ratios showed opposite changes. Fluoride inhibits T cell activation by inhibiting the expression and phosphorylation of Protein Kinase C-θ (PKC-θ), hinders the internalization of T cell receptors, and affects NF-kB and c-Jun protein expression, leading to homeostatic Treg/Teff imbalance in vivo and in vitro experiments. This study represents the first evidence suggesting that PKC-θ may be the key to immune imbalance in the body under fluoride exposure. It is possible that Tregs/Teffs cell ratio provide a reference point for the diagnosis and treatment of fluoride-induced immune damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Zhu
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Bingshu Liu
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Guiyu Fu
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Dan Wei
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China; Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Lab of Trace Elements and Human Health Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yanhui Gao
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China; Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Lab of Trace Elements and Human Health Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Dianjun Sun
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China; Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Lab of Trace Elements and Human Health Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China; Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Heilongjiang Province & Ministry of Health (23618504), Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Lab of Trace Elements and Human Health Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
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Zerihun M, Rubin SJS, Silnitsky S, Qvit N. An Update on Protein Kinases as Therapeutic Targets-Part II: Peptides as Allosteric Protein Kinase C Modulators Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17504. [PMID: 38139336 PMCID: PMC10743673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human protein kinases are highly-sought-after drug targets, historically harnessed for treating cancer, cardiovascular disease, and an increasing number of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Most current treatments involve small molecule protein kinase inhibitors that interact orthosterically with the protein kinase ATP-binding pocket. As a result, these compounds are often poorly selective and highly toxic. Part I of this series reviews the role of PKC isoforms in various human diseases, featuring cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as translational examples of PKC modulation applied to human health and disease. In the present Part II, we discuss alternative allosteric binding mechanisms for targeting PKC, as well as novel drug platforms, such as modified peptides. A major goal is to design protein kinase modulators with enhanced selectivity and improved pharmacological properties. To this end, we use molecular docking analysis to predict the mechanisms of action for inhibitor-kinase interactions that can facilitate the development of next-generation PKC modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulate Zerihun
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Henrietta Szold St. 8, P.O. Box 1589, Safed 1311502, Israel; (M.Z.); (S.S.)
| | - Samuel J. S. Rubin
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Shmuel Silnitsky
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Henrietta Szold St. 8, P.O. Box 1589, Safed 1311502, Israel; (M.Z.); (S.S.)
| | - Nir Qvit
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar-Ilan University, Henrietta Szold St. 8, P.O. Box 1589, Safed 1311502, Israel; (M.Z.); (S.S.)
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Aquino A, Bianchi N, Terrazzan A, Franzese O. Protein Kinase C at the Crossroad of Mutations, Cancer, Targeted Therapy and Immune Response. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1047. [PMID: 37626933 PMCID: PMC10451643 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The frequent PKC dysregulations observed in many tumors have made these enzymes natural targets for anticancer applications. Nevertheless, this considerable interest in the development of PKC modulators has not led to the expected therapeutic benefits, likely due to the complex biological activities regulated by PKC isoenzymes, often playing ambiguous and protective functions, further driven by the occurrence of mutations. The structure, regulation and functions of PKCs have been extensively covered in other publications. Herein, we focused on PKC alterations mostly associated with complete functional loss. We also addressed the modest yet encouraging results obtained targeting PKC in selected malignancies and the more frequent negative clinical outcomes. The reported observations advocate the need for more selective molecules and a better understanding of the involved pathways. Furthermore, we underlined the most relevant immune mechanisms controlled by PKC isoforms potentially impacting the immune checkpoint inhibitor blockade-mediated immune recovery. We believe that a comprehensive examination of the molecular features of the tumor microenvironment might improve clinical outcomes by tailoring PKC modulation. This approach can be further supported by the identification of potential response biomarkers, which may indicate patients who may benefit from the manipulation of distinctive PKC isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Aquino
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Nicoletta Bianchi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.B.); (A.T.)
| | - Anna Terrazzan
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (N.B.); (A.T.)
- Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies (LTTA), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ornella Franzese
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy;
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Kawano T, Inokuchi J, Eto M, Murata M, Kang JH. Protein Kinase C (PKC) Isozymes as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5425. [PMID: 36358843 PMCID: PMC9658272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase C (PKC) is a large family of calcium- and phospholipid-dependent serine/threonine kinases that consists of at least 11 isozymes. Based on their structural characteristics and mode of activation, the PKC family is classified into three subfamilies: conventional or classic (cPKCs; α, βI, βII, and γ), novel or non-classic (nPKCs; δ, ε, η, and θ), and atypical (aPKCs; ζ, ι, and λ) (PKCλ is the mouse homolog of PKCι) PKC isozymes. PKC isozymes play important roles in proliferation, differentiation, survival, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and anticancer drug resistance in cancer cells. Several studies have shown a positive relationship between PKC isozymes and poor disease-free survival, poor survival following anticancer drug treatment, and increased recurrence. Furthermore, a higher level of PKC activation has been reported in cancer tissues compared to that in normal tissues. These data suggest that PKC isozymes represent potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge and discusses the potential of PKC isozymes as biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Kawano
- Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Junichi Inokuchi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Eto
- Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masaharu Murata
- Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Jeong-Hun Kang
- Division of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 6-1 Shinmachi, Kishibe, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
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