1
|
Lei Y, Xu J, Xiao M, Wu D, Xu H, Yang J, Mao X, Pan H, Yu X, Shi S. Pirfenidone alleviates fibrosis by acting on tumour-stroma interplay in pancreatic cancer. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1505-1516. [PMID: 38454166 PMCID: PMC11058874 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02631-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a malignancy with a 5-year survival rate of 12%. The abundant mesenchyme is partly responsible for the malignancy. The antifibrotic therapies have gained attention in recent research. However, the role of pirfenidone, an FDA-approved drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, remains unclear in PDAC. METHODS Data from RNA-seq of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models treated with pirfenidone were integrated using bioinformatics tools to identify the target of cell types and genes. Using confocal microscopy, qRT-PCR and western blotting, we validated the signalling pathway in tumour cells to regulate the cytokine secretion. Further cocultured system demonstrated the interplay to regulate stroma fibrosis. Finally, mouse models demonstrated the potential of pirfenidone in PDAC. RESULTS Pirfenidone can remodulate multiple biological pathways, and exerts an antifibrotic effect through inhibiting the secretion of PDGF-bb from tumour cells by downregulating the TGM2/NF-kB/PDGFB pathway. Thus, leading to a subsequent reduction in collagen X and fibronectin secreted by CAFs. Moreover, the mice orthotopic pancreatic tumour models demonstrated the antifibrotic effect and potential to sensitise gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS Pirfenidone may alter the pancreatic milieu and alleviate fibrosis through the regulation of tumour-stroma interactions via the TGM2/NF-kB/PDGFB signalling pathway, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits in PDAC management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Lei
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingming Xiao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - He Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoqi Mao
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haoqi Pan
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zaltron E, Vianello F, Ruzza A, Palazzo A, Brillo V, Celotti I, Scavezzon M, Rossin F, Leanza L, Severin F. The Role of Transglutaminase 2 in Cancer: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2797. [PMID: 38474044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) is the most ubiquitously expressed and well characterized member of the transglutaminase family. It is a ubiquitous multifunctional enzyme implicated in the regulation of several cellular pathways that support the survival, death, and general homeostasis of eukaryotic cells. Due to its multiple localizations both inside and outside the cell, TG2 participates in the regulation of many crucial intracellular signaling cascades in a tissue- and cell-specific manner, making this enzyme an important player in disease development and progression. Moreover, TG2 is capable of modulating the tumor microenvironment, a process of dynamic tissue remodeling and biomechanical events, resulting in changes which influence tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. Even if generally related to the Ca2+-dependent post-translational modification of proteins, a number of different biological functions have been ascribed to TG2, like those of a peptide isomerase, protein kinase, guanine nucleotide binder, and cytosolic-nuclear translocator. With respect to cancer, TG2's role is controversial and highly debated; it has been described both as an anti- and pro-apoptotic factor and is linked to all the processes of tumorigenesis. However, numerous pieces of evidence support a tissue-specific role of TG2 so that it can assume both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive roles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessia Ruzza
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Alberta Palazzo
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Celotti
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | | | - Federica Rossin
- Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Leanza
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Severin
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
de Luna FCF, Ferreira WAS, Casseb SMM, de Oliveira EHC. Anticancer Potential of Flavonoids: An Overview with an Emphasis on Tangeretin. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1229. [PMID: 37765037 PMCID: PMC10537037 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091229] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural compounds with pharmacological activity, flavonoids have been the subject of an exponential increase in studies in the field of scientific research focused on therapeutic purposes due to their bioactive properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antibacterial, antiviral, neuroprotective, radioprotective, and antitumor activities. The biological potential of flavonoids, added to their bioavailability, cost-effectiveness, and minimal side effects, direct them as promising cytotoxic anticancer compounds in the optimization of therapies and the search for new drugs in the treatment of cancer, since some extensively antineoplastic therapeutic approaches have become less effective due to tumor resistance to drugs commonly used in chemotherapy. In this review, we emphasize the antitumor properties of tangeretin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits that has shown activity against some hallmarks of cancer in several types of cancerous cell lines, such as antiproliferative, apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastatic, anti-angiogenic, antioxidant, regulatory expression of tumor-suppressor genes, and epigenetic modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Canindé Ferreira de Luna
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SEAMB), Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC), BR 316, KM 7, s/n, Levilândia, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil; (W.A.S.F.); (E.H.C.d.O.)
| | - Wallax Augusto Silva Ferreira
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SEAMB), Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC), BR 316, KM 7, s/n, Levilândia, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil; (W.A.S.F.); (E.H.C.d.O.)
| | | | - Edivaldo Herculano Correa de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cytogenomics and Environmental Mutagenesis, Environment Section (SEAMB), Evandro Chagas Institute (IEC), BR 316, KM 7, s/n, Levilândia, Ananindeua 67030-000, Brazil; (W.A.S.F.); (E.H.C.d.O.)
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Exact and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Rua Augusto Correa, 01, Belém 66075-990, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Huerta M, Franco-Serrano L, Amela I, Perez-Pons JA, Piñol J, Mozo-Villarías A, Querol E, Cedano J. Role of Moonlighting Proteins in Disease: Analyzing the Contribution of Canonical and Moonlighting Functions in Disease Progression. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020235. [PMID: 36672169 PMCID: PMC9857295 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The term moonlighting proteins refers to those proteins that present alternative functions performed by a single polypeptide chain acquired throughout evolution (called canonical and moonlighting, respectively). Over 78% of moonlighting proteins are involved in human diseases, 48% are targeted by current drugs, and over 25% of them are involved in the virulence of pathogenic microorganisms. These facts encouraged us to study the link between the functions of moonlighting proteins and disease. We found a large number of moonlighting functions activated by pathological conditions that are highly involved in disease development and progression. The factors that activate some moonlighting functions take place only in pathological conditions, such as specific cellular translocations or changes in protein structure. Some moonlighting functions are involved in disease promotion while others are involved in curbing it. The disease-impairing moonlighting functions attempt to restore the homeostasis, or to reduce the damage linked to the imbalance caused by the disease. The disease-promoting moonlighting functions primarily involve the immune system, mesenchyme cross-talk, or excessive tissue proliferation. We often find moonlighting functions linked to the canonical function in a pathological context. Moonlighting functions are especially coordinated in inflammation and cancer. Wound healing and epithelial to mesenchymal transition are very representative. They involve multiple moonlighting proteins with a different role in each phase of the process, contributing to the current-phase phenotype or promoting a phase switch, mitigating the damage or intensifying the remodeling. All of this implies a new level of complexity in the study of pathology genesis, progression, and treatment. The specific protein function involved in a patient's progress or that is affected by a drug must be elucidated for the correct treatment of diseases.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ackermann U, Jäger L, Rigopoulos A, Burvenich IJG, O'Keefe GJ, Scott AM. 18F-labeling and initial in vivo evaluation of a Hitomi peptide for imaging tissue transglutaminase 2. Nucl Med Biol 2023; 116-117:108308. [PMID: 36502585 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a calcium-dependent enzyme which cross-links proteins. It is overexpressed in many diseases and plays a key role in tissue remodeling, including cell adhesion and migration. Overexpression of TG2 in breast cancer is a marker for patients at risk of recurrence. Non-invasive imaging of TG2 can therefore play an important role in patient management. TG2 probes labeled with the positron emitters 11C and 18F have thus far not found widespread application due to purity and metabolism issues. Our approach was to radiolabel a TG2 selective, 13-mer amino acid peptide, which was modified with a 5-azidopentanoic acid group at the N-terminus via a copper free click chemistry approach. METHODS Radiochemistry was performed and fully automated using an iPhase FlexLab module. We produced the radiolabeling synthon [18F]FBz-DBCO from [18F]SFB and DBCO-amine. After HPLC purification, [18F]FBz-DBCO was reacted with the modified peptide and the putative radiotracer purified by HPLC. In vivo imaging using the radiolabeled amine was performed in mice bearing either TG2 expressing MDA-MB-231 or non-TG2 expressing MCF-7 xenografts as negative control. Expression of the target was confirmed using immunohistochemistry and western blot techniques. RESULTS We obtained 9 ± 2 GBq of the radiolabeled peptide from 55 ± 5 GBq of fluorine-18 in an overall synthesis time of 160 min from end of bombardment (EOB), including HPLC purification and reformulation. Small animal PET/MR imaging showed that visualization of MDA-MB-231 tumors using the radiolabeled peptide could only be achieved due to differences in clearance between tumor and surrounding tissue. In the MCF-7 xenograft model, radiotracer clearance from tumor and surrounding tissue occurred at a similar rate, thus making it impossible to visualize MCF-7 tumors. The presence of TG2 in MDA-MB-231 tumors and absence in MCF-7 tumors was confirmed by immunohistochemistry staining and western blot analysis. CONCLUSION A fully automated synthesis of a TG2 selective, 13-amino-acid peptide modified with 5-azido pentynoic acid at the N-terminal was established using [18F]FBzDBCO as a prosthetic group. Although our results show that radiolabeled peptides have potential as imaging agents for TG2, more research needs to be performed to improve radiotracer kinetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Ackermann
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Luise Jäger
- Faculty of Medicine, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Graeme Joseph O'Keefe
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew M Scott
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Li X, Liu H, Dun MD, Faulkner S, Liu X, Jiang CC, Hondermarck H. Proteome and secretome analysis of pancreatic cancer cells. Proteomics 2022; 22:e2100320. [PMID: 35388624 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202100320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignancy and no screening biomarker or targeted therapy is currently available. Here, we performed a shotgun proteomic label-free quantification (LFQ) to define protein changes in the cellular proteome and secretome of four pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC1, Paca44, Paca2, and BXPC3) versus normal human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells (HPDE). In the cellular proteome and secretome, 149 and 43 proteins were dysregulated in the most cancer cell lines, respectively. Using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), the most dysregulated signaling pathways in pancreatic cancer cells included the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), and the deactivation of type-I interferon (IFN) pathways, which could promote cancer cell progression and decrease antitumor immunity. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mass spectrometry was used to confirm the changes of seven regulated proteins quantified by LFQ: EGFR, growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), protein-glutamine gamma-glutamyltransferase 2 (TGM2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interferon-induced GTP-binding protein Mx1 (MX1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), and serpin B5 (SERPINB5). Together, this proteomic analysis highlights protein changes associated with pancreatic cancer cells that should be further investigated as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Laboratory Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, P.R. China
| | - Matthew D Dun
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Sam Faulkner
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Chen Chen Jiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hubert Hondermarck
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Malkomes P, Lunger I, Oppermann E, Abou-El-Ardat K, Oellerich T, Günther S, Canbulat C, Bothur S, Schnütgen F, Yu W, Wingert S, Haetscher N, Catapano C, Dietz MS, Heilemann M, Kvasnicka HM, Holzer K, Serve H, Bechstein WO, Rieger MA. Transglutaminase 2 promotes tumorigenicity of colon cancer cells by inactivation of the tumor suppressor p53. Oncogene 2021; 40:4352-4367. [PMID: 34103685 PMCID: PMC8225513 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01847-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite a high clinical need for the treatment of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, targeted therapies are still limited. The multifunctional enzyme Transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), which harbors transamidation and GTPase activity, has been implicated in the development and progression of different types of human cancers. However, the mechanism and role of TGM2 in colorectal cancer are poorly understood. Here, we present TGM2 as a promising drug target.In primary patient material of CRC patients, we detected an increased expression and enzymatic activity of TGM2 in colon cancer tissue in comparison to matched normal colon mucosa cells. The genetic ablation of TGM2 in CRC cell lines using shRNAs or CRISPR/Cas9 inhibited cell expansion and tumorsphere formation. In vivo, tumor initiation and growth were reduced upon genetic knockdown of TGM2 in xenotransplantations. TGM2 ablation led to the induction of Caspase-3-driven apoptosis in CRC cells. Functional rescue experiments with TGM2 variants revealed that the transamidation activity is critical for the pro-survival function of TGM2. Transcriptomic and protein-protein interaction analyses applying various methods including super-resolution and time-lapse microscopy showed that TGM2 directly binds to the tumor suppressor p53, leading to its inactivation and escape of apoptosis induction.We demonstrate here that TGM2 is an essential survival factor in CRC, highlighting the therapeutic potential of TGM2 inhibitors in CRC patients with high TGM2 expression. The inactivation of p53 by TGM2 binding indicates a general anti-apoptotic function, which may be relevant in cancers beyond CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Malkomes
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ilaria Lunger
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elsie Oppermann
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Khalil Abou-El-Ardat
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Oellerich
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Department I Cardiac Development and Remodelling, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Can Canbulat
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sabrina Bothur
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Frank Schnütgen
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Weijia Yu
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Wingert
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadine Haetscher
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Claudia Catapano
- Single Molecule Biophysics, Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marina S Dietz
- Single Molecule Biophysics, Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mike Heilemann
- Single Molecule Biophysics, Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hans-Michael Kvasnicka
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Senckenberg Institute for Pathology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Katharina Holzer
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Philipps University of Marburg, Department of Visceral-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hubert Serve
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Wolf Otto Bechstein
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael A Rieger
- Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Liu J, Liu Q, Zhang X, Cui M, Li T, Zhang Y, Liao Q. Immune subtyping for pancreatic cancer with implication in clinical outcomes and improving immunotherapy. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:137. [PMID: 33637086 PMCID: PMC7908647 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01824-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Emerging evidence has shown that intra-tumor immune features are associated with response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Accordingly, patient stratification is needed for identifying target patients and designing strategies to improve the efficacy of ICB therapy. We aimed to depict the specific immune features of patients with pancreatic cancer and explore the implication of immune diversity in prognostic prediction and individualized immunotherapy. Methods From transcriptional profiles of 383 tumor samples in TCGA, ICGC, and GEO database, robust immune subtypes which had different response immunotherapy, including ICB therapy, were identified by consensus clustering with five gene modules. DEGs analysis and tumor microarray were used to screen and demonstrate potential targets for improving ICB therapy. Results Three subtypes of pancreatic cancer, namely cluster 1–3 (C1–C3), characterized with distinct immune features and prognosis, were generated. Of that, subtype C1 was an immune-cold type in lack of immune regulators, subtype C2, with an immunosuppression-dominated phenotype characterized by robust TGFβ signaling and stromal reaction, showed the worst prognosis, subtype C3 was an immune-hot type, with massive immune cell infiltration and in abundance of immune regulators. The disparity of immune features uncovered the discrepant applicability of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and potential sensitivity to other alternative immunotherapy for each subtype. Patients in C3 were more suitable for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy, while patients in the other two clusters may need combined strategies targeted on other immune checkpoints or oncogenic pathways. A promising target for improving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment, TGM2, was screened out and its role in the regulation of PD-L1 was investigated for the first time. Conclusion Collectively, immune features of pancreatic cancer contribute to distinct immunosuppressive mechanisms that are responsible for individualized immunotherapy. Despite pancreatic cancer being considered as a poor immunogenic cancer type, the derived immune subtypes may have implications in tailored designing of immunotherapy for the patients. TGM2 has potential synergistic roles with ICB therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingkai Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Qiaofei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yalu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Quan Liao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
A Cell Proliferation and Inflammatory Signature Is Induced by Lawsonia intracellularis Infection in Swine. mBio 2019; 10:mBio.01605-18. [PMID: 30696739 PMCID: PMC6355989 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01605-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Lawsonia intracellularis causes porcine proliferative enteropathy. This is an enteric disease characterized by thickening of the wall of the ileum that leads to decreased growth of animals and diarrhea. In this study, we investigated the host response to L. intracellularis infection by performing transcriptomic and pathway analysis of intestinal tissue samples from groups of infected and noninfected animals at 14, 21, and 28 days postchallenge. At the peak of infection, when animals developed the most severe lesions, infected animals had higher levels of several gene transcripts involved in cellular proliferation and inflammation, including matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7), transglutaminase-2 (TGM2), and oncostatin M (OSM). Histomorphology also revealed general features of intestinal inflammation. This study identified important pathways associated with the host response in developing and resolving lesions due to L. intracellularis infection.IMPORTANCE Lawsonia intracellularis is among the most important enteric pathogens of swine, and it can also infect other mammalian species. Much is still unknown regarding its pathogenesis and the host response, especially at the site of infection. In this study, we uncovered several novel genes and pathways associated with infection. Differentially expressed transcripts, in addition to histological changes in infected tissue, revealed striking similarities between L. intracellularis infection and cellular proliferation mechanisms described in some cancers and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This research sheds important light into the pathogenesis of L. intracellularis and the host response associated with the lesions caused by infection.
Collapse
|
10
|
Role of Transglutaminase 2 in Migration of Tumor Cells and How Mouse Models Fit. Med Sci (Basel) 2018; 6:medsci6030070. [PMID: 30200219 PMCID: PMC6164270 DOI: 10.3390/medsci6030070] [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: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A search for the "magic bullet", a molecule, the targeting abilities of which could stop the migration of tumor cells, is currently underway, but remains in the early stages. There are still many unknowns regarding the cell migration. The main approach is the employment of mouse models, that are sources of valuable information, but still cannot answer all of the questions. One of the molecules of interest is Transglutaminase 2 (TG2). It is a well-described molecule involved in numerous pathways and elevated in metastatic tumors. The question remains whether mice and humans can give the same answer considering TG2.
Collapse
|
11
|
Sagini MN, Zepp M, Bergmann F, Bozza M, Harbottle R, Berger MR. The expression of genes contributing to pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression is influenced by the respective environment. Genes Cancer 2018; 9:114-129. [PMID: 30108682 PMCID: PMC6086001 DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive malignancy with dismal prognosis and limited curative options. We investigated the influence of organ environments on gene expression in RNU rats by orthotopic and intraportal infusion of Suit2-007luc cells into the pancreas, liver and lung respectively. Tumor tissues from these sites were analyzed by chip array and histopathology. Generated data was analyzed by Chipster and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (±1.5 expression fold change and p<0.05). Further analysis of functional annotations derived from IPA, was based on selected genes with significant modulation of expression. Comparison of groups was performed by creating ratios from the mean expression values derived from pancreas and respective in vitro values, whereas those from liver and lung were related to pancreas, respectively. Genes of interest from three functional annotations for respective organs were identified by exclusion-overlap analyses. From the resulting six genes, transglutaminase2 (TGM2) was further investigated by various assays. Its knockdown with siRNA induced dose dependent inhibitory and stimulatory effects on cell proliferation and cell migration, respectively. DNA fragmentation indicated apoptotic cell death in response to TGM2 knockdown. Cell cycle analysis by FACS showed that TGM2 knockdown induced G1/S blockade. Therefore, TGM2 and its associated genes may be promising therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micah N. Sagini
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Zepp
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Bergmann
- University Clinic of Heidelberg, Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Bozza
- DNA Vectors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Richard Harbottle
- DNA Vectors, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin R. Berger
- Toxicology and Chemotherapy Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tissue transglutaminase induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition and the acquisition of stem cell like characteristics in colorectal cancer cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:20025-20041. [PMID: 28223538 PMCID: PMC5386741 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human colon cancer cell lines (CRCs) RKO, SW480 and SW620 were investigated for TG2 involvement in tumour advancement and aggression. TG2 expression correlated with tumour advancement and expression of markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The metastatic cell line SW620 showed high TG2 expression compared to the primary tumour cell lines SW480 and RKO and could form tumour spheroids under non- adherent conditions. TG2 manipulation in the CRCs by shRNA or TG2 transduction confirmed the relationship between TG2 and EMT. TGFβ1 expression in CRC cells, and its level in the cell medium and extracellular matrix was increased in primary tumour CRCs overexpressing TG2 and could regulate TG2 expression and EMT by both canonical (RKO) and non-canonical (RKO and SW480) signalling. TGFβ1 regulation was not observed in the metastatic SW620 cell line, but TG2 knockdown or inhibition in SW620 reversed EMT. In SW620, TG2 expression and EMT was associated with increased presence of nuclear β-catenin which could be mediated by association of TG2 with the Wnt signalling co-receptor LRP5. TG2 inhibition/knockdown increased interaction between β-catenin and ubiquitin shown by co-immunoprecipitation, suggesting that TG2 could be important in β-catenin regulation. β-Catenin and TG2 was also upregulated in SW620 spheroid cells enriched with cancer stem cell marker CD44 and TG2 inhibition/knockdown reduced the spheroid forming potential of SW620 cells. Our data suggests that TG2 could hold both prognostic and therapeutic significance in colon cancer.
Collapse
|
13
|
Gundemir S, Monteagudo A, Akbar A, Keillor JW, Johnson GVW. The complex role of transglutaminase 2 in glioblastoma proliferation. Neuro Oncol 2017; 19:208-218. [PMID: 27591334 PMCID: PMC5464277 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/now157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastomas (GBMs) are a heterogeneous group of primary brain tumors. These tumors are resistant to therapeutic interventions and invariably recur after surgical resection. The multifunctional protein transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has been shown to promote cell survival in a number of different tumors. There is also evidence that TG2 may be a pro-survival factor in GBMs. However, the roles that TG2 plays in facilitating GBM survival and proliferation have not yet been clearly delineated . METHODS The functions of TG2 are often cell- and context-specific. Therefore, in this study we examined the ability of TG2 to facilitate GBM proliferation using colony formation assays and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation in several different GBM cell lines as well as neurospheres derived from patient tumors representing the 3 major subtypes of GBM tumors (mesenchymal, proneural, and classical) and maintained in the absence of serum. TG2 knockdown or selective TG2 inhibitors were used to modulate TG2 expression and activity. RESULTS We show that TG2 plays differential roles in the proliferative process depending on the cell type. In most, but not all, GBM models TG2 plays a crucial role in the proliferative process, and some but not all TG2 inhibitors were highly effective at reducing proliferation in a large subset of the GBM models. CONCLUSION Our results show that TG2 plays an important-but notoriously context-specific-role in GBM cell biology. Nonetheless, as future studies unravel the genetic "fingerprints" that make TG2 inhibitors effective, this information could be exploited to develop TG2 inhibitors into personalized GBM therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soner Gundemir
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alina Monteagudo
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abdullah Akbar
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gail V W Johnson
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York; Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Agnihotri N, Mehta K. Transglutaminase-2: evolution from pedestrian protein to a promising therapeutic target. Amino Acids 2016; 49:425-439. [PMID: 27562794 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-016-2320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ability of cancer cells to metastasize represents the most devastating feature of cancer. Currently, there are no specific biomarkers or therapeutic targets that can be used to predict the risk or to treat metastatic cancer. Many recent reports have demonstrated elevated expression of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in multiple drug-resistant and metastatic cancer cells. TG2 is a multifunctional protein mostly known for catalyzing Ca2+-dependent -acyl transferase reaction to form protein crosslinks. Besides this transamidase activity, many Ca2+-independent and non-enzymatic activities of TG2 have been identified. Both, the enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities of TG2 have been implicated in diverse pathophysiological processes such as wound healing, cell growth, cell survival, extracellular matrix modification, apoptosis, and autophagy. Tumors have been frequently referred to as 'wounds that never heal'. Based on the observation that TG2 plays an important role in wound healing and inflammation is known to facilitate cancer growth and progression, we discuss the evidence that TG2 can reprogram inflammatory signaling networks that play fundamental roles in cancer progression. TG2-regulated signaling bestows on cancer cells the ability to proliferate, to resist cell death, to invade, to reprogram glucose metabolism and to metastasize, the attributes that are considered important hallmarks of cancer. Therefore, inhibiting TG2 may offer a novel therapeutic approach for managing and treatment of metastatic cancer. Strategies to inhibit TG2-regulated pathways will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navneet Agnihotri
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Unit 1950, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1901 East Road, Houston, TX, 77054, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, 110 014, India.
| | - Kapil Mehta
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Unit 1950, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1901 East Road, Houston, TX, 77054, USA. .,MolQ Personalized Medicine, 4505 Maple Street, Bellaire, TX, 77401, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kracht MJL, Zaldumbide A, Roep BO. Neoantigens and Microenvironment in Type 1 Diabetes: Lessons from Antitumor Immunity. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2016; 27:353-362. [PMID: 27094501 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2016.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by the selective and progressive destruction of insulin-producing beta cells by the immune system. An incomplete thymic selection against self-reactive islet antigens partly explains how these T cells reach the periphery and become diabetogenic. Increasing evidence suggest that beta cells themselves also participate to their own demise by generating neoepitopes that could be recognized by the immune surveillance machinery. In this regard, these T cells eradicate self-tissue by mechanisms analogous to a classical antitumor response. Cancer immunotherapy has exploited mutations and transcriptional and translational errors to trigger a specific antitumor response. In this opinion article, we aim at merging insight in antitumor immunology and autoimmunity to reveal processes that had previously been ignored to create beta cell-specific neoantigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria J L Kracht
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnaud Zaldumbide
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bart O Roep
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Diabetes Immunology, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute at the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Eckert RL, Fisher ML, Grun D, Adhikary G, Xu W, Kerr C. Transglutaminase is a tumor cell and cancer stem cell survival factor. Mol Carcinog 2015; 54:947-58. [PMID: 26258961 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that cancer cells express elevated levels of type II transglutaminase (TG2), and that expression is further highly enriched in cancer stem cells derived from these cancers. Moreover, elevated TG2 expression is associated with enhanced cancer stem cell marker expression, survival signaling, proliferation, migration, invasion, integrin-mediated adhesion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. TG2 expression is also associated with formation of aggressive and metastatic tumors that are resistant to conventional therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes the role of TG2 as a cancer cell survival factor in a range of tumor types, and as a target for preventive and therapeutic intervention. The literature supports the idea that TG2, in the closed/GTP-binding/signaling conformation, drives cancer cell and cancer stem cell survival, and that TG2, in the open/crosslinking conformation, is associated with cell death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,The Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dan Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Candace Kerr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,The Greenebaum Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Fisher ML, Keillor JW, Xu W, Eckert RL, Kerr C. Transglutaminase Is Required for Epidermal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stem Cell Survival. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:1083-94. [PMID: 25934691 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0685-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Cancer stem cells are thought to be responsible for rapid tumor growth, metastasis, and enhanced tumor survival following drug treatment. For this reason, there is a major emphasis on identifying proteins that can be targeted to kill cancer stem cells or control their growth, and transglutaminase type II (TGM2/TG2) is such a target in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma. TG2 was originally described as a transamidase in the extracellular matrix that crosslinks proteins by catalyzing ε-(γ-glutamyl)lysine bonds. However, subsequent studies have shown that TG2 is a GTP-binding protein that plays an important role in cell signaling and survival. In the present study, TG2 shows promise as a target for anticancer stem cell therapy in human squamous cell carcinoma. TG2 was determined to be highly elevated in epidermal cancer stem cells (ECS cells), and TG2 knockdown or suppression of TG2 function with inhibitors reduced ECS cell survival, spheroid formation, Matrigel invasion, and migration. The reduction in survival is associated with activation of apoptosis. Mechanistic studies, using TG2 mutants, revealed that the GTP-binding activity is required for maintenance of ECS cell growth and survival, and that the action of TG2 in ECS cells is not mediated by NF-κB signaling. IMPLICATIONS This study suggests that TG2 has an important role in maintaining cancer stem cell survival, invasive, and metastatic behavior and is an important therapeutic target to reduce survival of cancer stem cells in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeffrey W Keillor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Candace Kerr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lauzier A, Charbonneau M, Paquette M, Harper K, Dubois CM. Transglutaminase 2 cross-linking activity is linked to invadopodia formation and cartilage breakdown in arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2012; 14:R159. [PMID: 22762273 PMCID: PMC3580551 DOI: 10.1186/ar3899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The microenvironment surrounding inflamed synovium leads to the activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), which are important contributors to cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritic (RA) joints. Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) cross-linking and remodeling, is activated by inflammatory signals. This study was undertaken to assess the potential contribution of TG2 to FLS-induced cartilage degradation. Methods Transglutaminase (TGase) activity and collagen degradation were assessed with the immunohistochemistry of control, collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) or TG2 knockdown (shRNA)-treated joint tissues. TGase activity in control (C-FLS) and arthritic (A-FLS) rat FLSs was measured by in situ 5-(biotinamido)-pentylamine incorporation. Invadopodia formation and functions were measured in rat FLSs and cells from normal (control; C-FLS) and RA patients (RA-FLS) by in situ ECM degradation. Immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and p3TP-Lux reporter assays were used to assess transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) production and activation. Results TG2 and TGase activity were associated with cartilage degradation in CIA joints. In contrast, TGase activity and cartilage degradation were reduced in joints by TG2 knockdown. A-FLSs displayed higher TGase activity and TG2 expression in ECM than did C-FLSs. TG2 knockdown or TGase inhibition resulted in reduced invadopodia formation in rat and human arthritic FLSs. In contrast, increased invadopodia formation was noted in response to TGase activity induced by TGF-β, dithiothreitol (DTT), or TG2 overexpression. TG2-induced increases in invadopodia formation were blocked by TGF-β neutralization or inhibition of TGF-βR1. Conclusions TG2, through its TGase activity, is required for ECM degradation in arthritic FLS and CIA joints. Our findings provide a potential target to prevent cartilage degradation in RA.
Collapse
|