1
|
Ai C, Zhou Y, Pu K, Yang Y, Zhou Y. Nogo‑A/NgR signaling regulates stemness in cancer stem‑like cells derived from U87MG glioblastoma cells. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:230. [PMID: 35720478 PMCID: PMC9185138 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurite outgrowth inhibitor A (Nogo-A), a member of the reticulon 4 family, is an axon regeneration inhibitor that is negatively associated with the malignancy of oligodendroglial tumors. It has been suggested that the Nogo-A/Nogo Receptor (NgR) pathway plays a promoting effect in regulating cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) derived from glioblastoma, indicating that Nogo-A could exert different roles in CSCs than those in parental cancer cells. In the present study, CSCs were generated from the human Uppsala 87 malignant glioma (U87MG) cell line. These U87MG-CSCs were characterized by the upregulation of CD44 and CD133, which are two markers of stemness. The expression levels of Nogo-A and the differentiation of U87MG-CSCs were investigated. In addition, the proliferation, invasion and colony formation U87MG-CSCs were examined. Using culture in serum-containing medium, U87MG-CSCs were differentiated into neuron-like cells specifically expressing MAP2, β-III-tubulin and nestin. Nogo-A was upregulated in U87MG-CSCs compared with parental cells. Knockdown of Nogo-A and inhibition of the Nogo-A/NgR signaling pathway in U87MG-CSCs markedly decreased cell viability, cell cycle entry, invasion and tumor formation, indicating that Nogo-A could regulate U87MG-CSC function. Moreover, Nogo-A was involved in intracellular ATP synthesis and scavenging of accumulated reactive oxygen species. Nogo-A/NgR pathway exerted protective effects against hypoxia-induced non-apoptotic and apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that Nogo-A plays an important role in regulating U87MG-CSCs via the Nogo-A/NgR signaling pathway. Nogo-A may also different roles in U87MG-CSCs compared with their parental cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chengjin Ai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Kunming Pu
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 611731, P.R. China
| | - Yingying Zhou
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Duly AMP, Kao FCL, Teo WS, Kavallaris M. βIII-Tubulin Gene Regulation in Health and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:851542. [PMID: 35573698 PMCID: PMC9096907 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.851542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubule proteins form a dynamic component of the cytoskeleton, and play key roles in cellular processes, such as vesicular transport, cell motility and mitosis. Expression of microtubule proteins are often dysregulated in cancer. In particular, the microtubule protein βIII-tubulin, encoded by the TUBB3 gene, is aberrantly expressed in a range of epithelial tumours and is associated with drug resistance and aggressive disease. In normal cells, TUBB3 expression is tightly restricted, and is found almost exclusively in neuronal and testicular tissues. Understanding the mechanisms that control TUBB3 expression, both in cancer, mature and developing tissues will help to unravel the basic biology of the protein, its role in cancer, and may ultimately lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to target this protein. This review is devoted to the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of TUBB3 in normal and cancerous tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alastair M. P. Duly
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Felicity C. L. Kao
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Wee Siang Teo
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Kavallaris
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research Center, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
- Australian Center for NanoMedicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Construction of Hierarchical-Targeting pH-Sensitive Liposomes to Reverse Chemotherapeutic Resistance of Cancer Stem-like Cells. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081205. [PMID: 34452166 PMCID: PMC8399523 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) have been considered to be one of the main problems in tumor treatment owing to high tumorigenicity and chemotherapy resistance. In this study, we synthesized a novel mitochondria-target derivate, triphentlphosphonium-resveratrol (TPP-Res), and simultaneously encapsulated it with doxorubicin (Dox) in pH-sensitive liposomes (PSL (Dox/TPP-Res)), to reverse chemotherapeutic resistance of CSLCs. PSL (Dox/TPP-Res) was approximately 165 nm in size with high encapsulation efficiency for both Dox and TPP-Res. Cytotoxicity assay showed that the optimal synergistic effect was the drug ratio of 1:1 for TPP-Res and Dox. Cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking assay indicated that PSL (Dox/TPP-Res) could release drugs in acidic endosomes, followed by mitochondrial targeting of TPP-Res and nucleus transports for Dox. The mechanisms for reversing the resistance in CSLCs were mainly attributed to a synergistic effect for reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase cascade reaction, reduction of ATP level and suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Further, in vivo assay results demonstrated that the constructed liposomes could efficiently accumulate in the tumor region and possess excellent antineoplastic activity in an orthotopic xenograft tumor model with no evident systemic toxicity. The above experimental results determined that PSL (Dox/TPP-Res) provides a new method for the treatment of heterogenecity tumors.
Collapse
|
4
|
Scriba LD, Bornstein SR, Santambrogio A, Mueller G, Huebner A, Hauer J, Schedl A, Wielockx B, Eisenhofer G, Andoniadou CL, Steenblock C. Cancer Stem Cells in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:79. [PMID: 32158431 PMCID: PMC7051940 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pheochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) are rare neuroendocrine tumors associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and variable risk of malignancy. The current therapy of choice is surgical resection. Nevertheless, PCCs/PGLs are associated with a lifelong risk of tumor persistence or recurrence. A high rate of germline or somatic mutations in numerous genes has been found in these tumors. For some, the tumorigenic processes are initiated during embryogenesis. Such tumors carry gene mutations leading to pseudohypoxic phenotypes and show more immature characteristics than other chromaffin cell tumors; they are also often multifocal or metastatic and occur at an early age, often during childhood. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are cells with an inherent ability of self-renewal, de-differentiation, and capacity to initiate and maintain malignant tumor growth. Targeting CSCs to inhibit cancer progression has become an attractive anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. Despite progress for this strategy for solid tumors such as neuroblastoma, brain, breast, and colon cancers, no substantial advance has been made employing similar strategies in PCCs/PGLs. In the current review, we discuss findings related to the identification of normal chromaffin stem cells and CSCs, pathways involved in regulating the development of CSCs, and the importance of the stem cell niche in development and maintenance of CSCs in PCCs/PGLs. Additionally, we examine the development and feasibility of novel CSC-targeted therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating especially recurrent and metastatic tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura D. Scriba
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan R. Bornstein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Santambrogio
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gregor Mueller
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Angela Huebner
- Children's Hospital, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Ben Wielockx
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Graeme Eisenhofer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Cynthia L. Andoniadou
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Steenblock
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Namekawa T, Ikeda K, Horie-Inoue K, Suzuki T, Okamoto K, Ichikawa T, Yano A, Kawakami S, Inoue S. ALDH1A1 in patient-derived bladder cancer spheroids activates retinoic acid signaling leading to TUBB3 overexpression and tumor progression. Int J Cancer 2019; 146:1099-1113. [PMID: 31187490 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acquired chemoresistance is a critical issue for advanced bladder cancer patients during long-term treatment. Recent studies reveal that a fraction of tumor cells with enhanced tumor-initiating potential, or cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), may particularly contribute to acquired chemoresistance and recurrence. Thus, CSC characterization will be the first step towards understanding the mechanisms underlying advanced disease. Here we generated long-term patient-derived cancer cells (PDCs) from bladder cancer patient specimens in spheroid culture, which is favorable for CSC enrichment. Pathological features of bladder cancer PDCs and PDC-dependent patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were basically similar to those of their corresponding patients' specimens. Notably, CSC marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1), a critical enzyme that synthesizes retinoic acid (RA), was abundantly expressed in PDCs. ALDH1A1 inhibitors and shRNAs repressed both PDC proliferation and spheroid formation, whereas all-trans RA could rescue ALDH1A1 shRNA-suppressed spheroid formation. ALDH inhibitor also reduced the in vivo growth of PDC-derived xenografts. ALDH1A1 knockdown study showed that tubulin beta III (TUBB3) was one of the downregulated genes in PDCs. We identified functional RA response elements in TUBB3 promoter, whose transcriptional activities were substantially activated by RA. Clinical survival database reveals that TUBB3 expression may associate with poor prognosis in bladder cancer patients. Moreover, TUBB3 knockdown was sufficient to suppress PDC proliferation and spheroid formation. Taken together, our results indicate that ALDH1A1 and its putative downstream target TUBB3 are overexpressed in bladder cancer, and those molecules could be applied to alternative diagnostic and therapeutic options for advanced disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Namekawa
- Division of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Japan.,Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ikeda
- Division of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Kuniko Horie-Inoue
- Division of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Suzuki
- Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Koji Okamoto
- Division of Cancer Differentiation, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Ichikawa
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Akihiro Yano
- Department of Urology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Japan
| | - Satoru Kawakami
- Department of Urology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Division of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Research Center for Genomic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Hidaka, Japan.,Department of Functional Biogerontology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abbasian M, Baharlouei A, Arab-Bafrani Z, Lightfoot DA. Combination of gold nanoparticles with low-LET irradiation: an approach to enhance DNA DSB induction in HT29 colorectal cancer stem-like cells. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2018; 145:97-107. [DOI: 10.1007/s00432-018-2769-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
|
7
|
Paiva-Oliveira DI, Martins-Neves SR, Abrunhosa AJ, Fontes-Ribeiro C, Gomes CMF. Therapeutic potential of the metabolic modulator Metformin on osteosarcoma cancer stem-like cells. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2017; 81:49-63. [PMID: 29086064 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-017-3467-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumour appearing in children and adolescents. Recent studies demonstrate that osteosarcoma possesses a stem-like cell subset, so-called cancer stem-like cells, refractory to conventional chemotherapeutics and pointed out as responsible for relapses frequently observed in osteosarcoma patients. Here, we explored the therapeutic potential of Metformin on osteosarcoma stem-like cells, alone and as a chemosensitizer of doxorubicin. METHODS Stem-like cells were isolated from human osteosarcoma cell lines, MNNG/HOS and MG-63, using the sphere-forming assay. Metformin cytotoxicity alone and combined with doxorubicin were evaluated using MTT/BrdU assays. Protein levels of AMPK and AKT were evaluated by Western Blot. Cellular metabolic status was assessed based on [18F]-FDG uptake and lactate production measurements. Sphere-forming efficiency and expression of pluripotency transcription factors analysed by qRT-PCR were tested as readout of Metformin effects on stemness features. RESULTS Metformin induced a concentration-dependent decrease in the metabolic activity and proliferation of sphere-forming cells and improved doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity. This drug also down-regulated the expression of master regulators of pluripotency (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG), and decreased spheres' self-renewal ability. Metformin effects on mitochondria led to the activation and phosphorylation of the energetic sensor AMPK along with an upregulation of the pro-survival AKT pathway in both cell populations. Furthermore, Metformin-induced mitochondrial stress increased [18F]-FDG uptake and lactate production in parental cells but not in the quiescent stem-like cells, suggesting the inability of the latter to cope with the energy crisis induced by metformin. CONCLUSIONS This preclinical study suggests that Metformin may be a potentially useful therapeutic agent and chemosensitizer of osteosarcoma stem-like cells to doxorubicin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela I Paiva-Oliveira
- Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta. Comba, Celas, 3000-354, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara R Martins-Neves
- Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta. Comba, Celas, 3000-354, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antero J Abrunhosa
- Institute for Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fontes-Ribeiro
- Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta. Comba, Celas, 3000-354, Coimbra, Portugal.,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Célia M F Gomes
- Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Sta. Comba, Celas, 3000-354, Coimbra, Portugal. .,CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Glioblastoma entities express subtle differences in molecular composition and response to treatment. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:1341-1352. [PMID: 28714013 PMCID: PMC5549060 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a grade IV astrocytoma. GBM patients show resistance to chemotherapy such as temozolomide (TMZ), the gold standard treatment. In order to simulate the molecular mechanisms behind the different chemotherapeutic responses in GBM patients we compared the cellular heterogeneity and chemotherapeutic resistance mechanisms in different GBM cell lines. We isolated and characterized a human GBM cell line obtained from a GBM patient, named GBM11. We studied the GBM11 behaviour when treated with Tamoxifen (TMX) that, among other functions, is a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, alone and in combination with TMZ in comparison with the responses of U87 and U118 human GBM cell lines. We evaluated the cell death, cell cycle arrest and cell proliferation, mainly through PKC expression, by flow cytometry and western blot analysis and, ultimately, cell migration capability and f-actin filament disorganization by fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrated that the constitutive activation of p-PKC seems to be one of the main metabolic implicated on GBM malignancy. Despite of its higher resistance, possibly due to the overexpression of P-glycoprotein and stem-like cell markers, GBM11 cells presented a subtle different chemotherapeutic response compared to U87 and U118 cells. The GBM11, U87, U118 cell lines show subtle molecular differences, which clearly indicate the characterization of GBM heterogeneity, one of the main reasons for tumor resistance. The adding of cellular heterogeneity in molecular behaviour constitutes a step closer in the understanding of resistant molecular mechanisms in GBM, and can circumvents the eventual impaired therapy.
Collapse
|
9
|
Balça-Silva J, Matias D, Dubois LG, Carneiro B, do Carmo A, Girão H, Ferreira F, Ferrer VP, Chimelli L, Filho PN, Tão H, Rebelo O, Barbosa M, Sarmento-Ribeiro AB, Lopes MC, Moura-Neto V. The Expression of Connexins and SOX2 Reflects the Plasticity of Glioma Stem-Like Cells. Transl Oncol 2017; 10:555-569. [PMID: 28654819 PMCID: PMC5487246 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor, with an average survival rate of 15 months. GBM is highly refractory to therapy, and such unresponsiveness is due, primarily, but not exclusively, to the glioma stem-like cells (GSCs). This subpopulation express stem-like cell markers and is responsible for the heterogeneity of GBM, generating multiple differentiated cell phenotypes. However, how GBMs maintain the balance between stem and non-stem populations is still poorly understood. We investigated the GBM ability to interconvert between stem and non-stem states through the evaluation of the expression of specific stem cell markers as well as cell communication proteins. We evaluated the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of GSCs derived from differentiated GBM cell lines by comparing their stem-like cell properties and expression of connexins. We showed that non-GSCs as well as GSCs can undergo successive cycles of gain and loss of stem properties, demonstrating a bidirectional cellular plasticity model that is accompanied by changes on connexins expression. Our findings indicate that the interconversion between non-GSCs and GSCs can be modulated by extracellular factors culminating on differential expression of stem-like cell markers and cell-cell communication proteins. Ultimately, we observed that stem markers are mostly expressed on GBMs rather than on low-grade astrocytomas, suggesting that the presence of GSCs is a feature of high-grade gliomas. Together, our data demonstrate the utmost importance of the understanding of stem cell plasticity properties in a way to a step closer to new strategic approaches to potentially eliminate GSCs and, hopefully, prevent tumor recurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joana Balça-Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (CNC.IBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN)-Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Diana Matias
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN)-Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Gustavo Dubois
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN)-Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Brenno Carneiro
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Anália do Carmo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (CNC.IBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Clinical Pathology Department, Coimbra Hospital and Universitary Center (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Henrique Girão
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (CNC.IBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | | | - Valeria Pereira Ferrer
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN)-Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Leila Chimelli
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN)-Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Niemeyer Filho
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN)-Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Hermínio Tão
- Neurosurgery Service, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Olinda Rebelo
- Neuropathology Laboratory, Neurology Service, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Marcos Barbosa
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal; Neurosurgery Service, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (CNC.IBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal; Laboratory of Oncobiology and Hematology and CIMAGO, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra (FMUC), Coimbra, Portugal; Hematology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Maria Celeste Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (CNC.IBILI), Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Vivaldo Moura-Neto
- Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN)-Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Jackson M, Hassiotou F, Nowak A. Glioblastoma stem-like cells: at the root of tumor recurrence and a therapeutic target. Carcinogenesis 2014; 36:177-85. [PMID: 25504149 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive primary brain malignancy. The current initial standard of care consists of maximal safe surgical resection followed by radical radiotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide. Despite optimal therapy, median survival is ~15 months from diagnosis in molecularly unselected patients, and <6 months for patients with recurrent disease. Therefore, clinical treatments are currently palliative, not curative. Collectively, current knowledge suggests that the continued tumor growth and recurrence is in part due to the presence of glioma stem-like cells, which display self-renewal and tumorigenic potential. They differ from their more differentiated progeny, as they are more resistant to current treatments. Recurrent disease may be a consequence of the enhancement and/or gain of stem cell-like characteristics during disease progression, together with preferential death of more differentiated tumor cells during treatment, signifying that the cancer stem cell phenotype is a crucial therapeutic target. The limited knowledge of the characteristics of these cells and their response to current clinical treatments warrants intensive investigation with the aim to improve patient survival and/or develop a cure for this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Jackson
- Faculty of Science, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and
| | | | - Anna Nowak
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Targeting proapoptotic protein BAD inhibits survival and self-renewal of cancer stem cells. Cell Death Differ 2014; 21:1936-49. [PMID: 25215949 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2014.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that the resistance of cancer stem cells (CSC) to many conventional therapies is one of the major limiting factors of cancer therapy efficacy. Identification of mechanisms responsible for survival and self-renewal of CSC will help design new therapeutic strategies that target and eliminate both differentiated cancer cells and CSC. Here we demonstrated the potential role of proapoptotic protein BAD in the biology of CSC in melanoma, prostate and breast cancers. We enriched CD44(+)/CD24(-) cells (CSC) by tumorosphere formation and purified this population by FACS. Both spheres and CSC exhibited increased potential for proliferation, migration, invasion, sphere formation, anchorage-independent growth, as well as upregulation of several stem cell-associated markers. We showed that the phosphorylation of BAD is essential for the survival of CSC. Conversely, ectopic expression of a phosphorylation-deficient mutant BAD induced apoptosis in CSC. This effect was enhanced by treatment with a BH3-mimetic, ABT-737. Both pharmacological agents that inhibit survival kinases and growth factors that are involved in drug resistance delivered their respective cytotoxic and protective effects by modulating the BAD phosphorylation in CSC. Furthermore, the frequency and self-renewal capacity of CSC was significantly reduced by knocking down the BAD expression. Consistent with our in vitro results, significant phosphorylation of BAD was found in CD44(+) CSC of 83% breast tumor specimens. In addition, we also identified a positive correlation between BAD expression and disease stage in prostate cancer, suggesting a role of BAD in tumor advancement. Our studies unveil the role of BAD in the survival and self-renewal of CSC and propose BAD not only as an attractive target for cancer therapy but also as a marker of tumor progression.
Collapse
|
12
|
Paul I, Bhattacharya S, Chatterjee A, Ghosh MK. Current Understanding on EGFR and Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Glioma and Their Possible Crosstalk. Genes Cancer 2014; 4:427-46. [PMID: 24386505 DOI: 10.1177/1947601913503341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiformes (GBMs) are extensively heterogeneous at both cellular and molecular levels. Current therapeutic strategies include targeting of key signaling molecules using pharmacological inhibitors in combination with genotoxic agents such as temozolomide. In spite of all efforts, the prognosis of glioma patients remains dismal. Therefore, a proper understanding of individual molecular pathways responsible for the progression of GBM is necessary. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is probably the most significant signaling pathway clinically implicated in glioma. Not surprisingly, anti-EGFR therapies mostly prevail for therapeutic purposes. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is well implicated in multiple tumors; however, its role in glioma has only recently started to emerge. We give a concise account of the current understanding of the role of both these pathways in glioma. Last, taking evidences from a limited literature, we outline a number of points where these pathways intersect each other and put forward the possibility of combinatorially targeting them for treatment of glioma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indranil Paul
- Signal Transduction in Cancer and Stem Cells Laboratory, Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Seemana Bhattacharya
- Signal Transduction in Cancer and Stem Cells Laboratory, Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Anirban Chatterjee
- Signal Transduction in Cancer and Stem Cells Laboratory, Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Mrinal K Ghosh
- Signal Transduction in Cancer and Stem Cells Laboratory, Cancer Biology and Inflammatory Disorder Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a vital component of bone healing. The formation of the new blood vessels at the fracture site restores the hypoxia and nutrient deprivation found at the early stages after fracture whilst at a later stage facilitates osteogenesis by the activity of the osteoprogenitor cells. Emerging evidence suggests that there are certain molecules and gene therapies that could promote new blood vessel formation and as a consequence enhance the local bone healing response. This article summarizes the current in vivo evidence on therapeutic approaches aiming at the augmentation of the angiogenic signalling during bone repair.
Collapse
|
14
|
Templeton AK, Miyamoto S, Babu A, Munshi A, Ramesh R. Cancer stem cells: progress and challenges in lung cancer. Stem Cell Investig 2014; 1:9. [PMID: 27358855 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2306-9759.2014.03.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The identification of a subpopulation of tumor cells with stem cell-like characteristics first in hematological malignancies and later in solid tumors has emerged into a novel field of cancer research. It has been proposed that this aberrant population of cells now called "cancer stem cells" (CSCs) drives tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. CSCs have been shown to have the capacity of self-renewal and multipotency. Adopting strategies from the field of stem cell research has aided in identification, localization, and targeting of CSCs in many tumors. Despite the huge progress in other solid tumors such as brain, breast, and colon cancers no substantial advancements have been made in lung cancer. This is most likely due to the current rudimentary understanding of lung stem cell hierarchy and heterogeneous nature of lung disease. In this review, we will discuss the most recent findings related to identification of normal lung stem cells and CSCs, pathways involved in regulating the development of CSCs, and the importance of the stem cell niche in development and maintenance of CSCs. Additionally, we will examine the development and feasibility of novel CSC-targeted therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating lung CSCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Templeton
- 1 Department of Pathology, 2 Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, 4 Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Shinya Miyamoto
- 1 Department of Pathology, 2 Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, 4 Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Anish Babu
- 1 Department of Pathology, 2 Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, 4 Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- 1 Department of Pathology, 2 Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, 4 Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- 1 Department of Pathology, 2 Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, 4 Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cichoń T, Smolarczyk R, Matuszczak S, Barczyk M, Jarosz M, Szala S. D-K6L 9 peptide combination with IL-12 inhibits the recurrence of tumors in mice. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2014; 62:341-51. [PMID: 24487722 PMCID: PMC4092230 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-014-0268-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
D-K6L9 peptide is bound by phosphatidylserine and induces necrosis in cancer cells. In our therapeutic experience, this peptide, when administered directly into B16-F10 murine melanoma tumors, inhibited their growth. Cessation of therapy results, however, in tumor relapse. We aimed at developing a combined therapy involving D-K6L9 and additional factors that would yield complete elimination of tumor cells in experimental animals. To this purpose, we employed glycyrrhizin, an inhibitor of HMGB1 protein, BP1 peptide and interleukin (IL)-12. Glycyrrhizin or BP1, when combined with D-K6L9, inhibits growth of primary tumors only during the period of their administration. A long-term tumor growth inhibitory effect was obtained only in combining D-K6L9 with IL-12. At 2 months following therapy cessation, 60 % of animals were alive. Prolonged survival was noted in mice bearing B16-F10 tumors as well as in mice bearing C26 colon carcinoma tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Cichoń
- Center for Translational Research and Molecular Biology of Cancer, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeże Armii Krajowej 15, 44-101, Gliwice, Poland,
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Domenech M, Marrero-Berrios I, Torres-Lugo M, Rinaldi C. Lysosomal membrane permeabilization by targeted magnetic nanoparticles in alternating magnetic fields. ACS NANO 2013; 7:5091-101. [PMID: 23705969 DOI: 10.1021/nn4007048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomal death pathways are being explored as alternatives of overcoming cancer tumor resistance to traditional forms of treatment. Nanotechnologies that can selectively target and induce permeabilization of lysosomal compartments in cells could become powerful medical tools. Here we demonstrate that iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) targeted to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can selectively induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) in cancer cells overexpressing the EGFR under the action of an alternating magnetic field (AMF). LMP was observed to correlate with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in tumor cell viability. Confocal microscopy images showed an increase in the cytosolic activity of the lysosomal protease cathepsin B. These observations suggest the possibility of remotely triggering lysosomal death pathways in cancer cells through the administration of MNPs which target lysosomal internalization pathways and the application of AMFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maribella Domenech
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00681
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang Z, Yue Y, Han P, Sa R, Ren X, Wang J, Bai H, Yu H. Remodeling epigenetic modifications at tumor suppressor gene promoters with bovine oocyte extract. Cytotherapy 2013; 15:1164-73. [PMID: 23800731 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2013.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2013] [Revised: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes by aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications at their promoter regions plays an important role in the initiation and progression of cancer. The therapeutic effect of the widely used epigenetic drugs, including DNA methyltransferase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors, remains unsatisfactory. One important underlying factor in the ineffectiveness of these drugs is that their actions lack specificity. METHODS To investigate whether oocyte extract can be used for epigenetic re-programming of cancer cells, H460 human lung cancer cells were reversibly permeabilized and incubated with bovine oocyte extract. RESULTS Bisulfite sequencing showed that bovine oocyte extract induced significant demethylation at hypermethylated promoter CpG islands of the tumor suppressor genes RUNX3 and CDH1; however, the DNA methylation levels of repetitive sequences were not affected. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that bovine oocyte extract significantly reduced transcriptionally repressive histone modifications and increased transcriptionally activating histone modifications at the promoter regions of RUNX3 and CDH1. Bovine oocyte extract reactivated the expression of RUNX3 and CDH1 at both the messenger RNA and the protein levels without up-regulating the transcription of pluripotency-associated genes. At the functional level, anchorage-independent proliferation, migration and invasion of H460 cells was strongly inhibited. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that bovine oocyte extract reactivates epigenetically silenced tumor suppressor genes by remodeling the epigenetic modifications at their promoter regions. Bovine oocyte extract may provide a useful tool for investigating epigenetic mechanisms in cancer and a valuable source for developing novel safe therapeutic approaches that target epigenetic alterations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenfei Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Mammal Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Yi SY, Hao YB, Nan KJ, Fan TL. Cancer stem cells niche: a target for novel cancer therapeutics. Cancer Treat Rev 2012; 39:290-6. [PMID: 23219150 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2012.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 10/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, cancer has been a frequent disease, and the first or second most common cause of death worldwide. Despite a better understanding of the biology of cancer cells, the therapy of most cancers has not significantly changed for the past four decades. It is because conventional chemotherapies and/or radiation therapies are usually designed to eradicate highly proliferative cells. Mounting evidence has implicated that cancer is a disease of stem cells. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are often relatively quiescent, and therefore may not be affected by therapies targeting rapidly dividing cells. Like normal stem cells (NSC) residing in a "stem cell niche" that maintains them in a stem-like state, CSC also require a special microenvironment to control their self-renewal and undifferentiated state. The "CSC niche" is likely to be the most crucial target in the treatment of cancer. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge regarding CSC and their niche microenvironments. Understanding of CSC's origin, molecular profile, and interaction with their microenvironments, this could be a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer, away from targeting the blast cells and towards the targeting of the CSC, thus improving therapeutic outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Yong Yi
- Department of Oncology of the Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zheng Zhou 450007, Henan Province, China.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cancer stem cell targeting: the next generation of cancer therapy and molecular imaging. Ther Deliv 2012; 3:227-44. [PMID: 22834199 DOI: 10.4155/tde.11.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have the capacity to generate the heterogeneous lineages of all cancer cells comprising a tumor and these populations of cells are likely to be more relevant in determining prognosis. However, these cells do not operate in isolation, but instead rely upon signals co-opted from their microenvironment, making the targeting and imaging of CSCs within a cancer mass a daunting task. A better understanding of the molecular cell biology underlying CSC pathology will facilitate the development of new therapeutic targets and novel strategies for the successful eradication of cancer. In addition, the continued investigation of sensitive molecular-imaging modalities will enable more accurate staging, treatment planning and the ability to monitor the effectiveness of CSC-targeted therapies in vivo. In this review, we explore the possibilities and limitations of CSC-directed therapies and molecular imaging modalities.
Collapse
|