The double-edged sword: conserved functions of extracellular hsp90 in wound healing and cancer

The Synergy of Thermal and Non-Thermal Effects in Hyperthermic Oncology

BACKGROUND

Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is unique due to its combination of thermal and non-thermal effects.

METHOD

This report summarizes the literature on the effects of mEHT observed in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The thermal and electrical heterogeneity of tissues allows the radiofrequency signal to selectively target malignant tissue. The applied modulation appears to activate various apoptotic pathways, predominantly leading to immunogenic cell death (ICD). ICD promotes the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, potentially producing tumour-specific antigen-presenting cells. This abscopal-type effect may target distant metastases while treating the primary tumour locally. This immune memory effect is like vaccination mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of mEHT has the potential to expand from local to systemic disease, enabling the simultaneous treatment of micro- and macro-metastases.

Extracellular heat shock protein 90 alpha (eHsp90α)'s role in cancer progression and the development of therapeutic strategies

Heat shock protein 90 alpha (Hsp90α) is an abundantly expressed and evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperone. Hsp90α is the inducible Hsp90 isoform, and its expression and secretion extracellularly (eHsp90α) can be triggered in response to a variety of cellular stresses to protect/activate client proteins and to facilitate cellular adjustment to the stress. As a result, cancers often have high expression levels of intracellular and extracellular (plasma) Hsp90α, allowing them to support their oncogenesis and progression. In fact, (e)Hsp90α has been implicated in regulating processes such as cell signaling transduction, DNA repair, promotion of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), promotion of angiogenesis, immune response, and cell migration. Hsp90α levels have been correlated with cancer progression and severity in several cancers, indicating that it may be a useful biomarker or drug-target for cancer. To date, the development of intracellular Hsp90α-targeted therapies include standard N-terminal ATP-competitive inhibitors and allosteric regulators that bind to Hsp90α's middle or C-terminal domain. On-target toxicities and dosing complications as a result of Hsp90α inhibition has driven the development of eHsp90α-targeted therapies. Examples include anti-Hsp90α monoclonal antibodies and cell-impermeable Hsp90α small molecule inhibitors. This review aims to discuss the many roles Hsp90α plays in cancer progression with a focus on the current development of Hsp90α-targeted therapies.

Peto's "Paradox" and Six Degrees of Cancer Prevalence

Peto's paradox and the epidemiologic observation of the average six degrees of tumor prevalence are studied and hypothetically solved. A simple consideration, Petho's paradox challenges our intuitive understanding of cancer risk and prevalence. Our simple consideration is that the more a cell divides, the higher the chance of acquiring cancerous mutations, and so the larger or longer-lived organisms have more cells and undergo more cell divisions over their lifetime, expecting to have a higher risk of developing cancer. Paradoxically, it is not supported by the observations. The allometric scaling of species could answer the Peto paradox. Another paradoxical human epidemiology observation in six average mutations is necessary for cancer prevalence, despite the random expectations of the tumor causes. To solve this challenge, game theory could be applied. The inherited and random DNA mutations in the replication process nonlinearly drive cancer development. The statistical variance concept does not reasonably describe tumor development. Instead, the Darwinian natural selection principle is applied. The mutations in the healthy organism's cellular population can serve the species' evolutionary adaptation by the selective pressure of the circumstances. Still, some cells collect multiple uncorrected mutations, adapt to the extreme stress in the stromal environment, and develop subclinical phases of cancer in the individual. This process needs extensive subsequent DNA replications to heritage and collect additional mutations, which are only marginal alone. Still, together, they are preparing for the first stage of the precancerous condition. In the second stage, when one of the caretaker genes is accidentally mutated, the caused genetic instability prepares the cell to fight for its survival and avoid apoptosis. This can be described as a competitive game. In the third stage, the precancerous cell develops uncontrolled proliferation with the damaged gatekeeper gene and forces the new game strategy with binary cooperation with stromal cells for alimentation. In the fourth stage, the starving conditions cause a game change again, starting a cooperative game, where the malignant cells cooperate and force the cooperation of the stromal host, too. In the fifth stage, the resetting of homeostasis finishes the subclinical stage, and in the fifth stage, the clinical phase starts. The prevention of the development of mutated cells is more complex than averting exposure to mutagens from the environment throughout the organism's lifetime. Mutagenic exposure can increase the otherwise random imperfect DNA reproduction, increasing the likelihood of cancer development, but mutations exist. Toxic exposure is more challenging; it may select the tolerant cells on this particular toxic stress, so these mutations have more facility to avoid apoptosis in otherwise collected random mutational states.

Role of Ganetespib, an HSP90 Inhibitor, in Cancer Therapy: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Practice

Heat-shock proteins are upregulated in cancer and protect several client proteins from degradation. Therefore, they contribute to tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis by reducing apoptosis and enhancing cell survival and proliferation. These client proteins include the estrogen receptor (ER), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), and cytokine receptors. The diminution of the degradation of these client proteins activates different signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB, Raf/MEK/ERK, and JAK/STAT3 pathways. These pathways contribute to hallmarks of cancer, such as self-sufficiency in growth signaling, an insensitivity to anti-growth signals, the evasion of apoptosis, persistent angiogenesis, tissue invasion and metastasis, and an unbounded capacity for replication. However, the inhibition of HSP90 activity by ganetespib is believed to be a promising strategy in the treatment of cancer because of its low adverse effects compared to other HSP90 inhibitors. Ganetespib is a potential cancer therapy that has shown promise in preclinical tests against various cancers, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. It has also shown strong activity toward breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia. Ganetespib has been found to cause apoptosis and growth arrest in these cancer cells, and it is being tested in phase II clinical trials as a first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer. In this review, we will highlight the mechanism of action of ganetespib and its role in treating cancer based on recent studies.

In silico analysis of the HSP90 chaperone system from the African trypanosome, Trypanosoma brucei

African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) and spread by the tsetse fly in sub-Saharan Africa. The trypanosome relies on heat shock proteins for survival in the insect vector and mammalian host. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) plays a crucial role in the stress response at the cellular level. Inhibition of its interactions with chaperones and co-chaperones is being explored as a potential therapeutic target for numerous diseases. This study provides an in silico overview of HSP90 and its co-chaperones in both T. brucei brucei and T. brucei gambiense in relation to human and other trypanosomal species, including non-parasitic Bodo saltans and the insect infecting Crithidia fasciculata. A structural analysis of T. brucei HSP90 revealed differences in the orientation of the linker and C-terminal domain in comparison to human HSP90. Phylogenetic analysis displayed the T. brucei HSP90 proteins clustering into three distinct groups based on subcellular localizations, namely, cytosol, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. Syntenic analysis of cytosolic HSP90 genes revealed that T. b. brucei encoded for 10 tandem copies, while T. b. gambiense encoded for three tandem copies; Leishmania major (L. major) had the highest gene copy number with 17 tandem copies. The updated information on HSP90 from recently published proteomics on T. brucei was examined for different life cycle stages and subcellular localizations. The results show a difference between T. b. brucei and T. b. gambiense with T. b. brucei encoding a total of twelve putative HSP90 genes, while T. b. gambiense encodes five HSP90 genes. Eighteen putative co-chaperones were identified with one notable absence being cell division cycle 37 (Cdc37). These results provide an updated framework on approaching HSP90 and its interactions as drug targets in the African trypanosome.

Identification of a Thyroid Hormone Binding Site in Hsp90 with Implications for Its Interaction with Thyroid Hormone Receptor Beta

While many proteins are known clients of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), it is unclear whether the transcription factor, thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRb), interacts with Hsp90 to control hormonal perception and signaling. Higher Hsp90 expression in mouse fibroblasts was elicited by the addition of triiodothyronine (T3). T3 bound to Hsp90 and enhanced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding of Hsp90 due to a specific binding site for T3, as identified by molecular docking experiments. The binding of TRb to Hsp90 was prevented by T3 or by the thyroid mimetic sobetirome. Purified recombinant TRb trapped Hsp90 from cell lysate or purified Hsp90 in pull-down experiments. The affinity of Hsp90 for TRb was 124 nM. Furthermore, T3 induced the release of bound TRb from Hsp90, which was shown by streptavidin-conjugated quantum dot (SAv-QD) masking assay. The data indicate that the T3 interaction with TRb and Hsp90 may be an amplifier of the cellular stress response by blocking Hsp90 activity.

Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) and Hsp70 as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Autoimmune Skin Diseases

Over a hundred different autoimmune diseases have been described to date, which can affect every organ in the body, including the largest one, the skin. In fact, up to one-fifth of the world's population suffers from chronic, noninfectious inflammatory skin diseases, the development of which is significantly influenced by an autoimmune response. One of the hallmarks of autoimmune diseases is the loss of immune tolerance, which leads to the formation of autoreactive lymphocytes or autoantibodies and, consequently, to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. The treatment of autoimmune skin diseases mainly focuses on immunosuppression (using, e.g., corticosteroids) but almost never leads to the development of permanent mechanisms of immune tolerance. In addition, current therapies and their long-term administration may cause serious adverse effects. Hence, safer and more effective therapies that bring sustained balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses are still desired. Both intra- and extracellular heat shock proteins (Hsps), specifically well-characterized inducible Hsp90 and Hsp70 chaperones, have been highlighted as therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases. This review presents preclinical data on the involvement of Hsp90 and Hsp70 in modulating the immune response, specifically in the context of the treatment of selected autoimmune skin diseases with emphasis on autoimmune bullous skin diseases and psoriasis.

Extracellular Heat Shock Protein-90 (eHsp90): Everything You Need to Know

“Extracellular” Heat Shock Protein-90 (Hsp90) was initially reported in the 1970s but was not formally recognized until 2008 at the 4th International Conference on The Hsp90 Chaperone Machine (Monastery Seeon, Germany). Studies presented under the topic of “extracellular Hsp90 (eHsp90)” at the conference provided direct evidence for eHsp90’s involvement in cancer invasion and skin wound healing. Over the past 15 years, studies have focused on the secretion, action, biological function, therapeutic targeting, preclinical evaluations, and clinical utility of eHsp90 using wound healing, tissue fibrosis, and tumour models both in vitro and in vivo. eHsp90 has emerged as a critical stress-responding molecule targeting each of the pathophysiological conditions. Despite the studies, our current understanding of several fundamental questions remains little beyond speculation. Does eHsp90 indeed originate from purposeful live cell secretion or rather from accidental dead cell leakage? Why did evolution create an intracellular chaperone that also functions as a secreted factor with reported extracellular duties that might be (easily) fulfilled by conventional secreted molecules? Is eHsp90 a safer and more optimal drug target than intracellular Hsp90 chaperone? In this review, we summarize how much we have learned about eHsp90, provide our conceptual views of the findings, and make recommendations on the future studies of eHsp90 for clinical relevance.

Forcing the Antitumor Effects of HSPs Using a Modulated Electric Field

The role of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) is a “double-edged sword” with regards to tumors. The location and interactions of HSPs determine their pro- or antitumor activity. The present review includes an overview of the relevant functions of HSPs, which could improve their antitumor activity. Promoting the antitumor processes could assist in the local and systemic management of cancer. We explore the possibility of achieving this by manipulating the electromagnetic interactions within the tumor microenvironment. An appropriate electric field may select and affect the cancer cells using the electric heterogeneity of the tumor tissue. This review describes the method proposed to effect such changes: amplitude-modulated radiofrequency (amRF) applied with a 13.56 MHz carrier frequency. We summarize the preclinical investigations of the amRF on the HSPs in malignant cells. The preclinical studies show the promotion of the expression of HSP70 on the plasma membrane, participating in the immunogenic cell death (ICD) pathway. The sequence of guided molecular changes triggers innate and adaptive immune reactions. The amRF promotes the secretion of HSP70 also in the extracellular matrix. The extracellular HSP70 accompanied by free HMGB1 and membrane-expressed calreticulin (CRT) form damage-associated molecular patterns encouraging the dendritic cells’ maturing for antigen presentation. The process promotes killer T-cells. Clinical results demonstrate the potential of this immune process to trigger a systemic effect. We conclude that the properly applied amRF promotes antitumor HSP activity, and in situ, it could support the tumor-specific immune effects produced locally but acting systemically for disseminated cells and metastatic lesions.

Heterogeneous Heat Absorption Is Complementary to Radiotherapy

Simple Summary

This review shows the advantages of heterogeneous heating of selected malignant cells in harmonic synergy with radiotherapy. The main clinical achievement of this complementary therapy is its extreme safety and minimal adverse effects. Combining the two methods opens a bright perspective, transforming the local radiotherapy to the antitumoral impact on the whole body, destroying the distant metastases by “teaching” the immune system about the overall danger of malignancy.

Abstract

(1) Background: Hyperthermia in oncology conventionally seeks the homogeneous heating of the tumor mass. The expected isothermal condition is the basis of the dose calculation in clinical practice. My objective is to study and apply a heterogenic temperature pattern during the heating process and show how it supports radiotherapy. (2) Methods: The targeted tissue’s natural electric and thermal heterogeneity is used for the selective heating of the cancer cells. The amplitude-modulated radiofrequency current focuses the energy absorption on the membrane rafts of the malignant cells. The energy partly “nonthermally” excites and partly heats the absorbing protein complexes. (3) Results: The excitation of the transmembrane proteins induces an extrinsic caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, while the heat stress promotes the intrinsic caspase-dependent and independent apoptotic signals generated by mitochondria. The molecular changes synergize the method with radiotherapy and promote the abscopal effect. The mild average temperature (39–41 °C) intensifies the blood flow for promoting oxygenation in combination with radiotherapy. The preclinical experiences verify, and the clinical studies validate the method. (4) Conclusions: The heterogenic, molecular targeting has similarities with DNA strand-breaking in radiotherapy. The controlled energy absorption allows using a similar energy dose to radiotherapy (J/kg). The two therapies are synergistically combined.

Cellular Heterogeneity and Plasticity of Skin Epithelial Cells in Wound Healing and Tumorigenesis

Cellular differentiation, the fundamental hallmark of cells, plays a critical role in homeostasis. And stem cells not only regulate the process where embryonic stem cells develop into a complete organism, but also replace ageing or damaged cells by proliferation, differentiation and migration. In characterizing distinct subpopulations of skin epithelial cells, stem cells show large heterogeneity and plasticity for homeostasis, wound healing and tumorigenesis. Epithelial stem cells and committed progenitors replenish each other or by themselves owing to the remarkable plasticity and heterogeneity of epidermal cells under certain circumstance. The development of new assay methods, including single-cell RNA sequence, lineage tracing assay, intravital microscopy systems and photon-ablation assay, highlight the plasticity of epidermal stem cells in response to injure and tumorigenesis. However, the critical mechanisms and key factors that regulate cellular plasticity still need for further exploration. In this review, we discuss the recent insights about the heterogeneity and plasticity of epithelial stem cells in homeostasis, wound healing and skin tumorigenesis. Understanding how stem cells collaborate together to repair injury and initiate tumor will offer new solutions for relevant diseases. Schematic abstract of cellular heterogeneity and plasticity of skin epithelial cells in wound healing and tumorigenesis.

Extracellular Heat Shock Proteins as Therapeutic Targets and Biomarkers in Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) include a large number of diseases and causes with variable outcomes often associated with progressive fibrosis. Although each of the individual fibrosing ILDs are rare, collectively, they affect a considerable number of patients, representing a significant burden of disease. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the typical chronic fibrosing ILD associated with progressive decline in lung. Other fibrosing ILDs are often associated with connective tissues diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis-ILD (RA-ILD) and systemic sclerosis-associated ILD (SSc-ILD), or environmental/drug exposure. Given the vast number of progressive fibrosing ILDs and the disparities in clinical patterns and disease features, the course of these diseases is heterogeneous and cannot accurately be predicted for an individual patient. As a consequence, the discovery of novel biomarkers for these types of diseases is a major clinical challenge. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperons that have been extensively described to be involved in fibrogenesis. Their extracellular forms (eHSPs) have been recently and successfully used as therapeutic targets or circulating biomarkers in cancer. The current review will describe the role of eHSPs in fibrosing ILDs, highlighting the importance of these particular stress proteins to develop new therapeutic strategies and discover potential biomarkers in these diseases.

Linking hsp90's role as an evolutionary capacitator to the development of cancer

This paper links Heat Shock Protein Hsp90 as an evolutionary capacitator with the development of cancer. Hsp90 stabilises proteins associated with cancer in a number of ways. Canalisation allows for the accumulation of malignant mutations in the genome, and selection of beneficial phenotypes when cancer cells are stressed, allowing oncogenic development and progression. Hsp90 may allow for mutational 'big bangs' that can trigger primary malignant transformation. Hsp90 buffers catastrophic mutations in the oncogenome to prevent protein degradation and cellular apoptosis. Hsp90 was found to prevent the degradation of mutated p53, encouraging uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Hsp90 buffering of mutations in response to cytotoxic therapy can lead to expression of beneficial phenotypes when Hsp90 is supressed and development of drug resistance. Trials with Hsp90 inhibitors have shown some success as an adjunctive therapy in preventing cancer progression, development of drug resistance, and even re-sensitisation to therapy after chemoresistance has developed.

Expression analysis of Hsp90α and cytokines in zebrafish caudal fin regeneration

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an ideal model organism for exploring the ability and mechanism of tissue regeneration in the vertebrate. However, the specific cellular and molecular mechanism of caudal fin regeneration in zebrafish remains largely unclear. Therefore, we first confirmed the crucial period of fin regeneration in adult zebrafish by morphological and histological analysis. Then we performed RNA-Seq analysis of the caudal fin regeneration at three key stages, which provided some clues for exploring the mechanism of caudal fin regeneration. Moreover, we also determined the expressions of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TGF-β, and the immune-related pathway JAK2α and STAT1b in the caudal fin of zebrafish following fin amputation by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Particularly, Hsp90α expression at mRNA and protein level determined by qPCR and Western blotting, respectively, and whole-mount in situ hybridization of Hsp90α were also performed in this study. The results showed that inflammatory cytokines were mainly expressed in the early period of caudal fin regeneration (1-3 days post amputation, dpa), indicating that fish immune system was involved in the fin regeneration. Furthermore, the high expression of Hsp90α in the vicinity of blastema and blood vessels of the regenerating fin suggests that Hsp90α may play a role in the initiation and promotion of caudal fin regeneration. Overall, our results provide a framework for further understanding the cellular and molecular mechanism in caudal fin regeneration.

Inhibitors of HSP90 in melanoma

HSP90 (heat shock protein 90) is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone involved in a proper folding and maturation of hundreds of proteins. HSP90 is abundantly expressed in cancer, including melanoma. HSP90 client proteins are the key oncoproteins of several signaling pathways controlling melanoma development, progression and response to therapy. A number of natural and synthetic compounds of different chemical structures and binding sites within HSP90 have been identified as selective HSP90 inhibitors. The majority of HSP90-targeting agents affect N-terminal ATPase activity of HSP90. In contrast to N-terminal inhibitors, agents interacting with the middle and C-terminal domains of HSP90 do not induce HSP70-dependent cytoprotective response. Several inhibitors of HSP90 were tested against melanoma in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, providing evidence that these agents can be considered either as single or complementary therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of HSP90 protein in cancer with focus on melanoma, and provides an overview of structurally different HSP90 inhibitors that are considered as potential therapeutics for melanoma treatment.

Columbamine suppresses proliferation and invasion of melanoma cell A375 via HSP90-mediated STAT3 activation

PURPOSE

The goal of this study is to explore the effects of columbamine in melanoma cells and the signaling pathway involved.

METHODS

Human melanoma cell line A375 cells were used in this study. Cell proliferative ability was detected by MTT assay and clone formation assay. Cell migration and invasion were measured by wound healing assay and transwell assay, respectively. Protein expression was examined by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Columbamine reduced cell proliferative ability and the number of clone spots in A375 cells. Western blotting results demonstrated that expression of cleaved caspase 3, an activated cell death protease, was upregulated by 20 and 50 µM of columbamine. Wound healing results showed that the scratch width was wider in cell treated with 20 and 50 µM of columbamine than that in cell treated with 0 and 10 µM of columbamine. Phosphorylation of STAT3 and expression of HSP90 was also repressed by columbamine in a concentration-dependent manner. Overexpression of HSP90 attenuated the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and invasion induced by columbamine.

CONCLUSION

Columbamine inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in A375 cells through inactivation of STAT3, which is mediated by HSP90.

HSP90 Interacts with the Fibronectin N-terminal Domains and Increases Matrix Formation

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an evolutionarily conserved chaperone protein that controls the function and stability of a wide range of cellular client proteins. Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular client protein of HSP90, and exogenous HSP90 or inhibitors of HSP90 alter the morphology of the extracellular matrix. Here, we further characterized the HSP90 and FN interaction. FN bound to the M domain of HSP90 and interacted with both the open and closed HSP90 conformations; and the interaction was reduced in the presence of sodium molybdate. HSP90 interacted with the N-terminal regions of FN, which are known to be important for matrix assembly. The highest affinity interaction was with the 30-kDa (heparin-binding) FN fragment, which also showed the greatest colocalization in cells and accommodated both HSP90 and heparin in the complex. The strength of interaction with HSP90 was influenced by the inherent stability of the FN fragments, together with the type of motif, where HSP90 preferentially bound the type-I FN repeat over the type-II repeat. Exogenous extracellular HSP90 led to increased incorporation of both full-length and 70-kDa fragments of FN into fibrils. Together, our data suggested that HSP90 may regulate FN matrix assembly through its interaction with N-terminal FN fragments.

The Role of HSF1 and the Chaperone Network in the Tumor Microenvironment

Tumors are stressful environments. As tumors evolve from single mutated cancer cells into invasive malignancies they must overcome various constraints and barriers imposed by a hostile microenvironment. To achieve this, cancer cells recruit and rewire cells in their microenvironment to become pro-tumorigenic. We propose that chaperones are vital players in this process, and that activation of stress responses helps tumors adapt and evolve into aggressive malignancies, by enabling phenotypic plasticity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this chapter we will review evidence supporting non-cancer-cell-autonomous activity of chaperones in human patients and mouse models of cancer, discuss the mechanisms by which this non-cell-autonomous activity is mediated and provide an evolutionary perspective on the basis of this phenomenon.

Expanding the Organismal Proteostasis Network: Linking Systemic Stress Signaling with the Innate Immune Response

Stress response pathways regulate proteostasis and mitigate macromolecular damage to promote long-term cellular health. Intercellular signaling is an essential layer of systemic proteostasis in an organism and is facilitated via transcellular signaling molecules that orchestrate the activation of stress responses across tissues and organs. Accumulating evidence indicates that components of the immune response act as signaling factors that regulate the cell-non-autonomous proteostasis network. Here, we review emergent advances in our understanding of cell-non-autonomous regulators of proteostasis networks in multicellular settings, from the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, to humans. We further discuss how innate immune responses can be players of the organismal proteostasis network and discuss how both are linked in cancer.

Extracellular Hsp90α clinically correlates with tumor malignancy and promotes migration and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose

Extracellular Hsp90α (eHsp90α) is known to be involved in tumor invasiveness and metastasis, and its prognostic value in many kinds of tumors has been identified. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional role of eHsp90α in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Patients and methods

A total of 193 patients with newly diagnosed ESCC were retrospectively evaluated. The relationship between serum Hsp90α levels before treatment and ESCC malignancy of the patients was analyzed. To test the role of eHsp90α in migration and invasion of ESCC cell lines, transwell assay was performed. Western blotting was used to explore the possible mechanism in which eHsp90α promotes ESCC migration and invasion.

Results

We found that the serum Hsp90α level before treatment is positively correlated with ESCC malignancy. Moreover, high serum Hsp90α level before treatment was significantly correlated with positive lymph node (LN) metastasis, which is the main prognostic factor for ESCC patients. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that eHsp90α promoted migration and invasion of ECA109 and ECA9706 in vitro. Further investigations revealed that eHsp90α stabilized MMP-2 and promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition evidenced by downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of N-cadherin. On the other hand, Hsp90α neutralizing antibody functionally blocked the secreted Hsp90α and reversed those effects.

Conclusion

Our findings prove the critical role of eHsp90α in promoting ESCC migration and invasion, indicating it can be not only a promising predictor for ESCC LN status, but also an effective target in ESCC therapeutics, especially in preventing LN metastasis.

Evaluation of [11C]NMS-E973 as a PET tracer for in vivo visualisation of HSP90

Heat shock protein 90 is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone important for folding, maturation and clearance of aberrantly expressed proteins and is abundantly expressed (1-2% of all proteins) in the cytosol of all normal cells. In some tumour cells, however, strong expression of HSP90 is also observed on the cell membrane and in the extracellular matrix and the affinity of tumoural HSP90 for ATP domain inhibitors was reported to increase over 100-fold compared to that of HSP90 in normal cells. Here, we explore [¹¹C]NMS-E973 as a PET tracer for in vivo visualisation of HSP90 and as a potential tool for in vivo quantification of occupancy of HSP90 inhibitors.

Methods: HSP90 expression was biochemically characterized in a panel of established cell lines including the melanoma line B16.F10. B16.F10 melanoma xenograft tumour tissue was compared to non-malignant mouse tissue. NMS-E973 was tested in vitro for HSP90 inhibitory activity in several tumour cell lines. HSP90-specific binding of [¹¹C]NMS-E973 was evaluated in B16.F10 melanoma cells and B16.F10 melanoma, prostate cancer LNCaP and PC3, SKOV-3 xenograft tumour slices and in vivo in a B16.F10 melanoma mouse model.

Results: Strong intracellular upregulation and abundant membrane localisation of HSP90 was observed in the different tumour cell lines, in the B16.F10 tumour cell line and in B16.F10 xenograft tumours compared to non-malignant tissue. NMS-E973 showed HSP90-specific inhibition and reduced proliferation of cells. [¹¹C]NMS-E973 showed strong binding to B16.F10 melanoma cells, which was inhibited by 200 µM of PU-H71, a non-structurally related HSP90 inhibitor. HSP90-specific binding was observed by in vitro autoradiography of murine B16.F10 melanoma, LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer and SKOV-3 ovary carcinoma tissue slices. Further, B16.F10 melanoma-inoculated mice were subjected to a µPET study, where the tracer showed fast and persistent tumour uptake. Pretreatment of B16.F10 melanoma mice with PU-H71 or Ganetespib (50 mg/kg) completely blocked tumour accumulation of [¹¹C]NMS-E973 and confirmed in vivo HSP90 binding specificity. HSP90-specific binding of [¹¹C]NMS-E973 was observed in blood, lungs and spleen of tumour-bearing animals but not in control animals.

Conclusion: [¹¹C]NMS-E973 is a PET tracer for in vivo visualisation of tumour HSP90 expression and can potentially be used for quantification of HSP90 occupancy. Further translational evaluation of [¹¹C]NMS-E973 is warranted.

LRP1 is required for novobiocin-mediated fibronectin turnover

Fibronectin (FN) plays a major role in the stability and organization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We have previously demonstrated that FN interacts directly with Hsp90, as well as showing that the Hsp90 inhibitor novobiocin results in FN turnover via a receptor mediated process. However, the receptor involved has not been previously identified. LRP1 is a ubiquitous receptor responsible for the internalisation of numerous ligands that binds both Hsp90 and FN, and therefore we investigated whether LRP1 was involved in novobiocin-mediated FN turnover. FN, LRP1 and Hsp90 could be isolated in a common complex, and inhibition of Hsp90 by novobiocin increased the colocalisation of FN and LRP1. Novobiocin induced an increase (at low concentrations) followed by a loss of FN that was primarily derived from extracellular matrix-associated FN and led to a concomitant increase in intracellular FN. The effect of novobiocin was specific to LRP1-expressing cells and could be recapitulated by an LRP1 blocking antibody and the allosteric C-terminal Hsp90 inhibitor SM253, but not the N-terminal inhibitor geldanamycin. Together these data suggest that LRP1 is required for FN turnover in response to Hsp90 inhibition by novobiocin, which may have unintended physiological consequences in contexts where C-terminal Hsp90 inhibition is to be used therapeutically.

Bovine Hemoglobin Derived Peptide Asn-Phe-Gly-Lys Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cells Metastasis by Targeting Secreted Hsp90α

Pancreatic cancer is a digestive system malignant carcinoma with poor prognosis. The majority of patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, which is also the leading cause of pancreatic cancer death. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimetastatic effect of Asn-Phe-Gly-Lys (NFGK), a tetrapeptide derived from bovine hemoglobin pepsin hydrolysate, on human pancreatic cancer cell line MIAPaCa-2. Wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay results showed that NFGK inhibited MIAPaCa-2 cell migration and invasion dose-dependently. Cell proliferation assay data showed that NFGK had slight cytotoxicity on MIAPaCa-2 cells. Fluorescence confocal imaging data revealed that NFGK targeted the cell membrane of MIAPaCa-2. Molecular docking data displayed that NFGK bond to the N-terminus ATP-binding pocket of secreted heat shock protein 90α (Hsp90α). Western blotting results further proved that NFGK inhibited secreted Hsp90α and downstream matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level dose dependently, while it did not inhibit intracellular Hsp90 and cyclin-dependent-kinase 4 (CDK4). All above results demonstrated that bovine hemoglobin derived peptide NFGK inhibited pancreatic cancer cell metastasis by targeting secreted Hsp90α and its downstream MMP-9.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Peptide NFGK comes from bovine hemoglobin, which is digested by pepsin in stomach after eating. After digesting to NFGK, bovine hemoglobin will obtain new function of inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell metastasis without dramatic cell toxicity. These means NFGK may help those patients who are suffering pancreatic cancer to avoid cancer cell metastasis without too much side effect.

Blockade of extracellular heat shock protein 90α by 1G6-D7 attenuates pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting ERK signaling

Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by lung fibroblast activation and ECM deposition and has a poor prognosis. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) participates in organ fibrosis, and extracellular Hsp90α (eHsp90α) promotes fibroblast activation and migration. This study aimed to investigate whether a selective anti-Hsp90α monoclonal antibody, 1G6-D7, could attenuate lung fibrosis and whether 1G6-D7 presents a protective effect by inactivating the profibrotic pathway. Our results showed that eHsp90α was increased in mice with BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis and that 1G6-D7 attenuated inflammation and collagen deposition in the lung. TGF-β1 induced eHsp90α secretion, concomitantly promoting HFL-1 activation and ECM synthesis. 1G6-D7-mediated inhibition of eHsp90α significantly blocked these effects, meanwhile inhibiting downstream profibrotic pathways such as ERK, Akt, and P38. Human recombinant (hr)Hsp90α mimicked the effects of TGF-β1, by activating profibrotic pathways and by upregulating LRP-1. Moreover, ERK inhibition effectively blocked the effect of (hr)Hsp90α. In conclusion, 1G6-D7 significantly protects against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis by ameliorating fibroblast activation and ECM production, which may be through blocking ERK signaling. Our results suggest a safer molecular therapy, 1G6-D7, in pulmonary fibrosis.

Stem Cell Lineage Infidelity Drives Wound Repair and Cancer

Tissue stem cells contribute to tissue regeneration and wound repair through cellular programs that can be hijacked by cancer cells. Here, we investigate such a phenomenon in skin, where during homeostasis, stem cells of the epidermis and hair follicle fuel their respective tissues. We find that breakdown of stem cell lineage confinement-granting privileges associated with both fates-is not only hallmark but also functional in cancer development. We show that lineage plasticity is critical in wound repair, where it operates transiently to redirect fates. Investigating mechanism, we discover that irrespective of cellular origin, lineage infidelity occurs in wounding when stress-responsive enhancers become activated and override homeostatic enhancers that govern lineage specificity. In cancer, stress-responsive transcription factor levels rise, causing lineage commanders to reach excess. When lineage and stress factors collaborate, they activate oncogenic enhancers that distinguish cancers from wounds.

Secreted heat shock protein 90 promotes prostate cancer stem cell heterogeneity

Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a highly conserved molecular chaperone, is frequently upregulated in tumors, and remains an attractive anti-cancer target. Hsp90 is also found extracellularly, particularly in tumor models. Although extracellular Hsp90 (eHsp90) action is not well defined, eHsp90 targeting attenuates tumor invasion and metastasis, supporting its unique role in tumor progression. We herein investigated the potential role of eHsp90 as a modulator of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) in prostate cancer (PCa). We report a novel function for eHsp90 as a facilitator of PCa stemness, determined by its ability to upregulate stem-like markers, promote self-renewal, and enhance prostasphere growth. Moreover, eHsp90 increased the side population typically correlated with the drug-resistant phenotype. Intriguingly, tumor cells with elevated surface eHsp90 exhibited a marked increase in stem-like markers coincident with increased expression of the epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) effector Snail, indicating that surface eHsp90 may enrich for a unique CSC population. Our analysis of distinct effectors modulating the eHsp90-dependent CSC phenotyperevealed that eHsp90 is a likely facilitator of stem cell heterogeneity. Taken together, our findings provide unique functional insights into eHsp90 as a modulator of PCa plasticity, and provide a framework towards understanding its role as a driver of tumor progression.

Extracellular Hsp90 and TGFβ regulate adhesion, migration and anchorage independent growth in a paired colon cancer cell line model

Background

Tumour metastasis remains the major cause of death in cancer patients and, to date, the mechanism and signalling pathways governing this process are not completely understood. The TGF-β pathway is the most commonly mutated pathway in cancer, however its role in cancer progression is controversial as it can function as both a promoter and a suppressor of metastasis. Although previous studies have suggested a role for the molecular chaperone Hsp90 in regulating the TGF-β pathway, the level at which this occurs as well as the consequences in terms of colon cancer metastasis are unknown.

Methods

The paired SW480 and SW620 colon cancer cell lines, derived from a primary tumour and its lymph node metastasis, respectively, were used as an in vitro model to study key cellular processes required for metastasis. The status of the TGF-β pathway was examined in these cells using ELISA, flow cytometry, western blot analysis and confocal microscopy. Furthermore, the effect of addition or inhibition of the TGF-β pathway and Hsp90 on adhesion, migration and anchorage-independent growth, was determined in the cell lines.

Results

When comparing the canonical TGF-β1 pathway in the genetically paired cell lines our data suggests that this pathway may be constitutively active in the SW620 metastasis-derived cell line and not the SW480 primary tumour-derived line. In addition, we report that, when present in combination, TGF-β1 and Hsp90β stimulate anchorage-independent growth, reduce adhesion and stimulate migration. This effect is potentiated by inhibition of the TGF-β1 receptor and occurs via an alternate TGF-β1 pathway, mediated by αvβ6 integrin. Interestingly, in the SW620 cells, activation of this alternate TGF-β1 signalling machinery does not appear to require inhibition of the canonical TGF-β1 receptor, which would allow them to respond more effectively to the pro-metastasis stimulus of a combination of Hsp90β and TGF-β1 and this could account for the increased migratory capacity of these cells.

Conclusions

In this study we report an apparent synergy between TGF-β1 and Hsp90β in stimulating migratory behaviour of colon cancer cells when signalling occurs via αvβ6 integrin as opposed to the canonical TGF-β1 pathway.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3190-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Telomerase-Derived Anticancer Peptide Vaccine GV1001 as an Extracellular Heat Shock Protein-Mediated Cell-Penetrating Peptide

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), which can facilitate the transport of molecular cargo across the plasma membrane, have become important tools in promoting the cellular delivery of macromolecules. GV1001, a peptide derived from a reverse-transcriptase subunit of telomerase (hTERT) and developed as a vaccine against various cancers, reportedly has unexpected CPP properties. Unlike typical CPPs, such as the HIV-1 TAT peptide, GV1001 enabled the cytosolic delivery of macromolecules such as proteins, DNA and siRNA via extracellular heat shock protein 90 (eHSP90) and 70 (eHSP70) complexes. The eHSP-GV1001 interaction may have biological effects in addition to its cytosolic delivery function. GV1001 was originally designed as a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-binding cancer epitope, but its CPP properties may contribute to its strong anti-cancer immune response relative to other telomerase peptide-based vaccines. Cell signaling via eHSP-GV1001 binding may lead to unexpected biological effects, such as direct anticancer or antiviral effects. In this review, we focus on the CPP effects of GV1001 bound to eHSP90 and eHSP70.

Bcl-2 overexpression contributes to laryngeal carcinoma cell survival by forming a complex with Hsp90β

Laryngeal carcinoma (LC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of all head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). However, the molecular mechanism and genetic basis of the development of LC have not been fully elucidated. To explore the possible mechanism, targeted proteomic analysis was performed on Bcl-2-associated proteins from LC cells. According to our results, 35 proteins associated with Bcl-2 were identified and Hsp90β was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis. Protein‑protein interaction (PPI) analysis indicated that Bcl-2‑Hsp90β interactions may be involved in the anti-apoptotic progression of LC. Further results revealed that disruption of the Bcl-2-Hsp90β interaction inhibited the anti-apoptotic ability of Bcl-2 and decreased the caspase activation in LC, which has broad implications for the better understanding of tumor formation, tumor cell survival and development of metastasis due to Bcl-2. Collectively, we report the mechanism by which Bcl-2 functions in LC as an anti-apoptotic factor in relation to its association with proteins and potentially identify a Bcl-2/Hsp90β axis as a novel target for LC therapy.

Inhibition of HIV-1 reactivation by a telomerase-derived peptide in a HSP90-dependent manner

A peptide vaccine designed to induce T-cell immunity to telomerase, GV1001, has been shown to modulate cellular signaling pathways and confer a direct anti-cancer effect through the interaction with heat shock protein (HSP) 90 and 70. Here, we have found that GV1001 can modulate transactivation protein-mediated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 transactivation in an HSP90-dependent manner. GV1001 treatment resulted in significant suppression of HIV-1 replication and rescue of infected cells from death by HIV-1. Transactivation of HIV-long terminal repeat (LTR) was inhibited by GV1001, indicating that GV1001 suppressed the transcription from proviral HIV DNA. The anti-HIV-1 activity of GV1001 was completely abrogated by an HSP90-neutralizing antibody, indicating that the antiviral activity depends on HSP90. Further mechanistic studies revealed that GV1001 suppresses basal NF-κB activation, which is required for HIV-1 LTR transactivation in an HSP90-dependent manner. Inhibition of LTR transactivation by GV1001 suggests its potential to suppress HIV-1 reactivation from latency. Indeed, PMA-mediated reactivation of HIV-1 from latent infected cells was suppressed by GV1001. The results suggest the potential therapeutic use of GV1001, a peptide proven to be safe for human use, as an anti-HIV-1 agent to suppress the reactivation from latently infected cells.

Extracellular Biocoordinated Zinc Nanofibers Inhibit Malignant Characteristics of Cancer Cell

Inhibition of the heat shock proteins (HSPs) has been considered to be one of the promising strategies for cancer treatment. However, developing highly effective HSP inhibitors remains a challenge. Recent studies on the evolutionarily distinct functions between intracellular and extracellular HSPs (eHSPs) trigger a new direction with eHSPs as chemotherapeutic targets. Herein, the first engineered eHSP nanoinhibitor with high effectiveness is reported. The zinc-aspartic acid nanofibers have specific binding ability to eHSP90, which induces a decrease in the level of the tumor marker-gelatinases, consequently resulting in downregulation of the tumor-promoting inflammation nuclear factor-kappa B signaling, and finally inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; while they are harmless to normal cells. Our findings highlight the potential for cancer treatment by altering the key determinants that shape its ability to adapt and evolve using novel nanomaterials.

2,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde derived Schiff bases as small molecule Hsp90 inhibitors: rational identification of a new anticancer lead

Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone that heals diverse array of biomolecules ranging from multiple oncogenic proteins to the ones responsible for development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover they are over-expressed in cancer cells as a complex with co-chaperones and under-expressed in normal cells as a single free entity. Hence inhibitors of Hsp90 will be more effective and selective in destroying cancer cells with minimum chances of acquiring resistance to them. In continuation of our goal to rationally develop effective small molecule azomethines against Hsp90, we designed few more compounds belonging to the class of 2,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde derived imines (1-13) with our validated docking protocol. The molecules exhibiting good docking score were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by IR, (1)H NMR and mass spectral analysis. Subsequently, they were evaluated for their potential to suppress Hsp90 ATPase activity by Malachite green assay. The antiproliferative effect of the molecules were examined on PC3 prostate cancer cell lines by adopting 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay methodology. Finally, schiff base 13 emerged as the lead molecule for future design and development of Hsp90 inhibitors as anticancer agents.

Tumor-secreted Hsp90 subverts polycomb function to drive prostate tumor growth and invasion

Prostate cancer remains the second highest contributor to male cancer-related lethality. The transition of a subset of tumors from indolent to invasive disease is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Activation of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) genetic program is a major risk factor for cancer progression. We recently reported that secreted extracellular Hsp90 (eHsp90) initiates EMT in prostate cancer cells, coincident with its enhanced expression in mesenchymal models. Our current work substantially extended these findings in defining a pathway linking eHsp90 signaling to EZH2 function, a methyltransferase of the Polycomb repressor complex. EZH2 is also implicated in EMT activation, and its up-regulation represents one of the most frequent epigenetic alterations during prostate cancer progression. We have now highlighted a novel epigenetic function for eHsp90 via its modulation of EZH2 expression and activity. Mechanistically, eHsp90 initiated sustained activation of MEK/ERK, a signal critical for facilitating EZH2 transcriptional up-regulation and recruitment to the E-cadherin promoter. We further demonstrated that an eHsp90-EZH2 pathway orchestrates an expanded repertoire of EMT-related events including Snail and Twist expression, tumor cell motility, and anoikis resistance. To evaluate the role of eHsp90 in vivo, eHsp90 secretion was stably enforced in a prostate cancer cell line resembling indolent disease. Remarkably, eHsp90 was sufficient to induce tumor growth, suppress E-cadherin, and initiate localized invasion, events that are exquisitely dependent upon EZH2 function. In summary, our findings illuminate a hitherto unknown epigenetic function for eHsp90 and support a model wherein tumor eHsp90 functions as a rheostat for EZH2 expression and activity to orchestrate mesenchymal properties and coincident aggressive behavior.