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Quadri M, Palazzo E. The Role of the Neurotrophin Network in Skin Squamous Cell Cancer and the Novel Use of the Zebrafish System. JID INNOVATIONS 2024; 4:100295. [PMID: 39100386 PMCID: PMC11296245 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjidi.2024.100295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most prevalent form of skin cancer. An increasing number of cSCCs are associated with dysregulation of key molecules that control skin homeostasis. These observations have increased interest in the role of neurotrophins and their receptors in the pathogenesis of cSCC. They have been demonstrated to have a considerable impact on the aggressiveness potential of skin cancer by both in vitro and in vivo models. In this context, mouse models are classically used to dissect proliferation versus differentiation balance, but they have some limitations in terms of time, space, and costs. Recently, zebrafish models have been implemented as a new tool to obtain information regarding the invasive capacity and metastasis of neoplastic cells. By xenotransplantation technique, cSCC cells from a patient's biopsy or cell line can be successfully characterized, with or without the presence of genetic manipulation or treatments. In addition, the evaluation of the immune microenvironment contributes to potentially identifying connections and homologies with humans. In this review, we retrace the role of the neurotrophin network in healthy and pathological skin, particularly in cSCC. We review how zebrafish models can be important tools for studying cSCC development, growth, and potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Quadri
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Palazzo
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Zhao H, Fan S, Sun J. Delayed Wound Healing in the Elderly and a New Therapeutic Target: CD271. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 19:316-323. [PMID: 37016526 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x18666230403083603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
With the development of society, the global population is showing a trend of aging. It is well known that age is one of the factors affecting wound healing. Aging compromises the normal physiological process of wound healing, such as the change of skin structure, the decrease of growth factors, the deceleration of cell proliferation, and the weakening of migration ability, hence delaying wound healing. At present, research in adult stem cell-related technology and its derived regenerative medicine provides a novel idea for the treatment of senile wounds. Studies have confirmed that CD271 (P75 neurotropism receptor/P75NTR)-positive cells (CD271+ cells) are a kind of stem cells with a stronger ability of proliferation, differentiation, migration and secretion than CD271 negative (CD271- cells). Meanwhile, the total amount and distribution of CD271 positive cells in different ages of skin are also different, which may be related to the delayed wound healing of aging skin. Therefore, this article reviews the relationship between CD271+ cells and senile wounds and discusses a new scheme for the treatment of senile wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqing Zhao
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning Province, China
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Sirui Fan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jiachen Sun
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
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Quadri M, Tiso N, Musmeci F, Morasso MI, Brooks SR, Bonetti LR, Panini R, Lotti R, Marconi A, Pincelli C, Palazzo E. CD271 activation prevents low to high-risk progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and improves therapy outcomes. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:167. [PMID: 37443031 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02737-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most prevalent form of skin cancer, showing a rapid increasing incidence worldwide. Although most cSCC can be cured by surgery, a sizeable number of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, with local invasion and distant metastatic lesions. In the skin, neurotrophins (NTs) and their receptors (CD271 and Trk) form a complex network regulating epidermal homeostasis. Recently, several works suggested a significant implication of NT receptors in cancer. However, CD271 functions in epithelial tumors are controversial and its precise role in cSCC is still to be defined. METHODS Spheroids from cSCC patients with low-risk (In situ or Well-Differentiated cSCC) or high-risk tumors (Moderately/Poorly Differentiated cSCC), were established to explore histological features, proliferation, invasion abilities, and molecular pathways modulated in response to CD271 overexpression or activation in vitro. The effect of CD271 activities on the response to therapeutics was also investigated. The impact on the metastatic process and inflammation was explored in vivo and in vitro, by using zebrafish xenograft and 2D/3D models. RESULTS Our data proved that CD271 is upregulated in Well-Differentiated tumors as compared to the more aggressive Moderately/Poorly Differentiated cSCC, both in vivo and in vitro. We demonstrated that CD271 activities reduce proliferation and malignancy marker expression in patient-derived cSCC spheroids at each tumor grade, by increasing neoplastic cell differentiation. CD271 overexpression significantly increases cSCC spheroid mass density, while it reduces their weight and diameter, and promotes a major fold-enrichment in differentiation and keratinization genes. Moreover, both CD271 overexpression and activation decrease cSCC cell invasiveness in vitro. A significant inhibition of the metastatic process by CD271 was observed in a newly established zebrafish cSCC model. We found that the recruitment of leucocytes by CD271-overexpressing cells directly correlates with tumor killing and this finding was further highlighted by monocyte infiltration in a THP-1-SCC13 3D model. Finally, CD271 activity synergizes with Trk receptor inhibition, by reducing spheroid viability, and significantly improves the outcome of photodynamic therapy (PTD) or chemotherapy in spheroids and zebrafish. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence that CD271 could prevent the switch between low to high-risk cSCC tumors. Because CD271 contributes to maintaining active differentiative paths and favors the response to therapies, it might be a promising target for future pharmaceutical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Quadri
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Natascia Tiso
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Maria I Morasso
- Laboratory of Skin Biology, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephen R Brooks
- Biodata Mining and Discovery Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Luca Reggiani Bonetti
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Rossana Panini
- Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Roberta Lotti
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marconi
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlo Pincelli
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Palazzo
- DermoLAB, Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.
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Chen Z, Huang Z, Luo Y, Zou Q, Bai L, Tang G, Wang X, Cao G, Huang M, Xiang J, Yu H. Genome-wide analysis identifies critical DNA methylations within NTRKs genes in colorectal cancer. J Transl Med 2021; 19:73. [PMID: 33593392 PMCID: PMC7885252 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02740-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinases (NTRKs) are a gene family function as oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in distinct cancers. We aimed to investigate the methylation and expression profiles and prognostic value of NTRKs gene in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods An analysis of DNA methylation and expression profiles in CRC patients was performed to explore the critical methylations within NTRKs genes. The methylation marker was validated in a retrospectively collected cohort of 229 CRC patients and tested in other tumor types from TCGA. DNA methylation status was determined by quantitative methylation-specific PCR (QMSP). Results The profiles in six CRC cohorts showed that NTRKs gene promoter was more frequently methylated in CRC compared to normal mucosa, which was associated with suppressed gene expression. We identified a specific methylated region within NTRK3 promoter targeted by cg27034819 and cg11525479 that best predicted survival outcome in CRC. NTRK3 promoter methylation showed independently predictive value for survival outcome in the validation cohort (P = 0.004, HR 2.688, 95% CI [1.355, 5.333]). Based on this, a nomogram predicting survival outcome was developed with a C-index of 0.705. Furthermore, the addition of NTRK3 promoter methylation improved the performance of currently-used prognostic model (AIC: 516.49 vs 513.91; LR: 39.06 vs 43.64, P = 0.032). Finally, NTRK3 promoter methylation also predicted survival in other tumors, including pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma and stomach adenocarcinoma. Conclusions This study highlights the essential value of NTRK3 methylation in prognostic evaluation and the potential to improve current prognostic models in CRC and other tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zenghong Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanxin Luo
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zou
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liangliang Bai
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guannan Tang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guangwen Cao
- Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meijin Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Xiang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Huichuan Yu
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Wei J, Huang J, Kuang Y, Li Y, Zhong D, Song J. Metformin inhibits proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by suppressing proteolysis of nerve growth factor receptor. Arch Oral Biol 2020; 121:104971. [PMID: 33220581 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the effects of metformin on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell proliferation and the associated molecular mechanisms. METHODS We established an OSCC model in SCC15 cells overexpressing nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) or the N-terminal region (aa 1-250; NGFR-N), and assessed cell proliferation by CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and cell cycle analysis. Levels of NGFR and related genes and proteins were detected by qPCR and western blotting, and NGFR and NGFR-N affinity for p53 was assessed by immunoprecipitation assay. Additionally, the effects of NGFR and NGFR-N on p53 binding with its downstream gene promoters were analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS Metformin inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and blocked NGFR proteolysis, thereby reducing the generation of its intracellular domain and NGFR-N. Moreover, compared with NGFR, NGFR-N showed higher affinity for p53 and more strongly inactivated p53 to promote cell proliferation. Furthermore, upregulation of NGFR-N downregulated levels of p53-specific downstream transcripts and proteins, whereas these levels were significantly upregulated in metformin-treated cells overexpressing NGFR. CONCLUSIONS These results showed that metformin inhibited cell proliferation by suppressing NGFR proteolysis, thereby promoting its antitumor effect in OSCC and offering novel insight into a role for metformin in OSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wei
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Jiao Huang
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Yunchun Kuang
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Yongkai Li
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Daiqin Zhong
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Jinlin Song
- College of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory for Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences, Chongqing, 401147, China; Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education, Chongqing, 401147, China.
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