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Grützmann K, Kraft T, Meinhardt M, Meier F, Westphal D, Seifert M. Network-based analysis of heterogeneous patient-matched brain and extracranial melanoma metastasis pairs reveals three homogeneous subgroups. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:1036-1050. [PMID: 38464935 PMCID: PMC10920107 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.02.013] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can metastasize to different organs. Molecular differences between brain and extracranial melanoma metastases are poorly understood. Here, promoter methylation and gene expression of 11 heterogeneous patient-matched pairs of brain and extracranial metastases were analyzed using melanoma-specific gene regulatory networks learned from public transcriptome and methylome data followed by network-based impact propagation of patient-specific alterations. This innovative data analysis strategy allowed to predict potential impacts of patient-specific driver candidate genes on other genes and pathways. The patient-matched metastasis pairs clustered into three robust subgroups with specific downstream targets with known roles in cancer, including melanoma (SG1: RBM38, BCL11B, SG2: GATA3, FES, SG3: SLAMF6, PYCARD). Patient subgroups and ranking of target gene candidates were confirmed in a validation cohort. Summarizing, computational network-based impact analyses of heterogeneous metastasis pairs predicted individual regulatory differences in melanoma brain metastases, cumulating into three consistent subgroups with specific downstream target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Grützmann
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Theresa Kraft
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Meinhardt
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Friedegund Meier
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Dana Westphal
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Seifert
- Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), D-01307 Dresden, Germany
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2
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Isaguliants M, Zhitkevich A, Petkov S, Gorodnicheva T, Mezale D, Fridrihsone I, Kuzmenko Y, Kostyushev D, Kostyusheva A, Gordeychuk I, Bayurova E. Enzymatic activity of HIV-1 protease defines migration of tumor cells in vitro and enhances their metastatic activity in vivo. Biochimie 2024:S0300-9084(24)00195-0. [PMID: 39128490 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.08.009] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Overexpression of aspartic proteases, as cathepsin D, is an independent marker of poor prognosis in breast cancer, correlated with the incidence of clinical metastasis. We aimed to find if HIV-1 aspartic protease (PR) can play a similar role. Murine adenocarcinoma 4T1luc2 cells were transduced with lentivirus encoding inactivated drug-resistant PR, generating subclones PR20.1 and PR20.2. Subclones were assessed for production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors, and in vitro migratory activity in the presence or absence of antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine and protease inhibitors. Tumorigenic activity was evaluated by implanting cells into BALB/c mice and following tumor growth by calipering and bioluminescence imaging in vivo, and metastases, by organ imaging ex vivo. Both subclones expressed PR mRNA, and PR20.2, also the protein detected by Western blotting. PR did not induce production of ROS, and had no direct effect on cell migration rate, however, treatment with inhibitors of drug-resistant PR suppressed the migratory activity of both subclones. Furthermore, expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin in PR20.2 cells and their migration were enhanced by antioxidant treatment. Sensitivity of in vitro migration to protease inhibitors and to antioxidant, known to restore PR activity, related the effects to the enzymatic activity of PR. In vivo, PR20.2 cells demonstrated higher tumorigenic and metastatic activity than PR20.1 or parental cells. Thus, HIV-1 protease expressed in breast cancer cells determines their migration in vitro and metastatic activity in vivo. This effect may aggravate clinical course of cancers in people living with HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Isaguliants
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - A Zhitkevich
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819, Moscow, Russia.
| | - S Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - T Gorodnicheva
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997, Moscow, Russia.
| | - D Mezale
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - I Fridrihsone
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Y Kuzmenko
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - D Kostyushev
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - A Kostyusheva
- Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
| | - I Gordeychuk
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden; Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819, Moscow, Russia.
| | - E Bayurova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden; Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819, Moscow, Russia.
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3
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Zhou Y, Ma Y, Sheng J, Ma Y, Ding J, Zhou W. Breaking Down Barriers in Drug Delivery by Stromal Remodeling Approaches in Pancreatic Cancer. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:3764-3776. [PMID: 39049481 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.4c00329] [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] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. The dense stroma surrounding pancreatic tumors not only provides structural support but also presents a formidable barrier to effective therapy, hindering drug penetration and immune cell infiltration. This review delves into the intricate interplay between stromal components and cancer cells, highlighting their impact on treatment resistance and prognosis. Strategies for stromal remodeling, including modulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) activation states, and targeting extracellular matrix (ECM) components, are examined for their potential to enhance drug penetration and improve therapeutic efficacy. Integration of stromal remodeling with conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, is discussed along with the emerging field of intelligent nanosystems for targeted drug delivery. This comprehensive overview underscores the importance of stromal remodeling in pancreatic cancer treatment and offers insights into promising avenues for future research and clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Yunxiao Ma
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jianwei Sheng
- China Quality Mark Certification (Shandong) Co., LTD, Jinan, Shandong 250100, China
| | - Yiran Ma
- Hunan Bainianyiren Chinese Traditional Medical Institute Co., LTD, Changsha, Hunan 410221, China
| | - Jinsong Ding
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Wenhu Zhou
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
- Key Laboratory of Biological Nanotechnology of National Health Commission, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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4
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Luo J, Yu Y, Wang K, He S, Wang L, Liang F, Chin JW, Tang S. Capturing acyl-enzyme intermediates with genetically encoded 2,3-diaminopropionic acid for hydrolase substrate identification. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-01006-x. [PMID: 38867073 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-01006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Catalytic mechanism-based, light-activated traps have recently been developed to identify the substrates of cysteine or serine hydrolases. These traps are hydrolase mutants whose catalytic cysteine or serine are replaced with genetically encoded 2,3-diaminopropionic acid (DAP). DAP-containing hydrolases specifically capture the transient thioester- or ester-linked acyl-enzyme intermediates resulting from the first step of the proteolytic reaction as their stable amide analogs. The trapped substrate fragments allow the downstream identification of hydrolase substrates by mass spectrometry and immunoblotting. In this protocol, we provide a detailed step-by-step guide for substrate capture and identification of the peptidase domain of the large tegument protein deneddylase (UL36USP) from human herpesvirus 1, both in mammalian cell lysate and live mammalian cells. Four procedures are included: Procedure 1, DAP-mediated substrate trapping in mammalian cell lysate (~8 d); Procedure 2, DAP-mediated substrate trapping in adherent mammalian cells (~6 d); Procedure 3, DAP-mediated substrate trapping in suspension mammalian cells (~5 d); and Procedure 4, substrate identification and validation (~12-13 d). Basic skills to perform protein expression in bacteria or mammalian cells, affinity enrichment and proteomic analysis are required to implement the protocol. This protocol will be a practical guide for identifying substrates of serine or cysteine hydrolases either in a complex mixture, where genetic manipulation is challenging, or in live cells such as bacteria, yeasts and mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Luo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yao Yu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ke Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Sizhe He
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Longjie Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fangfang Liang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Guangxi Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jason W Chin
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shan Tang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, MOE Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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5
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Heß L, Aliar K, Grünwald BT, Griffin R, Lozan A, Knöller M, Khokha R, Brummer T, Reinheckel T. Dipeptidyl-peptidase 9 regulates the dynamics of tumorigenesis and metastasis in breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167133. [PMID: 38531482 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167133] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The cytosolic dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase 9 (DPP9) cleaves protein N-termini post-proline or -alanine. Our analysis of DPP9 mRNA expression from the TCGA 'breast cancer' data set revealed that low/intermediate DPP9 levels are associated with poor overall survival of breast cancer patients. To unravel the impact of DPP9 on breast cancer development and progression, the transgenic MMTV-PyMT mouse model of metastasizing breast cancer was used. In addition, tissue- and time-controlled genetic deletion of DPP9 by the Cre-loxP recombination system was done. Despite a delay of tumor onset, a higher number of lung metastases were measured in DPP9-deficient mice compared to controls. In human mammary epithelial cells with oncogenic RAS pathway activation, DPP9 deficiency delayed tumorigenic transformation and accelerated TGF-β1 induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of spheroids. For further analysis of the mechanism, primary breast tumor cells were isolated from the MMTV-PyMT model. DPP9 deficiency in these cells caused cancer cell migration and invasion accompanied by EMT. In absence of DPP9, the EMT transcription factor ZEB1 was stabilized due to insufficient degradation by the proteasome. In summary, low expression of DPP9 appears to decelerate mammary tumorigenesis but favors EMT and metastasis, which establishes DPP9 as a novel dynamic regulator of breast cancer initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Heß
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kazeera Aliar
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, ON M5G 2G4, Toronto, Canada
| | - Barbara T Grünwald
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, ON M5G 2G4, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ricarda Griffin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alina Lozan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mariel Knöller
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rama Khokha
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, ON M5G 2G4, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, ON M5G 2G4, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinheckel
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Centre for Biological Signalling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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6
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Mitin D, Bullinger F, Dobrynin S, Engelmann J, Scheffler K, Kolokolov M, Krumkacheva O, Buckenmaier K, Kirilyuk I, Chubarov A. Contrast Agents Based on Human Serum Albumin and Nitroxides for 1H-MRI and Overhauser-Enhanced MRI. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4041. [PMID: 38612851 PMCID: PMC11012161 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In cancer diagnostics, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses contrast agents to enhance the distinction between the target tissue and background. Several promising approaches have been developed to increase MRI sensitivity, one of which is Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP)-enhanced MRI (OMRI). In this study, a macromolecular construct based on human serum albumin and nitroxyl radicals (HSA-NIT) was developed using a new synthesis method that significantly increased the modification to 21 nitroxide residues per protein. This was confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI ToF) mass spectrometry. Gel electrophoresis and circular dichroism showed no significant changes in the structure of HSA-NITs, and no oligomers were formed during modification. The cytotoxicity of HSA-NITs was comparable to that of native albumin. HSA-NITs were evaluated as potential "metal-free" organic radical relaxation-based contrast agents for 1H-MRI and as hyperpolarizing contrast agents for OMRI. Relaxivities (longitudinal and transversal relaxation rates r1 and r2) for HSA-NITs were measured at different magnetic field strengths (1.88, 3, 7, and 14 T). Phantoms were used to demonstrate the potential use of HSA-NIT as a T1- and T2-weighted relaxation-based contrast agent at 3 T and 14 T. The efficacy of 1H Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) in liquids at an ultralow magnetic field (ULF, B0 = 92 ± 0.8 μT) was investigated for HSA-NIT conjugates. The HSA-NITs themselves did not show ODNP enhancement; however, under the proteolysis conditions simulating cancer tissue, HSA-NIT conjugates were cleaved into lower-molecular-weight (MW) protein fragments that activate ODNP capabilities, resulting in a maximum achievable enhancement |Emax| of 40-50 and a radiofrequency power required to achieve half of Emax, P1/2, of 21-27 W. The HSA-NIT with a higher degree of modification released increased the number of spin probes upon biodegradation, which significantly enhanced the Overhauser effect. Thus, HSA-NITs may represent a new class of MRI relaxation-based contrast agents as well as novel cleavable conjugates for use as hyperpolarizing contrast agents (HCAs) in OMRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Mitin
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Friedemann Bullinger
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (F.B.); (J.E.); (K.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Sergey Dobrynin
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Jörn Engelmann
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (F.B.); (J.E.); (K.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Klaus Scheffler
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (F.B.); (J.E.); (K.S.); (K.B.)
- Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Eberhard-Karls University, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mikhail Kolokolov
- International Tomography Center SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (M.K.); (O.K.)
| | - Olesya Krumkacheva
- International Tomography Center SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (M.K.); (O.K.)
| | - Kai Buckenmaier
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (F.B.); (J.E.); (K.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Igor Kirilyuk
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Alexey Chubarov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
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7
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Dempsey PW, Sandu CM, Gonzalezirias R, Hantula S, Covarrubias-Zambrano O, Bossmann SH, Nagji AS, Veeramachaneni NK, Ermerak NO, Kocakaya D, Lacin T, Yildizeli B, Lilley P, Wen SWC, Nederby L, Hansen TF, Hilberg O. Description of an activity-based enzyme biosensor for lung cancer detection. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:37. [PMID: 38443590 PMCID: PMC10914759 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00461-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lung cancer is associated with the greatest cancer mortality as it typically presents with incurable distributed disease. Biomarkers relevant to risk assessment for the detection of lung cancer continue to be a challenge because they are often not detectable during the asymptomatic curable stage of the disease. A solution to population-scale testing for lung cancer will require a combination of performance, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity. METHODS One solution is to measure the activity of serum available enzymes that contribute to the transformation process rather than counting biomarkers. Protease enzymes modify the environment during tumor growth and present an attractive target for detection. An activity based sensor platform sensitive to active protease enzymes is presented. A panel of 18 sensors was used to measure 750 sera samples from participants at increased risk for lung cancer with or without the disease. RESULTS A machine learning approach is applied to generate algorithms that detect 90% of cancer patients overall with a specificity of 82% including 90% sensitivity in Stage I when disease intervention is most effective and detection more challenging. CONCLUSION This approach is promising as a scalable, clinically useful platform to help detect patients who have lung cancer using a simple blood sample. The performance and cost profile is being pursued in studies as a platform for population wide screening.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alykhan S Nagji
- University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sara W C Wen
- Vejle Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Line Nederby
- Vejle Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Torben F Hansen
- Vejle Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Ole Hilberg
- Vejle Hospital, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark
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8
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Gibson SV, Carter EP, Grose RP. Interrogating the Impact of Protease Activity on Tumor Progression Using 3D Spheroid Models. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2747:177-188. [PMID: 38038941 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3589-6_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancers have a complex relationship with the surrounding environment that regulates everything from progression to response to treatment. Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are heavily influenced by protease biology. Studies on the tumor microenvironment have revealed a new complexity for proteases, describing novel substrates for classic proteases, and protease-independent roles for these enzymes. The rapid expansion of 3D in vitro model systems provides excellent tools to study the intricate influence of proteases on the tumor microenvironment. Here we describe a spheroid invasion assay, providing a platform to interrogate key protease-matrix interactions in the context of early-stage breast cancer. Incorporation of pharmacological inhibition and RNAi techniques enables the elucidation of key protease-dependent pathways and can be complemented with immunofluorescence analysis to visualize matrix cleavage events and visualize cell behavior during collective cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayin V Gibson
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Edward P Carter
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Richard P Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, John Vane Science Centre, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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9
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Baghy K, Ladányi A, Reszegi A, Kovalszky I. Insights into the Tumor Microenvironment-Components, Functions and Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17536. [PMID: 38139365 PMCID: PMC10743805 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Similarly to our healthy organs, the tumor tissue also constitutes an ecosystem. This implies that stromal cells acquire an altered phenotype in tandem with tumor cells, thereby promoting tumor survival. Cancer cells are fueled by abnormal blood vessels, allowing them to develop and proliferate. Tumor-associated fibroblasts adapt their cytokine and chemokine production to the needs of tumor cells and alter the peritumoral stroma by generating more collagen, thereby stiffening the matrix; these processes promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor cell invasion. Chronic inflammation and the mobilization of pro-tumorigenic inflammatory cells further facilitate tumor expansion. All of these events can impede the effective administration of tumor treatment; so, the successful inhibition of tumorous matrix remodeling could further enhance the success of antitumor therapy. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made with the introduction of novel immunotherapy that targets the inhibitory mechanisms of T cell activation. However, extensive research is also being conducted on the stromal components and other cell types of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that may serve as potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornélia Baghy
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Andrea Ladányi
- Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology and the National Tumor Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, 1122 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Andrea Reszegi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1091 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ilona Kovalszky
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
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10
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Synelnyk T, Vovk T, Halenova T, Tytarenko V, Raksha N, Savchuk O, Falalyeyeva T, Ostapchenko L, Yakovlev P, Kozyk M, Thorley D, Strubchevska K. Evaluation of proteolytic activity and serine proteases distribution in plasma from patients with bladder cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1276882. [PMID: 38034543 PMCID: PMC10685322 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1276882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BC) is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. A bladder tumor, like other malignant neoplasms, is characterized by the presence of both cancer cells and stromal cells which secrete cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteolytic enzymes. One such class of proteolytic enzymes are serine proteases, which take part in the tumor microenvironment formation via supporting and contributing to tumor progression. This study aims to evaluate the proteolytic activity and serine protease contribution in plasma from BC patients. Methods The research involved patients of Alexandrovsky city clinical hospital aged 52-76 with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. All examined patients were divided into five groups: the control group included conditionally healthy donors, while other patients were grouped according to their tumor stage (I, II, III and IV). Plasma plasminogen levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the potential activity was measured by chromogenic plasminogen assay. Serine proteases fractions were obtained by the affinity chromatography method, and enzyme concentration in the selected fractions were determined by the Bradford method. Serine proteases distribution was investigated by electrophoresis in a polyacrylamide gel. Results It was determined that the concentration, potential activity of plasminogen, and the total amount of serine proteases in plasma from BC patients were greater than the values of the corresponding indicators in healthy donors. This could be one of the factors contributing to increased proteolysis seen in the process of carcinogenesis. Plasminogen concentration in BC patients with stage IV disease; however, displayed a tendency to be reduced compared to earlier stages, and the potential activity of plasminogen was significantly lower in patients with stages III - IV BC. Futhermore, a tumor stage specific gradual decline in the serine protease plasma content was shown. The results of electrophoretic analysis established a significant diminishment in the percentage of high molecular weight components (under non-reducing conditions) and their complete disappearance (under reducing conditions) in plasma serine protease fractions from BC patients. A decline in the percentage of heavy and light plasmin chains in BC patients was also observed. Additionally, a rise in the degraded forms of plasminogen/plasmin content was seen in BC samples, as well as the presence of fractions corresponding to trypsin and NE (under non-reducing conditions) that were absent in the control samples. Conclusion The results indicate significant changes in the proteolytic activity of plasma, from BC patients when compared to healthy controls, which is accompanied by alterations in serine protease distribution caused by tumor microenvironment pecularlities at the different stages of oncopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tetiana Vovk
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Valentyn Tytarenko
- Department of Anatomy Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Olexii Savchuk
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | | | | | - Marko Kozyk
- Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, United States
| | - Dominic Thorley
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie, PA, United States
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11
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García-Trevijano ER, Ortiz-Zapater E, Gimeno A, Viña JR, Zaragozá R. Calpains, the proteases of two faces controlling the epithelial homeostasis in mammary gland. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1249317. [PMID: 37795261 PMCID: PMC10546029 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1249317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Calpain-1 and calpain-2 are calcium-dependent Cys-proteases ubiquitously expressed in mammalian tissues with a processive, rather than degradative activity. They are crucial for physiological mammary gland homeostasis as well as for breast cancer progression. A growing number of evidences indicate that their pleiotropic functions depend on the cell type, tissue and biological context where they are expressed or dysregulated. This review considers these standpoints to cover the paradoxical role of calpain-1 and -2 in the mammary tissue either, under the physiological conditions of the postlactational mammary gland regression or the pathological context of breast cancer. The role of both calpains will be examined and discussed in both conditions, followed by a brief snapshot on the present and future challenges for calpains, the two-gateway proteases towards tissue homeostasis or tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena R. García-Trevijano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- INLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elena Ortiz-Zapater
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- INLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Gimeno
- Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan R. Viña
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- INLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosa Zaragozá
- INLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Anatomy and Human Embryology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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12
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Sheik DA, Byers K, Thomas M, Rajesh UC, Ifuku K, Kirkwood K, Al-Haddad M, Craik CS, Davisson VJ. Addressing the unmet clinical need for low-volume assays in early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. FRONTIERS IN GASTROENTEROLOGY (LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 2:1258998. [PMID: 38846269 PMCID: PMC11156210 DOI: 10.3389/fgstr.2023.1258998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
The incidental detection of pancreatic cysts, an opportunity for the early detection of pancreatic cancer, is increasing, owing to an aging population and improvements in imaging technology. The classification of pancreatic cystic precursors currently relies on imaging and cyst fluid evaluations, including cytology and protein and genomic analyses. However, there are persistent limitations that obstruct the accuracy and quality of information for clinicians, including the limited volume of the complex, often acellular, and proteinaceous milieu that comprises pancreatic cyst fluid. The constraints of currently available clinical assays lead clinicians to the subjective and inconsistent application of diagnostic tools, which can contribute to unnecessary surgery and missed pancreatic cancers. Herein, we describe the pathway toward pancreatic cyst classification and diagnosis, the volume requirements for several clinically available diagnostic tools, and some analytical and diagnostic limitations for each assay. We then discuss current and future work on novel markers and methods, and how to expand the utility of clinical pancreatic cyst fluid samples. Results of ongoing studies applying SERS as a detection mode suggest that 50 μL of pancreatic cyst fluid is more than sufficient to accurately rule out non-mucinous pancreatic cysts with no malignant potential from further evaluation. This process is expected to leave sufficient fluid to analyze a follow-up, rule-in panel of markers currently in development that can stratify grades of dysplasia in mucinous pancreatic cysts and improve clinical decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Sheik
- Research and Technology Department, Amplified Sciences, Inc, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Kaleb Byers
- Research and Technology Department, Amplified Sciences, Inc, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Mini Thomas
- Research and Technology Department, Amplified Sciences, Inc, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | | | - Kelli Ifuku
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kimberly Kirkwood
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Mohammed Al-Haddad
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Charles S. Craik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - V. Jo Davisson
- Research and Technology Department, Amplified Sciences, Inc, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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13
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Kim M, Panagiotakopoulou M, Chen C, Ruiz SB, Ganesh K, Tammela T, Heller DA. Micro-engineering and nano-engineering approaches to investigate tumour ecosystems. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:581-599. [PMID: 37353679 PMCID: PMC10528361 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
The interactions among tumour cells, the tumour microenvironment (TME) and non-tumour tissues are of interest to many cancer researchers. Micro-engineering approaches and nanotechnologies are under extensive exploration for modelling these interactions and measuring them in situ and in vivo to investigate therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer and extend a systemic view of tumour ecosystems. Here we highlight the greatest opportunities for improving the understanding of tumour ecosystems using microfluidic devices, bioprinting or organ-on-a-chip approaches. We also discuss the potential of nanosensors that can transmit information from within the TME or elsewhere in the body to address scientific and clinical questions about changes in chemical gradients, enzymatic activities, metabolic and immune profiles of the TME and circulating analytes. This Review aims to connect the cancer biology and engineering communities, presenting biomedical technologies that may expand the methodologies of the former, while inspiring the latter to develop approaches for interrogating cancer ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijin Kim
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Chen Chen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen B Ruiz
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karuna Ganesh
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tuomas Tammela
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel A Heller
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA.
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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14
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Phan T, Zhang XH, Rosen S, Melstrom LG. P38 kinase in gastrointestinal cancers. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:1181-1189. [PMID: 37248432 PMCID: PMC10501902 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-023-00622-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers are a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide with 4.2 million new cases and 3.2 million deaths estimated in 2020. Despite the advances in primary and adjuvant therapies, patients still develop distant metastases and require novel therapies. Mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are crucial signaling pathways that regulate many cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, stress responses and cancer development. p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (p38 MAPKs) includes four isoforms: p38α (MAPK14), p38β (MAPK11), p38γ (MAPK12), and p38δ (MAPK13). p38 MAPK was first identified as a stress response protein kinase that phosphorylates different transcriptional factors. Dysregulation of p38 pathways, in particular p38γ, are associated with cancer development, metastasis, autophagy and tumor microenvironment. In this article, we provide an overview of p38 and p38γ with respect to gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, targeting p38γ is also discussed as a potential therapy for gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Phan
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Xu Hannah Zhang
- Department of Hematology, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Steven Rosen
- Department of Hematology, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Laleh G Melstrom
- Department of Surgery, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
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15
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Gibson SV, Madzharova E, Tan AC, Allen MD, Keller UAD, Louise Jones J, Carter EP, Grose RP. ADAMTS3 restricts cancer invasion in models of early breast cancer progression through enhanced fibronectin degradation. Matrix Biol 2023; 121:74-89. [PMID: 37336268 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Proteases have long been associated with cancer progression, due to their ability to facilitate invasion upon matrix remodelling. However, proteases are not simply degraders of the matrix, but also play fundamental roles in modulating cellular behaviour through the proteolytic processing of specific substrates. Indeed, proteases can elicit both pro- and anti- tumorigenic effects depending on context. Using a heterocellular spheroid model of breast cancer progression, we demonstrate the repressive function of myoepithelial ADAMTS3, with its loss directing myoepithelial-led invasion of luminal cells through a physiologically relevant matrix. Degradomic analysis, using terminal amine isotopic labelling of substrates (TAILS), combined with functional assays, implicate ADAMTS3 as a mediator of fibronectin degradation. We show further that loss of ADAMTS3 enhances levels of fibronectin in the microenvironment, promoting invasion through canonical integrin α5β1 activation. Our data highlight a tumour suppressive role for ADAMTS3 in early stage breast cancer, and contribute to the growing evidence that proteases can restrain cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shayin V Gibson
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Elizabeta Madzharova
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Amandine C Tan
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Michael D Allen
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Ulrich Auf dem Keller
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J Louise Jones
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Edward P Carter
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK; Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Richard P Grose
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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16
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Pessoa J, Valenti MT, Bellance N, Chiarella P, Abebe T, Gerratana L, Pérez-Plasencia C, Kzhyshkowska J. Editorial: Altered expression of proteins in cancer: function and potential therapeutic targets, volume II. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1242855. [PMID: 37534242 PMCID: PMC10392946 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1242855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- João Pessoa
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Valenti
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Nadège Bellance
- INSERM U1211, Rare Diseases: Genetic and Metabolism, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Paula Chiarella
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Instituto de Medicina Experimental, Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónima de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tamrat Abebe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Lorenzo Gerratana
- Department of Medical Oncology, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | - Carlos Pérez-Plasencia
- Laboratorio de Genómica, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Tlalpan, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Genómica Funcional, Unidad de Biomedicina, FES-IZTACALA, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunology, Mannheim Institute for Innate Immunosciences (MI3), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- German Red Cross Blood Service Baden-Württemberg – Hessen, Mannheim, Germany
- Laboratory for Translational Cellular and Molecular Biomedicine, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
- Laboratory for Gene Technology, Siberian State Medical University, Tomsk, Russia
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17
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Koistinen H, Kovanen RM, Hollenberg MD, Dufour A, Radisky ES, Stenman UH, Batra J, Clements J, Hooper JD, Diamandis E, Schilling O, Rannikko A, Mirtti T. The roles of proteases in prostate cancer. IUBMB Life 2023; 75:493-513. [PMID: 36598826 PMCID: PMC10159896 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Since the proposition of the pro-invasive activity of proteolytic enzymes over 70 years ago, several roles for proteases in cancer progression have been established. About half of the 473 active human proteases are expressed in the prostate and many of the most well-characterized members of this enzyme family are regulated by androgens, hormones essential for development of prostate cancer. Most notably, several kallikrein-related peptidases, including KLK3 (prostate-specific antigen, PSA), the most well-known prostate cancer marker, and type II transmembrane serine proteases, such as TMPRSS2 and matriptase, have been extensively studied and found to promote prostate cancer progression. Recent findings also suggest a critical role for proteases in the development of advanced and aggressive castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Perhaps the most intriguing evidence for this role comes from studies showing that the protease-activated transmembrane proteins, Notch and CDCP1, are associated with the development of CRPC. Here, we review the roles of proteases in prostate cancer, with a special focus on their regulation by androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannu Koistinen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Ruusu-Maaria Kovanen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pathology, HUS Diagnostic Centre, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Morley D Hollenberg
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology and Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology and Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Evette S. Radisky
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A
| | - Ulf-Håkan Stenman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Jyotsna Batra
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Judith Clements
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
- Translational Research Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - John D. Hooper
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Eleftherios Diamandis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Antti Rannikko
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Urology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuomas Mirtti
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Pathology, HUS Diagnostic Centre, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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18
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Kumar AA, Vine KL, Ranson M. Recent Advances in Targeting the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator with Nanotherapeutics. Mol Pharm 2023. [PMID: 37119285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant proteolytic landscape of the tumor microenvironment is a key contributor of cancer progression. Overexpression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and/or its associated cell-surface receptor (uPAR) in tumor versus normal tissue is significantly associated with worse clinicopathological features and poorer patient survival across multiple cancer types. This is linked to mechanisms that facilitate tumor cell invasion and migration, via direct and downstream activation of various proteolytic processes that degrade the extracellular matrix─ultimately leading to metastasis. Targeting uPA has thus long been considered an attractive anticancer strategy. However, poor bioavailability of several uPA-selective small-molecule inhibitors has limited early clinical progress. Nanodelivery systems have emerged as an exciting method to enhance the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of existing chemotherapeutics, allowing increased circulation time, improved bioavailability, and targeted delivery to tumor tissue. Combining uPA inhibitors with nanoparticle-based delivery systems thus offers a remarkable opportunity to overcome existing PK challenges associated with conventional uPA inhibitors, while leveraging potent candidates into novel targeted nanotherapeutics for an improved anticancer response in uPA positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashna A Kumar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Kara L Vine
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marie Ranson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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19
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Kumar S, Shukla MK, Sharma AK, Jayaprakash GK, Tonk RK, Chellappan DK, Singh SK, Dua K, Ahmed F, Bhattacharyya S, Kumar D. Metal-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites as promising frontier in cancer chemotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e253. [PMID: 37025253 PMCID: PMC10072971 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a disease associated with complex pathology and one of the most prevalent and leading reasons for mortality in the world. Current chemotherapy has challenges with cytotoxicity, selectivity, multidrug resistance, and the formation of stemlike cells. Nanomaterials (NMs) have unique properties that make them useful for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in cancer research. NMs can be engineered to target cancer cells for early detection and can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, reducing side effects and improving treatment efficacy. Several of NMs can also be used for photothermal therapy to destroy cancer cells or enhance immune response to cancer by delivering immune-stimulating molecules to immune cells or modulating the tumor microenvironment. NMs are being modified to overcome issues, such as toxicity, lack of selectivity, increase drug capacity, and bioavailability, for a wide spectrum of cancer therapies. To improve targeted drug delivery using nano-carriers, noteworthy research is required. Several metal-based NMs have been studied with the expectation of finding a cure for cancer treatment. In this review, the current development and the potential of plant and metal-based NMs with their effects on size and shape have been discussed along with their more effective usage in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistrySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesShoolini UniversitySolanHimachal PradeshIndia
| | - Monu Kumar Shukla
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistrySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesShoolini UniversitySolanHimachal PradeshIndia
| | | | | | - Rajiv K. Tonk
- School of Pharmaceutical SciencesDelhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research UniversityNew DelhiDelhiIndia
| | | | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical SciencesLovely Professional UniversityPhagwaraPunjabIndia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of HealthUniversity of Technology SydneyUltimoNew South WalesAustralia
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology SydneySydneyAustralia
- Faculty of Health, Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative MedicineUniversity of Technology SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Faheem Ahmed
- Department of PhysicsCollege of ScienceKing Faisal UniversityAl‐HofufAl‐AhsaSaudi Arabia
| | | | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical ChemistrySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesShoolini UniversitySolanHimachal PradeshIndia
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20
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Carminati L, Carlessi E, Longhi E, Taraboletti G. Controlled extracellular proteolysis of thrombospondins. Matrix Biol 2023; 119:82-100. [PMID: 37003348 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.03.011] [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: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Limited proteolysis of thrombospondins is a powerful mechanism to ensure dynamic tuning of their activities in the extracellular space. Thrombospondins are multifunctional matricellular proteins composed of multiple domains, each with a specific pattern of interactions with cell receptors, matrix components and soluble factors (growth factors, cytokines and proteases), thus with different effects on cell behavior and responses to changes in the microenvironment. Therefore, the proteolytic degradation of thrombospondins has multiple functional consequences, reflecting the local release of active fragments and isolated domains, exposure or disruption of active sequences, altered protein location, and changes in the composition and function of TSP-based pericellular interaction networks. In this review current data from the literature and databases is employed to provide an overview of cleavage of mammalian thrombospondins by different proteases. The roles of the fragments generated in specific pathological settings, with particular focus on cancer and the tumor microenvironment, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Carminati
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 24126 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Elena Carlessi
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 24126 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Elisa Longhi
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 24126 Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giulia Taraboletti
- Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 24126 Bergamo, Italy.
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21
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Behring L, Ruiz-Gómez G, Trapp C, Morales M, Wodtke R, Köckerling M, Kopka K, Pisabarro MT, Pietzsch J, Löser R. Dipeptide-Derived Alkynes as Potent and Selective Irreversible Inhibitors of Cysteine Cathepsins. J Med Chem 2023; 66:3818-3851. [PMID: 36867428 PMCID: PMC10041539 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The potential of designing irreversible alkyne-based inhibitors of cysteine cathepsins by isoelectronic replacement in reversibly acting potent peptide nitriles was explored. The synthesis of the dipeptide alkynes was developed with special emphasis on stereochemically homogeneous products obtained in the Gilbert-Seyferth homologation for C≡C bond formation. Twenty-three dipeptide alkynes and 12 analogous nitriles were synthesized and investigated for their inhibition of cathepsins B, L, S, and K. Numerous combinations of residues at positions P1 and P2 as well as terminal acyl groups allowed for the derivation of extensive structure-activity relationships, which were rationalized by computational covalent docking for selected examples. The determined inactivation constants of the alkynes at the target enzymes span a range of >3 orders of magnitude (3-10 133 M-1 s-1). Notably, the selectivity profiles of alkynes do not necessarily reflect those of the nitriles. Inhibitory activity at the cellular level was demonstrated for selected compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Behring
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Mommsenstraße 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Gloria Ruiz-Gómez
- BIOTEC, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Trapp
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Maryann Morales
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Robert Wodtke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Köckerling
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Straße 3a, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - Klaus Kopka
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Mommsenstraße 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - M Teresa Pisabarro
- BIOTEC, Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Pietzsch
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Mommsenstraße 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Reik Löser
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- Technische Universität Dresden, School of Science, Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Mommsenstraße 4, 01069 Dresden, Germany
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22
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Beaulieu ME, Martínez-Martín S, Kaur J, Castillo Cano V, Massó-Vallés D, Foradada Felip L, López-Estévez S, Serrano del Pozo E, Thabussot H, Soucek L. Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Omomyc Shows Lasting Structural Integrity and Long Terminal Half-Life in Tumor Tissue. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030826. [PMID: 36765784 PMCID: PMC9913332 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is an oncoprotein causally involved in the majority of human cancers and a most wanted target for cancer treatment. Omomyc is the best-characterized MYC dominant negative to date. In the last years, it has been developed into a therapeutic miniprotein for solid tumor treatment and recently reached clinical stage. However, since the in vivo stability of therapeutic proteins, especially within the tumor vicinity, can be affected by proteolytic degradation, the perception of Omomyc as a valid therapeutic agent has been often questioned. In this study, we used a mass spectrometry approach to evaluate the stability of Omomyc in tumor biopsies from murine xenografts following its intravenous administration. Our data strongly support that the integrity of the functional domains of Omomyc (DNA binding and dimerization region) remains preserved in the tumor tissue for at least 72 hours following administration and that the protein shows superior pharmacokinetics in the tumor compartment compared with blood serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Eve Beaulieu
- Peptomyc S.L., Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.-E.B.); (L.S.)
| | | | - Jastrinjan Kaur
- Preclinical & Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Daniel Massó-Vallés
- Peptomyc S.L., Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Foradada Felip
- Peptomyc S.L., Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Erika Serrano del Pozo
- Preclinical & Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hugo Thabussot
- Peptomyc S.L., Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Preclinical & Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.-E.B.); (L.S.)
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23
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Zana A, Galbiati A, Gilardoni E, Bocci M, Millul J, Sturm T, Stucchi R, Elsayed A, Nadal L, Cirillo M, Roll W, Stegger L, Asmus I, Backhaus P, Schäfers M, Neri D, Cazzamalli S. Fibroblast Activation Protein Triggers Release of Drug Payload from Non-internalizing Small Molecule Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:5440-5454. [PMID: 36215129 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Small molecule drug conjugates (SMDC) are modular anticancer prodrugs that include a tumor-targeting small organic ligand, a cleavable linker, and a potent cytotoxic agent. Most of the SMDC products that have been developed for clinical applications target internalizing tumor-associated antigens on the surface of tumor cells. We have recently described a novel non-internalizing small organic ligand (named OncoFAP) of fibroblast activation protein (FAP), a tumor-associated antigen highly expressed in the stroma of most solid human malignancies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In this article, we describe a new series of OncoFAP-Drug derivatives based on monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE; a potent cytotoxic tubulin poison) and dipeptide linkers that are selectively cleaved by FAP in the tumor microenvironment. RESULTS The tumor-targeting potential of OncoFAP was confirmed in patients with cancer using nuclear medicine procedures. We used mass spectrometry methodologies to quantify the amount of prodrug delivered to tumors and normal organs, as well as the efficiency of the drug release process. Linkers previously exploited for anticancer drug conjugates were used as benchmark. We identified OncoFAP-Gly-Pro-MMAE as the best performing SMDC, which has now been prioritized for further clinical development. OncoFAP-Gly-Pro-MMAE selectively delivered more than 10% injected dose per gram of MMAE to FAP-positive tumors, with a tumor-to-kidney ratio of 16:1 at 24 hours post-injection. CONCLUSIONS The FAP-specific drug conjugates described in this article promise to be efficacious for the targeting of human malignancies. The extracellular release of potent anticancer payloads mediates durable complete remission in difficult-to-treat animal models of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aureliano Zana
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Galbiati
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Matilde Bocci
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jacopo Millul
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Theo Sturm
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Abdullah Elsayed
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Nadal
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Cirillo
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician," University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Roll
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lars Stegger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Inga Asmus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Philipp Backhaus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.,European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Schäfers
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.,European Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Dario Neri
- R&D Department, Philochem AG, Otelfingen, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich, Switzerland.,Philogen S.p.A., Siena, Italy
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24
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A stabilized CXCL9(74-103)-derived peptide selectively inhibits proliferation, adhesion and metastasis of tumor cells that express high levels of heparan sulfate. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 222:2808-2822. [PMID: 36272565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.10.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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25
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Ćwilichowska N, Świderska KW, Dobrzyń A, Drąg M, Poręba M. Diagnostic and therapeutic potential of protease inhibition. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 88:101144. [PMID: 36174281 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds in proteins and peptides; thus, they control virtually all biological processes. Our understanding of protease function has advanced considerably from nonselective digestive enzymes to highly specialized molecular scissors that orchestrate complex signaling networks through a limited proteolysis. The catalytic activity of proteases is tightly regulated at several levels, ranging from gene expression through trafficking and maturation to posttranslational modifications. However, when this delicate balance is disturbed, many diseases develop, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This new understanding of the role of proteases in pathologic physiology indicates that these enzymes represent excellent molecular targets for the development of therapeutic inhibitors, as well as for the design of chemical probes to visualize their redundant activity. Recently, numerous platform technologies have been developed to identify and optimize protease substrates and inhibitors, which were further used as lead structures for the development of chemical probes and therapeutic drugs. Due to this considerable success, the clinical potential of proteases in therapeutics and diagnostics is rapidly growing and is still not completely explored. Therefore, small molecules that can selectively target aberrant protease activity are emerging in diseases cells. In this review, we describe modern trends in the design of protease drugs as well as small molecule activity-based probes to visualize selected proteases in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ćwilichowska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina W Świderska
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Dobrzyń
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Ludwika Pasteura 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Drąg
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Marcin Poręba
- Department of Chemical Biology and Bioimaging, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wyb, Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370, Wroclaw, Poland.
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26
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Hölzen L, Syré K, Mitschke J, Brummer T, Miething C, Reinheckel T. Degradome-focused RNA interference screens to identify proteases important for breast cancer cell growth. Front Oncol 2022; 12:960109. [PMID: 36313646 PMCID: PMC9598039 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.960109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteases are known to promote or impair breast cancer progression and metastasis. However, while a small number of the 588 human and 672 murine protease genes have been extensively studied, others were neglected. For an unbiased functional analysis of all genome-encoded proteases, i.e., the degradome, in breast cancer cell growth, we applied an inducible RNA interference library for protease-focused genetic screens. Importantly, these functional screens were performed in two phenotypically different murine breast cancer cell lines, including one stem cell-like cell line that showed phenotypic plasticity under changed nutrient and oxygen availability. Our unbiased genetic screens identified 252 protease genes involved in breast cancer cell growth that were further restricted to 100 hits by a selection process. Many of those hits were supported by literature, but some proteases were novel in their functional link to breast cancer. Interestingly, we discovered that the environmental conditions influence the degree of breast cancer cell dependency on certain proteases. For example, breast cancer stem cell-like cells were less susceptible to depletion of several mitochondrial proteases in hypoxic conditions. From the 100 hits, nine proteases were functionally validated in murine breast cancer cell lines using individual knockdown constructs, highlighting the high reliability of our screens. Specifically, we focused on mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP) subunits alpha (Pmpca) and beta (Pmpcb) and discovered that MPP depletion led to a disadvantage in cell growth, which was linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Hölzen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Syré
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Mitschke
- Center for Translational Cell Research, Department of Internal Medicine I - Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tilman Brummer
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Miething
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Translational Cell Research, Department of Internal Medicine I - Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF), University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Reinheckel
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biological Signaling Studies BIOSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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27
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The Proteolytic Landscape of Ovarian Cancer: Applications in Nanomedicine. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179981. [PMID: 36077371 PMCID: PMC9456334 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the leading causes of mortality globally with an overall 5-year survival of 47%. The predominant subtype of OvCa is epithelial carcinoma, which can be highly aggressive. This review launches with a summary of the clinical features of OvCa, including staging and current techniques for diagnosis and therapy. Further, the important role of proteases in OvCa progression and dissemination is described. Proteases contribute to tumor angiogenesis, remodeling of extracellular matrix, migration and invasion, major processes in OvCa pathology. Multiple proteases, such as metalloproteinases, trypsin, cathepsin and others, are overexpressed in the tumor tissue. Presence of these catabolic enzymes in OvCa tissue can be exploited for improving early diagnosis and therapeutic options in advanced cases. Nanomedicine, being on the interface of molecular and cellular scales, can be designed to be activated by proteases in the OvCa microenvironment. Various types of protease-enabled nanomedicines are described and the studies that focus on their diagnostic, therapeutic and theranostic potential are reviewed.
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28
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Selective targeting of metastatic ovarian cancer using an engineered anthrax prodrug activated by membrane-anchored serine proteases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201423119. [PMID: 35867758 PMCID: PMC9282395 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201423119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatments for advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer remain a challenge due to a lack of potent, selective, and effective therapeutics. Here, we developed the basis for a transformative anticancer strategy based on anthrax toxin that has been engineered to be selectively activated by the catalytic power of zymogen-activating proteases on the surface of malignant tumor cells to induce cell death. Exposure to the engineered toxin is cytotoxic to ovarian tumor cell lines and ovarian tumor spheroids derived from patient ascites. Preclinical studies demonstrate that toxin treatment induces tumor regression in several in vivo ovarian cancer models, including patient-derived xenografts, without adverse side effects, supportive of progression toward clinical evaluation. These data lay the groundwork for developing therapeutics for treating women with late-stage and recurrent ovarian cancers, utilizing a mechanism distinct from current anticancer therapies.
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29
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Norville K, Skrombolas D, Ferry SL, Kearns N, Frelinger JG. A Protease Activatable Interleukin-2 Fusion Protein Engenders Antitumor Immune Responses by Interferon Gamma-Dependent and Interferon Gamma-Independent Mechanisms. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2022; 42:316-328. [PMID: 35834651 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2022.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are powerful mediators of immune responses and some, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2), have achieved dramatic responses as cancer immunotherapies. Unfortunately, systemic administration often results in deleterious side effects, prompting exploration of strategies to localize cytokine activity to the tumor microenvironment (TME). To this end, we constructed an IL-2/IL2Ra fusion protein (IL-2FP) with an MMP2/9-specific cleavage site, designed to exploit the dysregulated protease activity in the TME to selectively activate IL-2 in the tumor. To determine if TME protease activity is sufficient to cleave the FP and if FP activity is due to specific cleavage, we created Colon 38 tumor cell lines expressing similar levels of IL-2FPs with either a functional cleavage site [H11(cs-1FP)] or a scrambled, noncleavable sequence [H2(scramFP)]. H11(cs-1FP) tumors demonstrated reduced tumor growth, characterized by regressions not observed in H2(scramFP) tumors. Analysis through qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry indicate robust CD8 responses in the H11(cs-1FP) tumors. Interferon gamma (IFNg) knockout mice revealed that the immune effects of the cleavable FP are mediated through both IFNg-dependent and IFNg-independent mechanisms. Collectively, these data suggest that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the TME can cleave the IL-2FP specifically, thus enhancing an antitumor response, and provide a rationale for further developing this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karli Norville
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Denise Skrombolas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Shannon L Ferry
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Nolan Kearns
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - John G Frelinger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
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30
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Tang Q, Liu J, Wang CB, An L, Zhang HL, Wang Y, Ren B, Yang SP, Liu JG. A multifunctional nanoplatform delivering carbon monoxide and a cysteine protease inhibitor to mitochondria under NIR light shows enhanced synergistic anticancer efficacy. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:9097-9103. [PMID: 35713601 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr01122k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Photoactivated chemotherapy has attracted widespread attention due to its ability to circumvent the shortcomings of hypoxia in tumor tissues compared with traditional photodynamic therapy. In this work, novel multifunctional nanoplatform (1), Ru-inhibitor@TPPMnCO@N-GQDs, was designed and prepared, which was capable of mitochondria-targeted co-delivery of the cysteine protease inhibitor and carbon monoxide (CO) stimulated with an 808 nm near infrared (NIR) laser. Nanoplatform (1) was prepared by covalent attachment of a mitochondria-targeted CO donor (TPPMnCO) and a Ru(II)-caged cysteine protease inhibitor (Ru-inhibitor) on the surface of fluorescent N-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs). Nanoplatform (1) preferentially accumulated in the mitochondria of cancer cells and instantly delivered CO and the cysteine protease inhibitor upon 808 nm NIR light irradiation, thus damaging mitochondria and leading to significant in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficacy. In addition, nanoplatform (1) has good biocompatibility and did not exert any toxic side effects on mice during the period of treatment. The targeted subcellular mitochondrial co-delivery of CO and the cysteine protease inhibitor may provide new insights into CO and enzyme inhibitor combined therapies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Tang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Jing Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Cheng-Bin Wang
- Key Lab of Resource Chemistry of MOE & Shanghai Key Lab of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, P. R. China.
| | - Lu An
- Key Lab of Resource Chemistry of MOE & Shanghai Key Lab of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, P. R. China.
| | - Hai-Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Bing Ren
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
| | - Shi-Ping Yang
- Key Lab of Resource Chemistry of MOE & Shanghai Key Lab of Rare Earth Functional Materials, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, P. R. China.
| | - Jin-Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials, School of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, P. R. China.
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31
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Strasenburg W, Jóźwicki J, Durślewicz J, Kuffel B, Kulczyk MP, Kowalewski A, Grzanka D, Drewa T, Adamowicz J. Tumor Cell-Induced Platelet Aggregation as an Emerging Therapeutic Target for Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:909767. [PMID: 35814405 PMCID: PMC9259835 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.909767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells have the ability to induce platelet activation and aggregation. This has been documented to be involved in tumor progression in several types of cancers, such as lung, colon, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, and brain. During the process, platelets protect circulating tumor cells from the deleterious effects of shear forces, shield tumor cells from the immune system, and provide growth factors, facilitating metastatic spread and tumor growth at the original site as well as at the site of metastasis. Herein, we present a wider view on the induction of platelet aggregation by specific factors primarily developed by cancer, including coagulation factors, adhesion receptors, growth factors, cysteine proteases, matrix metalloproteinases, glycoproteins, soluble mediators, and selectins. These factors may be presented on the surface of tumor cells as well as in their microenvironment, and some may trigger more than just one simple receptor–ligand mechanism. For a better understanding, we briefly discuss the physiological role of the factors in the platelet activation process, and subsequently, we provide scientific evidence and discuss their potential role in the progression of specific cancers. Targeting tumor cell-induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) by antiplatelet drugs may open ways to develop new treatment modalities. On the one hand, it may affect patients’ prognosis by enhancing known therapies in advanced-stage tumors. On the other hand, the use of drugs that are mostly easily accessible and widely used in general practice may be an opportunity to propose an unparalleled antitumor prophylaxis. In this review, we present the recent discoveries of mechanisms by which cancer cells activate platelets, and discuss new platelet-targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiktoria Strasenburg
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
- *Correspondence: Wiktoria Strasenburg,
| | - Jakub Jóźwicki
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Justyna Durślewicz
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Błażej Kuffel
- Department of General and Oncological Urology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Martyna Parol Kulczyk
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Adam Kowalewski
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Dariusz Grzanka
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Tomasz Drewa
- Department of General and Oncological Urology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
| | - Jan Adamowicz
- Department of General and Oncological Urology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, Poland
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El-Sayed NNE, Almaneai NM, Ben Bacha A, El-Ashrey MK, Al-Zaben MI, Almarhoon ZM. Biological Evaluation, Molecular Docking Analyses, and ADME Profiling of Certain New Quinazolinones as Anti-colorectal Agents. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:18443-18458. [PMID: 35694504 PMCID: PMC9178606 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal carcinogenesis is a complex process, which is linked to dysregulation of human secretory phospholipases A2 (hsPLA2-G-IIA, hsPLA2-G-V, and hsPLA2-G-X), proteases (cathepsin-B, collagenase, thrombin, elastase, and trypsin), carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and free radical generating enzyme (xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR)). Therefore, some new quinazolinones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors against this array of enzymes as well as cytotoxic agents on LoVo and HCT-116 cells of colorectal cancer. Compounds 3g, 10, 8, 3c, and 1c exhibited promising cytotoxic effects with IC50 values ranging from 206.07 to 459.79 μM. Nine compounds showed promising enzymatic inhibitory effects, 3b, 3d, 3f, 5, 1a, and 12 (α-amylase), 8 (thrombin, elastase and trypsin), 10 (hsPLA2-G-IIA and hsPLA2-G-V), and 3f (α-glucosidase and XOR). Therefore, the most active inhibitors, were subjected to validated molecular docking studies to identify their affinities and binding modes. The expected physicochemical and pharmacokinetic features of the active candidates, 1a, 1c, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3f, 3g, 5, 8, 10, and 12 were predicted using bioavailability radar charts and boiled-egg graphical representations along with the Lipinski rule of five filter. Collectively, these studies showed the significance of derivatives 1c, 3b, 3c, 3d, 8, 10, and 12 as lead scaffolds for further optimization to develop enzymes inhibitors and anti-colorectal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahed N. E. El-Sayed
- National
Organization for Drug Control and Research, Egyptian Drug Authority, 51 Wezaret El-Zerra Street, Giza 35521, Egypt
| | - Norah M. Almaneai
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud
University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abir Ben Bacha
- Biochemistry
Department, College of Science, King Saud
University, P. O. Box 22452, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
- Laboratory
of Plant Biotechnology Applied to Crop Improvement, Faculty of Science
of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed K. El-Ashrey
- Pharmaceutical
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr Elini Street, Cairo 11562, Egypt
- Medicinal
Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Salman International University, Ras-Sedr, South Sinai, Egypt
| | - Maha I. Al-Zaben
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud
University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zainab M. Almarhoon
- Department
of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud
University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Gervais T, Temiz Y, Aubé L, Delamarche E. Large-Scale Dried Reagent Reconstitution and Diffusion Control Using Microfluidic Self-Coalescence Modules. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2105939. [PMID: 35307960 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202105939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The positioning and manipulation of large numbers of reagents in small aliquots are paramount to many fields in chemistry and the life sciences, such as combinatorial screening, enzyme activity assays, and point-of-care testing. Here, a capillary microfluidic architecture based on self-coalescence modules capable of storing thousands of dried reagent spots per square centimeter is reported, which can all be reconstituted independently without dispersion using a single pipetting step and ≤5 μL of a solution. A simple diffusion-based mathematical model is also provided to guide the spotting of reagents in this microfluidic architecture at the experimental design stage to enable either compartmentalization, mixing, or the generation of complex multi-reagent chemical patterns. Results demonstrate the formation of chemical patterns with high accuracy and versatility, and simple methods for integrating reagents and imaging the resulting chemical patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gervais
- IBM Research Europe - Zurich, Rueschlikon, 8803, Switzerland
- Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, H3C 3A7, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, H2X0A9, Canada
| | - Yuksel Temiz
- IBM Research Europe - Zurich, Rueschlikon, 8803, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Aubé
- Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, H3C 3A7, Canada
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34
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Habič A, Novak M, Majc B, Lah Turnšek T, Breznik B. Proteases Regulate Cancer Stem Cell Properties and Remodel Their Microenvironment. J Histochem Cytochem 2021; 69:775-794. [PMID: 34310223 DOI: 10.1369/00221554211035192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic activity is perturbed in tumors and their microenvironment, and proteases also affect cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are the therapy-resistant subpopulation of cancer cells with tumor-initiating capacity that reside in specialized tumor microenvironment niches. In this review, we briefly summarize the significance of proteases in regulating CSC activities with a focus on brain tumor glioblastoma. A plethora of proteases and their inhibitors participate in CSC invasiveness and affect intercellular interactions, enhancing CSC immune, irradiation, and chemotherapy resilience. Apart from their role in degrading the extracellular matrix enabling CSC migration in and out of their niches, we review the ability of proteases to modulate CSC properties, which prevents their elimination. When designing protease-oriented therapies, the multifaceted roles of proteases should be thoroughly investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamarija Habič
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,The Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Metka Novak
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bernarda Majc
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,The Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tamara Lah Turnšek
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,The Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Breznik
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Laine S, Morfin JF, Galibert M, Aucagne V, Bonnet CS, Tóth É. Lanthanide DO3A-Complexes Bearing Peptide Substrates: The Effect of Peptidic Side Chains on Metal Coordination and Relaxivity. Molecules 2021; 26:2176. [PMID: 33918899 PMCID: PMC8069257 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two DO3A-type ligands conjugated to substrates of urokinase (L3) and caspase-3 (L4) via a propyl-amide linker were synthesized and their lanthanide(III) (Ln3+) complexes studied. A model compound without peptide substrate (L2) and an amine derivative ligand mimicking the state after enzymatic cleavage (L1) were also prepared. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) profiles recorded on the gadolinium(III) (Gd3+) complexes, complemented with the assessment of hydration numbers via luminescence lifetime measurements on the Eu3+ analogues, allowed us to characterize the lanthanide coordination sphere in the chelates. These data suggest that the potential donor groups of the peptide side chains (carboxylate, amine) interfere in metal coordination, leading to non-hydrated LnL3 and LnL4 complexes. Nevertheless, GdL3 and GdL4 retain a relatively high relaxivity due to an important second-sphere contribution generated by the strongly hydrophilic peptide chain. Weak PARACEST effects are detected for the amine-derivative EuL1 and NdL1 chelates. Unfortunately, the GdL3 and GdL4 complexes are not significantly converted by the enzymes. The lack of enzymatic recognition of these complexes can likely be explained by the participation of donor groups from the peptide side chain in metal coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Éva Tóth
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orléans, France; (S.L.); (J.-F.M.); (M.G.); (V.A.); (C.S.B.)
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