1
|
Guha D, Singh V, Nandi S, Ramos EI, Gadad SS, Das C. ZMYND8 Is a Regulator of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in ATRA-Mediated Differentiation of Neuroblastoma Cells. Biochemistry 2024; 63:1534-1542. [PMID: 38804064 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Zinc Finger MYND (Myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1) type containing 8 (ZMYND8) is a crucial epigenetic regulator that plays a multifaceted role in governing a spectrum of vital cellular processes, encompassing proliferation, apoptosis, migration, tumor suppression, and differentiation. It has emerged as a key player in neuronal differentiation by orchestrating the expression of neuronal lineage-committed genes. The present study uncovers the role of ZMYND8 in regulating the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling axis, which is crucial for neuronal differentiation. Genetic deletion of ZMYND8 leads to a significant reduction in SHH pathway genes, GLI1, and PTCH1 expression during all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation. ZMYND8 and RNA pol II S5P are found to co-occupy the GLI1 and PTCH1 gene promoters, positively impacting their gene transcription upon ATRA treatment. Interestingly, ZMYND8 is found to counteract the inhibitory effects of Cyclopamine that block the upstream SHH pathway protein SMO, resulting in enhanced neurite formation in neuroblastoma cells following their treatment with ATRA. These results indicate that ZMYND8 is an epigenetic regulator of the SHH signaling pathway and has tremendous therapeutic potential in ATRA-mediated differentiation of neuroblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deblina Guha
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
| | - Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, 2nd Floor, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sandhik Nandi
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, 2nd Floor, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| | - Enrique I Ramos
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, 5001 El Paso Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905, United States
| | - Shrikanth S Gadad
- Center of Emphasis in Cancer, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, 5001 El Paso Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905, United States
- Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector-I, Block-AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064, West Bengal, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, 2nd Floor, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400094, Maharashtra, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
González-Burguera I, Lin G, López de Jesús M, Saumell-Esnaola M, Barrondo S, García Del Caño G, Sallés J, Scarlata S. PLCβ1 by-passes early growth response -1 to induce the differentiation of neuronal cells. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:250. [PMID: 38789419 PMCID: PMC11126630 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02009-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The Gαq/phospholipase C-β (PLCβ) signaling system mediates calcium responses to a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters. Recent studies suggest that PLCβ1 expression plays a role in the differentiation of two types of cultured neuronal cells (PC12 and SK-N-SH) through a mechanism independent of Gαq. Here, we show that, similar to that observed in PC12 and SK-N-SH cells, PLCβ1 expression increases when human NT2 cells are induced to differentiate either through cytosine-β-D-arabinofuranoside or retinoic acid. Preventing this increase, abolishes differentiation, and down-regulating PLCβ1 in rat primary astrocytes causes cells to adapt an undifferentiated morphology. Surprisingly, transfecting PLCβ1 into undifferentiated PC12 or NT2 cells induces differentiation without the need for differentiating agents. Studies to uncover the underlying mechanism focused on the transcription factor early growth response 1 (Egr-1) which mediates PLCβ1 expression early in differentiation. Over-expressing PLCβ1 in HEK293 cells enhances Egr-1 expression and induces morphological changes. We show that increased levels of cytosolic PLCβ1 in undifferentiated PC12 cells disrupts the association between Egr-1 and its cytosolic binding partner (Tar RNA binding protein), promoting relocalization of Egr-1 to the nucleus, which promotes transcription of proteins needed for differentiation. These studies show a novel mechanism through which differentiation can be modulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Imanol González-Burguera
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Guanyu Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01609, USA
| | - Maider López de Jesús
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Miquel Saumell-Esnaola
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Sergio Barrondo
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gontzal García Del Caño
- Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Joan Sallés
- Bioaraba, Neurofarmacología Celular y Molecular, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Suzanne Scarlata
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, 01609, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gerges A, Canning U. Neuroblastoma and its Target Therapies: A Medicinal Chemistry Review. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300535. [PMID: 38340043 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300535] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a childhood malignant tumour belonging to a group of embryonic tumours originating from progenitor cells of the sympathoadrenal lineage. The heterogeneity of NB is reflected in the survival rates of those with low and intermediate risk diseases who have survival rates ranging from 85 to 90 %. However, for those identified with high-risk Stage 4 NB, the treatment options are much more limited. For this group, current treatment consists of immunotherapy (monoclonal antibodies) in combination with anti-cancer drugs and has a 40 to 50 % survival rate. The purpose of this review is to summarise NB research from a medicinal chemistry perspective and to highlight advances in targeted drug therapy in the field. The review examines the medicinal chemistry of a number of drugs tested in research, some of which are currently under clinical trial. It concludes by proposing that future medicinal chemistry research into NB should consider other possible target therapies and adopt a multi-target drug approach rather than a one-drug-one-target approach for improved efficacy and less drug-drug interaction for the treatment of NB Stage 4 (NBS4) patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Gerges
- Bioscience Department, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, England, United Kingdom
| | - U Canning
- Bioscience Department, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, England, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li Q, Chen Y, Chen Y, Hua Z, Gong B, Liu Z, Thiele CJ, Li Z. Novel small molecule DMAMCL induces differentiation in rhabdomyosarcoma by downregulating of DLL1. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116562. [PMID: 38626518 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116562] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a mesenchymal tumor occurring in the soft tissue of children, is associated with a defect in differentiation. This study unveils a novel anti-tumor mechanism of dimethylaminomicheliolide (DMAMCL), which is a water-soluble derivative of Micheliolide. First, we demonstrate that DMAMCL inhibits RMS cell growth without obvious cell death, leading to morphological alterations, enhanced expression of muscle differentiation markers, and a shift from a malignant to a more benign metabolic phenotype. Second, we detected decreased expression of DLL1 in RMS cells after DMAMCL treatment, known as a pivotal ligand in the Notch signaling pathway. Downregulation of DLL1 inhibits RMS cell growth and induces morphological changes similar to the effects of DMAMCL. Furthermore, DMAMCL treatment or loss of DLL1 expression also inhibits RMS xenograft tumor growth and augmented the expression of differentiation markers. Surprisingly, in C2C12 cells DMAMCL treatment or DLL1 downregulation also induces cell growth inhibition and an elevation in muscle differentiation marker expression. These data indicated that DMAMCL induced RMS differentiation and DLL1 is an important factor for RMS differentiation, opening a new window for the clinical use of DMAMCL as an agent for differentiation-inducing therapy for RMS treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Yexi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Zhongyan Hua
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Baocheng Gong
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Cell and Molecular Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Cell and Molecular Biology Section, Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zhijie Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; Medical Research Center, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environment and Metabolic Diseases, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cocchi S, Greco V, Sidarovich V, Vigna J, Broso F, Corallo D, Zasso J, Re A, Rosatti EF, Longhi S, Defant A, Ladu F, Sanna V, Adami V, D’Agostino VG, Sturlese M, Sechi M, Aveic S, Mancini I, Sighel D, Quattrone A. EGCG Disrupts the LIN28B/Let-7 Interaction and Reduces Neuroblastoma Aggressiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4795. [PMID: 38732012 PMCID: PMC11084668 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094795] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most commonly diagnosed extracranial solid tumor in children, accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Although the 5-year survival rate of patients with a high-risk disease has increased in recent decades, NB remains a challenge in pediatric oncology, and the identification of novel potential therapeutic targets and agents is an urgent clinical need. The RNA-binding protein LIN28B has been identified as an oncogene in NB and is associated with a poor prognosis. Given that LIN28B acts by negatively regulating the biogenesis of the tumor suppressor let-7 miRNAs, we reasoned that selective interference with the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction would increase let-7 miRNA levels, ultimately leading to reduced NB aggressiveness. Here, we selected (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) out of 4959 molecules screened as the molecule with the best inhibitory activity on LIN28B/let-7 miRNA interaction and showed that treatment with PLC/PLGA-PEG nanoparticles containing EGCG (EGCG-NPs) led to an increase in mature let-7 miRNAs and a consequent inhibition of NB cell growth. In addition, EGCG-NP pretreatment reduced the tumorigenic potential of NB cells in vivo. These experiments suggest that the LIN28B/let-7 miRNA axis is a good therapeutic target in NB and that EGCG, which can interfere with this interaction, deserves further preclinical evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Cocchi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Valentina Greco
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Viktoryia Sidarovich
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Jacopo Vigna
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Francesca Broso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Diana Corallo
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Jacopo Zasso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Angela Re
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Emanuele Filiberto Rosatti
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Sara Longhi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Andrea Defant
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Federico Ladu
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | | | - Valentina Adami
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Vito G. D’Agostino
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Mattia Sturlese
- Molecular Modeling Section, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, 35127 Padova, Italy;
| | - Mario Sechi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (F.L.); (M.S.)
| | - Sanja Aveic
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Ines Mancini
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (A.D.)
| | - Denise Sighel
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.C.); (V.G.); (V.S.); (V.G.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Minò A, Lopez F, Barbaro R, Barile M, Ambrosone L, Colella M. Effects of Anionic Liposome Delivery of All- Trans-Retinoic Acid on Neuroblastoma Cell Differentiation. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:257. [PMID: 38786467 PMCID: PMC11118614 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9050257] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) has long been known to affect cell growth and differentiation. To improve ATRA's therapeutic efficacy and pharmacodynamics, several delivery systems have been used. In this study, free ATRA and anionic-liposome-encapsulated ATRA were compared for their effects on SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cell growth and differentiation. Anionic liposomes made of L-α-phosphatidylcholine (PC) and L-α-phosphatidic acid (PA), empty (PC-PA) and loaded with ATRA (PC-PA-ATRA), were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic mobility measurements, and drug entrapment efficiency (EE%) was measured to evaluate the applicability of the new colloidal formulation. The results of brightfield microscopy and cell growth curves indicated that ATRA, whether free or encapsulated, reduced growth and induced differentiation, resulting in SK-N-SH cells changing from epithelioid to neuronal-like morphologies, and producing a significant increase in neurite growth. To further characterize the neuro-differentiation of SK-N-SH cells, the expression of βIII-Tubulin and synaptophysin and mitochondria localization were analyzed via immunofluorescence. Increased expression of neuronal markers and a peculiar localization of mitochondria in the neuritic extensions were apparent both in ATRA- and PC-PA-ATRA-differentiated cells. As a whole, our results strongly indicate that ATRA treatment, by any means, can induce the differentiation of parent SK-N-SH, and they highlight that its encapsulation in anionic liposomes increases its differentiation ability in terms of the percentage of neurite-bearing cells. Interestingly, our data also suggest an unexpected differentiation capability of anionic liposomes per se. This work highlights the importance of developing and carefully testing novel delivery nanocarriers, which are a necessary first "step" in the development of new therapeutic settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Minò
- Department of Biosciences and Territory (DiBT), University of Molise, Contrada Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Francesco Lopez
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Roberto Barbaro
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment (DBBA), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Maria Barile
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment (DBBA), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.B.); (M.B.)
| | - Luigi Ambrosone
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Matilde Colella
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment (DBBA), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.B.); (M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Makimoto A, Fujisaki H, Matsumoto K, Takahashi Y, Cho Y, Morikawa Y, Yuza Y, Tajiri T, Iehara T. Retinoid Therapy for Neuroblastoma: Historical Overview, Regulatory Challenges, and Prospects. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:544. [PMID: 38339295 PMCID: PMC10854948 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives and include trans-retinoic acid, isotretinoin, tamibarotene, and bexarotene, all of which are currently available for clinical use. The clinical development of retinoid therapy for neuroblastoma has a history spanning more than four decades. The most promising agent is isotretinoin, which can contribute to improving event-free survival in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma by approximately 10% when administered over six months as maintenance therapy. Although isotretinoin is regarded as an essential component in the standard clinical management of high-risk neuroblastoma, its use for this purpose in the US and EU is off-label. To promote isotretinoin use in Japan as a treatment for neuroblastoma, our clinical research team is planning to launch an investigator-initiated, registration-directed clinical trial. The present review article discusses the basic science behind retinoid therapy, pre-clinical/clinical evidence on neuroblastoma, the concept of the proposed clinical trial, and prospects for this therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Makimoto
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center, Fuchu 183-8561, Japan
- Clinical Research Support Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center, Fuchu 183-8561, Japan;
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center, Fuchu 183-8561, Japan;
| | - Hiroyuki Fujisaki
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Osaka City General Hospital, Osaka 534-0021, Japan;
| | - Kimikazu Matsumoto
- Children’s Cancer Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan;
| | - Yoshiyuki Takahashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8560, Japan;
| | - Yuko Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo 060-8648, Japan;
| | - Yoshihiko Morikawa
- Clinical Research Support Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center, Fuchu 183-8561, Japan;
| | - Yuki Yuza
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children’s Medical Center, Fuchu 183-8561, Japan;
| | - Tatsuro Tajiri
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
| | - Tomoko Iehara
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Borenäs M, Umapathy G, Lind DE, Lai WY, Guan J, Johansson J, Jennische E, Schmidt A, Kurhe Y, Gabre JL, Aniszewska A, Strömberg A, Bemark M, Hall MN, den Eynden JV, Hallberg B, Palmer RH. ALK signaling primes the DNA damage response sensitizing ALK-driven neuroblastoma to therapeutic ATR inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2315242121. [PMID: 38154064 PMCID: PMC10769851 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315242121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) is a significant clinical challenge. MYCN and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK), which are often involved in high-risk NB, lead to increased replication stress in cancer cells, suggesting therapeutic strategies. We previously identified an ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related)/ALK inhibitor (ATRi/ALKi) combination as such a strategy in two independent genetically modified mouse NB models. Here, we identify an underlying molecular mechanism, in which ALK signaling leads to phosphorylation of ATR and CHK1, supporting an effective DNA damage response. The importance of ALK inhibition is supported by mouse data, in which ATRi monotreatment resulted in a robust initial response, but subsequent relapse, in contrast to a 14-d ALKi/ATRi combination treatment that resulted in a robust and sustained response. Finally, we show that the remarkable response to the 14-d combined ATR/ALK inhibition protocol reflects a robust differentiation response, reprogramming tumor cells to a neuronal/Schwann cell lineage identity. Our results identify an ability of ATR inhibition to promote NB differentiation and underscore the importance of further exploring combined ALK/ATR inhibition in NB, particularly in high-risk patient groups with oncogene-induced replication stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Borenäs
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Ganesh Umapathy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Dan E. Lind
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Wei-Yun Lai
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Jikui Guan
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Joel Johansson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Eva Jennische
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biozentrum, Basel University, Basel4056, Switzerland
| | - Yeshwant Kurhe
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Jonatan L. Gabre
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent9000, Belgium
| | - Agata Aniszewska
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Anneli Strömberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Mats Bemark
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | | | - Jimmy Van den Eynden
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Anatomy and Embryology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent9000, Belgium
| | - Bengt Hallberg
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Ruth H. Palmer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, GothenburgSE-405 30, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Guillén-Navarro D, González-Vázquez R, León-Ávila G, Giono-Cerezo S. Quorum Quenching with a Diffusible Signal Factor Analog in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Pathogens 2023; 12:1448. [PMID: 38133331 PMCID: PMC10746098 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121448] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacillus associated with nosocomial infections in intensive care units, and nowadays, its acquired resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) by sul genes within class 1 integrons is a worldwide health problem. Biofilm and motility are two of the major virulence factors in this bacterium and are auto-induced by the diffusible signal factor (DSF). In recent studies, retinoids have been used to inhibit (Quorum Quenching) these virulence factors and for their antimicrobial effect. The aim was to reduce biofilm formation and motility with retinoic acid (RA) in S. maltophilia SXT-resistant strains. Eleven SXT-resistant strains and two SXT-susceptible strains were tested for biofilm formation/reduction and planktonic/sessile cell viability with RA and SXT-MIC50/RA; motility (twitching, swimming, swarming) was measured with/without RA; and MLST typing was determined. The biofilm formation of the strains was classified as follows: 15.38% (2/13) as low, 61.54% (8/13) as moderate, and 23.08% (3/13) as high. It was significantly reduced with RA and SXT-MIC50/RA (p < 0.05); cell viability was not significantly reduced with RA (p > 0.05), but it was with SXT-MIC50/RA (p < 0.05); and swimming (p < 0.05) and swarming (p < 0.05) decreased significantly. MLST typing showed the first and novel strains of Mexican S. maltophilia registered in PubMLST (ST479-485, ST497, ST23, ST122, ST175, ST212, and ST300). In conclusion, RA reduced biofilm formation and motility without affecting cell viability; furthermore, antimicrobial synergism with SXT-MIC50/RA in different and novel STs of S. maltophilia was observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Guillén-Navarro
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Departamento de Microbiología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Quimicobiológicas, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Rosa González-Vázquez
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Departamento de Microbiología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades “Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret”, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza. Seris y Zaachila S/N, Col. La Raza, Alcaldía Azcapotzalco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Gloria León-Ávila
- Posgrado en Ciencias Quimicobiológicas, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Departamento de Zoología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Silvia Giono-Cerezo
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Departamento de Microbiología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias Quimicobiológicas, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Casco de Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shi Q, Yu B, Zhang Y, Yang Y, Xu C, Zhang M, Chen G, Luo F, Sun B, Yang R, Li Y, Feng H. Targeting TRIM24 promotes neuroblastoma differentiation and decreases tumorigenicity via LSD1/CoREST complex. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1763-1775. [PMID: 37466744 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00843-4] [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] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High-risk neuroblastoma (NB) still has an unfavorable prognosis and inducing NB differentiation is a potential strategy in clinical treatment, yet underlying mechanisms are still elusive. Here we identify TRIM24 as an important regulator of NB differentiation. METHODS Multiple datasets and clinical specimens were analyzed to define the role of TRIM24 in NB. The effects of TRIM24 on differentiation and growth of NB were determined by cell morphology, spheres formation, soft agar assay, and subcutaneous xenograft in nude mice. RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR were used to identify genes and pathways involved. Mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation were used to explore the interaction of proteins. RESULTS Trim24 is highly expressed in spontaneous NB in TH-MYCN transgenic mice and clinical NB specimens. It is associated with poor NB differentiation and unfavorable prognostic. Knockout of TRIM24 in neuroblastoma cells promotes cell differentiation, reduces cell stemness, and inhibits colony formation in soft agar and subcutaneous xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. Mechanistically, TRIM24 knockout alters genes and pathways related to neural differentiation and development by suppressing LSD1/CoREST complex formation. Besides, TRIM24 knockout activates the retinoic acid pathway. Targeting TRIM24 in combination with retinoic acid (RA) synergistically promotes NB cell differentiation and inhibits cell viability. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that TRIM24 is critical for NB differentiation and suggest that TRIM24 is a promising therapeutic target in combination with RA in NB differentiation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Shi
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Bo Yu
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yingwen Zhang
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Chenxin Xu
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Mingda Zhang
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Guoyu Chen
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Fei Luo
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Bowen Sun
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Ru Yang
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yanxin Li
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Haizhong Feng
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
O'Brien E, Tse C, Tracy I, Reddin I, Selfe J, Gibson J, Tapper W, Pengelly RJ, Gao J, Aladowicz E, Petts G, Thway K, Popov S, Kelsey A, Underwood TJ, Shipley J, Walters ZS. Pharmacological EZH2 inhibition combined with retinoic acid treatment promotes differentiation and apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:167. [PMID: 37858275 PMCID: PMC10588044 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01583-w] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are predominantly paediatric sarcomas thought to originate from muscle precursor cells due to impaired myogenic differentiation. Despite intensive treatment, 5-year survival for patients with advanced disease remains low (< 30%), highlighting a need for novel therapies to improve outcomes. Differentiation therapeutics are agents that induce differentiation of cancer cells from malignant to benign. The histone methyltransferase, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) suppresses normal skeletal muscle differentiation and is highly expressed in RMS tumours. RESULTS We demonstrate combining inhibition of the epigenetic modulator EZH2 with the differentiating agent retinoic acid (RA) is more effective at reducing cell proliferation in RMS cell lines than single agents alone. In PAX3-FOXO1 positive RMS cells this is due to an RA-driven induction of the interferon pathway resulting in apoptosis. In fusion negative RMS, combination therapy led to an EZH2i-driven upregulation of myogenic signalling resulting in differentiation. In both subtypes, EZH2 is significantly associated with enrichment of trimethylated lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) in genes that are downregulated in untreated RMS cells and upregulated with EZH2 inhibitor treatment. These results provide insight into the mechanism that drives the anti-cancer effect of the EZH2/RA single agent and combination treatment and indicate that the reduction of EZH2 activity combined with the induction of RA signalling represents a potential novel therapeutic strategy to treat both subtypes of RMS. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study demonstrate the potential utility of combining EZH2 inhibitors with differentiation agents for the treatment of paediatric rhabdomyosarcomas. As EZH2 inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical trials for adult and paediatric solid tumours and retinoic acid differentiation agents are already in clinical use this presents a readily translatable potential therapeutic strategy. Moreover, as inhibition of EZH2 in the poor prognosis FPRMS subtype results in an inflammatory response, it is conceivable that this strategy may also synergise with immunotherapies for a more effective treatment in these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor O'Brien
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Carmen Tse
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ian Tracy
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ian Reddin
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Joanna Selfe
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - William Tapper
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Reuben J Pengelly
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jinhui Gao
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ewa Aladowicz
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Gemma Petts
- Department of Paediatric Pathology, University of Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Khin Thway
- Pathology Department, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sergey Popov
- Cellular Pathology Department, Cardiff and Vale UHB, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anna Kelsey
- Department of Paediatric Pathology, University of Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Janet Shipley
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- Divisions of Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
- Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ferguson KM, Gillen SL, Chaytor L, Poon E, Marcos D, Gomez RL, Woods LM, Mykhaylechko L, Elfari L, Martins da Costa B, Jamin Y, Carroll JS, Chesler L, Ali FR, Philpott A. Palbociclib releases the latent differentiation capacity of neuroblastoma cells. Dev Cell 2023; 58:1967-1982.e8. [PMID: 37734383 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.028] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in infants, arising from developmentally stalled neural crest-derived cells. Driving tumor differentiation is a promising therapeutic approach for this devastating disease. Here, we show that the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib not only inhibits proliferation but induces extensive neuronal differentiation of adrenergic neuroblastoma cells. Palbociclib-mediated differentiation is manifested by extensive phenotypic and transcriptional changes accompanied by the establishment of an epigenetic program driving expression of mature neuronal features. In vivo palbociclib significantly inhibits tumor growth in mouse neuroblastoma models. Furthermore, dual treatment with retinoic acid resets the oncogenic adrenergic core regulatory circuit of neuroblastoma cells, further suppresses proliferation, and can enhance differentiation, altering gene expression in ways that significantly correlate with improved patient survival. We therefore identify palbociclib as a therapeutic approach to dramatically enhance neuroblastoma differentiation efficacy that could be used in combination with retinoic acid to improve patient outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty M Ferguson
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Sarah L Gillen
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Lewis Chaytor
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Daniel Marcos
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Roshna Lawrence Gomez
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, P.O. Box 505055, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Laura M Woods
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Lidiya Mykhaylechko
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK
| | - Louis Elfari
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute Advanced Imaging Facility, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Barbara Martins da Costa
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Yann Jamin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Jason S Carroll
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Fahad R Ali
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai Healthcare City, P.O. Box 505055, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anna Philpott
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK; Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gao J, Fosbrook C, Gibson J, Underwood TJ, Gray JC, Walters ZS. Review: Targeting EZH2 in neuroblastoma. Cancer Treat Rev 2023; 119:102600. [PMID: 37467626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2023.102600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is one of the commonest extra-cranial pediatric tumors, and accounts for over 15% of all childhood cancer mortality. Risk stratification for children with neuroblastoma is based on age, stage, histology, and tumor cytogenetics. The majority of patients are considered to have high-risk neuroblastoma, for which the long-term survival is less than 50%. Current treatments combine surgical resection, chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation, radiotherapy, anti-GD2 based immunotherapy as well as the differentiating agent isotretinoin. Despite the intensive multimodal therapies applied, there are high relapse rates, and recurrent disease is often resistant to further therapy. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a histone methyltransferase that represses transcription through trimethylation of lysine residue K27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3). It is responsible for epigenetic repression of transcription, making EZH2 an essential regulator for cell differentiation. Overexpression of EZH2 has been shown to promote tumorigenesis, cancer cell proliferation and prevent tumor cells from differentiating in a number of cancers. Therefore, research has been ongoing for the past decade, developing treatments that target EZH2 in neuroblastoma. This review summarises the role of EZH2 in neuroblastoma and evaluates the latest research findings on the therapeutic potential of targeting EZH2 in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Gao
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Claire Fosbrook
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jane Gibson
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Timothy J Underwood
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Juliet C Gray
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Zoë S Walters
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rahavi SM, Aletaha M, Farrokhi A, Lorentzian A, Lange PF, Maxwell CA, Lim CJ, Reid GSD. Adaptation of the Th-MYCN Mouse Model of Neuroblastoma for Evaluation of Disseminated Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12071. [PMID: 37569447 PMCID: PMC10419036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512071] [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: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk neuroblastoma remains a profound clinical challenge that requires eradication of neuroblastoma cells from a variety of organ sites, including bone marrow, liver, and CNS, to achieve a cure. While preclinical modeling is a powerful tool for the development of novel cancer therapies, the lack of widely available models of metastatic neuroblastoma represents a significant barrier to the development of effective treatment strategies. To address this need, we report a novel luciferase-expressing derivative of the widely used Th-MYCN mouse. While our model recapitulates the non-metastatic neuroblastoma development seen in the parental transgenic strain, transplantation of primary tumor cells from disease-bearing mice enables longitudinal monitoring of neuroblastoma growth at distinct sites in immune-deficient or immune-competent recipients. The transplanted tumors retain GD2 expression through many rounds of serial transplantation and are sensitive to GD2-targeted immune therapy. With more diverse tissue localization than is seen with human cell line-derived xenografts, this novel model for high-risk neuroblastoma could contribute to the optimization of immune-based treatments for this deadly disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed M. Rahavi
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Maryam Aletaha
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Ali Farrokhi
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 W28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Amanda Lorentzian
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Philipp F. Lange
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, 950 W28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Christopher A. Maxwell
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 W28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Chinten James Lim
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 W28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Gregor S. D. Reid
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 950 W28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nagai Y, Ambinder AJ. The Promise of Retinoids in the Treatment of Cancer: Neither Burnt Out Nor Fading Away. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3535. [PMID: 37509198 PMCID: PMC10377082 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has become a highly curable malignancy, especially in combination with arsenic trioxide (ATO). ATRA's success has deepened our understanding of the role of the RARα pathway in normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis, and it has influenced a generation of cancer drug development. Retinoids have also demonstrated some efficacy in a handful of other disease entities, including as a maintenance therapy for neuroblastoma and in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas; nevertheless, the promise of retinoids as a differentiating therapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) more broadly, and as a cancer preventative, have largely gone unfulfilled. Recent research into the mechanisms of ATRA resistance and the biomarkers of RARα pathway dysregulation in AML have reinvigorated efforts to successfully deploy retinoid therapy in a broader subset of myeloid malignancies. Recent studies have demonstrated that the bone marrow environment is highly protected from exogenous ATRA via local homeostasis controlled by stromal cells expressing CYP26, a key enzyme responsible for ATRA inactivation. Synthetic CYP26-resistant retinoids such as tamibarotene bypass this stromal protection and have shown superior anti-leukemic effects. Furthermore, recent super-enhancer (SE) analysis has identified a novel AML subgroup characterized by high expression of RARα through strong SE levels in the gene locus and increased sensitivity to tamibarotene. Combined with a hypomethylating agent, synthetic retinoids have shown synergistic anti-leukemic effects in non-APL AML preclinical models and are now being studied in phase II and III clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Nagai
- Department of Hematology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe 650-0047, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Alexander J Ambinder
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Jansson C, Mengelbier LH. Retinoic acid promotes differentiation of WiT49- but not of CCG99-11 Wilms tumour cells. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023:e1819. [PMID: 37186071 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most children with Wilms tumour are successfully treated with multidrug chemotherapy and surgery. These treatments cause severe side effects for the patients, an issue that needs to be addressed by exploring other treatment options with less or no side effects. One option is to complement current therapies with agents that could potentially induce tumour cell differentiation, for example retinoic acid (RA). AIMS To facilitate quick assessment of an agent's effect on Wilms tumour differentiation by a rapid in vitro model system. METHODS AND RESULTS Here WiT49 and CCG99-11 Wilms tumour cells were treated with 10 μM RA for 72 h or 9 days. Cultured cells were scraped off from Petri dishes, pelleted and embedded in paraffin in the same way as clinical tumour specimens are preserved. Cell morphology and differentiation were evaluated by analyses of haematoxylin eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical stainings. Based on H&E, WT1 and CKAE1/3 stainings, RA treatment induced further epithelial differentiation of WiT49 cells, whereas there was no sign of induced maturation in CCG99-11 cells. Ki67 staining showed that RA inhibited cell proliferation in both cell lines. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that in vitro culturing of WiT49 and CCG99-11 cells, followed by pelleting and paraffin embedding of cell pellets, could aid in a quick evaluation of potential differentiating agents against Wilms tumour. In addition, our results strengthen previous results that retinoic acid could be a potential complement to regular Wilms tumour treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Jansson
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Aravindan N, Natarajan M, Somasundaram DB, Aravindan S. Chemoprevention of neuroblastoma: progress and promise beyond uncertainties. JOURNAL OF CANCER METASTASIS AND TREATMENT 2023; 9:9. [PMID: 38249515 PMCID: PMC10798790 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2022.40] [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: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and comprises one-tenth of all childhood cancer deaths. The current clinical therapy for this deadly disease is multimodal, involving an induction phase with alternating regimens of high-dose chemotherapeutic drugs and load reduction surgery; a consolidation phase with more intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and stem cell transplant; and a maintenance phase with immunotherapy and immune-activating cytokine treatment. Despite such intensive treatment, children with neuroblastoma have unacceptable life quality and survival, warranting preventive measures to regulate the cellular functions that orchestrate tumor progression, therapy resistance, metastasis, and tumor relapse/recurrence. Globally, active efforts are underway to identify novel chemopreventive agents, define their mechanism(s) of action, and assess their clinical benefit. Some chemoprevention strategies (e.g., retinoids, difluoromethylornithine) have already been adopted clinically as part of maintenance phase therapy. Several agents are in the pipeline, while many others are in preclinical characterization. Here we review the classes of chemopreventive agents investigated for neuroblastoma, including cellular events targeted, mode(s) of action, and the level of development. Our review: (i) highlights the pressing need for new and improved chemopreventive strategies for progressive neuroblastoma; (ii) lists the emerging classes of chemopreventive agents for neuroblastoma; and (iii) recognizes the relevance of targeting dynamically evolving hallmark functions of tumor evolution (e.g., survival, differentiation, lineage transformation). With recent gains in the understanding of tumor evolution processes and preclinical and clinical efforts, it is our strong opinion that effective chemopreventive strategies for aggressive neuroblastoma are a near reality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natarajan Aravindan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Mohan Natarajan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Dinesh Babu Somasundaram
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
TRAF4 Silencing Induces Cell Apoptosis and Improves Retinoic Acid Sensitivity in Human Neuroblastoma. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:2116-2128. [PMID: 36795185 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03882-3] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a pediatric malignancy that arises in the peripheral nervous system, and the prognosis in the high-risk group remains dismal, despite the breakthroughs in multidisciplinary treatments. The oral treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) after high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant has been proven to reduce the incidence of tumor relapse in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. However, many patients still have tumors relapsed following retinoid therapy, highlighting the need for the identification of resistant factors and the development of more effective treatments. Herein, we sought to investigate the potential oncogenic roles of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor (TRAF) family in neuroblastoma and explore the correlation between TRAFs and retinoic acid sensitivity. We discovered that all TRAFs were efficiently expressed in neuroblastoma, but TRAF4, in particular, was found to be strongly expressed. The high expression of TRAF4 was associated with a poor prognosis in human neuroblastoma. The inhibition of TRAF4, rather than other TRAFs, improved retinoic acid sensitivity in two human neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-AS cells. Further in vitro studies indicated that TRAF4 suppression induced retinoic acid-induced cell apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells, probably by upregulating the expression of Caspase 9 and AP1 while downregulating Bcl-2, Survivin, and IRF-1. Notably, the improved anti-tumor effects from the combination of TRAF4 knockdown and retinoic acid were confirmed in vivo using the SK-N-AS human neuroblastoma xenograft model. In conclusion, the highly expressed TRAF4 might be implicated in developing resistance to retinoic acid treatment in neuroblastoma, and the combination therapy with retinoic acid and TRAF4 inhibition may offer significant therapeutic advantages in the treatment of relapsed neuroblastoma.
Collapse
|
19
|
Yang Y, Wang S, Cai J, Liang J, Zhang Y, Xie Y, Luo F, Tang J, Gao Y, Shen S, Feng H, Li Y. Targeting ARHGEF12 promotes neuroblastoma differentiation, MYCN degradation, and reduces tumorigenicity. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:133-143. [PMID: 36520365 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00739-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Neuroblastoma arises from developmental block of embryonic neural crest cells and is one of the most common and deadly pediatric tumors. However, the mechanism underlying this block is still unclear. Here, we show that targeting Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 12 (ARHGEF12, also named LARG) promotes MYCN degradation and neuroblastoma differentiation, leading to reduced neuroblastoma malignancy. METHODS The neuroblastoma TARGET dataset was downloaded to assess ARHGEF12 expression. Cell differentiation, proliferation, colony formation and cell migration analyses were performed to investigate the effects of ARHGEF12 knockdown on neuroblastoma cells. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine protein expression. Animal xenograft models were used to investigate antitumor effects after ARHGEF12 knockdown or treatment with the ARHGEF12 inhibitor Y16 in vivo. RESULTS We found that the expression level of ARHGEF12 was higher in neuroblastoma than in better-differentiated ganglioneuroblastoma. Knockdown of ARHGEF12 promoted neuroblastoma differentiation, decreased stemness-related gene expression, and increased differentiation-related gene expression. ARHGEF12 knockdown reduced tumor growth, and the resulting tumors showed bigger tumor cells compared to those in control neuroblastoma xenografts. In addition, it was found that ARHGEF12 knockdown promoted MYCN ubiquitination and degradation in MYCN-amplified tumors through RhoA/ROCK/GSK3β signaling. Targeting ARHGEF12 with the small molecular inhibitor Y16 induced cell differentiation and attenuated neuroblastoma tumorigenicity. CONCLUSION Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism by which ARHGEF12 regulates neuroblastoma tumorigenicity and suggest a translatable therapeutic approach by targeting ARHGEF12 with a small molecular inhibitor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jiaoyang Cai
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jianwei Liang
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yingwen Zhang
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yangyang Xie
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Fei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jingyan Tang
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yijin Gao
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Shuhong Shen
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Haizhong Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Yanxin Li
- Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, National Health Committee Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pulido R, Nunes-Xavier CE. Editorial: Cell and Developmental Signalling in Neuroblastoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1126352. [PMID: 36684434 PMCID: PMC9846788 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1126352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pulido
- Biomarkers in Cancer, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain,*Correspondence: Rafael Pulido, ; Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier,
| | - Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier
- Biomarkers in Cancer, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain,Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,*Correspondence: Rafael Pulido, ; Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier,
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nutraceutical Preventative and Therapeutic Potential in Neuroblastoma: From Pregnancy to Early Childhood. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111762. [DOI: 10.3390/life12111762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a highly malignant embryonic extracranial solid tumor that arises from sympathoadrenal neuroblasts of neural crest origin. In addition to genetic factors, NB has been linked to maternal exposure to a variety of substances during pregnancy. Recent interest in the potential of nutrients to prevent cancer and reduce malignancy has resulted in the identification of several nutraceuticals including resveratrol, curcumin, and molecular components of garlic, which together with certain vitamins may help to prevent NB development. As NBs arise during fetal development and progress during early childhood, specific NB inhibiting nutraceuticals and vitamins could enhance the preventative influence of maternal nutrition and breast feeding on the development and early progression of NB. In this article, we review NB inhibitory nutraceuticals and vitamins, their mechanisms of action and expound their potential as maternal nutritional supplements to reduce NB development and progression during fetal growth and early childhood, whilst at the same time enhancing maternal, fetal, and infant health.
Collapse
|
22
|
Gomez RL, Woods LM, Ramachandran R, Abou Tayoun AN, Philpott A, Ali FR. Super-enhancer associated core regulatory circuits mediate susceptibility to retinoic acid in neuroblastoma cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:943924. [PMID: 36147741 PMCID: PMC9485839 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.943924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric tumour that accounts for more than 15% of cancer-related deaths in children. High-risk tumours are often difficult to treat, and patients' survival chances are less than 50%. Retinoic acid treatment is part of the maintenance therapy given to neuroblastoma patients; however, not all tumours differentiate in response to retinoic acid. Within neuroblastoma tumors, two phenotypically distinct cell types have been identified based on their super-enhancer landscape and transcriptional core regulatory circuitries: adrenergic (ADRN) and mesenchymal (MES). We hypothesized that the distinct super-enhancers in these different tumour cells mediate differential response to retinoic acid. To this end, three different neuroblastoma cell lines, ADRN (MYCN amplified and non-amplified) and MES cells, were treated with retinoic acid, and changes in the super-enhancer landscape upon treatment and after subsequent removal of retinoic acid was studied. Using ChIP-seq for the active histone mark H3K27ac, paired with RNA-seq, we compared the super-enhancer landscape in cells that undergo neuronal differentiation in response to retinoic acid versus those that fail to differentiate and identified unique super-enhancers associated with neuronal differentiation. Among the ADRN cells that respond to treatment, MYCN-amplified cells remain differentiated upon removal of retinoic acid, whereas MYCN non-amplified cells revert to an undifferentiated state, allowing for the identification of super-enhancers responsible for maintaining differentiation. This study identifies key super-enhancers that are crucial for retinoic acid-mediated differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roshna Lawrence Gomez
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Laura M. Woods
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Center, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Revathy Ramachandran
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmad N. Abou Tayoun
- Center for Genomic Discovery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Al Jalila Genomics Center, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anna Philpott
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Center, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fahad R. Ali
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Center for Genomic Discovery, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Suwannaying K, Monsereenusorn C, Rujkijyanont P, Techavichit P, Phuakpet K, Pongphitcha P, Chainansamit SO, Chotsampancharoen T, Winaichatsak A, Traivaree C, Sathitsamitphong L, Kanjanapongkul S, Komvilaisak P, Sanpakit K, Photia A, Seksarn P, Wiangnon S, Hongeng S. Treatment outcomes among high-risk neuroblastoma patients receiving non-immunotherapy regimen: Multicenter study on behalf of the Thai Pediatric Oncology Group. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29757. [PMID: 35560972 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignant solid tumor during childhood. Despite intensified treatment, patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NBL) still carry a dismal prognosis. The Thai Pediatric Oncology Group (ThaiPOG) proposed the use of a multimodality treatment to improve outcomes of HR-NBL in non-immunotherapy settings. METHODS Patients with HR-NBL undergoing ThaiPOG protocols (ThaiPOG-NB-13HR or -18HR) between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographic data, treatment modalities, outcomes, and prognostic factors were evaluated and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 183 patients with HR-NBL undergoing a topotecan containing induction regimen were enrolled in this study. During the consolidation phase (n = 169), 116 patients (68.6%) received conventional chemotherapy, while 53 patients (31.4%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 41.2% and 22.8%, respectively. Patients who underwent HSCT had more superior 5-year EFS (36%) than those who received chemotherapy (17.1%) (p = .041), although they both performed similarly in 5-year OS (48.7% vs. 39.8%, p = .17). The variation of survival outcomes was observed depending on the number of treatment modalities. HSCT combined with metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) treatment and maintenance with 13-cis-retinoic acid (cis-RA) demonstrated a desirable 5-year OS and EFS of 65.6% and 58.3%, respectively. Poorly or undifferentiated tumor histology and cis-RA administration were independent factors associated with relapse and survival outcomes, respectively (p < .05). CONCLUSION A combination of HSCT and cis-RA successfully improved the outcomes of patients with HR-NBL in immunotherapy inaccessible settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunanya Suwannaying
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Chalinee Monsereenusorn
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piya Rujkijyanont
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Piti Techavichit
- Integrative and Innovative Hematology/Oncology Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kamon Phuakpet
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pongpak Pongphitcha
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - Angkana Winaichatsak
- Department of Pediatrics, Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Chanchai Traivaree
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Somjai Kanjanapongkul
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patcharee Komvilaisak
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Kleebsabai Sanpakit
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apichat Photia
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panya Seksarn
- Integrative and Innovative Hematology/Oncology Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surapon Wiangnon
- Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand
| | - Suradej Hongeng
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bar-Hai N, Ishay-Ronen D. Engaging plasticity: Differentiation therapy in solid tumors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:944773. [PMID: 36034865 PMCID: PMC9410762 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.944773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a systemic heterogeneous disease that can undergo several rounds of latency and activation. Tumor progression evolves by increasing diversity, adaptation to signals from the microenvironment and escape mechanisms from therapy. These dynamic processes indicate necessity for cell plasticity. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a major role in facilitating cell plasticity in solid tumors by inducing dedifferentiation and cell type transitions. These two practices, plasticity and dedifferentiation enhance tumor heterogeneity creating a key challenge in cancer treatment. In this review we will explore cancer cell plasticity and elaborate treatment modalities that aspire to overcome such dynamic processes in solid tumors. We will further discuss the therapeutic potential of utilizing enhanced cell plasticity for differentiation therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neta Bar-Hai
- Cancer Research Center, Oncology Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dana Ishay-Ronen
- Cancer Research Center, Oncology Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Dana Ishay-Ronen,
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kameneva P, Melnikova VI, Kastriti ME, Kurtova A, Kryukov E, Murtazina A, Faure L, Poverennaya I, Artemov AV, Kalinina TS, Kudryashov NV, Bader M, Skoda J, Chlapek P, Curylova L, Sourada L, Neradil J, Tesarova M, Pasqualetti M, Gaspar P, Yakushov VD, Sheftel BI, Zikmund T, Kaiser J, Fried K, Alenina N, Voronezhskaya EE, Adameyko I. Serotonin limits generation of chromaffin cells during adrenal organ development. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2901. [PMID: 35614045 PMCID: PMC9133002 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30438-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenal glands are the major organs releasing catecholamines and regulating our stress response. The mechanisms balancing generation of adrenergic chromaffin cells and protecting against neuroblastoma tumors are still enigmatic. Here we revealed that serotonin (5HT) controls the numbers of chromaffin cells by acting upon their immediate progenitor "bridge" cells via 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A (HTR3A), and the aggressive HTR3Ahigh human neuroblastoma cell lines reduce proliferation in response to HTR3A-specific agonists. In embryos (in vivo), the physiological increase of 5HT caused a prolongation of the cell cycle in "bridge" progenitors leading to a smaller chromaffin population and changing the balance of hormones and behavioral patterns in adulthood. These behavioral effects and smaller adrenals were mirrored in the progeny of pregnant female mice subjected to experimental stress, suggesting a maternal-fetal link that controls developmental adaptations. Finally, these results corresponded to a size-distribution of adrenals found in wild rodents with different coping strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Polina Kameneva
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Victoria I Melnikova
- Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Eleni Kastriti
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Kurtova
- Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Emil Kryukov
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aliia Murtazina
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Louis Faure
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irina Poverennaya
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Artem V Artemov
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- National Medical Research Center for Endocrinology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana S Kalinina
- Federal state budgetary institution "Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology" (FSBI "Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology"), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikita V Kudryashov
- Federal state budgetary institution "Research Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology" (FSBI "Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology"), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), 13125, Berlin-Buch, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jan Skoda
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Chlapek
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Curylova
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Sourada
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Neradil
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Tesarova
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Massimo Pasqualetti
- Unit of Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | | | - Vasily D Yakushov
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris I Sheftel
- Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tomas Zikmund
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Kaiser
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kaj Fried
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Natalia Alenina
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), 13125, Berlin-Buch, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Germany
| | - Elena E Voronezhskaya
- Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Igor Adameyko
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Purpose of Review The evolving information of the initiation, tumor cell heterogeneity, and plasticity of childhood neuroblastoma has opened up new perspectives for developing therapies based on detailed knowledge of the disease. Recent Findings The cellular origin of neuroblastoma has begun to unravel and there have been several reports on tumor cell heterogeneity based on transcriptional core regulatory circuitries that have given us important information on the biology of neuroblastoma as a developmental disease. This together with new insight of the tumor microenvironment which acts as a support for neuroblastoma growth has given us the prospect for designing better treatment approaches for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Here, we discuss these new discoveries and highlight some emerging therapeutic options. Summary Neuroblastoma is a disease with multiple facets. Detailed biological and molecular knowledge on neuroblastoma initiation, heterogeneity, and the communications between cells in the tumor microenvironment holds promise for better therapies.
Collapse
|
27
|
Nunes-Xavier CE, Zaldumbide L, Mosteiro L, López-Almaraz R, García de Andoin N, Aguirre P, Emaldi M, Torices L, López JI, Pulido R. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases in Neuroblastoma: Emerging Roles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:811297. [PMID: 34957126 PMCID: PMC8692838 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.811297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer intimately related with early development and differentiation of neuroendocrine cells, and constitutes one of the pediatric cancers with higher incidence and mortality. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are key regulators of cell growth and differentiation by their direct effect on tyrosine dephosphorylation of specific protein substrates, exerting major functions in the modulation of intracellular signaling during neuron development in response to external cues driving cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. We review here the current knowledge on the role of PTPs in neuroblastoma cell growth, survival, and differentiation. The potential of PTPs as biomarkers and molecular targets for inhibition in neuroblastoma therapies is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Tumor Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, ; Rafael Pulido,
| | - Laura Zaldumbide
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Lorena Mosteiro
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | | | - Pablo Aguirre
- Department of Pathology, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maite Emaldi
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Leire Torices
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - José I. López
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Rafael Pulido
- Biomarkers in Cancer Unit, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- *Correspondence: Caroline E. Nunes-Xavier, ; Rafael Pulido,
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Jahangiri L, Pucci P, Ishola T, Pereira J, Cavanagh ML, Turner SD. Deep analysis of neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitries using online databases and integrated bioinformatics shows their pan-cancer roles as prognostic predictors. Discov Oncol 2021; 12:56. [PMID: 35201514 PMCID: PMC8777518 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-021-00452-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous childhood cancer derived from the neural crest. The dual cell identities of neuroblastoma include Mesenchymal (MES) and Adrenergic (ADRN). These identities are conferred by a small set of tightly-regulated transcription factors (TFs) binding super enhancers, collectively forming core regulatory circuitries (CRCs). The purpose of this study was to gain a deep understanding of the role of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma and other cancers as potential indicators of disease prognosis, progression, and relapse. METHODS To that end, we first investigated the expression and mutational profile of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma. Moreover, we established their correlation with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival while establishing their extended networks with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, we analysed the pan-cancer expression and mutational profile of these TFs and their correlation with patient survival and finally their network connectivity, using a panel of bioinformatic tools including GEPIA2, human pathology atlas, TIMER2, Omicsnet, and Cytoscape. RESULTS We show the association of multiple MES and ADRN TFs with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival and find significantly higher expression of various MES and ADRN TFs compared to normal tissues and their association with overall survival and disease-free survival in multiple cancers. Moreover, we report the strong correlation of the expression of these TFs with the infiltration of stromal and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment and with stemness and metastasis-related genes. Furthermore, we reveal extended pan-cancer networks comprising these TFs that influence the tumour microenvironment and metastasis and may be useful indicators of cancer prognosis and patient survival. CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis shows the significance of MES and ADRN TFs as indicators of patient prognosis and the putative utility of these TFs as potential novel biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Jahangiri
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
- School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS UK
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Perla Pucci
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tala Ishola
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joao Pereira
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Megan L. Cavanagh
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Suzanne D. Turner
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Blanco-Luquin I, Lázcoz P, Celay J, Castresana JS, Encío IJ. In Vitro Assessment of the Role of p53 on Chemotherapy Treatments in Neuroblastoma Cell Lines. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14111184. [PMID: 34832966 PMCID: PMC8624165 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111184] [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: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the most frequent malignant extracranial solid tumor of infancy. The overall objective of this work consists of determining the presence of alterations in the p53/MDM2/p14ARF signaling pathway in neuroblastoma cell lines and deciphering their possible relationship with resistance to known antineoplastic drugs and to differentiation agents. Firstly, we characterized 10 neuroblastoma cell lines for alterations at the p53/MDM2/p14ARF signaling pathway by analysis of TP53 point mutations, MYCN and MDM2 amplification, and p14ARF methylation, homozygous deletions, and expression. Secondly, we chose SK-N-FI (mutated at TP53) and SK-N-Be(2) (wild-type TP53) cell lines, treated them with chemotherapeutic agents (doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, and melphalan) and with two isomers of retinoic acid (RA): (9-cis and all-trans). Finally, we analyzed the distribution of the cell cycle, the induction of apoptosis, and the expression levels of p53, p21, and Bcl-2 in those two cell lines. P14ARF did not present promoter methylation, homozygous deletions, and protein expression in any of the 10 neuroblastoma cell lines. One TP53 point mutation was detected in the SK-N-FI cell line. MYCN amplification was frequent, while most cell lines did not present MDM2 amplification. Treatment of SK-N-FI and SK-N-Be(2) cells with doxorubicin, etoposide, cisplatin, and melphalan increased apoptosis and blocked the cycle in G2/M, while retinoic acid isomers induced apoptosis and decreased the percentage of cells in S phase in TP53 mutated SK-N-FI cells, but not in TP53 wild-type SK-N-Be(2) cells. Treatment with cisplatin, melphalan, or 9-cis RA decreased p53 expression levels in SK-N-FI cells but not in SK-N-Be (2). The expression of p21 was not modified in either of the two cell lines. Bcl-2 levels were reduced only in SK-N-FI cells after treatment with cisplatin. However, treatments with doxorubicin, etoposide, or 9-cis-RA did not modify the levels of this protein in either of the two cell lines. In conclusion, TP53 mutated SK-N-FI cells respond better to the retinoic isomers than TP53 wild-type SK-N-Be(2) cells. Although these are in vitro results, it seems that deciphering the molecular alterations of the p53/MDM2/p14ARF signaling pathway prior to treating patients of neuroblastoma might be useful for standardizing therapies with the aim of improving survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Idoia Blanco-Luquin
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
| | - Paula Lázcoz
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
| | - Jon Celay
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
| | - Javier S. Castresana
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra School of Sciences, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.S.C.); (I.J.E.)
| | - Ignacio J. Encío
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNA (Navarra Institute for Health Research), 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (I.B.-L.); (P.L.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: (J.S.C.); (I.J.E.)
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Labat B, Buchbinder N, Morin-Grognet S, Ladam G, Atmani H, Vannier JP. Biomimetic matrix for the study of neuroblastoma cells: A promising combination of stiffness and retinoic acid. Acta Biomater 2021; 135:383-392. [PMID: 34407473 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is the third most common pediatric cancer composed of malignant immature cells that are usually treated pharmacologically by all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) but sometimes, they can spontaneously differentiate into benign forms. In that context, biomimetic cell culture models are warranted tools as they can recapitulate many of the biochemical and biophysical cues of normal or pathological microenvironments. Inspired by that challenge, we developed a neuroblastoma culture system based on biomimetic LbL films of physiological biochemical composition and mechanical properties. For that, we used chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) that were assembled and mechanically tuned by crosslinking with genipin (GnP), a natural biocompatible crosslinker, in a relevant range of stiffness (30-160 kPa). We then assessed the adhesion, survival, motility, and differentiation of LAN-1 neuroblastoma cells. Remarkably, increasing the stiffness of the LbL films induced neuritogenesis that was strengthened by the combination with ATRA. These results highlight the crucial role of the mechanical cues of the neuroblastoma microenvironment since it can dramatically modulate the effect of pharmacologic drugs. In conclusion, our biomimetic platform offers a promising tool to help fundamental understanding and pharmacological screening of neuroblastoma differentiation and may assist the design of translational biomaterials to support neuronal regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Neuroblastoma is one of the most common pediatric tumor commonly treated by the administration of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Unfortunately, advanced neuroblastoma often develop ATRA resistance. Accordingly, in the field of pharmacological investigations on neuroblastoma, there is a tremendous need of physiologically relevant cell culture systems that can mimic normal or pathological extracellular matrices. In that context, we developed a promising matrix-like cell culture model that provides new insights on the crucial role of mechanical properties of the microenvironment upon the success of ATRA treatment on the neuroblastoma maturation. We were able to control adhesion, survival, motility, and differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. More broadly, we believe that our system will help the design of in vitro pharmacological screening strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Labat
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Évreux, France.
| | | | - Sandrine Morin-Grognet
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Évreux, France
| | - Guy Ladam
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Évreux, France
| | - Hassan Atmani
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSA Rouen, CNRS, PBS UMR 6270, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Évreux, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Vannier
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, PANTHER - INSERM 1234 - UFR de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Rouen 22, boulevard Gambetta 76000 Rouen, France
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Dampens Cell Migration of Human Neuroblastoma Cells. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19100579. [PMID: 34677478 PMCID: PMC8539885 DOI: 10.3390/md19100579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common cancer in childhood, and lethal in its high-risk form, primarily because of its high metastatic potential. Targeting cancer cell migration, and thus preventing metastasis formation, is the rationale for more effective cancer therapy against NB. Previous studies have described the leaf extract from Posidonia oceanica marine plant (POE) as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent and inhibitor of cancer cell migration. This study aims to examine the POE anti-migratory role in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and the underlying mechanisms of action. Wound healing and gelatin zymography assays showed that POE at early times inhibits cell migration and reduces pro-MMP-2 release into culture medium. By monitoring expression level of key autophagy markers by Western blot assay, a correlation between POE-induced cell migration inhibition and autophagy activation was demonstrated. Cell morphology and immunofluorescence analyses showed that POE induces neurite formation and neuronal differentiation at later times. These results suggest POE might act against cell migration by triggering early nontoxic autophagy. The POE-induced cellular morphological change toward cell differentiation might contribute to prolonging the phytocomplex anti-migratory effect to later times. Overall, these results encourage future in vivo studies to test POE applicability in neuroblastoma treatment.
Collapse
|