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Cancer Stem Cell and Aggressiveness Traits Are Promoted by Stable Endothelin-Converting Enzyme-1c in Glioblastoma Cells. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030506. [PMID: 36766848 PMCID: PMC9914402 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor due to its elevated recurrence following treatments. This is mainly mediated by a subpopulation of cells with stemness traits termed glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), which are extremely resistant to anti-neoplastic drugs. Thus, an advancement in the understanding of the molecular processes underlying GSC occurrence should contribute significantly towards progress in reducing aggressiveness. High levels of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE1), key for endothelin-1 (ET-1) peptide activation, have been linked to the malignant progression of GBM. There are four known isoforms of ECE1 that activate ET-1, which only differ in their cytoplasmic N-terminal sequences. Isoform ECE1c is phosphorylated at Ser-18 and Ser-20 by protein kinase CK2, which increases its stability and hence promotes aggressiveness traits in colon cancer cells. In order to study whether ECE1c exerts a malignant effect in GBM, we designed an ECE1c mutant by switching a putative ubiquitination lysine proximal to the phospho-serines Lys-6-to-Arg (i.e., K6R). This ECE1cK6R mutant was stably expressed in U87MG, T98G, and U251 GBM cells, and their behavior was compared to either mock or wild-type ECE1c-expressing clone cells. ECE1cK6R behaved as a highly stable protein in all cell lines, and its expression promoted self-renewal and the enrichment of a stem-like population characterized by enhanced neurospheroid formation, as well as increased expression of stem-like surface markers. These ECE1cK6R-derived GSC-like cells also displayed enhanced resistance to the GBM-related chemotherapy drugs temozolomide and gemcitabine and increased expression of the ABCG2 efflux pump. In addition, ECE1cK6R cells displayed enhanced metastasis-associated traits, such as the modulation of adhesion and the enhancement of cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, the acquisition of a GSC-like phenotype, together with heightened chemoresistance and invasiveness traits, allows us to suggest phospho-ECE1c as a novel marker for poor prognosis as well as a potential therapeutic target for GBM.
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Ghoneum A, Almousa S, Warren B, Abdulfattah AY, Shu J, Abouelfadl H, Gonzalez D, Livingston C, Said N. Exploring the clinical value of tumor microenvironment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 77:83-98. [PMID: 33476723 PMCID: PMC8286277 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Platinum resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer (OvCa) is rising at an alarming rate, with recurrence of chemo-resistant high grade serous OvCa (HGSC) in roughly 75 % of all patients. Additionally, HGSC has an abysmal five-year survival rate, standing at 39 % and 17 % for FIGO stages III and IV, respectively. Herein we review the crucial cellular interactions between HGSC cells and the cellular and non-cellular components of the unique peritoneal tumor microenvironment (TME). We highlight the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM), ascitic fluid as well as the mesothelial cells, tumor associated macrophages, neutrophils, adipocytes and fibroblasts in platinum-resistance. Moreover, we underscore the importance of other immune-cell players in conferring resistance, including natural killer cells, myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) and T-regulatory cells. We show the clinical relevance of the key platinum-resistant markers and their correlation with the major pathways perturbed in OvCa. In parallel, we discuss the effect of immunotherapies in re-sensitizing platinum-resistant patients to platinum-based drugs. Through detailed analysis of platinum-resistance in HGSC, we hope to advance the development of more effective therapy options for this aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia Ghoneum
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Sameh Almousa
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Bailey Warren
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Ammar Yasser Abdulfattah
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Alexandria University School of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Junjun Shu
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Hebatullah Abouelfadl
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Department of Genetics, Animal Health Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Daniela Gonzalez
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Christopher Livingston
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA
| | - Neveen Said
- Departments of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Departments of Urology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
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YAP and TAZ in Lung Cancer: Oncogenic Role and Clinical Targeting. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10050137. [PMID: 29734788 PMCID: PMC5977110 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10050137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world and there is no current treatment able to efficiently treat the disease as the tumor is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Moreover, cancer cells are often resistant or acquire resistance to the treatment. Further knowledge of the mechanisms driving lung tumorigenesis, aggressiveness, metastasization, and resistance to treatments could provide new tools for detecting the disease at an earlier stage and for a better response to therapy. In this scenario, Yes Associated Protein (YAP) and Trascriptional Coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), the final effectors of the Hippo signaling transduction pathway, are emerging as promising therapeutic targets. Here, we will discuss the most recent advances made in YAP and TAZ biology in lung cancer and, more importantly, on the newly discovered mechanisms of YAP and TAZ inhibition in lung cancer as well as their clinical implications.
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