1
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Merckens A, Sieler M, Keil S, Dittmar T. Altered Phenotypes of Breast Epithelial × Breast Cancer Hybrids after ZEB1 Knock-Out. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17310. [PMID: 38139138 PMCID: PMC10744253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417310] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
ZEB1 plays a pivotal role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), (cancer) cell stemness and cancer therapy resistance. The M13HS tumor hybrids, which were derived from spontaneous fusion events between the M13SV1-EGFP-Neo breast epithelial cells and HS578T-Hyg breast cancer cells, express ZEB1 and exhibit prospective cancer stem cell properties. To explore a possible correlation between the ZEB1 and stemness/ EMT-related properties in M13HS tumor hybrids, ZEB1 was knocked-out by CRISPR/Cas9. Colony formation, mammosphere formation, cell migration, invasion assays, flow cytometry and Western blot analyses were performed for the characterization of ZEB1 knock-out cells. The ZEB1 knock-out in M13HS tumor cells was not correlated with the down-regulation of the EMT-related markers N-CADHERIN (CDH2) and VIMENTIN and up-regulation of miR-200c-3p. Nonetheless, both the colony formation and mammosphere formation capacities of the M13HS ZEB1 knock-out cells were markedly reduced. Interestingly, the M13HS-2 ZEB1-KO cells harbored a markedly higher fraction of ALDH1-positive cells. The Transwell/ Boyden chamber migration assay data indicated a reduced migratory activity of the M13HS ZEB1-knock-out tumor hybrids, whereas in scratch/ wound-healing assays only the M13SH-8 ZEB1-knock-out cells possessed a reduced locomotory activity. Similarly, only the M13HS-8 ZEB1-knock-out tumor hybrids showed a reduced invasion capacity. Although the ZEB1 knock-out resulted in only moderate phenotypic changes, our data support the role of ZEB1 in EMT and stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Thomas Dittmar
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Biomedical Education and Research (ZBAF), Witten/Herdecke University, Stockumer Str. 10, 58448 Witten, Germany; (A.M.); (M.S.); (S.K.)
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2
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Ghosh S, Juin SK, Bhattacharyya Majumdar S, Majumdar S. Crucial role of glucosylceramide synthase in the regulation of stem cell-like cancer cells in B16F10 murine melanoma. Mol Carcinog 2021; 60:840-858. [PMID: 34516706 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells render a complex cascade of events that facilitates highly invasive melanoma malignancy. Interplay between immunocytes and cancer stem cells within tumor microenvironment with the participation of sphingolipid signaling mediators skews the immune evasion strategies toward metastatic neoplasm. In this context, we aimed to explore the functional aspect of glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), a key enzyme of sphingolipid biosynthesis in the maintenance of melanoma stem cell-like cancer cells (CSCs). Our findings demonstrated that tumor hypoxia was responsible for elevated GCS expression in melanoma, which was correlated with substantially increased melanoma CSCs. Moreover, hypoxia-induced TGF-β from TAMs and Tregs promoted GCS induction in B16F10 murine melanoma CSCs via PKCα signaling and facilitated the expansion of melanoma CSCs. Interestingly, GCS ablation hindered the immunosuppressiveness of TAMs and Tregs. Therefore, our study for the first time demonstrated a novel paracrine pathway of melanoma CSC maintenance and tumorigenicity, exploiting the bidirectional signaling with immunocytes. Furthermore, our study showed that the combinatorial immunotherapy involving immunomodulators like Mw and DTA-1 repressed CSC pool affecting GCS functions in advanced-stage B16F10 murine melanoma tumor. Moreover, GCS inhibition sensitized conventional chemotherapeutic drug-resistant melanoma CSCs to the genotoxic drugs paving the way toward selective melanoma treatment. Better therapeutic efficacy with inhibition of GCS and CSC depletion suggests a crucial role of GCS in melanoma treatment, therefore, implying its application concerning clinical challenges of chemotherapy resistance leading to prolonged survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Ghosh
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
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3
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Intrinsic Balance between ZEB Family Members Is Important for Melanocyte Homeostasis and Melanoma Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082248. [PMID: 32796736 PMCID: PMC7465899 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
It has become clear that cellular plasticity is a main driver of cancer therapy resistance. Consequently, there is a need to mechanistically identify the factors driving this process. The transcription factors of the zinc-finger E-box-binding homeobox family, consisting of ZEB1 and ZEB2, are notorious for their roles in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, in melanoma, an intrinsic balance between ZEB1 and ZEB2 seems to determine the cellular state by modulating the expression of the master regulator of melanocyte homeostasis, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). ZEB2 drives MITF expression and is associated with a differentiated/proliferative melanoma cell state. On the other hand, ZEB1 is correlated with low MITF expression and a more invasive, stem cell-like and therapy-resistant cell state. This intrinsic balance between ZEB1 and ZEB2 could prove to be a promising therapeutic target for melanoma patients. In this review, we will summarise what is known on the functional mechanisms of these transcription factors. Moreover, we will look specifically at their roles during melanocyte-lineage development and homeostasis. Finally, we will overview the current literature on ZEB1 and ZEB2 in the melanoma context and link this to the 'phenotype-switching' model of melanoma cellular plasticity.
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4
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Circular RNAs and their participation in stemness of cancer. Med Oncol 2020; 37:42. [PMID: 32266486 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-020-01373-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNA) are covalently closed single-stranded RNA molecules that act as important regulators of gene expression through different mechanisms. Meanwhile, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of cells, with properties similar to normal stem cells that arise during the development of cancer and support tumor growth, induce resistance to therapy, and are responsible for metastatic spread. Since the elimination of CSCs is an important goal of cancer treatment, the circRNAs that participate in regulating gene expression and signaling pathways linked to CSCs have aroused attention in recent years, especially because it has been suggested that these molecules may function as therapeutic targets and/or clinical biomarkers. Thus, the proposal of this work is to enumerate a series of circRNAs that have been shown to play a relevant role in CSCs and explain in detail the molecular regulatory mechanisms that they establish to perform that function.
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5
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Veloso ES, Gonçalves INN, Silveira TL, Espirito Santo JT, Figueiredo LV, Varaschin MS, Cassali GD, Del Puerto HL, Ferreira E. ZEB and Snail expression indicates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in canine melanoma. Res Vet Sci 2020; 131:7-14. [PMID: 32278962 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma progression is associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) when tumor cells reduce E-cadherin and increase N-cadherin expression resulting in an escape from the microenvironment via loss of cellular adhesion and gain of motility. Transcription factor proteins Snail and ZEB trigger EMT by repression of epithelial markers and activation of mesenchymal properties. This study evaluated E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, ZEB1 and ZEB2 expression by IHC and investigated their relationship with morphological characteristics in cutaneous and oral canine melanoma. Results from melanoma cases demonstrated E-cadherin expression in 45% (9/20) of oral and 58% (22/38) of cutaneous tumors, while N-cadherin expression was observed in 95% (18/19) of oral and 92% (34/37) of cutaneous melanoma. Cytoplasmic and nuclear N-cadherin expression was positively correlated with ZEB1 expression, while the cell membrane N-cadherin expression was positively correlated with ZEB2. In addition, an increase in nuclear N-cadherin expression was associated with reduced Snail expression in cutaneous melanoma and an increase in Snail expression in oral melanoma, indicating that the correlation between N-cadherin and Snail expression is coincident with tumor location. Our data suggest that ZEB family protein is associated with N-cadherin translocation from cell membrane to the cytoplasm and nuclei, and may act as important transcription factors of EMT regulation in canine melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emerson Soares Veloso
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiany Luiza Silveira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Larissa Vieira Figueiredo
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Geovanni Dantas Cassali
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | - Helen Lima Del Puerto
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil
| | - Enio Ferreira
- Department of General Pathology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil.
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6
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Wang X, Jian X, Dou J, Wei Z, Zhao F. Decreasing Microtubule Actin Cross-Linking Factor 1 Inhibits Melanoma Metastasis by Decreasing Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:663-673. [PMID: 32099463 PMCID: PMC7005719 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s229156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The microtubule actin cross-linking factor 1 (MACF1) is involved in cellular migration, adhesion, and invasion processes. Its abnormal expression initiates tumor cell proliferation and metastasis in numerous cancer types. Methods In this study, we utilized short hair-pin RNA interference of MACF1 to assess the inhibitory effects on the metastatic potential of B16F10 melanoma cells both in vitro and in vivo a mouse model. Results The MACF1 expression was increased in B16F10 cells-induced tumor tissues; while the down-regulation of MACF1 impacted the B16F10 melanoma cell metastatic behavior by decreasing the ability of colony formation and invasion in vitro as well as inhibiting B16F10 cells-induced tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. The results of Western blot and immunohistochemistry indicated that the expression of E-cadherin and Smad-7 was significantly increased whereas the expression of N-cadherin and TGF-β1 was significantly decreased in tumor tissue of mice challenged with the B16F10/MACF1-RNAi cells when compared with the B16F10 cells challenged mice. Conclusion The data presented in this study demonstrated that down-regulated MACF1 expression decreased B16F10 melanoma metastasis in mice by inhibiting the epithelial to mesenchymal transition program. Thus, MACF1 may be a novel target for melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Wang
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Jian
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Dou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zicheng Wei
- Department of Stomatology Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengshu Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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7
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Yogev O, Almeida GS, Barker KT, George SL, Kwok C, Campbell J, Zarowiecki M, Kleftogiannis D, Smith LM, Hallsworth A, Berry P, Möcklinghoff T, Webber HT, Danielson LS, Buttery B, Calton EA, da Costa BM, Poon E, Jamin Y, Lise S, Veal GJ, Sebire N, Robinson SP, Anderson J, Chesler L. In Vivo Modeling of Chemoresistant Neuroblastoma Provides New Insights into Chemorefractory Disease and Metastasis. Cancer Res 2019; 79:5382-5393. [PMID: 31405846 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer that is frequently metastatic and resistant to conventional treatment. In part, a lack of natively metastatic, chemoresistant in vivo models has limited our insight into the development of aggressive disease. The Th-MYCN genetically engineered mouse model develops rapidly progressive chemosensitive neuroblastoma and lacks clinically relevant metastases. To study tumor progression in a context more reflective of clinical therapy, we delivered multicycle treatment with cyclophosphamide to Th-MYCN mice, individualizing therapy using MRI, to generate the Th-MYCN CPM32 model. These mice developed chemoresistance and spontaneous bone marrow metastases. Tumors exhibited an altered immune microenvironment with increased stroma and tumor-associated fibroblasts. Analysis of copy number aberrations revealed genomic changes characteristic of human MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma, specifically copy number gains at mouse chromosome 11, syntenic with gains on human chromosome 17q. RNA sequencing revealed enriched expression of genes associated with 17q gain and upregulation of genes associated with high-risk neuroblastoma, such as the cell-cycle regulator cyclin B1-interacting protein 1 (Ccnb1ip1) and thymidine kinase (TK1). The antiapoptotic, prometastatic JAK-STAT3 pathway was activated in chemoresistant tumors, and treatment with the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor CYT387 reduced progression of chemoresistant tumors and increased survival. Our results highlight that under treatment conditions that mimic chemotherapy in human patients, Th-MYCN mice develop genomic, microenvironmental, and clinical features reminiscent of human chemorefractory disease. The Th-MYCN CPM32 model therefore is a useful tool to dissect in detail mechanisms that drive metastasis and chemoresistance, and highlights dysregulation of signaling pathways such as JAK-STAT3 that could be targeted to improve treatment of aggressive disease. SIGNIFICANCE: An in vivo mouse model of high-risk treatment-resistant neuroblastoma exhibits changes in the tumor microenvironment, widespread metastases, and sensitivity to JAK1/2 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orli Yogev
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gilberto S Almeida
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen T Barker
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sally L George
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Kwok
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - James Campbell
- CRUK-center Informatics Facility, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena Zarowiecki
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
- CRUK-center Informatics Facility, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Laura M Smith
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Albert Hallsworth
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Berry
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Till Möcklinghoff
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah T Webber
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura S Danielson
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bliss Buttery
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A Calton
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara M da Costa
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evon Poon
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yann Jamin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Lise
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J Veal
- Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Sebire
- Paediatric and Development Pathology, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon P Robinson
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Anderson
- Cancer Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Chesler
- Division of Clinical Studies, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom.
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8
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Marzagalli M, Raimondi M, Fontana F, Montagnani Marelli M, Moretti RM, Limonta P. Cellular and molecular biology of cancer stem cells in melanoma: Possible therapeutic implications. Semin Cancer Biol 2019; 59:221-235. [PMID: 31265892 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2019.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is a tumor characterized by a very high level of heterogeneity, responsible for its malignant behavior and ability to escape from standard therapies. In this review we highlight the molecular and biological features of the subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), well known to be characterized by self-renewal properties, deeply involved in triggering the processes of tumor generation, metastasis, progression and drug resistance. From the molecular point of view, melanoma CSCs are identified and characterized by the expression of stemness markers, such as surface markers, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, embryonic stem cells and intracellular markers. These cells are endowed with different functional features. In particular, they play pivotal roles in the processes of tumor dissemination, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis, mediated by specific intracellular signaling pathways; moreover, they are characterized by a unique metabolic reprogramming. As reported for other types of tumors, the CSCs subpopulation in melanoma is also characterized by a low immunogenic profile as well as by the ability to escape the immune system, through the expression of a negative modulation of T cell functions and the secretion of immunosuppressive factors. These biological features allow melanoma CSCs to escape standard treatments, thus being deeply involved in tumor relapse. Targeting the CSCs subpopulation is now considered an attractive treatment strategy; in particular, combination treatments, based on both CSCs-targeting and standard drugs, will likely increase the therapeutic options for melanoma patients. The characterization of CSCs in liquid biopsies from single patients will pave the way towards precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Marzagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Raimondi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Roberta M Moretti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Limonta
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy.
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9
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Feng Z, Meng S, Zhou H, Xu Z, Tang Y, Li P, Liu C, Huang Y, Wu M. Functions and Potential Applications of Circular RNAs in Cancer Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2019; 9:500. [PMID: 31263676 PMCID: PMC6584801 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) were discovered in the 1970s, but they have drawn increasing attention in recent years. Currently, we know that circRNAs are not "wrongly spliced" during transcription but play important roles in the initiation and development of various diseases, including cancers. Recently, a growing number of studies have suggested that cancer stem cells (CSCs) may contribute to the origination and maintenance of cancers. This review briefly introduces the major functions of circRNAs, including interacting with other noncoding RNAs, competing with pre-mRNA splicing, binding with proteins to form a scaffold, promoting protein nuclear translocation and even translating proteins in a cap-independent manner. Furthermore, we describe the regulatory mechanism of circRNAs in CSC phenotypes and discuss the potential clinical applications of circRNAs in CSC-targeted therapy, including functioning as new biomarkers, acting as vaccines and breaking the therapeutic resistance of CSCs. Finally, we discuss the major limitations and challenges in the field, which will be beneficial for the future clinical use of circRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Feng
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shujuan Meng
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hecheng Zhou
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zihao Xu
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peiyao Li
- The Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Changhong Liu
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongkai Huang
- The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Minghua Wu
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
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10
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Lu Y, Boswell M, Boswell W, Kneitz S, Hausmann M, Klotz B, Regneri J, Savage M, Amores A, Postlethwait J, Warren W, Schartl M, Walter R. Comparison of Xiphophorus and human melanoma transcriptomes reveals conserved pathway interactions. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2018; 31:496-508. [PMID: 29316274 PMCID: PMC6013346 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Comparative analysis of human and animal model melanomas can uncover conserved pathways and genetic changes that are relevant for the biology of cancer cells. Spontaneous melanoma in Xiphophorus interspecies backcross hybrid progeny may be informative in identifying genes and functional pathways that are similarly related to melanoma development in all vertebrates, including humans. To assess functional pathways involved in the Xiphophorus melanoma, we performed gene expression profiling of the melanomas produced in interspecies BC1 and successive backcross generations (i.e., BC5 ) of the cross: X. hellerii × [X. maculatus Jp 163 A × X. hellerii]. Using RNA-Seq, we identified genes that are transcriptionally co-expressed with the driver oncogene, xmrk. We determined functional pathways in the fish melanoma that are also present in human melanoma cohorts that may be related to dedifferentiation based on the expression levels of pigmentation genes. Shared pathways between human and Xiphophorus melanomas are related to inflammation, cell migration, cell proliferation, pigmentation, cancer development, and metastasis. Our results suggest xmrk co-expressed genes are associated with dedifferentiation and highlight these signaling pathways as playing important roles in melanomagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Lu
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Mikki Boswell
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - William Boswell
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Susanne Kneitz
- Physiological Chemistry, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michael Hausmann
- Physiological Chemistry, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Klotz
- Physiological Chemistry, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Janine Regneri
- Physiological Chemistry, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markita Savage
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
| | - Angel Amores
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - John Postlethwait
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Wesley Warren
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Manfred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry, Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Texas A&M Institute for Advanced Studies and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Ronald Walter
- The Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
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11
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Xiao T, Xue J, Shi M, Chen C, Luo F, Xu H, Chen X, Sun B, Sun Q, Yang Q, Dai X, Zhang A, Tang H, Liu Q. Circ008913,viamiR-889 regulation of DAB2IP/ZEB1, is involved in the arsenite-induced acquisition of CSC-like properties by human keratinocytes in carcinogenesis. Metallomics 2018; 10:1328-1338. [DOI: 10.1039/c8mt00207j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Circ008913,viamiR-889 regulation of DAB2IP/ZEB1, is involved in the arsenite-induced acquisition of CSC-like properties and the neoplastic transformation.
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12
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Abl kinase regulation by BRAF/ERK and cooperation with Akt in melanoma. Oncogene 2017; 36:4585-4596. [PMID: 28368422 PMCID: PMC5552414 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The melanoma incidence continues to increase, and the disease remains incurable for many due to its metastatic nature and high rate of therapeutic resistance. In particular, melanomas harboring BRAFV600E and PTEN mutations often are resistant to current therapies, including BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Abl kinases (Abl/Arg) are activated in melanomas and drive progression; however, their mechanism of activation has not been established. Here we elucidate a novel link between BRAFV600E/ERK signaling and Abl kinases. We demonstrate that BRAFV600E/ERK play a critical role in binding, phosphorylating and regulating Abl localization and Abl/Arg activation by Src family kinases. Importantly, Abl/Arg activation downstream of BRAFV600E has functional and biological significance, driving proliferation, invasion, as well as switch in epithelial-mesenchymal-transition transcription factor expression, which is known to be critical for melanoma cells to shift between differentiated and invasive states. Finally, we describe findings of high translational significance by demonstrating that Abl/Arg cooperate with PI3K/Akt/PTEN, a parallel pathway that is associated with intrinsic resistance to BRAFi and immunotherapy, as Abl/Arg and Akt inhibitors cooperate to prevent viability, cell cycle progression and in vivo growth of melanomas harboring mutant BRAF/PTEN. Thus, these data not only provide mechanistic insight into Abl/Arg regulation during melanoma development, but also pave the way for the development of new strategies for treating patients with melanomas harboring mutant BRAF/PTEN, which often are refractory to current therapies.
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Kumar D, Gorain M, Kundu G, Kundu GC. Therapeutic implications of cellular and molecular biology of cancer stem cells in melanoma. Mol Cancer 2017; 16:7. [PMID: 28137308 PMCID: PMC5282877 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-016-0578-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a form of cancer that initiates in melanocytes. Melanoma has multiple phenotypically distinct subpopulation of cells, some of them have embryonic like plasticity which are involved in self-renewal, tumor initiation, metastasis and progression and provide reservoir of therapeutically resistant cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can be identified and characterized based on various unique cell surface and intracellular markers. CSCs exhibit different molecular pattern with respect to non-CSCs. They maintain their stemness and chemoresistant features through specific signaling cascades. CSCs are weak in immunogenicity and act as immunosupressor in the host system. Melanoma treatment becomes difficult and survival is greatly reduced when the patient develop metastasis. Standard conventional oncology treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical resection are only responsible for shrinking the bulk of the tumor mass and tumor tends to relapse. Thus, targeting CSCs and their microenvironment niche addresses the alternative of traditional cancer therapy. Combined use of CSCs targeted and traditional therapies may kill the bulk tumor and CSCs and offer a promising therapeutic strategy for the management of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhiraj Kumar
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Mahadeo Gorain
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, 411007, India
| | - Gautam Kundu
- Deapartment of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Gopal C Kundu
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Angiogenesis and Nanomedicine Research, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, 411007, India.
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Le Coz V, Zhu C, Devocelle A, Vazquez A, Boucheix C, Azzi S, Gallerne C, Eid P, Lecourt S, Giron-Michel J. IGF-1 contributes to the expansion of melanoma-initiating cells through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. Oncotarget 2016; 7:82511-82527. [PMID: 27764776 PMCID: PMC5347710 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a particularly virulent human cancer, due to its resistance to conventional treatments and high frequency of metastasis. Melanomas contain a fraction of cells, the melanoma-initiating cells (MICs), responsible for tumor propagation and relapse. Identification of the molecular pathways supporting MICs is, therefore, vital for the development of targeted treatments. One factor produced by melanoma cells and their microenvironment, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF- 1), is linked to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness features in several cancers.We evaluated the effect of IGF-1 on the phenotype and chemoresistance of B16-F10 cells. IGF-1 inhibition in these cells prevented malignant cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and lung colony formation in immunodeficient mice. IGF-1 downregulation also markedly inhibited EMT, with low levels of ZEB1 and mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, CD44, CD29, CD105) associated with high levels of E-cadherin and MITF, the major regulator of melanocyte differentiation. IGF-1 inhibition greatly reduced stemness features, including the expression of key stem markers (SOX2, Oct-3/4, CD24 and CD133), and the functional characteristics of MICs (melanosphere formation, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, side population). These features were associated with a high degree of sensitivity to mitoxantrone treatment.In this study, we deciphered new connections between IGF-1 and stemness features and identified IGF-1 as instrumental for maintaining the MIC phenotype. The IGF1/IGF1-R nexus could be targeted for the development of more efficient anti-melanoma treatments. Blocking the IGF-1 pathway would improve the immune response, decrease the metastatic potential of tumor cells and sensitize melanoma cells to conventional treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Le Coz
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Chaobin Zhu
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Aurore Devocelle
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Aimé Vazquez
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Claude Boucheix
- INSERM UMRS 1193, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Sandy Azzi
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Cindy Gallerne
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Pierre Eid
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Séverine Lecourt
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
| | - Julien Giron-Michel
- INSERM UMRS 1197, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, France
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Reinforcing B16F10/GPI-IL-21 vaccine efficacy against melanoma by injecting mice with shZEB1 plasmid or miR200c agomir. Biomed Pharmacother 2016; 80:136-144. [PMID: 27133050 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2016.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we hypothesized that the inhibition of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) program by knockdown of Zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) or administration of miR200c agomir would strengthen the B16F10 cells transfected with GPI-anchored IL-21 (B16F10/GPI-IL-21) vaccine efficacy in inhibiting the melanoma metastasis. Our findings from the current study indicated that, when compared with the mice immunized with the B16F10/GPI-IL-21 vaccine alone, the mice immunized with B16F10/GPI-IL-21 vaccine combined with injection of shZEB1 plasmid or miR200c agomir not only meaningfully inhibited EMT of melanoma, reduced the EMT characteristic molecular expression in tumor tissues, but also significantly decreased the Treg cells and TGF-β1, enhanced the cytotoxicities of NK cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the IFN-γ level. Furthermore, the immunotherapeutic combination resulted in inhibiting the melanoma growth and lung metastasis. Our study demonstrated that using the B16F10/GPI-IL-21 vaccine in combination with the down-regulated ZEB1 or miR200c administration effectively elicited anti-tumor immunity and reduced melanoma metastasis by inhibiting the EMT program in the B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice.
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