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Romaniuk-Drapała A, Totoń E, Konieczna N, Machnik M, Barczak W, Kowal D, Kopczyński P, Kaczmarek M, Rubiś B. hTERT Downregulation Attenuates Resistance to DOX, Impairs FAK-Mediated Adhesion, and Leads to Autophagy Induction in Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040867. [PMID: 33920284 PMCID: PMC8068966 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is known to contribute to telomere maintenance and to provide cancer cell immortality. However, numerous reports are showing that the function of the enzyme goes far beyond chromosome ends. The study aimed to explore how telomerase downregulation in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells affects their ability to survive. Consequently, sensitivity to drug resistance, proliferation, and adhesion were assessed. The lentiviral-mediated human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) downregulation efficiency was performed at gene expression and protein level using qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Telomerase activity was evaluated using the Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay. The study revealed that hTERT downregulation led to an increased sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin which was demonstrated in MTT and clonogenic assays. During a long-term doubling time assessment, a decreased population doubling level was observed. Interestingly, it did not dramatically affect cell cycle distribution. hTERT downregulation was accompanied by an alteration in β1-integrin- and by focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-driven pathways together with the reduction of target proteins phosphorylation, i.e., paxillin and c-Src. Additionally, autophagy activation was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells manifested by alternations in Atg5, Beclin 1, LC3II/I ratio, and p62. These results provide new evidence supporting the possible therapeutic potential of telomerase downregulation leading to induction of autophagy and cancer cells elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Romaniuk-Drapała
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 49 Przybyszewskiego St., 60-355 Poznań, Poland; (A.R.-D.); (E.T.); (N.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Ewa Totoń
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 49 Przybyszewskiego St., 60-355 Poznań, Poland; (A.R.-D.); (E.T.); (N.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Natalia Konieczna
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 49 Przybyszewskiego St., 60-355 Poznań, Poland; (A.R.-D.); (E.T.); (N.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Marta Machnik
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Barczak
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Dagmar Kowal
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 49 Przybyszewskiego St., 60-355 Poznań, Poland; (A.R.-D.); (E.T.); (N.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Przemysław Kopczyński
- Centre for Orthodontic Mini-Implants at the Department and Clinic of Maxillofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Mariusz Kaczmarek
- Department of Immunology, Chair of Clinical Immunology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, 5D Rokietnicka St., 60-806 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Błażej Rubiś
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 49 Przybyszewskiego St., 60-355 Poznań, Poland; (A.R.-D.); (E.T.); (N.K.); (D.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-61-869-14-27
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Stem Cell Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Future Perspectives. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1237:97-119. [PMID: 31728916 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2019_441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of cancer and results in a high mortality rate worldwide. Unfortunately, most cases of HCC are diagnosed in an advanced stage, resulting in a poor prognosis and ineffective treatment. HCC is often resistant to both radiotherapy and chemotherapy, resulting in a high recurrence rate. Although the use of stem cells is evolving into a potentially effective approach for the treatment of cancer, few studies on stem cell therapy in HCC have been published. The administration of stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue, the amnion, and the umbilical cord to experimental animal models of HCC has not yielded consistent responses. However, it is possible to induce the apoptosis of cancer cells, repress angiogenesis, and cause tumor regression by administration of genetically modified stem cells. New alternative approaches to cancer therapy, such as the use of stem cell derivatives, exosomes or stem cell extracts, have been proposed. In this review, we highlight these experimental approaches for the use of stem cells as a vehicle for local drug delivery.
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Zhao X, Zheng F, Li Y, Hao J, Tang Z, Tian C, Yang Q, Zhu T, Diao C, Zhang C, Chen M, Hu S, Guo P, Zhang L, Liao Y, Yu W, Chen M, Zou L, Guo W, Deng W. BPTF promotes hepatocellular carcinoma growth by modulating hTERT signaling and cancer stem cell traits. Redox Biol 2018; 20:427-441. [PMID: 30419422 PMCID: PMC6230923 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2018.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor (BPTF), a core subunit of nucleosome-remodeling factor (NURF) complex, plays an important role in chromatin remodeling. However, its precise function and molecular mechanism involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth are still poorly defined. Here, we demonstrated the tumor-promoting role of BPTF in HCC progression. BPTF was highly expressed in HCC cells and tumor tissues of HCC patients compared with normal liver cells and tissues. Knockdown of BPTF inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation and stem cell-like traits in HCC cells. In addition, BPTF knockdown effectively sensitized the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapeutic drugs and induced more apoptosis in HCC cells. Consistently, knockdown of BPTF in a xenograft mouse model also suppressed tumor growth and metastasis accompanied by the suppression of cancer stem cells (CSC)-related protein markers. Moreover, the mechanism study showed that the tumor-promoting role of BPTF in HCC was realized by transcriptionally regulating the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Furthermore, we found that HCC patients with high BPTF expression displayed high hTERT expression, and high BPTF or hTERT expression level was positively correlated with advanced malignancy and poor prognosis in HCC patients. Collectively, our results demonstrate that BPTF promotes HCC growth by targeting hTERT and suggest that the BPTF-hTERT axis maybe a novel and potential therapeutic target in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Zhao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fufu Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yizhuo Li
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaojiao Hao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhipeng Tang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chunfang Tian
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Tianhua Zhu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chaoliang Diao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Changlin Zhang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manyu Chen
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ping Guo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Lizhi Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yina Liao
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Wendan Yu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Miao Chen
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijuan Zou
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell & The Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Wuguo Deng
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Barczak W, Sobecka A, Golusinski P, Masternak MM, Rubis B, Suchorska WM, Golusinski W. hTERT gene knockdown enhances response to radio- and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer cell lines through a DNA damage pathway modification. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5949. [PMID: 29654294 PMCID: PMC5899166 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24503-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of hTERT gene knockdown in HNSCC cells by using novel in vitro models of head and neck cancer (HNSCC), as well as improving its personalized therapy. To obtain the most efficient knockdown siRNA, shRNA-bearing lentiviral vectors were used. The efficiency of hTERT silencing was verified with qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. Subsequently, the type of cell death and DNA repair mechanism induction after hTERT knockdown was assessed with the same methods, followed by flow cytometry. The effect of a combined treatment with hTERT gene knockdown on Double-Strand Breaks levels was also evaluated by flow cytometry. Results showed that the designed siRNAs and shRNAs were effective in hTERT knockdown in HNSCC cells. Depending on a cell line, hTERT knockdown led to a cell cycle arrest either in phase G1 or phase S/G2. Induction of apoptosis after hTERT downregulation with siRNA was observed. Additionally, hTERT targeting with lentiviruses, followed by cytostatics administration, led to induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, an increase in Double-Strand Breaks accompanied by activation of the main DNA repair mechanism, NER, was also observed. Altogether, we conclude that hTERT knockdown significantly contributes to the efficacy of HNSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Barczak
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland. .,Radiobiology Lab, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Sobecka
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland.,Radiobiology Lab, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland
| | - Pawel Golusinski
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland.,Head and Neck Cancer Biology Lab, Department of Biology and Environmental Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Michal M Masternak
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland.,University of Central Florida, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, FL, 32827, Orlando, USA
| | - Blazej Rubis
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49 Str., 60-355, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wiktoria M Suchorska
- Radiobiology Lab, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wojciech Golusinski
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, The Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15 Str., 61-866, Poznan, Poland
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Greco CT, Andrechak JC, Epps TH, Sullivan MO. Anionic Polymer and Quantum Dot Excipients to Facilitate siRNA Release and Self-Reporting of Disassembly in Stimuli-Responsive Nanocarrier Formulations. Biomacromolecules 2017; 18:1814-1824. [PMID: 28441861 PMCID: PMC5672795 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.7b00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The incorporation of anionic excipients into polyplexes is a promising strategy for modulating siRNA binding versus release and integrating diagnostic capabilities; however, specific design criteria and structure-function relationships are needed to facilitate the development of nanocarrier-based theranostics. Herein, we incorporated poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and quantum dot (QD) excipients into photolabile siRNA polyplexes to increase gene silencing efficiencies by up to 100% and enable self-reporting of nanocarrier disassembly. Our systematic approach identified the functional relationships between gene silencing and key parameters such as excipient loading fractions and molecular weights that facilitated the establishment of design rules for optimization of nanocarrier efficacy. For example, we found that PAA molecular weights ∼10-20× greater than that of the coencapsulated siRNA exhibited the most efficient release and silencing. Furthermore, siRNA release assays and RNAi modeling allowed us to generate a PAA "heat map" that predicted gene silencing a priori as a function of PAA molecular weight and loading fraction. QDs further promoted selective siRNA release and provided visual as well as Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based monitoring of the dynamic changes in nanostructure in situ. Moreover, even with the addition of anionic components, our formulations exhibited substantially improved stability and shelf life relative to typical formulations, with complete stability after a week of storage and full activity in the presence of serum. Taken together, this study enabled synergistic improvements in siRNA release and diagnostic capabilities, along with the development of mechanistic insights that are critical for advancing the translation of nucleic acid theranostics into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad T Greco
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Jason C Andrechak
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Thomas H Epps
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and §Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware , Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
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Zhang MY, Wang JP. A multi-target protein of hTERTR-FAM96A presents significant anticancer potent in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317698341. [PMID: 28443470 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317698341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The abilities to escape apoptosis induced by anticancer drugs are an essential factor of carcinogenesis and a hallmark of resistance to cancer therapy. In this study, we identified hTERTR-FAM96A (human telomerase reverse transcriptase–family with sequence similarity 96 member A) as a new efficient agent for apoptosome-activating and anti-tumor protein and investigated the potential tumor suppressor function in hepatocellular carcinoma. The hTERTR-FAM96A fusion protein was constructed by genetic engineering and its anticancer function of hTERTR-FAM96A was explored in vitro and in vivo by investigating the possible preclinical outcomes. Effects of hTERTR-FAM96A on improvement of apoptotic sensitivity and inhibition of migration and invasion were examined in cancer cells and tumors. Our results showed that the therapeutic effects of hTERTR-FAM96A were highly effective for inhibiting tumor growth and inducing apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in H22-bearing nude mice. The hTERTR-FAM96A fusion protein could specifically bind with Apaf-1 and hTERT, which further induced apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and improved apoptosis sensitivity. Our results indicated that hTERTR-FAM96A treatment enhanced cytotoxic effects by upregulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, interferon-γ release, and T lymphocyte infiltration. In addition, hTERTR-FAM96A led to tumor-specific immunologic cytotoxicity through increasing apoptotic body on hepatocellular tumors. Furthermore, hTERTR-FAM96A dramatically inhibited tumor growth, reduced death rate, and prolonged mice survival in hepatocellular carcinoma mice derived from three independent hepatocellular carcinoma mice cohorts compared to control groups. In summary, our data suggest that hTERTR-FAM96A may serve as an efficient anti-tumor agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yu Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jie-Ping Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Chen Y, Zhang Y. Functional and mechanistic analysis of telomerase: An antitumor drug target. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 163:24-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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