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Ramar V, Guo S, Hudson B, Khedri A, Guo AA, Li J, Liu M. Interaction of NF-κB and FOSL1 drives glioma stemness. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:255. [PMID: 38856747 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05293-1] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary brain tumor; GBM's inevitable recurrence suggests that glioblastoma stem cells (GSC) allow these tumors to persist. Our previous work showed that FOSL1, transactivated by the STAT3 gene, functions as a tumorigenic gene in glioma pathogenesis and acts as a diagnostic marker and potential drug target in glioma patients. Accumulating evidence shows that STAT3 and NF-κB cooperate to promote the development and progression of various cancers. The link between STAT3 and NF-κB suggests that NF-κB can also transcriptionally regulate FOSL1 and contribute to gliomagenesis. To investigate downstream molecules of FOSL1, we analyzed the transcriptome after overexpressing FOSL1 in a PDX-L14 line characterized by deficient FOSL1 expression. We then conducted immunohistochemical staining for FOSL1 and NF-κB p65 using rabbit polyclonal anti-FOSL1 and NF-κB p65 in glioma tissue microarrays (TMA) derived from 141 glioma patients and 15 healthy individuals. Next, mutants of the human FOSL1 promoter, featuring mutations in essential binding sites for NF-κB were generated using a Q5 site-directed mutagenesis kit. Subsequently, we examined luciferase activity in glioma cells and compared it to the wild-type FOSL1 promoter. Then, we explored the mutual regulation between NF-κB signaling and FOSL1 by modulating the expression of NF-κB or FOSL1. Subsequently, we assessed the activity of FOSL1 and NF-κB. To understand the role of FOSL1 in cell growth and stemness, we conducted a CCK-8 assay and cell cycle analysis, assessing apoptosis and GSC markers, ALDH1, and CD133 under varying FOSL1 expression conditions. Transcriptome analyses of downstream molecules of FOSL1 show that NF-κB signaling pathway is regulated by FOSL1. NF-κB p65 protein expression correlates to the expression of FOSL1 in glioma patients, and both are associated with glioma grades. NF-κB is a crucial transcription factor activating the FOSL1 promoter in glioma cells. Mutual regulation between NF-κB and FOSL1 contributes to glioma tumorigenesis and stemness through promoting G1/S transition and inhibiting apoptosis. Therefore, the FOSL1 molecular pathway is functionally connected to NF-κB activation, enhances stemness, and is indicative that FOSL1 may potentially be a novel GBM drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanajothi Ramar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Shanchun Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University, 1 Drexel Dr, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Breanna Hudson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Azam Khedri
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Alyssa A Guo
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 475 Vine Street, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jason Li
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 475 Vine Street, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mingli Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.
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2
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Khedri A, Guo S, Ramar V, Hudson B, Liu M. FOSL1's Oncogene Roles in Glioma/Glioma Stem Cells and Tumorigenesis: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5362. [PMID: 38791400 PMCID: PMC11121637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105362] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
This review specifically examines the important function of the oncoprotein FOSL1 in the dimeric AP-1 transcription factor, which consists of FOS-related components. FOSL1 is identified as a crucial controller of invasion and metastatic dissemination, making it a potential target for therapeutic treatment in cancer patients. The review offers a thorough examination of the regulatory systems that govern the influence exerted on FOSL1. These include a range of changes that occur throughout the process of transcription and after the translation of proteins. We have discovered that several non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), play a significant role in regulating FOSL1 expression by directly interacting with its mRNA transcripts. Moreover, an investigation into the functional aspects of FOSL1 reveals its involvement in apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. This work involves a comprehensive analysis of the complex signaling pathways that support these diverse activities. Furthermore, particular importance is given to the function of FOSL1 in coordinating the activation of several cytokines, such as TGF-beta, and the commencement of IL-6 and VEGF production in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) that migrate into the tumor microenvironment. There is a specific emphasis on evaluating the predictive consequences linked to FOSL1. Insights are now emerging on the developing roles of FOSL1 in relation to the processes that drive resistance and reliance on specific treatment methods. Targeting FOSL1 has a strong inhibitory effect on the formation and spread of specific types of cancers. Despite extensive endeavors, no drugs targeting AP-1 or FOSL1 for cancer treatment have been approved for clinical use. Hence, it is imperative to implement innovative approaches and conduct additional verifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Khedri
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Shanchun Guo
- RCMI Cancer Research Center, Department of Chemistry, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA
| | - Vanajothi Ramar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - BreAnna Hudson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Mingli Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
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3
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Xu C, Hou P, Li X, Xiao M, Zhang Z, Li Z, Xu J, Liu G, Tan Y, Fang C. Comprehensive understanding of glioblastoma molecular phenotypes: classification, characteristics, and transition. Cancer Biol Med 2024; 21:j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0510. [PMID: 38712813 PMCID: PMC11131044 DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0510] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Among central nervous system-associated malignancies, glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and has the highest mortality rate. The high heterogeneity of GBM cell types and the complex tumor microenvironment frequently lead to tumor recurrence and sudden relapse in patients treated with temozolomide. In precision medicine, research on GBM treatment is increasingly focusing on molecular subtyping to precisely characterize the cellular and molecular heterogeneity, as well as the refractory nature of GBM toward therapy. Deep understanding of the different molecular expression patterns of GBM subtypes is critical. Researchers have recently proposed tetra fractional or tripartite methods for detecting GBM molecular subtypes. The various molecular subtypes of GBM show significant differences in gene expression patterns and biological behaviors. These subtypes also exhibit high plasticity in their regulatory pathways, oncogene expression, tumor microenvironment alterations, and differential responses to standard therapy. Herein, we summarize the current molecular typing scheme of GBM and the major molecular/genetic characteristics of each subtype. Furthermore, we review the mesenchymal transition mechanisms of GBM under various regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Pengyu Hou
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
| | - Menglin Xiao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Ziru Li
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
| | - Jianglong Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Guoming Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
| | - Yanli Tan
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
| | - Chuan Fang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Hebei University, Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, Baoding 07100, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Glioma, Baoding 071000, China
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Zhao J, Cui X, Zhan Q, Zhang K, Su D, Yang S, Hong B, Wang Q, Ju J, Cheng C, Li C, Wan C, Wang Y, Zhou J, Kang C. CRISPR-Cas9 library screening combined with an exosome-targeted delivery system addresses tumorigenesis/TMZ resistance in the mesenchymal subtype of glioblastoma. Theranostics 2024; 14:2835-2855. [PMID: 38773970 PMCID: PMC11103500 DOI: 10.7150/thno.92703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The large-scale genomic analysis classifies glioblastoma (GBM) into three major subtypes, including classical (CL), proneural (PN), and mesenchymal (MES) subtypes. Each of these subtypes exhibits a varying degree of sensitivity to the temozolomide (TMZ) treatment, while the prognosis corresponds to the molecular and genetic characteristics of the tumor cell type. Tumors with MES features are predominantly characterized by the NF1 deletion/alteration, leading to sustained activation of the RAS and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways in GBM and tend to acquire drug resistance, resulting in the worst prognosis compared to other subtypes (PN and CL). Here, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 library screening technique to detect TMZ-related gene targets that might play roles in acquiring drug resistance, using overexpressed KRAS-G12C mutant GBM cell lines. The study identified a key therapeutic strategy to address the chemoresistance against the MES subtype of GBM. Methods: The CRISPR-Cas9 library screening was used to discover genes associated with TMZ resistance in the U87-KRAS (U87-MG which is overexpressed KRAS-G12C mutant) cells. The patient-derived GBM primary cell line TBD0220 was used for experimental validations in vivo and in vitro. Chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to elucidate the silencing mechanism of tumor suppressor genes in the MES-GBM subtype. The small-molecule inhibitor EPIC-0412 was obtained through high-throughput screening. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to characterize the exosomes (Exos) secreted by GBM cells after TMZ treatment. Blood-derived Exos-based targeted delivery of siRNA, TMZ, and EPIC-0412 was optimized to tailor personalized therapy in vivo. Results: Using the genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 library screening, we found that the ERBIN gene could be epigenetically regulated in the U87-KRAS cells. ERBIN overexpression inhibited the RAS signaling and downstream proliferation and invasion effects of GBM tumor cells. EPIC-0412 treatment inhibited tumor proliferation and EMT progression by upregulating the ERBIN expression both in vitro and in vivo. Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening also identified RASGRP1(Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein 1) and VPS28(Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 28) genes as synthetically lethal in response to TMZ treatment in the U87-KRAS cells. We found that RASGRP1 activated the RAS-mediated DDR pathway by promoting the RAS-GTP transformation. VPS28 promoted the Exos secretion and decreased intracellular TMZ concentration in GBM cells. The targeted Exos delivery system encapsulating drugs and siRNAs together showed a powerful therapeutic effect against GBM in vivo. Conclusions: We demonstrate a new mechanism by which ERBIN is epigenetically silenced by the RAS signaling in the MES subtype of GBM. Restoration of the ERBIN expression with EPIC-0412 significantly inhibits the RAS signaling downstream. RASGRP1 and VPS28 genes are associated with the promotion of TMZ resistance through RAS-GDP to RAS-GTP transformation and TMZ efflux, as well. A quadruple combination therapy based on a targeted Exos delivery system demonstrated significantly reduced tumor burden in vivo. Therefore, our study provides new insights and therapeutic approaches for regulating tumor progression and TMZ resistance in the MES-GBM subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixing Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Xiaoteng Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Qi Zhan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Kailiang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Dongyuan Su
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Shixue Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Biao Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Qixue Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jiasheng Ju
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chunchao Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunxiao Wan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yunfei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Junhu Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Chunsheng Kang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Laboratory of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Key Laboratory of Post-Neuro Injury Neuro-Repair and Regeneration in Central Nervous System, Ministry of Education and Tianjin City, Tianjin 300052, China
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5
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Yang Y, More S, De Smet F, De Vleeschouwer S, Agostinis P. Antioxidant network-based signatures cluster glioblastoma into distinct redox-resistant phenotypes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1342977. [PMID: 38698847 PMCID: PMC11063242 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1342977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Aberrant reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is one of the hallmarks of cancer. During their growth and dissemination, cancer cells control redox signaling to support protumorigenic pathways. As a consequence, cancer cells become reliant on major antioxidant systems to maintain a balanced redox tone, while avoiding excessive oxidative stress and cell death. This concept appears especially relevant in the context of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain tumor characterized by significant heterogeneity, which contributes to treatment resistance and tumor recurrence. From this viewpoint, this study aims to investigate whether gene regulatory networks can effectively capture the diverse redox states associated with the primary phenotypes of GBM. Methods In this study, we utilized publicly available GBM datasets along with proprietary bulk sequencing data. Employing computational analysis and bioinformatics tools, we stratified GBM based on their antioxidant capacities and evaluated the distinctive functionalities and prognostic values of distinct transcriptional networks in silico. Results We established three distinct transcriptional co-expression networks and signatures (termed clusters C1, C2, and C3) with distinct antioxidant potential in GBM cancer cells. Functional analysis of each cluster revealed that C1 exhibits strong antioxidant properties, C2 is marked with a discrepant inflammatory trait and C3 was identified as the cluster with the weakest antioxidant capacity. Intriguingly, C2 exhibited a strong correlation with the highly aggressive mesenchymal subtype of GBM. Furthermore, this cluster holds substantial prognostic importance: patients with higher gene set variation analysis (GSVA) scores of the C2 signature exhibited adverse outcomes in overall and progression-free survival. Conclusion In summary, we provide a set of transcriptional signatures that unveil the antioxidant potential of GBM, offering a promising prognostic application and a guide for therapeutic strategies in GBM therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Yang
- Research Group Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cell Death Research & Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Cancer Biology Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sanket More
- Laboratory of Cell Death Research & Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Cancer Biology Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Smet
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Institute for Single-Cell Omics (LISCO), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven De Vleeschouwer
- Research Group Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Laboratory of Cell Death Research & Therapy, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Center for Cancer Biology Research, Leuven, Belgium
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6
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Fares J, Wan Y, Mair R, Price SJ. Molecular diversity in isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild-type glioblastoma. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae108. [PMID: 38646145 PMCID: PMC11032202 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In the dynamic landscape of glioblastoma, the 2021 World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System tumours endeavoured to establish biological homogeneity, yet isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild-type (IDH-wt) glioblastoma persists as a tapestry of clinical and molecular diversity. Intertumoural heterogeneity in IDH-wt glioblastoma presents a formidable challenge in treatment strategies. Recent strides in genetics and molecular biology have enhanced diagnostic precision, revealing distinct subtypes and invasive patterns that influence survival in patients with IDH-wt glioblastoma. Genetic and molecular biomarkers, such as the overexpression of neurofibromin 1, phosphatase and tensin homolog and/or cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, along with specific immune cell abundance and neurotransmitters, correlate with favourable outcomes. Conversely, increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha and/or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, coupled with the prevalence of glioma stem cells, tumour-associated myeloid cells, regulatory T cells and exhausted effector cells, signifies an unfavourable prognosis. The methylation status of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase and the influence of microenvironmental factors and neurotransmitters further shape treatment responses. Understanding intertumoural heterogeneity is complemented by insights into intratumoural dynamics and cellular interactions within the tumour microenvironment. Glioma stem cells and immune cell composition significantly impact progression and outcomes, emphasizing the need for personalized therapies targeting pro-tumoural signalling pathways and resistance mechanisms. A successful glioblastoma management demands biomarker identification, combination therapies and a nuanced approach considering intratumoural variability. These advancements herald a transformative era in glioblastoma comprehension and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad Fares
- Academic Neurosurgery Division, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Cambridge Brain Tumour Imaging Laboratory, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yizhou Wan
- Academic Neurosurgery Division, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Cambridge Brain Tumour Imaging Laboratory, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Richard Mair
- Academic Neurosurgery Division, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Stephen J Price
- Academic Neurosurgery Division, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Cambridge Brain Tumour Imaging Laboratory, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
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7
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Sussman JH, Oldridge DA, Yu W, Chen CH, Zellmer AM, Rong J, Parvaresh-Rizi A, Thadi A, Xu J, Bandyopadhyay S, Sun Y, Wu D, Emerson Hunter C, Brosius S, Ahn KJ, Baxter AE, Koptyra MP, Vanguri RS, McGrory S, Resnick AC, Storm PB, Amankulor NM, Santi M, Viaene AN, Zhang N, Raedt TD, Cole K, Tan K. A longitudinal single-cell and spatial multiomic atlas of pediatric high-grade glioma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.06.583588. [PMID: 38496580 PMCID: PMC10942465 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.06.583588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) is an incurable central nervous system malignancy that is a leading cause of pediatric cancer death. While pHGG shares many similarities to adult glioma, it is increasingly recognized as a molecularly distinct, yet highly heterogeneous disease. In this study, we longitudinally profiled a molecularly diverse cohort of 16 pHGG patients before and after standard therapy through single-nucleus RNA and ATAC sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, and CODEX spatial proteomics to capture the evolution of the tumor microenvironment during progression following treatment. We found that the canonical neoplastic cell phenotypes of adult glioblastoma are insufficient to capture the range of tumor cell states in a pediatric cohort and observed differential tumor-myeloid interactions between malignant cell states. We identified key transcriptional regulators of pHGG cell states and did not observe the marked proneural to mesenchymal shift characteristic of adult glioblastoma. We showed that essential neuromodulators and the interferon response are upregulated post-therapy along with an increase in non-neoplastic oligodendrocytes. Through in vitro pharmacological perturbation, we demonstrated novel malignant cell-intrinsic targets. This multiomic atlas of longitudinal pHGG captures the key features of therapy response that support distinction from its adult counterpart and suggests therapeutic strategies which are targeted to pediatric gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H. Sussman
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Derek A. Oldridge
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School
of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Wenbao Yu
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman
School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Chia-Hui Chen
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Abigail M. Zellmer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School
of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jiazhen Rong
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Anusha Thadi
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jason Xu
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Shovik Bandyopadhyay
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, Perelman School of
Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - Yusha Sun
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, PA
| | - David Wu
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - C. Emerson Hunter
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Stephanie Brosius
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, Perelman
School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kyung Jin Ahn
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Amy E. Baxter
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School
of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mateusz P. Koptyra
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rami S. Vanguri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School
of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Stephanie McGrory
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Adam C. Resnick
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Phillip B. Storm
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Nduka M. Amankulor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine,
Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mariarita Santi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School
of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Angela N. Viaene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School
of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Nancy Zhang
- Department of Statistics and Data Science, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Thomas De Raedt
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School
of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kristina Cole
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman
School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kai Tan
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman
School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Single Cell Biology, Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
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8
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Company C, Schmitt MJ, Dramaretska Y, Serresi M, Kertalli S, Jiang B, Yin JA, Aguzzi A, Barozzi I, Gargiulo G. Logical design of synthetic cis-regulatory DNA for genetic tracing of cell identities and state changes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:897. [PMID: 38316783 PMCID: PMC10844330 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45069-6] [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: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Descriptive data are rapidly expanding in biomedical research. Instead, functional validation methods with sufficient complexity remain underdeveloped. Transcriptional reporters allow experimental characterization and manipulation of developmental and disease cell states, but their design lacks flexibility. Here, we report logical design of synthetic cis-regulatory DNA (LSD), a computational framework leveraging phenotypic biomarkers and trans-regulatory networks as input to design reporters marking the activity of selected cellular states and pathways. LSD uses bulk or single-cell biomarkers and a reference genome or custom cis-regulatory DNA datasets with user-defined boundary regions. By benchmarking validated reporters, we integrate LSD with a computational ranking of phenotypic specificity of putative cis-regulatory DNA. Experimentally, LSD-designed reporters targeting a wide range of cell states are functional without minimal promoters. Applied to broadly expressed genes from human and mouse tissues, LSD generates functional housekeeper-like sLCRs compatible with size constraints of AAV vectors for gene therapy applications. A mesenchymal glioblastoma reporter designed by LSD outperforms previously validated ones and canonical cell surface markers. In genome-scale CRISPRa screens, LSD facilitates the discovery of known and novel bona fide cell-state drivers. Thus, LSD captures core principles of cis-regulation and is broadly applicable to studying complex cell states and mechanisms of transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Company
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Jürgen Schmitt
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yuliia Dramaretska
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michela Serresi
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sonia Kertalli
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ben Jiang
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jiang-An Yin
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Iros Barozzi
- Center for Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8a, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Gaetano Gargiulo
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092, Berlin, Germany.
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9
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Guo X, Qiu W, Wang C, Qi Y, Li B, Wang S, Zhao R, Cheng B, Han X, Du H, Gao Z, Pan Z, Zhao S, Li G, Xue H. Neuronal Activity Promotes Glioma Progression by Inducing Proneural-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Glioma Stem Cells. Cancer Res 2024; 84:372-387. [PMID: 37963207 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-0609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal activity can drive progression of high-grade glioma by mediating mitogen production and neuron-glioma synaptic communications. Glioma stem cells (GSC) also play a significant role in progression, therapy resistance, and recurrence in glioma, which implicates potential cross-talk between neuronal activity and GSC biology. Here, we manipulated neuronal activity using chemogenetics in vitro and in vivo to study how it influences GSCs. Neuronal activity supported glioblastoma (GBM) progression and radioresistance through exosome-induced proneural-to-mesenchymal transition (PMT) of GSCs. Molecularly, neuronal activation led to elevated miR-184-3p in neuron-derived exosomes that were taken up by GSCs and reduced the mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) levels by inhibiting RBM15 expression. RBM15 deficiency decreased m6A modification of DLG3 mRNA and subsequently induced GSC PMT by activating the STAT3 pathway. Loss of miR-184-3p in cortical neurons reduced GSC xenograft growth, even when neurons were activated. Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic drug, reduced the neuronal production of miR-184-3p-enriched exosomes, inhibited GSC PMT, and increased radiosensitivity of tumors to prolong survival in xenograft mouse models. Together, these findings indicate that exosomes derived from active neurons promote GBM progression and radioresistance by inducing PMT of GSCs. SIGNIFICANCE Active neurons secrete exosomes enriched with miR-184-3p that promote glioblastoma progression and radioresistance by driving the proneural-to-mesenchymal transition in glioma stem cells, which can be reversed by antiseizure medication levetiracetam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Neurology, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, California
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chaochao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong, China
| | - Yanhua Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Boyan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shaobo Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Rongrong Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Bo Cheng
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hao Du
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Zijie Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ziwen Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shulin Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hao Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Function Remodeling, Jinan, Shandong, China
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10
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Chaim OM, Miki S, Prager BC, Ma J, Jeong AY, Lara J, Tran NK, Smith JM, Rich JN, Gutkind JS, Miyamoto S, Furnari FB, Brown JH. Gα12 signaling regulates transcriptional and phenotypic responses that promote glioblastoma tumor invasion. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22412. [PMID: 38104152 PMCID: PMC10725435 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49164-4] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In silico interrogation of glioblastoma (GBM) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) revealed upregulation of GNA12 (Gα12), encoding the alpha subunit of the heterotrimeric G-protein G12, concomitant with overexpression of multiple G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that signal through Gα12. Glioma stem cell lines from patient-derived xenografts also showed elevated levels of Gα12. Knockdown (KD) of Gα12 was carried out in two different human GBM stem cell (GSC) lines. Tumors generated in vivo by orthotopic injection of Gα12KD GSC cells showed reduced invasiveness, without apparent changes in tumor size or survival relative to control GSC tumor-bearing mice. Transcriptional profiling of GSC-23 cell tumors revealed significant differences between WT and Gα12KD tumors including reduced expression of genes associated with the extracellular matrix, as well as decreased expression of stem cell genes and increased expression of several proneural genes. Thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), one of the genes most repressed by Gα12 knockdown, was shown to be required for Gα12-mediated cell migration in vitro and for in vivo tumor invasion. Chemogenetic activation of GSC-23 cells harboring a Gα12-coupled DREADD also increased THBS1 expression and in vitro invasion. Collectively, our findings implicate Gα12 signaling in regulation of transcriptional reprogramming that promotes invasiveness, highlighting this as a potential signaling node for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Meiri Chaim
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
| | - Shunichiro Miki
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Briana C Prager
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jianhui Ma
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anthony Y Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA
| | - Jacqueline Lara
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA
| | - Nancy K Tran
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA
| | - Jeremy N Rich
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J Silvio Gutkind
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shigeki Miyamoto
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA
| | - Frank B Furnari
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, San Diego Branch, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joan Heller Brown
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, Biomedical Sciences Building, 9500 Gilman Drive #0636, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0636, USA
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11
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Wang C, He Z. Integrating bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data reveals epithelial-mesenchymal transition molecular subtype and signature to predict prognosis, immunotherapy efficacy, and drug candidates in low-grade gliomas. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1276466. [PMID: 38053842 PMCID: PMC10694300 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1276466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a tightly regulated and dynamic process occurring in both embryonic development and tumor progression. Our study aimed to comprehensively explore the molecular subtypes, immune landscape, and prognostic signature based on EMT-related genes in low-grade gliomas (LGG) in order to facilitate treatment decision-making and drug discovery. Methods: We curated EMT-related genes and performed molecular subtyping with consensus clustering algorithm to determine EMT expression patterns in LGG. The infiltration level of diverse immune cell subsets was evaluated by implementing the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and ESTIMATE algorithms. The distinctions in clinical characteristics, mutation landscape, and immune tumor microenvironment (TME) among the subtypes were subjected to further investigation. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was performed to explore the biological pathways that were involved in subtypes. The chemo drug sensitivity and immunotherapy of subtypes were estimated through GDSC database and NTP algorithm. To detect EMT subtype-related prognostic gene modules, the analysis of weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) was performed. The LASSO algorithm was utilized to construct a prognostic risk model, and its efficacy was verified through an independent CGGA dataset. Finally, the expression of the hub genes from the prognostic model was evaluated through the single-cell dataset and in-vitro experiment. Results: The TCGA-LGG dataset revealed the creation of two molecular subtypes that presented different prognoses, clinical implications, TME, mutation landscapes, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. A three-gene signature (SLC39A1, CTSA and CLIC1) based on EMT expression pattern were established through WGCNA analysis. Low-risk patients showed a positive outlook, increased immune cell presence, and higher expression of immune checkpoint proteins. In addition, several promising drugs, including birinapant, fluvastatin, clofarabine, dasatinib, tanespimycin, TAK-733, GDC-0152, AZD8330, trametinib and ingenol-mebutate had great potential to the treatment of high risk patients. Finally, CTSA and CLIC1 were highly expressed in monocyte cell through single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. Conclusion: Our research revealed non-negligible role of EMT in the TME diversity and complexity of LGG. A prognostic signature may contribute to the personalized treatment and prognostic determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zheng He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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12
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Li C, Li Z, Zhang M, Dai J, Wang Y, Zhang Z. An overview of Twist1 in glioma progression and recurrence. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 172:285-301. [PMID: 37833014 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Glioma cells are characterized by high migration ability, resulting in the aggressive growth of the tumors and poor prognosis of patients. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the most important steps for tumor migration and metastasis and be elevated during glioma progression and recurrence. Twist1 is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor and a key transcription factor involved in the process of EMT. Twist1 is related to glioma mesenchymal change, invasion, heterogeneity, self-renewal of tumor stem cells, angiogenesis, etc., and may be used as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for glioma patients. This paper mainly reviews the structural characteristics, regulatory mechanisms, and apparent regulation of Twist1, as well as the roles of Twist1 during glioma progression and recurrence, providing new revelations for its use as a potential drug target and glioma treatment research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Zixuan Li
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Mengyi Zhang
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxuan Dai
- The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Yunmin Wang
- The Jining City Center Blood Station, Jining, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China; The Second Clinical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, P.R. China.
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13
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Kałuzińska-Kołat Ż, Kołat D, Kośla K, Płuciennik E, Bednarek AK. Molecular landscapes of glioblastoma cell lines revealed a group of patients that do not benefit from WWOX tumor suppressor expression. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1260409. [PMID: 37781246 PMCID: PMC10540236 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1260409] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glioblastoma (GBM) is notorious for its clinical and molecular heterogeneity, contributing to therapeutic failure and a grim prognosis. WWOX is one of the tumor suppressor genes important in nervous tissue or related pathologies, which was scarcely investigated in GBM for reliable associations with prognosis or disease progression despite known alterations. Recently, we observed a phenotypic heterogeneity between GBM cell lines (U87MG, T98G, U251MG, DBTRG-05MG), among which the anti-GBM activity of WWOX was generally corresponding, but colony growth and formation were inconsistent in DBTRG-05MG. This prompted us to investigate the molecular landscapes of these cell lines, intending to translate them into the clinical context. Methods U87MG/T98G/U251MG/DBTRG-05MG were subjected to high-throughput sequencing, and obtained data were explored via weighted gene co-expression network analysis, differential expression analysis, functional annotation, and network building. Following the identification of the most relevant DBTRG-distinguishing driver genes, data from GBM patients were employed for, e.g., differential expression analysis, survival analysis, and principal component analysis. Results Although most driver genes were unique for each cell line, some were inversely regulated in DBTRG-05MG. Alongside driver genes, the differentially-expressed genes were used to build a WWOX-related network depicting protein-protein interactions in U87MG/T98G/U251MG/DBTRG-05MG. This network revealed processes distinctly regulated in DBTRG-05MG, e.g., microglia proliferation or neurofibrillary tangle assembly. POLE4 and HSF2BP were selected as DBTRG-discriminating driver genes based on the gene significance, module membership, and fold-change. Alongside WWOX, POLE4 and HSF2BP expression was used to stratify patients into cell lines-resembling groups that differed in, e.g., prognosis and treatment response. Some differences from a WWOX-related network were certified in patients, revealing genes that clarify clinical outcomes. Presumably, WWOX overexpression in DBTRG-05MG resulted in expression profile change resembling that of patients with inferior prognosis and drug response. Among these patients, WWOX may be inaccessible for its partners and does not manifest its anti-cancer activity, which was proposed in the literature but not regarding glioblastoma or concerning POLE4 and HSF2BP. Conclusion Cell lines data enabled the identification of patients among which, despite high expression of WWOX tumor suppressor, no advantageous outcomes were noted due to the cancer-promoting profile ensured by other genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Damian Kołat
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kośla
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Andrzej K. Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Ravikumar V, Xu T, Al-Holou WN, Fattahi S, Rao A. Efficient Inference of Spatially-Varying Gaussian Markov Random Fields With Applications in Gene Regulatory Networks. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 20:2920-2932. [PMID: 37276119 PMCID: PMC10623339 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2023.3282028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we study the problem of inferring spatially-varying Gaussian Markov random fields (SV-GMRF) where the goal is to learn a network of sparse, context-specific GMRFs representing network relationships between genes. An important application of SV-GMRFs is in inference of gene regulatory networks from spatially-resolved transcriptomics datasets. The current work on inference of SV-GMRFs are based on the regularized maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and suffer from overwhelmingly high computational cost due to their highly nonlinear nature. To alleviate this challenge, we propose a simple and efficient optimization problem in lieu of MLE that comes equipped with strong statistical and computational guarantees. Our proposed optimization problem is extremely efficient in practice: we can solve instances of SV-GMRFs with more than 2 million variables in less than 2 minutes. We apply the developed framework to study how gene regulatory networks in Glioblastoma are spatially rewired within tissue, and identify prominent activity of the transcription factor HES4 and ribosomal proteins as characterizing the gene expression network in the tumor peri-vascular niche that is known to harbor treatment resistant stem cells.
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15
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Santamarina‐Ojeda P, Tejedor JR, Pérez RF, López V, Roberti A, Mangas C, Fernández AF, Fraga MF. Multi-omic integration of DNA methylation and gene expression data reveals molecular vulnerabilities in glioblastoma. Mol Oncol 2023; 17:1726-1743. [PMID: 37357610 PMCID: PMC10483606 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13479] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer and exhibits profound genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity, making the development of an effective treatment a major challenge. The recent incorporation of molecular features into the diagnosis of patients with GBM has led to an improved categorization into various tumour subtypes with different prognoses and disease management. In this work, we have exploited the benefits of genome-wide multi-omic approaches to identify potential molecular vulnerabilities existing in patients with GBM. Integration of gene expression and DNA methylation data from both bulk GBM and patient-derived GBM stem cell lines has revealed the presence of major sources of GBM variability, pinpointing subtype-specific tumour vulnerabilities amenable to pharmacological interventions. In this sense, inhibition of the AP-1, SMAD3 and RUNX1/RUNX2 pathways, in combination or not with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide, led to the subtype-specific impairment of tumour growth, particularly in the context of the aggressive, mesenchymal-like subtype. These results emphasize the involvement of these molecular pathways in the development of GBM and have potential implications for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Santamarina‐Ojeda
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
| | - Juan Ramón Tejedor
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Centre (CINN‐CSIC)Principality of AsturiasSpain
| | - Raúl F. Pérez
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Centre (CINN‐CSIC)Principality of AsturiasSpain
| | - Virginia López
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
| | - Annalisa Roberti
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Centre (CINN‐CSIC)Principality of AsturiasSpain
| | - Cristina Mangas
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
| | - Agustín F. Fernández
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Centre (CINN‐CSIC)Principality of AsturiasSpain
| | - Mario F. Fraga
- Health Research Institute of Asturias (ISPA)Spain
- Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation in Asturias (FINBA)Spain
- University Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA)Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Centre (CINN‐CSIC)Principality of AsturiasSpain
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Guo S, Ramar V, Guo AA, Saafir T, Akpobiyeri H, Hudson B, Li J, Liu M. TRPM7 transactivates the FOSL1 gene through STAT3 and enhances glioma stemness. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:270. [PMID: 37642779 PMCID: PMC10465393 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04921-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We previously reported that TRPM7 regulates glioma cells' stemness through STAT3. In addition, we demonstrated that FOSL1 is a response gene for TRPM7, and the FOSL1 gene serves as an oncogene to promote glioma proliferation and invasion. METHODS In the present study, we determined the effects of FOSL1 on glioma stem cell (GSC) markers CD133 and ALDH1 by flow cytometry, and the maintenance of stem cell activity by extreme limiting dilution assays (ELDA). To further gain insight into the mechanism by which TRPM7 activates transcription of the FOSL1 gene to contribute to glioma stemness, we constructed a FOSL1 promoter and its GAS mutants followed by luciferase reporter assays and ChIP-qPCR in a glioma cell line and glioma patient-derived xenoline. We further examined GSC markers ALDH1 and TRPM7 as well as FOSL1 by immunohistochemistry staining (IHC) in brain tissue microarray (TMA) of glioma patients. RESULTS We revealed that FOSL1 knockdown reduces the expression of GSC markers CD133 and ALDH1, and FOSL1 is required to maintain stem cell activity in glioma cells. The experiments also showed that mutations of - 328 to - 336 and - 378 to - 386 GAS elements markedly reduced FOSL1 promoter activity. Constitutively active STAT3 increased while dominant-negative STAT3 decreased FOSL1 promoter activity. Furthermore, overexpression of TRPM7 enhanced while silencing of TRPM7 reduced FOSL1 promoter activity. ChIP-qPCR assays revealed that STAT3, present in nuclear lysates of glioma cells stimulated by constitutively activated STAT3, can bind to two GAS elements, respectively. We demonstrated that deacetylation of FOSL1 at the Lys-116 residue located within its DNA binding domain led to an increase in FOSL1 transcriptional activity. We found that the expression of TRPM7, ALDH1, and FOSL1 protein is associated with grades of malignant glioma, and TRPM7 protein expression correlates to the expression of ALDH1 and FOSL1 in glioma patients. CONCLUSIONS These combined results demonstrated that TRPM7 induced FOSL1 transcriptional activation, which is mediated by the action of STAT3, a mechanism shown to be important in glioma stemness. These results indicated that FOSL1, similar to GSC markers ALDH1 and TRPM7, is a diagnostic marker and potential drug target for glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanchun Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Xavier University, 1 Drexel Dr, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Vanajothi Ramar
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Alyssa A Guo
- University of South Carolina SOM Greenville, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - Talib Saafir
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Hannah Akpobiyeri
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Breanna Hudson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Jason Li
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 475 Vine Street, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mingli Liu
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.
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Bejjani F, Evanno E, Mahfoud S, Tolza C, Zibara K, Piechaczyk M, Jariel-Encontre I. Multiple Fra-1-bound enhancers showing different molecular and functional features can cooperate to repress gene transcription. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:129. [PMID: 37464380 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01077-5] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND How transcription factors (TFs) down-regulate gene expression remains ill-understood, especially when they bind to multiple enhancers contacting the same gene promoter. In particular, it is not known whether they exert similar or significantly different molecular effects at these enhancers. RESULTS To address this issue, we used a particularly well-suited study model consisting of the down-regulation of the TGFB2 gene by the TF Fra-1 in Fra-1-overexpressing cancer cells, as Fra-1 binds to multiple enhancers interacting with the TGFB2 promoter. We show that Fra-1 does not repress TGFB2 transcription via reducing RNA Pol II recruitment at the gene promoter but by decreasing the formation of its transcription-initiating form. This is associated with complex long-range chromatin interactions implicating multiple molecularly and functionally heterogeneous Fra-1-bound transcriptional enhancers distal to the TGFB2 transcriptional start site. In particular, the latter display differential requirements upon the presence and the activity of the lysine acetyltransferase p300/CBP. Furthermore, the final transcriptional output of the TGFB2 gene seems to depend on a balance between the positive and negative effects of Fra-1 at these enhancers. CONCLUSION Our work unveils complex molecular mechanisms underlying the repressive actions of Fra-1 on TGFB2 gene expression. This has consequences for our general understanding of the functioning of the ubiquitous transcriptional complex AP-1, of which Fra-1 is the most documented component for prooncogenic activities. In addition, it raises the general question of the heterogeneity of the molecular functions of TFs binding to different enhancers regulating the same gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Bejjani
- IGMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- DSST, ER045, PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Samantha Mahfoud
- IGMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
- DSST, ER045, PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Claire Tolza
- IGMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Kazem Zibara
- DSST, ER045, PRASE, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences-I, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Isabelle Jariel-Encontre
- IGMM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier, IRCM, INSERM U1194, ICM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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18
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Giraud JS, Bièche I, Pasmant É, Tlemsani C. NF1 alterations in cancers: therapeutic implications in precision medicine. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:941-957. [PMID: 37747491 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2263836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION NF1 is a tumor suppressor gene encoding neurofibromin, an inhibitor of the RAS/MAPK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathways. NF1 germline pathogenic variants cause the tumor predisposition syndrome neurofibromatosis type 1. Targeted therapies (MEK inhibitors) have been approved for benign nerve sheath tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients. NF1 somatic alterations are present in ~5% of all human sporadic cancers. In melanomas, acute myeloid leukemias and lung adenocarcinomas, the NF1 somatic alteration frequency is higher (~15%). However, to date, the therapeutic impact of NF1 somatic alterations is poorly investigated. AREAS COVERED This review presents a comprehensive overview of targeted therapies and immunotherapies currently developed and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for NF1-altered cancer treatment. A PubMed database literature review was performed to select relevant original articles. Active clinical trials were researched in ClinicalTrials.gov database in August 2022. TCGA and HGMD® databases were consulted. EXPERT OPINION This review highlights the need to better understand the molecular mechanisms of NF1-altered tumors and the development of innovative strategies to effectively target NF1-loss in human cancers. One of the current major challenges in cancer management is the targeting of tumor suppressor genes such as NF1 gene. Currently, most studies are focusing on inhibitors of the RAS/MAPK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathways and immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Stéphane Giraud
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Ivan Bièche
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
- Genetic Department, Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Éric Pasmant
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
- Genetic Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP.Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Camille Tlemsani
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
- Oncology Department, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP.Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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19
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Nasimi Shad A, Fanoodi A, Maharati A, Akhlaghipour I, Moghbeli M. Molecular mechanisms of microRNA-301a during tumor progression and metastasis. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 247:154538. [PMID: 37209575 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is known as one of the leading causes of human deaths globally. Late diagnosis is considered as one of the main reasons for the high mortality rate among cancer patients. Therefore, the introduction of early diagnostic tumor markers can improve the efficiency of therapeutic modalities. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a key role in regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. MiRNAs deregulation has been frequently reported during tumor progressions. Since, miRNAs have a high stability in body fluids; they can be used as the reliable non-invasive tumor markers. Here, we discussed the role of miR-301a during tumor progressions. MiR-301a mainly functions as an oncogene via the modulation of transcription factors, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and signaling pathways. This review paves the way to suggest miR-301a as a non-invasive marker for the early tumor diagnosis. MiR-301a can also be suggested as an effective target in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Nasimi Shad
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Fanoodi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Maharati
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Iman Akhlaghipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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20
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Pine AR, Cirigliano SM, Singhania R, Nicholson J, da Silva B, Leslie CS, Fine HA. Microenvironment-Driven Dynamic Chromatin Changes in Glioblastoma Recapitulate Early Neural Development at Single-Cell Resolution. Cancer Res 2023; 83:1581-1595. [PMID: 36877162 PMCID: PMC11022245 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is necessary for recapitulating the intratumoral heterogeneity and cell state plasticity found in human primary glioblastoma (GBM). Conventional models do not accurately recapitulate the spectrum of GBM cellular states, hindering elucidation of the underlying transcriptional regulation of these states. Using our glioblastoma cerebral organoid model, we profiled the chromatin accessibility of 28,040 single cells in five patient-derived glioma stem cell lines. Integration of paired epigenomes and transcriptomes within the context of tumor-normal host cell interactions was used to probe the gene-regulatory networks underlying individual GBM cellular states in a way not readily possible in other in vitro models. These analyses identified the epigenetic underpinnings of GBM cellular states and characterized dynamic chromatin changes reminiscent of early neural development that underlie GBM cell state transitions. Despite large differences between tumors, a shared cellular compartment made up of neural progenitor-like cells and outer radial glia-like cells was observed. Together, these results shed light on the transcriptional regulation program in GBM and offer novel therapeutic targets across a broad range of genetically heterogenous GBMs. SIGNIFICANCE Single-cell analyses elucidate the chromatin landscape and transcriptional regulation of glioblastoma cellular states and identify a radial glia-like population, providing potential targets to disrupt cell states and improve therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison R. Pine
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Tri-Institutional Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | - Richa Singhania
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021 USA
| | - James Nicholson
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021 USA
| | - Bárbara da Silva
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021 USA
| | - Christina S. Leslie
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Howard A. Fine
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10021 USA
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21
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Casalino L, Talotta F, Matino I, Verde P. FRA-1 as a Regulator of EMT and Metastasis in Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098307. [PMID: 37176013 PMCID: PMC10179602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Among FOS-related components of the dimeric AP-1 transcription factor, the oncoprotein FRA-1 (encoded by FOSL1) is a key regulator of invasion and metastasis. The well-established FRA-1 pro-invasive activity in breast cancer, in which FOSL1 is overexpressed in the TNBC (Triple Negative Breast Cancer)/basal subtypes, correlates with the FRA-1-dependent transcriptional regulation of EMT (Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition). After summarizing the major findings on FRA-1 in breast cancer invasiveness, we discuss the FRA-1 mechanistic links with EMT and cancer cell stemness, mediated by transcriptional and posttranscriptional interactions between FOSL1/FRA-1 and EMT-regulating transcription factors, miRNAs, RNA binding proteins and cytokines, along with other target genes involved in EMT. In addition to the FRA-1/AP-1 effects on the architecture of target promoters, we discuss the diagnostic and prognostic significance of the EMT-related FRA-1 transcriptome, along with therapeutic implications. Finally, we consider several novel perspectives regarding the less explored roles of FRA-1 in the tumor microenvironment and in control of the recently characterized hybrid EMT correlated with cancer cell plasticity, stemness, and metastatic potential. We will also examine the application of emerging technologies, such as single-cell analyses, along with animal models of TNBC and tumor-derived CTCs and PDXs (Circulating Tumor Cells and Patient-Derived Xenografts) for studying the FRA-1-mediated mechanisms in in vivo systems of EMT and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Casalino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Talotta
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilenia Matino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Verde
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "A. Buzzati Traverso", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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22
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Fernández-García P, Malet-Engra G, Torres M, Hanson D, Rosselló CA, Román R, Lladó V, Escribá PV. Evolving Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies for Pediatric CNS Tumors: The Impact of Lipid Metabolism. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051365. [PMID: 37239036 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051365] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric neurological tumors are a heterogeneous group of cancers, many of which carry a poor prognosis and lack a "standard of care" therapy. While they have similar anatomic locations, pediatric neurological tumors harbor specific molecular signatures that distinguish them from adult brain and other neurological cancers. Recent advances through the application of genetics and imaging tools have reshaped the molecular classification and treatment of pediatric neurological tumors, specifically considering the molecular alterations involved. A multidisciplinary effort is ongoing to develop new therapeutic strategies for these tumors, employing innovative and established approaches. Strikingly, there is increasing evidence that lipid metabolism is altered during the development of these types of tumors. Thus, in addition to targeted therapies focusing on classical oncogenes, new treatments are being developed based on a broad spectrum of strategies, ranging from vaccines to viral vectors, and melitherapy. This work reviews the current therapeutic landscape for pediatric brain tumors, considering new emerging treatments and ongoing clinical trials. In addition, the role of lipid metabolism in these neoplasms and its relevance for the development of novel therapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Fernández-García
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Gema Malet-Engra
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Manuel Torres
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Derek Hanson
- Hackensack Meridian Health, 343 Thornall Street, Edison, NJ 08837, USA
| | - Catalina A Rosselló
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Ramón Román
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Victoria Lladó
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Pablo V Escribá
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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23
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Su IC, Su YK, Setiawan SA, Yadav VK, Fong IH, Yeh CT, Lin CM, Liu HW. NADPH Oxidase Subunit CYBB Confers Chemotherapy and Ferroptosis Resistance in Mesenchymal Glioblastoma via Nrf2/SOD2 Modulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097706. [PMID: 37175412 PMCID: PMC10178261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly heterogeneous disease with a mesenchymal subtype tending to exhibit more aggressive and multitherapy-resistant features. Glioblastoma stem-cells derived from mesenchymal cells are reliant on iron supply, accumulated with high reactive oxygen species (ROS), and susceptible to ferroptosis. Temozolomide (TMZ) treatment is the mainstay drug for GBM despite the rapid development of resistance in mesenchymal GBM. The main interconnection between mesenchymal features, TMZ resistance, and ferroptosis are poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrated that a subunit of NADPH oxidase, CYBB, orchestrated mesenchymal shift and promoted TMZ resistance by modulating the anti-ferroptosis circuitry Nrf2/SOD2 axis. Public transcriptomic data re-analysis found that CYBB and SOD2 were highly upregulated in the mesenchymal subtype of GBM. Accordingly, our GBM cohort confirmed a high expression of CYBB in the GBM tumor and was associated with mesenchymal features and poor clinical outcome. An in vitro study demonstrated that TMZ-resistant GBM cells displayed mesenchymal and stemness features while remaining resilient to erastin-mediated ferroptosis by activating the CYBB/Nrf2/SOD2 axis. The CYBB maintained a high ROS state to sustain the mesenchymal phenotype, TMZ resistance, and reduced erastin sensitivity. Mechanistically, CYBB interacted with Nrf2 and consequently regulated SOD2 transcription. Compensatory antioxidant SOD2 essentially protected against the deleterious effect of high ROS while attenuating ferroptosis in TMZ-resistant cells. An animal study highlighted the protective role of SOD2 to mitigate erastin-triggered ferroptosis and tolerate oxidative stress burden in mice harboring TMZ-resistant GBM cell xenografts. Therefore, CYBB captured ferroptosis resilience in mesenchymal GBM. The downstream compensatory activity of CYBB via the Nrf2/SOD2 axis is exploitable through erastin-induced ferroptosis to overcome TMZ resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- I-Chang Su
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kai Su
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
| | - Syahru Agung Setiawan
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Vijesh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Iat-Hang Fong
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Tai Yeh
- Department of Medical Research & Education, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Continuing Education Program of Food Biotechnology Applications, College of Science and Engineering, National Taitung University, Taitung 95092, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Min Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Wei Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City 11031, Taiwan
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24
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Kim M, Jo KW, Kim H, Han ME, Oh SO. Genetic heterogeneity of liver cancer stem cells. Anat Cell Biol 2023; 56:94-108. [PMID: 36384888 PMCID: PMC9989795 DOI: 10.5115/acb.22.161] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cell heterogeneity is a serious problem in the control of tumor progression because it can cause chemoresistance and metastasis. Heterogeneity can be generated by various mechanisms, including genetic evolution of cancer cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and niche heterogeneity. Because the genetic heterogeneity of CSCs has been poorly characterized, the genetic mutation status of CSCs was examined using Exome-Seq and RNA-Seq data of liver cancer. Here we show that different surface markers for liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) showed a unique propensity for genetic mutations. Cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133)-positive cells showed frequent mutations in the IRF2, BAP1, and ERBB3 genes. However, leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5-positive cells showed frequent mutations in the CTNNB1, RELN, and ROBO1 genes. In addition, some genetic mutations were frequently observed irrespective of the surface markers for LCSCs. BAP1 mutations was frequently observed in CD133-, CD24-, CD13-, CD90-, epithelial cell adhesion molecule-, or keratin 19-positive LCSCs. ASXL2, ERBB3, IRF2, TLX3, CPS1, and NFATC2 mutations were observed in more than three types of LCSCs, suggesting that common mechanisms for the development of these LCSCs. The present study provides genetic heterogeneity depending on the surface markers for LCSCs. The genetic heterogeneity of LCSCs should be considered in the development of LCSC-targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjeong Kim
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Kwang-Woo Jo
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Myoung-Eun Han
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
| | - Sae-Ock Oh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea
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25
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Ogden S, Ahmed I, Yang SH, Fullwood P, Francavilla C, Sharrocks AD. Oncogenic ERRB2 signals through the AP-1 transcription factor to control mesenchymal-like properties of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad001. [PMID: 36694726 PMCID: PMC9869078 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is a deadly disease with poor survival statistics and few targeted therapies available. One of the most common molecular aberrations in OAC is amplification or activation of the gene encoding the receptor tyrosine kinase ERBB2, and ERBB2 is targeted in the clinic for this subset of patients. However, the downstream consequences of these ERBB2 activating events are not well understood. Here we used a combination of phosphoproteomics, open chromatin profiling and transcriptome analysis on cell line models and patient-derived datasets to interrogate the molecular pathways operating downstream from ERBB2. Integrated analysis of these data sets converge on a model where dysregulated ERBB2 signalling is mediated at the transcriptional level by the transcription factor AP-1. AP-1 in turn controls cell behaviour by acting on cohorts of genes that regulate cell migration and adhesion, features often associated with EMT. Our study therefore provides a valuable resource for the cancer cell signalling community and reveals novel molecular determinants underlying the dysregulated behaviour of OAC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ogden
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Shen-Hsi Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Paul Fullwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | | | - Chiara Francavilla
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- Manchester Breast Centre, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Andrew D Sharrocks
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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26
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Decraene B, Vanmechelen M, Clement P, Daisne JF, Vanden Bempt I, Sciot R, Garg AD, Agostinis P, De Smet F, De Vleeschouwer S. Cellular and molecular features related to exceptional therapy response and extreme long-term survival in glioblastoma. Cancer Med 2023. [PMID: 36776000 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) remains the most common malignant primary brain tumor with a dismal prognosis that rarely exceeds beyond 2 years despite extensive therapy, which consists of maximal safe surgical resection, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. Recently, it has become clear that GBM is not one homogeneous entity and that both intra-and intertumoral heterogeneity contributes significantly to differences in tumoral behavior which may consequently be responsible for differences in survival. Strikingly and in spite of its dismal prognosis, small fractions of GBM patients seem to display extremely long survival, defined as surviving over 10 years after diagnosis, compared to the large majority of patients. Although the underlying mechanisms for this peculiarity remain largely unknown, emerging data suggest that still poorly characterized both cellular and molecular factors of the tumor microenvironment and their interplay probably play an important role. We hereby give an extensive overview of what is yet known about these cellular and molecular features shaping extreme long survival in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Decraene
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy Research Group, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - M Vanmechelen
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - P Clement
- Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J F Daisne
- Radiation Oncology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - I Vanden Bempt
- Department of Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - R Sciot
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A D Garg
- KU Leuven, VIB Center for Cancer Biology Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - P Agostinis
- KU Leuven, Laboratory of Cell Stress & Immunity (CSI), Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Leuven, Belgium
| | - F De Smet
- KU Leuven, Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Leuven, Belgium
| | - S De Vleeschouwer
- KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy Research Group, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Arrieta VA, Dmello C, McGrail DJ, Brat DJ, Lee-Chang C, Heimberger AB, Chand D, Stupp R, Sonabend AM. Immune checkpoint blockade in glioblastoma: from tumor heterogeneity to personalized treatment. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e163447. [PMID: 36647828 PMCID: PMC9843050 DOI: 10.1172/jci163447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized modern cancer therapy, arousing great interest in the neuro-oncology community. While several reports show that subsets of patients with glioma exhibit durable responses to immunotherapy, the efficacy of this treatment has not been observed for unselected patient populations, preventing its broad clinical implementation for gliomas and glioblastoma (GBM). To exploit the maximum therapeutic potential of ICB for patients with glioma, understanding the different aspects of glioma-related tumor immune responses is of critical importance. In this Review, we discuss contributing factors that distinguish subsets of patients with glioma who may benefit from ICB. Specifically, we discuss (a) the complex interaction between the tumor immune microenvironment and glioma cells as a potential influence on immunotherapy responses; (b) promising biomarkers for responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors; and (c) the potential contributions of peripheral immune cells to therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor A. Arrieta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Program of Combined Studies in Medicine (PECEM), Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Crismita Dmello
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Daniel J. McGrail
- Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology and
- Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel J. Brat
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Catalina Lee-Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy B. Heimberger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Dhan Chand
- Agenus Bio, Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roger Stupp
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Adam M. Sonabend
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Northwestern Medicine Malnati Brain Tumor Institute of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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28
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Rosa P, De Falco E, Pacini L, Piazza A, Ciracì P, Ricciardi L, Fiorentino F, Trungu S, Miscusi M, Raco A, Calogero A. Next-Generation Sequencing Comparative Analysis of DNA Mutations between Blood-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Matched Cancer Tissue in Patients with Grade 4 Glioblastoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102590. [PMID: 36289852 PMCID: PMC9599233 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102590] [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: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological heterogeneity of glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (GBM, CNS WHO grade 4), the most aggressive type of brain cancer, is a critical hallmark, caused by changes in the genomic mutational asset and influencing clinical progression over time. The understanding and monitoring of the mutational profile is important not only to reveal novel therapeutic targets in this set of patients, but also to ameliorate the clinical stratification of subjects and the prognostic significance. As neurosurgery represents the primary technique to manage GBM, it is of utmost importance to optimize alternative and less invasive methods to monitor the dynamic mutation profile of these patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are included in the liquid biopsy analysis and have emerged as the biological mirror of escaping and surviving mechanisms by many tumors, including glioblastoma. Very few studies have investigated the technical feasibility to detect and analyze the genomic profile by Next-Generation Sequencing (UMI system) in circulating EVs of patients with grade IV glioblastoma. Here, we attempted to characterize and to compare the corresponding matched tissue samples and potential variants with pathogenic significance of the DNA contained in peripheral-blood-derived EVs. The NGS analysis has revealed that patients with grade IV glioblastoma exhibited lesser DNA content in EVs than controls and that, both in EVs and matched cancer tissues, the NF1 gene was consistently mutated in all patients, with the c.2568C>G as the most common pathogenic variant expressed. This study supports the clinical utility of circulating EVs in glioblastoma as an eligible tool for personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Rosa
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, C.so Della Repubblica 79, 04100 Latina, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Elena De Falco
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, C.so Della Repubblica 79, 04100 Latina, Italy
- Mediterranea Cardiocentro, 80122 Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Pacini
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, C.so Della Repubblica 79, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | - Amedeo Piazza
- Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Ciracì
- Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Ricciardi
- Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Fiorentino
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sokol Trungu
- Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- UO di Neurochirurgia, Azienda Ospedaliera Cardinal G. Panico, 73039 Tricase, Italy
| | - Massimo Miscusi
- Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.R.); (M.M.)
| | - Antonino Raco
- Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Department of NESMOS, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Calogero
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, C.so Della Repubblica 79, 04100 Latina, Italy
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29
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Benedetti V, Banfi F, Zaghi M, Moll-Diaz R, Massimino L, Argelich L, Bellini E, Bido S, Muggeo S, Ordazzo G, Mastrototaro G, Moneta M, Sessa A, Broccoli V. A SOX2-engineered epigenetic silencer factor represses the glioblastoma genetic program and restrains tumor development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn3986. [PMID: 35921410 PMCID: PMC9348799 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn3986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Current therapies remain unsatisfactory in preventing the recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), which leads to poor patient survival. By rational engineering of the transcription factor SOX2, a key promoter of GBM malignancy, together with the Kruppel-associated box and DNA methyltransferase3A/L catalytic domains, we generated a synthetic repressor named SOX2 epigenetic silencer (SES), which induces the transcriptional silencing of its original targets. By doing so, SES kills both glioma cell lines and patient-derived cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo. SES expression, through local viral delivery in mouse xenografts, induces strong regression of human tumors and survival rescue. Conversely, SES is not harmful to neurons and glia, also thanks to a minimal promoter that restricts its expression in mitotically active cells, rarely present in the brain parenchyma. Collectively, SES produces a significant silencing of a large fraction of the SOX2 transcriptional network, achieving high levels of efficacy in repressing aggressive brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Benedetti
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Banfi
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Zaghi
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Raquel Moll-Diaz
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Massimino
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Argelich
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Bellini
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Bido
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Sharon Muggeo
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ordazzo
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Mastrototaro
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Moneta
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sessa
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Stem Cell and Neurogenesis Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20129 Milan, Italy
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30
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Lv X, Li Q, Liu H, Gong M, Zhao Y, Hu J, Wu F, Wu X. JUN
activation modulates chromatin accessibility to drive
TNFα
‐induced mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:4602-4612. [PMID: 35851726 PMCID: PMC9357637 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin dynamics as well as genetic evolution underlies the adaptability of tumour cells to environmental cues. Three subtypes of tumour cells have been identified in glioblastoma, one of the commonest malignant brain tumours in adults. During tumour progression or under therapeutic pressure, the non‐mesenchymal subtypes may progress to the mesenchymal subtype, leading to unfavourable prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms for this transition remain poorly understood. Here taking a TNFα‐induced cellular model, we profile the chromatin accessibility dynamics during mesenchymal transition. Moreover, we identify the JUN family as one of the key driving transcription factors for the gained chromatin accessibility. Accordingly, inhibition of JUN phosphorylation and therefore its transcription activity successfully impedes TNFα‐induced chromatin remodelling and mesenchymal transition. In line with these findings based on experimental models, JUN activity is positively correlated with mesenchymal features in clinical glioblastoma specimens. Together, this study unveils a deregulated transcription regulatory network in glioblastoma progression and hopefully provides a rationale for anti‐glioblastoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Hang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Meihan Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Yingying Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
| | - Jinyang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University Beijing China
| | - Xudong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, The Province and Ministry Co‐sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Department of Cell Biology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China
- Department of Neurosurgery Tianjin Medical University General Hospital Tianjin China
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31
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Aubin RG, Troisi EC, Montelongo J, Alghalith AN, Nasrallah MP, Santi M, Camara PG. Pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal-like transition of pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3936. [PMID: 35803925 PMCID: PMC9270322 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31683-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric ependymoma is a devastating brain cancer marked by its relapsing pattern and lack of effective chemotherapies. This shortage of treatments is due to limited knowledge about ependymoma tumorigenic mechanisms. By means of single-nucleus chromatin accessibility and gene expression profiling of posterior fossa primary tumors and distal metastases, we reveal key transcription factors and enhancers associated with the differentiation of ependymoma tumor cells into tumor-derived cell lineages and their transition into a mesenchymal-like state. We identify NFκB, AP-1, and MYC as mediators of this transition, and show that the gene expression profiles of tumor cells and infiltrating microglia are consistent with abundant pro-inflammatory signaling between these populations. In line with these results, both TGF-β1 and TNF-α induce the expression of mesenchymal genes on a patient-derived cell model, and TGF-β1 leads to an invasive phenotype. Altogether, these data suggest that tumor gliosis induced by inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress underlies the mesenchymal phenotype of posterior fossa ependymoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael G Aubin
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Emma C Troisi
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Javier Montelongo
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Adam N Alghalith
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Maclean P Nasrallah
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mariarita Santi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Pablo G Camara
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Biomedical Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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32
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Masilamani AP, Schulzki R, Yuan S, Haase IV, Kling E, Dewes F, Andrieux G, Börries M, Schnell O, Heiland DH, Schilling O, Ferrarese R, Carro MS. Calpain-mediated cleavage generates a ZBTB18 N-terminal product that regulates HIF1A signaling and glioblastoma metabolism. iScience 2022; 25:104625. [PMID: 35800763 PMCID: PMC9253709 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anie P. Masilamani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rana Schulzki
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ira V. Haase
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva Kling
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Franziska Dewes
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Börries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Schnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dieter H. Heiland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Schilling
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Pathology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Roberto Ferrarese
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maria S. Carro
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Corresponding author
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33
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Werner M, Lyu C, Stadlbauer B, Schrader I, Buchner A, Stepp H, Sroka R, Pohla H. The role of shikonin in improving 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy on glioblastoma stem cells. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2022; 39:102987. [PMID: 35760350 DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.102987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme remains a malignant neoplasia with a median survival of less than two years and without satisfactory therapeutic options. The so-called glioblastoma stem cells escape the established radio- and chemotherapies and lead to tumor recurrence in most cases. The alkaloid Shikonin with its various anti stem cell properties and the interstitial photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid seem to be promising new options in the therapy of glioblastoma. In this study, in vitro investigations were performed to observe the influence of Shikonin on viability, proliferation, induction of apoptosis and the capability of forming tumor spheres in U-87 MG and the primary glioblastoma cell line GB14. The combined effect with the chemotherapeutic temozolomide and photodynamic treatment on the mRNA expression of glioma specific stem cell markers and further examined intracellular protoporphyrin IX accumulation under Shikonin treatment was analyzed. Shikonin effectively inhibited the capability of forming tumor spheres and enhanced temozolomide effectiveness in the reduction of proliferation and in the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, Shikonin increased the mRNA expression of the tumor suppressing Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene and showed modulating effects on intracellular protoporphyrin IX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Werner
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany.
| | - Chen Lyu
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany
| | - Birgit Stadlbauer
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany; Department of Urology, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany
| | - Isabel Schrader
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany
| | - Alexander Buchner
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany; Department of Urology, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany
| | - Herbert Stepp
- Department of Urology, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany; Laser-Forschungslabor, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany
| | - Ronald Sroka
- Department of Urology, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany; Laser-Forschungslabor, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany
| | - Heike Pohla
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, LIFE Center, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany; Department of Urology, LMU Klinikum, University Munich, 82151 Planegg, Germany
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34
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Gupta K, Jones JC, Farias VDA, Mackeyev Y, Singh PK, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Krishnan S. Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations to Target KRAS-Driven Chemoradioresistant Cancers Utilizing Tumoroid Models of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma and Recurrent Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:840241. [PMID: 35664781 PMCID: PMC9158132 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.840241] [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: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment resistance is observed in all advanced cancers. Colorectal cancer (CRC) presenting as colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Multimodality treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies with selective utilization of immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Despite the early success of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) therapy, treatment resistance is common and often driven by mutations in APC, KRAS, RAF, and PI3K/mTOR and positive feedback between activated KRAS and WNT effectors. Challenges in the direct targeting of WNT regulators and KRAS have caused alternative actionable targets to gain recent attention. Utilizing an unbiased drug screen, we identified combinatorial targeting of DDR1/BCR-ABL signaling axis with small-molecule inhibitors of EGFR-ERBB2 to be potentially cytotoxic against multicellular spheroids obtained from WNT-activated and KRAS-mutant COAD lines (HCT116, DLD1, and SW480) independent of their KRAS mutation type. Based on the data-driven approach using available patient datasets (The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)), we constructed transcriptomic correlations between gene DDR1, with an expression of genes for EGFR, ERBB2-4, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway intermediates, BCR, and ABL and genes for cancer stem cell reactivation, cell polarity, and adhesion; we identified a positive association of DDR1 with EGFR, ERBB2, BRAF, SOX9, and VANGL2 in Pan-Cancer. The evaluation of the pathway network using the STRING database and Pathway Commons database revealed DDR1 protein to relay its signaling via adaptor proteins (SHC1, GRB2, and SOS1) and BCR axis to contribute to the KRAS-PI3K-AKT signaling cascade, which was confirmed by Western blotting. We further confirmed the cytotoxic potential of our lead combination involving EGFR/ERBB2 inhibitor (lapatinib) with DDR1/BCR-ABL inhibitor (nilotinib) in radioresistant spheroids of HCT116 (COAD) and, in an additional devastating primary cancer model, glioblastoma (GBM). GBMs overexpress DDR1 and share some common genomic features with COAD like EGFR amplification and WNT activation. Moreover, genetic alterations in genes like NF1 make GBMs have an intrinsically high KRAS activity. We show the combination of nilotinib plus lapatinib to exhibit more potent cytotoxic efficacy than either of the drugs administered alone in tumoroids of patient-derived recurrent GBMs. Collectively, our findings suggest that combinatorial targeting of DDR1/BCR-ABL with EGFR-ERBB2 signaling may offer a therapeutic strategy against stem-like KRAS-driven chemoradioresistant tumors of COAD and GBM, widening the window for its applications in mainstream cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kshama Gupta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Jeremy C Jones
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Yuri Mackeyev
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Pankaj K Singh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.,Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Sunil Krishnan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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LncRNA HOTAIR sponges miR-301a-3p to promote glioblastoma proliferation and invasion through upregulating FOSL1. Cell Signal 2022; 94:110306. [PMID: 35292358 PMCID: PMC9058208 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma, one of the most fatal brain tumors, is associated with a dismal prognosis and an extremely short overall survival. We previously reported that the overexpressed transient receptor potential channel TRPM7 is an essential glioblastoma regulator. Accumulating evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in glioma's initiation and progression. However, the function of lncRNA, HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) mediated by TRPM7 in glioma remains unclear. In this study, HOTAIR expression was found to be positively regulated by TRPM7, significantly upregulated in glioma tissues, and is a poor prognosis factor for glioma patients. Moreover, reduced HOTAIR expression impeded the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells. Mechanistically, HOTAIR directly interacted with miR-301a-3p, and downregulation of miR-301a-3p efficiently reversed FOSL1 suppression induced by siRNA HOTAIR, which implied that HOTAIR positively regulated FOSL1 level through sponging miR-301a-3p and played an oncogenic role in glioma progression. In contrast to HOTAIR's role, miR-301a-3p alone served as a tumor suppressor to decrease glioma cell viability and migration/invasion. In agreement with HOTAIR's role, FOSL1 functioned as a tumorigenic gene in glioma pathogenesis, which was highly expressed in glioma tissues, and was shown to be an unfavorable prognostic factor for glioma patients. Mechanically, FOSL1 inhibition by siRNA FOSL1 efficiently rescued the oncogenic-like phenotypes caused by the miR-301a-3p inhibitor in glioma pathogenesis. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study elucidated the role of TRPM7-mediated HOTAIR as a miRNA sponge to target downstream FOSL1 oncogene and therefore consequently contribute to gliomagenesis, which shed new light on TRPM7/lncRNA-directed diagnostic and therapeutic approach in glioma.
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Miao C, Fan D. Identification of differentially expressed genes and pathways in diquat and paraquat poisoning using bioinformatics analysis. Toxicol Mech Methods 2022; 32:678-685. [PMID: 35392760 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2022.2063095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
[Objective] In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and signaling pathways involved in diquat (DQ) and paraquat (PQ) poisoning were identified via bioinformatics analysis, in order to inform the development of novel clinical treatments. [Methods] Raw data from GSE153959 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. DEGs of the DQ vs. control (CON) and PQ vs. CON comparison groups were identified using R, and DEGs shared by the two groups were identified using TBtools. Subsequently, the shared DEGs were searched in the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and hub genes were identified using the cytoHubba plug-in in Cytoscape software. Finally, Circos and contrast plots showing the DEGs shared between mouse and human chromosomes were constructed using TBtools. [Results] Thirty- one DEGs shared by the DQ and PQ groups were identified. Enriched biological process terms included positive regulation of cell proliferation and translation. Enriched cellular component terms included extracellular region, intracellular membrane- bounded organelle and mitochondrion. Enriched molecular function terms included transcription factor activity and sequence-specific double-stranded DNA binding. Enriched KEGG pathways included the interleukin- 17 signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and human T- cell leukemia virus 1 infection. The top ten hub genes in the PPI network were Ptgs2, Cxcl2, Csf2, Mmp13, Areg, Plaur, Fosl1, Ereg, Atf3, and Tfrc. Cxcl2, Csf2, and Atf3 played important roles in the mitogen- activated protein kinase signaling pathway. [Conclusions] These pathways and DEGs may serve as targets for gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Miao
- Department of Emergency, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dandan Fan
- Department of Emergency, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710061 Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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Casalino L, Talotta F, Cimmino A, Verde P. The Fra-1/AP-1 Oncoprotein: From the "Undruggable" Transcription Factor to Therapeutic Targeting. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061480. [PMID: 35326630 PMCID: PMC8946526 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic and epigenetic changes affecting transcription factors, coactivators, and chromatin modifiers are key determinants of the hallmarks of cancer. The acquired dependence on oncogenic transcriptional regulators, representing a major determinant of cancer cell vulnerability, points to transcription factors as ideal therapeutic targets. However, given the unavailability of catalytic activities or binding pockets for small-molecule inhibitors, transcription factors are generally regarded as undruggable proteins. Among components of the AP-1 complex, the FOS-family transcription factor Fra-1, encoded by FOSL1, has emerged as a prominent therapeutic target. Fra-1 is overexpressed in most solid tumors, in response to the BRAF-MAPK, Wnt-beta-catenin, Hippo-YAP, IL-6-Stat3, and other major oncogenic pathways. In vitro functional analyses, validated in onco-mouse models and corroborated by prognostic correlations, show that Fra-1-containing dimers control tumor growth and disease progression. Fra-1 participates in key mechanisms of cancer cell invasion, Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition, and metastatic spreading, by driving the expression of EMT-inducing transcription factors, cytokines, and microRNAs. Here we survey various strategies aimed at inhibiting tumor growth, metastatic dissemination, and drug resistance by interfering with Fra-1 expression, stability, and transcriptional activity. We summarize several tools aimed at the design and tumor-specific delivery of Fra-1/AP-1-specific drugs. Along with RNA-based therapeutics targeting the FOSL1 gene, its mRNA, or cognate regulatory circRNAs, we will examine the exploitation of blocking peptides, small molecule inhibitors, and innovative Fra-1 protein degraders. We also consider the possible caveats concerning Fra-1 inhibition in specific therapeutic contexts. Finally, we discuss a recent suicide gene therapy-based approach, aimed at selectively killing the Fra-1-overexpressing neoplastic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Casalino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale dele Ricerche (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (P.V.)
| | | | - Amelia Cimmino
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale dele Ricerche (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Pasquale Verde
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale dele Ricerche (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (P.V.)
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Sobolev VV, Khashukoeva AZ, Evina OE, Geppe NA, Chebysheva SN, Korsunskaya IM, Tchepourina E, Mezentsev A. Role of the Transcription Factor FOSL1 in Organ Development and Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031521. [PMID: 35163444 PMCID: PMC8835756 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor FOSL1 plays an important role in cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. Primarily, FOSL1 is crucial for the differentiation of several cell lineages, namely adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts. In solid tumors, FOSL1 controls the progression of tumor cells through the epithelial–mesenchymal transformation. In this review, we summarize the available data on FOSL1 expression, stabilization, and degradation in the cell. We discuss how FOSL1 is integrated into the intracellular signaling mechanisms and provide a comprehensive analysis of FOSL1 influence on gene expression. We also analyze the pathological changes caused by altered Fosl1 expression in genetically modified mice. In addition, we dedicated a separate section of the review to the role of FOSL1 in human cancer. Primarily, we focus on the FOSL1 expression pattern in solid tumors, FOSL1 importance as a prognostic factor, and FOSL1 perspectives as a molecular target for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir V. Sobolev
- Center for Theoretical Problems in Physico-Chemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 109029 Moscow, Russia; (I.M.K.); (E.T.)
- Correspondence: (V.V.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Asiat Z. Khashukoeva
- Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Olga E. Evina
- “JSC DK Medsi”, Medical and Diagnostics Center, 125284 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Natalia A. Geppe
- NF Filatov Clinical Institute of Children’s Health, I.M. Sechenov First MSMU, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.G.); (S.N.C.)
| | - Svetlana N. Chebysheva
- NF Filatov Clinical Institute of Children’s Health, I.M. Sechenov First MSMU, 119435 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.G.); (S.N.C.)
| | - Irina M. Korsunskaya
- Center for Theoretical Problems in Physico-Chemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 109029 Moscow, Russia; (I.M.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Ekaterina Tchepourina
- Center for Theoretical Problems in Physico-Chemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 109029 Moscow, Russia; (I.M.K.); (E.T.)
| | - Alexandre Mezentsev
- Center for Theoretical Problems in Physico-Chemical Pharmacology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 109029 Moscow, Russia; (I.M.K.); (E.T.)
- Correspondence: (V.V.S.); (A.M.)
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Identification of MAD2L1 as a Potential Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:9868022. [PMID: 35132379 PMCID: PMC8817109 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9868022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely acknowledged as a malignant tumor with rapid progression, high recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. At present, there is a paucity of reliable biomarkers at the clinical level to guide the management of HCC and improve patient outcomes. Our research is aimed at assessing the prognostic value of MAD2L1 in HCC. Methods Four datasets, GSE121248, GSE101685, GSE85598, and GSE62232, were selected from the GEO database to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HCC and normal liver tissues. After functional analysis, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) for DEGs and identified core genes in this network with high connectivity with other genes. We assessed the relationship between core genes and the pathogenesis and prognosis of HCC. Finally, we explored the gene regulatory signaling mechanisms involved in HCC pathogenesis. Results 145 DEGs were screened from the intersection of the four GEO datasets. MAD2L1 was associated with most genes according to the PPI network and was selected as a candidate gene for further study. Survival analysis suggested that high MAD2L1 expression in HCC correlated with a worse prognosis. In addition, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blot (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) findings suggested that the expression of MAD2L1 was abnormally increased in HCC tissues and cells compared to paraneoplastic tissues and normal hepatocytes. Conclusion We found that high MAD2L1 expression in HCC was significantly associated with overall patient survival and clinical features. We also explored the potential biological properties of this gene.
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Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Gene Alterations Define Specific Features of a Subset of Glioblastomas. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010352. [PMID: 35008787 PMCID: PMC8745708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene mutations or alterations occur within neurofibromatosis type 1 as well as in many different malignant tumours on the somatic level. In glioblastoma, NF1 loss of function plays a major role in inducing the mesenchymal (MES) subtype and, therefore defining the most aggressive glioblastoma. This is associated with an immune signature and mediated via the NF1–MAPK–FOSL1 axis. Specifically, increased invasion seems to be regulated via mutations in the leucine-rich domain (LRD) of the NF1 gene product neurofibromin. Novel targets for therapy may arise from neurofibromin deficiency-associated cellular mechanisms that are summarised in this review.
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