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Salcher S, Heidegger I, Untergasser G, Fotakis G, Scheiber A, Martowicz A, Noureen A, Krogsdam A, Schatz C, Schäfer G, Trajanoski Z, Wolf D, Sopper S, Pircher A. Comparative analysis of 10X Chromium vs. BD Rhapsody whole transcriptome single-cell sequencing technologies in complex human tissues. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28358. [PMID: 38689972 PMCID: PMC11059509 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of single-cell omics tools has enabled scientists to study the tumor microenvironment (TME) in unprecedented detail. However, each of the different techniques may have its unique strengths and limitations. Here we directly compared two commercially available high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies - droplet-based 10X Chromium vs. microwell-based BD Rhapsody - using paired samples from patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing a radical prostatectomy. Although high technical consistency was observed in unraveling the whole transcriptome, the relative abundance of cell populations differed. Cells with low mRNA content such as T cells were underrepresented in the droplet-based system, at least partly due to lower RNA capture rates. In contrast, microwell-based scRNA-seq recovered less cells of epithelial origin. Moreover, we discovered platform-dependent variabilities in mRNA quantification and cell-type marker annotation. Overall, our study provides important information for selection of the appropriate scRNA-seq platform and for the interpretation of published results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Salcher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Isabel Heidegger
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georgios Fotakis
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Scheiber
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Agnieszka Martowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Asma Noureen
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anne Krogsdam
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Schatz
- Department of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Schäfer
- Department of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sieghart Sopper
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Pircher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
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Zimmer K, Kocher F, Untergasser G, Kircher B, Amann A, Baca Y, Xiu J, Korn WM, Berger MD, Lenz HJ, Puccini A, Fontana E, Shields AF, Marshall JL, Hall M, El-Deiry WS, Hsiehchen D, Macarulla T, Tabernero J, Pichler R, Khushman M, Manne U, Lou E, Wolf D, Sokolova V, Schnaiter S, Zeimet AG, Gulhati P, Widmann G, Seeber A. PBRM1 mutations might render a subtype of biliary tract cancers sensitive to drugs targeting the DNA damage repair system. NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:64. [PMID: 37400502 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00409-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Polybromo-1 (PBRM1) loss of function mutations are present in a fraction of biliary tract cancers (BTCs). PBRM1, a subunit of the PBAF chromatin-remodeling complex, is involved in DNA damage repair. Herein, we aimed to decipher the molecular landscape of PBRM1 mutated (mut) BTCs and to define potential translational aspects. Totally, 1848 BTC samples were analyzed using next-generation DNA-sequencing and immunohistochemistry (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). siRNA-mediated knockdown of PBRM1 was performed in the BTC cell line EGI1 to assess the therapeutic vulnerabilities of ATR and PARP inhibitors in vitro. PBRM1 mutations were identified in 8.1% (n = 150) of BTCs and were more prevalent in intrahepatic BTCs (9.9%) compared to gallbladder cancers (6.0%) or extrahepatic BTCs (4.5%). Higher rates of co-mutations in chromatin-remodeling genes (e.g., ARID1A 31% vs. 16%) and DNA damage repair genes (e.g., ATRX 4.4% vs. 0.3%) were detected in PBRM1-mutated (mut) vs. PBRM1-wildtype (wt) BTCs. No difference in real-world overall survival was observed between PBRM1-mut and PBRM1-wt patients (HR 1.043, 95% CI 0.821-1.325, p = 0.731). In vitro, experiments suggested that PARP ± ATR inhibitors induce synthetic lethality in the PBRM1 knockdown BTC model. Our findings served as the scientific rationale for PARP inhibition in a heavily pretreated PBRM1-mut BTC patient, which induced disease control. This study represents the largest and most extensive molecular profiling study of PBRM1-mut BTCs, which in vitro sensitizes to DNA damage repair inhibiting compounds. Our findings might serve as a rationale for future testing of PARP/ATR inhibitors in PBRM1-mut BTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zimmer
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Kocher
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Brigitte Kircher
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Arno Amann
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Martin D Berger
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alberto Puccini
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Fontana
- Drug Development Unit, Sarah Cannon Research Institute UK, Marylebone, London, UK
| | - Anthony F Shields
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - John L Marshall
- Ruesch Center for The Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael Hall
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wafik S El-Deiry
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cancer Center at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David Hsiehchen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Teresa Macarulla
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), IOB-Quiron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Tabernero
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), IOB-Quiron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Moh'd Khushman
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Al, USA
| | - Upender Manne
- O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Al, USA
| | - Emil Lou
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Viktorija Sokolova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Provincial Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
| | - Simon Schnaiter
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alain G Zeimet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Pat Gulhati
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gerlig Widmann
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria.
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Hautz T, Salcher S, Fodor M, Sturm G, Ebner S, Mair A, Trebo M, Untergasser G, Sopper S, Cardini B, Martowicz A, Hofmann J, Daum S, Kalb M, Resch T, Krendl F, Weissenbacher A, Otarashvili G, Obrist P, Zelger B, Öfner D, Trajanoski Z, Troppmair J, Oberhuber R, Pircher A, Wolf D, Schneeberger S. Immune cell dynamics deconvoluted by single-cell RNA sequencing in normothermic machine perfusion of the liver. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2285. [PMID: 37085477 PMCID: PMC10121614 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37674-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has emerged as an innovative organ preservation technique. Developing an understanding for the donor organ immune cell composition and its dynamic changes during NMP is essential. We aimed for a comprehensive characterization of immune cell (sub)populations, cell trafficking and cytokine release during liver NMP. Single-cell transcriptome profiling of human donor livers prior to, during NMP and after transplantation shows an abundance of CXC chemokine receptor 1+/2+ (CXCR1+/CXCR2+) neutrophils, which significantly decreased during NMP. This is paralleled by a large efflux of passenger leukocytes with neutrophil predominance in the perfusate. During NMP, neutrophils shift from a pro-inflammatory state towards an aged/chronically activated/exhausted phenotype, while anti-inflammatory/tolerogenic monocytes/macrophages are increased. We herein describe the dynamics of the immune cell repertoire, phenotypic immune cell shifts and a dominance of neutrophils during liver NMP, which potentially contribute to the inflammatory response. Our findings may serve as resource to initiate future immune-interventional studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Hautz
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - S Salcher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Fodor
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - G Sturm
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - S Ebner
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Mair
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Trebo
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - G Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolpath Obrist Brunhuber GmbH, Zams, Austria
| | - S Sopper
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - B Cardini
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Martowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolpath Obrist Brunhuber GmbH, Zams, Austria
| | - J Hofmann
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - S Daum
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Kalb
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - T Resch
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - F Krendl
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Weissenbacher
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - G Otarashvili
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - P Obrist
- Tyrolpath Obrist Brunhuber GmbH, Zams, Austria
| | - B Zelger
- Institute of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - D Öfner
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Z Trajanoski
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - J Troppmair
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - R Oberhuber
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - A Pircher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - D Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - S Schneeberger
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Center of Operative Medicine, organLife Laboratory and D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Pichler R, Siska PJ, Tymoszuk P, Martowicz A, Untergasser G, Mayr R, Weber F, Seeber A, Kocher F, Barth DA, Pichler M, Thurnher M. A chemokine network of T cell exhaustion and metabolic reprogramming in renal cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1095195. [PMID: 37006314 PMCID: PMC10060976 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1095195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is frequently infiltrated by immune cells, a process which is governed by chemokines. CD8+ T cells in the RCC tumor microenvironment (TME) may be exhausted which most likely influence therapy response and survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate chemokine-driven T cell recruitment, T cell exhaustion in the RCC TME, as well as metabolic processes leading to their functional anergy in RCC. Eight publicly available bulk RCC transcriptome collectives (n=1819) and a single cell RNAseq dataset (n=12) were analyzed. Immunodeconvolution, semi-supervised clustering, gene set variation analysis and Monte Carlo-based modeling of metabolic reaction activity were employed. Among 28 chemokine genes available, CXCL9/10/11/CXCR3, CXCL13/CXCR5 and XCL1/XCR1 mRNA expression were significantly increased in RCC compared to normal kidney tissue and also strongly associated with tumor-infiltrating effector memory and central memory CD8+ T cells in all investigated collectives. M1 TAMs, T cells, NK cells as well as tumor cells were identified as the major sources of these chemokines, whereas T cells, B cells and dendritic cells were found to predominantly express the cognate receptors. The cluster of RCCs characterized by high chemokine expression and high CD8+ T cell infiltration displayed a strong activation of IFN/JAK/STAT signaling with elevated expression of multiple T cell exhaustion-associated transcripts. Chemokinehigh RCCs were characterized by metabolic reprogramming, in particular by downregulated OXPHOS and increased IDO1-mediated tryptophan degradation. None of the investigated chemokine genes was significantly associated with survival or response to immunotherapy. We propose a chemokine network that mediates CD8+ T cell recruitment and identify T cell exhaustion, altered energy metabolism and high IDO1 activity as key mechanisms of their suppression. Concomitant targeting of exhaustion pathways and metabolism may pose an effective approach to RCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- *Correspondence: Renate Pichler,
| | - Peter J. Siska
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Agnieszka Martowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roman Mayr
- Department of Urology, Caritas St. Josef Medical Centre, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian Weber
- Department of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Kocher
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik A. Barth
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Research Unit for Non-Coding RNAs and Genome Editing, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Research Unit for Non-Coding RNAs and Genome Editing, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Thurnher
- Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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5
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Salcher S, Sturm G, Horvath L, Untergasser G, Kuempers C, Fotakis G, Panizzolo E, Martowicz A, Trebo M, Pall G, Gamerith G, Sykora M, Augustin F, Schmitz K, Finotello F, Rieder D, Perner S, Sopper S, Wolf D, Pircher A, Trajanoski Z. High-resolution single-cell atlas reveals diversity and plasticity of tissue-resident neutrophils in non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Cell 2022; 40:1503-1520.e8. [PMID: 36368318 PMCID: PMC9767679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is characterized by molecular heterogeneity with diverse immune cell infiltration patterns, which has been linked to therapy sensitivity and resistance. However, full understanding of how immune cell phenotypes vary across different patient subgroups is lacking. Here, we dissect the NSCLC tumor microenvironment at high resolution by integrating 1,283,972 single cells from 556 samples and 318 patients across 29 datasets, including our dataset capturing cells with low mRNA content. We stratify patients into immune-deserted, B cell, T cell, and myeloid cell subtypes. Using bulk samples with genomic and clinical information, we identify cellular components associated with tumor histology and genotypes. We then focus on the analysis of tissue-resident neutrophils (TRNs) and uncover distinct subpopulations that acquire new functional properties in the tissue microenvironment, providing evidence for the plasticity of TRNs. Finally, we show that a TRN-derived gene signature is associated with anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Salcher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gregor Sturm
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lena Horvath
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christiane Kuempers
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Georgios Fotakis
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elisa Panizzolo
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Agnieszka Martowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Tyrolpath Obrist Brunhuber GmbH, Zams, Austria
| | - Manuel Trebo
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Pall
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gabriele Gamerith
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martina Sykora
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Augustin
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katja Schmitz
- Tyrolpath Obrist Brunhuber GmbH, Zams, Austria; INNPATH GmbH, Institute of Pathology, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Francesca Finotello
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Digital Science Center, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dietmar Rieder
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany; Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany; German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Luebeck and Borstel, Germany
| | - Sieghart Sopper
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Pircher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Haematology & Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI) and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute (TKFI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Zlatko Trajanoski
- Biocenter, Institute of Bioinformatics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Kocher F, Puccini A, Untergasser G, Martowicz A, Zimmer K, Pircher A, Baca Y, Xiu J, Haybaeck J, Tymoszuk P, Goldberg RM, Petrillo A, Shields AF, Salem ME, Marshall JL, Hall M, Korn WM, Nabhan C, Battaglin F, Lenz HJ, Lou E, Choo SP, Toh CK, Gasteiger S, Pichler R, Wolf D, Seeber A. Multi-omic Characterization of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Relates CXCR4 mRNA Expression Levels to Potential Clinical Targets. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:4957-4967. [PMID: 36112544 PMCID: PMC9660543 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-0275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Chemokines are essential for immune cell trafficking and are considered to have a major impact on the composition of the tumor microenvironment. CX-chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is associated with poor differentiation, metastasis, and prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study provides a comprehensive molecular portrait of PDAC according to CXCR4 mRNA expression levels. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to explore molecular and immunologic features associated with CXCR4 mRNA expression in PDAC. A large real-word dataset (n = 3,647) served for validation and further exploratory analyses. Single-cell RNA analyses on a publicly available dataset and in-house multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) experiments were performed to elaborate cellular localization of CXCR4. RESULTS High CXCR4 mRNA expression (CXCR4high) was associated with increased infiltration of regulatory T cells, CD8+ T cells, and macrophages, and upregulation of several immune-related genes, including immune checkpoint transcripts (e.g., TIGIT, CD274, PDCD1). Analysis of the validation cohort confirmed the CXCR4-dependent immunologic TME composition in PDAC irrespective of microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient or tumor mutational burden. Single-cell RNA analysis and mIF revealed that CXCR4 was mainly expressed by macrophages and T-cell subsets. Clinical relevance of our finding is supported by an improved survival of CXCR4high PDAC. CONCLUSIONS High intratumoral CXCR4 mRNA expression is linked to a T cell- and macrophage-rich PDAC phenotype with high expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints. Thus, our findings might serve as a rationale to investigate CXCR4 as a predictive biomarker in patients with PDAC undergoing immune checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kocher
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alberto Puccini
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Agnieszka Martowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kai Zimmer
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Pircher
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Piotr Tymoszuk
- Data Analytics As a Service Tirol (DAAS) Tirol, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | - Anthony F. Shields
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Mohamed E. Salem
- Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - John L. Marshall
- Ruesch Center for The Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
| | - Michael Hall
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Francesca Battaglin
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Heinz-Josef Lenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Emil Lou
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Su-Pin Choo
- Curie Oncology, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore
| | - Chee-Keong Toh
- Curie Oncology, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore
| | - Silvia Gasteiger
- Department of Visceral, Transplant and Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck (CCCI), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Corresponding Author: Andreas Seeber, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, Innsbruck 6020, Austria. Phone: 0043-50504-83166; E-mail:
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7
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Seeber A, Elliott A, Modiano J, Untergasser G, von Mehren M, Rosenberg A, Khushman M, Dizon DS, Riedel RF, Trent JC, Zimmer K, Lagos G, DeNardo B, Sarver A, Puccini A, Walker P, Oberley MJ, Korn WM, Wolf D, Kocher F. Age as a factor in the molecular landscape and the tumor-microenvironmental signature of osteosarcoma. J Clin Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.11525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
11525 Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) incidence is characterized by a bimodal age distribution, with peaks in early adolescence and in adults > 65 years of age. In contrast to adolescents, OS in adults is frequently considered as a secondary neoplasm (i.e., transformation of Paget´s disease of the bone, radiation induced). Yet, the literature is scarce regarding the impact of age on the molecular landscape of OS. Herein, we sought to explore the association between age and the genomic profile as well as the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) in a large cohort of OS patients. Methods: 208 specimens were centrally analysed at the Caris Life Sciences laboratory with DNA seq (NextSeq, 592 gene panel or NovaSeq, whole-exome sequencing), RNA seq (Archer fusion panel or whole-transcriptome sequencing) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RNA deconvolution and differential expression analyses were performed using the Microenvironment Cell Populations counter method for quantification of immune cell populations and gene expression profiling. The cohort was stratified into three distinct age groups (< 25 years [n = 83], 25-45 years [n = 58], > 45 years [67]). Results: Overall, the most frequently detected mutations were in TP53 (37%), RB1 (13%), ATRX (9%), TERT (6%), PTEN (5%), PIK3CA (4%) and KMT2D (3%). Copy number alterations were most frequently detected in CDK4 (12%), LRIG3 (11%), FLCN (11%), MDM2 (9%), CCND3 (9%), VEGFA (8%), TFEB (8%). Interestingly, age-based stratification revealed an increased frequency of FLCN (19.7 vs 4.7%, p < 0.01), CCND3 (13.9 vs 3.1%, p < 0.05), and HSP90AB1 (11.3 vs 0.0%, p < 0.01), alterations in patients < 25 years compared to > 45 years. TME analysis revealed that patients > 45 years have decreased B-cell abundance compared to patients < 25 years (2.9-fold decrease, p < 0.05) and 25-45 years (4.8-fold decrease, p < 0.05). Although not statistically significant, median transcriptional expression of PD-L1 was numerically increased in patients > 45 years (1.8-fold compared to 25-45 years, p = 0.17; 2.0-fold compared to < 25 years, p = 0.27), which was consistent with increasing rates of IHC PD-L1 expression with age (5.3%, 9.4%, and 17.5%, respectively, p = 0.06). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the largest cohort of molecularly characterized OS. Age-associated differences in the genetic landscape and TME composition, including increased gene amplifications observed in younger patients and decreased B-cell abundance in older patients, might suggest fundamental underlying molecular and biological differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Seeber
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Jaime Modiano
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department ofInternal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Andrew Rosenberg
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL
| | - Moh'd Khushman
- University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL
| | - Don S. Dizon
- Lifespan Cancer Institute and Brown University, Providence, RI
| | | | - Jonathan C. Trent
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL
| | - Kai Zimmer
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Bradley DeNardo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | | | - Alberto Puccini
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Domink Wolf
- Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin Hämatologie & Onkologie, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Kocher
- Department of Internal Medicin V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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8
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Zimmer K, Kocher F, Untergasser G, Puccini A, Xiu J, Wolf D, Spizzo G, Goldberg RM, Grothey A, Shields AF, Marshall J, Hall MJ, Korn WM, Nabhan C, Battaglin F, Lenz HJ, El-Deiry WS, Amann A, Hsiehchen D, Seeber A. Identification and prognostic impact of PBRM1 mutations in biliary tract cancers: Results of a comprehensive molecular profiling study. J Clin Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.4022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
4022 Background: The prognosis of biliary tract cancers (BTC) remains dismal and novel treatment strategies are needed to improve survival. Polybromo-1 ( PBRM1) is a subunit of the PBF chromatin-remodeling complex and preclinical studies suggest induction of synthetic lethality by PARP inhibitors in PBRM1-mutated cancers. Therefore, we aimed to describe the molecular landscape in BTC harboring PBRM1 mutations. Methods: 1,848 BTC samples were included in this study. Specimens were analyzed using NextGen DNA sequencing (NextSeq, 592 gene panel or NovaSeq, whole-exome sequencing), whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing (NovaSeq) and immunohistochemistry (Caris Life Sciences, Phoenix, AZ). Pathway gene enrichment analyses were done using GSEA (Subramaniam 2015, PNAS). Immune cell fraction was calculated by QuantiSeq (Finotello 2019, Genome Medicine). Survival was calculated from time of tissue collection to last contact using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results: PBRM1 mutations were identified in 8.1% (n = 150) of BTC tumors and were more prevalent in intrahepatic BTC (9.9%) than in gallbladder cancer (6%, p = 0.0141) and in extrahepatic BTC (4.5%, p = 0.008). In PBRM1-mutated tumors, we found a higher rate of MSI-H/dMMR (8.7% vs. 2.1%, p < 0.0001) and a higher median TMB (4 vs. 3 mt/MB, p < 0.0001). When compared to PBRM1-wildtype cancers higher rates of co-mutations in chromatin-remodeling genes (e.g. ARID1A, 31% vs. 16% , p < 0.0001) and DNA damage repair pathway (e.g. ATRX, 4.4% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.0001) were detected. Within PBRM1-mutated tumors, a significant higher frequency of infiltrating M1 macrophages was observed (p < 0.0001). Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that genes associated with tumor inflammation (e.g. HLA-DRA, HLA-DRB1, IFNGR1) were enriched in PBRM1-mutated tumors (NES = 2.02, FDR = 1.3%, p < 0.0001). Overall survival analysis showed that PBRM1 mutations were associated with a favorable outcome (HR 1.502, 95% CI [1.013-2.227], p = 0.041). This relationship was also present in MSS subgroup (HR: 1.667, [1.026-2.71], p = 0.037). Conclusions: This is the largest and most extensive molecular profiling study focusing on PBRM1-mutated BTC. Co-mutations in chromatin-remodelling and DNA damage repair genes might set the stage for clinical testing of PARP inhibitors in PBRM1-mutated BTC. Moreover, a distinct tumor microenvironment characterized by high M1 macrophages infiltration and an enrichment of inflammatory genes suggest a potential benefit of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zimmer
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Kocher
- Department of Internal Medicin V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alberto Puccini
- Medical Oncology Unit 1, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gilbert Spizzo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Oncologic Day Hospital, Hospital of Bressanone (SABES-ASDAA), Bressanone-Brixen, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesca Battaglin
- Division of Medical Oncology, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | | | | | - Arno Amann
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Hsiehchen
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX
| | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Comprehensive Cancer Center Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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9
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Lindner AK, Schachtner G, Tulchiner G, Thurnher M, Untergasser G, Obrist P, Pipp I, Steinkohl F, Horninger W, Culig Z, Pichler R. Lynch Syndrome: Its Impact on Urothelial Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E531. [PMID: 33430305 PMCID: PMC7825811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lynch syndrome, known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is an autosomal-dominant familial cancer syndrome with an increased risk for urothelial cancer (UC). Mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency, due to pathogenic variants in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2, and microsatellite instability, are known for development of Lynch syndrome (LS) associated carcinogenesis. UC is the third most common cancer type in LS-associated tumors. The diversity of germline variants in the affected MMR genes and their following subsequent function loss might be responsible for the variation in cancer risk, suggesting an increased risk of developing UC in MSH2 mutation carriers. In this review, we will focus on LS-associated UC of the upper urinary tract (UUT) and bladder, their germline profiles, and outcomes compared to sporadic UC, the impact of genetic testing, as well as urological follow-up strategies in LS. In addition, we present a case of metastatic LS-associated UC of the UUT and bladder, achieving complete response during checkpoint inhibition since more than 2 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Katharina Lindner
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.L.); (G.S.); (G.T.); (M.T.); (W.H.); (Z.C.)
| | - Gert Schachtner
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.L.); (G.S.); (G.T.); (M.T.); (W.H.); (Z.C.)
| | - Gennadi Tulchiner
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.L.); (G.S.); (G.T.); (M.T.); (W.H.); (Z.C.)
| | - Martin Thurnher
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.L.); (G.S.); (G.T.); (M.T.); (W.H.); (Z.C.)
- Immunotherapy Unit, Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
- Experimental Oncogenomic Group, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Obrist
- Pathology Laboratory Obrist and Brunhuber, 6511 Zams, Austria;
| | - Iris Pipp
- Clinical Pathology and Cytodiagnostics, tirol-kliniken, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Fabian Steinkohl
- Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Wolfgang Horninger
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.L.); (G.S.); (G.T.); (M.T.); (W.H.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zoran Culig
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.L.); (G.S.); (G.T.); (M.T.); (W.H.); (Z.C.)
| | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (A.K.L.); (G.S.); (G.T.); (M.T.); (W.H.); (Z.C.)
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10
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Locher M, Jukic E, Bohn JP, Untergasser G, Steurer M, Cramer CA, Schwendinger S, Vogi V, Verdorfer I, Witsch-Baumgartner M, Nachbaur D, Gunsilius E, Wolf D, Zschocke J, Steiner N. Clonal dynamics in a composite chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hairy cell leukemia-variant. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2020; 60:287-292. [PMID: 33277788 PMCID: PMC7984250 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Composite lymphoma is the rare simultaneous manifestation of two distinct lymphomas. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has a propensity for occurring in composite lymphomas, a phenomenon that remains to be elucidated. We applied cytogenetics, droplet digital polymerase chain reaction, and massively parallel sequencing to analyze longitudinally a patient with CLL, who 3 years later showed transformation to a hairy cell leukemia-variant (HCL-V). Outgrowth of the IGHV4-34-positive HCL-V clone at the expense of the initially dominant CLL clone with trisomy 12 and MED12 mutation started before CLL-guided treatment and was accompanied by a TP53 mutation, which was already detectable at diagnosis of CLL. Furthermore, deep sequencing of IGH showed a composite lymphoma with presence of both disease components at all analyzed timepoints (down to a minor clone: major clone ratio of ~1:1000). Overall, our analyses showed a disease course that resembled clonal dynamics reported for malignancies with intratumoral heterogeneity and illustrate the utility of deep sequencing of IGH to detect distinct clonal populations at diagnosis, monitor clonal response to therapy, and possibly improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurus Locher
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Emina Jukic
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jan-Paul Bohn
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Steurer
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Simon Schwendinger
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Vogi
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Irmgard Verdorfer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - David Nachbaur
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Medical Clinic III, Oncology, Hematology, Immuno-Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes Zschocke
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Normann Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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11
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Steiner N, Jöhrer K, Plewan S, Brunner-Véber A, Göbel G, Nachbaur D, Wolf D, Gunsilius E, Untergasser G. The FMS like Tyrosine Kinase 3 (FLT3) Is Overexpressed in a Subgroup of Multiple Myeloma Patients with Inferior Prognosis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092341. [PMID: 32825035 PMCID: PMC7565188 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapy resistance remains a major challenge in the management of multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated the expression of FLT3 tyrosine kinase receptor (FLT3, CD135) in myeloma cells as a possible clonal driver. FLT3 expression was analyzed in bone marrow biopsies of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or smoldering myeloma (MGUS, SMM), newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), and relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). FLT3 gene expression was analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq) and real-time PCR (rt-PCR). Anti-myeloma activity of FLT3 inhibitors (midostaurin, gilteritinib) was tested in vitro on MM cell lines and primary MM cells by 3H-tymidine incorporation assays or flow cytometry. Semi-quantitative expression analysis applying a staining score (FLT3 expression IHC-score, FES, range 1-6) revealed that a high FES (>3) was associated with a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) in NDMM and RRMM patients (p = 0.04). RNAseq and real-time PCR confirmed the expression of FLT3 in CD138-purified MM samples. The functional relevance of FLT3 expression was corroborated by demonstrating the in vitro anti-myeloma activity of FLT3 inhibitors on FLT3-positive MM cell lines and primary MM cells. FLT3 inhibitors might offer a new targeted therapy approach in a subgroup of MM patients displaying aberrant FLT3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Normann Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.P.); (D.N.); (D.W.); (E.G.); (G.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-(0)-512-504-82926
| | - Karin Jöhrer
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innrain 66, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Selina Plewan
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.P.); (D.N.); (D.W.); (E.G.); (G.U.)
| | - Andrea Brunner-Véber
- Department of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Müllerstraße 44, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Georg Göbel
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Schöpfstraße 41/1, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - David Nachbaur
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.P.); (D.N.); (D.W.); (E.G.); (G.U.)
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.P.); (D.N.); (D.W.); (E.G.); (G.U.)
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.P.); (D.N.); (D.W.); (E.G.); (G.U.)
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V (Hematology and Medical Oncology), Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; (S.P.); (D.N.); (D.W.); (E.G.); (G.U.)
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innrain 66, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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12
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Pichler R, Lindner A, Compérat E, Obrist P, Schäfer G, Todenhöfer T, Horninger W, Zoran C, Untergasser G. Amplification of 7p12 is associated with pathologic non-response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. EUR UROL SUPPL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s2666-1683(20)32684-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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13
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Borjan B, Kern J, Steiner N, Gunsilius E, Wolf D, Untergasser G. Spliced XBP1 Levels Determine Sensitivity of Multiple Myeloma Cells to Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib Independent of the Unfolded Protein Response Mediator GRP78. Front Oncol 2020; 9:1530. [PMID: 32039016 PMCID: PMC6987373 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mechanisms mediating resistance against the proteasome inhibition by bortezomib (BTZ) in multiple myeloma (MM) cells are still unclear. We analyzed the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), induction of prosurvival, and apoptotic pathways after proteasome inhibition in BTZ-sensitive and -resistant cells. Thereafter, these findings from tissue culture were proofed on MM cells of BTZ-sensitive and BTZ-refractory patients. Methods: Proteasomal and ABC transporter activities were measured in sensitive and resistant cell lines by the use of the respective substrates. TP53 gene loss and mutations were determined by cytogenetics and targeted NGS. UPR pathways, proteasome subunit levels and protein secretion were studied by Western Blot analysis, and apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. MM cell lines were stably transfected with inducible GRP78 expression to study unfolded protein expression. Transient knock-down of GRP78 was done by RNA interference. Splicing of XBP1 and expression of GRP78 was studied by real-time PCR in CD138-enriched MM primary cells of BTZ-refractory and -sensitive patients. Results: BTZ-sensitive cells displayed lower basal proteasomal activities. Similar activities of all three major ABC transporter proteins were detected in BTZ-sensitive and resistant cells. Sensitive cells showed deficiencies in triggering canonical prosurvival UPR provoked by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induction. BTZ treatment did not increase unfolded protein levels or induced GRP78-mediated UPR. BTZ-resistant cells and BTZ-refractory patients exhibited lower sXBP1 levels. Apoptosis of BTZ-sensitive cells was correlating with induction of p53 and NOXA. Tumor cytogenetics and NGS analysis revealed more frequent TP53 deletions and mutations in BTZ-refractory MM patients. Conclusions: We identified low sXBP1 levels and TP53 abnormalities as factors correlating with bortezomib resistance in MM. Therefore, determination of sXBP1 levels and TP53 status prior to BTZ treatment in MM may be beneficial to predict BTZ resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Borjan
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Experimental Oncogenomics Group, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johann Kern
- Experimental Oncogenomics Group, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Normann Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Experimental Oncogenomics Group, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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14
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Pichler R, Lindner AK, Compérat E, Obrist P, Schäfer G, Todenhöfer T, Horninger W, Culig Z, Untergasser G. Amplification of 7p12 Is Associated with Pathologic Nonresponse to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Am J Pathol 2019; 190:442-452. [PMID: 31843500 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Pathologic downstaging (pDS) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is one of the most important predictors of survival in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The use of NAC is limited as pDS is only achieved in 30% to 40% of cases and predictive biomarkers are still lacking. We performed a comprehensive immunomolecular biomarker analysis to characterize the role of immune cells and inhibitory checkpoints, genome-wide frequencies of copy number alterations, mutational signatures in whole exome, and tumor mutational burden in predicting NAC response. Our retrospective study included 23 primary MIBC patients who underwent NAC, followed by radical cystectomy. pDS to NAC was a significant prognostic factor for better recurrence-free survival (P < 0.001), with a median time to recurrence of 41.2 versus 5.5 months in nonresponders. DNA damage repair alterations were noticed in 38.1% (n = 8), confirming a positive correlation with high tumor mutational burden (P = 0.007). Chromosomal 7p12 amplification, including the genes HUS1, EGFR, ABCA13, and IKZF1, predicted nonresponse in patients with a sensitivity, a negative predictive value, and a specificity of 71.4%, 87.5%, and 100%, respectively. Total count of CD3+ T cells/mm2 tumor was a significant predictor of NAC response. In conclusion, 7p12 amplification may predict nonresponse to NAC and worse survival in MIBC. Multicenter, prospective trials with sufficient statistical power may further fortify these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Andrea K Lindner
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eva Compérat
- Department of Pathology, Hôspital Tenon, HUEP, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Peter Obrist
- Pathology Laboratory Obrist and Brunhuber, Zams, Austria
| | - Georg Schäfer
- Department of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | | | - Zoran Culig
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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15
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Sturtzel C, Lipnik K, Hofer-Warbinek R, Testori J, Ebner B, Seigner J, Qiu P, Bilban M, Jandrositz A, Preisegger KH, Untergasser G, Gunsilius E, de Martin R, Kroll J, Hofer E. FOXF1 Mediates Endothelial Progenitor Functions and Regulates Vascular Sprouting. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:76. [PMID: 29963552 PMCID: PMC6010557 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFC) or late blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) have been proposed to contribute to neovascularization in humans. Exploring genes characteristic for the progenitor status of ECFC we have identified the forkhead box transcription factor FOXF1 to be selectively expressed in ECFC compared to mature endothelial cells isolated from the vessel wall. Analyzing the role of FOXF1 by gain- and loss-of-function studies we detected a strong impact of FOXF1 expression on the particularly high sprouting capabilities of endothelial progenitors. This apparently relates to the regulation of expression of several surface receptors. First, FOXF1 overexpression specifically induces the expression of Notch2 receptors and induces sprouting. Vice versa, knock-down of FOXF1 and Notch2 reduces sprouting. In addition, FOXF1 augments the expression of VEGF receptor-2 and of the arterial marker ephrin B2, whereas it downmodulates the venous marker EphB4. In line with these findings on human endothelial progenitors, we further show that knockdown of FOXF1 in the zebrafish model alters, during embryonic development, the regular formation of vasculature by sprouting. Hence, these findings support a crucial role of FOXF1 for endothelial progenitors and connected vascular sprouting as it may be relevant for tissue neovascularization. It further implicates Notch2, VEGF receptor-2, and ephrin B2 as downstream mediators of FOXF1 functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Sturtzel
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline Lipnik
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Hofer-Warbinek
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Testori
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bettina Ebner
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jaqueline Seigner
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ping Qiu
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Bilban
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Core Facility Genomics, Core Facilities, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Karl-Heinz Preisegger
- VivoCell Biosolutions GmbH, Graz, Austria.,Institut für morphologische Analytik und Humangenetik, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Laboratory for Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Laboratory for Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rainer de Martin
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jens Kroll
- Department of Vascular Biology and Tumor Angiogenesis, European for Center for Angioscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Erhard Hofer
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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16
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Thangavadivel S, Zelle-Rieser C, Olivier A, Postert B, Untergasser G, Kern J, Brunner A, Gunsilius E, Biedermann R, Hajek R, Pour L, Willenbacher W, Greil R, Jöhrer K. CCR10/CCL27 crosstalk contributes to failure of proteasome-inhibitors in multiple myeloma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:78605-78618. [PMID: 27732933 PMCID: PMC5346663 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The bone marrow microenvironment plays a decisive role in multiple myeloma progression and drug resistance. Chemokines are soluble mediators of cell migration, proliferation and survival and essentially modulate tumor progression and drug resistance. Here we investigated bone marrow-derived chemokines of naive and therapy-refractory myeloma patients and discovered that high levels of the chemokine CCL27, known so far for its role in skin inflammatory processes, correlated with worse overall survival of the patients. In addition, chemokine levels were significantly higher in samples from patients who became refractory to bortezomib at first line treatment compared to resistance at later treatment lines. In vitro as well as in an in vivo model we could show that CCL27 triggers bortezomib-resistance of myeloma cells. This effect was strictly dependent on the expression of the respective receptor, CCR10, on stroma cells and involved the modulation of IL-10 expression, activation of myeloma survival pathways, and modulation of proteasomal activity. Drug resistance could be totally reversed by blocking CCR10 by siRNA as well as blocking IL-10 and its receptor. From our data we suggest that blocking the CCR10/CCL27/IL-10 myeloma-stroma crosstalk is a novel therapeutic target that could be especially relevant in early refractory myeloma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Benno Postert
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Laboratory of Tumor Angiogenesis and Tumorbiology, Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johann Kern
- Laboratory of Tumor Angiogenesis and Tumorbiology, Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Brunner
- Department of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Laboratory of Tumor Angiogenesis and Tumorbiology, Department of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rainer Biedermann
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roman Hajek
- Babak Myeloma Group, Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Department of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Hematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava and University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Ludek Pour
- Babak Myeloma Group, Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Department of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Hematooncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava and University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Wolfgang Willenbacher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Richard Greil
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Salzburg Cancer Research Institute-Laboratory of Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Salzburg, Austria.,Third Medical Department at The Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria.,Cancer Cluster Salzburg (CCS), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Karin Jöhrer
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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17
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Pircher A, Jöhrer K, Kocher F, Steiner N, Graziadei I, Heidegger I, Pichler R, Leonhartsberger N, Kremser C, Kern J, Untergasser G, Gunsilius E, Hilbe W. Biomarkers of evasive resistance predict disease progression in cancer patients treated with antiangiogenic therapies. Oncotarget 2018; 7:20109-23. [PMID: 26956051 PMCID: PMC4991441 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous antiangiogenic agents are approved for the treatment of oncological diseases. However, almost all patients develop evasive resistance mechanisms against antiangiogenic therapies. Currently no predictive biomarker for therapy resistance or response has been established. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify biomarkers predicting the development of therapy resistance in patients with hepatocellular cancer (n = 11), renal cell cancer (n = 7) and non-small cell lung cancer (n = 2). Thereby we measured levels of angiogenic growth factors, tumor perfusion, circulating endothelial cells (CEC), circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEP) and tumor endothelial markers (TEM) in patients during the course of therapy with antiangiogenic agents, and correlated them with the time to antiangiogenic progression (aTTP). Importantly, at disease progression, we observed an increase of proangiogenic factors, upregulation of CEC/CEP levels and downregulation of TEMs, such as Robo4 and endothelial cell-specific chemotaxis regulator (ECSCR), reflecting the formation of torturous tumor vessels. Increased TEM expression levels tended to correlate with prolonged aTTP (ECSCR high = 275 days vs. ECSCR low = 92.5 days; p = 0.07 and for Robo4 high = 387 days vs. Robo4 low = 90.0 days; p = 0.08). This indicates that loss of vascular stabilization factors aggravates the development of antiangiogenic resistance. Thus, our observations confirm that CEP/CEC populations, proangiogenic cytokines and TEMs contribute to evasive resistance in antiangiogenic treated patients. Higher TEM expression during disease progression may have clinical and pathophysiological implications, however, validation of our results is warranted for further biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pircher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Karin Jöhrer
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Kocher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Normann Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ivo Graziadei
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Isabel Heidegger
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Christian Kremser
- Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Hilbe
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Oncology, Hematology and Palliative Care Wilhelminenspital, Vienna, Austria
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18
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Tzankov A, Kern J, Pircher A, Hermann M, Ott HW, Gastl G, Medinger M, Untergasser G, Gunsilius E. Increased Dkk3 protein expression in platelets and megakaryocytes of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Thromb Haemost 2017; 105:72-80. [DOI: 10.1160/th10-03-0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 09/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SummaryDickkopf-3 (Dkk3) has been proposed as tumour suppressor gene and a marker for tumour blood vessels. We analysed the expression and function of Dkk3 in platelets and megakaryocytes from healthy controls and patients with BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Dkk3 protein and gene expression in platelets was compared with endothelial and other blood cell populations by ELISA, real-time PCR, and immunofluorescence. Moreover, megakaryocytes were isolated from bone marrow aspirates by CD61 microbeads. Immunohisto-chemical studies of Dkk3 expression were performed in essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), primary myelofibrosis (PMF) and control reactive bone marrow cases (each n=10). Compared to all other blood cell populations platelets showed the highest concentration of Dkk3 protein (150 ± 19 ng/mg total protein). A strong DKK3 gene and protein expression was also observed in isolated megakaryocytes. Dkk3 co-localised with VEGF in α-granules of platelets and was released similar to VEGF upon stimulation. Addition of recombinant Dkk3 had no influence on blood coagulation (aPTT, INR) and platelet aggregation. Significantly more Dkk3+ megakaryocytes/mm2 could be found in bone marrow biopsies from patients with MPN (ET 40 ± 10, PV 31 ± 4, PMF 22 ± 3) than in controls (15 ± 3). The mean proportion of Dkk3+ megakaryocytes was increased in MPN as well (ET 83% ± 15%; PV 84% ± 12%; PMF 77% ± 8%) compared to controls (53% ± 11%). Dkk3+ megakaryocytes correlated with microvessel density in PV and PMF. We conclude that Dkk3 might be involved in the pathogenesis of MPN.
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19
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Jaeger T, Muendlein A, Hodaie J, Untergasser G, Steurer M, Saely CH, Drexel H, Lang AH. Prevalence of calreticulin exon 9 indel mutations in vascular risk patients. Thromb Res 2016; 144:215-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2016.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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20
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Steiner N, Ribatti D, Willenbacher W, Jöhrer K, Kern J, Marinaccio C, Aracil M, García-Fernández LF, Gastl G, Untergasser G, Gunsilius E. Marine compounds inhibit growth of multiple myeloma in vitro and in vivo. Oncotarget 2016; 6:8200-9. [PMID: 25860931 PMCID: PMC4480745 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is still dismal despite recent improvements achieved by introducing new therapeutic agents. However, there remains an urgent need for progress in myeloma drug development. We here show that novel marine-derived compounds can exert potent anti-myeloma activity. Experimental Design Nine marine-derived compounds were applied at low nM concentrations (0.1-100 nM) to MM cell lines (OPM-2, NCI-H929, U266, RPMI-8226), to primary human myeloma cells and to peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. In addition, eGFP-transgenic MM cell lines growing with mesenchymal cells from bone marrow were used to visualize tumors by fluorescence stereomicroscopy. Anti-myelomaactivities were studied in vitro in 3D spheroids and in vivo in myeloma xenografts on chicken embryos. Tumor size was analyzed by measuring GFP content with a GFP ELISA. Anti-angiogenic activities of compounds were tested in an in vivo gelatin sponge assay with conditioned media from primary bone marrow-derived endothelial cells. Results We identified a subset of marine compounds with strong anti-myeloma activity in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, some of the compounds inhibited myeloma-related angiogenesis in the in vivo gelatin sponge assay. They merit further drug development to improve treatment options for MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Normann Steiner
- Laboratory for Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Domenico Ribatti
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.,National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Willenbacher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Oncotyrol GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Karin Jöhrer
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johann Kern
- Laboratory for Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Oncotyrol GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Marinaccio
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, and Sensory Organs, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Guenther Gastl
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Laboratory for Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Laboratory for Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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21
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Seeber A, Untergasser G, Spizzo G, Terracciano L, Lugli A, Kasal A, Kocher F, Steiner N, Mazzoleni G, Gastl G, Fong D. Predominant expression of truncated EpCAM is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and predicts poor overall survival in colorectal cancer. Int J Cancer 2016; 139:657-63. [PMID: 26996277 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) has been shown to be an important mechanism for oncogenic activation of EpCAM through nuclear translocation of the intracellular domain EpICD. Recently, we identified two different membranous EpCAM variants namely EpCAM(MF) (full-length) and EpCAM(MT) (truncated) to be expressed in the majority of human epithelial tumors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential role of these two protein variants as additional prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer. In most studies only one antibody targeting the extracellular domain of EpCAM (EpEX) has been used, whereas in the present study additionally an antibody which detects the intracellular domain (EpICD) was applied to discriminate between different EpCAM variants. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed the expression of EpCAM(MF) and EpCAM(MT) variants in 640 patients with colorectal cancer and determined their correlations with other prognostic factors and clinical outcome. A statistically significant association was observed for EpCAM(MT) with advanced tumor stage (p < 0.001), histological grade (p = 0.01), vascular (p < 0.001) and marginal (p = 0.002) invasion. Survival analysis demonstrated reduced overall survival (p < 0.004) in patients with tumors expressing the EpCAM(MT) phenotype when compared to patients with tumors expressing the EpCAM(MF) variant. In conclusion, this study for the first time indicates that expression of EpCAM(MT) is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and predicts poor survival in patients with colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Seeber
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Oncotyrol-Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gilbert Spizzo
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Oncotyrol-Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.,Haemato-Oncological Day Hospital, Hospital of Merano, Italy
| | - Luigi Terracciano
- Molecular Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Lugli
- Translational Research Unit (TRU), Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Armin Kasal
- Department of Pathology, Central Hospital of Bolzano, Italy
| | - Florian Kocher
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Normann Steiner
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Guenther Gastl
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominic Fong
- Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.,Oncotyrol-Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.,Haemato-Oncological Day Hospital, Hospital of Merano, Italy
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22
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Schimke MM, Stigler R, Wu X, Waag T, Buschmann P, Kern J, Untergasser G, Rasse M, Steinmüller-Nethl D, Krueger A, Lepperdinger G. Biofunctionalization of scaffold material with nano-scaled diamond particles physisorbed with angiogenic factors enhances vessel growth after implantation. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 2016; 12:823-833. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Abstract
Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) has been discovered as one of the first tumor-specific antigens overexpressed in epithelial cancer. The present review focuses on the role of EpCAM in physiology and homeostasis of epithelia. Recent research pointed to a close interaction of EpCAM with other cell-cell contact molecules like E-cadherin and claudins and an intimate crosstalk with Wnt and TGF-beta signaling in the regulation of cell growth. Moreover, EpCAM has been shown to modulate trans-epithelial migration processes of white blood cells. Mutations of the EpCAM gene lead to disturbances of epithelial homeostasis and cellular differentiation from the stem cell compartment. In the intestinal tract EpCAM mutations contribute to congenital tufting enteropathy. Regarding tumorigenesis EpCAM can act as an oncogene still depending on additional driver mutations and epithelial phenotype of tumor cells. Tumor cells display increased EpCAM expression that often correlates with the loss of strict basolateral localization. Many tumors show enhanced regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) of EpCAM and loose EpCAM expression under conditions of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. The resulting extracellular EpEX and intracellular EpICD fragments mediate proliferative signals to the cell. Resulting fragments can be validated either by sensitive enzyme-linked immune-sandwich assays (EpEX) or by immunohistochemistry (EpICD). The present review gives an overview on the detection of EpCAM fragments as predictive markers for disease progression and survival of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Martowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria and Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Seeber
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University and Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Borjan B, Steiner N, Karbon S, Kern J, Francesch A, Hermann M, Willenbacher W, Gunsilius E, Untergasser G. The Aplidin analogs PM01215 and PM02781 inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:738. [PMID: 26483043 PMCID: PMC4615365 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1729-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Novel synthesized analogs of Aplidin, PM01215 and PM02781, were tested for antiangiogenic effects on primary human endothelial cells in vitro and for inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo. METHODS Antiangiogenic activity of both derivatives was evaluated by real-time cell proliferation, capillary tube formation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced spheroid sprouting assays. Distribution of endothelial cells in the different phases of the cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Aplidin analogs were tested in vivo in chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. RESULTS Both derivatives inhibited angiogenic capacities of human endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro at low nanomolar concentrations. Antiangiogenic effects of both analogs were observed in the CAM. In addition, growth of human multiple myeloma xenografts in vivo in CAM was significantly reduced after application of both analogs. On the molecular level, both derivatives induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. This growth arrest of endothelial cells correlated with induction of the cell cycle inhibitor p16(INK4A) and increased senescence-associated beta galactosidase activity. In addition, Aplidin analogs induced oxidative stress and decreased production of the vascular maturation factors Vasohibin-1 and Dickkopf-3. CONCLUSIONS From these findings we conclude that both analogs are promising agents for the development of antiangiogenic drugs acting independent on classical inhibition of VEGF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Borjan
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 66, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Normann Steiner
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 66, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Silvia Karbon
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 66, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Johann Kern
- Oncotyrol GmbH, Karl Kapfererstrasse 5, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Andrés Francesch
- Pharmamar, R&D Department, Avda de los Reyes 1, 28770, Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Martin Hermann
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Wolfgang Willenbacher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 66, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 66, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University, Innrain 66, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Seeber A, Martowicz A, Spizzo G, Buratti T, Obrist P, Fong D, Gastl G, Untergasser G. Soluble EpCAM levels in ascites correlate with positive cytology and neutralize catumaxomab activity in vitro. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:372. [PMID: 25947366 PMCID: PMC4427982 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND EpCAM is highly expressed on membrane of epithelial tumor cells and has been detected as soluble/secreted (sEpCAM) in serum of cancer patients. In this study we established an ELISA for in vitro diagnostics to measure sEpCAM concentrations in ascites. Moreover, we evaluated the influence of sEpCAM levels on catumaxomab (antibody)--dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). METHODS Ascites specimens from cancer patients with positive (C+, n = 49) and negative (C-, n = 22) cytology and ascites of patients with liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 31) were collected. All cell-free plasma samples were analyzed for sEpCAM levels with a sandwich ELISA system established and validated by a human recombinant EpCAM standard for measurements in ascites as biological matrix. In addition, we evaluated effects of different sEpCAM concentrations on catumaxomab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and human tumor cells. RESULTS Our ELISA showed a high specificity for secreted EpCAM as determined by control HEK293FT cell lines stably expressing intracellular (EpICD), extracellular (EpEX) and the full-length protein (EpCAM) as fusion proteins. The lower limit of quantification was 200 pg/mL and the linear quantification range up to 5,000 pg/mL in ascites as biological matrix. Significant levels of sEpCAM were found in 39% of C+, 14% of C- and 13% of LC ascites samples. Higher concentrations of sEpCAM were detectable in C+ (mean: 1,015 pg/mL) than in C- (mean: 449 pg/mL; p = 0.04) or LC (mean: 326 pg/mL; p = 0.01). Soluble EpCAM concentration of 1 ng/mL significantly inhibited ADCC of PBMNCs on EpCAM overexpressing target cells. CONCLUSION Elevated concentrations of sEpCAM can be found in a subgroup of C+ and also in a small group of C- patients. We consider that sEpCAM levels in different tumor entities and individual patients should be evaluated prior to applying anti-EpCAM antibody-based cancer therapies, since sEpCAM neutralizes catumaxomab activity, making therapy less efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Seeber
- Experimental Oncogenomics, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Oncotyrol - Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Agnieszka Martowicz
- Experimental Oncogenomics, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Gilbert Spizzo
- Experimental Oncogenomics, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Oncotyrol - Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Hemato-Oncological Day Hospital, Hospital of Merano, Merano, Italy.
| | - Thomas Buratti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Merano, Merano, Italy.
| | - Peter Obrist
- Pathology Laboratory, Hospital of Zams, Zams, Austria.
| | - Dominic Fong
- Experimental Oncogenomics, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Hemato-Oncological Day Hospital, Hospital of Merano, Merano, Italy.
| | - Guenther Gastl
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Experimental Oncogenomics, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Oncotyrol - Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Martowicz A, Kern J, Gunsilius E, Untergasser G. Establishment of a human multiple myeloma xenograft model in the chicken to study tumor growth, invasion and angiogenesis. J Vis Exp 2015:e52665. [PMID: 25993267 DOI: 10.3791/52665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disease, remains incurable and novel drugs are required to improve the prognosis of patients. Due to the lack of the bone microenvironment and auto/paracrine growth factors human MM cells are difficult to cultivate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish proper in vitro and in vivo culture systems to study the action of novel therapeutics on human MM cells. Here we present a model to grow human multiple myeloma cells in a complex 3D environment in vitro and in vivo. MM cell lines OPM-2 and RPMI-8226 were transfected to express the transgene GFP and were cultivated in the presence of human mesenchymal cells and collagen type-I matrix as three-dimensional spheroids. In addition, spheroids were grafted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos and tumor growth was monitored by stereo fluorescence microscopy. Both models allow the study of novel therapeutic drugs in a complex 3D environment and the quantification of the tumor cell mass after homogenization of grafts in a transgene-specific GFP-ELISA. Moreover, angiogenic responses of the host and invasion of tumor cells into the subjacent host tissue can be monitored daily by a stereo microscope and analyzed by immunohistochemical staining against human tumor cells (Ki-67, CD138, Vimentin) or host mural cells covering blood vessels (desmin/ASMA). In conclusion, the onplant system allows studying MM cell growth and angiogenesis in a complex 3D environment and enables screening for novel therapeutic compounds targeting survival and proliferation of MM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Martowicz
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University; Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute
| | - Johann Kern
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University; Oncotyrol GmbH
| | | | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Innsbruck Medical University; Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute;
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Seeber A, Braicu I, Untergasser G, Nassir M, Steiner N, Fong D, Botta L, Gastl G, Fiegl H, Zeimet AG, Martowicz A, Sehouli J, Spizzo G. Detection of soluble EpCAM in malignant ascites to predict overall survival in patients treated with catumaxomab. J Clin Oncol 2014. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2014.32.15_suppl.e15173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Seeber
- Experimental Oncology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ioana Braicu
- Department of Gynecology, European Competence Center for Ovarian Cancer, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Department Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mani Nassir
- Department of Gynecology, Campus Virchow Clinic, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Normann Steiner
- Department Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominic Fong
- Experimental Oncology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Laura Botta
- Evaluative Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCSS “Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori”, Milan, Italy
| | - Guenther Gastl
- Department Haematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heidi Fiegl
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alain G Zeimet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Jalid Sehouli
- European Competence Center for Ovarian Cancer, Charité Medical University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gilbert Spizzo
- Experimental Oncology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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Martowicz A, Rainer J, Lelong J, Spizzo G, Gastl G, Untergasser G. EpCAM overexpression prolongs proliferative capacity of primary human breast epithelial cells and supports hyperplastic growth. Mol Cancer 2013; 12:56. [PMID: 23758908 PMCID: PMC3702434 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-12-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) has been shown to be strongly expressed in human breast cancer and cancer stem cells and its overexpression has been supposed to support tumor progression and metastasis. However, effects of EpCAM overexpression on normal breast epithelial cells have never been studied before. Therefore, we analyzed effects of transient adenoviral overexpression of EpCAM on proliferation, migration and differentiation of primary human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs). Methods HMECs were transfected by an adenoviral system for transient overexpression of EpCAM. Thereafter, changes in cell proliferation and migration were studied using a real time measurement system. Target gene expression was evaluated by transcriptome analysis in proliferating and polarized HMEC cultures. A Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) xenograft model was used to study effects on in vivo growth of HMECs. Results EpCAM overexpression in HMECs did not significantly alter gene expression profile of proliferating or growth arrested cells. Proliferating HMECs displayed predominantly glycosylated EpCAM isoforms and were inhibited in cell proliferation and migration by upregulation of p27KIP1 and p53. HMECs with overexpression of EpCAM showed a down regulation of E-cadherin. Moreover, cells were more resistant to TGF-β1 induced growth arrest and maintained longer capacities to proliferate in vitro. EpCAM overexpressing HMECs xenografts in chicken embryos showed hyperplastic growth, lack of lumen formation and increased infiltrates of the chicken leukocytes. Conclusions EpCAM revealed oncogenic features in normal human breast cells by inducing resistance to TGF-β1-mediated growth arrest and supporting a cell phenotype with longer proliferative capacities in vitro. EpCAM overexpression resulted in hyperplastic growth in vivo. Thus, we suggest that EpCAM acts as a prosurvival factor counteracting terminal differentiation processes in normal mammary glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Martowicz
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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Pircher A, Fiegl M, Untergasser G, Heidegger I, Medinger M, Kern J, Hilbe W. Favorable prognosis of operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring an increased expression of tumor endothelial markers (TEMs). Lung Cancer 2013; 81:252-8. [PMID: 23664449 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Revised: 04/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Genome analyses of endothelial cells identified genes specifically expressed by tumor endothelial cells, called tumor endothelial markers (TEMs). Currently there are no data available concerning the role of TEMs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of TEMs in NSCLC in vitro and in vivo. First we evaluated the expression of various TEMs (Robo4, Clec14 and ECSCR) by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses in three NSCLC cell lines (A549, Calu1, Colo699) and compared them to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs). Next the expression of TEMs was measured in resected tumor tissue of NSCLC patients (n = 63) by qRT-PCR and compared to adjacent non-cancerous lung tissue (n = 52). Further, immunohistochemical analysis of Robo4 expression in tumor tissue (n = 33) and adjacent non-cancerous tissue (n = 27) was performed. We found that NSCLC cell lines and HBEpC did not express TEMs on the mRNA level compared to HUVECs (p = 0.001). In the contrary, a significant up-regulation of Robo4 and Clec14 was found in tumor samples (Robo4 p = 0.03, Clec14 p = 0.002). Both facts clearly indicate that these proteins are allocated to the tumor stromal department. Correlation with clinical data showed that increased TEM expression correlated with prolonged overall survival of operated NSCLC patients (Robo4 high 120.5 vs. Robo4 low 47.6 months, Clec14 high 108.1 vs. Clec14 low 54.5 months and ECSCR high 120.5 vs. ECSCR low 42.2 months). In summary, we found that TEMs are overexpressed in NSCLC stromal tissue and that an increased TEM expression correlated with an increased overall survival in early stage NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Pircher
- Department of Internal Medicine V, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Messner B, Kern J, Wiedemann D, Schwaiger S, Türkcan A, Ploner C, Trockenbacher A, Aumayr K, Bonaros N, Laufer G, Stuppner H, Untergasser G, Bernhard D. 5-Methoxyleoligin, a lignan from Edelweiss, stimulates CYP26B1-dependent angiogenesis in vitro and induces arteriogenesis in infarcted rat hearts in vivo. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58342. [PMID: 23554885 PMCID: PMC3595277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insufficient angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in cardiac tissue after myocardial infarction (MI) is a significant factor hampering the functional recovery of the heart. To overcome this problem we screened for compounds capable of stimulating angiogenesis, and herein investigate the most active molecule, 5-Methoxyleoligin (5ML), in detail. METHODS AND RESULTS 5ML potently stimulated endothelial tube formation, angiogenic sprouting, and angiogenesis in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay. Further, microarray- and knock down- based analyses revealed that 5ML induces angiogenesis by upregulation of CYP26B1. In an in vivo rat MI model 5ML potently increased the number of arterioles in the peri-infarction and infarction area, reduced myocardial muscle loss, and led to a significant increase in LV function (plus 21% 28 days after MI). CONCLUSION The present study shows that 5ML induces CYP26B1-dependent angiogenesis in vitro, and arteriogenesis in vivo. Whether or not CYP26B1 is relevant for in vivo arteriogenesis is not clear at the moment. Importantly, 5ML-induced arteriogenesis in vivo makes the compound even more interesting for a post MI therapy. 5ML may constitute the first low molecular weight compound leading to an improvement of myocardial function after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Messner
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Kern
- Division of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Dominik Wiedemann
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefan Schwaiger
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Adrian Türkcan
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Ploner
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexander Trockenbacher
- Division Molecular Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Klaus Aumayr
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolaos Bonaros
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Günther Laufer
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hermann Stuppner
- Institute of Pharmacy/Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Division of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Bernhard
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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Zeimet AG, Reimer D, Sopper S, Boesch M, Martowicz A, Roessler J, Wiedemair AM, Rumpold H, Untergasser G, Concin N, Hofstetter G, Muller-Holzner E, Fiegl H, Marth C, Wolf D, Pesta M, Hatina J. Ovarian cancer stem cells. Neoplasma 2013; 59:747-55. [PMID: 22862176 DOI: 10.4149/neo_2012_094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Because of its semi-solid character in dissemination and growth, advanced ovarian cancer with its hundreds of peritoneal tumor nodules and plaques appears to be an excellent in vivo model for studying the cancer stem cell hypothesis. The most important obstacle, however, is to adequately define and isolate these tumor-initiating cells endowed with the properties of anoikis-resistance and unlimited self-renewal. Until now, no universal single marker or marker constellation has been found to faithfully isolate (ovarian) cancer stem cells. As these multipotent cells are known to possess highly elaborated efflux systems for cytotoxic agents, these pump systems have been exploited to outline putative stem cells as a side-population (SP) via dye exclusion analysis. Furthermore, the cells in question have been isolated via flow cytometry on the basis of cell surface markers thought to be characteristic for stem cells.In the Vienna variant of the ovarian cancer cell line A2780 a proof-of-principle model with both a stable SP and a stable ALDH1A1+ cell population was established. Double staining clearly revealed that both cell fractions were not identical. Of note, A2780V cells were negative for expression of surface markers CD44 and CD117 (c-kit). When cultured on monolayers of healthy human mesothelial cells, green-fluorescence-protein (GFP)-transfected SP of A2780V exhibited spheroid-formation, whereas non-side-population (NSP) developed a spare monolayer growing over the healthy mesothelium. Furthermore, A2780V SP was found to be partially resistant to platinum. However, this resistance could not be explained by over-expression of the "excision repair cross-complementation group 1" (ERCC1) gene, which is essentially involved in the repair of platinated DNA damage. ERCC1 was, nonetheless, over-expressed in A2780V cells grown as spheres under stem cell-selective conditions as compared to adherent monolayers cultured under differentiating conditions. The same was true for the primary ovarian cancer cells B-57.In summary our investigations indicate that even in multi-passaged cancer cell lines hierarchic government of growth and differentiation is conserved and that the key cancer stem cell population may be composed of small overlapping cell fractions defined by various arbitrary markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Zeimet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Zenzmaier C, Kern J, Sampson N, Heitz M, Plas E, Untergasser G, Berger P. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition reverts prostate fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation. Endocrinology 2012; 153:5546-55. [PMID: 22948216 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have been demonstrated to improve lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Because BPH is primarily driven by fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of the PDE5 inhibitor vardenafil to inhibit and reverse trans-differentiation of primary human prostatic stromal cells (PrSC). Vardenafil, sodium nitroprusside, lentiviral-delivered short hairpin RNA-mediated PDE5 knockdown, sodium orthovanadate, and inhibitors of MAPK kinase, protein kinase G, Ras homolog family member (Rho) A, RhoA/Rho kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase B (AKT) were applied to PrSC treated with basic fibroblast growth factor (fibroblasts) or TGFβ1 (myofibroblasts) in vitro, in chicken chorioallantoic membrane xenografts in vivo, and to prostatic organoids ex vivo. Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation was monitored by smooth muscle cell actin and IGF binding protein 3 mRNA and protein levels. Vardenafil significantly attenuated TGFβ1-induced PrSC trans-differentiation in vitro and in chorioallantoic membrane xenografts. Enhancement of nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling by vardenafil, sodium nitroprusside, or PDE5 knockdown reduced smooth muscle cell actin and IGF binding protein 3 mRNA and protein levels and restored fibroblast-like morphology in trans-differentiated myofibroblast. This reversal of trans-differentiation was not affected by MAPK kinase, protein kinase G, RhoA, or RhoA/Rho kinase inhibition, but vardenafil attenuated phospho-AKT levels in myofibroblasts. Consistently, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase or AKT inhibition induced reversal of trans-differentiation, whereas the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate abrogated the effect of vardenafil. Treatment of prostatic organoids with vardenafil ex vivo reduced expression of myofibroblast markers, indicating reverse remodeling of stroma towards a desired higher fibroblast/myofibroblast ratio. Thus, enhancement of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway by vardenafil attenuates and reverts fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation, hypothesizing that BPH patients might benefit from long-term therapy with PDE5 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Zenzmaier
- Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Martowicz A, Spizzo G, Gastl G, Untergasser G. Phenotype-dependent effects of EpCAM expression on growth and invasion of human breast cancer cell lines. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:501. [PMID: 23110550 PMCID: PMC3519683 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has been shown to be overexpressed in breast cancer and stem cells and has emerged as an attractive target for immunotherapy of breast cancer patients. This study analyzes the effects of EpCAM on breast cancer cell lines with epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype. Methods For this purpose, shRNA-mediated knockdown of EpCAM gene expression was performed in EpCAMhigh breast cancer cell lines with epithelial phenotype (MCF-7, T47D and SkBR3). Moreover, EpCAMlow breast carcinoma cell lines with mesenchymal phenotype (MDA-MB-231, Hs578t) and inducible overexpression of EpCAM were used to study effects on proliferation, migration and in vivo growth. Results In comparison to non-specific silencing controls (n/s-crtl) knockdown of EpCAM (E#2) in EpCAMhigh cell lines resulted in reduced cell proliferation under serum-reduced culture conditions. Moreover, DNA synthesis under 3D culture conditions in collagen was significantly reduced. Xenografts of MCF-7 and T47D cells with knockdown of EpCAM formed smaller tumors that were less invasive. EpCAMlow cell lines with tetracycline-inducible overexpression of EpCAM showed no increased cell proliferation or migration under serum-reduced growth conditions. MDA-MB-231 xenografts with EpCAM overexpression showed reduced invasion into host tissue and more infiltrates of chicken granulocytes. Conclusions The role of EpCAM in breast cancer strongly depends on the epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype of tumor cells. Cancer cells with epithelial phenotype need EpCAM as a growth- and invasion-promoting factor, whereas tumor cells with a mesenchymal phenotype are independent of EpCAM in invasion processes and tumor progression. These findings might have clinical implications for EpCAM-based targeting strategies in patients with invasive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Martowicz
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute, Innsbruck, Austria
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Pircher A, Untergasser G, Heidegger I, Kern J, Gunsilius E, Fiegl M, Hilbe W. Tumor Endothelial Markers (TEMS) as Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Ann Oncol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0923-7534(20)32741-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Pircher A, Graziadei I, Leonhartsberger N, Kremser C, Kern J, Untergasser G, Gunsilius E, Hilbe W. Zwischenanalyse der Prämarker08 Studie: Eine klinische Studie zur Untersuchung von solublen und zellulären Biomarkern und funktioneller Bildgebung bei Krebspatienten unter laufender antiangiogener Monotherapie. Pneumologie 2012. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1309176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Untergasser G, Martowicz A, Hermann M, Töchterle S, Meyer D. Distinct expression patterns of dickkopf genes during late embryonic development of Danio rerio. Gene Expr Patterns 2011; 11:491-500. [PMID: 21889616 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2011.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Revised: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Dickkopf (dkk) genes belong to the family of secreted wnt-inhibitors with conserved cysteine-rich domains. In contrast to the prototype dkk1, dkk3 does not modulate canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Until now, neither functions nor interaction partners of dkk3 in lower vertebrates have been described. In this study we cloned two dkk3 homologues dkk3a(dkk3l) and dkk3b(dkk3) and a dkk1 homologue dkk1a of the zebrafish and studied their expression patterns during embryonic development in comparison to the known dkk1b gene. Moreover, mutants with defects in hedgehog signalling (smo), notch (mib) signalling, nodal signalling (Zoep) or retinoic acid synthesis (neckless) were analyzed for changes in dkk3 gene expression. In situ hybridization analyses showed a dynamic expression of dkk1a and dkk1b primarily in epidermal structures of the otic vesicle, lens, branchial arches and fin folds. While dkk1a was expressed mainly in deep tissues, dkk1b expression was mainly found in protrusions at the outer surface of the branchial arch epidermis. In contrast, dkk3 genes showed expression in different tissues. Strong signals for dkk3a(dkk3l) were present in various neuronal structures of the head, whereas dkk3b(dkk3) expression was restricted mainly to endocrine cells of the pancreas and to the brachial arches. In summary, both dkk3 genes display a unique and distinct expression pattern in late embryonic development, pointing to a specific role during neuronal and pancreatic cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerold Untergasser
- Division of Internal Medicine V, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria.
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Zenzmaier C, Sampson N, Pernkopf D, Plas E, Untergasser G, Berger P. Attenuated proliferation and trans-differentiation of prostatic stromal cells indicate suitability of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for prevention and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Endocrinology 2010; 151:3975-84. [PMID: 20555034 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-1411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by tissue overgrowth and stromal reorganization primarily due to cellular proliferation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation. To evaluate the potential of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors like tadalafil for prevention and treatment of BPH, we analyzed the role of the nitric oxide/cyclic GMP (cGMP)/PDE5 pathway for cellular proliferation and TGFbeta1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation in primary prostate stromal cells. Inhibition by tadalafil of PDE5, which is mainly expressed in the stromal compartment of the prostate, reduced proliferation of primary prostate stromal cells and to a lesser extent of primary prostate basal epithelial cells. Attenuated proliferation due to elevated intracellular cGMP levels was confirmed by inhibition of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase G by its inhibitor KT2358. Moreover, tadalafil strongly attenuated TGFbeta1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast trans-differentiation. The inhibitory effect on trans-differentiation was also observed after small interfering RNA-mediated PDE5 knockdown. As confirmed by the MAPK kinase 1 inhibitor PD98059, this effect was mediated via MAPK kinase 1 signaling. We conclude that BPH patients might benefit from adjuvant therapies with PDE5 inhibitors that inhibit stromal enlargement due to cell proliferation, as well as TGFbeta1-induced trans-differentiation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Zenzmaier
- Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria
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Hutterer M, Medinger M, Untergasser G, Steinlechner K, Gstrein I, Deisenhammer F, Stockhammer G, Gunsilius E. Dickkopf-3 (DKK-3) protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): A biomarker for neoplastic meningitis? J Clin Oncol 2010. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2010.28.15_suppl.e12517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Mühlmann G, Untergasser G, Zitt M, Zitt M, Maier H, Mikuz G, Kronberger IE, Haffner MC, Gunsilius E, Öfner D. Immunohistochemically detectable dickkopf-3 expression in tumor vessels predicts survival in gastric cancer. Virchows Arch 2010; 456:635-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s00428-010-0926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Revised: 04/07/2010] [Accepted: 04/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Haouala A, Rumpold H, Untergasser G, Buclin T, Ris HB, Widmer N, Decosterd LA. siRNA-mediated knock-down of P-glycoprotein expression reveals distinct cellular disposition of anticancer tyrosine kinases inhibitors. Drug Metab Lett 2010; 4:114-119. [PMID: 20446917 DOI: 10.2174/187231210791292726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 04/27/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Studies on the cellular disposition of targeted anticancer tyrosine kinases inhibitors (TKIs) have mostly focused on imatinib while the functional importance of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) the gene product of MDR1 remains controversial for more recent TKIs. By using RNA interference-mediated knockdown of MDR1, we have investigated and compared the specific functional consequence of Pgp on the cellular disposition of the major clinically in use TKIs imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, sunitinib and sorafenib. siRNA-mediated knockdown in K562/Dox cell lines provides a unique opportunity to dissect the specific contribution of Pgp to TKIs intracellular disposition. In these conditions, abrogating specifically Pgp-mediated efflux in vitro revealed the remarkable and statistically significant cellular accumulation of imatinib (difference in cellular levels between Pgp-expressing and silenced cells, at high and low incubation concentration, respectively: 6.1 and 6.6), dasatinib (4.9 and 5.6), sunitinib (3.7 and 7.3) and sorafenib (1.2 and 1.4), confirming that these TKIs are all substrates of Pgp. By contrast, no statistically significant difference in cellular disposition of nilotinib was observed as a result of MDR1 expression silencing (differences: 1.1 and 1.5), indicating that differential expression and/or function of Pgp is unlikely to affect nilotinib cellular disposition. This study enables for the first time a direct estimation of the specific contribution of one transporter among the various efflux and influx carriers involved in the cellular trafficking of these major TKIs in vitro. Knowledge on the distinct functional consequence of Pgp expression for these various TKIs cellular distribution is necessary to better appreciate the efficacy, toxicity, and potential drug-drug interactions of TKIs with other classes of therapeutic agents, at the systemic, tissular and cellular levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Haouala
- Division de Pharmacologie clinique, Département de Médecine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne. Switzerland.
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Lucas T, Abraham D, Untergasser G, Zins K, Hofer E, Gunsilius E, Aharinejad S. Adenoviral-mediated endothelial precursor cell delivery of soluble CD115 suppresses human prostate cancer xenograft growth in mice. Stem Cells 2009; 27:2342-52. [PMID: 19522014 PMCID: PMC2879317 DOI: 10.1002/stem.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer tumor growth and neovascularization is promoted by an interplay between migratory tumor stromal cells such as specialized tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEPs). As vehicles for tumor therapy, human CEPs are relatively easy to isolate from peripheral blood, are able to proliferate long-term in vitro, are amenable to viral manipulation, and preferentially home to regions of ischemia found in growing tumors. We show here that human peripheral blood CEPs expanded ex vivo migrate to prostate cancer cells in vitro and efficiently home to human prostate tumor xenografts in vivo. Infection of precursors ex vivo with an adenovirus constructed to secrete a soluble form of the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor CD115 that inhibits macrophage viability and migration in vitro significantly decreases the number of TAMs in xenografts (p < .05), reduces proliferation (p < .01) and vascular density (p < .03), and suppresses the growth of xenografts (p < .03). These data show for the first time that targeting stromal cell processes with cellular therapy has the potential to retard prostate tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Lucas
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Vienna Medical University, Vienna, Austria
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Kern J, Steurer M, Gastl G, Gunsilius E, Untergasser G. Vasohibin inhibits angiogenic sprouting in vitro and supports vascular maturation processes in vivo. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:284. [PMID: 19682397 PMCID: PMC2739223 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2009] [Accepted: 08/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The murine homologue of human vasohibin (mVASH1), a putative antiangiogenic protein, was investigated for its effects on in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis. METHODS Cell growth and migration were analyzed in murine fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Angiogenic sprouting was studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the spheroid sprouting assay. In vivo effects on blood vessel formation were investigated in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay and in the C57BL/6 melanoma xenograft model. RESULTS Purified murine and human VASH1 protein induced apoptosis of murine fibroblasts in vitro, but not of vascular aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMC) or endothelial cells. Adenoviral overexpression of murine and human VASH1 inhibited capillary sprouting of HUVECs in the spheroid assay. Administration of recombinant murine and human VASH1 inhibited growth of large vessels in the CAM assay and promoted the formation of a dense, fine vascular network. Murine VASH1-overexpressing B16F10 melanomas displayed a reduction in large vessels and vascular area. Moreover, tumors showed more microvessels that stained positive for the mural cell markers alpha-smooth muscle cell actin (ASMA) and proteoglycan (NG2). CONCLUSION Our data imply that murine VASH1 causes angiogenic remodelling by inhibiting angiogenic sprouting and large vessel growth, thereby supporting the formation of a vascular bed consisting predominantly of mature microvessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Kern
- Division of Internal Medicine V, Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory, Medical University Innsbruck, Innrain 66, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Fong D, Hermann M, Untergasser G, Pirkebner D, Draxl A, Heitz M, Moser P, Margreiter R, Hengster P, Amberger A. Dkk-3 expression in the tumor endothelium: a novel prognostic marker of pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Cancer Sci 2009; 100:1414-20. [PMID: 19493271 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01208.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dkk-3 is proposed to be a new specific marker for tumor endothelial cells. Here we analyzed the clinical relevance of Dkk-3 expression in pancreas adenocarcinomas and determined its role on endothelial cell growth in vitro. Microvessel density in tumor samples was immunohistochemically determined using Dkk-3 and CD31 as endothelial cell markers, respectively. Based on the median microvessel density as a cut-off point, patients were categorized into high and low microvessel density groups and a correlation with survival and clinical parameters was assessed. Moreover, the role of Dkk-3 expression on chemosensitivity of endothelial cells was analyzed. In contrast to CD31 staining, Dkk-3-positive vessels were found only in tumor tissue and Dkk-3 microvessel density significantly correlated negative with tumor grading. In survival analysis the median survival time was 7 months for patients with Dkk-3 low, and 15 months for Dkk-3 high microvessel density (P = 0.0013). Subset analysis of patients receiving gemcitabine therapy showed that overall survival was significantly decreased in Dkk-3 low tumors than in high tumors (P = 0.009). In Cox regression Dkk-3 emerged as a significant independent parameter (P = 0.024). Dkk-3 overexpression in endothelial cells resulted in significantly enhanced growth inhibition after 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine treatment compared to control endothelial cells and cancer cell lines. Dkk-3 low microvessel density was associated with tumor progression and worse clinical outcome. Overexpression of Dkk-3 enhanced endothelial cell growth inhibition to chemotherapeutic drugs. Therefore, we suggest that Dkk-3 high microvessel density may help to select patients who may benefit from chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Fong
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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Steurer M, Kern J, Zitt M, Amberger A, Bauer M, Gastl G, Untergasser G, Gunsilius E. Quantification of circulating endothelial and progenitor cells: comparison of quantitative PCR and four-channel flow cytometry. BMC Res Notes 2008; 1:71. [PMID: 18755033 PMCID: PMC2546419 DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-1-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2008] [Accepted: 08/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) and endothelial precursor cells (CEP) have been suggested as markers for angiogenesis in cancer. However, CEC/CEP represent a tiny and heterogeneous cell population, rendering a standardized monitoring in peripheral blood difficult. Thus, we investigated whether a PCR-based detection method of CEC/CEP might overcome the limitations of rare-event flow cytometry. Findings To test the sensitivity of both assays endothelial colony forming cell clones (ECFC) and cord blood derived CD45- CD34+ progenitor cells were spiked into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) of healthy volunteers. Samples were analyzed for the expression of CD45, CD31, CD34, KDR or CD133 by 4-color flow cytometry and for the expression of CD34, CD133, KDR and CD144 by qPCR. Applying flow cytometry, spiked ECFC and progenitor cells were detectable at frequencies ≥ 0.01%, whereas by qPCR a detection limit of 0.001% was achievable. Furthermore, PBMNC from healthy controls (n = 30), patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (n = 20) and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, n = 25) were analyzed. No increase of CEC/CEP was detectable by flow cytometry. Furthermore, only CD34 and KDR gene expression was significantly elevated in patients with metastatic NSCLC. However, both markers are not specific for endothelial cells. Conclusion QPCR is more sensitive, but less specific than 4-channel flow cytometry for the detection of CEC/CEP cell types. However, both methods failed to reliably detect an increase of CEC/CEP in tumor patients. Thus, more specific CEC/CEP markers are needed to validate and improve the detection of these rare cell types by PCR-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Steurer
- Tumor Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innrain 66, Innsbruck Medical University, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Zenzmaier C, Untergasser G, Berger P. Aging of the prostate epithelial stem/progenitor cell. Exp Gerontol 2008; 43:981-5. [PMID: 18639623 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2008.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2008] [Revised: 06/09/2008] [Accepted: 06/16/2008] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of the prostatic epithelial cell compartment is ensured by proliferation of adult epithelial progenitor or stem cells. These cells are characterized by an undifferentiated state, high proliferative capacity and long life span. Prostate progenitor/stem cells are localized in their stem cell-niche in the basal cell compartment in close contact to the basement membrane and the stromal cell compartment and are characterized by expression of the basal cytokeratins 5 and 14, high levels of integrins, CD44, the stem cell markers CD133 and ABCG2, and AR negativity. They give rise to secretory luminal (cytokeratins 8/18, CD57, AR, p27, PSA, PAP) and neuroendocrine cells (cytokeratins 8/18, CD57, CgA, NSE, NEPs), the two major cell types observed in the glandular epithelium. A growing body of experimental evidence has identified the amplifying progenitor/stem cell (CD44(+), alpha(2)beta(1)(hi), CD133(+)), as a putative origin of prostate cancer. Differentiation of this cell type can be affected by mutations in the intrinsic genetic program, by age-related changes in stromal-epithelial interactions or in the basement membrane/ECM composition. All these stochastic events occur during aging and can transform a normal prostate progenitor/stem cell into a cancer stem cell, a source of androgen-dependent and independent tumor cell clones. Thus, the heterogeneous and multifocal nature of prostatic cancer with a pleora of different tumor cell clones clearly reflects the differentiation capacity of the prostatic epithelial progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Zenzmaier
- Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innsbruck, Austria
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Schwärzler P, Untergasser G, Zech H, Alge A, Concin H, Berger P. Proteinhormone als lokal wirksame Regulatoren in humanen Ovarien*. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1023132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The Dickkopf (Dkk) family comprises four members Dkk-1, -2, -3, and -4. Dkk-3, the most divergent family member, unlike the others does not modulate Wnt signaling. Dkk-3 is proposed to function as a secreted tumor suppressor since it is downregulated in a number of cancer cells and prostate cancer tissue and thus may be a promising candidate molecule for therapeutic interference. METHODS The in situ tissue localization of Dkk-3 protein in normal prostate (NP), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate carcinoma (PCa) was investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC)/immunofluorescence. In addition, biological function of Dkk-3 in terms of proliferation and viability was evaluated in primary prostate basal epithelial cells (PrEC), stromal cells (PrSC), and established human PCa cell lines by treatment with recombinant protein or by overexpression. RESULTS Stimulation with purified recombinant protein and overexpression of Dkk-3 did not significantly alter in vitro cell proliferation in any primary or tumor cell line evaluated. Dkk-3 was expressed in both the basal and secretory epithelium of NP. In BPH expression was restricted to defined basal cells and was absent in tumor cells of high grade PCa. In contrast to normal prostatic tissue, Dkk-3 was upregulated in subglandular blood vessels of BPH and in the reactive stroma of PCa tissue. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that Dkk-3 expression in the normal epithelium of the prostate is lost during benign and malignant transformation and differentiation processes. The loss of expression seems to be counterbalanced by upregulation of Dkk-3 expression in the blood vessels of the remodeled tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Zenzmaier
- Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innsbruck, Austria
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Kern J, Bauer M, Rychli K, Wojta J, Ritsch A, Gastl G, Gunsilius E, Untergasser G. Alternative Splicing of Vasohibin-1 Generates an Inhibitor of Endothelial Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Capillary Tube Formation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2008; 28:478-84. [DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.107.160432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Johann Kern
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Monika Bauer
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kathrin Rychli
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johann Wojta
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Ritsch
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Günther Gastl
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- From the Tumor Biology & Angiogenesis Laboratory (J.K., M.B., G.G., E.G., G.U.), Division of Hematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck; the Department of Internal Medicine II (K.R., J.W.), Medical University of Vienna; and the Gene Therapy Group (A.R.), Division of General Internal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
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Lucas T, Untergasser G, Abraham D, Hofer E, Gunsilius E, Aharinejad S. Targeting human solid tumor xenografts with ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells. FASEB J 2008. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.901.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Lucas
- Cardiovascular ResearchCenter of Anatomy and Cell Biology
| | - Gerold Untergasser
- Division of Haematology and OncologyInnsbruck Medical UniversityInnsbruckAustria
| | | | - Erhard Hofer
- Vascular Biology and Thrombosis ResearchVienna Medical UniversityViennaAustria
| | - Eberhard Gunsilius
- Division of Haematology and OncologyInnsbruck Medical UniversityInnsbruckAustria
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Untergasser G, Steurer M, Zimmermann M, Hermann M, Kern J, Amberger A, Gastl G, Gunsilius E. The Dickkopf-homolog 3 is expressed in tumor endothelial cells and supports capillary formation. Int J Cancer 2007; 122:1539-47. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.23255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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