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Bayona C, Alza L, Ranđelović T, Sallán MC, Visa A, Cantí C, Ochoa I, Oliván S, Herreros J. Tetralol derivative NNC-55-0396 targets hypoxic cells in the glioblastoma microenvironment: an organ-on-chip approach. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:127. [PMID: 38341408 PMCID: PMC10858941 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06492-1] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant brain tumour characterised by limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The tumour microenvironment, particularly the central hypoxic region of the tumour, is known to play a pivotal role in GBM progression. Cells within this region adapt to hypoxia by stabilising transcription factor HIF1-α, which promotes cell proliferation, dedifferentiation and chemoresistance. In this study we sought to examine the effects of NNC-55-0396, a tetralol compound which overactivates the unfolded protein response inducing apoptosis, using the organ-on-chip technology. We identified an increased sensitivity of the hypoxic core of the chip to NNC, which correlates with decreasing levels of HIF1-α in vitro. Moreover, NNC blocks the macroautophagic process that is unleashed by hypoxia as revealed by increased levels of autophagosomal constituent LC3-II and autophagy chaperone p62/SQSTM1. The specific effects of NNC in the hypoxic microenvironment unveil additional anti-cancer abilities of this compound and further support investigations on its use in combined therapies against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bayona
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Lía Alza
- Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Teodora Ranđelović
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Marta C Sallán
- Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
- Centre for Haemato-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Anna Visa
- Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Carles Cantí
- Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ochoa
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Sara Oliván
- Tissue Microenvironment (TME) Lab, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), University of Zaragoza, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Judit Herreros
- Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
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Alza L, Visa A, Herreros J, Cantí C. T-type channels in cancer cells: Driving in reverse. Cell Calcium 2022; 105:102610. [PMID: 35691056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2022.102610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the strongly polarized membranes of excitable cells, activation of T-type Ca2+ channels (TTCCs) by weak depolarizing stimuli allows the influx of Ca2+ which further amplifies membrane depolarization, thus "recruiting" higher threshold voltage-gated channels to promote action potential firing. Nonetheless, TTCCs perform other functions in the plasma membrane of both excitable and non-excitable cells, in which they regulate a number of biochemical pathways relevant for cell cycle and cell fate. Furthermore, data obtained in the last 20 years have shown the involvement of TTCCs in tumor biology, designating them as promising chemotherapeutic targets. However, their activity in the steadily-depolarized membranes of cancer cells, in which most voltage-gated channels are in the inactivated (nonconducting) state, is counter-intuitive. Here we discuss that in cancer cells weak hyperpolarizing stimuli increase the fraction of open TTCCs which, in association with Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, may critically boost membrane hyperpolarization and driving force for Ca2+ entry through different voltage-independent Ca2+ channels. Available evidence also shows that TTCCs participate in positive feedback circuits with signaling effectors, which may warrant a switch-like activation of pro-proliferative and pro-survival pathways in spite of their low availability. Unravelling TTCC modus operandi in the context of non-excitable membranes may facilitate the development of novel anticancer approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lía Alza
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Medicina Experimental), IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, Lleida 25198, Spain
| | - Anna Visa
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Medicina Experimental), IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, Lleida 25198, Spain
| | - Judit Herreros
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques), IRBLleida
| | - Carles Cantí
- Universitat de Lleida (Dpt. Medicina Experimental), IRBLleida, Rovira Roure 80, Lleida 25198, Spain.
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Alza L, Nàger M, Visa A, Cantí C, Herreros J. FAK Inhibition Induces Glioblastoma Cell Senescence-Like State through p62 and p27. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1086. [PMID: 32349327 PMCID: PMC7281094 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a central component of focal adhesions that regulate cancer cell proliferation and migration. Here, we studied the effects of FAK inhibition in glioblastoma (GBM), a fast growing brain tumor that has a poor prognosis. Treating GBM cells with the FAK inhibitor PF-573228 induced a proliferative arrest and increased cell size. PF-573228 also reduced the growth of GBM neurospheres. These effects were associated with increased p27/CDKN1B levels and β-galactosidase activity, compatible with acquisition of senescence. Interestingly, FAK inhibition repressed the expression of the autophagy cargo receptor p62/SQSTM-1. Moreover, depleting p62 in GBM cells also induced a senescent-like phenotype through transcriptional upregulation of p27. Our results indicate that FAK inhibition arrests GBM cell proliferation, resulting in cell senescence, and pinpoint p62 as being key to this process. These findings highlight the possible therapeutic value of targeting FAK in GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lía Alza
- Calcium Signaling Group, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (L.A.); (A.V.); (C.C.)
| | - Mireia Nàger
- Department of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9010 Tromsø, Norway;
| | - Anna Visa
- Calcium Signaling Group, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (L.A.); (A.V.); (C.C.)
| | - Carles Cantí
- Calcium Signaling Group, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (L.A.); (A.V.); (C.C.)
| | - Judit Herreros
- Calcium Signaling Group, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 80, 25198 Lleida, Spain; (L.A.); (A.V.); (C.C.)
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Alza L, Visa A, Herreros J, Cantí C. The rise of T-type channels in melanoma progression and chemotherapeutic resistance. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1873:188364. [PMID: 32275934 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188364] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway is prevalent in melanoma, principally due to mutations in the BRAF and NRAS genes. MAPK inhibitors are effective only short-term, and recurrence occurs due to functional redundancies or intertwined pathways. The remodeling of Ca2+ signaling is also common in melanoma cells, partly through the increased expression of T-type channels (TTCCs). Here we summarize current knowledge about the prognostic value and molecular targeting of TTCCs. Furthermore, we discuss recent evidence pointing to TTCCs as molecular switches for melanoma chemoresistance, which set the grounds for novel combined therapies against the advanced disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lía Alza
- Universitat de Lleida-IRBlLeida, Cell Calcium Signaling Lab, 25198, Rovira Roure, 80, Lleida, Spain
| | - Anna Visa
- Universitat de Lleida-IRBlLeida, Cell Calcium Signaling Lab, 25198, Rovira Roure, 80, Lleida, Spain
| | - Judit Herreros
- Universitat de Lleida-IRBlLeida, Cell Calcium Signaling Lab, 25198, Rovira Roure, 80, Lleida, Spain
| | - Carles Cantí
- Universitat de Lleida-IRBlLeida, Cell Calcium Signaling Lab, 25198, Rovira Roure, 80, Lleida, Spain.
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Visa A, Shaikh S, Alza L, Herreros J, Cantí C. The Hard-To-Close Window of T-Type Calcium Channels. Trends Mol Med 2019; 25:571-584. [PMID: 31031178 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
T-Type calcium channels (TTCCs) are key regulators of membrane excitability, which is the reason why TTCC pharmacology is subject to intensive research in the neurological and cardiovascular fields. TTCCs also play a role in cancer physiology, and pharmacological blockers such as tetralols and dihydroquinazolines (DHQs) reduce the viability of cancer cells in vitro and slow tumor growth in murine xenografts. However, the available compounds are better suited to blocking TTCCs in excitable membranes rather than TTCCs contributing window currents at steady potentials. Consistently, tetralols and dihydroquinazolines exhibit cytostatic/cytotoxic activities at higher concentrations than those required for TTCC blockade, which may involve off-target effects. Gene silencing experiments highlight the targetability of TTCCs, but further pharmacological research is required for TTCC blockade to become a chemotherapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Visa
- Laboratory of Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida-Universitat de Lleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198-Lleida, Spain
| | - Soni Shaikh
- Laboratory of Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida-Universitat de Lleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198-Lleida, Spain
| | - Lía Alza
- Laboratory of Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida-Universitat de Lleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198-Lleida, Spain
| | - Judit Herreros
- Laboratory of Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida-Universitat de Lleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198-Lleida, Spain
| | - Carles Cantí
- Laboratory of Calcium Cell Signaling, IRBLleida-Universitat de Lleida, Rovira Roure, 80, 25198-Lleida, Spain.
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Visa A, Sallán MC, Maiques O, Alza L, Talavera E, López-Ortega R, Santacana M, Herreros J, Cantí C. T-Type Ca v3.1 Channels Mediate Progression and Chemotherapeutic Resistance in Glioblastoma. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1857-1868. [PMID: 30755443 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
T-type Ca2+ channels (TTCC) have been identified as key regulators of cancer cell cycle and survival. In vivo studies in glioblastoma (GBM) murine xenografts have shown that drugs able to block TTCC in vitro (such as tetralol derivatives mibefradil/NNC-55-096, or different 3,4-dihydroquinazolines) slow tumor progression. However, currently available TTCC pharmacologic blockers have limited selectivity for TTCC and are unable to distinguish between TTCC isoforms. Here we analyzed the expression of TTCC transcripts in human GBM cells and show a prevalence of Cacna1g/Cav3.1 mRNAs. Infection of GBM cells with lentiviral particles carrying short hairpin RNA against Cav3.1 resulted in GBM cell death by apoptosis. We generated a murine GBM xenograft via subcutaneous injection of U87-MG GBM cells and found that tumor size was reduced when Cav3.1 expression was silenced. Furthermore, we developed an in vitro model of temozolomide-resistant GBM that showed increased expression of Cav3.1 accompanied by the activation of macroautophagy. We confirmed a positive correlation between Cav3.1 and autophagic markers in both GBM cultures and biopsies. Of note, Cav3.1 knockdown resulted in transcriptional downregulation of p62/SQSTM1 and deficient autophagy. Together, these data identify Cav3.1 channels as potential targets for slowing GBM progression and recurrence based on their role in regulating autophagy. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify Cav3.1 calcium channels as a molecular target to regulate autophagy and prevent progression and chemotherapeutic resistance in glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Visa
- Calcium Signalling Lab, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Marta C Sallán
- Calcium Signalling Lab, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Oscar Maiques
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lía Alza
- Calcium Signalling Lab, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Elisabet Talavera
- Cytogenetic Unit, Clinic Lab, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, ICS, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ricard López-Ortega
- Cytogenetic Unit, Clinic Lab, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, ICS, Lleida, Spain
| | | | - Judit Herreros
- Calcium Signalling Lab, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.
| | - Carles Cantí
- Calcium Signalling Lab, IRBLleida, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain.
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