1
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Lospinoso Severini L, Loricchio E, Navacci S, Basili I, Alfonsi R, Bernardi F, Moretti M, Conenna M, Cucinotta A, Coni S, Petroni M, De Smaele E, Giannini G, Maroder M, Canettieri G, Mastronuzzi A, Guardavaccaro D, Ayrault O, Infante P, Bufalieri F, Di Marcotullio L. SALL4 is a CRL3 REN/KCTD11 substrate that drives Sonic Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:170-187. [PMID: 38062245 PMCID: PMC10850099 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01246-6] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway is crucial regulator of embryonic development and stemness. Its alteration leads to medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. The SHH-MB subgroup is the best genetically characterized, however the molecular mechanisms responsible for its pathogenesis are not fully understood and therapeutic benefits are still limited. Here, we show that the pro-oncogenic stemness regulator Spalt-like transcriptional factor 4 (SALL4) is re-expressed in mouse SHH-MB models, and its high levels correlate with worse overall survival in SHH-MB patients. Proteomic analysis revealed that SALL4 interacts with REN/KCTD11 (here REN), a substrate receptor subunit of the Cullin3-RING ubiquitin ligase complex (CRL3REN) and a tumor suppressor lost in ~30% of human SHH-MBs. We demonstrate that CRL3REN induces polyubiquitylation and degradation of wild type SALL4, but not of a SALL4 mutant lacking zinc finger cluster 1 domain (ΔZFC1). Interestingly, SALL4 binds GLI1 and cooperates with HDAC1 to potentiate GLI1 deacetylation and transcriptional activity. Notably, inhibition of SALL4 suppresses SHH-MB growth both in murine and patient-derived xenograft models. Our findings identify SALL4 as a CRL3REN substrate and a promising therapeutic target in SHH-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Loricchio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Shirin Navacci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Romina Alfonsi
- Centro Nazionale per il Controllo e la Valutazione dei Farmaci, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Bernardi
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR, INSERM U, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa Conenna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cucinotta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giannini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marella Maroder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Olivier Ayrault
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR, INSERM, 91401, Orsay, France
- Université Paris Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR, INSERM U, 91401, Orsay, France
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Girone C, Calati F, Lo Cigno I, Salvi V, Tassinari V, Schioppa T, Borgogna C, Lospinoso Severini L, Hiscott J, Cerboni C, Soriani A, Bosisio D, Gariglio M. The RIG-I agonist M8 triggers cell death and natural killer cell activation in human papillomavirus-associated cancer and potentiates cisplatin cytotoxicity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3097-3110. [PMID: 37356050 PMCID: PMC10412503 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03483-7] [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: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Although the activation of innate immunity to treat a wide variety of cancers is gaining increasing attention, it has been poorly investigated in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignancies. Because these tumors harbor a severely impaired cGAS-STING axis, but they still retain a largely functional RIG-I pathway, another critical mediator of adaptive and innate immune responses, we asked whether RIG-I activation by the 5'ppp-RNA RIG-I agonist M8 would represent a therapeutically viable option to treat HPV+ cancers. Here, we show that M8 transfection of two cervical carcinoma-derived cell lines, CaSki and HeLa, both expressing a functional RIG-I, triggers intrinsic apoptotic cell death, which is significantly reduced in RIG-I KO cells. We also demonstrate that M8 stimulation potentiates cisplatin-mediated cell killing of HPV+ cells in a RIG-I dependent manner. This combination treatment is equally effective in reducing tumor growth in a syngeneic pre-clinical mouse model of HPV16-driven cancer, where enhanced expression of lymphocyte-recruiting chemokines and cytokines correlated with an increased number of activated natural killer (NK) cells in the tumor microenvironment. Consistent with a role of RIG-I signaling in immunogenic cell killing, stimulation of NK cells with conditioned medium from M8-transfected CaSki boosted NK cell proliferation, activation, and migration in a RIG-I-dependent tumor cell-intrinsic manner. Given the highly conserved molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and genomic features of HPV-driven cancers and the remarkably improved prognosis for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer, targeting RIG-I may represent an effective immunotherapeutic strategy in this setting, favoring the development of de-escalating strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Girone
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Calati
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Irene Lo Cigno
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | - Valentina Salvi
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Schioppa
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Borgogna
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy
| | | | - John Hiscott
- Pasteur Institute, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Cerboni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Soriani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Bosisio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marisa Gariglio
- Virology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100, Novara, Italy.
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3
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Lospinoso Severini L, Bufalieri F, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC): Is the Technology Looking at the Treatment of Brain Tumors? Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:854352. [PMID: 35242765 PMCID: PMC8886235 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.854352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-translational modifications, such as ubiquitylation, need to be tightly controlled to guarantee the accurate localization and activity of proteins. Ubiquitylation is a dynamic process primarily responsible for proteasome-mediated degradation of substrate proteins and crucial for both normal homeostasis and disease. Alterations in ubiquitylation lead to the upregulation of oncoproteins and/or downregulation of tumor suppressors, thus concurring in tumorigenesis. PROteolysis-TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) is an innovative strategy that takes advantage by the cell’s own Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS). Each PROTAC molecule is composed by a ligand that recruits the target protein of interest (POI), a ligand specific for an E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme, and a linker that connects these units. Upon binding to the POI, the PROTAC recruits the E3 inducing ubiquitylation-dependent proteasome degradation of the POI. To date, PROTAC technology has entered in clinical trials for several human cancers. Here, we will discuss the advantages and limitations of PROTACs development and safety considerations for their clinical application. Furthermore, we will review the potential of PROTAC strategy as therapeutic option in brain tumor, focusing on glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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4
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Abiusi E, Infante P, Cagnoli C, Lospinoso Severini L, Pane M, Coratti G, Pera MC, D'Amico A, Diano F, Novelli A, Spartano S, Fiori S, Baranello G, Moroni I, Mora M, Pasanisi MB, Pocino K, Le Pera L, D'Amico D, Travaglini L, Ria F, Bruno C, Locatelli D, Bertini ES, Morandi LO, Mercuri E, Di Marcotullio L, Tiziano FD. SMA-miRs (miR-181a-5p, -324-5p, and -451a) are overexpressed in spinal muscular atrophy skeletal muscle and serum samples. eLife 2021; 10:68054. [PMID: 34542403 PMCID: PMC8486378 DOI: 10.7554/elife.68054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by the degeneration of the second motor neuron. The phenotype ranges from very severe to very mild forms. All patients have the homozygous loss of the SMN1 gene and a variable number of SMN2 (generally 2–4 copies), inversely related to the severity. The amazing results of the available treatments have made compelling the need of prognostic biomarkers to predict the progression trajectories of patients. Besides the SMN2 products, few other biomarkers have been evaluated so far, including some miRs. Methods: We performed whole miRNome analysis of muscle samples of patients and controls (14 biopsies and 9 cultures). The levels of muscle differentially expressed miRs were evaluated in serum samples (51 patients and 37 controls) and integrated with SMN2 copies, SMN2 full-length transcript levels in blood and age (SMA-score). Results: Over 100 miRs were differentially expressed in SMA muscle; 3 of them (hsa-miR-181a-5p, -324-5p, -451a; SMA-miRs) were significantly upregulated in the serum of patients. The severity predicted by the SMA-score was related to that of the clinical classification at a correlation coefficient of 0.87 (p<10-5). Conclusions: miRNome analyses suggest the primary involvement of skeletal muscle in SMA pathogenesis. The SMA-miRs are likely actively released in the blood flow; their function and target cells require to be elucidated. The accuracy of the SMA-score needs to be verified in replicative studies: if confirmed, its use could be crucial for the routine prognostic assessment, also in presymptomatic patients. Funding: Telethon Italia (grant #GGP12116).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Abiusi
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center For Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia; Department of Molecular Medicine, Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy, Roma, Italy
| | - Cinzia Cagnoli
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Marika Pane
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Giorgia Coratti
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Pera
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Dept. Neurosciences, Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Federica Diano
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Agnese Novelli
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Serena Spartano
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Stefania Fiori
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Baranello
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Isabella Moroni
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marina Mora
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Barbara Pasanisi
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Krizia Pocino
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Loredana Le Pera
- Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), CNR-Institute of Biomembranes, Bari, Italy.,CNR-Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), Rome, Italy
| | - Davide D'Amico
- Amazentis SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Losanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorena Travaglini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Dept. Neurosciences, Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Ria
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Section of General Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Denise Locatelli
- Clinical and Experimental Epileptology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy, Roma, Italy
| | - Enrico Silvio Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Dept. Neurosciences, Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Lucia Ovidia Morandi
- Neuromuscular Diseases and Neuroimmunology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", Roma, Italy.,Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Danilo Tiziano
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory science and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario IRCCS "A. Gemelli", Rome, Italy
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5
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Caimano M, Lospinoso Severini L, Loricchio E, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. Drug Delivery Systems for Hedgehog Inhibitors in the Treatment of SHH-Medulloblastoma. Front Chem 2021; 9:688108. [PMID: 34164380 PMCID: PMC8215655 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.688108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly aggressive pediatric tumor of the cerebellum. Hyperactivation of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway is observed in about 30% of all MB diagnoses, thereby bringing out its pharmacological blockade as a promising therapeutic strategy for the clinical management of this malignancy. Two main classes of HH inhibitors have been developed: upstream antagonists of Smoothened (SMO) receptor and downstream inhibitors of GLI transcription factors. Unfortunately, the poor pharmacological properties of many of these molecules have limited their investigation in clinical trials for MB. In this minireview, we focus on the drug delivery systems engineered for SMO and GLI inhibitors as a valuable approach to improve their bioavailability and efficiency to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), one of the main challenges in the treatment of MB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Caimano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elena Loricchio
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
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6
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Angrisani A, Di Fiore A, Di Trani CA, Fonte S, Petroni M, Lospinoso Severini L, Bordin F, Belloni L, Ferretti E, Canettieri G, Moretti M, De Smaele E. Specific Protein 1 and p53 Interplay Modulates the Expression of the KCTD-Containing Cullin3 Adaptor Suppressor of Hedgehog 2. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:638508. [PMID: 33898425 PMCID: PMC8060498 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.638508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in normal embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. On the other end, dysregulated Hh signaling triggers a prolonged mitogenic response that may prompt abnormal cell proliferation, favoring tumorigenesis. Indeed, about 30% of medulloblastomas (MBs), the most common malignant childhood cerebellar tumors, exhibit improper activation of the Hh signaling. The oncosuppressor KCASH2 has been described as a suppressor of the Hh signaling pathway, and low KCASH2 expression was observed in Hh-dependent MB tumor. Therefore, the study of the modulation of KCASH2 expression may provide fundamental information for the development of new therapeutic approaches, aimed to restore physiological KCASH2 levels and Hh inhibition. To this end, we have analyzed the TATA-less KCASH2 proximal promoter and identified key transcriptional regulators of this gene: Sp1, a TF frequently overexpressed in tumors, and the tumor suppressor p53. Here, we show that in WT cells, Sp1 binds KCASH2 promoter on several putative binding sites, leading to increase in KCASH2 expression. On the other hand, p53 is involved in negative regulation of KCASH2. In this context, the balance between p53 and Sp1 expression, and the interplay between these two proteins determine whether Sp1 acts as an activator or a repressor of KCASH2 transcription. Indeed, in p53–/– MEF and p53 mutated tumor cells, we hypothesize that Sp1 drives promoter methylation through increased expression of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and reduces KCASH2 transcription, which can be reversed by Sp1 inhibition or use of demethylating agents. We suggest therefore that downregulation of KCASH2 expression in tumors could be mediated by gain of Sp1 activity and epigenetic silencing events in cells where p53 functionality is lost. This work may open new venues for novel therapeutic multidrug approaches in the treatment of Hh-dependent tumors carrying p53 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simone Fonte
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabio Bordin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Belloni
- Department of Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Clinical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico De Smaele
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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7
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Infante P, Malfanti A, Quaglio D, Balducci S, De Martin S, Bufalieri F, Mastrotto F, Basili I, Garofalo M, Lospinoso Severini L, Mori M, Manni I, Moretti M, Nicoletti C, Piaggio G, Caliceti P, Botta B, Ghirga F, Salmaso S, Di Marcotullio L. Glabrescione B delivery by self-assembling micelles efficiently inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models of Hedgehog-dependent medulloblastoma. Cancer Lett 2020; 499:220-231. [PMID: 33249196 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway leads to the development of several tumors, including medulloblastoma (MB), the most common pediatric brain malignancy. Hh inhibitors acting on GLI1, the final effector of Hh signaling, offer a valuable opportunity to overcome the pitfalls of the existing therapies to treat Hh-driven cancers. In this study, the toxicity, delivery, biodistribution, and anticancer efficacy of Glabrescione B (GlaB), a selective GLI1 inhibitor, were investigated in preclinical models of Hh-dependent MB. To overcome its poor water solubility, GlaB was formulated with a self-assembling amphiphilic polymer forming micelles, called mPEG5kDa-cholane. mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB showed high drug loading and stability, low cytotoxicity, and long permanence in the bloodstream. We found that mPEG5kDa-cholane efficiently enhanced the solubility of GlaB, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB possesses favorable pharmacokinetics and negligible toxicity. Remarkably, GlaB encapsulated in mPEG5kDa-cholane micelles was delivered through the blood-brain barrier and drastically inhibited tumor growth in both allograft and orthotopic models of Hh-dependent MB. Our findings reveal that mPEG5kDa-cholane/GlaB is a good candidate for the treatment of Hh-driven tumors and provide relevant implications for the translation of GlaB into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Roma, Italy
| | - Alessio Malfanti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Balducci
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Mastrotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Mariangela Garofalo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Isabella Manni
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Moretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy; Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Roma, Italy
| | - Paolo Caliceti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Roma, Italy.
| | - Stefano Salmaso
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy; Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Molecular Medicine, University La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
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Lospinoso Severini L, Ghirga F, Bufalieri F, Quaglio D, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. The SHH/GLI signaling pathway: a therapeutic target for medulloblastoma. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:1159-1181. [PMID: 32990091 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1823967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medulloblastoma (MB) is a heterogeneous tumor of the cerebellum that is divided into four main subgroups with distinct molecular and clinical features. Sonic Hedgehog MB (SHH-MB) is the most genetically understood and occurs predominantly in childhood. Current therapies consist of aggressive and non-targeted multimodal approaches that are often ineffective and cause long-term complications. These problems intensify the need to develop molecularly targeted therapies to improve outcome and reduce treatment-related morbidities. In this scenario, Hedgehog (HH) signaling, a developmental pathway whose deregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of several malignancies, has emerged as an attractive druggable pathway for SHH-MB therapy. AREAS COVERED This review provides an overview of the advancements in the HH antagonist research field. We place an emphasis on Smoothened (SMO) and glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) inhibitors and immunotherapy approaches that are validated in preclinical SHH-MB models and that have therapeutic potential for MB patients. Literature from Pubmed and data reported on ClinicalTrial.gov up to August 2020 were considered. EXPERT OPINION Extensive-omics analysis has enhanced our knowledge and has transformed the way that MB is studied and managed. The clinical use of SMO antagonists has yet to be determined, however, future GLI inhibitors and multitargeting approaches are promising.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza , 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 , Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life NanoScience@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza , 00161, Rome, Italy.,Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza , 00161, Rome, Italy
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Bufalieri F, Caimano M, Lospinoso Severini L, Basili I, Paglia F, Sampirisi L, Loricchio E, Petroni M, Canettieri G, Santoro A, D’Angelo L, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L. The RNA-Binding Ubiquitin Ligase MEX3A Affects Glioblastoma Tumorigenesis by Inducing Ubiquitylation and Degradation of RIG-I. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020321. [PMID: 32019099 PMCID: PMC7072305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GB) is the most malignant primary brain tumor in humans, with an overall survival of approximatively 15 months. The molecular heterogeneity of GB, as well as its rapid progression, invasiveness and the occurrence of drug-resistant cancer stem cells, limits the efficacy of the current treatments. In order to develop an innovative therapeutic strategy, it is mandatory to identify and characterize new molecular players responsible for the GB malignant phenotype. In this study, the RNA-binding ubiquitin ligase MEX3A was selected from a gene expression analysis performed on publicly available datasets, to assess its biological and still-unknown activity in GB tumorigenesis. We find that MEX3A is strongly up-regulated in GB specimens, and this correlates with very low protein levels of RIG-I, a tumor suppressor involved in differentiation, apoptosis and innate immune response. We demonstrate that MEX3A binds RIG-I and induces its ubiquitylation and proteasome-dependent degradation. Further, the genetic depletion of MEX3A leads to an increase of RIG-I protein levels and results in the suppression of GB cell growth. Our findings unveil a novel molecular mechanism involved in GB tumorigenesis and suggest MEX3A and RIG-I as promising therapeutic targets in GB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bufalieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Miriam Caimano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Ludovica Lospinoso Severini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Irene Basili
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Francesco Paglia
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Luigi Sampirisi
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Elena Loricchio
- Center for Life Nano Science (CLNS@Sapienza), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marialaura Petroni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Santoro
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Luca D’Angelo
- Dipartimento di Neurologia e Psichiatria, Neurochirurgia, Sapienza University, Viale dell’Università 30, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (L.S.); (A.S.); (L.D.)
| | - Paola Infante
- Center for Life Nano Science (CLNS@Sapienza), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.I.); (L.D.M.); Tel.: +39-06-49255132 (P.I.); +39-06-49255657 (L.D.M.); Fax: +39-06-49255660 (L.D.M.)
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.C.); (L.L.S.); (I.B.); (M.P.); (G.C.)
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (P.I.); (L.D.M.); Tel.: +39-06-49255132 (P.I.); +39-06-49255657 (L.D.M.); Fax: +39-06-49255660 (L.D.M.)
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Calcaterra A, Iovine V, Botta B, Quaglio D, D'Acquarica I, Ciogli A, Iazzetti A, Alfonsi R, Lospinoso Severini L, Infante P, Di Marcotullio L, Mori M, Ghirga F. Chemical, computational and functional insights into the chemical stability of the Hedgehog pathway inhibitor GANT61. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2018; 33:349-358. [PMID: 29338454 PMCID: PMC6009951 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2017.1419221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This work aims at elucidating the mechanism and kinetics of hydrolysis of GANT61, the first and most-widely used inhibitor of the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway that targets Glioma-associated oncogene homologue (Gli) proteins, and at confirming the chemical nature of its bioactive form. GANT61 is poorly stable under physiological conditions and rapidly hydrolyses into an aldehyde species (GANT61-A), which is devoid of the biological activity against Hh signalling, and a diamine derivative (GANT61-D), which has shown inhibition of Gli-mediated transcription. Here, we combined chemical synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, analytical studies, molecular modelling and functional cell assays to characterise the GANT61 hydrolysis pathway. Our results show that GANT61-D is the bioactive form of GANT61 in NIH3T3 Shh-Light II cells and SuFu−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and clarify the structural requirements for GANT61-D binding to Gli1. This study paves the way to the design of GANT61 derivatives with improved potency and chemical stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Calcaterra
- a Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Valentina Iovine
- a Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Bruno Botta
- a Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Deborah Quaglio
- a Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Ilaria D'Acquarica
- a Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Alessia Ciogli
- a Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Antonia Iazzetti
- a Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Romina Alfonsi
- b Department of Molecular Medicine , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | | | - Paola Infante
- c Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Rome , Italy
| | - Lucia Di Marcotullio
- b Department of Molecular Medicine , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.,d Pasteur Institute/Cenci Bolognetti Foundation , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- c Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Rome , Italy
| | - Francesca Ghirga
- c Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza , Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Rome , Italy
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