1
|
Abou Kors T, Hofmann L, Betzler A, Payer K, Bens M, Truong J, von Witzleben A, Thomas J, Kraus JM, Kalaajieh R, Huber D, Ezić J, Benckendorff J, Greve J, Schuler PJ, Ottensmeier CH, Kestler HA, Hoffmann TK, Theodoraki MN, Brunner C, Laban S. INHBA is Enriched in HPV-negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Promotes Cancer Progression. Cancer Res Commun 2024; 4:571-587. [PMID: 38329386 PMCID: PMC10901070 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0258] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) exhibit a better prognosis than those with HPV-negative OPSCC. This study investigated the distinct molecular pathways that delineate HPV-negative from HPV-positive OPSCC to identify biologically relevant therapeutic targets. Bulk mRNA from 23 HPV-negative and 39 HPV-positive OPSCC tumors (n = 62) was sequenced to uncover the transcriptomic profiles. Differential expression followed by gene set enrichment analysis was performed to outline the top enriched biological process in the HPV-negative compared with HPV-positive entity. INHBA, the highest overexpressed gene in the HPV-negative tumor, was knocked down. Functional assays (migration, proliferation, cell death, stemness) were conducted to confirm the target's oncogenic role. Correlation analyses to reveal its impact on the tumor microenvironment were performed. We revealed that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the most enriched process in HPV-negative compared with HPV-positive OPSCC, with INHBA (inhibin beta A subunit) being the top upregulated gene. INHBA knockdown downregulated the expression of EMT transcription factors and attenuated migration, proliferation, stemness, and cell death resistance of OPSCC cells. We uncovered that INHBA associates with a pro-tumor microenvironment by negatively correlating with antitumor CD8+ T and B cells while positively correlating with pro-tumor M1 macrophages. We identified three miRNAs that are putatively involved in repressing INHBA expression. Our results indicate that the upregulation of INHBA is tumor-promoting. We propose INHBA as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of INHBA-enriched tumors in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC to ameliorate prognosis. SIGNIFICANCE Patients with HPV-negative OPSCC have a poorer prognosis due to distinct molecular pathways. This study reveals significant transcriptomic differences between HPV-negative and HPV-positive OPSCC, identifying INHBA as a key upregulated gene in HPV-negative OPSCC's oncogenic pathways. INHBA is crucial in promoting EMT, cell proliferation, and an immunosuppressive tumor environment, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for HPV-negative OPSCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsima Abou Kors
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Linda Hofmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Annika Betzler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kathrina Payer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Bens
- Fritz Lipmann Institute, Leibniz Institute on Aging, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jens Truong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Adrian von Witzleben
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jaya Thomas
- Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Johann M Kraus
- Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Randa Kalaajieh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Diana Huber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jens Greve
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick J Schuler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian H Ottensmeier
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Liverpool Head and Neck Center, University of Liverpool, Faculty of Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Hans A Kestler
- Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marie-Nicole Theodoraki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Betzler AC, Strobel H, Abou Kors T, Ezić J, Lesakova K, Pscheid R, Azoitei N, Sporleder J, Staufenberg AR, Drees R, Weissinger SE, Greve J, Doescher J, Theodoraki MN, Schuler PJ, Laban S, Kibe T, Kishida M, Kishida S, Idel C, Hoffmann TK, Lavitrano M, Grassilli E, Brunner C. BTK Isoforms p80 and p65 Are Expressed in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) and Involved in Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15010310. [PMID: 36612306 PMCID: PMC9818583 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe the expression of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines as well as in primary HNSCC samples. BTK is a kinase initially thought to be expressed exclusively in cells of hematopoietic origin. Apart from the 77 kDa BTK isoform expressed in immune cells, particularly in B cells, we identified the 80 kDa and 65 kDa BTK isoforms in HNSCC, recently described as oncogenic. Importantly, we revealed that both isoforms are products of the same mRNA. By investigating the mechanism regulating oncogenic BTK-p80/p65 expression in HNSSC versus healthy or benign tissues, our data suggests that the epigenetic process of methylation might be responsible for the initiation of BTK-p80/p65 expression in HNSCC. Our findings demonstrate that chemical or genetic abrogation of BTK activity leads to inhibition of tumor progression in terms of proliferation and vascularization in vitro and in vivo. These observations were associated with cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis and autophagy. Together, these data indicate BTK-p80 and BTK-p65 as novel HNSCC-associated oncogenes. Owing to the fact that abundant BTK expression is a characteristic feature of primary and metastatic HNSCC, targeting BTK activity appears as a promising therapeutic option for HNSCC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika C. Betzler
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Hannah Strobel
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Tsima Abou Kors
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Kristina Lesakova
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ronja Pscheid
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ninel Azoitei
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johanna Sporleder
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Robert Drees
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jens Greve
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Doescher
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Patrick J. Schuler
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Toshiro Kibe
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
| | - Michiko Kishida
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
| | - Shosei Kishida
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8580, Japan
| | - Christian Idel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, University of Luebeck, Campus Luebeck, 23538 Luebeck, Germany
| | - Thomas K. Hoffmann
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marialuisa Lavitrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Emanuela Grassilli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-731-500-59714; Fax: +49-731-500-59565
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hofmann L, Abou Kors T, Ezić J, Niesler B, Röth R, Ludwig S, Laban S, Schuler PJ, Hoffmann TK, Brunner C, Medyany V, Theodoraki MN. Comparison of plasma- and saliva-derived exosomal miRNA profiles reveals diagnostic potential in head and neck cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:971596. [PMID: 36072342 PMCID: PMC9441766 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.971596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) lack tumor-specific biomarkers. Exosomes from HNSCC patients carry immunomodulatory molecules, and correlate with clinical parameters. We compared miRNA profiles of plasma- and saliva-derived exosomes to reveal liquid biomarker candidates for HNSCC. Methods: Exosomes were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation from corresponding plasma and saliva samples from 11 HNSCC patients and five healthy donors (HD). Exosomal miRNA profiles, as determined by nCounter® SPRINT technology, were analyzed regarding their diagnostic and prognostic potential, correlated to clinical data and integrated into network analysis. Results: 119 miRNAs overlapped between plasma- and saliva-derived exosomes of HNSCC patients, from which 29 tumor-exclusive miRNAs, associated with TP53, TGFB1, PRDM1, FOX O 1 and CDH1 signaling, were selected. By intra-correlation of tumor-exclusive miRNAs from plasma and saliva, top 10 miRNA candidates with the strongest correlation emerged as diagnostic panels to discriminate cancer and healthy as well as potentially prognostic panels for disease-free survival (DFS). Further, exosomal miRNAs were differentially represented in human papillomavirus (HPV) positive and negative as well as low and high stage disease. Conclusion: A plasma- and a saliva-derived panel of tumor-exclusive exosomal miRNAs hold great potential as liquid biopsy for discrimination between cancer and healthy as well as HPV status and disease stage. Exosomal miRNAs from both biofluids represent a promising tool for future biomarker studies, emphasizing the possibility to substitute plasma by less-invasive saliva collection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Hofmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tsima Abou Kors
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Beate Niesler
- nCounter Core Facility, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralph Röth
- nCounter Core Facility, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sonja Ludwig
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick J. Schuler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas K. Hoffmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Valentin Medyany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marie-Nicole Theodoraki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Marie-Nicole Theodoraki,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Betzler AC, Ezić J, Abou Kors T, Hoffmann TK, Wirth T, Brunner C. T Cell Specific BOB.1/OBF.1 Expression Promotes Germinal Center Response and T Helper Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:889564. [PMID: 35603192 PMCID: PMC9114770 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.889564] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional co-activator BOB.1/OBF.1 is expressed in both B and T cells. The main characteristic of conventional BOB.1/OBF.1 deficient mice is the complete absence of germinal centers (GCs). This defect was mainly attributed to the defective B cell compartment. However, it is unknown whether and how BOB.1/OBF.1 expression in T cells contributes to the GC reaction. To finally clarify this question, we studied the in vivo function of BOB.1/OBF.1 in CD4+ T and follicular T helper (TFH) cell subpopulations by conditional mutagenesis, in the presence of immunocompetent B lymphocytes. BOB.1/OBF.1 deletion in CD4+ T as well as TFH cells resulted in impaired GC formation demonstrating that the impaired GC reaction described for conventional BOB.1/OBF.1-deficient mice cannot exclusively be traced back to the B cell compartment. Furthermore, we show a requirement of BOB.1/OBF.1 for T helper (TH) cell subsets, particularly for TFH cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika C Betzler
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tsima Abou Kors
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas Wirth
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|