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Nag JK, Hoffman A, Gilon C, Uziely B, Bar-Shavit R. PH-binding motifs as a platform for drug design: Lessons from protease-activated receptors; PARs. Oncoscience 2024; 11:40-42. [PMID: 38699225 PMCID: PMC11065100 DOI: 10.18632/oncoscience.599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rachel Bar-Shavit
- Correspondence to:Rachel Bar-Shavit, Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel email:
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Jiang Y, Lu L. New insight into the agonism of protease-activated receptors as an immunotherapeutic strategy. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105614. [PMID: 38159863 PMCID: PMC10810747 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105614] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The activation and mobilization of immune cells play a crucial role in immunotherapy. Existing therapeutic interventions, such as cytokines administration, aim to enhance immune cell activity. However, these approaches usually result in modest effectiveness and toxic side effects, thereby restricting their clinical application. Protease-activated receptors (PARs), a subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors, actively participate in the immune system by directly activating immune cells. The activation of PARs by proteases or synthetic ligands can modulate immune cell behavior, signaling, and responses to treat immune-related diseases, suggesting the significance of PARs agonism in immunotherapy. However, the agonism of PARs in therapeutical applications remains rarely discussed, since it has been traditionally considered that PARs activation facilitates disease progressions. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the activation, rather than inhibition, of PARs in immune-related physiological responses and diseases. Additionally, we will discuss the emerging immunotherapeutic potential of PARs agonism, providing a new strategic direction for PARs-mediated immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Jiang
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Lei Lu
- School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Nag JK, Grisaru-Granovsky S, Armon S, Rudina T, Appasamy P, Bar-Shavit R. Involvement of Protease-Activated Receptor2 Pleckstrin Homology Binding Domain in Ovarian Cancer: Expression in Fallopian Tubes and Drug Design. Biomedicines 2024; 12:246. [PMID: 38275417 PMCID: PMC10813316 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010246] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Studying primordial events in cancer is pivotal for identifying predictive molecular indicators and for targeted intervention. While the involvement of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in cancer is growing, GPCR-based therapies are yet rare. Here, we demonstrate the overexpression of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), a GPCR member in the fallopian tubes (FTs) of high-risk BRCA carriers as compared to null in healthy tissues of FT. FTs, the origin of ovarian cancer, are known to express genes of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STICs), a precursor lesion of high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). PAR2 expression in FTs may serve as an early prediction sensor for ovarian cancer. We show now that knocking down Par2 inhibits ovarian cancer peritoneal dissemination in vivo, pointing to the central role of PAR2. Previously we identified pleckstrin homology (PH) binding domains within PAR1,2&4 as critical sites for cancer-growth. These motifs associate with PH-signal proteins via launching a discrete signaling network in cancer. Subsequently, we selected a compound from a library of backbone cyclic peptides generated toward the PAR PH binding motif, namely the lead compound, Pc(4-4). Pc(4-4) binds to the PAR PH binding domain and blocks the association of PH-signal proteins, such as Akt or Etk/Bmx with PAR2. It attenuates PAR2 oncogenic activity. The potent inhibitory function of Pc(4-4) is demonstrated via inhibition of ovarian cancer peritoneal spread in mice. While the detection of PAR2 may serve as a predictor for ovarian cancer, the novel Pc(4-4) compound may serve as a powerful medicament in STICs and ovarian cancer. This is the first demonstration of the involvement of PAR PH binding motif signaling in ovarian cancer and Pc(4-4) as a potential therapy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeetendra Kumar Nag
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (J.K.N.); (T.R.); (P.A.)
| | - Sorina Grisaru-Granovsky
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shaare-Zedek Medical Center (SZMC), Hebrew-University, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel; (S.G.-G.); (S.A.)
| | - Shunit Armon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shaare-Zedek Medical Center (SZMC), Hebrew-University, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel; (S.G.-G.); (S.A.)
| | - Tatyana Rudina
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (J.K.N.); (T.R.); (P.A.)
| | - Priyanga Appasamy
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (J.K.N.); (T.R.); (P.A.)
| | - Rachel Bar-Shavit
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (J.K.N.); (T.R.); (P.A.)
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Nag JK, Appasamy P, Sedley S, Malka H, Rudina T, Bar-Shavit R. RNF43 induces the turnover of protease-activated receptor 2 in colon cancer. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22675. [PMID: 36468684 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200858rr] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational modification of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) plays a central role in tissue hemostasis and cancer. The molecular mechanism of post-translational regulation of protease-activated receptors (PARs), a subgroup of GPCRs is yet understudied. Here we show that the cell-surface transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligase ring finger 43 (RNF43) is a negative feedback regulator of PAR2 , impacting PAR2 -induced signaling and colon cancer growth. RNF43 co-associates with PAR2 , promoting its membrane elimination and degradation as shown by reduced cell surface biotinylated PAR2 levels and polyubiquitination. PAR2 degradation is rescued by R-spondin2 in the presence of leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor5 (LGR5). In fact, PAR2 acts jointly with LGR5, as recapitulated by increased β-catenin levels, transcriptional activity, phospho-LRP6, and anchorage-independent colony growth in agar. Animal models of the chemically induced AOM/DSS colon cancer of wt versus Par2/f2rl1 KO mice as also the 'spleen-liver' colon cancer metastasis, allocated a central role for PAR2 in colon cancer growth and development. RNF43 is abundantly expressed in the Par2/f2rl1 KO-treated AOM/DSS colon tissues while its level is very low to nearly null in colon cancer adenocarcinomas of the wt mice. The same result is obtained in the 'spleen-liver' model of spleen-inoculated cells, metastasized to the liver. High RNF43 expression is observed in the liver upon shRNA -Par2 silencing. "Limited-dilution-assay" performed in mice in-vivo, assigned PAR2 as a member of the cancer stem cell niche compartment. Collectively, we elucidate an original regulation of PAR2 oncogene, a member of cancer stem cells, by RNF43 ubiquitin ligase. It impacts β-catenin signaling and colon cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeetendra Kumar Nag
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Priyanga Appasamy
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shoshana Sedley
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hodaya Malka
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tatyana Rudina
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rachel Bar-Shavit
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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Sedley S, Nag JK, Rudina T, Bar-Shavit R. PAR-Induced Harnessing of EZH2 to β-Catenin: Implications for Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8758. [PMID: 35955891 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in a wide array of physiological and disease functions, yet knowledge of their role in colon cancer stem cell maintenance is still lacking. In addition, the molecular mechanisms underlying GPCR-induced post-translational signaling regulation are poorly understood. Here, we find that protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) unexpectedly acts as a potent oncogene, inducing β-catenin stability and transcriptional activity. Both PAR4 and PAR2 are able to drive the association of methyltransferase EZH2 with β-catenin, culminating in β-catenin methylation. This methylation on a lysine residue at the N-terminal portion of β-catenin suppresses the ubiquitination of β-catenin, thereby promoting PAR-induced β-catenin stability and transcriptional activity. Indeed, EZH2 is found to be directly correlated with high PAR4-driven tumors, and is abundantly expressed in large tumors, whereas very little to almost none is expressed in small tumors. A truncated form of β-catenin, ∆N133β-catenin, devoid of lysine, as well as serine/threonine residues, exhibits low levels of β-catenin and a markedly reduced transcriptional activity following PAR4 activation, in contrast to wt β-catenin. Our study demonstrates the importance of β-catenin lysine methylation in terms of its sustained expression and function. Taken together, we reveal that PAR-induced post-transcriptional regulation of β-catenin is centrally involved in colon cancer.
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Nag JK, Malka H, Appasamy P, Sedley S, Bar-Shavit R. GPCR Partners as Cancer Driver Genes: Association with PH-Signal Proteins in a Distinctive Signaling Network. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8985. [PMID: 34445691 PMCID: PMC8396503 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168985] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The essential role of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in tumor growth is recognized, yet a GPCR based drug in cancer is rare. Understanding the molecular path of a tumor driver gene may lead to the design and development of an effective drug. For example, in members of protease-activated receptor (PAR) family (e.g., PAR1 and PAR2), a novel PH-binding motif is allocated as critical for tumor growth. Animal models have indicated the generation of large tumors in the presence of PAR1 or PAR2 oncogenes. These tumors showed effective inhibition when the PH-binding motif was either modified or were inhibited by a specific inhibitor targeted to the PH-binding motif. In the second part of the review we discuss several aspects of some cardinal GPCRs in tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rachel Bar-Shavit
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, POB 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel; (J.K.N.); (H.M.); (P.A.); (S.S.)
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Sébert M, Sola-Tapias N, Mas E, Barreau F, Ferrand A. Protease-Activated Receptors in the Intestine: Focus on Inflammation and Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:717. [PMID: 31708870 PMCID: PMC6821688 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protease-activated receptors (PARs) belong to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Compared to other GPCRs, the specificity of the four PARs is the lack of physiologically soluble ligands able to induce their activation. Indeed, PARs are physiologically activated after proteolytic cleavage of their N-terminal domain by proteases. The resulting N-terminal end becomes a tethered activation ligand that interact with the extracellular loop 2 domain and thus induce PAR signal. PARs expression is ubiquitous and these receptors have been largely described in chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this review, after describing their discovery, structure, mechanisms of activation, we then focus on the roles of PARs in the intestine and the two main diseases affecting the organ, namely inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer.
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Nag JK, Kancharla A, Maoz M, Turm H, Agranovich D, Gupta CL, Uziely B, Bar-Shavit R. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 is a novel coreceptor of protease-activated receptor-2 in the dynamics of cancer-associated β-catenin stabilization. Oncotarget 2018; 8:38650-38667. [PMID: 28418856 PMCID: PMC5503561 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16246] [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: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) plays a central role in cancer; however, the molecular machinery of PAR2-instigated tumors remains to be elucidated. We show that PAR2 is a potent inducer of β-catenin stabilization, a core process in cancer biology, leading to its transcriptional activity. Novel association of low-density lipoprotein-related protein 6 (LRP6), a known coreceptor of Frizzleds (Fz), with PAR2 takes place following PAR2 activation. The association between PAR2 and LRP6 was demonstrated employing co-immunoprecipitation, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), and confocal microscopy analysis. The association was further supported by ZDOCK protein-protein server. PAR2-LRP6 interaction promotes rapid phosphorylation of LRP6, which results in the recruitment of Axin. Confocal microscopy of PAR2-driven mammary gland tumors in vivo, as well as in vitro confirms the association between PAR2 and LRP6. Indeed, shRNA silencing of LRP6 potently inhibits PAR2-induced β-catenin stabilization, demonstrating its critical role in the induced path. We have previously shown a novel link between protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) and β-catenin stabilization, both in a transgenic (tg) mouse model with overexpression of human PAR1 (hPar1) in the mammary glands, and in cancer epithelial cell lines. Unlike in PAR1-Gα13 axis, both Gα12 and Gα13 are equally involved in PAR2-induced β-catenin stabilization. Disheveled (DVL) is translocated to the cell nucleus through the DVL-PDZ domain. Collectively, our data demonstrate a novel PAR2-LRP6-Axin interaction as a key axis of PAR2-induced β-catenin stabilization in cancer. This newly described axis enhances our understanding of cancer biology, and opens new avenues for future development of anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeetendra Kumar Nag
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Arun Kancharla
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Myriam Maoz
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Hagit Turm
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Daniel Agranovich
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Chhedi Lal Gupta
- Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026, India
| | - Beatrice Uziely
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Rachel Bar-Shavit
- Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
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Ebrahimi S, Rahmani F, Behnam-Rassouli R, Hoseinkhani F, Parizadeh MR, Keramati MR, Khazaie M, Avan A, Hassanian SM. Proinflammatory signaling functions of thrombin in cancer. J Cell Physiol 2017; 232:2323-2329. [PMID: 28004386 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin-induced activation of protease-activated receptors (PARs) represents a link between inflammation and cancer. Proinflammatory signaling functions of thrombin are associated with several inflammatory diseases including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and of special interest in this review cancer. Thrombin-induced inflammatory responses up-regulates expression of cytokines, adhesion molecules, angiogenic factors, and matrix-degrading proteases that facilitate tumor cells proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the mechanisms of thrombin-mediated proinflammatory responses in cancer pathology for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safieh Ebrahimi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzad Rahmani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Hoseinkhani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Parizadeh
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Keramati
- Cancer Molecular Pathology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Majid Khazaie
- Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Avan
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Molecular Medicine Group, Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahdi Hassanian
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Microanatomy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bar-Shavit
- a Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem , Israel
| | - S Grisaru-Granovsky
- a Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem , Israel.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hebrew University , Shaare-Zedek, Jerusalem , Israel
| | - B Uziely
- a Sharett Institute of Oncology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center , Jerusalem , Israel
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Bar-Shavit R, Maoz M, Kancharla A, Nag JK, Agranovich D, Grisaru-Granovsky S, Uziely B. G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1320. [PMID: 27529230 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17081320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest signal-conveying receptor family and mediate many physiological processes, their role in tumor biology is underappreciated. Numerous lines of evidence now associate GPCRs and their downstream signaling targets in cancer growth and development. Indeed, GPCRs control many features of tumorigenesis, including immune cell-mediated functions, proliferation, invasion and survival at the secondary site. Technological advances have further substantiated GPCR modifications in human tumors. Among these are point mutations, gene overexpression, GPCR silencing by promoter methylation and the number of gene copies. At this point, it is imperative to elucidate specific signaling pathways of “cancer driver” GPCRs. Emerging data on GPCR biology point to functional selectivity and “biased agonism”; hence, there is a diminishing enthusiasm for the concept of “one drug per GPCR target” and increasing interest in the identification of several drug options. Therefore, determining the appropriate context-dependent conformation of a functional GPCR as well as the contribution of GPCR alterations to cancer development remain significant challenges for the discovery of dominant cancer genes and the development of targeted therapeutics.
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Lin C, von der Thüsen J, Daalhuisen J, ten Brink M, Crestani B, van der Poll T, Borensztajn K, Spek CA. Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 is required for PAR-1 signalling in pulmonary fibrosis. J Cell Mol Med 2015; 19:1346-56. [PMID: 25689283 PMCID: PMC4459848 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [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: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most devastating diffuse fibrosing lung disease of unknown aetiology. Compelling evidence suggests that both protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 and PAR-2 participate in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis is diminished in both PAR-1 and PAR-2 deficient mice. We thus have been suggested that combined inactivation of PAR-1 and PAR-2 would be more effective in blocking pulmonary fibrosis. Human and murine fibroblasts were stimulated with PAR-1 and PAR-2 agonists in the absence or presence of specific PAR-1 or PAR-2 antagonists after which fibrotic markers like collagen and smooth muscle actin were analysed by Western blot. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intranasal instillation of bleomycin into wild-type and PAR-2 deficient mice with or without a specific PAR-1 antagonist (P1pal-12). Fibrosis was assessed by hydroxyproline quantification and (immuno)histochemical analysis. We show that specific PAR-1 and/or PAR-2 activating proteases induce fibroblast migration, differentiation and extracellular matrix production. Interestingly, however, combined activation of PAR-1 and PAR-2 did not show any additive effects on these pro-fibrotic responses. Strikingly, PAR-2 deficiency as well as pharmacological PAR-1 inhibition reduced bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis to a similar extent. PAR-1 inhibition in PAR-2 deficient mice did not further diminish bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Finally, we show that the PAR-1-dependent pro-fibrotic responses are inhibited by the PAR-2 specific antagonist. Targeting PAR-1 and PAR-2 simultaneously is not superior to targeting either receptor alone in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We postulate that the pro-fibrotic effects of PAR-1 require the presence of PAR-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Lin
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan von der Thüsen
- Department of Pathology, Medisch Centrum Haaglanden, Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Daalhuisen
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke ten Brink
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bruno Crestani
- Faculté de Médecine Paris 7 Diderot, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Tom van der Poll
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Keren Borensztajn
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Faculté de Médecine Paris 7 Diderot, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - C Arnold Spek
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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