Conversion of Sox2-Dependent Merkel Cell Carcinoma to a Differentiated Neuron-like Phenotype by T Antigen Inhibition
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE136867 | GEO | 2019/09/05
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Merkel cells are epidermal mechanoreceptor cells responsible for the perception of gentle touch. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive skin cancer. Although MCC histologically resembles Merkel cells, the cell of origin for MCC is unknown. MCC frequently contains integrated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a small DNA tumor virus with widespread prevalence. Whether MCPyV can transform Merkel cells is unknown. Here, we describe the isolation and long-term expansion of human Merkel cells from neonatal foreskin. We validated the expression of several Merkel cell-related factors by RNASeq, and assessed the ultrastructure by electron microscopy. Culture of Merkel cell preparations on an artificial basement membrane promoted the formation of structures containing both Merkel and non-Merkel cell populations. To determine whether Merkel cells were susceptible to transformation, we expressed tumor-derived MCPyV T antigens and additional oncogenes. We were unable to demonstrate tumorigenesis in immunodeficient mice, but were able to detect T antigen expression from excised cells weeks after implantation. These results highlight that foreskin-isolated Merkel cells can be propagated extensively, sustain expression of MCPyV T antigens, but are not susceptible to transformation by MCPyV, suggesting that Merkel cells from non-glabrous skin may not be a cell of origin for MCC.
2017-04-01 | GSE79657 | GEO
Project description:MicroRNAs have been implicated in various skin cancers, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma; however, the expression of microRNAs and their role in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) have yet to be explored in depth. To identify microRNAs specific to MCC (MCC-miRs), next-generation sequencing (NGS) of small RNA libraries was performed on different tissue samples including MCCs, other cutaneous tumors, and normal skin. Comparison of the profiles identified several microRNAs upregulated and downregulated in MCC. For validation, their expression was measured via qRT-PCR in a larger group of MCC and in a comparison group of non-MCC cutaneous tumors and normal skin. Eight microRNAs were upregulated in MCC: miR-502-3p, miR-9, miR-7, miR-340, miR-182, miR-190b, miR-873, and miR-183. Three microRNAs were downregulated: miR-3170, miR-125b, and miR-374c. Many of these MCC-miRs, with the miR-183/182/96a cistron in particular, have connections to tumorigenic pathways implicated in MCC pathogenesis. In situ hybridization confirmed that the highly expressed MCC-miR, miR-182, is localized within tumor cells. Furthermore, NGS and qRT-PCR reveals that several of these MCC-miRs are highly expressed in the patient-derived MCC cell line, MS-1. These data indicate that we have identified a set of MCC-miRs with high implications for MCC research. To identify microRNAs specific to Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) next-generation sequencing (NGS) of small RNA libraries was performed on different tissue samples including MCCs, other cutaneous tumors, and normal skin
2014-03-20 | E-GEOD-53600 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor with high mortality rates. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), identified in the majority of MCC, may drive tumorigenesis via viral T antigens. However, mechanisms underlying pathogenesis in MCPyV-negative MCC remain poorly understood. To nominate genes contributing to pathogenesis of MCPyV-negative MCC, we performed DNA microarray analysis on 30 MCCs. MCPyV status of MCCs was determined by PCR for viral DNA and RNA. 1593 probe-sets were differentially expressed between MCPyV-negative and -positive MCC, with significant differential expression defined as at least 2-fold change in either direction and p-value of ≤ 0.05. MCPyV-negative tumors showed decreased RB1 expression, whereas MCPyV-positive tumors were enriched for immune response genes. Validation studies included immunohistochemistry demonstration of decreased RB protein expression in MCPyV-negative tumors and increased peritumoral CD8+ T lymphocytes surrounding MCPyV-positive tumors. In conclusion, our data suggest that loss of RB1 expression may play an important role in tumorigenesis of MCPyV-negative MCC. Functional and clinical validation studies are needed to determine whether this tumor suppressor pathway represents an avenue for targeted therapy. We used microarrays to characterize global gene expression patterns related to Merkel cell polyomavirus status in Merkel cell carcinoma. Furthermore, we compared Merkel cell carcinoma to less aggressive primary cutaneous carcinomas. We utilized flash-frozen tumor tissue from primary Merkel cell carcinomas, metastatic Merkel cell carcinomas, primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, and basal cell carcinomas. Merkel cell carcinoma cell lines, which represent a pure population of tumor cells, were also included. Merkel cell polyomavirus status was determined at the DNA and RNA level using multiple primers for viral T-antigen and capsid protein sequences. This Series represents two analyses - one with new Samples normalized together, and another with some of the new Samples re-normalized with Samples previously submitted under Series GSE13355. The latter group contain 'renormalized' in the titles.
2012-10-18 | E-GEOD-39612 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:We performed miRNA expression profiling in a series of human Merkel Cell carcinoma samples using a microarray approach. Significant differentially expressed miRNAs among groups were identified using SAM analysis. Agilent microarray platform containing 723 human miRNAs was used to determine miRNA expression profiles in 16 human Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) samples. To validate the microarray platform, the expression levels of selected miRNAs were evaluated using qRT-PCR.
2013-12-31 | E-GEOD-43699 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive, neuroendocrine skin cancer that lacks actionable mutations, which could be utilized for targeted therapies. Epigenetic regulators governing cell identity may represent unexplored therapeutic entry points. Here, we targeted epigenetic regulators in a pharmacological screen and discovered that the lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (LSD1/KDM1A) is required for MCC growth in vitro and in vivo. We show that LSD1 inhibition in MCC disrupts the LSD1-CoREST complex leading to displacement and degradation of HMG20B (BRAF35), a poorly characterized complex member that is essential for MCC proliferation. Inhibition of LSD1 causes derepression of transcriptional master regulators of the neuronal lineage, activates a gene expression signature resembling normal Merkel cells, and induces cell cycle arrest and cell death. Our study unveils the importance of LSD1 for proliferation and maintaining cell identity in MCC. There is growing evidence that cancer cells exploit cellular plasticity and dedifferentiation programs to evade destruction by the immune system. The combination of LSD1 inhibitors with checkpoint inhibitors may thus represent a promising treatment strategy for MCC patients.
2020-11-03 | PXD020590 | Pride
Project description:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a polyomavirus-associated skin cancer that is frequently lethal and lacks established prognostic biomarkers. The purpose of this study was to use gene expression analysis to identify biomarkers that may improve prognostic accuracy and provide insight into MCC biology. We profiled 35 tumors from 34 patients. Tumors were macrodissected from surrounding stroma. RNA isolation was performed with RNeasy or Allprep Mini kits (Qiagen, Alameda, CA), and RNA quality assessed by Agilent Bioanalyzer analysis. RNAs were profiled on the Human Rosetta Custom Affymetrix 2.0 chip.
2010-12-15 | E-GEOD-22396 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a polyomavirus-associated skin cancer that is frequently lethal and lacks established prognostic biomarkers. The purpose of this study was to use gene expression analysis to identify biomarkers that may improve prognostic accuracy and provide insight into MCC biology.
2010-12-15 | GSE22396 | GEO
Project description:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive, neuroendocrine skin cancer that lacks actionable mutations, which could be utilized for targeted therapies. Epigenetic regulators governing cell identity may represent unexplored therapeutic entry points. Here, we targeted epigenetic regulators in a pharmacological screen and discovered that the lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (LSD1/KDM1A) is required for MCC growth in vitro and in vivo. We show that LSD1 inhibition in MCC disrupts the LSD1-CoREST complex leading to displacement and degradation of HMG20B (BRAF35), a poorly characterized complex member that is essential for MCC proliferation. Inhibition of LSD1 causes derepression of transcriptional master regulators of the neuronal lineage, activates a gene expression signature resembling normal Merkel cells, and induces cell cycle arrest and cell death. Our study unveils the importance of LSD1 for proliferation and maintaining cell identity in MCC. There is growing evidence that cancer cells exploit cellular plasticity and dedifferentiation programs to evade destruction by the immune system. The combination of LSD1 inhibitors with checkpoint inhibitors may thus represent a promising treatment strategy for MCC patients.
2020-09-04 | GSE148102 | GEO
Project description:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor with high mortality rates. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), identified in the majority of MCC, may drive tumorigenesis via viral T antigens. However, mechanisms underlying pathogenesis in MCPyV-negative MCC remain poorly understood. To nominate genes contributing to pathogenesis of MCPyV-negative MCC, we performed DNA microarray analysis on 30 MCCs. MCPyV status of MCCs was determined by PCR for viral DNA and RNA. 1593 probe-sets were differentially expressed between MCPyV-negative and -positive MCC, with significant differential expression defined as at least 2-fold change in either direction and p-value of ≤ 0.05. MCPyV-negative tumors showed decreased RB1 expression, whereas MCPyV-positive tumors were enriched for immune response genes. Validation studies included immunohistochemistry demonstration of decreased RB protein expression in MCPyV-negative tumors and increased peritumoral CD8+ T lymphocytes surrounding MCPyV-positive tumors. In conclusion, our data suggest that loss of RB1 expression may play an important role in tumorigenesis of MCPyV-negative MCC. Functional and clinical validation studies are needed to determine whether this tumor suppressor pathway represents an avenue for targeted therapy. We used microarrays to characterize global gene expression patterns related to Merkel cell polyomavirus status in Merkel cell carcinoma. Furthermore, we compared Merkel cell carcinoma to less aggressive primary cutaneous carcinomas.
2012-10-18 | GSE39612 | GEO
Project description:Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine tumor of the skin with growing incidence. In research immortalized cell lines are used for in vitro experiments in order to better understand the biology of this malignant disease.
2020-01-09 | PXD008181 | Pride