Similar Datasets
Project description:Understanding the mechanisms underlying tumour heterogeneity is key to the development of treatments that can target specific tumour subtypes. We have previously targeted CRE recombinase-dependent conditional deletion of the tumour suppressor genes Brca1, Brca2, p53 (also known as Trp53) and/or Pten to basal or luminal oestrogen receptor-negative (ER-) cells of the mouse mammary epithelium. We demonstrated that both the cell-of-origin and the tumour-initiating genetic lesions cooperate to influence mammary tumour phenotype. Here, we use a CRE-activated HER2 orthologue to specifically target HER2/ERBB2 oncogenic activity to basal or luminal ER- mammary epithelial cells and perform a detailed analysis of the tumours that develop. We find that, in contrast to our previous studies, basal epithelial cells are less sensitive to transformation by the activated NeuKI allele, with mammary epithelial tumour formation largely confined to luminal ER- cells. Histologically, most tumours that developed were classified as either adenocarcinomas of no special type or as metaplastic adenosquamous tumours. The former were typically characterized by amplification of the NeuNT/Erbb2 locus; in contrast, tumours displaying squamous metaplasia were enriched in animals that had been through at least one pregnancy and typically had lower levels of NeuNT/Erbb2 locus amplification but had activated canonical WNT signalling. Squamous changes in these tumours were associated with activation of the epidermal differentiation cluster. Thus, in this model of HER2 breast cancer, cell-of-origin, reproductive history, NeuNT/Erbb2 locus amplification and the activation of specific branches of the WNT signalling pathway all interact to drive inter-tumour heterogeneity.
| S-EPMC8188886 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Understanding the mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity is key to development of treatments that can target specific tumor subtypes. We have previously targeted CRE recombinase-dependent conditional deletion of the tumor suppressor genes Brca1, Brca2, p53 and/or Pten to basal or luminal ER- cells of the mouse mammary epithelium. We demonstrated that both the cell-of-origin and the tumor-initiating genetic lesions co-operate to influence mammary tumor phenotype. Here, we use a CRE-activated HER2 orthologue to specifically target HER2/ERBB2 oncogenic activity to basal or luminal ER- mammary epithelial cells and carry out a detailed analysis of the tumors which develop. We find that in contrast to our previous studies, basal epithelial cells are refractory to transformation by the activated NeuKI allele, with mammary epithelial tumor formation largely confined to luminal ER- cells. Histologically, the majority of tumors that developed were classified as either adenocarcinomas of no special type or metaplastic adenosquamous tumors. Remarkably, the former were more strongly associated with virgin animals and were typically characterised by amplification of the NeuNT/ErbB2 locus and activation of non-canonical WNT signalling. In contrast, tumors characterised by squamous metaplasia were associated with animals that had been through at least one pregnancy and typically had lower levels of NeuNT/ErbB2 locus amplification but had activated canonical WNT signalling. Squamous changes in these tumors were associated with activation of the Epidermal Differentiation Cluster. Thus, in this model of HER2 breast cancer, cell-of-origin, reproductive history, NeuNT/ErbB2 locus amplification, and the activation of specific branches of the WNT signalling pathway all interact to drive inter-tumor heterogeneity.
2020-11-12 | GSE161282 | GEO
Project description:Understanding the mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity is key to development of treatments that can target specific tumor subtypes. We have previously targeted CRE recombinase-dependent conditional deletion of the tumor suppressor genes Brca1, Brca2, p53 and/or Pten to basal or luminal ER- cells of the mouse mammary epithelium. We demonstrated that both the cell-of-origin and the tumor-initiating genetic lesions co-operate to influence mammary tumor phenotype. Here, we use a CRE-activated HER2 orthologue to specifically target HER2/ERBB2 oncogenic activity to basal or luminal ER- mammary epithelial cells and carry out a detailed analysis of the tumors which develop. We find that in contrast to our previous studies, basal epithelial cells are refractory to transformation by the activated NeuKI allele, with mammary epithelial tumor formation largely confined to luminal ER- cells. Histologically, the majority of tumors that developed were classified as either adenocarcinomas of no special type or metaplastic adenosquamous tumors. Remarkably, the former were more strongly associated with virgin animals and were typically characterised by amplification of the NeuNT/ErbB2 locus and activation of non-canonical WNT signalling. In contrast, tumors characterised by squamous metaplasia were associated with animals that had been through at least one pregnancy and typically had lower levels of NeuNT/ErbB2 locus amplification but had activated canonical WNT signalling. Squamous changes in these tumors were associated with activation of the Epidermal Differentiation Cluster. Thus, in this model of HER2 breast cancer, cell-of-origin, reproductive history, NeuNT/ErbB2 locus amplification, and the activation of specific branches of the WNT signalling pathway all interact to drive inter-tumor heterogeneity.
2020-12-01 | GSE162347 | GEO
Project description:Reproductive history determines ErbB2 locus amplification, WNT signalling and tumor phenotype in a murine breast cancer model
| PRJNA681569 | ENA
Project description:Reproductive history determines ErbB2 locus amplification, WNT signalling and tumor phenotype in a murine breast cancer model [exome sequencing]
| PRJNA681573 | ENA
Project description:Reproductive history determines ErbB2 locus amplification, WNT signalling and tumor phenotype in a murine breast cancer model [RNA-seq]
| PRJNA676125 | ENA
Project description:Hypothesis and proof of concept:
Our hypothesis is that increase in cellular iron import proteins (TfR1, DMT1) occur early in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence through mutations in APC and lead to cellular iron loading. As demonstrated in our previous work the effects of this iron loading is to mediate increased Wnt signalling resulting in c-myc induction. This in turn serves to increase the expression of iron import proteins (TfR1, DMT1) and decrease the expression of iron export (ferroportin [FPN]) and storage (ferritin) proteins. Such a hypothesis explains how Wnt signalling controls iron metabolism and ensures that there is adequate cellular iron for ATP generation and cellular proliferation.
Experimental design:
To test such a hypothesis we aim to prospectively collect the following colorectal tissue from patients attending for colonoscopy:
1. Normal colonic mucosa in patients with no colorectal pathology (n = 30)
2. Polyps and matched normal colon (n = 30)
3. Colorectal cancers and matched normal colon (n = 30)
We also intend to collect serum and urine from the following patient groups:
4. Normal colonoscopy (n = 30)
5. Colorectal adenomas (n = 30)
6. Colorectal cancers (n = 30)
Primary outcome(s): Measured at baseline, using the expression of proteins in the tissue and serum to detect the cellular and systemic iron transport proteins. The techniques used will include mass spectrometry, western blotting, real time PCR and immunohistochemistry.
| 2416626 | ecrin-mdr-crc
Project description:Recent discoveries in the non-coding genome have challenged the original central dogma of molecular biology, as non-coding RNAs and related processes have been found to be important in regulating gene expression. MicroRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are among those that have gained attention recently in human diseases, including cancer, with the involvement of many more non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) waiting to be discovered. ncRNAs are a group of ribonucleic acids transcribed from regions of the human genome, which do not become translated into proteins, despite having essential roles in cellular physiology. Deregulation of ncRNA expression and function has been observed in cancer pathogenesis. Recently, the roles of a group of ncRNA known as lncRNA have gained attention in cancer, with increasing reports of their oncogenic involvement. Female reproductive cancers remain a leading cause of death in the female population, accounting for almost a third of all female cancer deaths in 2016. The Wnt signalling pathway is one of the most important oncogenic signalling pathways which is hyperactivated in cancers, including female reproductive cancers. The extension of ncRNA research into their mechanistic roles in human cancers has also led to novel reported roles of ncRNAs in the Wnt pathway and Wnt-mediated oncogenesis. This review aims to provide a critical summary of the respective roles and cellular functions of Wnt-associated lncRNAs in female reproductive cancers and explores the potential of circulating cell-free lncRNAs as diagnostic markers and lncRNAs as therapeutic targets.Linked articlesThis article is part of a themed section on WNT Signalling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.24/issuetoc.
| S-EPMC5727316 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Tumourigenesis within the intestine is potently driven by deregulation of the Wnt pathway, a process epigenetically regulated by the chromatin remodelling factor Brg1. We aimed to investigate this interdependency in an in vivo setting and assess the viability of Brg1 as a potential therapeutic target. Using a range of transgenic approaches, we deleted Brg1 in the context of Wnt-activated murine small intestinal epithelium. Pan-epithelial loss of Brg1 using VillinCreERT2 and AhCreERT transgenes attenuated expression of Wnt target genes, including a subset of stem cell-specific genes and suppressed Wnt-driven tumourigenesis improving animal survival. A similar increase in survival was observed when Wnt activation and Brg1 loss were restricted to the Lgr5 expressing intestinal stem cell population. We propose a mechanism whereby Brg1 function is required for aberrant Wnt signalling and ultimately for the maintenance of the tumour initiating cell compartment, such that loss of Brg1 in an Apc-deficient context suppresses adenoma formation. Our results highlight potential therapeutic value of targeting Brg1 and serve as a proof of concept that targeting the cells of origin of cancer may be of therapeutic relevance.
| S-EPMC4091792 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To determine the key biological events occurring during implant failure and then we use this knowledge to develop new biology-based strategies that improve osseointegration.Wild-type and Axin2(LacZ/LacZ) adult male mice underwent oral implant placement, with and without primary stability. Peri-implant tissues were evaluated using histology, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and TUNEL staining. In addition, mineralization sites, collagenous matrix organization and the expression of bone markers in the peri-implant tissues were assessed.Maxillary implants lacking primary stability show histological evidence of persistent fibrous encapsulation and mobility, which recapitulates the clinical problems of implant failure. Despite histological and molecular evidence of fibrous encapsulation, osteoblasts in the gap interface exhibit robust ALP activity. This mineralization activity is counteracted by osteoclast activity that resorbs any new bony matrix and consequently, the fibrous encapsulation remains. Using a genetic mouse model, we show that implants lacking primary stability undergo osseointegration, provided that Wnt signalling is amplified.In a mouse model of oral implant failure caused by a lack of primary stability, we find evidence of active mineralization. This mineralization, however, is outpaced by robust bone resorption, which culminates in persistent fibrous encapsulation of the implant. Fibrous encapsulation can be prevented and osseointegration assured if Wnt signalling is elevated at the time of implant placement.
| S-EPMC4993043 | biostudies-other