Project description:The transcription factor FOXM1 coordinates the expression of cell cycle-related genes and plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. We have previously shown that FOXM1 acts downstream of 14-3-3ζ signaling, which correlates with a more aggressive tumor phenotype. However, the role that FOXM1 might play in engendering the resistance to endocrine treatments in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) patients when tumor FOXM1 is high, has not been clearly defined. To understand the role of FOXM1 in endocrine resistance and cancer aggressiveness, we analyzed FOXM1 protein expression by IHC in 501 ER-positive breast cancers; this revealed high FOXM1 expression in 20% of the tumors and a significantly reduced survival in these patients (p=0.003, log rank Mantel-Cox). We also mapped genome-wide FOXM1 binding events by chromatin immunoprecipitation, followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq), in hormone-sensitive and resistant breast cancer cells after tamoxifen treatment. FOXM1 binding sites were enriched at the transcription start site of genes involved in cell cycle progression, maintenance of stem cell properties, and invasion and metastasis, all of which are correlated with the worst prognosis in ERα-positive patients treated with tamoxifen. Binding profiles were also integrated with gene expression data from cells before and after FOXM1 knockdown to highlight specific FOXM1 transcriptional networks. By modulating the levels of FOXM1 and newly discovered FOXM1-regulated genes [in breast cancer cells], we demonstrate that increased expression of FOXM1 was associated with an expansion of the cancer stem-like cell population and with increased cell invasiveness and resistance to endocrine treatments. Use of a selective FOXM1 inhibitor proved very effective in restoring endocrine therapy sensitivity and decreasing breast cancer aggressiveness. Collectively, our findings uncover novel roles for FOXM1 and FOXM1-regulated genes in promoting cancer stem-like cell properties and therapy resistance, and highlight the relevance of FOXM1 as a therapeutic target to be considered for reducing invasiveness and enhancing breast cancer response to endocrine treatments. MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells were tranfected with control, and FOXM1 siRNA for 72 hours and treated with 0.1% EtOH (Vehicle) or 1 uM TOT for 24 hours, and cDNA microarray analyses were carried out using Affymetrix [HG-U133A_2] Affymetrix Human Genome U133A 2.0 Array.

Project description:Aims: Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play a crucial role in cardiac remodelling, which is a common cause of heart failure (HF). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition remain largely unknown. Foxm1 is well known in various cardiopulmonary pathologies. However, Foxm1-driven CF activation in the progression of cardiac remodelling to HF remains to be investigated. Methods: Changes in Foxm1 expression were assessed in samples from patients with HF and mice with transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac remodelling. Pharmacologic antagonist FDI-6 was used to explore the effects of Foxm1 inhibition on post-TAC outcomes. Tcf21-Cre and PostnMCM were used to evaluate Foxm1 loss- and gain-of-function in CFs and myofibroblasts, respectively. Cardiac function and remodelling were examined by echocardiography and histological analysis. Foxm1 downstream target genes were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and transcriptomic analysis. Post-translational regulation was evaluated by in vitro chromatin immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination assays. Pharmacological inhibition of Usp10 or knockout of p38γ in vivo verified the signalling pathway by which Foxm1 regulated cardiac remodelling. Results: Foxm1 was upregulated in human HF samples as well as in the mouse cardiac remodelling model. CFs were the primary cell type responsible for Foxm1 upregulation. Foxm1 pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockout in CFs or myofibroblasts significantly attenuated TAC-induced cardiac remodelling and HF. Conversely, conditional overexpression of Foxm1 in CFs or myofibroblasts resulted in more severe pathological cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. Combined RNA-sequencing and MS analysis revealed that Foxm1 promoted Usp10 expression by binding to its promoter. Usp10 interacted with p38γ, resulting in p38γ deubiquitination and thus inﬂuencing the downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of Usp10 or genetic knockout of p38γ ameliorated the exacerbated TAC-induced cardiac remodelling in mice with myofibroblast-specific Foxm1 overexpression. Conclusion: Our findings reveal an essential role of Foxm1 in CF activation during cardiac remodelling. These results suggest that targeting the Foxm1/Usp10/p38γ MAPK axis may represent a new potential therapeutic strategy against pathological cardiac remodelling and HF.

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Identifying the role of FOXM1 in human primary renal tubular epithelials using bulk RNA-seq and Cut&Run to understand its role in acute kidney injury and repair [CUT&RUN]

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