Project description:Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, is the only approved agent for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its benefits is modest, also because its mechanism of action remains elusive, therefore, a better understanding of its molecular action and molecular targets are needed. On the basis of our previous studies, here, we investigated the role of the nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) in HCC and its role in the context of sorafenib treatment. NUPR1 is a stress-inducible protein over-expressed in different malignancies, however, its role in HCC is not yet fully understood. We found that NUPR1, is over-expressed in 53% of primary human HCC samples. Knockdown of NUPR1 significantly increased cell sensitivity to sorafenib and inhibits cell growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. Moreover, NUPR1 silencing influenced expression of target genes RelB and IER3. Unsurprisingly, RelB and IER3 knockdown also inhibited HCC cells viability, growth and migration. By gene expression profiling of HCC cells following stable NUPR1 knockdown, we found that genes functionally involved in cell death and survival, cellular response to therapies, lipid metabolism, cell growth and proliferation, molecular transport and cellular movement were mostly suppressed. Network analysis of dynamic gene expression identified NF-κB and ERK as down-regulated gene nodes, and several genes known to be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis were also suppressed. In addition, we identified Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) gene as a NUPR1 down-regulated gene. We also demonstrated that RUNX2 gene silencing inhibited HCC cells viability, growth, migration and increased cell sensitivity to sorafenib. Conclusion: We propose that NUPR1/RELB/IER3/RUNX2 pathway play pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The identification of NUPR1/RELB/IER3/RUNX2 pathway as a potential therapeutic target may contribute to the development of new treatment strategies for HCC management. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of NUPR1 gene action in ovarian HCC cells, we employed the Agilent Whole Human Genome microarrays, containing ~ 44,000 genes to identify global gene expression changes upon NUPR1 suppression in HCC cells. We compared the gene expression of the previously selected shRNA-mediated NURP1-knockdown Hep3B clone against the corresponding control (ctrl) clone. The microarray experiments were performed in duplicates, as two hybridizations were carried out for the NUPR1-suppressing cell clone against the corresponding control, using a fluorescent dye reversal (dye-swap) technique.
Project description:Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor, is the only approved agent for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its benefits is modest, also because its mechanism of action remains elusive, therefore, a better understanding of its molecular action and molecular targets are needed. On the basis of our previous studies, here, we investigated the role of the nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) in HCC and its role in the context of sorafenib treatment. NUPR1 is a stress-inducible protein over-expressed in different malignancies, however, its role in HCC is not yet fully understood. We found that NUPR1, is over-expressed in 53% of primary human HCC samples. Knockdown of NUPR1 significantly increased cell sensitivity to sorafenib and inhibits cell growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo. Moreover, NUPR1 silencing influenced expression of target genes RelB and IER3. Unsurprisingly, RelB and IER3 knockdown also inhibited HCC cells viability, growth and migration. By gene expression profiling of HCC cells following stable NUPR1 knockdown, we found that genes functionally involved in cell death and survival, cellular response to therapies, lipid metabolism, cell growth and proliferation, molecular transport and cellular movement were mostly suppressed. Network analysis of dynamic gene expression identified NF-κB and ERK as down-regulated gene nodes, and several genes known to be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis were also suppressed. In addition, we identified Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) gene as a NUPR1 down-regulated gene. We also demonstrated that RUNX2 gene silencing inhibited HCC cells viability, growth, migration and increased cell sensitivity to sorafenib. Conclusion: We propose that NUPR1/RELB/IER3/RUNX2 pathway play pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The identification of NUPR1/RELB/IER3/RUNX2 pathway as a potential therapeutic target may contribute to the development of new treatment strategies for HCC management.
Project description:Many cancer cells require more glycolytic adenosine triphosphate production due to a mitochondrial respiratory defect. However, the roles of mitochondrial defects in cancer development and progression remain unclear. To address the role of transcriptomic regulation by mitochondrial defects in liver cancer cells, we performed gene expression profiling for three different cell models of mitochondrial defects: cells with chemical respiratory inhibition (rotenone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone, antimycin A, and oligomycin), cells with mitochondrial DNA depletion (Rho0), and liver cancer cells harboring mitochondrial defects (SNU354 and SNU423). By comparing gene expression in the three models, we identified 10 common mitochondrial defect–related genes that may be responsible for retrograde signaling from cancer cell mitochondria to the intracellular transcriptome. The concomitant expression of the 10 common mitochondrial defect genes is significantly associated with poor prognostic outcomes in liver cancers, suggesting their functional and clinical relevance. Among the common mitochondrial defect genes, we found that nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) is one of the key transcription regulators. Knockdown of NUPR1 suppressed liver cancer cell invasion, which was mediated in a Ca2+ signaling–dependent manner. In addition, by performing an NUPR1-centric network analysis and promoter binding assay, granulin was identified as a key downstream effector of NUPR1. We also report association of the NUPR1–granulin pathway with mitochondrial defect–derived glycolytic activation in human liver cancer. Conclusion: Mitochondrial respiratory defects and subsequent retrograde signaling, particularly the NUPR1–granulin pathway, play pivotal roles in liver cancer progression.
Project description:Many cancer cells require more glycolytic adenosine triphosphate production due to a mitochondrial respiratory defect. However, the roles of mitochondrial defects in cancer development and progression remain unclear. To address the role of transcriptomic regulation by mitochondrial defects in liver cancer cells, we performed gene expression profiling for three different cell models of mitochondrial defects: cells with chemical respiratory inhibition (rotenone, thenoyltrifluoroacetone, antimycin A, and oligomycin), cells with mitochondrial DNA depletion (Rho0), and liver cancer cells harboring mitochondrial defects (SNU354 and SNU423). By comparing gene expression in the three models, we identified 10 common mitochondrial defectâ??related genes that may be responsible for retrograde signaling from cancer cell mitochondria to the intracellular transcriptome. The concomitant expression of the 10 common mitochondrial defect genes is significantly associated with poor prognostic outcomes in liver cancers, suggesting their functional and clinical relevance. Among the common mitochondrial defect genes, we found that nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1) is one of the key transcription regulators. Knockdown of NUPR1 suppressed liver cancer cell invasion, which was mediated in a Ca2+ signalingâ??dependent manner. In addition, by performing an NUPR1-centric network analysis and promoter binding assay, granulin was identified as a key downstream effector of NUPR1. We also report association of the NUPR1â??granulin pathway with mitochondrial defectâ??derived glycolytic activation in human liver cancer. Conclusion: Mitochondrial respiratory defects and subsequent retrograde signaling, particularly the NUPR1â??granulin pathway, play pivotal roles in liver cancer progression. 15 samples
Project description:Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a debilitating, progressive lung disease with few therapeutic options, largely due to a paucity of mechanistic knowledge of disease pathogenesis. Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are known to envelope and invade clusters of LAM-cells, comprising of smooth muscle α-actin and/or HMB-45 positive "smooth muscle-like cells” however the role of LECs in LAM pathogenesis is still unknown. To address this critical knowledge gap, we investigated wether LECs interact with LAM-cells to augment their metastatic behaviour of LAM-cells. We performed in situ spatialomics and identified a core of transcriptomically related cells within the LAM nodules. Pathway analysis highlights wound and pulmonary healing, VEGF signaling, extracellular matrix/actin cytoskeletal regulating and the HOTAIR regulatory pathway enriched in the LAM Core cells. We developed an organoid co-culture model combining primary LAM-cells with LECs and applied this to evaluate invasion, migration, and the impact of Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor. LAM-LEC organoids had significantly higher extracellular matrix invasion, decreased solidity and a greater perimeter, reflecting increased invasion compared to non-LAM control smooth muscle cells. Sorafenib significantly inhibited this invasion in both LAM spheroids and LAM-LEC organoids compared to their respective controls. We identified TGFβ1ι1, a molecular adapter coordinating protein-protein interactions at the focal adhesion complex and known to regulate VEGF, TGFβ and Wnt signalling, as a Sorafenib-regulated kinase in LAM-cells. In conclusion we have developed a novel 3D co-culture LAM model and have demonstrated the effectiveness of Sorafenib to inhibit LAM-cell invasion, identifying new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
Project description:Nupr1 is a chromatin protein which cooperates with KrasG12D to induce PanIN formation in mice, though the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect remain to be fully characterized. In the current study, we find that Nupr1 acts as a gene modifier of the effect of KrasG12D-induced senescence by regulating Dnmt1 expression, changing the genome-wide levels of DNA methylation and activating the growth regulatory FoxO3a-Skp2-p27Kip1-pRb-E2F pathway. Congruently, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytydine, a general inhibitor of DNA methylation, reverses the KrasG12D-induced PanIN development through an effect on oncogene-induced senescence. Therefore, mechanistically this data reveals that epigenetic events modulate the functional outcome of genetic mutations during the progression of pancreatic cancer. The fact that small drug inhibitors of these epigenetic pathways reverse the effects triggered by genetic changes lends significant biomedical relevance to this knowledge for the future design of novel therapies aimed at controlling the progression of pancreatic cancer. The pancreatic gene expression profile of Nupr1 (+/+) Kras-G12D mouse was compared to the Nupr1 (-/-) Kras-G12D mouse.
Project description:The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of malignant hepatocytes is a crucial event in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and recurrence. We aimed to establish a human model of EMT to examine drug efficacy and specificity in HCC progression. Human HCC cell populations were characterized by immunofluorescence analysis, migration and invasion assays, array comparative genomic hybridization, whole-genome expression profiling and promoter methylation. Therapeutic agents clinically used against HCC were examined for efficacy by determination of IC50 values. Liver cancer cell lines showed either an epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype of which latter showed strong migratory and invasive abilities in vitro. The common cellular origin of both cell types indicated that mesenchymal HCC cells have been derived from epithelial hepatocytes through EMT in the HCC patient. Drug exposure of mesenchymal HCC cells showed higher resistance to the targeted therapeutic agents sorafenib and erlotinib as compared to epithelial HCC cells, which were slightly more resistant to cytostatic drugs. Most remarkably, combined treatment with doxorubicin and sorafenib caused increased susceptibility of both HCC cell types resulting in enhanced drug efficacy. Taken together, this novel model of human HCC allows to monitor the differential effect of liver cancer progression on drug efficacy in pre-clinical studies. hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HCC-1.2 and HCC-1.1 cells, referred to as 3p and 3sp cells, respectively, were isolated from one HCC patient as described ( Sagmeister S, Eisenbauer M, Pirker C, et al. New cellular tools reveal complex epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in hepatocarcinogenesis. Br J Cancer 2008;99(1):151-9.). 3p cells of passages 10 to 12 and 3sp cells of passages 7 to 13 are termed 3p early and 3sp early, respectively. 3p cells between passage 71 and 76 and 3sp from passage 72 to 87 were termed 3p late and 3sp late, respectively
Project description:CD24 plays a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis, including in prostate cancer. While CD24 stimulates prostate cancer cell growth by controlling the ARF-NPM interaction and p53 inactivation, the mechanism of CD24-mediated metastasis remains elusive. This study identifies a direct interaction between CD24 and RCC2 with roles in prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration. Immunohistochemical analysis of primary prostate cancer samples showed expression of CD24 in 49% of samples and RCC2 in 82%, with a positive correlation between their protein levels. Their co-expression, particularly the binding of CD24 to the C-terminal domain of RCC2, supports their direct interaction, which may regulate cell motility and adhesion. Functional assays revealed that knockout (KO) of RCC2 in DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cells inhibited cell proliferation but unexpectedly enhanced cell migration and invasion, while CD24 KO reduced proliferation and migration. Notably, dual KOs of CD24 and RCC2 led to a significant decrease in cell proliferation but showed mixed effects on migration, indicating a complex interplay between these proteins. In vivo, RCC2 KO in prostate cancer cells promoted spontaneous lung metastasis without significantly altering primary tumor growth, contrasting with CD24 KO, which reduced tumor growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, RCC2 was shown to ubiquitinate and degrade Vimentin, influencing cytoskeletal dynamics and migratory behavior. Furthermore, CD24 was found to ubiquitinate and degrade RCC2, leading to modulation of the β-catenin signaling pathway. RCC2 KO increased β-catenin activation and decreased the expression of its inhibitors AXIN2 and APC, while CD24 KO led to β-catenin inactivation. This opposing regulation of β-catenin signaling by CD24 and RCC2 underscores their differential roles in prostate cancer cell migration. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer growth and metastasis and identify the CD24-RCC2 axis as a potential therapeutic target for controlling tumor growth and metastasis in prostate cancer.
Project description:Sorafenib leads to a survival benefit in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma but its use is hampered by the occurrence of drug resistance. To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved we developed five resistant human liver cell lines in which we studied morphology, gene expression and invasive potential. The cells changed their appearance, lost E-cadherin and KRT19 and showed high expression of vimentin, indicating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Resistant cells showed reduced adherent growth, became more invasive and lost liver-specific gene expression. Furthermore, following withdrawal of sorafenib, the resistant cells showed rebound growth, a phenomenon also found in patients. This cell model was further used to investigate strategies for restoration of sensitivity to sorafenib. We determined gene expression profiles for 13 samples, grown in 1x106 in 25 cm² tissue flasks. Three flasks contained control samples: HepG2 cells at 20% O2/ 5% CO2/ 75% N2, not exposed to sorafenib. Four flasks contained samples from condition 1: HepG2S1 cells at 20% O2/ 5% CO2/ 75% N2, exposed to sorafenib. Three flasks contained samples from condition 2: HepG2S1 cells at 20% O2/ 5% CO2/ 75% N2, withdrawn from sorafenib. Three flasks contained samples from condition 3: HepG2S1 cells at 2% O2/ 5% CO2/ 93% N2, exposed to sorafenib.
Project description:Sorafenib, a multiple-kinase inhibitor, has been widely used as a first-line anticancer drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the development of drug resistance to sorafenib is frequently observed in clinical applications. Potential non-kinase targets of sorafenib have not been well documented and may provide insights into reversing drug resistance. Herein, we report that sorafenib exerted its anticancer effects by activating metallothionein 1G (MT1G) expression. MT1G served as a novel marker in HCC and correlated well with patient survival. MT1G overexpression suppressed the cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor formation of HCC, and sensitized cells to sorafenib treatment. However, the disruption of MT1G attenuated sorafenib’s anticancer effects. Mechanistically, sorafenib upregulated MT1G expression via hypomethylation of its promoter region by binding and inhibiting DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and increasing its promoter accessibility in HCC cells. The activation of MT1G also inhibited CA9 transcription through the degradation of HIF1a as mediated by KLF4. Our collective data revealed that sorafenib exerted its anticancer effects through epigenetic regulation of the DNMT1/MT1G/KLF4/CA9 axis in HCC, and that the activation of MT1G might constitute a strategy for reversing sorafenib resistance.