Project description:The goal of this study was to elucidate the genomic occupancy of YAP in repsonse to transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) 1 in primary human dermal fibroblasts, through ChIP sequencing.
Project description:Through a small scale metabolic-modulator screening, we have identified dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a FDA approved drug for multiple sclerosis, which suppresses neuroblastoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, DMF suppresses neuroblastoma cell growth through inducing ROS and subsequently suppressing MYCN expression.
Project description:Primary human and mouse T cells were treated with the multiple sclerosis drug dimethyl fumarate (DMF) or its in vivo metabolite monomethyl fumarate (MMF). Cysteines sensitive to DMF or MMF were identified using iodoacetamide alkyne enrichment.
Project description:Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an immunomodulatory drug approved for the therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS). The identification of response biomarkers to DMF is a necessity in the clinical practice. With this aim, we studied the transcriptomic changes produced by DMF in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its association with clinical response. DMF induced a mild transcriptional effect, with only 328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after 12 months of treatment. The overall effect was a downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes, chemokines, and activators of the NF-kB pathway. At baseline, no DEGs were found between responders and non-responders. During DMF treatment a differential transcriptomic response was observed, with responders presenting a higher number of DEGs (902 genes) compared to non-responders (189 genes). Responder patients to DMF exhibit a distinguishable transcriptomic response compared to non-responders that should be further studied for the validation of biomarkers of treatment response to DMF.
Project description:We propose a strategy to boost the therapeutic efficacy of Oncolytic therapy by combining it with fumaric acid ester such as Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) The mechanism of action was examined by microarray analysis using the Affymetrix Human PrimeView Array.
Project description:Delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is approved in the United States, European Union, Canada, and Australia for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. DMF is also a component in a defined-mixture product with three salts of monoethyl fumarate (MEF) that is approved in Germany for the treatment of psoriasis. Characterizing common or distinct pharmacodynamic properties of DMF and MEF would provide insights into the mechanisms of action of delayed-release DMF versus fixed combination products containing DMF and MEF salts. In this study we evaluated the pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics of DMF and MEF in central nervous system and peripheral tissues of naïve mice following a single dose or 10 daily doses of DMF, MEF, or a combination of the two. DMF and MEF exhibited similar pharmacokinetic profiles, but differences were noted in biodistribution: monomethyl fumarate (MMF, the primary metabolite of DMF) exhibited a higher degree of brain penetration, whereas MEF was preferentially partitioned into kidney. Both common and distinct pharmacodynamic responses were observed in all assessed tissues for DMF and MEF alone or in combination. These findings indicate that all fumaric acid esters cannot be considered equivalent, and combinations of compounds may exert effects not observed when agents are used individually.
Project description:Delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is approved in the United States, European Union, Canada, and Australia for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. DMF is also a component in a defined-mixture product with three salts of monoethyl fumarate (MEF) that is approved in Germany for the treatment of psoriasis. Characterizing common or distinct pharmacodynamic properties of DMF and MEF would provide insights into the mechanisms of action of delayed-release DMF versus fixed combination products containing DMF and MEF salts. In this study we evaluated the pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics of DMF and MEF in central nervous system and peripheral tissues of naïve mice following a single dose or 10 daily doses of DMF, MEF, or a combination of the two. DMF and MEF exhibited similar pharmacokinetic profiles, but differences were noted in biodistribution: monomethyl fumarate (MMF, the primary metabolite of DMF) exhibited a higher degree of brain penetration, whereas MEF was preferentially partitioned into kidney. Both common and distinct pharmacodynamic responses were observed in all assessed tissues for DMF and MEF alone or in combination. These findings indicate that all fumaric acid esters cannot be considered equivalent, and combinations of compounds may exert effects not observed when agents are used individually.
Project description:The molecular basis for heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) populations remains to be established. We report that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) signaling are strong opposite modulators of key CAF effector genes. While FGF activation in normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) induces a number of mitogenic growth factors and metalloproteases, it suppresses expression of pro-fibrotic and cancer-associated extracellular matrix proteins, with TGFB exerting reverse effects. Genetic abrogation or pharmacological inhibition of either pathway results in induction of CAF effector genes responsive to the other, with the ETV1 transcription factor mediating FGF effects and suppressing those of TGFB. This duality of FGF- and TGFB- signaling is reflected in the distinct gene expression profiles of HDFs derived from a large cohort of individuals, multiple Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)-derived CAF strains and stromal fibroblasts underlying premalignant (Actinic Keratoses) and desmoplastic versus non-desmoplastic skin SCC lesions. Functionally, an altered balance between FGF or TGFB signaling, by genetic suppression of either, is sufficient to confer upon HDFs growth enhancing properties on neighboring SCC cells, in vitro and in vivo, in an orthotopic skin cancer model. Thus, activation of heterogeneous CAF populations by deregulation of distinct signaling pathways converges on cancer development with implications of translational significance.
Project description:The molecular basis for heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) populations remains to be established. We report that fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) signaling are strong opposite modulators of key CAF effector genes. While FGF activation in normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) induces a number of mitogenic growth factors and metalloproteases, it suppresses expression of pro-fibrotic and cancer-associated extracellular matrix proteins, with TGFB exerting reverse effects. Genetic abrogation or pharmacological inhibition of either pathway results in induction of CAF effector genes responsive to the other, with the ETV1 transcription factor mediating FGF effects and suppressing those of TGFB. This duality of FGF- and TGFB- signaling is reflected in the distinct gene expression profiles of HDFs derived from a large cohort of individuals, multiple Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)-derived CAF strains and stromal fibroblasts underlying premalignant (Actinic Keratoses) and desmoplastic versus non-desmoplastic skin SCC lesions. Functionally, an altered balance between FGF or TGFB signaling, by genetic suppression of either, is sufficient to confer upon HDFs growth enhancing properties on neighboring SCC cells, in vitro and in vivo, in an orthotopic skin cancer model. Thus, activation of heterogeneous CAF populations by deregulation of distinct signaling pathways converges on cancer development with implications of translational significance.