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Day ZI, Roberts-Thomson S, Nouri YJ, Dalton NS, Wang SS, Davenport A, Ludlow LE, Hulett MD, Cross RS, Jenkins MR. Defining the extracellular matrix for targeted immunotherapy in adult and pediatric brain cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2025; 9:184. [PMID: 40517137 PMCID: PMC12167366 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-025-00956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2025] [Indexed: 06/16/2025] Open
Abstract
High-grade gliomas (HGGs), including glioblastoma (GBM) and pediatric diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), remain highly fatal despite therapeutic advances. The tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a crucial role in tumor progression, immune exclusion, and drug resistance. We performed a comprehensive proteomic, transcriptomic, and pathological characterization of the ECM in primary adult and pediatric HGGs. Using cell surface proteomics, TCGA transcriptomics, and immunohistochemistry, we identified key ECM components influencing immune infiltration. We integrated these findings into ImmunoTar, a computational model prioritizing immunotherapeutic targets. Our study presents the first in-depth cell surface proteomic landscape of HGG ECM, identifying CSPG4/5, PTPRZ1, SDC1, TGFBR3, PLG, and GPC2 as key targets. We validate ECM-targeted CAR T cell therapy, including Glypican-2 (GPC2), which shows strong efficacy against pediatric DIPG. These findings highlight ECM-focused immunotherapy as a promising strategy to overcome HGGs' immunosuppressive TME, particularly in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe I Day
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Yasmin J Nouri
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nathan S Dalton
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stacie S Wang
- The Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Children's Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander Davenport
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Louise E Ludlow
- Children's Cancer Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark D Hulett
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Ryan S Cross
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Misty R Jenkins
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Li J, Pan H, Wang Y, Chen H, Song Z, Wang Z, Li J. Construction of an Extracellular Matrix-Related Risk Model to Analyze the Correlation Between Glioblastoma and Tumor Immunity. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2025; 2025:2004975. [PMID: 40224547 PMCID: PMC11991793 DOI: 10.1155/bmri/2004975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2025] [Indexed: 04/15/2025]
Abstract
Background: Abnormalities in the extracellular matrix (ECM) have been shown to play a crucial role in promoting the formation, progression, and metastasis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Therefore, our study is aimed at constructing a prognostic model based on ECM-related factors, to predict the prognosis of patients with GBM. Methods: We employed single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to establish the ECM index of GBM. The identification of candidate genes was achieved by differential analysis conducted between ECM index groups, as well as through the utilization of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) and gene enrichment analysis. We conducted functional validation to confirm the significance of five biomarkers that were tested in the U251 cell line. The screening of prognostic genes was conducted using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and univariate Cox analysis. The predictive relevance of the risk score model was assessed by using Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves in both The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) cohorts. In addition, we conducted immunological studies, created and verified a nomogram, and constructed a network involving long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA). Results: We identified 45 candidate genes by overlapping the 59 WGCNA core genes with the 855 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ECM index groups. These candidate genes were significantly enriched in 254 biological processes (BPs), 18 cellular components (CCs), 27 molecular functions (MFs), and 11 KEGG pathways. We identified a prognostic ECM-related five-gene signature using these candidate genes and constructed a risk model. Furthermore, we generated a nomogram model with excellent predictive ability. We also found significant differences between risk groups in six cell types and 29 immune checkpoints. Finally, we constructed a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network consisting of 27 lncRNAs, 73 miRNAs, and 5 model mRNAs. Conclusion: Our study developed a prognostic model based on the ECM-related five-gene signature, which can serve as a valuable reference for the treatment and prophetic prediction of GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Hong Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Haixin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaopeng Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Jinxing Li
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China
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3
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Liu Z, Zhang X, Ben T, Li M, Jin Y, Wang T, Song Y. Focal adhesion in the tumour metastasis: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic targets. Biomark Res 2025; 13:38. [PMID: 40045379 PMCID: PMC11884212 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-025-00745-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2025] [Indexed: 03/09/2025] Open
Abstract
The tumour microenvironment is the "hotbed" of tumour cells, providing abundant extracellular support for growth and metastasis. However, the tumour microenvironment is not static and is constantly remodelled by a variety of cellular components, including tumour cells, through mechanical, biological and chemical means to promote metastasis. Focal adhesion plays an important role in cell-extracellular matrix adhesion. An in-depth exploration of the role of focal adhesion in tumour metastasis, especially their contribution at the biomechanical level, is an important direction of current research. In this review, we first summarize the assembly of focal adhesions and explore their kinetics in tumour cells. Then, we describe in detail the role of focal adhesion in various stages of tumour metastasis, especially its key functions in cell migration, invasion, and matrix remodelling. Finally, we describe the anti-tumour strategies targeting focal adhesion and the current progress in the development of some inhibitors against focal adhesion proteins. In this paper, we summarize for the first time that focal adhesion play a positive feedback role in pro-tumour metastatic matrix remodelling by summarizing the five processes of focal adhesion assembly in a multidimensional way. It is beneficial for researchers to have a deeper understanding of the role of focal adhesion in the biological behaviour of tumour metastasis and the potential of focal adhesion as a therapeutic target, providing new ideas for the prevention and treatment of metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghao Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, P. R. China
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, China
| | - Tianru Ben
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110122, P. R. China
| | - Mo Li
- Department of Breast Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, P. R. China
| | - Yi Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, P. R. China
| | - Tianlu Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, P. R. China.
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, People's Republic of China.
- Faculty of Medicine, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning Province, 116024, P. R. China.
| | - Yingqiu Song
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, P. R. China.
- Department of Radiotherapy, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110042, P. R. China.
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Bromley-Coolidge S, Iruegas D, Appel B. Cspg4 sculpts oligodendrocyte precursor cell morphology. Differentiation 2024; 140:100819. [PMID: 39566199 PMCID: PMC11637897 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2024.100819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2024] [Revised: 11/05/2024] [Accepted: 11/07/2024] [Indexed: 11/22/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides critical biochemical and structural cues that regulate neural development. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), a major ECM component, have been implicated in modulating oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) proliferation, migration, and maturation, but their specific roles in oligodendrocyte lineage cell (OLC) development and myelination in vivo remain poorly understood. Here, we use zebrafish as a model system to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of ECM deposition and CSPG localization during central nervous system (CNS) development, with a focus on their relationship to OLCs. We demonstrate that ECM components, including CSPGs, are dynamically expressed in distinct spatiotemporal patterns coinciding with OLC development and myelination. We found that zebrafish lacking cspg4 function produced normal numbers of OLCs, which appeared to undergo proper differentiation. However, OPC morphology in mutant larvae was aberrant. Nevertheless, the number and length of myelin sheaths produced by mature oligodendrocytes were unaffected. These data indicate that Cspg4 regulates OPC morphogenesis in vivo, supporting the role of the ECM in neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bromley-Coolidge
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80445, USA
| | - Diego Iruegas
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80445, USA
| | - Bruce Appel
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80445, USA.
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5
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Chen X, Habib S, Alexandru M, Chauhan J, Evan T, Troka JM, Rahimi A, Esapa B, Tull TJ, Ng WZ, Fitzpatrick A, Wu Y, Geh JLC, Lloyd-Hughes H, Palhares LCGF, Adams R, Bax HJ, Whittaker S, Jacków-Malinowska J, Karagiannis SN. Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) as an Emerging Target for Immunotherapy to Treat Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3260. [PMID: 39409881 PMCID: PMC11476251 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16193260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitor antibodies, have precipitated significant improvements in clinical outcomes for melanoma. However, approximately half of patients do not benefit from approved treatments. Additionally, apart from Tebentafusp, which is approved for the treatment of uveal melanoma, there is a lack of immunotherapies directly focused on melanoma cells. This is partly due to few available targets, especially those expressed on the cancer cell surface. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a cell surface molecule overexpressed in human melanoma, with restricted distribution and low expression in non-malignant tissues and involved in several cancer-promoting and dissemination pathways. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the expression and functional significance of CSPG4 in health and melanoma, and we outline immunotherapeutic strategies. These include monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, and other strategies such as anti-idiotypic and mimotope vaccines to raise immune responses against CSPG4-expressing melanomas. Several showed promising functions in preclinical models of melanoma, yet few have reached clinical testing, and none are approved for therapeutic use. Obstacles preventing that progress include limited knowledge of CSPG4 function in human cancer and a lack of in vivo models that adequately represent patient immune responses and human melanoma biology. Despite several challenges, immunotherapy directed to CSPG4-expressing melanoma harbors significant potential to transform the treatment landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Chen
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Shabana Habib
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Madalina Alexandru
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Jitesh Chauhan
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Theodore Evan
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Joanna M. Troka
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Avigail Rahimi
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Benjamina Esapa
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Thomas J. Tull
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Wen Zhe Ng
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Amanda Fitzpatrick
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
- Oncology Department, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Innovation Hub, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Yin Wu
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Innovation Hub, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Jenny L. C. Geh
- St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s, King’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guy’s, King’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Hawys Lloyd-Hughes
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Guy’s, King’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Lais C. G. F. Palhares
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Rebecca Adams
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Heather J. Bax
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Sean Whittaker
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Joanna Jacków-Malinowska
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
| | - Sophia N. Karagiannis
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences & KHP Centre for Translational Medicine, King’s College London, London SE1 9RT, UK (J.M.T.); (A.R.); (H.J.B.)
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Innovation Hub, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
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Bromley-Coolidge S, Iruegas D, Appel B. Cspg4 sculpts oligodendrocyte precursor cell morphology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.08.607226. [PMID: 39149260 PMCID: PMC11326215 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.08.607226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides critical biochemical and structural cues that regulate neural development. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs), a major ECM component, have been implicated in modulating oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) proliferation, migration, and maturation, but their specific roles in oligodendrocyte lineage cell (OLC) development and myelination in vivo remain poorly understood. Here, we use zebrafish as a model system to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of ECM deposition and CSPG localization during central nervous system (CNS) development, with a focus on their relationship to OLCs. We demonstrate that ECM components, including CSPGs, are dynamically expressed in distinct spatiotemporal patterns coinciding with OLC development and myelination. We found that zebrafish lacking cspg4 function produced normal numbers of OLCs, which appeared to undergo proper differentiation. However, OPC morphology in mutant larvae was aberrant. Nevertheless, the number and length of myelin sheaths produced by mature oligodendrocytes were unaffected. These data indicate that Cspg4 regulates OPC morphogenesis in vivo, supporting the role of the ECM in neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bromley-Coolidge
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA, 80445
| | - Diego Iruegas
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA, 80445
| | - Bruce Appel
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA, 80445
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7
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Bottero M, Pessina G, Bason C, Vigo T, Uccelli A, Ferrara G. Nerve-Glial antigen 2: unmasking the enigmatic cellular identity in the central nervous system. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1393842. [PMID: 39136008 PMCID: PMC11317297 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1393842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are fundamental components of the extracellular matrix in the central nervous system (CNS). Among these, the Nerve-Glial antigen 2 (NG2) stands out as a transmembrane CSPG exclusively expressed in a different population of cells collectively termed NG2-expressing cells. These enigmatic cells, found throughout the developing and adult CNS, have been indicated with various names, including NG2 progenitor cells, polydendrocytes, synantocytes, NG2 cells, and NG2-Glia, but are more commonly referred to as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Characterized by high proliferation rates and unique morphology, NG2-expressing cells stand apart from neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Intriguingly, some NG2-expressing cells form functional glutamatergic synapses with neurons, challenging the long-held belief that only neurons possess the intricate machinery required for neurotransmission. In the CNS, the complexity surrounding NG2-expressing cells extends to their classification. Additionally, NG2 expression has been documented in pericytes and immune cells, suggesting a role in regulating brain innate immunity and neuro-immune crosstalk in homeostasis. Ongoing debates revolve around their heterogeneity, potential as progenitors for various cell types, responses to neuroinflammation, and the role of NG2. Therefore, this review aims to shed light on the enigma of NG2-expressing cells by delving into their structure, functions, and signaling pathways. We will critically evaluate the literature on NG2 expression across the CNS, and address the contentious issues surrounding their classification and roles in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. By unraveling the intricacies of NG2-expressing cells, we hope to pave the way for a more comprehensive understanding of their contributions to CNS health and during neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Bottero
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giada Pessina
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Vigo
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Uccelli
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
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8
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Nasimi Shad A, Moghbeli M. Integrins as the pivotal regulators of cisplatin response in tumor cells. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:265. [PMID: 38741195 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01648-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin (CDDP) is a widely used first-line chemotherapeutic drug in various cancers. However, CDDP resistance is frequently observed in cancer patients. Therefore, it is required to evaluate the molecular mechanisms associated with CDDP resistance to improve prognosis among cancer patients. Integrins are critical factors involved in tumor metastasis that regulate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. They modulate several cellular mechanisms including proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, polarity, and chemo resistance. Modification of integrin expression levels can be associated with both tumor progression and inhibition. Integrins are also involved in drug resistance of various solid tumors through modulation of the tumor cell interactions with interstitial matrix and extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, in the present review we discussed the role of integrin protein family in regulation of CDDP response in tumor cells. It has been reported that integrins mainly promoted the CDDP resistance through interaction with PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and WNT signaling pathways. They also regulated the CDDP mediated apoptosis in tumor cells. This review paves the way to suggest the integrins as the reliable therapeutic targets to improve CDDP response in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Nasimi Shad
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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KUROKAWA T, IMAI K. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4: An attractive target for antibody-based immunotherapy. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2024; 100:293-308. [PMID: 38735753 PMCID: PMC11260911 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.100.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Multifunctional molecules involved in tumor progression and metastasis have been identified as valuable targets for immunotherapy. Among these, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), a significant tumor cell membrane-bound proteoglycan, has emerged as a promising target, especially in light of advances in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The profound bioactivity of CSPG4 and its role in pivotal processes such as tumor proliferation, migration, and neoangiogenesis underline its therapeutic potential. We reviewed the molecular intricacies of CSPG4, its functional attributes within tumor cells, and the latest clinical-translational advances targeting it. Strategies such as blocking monoclonal antibodies, conjugate therapies, bispecific antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapies, trispecific killer engagers, and ribonucleic acid vaccines against CSPG4 were assessed. CSPG4 overexpression in diverse tumors and its correlation with adverse prognostic outcomes emphasize its significance in cancer biology. These findings suggest that targeting CSPG4 offers a promising avenue for future cancer therapy, with potential synergistic effects when combined with existing treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro KUROKAWA
- Department of Medical Epigenomics Research, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kohzoh IMAI
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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10
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Ahn SY, Bagheri Varzaneh M, Zhao Y, Rozynek J, Ravindran S, Banks J, Chaudhry M, Reed DA. NG2/CSPG4 attenuates motility in mandibular fibrochondrocytes under serum starvation conditions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1240920. [PMID: 38020894 PMCID: PMC10662293 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1240920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The migration of mandibular fibrochondrocytes is important for the development of the mandible, the homeostasis of the mandibular cartilage, and for the capacity of the tissue to respond to injury. Mandibular fibrochondrocytes have to overcome formidable obstacles during migration including a dense and heterogeneous three-dimensional matrix. Guiding the direction of cell migration and commitment to a migratory phenotype in this microenvironment necessitates a multivalent response to chemotactic and extracellular matrix-mediated stimuli. One of the key matrix components in the cartilage of the temporomandibular joint is type VI collagen. Neuron/glial antigen 2 (NG2/CSPG4) is a transmembrane proteoglycan that binds with collagen VI and has been implicated in a wide range of cell behaviors including cell migration, motility, adhesion, and proliferation. While NG2/CSPG4 has been shown to be a key regulator of mandibular cartilage homeostasis, its role in the migration of mandibular fibrochondrocytes during normal and cell stress conditions has yet to be resolved. Here, we address this gap in knowledge by characterizing NG2/CSPG4-dependent migration in mandibular fibrochondrocytes using primary mandibular fibrochondrocytes isolated from control and full length NG2/CSPG4 knockout mice, in primary mandibular fibrochondrocytes isolated from NG2|DsRed reporter mice and in an immortalized mandibular fibrochondrocyte cell line with a mutated NG2/CSPG4 ectodomain. All three cells demonstrate similar results, with loss of the full length or truncated NG2/CSPG4 increasing the rate of cell migration in serum starvation/cell stress conditions. These findings clearly implicate NG2/CSPG4 as a key molecule in the regulation of cell migration in mandibular fibrochondrocytes in normal and cell stress conditions, underscoring the role of NG2/CSPG4 as a mechanosensitive signaling hub in the mandibular cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Young Ahn
- Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mina Bagheri Varzaneh
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jacob Rozynek
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sriram Ravindran
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jonathan Banks
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Minahil Chaudhry
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - David A. Reed
- Department of Oral Biology, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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11
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Luksik AS, Yazigi E, Shah P, Jackson CM. CAR T Cell Therapy in Glioblastoma: Overcoming Challenges Related to Antigen Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051414. [PMID: 36900205 PMCID: PMC10000604 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor, yet prognosis remains dismal with current treatment. Immunotherapeutic strategies have had limited effectiveness to date in GBM, but recent advances hold promise. One such immunotherapeutic advance is chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, where autologous T cells are extracted and engineered to express a specific receptor against a GBM antigen and are then infused back into the patient. There have been numerous preclinical studies showing promising results, and several of these CAR T cell therapies are being tested in clinical trials for GBM and other brain cancers. While results in tumors such as lymphomas and diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas have been encouraging, early results in GBM have not shown clinical benefit. Potential reasons for this are the limited number of specific antigens in GBM, their heterogenous expression, and their loss after initiating antigen-specific therapy due to immunoediting. Here, we review the current preclinical and clinical experiences with CAR T cell therapy in GBM and potential strategies to develop more effective CAR T cells for this indication.
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12
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Integrin αvβ3 Is a Master Regulator of Resistance to TKI-Induced Ferroptosis in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041216. [PMID: 36831558 PMCID: PMC9954089 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-targeting therapies provide clinical benefits for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. However, the resistance to monotherapies invariably develops and leads to disease relapse and treatment failure. Previous studies have demonstrated a link between the potency of HER2-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and their ability to induce an iron-dependent form of cell death called ferroptosis. The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms of resistance to TKI-induced ferroptosis and identify novel approaches to overcome treatment resistance. We used mouse and human HER2-positive models of acquired TKI resistance to demonstrate an intimate link between the resistance to TKIs and to ferroptosis and present the first evidence that the cell adhesion receptor αvβ3 integrin is a critical mediator of resistance to TKI-induced ferroptosis. Our findings indicate that αvβ3 integrin-mediated resistance is associated with the re-wiring of the iron/antioxidant metabolism and persistent activation of AKT signalling. Moreover, using gene manipulation approaches and pharmacological inhibitors, we show that this "αvβ3 integrin addiction" can be targeted to reverse TKI resistance. Collectively, these findings provide critical insights into new therapeutic strategies to improve the treatment of advanced HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
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13
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Owen JS, Clayton A, Pearson HB. Cancer-Associated Fibroblast Heterogeneity, Activation and Function: Implications for Prostate Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 13:67. [PMID: 36671452 PMCID: PMC9856041 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) during prostate tumorigenesis is emerging as a critical event that facilitates cancer growth, progression and drug-resistance. Recent advances have identified extensive communication networks that enable tumor-stroma cross-talk, and emphasized the functional importance of diverse, heterogeneous stromal fibroblast populations during malignant growth. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a vital component of the TME, which mediate key oncogenic events including angiogenesis, immunosuppression, metastatic progression and therapeutic resistance, thus presenting an attractive therapeutic target. Nevertheless, how fibroblast heterogeneity, recruitment, cell-of-origin and differential functions contribute to prostate cancer remains to be fully delineated. Developing our molecular understanding of these processes is fundamental to developing new therapies and biomarkers that can ultimately improve clinical outcomes. In this review, we explore the current challenges surrounding fibroblast identification, discuss new mechanistic insights into fibroblast functions during normal prostate tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis, and illustrate the diverse nature of fibroblast recruitment and CAF generation. We also highlight the promise of CAF-targeted therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine S. Owen
- The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Aled Clayton
- Tissue Microenvironment Group, Division of Cancer & Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Helen B. Pearson
- The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, UK
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14
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Najafi M, Tavakol S, Zarrabi A, Ashrafizadeh M. Dual role of quercetin in enhancing the efficacy of cisplatin in chemotherapy and protection against its side effects: a review. Arch Physiol Biochem 2022; 128:1438-1452. [PMID: 32521182 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2020.1773864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chemotherapy has opened a new window in cancer therapy. However, the resistance of cancer cells has dramatically reduced the efficacy of chemotherapy. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent and its potential in cancer therapy has been restricted by resistance of cancer cells. As a consequence, the scientists have attempted to find new strategies in elevating chemotherapy efficacy. Due to great anti-tumour activity, naturally occurring compounds are of interest in polychemotherapy. Quercetin is a flavonoid with high anti-tumour activity against different cancers that can be used with cisplatin to enhance its efficacy and also are seen to sensitise cancer cells into chemotherapy. Furthermore, cisplatin has side effects such as nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Administration of quercetin is advantageous in reducing the adverse effects of cisplatin without compromising its anti-tumour activity. In this review, we investigate the dual role of quercetin in enhancing anti-tumour activity of cisplatin and simultaneous reduction in its adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Najafi
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Shima Tavakol
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, Turkey
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Chen K, Yong J, Zauner R, Wally V, Whitelock J, Sajinovic M, Kopecki Z, Liang K, Scott KF, Mellick AS. Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 as a Marker for Aggressive Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5564. [PMID: 36428658 PMCID: PMC9688099 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a cell surface proteoglycan that is currently under investigation as a marker of cancer malignancy, and as a potential target of anticancer drug treatment. CSPG4 acts as a driver of tumourigenesis by regulating turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM) to promote tumour cell invasion, migration as well as inflammation and angiogenesis. While CSPG4 has been widely studied in certain malignancies, such as melanoma, evidence is emerging from global gene expression studies, which suggests a role for CSPG4 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While relatively treatable, lack of widely agreed upon diagnostic markers for SCCs is problematic, especially for clinicians managing certain patients, including those who are aged or infirm, as well as those with underlying conditions such as epidermolysis bullosa (EB), for which a delayed diagnosis is likely lethal. In this review, we have discussed the structure of CSPG4, and quantitatively analysed CSPG4 expression in the tissues and pathologies where it has been identified to determine the usefulness of CSPG4 expression as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in management of malignant SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Chen
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Joel Yong
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - Roland Zauner
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology & Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Verena Wally
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology & Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - John Whitelock
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - Mila Sajinovic
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Zlatko Kopecki
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Kang Liang
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
| | - Kieran Francis Scott
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Albert Sleiman Mellick
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Medicine, University of New South Wales, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2033, Australia
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16
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Nota SPFT, Osei-Hwedieh DO, Drum DL, Wang X, Sabbatino F, Ferrone S, Schwab JH. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 expression in chondrosarcoma: A potential target for antibody-based immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:939166. [PMID: 36110930 PMCID: PMC9468862 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.939166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondrosarcoma is a common primary bone malignancy whose phenotype increases with its histologic grade. They are relatively resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy limiting curative options for disseminated disease. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a cell surface proteoglycan that is highly expressed across various human cancers, including chondrosarcoma, and has restricted distribution in healthy tissues, making it an attractive target for the antibody-based therapy. CSPG4 specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies have been shown to be effective in treating other cancers such as melanoma and triple negative breast cancer. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of CSPG4 in human chondrosarcoma and to assess the efficacy of CSPG4 specific CAR T cells in lysing chondrosarcoma cells in vitro. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC), we stained a tissue microarray containing primary conventional and dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma from 76 patients with CSPG4 specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In addition, we incubated 2 chondrosarcoma cell lines with CSPG4-targeting CAR T cells and subsequently evaluated cell survival. Our results showed medium to high expression of CSPG4 in 29 of 41 (71%) conventional chondrosarcoma tumors and in 3 of 20 (15%) dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma tumors. CSPG4 expression showed a positive association with time to metastasis and survival in both subtypes. CSPG4 CAR T treated cell lines showed a lysis of respectively >80% and 70% demonstrating CSPG4-targeted CAR T cells effective in killing CSPG4-positive chondrosarcoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjoerd P. F. T. Nota
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - David O. Osei-Hwedieh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David L. Drum
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xinhui Wang
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francesco Sabbatino
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joseph H. Schwab
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Section of Orthopaedic Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Joseph H. Schwab,
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17
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Zhang H, Wu Z, Hu D, Yan M, Sun J, Lai J, Bai L. Immunotherapeutic Targeting of NG2/CSPG4 in Solid Organ Cancers. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071023. [PMID: 35891187 PMCID: PMC9321363 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuro-glia antigen 2/chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (NG2/CSPG4, also called MCSP, HMW-MAA, MSK16, MCSPG, MEL-CSPG, or gp240) is a large cell-surface antigen and an unusual cell membrane integral glycoprotein frequently expressed on undifferentiated precursor cells in multiple solid organ cancers, including cancers of the liver, pancreas, lungs, and kidneys. It is a valuable molecule involved in cancer cell adhesion, invasion, spreading, angiogenesis, complement inhibition, and signaling. Although the biological significance underlying NG2/CSPG4 proteoglycan involvement in cancer progression needs to be better defined, based on the current evidence, NG2/CSPG4+ cells, such as pericytes (PCs, NG2+/CD146+/PDGFR-β+) and cancer stem cells (CSCs), are closely associated with the liver malignancy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic malignancy, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as well as poor prognoses. Importantly, with a unique method, we successfully purified NG2/CSPG4-expressing cells from human HCC and PDAC vasculature tissue blocks (by core needle biopsy). The cells appeared to be spheres that stably expanded in cultures. As such, these cells have the potential to be used as sources of target antigens. Herein, we provide new information on the possibilities of frequently selecting NG2/CSPG4 as a solid organ cancer biomarker or exploiting expressing cells such as CSCs, or the PG/chondroitin sulfate chain of NG2/CSPG4 on the cell membrane as specific antigens for the development of antibody- and vaccine-based immunotherapeutic approaches to treat these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Institute, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; (H.Z.); (Z.W.); (D.H.); (M.Y.); (J.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- Hepatobiliary Institute, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; (H.Z.); (Z.W.); (D.H.); (M.Y.); (J.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Deyu Hu
- Hepatobiliary Institute, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; (H.Z.); (Z.W.); (D.H.); (M.Y.); (J.S.); (J.L.)
- Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Min Yan
- Hepatobiliary Institute, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; (H.Z.); (Z.W.); (D.H.); (M.Y.); (J.S.); (J.L.)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Hepatobiliary Institute, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; (H.Z.); (Z.W.); (D.H.); (M.Y.); (J.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Jiejuan Lai
- Hepatobiliary Institute, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; (H.Z.); (Z.W.); (D.H.); (M.Y.); (J.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Lianhua Bai
- Hepatobiliary Institute, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China; (H.Z.); (Z.W.); (D.H.); (M.Y.); (J.S.); (J.L.)
- Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030000, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-23-68765709; Fax: +86-2365462170
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18
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Sethi MK, Downs M, Shao C, Hackett WE, Phillips JJ, Zaia J. In-Depth Matrisome and Glycoproteomic Analysis of Human Brain Glioblastoma Versus Control Tissue. Mol Cell Proteomics 2022; 21:100216. [PMID: 35202840 PMCID: PMC8957055 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2022.100216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary brain tumor. The extracellular matrix, also known as the matrisome, helps determine glioma invasion, adhesion, and growth. Little attention, however, has been paid to glycosylation of the extracellular matrix components that constitute the majority of glycosylated protein mass and presumed biological properties. To acquire a comprehensive understanding of the biological functions of the matrisome and its components, including proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), in GBM tumorigenesis, and to identify potential biomarker candidates, we studied the alterations of GAGs, including heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), the core proteins of PGs, and other glycosylated matrisomal proteins in GBM subtypes versus control human brain tissue samples. We scrutinized the proteomics data to acquire in-depth site-specific glycoproteomic profiles of the GBM subtypes that will assist in identifying specific glycosylation changes in GBM. We observed an increase in CS 6-O sulfation and a decrease in HS 6-O sulfation, accompanied by an increase in unsulfated CS and HS disaccharides in GBM versus control samples. Several core matrisome proteins, including PGs (decorin, biglycan, agrin, prolargin, glypican-1, and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4), tenascin, fibronectin, hyaluronan link protein 1 and 2, laminins, and collagens, were differentially regulated in GBM versus controls. Interestingly, a higher degree of collagen hydroxyprolination was also observed for GBM versus controls. Further, two PGs, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 and agrin, were significantly lower, about 6-fold for isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant, compared to the WT GBM samples. Differential regulation of O-glycopeptides for PGs, including brevican, neurocan, and versican, was observed for GBM subtypes versus controls. Moreover, an increase in levels of glycosyltransferase and glycosidase enzymes was observed for GBM when compared to control samples. We also report distinct protein, peptide, and glycopeptide features for GBM subtypes comparisons. Taken together, our study informs understanding of the alterations to key matrisomal molecules that occur during GBM development. (Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD028931, and the peaks project file is available at Zenodo with DOI 10.5281/zenodo.5911810).
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Affiliation(s)
- Manveen K Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret Downs
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chun Shao
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William E Hackett
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanna J Phillips
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Tumor Center, Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA; Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joseph Zaia
- Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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19
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Tarone L, Giacobino D, Camerino M, Ferrone S, Buracco P, Cavallo F, Riccardo F. Canine Melanoma Immunology and Immunotherapy: Relevance of Translational Research. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:803093. [PMID: 35224082 PMCID: PMC8873926 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.803093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In veterinary oncology, canine melanoma is still a fatal disease for which innovative and long-lasting curative treatments are urgently required. Considering the similarities between canine and human melanoma and the clinical revolution that immunotherapy has instigated in the treatment of human melanoma patients, special attention must be paid to advancements in tumor immunology research in the veterinary field. Herein, we aim to discuss the most relevant knowledge on the immune landscape of canine melanoma and the most promising immunotherapeutic approaches under investigation. Particular attention will be dedicated to anti-cancer vaccination, and, especially, to the encouraging clinical results that we have obtained with DNA vaccines directed against chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), which is an appealing tumor-associated antigen with a key oncogenic role in both canine and human melanoma. In parallel with advances in therapeutic options, progress in the identification of easily accessible biomarkers to improve the diagnosis and the prognosis of melanoma should be sought, with circulating small extracellular vesicles emerging as strategically relevant players. Translational advances in melanoma management, whether achieved in the human or veterinary fields, may drive improvements with mutual clinical benefits for both human and canine patients; this is where the strength of comparative oncology lies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Tarone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Davide Giacobino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Paolo Buracco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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20
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Arnesen VS, Gras Navarro A, Chekenya M. Challenges and Prospects for Designer T and NK Cells in Glioblastoma Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4986. [PMID: 34638471 PMCID: PMC8507952 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent, aggressive primary brain tumour with a dismal prognosis. Treatment at diagnosis has limited efficacy and there is no standardised treatment at recurrence. New, personalised treatment options are under investigation, although challenges persist for heterogenous tumours such as GBM. Gene editing technologies are a game changer, enabling design of novel molecular-immunological treatments to be used in combination with chemoradiation, to achieve long lasting survival benefits for patients. Here, we review the literature on how cutting-edge molecular gene editing technologies can be applied to known and emerging tumour-associated antigens to enhance chimeric antigen receptor T and NK cell therapies for GBM. A tight balance of limiting neurotoxicity, avoiding tumour antigen loss and therapy resistance, while simultaneously promoting long-term persistence of the adoptively transferred cells must be maintained to significantly improve patient survival. We discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by the brain contexture to the administration of the treatments and achieving sustained clinical responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Gras Navarro
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies Vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Martha Chekenya
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies Vei 91, 5009 Bergen, Norway
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21
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Demirci H, Kuzucu P, Seymen CM, Gülbahar Ö, Özişik P, Emmez H. The effect of antiepileptic drugs on re-myelinization of axons: Phenytoin, levetiracetam, carbamazepine, and valproic acid, used following traumatic brain injury. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2021; 209:106911. [PMID: 34509750 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Traumatic brain injury is a major health and socioeconomic problem and the first cause of young death worldwide. For this reason, the prevention of post-traumatic brain injury and the research of new methods for it are important today. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the use of antiepileptic drugs contributed to axonal healing after traumatic brain injury. METHODS Thirty-six Long-Evans rats, each weighing 300-350 g, were used in this study. A total of 6 groups, including the sham, control, and 4 study groups, were determined. A 1.5 mm-sized trauma was created in the biparietal area with a blunt-tipped dissector. Carbamazepine phenytoin valproic acid and levetiracetam (phenytoin: 30 mg/kg, valproic acid: 60 mg/kg, levetiracetam: 80 mg/kg, and carbamazepine: 36 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered to the study groups, and the control group intraperitoneally received a physiological saline solution (15 ml/kg) twice daily for 3 days. After 72 h, hemispheres of the sacrificed subjects were taken for examination in biochemistry and histology. Glutathione, malondialdehyde, and NG2 levels in the samples were determined. RESULTS No significant difference was found in biochemical measurements. Histopathological examination revealed that the NG2 expression was more intense in the group treated with phenytoin and levetiracetam (phenytoin was partly higher) and the amount of edema decreased. The NG2 expression increased and the edema decreased, though lower in the group treated with carbamazepine and valproic acid, compared with phenytoin and levetiracetam. An increase in the NG2 expression and edema intensity were determined in the control and sham groups. CONCLUSION Antiepileptic drug selection after traumatic brain injury is an important medical matter. Although the patient-oriented selection is essential, the study suggests that the choice of phenytoin, levetiracetam carbamazepine, and valproic acid will, respectively, have an accelerating effect for axonal healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harun Demirci
- Department of Neurosurgery,Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Pelin Kuzucu
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Health Sciences, Gülhane Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Cemile Merve Seymen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Özlem Gülbahar
- Department of Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Pınar Özişik
- Department of Neurosurgery,Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Hakan Emmez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
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22
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Kmiecik J, Gras Navarro A, Poli A, Planagumà JP, Zimmer J, Chekenya M. Combining NK cells and mAb9.2.27 to combat NG2-dependent and anti-inflammatory signals in glioblastoma. Oncoimmunology 2021; 3:e27185. [PMID: 24575382 PMCID: PMC3916357 DOI: 10.4161/onci.27185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a deadly brain cancer with limited treatment options. Targeting chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4, best known as NG2) with the monoclonal antibody mAb9.2.27 and activated natural killer (NK) cells abrogated the tumor growth and prolonged the survival of glioblastoma-bearing animals by favoring the establishment of a pro-inflammatory microenvironment. The combination of NK cells and mAb9.2.27 recruited ED1+CCR2low macrophages that stimulated ED1+ED2lowMHCIIhigh microglial cells to exert robust cytotoxicity. Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting salient tumor associated-antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Kmiecik
- University of Bergen; Institute for Biomedicine; Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Aurelie Poli
- Laboratoire d'Immunogénétique-Allergologie; CRP-Santé, Luxembourg
| | | | - Jacques Zimmer
- Laboratoire d'Immunogénétique-Allergologie; CRP-Santé, Luxembourg
| | - Martha Chekenya
- University of Bergen; Institute for Biomedicine; Bergen, Norway ; University of Bergen, Institute for Clinical Dentistry; Bergen, Norway
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23
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Daunys S, Janonienė A, Januškevičienė I, Paškevičiūtė M, Petrikaitė V. 3D Tumor Spheroid Models for In Vitro Therapeutic Screening of Nanoparticles. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1295:243-270. [PMID: 33543463 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-58174-9_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The anticancer activity of compounds and nanoparticles is most often determined in the cell monolayer. However, three-dimensional (3D) systems, such as tumor spheroids, are more representing the natural tumor microenvironment. They have been shown to have higher invasiveness and resistance to cytotoxic agents and radiotherapy compared to cells growing in 2D monolayer. Furthermore, to improve the prediction of clinical efficacy of drugs, in the past decades, even more sophisticated systems, such as multicellular 3D cultures, closely representing natural tumor microenvironment have been developed. Those cultures are formed from either cell lines or patient-derived tumor cells. Such models are very attractive and could improve the selection of tested materials for clinical trials avoiding unnecessary expensive tests in vivo. The microenvironment in tumor spheroids is different, and those differences or the interaction between several cell populations may contribute to different tumor response to the treatment. Also, different types of nanoparticles may have different behavior in 3D models, depending on their nature, physicochemical properties, the presence of targeting ligands on the surface, etc. Therefore, it is very important to understand in which cases which type of tumor spheroid is more suitable for testing specific types of nanoparticles, which conditions should be used, and which analytical method should be applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simonas Daunys
- Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Agnė Janonienė
- Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Indrė Januškevičienė
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Miglė Paškevičiūtė
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Vilma Petrikaitė
- Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
- Laboratory of Drug Targets Histopathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
- Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Academy of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
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24
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Leuci V, Donini C, Grignani G, Rotolo R, Mesiano G, Fiorino E, Gammaitoni L, D'Ambrosio L, Merlini A, Landoni E, Medico E, Capellero S, Giraudo L, Cattaneo G, Iaia I, Pignochino Y, Basiricò M, Vigna E, Pisacane A, Fagioli F, Ferrone S, Aglietta M, Dotti G, Sangiolo D. CSPG4-Specific CAR.CIK Lymphocytes as a Novel Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Histotypes. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:6321-6334. [PMID: 32900797 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE No effective therapy is available for unresectable soft-tissue sarcomas (STS). This unmet clinical need prompted us to test whether chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4)-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected cytokine-induced killer lymphocytes (CAR.CIK) are effective in eliminating tumor cells derived from multiple STS histotypes in vitro and in immunodeficient mice. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The experimental platform included patient-derived CAR.CIK and cell lines established from multiple STS histotypes. CAR.CIK were transduced with a retroviral vector encoding second-generation CSPG4-specific CAR (CSPG4-CAR) with 4-1BB costimulation. The functional activity of CSPG4-CAR.CIK was explored in vitro, in two- and three-dimensional STS cultures, and in three in vivo STS xenograft models. RESULTS CSPG4-CAR.CIK were efficiently generated from patients with STS. CSPG4 was highly expressed in multiple STS histotypes by in silico analysis and on all 16 STS cell lines tested by flow cytometry. CSPG4-CAR.CIK displayed superior in vitro cytolytic activity against multiple STS histotypes as compared with paired unmodified control CIK. CSPG4-CAR.CIK also showed strong antitumor activity against STS spheroids; this effect was associated with tumor recruitment, infiltration, and matrix penetration. CSPG4-CAR.CIK significantly delayed or reversed tumor growth in vivo in three STS xenograft models (leiomyosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and fibrosarcoma). Tumor growth inhibition persisted for up to 2 weeks following the last administration of CSPG4-CAR.CIK. CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that CSPG4-CAR.CIK effectively targets multiple STS histotypes in vitro and in immunodeficient mice. These results provide a strong rationale to translate the novel strategy we have developed into a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Leuci
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Donini
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Ramona Rotolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Mesiano
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Erika Fiorino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Merlini
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Landoni
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Enzo Medico
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Sonia Capellero
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Lidia Giraudo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Cattaneo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilenia Iaia
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ymera Pignochino
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Basiricò
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisa Vigna
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Franca Fagioli
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology, Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Massimo Aglietta
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Dario Sangiolo
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy. .,Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
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25
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Guerreiro EM, Øvstebø R, Thiede B, Costea DE, Søland TM, Kanli Galtung H. Cancer cell line-specific protein profiles in extracellular vesicles identified by proteomics. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238591. [PMID: 32886718 PMCID: PMC7473518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), are important for intercellular communication in both physiological and pathological processes. To explore the potential of cancer derived EVs as disease biomarkers for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment decision, it is necessary to thoroughly characterize their biomolecular content. The aim of the study was to characterize and compare the protein content of EVs derived from three different cancer cell lines in search of a specific molecular signature, with emphasis on proteins related to the carcinogenic process. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and melanoma brain metastasis cell lines were cultured in CELLine AD1000 flasks. EVs were isolated by ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography and characterized. Next, the isolated EVs underwent liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis for protein identification. Functional enrichment analysis was performed for a more general overview of the biological processes involved. More than 600 different proteins were identified in EVs from each particular cell line. Here, 14%, 10%, and 24% of the identified proteins were unique in OSCC, PDAC, and melanoma vesicles, respectively. A specific protein profile was discovered for each cell line, e.g., EGFR in OSCC, Muc5AC in PDAC, and FN1 in melanoma vesicles. Nevertheless, 25% of all the identified proteins were common to all cell lines. Functional enrichment analysis linked the proteins in each data set to biological processes such as "biological adhesion", "cell motility", and "cellular component biogenesis". EV proteomics discovered cancer-specific protein profiles, with proteins involved in processes promoting tumor progression. In addition, the biological processes associated to the melanoma-derived EVs were distinct from the ones linked to the EVs isolated from OSCC and PDAC. The malignancy specific biomolecular cues in EVs may have potential applications as diagnostic biomarkers and in therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda M. Guerreiro
- Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Reidun Øvstebø
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Blood Cell Research Group, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bernd Thiede
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniela Elena Costea
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBio and Gade Laboratory for Pathology, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tine M. Søland
- Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hilde Kanli Galtung
- Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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26
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NG2 and GFAP co-expression after differentiation in cells transfected with mutant GFAP and in undifferentiated glioma cells. NEUROLOGÍA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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27
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Ahrens TD, Bang-Christensen SR, Jørgensen AM, Løppke C, Spliid CB, Sand NT, Clausen TM, Salanti A, Agerbæk MØ. The Role of Proteoglycans in Cancer Metastasis and Circulating Tumor Cell Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:749. [PMID: 32984308 PMCID: PMC7479181 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are accessible by liquid biopsies via an easy blood draw. They represent not only the primary tumor site, but also potential metastatic lesions, and could thus be an attractive supplement for cancer diagnostics. However, the analysis of rare CTCs in billions of normal blood cells is still technically challenging and novel specific CTC markers are needed. The formation of metastasis is a complex process supported by numerous molecular alterations, and thus novel CTC markers might be found by focusing on this process. One example of this is specific changes in the cancer cell glycocalyx, which is a network on the cell surface composed of carbohydrate structures. Proteoglycans are important glycocalyx components and consist of a protein core and covalently attached long glycosaminoglycan chains. A few CTC assays have already utilized proteoglycans for both enrichment and analysis of CTCs. Nonetheless, the biological function of proteoglycans on clinical CTCs has not been studied in detail so far. Therefore, the present review describes proteoglycan functions during the metastatic cascade to highlight their importance to CTCs. We also outline current approaches for CTC assays based on targeting proteoglycans by their protein cores or their glycosaminoglycan chains. Lastly, we briefly discuss important technical aspects, which should be considered for studying proteoglycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa D. Ahrens
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara R. Bang-Christensen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- VarCT Diagnostics, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Caroline Løppke
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte B. Spliid
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Nicolai T. Sand
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas M. Clausen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Ø. Agerbæk
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- VarCT Diagnostics, Copenhagen, Denmark
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28
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Yan Z, Wang S. Proteoglycans as Therapeutic Targets in Brain Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1358. [PMID: 32850434 PMCID: PMC7419654 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteoglycans (PGs) are heavily glycosylated diverse proteins consisting of a "core protein" covalently attached to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and present on the cell surface, extracellular matrix, and intracellular milieu. Extracellular proteoglycans play crucial roles in facilitating cell signaling and migration, interacting with growth factor receptors, intracellular enzymes, extracellular ligands, and matrix components, as well as structural proteins and promoting significant tumor-microenvironment interactions in cancerous settings. As a result of their highly regulated expression patterns, recent research has focused on the role of proteoglycans in the development of nervous tissue, such as their effect on neurite outgrowth, participation in the development of precursor cell types, and regulation of cell behaviors. The present review summarizes current progress for the studies of proteoglycan function in brain cancer and explains recent research involving brain glycoproteins as modulators of migration, cell adhesion, glial tumor invasion, and neurite outgrowth. Furthermore, we highlight the correlations between specific proteoglycan alterations and the suggested cancer-associated proteoglycans as novel biomarkers for therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Yan
- Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, NY, United States
| | - Shanzhi Wang
- Chemistry Department, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Little Rock, AR, United States
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29
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Schmitt BM, Boewe AS, Becker V, Nalbach L, Gu Y, Götz C, Menger MD, Laschke MW, Ampofo E. Protein Kinase CK2 Regulates Nerve/Glial Antigen (NG)2-Mediated Angiogenic Activity of Human Pericytes. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061546. [PMID: 32630438 PMCID: PMC7348826 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein kinase CK2 is a crucial regulator of endothelial cell proliferation, migration and sprouting during angiogenesis. However, it is still unknown whether this kinase additionally affects the angiogenic activity of other vessel-associated cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of CK2 inhibition on primary human pericytes. We found that CK2 inhibition reduces the expression of nerve/glial antigen (NG)2, a crucial factor which is involved in angiogenic processes. Reporter gene assays revealed a 114 bp transcriptional active region of the human NG2 promoter, whose activity was decreased after CK2 inhibition. Functional analyses demonstrated that the pharmacological inhibition of CK2 by CX-4945 suppresses pericyte proliferation, migration, spheroid sprouting and the stabilization of endothelial tubes. Moreover, aortic rings of NG2−/− mice showed a significantly reduced vascular sprouting when compared to rings of NG2+/+ mice, indicating that NG2 is an important regulator of the angiogenic activity of pericytes. In vivo, implanted Matrigel plugs containing CX-4945-treated pericytes exhibited a lower microvessel density when compared to controls. These findings demonstrate that CK2 regulates the angiogenic activity of pericytes through NG2 gene expression. Hence, the inhibition of CK2 represents a promising anti-angiogenic strategy, because it does not only target endothelial cells, but also vessel-associated pericytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate M. Schmitt
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Anne S. Boewe
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Vivien Becker
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Lisa Nalbach
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Yuan Gu
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Claudia Götz
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Michael D. Menger
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Matthias W. Laschke
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Emmanuel Ampofo
- Institute for Clinical & Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (B.M.S.); (A.S.B.); (V.B.); (L.N.); (Y.G.); (M.D.M.); (M.W.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6841-16-26561; Fax: +49-6841-16-26553
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30
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Mellai M, Annovazzi L, Bisogno I, Corona C, Crociara P, Iulini B, Cassoni P, Casalone C, Boldorini R, Schiffer D. Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycan 4 (NG2/CSPG4) Localization in Low- and High-Grade Gliomas. Cells 2020; 9:E1538. [PMID: 32599896 PMCID: PMC7349878 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuron glial antigen 2 or chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (NG2/CSPG4) is expressed by immature precursors/progenitor cells and is possibly involved in malignant cell transformation. The aim of this study was to investigate its role on the progression and survival of sixty-one adult gliomas and nine glioblastoma (GB)-derived cell lines. METHODS NG2/CSPG4 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Genetic and epigenetic alterations were detected by molecular genetic techniques. RESULTS NG2/CSPG4 was frequently expressed in IDH-mutant/1p19q-codel oligodendrogliomas (59.1%) and IDH-wild type GBs (40%) and rarely expressed in IDH-mutant or IDH-wild type astrocytomas (14.3%). Besides tumor cells, NG2/CSPG4 immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm and/or cell membranes of reactive astrocytes and vascular pericytes/endothelial cells. In GB-derived neurospheres, it was variably detected according to the number of passages of the in vitro culture. In GB-derived adherent cells, a diffuse positivity was found in most cells. NG2/CSPG4 expression was significantly associated with EGFR gene amplification (p = 0.0005) and poor prognosis (p = 0.016) in astrocytic tumors. CONCLUSION The immunoreactivity of NG2/CSPG4 provides information on the timing of the neoplastic transformation and could have prognostic and therapeutic relevance as a promising tumor-associated antigen for antibody-based immunotherapy in patients with malignant gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mellai
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Scuola di Medicina, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.M.); (R.B.)
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Traslazionale sulle Malattie Autoimmuni e Allergiche (CAAD), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Corso Trieste 15A, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia Valenta—ONLUS, Via Malta 3, 13900 Biella, Italy
| | - Laura Annovazzi
- Ex Centro Ricerche/Fondazione Policlinico di Monza, Via P. Micca 29, 13100 Vercelli, Italy; (L.A.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Ilaria Bisogno
- Ex Centro Ricerche/Fondazione Policlinico di Monza, Via P. Micca 29, 13100 Vercelli, Italy; (L.A.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
| | - Cristiano Corona
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy; (C.C.); (P.C.); (B.I.)
| | - Paola Crociara
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy; (C.C.); (P.C.); (B.I.)
| | - Barbara Iulini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy; (C.C.); (P.C.); (B.I.)
| | - Paola Cassoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Università di Torino/Città della Salute e della Scienza, Via Santena 7, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Cristina Casalone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy; (C.C.); (P.C.); (B.I.)
| | - Renzo Boldorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Scuola di Medicina, Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy; (M.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Davide Schiffer
- Ex Centro Ricerche/Fondazione Policlinico di Monza, Via P. Micca 29, 13100 Vercelli, Italy; (L.A.); (I.B.); (D.S.)
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A Novel Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) Delivering a DNA Mono-Alkylating Payload to Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan (CSPG4)-Expressing Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12041029. [PMID: 32331483 PMCID: PMC7226475 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12041029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite emerging targeted and immunotherapy treatments, no monoclonal antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) directly targeting tumor cells are currently approved for melanoma therapy. The tumor-associated antigen chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), a neural crest glycoprotein over-expressed on 70% of melanomas, contributes to proliferative signaling pathways, but despite highly tumor-selective expression it has not yet been targeted using ADCs. We developed a novel ADC comprising an anti-CSPG4 antibody linked to a DNA minor groove-binding agent belonging to the novel pyrridinobenzodiazepine (PDD) class. Unlike conventional DNA-interactive pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimer payloads that cross-link DNA, PDD-based payloads are mono-alkylating agents but have similar efficacy and substantially enhanced tolerability profiles compared to PBD-based cross-linkers. We investigated the anti-tumor activity and safety of the anti-CSPG4-(PDD) ADC in vitro and in human melanoma xenografts. Anti-CSPG4-(PDD) inhibited CSPG4-expressing melanoma cell growth and colony formation and triggered apoptosis in vitro at low nanomolar to picomolar concentrations without off-target Fab-mediated or Fc-mediated toxicity. Anti-CSPG4-(PDD) restricted xenograft growth in vivo at 2 mg/kg doses. One 5 mg/kg injection triggered tumor regression in the absence of overt toxic effects or of acquired residual tumor cell resistance. This anti-CSPG4-(PDD) can deliver a highly cytotoxic DNA mono-alkylating payload to CSPG4-expressing tumors at doses tolerated in vivo.
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Rigoglio NN, Rabelo ACS, Borghesi J, de Sá Schiavo Matias G, Fratini P, Prazeres PHDM, Pimentel CMMM, Birbrair A, Miglino MA. The Tumor Microenvironment: Focus on Extracellular Matrix. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1245:1-38. [PMID: 32266651 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-40146-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates the development and maintains tissue homeostasis. The ECM is composed of a complex network of molecules presenting distinct biochemical properties to regulate cell growth, survival, motility, and differentiation. Among their components, proteoglycans (PGs) are considered one of the main components of ECM. Its composition, biomechanics, and anisotropy are exquisitely tuned to reflect the physiological state of the tissue. The loss of ECM's homeostasis is seen as one of the hallmarks of cancer and, typically, defines transitional events in tumor progression and metastasis. In this chapter, we discuss the types of proteoglycans and their roles in cancer. It has been observed that the amount of some ECM components is increased, while others are decreased, depending on the type of tumor. However, both conditions corroborate with tumor progression and malignancy. Therefore, ECM components have an increasingly important role in carcinogenesis and this leads us to believe that their understanding may be a key in the discovery of new anti-tumor therapies. In this book, the main ECM components will be discussed in more detail in each chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathia Nathaly Rigoglio
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Silveira Rabelo
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica Borghesi
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo de Sá Schiavo Matias
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Fratini
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Alexander Birbrair
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maria Angelica Miglino
- Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Chondroitin Sulphate Proteoglycans in the Tumour Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1272:73-92. [PMID: 32845503 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-48457-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Proteoglycans are macromolecules that are essential for the development of cells, human diseases and malignancies. In particular, chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) accumulate in tumour stroma and play a key role in tumour growth and invasion by driving multiple oncogenic pathways in tumour cells and promoting crucial interactions in the tumour microenvironment (TME). These pathways involve receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signalling via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and integrin signalling via the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which sustains the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2).Human CSPG4 is a type I transmembrane protein that is associated with the growth and progression of human brain tumours. It regulates cell signalling and migration by interacting with components of the extracellular matrix, extracellular ligands, growth factor receptors, intracellular enzymes and structural proteins. Its overexpression by tumour cells, perivascular cells and precursor/progenitor cells in gliomas suggests that it plays a role in their origin, progression and neo-angiogenesis and its aberrant expression in tumour cells may be a promising biomarker to monitor malignant progression and patient survival.The aim of this chapter is to review and discuss the role of CSPG4 in the TME of human gliomas, including its potential as a druggable therapeutic target.
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Harrer DC, Dörrie J, Schaft N. CSPG4 as Target for CAR-T-Cell Therapy of Various Tumor Entities-Merits and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20235942. [PMID: 31779130 PMCID: PMC6928974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting cancer cells using chimeric-antigen-receptor (CAR-)T cells has propelled adoptive T-cell therapy (ATT) to the next level. A plentitude of durable complete responses using CD19-specific CAR-T cells in patients suffering from various lymphoid malignancies resulted in the approval by the food and drug administration (FDA) of CD19-directed CAR-T cells for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). A substantial portion of this success in hematological malignancies can be traced back to the beneficial properties of the target antigen CD19, which combines a universal presence on target cells with no detectable expression on indispensable host cells. Hence, to replicate response rates achieved in ALL and DLBCL in the realm of solid tumors, where ideal target antigens are scant and CAR-T cells are still lagging behind expectations, the quest for appropriate target antigens represents a crucial task to expedite the next steps in the evolution of CAR-T-cell therapy. In this review, we want to highlight the potential of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) as a CAR-target antigen for a variety of different cancer entities. In particular, we discuss merits and challenges associated with CSPG4-CAR-T cells for the ATT of melanoma, leukemia, glioblastoma, and triple-negative breast cancer.
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Proteomic Advances in Glial Tumors through Mass Spectrometry Approaches. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55080412. [PMID: 31357616 PMCID: PMC6722920 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55080412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Being the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death, glial tumors are highly diverse tumor entities characterized by important heterogeneity regarding tumor malignancy and prognosis. However, despite the identification of important alterations in the genome of the glial tumors, there remains a gap in understanding the mechanisms involved in glioma malignancy. Previous research focused on decoding the genomic alterations in these tumors, but due to intricate cellular mechanisms, the genomic findings do not correlate with the functional proteins expressed at the cellular level. The development of mass spectrometry (MS) based proteomics allowed researchers to study proteins expressed at the cellular level or in serum that may provide new insights on the proteins involved in the proliferation, invasiveness, metastasis and resistance to therapy in glial tumors. The integration of data provided by genomic and proteomic approaches into clinical practice could allow for the identification of new predictive, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that will improve the clinical management of patients with glial tumors. This paper aims to provide an updated review of the recent proteomic findings, possible clinical applications, and future research perspectives in diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors, pilocytic astrocytomas, and ependymomas.
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Scott LE, Weinberg SH, Lemmon CA. Mechanochemical Signaling of the Extracellular Matrix in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:135. [PMID: 31380370 PMCID: PMC6658819 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a critical process in embryonic development in which epithelial cells undergo a transdifferentiation into mesenchymal cells. This process is essential for tissue patterning and organization, and it has also been implicated in a wide array of pathologies. While the intracellular signaling pathways that regulate EMT are well-understood, there is increasing evidence that the mechanical properties and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) also play a key role in regulating EMT. In turn, EMT drives changes in the mechanics and composition of the ECM, creating a feedback loop that is tightly regulated in healthy tissues, but is often dysregulated in disease. Here we present a review that summarizes our understanding of how ECM mechanics and composition regulate EMT, and how in turn EMT alters ECM mechanics and composition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christopher A. Lemmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Vitale D, Kumar Katakam S, Greve B, Jang B, Oh ES, Alaniz L, Götte M. Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans as regulators of cancer stem cell function and therapeutic resistance. FEBS J 2019; 286:2870-2882. [PMID: 31230410 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to the bulk of the tumor, a subset of cancer cells called cancer stem cells (CSC; or tumor-initiating cells) is characterized by self-renewal, unlimited proliferative potential, expression of multidrug resistance proteins, active DNA repair capacity, apoptosis resistance, and a considerable developmental plasticity. Due to these properties, CSCs display increased resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. Recent findings indicate that aberrant functions of proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) contribute substantially to the CSC phenotype and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we summarize how the diverse functions of the glycoproteins and carbohydrates facilitate acquisition and maintenance of the CSC phenotype, and how this knowledge can be exploited to develop novel anticancer therapies. For example, the large transmembrane chondroitin sulfate PG NG2/CSPG4 marks stem cell (SC) populations in brain tumors. Cell surface heparan sulfate PGs of the syndecan and glypican families modulate the stemness-associated Wnt, hedgehog, and notch signaling pathways, whereas the interplay of hyaluronan in the SC niche with CSC CD44 determines the maintenance of stemness and promotes therapeutic resistance. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which PGs and GAGs regulate CSC function will aid the development of targeted therapeutic approaches which could avoid relapse after an otherwise successful conventional therapy. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells, PG-primed dendritic cells, PG-targeted antibody-drug conjugates, and inhibitory peptides and glycans have already shown highly promising results in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Vitale
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), CIT NOBA, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Pcia. de Bs. As. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNNOBA-CONICET), Junín, Argentina
| | | | - Burkhard Greve
- Department of Radiotherapy - Radiooncology, Münster University Hospital, Germany
| | - Bohee Jang
- Department of Life Sciences, The Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eok-Soo Oh
- Department of Life Sciences, The Research Center for Cellular Homeostasis, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Laura Alaniz
- Centro de Investigaciones Básicas y Aplicadas (CIBA), CIT NOBA, Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Pcia. de Bs. As. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNNOBA-CONICET), Junín, Argentina
| | - Martin Götte
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Münster University Hospital, Germany
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Yu X, Dobrikov M, Keir ST, Gromeier M, Pastan IH, Reisfeld R, Bigner DD, Chandramohan V. Synergistic antitumor effects of 9.2.27-PE38KDEL and ABT-737 in primary and metastatic brain tumors. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210608. [PMID: 30625226 PMCID: PMC6326518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Standard treatment, unfortunately, yields a poor prognosis for patients with primary or metastatic cancers in the central nervous system, indicating a necessity for novel therapeutic agents. Immunotoxins (ITs) are a class of promising therapeutic candidates produced by fusing antibody fragments with toxin moieties. In this study, we investigated if inherent resistance to IT cytotoxicity can be overcome by rational combination with pro-apoptotic enhancers. Therefore, we combined ITs (9.2.27-PE38KDEL or Mel-14-PE38KDEL) targeting chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) with a panel of Bcl-2 family inhibitors (ABT-737, ABT-263, ABT-199 [Venetoclax], A-1155463, and S63845) against patient-derived glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer cells/cell lines. In vitro cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that the addition of the ABT compounds, specifically ABT-737, sensitized the different tumors to IT treatment, and improved the IC50 values of 9.2.27-PE38KDEL up to >1,000-fold. Mechanistic studies using 9.2.27-PE38KDEL and ABT-737 revealed that increased levels of intracellular IT, processed (active) exotoxin, and PARP cleavage correlated with the enhanced sensitivity to the combination treatment. Furthermore, we confirmed the synergistic effect of 9.2.27-PE38KDEL and ABT-737 combination therapy in orthotopic GBM xenograft and cerebral melanoma metastasis models in nude mice. Our study defines strategies for overcoming IT resistance and enhancing specific antitumor cytotoxicity in primary and metastatic brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yu
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Mikhail Dobrikov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Stephen T. Keir
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Matthias Gromeier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Ira H. Pastan
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Ralph Reisfeld
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Darell D. Bigner
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Vidyalakshmi Chandramohan
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Tamburini E, Dallatomasina A, Quartararo J, Cortelazzi B, Mangieri D, Lazzaretti M, Perris R. Structural deciphering of the NG2/CSPG4 proteoglycan multifunctionality. FASEB J 2018; 33:3112-3128. [PMID: 30550356 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801670r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 ( CSPG4) gene encodes a transmembrane proteoglycan (PG) constituting the largest and most structurally complex macromolecule of the human surfaceome. Its transcript shows an extensive evolutionary conservation and, due to the elaborated intracellular processing of the translated protein, it generates an array of glycoforms with the potential to exert variant-specific functions. CSPG4-mediated molecular events are articulated through the interaction with more than 40 putative ligands and the concurrent involvement of the ectodomain and cytoplasmic tail. Alternating inside-out and outside-in signal transductions may thereby be elicited through a tight functional connection of the PG with the cytoskeleton and its regulators. The potential of CSPG4 to influence both types of signaling mechanisms is also asserted by its lateral mobility along the plasma membrane and its intersection with microdomain-restricted internalization and endocytic trafficking. Owing to the multitude of molecular interplays that CSPG4 may engage, and thanks to a differential phosphorylation of its intracellular domain accounted by crosstalking signaling pathways, the PG stands out for its unique capability to affect numerous cellular phenomena, including those purporting pathologic conditions. We discuss here the progresses made in advancing our understanding about the structural-functional bases for the ability of CSPG4 to widely impact on cell behavior, such as to highlight how its multivalency may be exploited to interfere with disease progression.-Tamburini, E., Dallatomasina, A., Quartararo, J., Cortelazzi, B., Mangieri, D., Lazzaretti, M., Perris, R. Structural deciphering of the NG2/CSPG4 proteoglycan multifunctionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Tamburini
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Dallatomasina
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; and
| | - Jade Quartararo
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Barbara Cortelazzi
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Mirca Lazzaretti
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roberto Perris
- Centre for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMT), University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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The Significance of Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) in Human Gliomas. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092724. [PMID: 30213051 PMCID: PMC6164575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuron glial antigen 2 (NG2) is a chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) that occurs in developing and adult central nervous systems (CNSs) as a marker of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) together with platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα). It behaves variably in different pathological conditions, and is possibly involved in the origin and progression of human gliomas. In the latter, NG2/CSPG4 induces cell proliferation and migration, is highly expressed in pericytes, and plays a role in neoangiogenesis. NG2/CSPG4 expression has been demonstrated in oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas, and glioblastomas (GB), and it correlates with malignancy. In rat tumors transplacentally induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), NG2/CSPG4 expression correlates with PDGFRα, Olig2, Sox10, and Nkx2.2, and with new vessel formation. In this review, we attempt to summarize the normal and pathogenic functions of NG2/CSPG4, as well as its potential as a therapeutic target.
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Nayak T, Trotter J, Sakry D. The Intracellular Cleavage Product of the NG2 Proteoglycan Modulates Translation and Cell-Cycle Kinetics via Effects on mTORC1/FMRP Signaling. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:231. [PMID: 30131676 PMCID: PMC6090502 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The NG2 proteoglycan is expressed by oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and is abundantly expressed by tumors such as melanoma and glioblastoma. Functions of NG2 include an influence on proliferation, migration and neuromodulation. Similar to other type-1 membrane proteins, NG2 undergoes proteolysis, generating a large ectodomain, a C-terminal fragment (CTF) and an intracellular domain (ICD) via sequential action of α- and γ-secretases which is enhanced by neuronal activity. Functional roles of NG2 have so far been shown for the full-length protein, the released ectodomain and CTF, but not for the ICD. In this study, we characterized the role of the NG2 ICD in OPC and Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) cells. Overexpressed ICD is predominantly localized in the cell cytosol, including the distal processes of OPCs. Nuclear localisation of a fraction of the ICD is dependent on Nuclear Localisation Signals. Immunoprecipitation and Mass Spectrometry followed by functional analysis indicated that the NG2 ICD modulates mRNA translation and cell-cycle kinetics. In OPCs and HEK cells, ICD overexpression results in an mTORC1-dependent upregulation of translation, as well as a shift of the cell population toward S-phase. NG2 ICD increases the active (phosphorylated) form of mTOR and modulates downstream signaling cascades, including increased phosphorylation of p70S6K1 and increased expression of eEF2. Strikingly, levels of FMRP, an RNA-binding protein that is regulated by mTOR/p70S6K1/eEF2 were decreased. In neurons, FMRP acts as a translational repressor under activity-dependent control and is mutated in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Knock-down of endogenous NG2 in primary OPC reduced translation and mTOR/p70S6K1 phosphorylation in Oli-neu. Here, we identify the NG2 ICD as a regulator of translation in OPCs via modulation of the well-established mTORC1 pathway. We show that FXS-related FMRP signaling is not exclusive to neurons but plays a role in OPCs. This provides a signal cascade in OPC which can be influenced by the neuronal network, since the NG2 ICD has been shown to be generated by constitutive as well as activity-dependent cleavage. Our results also elucidate a possible role of NG2 in tumors exhibiting enhanced rates of translation and rapid cell cycle kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanmoyita Nayak
- Department of Biology, Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Trotter
- Department of Biology, Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dominik Sakry
- Department of Biology, Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
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Angenendt L, Mikesch JH, Görlich D, Busch A, Arnhold I, Rudack C, Hartmann W, Wardelmann E, Berdel WE, Stenner M, Schliemann C, Grünewald I. Stromal collagen type VI associates with features of malignancy and predicts poor prognosis in salivary gland cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2018; 41:517-525. [PMID: 29949051 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-0389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Collagen Type VI (COLVI) is an extracellular matrix protein that is upregulated in various solid tumours during tumour progression and has been shown to stimulate proliferation, suppress apoptosis and promote invasion and metastasis. It has also been described as a mediator of chemotherapy resistance and as a therapeutic target in preclinical cancer models. Here, we aimed to analyse the prognostic role of COLVI in salivary gland cancer (SGC). METHODS Stromal COLVI protein expression was assessed in primary SGC specimens of 91 patients using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The IHC expression patterns obtained were subsequently correlated with various survival and clinicopathological features, including Ki-67 and p53 expression. RESULTS We found that COLVI was expressed in all SGC specimens. High expression was found to be associated with features of malignancy such as high histologic grades, advanced and invasive T stages and metastatic lymph node involvement (p < 0.05 for all variables). COLVI expression was also found to correlate with both Ki-67 and p53 expression (p < 0.01). We found that high COLVI expression predicted a significantly inferior 5-year overall survival (38.3%, 55.1% and 93.8%; p = 0.002) and remained a significant predictor of prognosis in a multivariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-5.61; p = 0.013). In all low-risk subgroups COLVI expression identified patients with an adverse outcome. Patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy had a poor survival when expressing high levels of COLVI. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that stromal COLVI expression associates with key features of malignancy, represents a novel independent prognostic factor and may affect response to radiotherapy in SGC. Although our results warrant validation in an independent cohort, assessing stromal COLVI expression may be suitable for future diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in patients with SGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Angenendt
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
| | - Jan-Henrik Mikesch
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Dennis Görlich
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Alina Busch
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Irina Arnhold
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Claudia Rudack
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Berdel
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Markus Stenner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Inga Grünewald
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, Albert Schweitzer Campus 1, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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Tang F, Lord MS, Stallcup WB, Whitelock JM. Cell surface chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) binds to the basement membrane heparan sulphate proteoglycan, perlecan, and is involved in cell adhesion. J Biochem 2018; 163:399-412. [PMID: 29462330 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvy008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is a cell surface proteoglycan highly expressed by tumour, perivascular and oligodendrocyte cells and known to be involved cell adhesion and migration. This study showed that CSPG4 was present as a proteoglycan on the cell surface of two melanoma cell lines, MM200 and Me1007, as well as shed into the conditioned medium. CSPG4 from the two melanoma cell lines differed in the amount of chondroitin sulphate (CS) decoration, as well as the way the protein core was fragmented. In contrast, the CSPG4 expressed by a colon carcinoma cell line, WiDr, was predominantly as a protein core on the cell surface lacking glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains. This study demonstrated that CSPG4 immunopurified from the melanoma cell lines formed a complex with perlecan synthesized by the same cultured cells. Mechanistic studies showed that CSPG4 bound to perlecan via hydrophobic protein-protein interactions involving multiple sites on perlecan including the C-terminal region. Furthermore, this study revealed that CSPG4 interacted with perlecan to support cell adhesion and actin polymerization. Together these data suggest a novel mechanism by which CSPG4 expressing cells might attach to perlecan-rich matrices so as those found in connective tissues and basement membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengying Tang
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Level 5 Samuels Building, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Megan S Lord
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Level 5 Samuels Building, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - William B Stallcup
- Tumour Microenvironment and Cancer Immunology Program, Cancer Centre, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - John M Whitelock
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Level 5 Samuels Building, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Pellegatta S, Savoldo B, Di Ianni N, Corbetta C, Chen Y, Patané M, Sun C, Pollo B, Ferrone S, DiMeco F, Finocchiaro G, Dotti G. Constitutive and TNFα-inducible expression of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 in glioblastoma and neurospheres: Implications for CAR-T cell therapy. Sci Transl Med 2018; 10:eaao2731. [PMID: 29491184 PMCID: PMC8713441 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aao2731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The heterogeneous expression of tumor-associated antigens limits the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected T cells (CAR-Ts) for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). We have found that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) is highly expressed in 67% of the GBM specimens with limited heterogeneity. CSPG4 is also expressed on primary GBM-derived cells, grown in vitro as neurospheres (GBM-NS), which recapitulate the histopathology and molecular characteristics of primary GBM. CSPG4.CAR-Ts efficiently controlled the growth of GBM-NS in vitro and in vivo upon intracranial tumor inoculation. Moreover, CSPG4.CAR-Ts were also effective against GBM-NS with moderate to low expression of CSPG4. This effect was mediated by the in vivo up-regulation of CSPG4 on tumor cells, induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) released by the microglia surrounding the tumor. Overall, the constitutive and TNFα-inducible expression of CSPG4 in GBM may greatly reduce the risk of tumor cell escape observed when targeted antigens are heterogeneously expressed on tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Pellegatta
- Unit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Natalia Di Ianni
- Unit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Cristina Corbetta
- Unit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Yuhui Chen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Monica Patané
- Unit of Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Chuang Sun
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Bianca Pollo
- Unit of Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Francesco DiMeco
- Department of Neuro-Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Gaetano Finocchiaro
- Unit of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Jaime-Ramirez AC, Dmitrieva N, Yoo JY, Banasavadi-Siddegowda Y, Zhang J, Relation T, Bolyard C, Wojton J, Kaur B. Humanized chondroitinase ABC sensitizes glioblastoma cells to temozolomide. J Gene Med 2018; 19. [PMID: 28087981 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.2942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant gliomas (glioblastomas; GBMs) are extremely aggressive and have a median survival of approximately 15 months. Current treatment modalities, which include surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy, have done little to prolong the lives of GBM patients. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG) are critical for cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and are implicated in glioma growth and invasion. Chondroitinase (Chase) ABC is a bacterial enzyme that cleaves chondroitin sulfate disaccharide chains from CSPGs in the tumor ECM. Wild-type Chase ABC has limited stability and/or activity in mammalian cells; therefore, we created a mutant humanized version (Chase M) with enhanced function in mammalian cells. METHODS We hypothesized that disruption of cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions by ChaseM and temozolomide (TMZ) will enhance the chemotherapeutic availability and sensitivity of glioma cells. RESULTS Utilizing primary patient-derived neurospheres, we found that ChaseM decreases glioma neurosphere aggregation in vitro. Furthermore, an oncolytic HSV-1 virus expressing secreted ChaseM (OV-ChaseM) enhanced viral spread and glioma cell killing compared to OV-Control, in vitro. OV-ChaseM plus TMZ combinatorial treatment resulted in a significant synergistic enhancement of glioma cell killing accompanied by an increase in apoptotic cell death. Intracellular flow cytometric analysis revealed a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of the pro-survival AKT protein following OV-ChaseM plus TMZ treatment. Lastly, in nude mice bearing intracranial GBM30 glioma xenografts, intratumoral OV-ChaseM plus TMZ (10 mg/kg by oral gavage) combination therapy resulted in a significant (p < 0.02) enhancement of survival compared to each individual treatment alone. CONCLUSIONS These data reveal that OV-ChaseM enhances glioma cell viral susceptibility and sensitivity to TMZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Cristina Jaime-Ramirez
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nina Dmitrieva
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ji Young Yoo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Yeshavanth Banasavadi-Siddegowda
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jianying Zhang
- Center for Biostatistics Biomedical Informatics Department, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Theresa Relation
- Neuroscience Graduate Program and The Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chelsea Bolyard
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wojton
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Balveen Kaur
- Department of Neurological Surgery, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH, USA
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Abstract
Studies of pericytes have been retarded by the lack of appropriate markers for identification of these perivascular mural cells. Use of antibodies against the NG2 proteoglycan as a pericyte marker has greatly facilitated recent studies of pericytes, emphasizing the intimate spatial relationship between pericytes and endothelial cells, allowing more accurate quantification of pericyte/endothelial cell ratios in different vascular beds, and revealing the participation of pericytes throughout all stages of blood vessel formation. The functional importance of NG2 in pericyte biology has been established via NG2 knockdown (in vitro) and knockout (in vivo) strategies that reveal significant deficits in blood vessel formation when NG2 is absent from pericytes. NG2 influences pericyte proliferation and motility by acting as an auxiliary receptor that enhances signaling through integrins and receptor tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors. By acting in a trans orientation, NG2 also activates integrin signaling in closely apposed endothelial cells, leading to enhanced maturation and formation of endothelial cell junctions. NG2 null mice exhibit reduced growth of both mammary and brain tumors that can be traced to deficits in tumor vascularization. Use of Cre-Lox technology to produce pericyte-specific NG2 null mice has revealed specific deficits in tumor vessels that include decreased pericyte ensheathment of endothelial cells, diminished assembly of the vascular basement membrane, reduced vessel patency, and increased vessel leakiness. Interestingly, myeloid-specific NG2 null mice exhibit even larger deficits in tumor vascularization, leading to correspondingly slower tumor growth. Myeloid-specific NG2 null mice are deficient in their ability to recruit macrophages to tumors and other sites of inflammation. This absence of macrophages deprives pericytes of a signal that is crucial for their ability to interact with endothelial cells. The interplay between pericytes, endothelial cells, and macrophages promises to be an extremely fertile area of future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Stallcup
- Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Immunology Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Gómez-Pinedo U, Sirerol-Piquer S, Durán-Moreno M, Matias-Guiu JA, Barcia JA, García-Verdugo JM, Matias-Guiu J. NG2 and GFAP co-expression after differentiation in cells transfected with mutant GFAP and in undifferentiated glioma cells. Neurologia 2017; 35:479-485. [PMID: 29249301 DOI: 10.1016/j.nrl.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 10/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alexander disease is a rare disorder caused by mutations in the gene coding for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In a previous study, differentiation of neurospheres transfected with these mutations resulted in a cell type that expresses both GFAP and NG2. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of molecular marker mutations in comparison to undifferentiated glioma cells simultaneously expressing GFAP and NG2. METHODS We used samples of human glioblastoma (GBM) and rat neurospheres transfected with GFAP mutations to analyse GFAP and NG2 expression after differentiation. We also performed an immunocytochemical analysis of neuronal differentiation for both cell types and detection of GFAP, NG2, vimentin, Olig2, and caspase-3 at 3 and 7 days from differentiation. RESULTS Both the cells transfected with GFAP mutations and GBM cells showed increased NG2 and GFAP expression. However, expression of caspase-3-positive cells was found to be considerably higher in transfected cells than in GBM cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that GFAP expression is not the only factor associated with cell death in Alexander disease. Caspase-3 expression and the potential role of NG2 in increasing resistance to apoptosis in cells co-expressing GFAP and NG2 should be considered in the search for new therapeutic strategies for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Gómez-Pinedo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
| | - S Sirerol-Piquer
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - M Durán-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - J A Matias-Guiu
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - J A Barcia
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - J M García-Verdugo
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Comparada, Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - J Matias-Guiu
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Neurociencias, IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
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48
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Hsu SHC, Nadesan P, Puviindran V, Stallcup WB, Kirsch DG, Alman BA. Effects of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (NG2/CSPG4) on soft-tissue sarcoma growth depend on tumor developmental stage. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:2466-2475. [PMID: 29196603 PMCID: PMC5818183 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.805051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas, and the mesenchymal precursor cells from which they arise, express chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (NG2/CSPG4). However, NG2/CSPG4's function and its capacity to serve as a therapeutic target in this tumor type are unknown. Here, we used cells from human tumors and a genetically engineered autochthonous mouse model of soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) to determine NG2/CSPG4's role in STS initiation and growth. Inhibiting NG2/CSPG4 expression in established murine and human STSs decreased tumor volume by almost two-thirds and cell proliferation rate by 50%. NG2/CSPG4 antibody immunotherapy in human sarcomas established as xenografts in mice similarly decreased tumor volume, and expression of a lentivirus blocking NG2/CSPG4 expression inhibited tumor cell proliferation and increased the latency of engraftment. Gene profiling showed that Ng2/Cspg4 deletion altered the expression of genes regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Surprisingly, Ng2/Cspg4 deletion at the time of tumor initiation resulted in larger tumors. Gene expression profiling indicated substantial down-regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (Igfbp) genes when Ng2/Cspg4 is depleted at tumor initiation, but not when Ng2/Cspg4 is depleted after tumor initiation. Such differences may have clinical significance, as therapeutic targeting of a signaling pathway such as NG2/CSPG4 may have different effects on cell behavior with tumor progression. NG2/CSPG4 depletion has divergent effects, depending on the developmental stage of sarcoma. In established tumors, IGF signaling is active, and NG2 inhibition targets cell proliferation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Puviindran Nadesan
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and RegenerationNext Initiative and
| | - Vijitha Puviindran
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and RegenerationNext Initiative and
| | - William B Stallcup
- the Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Immunology Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - David G Kirsch
- the Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710 and
| | - Benjamin A Alman
- From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and RegenerationNext Initiative and
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Theocharis AD, Karamanos NK. Proteoglycans remodeling in cancer: Underlying molecular mechanisms. Matrix Biol 2017; 75-76:220-259. [PMID: 29128506 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix is a highly dynamic macromolecular network. Proteoglycans are major components of extracellular matrix playing key roles in its structural organization and cell signaling contributing to the control of numerous normal and pathological processes. As multifunctional molecules, proteoglycans participate in various cell functions during morphogenesis, wound healing, inflammation and tumorigenesis. Their interactions with matrix effectors, cell surface receptors and enzymes enable them with unique properties. In malignancy, extensive remodeling of tumor stroma is associated with marked alterations in proteoglycans' expression and structural variability. Proteoglycans exert diverse functions in tumor stroma in a cell-specific and context-specific manner and they mainly contribute to the formation of a permissive provisional matrix for tumor growth affecting tissue organization, cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and tumor cell signaling. Proteoglycans also modulate cancer cell phenotype and properties, the development of drug resistance and tumor stroma angiogenesis. This review summarizes the proteoglycans remodeling and their novel biological roles in malignancies with particular emphasis to the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achilleas D Theocharis
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece.
| | - Nikos K Karamanos
- Biochemistry, Biochemical Analysis & Matrix Pathobiochemistry Research Group, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, 26500 Patras, Greece.
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50
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Multipotency and therapeutic potential of NG2 cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 141:42-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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