It is widely accepted that dynamic and reversible tumour cell plasticity is required for metastasis, however, in vivo steps and molecular mechanisms are poorly elucidated. We demonstrate here that ...monocytic (mMDSC) and granulocytic (gMDSC) subsets of myeloid-derived suppressor cells infiltrate in the primary tumour and distant organs with different time kinetics and regulate spatiotemporal tumour plasticity. Using co-culture experiments and mouse transcriptome analyses in syngeneic mouse models, we provide evidence that tumour-infiltrated mMDSCs facilitate tumour cell dissemination from the primary site by inducing EMT/CSC phenotype. In contrast, pulmonary gMDSC infiltrates support the metastatic growth by reverting EMT/CSC phenotype and promoting tumour cell proliferation. Furthermore, lung-derived gMDSCs isolated from tumour-bearing animals enhance metastatic growth of already disseminated tumour cells. MDSC-induced 'metastatic gene signature' derived from murine syngeneic model predicts poor patient survival in the majority of human solid tumours. Thus spatiotemporal MDSC infiltration may have clinical implications in tumour progression.
Summary Background Voltage-gated potassium channels are thought to be the target of antibodies associated with limbic encephalitis. However, antibody testing using cells expressing voltage-gated ...potassium channels is negative; hence, we aimed to identify the real autoantigen associated with limbic encephalitis. Methods We analysed sera and CSF of 57 patients with limbic encephalitis and antibodies attributed to voltage-gated potassium channels and 148 control individuals who had other disorders with or without antibodies against voltage-gated potassium channels. Immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and mass spectrometry were used to characterise the antigen. An assay with HEK293 cells transfected with leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) and disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 22 (ADAM22) or ADAM23 was used as a serological test. The identity of the autoantigen was confirmed by immunoabsorption studies and immunostaining of Lgi1 -null mice. Findings Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analyses showed that antibodies from patients with limbic encephalitis previously attributed to voltage-gated potassium channels recognise LGI1, a neuronal secreted protein that interacts with presynaptic ADAM23 and postsynaptic ADAM22. Immunostaining of HEK293 cells transfected with LGI1 showed that sera or CSF from patients, but not those from control individuals, recognised LGI1. Co-transfection of LGI1 with its receptors, ADAM22 or ADAM23, changed the pattern of reactivity and improved detection. LGI1 was confirmed as the autoantigen by specific abrogation of reactivity of sera and CSF from patients after immunoabsorption with LGI1-expressing cells and by comparative immunostaining of wild-type and Lgi1 -null mice, which showed selective lack of reactivity in brains of Lgi1 -null mice. One patient with limbic encephalitis and antibodies against LGI1 also had antibodies against CASPR2, an autoantigen we identified in some patients with encephalitis and seizures, Morvan's syndrome, and neuromyotonia. Interpretation LGI1 is the autoantigen associated with limbic encephalitis previously attributed to voltage-gated potassium channels. The term limbic encephalitis associated with antibodies against voltage-gated potassium channels should be changed to limbic encephalitis associated with LGI1 antibodies, and this disorder should be classed as an autoimmune synaptic encephalopathy. Funding National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, and Euroimmun.
Although clinically apparent metastasis is associated with late stages of cancer development, micro-metastatic dissemination may be an early event. However, the fate of these early disseminated tumor ...cells (DTC) remains elusive. We show that despite their capacity to disseminate into secondary organs, 4T1 tumor models develop overt metastasis while EMT6-tumor bearing mice clear DTCs shed from primary tumors as well as those introduced by intravenous (IV) injection. Following the surgical resection of primary EMT6 tumors, mice do not develop detectable metastasis and reject IV-injected tumor cells. In contrast, these cells readily grow and metastasize in immuno-deficient athymic or Rag2
mice, an effect mimicked by CD8
T-cell depletion in immunocompetent mice. Furthermore, recombinant G-CSF or adoptive transfer of granulocytic-MDSCs isolated from 4T1 tumor-bearing mice, induce metastasis by suppressing CD8
T-cells in EMT6-primed mice. Our studies support the concept of immune surveillance providing molecular insights into the immune mechanisms during tumor progression.
In vivo metastasis assays have traditionally been performed in mice, but the process is inefficient and costly. However, since zebrafish do not develop an adaptive immune system until 14 days ...post-fertilization, human cancer cells can survive and metastasize when transplanted into zebrafish larvae. Despite isolated reports, there has been no systematic evaluation of the robustness of this system to date.
Individual cell lines were stained with CM-Dil and injected into the perivitelline space of 2-day old zebrafish larvae. After 2-4 days fish were imaged using confocal microscopy and the number of metastatic cells was determined using Fiji software.
To determine whether zebrafish can faithfully report metastatic potential in human cancer cells, we injected a series of cells with different metastatic potential into the perivitelline space of 2 day old embryos. Using cells from breast, prostate, colon and pancreas we demonstrated that the degree of cell metastasis in fish is proportional to their invasion potential in vitro. Highly metastatic cells such as MDA231, DU145, SW620 and ASPC-1 are seen in the vasculature and throughout the body of the fish after only 24-48 hours. Importantly, cells that are not invasive in vitro such as T47D, LNCaP and HT29 do not metastasize in fish. Inactivation of JAK1/2 in fibrosarcoma cells leads to loss of invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo, and in zebrafish these cells show limited spread throughout the zebrafish body compared with the highly metastatic parental cells. Further, knockdown of WASF3 in DU145 cells which leads to loss of invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo also results in suppression of metastasis in zebrafish. In a cancer progression model involving normal MCF10A breast epithelial cells, the degree of invasion/metastasis in vitro and in mice is mirrored in zebrafish. Using a modified version of Fiji software, it is possible to quantify individual metastatic cells in the transparent larvae to correlate with invasion potential. We also demonstrate, using lung cancers, that the zebrafish model can evaluate the metastatic ability of cancer cells isolated from primary tumors.
The zebrafish model described here offers a rapid, robust, and inexpensive means of evaluating the metastatic potential of human cancer cells. Using this model it is possible to critically evaluate whether genetic manipulation of signaling pathways affects metastasis and whether primary tumors contain metastatic cells.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
MicroRNA-150-5p (miR-150-5p) plays a complex role in normal early hematopoietic development and is also implicated in the development of various different leukemias. We have reported previously that, ...in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies associated with dysregulated fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) activities, miR-150-5p is down-regulated compared with healthy cells. Here, using murine cells, we found that this down-regulation is accompanied by CpG methylation of the miR-150-5p promoter region. Of note, analysis of human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cohorts also revealed an inverse relationship between miR-150-5p expression and disease progression. We also found that the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) enzyme is highly up-regulated in FGFR1-driven leukemias and lymphomas and that FGFR1 inhibition reduces DNMT1 expression. DNMT1 knockdown in stem cell leukemia/lymphoma (SCLL) cells increased miR-150-5p levels and reduced levels of the MYB proto-oncogene transcription factor, a key regulator of leukemogenesis. FGFR1 directly activates the MYC proto-oncogene basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, which, as we show here, binds and activates the DNMT1 promoter. MYC knockdown decreased DNMT1 expression, which, in turn, increased miR-150-5p expression. One of the known targets of miR-150-5p is MYB, and treatment of leukemic cells with the MYB inhibitor mebendazole dose-dependently increased apoptosis and reduced cell viability. Moreover, mebendazole treatment of murine xenografts models of FGFR1-driven leukemias enhanced survival. These findings provide evidence that MYC activates MYB by up-regulating DNMT1, which silences miR-150-5p and promotes SCLL progression. We propose that inclusion of mebendazole in a combination therapy with FGFR1 inhibitors may be a valuable option to manage SCLL.
Stem cell leukemia/lymphoma syndrome (SCLL) is driven by constitutive activation of chimeric FGFR1 kinases generated by chromosome translocations. We have shown that FGFR inhibitors significantly ...suppress leukemia and lymphoma development in vivo, and cell viability in vitro. Since resistance to targeted therapies is a major reason for relapse, we developed FGFR1‐overexpressing mouse and human cell lines that are resistant to the specific FGFR inhibitors AZD4547 and BGJ398, as well as non‐specific inhibitors, such as ponatinib, TKI258 and E3810. Two mutually exclusive mechanisms for resistance were demonstrated; an activating V561M mutation in the FGFR1 kinase domain and mutational inactivation of PTEN resulting in increased PI3K/AKT activity. Ectopic expression of PTEN in the PTEN‐mutant cells resensitizes them to FGFR inhibitors. Treatment of resistant cells with BGJ398, in combination with the BEZ235 PI3K inhibitor, shows an additive effect on growth in vitro and prolongs survival in xenograft models in vivo. These studies provide the first direct evidence for both the involvement of the FGFR1 V561M mutation and PTEN inactivation in the development of resistance in leukemias overexpressing chimeric FGFR1. These studies also provide a potential strategy to treat leukemias and lymphomas driven by FGFR1 activation that become resistant to FGFR1 inhibitors.
What's new?
Chromosomal translocations that result in activation of chimeric fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) are associated with atypical myeloproliferative disorders, making FGFR1 an appealing therapeutic target. As FGFR1 inhibitors near clinical trials, however, acquired resistance against the drugs remains a concern. In the present report, two unique mechanisms for resistance were identified in FGFR1‐resistant cell lines, one involving an activating mutation in FGFR1 and the second mutational inactivation of PTEN, with upregulation of PI3K signaling. Simultaneous targeting of FGFR1 and PI3K, as well as other second‐line approaches, should be considered for the treatment of resistant leukemic cell clones.
LGI1 mutations predispose to a rare epilepsy syndrome and when inactivated in mice leads to early onset seizures and premature death. Histopathology of the mature brain soon after birth shows ...cortical dysplasia in Lgi1 null mice with hypercellularity in the outer cortical layers. Here we show extensive gene expression changes in neuronal precursor cells from Lgi1 null mice compared with wild type mice. The most significantly dysregulated pathway involves canonical axon guidance signaling with multiple networks involved in cell movement, adhesion and invasion related to actin cytoskeleton reorganization. The Lgi1 null NPCs show increased cell motility in vitro compared with normal counterparts. Dysregulation of genes critical to cell movement/migration and critical transcription factors involved in early neuronal development is a prominent feature. These studies provide a critical mechanistic link to the observation of increased cellularity in the outer layers of the developing cortex in Lgi1 null mice.
•Lgi1 null neuronal precursor cells show reduced cell motility.•Gene expression analysis shows dysregulation in the axon guidance pathway that affects actin cytoskeleton reorganization.•Gene changes suggest possible mechanism for cortical dysplasia seen in Lgi1 mutant null mice.
Inactivation of HSP90 and HSP70 leads to loss of invasion in a variety of cancer cell types, presumably as a result of destabilization of, as yet, undefined clients of these molecular chaperones that ...influence this phenotype. The WASF3 gene has been shown to be up-regulated in high-grade tumors and its down-regulation leads to loss of invasion and metastasis. WASF3 phosphorylation by ABL kinase is essential for its ability to regulate invasion. Mass spectroscopy analysis now shows that HSP90 is present in the WASF3 immunocomplex from prostate cancer cells. Inactivation of HSP90 in these and other cell types does not affect WASF3 stability but prevents its phosphoactivation as a result of destabilization of ABL. HSP70 was also found in the WASF3 immunocomplex and inactivation of HSP70 results in destabilization of WASF3 through proteasome degradation. Knockdown of WASF3, HSP90, and HSP70 individually, all lead to loss of invasion but as knockdown of WASF3 in the presence of robust expression of HSP90/70 has the same effect, it seems that the influence these chaperone proteins have on invasion is mediated, at least in part, by their control over the critical invasion promoting capacity of the WASF3 protein. Overexpression of HSP70 in WASF3 null cells does not enhance invasion. These observations suggest that targeting HSP90/70 may have efficacy in reducing cancer cell invasion.
HSP90/70 inactivation reduces cancer cell invasion by unknown mechanisms.
The WASF3 metastasis promoting gene stability and activation is regulated by HSP90/70 chaperones.
The ability of HSP90/70 to suppress invasion results from its regulation of WASF3 function.
Inhibiting HSP may provide an approach to prevent metastasis.
The WASF3 gene has been implicated in cancer cell movement, invasion, and metastasis by regulating genetic pathways important in these processes. Invasion and metastasis assays, however, are largely ...centered on xenograft models in immune-compromised mice. To facilitate analysis of the role of WASF3 in the spontaneous development of cancer cell metastasis, we generated a Wasf3 null strain by deleting exons 4 and 5, which encode essential motifs for Wasf3 function. On exposure to cre-recombinase a stop codon is generated immediately downstream in exon 6. Using a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-cre strain, Wasf3 constitutively was inactivated, which led to viable mice with no visible morphologic or behavioral abnormalities. There was no abnormal development or function of the mouse mammary gland in the Wasf3 null mice and brain development was normal. In the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-driven polyoma middle-T oncogene strain, which shows early onset breast cancer development and metastasis, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (Wasf3) is up-regulated in metastatic lesions. When this oncogene was introduced onto the Wasf3-null background, although metastasis was observed in these mice, there was a reduction in the number and size of metastatic lesions in the lungs. These data provide evidence for a role in WASF3 in the development of metastasis in a spontaneous model of breast cancer.