scholarly journals OS4 - 161 Activated Wnt Signaling for the Therapeutic Targeting of Treatment-Refractory Medulloblastoma Stem Cells

Author(s):  
B. Manoranjan ◽  
S. Mahendram ◽  
D. Bakhshinyan ◽  
M. Kameda-Smith ◽  
C. Venugopal ◽  
...  

Brain tumours represent the leading cause of childhood cancer mortality, of which medulloblastoma (MB) is the most frequent malignant pediatric brain tumour. Current molecular Nsubgroups of MB recognize distinct disease entities of which activated Wnt signaling (monosomy 6, exon 3 mutations in CTNNB1, and Wnt gene signature) is associated with a distinct subgroup and the best overall outcome. In contrast, only non-Wnt MBs are characterized by metastatic disease, increased rate of recurrence, and poor overall survivorship. Given the excellent clinical outcome in patients with Wnt-driven MB, we aimed to convert treatment-resistant MB subgroups into an ostensibly benign tumour through selective targeting by small molecule Wnt agonists (Wnt3A), GSK3 inhibitors (CHIR99021), and transgenic lines containing a stabilized beta-catenin mutant. Activated Wnt signaling resulted in decreased in vitro self-renewal and promoted differentiation within primary human MB stem cells. The clinical relevance of these findings were demonstrated with an in vivo survival advantage in mice containing orthotopic injections of cells containing a stabilized beta-catenin mutant representative of constitutively active Wnt signaling. Xenografts generated from Wnt-activated tumours were much smaller in size, maintained a much lower rate of proliferation, and reduction in key MB stem cell self-renewal genes (Bmi1, Sox2, Msi1, FoxG1). Our work establishes activated Wnt signaling as a novel treatment paradigm in childhood MB, while providing evidence for the context-specific tumour suppressive function of the canonical Wnt pathway.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii201-ii202
Author(s):  
Miranda Tallman ◽  
Abigail Zalenski ◽  
Amanda Deighen ◽  
Morgan Schrock ◽  
Sherry Mortach ◽  
...  

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with nearly universal recurrence. GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of radio- and chemo-resistant cancer cells capable of self-renewal, contribute to the high rate of recurrence. The anti-cancer agent, CBL0137, inhibits the FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) complex leading to cancer cell specific cytotoxicity. Here, we show that CBL0137 sensitized GBM CSCs to radiotherapy using both in vitro and in vivo models. Treatment of CBL0137 combined with radiotherapy led to increased DNA damage in GBM patient specimens and failure to resolve the damage led to decreased cell viability. Using clonogenic assays, we confirmed that CBL0137 radiosensitized the CSCs. To validate that combination therapy impacted CSCs, we used an in vivo subcutaneous model and showed a decrease in the frequency of cancer stem cells present in tumors as well as decreased tumor volume. Using an orthotopic model of GBM, we confirmed that treatment with CBL0137 followed by radiotherapy led to significantly increased survival compared to either treatment alone. Radiotherapy remains a critical component of patient care for GBM, even though there exists a resistant subpopulation. Radio-sensitizing agents, including CBL0137, pose an exciting treatment paradigm to increase the efficacy of irradiation, especially by inclusively targeting CSCs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi237-vi238
Author(s):  
Miranda Montgomery ◽  
Abigail Zalenski ◽  
Amanda Deighen ◽  
Sherry Mortach ◽  
Treg Grubb ◽  
...  

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) has a particularly high rate of recurrence with a 5-year overall survival rate of approximately 5%. This is in part due to a sub-population of cancer stem cells (CSC), which are both radioresistant and chemotherapeutically resistant to conventional treatments. Here we investigated CBL0137, a small molecule form of curaxin, in combination with radiotherapy as a means to radiosensitize CSCs. CBL0137 sequesters FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) complex to chromatin, which leads to activation of p53 and inhibition of NF-κB. This sequestering of FACT results in cytotoxicity especially within tumor cells and prevents FACT from performing its primary role as a histone chaperone, as well as inhibits its part in the DNA damage response pathway. We show that when combined with radiotherapy, CBL0137 administration limited the ability of CSCs to identify and repair damaged DNA. CSCs treated in vitro with CBL0137 and irradiation showed an increased inhibition of cancer cell growth and decreased viability compared to irradiation or drug alone. Combination therapy also showed more DNA damage in the CSCs than with either agent alone. Based on our in vitro evidence for the efficacy of combination therapy to target CSCs, we moved forward to test the treatment in vivo. Using a subcutaneous model, we show that the amount of CD133+ cells (a marker for GMB CSCs) was reduced in irradiation plus CBL0137 compared to either treatment alone. Survival studies demonstrated that irradiation plus CBL0137 compared to irradiation alone or CBL0137 alone increase lifespan. Here we show the ability of CBL0137, in combination with irradiation, to target patient GBM CSCs both in vitro and in vivo. This work establishes a new treatment paradigm for GBM that inclusively targets CSCs and may ultimately reduce tumor recurrence.


2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 720-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
LIPING OU ◽  
LIAOQIONG FANG ◽  
HEJING TANG ◽  
HAI QIAO ◽  
XIAOMEI ZHANG ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Cheng Guo ◽  
Yi-Jun Yang ◽  
Jin-Fang Zheng ◽  
Jian-Quan Zhang ◽  
Min Guo ◽  
...  

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths, but its molecular mechanisms are not yet well characterized. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in tumorigenesis, including that of HCC. However, the role of homeobox A11 antisense (HOXA11-AS) in determining HCC stem cell characteristics remains to be explained; hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of HOXA11-AS on HCC stem cell characteristics. Initially, the expression patterns of HOXA11-AS and HOXA11 in HCC tissues, cells, and stem cells were determined. HCC stem cells, successfully sorted from Hep3B and Huh7 cells, were transfected with short hairpin or overexpression plasmids for HOXA11-AS or HOXA11 overexpression and depletion, with an aim to study the influences of these mediators on the self-renewal, proliferation, migration, and tumorigenicity of HCC stem cells in vivo. Additionally, the potential relationship and the regulatory mechanisms that link HOXA11-AS, HOXA11, and the Wnt signaling pathway were explored through treatment with Dickkopf-1 (a Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor). HCC stem cells showed high expression of HOXA11-AS and low expression of HOXA11. Both HOXA11-AS silencing and HOXA11 overexpression suppressed the self-renewal, proliferation, migration, and tumorigenicity of HCC stem cells in vivo, as evidenced by the decreased expression of cancer stem cell surface markers (CD133 and CD44) and stemness-related transcription factors (Nanog, Sox2, and Oct4). Moreover, silencing HOXA11-AS inactivated the Wnt signaling pathway by decreasing the methylation level of the HOXA11 promoter, thereby inhibiting HCC stem cell characteristics. Collectively, this study suggested that HOXA11-AS silencing exerts an antitumor effect, suppressing HCC development via Wnt signaling pathway inactivation by decreasing the methylation level of the HOXA11 promoter.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Xia ◽  
Tao Han ◽  
Pinghua Yang ◽  
Ruoyu Wang ◽  
Hengyu Li ◽  
...  

Background. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the role of miRNAs in liver CSCs has not been fully elucidated. Methods. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-miR-28-5p in liver cancer stem cells (CSCs). The impact of miR-28-5p on liver CSC expansion was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The correlation between miR-28-5p expression and sorafenib benefits in HCC was further evaluated in patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Results. Our data showed that miR-28-5p was downregulated in sorted EpCAM- and CD24-positive liver CSCs. Biofunctional investigations revealed that knockdown miR-28-5p promoted liver CSC self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Consistently, miR-28-5p overexpression inhibited liver CSC’s self-renewal and tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we found that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was a direct target of miR-28-5p in liver CSCs, and the effects of miR-28-5p on liver CSC’s self-renewal and tumorigenesis were dependent on IGF-1. The correlation between miR-28-5p and IGF-1 was confirmed in human HCC tissues. Furthermore, the miR-28-5p knockdown HCC cells were more sensitive to sorafenib treatment. Analysis of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) further demonstrated that the miR-28-5p may predict sorafenib benefits in HCC patients. Conclusion. Our findings revealed the crucial role of the miR-28-5p in liver CSC expansion and sorafenib response, rendering miR-28-5p an optimal therapeutic target for HCC.


2009 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guizhong Liu ◽  
Sapna Vijayakumar ◽  
Luca Grumolato ◽  
Randy Arroyave ◽  
HuiFang Qiao ◽  
...  

Genetic evidence indicates that Wnt signaling is critically involved in bone homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the functions of canonical Wnts on differentiation of adult multipotent human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro and in vivo. We observe differential sensitivities of hMSCs to Wnt inhibition of osteogenesis versus adipogenesis, which favors osteoblastic commitment under binary in vitro differentiation conditions. Wnt inhibition of osteogenesis is associated with decreased expression of osteoblastic transcription factors and inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, which are involved in osteogenic differentiation. An hMSC subpopulation exhibits high endogenous Wnt signaling, the inhibition of which enhances osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in vitro. In an in vivo bone formation model, high levels of Wnt signaling inhibit de novo bone formation by hMSCs. However, hMSCs with exogenous expression of Wnt1 but not stabilized β-catenin markedly stimulate bone formation by naive hMSCs, arguing for an important role of a canonical Wnt gradient in hMSC osteogenesis in vivo.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 238-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kavalerchik ◽  
Jason Gotlib ◽  
Ifat Geron ◽  
Annelie Abrahamsson ◽  
Wolfgang Wrasidlo ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction A growing proportion of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients show evidence of disease progression. Recent research suggests that leukemia stem cells (LSC) that share phenotypic characteristics with granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMP) are involved in CML progression. These LSC have aberrantly gained self-renewal capacity as a result of enhanced Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. We assayed the capacity of novel Wnt/beta-catenin antagonists to inhibit CML LSC. Methods To assay the efficacy of a novel Wnt inhibitor, MC-001, HEK293 cells were transfected with a Wnt-dependent reporter gene and expression plasmid for Dsh. After 16h, the cells were treated for 24 h with MCC-001, a novel marine sponge derived inhibitor, at varying concentrations and the reporter gene activity was measured. All cells were also transfected with a b-gal reporter gene to control for transfection efficiency. To assess the effects of MCC-001 and other Wnt inhibitors on Wnt/beta-catenin induced self-renewal, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), GMP and lineage positive cells from normal (n=8) and advanced phase CML (n=8) peripheral blood and marrow (n=8) were clone sorted with the aid of a FACS Aria into methocult media (Stem Cell Technologies) with or without Wnt inhibitors including recombinant Dkk1, lentiviral axin or MCC-001. On day 10, individual colonies were plucked and replated in new methylcellulose and the replating efficiency determined at day 10. To establish an in vivo CML LSC model, HSC, GMP and lineage positive cells were transduced with a lentiviral luciferase GFP for 48 hours and transplanted intrahepatically into newborn immunocompromised mice (RAG2−/−gamma−/−) mice that facilitate high levels of human hematopoietic progenitor engraftment. Results The HEK293 beta-catenin reporter assay revealed that the MC-001 IC50 was 2.1 microM. In comparative Wnt inhibitor replating assays (n=8), recombinant Dkk1 did not inhibit CML HSC (n=8) while lentiviral axin and MCC-001 (at 2 and 10 microM) inhibited both CML HSC and CML GMP at doses that spared normal HSC replating (Figure 1). Transplantation of CML HSC, GMP and lineage positive cells into RAG2−/−gamma−/− mice demonstrated that only CML GMP provided serial transplantation potential and thus, were enriched for the LSC population (Figure 2). Conclusions Selective Wnt/beta-catenin inhibition with a marine sponge derived beta-catenin antagonist, MCC-001, blocks in vitro replating capacity of CML LSC at doses that spare normal HSC. Current experiments focus on in vivo inhibition of LSC self-renewal with novel Wnt inhibitors in a robust CML LSC bioluminescent imaging model (Figure 2). Figure 1. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Stem Cell Inhibition with MCC-001: A novel β-catenin Inhibitor Figure 1. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Stem Cell Inhibition with MCC-001: A novel β-catenin Inhibitor Figure 2. Bioluminescent Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Stem Cell Transplantation Model. Figure 2. Bioluminescent Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Stem Cell Transplantation Model.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 405-405
Author(s):  
Kenichi Miharada ◽  
Göran Karlsson ◽  
Jonas Larsson ◽  
Emma Larsson ◽  
Kavitha Siva ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 405 Cripto is a member of the EGF-CFC soluble protein family and has been identified as an important factor for the proliferation/self-renewal of ES and several types of tumor cells. The role for Cripto in the regulation of hematopoietic cells has been unknown. Here we show that Cripto is a potential new candidate factor to increase self-renewal and expand hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro. The expression level of Cripto was analyzed by qRT-PCR in several purified murine hematopoietic cell populations. The findings demonstrated that purified CD34-KSL cells, known as highly concentrated HSC population, had higher expression levels than other hematopoietic progenitor populations including CD34+KSL cells. We asked how Cripto regulates HSCs by using recombinant mouse Cripto (rmCripto) for in vitro and in vivo experiments. First we tested the effects of rmCripto on purified hematopoietic stem cells (CD34-LSK) in vitro. After two weeks culture in serum free media supplemented with 100ng/ml of SCF, TPO and 500ng/ml of rmCripto, 30 of CD34-KSL cells formed over 1,300 of colonies, including over 60 of GEMM colonies, while control cultures without rmCripto generated few colonies and no GEMM colonies (p<0.001). Next, 20 of CD34-KSL cells were cultured with or without rmCripto for 2 weeks and transplanted to lethally irradiated mice in a competitive setting. Cripto treated donor cells showed a low level of reconstitution (4–12%) in the peripheral blood, while cells cultured without rmCripto failed to reconstitute. To define the target population and the mechanism of Cripto action, we analyzed two cell surface proteins, GRP78 and Glypican-1, as potential receptor candidates for Cripto regulation of HSC. Surprisingly, CD34-KSL cells were divided into two distinct populations where HSC expressing GRP78 exhibited robust expansion of CFU-GEMM progenitor mediated by rmCripto in CFU-assay whereas GRP78- HSC did not respond (1/3 of CD34-KSL cells were GRP78+). Furthermore, a neutralization antibody for GRP78 completely inhibited the effect of Cripto in both CFU-assay and transplantation assay. In contrast, all lineage negative cells were Glypican-1 positive. These results suggest that GRP78 must be the functional receptor for Cripto on HSC. We therefore sorted these two GRP78+CD34-KSL (GRP78+HSC) and GRP78-CD34-KSL (GRP78-HSC) populations and transplanted to lethally irradiated mice using freshly isolated cells and cells cultured with or without rmCripto for 2 weeks. Interestingly, fresh GRP78-HSCs showed higher reconstitution than GRP78+HSCs (58–82% and 8–40%, p=0.0038) and the reconstitution level in peripheral blood increased rapidly. In contrast, GRP78+HSC reconstituted the peripheral blood slowly, still at a lower level than GRP78-HSC 4 months after transplantation. However, rmCripto selectively expanded (or maintained) GRP78+HSCs but not GRP78-HSCs after culture and generated a similar level of reconstitution as freshly transplanted cells (12–35%). Finally, bone marrow cells of engrafted recipient mice were analyzed at 5 months after transplantation. Surprisingly, GRP78+HSC cultured with rmCripto showed higher reconstitution of the CD34-KSL population in the recipients' bone marrow (45–54%, p=0.0026), while the reconstitution in peripheral blood and in total bone marrow was almost the same. Additionally, most reconstituted CD34-KSL population was GRP78+. Interestingly freshly transplanted sorted GRP78+HSC and GRP78-HSC can produce the GRP78− and GRP78+ populations in the bone marrow and the ratio of GRP78+/− cells that were regenerated have the same proportion as the original donor mice. Compared to cultured cells, the level of reconstitution (peripheral blood, total bone marrow, HSC) in the recipient mice was almost similar. These results indicate that the GRP78 expression on HSC is reversible, but it seems to be “fixed” into an immature stage and differentiate with lower efficiency toward mature cells after long/strong exposure to Cripto signaling. Based on these findings, we propose that Cripto is a novel factor that maintains HSC in an immature state and may be a potent candidate for expansion of a distinct population of GRP78 expressing HSC. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 4374-4374
Author(s):  
Roshanak Ghazanfari ◽  
Hongzhe Li ◽  
Dimitra Zacharaki ◽  
Simón Méndez-Ferrer ◽  
Stefan Scheding

Abstract Human bone marrow contains a rare population of non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) with multilineage differentiation capacity, which are essential constituents of the hematopoietic microenvironment. Self-renewal and differentiation are the two key properties of somatic stem cells, however, stem cell properties of human adult BM-MSC have not been demonstrated conclusively yet. We have previously shown that low/negative expression of PDGFRα on linneg/CD45neg/CD271pos cells identified a highly enriched population of primary BM-MSC in adult human bone marrow (Li et al. Blood, 2013, 122:3699). Based on this work, the current study aimed to investigate the in-vitro and in-vivo stem cell properties of this putative stromal stem cell population. The in-vitro clonogenic potential of freshly sorted human linneg/CD45neg/CD271pos/PDGFRlow/neg cells was evaluated by utilizing the CFU-F assay as well as the recently-developed mesensphere assay, which enables MSC amplification while preserving an immature phenotype (Isern et al, Cell Reports 2013, 30: 1714-24). Comparable colony frequencies were obtained with both assays (19.3 ± 2 and 17.5 ± 2.3 CFU-F and spheres per 100 plated cells, respectively, n=6, p=0.19). In order to test whether both assays identified the same population of clonogenic cells, colonies and spheres were replated under both conditions for up to three generations. The results showed comparable capacities of CFU-F and mesenspheres to form secondary and tertiary CFU-F and spheres. In-vitro self-renewal as indicated by increasing numbers of CFU-F and spheres (416.6 ± 431.7-fold and 49.5 ± 65.7-fold, respectively, n=3) was observed up to the third generation and decreased thereafter. The total number of generations was five (CFU-F) and six (spheres). In-vitro differentiation assays with both, CFU-F- and sphere-derived cells (tested until passage three) demonstrated tri-lineage differentiation potential (adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes). In addition, CFU-Fs and spheres had comparable surface marker profiles (CD73, CD90, CD105, and HLA-ABC positive; CD31, CD34 and HLA-DR negative), except for CD90, which was higher expressed on CFU-Fs. To investigate in-vivo self-renewal and differentiation potential of the putative stromal stem cells, linneg/CD45neg/CD271pos/PDGFRlow/neg -derived CFU-F and spheres were serially transplanted s.c into NSG mice. After 8 weeks, implants were harvested, human cells were FACS-isolated (CD90 and CD105 expression), and re-assayed under CFU-F and sphere conditions. Whereas in-vivo self-renewal of CFU-F could not be shown (111.5 ± 36 –fold decrease in total CFU-F numbers after primary transplantation, n=3), sphere self-renewal was clearly demonstrated by increased numbers of spheres after primary as well as secondary transplantation (1.13 ± 0.05 and 2.06 ± 0.26 –fold, respectively, n=3), which is remarkable given the fact that the number of recovered human cells is underestimated due to the isolation approach. Here, confirming GFP-marking experiments are ongoing. Finally, preliminary data indicate that linneg/CD45neg/CD271pos/PDGFRlow/neg –derived spheres display full in-vivo differentiation capacity in primary and secondary transplantations. Taken together, our data demonstrate - for the first time - that primary human linneg/CD45neg/CD271pos/PDGFRlow/neg cells meet stringent stem cell criteria, i.e. in-vitro and in-vivo self-renewal and differentiation. These findings answer the long-open question of the potential stem cell properties of adult human MSC and will enable to better understand the properties of native BM-MSC and their biological role in the bone marrow. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Shui Ma ◽  
Xiao-Li Yang ◽  
Yu-Shan Liu ◽  
Hua Ding ◽  
Jian-Jun Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are key regulators in the processes of tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence. The mechanism that maintains their stemness remains enigmatic, although the role of several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been highlighted in the pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs). In this study, we first established that PCSCs overexpressing lncRNA NORAD, and then investigated the effects of NORAD on the maintenance of PCSC stemness. Methods Expression of lncRNA NORAD, miR-202-5p and ANP32E in PC tissues and cell lines was quantified after RNA isolation. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down and RIP assays were performed to verify the interactions among NORAD, miR-202-5p and ANP32E. We then carried out gain- and loss-of function of miR-202-5p, ANP32E and NORAD in PANC-1 cell line, followed by measurement of the aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, colony formation, self-renewal ability and tumorigenicity of PC cells. Results LncRNA NORAD and ANP32E were upregulated in PC tissues and cells, whereas the miR-202-5p level was down-regulated. LncRNA NORAD competitively bound to miR-202-5p, and promoted the expression of the miR-202-5p target gene ANP32E thereby promoting PC cell viability, proliferation, and self-renewal ability in vitro, as well as facilitating tumorigenesis of PCSCs in vivo. Conclusion Overall, lncRNA NORAD upregulates ANP32E expression by competitively binding to miR-202-5, which accelerates the proliferation and self-renewal of PCSCs.


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