scholarly journals HNF1A is a Novel Oncogene and Central Regulator of Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan V. Abel ◽  
Masashi Goto ◽  
Brian Magnuson ◽  
Saji Abraham ◽  
Nikita Ramanathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Gene Signature ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

ABSTRACTThe biological properties of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) remain incompletely defined and the central regulators are unknown. By bioinformatic analysis of a PCSC-enriched gene signature, we identified the transcription factor HNF1A as a putative central regulator of PCSC function. Levels of HNF1A and its target genes were found to be elevated in PCSCs and tumorspheres, and depletion of HNF1A resulted in growth inhibition, apoptosis, impaired tumorsphere formation, PCSC depletion, and downregulation of OCT4 expression. Conversely, HNF1A overexpression increased PCSC numbers and tumorsphere formation in pancreatic cancer cells and drove PDA cell growth. Importantly, depletion of HNF1A in primary tumor xenografts impaired tumor growth and depleted PCSCs in vivo. Finally, we established an HNF1A-dependent gene signature in PDA cells that significantly correlated with reduced survivability in patients. These findings identify HNF1A as a central transcriptional regulator of the PCSC state and novel oncogene in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

scholarly journals HNF1A is a novel oncogene that regulates human pancreatic cancer stem cell properties

eLife ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan V Abel ◽  
Masashi Goto ◽  
Brian Magnuson ◽  
Saji Abraham ◽  
Nikita Ramanathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Gene Signature ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Human Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Marker Expression

The biological properties of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) remain incompletely defined and the central regulators are unknown. By bioinformatic analysis of a human PCSC-enriched gene signature, we identified the transcription factor HNF1A as a putative central regulator of PCSC function. Levels of HNF1A and its target genes were found to be elevated in PCSCs and tumorspheres, and depletion of HNF1A resulted in growth inhibition, apoptosis, impaired tumorsphere formation, decreased PCSC marker expression, and downregulation of POU5F1/OCT4 expression. Conversely, HNF1A overexpression increased PCSC marker expression and tumorsphere formation in pancreatic cancer cells and drove pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cell growth. Importantly, depletion of HNF1A in xenografts impaired tumor growth and depleted PCSC marker-positive cells in vivo. Finally, we established an HNF1A-dependent gene signature in PDA cells that significantly correlated with reduced survivability in patients. These findings identify HNF1A as a central transcriptional regulator of PCSC properties and novel oncogene in PDA.

scholarly journals The Role of miRNAs in the Regulation of Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Bimonte ◽  
Antonio Barbieri ◽  
Maddalena Leongito ◽  
Giuseppe Palma ◽  
Vitale del Vecchio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Small Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is currently one of the deadliest cancers with low overall survival rate. This disease leads to an aggressive local invasion and early metastases and is poorly responsive to treatment with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Several studies have shown that pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) play different roles in the regulation of drug resistance and recurrence in pancreatic cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA), a class of newly emerging small noncoding RNAs, is involved in the modulation of several biological activities ranging from invasion to metastases development, as well as drug resistance of pancreatic cancer. In this review, we synthesize the latest findings on the role of miRNAs in regulating different biological properties of pancreatic cancer stem cells.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Profiling of Panc-1 Spheroid Cells with Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells Properties Cultured by a Novel 3D Semi-Solid System

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 2109-2125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaocong Yang ◽  
Yanfeng Zhang ◽  
Tingting Tang ◽  
Qinhua Zhu ◽  
Wanyue Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Culture System ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Semi Solid ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Solid System

Background/Aims: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest human malignancies, the lethality of which may be attributed to the presence of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs), a small subpopulation of cells existing within pancreatic tumor with high carcinogenesis. Therefore, it is crucial to establish an efficient enrichment and culture system of PCSCs and identify the key genes involved in the regulation of PCSCs. The three-dimensional (3D) liquid suspension mammosphere culture system has been established for enrichment and culture of PCSCs in vitro as the cell spheres are likely to originate from individual cell clone, but it has been challenged because the cell spheroids could be a result of cell aggregation. Methods: We optimized the existing culture system by adding methylcellulose to create a 3D semi-solid system which prevented the non-specific aggregation. Then we identified the CSC properties of Panc-1 spheroid cells cultured by this system by detecting the genes associated with stemness and by evaluation of the tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo through invasion, migration and xenograft experiments methods. Subsequently, we performed high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of the Panc-1 spheroid cells. Results: We confirmed the PCSCs properties and high malignancy of the Panc-1 spheroid cells enriched by our novel 3D semi-solid system both in vitro and in vivo. Hundreds of mRNA, microRNA (miRNA) and dozens of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) were identified to be differentially regulated in PCSCs-like Panc-1 spheroid cells compared with their parental cells by HTS. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate an efficient enrichment and culture system for Panc-1 spheroid cells with the PCSCs properties. The differentially expressed genes and their targets identified by the HTS of the Panc-1 spheroid cells can serve as new potential biomarkers for pancreatic cancer diagnosis and targeted therapy.

scholarly journals Exosomes derived from cancer stem cells of gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells enhance drug resistance by delivering miR-210

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyong Yang ◽  
Ning Zhao ◽  
Jing Cui ◽  
Heshui Wu ◽  
Jiongxin Xiong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract Purpose Gemcitabine (GEM)-based chemotherapy is the first-line treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. GEM resistance, however, remains a significant clinical challenge. Here, we investigated whether exosomes derived from GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs) mediate cell-cell communication between cells that are sensitive or resistant to GEM and, by doing so, regulate drug resistance. Methods GEM-sensitive BxPC-3-derived BxS and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells were cultured with exosomes extracted from CSCs isolated from GEM-resistant BxPC-3-derived BxR cells (BxR-CSC). The effect of exosomes on drug resistance, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and miRNA expression was evaluated in BxS and PANC-1 cells. Relevant miRNAs associated with GEM resistance were identified and the role of miR-210 in conferring drug resistance was examined in vitro and in vivo. Results BxR-CSC-derived exosomes induced GEM resistance, inhibited GEM-induced cell cycle arrest, antagonized GEM-induced apoptosis, and promoted tube formation and cell migration in BxS and PANC-1 cells. Elevated miR-210 expression levels were detected in BxR-CSCs and BxR-CSC-derived exosomes compared to those in BxS-CSCs and BxS-CSC-derived exosomes. In addition, increased expression levels of miR-210 were observed in BxS and PANC-1 cells cultured with BxR-CSC-derived exosomes upon exposure to GEM in a dose-dependent manner. Also, a series of biological changes was observed in BxS cells after transfection with miR-210 mimics, including activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and these changes were similar to those triggered by BxR-CSC-derived exosomes. Conclusions Our findings suggest that exosomes derived from GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer stem cells mediate the horizontal transfer of drug-resistant traits to GEM-sensitive pancreatic cancer cells by delivering miR-210.

scholarly journals Induction of Lysosome Membrane Permeabilization as a Therapeutic Strategy to Target Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy P. Cash ◽  
Sonia Alcalá ◽  
María del Rosario Rico-Ferreira ◽  
Elena Hernández-Encinas ◽  
Jennifer García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Membrane Permeabilization ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Chemical Library ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

Despite significant efforts to improve pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) clinical outcomes, overall survival remains dismal. The poor response to current therapies is partly due to the existence of pancreatic cancer stem cells (PaCSCs), which are efficient drivers of PDAC tumorigenesis, metastasis and relapse. To find new therapeutic agents that could efficiently kill PaCSCs, we screened a chemical library of 680 compounds for candidate small molecules with anti-CSC activity, and identified two compounds of a specific chemical series with potent activity in vitro and in vivo against patient-derived xenograft (PDX) cultures. The anti-CSC mechanism of action of this specific chemical series was found to rely on induction of lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), which is likely associated with the increased lysosomal mass observed in PaCSCs. Using the well characterized LMP-inducer siramesine as a tool molecule, we show elimination of the PaCSC population in mice implanted with tumors from two PDX models. Collectively, our approach identified lysosomal disruption as a promising anti-CSC therapeutic strategy for PDAC.

Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (17) ◽  
pp. 2806-2812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheong J. Lee ◽  
Joseph Dosch ◽  
Diane M. Simeone
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Specific Subset ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

Cellular heterogeneity in cancer was observed decades ago by studies in mice which showed that distinct subpopulations of cells within a tumor mass are capable of driving tumorigenesis. Conceptualized from this finding was the stem-cell hypothesis for cancer, which suggests that only a specific subset of cancer cells within each tumor is responsible for tumor initiation and propagation, termed tumor initiating cells or cancer stem cells (CSCs). Recent data has been provided to support the existence of CSCs in human blood cell–derived cancers and solid organ tumors of the breast, brain, prostate, colon, and skin. Study of human pancreatic cancers has also revealed a specific subpopulation of cancer cells that possess the characteristics of CSCs. These pancreatic cancer stem cells express the cell surface markers CD44, CD24, and epithelial-specific antigen, and represent 0.5% to 1.0% of all pancreatic cancer cells. Along with the properties of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation, pancreatic CSCs display upregulation of important developmental genes that maintain self-renewal in normal stem cells, including Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and BMI-1. Signaling cascades that are integral in tumor metastasis are also upregulated in the pancreatic CSC. Understanding the biologic behavior and the molecular pathways that regulate growth, survival, and metastasis of pancreatic CSCs will help to identify novel therapeutic approaches to treat this dismal disease.

Effect of inhibition of protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) on pancreatic cancer cells.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14591-e14591 ◽  
Author(s):  
George P. Sorescu ◽  
Lora W. Forman ◽  
Douglas V. Faller
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Human Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Caspase Inhibitor ◽  
Knock Down ◽  
Pancreatic Cancers ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

e14591 Background: 93% of pancreatic cancers have activating mutations in the K-Ras gene. We have previously shown that mutated, constitutively-activated Ras is lethal to cells if an essential Ras-driven survival pathway is disrupted by suppression of PKCδ. PKCδ has various cellular functions, but is not required for the survival of normal cells and its inhibition in vitro or in vivo has no known adverse effects. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is constitutive driver of many solid cancers, including pancreatic cancers. STAT3 requires phosphorylation of Tyr 705 for activation and, once activated translocates to the nucleus, where it controls genes involved in cell survival or death. Methods: Human pancreatic cancer cell lines PancI, MIAPACA and primary human pancreatic cancer stem cells were studied. shRNA-mediated knockdown of PKCδ, with scrambled shRNA as a control, was used to validate PKCδ as a target. Rottlerin and KAM1 were used as relatively specific PKCδ inhibitors. For inhibition of STAT3, specific shRNA against STAT3 versus scrambled shRNA were employed for knock-downs. For cytotoxicity analyses, MTS assays were used to assess cell growth. Z-vad-FMK was used as a pan-caspase inhibitor. Immunoblotting was used to verify knock-down of PKCδ or STAT3 and to quantify the phosphorylation status of STAT3 phospho-Tyr 705. Results: PKCδ inhibition by either shRNA knock-down or inhibitor led to dephosphorylation of STAT3 at Tyr 705, extensive cytotoxicity of pancreatic cancer cells and dramatic reductions in tumor clonogenic capacity. Knock down of STAT3 was equally cytotoxic to pancreatic cancer cells. Cytotoxicity following PKCδ inhibition was not prevented by a pan-caspase inhibitor. Conclusions: Activated STAT3 and survival in pancreatic cancer cells requires PKCδ. Inhibition of PKCδ, and subsequent suppression of STAT3 activation, is cytotoxic for pancreatic cancer cells through a mechanism independent of caspase activation or apoptosis. Small molecule inhibitors of PKCδ have potential as targeted therapeutic agents against pancreatic tumors, pancreatic cancer stem cells, and other human tumors with mutational activation of Ras.

The Role of PGC-1α in Digestive System Malignant Tumours

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-285
Author(s):  
Qiushuang Zhang ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Chao Xie ◽  
Xiaoshuo Dai ◽  
Junfen Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Digestive System ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Malignant Tumours ◽  
Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells

Background: Cancer is increasingly becoming the leading cause of death in many countries, and malignant tumours of the digestive system account for majority of cancer incidence and mortality cases. Metabolism has been identified as a core hallmark of cancer. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) is a pivotal regulator of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Accumulating evidence reveals that PGC-1α is essential in cancer development. Objective: We summarize the latest research progress of PGC-1α in common digestive system malignant tumours. Some related modulators and pathways are analyzed as well. Methods: We conducted a literature review on the development of PGC-1α in common digestive system malignant tumours. Results: In colorectal cancer, PGC-1α appears to provide growth advantages by different pathways, although it has also been reported to have opposite effects. The previous studies of PGC-1α on liver cancer also demonstrated different effects by sundry pathways. Concerning gastric cancer, PGC-1α promotes cell proliferation, apoptosis in vitro and tumour growth in vivo. AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α is related to the inhibition of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Pancreatic cancer stem cells are strongly dependent on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. PGC-1α is required to maintain the stemness property of pancreatic cancer stem cells. Conclusion: We explore diverse mechanisms that explain the dichotomous functions of PGC-1α on tumorigenesis, and discuss the latest research concerning digestive system malignant tumours. This review would provide better comprehension of the field and a basis for further studies associated with PGC-1α in digestive system cancers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document