Upregulation of the Oct3/4 Network in Basal Breast Cancer Is Associated with Its Metastatic Potential and Shows Tissue Dependent Variability.

Adaptive plasticity of Breast Cancer stem cells (BCSCs) is strongly correlated with cancer progression and resistance, leading to a poor prognosis. In this study, we report the expression profile of several pioneer transcription factors of the Oct3/4 network associated with tumor initiation and metastasis. In the triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) stably transfected with human Oct3/4-GFP, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using qPCR and microarray, and the resistance to paclitaxel was assessed using an MTS assay. The tumor-seeding potential in immunocompromised (NOD-SCID) mice and DEGs in the tumors were also assessed along with the intra-tumor (CD44+/CD24-) expression using flow cytometry. Unlike 2-D cultures, the Oct3/4-GFP expression was homogenous and stable in 3-D mammospheres developed from BCSCs. A total of 25 DEGs including Gata6, FoxA2, Sall4, Zic2, H2afJ, Stc1 and Bmi1 were identified in Oct3/4 activated cells coupled with a significantly increased resistance to paclitaxel. In mice, the higher Oct3/4 expression in tumors correlated with enhanced tumorigenic potential and aggressive growth, with metastatic lesions showing a >5-fold upregulation of DEGs compared to orthotopic tumors and variability in different tissues with the highest modulation in the brain. Serially re-implanting tumors in mice as a model of recurrence and metastasis highlighted the sustained upregulation of Sall4, c-Myc, Mmp1, Mmp9 and Dkk1 genes in metastatic lesions with a 2-fold higher expression of stem cell markers (CD44+/CD24-). Thus, Oct3/4 transcriptome may drive the differentiation and maintenance of BCSCs, promoting their tumorigenic potential, metastasis and resistance to drugs such as paclitaxel with tissue-specific heterogeneity.

Synaptotagmin 2 mutations cause an autosomal-dominant form of lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome and nonprogressive motor neuropathy.

Synaptotagmin 2 is a synaptic vesicle protein that functions as a calcium sensor for neurotransmission but has not been previously associated with human disease. Via whole-exome sequencing, we identified heterozygous missense mutations in the C2B calcium-binding domain of the gene encoding Synaptotagmin 2 in two multigenerational families presenting with peripheral motor neuron syndromes. An essential calcium-binding aspartate residue, Asp307Ala, was disrupted by a c.920A>C change in one family that presented with an autosomal-dominant presynaptic neuromuscular junction disorder resembling Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. A c.923C>T variant affecting an adjacent residue (p.Pro308Leu) produced a presynaptic neuromuscular junction defect and a dominant hereditary motor neuropathy in a second family. Characterization of the mutation homologous to the human c.920A>C variant in Drosophila Synaptotagmin revealed a dominant disruption of synaptic vesicle exocytosis using this transgenic model. These findings indicate that Synaptotagmin 2 regulates neurotransmitter release at human peripheral motor nerve terminals. In addition, mutations in the Synaptotagmin 2 C2B domain represent an important cause of presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes and link them with hereditary motor axonopathies.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in liver failure requiring transplantation.

Liver failure is a heterogeneous condition which may be fatal and the primary cause is frequently unknown. We investigated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in patients undergoing liver transplantation. We studied 45 patients who had liver transplantation due to a variety of clinical presentations. Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with immunodetection of respiratory chain complexes I-V, biochemical activity of respiratory chain complexes II and IV and quantification of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number were investigated in liver tissue collected from the explanted liver during transplantation. Abnormal mitochondrial function was frequently present in this cohort: ten of 40 patients (25 %) had a defect of one or more respiratory chain enzyme complexes on blue native gels, 20 patients (44 %) had low activity of complex II and/or IV and ten (22 %) had a reduced mtDNA copy number. Combined respiratory chain deficiency and reduced numbers of mitochondria were detected in all three patients with acute liver failure. Low complex IV activity in biliary atresia and complex II defects in cirrhosis were common findings. All six patients diagnosed with liver tumours showed variable alterations in mitochondrial function, probably due to the heterogeneity of the presenting tumour. In conclusion, mitochondrial dysfunction is common in severe liver failure in non-mitochondrial conditions. Therefore, in contrast to the common practice detection of respiratory chain abnormalities in liver should not restrict the inclusion of patients for liver transplantation. Furthermore, improving mitochondrial function may be targeted as part of a complex therapy approach in different forms of liver diseases.

A proteogenomic surfaceome study identifies DLK1 as an immunotherapeutic target in neuroblastoma.

Cancer immunotherapies have produced remarkable results in B-cell malignancies; however, optimal cell surface targets for many solid cancers remain elusive. Here, we present an integrative proteomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic analysis of tumor specimens along with normal tissues to identify biologically relevant cell surface proteins that can serve as immunotherapeutic targets for neuroblastoma, an often-fatal childhood cancer of the developing nervous system. We apply this approach to human-derived cell lines (N=9) and cell/patient-derived xenograft (N=12) models of neuroblastoma. Plasma membrane-enriched mass spectrometry identified 1,461 cell surface proteins in cell lines and 1,401 in xenograft models, respectively. Additional proteogenomic analyses revealed 60 high-confidence candidate immunotherapeutic targets and we prioritized Delta-like canonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1) for further study. High expression of DLK1 directly correlated with the presence of a super-enhancer spanning the DLK1 locus. Robust cell surface expression of DLK1 was validated by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. Short hairpin RNA mediated silencing of DLK1 in neuroblastoma cells resulted in increased cellular differentiation. ADCT-701, a DLK1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), showed potent and specific cytotoxicity in DLK1-expressing neuroblastoma xenograft models. Moreover, DLK1 is highly expressed in several adult cancer types, including adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PCPG), hepatoblastoma, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), suggesting potential clinical benefit beyond neuroblastoma. Taken together, our study demonstrates the utility of comprehensive cancer surfaceome characterization and credentials DLK1 as an immunotherapeutic target. Highlights: Plasma membrane enriched proteomics defines surfaceome of neuroblastomaMulti-omic data integration prioritizes DLK1 as a candidate immunotherapeutic target in neuroblastoma and other cancersDLK1 expression is driven by a super-enhancer DLK1 silencing in neuroblastoma cells results in cellular differentiation ADCT-701, a DLK1-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, shows potent and specific cytotoxicity in DLK1-expressing neuroblastoma preclinical models.

The effectiveness of a community health program in improving diabetes knowledge in the Hispanic population: Salud y Bienestar (Health and Wellness).

We evaluated the effectiveness of the Salud y Bienestar program to deliver diabetes education in the Hispanic population in the United States. This program uses a community outreach model where community health promoters are trained and then they deliver education to other community members regarding diabetes disease, risk factors, and ways to prevent and control disease. This intervention applies a one-group pre- and post-test design to improve diabetes knowledge. The intervention carried out in the states of California, Texas, and Washington DC. A total of 1,413 participants were enrolled. Of these, 73% were females, 46% were 65 years or older, 59% were Mexican, 64% had at least elementary education, 56% had lived in the US for more than 20 years, and 38% participants were self-reported diabetic. Among diabetic participants, a significant improvement was observed on diabetes knowledge when comparing pre- and post-test scores (13.7 vs. 18.6, P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.2). Among non-diabetic participants, diabetes knowledge also increased significantly after one-single training session (12.9 vs. 18.2, P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.2). The Salud y Bienestar program conducted by community health workers was effective approach to improving diabetes knowledge in the Hispanic population.

Serial Profiling of Circulating Tumor DNA Identifies Dynamic Evolution of Clinically Actionable Genomic Alterations in High-Risk Neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma evolution, heterogeneity, and resistance remain inadequately defined, suggesting a role for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing. To define the utility of ctDNA profiling in neuroblastoma, 167 blood samples from 48 high-risk patients were evaluated for ctDNA using comprehensive genomic profiling. At least one pathogenic genomic alteration was identified in 56% of samples and 73% of evaluable patients, including clinically actionable ALK and RAS-MAPK pathway variants. Fifteen patients received ALK inhibition (ALKi), and ctDNA data revealed dynamic genomic evolution under ALKi therapeutic pressure. Serial ctDNA profiling detected disease evolution in 15 of 16 patients with a recurrently identified variant-in some cases confirming disease progression prior to standard surveillance methods. Finally, ctDNA-defined ERRFI1 loss-of-function variants were validated in neuroblastoma cellular models, with the mutant proteins exhibiting loss of wild-type ERRFI1's tumor-suppressive functions. Taken together, ctDNA is prevalent in children with high-risk neuroblastoma and should be followed throughout neuroblastoma treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: ctDNA is prevalent in children with neuroblastoma. Serial ctDNA profiling in patients with neuroblastoma improves the detection of potentially clinically actionable and functionally relevant variants in cancer driver genes and delineates dynamic tumor evolution and disease progression beyond that of standard tumor sequencing and clinical surveillance practices. See related commentary by Deubzer et al., p. 2727. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2711.

Development of GPC2-directed chimeric antigen receptors using mRNA for pediatric brain tumors.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children with an urgent need for innovative therapies. Glypican 2 (GPC2) is a cell surface oncoprotein expressed in neuroblastoma for which targeted immunotherapies have been developed. This work aimed to characterize GPC2 expression in pediatric brain tumors and develop an mRNA CAR T cell approach against this target. METHODS: We investigated GPC2 expression across a cohort of primary pediatric brain tumor samples and cell lines using RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. To target GPC2 in the brain with adoptive cellular therapies and mitigate potential inflammatory neurotoxicity, we used optimized mRNA to create transient chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. We developed four mRNA CAR T cell constructs using the highly GPC2-specific fully human D3 single chain variable fragment for preclinical testing. RESULTS: We identified high GPC2 expression across multiple pediatric brain tumor types including medulloblastomas, embryonal tumors with multilayered rosettes, other central nervous system embryonal tumors, as well as definable subsets of highly malignant gliomas. We next validated and prioritized CAR configurations using in vitro cytotoxicity assays with GPC2-expressing neuroblastoma cells, where the light-to-heavy single chain variable fragment configurations proved to be superior. We expanded the testing of the two most potent GPC2-directed CAR constructs to GPC2-expressing medulloblastoma and high-grade glioma cell lines, showing significant GPC2-specific cell death in multiple models. Finally, biweekly locoregional delivery of 2-4 million GPC2-directed mRNA CAR T cells induced significant tumor regression in an orthotopic medulloblastoma model and significantly prolonged survival in an aggressive orthotopic thalamic diffuse midline glioma xenograft model. No GPC2-directed CAR T cell related neurologic or systemic toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these data show that GPC2 is a highly differentially expressed cell surface protein on multiple malignant pediatric brain tumors that can be targeted safely with local delivery of mRNA CAR T cells, laying the framework for the clinical translation of GPC2-directed immunotherapies for pediatric brain tumors.

Antibody-Drug Conjugate Efficacy in Neuroblastoma: Role of Payload, Resistance Mechanisms, Target Density, and Antibody Internalization.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are a targeted cancer therapy that utilize the specificity of antibodies to deliver potent drugs selectively to tumors. Here we define the complex interaction among factors that dictate ADC efficacy in neuroblastoma by testing both a comprehensive panel of ADC payloads in a diverse set of neuroblastoma cell lines and utilizing the glypican 2 (GPC2)-targeting D3-GPC2-PBD ADC to study the role of target antigen density and antibody internalization in ADC efficacy in neuroblastoma. We first find that DNA binding drugs are significantly more cytotoxic to neuroblastomas than payloads that bind tubulin or inhibit DNA topoisomerase 1. We additionally show that neuroblastomas with high expression of the ABCB1 drug transporter or that harbor a TP53 mutation are significantly more resistant to tubulin and DNA/DNA topoisomerase 1 binding payloads, respectively. Next, we utilized the GPC2-specific D3-GPC2-IgG1 antibody to show that neuroblastomas internalize this antibody/GPC2 complex at significantly different rates and that these antibody internalization kinetics correlate significantly with GPC2 cell surface density. However, sensitivity to pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimers primarily dictated sensitivity to the corresponding D3-GPC2-PBD ADC, overall having a larger influence on ADC efficacy than GPC2 cell surface density or antibody internalization. Finally, we utilized GPC2 isogenic Kelly neuroblastoma cells with different levels of cell surface GPC2 expression to define the threshold of target density required for ADC efficacy. Taken together, DNA binding ADC payloads should be prioritized for development for neuroblastoma given their superior efficacy and considering that ADC payload sensitivity is a major determinant of ADC efficacy.

A GPC2 antibody-drug conjugate is efficacious against neuroblastoma and small-cell lung cancer via binding a conformational epitope.

Glypican 2 (GPC2) is a MYCN-regulated, differentially expressed cell-surface oncoprotein and target for immune-based therapies in neuroblastoma. Here, we build on GPC2's immunotherapeutic attributes by finding that it is also a highly expressed, MYCN-driven oncoprotein on small-cell lung cancers (SCLCs), with significantly enriched expression in both the SCLC and neuroblastoma stem cell compartment.By solving the crystal structure of the D3-GPC2-Fab/GPC2 complex at 3.3 Å resolution, we further illustrate that the GPC2-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC; D3-GPC2-PBD), that links a human GPC2 antibody (D3) to DNA-damaging pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimers, binds a tumor-specific, conformation-dependent epitope of the core GPC2 extracellular domain. We then show that this ADC induces durable neuroblastoma and SCLC tumor regression via induction of DNA damage, apoptosis, and bystander cell killing, notably with no signs of ADC-induced in vivo toxicity. These studies provide preclinical data to support the clinical translation of ADCs targeting GPC2.

CAMKV Is a Candidate Immunotherapeutic Target in MYCN Amplified Neuroblastoma.

We developed a computational pipeline designed to use RNA sequencing (n = 136) and gene expression profiling (n = 250) data from neuroblastoma tumors to identify cell surface proteins predicted to be highly expressed in MYCN amplified neuroblastomas and with little or no expression in normal human tissues. We then performed ChIP-seq in the MYCN amplified cell lines KELLY, NB-1643, and NGP to identify gene promoters that are occupied by MYCN protein to define the intersection with the differentially-expressed gene list. We initially identified 116 putative immunotherapy targets with predicted transmembrane domains, with the most significant differentially-expressed of these being the calmodulin kinase-like vesicle-associated gene (CAMKV, p = 2 × 10-6). CAMKV encodes a protein that binds calmodulin in the presence of calcium, but lacks the kinase activity of other calmodulin kinase family members. We confirmed that CAMKV is selectively expressed in 7/7 MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cell lines and showed that the transcription of CAMKV is directly controlled by MYCN. From membrane fractionation and immunohistochemistry, we verified that CAMKV is membranous in MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cell lines and patient-derived xenografts. Finally, immunohistochemistry showed that CAMKV is not expressed on normal tissues outside of the central nervous system. Together, these data demonstrate that CAMKV is a differentially-expressed cell surface protein that is transcriptionally regulated by MYCN, making it a candidate for targeting with antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates that do not cross the blood brain barrier.

Identification of GPC2 as an Oncoprotein and Candidate Immunotherapeutic Target in High-Risk Neuroblastoma.

We developed an RNA-sequencing-based pipeline to discover differentially expressed cell-surface molecules in neuroblastoma that meet criteria for optimal immunotherapeutic target safety and efficacy. Here, we show that GPC2 is a strong candidate immunotherapeutic target in this childhood cancer. We demonstrate high GPC2 expression in neuroblastoma due to MYCN transcriptional activation and/or somatic gain of the GPC2 locus. We confirm GPC2 to be highly expressed on most neuroblastomas, but not detectable at appreciable levels in normal childhood tissues. In addition, we demonstrate that GPC2 is required for neuroblastoma proliferation. Finally, we develop a GPC2-directed antibody-drug conjugate that is potently cytotoxic to GPC2-expressing neuroblastoma cells. Collectively, these findings validate GPC2 as a non-mutated neuroblastoma oncoprotein and candidate immunotherapeutic target.

Dephosphorylation of the Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) inhibits cancer cell EMT via Zeb.

The tumor suppressor Retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is highly phosphorylated in cancer cells largely due to the overexpression of cyclins or the loss of expression of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (cdki). Hyperphosphorylation of Rb promotes proliferation, and plays a role in the regulation of apoptosis. Recently, inhibition of cyclin dependent activity toward Rb has been identified as a strategy that has shown clinical efficacy. We utilized a method to induce phosphatase activity toward Rb in cells by shRNA silencing of PNUTS (Phosphatase Nuclear Targeting Subunit) that regulates PP1-mediated dephosphorylation of Rb. In this study, the effect of Rb dephosphorylation on the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) was determined. The EMT transition is observed in cancer cells that have acquired invasive characteristics. In breast cancer cells grown in 3D Matrigel cultures, MCF7 cells undergo apoptosis in response to Rb dephosphorylation, whereas MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells exhibit a reduction in the EMT. Cells devoid of phosphorylated Rb (nontransformed MCF10A and Rb-null MDA-MB-468) lacked any response to PNUTS depletion, showing the effect is Rb-dependent. In addition, these studies showed that Rb dephosphorylation in 3D Matrigel cultures of highly invasive HT1080 cells led to the inhibition of the EMT. Furthermore we observed association between dephosphorylated Rb with ZEB1, a zinc-finger E-box-binding transcription factor that regulates expression of E- and N-cadherins. Finally Rb dephosphorylation led to inhibition of ZEB1 transcriptional activity, this data supports the notion that Rb dephosphorylation modulates the EMT. These studies suggest targeting Rb phosphorylation in mesenchymal cancer cells may decrease invasiveness.

Investigating the role of the physiological isoform switch of cytochrome c oxidase subunits in reversible mitochondrial disease.

Reversible infantile respiratory chain deficiency is characterised by spontaneous recovery of mitochondrial myopathy in infants. We studied whether a physiological isoform switch of nuclear cytochrome c oxidase subunits contributes to the age-dependent manifestation and spontaneous recovery in reversible mitochondrial disease. Some nuclear-encoded subunits of cytochrome c oxidase are present as tissue-specific isoforms. Isoforms of subunits COX6A and COX7A expressed in heart and skeletal muscle are different from isoforms expressed in the liver, kidney and brain. Furthermore, in skeletal muscle both the heart and liver isoforms of subunit COX7A have been demonstrated with variable levels, indicating that the tissue-specific expression of nuclear-encoded subunits could provide a basis for the fine-tuning of cytochrome c oxidase activity to the specific metabolic needs of the different tissues. We demonstrate a developmental isoform switch of COX6A and COX7A subunits in human and mouse skeletal muscle. While the liver type isoforms are more present soon after birth, the heart/muscle isoforms gradually increase around 3 months of age in infants, 4 weeks of age in mice, and these isoforms persist in muscle throughout life. Our data in follow-up biopsies of patients with reversible infantile respiratory chain deficiency indicate that the physiological isoform switch does not contribute to the clinical manifestation and to the spontaneous recovery of this disease. However, understanding developmental changes of the different cytochrome c oxidase isoforms may have implications for other mitochondrial diseases. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Energy Metabolism Disorders and Therapies.