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1.
Gut ; 2022 Apr 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35477863

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasingly associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). HCC immunotherapy offers great promise; however, recent data suggests NASH-HCC may be less sensitive to conventional immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). We hypothesised that targeting neutrophils using a CXCR2 small molecule inhibitor may sensitise NASH-HCC to ICI therapy. DESIGN: Neutrophil infiltration was characterised in human HCC and mouse models of HCC. Late-stage intervention with anti-PD1 and/or a CXCR2 inhibitor was performed in murine models of NASH-HCC. The tumour immune microenvironment was characterised by imaging mass cytometry, RNA-seq and flow cytometry. RESULTS: Neutrophils expressing CXCR2, a receptor crucial to neutrophil recruitment in acute-injury, are highly represented in human NASH-HCC. In models of NASH-HCC lacking response to ICI, the combination of a CXCR2 antagonist with anti-PD1 suppressed tumour burden and extended survival. Combination therapy increased intratumoural XCR1+ dendritic cell activation and CD8+ T cell numbers which are associated with anti-tumoural immunity, this was confirmed by loss of therapeutic effect on genetic impairment of myeloid cell recruitment, neutralisation of the XCR1-ligand XCL1 or depletion of CD8+ T cells. Therapeutic benefit was accompanied by an unexpected increase in tumour-associated neutrophils (TANs) which switched from a protumour to anti-tumour progenitor-like neutrophil phenotype. Reprogrammed TANs were found in direct contact with CD8+ T cells in clusters that were enriched for the cytotoxic anti-tumoural protease granzyme B. Neutrophil reprogramming was not observed in the circulation indicative of the combination therapy selectively influencing TANs. CONCLUSION: CXCR2-inhibition induces reprogramming of the tumour immune microenvironment that promotes ICI in NASH-HCC.

2.
Disasters ; 46(3): 677-699, 2022 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34197015

ABSTRACT

How does the news media respond to health emergencies abroad? Between 2015 and 2018, Zika virus spread rapidly throughout Latin America before arriving in the continental United States. Despite the risks to adults and newborns, it is unclear how media coverage developed and framed the threat for its audience. In this paper, we argue that while the frequency of coverage was responsive to infections, its content failed to promote proactive health behaviour. To assess these claims, we analyse each of 442 articles dealing with Zika virus published by The New York Times from 2015-18. We find that the amount of coverage reflected infections but did not change once the disease emerged in the US. Furthermore, content analysis using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count software reveals that coverage emphasised differences between communities (those affected and those at home) and that present and past time orientations dominated coverage as opposed to future time orientations.


Subject(s)
Epidemics , Zika Virus Infection , Zika Virus , Adult , Communication , Epidemics/prevention & control , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Mass Media , New York , United States , Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology
3.
Nature ; 517(7535): 497-500, 2015 Jan 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25383520

ABSTRACT

Inactivation of APC is a strongly predisposing event in the development of colorectal cancer, prompting the search for vulnerabilities specific to cells that have lost APC function. Signalling through the mTOR pathway is known to be required for epithelial cell proliferation and tumour growth, and the current paradigm suggests that a critical function of mTOR activity is to upregulate translational initiation through phosphorylation of 4EBP1 (refs 6, 7). This model predicts that the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, which does not efficiently inhibit 4EBP1 (ref. 8), would be ineffective in limiting cancer progression in APC-deficient lesions. Here we show in mice that mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activity is absolutely required for the proliferation of Apc-deficient (but not wild-type) enterocytes, revealing an unexpected opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Although APC-deficient cells show the expected increases in protein synthesis, our study reveals that it is translation elongation, and not initiation, which is the rate-limiting component. Mechanistically, mTORC1-mediated inhibition of eEF2 kinase is required for the proliferation of APC-deficient cells. Importantly, treatment of established APC-deficient adenomas with rapamycin (which can target eEF2 through the mTORC1-S6K-eEF2K axis) causes tumour cells to undergo growth arrest and differentiation. Taken together, our data suggest that inhibition of translation elongation using existing, clinically approved drugs, such as the rapalogs, would provide clear therapeutic benefit for patients at high risk of developing colorectal cancer.


Subject(s)
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/pathology , Intestinal Neoplasms/metabolism , Intestinal Neoplasms/pathology , Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism , Peptide Chain Elongation, Translational , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein/deficiency , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein/genetics , Animals , Cell Proliferation , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism , Elongation Factor 2 Kinase/deficiency , Elongation Factor 2 Kinase/genetics , Elongation Factor 2 Kinase/metabolism , Enzyme Activation , Genes, APC , Intestinal Neoplasms/genetics , Male , Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Oncogene Protein p55(v-myc)/metabolism , Peptide Elongation Factor 2/metabolism , Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Wnt Proteins/metabolism
4.
J Immunol ; 190(12): 6450-6456, 2013 Jun 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23670187

ABSTRACT

Chemokines, acting on their cognate receptors on infiltrating leukocytes, drive the inflammatory response. We have been interested in determining roles and potential mechanisms for the atypical chemokine-scavenging receptor D6 in the regulation of inflammation. In this study, we show that a psoriasis-like pathology that arises in inflamed skins of D6-deficient mice is characterized by a massive and aberrant localization of neutrophils to the dermal/epidermal junction, which is associated with development of the pathology. Such misplacement of neutrophils is also seen with D6-deficient mice in other inflammatory models, suggesting a role for D6 in the spatial positioning of neutrophils within inflamed sites. We further show that D6 functions cell autonomously in this context and that D6, expressed by neutrophils, limits their migrational responses to CCR1 ligands such as CCL3. Our data therefore indicate that D6 is able to play a cell-autonomous role as a migratory rheostat restricting migration of D6-expressing cells such as neutrophils toward ligands for coexpressed inflammatory chemokine receptors. These data have important implications for our understanding of the roles for D6 in regulating inflammation and for our understanding of the control of spatial positioning of leukocytes at inflamed sites.


Subject(s)
Immune System Diseases/immunology , Leukocyte Disorders/immunology , Psoriasis/immunology , Receptors, Chemokine/immunology , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Inflammation/immunology , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Microscopy, Confocal , Psoriasis/pathology , Skin/immunology , Skin/pathology
5.
J Biol Chem ; 288(51): 36473-83, 2013 Dec 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24194523

ABSTRACT

The inflammatory response is normally limited by mechanisms regulating its resolution. In the absence of resolution, inflammatory pathologies can emerge, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality. We have been studying the D6 chemokine scavenging receptor, which played an indispensable role in the resolution phase of inflammatory responses and does so by facilitating removal of inflammatory CC chemokines. In D6-deficient mice, otherwise innocuous cutaneous inflammatory stimuli induce a grossly exaggerated inflammatory response that bears many similarities to human psoriasis. In the present study, we have used transcriptomic approaches to define the molecular make up of this response. The data presented highlight potential roles for a number of cytokines in initiating and maintaining the psoriasis-like pathology. Most compellingly, we provide data indicating a key role for the type I interferon pathway in the emergence of this pathology. Neutralizing antibodies to type I interferons are able to ameliorate the psoriasis-like pathology, confirming a role in its development. Comparison of transcriptional data generated from this mouse model with equivalent data obtained from human psoriasis further demonstrates the strong similarities between the experimental and clinical systems. As such, the transcriptional data obtained in this preclinical model provide insights into the cytokine network active in exaggerated inflammatory responses and offer an excellent tool to evaluate the efficacy of compounds designed to therapeutically interfere with inflammatory processes.


Subject(s)
Interferon Type I/metabolism , Psoriasis/immunology , Receptors, CCR10/genetics , Animals , Female , Inflammation/genetics , Inflammation/metabolism , Inflammation/pathology , Interferon Type I/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Phorbol Esters/toxicity , Psoriasis/chemically induced , Psoriasis/genetics , Psoriasis/pathology , Transcription, Genetic , Chemokine Receptor D6
6.
Am J Pathol ; 181(4): 1158-64, 2012 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22867710

ABSTRACT

D6 is a scavenging-receptor for inflammatory CC chemokines that are essential for resolution of inflammatory responses in mice. Here, we demonstrate that D6 plays a central role in controlling cutaneous inflammation, and that D6 deficiency is associated with development of a psoriasis-like pathology in response to varied inflammatory stimuli in mice. Examination of D6 expression in human psoriatic skin revealed markedly elevated expression in both the epidermis and lymphatic endothelium in "uninvolved" psoriatic skin (ie, skin that was more than 8 cm distant from psoriatic plaques). Notably, this increased D6 expression is associated with elevated inflammatory chemokine expression, but an absence of plaque development, in uninvolved skin. Along with our previous observations of the ability of epidermally expressed transgenic D6 to impair cutaneous inflammatory responses, our data support a role for elevated D6 levels in suppressing inflammatory chemokine action and lesion development in uninvolved psoriatic skin. D6 expression consistently dropped in perilesional and lesional skin, coincident with development of psoriatic plaques. D6 expression in uninvolved skin also was reduced after trauma, indicative of a role for trauma-mediated reduction in D6 expression in triggering lesion development. Importantly, D6 is also elevated in peripheral blood leukocytes in psoriatic patients, indicating that upregulation may be a general protective response to inflammation. Together our data demonstrate a novel role for D6 as a regulator of the transition from uninvolved to lesional skin in psoriasis.


Subject(s)
Psoriasis/metabolism , Psoriasis/pathology , Receptors, CCR10/metabolism , Animals , Epidermis/metabolism , Epidermis/pathology , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Inflammation/metabolism , Inflammation/pathology , Mice , Psoriasis/complications , Psoriasis/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Receptors, CCR10/genetics , Wounds and Injuries/complications , Wounds and Injuries/pathology , Chemokine Receptor D6
7.
J Cell Biol ; 176(2): 183-95, 2007 Jan 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17227893

ABSTRACT

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene initiate a majority of colorectal cancers. Acquisition of chromosomal instability is an early event in these tumors. We provide evidence that the loss of APC leads to a partial loss of interkinetochore tension at metaphase and alters mitotic progression. Furthermore, we show that inhibition of APC in U2OS cells compromises the mitotic spindle checkpoint. This is accompanied by a decrease in the association of the checkpoint proteins Bub1 and BubR1 with kinetochores. Additionally, APC depletion reduced apoptosis. As expected from this combination of defects, tetraploidy and polyploidy are consequences of APC inhibition in vitro and in vivo. The removal of APC produced the same defects in HCT116 cells that have constitutively active beta-catenin. These data show that the loss of APC immediately induces chromosomal instability as a result of a combination of mitotic and apoptotic defects. We suggest that these defects amplify each other to increase the incidence of tetra- and polyploidy in early stages of tumorigenesis.


Subject(s)
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein/deficiency , Apoptosis/physiology , Mitosis/physiology , Polyploidy , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein/genetics , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Apoptosis/genetics , Caspase 3/metabolism , Cell Cycle Proteins , Cell Line, Tumor , Chromatin/chemistry , Chromatin/metabolism , Cyclin B/metabolism , Cyclin B1 , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/metabolism , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Fibroblasts/metabolism , HCT116 Cells , Histones/analysis , Humans , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestines/chemistry , Intestines/pathology , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Mitosis/drug effects , Mitosis/genetics , Models, Biological , Nocodazole/pharmacology , Paclitaxel/pharmacology , Protein Kinases/metabolism , Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , Spindle Apparatus/metabolism , Staurosporine/pharmacology , beta Catenin/analysis , beta Catenin/metabolism
8.
Bladder Cancer ; 8(3): 277-290, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38993683

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: CXCR2 is a chemokine receptor expressed in myeloid cells, including neutrophils and macrophages. Pharmacological inhibition of CXCR2 has been shown to sensitize tumours to immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies in some cancer types. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of CXCR2 loss in regulation of tumour-infiltrating myeloid cells and their relationship to lymphocytes during bladder tumorigenesis. METHODS: Urothelial pathogenesis and immune contexture was investigated in an OH-BBN model of invasive bladder cancer with Cxcr2 deleted in myeloid cells (LysMCre Cxcr2 flox/flox ). CXCR2 gene alterations and expression in human muscle invasive bladder cancer were analysed in The Cancer Genome Atlas. RESULTS: Urothelial tumour pathogenesis was significantly increased upon Cxcr2 deletion compared to wildtype mice. This was associated with a suppression of myeloid cell infiltration in Cxcr2-deleted bladders shortly after the carcinogen induction. Interestingly, following a transient increase of macrophages at the outset of tumour formation, an increase in T cell infiltration was observed in Cxcr2-deleted tumours. The increased tumour burden in the Cxcr2-deleted bladder was largely independent of T cells and the status of immune suppression. The Cxcr2-deleted mouse model reflected the low CXCR2 mRNA range in human bladder cancer, which showed poor overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous reports of increased CXCR2 signalling associated with disease progression and poor prognosis, CXCR2 was protective against bladder cancer during tumour initiation. This is likely due to a suppression of acute inflammation. The strategy for sensitizing checkpoint immunotherapy by CXCR2 inhibition in bladder cancer may benefit from an examination of immune suppressive status.

9.
Blood ; 113(18): 4224-31, 2009 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19202130

ABSTRACT

Toll-like receptors orchestrate rapid local protective innate-immune responses to invading pathogens and optimize leukocyte priming of subsequent adaptive responses. Paradoxically, systemic excess of the TLR2 ligand, bacterial lipoprotein (BLP), suppresses peripheral inflammatory responses. Here, we demonstrate that this phenomenon is regulated via the TLR2-dependent, cell-autonomous down-regulation of inflammatory chemokine receptor expression on a variety of leukocyte subsets. Remarkably, BLP mediated no effect on constitutive chemokine receptor expression. By tracking adoptively transferred wild-type and TLR2(-/-) leukocytes in vivo, we observed that BLP mediated chemokine receptor switching directed leukocytes away from inflamed sites toward secondary lymphoid organs. These data highlight a novel role for TLR ligands, such as BLP, in regulating leukocyte retention and migration away from innate immune lesions via discrete constitutive and inflammatory chemokine receptor regulation.


Subject(s)
Cell Movement/physiology , Inflammation/prevention & control , Leukocytes/physiology , Lipoproteins/administration & dosage , Receptors, Chemokine/metabolism , Skin/immunology , Toll-Like Receptor 2/physiology , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Chemokines/metabolism , Female , Flow Cytometry , Inflammation/chemically induced , Inflammation/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/pharmacology , Ligands , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , NF-kappa B/genetics , NF-kappa B/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Skin/metabolism , Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate/pharmacology
10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34769632

ABSTRACT

Previous research demonstrates that pandemics, including COVID-19, have disproportionate effects on communities of color, further exacerbating existing healthcare inequities. While increasing evidence points to the greater threat posed by COVID-19 to Latinx communities, less remains known about how identification as Latinx and migration status influence their perception of risk and harm. In this article, we use cross-sectional data from a large national probability sample to demonstrate a large positive association between ethnic identity and migration status and perceptions of harm from COVID-19 in the US. We find that individuals identifying as Hispanic/Latinx and first-generation immigrants report significantly greater risks of becoming infected by COVID-19 in the next three months, and dying from the virus if they do contract it. Further, subgroup analysis reveals that health risks are especially felt by individuals of Mexican descent, who represent the largest share of US Latinxs. Collectively, our results provide evidence about how the pandemic places increased stress on people from Latinx and immigrant communities relative to White non-Hispanic individuals in the US.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ethnicity , Hispanic or Latino , Humans , Perception , SARS-CoV-2
11.
Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol ; 11(2): 465-489, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32971322

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Aspirin reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. Understanding the biology responsible for this protective effect is key to developing biomarker-led approaches for rational clinical use. Wnt signaling drives CRC development from initiation to progression through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell populations. Here, we investigated whether aspirin can rescue these proinvasive phenotypes associated with CRC progression in Wnt-driven human and mouse intestinal organoids. METHODS: We evaluated aspirin-mediated effects on phenotype and stem cell markers in intestinal organoids derived from mouse (ApcMin/+ and Apcflox/flox) and human familial adenomatous polyposis patients. CRC cell lines (HCT116 and Colo205) were used to study effects on motility, invasion, Wnt signaling, and EMT. RESULTS: Aspirin rescues the Wnt-driven cystic organoid phenotype by promoting budding in mouse and human Apc deficient organoids, which is paralleled by decreased stem cell marker expression. Aspirin-mediated Wnt inhibition in ApcMin/+ mice is associated with EMT inhibition and decreased cell migration, invasion, and motility in CRC cell lines. Chemical Wnt activation induces EMT and stem-like alterations in CRC cells, which are rescued by aspirin. Aspirin increases expression of the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 in CRC cells and organoids derived from familial adenomatous polyposis patients, which contributes to EMT and cancer stem cell inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence of phenotypic biomarkers of response to aspirin with an increased epithelial and reduced stem-like state mediated by an increase in Dickkopf-1. This highlights a novel mechanism of aspirin-mediated Wnt inhibition and potential phenotypic and molecular biomarkers for trials.


Subject(s)
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli/drug therapy , Aspirin/pharmacology , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/agonists , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Wnt Signaling Pathway/drug effects , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli/genetics , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli/pathology , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein/genetics , Animals , Aspirin/therapeutic use , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , HCT116 Cells , Humans , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/analysis , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/cytology , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Intravital Microscopy , Male , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Organoids/drug effects , Organoids/pathology , Primary Cell Culture
12.
Ann Pharmacother ; 44(2): 391-3, 2010 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20118141

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of refractory tachycardia after an excessive dose of inhaled tiotropium. CASE SUMMARY: A 74-year-old male with atrial fibrillation was admitted for increased heart rate and shortness of breath. The patient's heart rate was initially stabilized between 80 and 90 beats/min with metoprolol succinate 50 mg daily. During hospitalization, he accidentally received 5 capsules of tiotropium 18 microg inhaled as a single dose (total 90 microg) and, approximately 15 minutes later, his heart rate increased from 80 to 160 beats/min. Over 5 days of hospitalization, the patient's tachycardia was difficult to control and he required multiple atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocking agents (physostigmine, metoprolol tartrate, diltiazem) for effective stabilization prior to discharge. On outpatient follow-up 11 days after the ingestion the patient's heart rate was in the 40s and the AV nodal blocking agents were proportionately decreased. DISCUSSION: Tiotropium is a long-acting anticholinergic medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Little has been reported as to the potential systemic toxicities of tiotropium. Tachycardia is listed as a potential adverse effect, but based on a MEDLINE search (1966-July 2009) using tiotropium, tachycardia, and overdose as search terms, there have been no case reports published. Renal impairment may increase plasma concentrations of tiotropium; our patient's creatinine clearance was estimated to be below 50 mL/min. According to the Naranjo probability scale, our patient's development of tachycardia was probably associated with tiotropium inhalation. CONCLUSIONS: Tiotropium can be temporally implicated in a rapid heart rate following excessive ingestion. Health care professionals should be aware of tachycardic effects of tiotropium, particularly in patients with underlying structural heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and renal impairment.


Subject(s)
Bronchodilator Agents/poisoning , Scopolamine Derivatives/poisoning , Tachycardia/chemically induced , Administration, Inhalation , Aged , Atrial Fibrillation/complications , Bronchodilator Agents/administration & dosage , Bronchodilator Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Overdose , Follow-Up Studies , Heart Rate/drug effects , Humans , Male , Medication Errors , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy , Scopolamine Derivatives/administration & dosage , Scopolamine Derivatives/therapeutic use , Tiotropium Bromide
13.
Soc Sci Q ; 101(5): 1995-2000, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32904989

ABSTRACT

Objective: To provide a quick, in the moment analysis of the social and political aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve the possibly ephemeral aspects that might be overlooked in future historical studies. Methods: Qualitative and a statistical analyses of real time information. Results: The clustering of former imperial powers as states suffering extreme initial impacts, combined with a brief qualitative commentary on the domestic politics related to the pandemic response, suggests that colonial imperialism has lingering domestic political effects. Conclusion: The domestic political power bases that enabled colonial imperialism may be a significant and previously unrecognized factor in politics both in the context of disaster response and more broadly.

14.
Cell Rep ; 23(5): 1448-1460, 2018 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29719257

ABSTRACT

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is resistant to most therapies including single-agent immunotherapy and has a dense desmoplastic stroma, and most patients present with advanced metastatic disease. We reveal that macrophages are the dominant leukocyte population both in human PDAC stroma and autochthonous models, with an important functional contribution to the squamous subtype of human PDAC. We targeted macrophages in a genetic PDAC model using AZD7507, a potent selective inhibitor of CSF1R. AZD7507 caused shrinkage of established tumors and increased mouse survival in this difficult-to-treat model. Malignant cell proliferation diminished, with increased cell death and an enhanced T cell immune response. Loss of macrophages rewired other features of the TME, with global changes in gene expression akin to switching PDAC subtypes. These changes were markedly different to those elicited when neutrophils were targeted via CXCR2. These results suggest targeting the myeloid cell axis may be particularly efficacious in PDAC, especially with CSF1R inhibitors.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/immunology , Macrophages/immunology , Models, Immunological , Neoplasm Proteins/immunology , Pancreatic Neoplasms/immunology , Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Adult , Aniline Compounds/pharmacology , Animals , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics , Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Female , Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring/pharmacology , Humans , Immunity, Cellular/drug effects , Immunity, Cellular/genetics , Macrophages/pathology , Male , Mice , Neoplasm Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Neoplasm Proteins/genetics , Pancreatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Pancreatic Neoplasms/genetics , Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology , Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
15.
Sci Transl Med ; 10(454)2018 08 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30111642

ABSTRACT

Liver injury results in rapid regeneration through hepatocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. However, after acute severe injury, such as acetaminophen poisoning, effective regeneration may fail. We investigated how senescence may underlie this regenerative failure. In human acute liver disease, and murine models, p21-dependent hepatocellular senescence was proportionate to disease severity and was associated with impaired regeneration. In an acetaminophen injury mouse model, a transcriptional signature associated with the induction of paracrine senescence was observed within 24 hours and was followed by one of impaired proliferation. In mouse genetic models of hepatocyte injury and senescence, we observed transmission of senescence to local uninjured hepatocytes. Spread of senescence depended on macrophage-derived transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGFß1) ligand. In acetaminophen poisoning, inhibition of TGFß receptor 1 (TGFßR1) improved mouse survival. TGFßR1 inhibition reduced senescence and enhanced liver regeneration even when delivered beyond the therapeutic window for treating acetaminophen poisoning. This mechanism, in which injury-induced senescence impairs liver regeneration, is an attractive therapeutic target for developing treatments for acute liver failure.


Subject(s)
Cellular Senescence , Liver Regeneration , Liver/injuries , Liver/physiopathology , Paracrine Communication , Transforming Growth Factor beta/antagonists & inhibitors , Animals , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Hepatocytes/pathology , Humans , Liver/pathology , Macrophages/metabolism , Male , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Necrosis , Signal Transduction , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
16.
Cancer Discov ; 5(7): 768-781, 2015 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25934076

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: Deregulated expression of MYC is a driver of colorectal carcinogenesis, suggesting that inhibiting MYC may have significant therapeutic value. The PI3K and mTOR pathways control MYC turnover and translation, respectively, providing a rationale to target both pathways to inhibit MYC. Surprisingly, inhibition of PI3K does not promote MYC turnover in colon carcinoma cells, but enhances MYC expression because it promotes FOXO-dependent expression of growth factor receptors and MAPK-dependent transcription of MYC. Inhibition of mTOR fails to inhibit translation of MYC, because levels of 4EBPs are insufficient to fully sequester eIF4E and because an internal ribosomal entry site element in the 5'-untranslated region of the MYC mRNA permits translation independent of eIF4E. A small-molecule inhibitor of the translation factor eIF4A, silvestrol, bypasses the signaling feedbacks, reduces MYC translation, and inhibits tumor growth in a mouse model of colorectal tumorigenesis. We propose that targeting translation initiation is a promising strategy to limit MYC expression in colorectal tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: Inhibiting MYC function is likely to have a significant therapeutic impact in colorectal cancers. Here, we explore several strategies to target translation initiation in order to block MYC expression. We show that a small-molecule inhibitor of eIF4A inhibits MYC expression and suppresses tumor growth in vivo.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational/drug effects , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/genetics , Triterpenes/administration & dosage , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Caco-2 Cells , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E/antagonists & inhibitors , HCT116 Cells , HeLa Cells , Humans , Mice , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Up-Regulation , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
17.
Nat Cell Biol ; 17(8): 971-983, 2015 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26192438

ABSTRACT

Hepatocytes and cholangiocytes self-renew following liver injury. Following severe injury hepatocytes are increasingly senescent, but whether hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) then contribute to liver regeneration is unclear. Here, we describe a mouse model where the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 is inducibly deleted in more than 98% of hepatocytes, causing apoptosis, necrosis and senescence with nearly all hepatocytes expressing p21. This results in florid HPC activation, which is necessary for survival, followed by complete, functional liver reconstitution. HPCs isolated from genetically normal mice, using cell surface markers, were highly expandable and phenotypically stable in vitro. These HPCs were transplanted into adult mouse livers where hepatocyte Mdm2 was repeatedly deleted, creating a non-competitive repopulation assay. Transplanted HPCs contributed significantly to restoration of liver parenchyma, regenerating hepatocytes and biliary epithelia, highlighting their in vivo lineage potency. HPCs are therefore a potential future alternative to hepatocyte or liver transplantation for liver disease.


Subject(s)
Bile Ducts/transplantation , Cell Lineage , Cell Proliferation , Epithelial Cells/transplantation , Hepatocytes/transplantation , Liver Regeneration , Liver , Stem Cell Transplantation , Stem Cells , Animals , Apoptosis , Bile Ducts/metabolism , Bile Ducts/pathology , Biomarkers/metabolism , Cell Separation , Cells, Cultured , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/metabolism , Epithelial Cells/metabolism , Epithelial Cells/pathology , Female , Genotype , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Hepatocytes/pathology , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Male , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Necrosis , Phenotype , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/deficiency , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/genetics , Stem Cells/metabolism , Stem Cells/pathology , Time Factors
18.
J Clin Invest ; 122(9): 3127-44, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22922255

ABSTRACT

The chemokine receptor CXCR2 is a key mediator of neutrophil migration that also plays a role in tumor development. However, CXCR2 influences tumors through multiple mechanisms and might promote or inhibit tumor development depending on context. Here, we used several mouse models of spontaneous and inflammation-driven neoplasia to define indispensable roles for CXCR2 in benign and malignant tumors. CXCR2-activating chemokines were part of the secretome of cultured primary benign intestinal adenomas (ApcMin/+) and highly expressed by all tumors in all models. CXCR2 deficiency profoundly suppressed inflammation-driven tumorigenesis in skin and intestine as well as spontaneous adenocarcinoma formation in a model of invasive intestinal adenocarcinoma (AhCreER;Apcfl/+;Ptenfl/fl mice). Pepducin-mediated CXCR2 inhibition reduced tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. Ly6G+ neutrophils were the dominant source of CXCR2 in blood, and CXCR2 deficiency attenuated neutrophil recruitment. Moreover, systemic Ly6G+ cell depletion purged CXCR2-dependent tumor-associated leukocytes, suppressed established skin tumor growth and colitis-associated tumorigenesis, and reduced ApcMin/+ adenoma formation. CXCR2 is thus a potent protumorigenic chemokine receptor that directs recruitment of tumor-promoting leukocytes into tissues during tumor-inducing and tumor-driven inflammation. Similar leukocyte populations were also found in human intestinal adenomas, which suggests that CXCR2 antagonists may have therapeutic and prophylactic potential in the treatment of cancer.


Subject(s)
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic , Precancerous Conditions/chemically induced , Receptors, Interleukin-8B/antagonists & inhibitors , 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene , Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adenoma/chemically induced , Adenoma/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Inbred Strains , Azoxymethane , Chemokines, CXC/genetics , Chemokines, CXC/metabolism , Colitis/chemically induced , Colitis/pathology , Colonic Neoplasms/chemically induced , Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism , Dermatitis, Contact/pathology , Dextran Sulfate , Gene Expression , Mice , Mice, 129 Strain , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Neutrophils/enzymology , Neutrophils/metabolism , Papilloma/chemically induced , Papilloma/metabolism , Papilloma/pathology , Peroxidase/metabolism , Precancerous Conditions/pathology , Receptors, Interleukin-8B/deficiency , Receptors, Interleukin-8B/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/chemically induced , Skin Neoplasms/metabolism , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Statistics, Nonparametric , Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate , Tumor Burden
19.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 103(38): 14122-7, 2006 Sep 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16959882

ABSTRACT

Oncogenic mutations in the K-ras gene occur in approximately 50% of human colorectal cancers. However, the precise role that K-ras oncogenes play in tumor formation is still unclear. To address this issue, we have conditionally expressed an oncogenic K-ras(V12) allele in the small intestine of adult mice either alone or in the context of Apc deficiency. We found that expression of K-ras(V12) does not affect normal intestinal homeostasis or the immediate phenotypes associated with Apc deficiency. Mechanistically we failed to find activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway, which may be a consequence of the up-regulation of a number of negative feedback loops. However, K-ras(V12) expression accelerates intestinal tumorigenesis and confers invasive properties after Apc loss over the long term. In renal epithelium, expression of the oncogenic K-ras(V12) allele in the absence of Apc induces the rapid development of renal carcinoma. These tumors, unlike those of intestinal origin, display activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK and Akt signaling pathways. Taken together, these data indicate that normal intestinal and kidney epithelium are resistant to malignant transformation by an endogenous K-ras oncogene. However, activation of K-ras(V12) after Apc loss results in increased tumorigenesis with distinct kinetics. Whereas the effect of K-ras oncogenes in the intestine can been observed only after long latencies, they result in rapid carcinogenesis in the kidney epithelium. These data imply a window of opportunity for anti-K-ras therapies after tumor initiation in preventing tumor growth and invasion.


Subject(s)
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein/metabolism , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic , Colorectal Neoplasms , Genes, ras , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein/genetics , Animals , Apoptosis , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/metabolism , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology , Cell Proliferation , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Enzyme Activation , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Homeostasis , Humans , Intestines/cytology , Intestines/pathology , Intestines/physiology , Kidney/metabolism , Kidney/pathology , Male , Mice , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/metabolism , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Phenotype , Signal Transduction/physiology , Survival Rate , raf Kinases/metabolism
20.
Nat Immunol ; 6(4): 403-11, 2005 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15750596

ABSTRACT

How the inflammatory response is initiated has been well defined but relatively little is known about how such responses are resolved. Here we show that the D6 chemokine receptor is involved in the post-inflammatory clearance of beta-chemokines from cutaneous sites. After induction of inflammation by phorbol esters, wild-type mice showed a transient inflammatory response. However, in D6-deficient mice, an excess concentration of residual chemokines caused a notable inflammatory pathology with similarities to human psoriasis. These results suggest that D6 is involved in the resolution of the cutaneous inflammatory response.


Subject(s)
Chemokines, CC/immunology , Dermatitis/immunology , Receptors, Chemokine/immunology , Animals , Chemokine CXCL2 , Chemokines/immunology , Chemokines, CC/antagonists & inhibitors , Chemokines, CC/metabolism , Dermatitis/metabolism , Dermatitis/pathology , Female , Histocytochemistry , Inflammation/immunology , Inflammation/pathology , Keratins/immunology , Mast Cells/immunology , Mast Cells/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/immunology , Psoriasis/immunology , Psoriasis/pathology , Receptors, CCR10 , Receptors, Chemokine/deficiency , Skin/drug effects , Skin/immunology , Skin/metabolism , von Willebrand Factor/immunology , Chemokine Receptor D6
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