MicroRNA-183-5p regulates TAR DNA-binding protein 43 neurotoxicity via SQSTM1/p62 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that selectively attacks motor neurons, and leads to progressive muscle weakness and death. A common pathological feature is the misfolding, aggregation, and cytoplasmic mislocalization of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) proteins in more than 95% of ALS patients, suggesting a universal role TDP-43 proteinopathy in ALS. Mutations in SQSTM1/p62 have been identified in familial and sporadic cases of ALS. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate their target genes. Emerging evidence indicates that miRNA dysregulation is associated with neuronal toxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction, and also plays a pivotal role in ALS pathogenesis. Here, we report the first evidence that miR-183-5p is aberrantly upregulated in spinal cords of patients with ALS. Using luciferase reporter assays and miR-183-5p agomirs, we demonstrate that miR-183-5p regulates the SQSTM1/p62 3'-untranslated region to suppress expression. A miR-183-5p agomir attenuated SOSTM1/p62 expression and led to an increase in TDP-43 protein levels in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. In contrast, a miR-183-5p antagomir decreased TDP-43 but increased SQSTM1/p62 protein levels. The antagomir repressed formation of stress granules and aggregated TDP43 protein in neuronal cells under stress-induced conditions and protected against cytotoxicity. Knockdown of SQSTM1/p62 decreased total ubiquitination and increased TDP-43 protein aggregation, indicating that SQSTM1/p62 may play a protective role in cells. In summary, our study reveals a novel mechanism of TDP-43 proteinopathy mediated by the miR-183-5p and provides a molecular link between aberrant RNA processing and protein degradation, two major pillars in ALS pathogenesis.

PAF and EZH2 induce Wnt/ß-catenin signaling hyperactivation.

Fine control of Wnt signaling is essential for various cellular and developmental decision-making processes. However, deregulation of Wnt signaling leads to pathological consequences, one of which is cancer. Here, we identify a function of PAF, a component of translesion DNA synthesis, in modulating Wnt signaling. PAF is specifically overexpressed in colon cancer cells and intestinal stem cells and is required for colon cancer cell proliferation. In Xenopus laevis, ventrovegetal expression of PAF hyperactivates Wnt signaling, developing a secondary axis with ß-catenin target gene upregulation. Upon Wnt signaling activation, PAF dissociates from PCNA and binds directly to ß-catenin. Then, PAF recruits EZH2 to the ß-catenin transcriptional complex and specifically enhances Wnt target gene transactivation, independently of EZH2's methyltransferase activity. In mice, conditional expression of PAF induces intestinal neoplasia via Wnt signaling hyperactivation. Our studies reveal an unexpected role of PAF in regulating Wnt signaling and propose a regulatory mechanism of Wnt signaling during tumorigenesis.

A Liposome Encapsulated Ruthenium Polypyridine Complex as a Theranostic Platform for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Ruthenium coordination complexes have the potential to serve as novel theranostic agents for cancer. However, a major limitation in their clinical implementation is effective tumor accumulation. In this study, we have developed a liposome-based theranostic nanodelivery system for [Ru(phen)2dppz](ClO4)2 (Lipo-Ru). This ruthenium polypyridine complex emits a strong fluorescent signal when incorporated in the hydrophobic lipid bilayer of the delivery vehicle or in the DNA helix, enabling visualization of the therapeutic agent in tumor tissues. Incubation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with Lipo-Ru induced double-strand DNA breaks and triggers apoptosis. In a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer, treatment with Lipo-Ru dramatically reduced tumor growth. Biodistribution studies of Lipo-Ru revealed that more than 20% of the injected dose accumulated in the tumor. These results suggest that Lipo-Ru could serve as a promising theranostic platform for cancer.

Hyperthermia-enhanced TRAIL- and mapatumumab-induced apoptotic death is mediated through mitochondria in human colon cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world; death usually results from uncontrolled metastatic disease. Previously, we developed a novel strategy of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (Apo2L/TRAIL) in combination with hyperthermia to treat hepatic colorectal metastases. However, previous studies suggest a potential hepatocyte cytotoxicity with TRAIL. Unlike TRAIL, anti-human TRAIL receptor antibody induces apoptosis without hepatocyte toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of humanized anti-death receptor 4 (DR4) antibody mapatumumab (Mapa) by comparing it with TRAIL in combination with hyperthermia. TRAIL, which binds to both DR4 and death receptor 5 (DR5), was approximately tenfold more effective than Mapa in inducing apoptosis. However, hyperthermia enhances apoptosis induced by either agent. We observed that the synergistic effect was mediated through elevation of reactive oxygen species, c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation, Bax oligomerization, and translocalization to the mitochondria, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c to cytosol, activation of caspases, and increase in poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. We believe that the successful outcome of this study will support the application of Mapa in combination with hyperthermia to colorectal hepatic metastases.

Stercurensin inhibits nuclear factor-κB-dependent inflammatory signals through attenuation of TAK1-TAB1 complex formation.

We identified a chalcone, 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3'-methylchalcone (stercurensin), as an active compound isolated from the leaves of Syzygium samarangense. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of stercurensin were examined using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and mice. To determine the effects of stercurensin in vitro, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were analyzed by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and its upstream signaling cascades were also investigated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation. To verify the effects of stercurensin in vivo, the mRNA expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 were evaluated in isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages by quantitative real-time PCR, and the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1ß were assessed in serum samples from mice using a Luminex system. Pretreatment with stercurensin reduced LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression, thereby inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) production, respectively. In addition, an inhibitory effect of stercurensin on NF-κB activation was shown by the recovery of LPS-induced inhibitor of κB (I-κB) degradation after blocking the transforming growth factor-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/I-κB kinase signaling pathway. In mouse models, stercurensin negatively regulated NF-κB-dependent pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. These results demonstrate that stercurensin modulates NF-κB-dependent inflammatory pathways through the attenuation of TAK1-TAB1 complex formation. Our findings demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effects of stercurensin in vitro and in vivo will aid in understanding the pharmacology and mode of action of stercurensin.

Induction of autophagy by dimethyl cardamonin is associated with proliferative arrest in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 and LOVO cells.

Dimethyl cardamonin (2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone; DMC) is a naturally occurring chalcone, and it is the major compound isolated from the leaves of Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L.M. Perry (Myrtaceae). Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of DMC on cell proliferation, cell-cycle distribution, and programmed cell death in cultures of human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 and LOVO cells. Results showed that DMC inhibited HCT116 and LOVO cell proliferation and induced G(2) /M cell cycle arrest, which was associated with the conversion of microtubule associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-I-LC3-II, an autophagosome marker, and the incorporation of monodansylcadaverine (MDC), a marker for the acidic compartment of autolysosomes or acidic vesicular organelles. The treatment of HCT116 and LOVO cells using a combination of DMC with an autophagy inhibitor, such as 3-methyladenine (3-MA), beclin 1 siRNA, or atg5 siRNA, suppressed the effect of DMC-mediated anti-proliferation. These results imply that DMC can suppress colorectal carcinoma HCT116 and LOVO cell proliferation through a G(2) /M phase cell-cycle delay, and can induce autophagy, the hallmark of Type II programmed cell death (PCD). Taken together, our results suggest that DMC may be an effective chemotherapeutic agent for HCT116 and LOVO colorectal carcinoma cells.

HDAC3 selectively represses CREB3-mediated transcription and migration of metastatic breast cancer cells.

We identified CREB3 as a novel HDAC3-interacting protein in a yeast two-hybrid screen for HDAC3-interacting proteins. Among all class I HDACs, CREB3 specifically interacts with HDAC3, in vitro and in vivo. HDAC3 efficiently inhibited CREB3-enhanced NF-κB activation, whereas the other class I HDACs did not alter NF-κB-dependent promoter activities or the expression of NF-κB target genes. Importantly, both knock-down of CREB3 and overexpression of HDAC3 suppressed the transcriptional activation of the novel CREB3-regulated gene, CXCR4. Furthermore, CREB3 was shown to bind to the CRE element in the CXCR4 promoter and to activate the transcription of the CXCR4 gene by causing dissociation of HDAC3 and subsequently increasing histone acetylation. Importantly, both the depletion of HDAC3 and the overexpression of CREB3 substantially increased the migration of MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that HDAC3 selectively represses CREB3-mediated transcriptional activation and chemotactic signalling in human metastatic breast cancer cells.

Function of multiple Lis-Homology domain/WD-40 repeat-containing proteins in feed-forward transcriptional repression by silencing mediator for retinoic and thyroid receptor/nuclear receptor corepressor complexes.

Lis-homology (LisH) motifs are involved in protein dimerization, and the discovery of the conserved N-terminal LisH domain in transducin beta-like protein 1 and its receptor (TBL1 and TBLR1) led us to examine the role of this domain in transcriptional repression. Here we show that multiple beta-transducin (WD-40) repeat-containing proteins interact to form oligomers in solution and that oligomerization depends on the presence of the LisH domain in each protein. Repression of transcription, as assayed using Gal4 fusion proteins, also depended on the presence of the LisH domain, suggesting that oligomerization is a prerequisite for efficient transcriptional repression. Furthermore, we show that the LisH domain is responsible for the binding to the hypoacetylated histone H4 tail and for stable chromatin targeting by the nuclear receptor corepressor complex. Mutations in conserved residues in the LisH motif of TBL1 and TBLR1 block histone binding, oligomerization, and transcriptional repression, supporting the functional importance of the LisH motif in transcriptional repression. Our results indicate that another WD-40 protein, TBL3, also preferentially binds to the N-terminal domain of TBL1 and TBLR1, and forms oligomers with other WD-40 proteins. Finally, we observed that the WD-40 proteins RbAp46 and RbAp48 of the sin3A corepressor complex failed to dimerize. We also found the specific interaction UbcH/E2 with TBL1, but not RbAp46/48. Altogether, our results thus indicate that the presence of multiple LisH/WD-40 repeat containing proteins is exclusive to nuclear receptor corepressor/ silencing mediator for retinoic and thyroid receptor complexes compared with other class 1 histone deacetylase-containing corepessor complexes.

SMAD4 Gene Mutation Renders Pancreatic Cancer Resistance to Radiotherapy through Promotion of Autophagy.

Purpose: Understanding the mechanism of radioresistance could help develop strategies to improve therapeutic response of patients with PDAC. The SMAD4 gene is frequently mutated in pancreatic cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of SMAD4 deficiency in pancreatic cancer cells' response to radiotherapy.Experimental Design: We downregulated SMAD4 expression with SMAD4 siRNA or SMAD4 shRNA and overexpressed SMAD4 in SMAD4 mutant pancreatic cancer cells followed by clonogenic survival assay to evaluate their effects on cell radioresistance. To study the mechanism of radioresistance, the effects of SMAD4 loss on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and autophagy were determined by flow cytometry and immunoblot analysis, respectively. Furthermore, we measured radioresistance by clonogenic survival assay after treatment with autophagy inhibitor (Chloroquine) and ROS inhibitor (N-acetyl-l-cysteine) in SMAD4-depleted pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, the effects of SMAD4 on radioresistance were also confirmed in an orthotopic tumor model derived from SMAD4-depleted Panc-1 cells.Results:SMAD4-depleted pancreatic cancer cells were more resistant to radiotherapy based on clonogenic survival assay. Overexpression of wild-type SMAD4 in SMAD4-mutant cells rescued their radiosensitivity. Radioresistance mediated by SMAD4 depletion was associated with persistently higher levels of ROS and radiation-induced autophagy. Finally, SMAD4 depletion induced in vivo radioresistance in Panc-1-derived orthotopic tumor model (P = 0.038). More interestingly, we observed that the protein level of SMAD4 is inversely correlated with autophagy in orthotopic tumor tissue samples.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that defective SMAD4 is responsible for radioresistance in pancreatic cancer through induction of ROS and increased level of radiation-induced autophagy. Clin Cancer Res; 24(13); 3176-85. ©2018 AACR.

Anti-histone acetyltransferase activity from allspice extracts inhibits androgen receptor-dependent prostate cancer cell growth.

Histone acetylation depends on the activity of two enzyme families, histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and deacetylase (HDAC). In this study, we screened various plant extracts to find potent HAT inhibitors. Hot water extracts of allspice inhibited HAT activity, especially p300 and CBP (40% at 100 microg/ml). The mRNA levels of two androgen receptor (AR) regulated genes, PSA and TSC22, decreased with allspice treatment (100 microg/ml). Importantly, in IP western analysis, AR acetylation was dramatically decreased by allspice treatment.Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated that the acetylation of histone H3 in the PSA and B2M promoter regions was also repressed. Finally, allspice treatment reduced the growth of human prostate cancer cells, LNCaP (50% growth inhibition at 200 microg/ml). Taken together, our data indicate that the potent HAT inhibitory activity of allspice reduced AR and histone acetylation and led to decreased transcription of AR target genes, resulting in inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth.

Multi-step encapsulation of chemotherapy and gene silencing agents in functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

Drug to carrier ratio is an important consideration in designing drug platforms, since a low loading capacity necessitates the use of high doses of carriers, which can result in side effects. Here, we have engineered a platform to co-deliver small molecule drugs and small interfering RNA (siRNA). This platform consists of cyclodextrin-grafted polyethylenimine (CP) functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNP). A unique multi-step encapsulation procedure was used to obtain a high loading capacity for doxorubicin (DOX) and siRNA oligos specific for the PKM2 gene that encodes pyruvate kinase M2, an enzyme catalyzing the final rate-limiting step in glycolysis. We systematically characterized this platform (CP-MSNP@DOX/PKM2) in vitro and evaluated its therapeutic efficacy in vivo with a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Exposure of TNBC cells to CP-MSNP@DOX/PKM2 resulted in suppressed target gene expression, reduced cell proliferation, and enhanced apoptosis. Intravenous administration of the drug substantially decreased the tumor burden in comparison to DOX or siRNA monotherapy. In conclusion, we have developed a platform for efficient co-delivery of small molecule drugs and therapeutic siRNA.

Cyclodextrin and polyethylenimine functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for delivery of siRNA cancer therapeutics.

Effective delivery holds the key to successful in vivo application of therapeutic small interfering RNA (siRNA). In this work, we have developed a universal siRNA carrier consisting of a mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSNP) functionalized with cyclodextrin-grafted polyethylenimine (CP). CP provides positive charge for loading of siRNA through electrostatic interaction and enables effective endosomal escape of siRNA. Using intravital microscopy we were able to monitor tumor enrichment of CP-MSNP/siRNA particles in live mice bearing orthotopic MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors. CP-MSNP delivery of siRNA targeting the M2 isoform of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase (PKM2) resulted in effective knockdown of gene expression in vitro and in vivo. Suppression of PKM2 led to inhibition of tumor cell growth, invasion, and migration.

Multifunctional gold nanorods for siRNA gene silencing and photothermal therapy.

Cancer is a complex disease that usually requires several treatment modalities. A multifunctional nanotherapeutic system is designed, incorporating small interfering RNA (siRNA) and gold nanorods (Au NRs) for photothermal therapy. Surface-engineered Au NRs with polyethylenimine are synthesized using a layer-by-layer assembly and siRNA is absorbed on the surface. The siRNA is efficiently delivered into breast cancer cells, resulting in subsequent gene silencing. Cells are then irradiated with near-infrared (NIR) light, causing heat-induced anticancer activity. The combination of gene silencing and photothermal therapy results in effective inhibition of cell proliferation.

PAF-mediated MAPK signaling hyperactivation via LAMTOR3 induces pancreatic tumorigenesis.

Deregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling leads to development of pancreatic cancer. Although Ras-mutation-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis is well understood, the underlying mechanism of Ras-independent MAPK hyperactivation remains elusive. Here, we have identified a distinct function of PCNA-associated factor (PAF) in modulating MAPK signaling. PAF is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and required for pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. In mouse models, PAF expression induced pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia with expression of pancreatic cancer stem cell markers. PAF-induced ductal epithelial cell hyperproliferation was accompanied by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation independently of Ras or Raf mutations. Intriguingly, PAF transcriptionally activated the expression of late endosomal/lysosomal adaptor, MAPK and mTOR activator 3 (LAMTOR3), which hyperphosphorylates MEK and ERK and is necessary for pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Our results reveal an unsuspected mechanism of mitogenic signaling activation via LAMTOR3 and suggest that PAF-induced MAPK hyperactivation contributes to pancreatic tumorigenesis.

High capacity nanoporous silicon carrier for systemic delivery of gene silencing therapeutics.

Gene silencing agents such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA offer the promise to modulate expression of almost every gene for the treatment of human diseases including cancer. However, lack of vehicles for effective systemic delivery to the disease organs has greatly limited their in vivo applications. In this study, we developed a high capacity polycation-functionalized nanoporous silicon (PCPS) platform comprised of nanoporous silicon microparticles functionalized with arginine-polyethyleneimine inside the nanopores for effective delivery of gene silencing agents. Incubation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells with PCPS loaded with STAT3 siRNA (PCPS/STAT3) or GRP78 siRNA (PCPS/GRP78) resulted in 91 and 83% reduction of STAT3 and GRP78 gene expression in vitro. Treatment of cells with a microRNA-18a mimic in PCPS (PCPS/miR-18) knocked down 90% expression of the microRNA-18a target gene ATM. Systemic delivery of PCPS/STAT3 siRNA in murine model of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer enriched particles in tumor tissues and reduced STAT3 expression in cancer cells, causing significant reduction of cancer stem cells in the residual tumor tissue. At the therapeutic dosage, PCPS/STAT3 siRNA did not trigger acute immune response in FVB mice, including changes in serum cytokines, chemokines, and colony-stimulating factors. In addition, weekly dosing of PCPS/STAT3 siRNA for four weeks did not cause signs of subacute toxicity based on changes in body weight, hematology, blood chemistry, and major organ histology. Collectively, the results suggest that we have developed a safe vehicle for effective delivery of gene silencing agents.

Inhibitory effects of aurentiacin from Syzygium samarangense on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in mouse macrophages.

Aurentiacin is a chalcone isolated from Syzygium samarangense. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of aurentiacin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophages. Aurentiacin significantly inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells concomitantly with the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Aurentiacin also reduced the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) and reporter gene assays indicated that DNA binding and transcriptional activities of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/p65 were decreased by aurentiacin in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, results from chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays over the promoter region of the iNOS gene were in agreement with the EMSA results. Pretreatment with aurentiacin prevented the nuclear translocation of p65 by blocking the phosphorylation of I-κB kinase (IKK). Aurentiacin also attenuated the phosphorylation (Ser536) and acetylation (Lys310) of p65 and phosphorylation of MAPKs. In an inflammatory animal model, the intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of aurentiacin suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the level of iNOS protein ex vivo was decreased by aurentiacin similar to the result in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that aurentiacin shows anti-inflammatory activity related to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.

The histone methyltransferase, NSD2, enhances androgen receptor-mediated transcription.

In this study, we discovered that NSD2 specifically interacts with the DNA-binding domain of androgen receptor (AR) via its HMG domain, and the nuclear translocation of both NSD2 and AR is enhanced in the presence of ligand. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the over expression of NSD2, but not of NSD2 (DeltaSET) HMT-activity defective mutant, enhanced the mRNA level of PSA in a dose-dependent manner. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that NSD2 protein is recruited to the enhancer region of the PSA gene by AR in an agonist-enhanced manner. Taken together, these results uncover a potential role for NSD2 in AR-mediated transcription, implicating NSD2 in prostate carcinogenesis.