The Vascular Disrupting Agent CA4P Improves the Antitumor Efficacy of CAR-T Cells in Preclinical Models of Solid Human Tumors.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy remains relatively ineffective against solid tumors due to inadequate infiltration and in vivo expansion of CAR-T cells. Unlike hematological malignancies, solid tumors have vascular barriers that hinder CAR-T cells from reaching the tumor site. Here, we demonstrated that combretastatin A-4 phosphate (CA4P), a vascular disrupting agent (VDA), can significantly improve the infiltration ability of CAR-T cells in solid tumors as evidenced by elevated levels of IFN-γ. Moreover, combined treatment with CA4P and CAR-T cells greatly increased the therapeutic efficiency of the CAR-T cells in subcutaneous ovarian cancer mouse xenograft models and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of colon and ovarian carcinoma. Our findings highlight CA4P as an effective antitumor agent candidate for combination with CAR-T cells in clinical applications to treat solid tumors.

MiR-509-3-5p causes aberrant mitosis and anti-proliferative effect by suppression of PLK1 in human lung cancer A549 cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potent post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and play roles in DNA damage response (DDR). PLK1 is identified as a modulator of DNA damage checkpoint. Although down-regulation of PLK1 by certain microRNAs has been reported, little is known about the interplay between PLK1 and miR-509-3-5p in DDR. Here we have demonstrated that miR-509-3-5p repressed PLK1 expression by targeting PLK1 3'-UTR, thereby causing mitotic aberration and growth arrest of human lung cancer A549 cells. Repression of PLK1 by miR-509-3-5p was further evidenced by over-expression of miR-509-3-5p in A549, HepG2 and HCT116p53(-/-) cancer cells, in which PLK1 protein was suppressed. Consistently, miR-509-3-5p was stimulated, while PLK1 protein was down-regulated in A549 cells exposed to CIS and ADR, suggesting that suppression of PLK1 by miR-509-3-5p is a component of CIS/ADR-induced DDR pathway. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence labeling showed that over-expression of miR-509-3-5p in A549 induced G2/M arrest and aberrant mitosis characterized by abnormal bipolar mitotic spindles, condensed chromosomes, lagging DNA and chromosome bridges. In addition, over-expression of miR-509-3-5p markedly blocked A549 cell proliferation and sensitized the cells to CIS and ADR treatment. Taken together, miR-509-3-5p is a feasible suppressor for cancer by targeting PLK1. Our data may provide aid in potential design of combined chemotherapy and in our better understanding of the roles of microRNAs in response to DNA damage.

E2F1 regulates p53R2 gene expression in p53-deficient cells.

The p53R2 gene encoding a small subunit of the ribonucleotide reductase has been identified as a p53-inducible gene. Although this gene is discovered as a target for p53 family proteins, the mechanism underlying p53R2 induction by DNA damage in p53-defiencient cells remains to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that transcription factor E2F1 regulates the p53R2 gene expression in p53-deficient cells. We found that p53R2 was a target for E2F1 in DNA damage response (DDR), because ectopic expression of E2F1 in HCT116-p53(-/-) cells resulted in the increase of p53R2 mRNA and protein expression, and silencing E2F1 diminished its basic expression. Combination of luciferase reporter assay with overexpression or knockdown of E2F1 revealed that E2F1 directly activates the p53R2 gene. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed E2F1 directly bound to the site (TTTGGCGG) at position -684 to -677 of the promoter under E2F1 overexpression or adriamycin (ADR) exposure. Moreover, silencing p53R2 could enhance apoptotic cell death in both HCT116-p53(-/-) and HCT116-p53(+/+) compared to ADR exposure, indicating that p53R2 may protect cancer cell from ADR-induced apoptosis. Together, we have identified a new role of E2F1 in the regulation of p53R2 expression in DDR, and silencing p53R2 may sensitize cancer cells to ADR-induced apoptosis. Our data support the notion that p53R2 is a potential target for cancer therapy. The involvement of E2F1-dependent p53R2 activation in DDR will provide further insight into the induction of p53R2 in p53-deficient cells. These data also give us a deeper understanding of E2F1 role in DDR.

E2F1-regulated DROSHA promotes miR-630 biosynthesis in cisplatin-exposed cancer cells.

DNA damage may regulate microRNA (miRNA) biosynthesis at the levels of miRNA transcription, processing and maturation. Although involvement of E2F1 in the regulation of miRNA gene activation in response to DNA damage has been documented, little is known about the role of E2F1 in miRNA processing. In this study we demonstrate that E2F1 enhances miR-630 biosynthesis under cisplatin (CIS) exposure through promoting DROSHA-mediated pri-miR-630 processing. Northern blot and RT-qPCR revealed that CIS exposure caused not only an increase in pri-miR-630 but also much more increase in pre-miR-630 and mature miR-630. The increases in pri-miR-630 and pre-miR-630 expression in unmatched proportion indicated that primary transcript processing was involved in CIS-stimulated miR-630 biosynthesis. Furthermore, combination of reporter enzyme assay with mutation and over-expression of E2F1 showed that induction of DROSHA promoted miR-630 expression, in which CIS-induced E2F1 activated DROSHA gene expression by recognizing and binding two E2F1 sites at the positions -214/-207 and -167/-160 of the DROSHA promoter. The increased binding of E2F1 to the DROSHA promoter in CIS-exposed cells was further evidenced by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Together, E2F1-regulated DROSHA promotes pri-miR-630 processing, thereby, contributes to CIS-stimulated miR-630 expression. The involvement of E2F1-dependent DROSHA activation in pri-miRNA processing under DNA damage stress will provide further insight into the regulation of miRNA biosynthesis. These data also give us a deeper understanding of E2F1 role in response to DNA damage.

p53 Suppresses E2F1-dependent PLK1 expression upon DNA damage by forming p53-E2F1-DNA complex.

E2F1 is implicated in transcriptional activation of polo-like kinase-1 (PLK1), but yet the mechanism is not fully understood. PLK1 suppression plays an important checkpoint role in response to DNA damage. Suppression of the PLK1 gene by binding of p53 to upstream p53RE2 element in the promoter has been recently revealed. Here we report another mechanism, in which p53 interacts with E2F1 to form p53-E2F1-DNA complex repressing E2F1-dependent PLK1 expression. PLK1 was downregulated in cisplatin exposed HCT116p53(+/+) but not HCT116p53(-/-) cells, indicating p53-suppressed PLK1 upon DNA damage. Co-transfection and reporter enzyme assays revealed that p53 suppressed but E2F1 promoted PLK1 gene activation. 5'-Deletion and substitution mutations showed multiple positive cis-elements residing in the PLK1 promoter, of which at least two E2F1 sites at positions -75/-68 and -40/-32 were required for the full activity of the promoter. Combination of 5'-deletion and substitution mutations with over-expression of p53 showed that suppression of the PLK1 gene by p53 was E2F1-dependent: mutation of the E2F1 site at position -75/-68 partially abrogated suppression activity of p53; mutation of E2F1 site at position -40/-32 released from p53 suppression of PLK1 gene completely. Co-immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that DNA damage promoted p53-E2F1 interaction, thereby creating a p53-E2F1 complex assembly on the PLK1 promoter in vitro. The in vivo formation of p53-E2F1-PLK1 promoter complex upon DNA damage was further evidenced by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and re-ChIP. In addition, we showed that suppression of PLK1 by p53 promoted apoptosis. Our data suggest that p53 may interact with E2F1 to form p53-E2F1-DNA complex suppressing E2F1-dependent PLK1 expression. The model of p53 action on E2F1-activated PLK1 gene may explain at least partly how p53 as a suppressor regulates the downstream effects of E2F1 in cellular stresses including DNA damage stress.

Isolation and identification of primary cells: A comprehensive primary cell culture experiment for graduate students.

Experimental teaching is an important part of postgraduate training in basic and clinical medicine. While primary cell isolation and identification are among the most important research techniques for medical graduate students, most graduate students do not understand and master these techniques before starting their research experience. In particular, many students lack training in this field, and high-quality teaching and learning materials are still very sparse. Here, we designed a practical experiment course for graduate students engaged in research. The target students usually have research projects involving primary cell culture in their future research, making the course highly applicable for the students. The lab exercise focused on the methods of primary cell isolation (including mechanical grinding method, explant culture method and enzymatic digestion method) and identification (including flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining). It aimed to help students master the conceptual, principle, technical, operation, and analytical skills related to primary cell culture and contributed to their foundation for future research. Students generally reflect that they have initially mastered the isolation and identification of primary cell culture as a result of the course. Student feedback also indicates significantly increased confidence in the practical application of primary cell culture in the future. Here, we provide our experience for others who may want to implement similar courses.

E2F1-mediated DNA damage is implicated in 8-Cl-adenosine-induced chromosome missegregation and apoptosis in human lung cancer H1299 cells.

Although E2F1-mediated DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) and tetraploid have been extensively studied, the role of E2F1 in mitotic catastrophe is still unknown. We have previously shown that 8-chloro-adenosine (8-Cl-Ado) induces DNA DSBs and aberrant mitosis in human lung cancer cells, followed by delayed apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that E2F1-mediated DNA damage is implicated in 8-Cl-Ado-induced chromosome missegregation and apoptosis in lung cancer H1299 cells. We showed that E2F1 was accumulated upon 8-Cl-Ado-induced DNA DSBs. Induction of E2F1 by 8-Cl-Ado caused DNA damage in cycling cells including M cells. In contrast, silencing of E2F1 expression decreased 8-Cl-Ado-induced DNA DSBs, particularly eliminated E2F1-mediated mitotic DNA damage. Over-expression of E2F1 and/or 8-Cl-Ado exposure resulted in aberrant mitotic spindles and chromosome segregation errors. Furthermore, over-expression of E2F1 expression enhanced 8-Cl-Ado-induced apoptosis. Together, our data indicate that E2F1-mediated DNA damage, in particular mitotic DNA damage, is an important fraction of 8-Cl-Ado-induced DNA damage, which is implicated in 8-Cl-Ado-induced mitotic catastrophe and delayed apoptosis. Induction of E2F1 by 8-Cl-Ado may contribute at least partly to the drug-inhibited proliferation of cancer cells.

E2F1 enhances 8-chloro-adenosine-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells.

The E2F1 transcription factor is a well known regulator of cell proliferation and apoptosis, but its role in response to DNA damage is less clear. 8-Chloro-adenosine (8-Cl-Ado), a nucleoside analog, can inhibit proliferation in a variety of human tumor cells. However, it is still elusive how the agent acts on tumors. Here we show that A549 and H1299 cells formed DNA double-strand breaks after 8-Cl-Ado exposure, accompanied by E2F1 upregulation at protein level. Overexpressed wild-type (E2F1-wt) colocalized with double-strand break marker γ-H2AX and promoted G2/M arrest in 8-Cl-Ado-exposed A549 and H1299, while expressed S31A mutant of E2F1 (E2F1-mu) significantly reduced ability to accumulate at sites of DNA damage and G2/M arrest, suggesting that E2F1 is required for activating G2/M checkpoint pathway upon DNA damage. Transfection of either E2F1-wt or E2F1-mu plasmid promoted apoptosis in 8-Cl-Ado-exposed cells, indicating that 8-Cl-Ado may induce apoptosis in E2F1-dependent and E2F1-independent ways. These findings demonstrate that E2F1 plays a crucial role in 8-Cl-Ado-induced G2/M arrest but is dispensable for 8-Cl-Ado-induced apoptosis. These data also suggest that the mechanism of 8-Cl-Ado action is complicated.

miR­888 regulates cancer progression by targeting multiple targets in lung adenocarcinoma.

Aberrantly expressed miRNAs play a crucial role in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. However, to date, the role of miR­888 in lung adenocarcinoma progression is unclear. In the present study, the biological function of miR­888 and its underlying mechanism in lung adenocarcinoma progression were explored. RT­qPCR was performed to detect the expression of miR­888 in 38 matched lung adenocarcinoma samples respectively. Next, the effects of miR­888 on the proliferation, invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were evaluated by a series of gain­ and loss­of­function assays. Our results revealed that miR­888 was significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, and its expression was markedly associated with clinical staging in patients. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR­888 in vitro was revealed to function as a double­edged sword in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by targeting multiple targets. Overexpression of miR­888 promoted the invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by targeting E­cadherin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2. In addition, ectopic expression of miR­888 inhibited the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells by targeting cell division cycle 7 (CDC7). In addition, the immunohistochemical results and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed that CDC7 was significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, suggesting that miR­888 may function as an oncogene in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma patients, and the miR­888/CDC7 axis was not the dominant pathway for CDC7 regulation in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR­888 may act as a potential new therapeutic target for patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Targeting CDC7 improves sensitivity to chemotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The cell division cycle 7 (CDC7) is a serine/threonine kinase that is essential for DNA replication in human cells which has been identified to play a critical role in multiple cancer types. However, the expression and clinical significance of CDC7 in ESCC has never been reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CDC7 expression was detected in 30 ESCC and matched adjacent normal tissues, and a series of loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays were performed to evaluate the effects of CDC7 on the proliferation, migration and invasion, and chemoresistance of ESCC cells. RESULTS: The results showed that CDC7 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues compared with matched adjacent normal tissues. Functional studies demonstrated that knockdown of CDC7 inhibited proliferation by arresting ESCC cells in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis. Knockdown of CDC7 also inhibited cell migration and invasion in ESCC cells. Furthermore, knockdown of CDC7 sensitized ESCC cells to Cis and 5-FU. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CDC7 is highly expressed in ESCC tissues, and silencing CDC7 enhances chemosensitivity of ESCC cells, providing a new avenue for ESCC therapy.