skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Title: 24R ,25( OH ) 2D3 regulates tumorigenesis in estrogen sensitive laryngeal cancer cells via membrane‐associated receptor complexes in ER + and ER− cells
Abstract This study examined the effects of 24R,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3(24R,25(OH)2D3) in estrogen‐responsive laryngeal cancer tumorigenesis in vivo, the mechanisms involved, and whether the ability of the tumor cells to produce 24R,25(OH)2D3locally is estrogen‐dependent. Estrogen receptor alpha‐66 positive (ER+) UM‐SCC‐12 cells and ER− UM‐SCC‐11A cells responded differently to 24R,25(OH)2D3in vivo; 24R,25(OH)2D3enhanced tumorigenesis in ER+ tumors but inhibited tumorigenesis in ER− tumors. Treatment with 17β‐estradiol (E2) for 24 h reduced levels of CYP24A1 protein but increased 24R,25(OH)2D3production in ER+ cells; treatment with E2for 9 min reduced CYP24A1 at 24 h and reduced 24R,25(OH)2D3production in ER− cells. These findings suggest the involvement of E2receptor(s) in addition to ERα66. To investigate if 24R,25(OH)2D3can act locally, ER+ and ER− cells were treated with 24R,25(OH)2D3after inhibiting putative 24R,25(OH)2D3receptors, and the cells were assessed for effects on DNA synthesis (proliferation) and p53 production (apoptosis). Specific inhibitors were used to assess downstream secondary messenger signaling pathways and requirements for palmitoylation and caveolae in both cell lines. The results show that 24R,25(OH)2D3binds to a complex of receptors, including TLCD3B2, VDR, and protein disulfide‐isomerase A3 (PDIA3) in ER+ UM‐SCC‐12 cells. The mechanism requires palmitoylation, and PLD, PI3K, and LPAR are involved. The anti‐tumorigenic effects of 24R,25(OH)2D3in ER− UM‐SCC‐11A cells involve a membrane‐receptor complex consisting of VDR, PDIA3, and ROR2 within caveolae to activate a yet‐to‐be‐elucidated downstream signaling cascade. This work demonstrates a driving mechanism for the therapeutic agent 24R,25(OH)2D3that may be used for laryngeal cancer patients.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2316003
PAR ID:
10645375
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Date Published:
Journal Name:
International Journal of Cancer
ISSN:
0020-7136
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Approximately 75% of diagnosed breast cancer tumors are estrogen-receptor-positive tumors and are associated with a better prognosis due to response to hormonal therapies. However, around 40% of patients relapse after hormonal therapies. Genomic analysis of gene expression profiles in primary breast cancers and tamoxifen-resistant cell lines suggested the potential role of miR-489 in the regulation of estrogen signaling and development of tamoxifen resistance. Our in vitro analysis showed that loss of miR-489 expression promoted tamoxifen resistance, while overexpression of miR-489 in tamoxifen-resistant cells restored tamoxifen sensitivity. Mechanistically, we found that miR-489 is an estrogen-regulated miRNA that negatively regulates estrogen receptor signaling by using at least the following two mechanisms: (i) modulation of the ER phosphorylation status by inhibiting MAPK and AKT kinase activities; (ii) regulation of nuclear-to-cytosol translocation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) by decreasing p38 expression and consequently ER phosphorylation. In addition, miR-489 can break the positive feed-forward loop between the estrogen-Erα axis and p38 MAPK in breast cancer cells, which is necessary for its function as a transcription factor. Overall, our study unveiled the underlying molecular mechanism by which miR-489 regulates an estrogen signaling pathway through a negative feedback loop and uncovered its role in both the development of and overcoming of tamoxifen resistance in breast cancers. 
    more » « less
  2. The CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib blocks cell cycle progression in Estrogen receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor–negative (ER+/HER2−) breast tumor cells. Despite the drug’s success in improving patient outcomes, a small percentage of tumor cells continues to divide in the presence of palbociclib—a phenomenon we refer to as fractional resistance. It is critical to understand the cellular mechanisms underlying fractional resistance because the precise percentage of resistant cells in patient tissue is a strong predictor of clinical outcomes. Here, we hypothesize that fractional resistance arises from cell-to-cell differences in core cell cycle regulators that allow a subset of cells to escape CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy. We used multiplex, single-cell imaging to identify fractionally resistant cells in both cultured and primary breast tumor samples resected from patients. Resistant cells showed premature accumulation of multiple G1 regulators including E2F1, retinoblastoma protein, and CDK2, as well as enhanced sensitivity to pharmacological inhibition of CDK2 activity. Using trajectory inference approaches, we show how plasticity among cell cycle regulators gives rise to alternate cell cycle “paths” that allow individual tumor cells to escape palbociclib treatment. Understanding drivers of cell cycle plasticity, and how to eliminate resistant cell cycle paths, could lead to improved cancer therapies targeting fractionally resistant cells to improve patient outcomes. 
    more » « less
  3. Abstract Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment with the advent of advanced cell engineering techniques aimed at targeted therapy with reduced systemic toxicity. However, understanding the underlying immune–cancer interactions require development of advanced three-dimensional (3D) models of human tissues. In this study, we fabricated 3D tumor models with increasing complexity to study the cytotoxic responses of CD8 + T cells, genetically engineered to express mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell receptors, towards MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Homotypic MDA-MB-231 and heterotypic MDA-MB-231/human dermal fibroblast tumor spheroids were primed with precursor MAIT cell ligand 5-amino-6-D-ribitylaminouracil (5-ARU). Engineered T cells effectively eliminated tumors after a 3 d culture period, demonstrating that the engineered T cell receptor recognized major histocompatibility complex class I-related (MR1) protein expressing tumor cells in the presence of 5-ARU. Tumor cell killing efficiency of engineered T cells were also assessed by encapsulating these cells in fibrin, mimicking a tumor extracellular matrix microenvironment. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma, interleukin-13, CCL-3 indicated immune cell activation in all tumor models, post immunotherapy. Further, in corroborating the cytotoxic activity, we found that granzymes A and B were also upregulated, in homotypic as well as heterotypic tumors. Finally, a 3D bioprinted tumor model was employed to study the effect of localization of T cells with respect to tumors. T cells bioprinted proximal to the tumor had reduced invasion index and increased cytokine secretion, which indicated a paracrine mode of immune–cancer interaction. Development of 3D tumor-T cell platforms may enable studying the complex immune–cancer interactions and engineering MAIT cells for cell-based cancer immunotherapies. 
    more » « less
  4. null (Ed.)
    Background: Estrogen Receptors (ER) are members of the nuclear intracellular receptorsfamily. ER once activated by estrogen, it binds to DNA via translocating into the nucleus and regulatesthe activity of various genes. Withaferin A (WA) - an active compound of a medicinal plant Withaniasomnifera was reported to be a very effective anti-cancer agent and some of the recent studies hasdemonstrated that WA is capable of arresting the development of breast cancer via targeting estrogenreceptor. Objective: The present study is aimed at understanding the molecular level interactions of ER and Tamoxifenin comparison to Withaferin A using In-silico approaches with emphasis on Withaferin Abinding capability with ER in presence of point mutations which are causing de novo drug resistance toexisting drugs like Tamoxifen. Methods: Molecular modeling and docking studies were performed for the Tamoxifen and WithaferinA with the Estrogen receptor. Molecular docking simulations of estrogen receptor in complex withTamoxifen and Withaferin A were also performed. Results: Amino acid residues, Glu353, Arg394 and Leu387 was observed as crucial for binding andstabilizing the protein-ligand complex in case of Tamoxifen and Withaferin-A. The potential ofWithaferin A to overcome the drug resistance caused by the mutations in estrogen receptor to the existingdrugs such as Tamoxifen was demonstrated. Conclusion: In-silico analysis has elucidated the binding mode and molecular level interactions whichare expected to be of great help in further optimizing Withaferin A or design / discovery of futurebreast cancer inhibitors targeting estrogen receptor. 
    more » « less
  5. Abstract Coordination complexes of general formulatrans‐[MX2(R2ECH2CH2ER2)2] (MII=Ti, V, Cr, Mn; E=N or P; R=alkyl or aryl) are a cornerstone of coordination and organometallic chemistry. We investigate the electronic properties of two such complexes,trans‐[VCl2(tmeda)2] andtrans‐[VCl2(dmpe)2], which thus representtrans‐[MX2(R2ECH2CH2ER2)2] where M=V, X=Cl, R=Me and E=N (tmeda) and P (dmpe). These VIIcomplexes haveS=3/2 ground states, as expected for octahedral d3. Their tetragonal distortion leads to zero‐field splitting (zfs) that is modest in magnitude (D≈0.3 cm−1) relative to analogousS=1 TiIIand CrIIcomplexes. This parameter was determined from conventional EPR spectroscopy, but more effectively from high‐frequency and ‐field EPR (HFEPR) that determined the sign ofDas negative for the diamine complex, but positive for the diphosphine, which information had not been known for anytrans‐[VX2(R2ECH2CH2ER2)2] systems. The ligand‐field parameters oftrans‐[VCl2(tmeda)2] andtrans‐[VCl2(dmpe)2] are obtained using both classical theory andab initioquantum chemical theory. The results shed light not only on the electronic structure of VIIin this environment, but also on differences between N and P donor ligands, a key comparison in coordination chemistry. 
    more » « less