A miR-297/hypoxia/DGK-α axis regulating glioblastoma survival.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the treatment of the most aggressive form of brain tumor, glioblastoma, patient prognosis remains disappointing. This failure in treatment has been attributed to dysregulated oncogenic pathways, as observed in other tumors. We and others have suggested the use of microRNAs (miRs) as therapeutic tools able to target multiple pathways in glioblastoma. METHODS: This work features PCR quantification of miRs and transient transfection of many glioblastoma cell lines with miRs, followed by cell number analysis, trypan blue staining, alamarBlue assay of cell viability, caspase-3/-7 activity assay, immunoblot of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and fluorescence activated cell sorting and imaging of apoptotic nuclei, cell invasion assays, MRIs of glioblastoma xenografts in mice using transiently transfected cells as well as posttumor treatment with lentiviral vector encoding miR-297, and analysis of miR-297 target diacylglycerol kinase (DGK)-α including immunoblot, 3'UTR luciferase activity, and rescue with DGK-α overexpression. Cell counts and DGK-α immunoblot were also analyzed in the context of hypoxia and with overexpression of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein L (hnRNPL). RESULTS: We identified miR-297 as a highly cytotoxic microRNA in glioblastoma, with minimal cytotoxicity to normal astrocytes. miR-297 overexpression reduced in vitro invasiveness and in vivo tumor formation. DGK-α is shown to be a miR-297 target with a critical role in miR-297 toxicity. In addition, hypoxia and its mediator hnRNPL upregulated DGK-α and buffered the cytotoxic effects of miR-297. CONCLUSION: This work shows miR-297 as a novel and physiologic regulator of cancer cell survival, largely through targeting of DGK-α, and also indicates that hypoxia ameliorates miR-297 toxicity to cancer cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor sensitizes brain tumors to c-MET kinase inhibition.

PURPOSE: The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) c-MET and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are deregulated and promote malignancy in cancer and brain tumors. Consequently, clinically applicable c-MET inhibitors have been developed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the not-well-known molecular determinants that predict responsiveness to c-MET inhibitors and to explore new strategies for improving inhibitor efficacy in brain tumors. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated the molecular factors and pathway activation signatures that determine sensitivity to c-MET inhibitors in a panel of glioblastoma and medulloblastoma cells, glioblastoma stem cells, and established cell line-derived xenografts using functional assays, reverse protein microarrays, and in vivo tumor volume measurements, but validation with animal survival analyses remains to be done. We also explored new approaches for improving the efficacy of the inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: We found that HGF coexpression is a key predictor of response to c-MET inhibition among the examined factors and identified an ERK/JAK/p53 pathway activation signature that differentiates c-MET inhibition in responsive and nonresponsive cells. Surprisingly, we also found that short pretreatment of cells and tumors with exogenous HGF moderately but statistically significantly enhanced the antitumor effects of c-MET inhibition. We observed a similar ligand-induced sensitization effect to an EGF receptor small-molecule kinase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: These findings allow the identification of a subset of patients that will be responsive to c-MET inhibition and propose ligand pretreatment as a potential new strategy for improving the anticancer efficacy of RTK inhibitors.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator expression and glioblastoma invasion via C-SRC/MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathways.

One of the major pathophysiological features of malignant astrocytomas is their ability to infiltrate surrounding brain tissue. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and proteases are known to be overexpressed in glioblastomas (GBMs), but the interaction between the activation of the EGFR and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) in promoting astrocytic tumor invasion has not been fully elucidated. Here, we characterized the signal transduction pathway(s) by which EGF regulates uPA expression and promotes astrocytoma invasion. We show that EGFR activation and constitutively active EGFR vIII in GBM cell lines upregulate uPA expression. Small-molecule inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase, tyrosine kinase, and small interfering RNA targeting c-Src blocked uPA upregulation. Similarly, mutations in the activator protein 1 binding site of the uPA promoter reduced EGF-induced increases in uPA promoter activity. Treatment of GBM cells with EGF increased in vitro cell invasion, and the invasive phenotype was attenuated by gene silencing of uPA using small interfering RNA and short hairpin RNA. In addition, uPA knockdown clones formed smaller well-circumscribed tumors than nontarget U1242 control cells in a xenograft GBM mouse model in vivo. In summary, these results suggest that c-Src, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and a composite activator protein 1 on the uPA promoter are responsible for EGF-induced uPA expression and GBM invasion.

An extensive invasive intracranial human glioblastoma xenograft model: role of high level matrix metalloproteinase 9.

The lack of an intracranial human glioma model that recapitulates the extensive invasive and hypervascular features of glioblastoma (GBM) is a major hurdle for testing novel therapeutic approaches against GBM and studying the mechanism of GBM invasive growth. We characterized a high matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expressing U1242 MG intracranial xenograft mouse model that exhibited extensive individual cells and cell clusters in a perivascular and subpial cellular infiltrative pattern, geographic necrosis and infiltrating tumor-induced vascular proliferation closely resembling the human GBM phenotype. MMP-9 silencing cells with short hairpin RNA dramatically blocked the cellular infiltrative pattern, hypervascularity, and cell proliferation in vivo, and decreased cell invasion, colony formation, and cell motility in vitro, indicating that a high level of MMP-9 plays an essential role in extensive infiltration and hypervascularity in the xenograft model. Moreover, epidermal growth factor (EGF) failed to stimulate MMP-9 expression, cell invasion, and colony formation in MMP-9-silenced clones. An EGF receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitor, a RasN17 dominant-negative construct, MEK and PI3K inhibitors significantly blocked EGF/EGFR-stimulated MMP-9, cell invasion, and colony formation in U1242 MG cells, suggesting that MMP-9 is involved in EGFR/Ras/MEK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-mediated cell invasion and anchorage-independent growth in U1242 MG cells. Our data indicate that the U1242 MG xenograft model is valuable for studying GBM extensive invasion and angiogenesis as well as testing anti-invasive and anti-angiogenic therapeutic approaches.

An orally bioavailable c-Met kinase inhibitor potently inhibits brain tumor malignancy and growth.

The receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Met and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are important regulators of malignancy in human cancer including brain tumors. c-Met is frequently activated in brain tumors and has emerged as a promising target for molecular therapies. Recently, an orally bioavailable small molecule kinase inhibitor of c-Met (SGX523) was developed by SGX Pharmaceuticals. We tested the effects of this inhibitor on c-Met brain tumor cell activation, c-Met-dependent malignancy, and in vivo glioma xenograft growth. SGX523 potently inhibited c-Met activation and c-Met-dependent signaling at nanomolar concentrations in glioma cells, primary gliomas, glioma stem cells and medulloblastoma cells. SGX523 treatment inhibited c-Met-dependent brain tumor cell proliferation and G1/S cell cycle progression. SGX523 also inhibited brain tumor cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, systemic delivery of SGX523 via oral gavage to mice bearing orthotopic human glioblastoma xenografts led to a significant decrease of in vivo tumor growth. These studies show that c-Met activation and c-Met-dependent brain tumor cell and stem cell malignancy can be inhibited by small molecules. The study also shows for the first time that oral delivery of a small molecule kinase inhibitor of c-Met inhibits intracranial tumor growth. These findings suggest that targeting c-Met with small molecule kinase inhibitors is a promising approach for brain tumor therapy.

The neuronal microRNA miR-326 acts in a feedback loop with notch and has therapeutic potential against brain tumors.

Little is known of microRNA interactions with cellular pathways. Few reports have associated microRNAs with the Notch pathway, which plays key roles in nervous system development and in brain tumors. We previously implicated the Notch pathway in gliomas, the most common and aggressive brain tumors. While investigating Notch mediators, we noted microRNA-326 was upregulated following Notch-1 knockdown. This neuronally expressed microRNA was not only suppressed by Notch but also inhibited Notch proteins and activity, indicating a feedback loop. MicroRNA-326 was downregulated in gliomas via decreased expression of its host gene. Transfection of microRNA-326 into both established and stem cell-like glioma lines was cytotoxic, and rescue was obtained with Notch restoration. Furthermore, miR-326 transfection reduced glioma cell tumorigenicity in vivo. Additionally, we found microRNA-326 partially mediated the toxic effects of Notch knockdown. This work demonstrates a microRNA-326/Notch axis, shedding light on the biology of Notch and suggesting microRNA-326 delivery as a therapy.

MicroRNA-34a inhibits glioblastoma growth by targeting multiple oncogenes.

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is a transcriptional target of p53 that is down-regulated in some cancer cell lines. We studied the expression, targets, and functional effects of miR-34a in brain tumor cells and human gliomas. Transfection of miR-34a down-regulated c-Met in human glioma and medulloblastoma cells and Notch-1, Notch-2, and CDK6 protein expressions in glioma cells. miR-34a expression inhibited c-Met reporter activities in glioma and medulloblastoma cells and Notch-1 and Notch-2 3'-untranslated region reporter activities in glioma cells and stem cells. Analysis of human specimens showed that miR-34a expression is down-regulated in glioblastoma tissues as compared with normal brain and in mutant p53 gliomas as compared with wild-type p53 gliomas. miR-34a levels in human gliomas inversely correlated to c-Met levels measured in the same tumors. Transient transfection of miR-34a into glioma and medulloblastoma cell lines strongly inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell survival, and cell invasion, but transfection of miR-34a into human astrocytes did not affect cell survival and cell cycle status. Forced expression of c-Met or Notch-1/Notch-2 transcripts lacking the 3'-untranslated region sequences partially reversed the effects of miR-34a on cell cycle arrest and cell death in glioma cells and stem cells, respectively. Also, transient expression of miR-34a in glioblastoma cells strongly inhibited in vivo glioma xenograft growth. Together, these findings represent the first comprehensive analysis of the role of miR-34a in gliomas. They show that miR-34a suppresses brain tumor growth by targeting c-Met and Notch. The results also suggest that miR-34a could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for brain tumors.

ADAM-10-mediated N-cadherin cleavage is protein kinase C-alpha dependent and promotes glioblastoma cell migration.

MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) and the related "a disintegrin and metalloproteinases" (ADAMs) promote tumorigenesis by cleaving extracellular matrix and protein substrates, including N-cadherin. Although N-cadherin is thought to regulate cell adhesion, migration, and invasion, its role has not been characterized in glioblastomas (GBMs). In this study, we investigated the expression and function of posttranslational N-cadherin cleavage in GBM cells as well as its regulation by protein kinase C (PKC). N-Cadherin cleavage occurred at a higher level in glioblastoma cells than in non-neoplastic astrocytes. Treatment with the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased N-cadherin cleavage, which was reduced by pharmacological inhibitors and short interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for ADAM-10 or PKC-alpha. Furthermore, treatment of GBM cells with PMA induced the translocation of ADAM-10 to the cell membrane, the site at which N-cadherin was cleaved, and this translocation was significantly reduced by the PKC-alpha inhibitor Gö6976 [12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo[2,3-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole] or PKC-alpha short hairpin RNA. In functional studies, N-cadherin cleavage was required for GBM cell migration, as depletion of N-cadherin cleavage by N-cadherin siRNA, ADAM-10 siRNA, or a cleavage-site mutant N-cadherin, decreased GBM cell migration. Together, these results suggest that N-cadherin cleavage is regulated by a PKC-alpha-ADAM-10 cascade in GBM cells and may be involved in mediating GBM cell migration.

Interactions between PTEN and the c-Met pathway in glioblastoma and implications for therapy.

The tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are frequently overexpressed and the tumor suppressor PTEN is often mutated in glioblastoma. Because PTEN can interact with c-Met-dependent signaling, we studied the effects of PTEN on c-Met-induced malignancy and associated molecular events and assessed the potential therapeutic value of combining PTEN restoration approaches with HGF/c-Met inhibition. We studied the effects of c-Met activation on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell migration, cell invasion, and associated molecular events in the settings of restored or inhibited PTEN expression in glioblastoma cells. We also assessed the experimental therapeutic effects of combining anti-HGF/c-Met approaches with PTEN restoration or mTOR inhibition. PTEN significantly inhibited HGF-induced proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. PTEN attenuated HGF-induced changes of signal transduction proteins Akt, GSK-3, JNK, and mTOR as well as cell cycle regulatory proteins p27, cyclin E, and E2F-1. Combining PTEN restoration to PTEN-null glioblastoma cells with c-Met and HGF inhibition additively inhibited tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Similarly, combining a monoclonal anti-HGF antibody (L2G7) with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin had additive inhibitory effects on glioblastoma cell proliferation. Systemic in vivo delivery of L2G7 and PTEN restoration as well as systemic in vivo deliveries of L2G7 and rapamycin additively inhibited intracranial glioma xenograft growth. These preclinical studies show for the first time that PTEN loss amplifies c-Met-induced glioblastoma malignancy and suggest that combining anti-HGF/c-Met approaches with PTEN restoration or mTOR inhibition is worth testing in a clinical setting.

H-Ras increases urokinase expression and cell invasion in genetically modified human astrocytes through Ras/Raf/MEK signaling pathway.

Previous study reported that the activation of Ras pathway cooperated with E6/E7-mediated inactivation of p53/pRb to transform immortalized normal human astrocytes (NHA/hTERT) into intracranial tumors strongly resembling human astrocytomas. The mechanism of how H-Ras contributes to astrocytoma formation is unclear. Using genetically modified NHA cells (E6/E7/hTERT and E6/E7/hTERT/Ras cells) as models, we investigated the mechanism of Ras-induced tumorigenesis. The overexpression of constitutively active H-RasV12 in E6/E7/hTERT cells robustly increased the levels of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) mRNA, protein, activity and invasive capacity of the E6/E7/hTERT/Ras cells. However, the expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-2 did not significantly change in the E6/E7/hTERT and E6/E7/hTERT/Ras cells. Furthermore, E6/E7/hTERT/Ras cells also displayed higher level of uPA activity and were more invasive than E6/E7/hTERT cells in 3D culture, and formed an intracranial tumor mass in a NOD-SCID mouse model. uPA specific inhibitor (B428) and uPA neutralizing antibody decreased uPA activity and invasion in E6/E7/hTERT/Ras cells. uPA-deficient U-1242 glioblastoma cells were less invasive in vitro and exhibited reduced tumor growth and infiltration into normal brain in xenograft mouse model. Inhibitors of Ras (FTA), Raf (Bay 54-9085) and MEK (UO126), but not of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) (LY294002) and of protein kinase C (BIM) pathways, inhibited uPA activity and cell invasion. Our results suggest that H-Ras increased uPA expression and activity via the Ras/Raf/MEK signaling pathway leading to enhanced cell invasion and this may contribute to increased invasive growth properties of astrocytomas.

Protein kinase C-alpha-mediated regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein and urokinase increases astrocytoma invasion.

Aggressive and infiltrative invasion is one of the hallmarks of glioblastoma. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) is expressed by glioblastoma, but the role of this receptor in astrocytic tumor invasion remains poorly understood. We show that activation of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha) phosphorylated and down-regulated LRP expression. Pretreatment of tumor cells with PKC inhibitors, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, PKC-alpha small interfering RNA (siRNA), and short hairpin RNA abrogated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced down-regulation of LRP and inhibited astrocytic tumor invasion in vitro. In xenograft glioblastoma mouse model and in vitro transmembrane invasion assay, LRP-deficient cells, which secreted high levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), invaded extensively the surrounding normal brain tissue, whereas the LRP-overexpressing and uPA-deficient cells did not invade into the surrounding normal brain. siRNA, targeted against uPA in LRP-deficient clones, attenuated their invasive potential. Taken together, our results strongly suggest the involvement of PKC-alpha/PI3K signaling pathways in the regulation of LRP-mediated astrocytoma invasion. Thus, a strategy of combining small molecule inhibitors of PKC-alpha and PI3K could provide a new treatment paradigm for glioblastomas.

Rho kinase and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors cooperate to inhibit angiogenesis and growth of human prostate cancer xenotransplants.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of inhibitors of Rho kinase (ROK) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) on angiogenesis and tumor growth and to evaluate ROK activity in human prostate cancer PC3 cells and endothelial cells (HUVECs). Vacuolation by endothelial cells and lumen formation, the earliest detectable stages of angiogenesis, were inhibited by the ROK inhibitor Wf-536. Combining Wf-536 with the MMP inhibitor Marimastat greatly enhanced in vitro inhibition of endothelial vacuolation, lumen and cord formation, and VEGF- and HGF-stimulated endothelial sprout formation from aorta. Inhibition of sprout formation by the two inhibitors was synergistic. Both agents inhibited migration of HUVECs. The regulatory subunit (MYPT1) of the myosin phosphatase was phosphorylated in PC3 cells and HUVECs, and phosphorylation of MYPT1 and the myosin regulatory light chain was reduced by Wf-536, providing direct evidence of ROK activity. Early treatment of immuno-incompetent mice bearing xenotransplants of PC3 cells with a combination of Wf-536 plus Marimastat with or without Paclitaxel, significantly inhibited tumor growth, prevented tumor growth escape after discontinuation of Paclitaxel, and increased survival.

Ultrastructural changes of neuronal mitochondria after transient and permanent cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mitochondrial swelling is one of the most striking and initial ultrastructural changes after acute brain ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of reperfusion of the cerebral cortex after transient focal cerebral ischemia on neuronal mitochondrial damage. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=16) were subjected to either temporary or permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and bilateral carotid arteries. Three experimental conditions were compared: group I, permanent ischemia (3, 5, and 24 hours); group II, transient ischemia (2, 24 hours of reperfusion); and sham surgery. Anesthetized rats were killed by cardiac perfusion, and brain tissue was removed ipsilaterally and contralaterally from the ischemic core section of the frontoparietal cortex. Fixed tissue was prepared for electron microscopic examination, and electron microscopic thin sections of random neurons were photographed. Perinuclear neuronal mitochondria were analyzed in a blinded manner for qualitative ultrastructural changes (compared with sham control) by 2 independent investigators using an objective grading system. RESULTS: Cortical neuronal mitochondria exposed to severe ischemic/reperfusion conditions demonstrated dramatic signs of injury in the form of condensation, increased matrix density, and deposits of electron-dense material followed by disintegration by 24 hours. In contrast, mitochondria exposed to an equivalent time of permanent ischemia demonstrated increasing loss of matrix density with pronounced swelling followed by retention of their shape by 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Neuronal mitochondria undergoing transient versus permanent ischemia exhibit significantly different patterns of injury. Structural damage to neuronal mitochondria of the neocortex occurs more acutely and to a greater extent during the reperfusion phase in comparison to ischemic conditions alone. Further research is in progress to delineate the role of oxygen free radical production in the observed mitochondrial damage during postischemic reoxygenation.