Spheroid Drug Sensitivity Screening in Glioma Stem Cell Lines.

In vitro drug sensitivity screens are important tools in the discovery of anti-cancer drug combination therapies. Typically, these in vitro drug screens are performed on cells grown in a monolayer. However, these two-dimensional (2D) models are considered less accurate compared to three-dimensional (3D) spheroid cell models; this is especially true for glioma stem cell lines. Cells grown in spheres activate different signaling pathways and are considered more representative of in vivo models than monolayer cell lines. This protocol describes a method for in vitro drug screening of spheroid lines; mouse and human glioma stem cell lines are used as an example. This protocol describes a 3D spheroid drug sensitivity and synergy assay that can be used to determine if a drug or drug combination induces cell death and if two drugs synergize. Glioma stem cell lines are modified to express RFP. Cells are plated in low attachment round well bottom 96 plates, and spheres are allowed to form overnight. Drugs are added, and the growth is monitored by measuring the RFP signal over time using the Incucyte live imaging system, a fluorescence microscope embedded in the tissue culture incubator. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), median lethal dose (LD50), and synergy score are subsequently calculated to evaluate sensitivities to drugs alone or in combination. The three-dimensional nature of this assay provides a more accurate reflection of tumor growth, behavior, and drug sensitivities in vivo, thus forming the basis for further preclinical investigation.

Identification of therapeutic sensitivities in a spheroid drug combination screen of Neurofibromatosis Type I associated High Grade Gliomas.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) patients develop an array of benign and malignant tumors, of which Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNST) and High Grade Gliomas (HGG) have a dismal prognosis. About 15-20% of individuals with NF1 develop brain tumors and one third of these occur outside of the optic pathway. These non-optic pathway gliomas are more likely to progress to malignancy, especially in adults. Despite their low frequency, high grade gliomas have a disproportional effect on the morbidity of NF1 patients. In vitro drug combination screens have not been performed on NF1-associated HGG, hindering our ability to develop informed clinical trials. Here we present the first in vitro drug combination screen (21 compounds alone or in combination with MEK or PI3K inhibitors) on the only human NF1 patient derived HGG cell line available and on three mouse glioma cell lines derived from the NF1-P53 genetically engineered mouse model, which sporadically develop HGG. These mouse glioma cell lines were never exposed to serum, grow as spheres and express markers that are consistent with an Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cell (OPC) lineage origin. Importantly, even though the true cell of origin for HGG remains elusive, they are thought to arise from the OPC lineage. We evaluated drug sensitivities of the three murine glioma cell lines in a 3D spheroid growth assay, which more accurately reflects drug sensitivities in vivo. Excitingly, we identified six compounds targeting HDACs, BRD4, CHEK1, BMI-1, CDK1/2/5/9, and the proteasome that potently induced cell death in our NF1-associated HGG. Moreover, several of these inhibitors work synergistically with either MEK or PI3K inhibitors. This study forms the basis for further pre-clinical evaluation of promising targets, with an eventual hope to translate these to the clinic.

Identification and functional analyses of disease-associated P4-ATPase phospholipid flippase variants in red blood cells.

ATP-dependent phospholipid flippase activity crucial for generating lipid asymmetry was first detected in red blood cell (RBC) membranes, but the P4-ATPases responsible have not been directly determined. Using affinity-based MS, we show that ATP11C is the only abundant P4-ATPase phospholipid flippase in human RBCs, whereas ATP11C and ATP8A1 are the major P4-ATPases in mouse RBCs. We also found that ATP11A and ATP11B are present at low levels. Mutations in the gene encoding ATP11C are responsible for blood and liver disorders, but the disease mechanisms are not known. Using heterologous expression, we show that the T415N substitution in the phosphorylation motif of ATP11C, responsible for congenital hemolytic anemia, reduces ATP11C expression, increases retention in the endoplasmic reticulum, and decreases ATPase activity by 61% relative to WT ATP11C. The I355K substitution in the transmembrane domain associated with cholestasis and anemia in mice was expressed at WT levels and trafficked to the plasma membrane but was devoid of activity. We conclude that the T415N variant causes significant protein misfolding, resulting in low protein expression, cellular mislocalization, and reduced functional activity. In contrast, the I355K variant folds and traffics normally but lacks key contacts required for activity. We propose that the loss in ATP11C phospholipid flippase activity coupled with phospholipid scramblase activity results in the exposure of phosphatidylserine on the surface of RBCs, decreasing RBC survival and resulting in anemia.

Early mixed chimerism-based preemptive immunotherapy in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia.

This retrospective analysis comprises 10-year experience with early posttransplant mixed chimerism-based preemptive intervention. Out of 104 patients, 51 received preemptive immunotherapy. Their outcomes were similar to patients achieving full donor chimerism spontaneously. Among patients receiving intervention, 5-year event-free survival was identical in patients with and without pretransplant residual disease, respectively (68% [95% confidence interval (CI) 38-98%] vs. 69% [95% CI 54-85%] log-rank = 0.4). In patients who received preemptive immunotherapy, chimerism status and residual disease prior to transplant were no longer predictors of poor outcome; however, 41% of the patients with residual disease prior to transplant relapsed early and did not benefit from this strategy.

Stage-Dependent Axon Transport of Proteasomes Contributes to Axon Development.

Axon extension at the growing tip requires elevated local protein supply, with a capability sustainable over long axons in varying environments. The exact mechanisms, however, remain elusive. Here we report that axon-promoting factors elicited a retrograde transport-dependent removal of proteasomes from nascent axon terminals, thereby increasing protein stability at axon tips. Such an effect occurred through phosphorylation of a dynein-interacting proteasome adaptor protein Ecm29. During the transition from immature neurites to nascent axons in cultured hippocampal neurons, live-cell imaging revealed a significant increase of the retrograde axonal transport of fluorescently labeled 20S proteasomes. This retrograde proteasome transport depended on neuron stage and increased with axon lengths. Blockade of retrograde transport caused accumulation of proteasomes, reduction of axon growth, and attenuation of growth-associated Par6 at the axon tip of newly polarized neurons. Our results delineate a regulatory mechanism that controls proteasome abundance via preferential transport required for axon development in newborn neurons.

Gαi/o-coupled receptor signaling restricts pancreatic ß-cell expansion.

Gi-GPCRs, G protein-coupled receptors that signal via Gα proteins of the i/o class (Gαi/o), acutely regulate cellular behaviors widely in mammalian tissues, but their impact on the development and growth of these tissues is less clear. For example, Gi-GPCRs acutely regulate insulin release from pancreatic ß cells, and variants in genes encoding several Gi-GPCRs--including the α-2a adrenergic receptor, ADRA2A--increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, type 2 diabetes also is associated with reduced total ß-cell mass, and the role of Gi-GPCRs in establishing ß-cell mass is unknown. Therefore, we asked whether Gi-GPCR signaling regulates ß-cell mass. Here we show that Gi-GPCRs limit the proliferation of the insulin-producing pancreatic ß cells and especially their expansion during the critical perinatal period. Increased Gi-GPCR activity in perinatal ß cells decreased ß-cell proliferation, reduced adult ß-cell mass, and impaired glucose homeostasis. In contrast, Gi-GPCR inhibition enhanced perinatal ß-cell proliferation, increased adult ß-cell mass, and improved glucose homeostasis. Transcriptome analysis detected the expression of multiple Gi-GPCRs in developing and adult ß cells, and gene-deletion experiments identified ADRA2A as a key Gi-GPCR regulator of ß-cell replication. These studies link Gi-GPCR signaling to ß-cell mass and diabetes risk and identify it as a potential target for therapies to protect and increase ß-cell mass in patients with diabetes.

Secretory Carrier Membrane Protein (SCAMP) deficiency influences behavior of adult flies.

Secretory Carrier Membrane Proteins (SCAMPs) are a group of tetraspanning integral membrane proteins evolutionarily conserved from insects to mammals and plants. Mammalian genomes contain five SCAMP genes SCAMP1-SCAMP5 that regulate membrane dynamics, most prominently membrane-depolarization and Ca(2+)-induced regulated secretion, a key mechanism for neuronal and neuroendocrine signaling. However, the biological role of SCAMPs has remained poorly understood primarily owing to the lack of appropriate model organisms and behavior assays. Here we generate Drosophila Scamp null mutants and show that they exhibit reduced lifespan and behavioral abnormalities including impaired climbing, deficiency in odor associated long-term memory, and a susceptibility to heat-induced seizures. Neuron-specific restoration of Drosophila Scamp rescues all Scamp null behavioral phenotypes, indicating that the phenotypes are due to loss of neuronal Scamp. Remarkably, neuronal expression of human SCAMP genes rescues selected behavioral phenotypes of the mutants, suggesting the conserved function of SCAMPs across species. The newly developed Drosophila mutants present the first evidence that genetic depletion of SCAMP at the organismal level leads to varied behavioral abnormalities, and the obtained results indicate the importance of membrane dynamics in neuronal functions in vivo.

Numb regulates acinar cell dedifferentiation and survival during pancreatic damage and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Through the process of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), pancreatic acinar cells give rise to pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), the most common precursor of PDA. However, even when Kras is activated in a majority of acinar cells, ADM and subsequent development of PanINs is inefficient in the absence of additional stresses. Numb regulates cell junctions, integrins, and the activity of embryonic signaling pathways; therefore, we investigated its effects on acinar cell dedifferentiation, regeneration, and metaplasia. METHODS: We used mouse models of pancreatic regeneration and PDA as well as mice with loss-of-function alleles of Numb (p48Cre/p48Cre(ER);Numb(f/f) and p48Cre/p48Cre(ER);Kras(G12D);Numb(f/f) mice) to study the roles of Numb in pancreatic regeneration and ADM. RESULTS: Loss of Numb resulted in premature dedifferentiation of acinar cells in response to injury due to administration of the cholecystokinin analogue cerulein and interfered with acinar cell regeneration. Numb was found to regulate multiple signaling pathways in acinar cells during cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Disruption of Numb accelerated and destabilized ADM in the context of oncogenic Kras (in p48Cre;Kras(G12D);Numb(f/f) and p48Cre(ER);Kras(G12D);Numb(f/f) mice). CONCLUSIONS: Numb is an important regulator of acinar cell differentiation and viability during metaplasia. In mice with pancreatitis or pancreatic injury, elimination of Numb causes dedifferentiated acinar cells to undergo apoptosis, and this is not mitigated by oncogenic Kras.

Convergence of the insulin and serotonin programs in the pancreatic ß-cell.

OBJECTIVE: Despite their origins in different germ layers, pancreatic islet cells share many common developmental features with neurons, especially serotonin-producing neurons in the hindbrain. Therefore, we tested whether these developmental parallels have functional consequences. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We used transcriptional profiling, immunohistochemistry, DNA-binding analyses, and mouse genetic models to assess the expression and function of key serotonergic genes in the pancreas. RESULTS: We found that islet cells expressed the genes encoding all of the products necessary for synthesizing, packaging, and secreting serotonin, including both isoforms of the serotonin synthetic enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase and the archetypal serotonergic transcription factor Pet1. As in serotonergic neurons, Pet1 expression in islets required homeodomain transcription factor Nkx2.2 but not Nkx6.1. In ß-cells, Pet1 bound to the serotonergic genes but also to a conserved insulin gene regulatory element. Mice lacking Pet1 displayed reduced insulin production and secretion and impaired glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: These studies demonstrate that a common transcriptional cascade drives the differentiation of ß-cells and serotonergic neurons and imparts the shared ability to produce serotonin. The interrelated biology of these two cell types has important implications for the pathology and treatment of diabetes.

Stat3 and MMP7 contribute to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma initiation and progression.

Chronic pancreatitis is a well-known risk factor for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) development in humans, and inflammation promotes PDA initiation and progression in mouse models of the disease. However, the mechanistic link between inflammatory damage and PDA initiation is unclear. Using a Kras-driven mouse model of PDA, we establish that the inflammatory mediator Stat3 is a critical component of spontaneous and pancreatitis-accelerated PDA precursor formation and supports cell proliferation, metaplasia-associated inflammation, and MMP7 expression during neoplastic development. Furthermore, we show that Stat3 signaling enforces MMP7 expression in PDA cells and that MMP7 deletion limits tumor size and metastasis in mice. Finally, we demonstrate that serum MMP7 level in human patients with PDA correlated with metastatic disease and survival.

Precise pattern of recombination in serotonergic and hypothalamic neurons in a Pdx1-cre transgenic mouse line.

BACKGROUND: Multicellular organisms are characterized by a remarkable diversity of morphologically distinct and functionally specialized cell types. Transgenic techniques for the manipulation of gene expression in specific cellular populations are highly useful for elucidating the development and function of these cellular populations. Given notable similarities in developmental gene expression between pancreatic ß-cells and serotonergic neurons, we examined the pattern of Cre-mediated recombination in the nervous system of a widely used mouse line, Pdx1-cre (formal designation, Tg(Ipf1-cre)89.1Dam), in which the expression of Cre recombinase is driven by regulatory elements upstream of the pdx1 (pancreatic-duodenal homeobox 1) gene. METHODS: Single (hemizygous) transgenic mice of the pdx1-creCre/0 genotype were bred to single (hemizygous) transgenic reporter mice (Z/EG and rosa26R lines). Recombination pattern was examined in offspring using whole-mount and sectioned histological preparations at e9.5, e10.5, e11.5, e16.5 and adult developmental stages. RESULTS: In addition to the previously reported pancreatic recombination, recombination in the developing nervous system and inner ear formation was observed. In the central nervous system, we observed a highly specific pattern of recombination in neuronal progenitors in the ventral brainstem and diencephalon. In the rostral brainstem (r1-r2), recombination occurred in newborn serotonergic neurons. In the caudal brainstem, recombination occurred in non-serotonergic cells. In the adult, this resulted in reporter expression in the vast majority of forebrain-projecting serotonergic neurons (located in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei) but in none of the spinal cord-projecting serotonergic neurons of the caudal raphe nuclei. In the adult caudal brainstem, reporter expression was widespread in the inferior olive nucleus. In the adult hypothalamus, recombination was observed in the arcuate nucleus and dorsomedial hypothalamus. Recombination was not observed in any other region of the central nervous system. Neuronal expression of endogenous pdx1 was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The Pdx1-cre mouse line, and the regulatory elements contained in the corresponding transgene, could be a valuable tool for targeted genetic manipulation of developing forebrain-projecting serotonergic neurons and several other unique neuronal sub-populations. These results suggest that investigators employing this mouse line for studies of pancreatic function should consider the possible contributions of central nervous system effects towards resulting phenotypes.