Biology subjects

Efe, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Efe, G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Sprouty4 is required for Mdm2 regulation of invasion, focal adhesion formation and metastasis in cells lacking p53.

Although the E3 ligase Mdm2 and its homologue and binding partner MdmX are the major regulators of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, it is now evident that Mdm2 and MdmX have multiple functions that are independent of p53. For example, Mdm2 can regulate cell migration, although mechanistic insight into this function is still lacking. Here we show in cells lacking p53 expression that knockdown of Mdm2 or MdmX, as well as pharmacological inhibition of the Mdm2/MdmX complex, not only reduces cell migration and invasion, but also impairs cell spreading and focal adhesion formation. In addition, Mdm2 knockdown decreases metastasis in vivo. Remarkably, Mdm2 modulates the expression of Sprouty4, which is required for the Mdm2 mediated effects on cell migration, focal adhesion formation and metastasis. Our findings describe a molecular mechanism by which the Mdm2-X complex, through Sprouty4, regulates cellular processes leading to decreased metastatic capability independent of p53.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Tumor Niche Network-Defined Subtypes Predict Immunotherapy Response of Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer

Despite the promising outcomes of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), resistance to ICB presents a new challenge. Therefore, selecting patients for specific ICB applications is crucial for maximizing therapeutic efficacy. Herein we curated 69 human esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients tumor microenvironment (TME) single-cell transcriptomic datasets to subtype ESCC. Integrative analyses of the cellular network transcriptional signatures of T cells, myeloid cells, and fibroblasts define distinct ESCC subtypes characterized by T cell exhaustion, Interferon (IFN) a/b signaling, TIGIT enrichment, and specific marker genes. Furthermore, this approach classifies ESCC patients into ICB responders and non-responders, as validated by liquid biopsy single-cell transcriptomics. Our study stratifies ESCC patients based on TME transcriptional network, providing novel insights into tumor niche remodeling and predicting ICB responses in ESCC patients.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Key Genetic Determinants Driving Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Initiation and Immune Evasion

Background and aimsDespite recent progress in identifying aberrant genetic and epigenetic alterations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the mechanism of ESCC initiation remains unknown. MethodsUsing CRISPR/Cas 9-based genetic ablation, we targeted 9 genes (TP53, CDKN2A, NOTCH1, NOTCH3, KMT2D, KMT2C, FAT1, FAT4, and AJUBA) in murine esophageal organoids (EOs). Transcriptomic phenotypes of organoids and chemokine released by organoids were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Tumorigenicity and immune evasion of organoids were monitored by allograft transplantation. Human ESCC scRNA-seq datasets were analyzed to classify patients and find subsets relevant to organoid models and immune evasion. ResultsWe established 32 genetically engineered EOs and identified key genetic determinants that drive ESCC initiation. A single-cell transcriptomic analysis uncovered that Trp53, Cdkn2a, and Notch1 (PCN) triple-knockout (KO) induces neoplastic features of ESCC by generating cell lineage heterogeneity and high cell plasticity. PCN KO also generates an immunosuppressive niche enriched with exhausted T cells and M2 macrophages via the CCL2-CCR2 axis. Mechanistically, CDKN2A inactivation transactivates CCL2 via NF-{kappa}B. Moreover, comparative single-cell transcriptomic analyses stratified ESCC patients and identified a specific subtype recapitulating the PCN-type ESCC signatures, including the high expression of CCL2 and CD274/PD-L1. ConclusionsOur study unveils that loss of TP53, CDKN2A, and NOTCH1 induces esophageal neoplasia and immune evasion for ESCC initiation and proposes the CCL2 blockade as a viable option for targeting PCN-type ESCC.

cancer biology↗