Biology subjects

Matias-Guiu, X.

Publications and source records attributed to Matias-Guiu, X..

10 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

miR-424(322)~503 impairs colon cancer progression driven by PTEN deficiency.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with molecular subtypes and signaling pathways playing critical roles in its progression. The miR-424(322)[~]503 cluster, comprising miR-424 and miR-503, has been implicated in various malignancies, exhibiting dual roles as tumor suppressors or oncogenes depending on the context. However, its function in CRC remains poorly understood. This study investigates the role of the miR-424(322)[~]503 cluster in CRC driven by PTEN deficiency using genetically modified mouse models. Our findings reveal that the loss of miR-424(322)[~]503 significantly exacerbates CRC progression in PTEN-deficient mice. Double knockout (dKO) mice lacking both PTEN and miR-424(322)[~]503 exhibited a higher number and larger size of colorectal lesions compared to PTEN-deficient counterparts. Histological analysis demonstrated increased severity of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma development in dKO mice. Mechanistically, while Wnt/{beta}-catenin signaling remained unaltered, transcriptomic analyses highlighted dysregulation of MAPK and TGF{beta} pathways, alongside epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene signatures. Protein-level validation confirmed hyperactivation of MAPK (ERK1/2 and p38) and TGF{beta} signaling, as well as elevated cyclin D1 expression in dKO colonic tissues. These results underscore the tumor-suppressive role of the miR-424(322)[~]503 cluster in CRC by modulating key oncogenic pathways such as MAPK and TGF{beta}. Our study provides novel insights into the interplay between PTEN loss and miRNA regulation in CRC pathogenesis.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9 Editing of Tumor Suppressor Genes Recapitulates Molecular and Morphological Features of High-Risk Endometrial Cancer

High-risk endometrial cancers (EC), such as uterine carcinosarcomas (UCS) and serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (SEIC), are characterized by frequent mutations in tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) and poor clinical outcomes. Traditional genetically engineered mouse models are limited in flexibility and scalability to study the cooperative effects of multiple TSG alterations. Here, we use a multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9-based approach to simultaneously edit the top ten TSGs commonly mutated in high-risk EC directly in the mouse endometrium via intrauterine electroporation. Using rolling circle amplification (RCA) and next-generation sequencing, we demonstrate that this method induces targeted gene editing in a mosaic manner, mimicking tumor heterogeneity. We demonstrate that this approach generates histologically and molecularly faithful models of SEIC and UCS. Importantly, some edited tissues remained histologically normal, emphasizing the complex multistep nature of endometrial tumorigenesis. These CRISPR/Cas9-generated murine models serve as robust platforms to dissect the molecular underpinnings of high-risk endometrial cancer and to accelerate preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Endometrial cancer progression driven by PTEN-deficiency requires miR-424(322)~503.

Endometrial cancer is the most frequent type of cancer in the female reproductive tract. Loss-of-function alterations in PTEN, leading to enhanced PI3K/AKT activation, are among the most frequent molecular alterations in endometrial cancer. Increased PI3K/AKT signaling resulting from PTEN loss promotes cellular proliferation and confers resistance to TGF{beta}-mediated apoptosis, a key regulator of endometrial homeostasis. In this study, we have analyzed the role of miRNAs in driving these altered cellular responses. A comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of miRNA expression revealed the upregulation of several miRNAs caused by PTEN deficiency and/or TGF{beta} stimulation. The miR-424(322)[~]503 cluster drew our attention due to its involvement in regulating apoptosis and proliferation. However, miR-424(322)[~]503 cluster has a paradoxical role in cancer, exhibiting either oncogenic and tumor suppressive functions depending on cell type or context. To ascertain the function of miR-424(322)[~]503 in endometrial carcinogenesis caused by PTEN deficiency, we generated a double Pten/miR-424(322)[~]503 knock-out mice. We demonstrate that loss of miR-424(322)[~]503 impairs proliferation of both wild type or Pten deficient endometrial organoids by interfering with growth factor and PI3K/AKT signaling. Furthermore, the absence of miR-424(322)[~]503 restores TGF{beta}-induced apoptosis, which is otherwise compromised by PTEN deficiency. In vivo, Pten/miR-424(322)[~]503 knock-out mice exhibit reduced endometrial cancer progression compared to Pten deficient mice through a cell-autonomous mechanism.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Tumour specimen cold ischemia time impacts molecular cancer drug target discovery

Tumour tissue collections are used to uncover pathways associated with disease outcomes that can also serve as targets for cancer treatment, ideally by comparing the molecular properties of cancer tissues to matching normal tissues. The quality of such collections determines the value of the data and information generated from their analyses including expression and modifications of nucleic acids and proteins. These biomolecules are dysregulated upon ischemia and decomposed once the living cells start to decay into inanimate matter. Therefore, ischemia time before final tissue preservation is the most important determinant of the quality of a tissue collection. Here we show the impact of ischemia time on tumour and matching adjacent normal tissue samples for mRNAs in 1,664, proteins in 1,818 and phosphoproteins in 1,800 cases (tumour and matching normal samples) of four solid tumour types (CRC, HCC, LUAD and LUSC NSCLC subtypes). In CRC, ischemia times exceeding 15 minutes impacted 12.5% (mRNA), 25% (protein) and 50% (phosphosites) of differentially expressed molecules in tumour versus normal tissues. This hypoxia- and decay-induced dysregulation increased with longer ischemia times and was observed across tumour types. Interestingly, the proteomics analysis revealed that specimen ischemia time above 15 minutes is mostly associated with a dysregulation of proteins in the immune response pathway and less so with metabolic processes. We conclude that ischemia time is a crucial quality parameter for tissue collections used for target discovery and validation in prognostic cancer research.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Multiple endocrine defects in adult-onset Sprouty1/2/4 triple knockout mice

Genes of the Sprouty family (Spry1-4) are feedback inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases, especially of Ret and the FGF receptors. As such, they play distinct and overlapping roles in embryo morphogenesis and are considered to be tumor suppressors in adult life. Genetic experiments in mice have defined in great detail the role of these genes during embryonic development, however their function in adult mice is less clearly established. Here we generate adult-onset, whole body Spry1/2/4 triple knockout mice. Tumor incidence in triple mutant mice is comparable to that of wild type littermates of up to one year of age, indicating that Sprouty loss per se is not sufficient to initiate tumorigenesis. On the other hand, triple knockout mice do not gain weight as they age, show less visceral fat, and have lower plasma glucose levels than wild type littermates, despite showing similar food intake and slightly reduced motor function. They also show alopecia, eyelid inflammation, and mild hyperthyroidism. Finally, triple knockout mice present phosphaturia and hypophosphatemia, suggesting exacerbated signaling downstream of FGF23. In conclusion, triple knockout mice develop a series of endocrine abnormalities but do not show increased tumor incidence.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2023

In vivo intra-uterine delivery of TAT-fused Cre recombinase and CRISPR/Cas9 editing unveil histopathology of Pten/p53-deficient endometrial cancers.

Pten and p53 are two of the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes in endometrial cancer. However, the functional consequences and histopathological manifestation of concomitant p53 and Pten loss of function alterations in the development of endometrial cancer is still controversial. Here, we demonstrate that simultaneous Pten and p53 deletion is sufficient to cause epithelial to mesenchymal transition phenotype in endometrial organoids. By a novel TAT-fused Cre intravaginal delivery method, we achieved local ablation of both p53 and Pten specifically in the uterus. These mice developed high-grade endometrial carcinomas and a high percentage of uterine carcinosarcomas resembling those found in humans. To further demonstrate that carcinosarcomas arise from epithelium, double Pten/p53 deficient epithelial cells were mixed with wild type stromal and myometrial cells and subcutaneously transplanted to Scid mice. All xenotransplants resulted in the development of uterine carcinosarcomas displaying high nuclear pleomorphism and metastatic potential. Accordingly, in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 disruption of Pten and p53 also triggered the development of metastatic carcinosarcomas. Our results unfadingly demonstrate that simultaneous deletion of p53 and Pten in endometrial epithelial cells is enough to trigger epithelial to mesenchymal transition that is consistently translated to the formation of uterine carcinosarcomas in vivo.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2022

ARID1A-deficient cells promote endometrial carcinoma progression and dissemination by reprograming tumor microenvironment.

AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 1A (ARID1A) loss-of-function mutation accompanied by a loss of ARID1A protein expression is frequently observed in endometrial carcinomas (EC). However, the mechanisms underlying this loss of ARID1A involved in the progression and dissemination of EC have been poorly studied and understood. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is reprogramed by cancer cells and have a high influence in aggressive behaviours of solid tumors. TME, and specially the stromal component, has a clear impact on the progression and aggressiveness of EC, but little is known about its activation, signalling and functions. Thus, the main aim of this study was to analyse the role of EC ARID1A loss in TME reprograming and its implication in endometrial tumor progression and aggressiveness. Here, using different endometrial in vitro and in vivo models, we show that endometrial tumor cells with altered expression of ARID1A promote the modulation and activation of the TME. We demonstrate that ARID1A depleted endometrial tumor cells induce aggressive behaviour in neighbouring endometrial tumor cells with wild-type ARID1A expression and the recruitment and activation of endometrial stromal cells (ESC). Interestingly, these pro-tumoral signals spread through the bloodstream supporting ARID1A wild-type EC cells aggressiveness. Finally, we show that ARID1A altered tumor cells display a different secretion profile and express significative high levels of chemokines in the TME. Taken together, our data demonstrate ARID1A depleted endometrial tumor cells reprograms TME promoting progression and dissemination of EC through chemokine secretion.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Immunogenicity of non-canonical HLA-tumor ligands identified through proteogenomics

Tumor antigens are central to antitumor immunity. Recent evidence suggests that peptides from non-canonical (nonC) aberrantly translated proteins can be presented on HLA-I by tumor cells. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of nonC tumor HLA-I ligands (nonC-TL) to better understand their contribution to cancer immunosurveillance and their therapeutic applicability. Using proteogenomics, we identified 517 nonC-TL from 9 patients with melanoma, gynecological, and head and neck cancer. We found no recognition of the 507 nonC-TL tested by autologous ex vivo expanded tumor reactive T-cell cultures while the same cultures demonstrated reactivity to mutated, cancer-germline, or melanocyte differentiation antigens. However, in vitro sensitization of donor peripheral blood lymphocytes against 170 selected nonC-TL, led to the identification of T-cell receptors (TCRs) specific to three nonC-TL, two of which mapped to the 5 UTR regions of HOXC13 and ZKSCAN1, and one mapping to a non-coding spliced variant of C5orf22C. T cells targeting these nonC-TL recognized cancer cell lines naturally presenting their corresponding antigens. Expression of the three immunogenic nonC-TL was shared across tumor types and barely or not detected in normal cells. Our findings predict a limited contribution of nonC-TL to cancer immunosurveillance but demonstrate they may be attractive novel targets for widely applicable immunotherapies.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2021

LAP1 regulates nuclear plasticity to enable constrained migration

Metastasis involves dissemination of cancer cells away from a primary tumour and colonisation at distal sites. During this process, cancer cells must negotiate multiple physical constraints imposed by the microenvironment and tissue structure. The biophysical properties of the nucleus must be tuned since they pose a challenge to constrained migration. By analysing nuclear genes upregulated during the acquisition of metastatic potential, we discovered increased expression of the inner nuclear membrane protein LAP1 in metastatic melanoma cells and at the invasive fronts of human primary tumours and in metastases. Human cells express two LAP1 isoforms (LAP1B and LAP1C), which differ in their amino terminus. We found that whereas the longer isoform, LAP1B, binds more strongly to nuclear lamins and has restricted motility within the nuclear envelope, the shorter isoform, LAP1C, favours nuclear envelope blebbing and allows migration through constraints. We propose that LAP1 renders the nucleus plastic and enhances melanoma aggressiveness.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2020

SMARCA4 deficient tumours are vulnerable to KDM6A/UTX and KDM6B/JMJD3 blockade

Despite the genetic inactivation of SMARCA4, a core component of the SWI/SNF-complex commonly found in cancer, there are no therapies that effectively target SMARCA4-deficient tumours. Here, we show that, unlike the cells with activated MYC oncogene, cells with SMARCA4 inactivation are refractory to the histone deacetylase inhibitor, SAHA, leading to the aberrant accumulation of H3K27me3. This is associated with impaired transactivation and significantly reduced levels of the histone demethylases KDM6A/UTX and KDM6B/JMJD3, which confer a strong dependency on the KDM6s in the SMARCA4-mutant cells, so that its inhibition compromises cell viability. Administering the KDM6 inhibitor GSK-J4 to mice orthotopically implanted with SMARCA4-mutant lung cancer cells or primary small cell carcinoma of the hypercalcaemic type (SCCOHT) had strong anti-tumour effects. Our results highlight the vulnerability of KDM6 inhibitors as a characteristic that could be exploited for treating SMARCA4-mutant cancer patients.

cancer biology↗