Biology subjects

Sternberg, F.

Publications and source records attributed to Sternberg, F..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Cell-autonomous GP130 activation suppresses prostate cancer development via STAT3/ARF/p53-driven senescence and confers an immune-active tumor microenvironment

Prostate cancer ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. Recent research highlights the crucial roles GP130-mediated signaling pathways play in the development and progression of various cancers, particularly through hyperactivated STAT3 signaling. Here, we find that genetic cell-autonomous activation of the GP130 receptor in prostate epithelial cells triggers active STAT3 signaling and significantly reduces tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, genetic activation of GP130 signaling mediates senescence via the STAT3/ARF/p53 axis and anti-tumor immunity via recruitment of cytotoxic T-cells, ultimately impeding tumor progression. In prostate cancer patients, high GP130 mRNA expression levels correlate with better recurrence-free survival, increased senescence signals and a transition from an immune-cold to an immune-hot tumor. Our findings reveal a context-dependent role of GP130/STAT3 in carcinogenesis and a tumor-suppressive function in prostate cancer development. We challenge the prevailing concept of blocking GP130/STAT3 signaling as functional prostate cancer treatment and instead propose cell-autonomous GP130 activation as a novel therapeutic strategy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

The 2-oxoglutarate/malate carrier extends the family of mitochondrial carriers capable of FA-activated proton transport.

Metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells has been linked to the mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent studies have suggested the mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate/malate carrier (OGC) as a potential target for preventing cancer progression. Although OGC is known to be a part of the malate/aspartate shuttle, its exact role in cancer metabolism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the contribution of recombinant murine OGC to the proton transport by measuring the conductance (Gm) of planar lipid bilayer membranes reconstituted with OGC. Our results show that OGC significantly increases Gm only in the presence of free fatty acids (FAs) and 2,4-dinitrophenol, demonstrating for the first time its involvement in proton transport. We found that (i) the increase in OGC activity directly correlates with the increase in the number of unsaturated bonds of FAs, and (ii) OGC substrates and inhibitors compete with FAs for the same binding site. In addition, we have identified R90 as a crucial amino acid of the binding site for FAs, ATP, 2-oxoglutarate, and malate, which is a first step towards understanding the OGC-mediated proton transport mechanism. Elucidating the contribution of OGC to the uncoupling will be crucial in the design of targeted drugs for the treatment of cancer and other metabolic diseases.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2023

JUN mediates senescence and immune cell recruitment to prevent prostate cancer progression

BackgroundProstate cancer develops through malignant transformation of the prostate epithelium in a stepwise, mutation-driven process. Although activator protein-1 transcription factors such as JUN have been implicated as potential oncogenic drivers, the molecular programs contributing to prostate cancer progression are not fully understood. MethodsWe analyzed JUN expression in clinical prostate cancer samples across different stages and investigated its functional role in a Pten-deficient mouse model. We performed histopathological examinations, transcriptomic analyses and explored the senescence-associated secretory phenotype in the tumor microenvironment. ResultsElevated JUN levels characterized early-stage prostate cancer and predicted improved survival in human and murine samples. Immune-phenotyping of Pten-deficient prostates revealed high accumulation of tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, particularly innate immune cells, neutrophils and macrophages as well as high levels of STAT3 activation and IL-1{beta} production. Jun depletion in a Pten-deficient background prevented immune cell attraction which was accompanied by significant reduction of active STAT3 and IL-1{beta} and accelerated prostate tumor growth. Comparative transcriptome profiling of prostate epithelial cells revealed a senescence-associated gene signature, upregulation of pro-inflammatory processes involved in immune cell attraction and of chemokines such as IL-1{beta}, CCL3 and CCL8 in Pten-deficient prostates. Strikingly, JUN depletion reversed both, senescence and senescence-associated immune cell infiltration and consequently accelerated tumor growth. ConclusionsOur results suggest that JUN acts as tumor-suppressor and decelerates the progression of prostate cancer by transcriptional regulation of senescence- and inflammation-associated genes. This study opens avenues for novel treatment strategies that could impede disease progression and improve patient outcomes.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Sex, stress and UCP2: mitochondria illuminate microglial identity beyond the dichotomy

Balanced and dynamic mitochondrial networks are essential for cell survival and function. Mitochondrial networks remodel their connectivity, content and subcellular localization to support optimized energy production under conditions of increased stress. In vivo, stressors can arise from the environment, such as in neuronal injury, or from mutation-induced cellular dysfunction. Cells programmed to identify and respond to these stress signals, like microglia, rely on optimized mitochondrial function, however we know very little about mitochondrial networks of microglia in vivo or their adaptation to environmental or cellular stressors. Here, we define the mitochondrial networks of retinal microglia in physiological conditions in vivo and evaluate network alterations by taking advantage of a microglia-selective mitochondria-labeled mouse model. First, we demonstrate significant differences in the mitochondrial networks of microglia in vivo and in vitro. Then, we induced neuronal injury in the in vivo environment using optic nerve crush, where responsive microglia exhibit more fragmented mitochondrial networks with increased content and perinuclear localization, supporting a state of increased cellular stress. Surprisingly, when we selectively increase cellular stress by knocking out the mitochondria-associated gene uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), only male UCP2KO microglia establish a hyperfused mitochondrial network after injury, indicating sex differences in microglial stress mitigation. Ovariectomy in UCP2KO females elicits a shift toward the male hyperfused mitochondrial phenotype suggesting that circulating estrogens are a contributing factor to the differences in microglial stress mitigation.

neuroscience↗