Reciprocal Activating Interactions between Neurons and Metaplastic Acinar Cells Promote Cancer Initiation and Progression in Pancreas
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE254752 | GEO | 2026/01/31
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Dr. Ladisch's work focuses on the establishment of the biological significance of gangliosides that are shed by tumor cells, particularly those involved in pediatric cancers, including brain tumors and neuroblastoma. These studies are directed toward illuminating the hypothesis that shed gangliosides enhance tumor formation, possibly both by inhibiting the antitumor immune response and by enhancing growth factor-induced signaling and proliferation of fibrobalsts and vascular endotheilial cells in the tumor microenvironment. Delineation of the signaling pathways affected by ganglioside exposure is currently under study. The effect of retinoic acid on the mRNA levels of ganglioside glycosyltransferases in neuroblastoma cells in vitro Experiment to determine mRNA expression for ganglioside glycosyltransferases in NB cells (untreated versus treated with ATRA) using the Glyco-gene Chip by the Consortium for Functional Glycomics. Human NB cell lines LAN-5 were incubated with 10 µM of all-trans retinoic acid or untreated as control, and total RNA harvested after 24 hours, 72 hours and 120 hours of exposure to retinoic acid. We performed three independent experiments on either cell line so that for each cell line and each time point three replicates were be obtained (total: 18 chips). Glycosyltransferases of particular interest are LacCer synthase, GlucCer synthase, GM3 synthase, GD3 synthase, GM2/GD2 synthase, GD1b/GM1a synthase, GT1b/GD1a synthase and GQ1b/GT1a synthase.
2011-01-07 | E-GEOD-26481 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Glycosphingolipid metabolism is reprogrammed during neural development with a switch from globo to ganglio-series glycosphingolipids production. We discovered that globo-series glycosphingolipids repress the epigenetic regulator of neuronal genes expression AUTS2. AUTS2 in turn, binds and activates the promoter of the first and rate limiting ganglioside producing enzyme GM3 synthase, thus fostering the synthesis of gangliosides. By this mechanism the globo-AUTS2 axis controls glycosphingolipid reprogramming and neural genes expression during neural differentiation, which involves this circuit in neurodevelopment and its defects in neuropathology. We report Gb3 globoside suppresses the expression of the epigenetic modulator AUTS2. The silencing of Gb3 synthase in HeLa cells induces the thepletion of Gb3 globoside, consequentially promoting AUTS2 expression. AUTS2 in turn, binds and activates the promoter of the target genes promoting local histone hyperacetylation and gene expression. Thus, the globo-series glycosphingolipids, by counteracting the expression of AUTS2, decrease histone acetylation at neuronal gene promoters repressing their transcription in HeLa cells.
2017-12-22 | GSE107044 | GEO
Project description:Background & Aims: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the deadliest cancers with poor prognosis and bad therapy outcome. Therefore, mouse models are frequently used to study PDAC and pancreatic preneoplastic lesions. This study aims to evaluate a proposed progression model from acinar cells via acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) to mucinous tubular complexes (MTC) at transcriptomic level and to investigate the molecular changes behind acinar-cell derived preneoplastic lesions in a mouse model of PDAC. Methods: Spatial transcriptomics was combined with pathological characterization of preneoplastic lesions in p48Cre/+-LSL-KrasG12D/+ mice (n=5) using the 10x Visium® platform. Integration with the Mouse Cell Atlas (MCA) 2.0 single-cell dataset was performed. Bioinformatic analysis was conducted using different Python toolkits and by calculating a pseudotime along the progression axis. Findings were validated at the protein level using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Transcriptional data aligned well with pathological annotations and single-cell data confirmed a decrease in acinar cells and an increase in ductal cells during ADM. Pseudotime analysis supported the progression from acinar cells via ADM to MTC, with marker gene expression patterns along this axis. Upregulation of Keratin 19 and Tetraspanin 8, and downregulation of Amylase 1 and Claudin 10, were observed. Claudin 18 was upregulated specifically in MTC, while Mesothelin and Cathepsin L peaked during ADM. Validation by IHC confirmed the expression of Keratin 19, Amylase 1, Claudin 18 and Mesothelin on protein level. Conclusions: This study confirms the development of MTC from ADM and identifies novel biomarkers along the preneoplastic progression axis in a mouse model of PDAC, advancing our understanding of early pancreatic cancer development.
2025-03-11 | GSE279507 | GEO
Project description:Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by desmoplastic stroma surrounding most tumors. Activated stromal fibroblasts, namely Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), play a major role in PDAC progression. Here we analyzed if CAFs influence acinar cells and impact PDAC initiation, namely “Acinar to Ductal Metaplasia” (ADM). ADM connection with PDAC pathophysiology is indicated but not yet established. Hence, we hypothesized that CAF secretome might play a significant role in ADM in PDAC initiation. Mouse and human acinar cell organoids, acinar cells cocultured with CAFs and exposed to CAF-conditioned media (CAF-CM), acinar cell explants, and CAF cocultures, etc., were examined by qRT-PCR, RNA-seq, immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Data from LC-MS/MS analysis of CAF CM and RNAseq data of acinar cells post-CM exposure were integrated using bioinformatics tools to identify molecular mechanism for CAF-induced ADM. Using confocal microscopy, immunoblotting, and qRT-PCR analysis, we validated the depletion of key signaling axis in cell-line, acinar explant coculture, and mCAFs. Close association of acino-ductal (UEA1, Amylase, Ck19) markers and mCAFs (α-SMA) in LSL-KrasG12D/+; LSL-Trp53R172H/+; Pdx1Cre (KPC) and LSL-KrasG12D/+; Pdx1Cre (KC) autochthonous progression tumor tissue was observed. Caerulein treatment-induced mCAFs increased Ck19 and decreased Amylase in wild-type (WT) and KC pancreas. Likewise, acinar-mCAF cocultures revealed induction of ductal transdifferentiation in cell-line, acinar-organoid, and explant coculture formats in WT and KC mice pancreas. Proteomic and transcriptomic data integration revealed a novel Laminin5/Integrinα4/Stat3 axis responsible for CAF-mediated acinar to ductal cell transdifferentiation. Results collectively suggest the first evidence for CAF-influenced acino-ductal phenotypic switchover, thus highlighting the role of the tumor micro-environment in the inception of pancreatic carcinogenesis.
2025-01-08 | GSE249567 | GEO
Project description:Oncogenic KrasG12D, a driver mutation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), induces neoplastic transformation of acinar cells through acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). Here, we show that both functional complexes of mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase, mTORC1 and mTORC2) are specifically activated in ADM. Murine models uncover that mTORC1 and mTORC2 cooperate to promote KrasG12D-driven ADM development. Proteomic analyses identify Arp2/3 complex, an actin nucleator, as the common downstream effector: mTORC1 is responsible for the protein synthesis of Rac1 and Arp3 while mTORC2 promotes the Arp2/3 complex activity via Akt/Rac1 signalling. Genetic ablation of Arp2/3 complex completely arrests KrasG12D-driven ADM development. The Arp2/3 complex-mediated y-branching of actin network promotes the basolateral spread of filamentous actin, which is indispensable for acinar cells-initiated carcinogenesis. Induced by oncogenic KrasG12D, ADM is a metaplastic phenotype of acinar cells that requires extensive actin rearrangements. mTORC1 and mTORC2, downstream targets of KrasG12D, have well-established oncogenic functions in PDAC development. The actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex is the first identified actin nucleator. Regarded as textbook knowledge, it is activated by EGFR/Rac1 signalling to promote the polymerisation of branched actin filaments from pre-existing filaments in numerous biological contexts. Hereby, we identify that mTORC1 and mTORC2 attain a dual, yet non-redundant, regulatory role in promoting Arp2/3 complex function, which is responsible for generating basolateral filamentous actin in ADM. Thus, the role of Arp2/3 complex fills up the missing gap between putative oncogenic signals and actin dynamics underlying PDAC initiation.
2021-01-07 | PXD018296 | Pride
Project description:Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most important histological subtype of pancreatic cancer, accounting for approximately 90% of all pancreatic cancers.Acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM) is a recently recognized, yet less well-studied, precursor lesion of PDAC developed in the setting of chronic pancreatitis. Through digital spatial mRNA profiling, we compared ADM and adjacent PDAC tissues from patient samples to unveil the bridging genes, bridging signaling pathway and bridging molecular function during the malignant transformation of pancreatitis.
2022-07-25 | GSE208536 | GEO
Project description:Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a highly lethal malignancy due to its predilection for late-stage presentation. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) is a transcription factor implicated in the progression of various cancer types. However, its functional role in KRAS-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis remains unclear. We found that high levels of STAT5 in tumor cells were associated with a poorer prognosis in patients. The loss of Stat5 in acinar cells significantly reduced the development of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) and PDAC lesions driven by KRAS mutation and pancreatitis. IL-22 signaling, induced by chronic inflammation, enhanced KRAS-mutant mediated STAT5 phosphorylation and the tumor-promoting function of IL-22 depends on the activation of STAT5. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that STAT5 was directly bound to the promoters of ADM mediators HNF4a.
2025-01-25 | GSE254340 | GEO
Project description:Transdifferentiation and changes of cellular identity are hallmarks of malignant transformation1-3. As such, the process of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) represents a fundamental step in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development, but regulatory pathways controlling ADM are not fully understood4,5. Here, we show that murine pancreatic acinar cells upregulate expression of CASPASE3, CASPASE8, RIPK3 and MLKL - key molecules driving both apoptosis and necroptosis6,7 - during transdifferentiation towards a duct-like phenotype. Spontaneous activation of these respective programmed cell death (PCD) pathways during KRAS-driven transdifferentiation is counterbalanced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a kinase transmitting inhibitory phosphorylation signals towards the apoptosis- and necroptosis activator RIPK18. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of TAK1 simultaneously triggered apoptosis and necroptosis and thereby prevented KRAS-driven ADM in vitro as well as KRAS-driven PDAC in vivo. In line, TAK1 expression is upregulated in human PDAC cells, and pharmacological inhibition of TAK1 triggered PCD in organoid and spheroid cells derived from PDAC patients. Collectively, these findings suggest that TAK1 defines a decision point between ADM and PCD in pancreas cells and represents a promising pharmacological target for the prevention and treatment of PDAC patients.
2024-11-29 | GSE223135 | GEO
Project description:Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly disease when diagnosed at a late stage, however patient survivorship significantly increases when the disease is detect prior to metastasis. To study the earliest events leading to PDAC initiation, we developed a genetically engineered mouse model of PDAC utilizing a tamoxifen-inducible Cre Recombinase knocked into the transcription factor Ptf1a locus to induce expression of oncogenic KrasG12D and Trp53R270H alleles in adult pancreatic acinar cells. Mice of the genotype KrasLSL-G12D/+; Trp53LSL-R270H/+; Ptf1aCreERTM/+ (KPT) developed PDAC following tamoxifen injection while control Cre recombinase negative KrasLSL-G12D/+; Trp53LSL-R270H/+; (KP) mice injected with tamoxifen did not develop PDAC. Acinar cells comprising the pancreata of tamoxifen treated KPT mice we observed to undergo acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM), and formed precancerous lesions. We used laser capture microdissection (LCM) and RNA sequencing to generate, to our knowledge, the first transcriptional profile of an enriched population of metaplastic acinar cells in situ. Comparing the transcriptional profile of metaplastic acinar cells with the transcriptional profile of healthy pancreatic tissue identified differentially expressed genes associated with ADM. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed transcriptional regulators and canonical signaling pathways involved in ADM. LCM was used to generate a transactional profile of cancer cells isolated from pancreatic tumors, and differential gene expression analysis revealed a subset of genes which are overexpressed in both ADM and PDAC relative to healthy pancreas. Further analysis of genes expressed in both pancreatic cancer precursor ADM lesions and invasive PDAC may lead to the identification of novel biomarkers of PDAC.
2019-09-12 | GSE111540 | GEO
Project description:We used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile mouse pancreas across models of acute pancreatitis (AP), recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP), chronic pancreatitis (CP), and oncogenic Kras-driven acute pancreatitis (K-AP, abbreviated APK). We captured both whole-pancreas cell suspensions and FACS-enriched mKate2+ epithelial populations from defined timepoints spanning early injury, recurrent damage, chronic inflammation, and Kras-driven precursor lesion formation. These data characterize acinar and epithelial plasticity and associated microenvironmental remodeling across pancreatitis and Kras-mediated disease initiation. BACKGROUND & AIMS: In response to injury, pancreatic acinar cells undergo acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), marked by loss of acinar identity and acquisition of ductal features. While ADM can resolve to support tissue repair, it may also persist and serve as a precursor to pancreatic cancer. Whether diverse pancreatic stressors drive a shared or context-specific ADM program remains unclear. We sought to comprehensively define metaplastic responses to clinically relevant exocrine pancreas diseases known to increase cancer risk. METHODS: We profiled ADM and the surrounding microenvironment across mouse models of exocrine disease—including acute, recurrent, and chronic pancreatitis, as well as in the setting of oncogenic Kras—capturing over 300,000 single cells. To enable high-quality transcriptomic profiling in enzyme-rich tissue, we leveraged FixNCut, a method that preserves RNA integrity in the exocrine pancreas. Findings were validated in human pancreas tissue using CosMx spatial transcriptomics. RESULTS: We identify a conserved acinar response across disease contexts that gives rise to previously unrecognized distinct metaplastic states, including a “gateway” ADM population that precedes more advanced metaplastic states marked by complete loss of acinar identity. In pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) precancerous lesions, we detect classical-like and basal-like states, suggesting that pancreatic cancer subtypes are specified much earlier than previously appreciated. In Kras-mutant tissue, we identify a second wave of inflammation and the emergence of an immunosuppressive niche, coinciding with PanIN formation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings define a conserved program of acinar plasticity across exocrine pancreas diseases. We further link unresolved ADM to immune remodeling during precursor lesion formation and observe the emergence of pancreatic cancer subtypes in early PanIN lesions.
2025-12-22 | GSE314765 | GEO