Fusion-driven oncogenic programs shape the immune landscape in translocation renal cell carcinoma
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE307120 | GEO | 2026/07/16
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare, aggressive kidney cancer primarily occurring in children. They are genetically defined by translocations involving MiT/TFE gene family members, TFE3 or, rarely, TFEB. The biology underlying tRCC development remains poorly understood, partly due to the lack of representative experimental models. We utilized human kidney organoids, or tubuloids, to engineer a tRCC model by expressing one of the most common MiT/TFE fusions, SFPQ-TFE3. Fusion expressing tubuloids adopt a tRCC-like phenotype and gene expression signature in vitro and grow as clear cell RCC upon xenotransplantation in mice. Genome-wide binding analysis suggests that SFPQ-TFE3 reprograms gene expression signatures by aberrant genome-wide DNA binding. Combining these analyses with single-cell mRNA readouts reveals a derailed epithelial differentiation trajectory that is at the root of transformation towards tRCC. Our study demonstrates that SFPQ-TFE3 expression is sufficient to transform kidney epithelial cells into tRCC and defines the trajectories underlying malignant transformation.
2025-03-19 | GSE260633 | GEO
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) most commonly involves an ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion, but molecular mechanisms remain elusive and animal models are lacking. Here, we show that human ASPSCR1-TFE3 driven by Pax8-Cre (a credentialed clear cell RCC driver) disrupted nephrogenesis and glomerular development, causing neonatal death, while the clear cell RCC failed driver, Sglt2-Cre, induced aggressive tRCC (as well as alveolar soft part sarcoma) with complete penetrance and short latency. However, in both contexts, ASPSCR1-TFE3 led to characteristic morphological cellular changes, loss of epithelial markers, and an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Electron microscopy of tRCC tumors showed lysosome expansion, and functional studies revealed simultaneous activation of autophagy and mTORC1 pathways. Comparative genomic analyses encompassing an institutional human tRCC cohort (including a hitherto unreported SFPQ-TFEB fusion) and a variety of tumorgraft models (ASPSCR1-TFE3, PRCC-TFE3, SFPQ-TFE3, RBM10-TFE3, and MALAT1-TFEB) disclosed significant convergence in canonical pathways (cell cycle, lysosome, and mTORC1) and less established pathways such as Myc, E2F, and inflammation (IL-6/JAK/STAT3, interferon-γ, TLR signaling, systemic lupus, etc.). Therapeutic trials (adjusted for human drug exposures) showed antitumor activity of cabozantinib. Overall, this study provides insight into MiT/TFE-driven tumorigenesis, including the cell of origin, and characterizes diverse mouse models available for research
2024-01-04 | GSE252047 | GEO
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is an aggressive subtype of kidney cancer driven by TFE3 gene fusions, which act via poorly characterized downstream mechanisms. Here we report that TFE3 fusions transcriptionally rewire tRCCs toward oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), contrasting with the highly glycolytic metabolism of most other RCCs. The transcriptional program driven by TFE3 fusions sustains high NRF2 signaling and glutathione production, which offsets reactive oxygen species generated by OXPHOS but renders tRCC cells sensitive to reductive stress. Genome-scale CRISPR screening identifies tRCC-selective vulnerabilities linked to maintaining this metabolic balance, including EGLN1, which hydroxylates HIF-1α and targets it for proteolysis. Inhibition of EGLN1compromises tRCC cell growth by stabilizing HIF-1a and promoting glycolytic reprogramming. Our study defines a distinctive tRCC-essential metabolic program driven by TFE3 fusions and nominates EGLN1inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to counteract fusion-induced metabolic rewiring.
2024-08-10 | GSE266517 | GEO
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is an aggressive subtype of kidney cancer driven by TFE3 gene fusions, which act via poorly characterized downstream mechanisms. Here we report that TFE3 fusions transcriptionally rewire tRCCs toward oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), contrasting with the highly glycolytic metabolism of most other RCCs. The transcriptional program driven by TFE3 fusions sustains high NRF2 signaling and glutathione production, which offsets reactive oxygen species generated by OXPHOS but renders tRCC cells sensitive to reductive stress. Genome-scale CRISPR screening identifies tRCC-selective vulnerabilities linked to maintaining this metabolic balance, including EGLN1, which hydroxylates HIF-1α and targets it for proteolysis. Inhibition of EGLN1compromises tRCC cell growth by stabilizing HIF-1a and promoting glycolytic reprogramming. Our study defines a distinctive tRCC-essential metabolic program driven by TFE3 fusions and nominates EGLN1inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to counteract fusion-induced metabolic rewiring.
2024-12-30 | GSE266530 | GEO
Project description:Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) associated with Xp11.2 translocation (TFE3-RCC) has been recently defined as a distinct subset of RCC. The Xp11 translocations involve the TFE3 transcription factor and produce chimeric TFE3 proteins retaining the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper structure for dimerization. To facilitate the development of molecular-based diagnostic tools and targeted therapies for TFE3-RCC, we generated a translocation RCC mouse model and performed DNA microarray analysis.
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Project description:The oncogenic mechanisms by which TFE3 fusion proteins drive translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) are poorly characterised. Here, we integrated loss and gain of function experiments with multi-omics analyses in tRCC cell lines and patient tumors. High nuclear accumulation of NONO-TFE3 or PRCC-TFE3 fusion proteins promotes their broad binding across the genome, engaging a core set of M/E-box-containing regulatory elements to activate specific gene expression programs as well as promiscuous binding to active promoters to stimulate mRNA synthesis. Within the core program, TFE3 fusions directly regulate genes involved in ferroptosis resistance and oxidative phosphorylation metabolism (OxPhos) increasing functional OxPhos levels. Consequently, human tRCC tumors display high OxPhos scores that persist during their epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT of tRCC tumours was further associated with presence of mesenchymal tRCC cancer cells and myofibroblast cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) that are both hallmarks of poor prognostic outcomes. We provide unique insights into how broad genomic binding of TFE3 fusion proteins promotes tRCC tumourigenesis by regulating OxPhos and ferroptosis resistance and more generally stimulating RNA synthesis.
2025-02-01 | GSE268092 | GEO
Project description:The oncogenic mechanisms by which TFE3 fusion proteins drive translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) are poorly characterised. Here, we integrated loss and gain of function experiments with multi-omics analyses in tRCC cell lines and patient tumors. High nuclear accumulation of NONO-TFE3 or PRCC-TFE3 fusion proteins promotes their broad binding across the genome, engaging a core set of M/E-box-containing regulatory elements to activate specific gene expression programs as well as promiscuous binding to active promoters to stimulate mRNA synthesis. Within the core program, TFE3 fusions directly regulate genes involved in ferroptosis resistance and oxidative phosphorylation metabolism (OxPhos) increasing functional OxPhos levels. Consequently, human tRCC tumors display high OxPhos scores that persist during their epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT of tRCC tumours was further associated with presence of mesenchymal tRCC cancer cells and myofibroblast cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) that are both hallmarks of poor prognostic outcomes. We provide unique insights into how broad genomic binding of TFE3 fusion proteins promotes tRCC tumourigenesis by regulating OxPhos and ferroptosis resistance and more generally stimulating RNA synthesis.
2025-02-01 | GSE268089 | GEO
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a poorly-characterized subtype of kidney cancer driven by MiT/TFE gene fusions. Here, we define the landmarks of tRCC through an integrative analysis of 152 patients with tRCC identified across multiple genomic, clinical trial, and retrospective cohorts. Most tRCCs harbor few somatic alterations apart from MiT/TFE fusions and homozygous deletions at chromosome 9p21.3 (19.2% of cases). Transcriptionally, tRCCs display a heightened NRF2-driven antioxidant response that is associated with resistance to many targeted therapies. Consistently, we find that outcomes for patients with tRCC treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors (VEGFR-TKI) are worse than those treated with immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). Multiparametric immunofluorescence confirmed the presence of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells compatible with a clinical benefit from ICI and revealed an exhaustion immunophenotype distinct from that of clear cell RCC. Our findings comprehensively define the clinical and molecular features of tRCC and may inspire new therapeutic hypotheses.
2021-11-22 | GSE188885 | GEO
Project description:Chromosomal rearrangement-mediated oncofusion proteins are major oncogenic drivers, with high prevalence in pediatric cancers, which often have a poor prognosis. Liquid-like condensate formation has been reported in many oncofusion proteins, supporting their oncogenic signaling and transcriptional regulation. In this study, we report that RNA-mediated nuclear condensate formation plays an essential role in supporting the oncogenic transcription of TFE3 oncofusion proteins in MiT family translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC), which often occurs in children and adolescents and is considered an orphan disease in RCC lacking effective treatment. The RNA binding features in the fusion partners of transcription factor E3 (TFE3) support the nuclear condensate formation of TFE3 oncofusion proteins on the chromatin, thereby enabling RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and other RNA binding proteins, e.g., paraspeckle component 1 (PSPC1), to co-condensate and form a transcriptional hub to support oncogenic transcription in tRCC. Perturbing TFE3 oncofusion condensate formation using a nanobody fused with maltose-binding protein (MBP) approach significantly suppresses tRCC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. In summary, our data highlight the pivotal role of RNA and RNA binding proteins in supporting the liquid-like condensate formation of oncofusion proteins and in promoting oncogenic transcription.
2025-09-05 | PXD056977 | Pride
Project description:TFE3-rearranged Renal Cell Carcinoma (TFE3-RCC) is an aggressive RCC subtype characterized by Xp11.2 rearrangements, resulting in TFE3 fusion proteins with oncogenic potential. To investigate the role of ARID2, a component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, in TFE3-RCC, we knocked out the ARID2 gene in a TFE3-RCC cell line, UOK124, which is derived from human TFE3-RCC with the PRCC-TFE3 fusion gene. UOK124 parental cells (UOK124-WT) and UOK124-ARID2_KO cells were cultured, and comprehensive gene expression analysis was performed using RNA-seq.
2025-01-07 | GSE279136 | GEO