Project description:Proper Hedgehog (HH) signaling is essential for normal embryonic and postnatal development, while de-regulated HH signaling drives numerous pediatric and adult cancers. In pancreatic cancer, paracrine HH signaling from tumor cells to fibroblasts contributes to tumor progression. However, the role of HH signaling in pancreatic cancer remains controversial, with both tumor-promoting and tumor-restraining functions reported. Notably, the GLI family of transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, GLI3), key downstream effectors of HH signaling, remain poorly understood in pancreatic cancer. In this study we investigated the individual and combined roles of GLI1-3 in pancreatic cancer progression. Inducible, fibroblast-specific deletion of Gli2 and Gli3 in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer progression reduces collagen deposition and decreases immunosuppressive myeloid cell infiltration. Further, Gli2 and Gli3 deletion leads to an increase in T cells during PanIN stages and an increase in NK cells in implanted tumors, which in turn suppresses tumor growth. Surprisingly, combined loss of all three Glis leads to a widespread loss of acinar cells, an increase in macrophage infiltration, and an increase in tumor growth. Together, these data indicate that a baseline level of Gli is necessary to maintain proper balance of cell types in the pancreas, and the coordinated activity of GLI1-3 directs the fibroinflammatory response in pancreatic cancer.
2022-07-05 | GSE185748 | GEO
Project description:RNA binding protein DDX3X drives pancreatic cancer progression via the TLE2-MYL9 axis
Project description:Pancreatic cancer is characterised by the prevalence of oncogenic mutations in KRAS. Previous studies have reported that altered Kras gene dosage drives progression and metastatic incidence in pancreatic cancer. While the role of oncogenic KRAS mutation is well characterised, the relevance of the partnering wild-type KRAS allele in pancreatic cancer is less well understood and controversial. Using in vivo mouse modelling of pancreatic cancer, we demonstrate that wild-type Kras restrains the oncogenic impact of mutant Kras, and drastically impacts both Kras-mediated tumourigenesis and therapeutic response. Mechanistically, deletion of wild-type Kras increases oncogenic Kras signalling through the downstream MAPK effector pathway, driving pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) initiation. In addition, in the KPC mouse model, a more aggressive model of pancreatic cancer, loss of wild-type KRAS leads to accelerated initiation but delayed tumour progression. These tumours had altered stroma, downregulated Myc levels and an enrichment for immunogenic gene signatures. Importantly, loss of wild-type Kras sensitises Kras mutant tumours to MEK1/2 inhibition though tumours eventually become resistant and then rapidly progress. This study demonstrates the repressive role of wild-type Kras during pancreatic tumourigenesis and highlights the critical impact of the presence of wild-type KRAS on tumourigenesis and therapeutic response in pancreatic cancer.
2024-09-22 | GSE277392 | GEO
Project description:Chronic stress drives liver cancer progression
Project description:Pathological role and the mechanism of psychological stress in cancer progression are little known. Here, we show in a mouse model that psychological stress drives pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression via stimulating tumor nerve innervation. We demonstrate that nociception and other stressors activate sympathetic nerve to release Noradrenaline, downregulating tumor cell RNA demethylase alkB homolog 5 (Alkbh5). Alkbh5 deficiency causes cancer cell aberrant m6A modification of RNAs, which are packed to extracellular vesicles and delivered to neurons in the tumor microenvironment, enhancing hyperinnervation and PDAC progression. ALKBH5 levels are reversely correlated with tumor innervation and survival time in PDAC patients. Animal experiments identify a natural flavonoid Fisetin preventing neurons from taking in m6A-RNA contained EVs and suppress PDAC tumor excessive innervation and progression. Together, our study shed light on a novel molecular mechanism for neuro-cancer crosstalk linking psychological stress and cancer progression and raise a potential strategy for PDAC therapy.
Project description:Pathological role and the mechanism of psychological stress in cancer progression are little known. Here, we show in a mouse model that psychological stress drives pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression via stimulating tumor nerve innervation. We demonstrate that nociception and other stressors activate sympathetic nerve to release Noradrenaline, downregulating tumor cell RNA demethylase alkB homolog 5 (Alkbh5). Alkbh5 deficiency causes cancer cell aberrant m6A modification of RNAs, which are packed to extracellular vesicles and delivered to neurons in the tumor microenvironment, enhancing hyperinnervation and PDAC progression. ALKBH5 levels are reversely correlated with tumor innervation and survival time in PDAC patients. Animal experiments identify a natural flavonoid Fisetin preventing neurons from taking in m6A-RNA contained EVs and suppress PDAC tumor excessive innervation and progression. Together, our study shed light on a novel molecular mechanism for neuro-cancer crosstalk linking psychological stress and cancer progression and raise a potential strategy for PDAC therapy.