The NF1 tumor suppressor encodes a RAS GTPase-Activating Protein (RasGAP). Accordingly, deregulated RAS signaling underlies the pathogenesis of NF1-mutant cancers. However, while various RAS effector pathways have been shown to function in these tumors, it is currently unclear which specific proteins within these broad signaling pathways represent optimal therapeutic targets. Here we identify mTORC1 as the key PI3K pathway component in NF1-mutant nervous system malignancies and conversely show that mTORC2 and AKT are dispensable. We also report that combined mTORC1/MEK inhibition is required to promote tumor regression in animal models, but only when the inhibition of both pathways is sustained. Transcriptional profiling studies were also used to establish a predictive signature of effective mTORC1/MEK inhibition in vivo. Within this signature, we unexpectedly found that the glucose transporter gene, GLUT1, was potently suppressed but only when both pathways were effectively inhibited. Moreover, unlike VHL and LKB1 mutant cancers, reduction of 18F-FDG uptake measured by FDG-PET required the effective suppression of both mTORC1 and MEK. Together these studies identify optimal and sub-optimal therapeutic targets in NF1-mutant malignancies and define a non-invasive means of measuring combined mTORC1/MEK inhibition in vivo, which can be readily incorporated into clinical trials.
Defining key signaling nodes and therapeutic biomarkers in NF1-mutant cancers.
Specimen part
View SamplesmTOR and HDAC inhibitors induce cell death of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) in vitro, and in vivo
mTOR and HDAC Inhibitors Converge on the TXNIP/Thioredoxin Pathway to Cause Catastrophic Oxidative Stress and Regression of RAS-Driven Tumors.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesCurrent methods to analyze gene expression measure steady-state levels of mRNA. In order to specifically analyze mRNA transcription, a technique has been developed that can be applied in-vivo. The technique is referred with the acronym NIAC-NTR (Non Invasive Application and Capture of Newly Transcribed RNA). This method makes use of the cellular pyrimidine salvage pathway and is based on affinity-chromatographic isolation of thiolated mRNA. When combined with data on mRNA steady-state levels, this method is able to assess the relative contributions of mRNA synthesis and degradation/stabilization. It overcomes limitations associated with currently available methods such as mechanistic intervention that disrupts cellular physiology, or the inability to apply the techniques in-vivo. The method has been applied to a model of serum response of cultured primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts.
Microarray analysis of newly synthesized RNA in cells and animals.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesCurrent methods to analyze gene expression measure steady-state levels of mRNA. In order to specifically analyze mRNA transcription, a technique has been developed that can be applied in-vivo in intact cells and animals. The technique is referred with the acronym NIAC-NTR (Non Invasive Application and Capture of Newly Transcribed RNA). This method makes use of the cellular pyrimidine salvage pathway and is based on affinity-chromatographic isolation of thiolated mRNA. When combined with data on mRNA steady-state levels, this method is able to assess the relative contributions of mRNA synthesis and degradation/stabilization. It overcomes limitations associated with currently available methods such as mechanistic intervention that disrupts cellular physiology, or the inability to apply the techniques in-vivo. The method was applied to study renal ischemia reperfusion injury, demonstrating its applicability for whole organs in-vivo.
Microarray analysis of newly synthesized RNA in cells and animals.
Age
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Reactivation of ERK signaling causes resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors.
Cell line
View SamplesThe clinical efficacy of EGFR kinase inhibitors is limited by the development of drug resistance. The irreversible EGFR kinase inhibitor WZ4002 is effective against the most common mechanism of drug resistance mediated by the EGFR T790M mutation. Here we show that in multiple complementary models harboring EGFR T790M, resistance to WZ4002 develops through aberrant activation of ERK signaling caused by either an amplification of MAPK1 or by downregulation of negative regulators of ERK signaling. Inhibition of MEK or ERK restores sensitivity to WZ4002, and the combination of WZ4002 and a MEK inhibitor prevents the emergence of drug resistance. The WZ4002 resistant MAPK1 amplified cells also demonstrate an increase both in EGFR internalization and a decrease in sensitivity to cytotoxic chemotherapy compared to the parental counterparts. Our findings provide insights into mechanisms of drug resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors and highlight rational combination therapies that should be evaluated in clinical trials.
Reactivation of ERK signaling causes resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors.
Cell line
View SamplesPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options. Familial predisposition to PDAC occurs in ~10% of cases, but causative genes have not been identified in most families. Uncovering the genetic basis for PDAC susceptibility has immediate prognostic implications for families and can provide mechanistic clues to PDAC pathogenesis. Here, we perform whole-genome sequence analysis in a family with multiple cases of PDAC and identify a germline nonsense mutation in the member of RAS oncogene family-like 3 (RABL3) gene never before directly associated with hereditary cancer. The truncated mutant allele (RABL3_p.S36*) co-segregates with cancer occurrence. To evaluate the contribution of the RABL3 mutant allele in hereditary cancer, we generated rabl3 heterozygous mutant zebrafish and found increased susceptibility to cancer formation in two independent cancer models. Unbiased approaches implicate RABL3 in RAS pathway regulation: the transcriptome of juvenile rabl3 mutants reveals a KRAS upregulation signature, and affinity-purification mass spectrometry for proteins associated with RABL3 or RABL3_p.S36* identifies Rap1 GTPase-GDP Dissociation Stimulator 1 (RAP1GDS1, SmgGDS), a chaperone that regulates prenylation of RAS GTPases. Indeed, we find that RABL3_p.S36* accelerates KRAS prenylation and requires RAS proteins to promote cell proliferation. Furthermore, rabl3 homozygous mutant zebrafish develop severe craniofacial, skeletal, and growth defects consistent with human RASopathies, and these defects are partially rescued with the MEK inhibitor trametinib. Finally, we identify additional germline mutations in RABL3 that impact RAS activity in vivo and have a significant burden in a cohort of patients with developmental disorders, suggesting a role in undiagnosed RASopathies. Moreover, RABL3 is upregulated in multiple human PDAC cell lines and knockdown abrogates proliferation, consistent with a broader role for RABL3 in PDAC. Our studies identify the RABL3 mutation as a new target for genetic testing in cancer families and uncover a novel mechanism for dysregulated RAS activity in development and cancer. Overall design: WT (4 replicates) and homozygous rabl3-TR41 mutant (3 replicates) larval zebrafish at 21 days of age.
Mutations in RABL3 alter KRAS prenylation and are associated with hereditary pancreatic cancer.
Age, Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesWe have investigated the initial responses in human lung tissue explants to Mtb infection, focusing primarily on gene expression patterns in different tissue resident innate cell types Overall design: Cells sorted from uninfected and infected lung tissue (24 hrs. post infection)
<i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Invasion of the Human Lung: First Contact.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe have investigated the initial responses in human lung tissue explants to Mtb infection, focusing primarily on gene expression patterns in different tissue resident innate cell types Overall design: Cells sorted from uninfected and infected lung tissue (24 hrs. post infection)
<i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Invasion of the Human Lung: First Contact.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesInteractions between Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B-cells (CLL B-cells) and the microenvironment (ME) play a major function in the physiopathology of CLL. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) (composed of exosomes and microparticles) have been shown to play an important role in cell communication. EVs, purified by ultracentrifugation from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) culture, were added to CLL B-cells. Microarray study highlighted 805 differentially expressed genes between CLL-B-cells cultured with and without EVs. Of these, CCL3/4, EGR1/2/3, MYC (involved in BCR pathway) were increased while pro-apoptotic genes like HRK were decreased. We showed for the first time the potential of EVs alone to induce gene expression modifications in CLL B-cell, notably in BCR and apoptosis pathways. We concluded that a substantial part of communication between CLL B-cells and BM-ME is mediated through EV.
Extracellular vesicles of bone marrow stromal cells rescue chronic lymphocytic leukemia B cells from apoptosis, enhance their migration and induce gene expression modifications.
Specimen part, Subject
View Samples