Abstract 565: PDE7 modulates EMT, cells morphology and mitochondrial cristae in high grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Rangel Leticia B. A. , Tessarollo Nayara Gusmão , dos Santos Guimarães Isabella , Zipinotti dos Santos Diandra , Henriques Taciane Barbosa , de Souza Marcele Lorentz , Maciel Leide Laura Figueiredo , Almeida João Carlos Aquino , Pimenta Tatiana Massariol , de Souza Josiany Carlos , Wanzeler Ranna Batista , Martins Barbara Silva , Butzene Solenny Maria Silva , Padilha Jose Matheus Simões 
Published: March 2024

Background: Due to the acquisition of chemoresistant phenotype by epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells and, consequently, disease relapse, the identification of novel therapeutic strategies is urgent. Herein, we targeted phosphodiesterase 7A (PDE7A) in EOC cells, based on data derived from RNA-sequencing assays comparing high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and fallopian tube samples.

Methods: To understand the role of PDE inhibition, we evaluated the effects of its inhibitor BRL50481 alone or in combination with paclitaxel (PTX) on untreated A2780 EOC cells and multi-resistant high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) OVCAR3 cells. To do so, we pursued with the: validation of data obtained by high throughput RNA sequencing assays using qRT-PCR; evaluation of PDE7 expression in normal and EOC cells, as well as in normal Fallopian tube cells by qRT-PCR; immunoblotting; metabolic cell viability (MCV) by MTT assays; cytokine dosage by qRT-PCR and ELISA; scanning electron microscopy; transmission electron microscopy; statistical analysis (GraphPad software).

Results: Drug-sensitive A2780 cells, but not OVCAR3 cells, exhibited lower MCV when treated with the PDE7 inhibitor; however, the combinatory therapy decreased MCV in both cell lines. Of clinical relevance, pre-treatment of A2780 and OVCAR3 with the PDE7 inhibitor BRL50481 followed by PTX lowered its IC50 by 103- and 625-fold, respectively. While the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was inhibited in both cell lines, the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 Associated X-protein (BAX) was overexpressed in A2780 cells only. Analysis of mRNA and protein expression in OVCAR3 pretreated with BRL50481 showed a 2-fold increase in IL-6 cytokine expression. Pre-treatment of OVCAR3 with BRL50481 followed by the combination of BRL50481 and PTX inhibited the expression of vimentin and Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) by 2-fold. BRL50481 promoted changes in EOC cells morphology and mitochondrial cristae.

Conclusions: Altogether, our data led us to postulate that inhibition of PDE7 in EOC cells, specifically in those presenting the chemoresistant phenotype, is a promising strategy to fight this yet highly lethal disease.

Citation Format: Leticia B. A. Rangel, Nayara Gusmão Tessarollo, Isabella dos Santos Guimarães, Diandra Zipinotti dos Santos, Taciane Barbosa Henriques, Marcele Lorentz de Souza, Leide Laura Figueiredo Maciel, João Carlos Aquino Almeida, Tatiana Massariol Pimenta, Josiany Carlos de Souza, Ranna Batista Wanzeler, Barbara Silva Martins, Solenny Maria Silva Butzene, Jose Matheus Simões Padilha. PDE7 modulates EMT, cells morphology and mitochondrial cristae in high grade serous ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 565.