bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1537: CD63 acts as a key modulator of tumor progression and innate immune evasion in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lerbs Tristan , Cui Lu , De Souza Cristabelle , Buettner Reinhard , Wernig Gerlinde 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Introduction: Lung cancer is a major reason for cancer-related mortality worldwide, causing more than two million cancer deaths per year. Over the last decade, new therapies have allowed long-term survival for patients even in advanced stages. However, only a minority of patients benefits from these therapies and patients often grow resistant over time. An important mechanism that contributes to cancer growth and the development of therapy resistances is the cross-talk between cancer cells and their tissue microenvironment, in particular fibroblasts and macrophages. In this context, we explored whether the tetraspanin CD63 - which is commonly found on intra- and extracellular membranes - stimulates cancer growth and mediates pro-tumorigenic functions of the tissue microenvironment in NSCLC.
Methods: We analyzed patient tissue via immunohistochemistry and in-situ-hybridization. We deleted CD63 in cancer cell lines (A549, H810, LC19) and primary fibroblasts via CRISPR-Cas9. To assess phagocytosis, we used in vitro EdU assays and adaptive transfer models in vivo, and identified changes in cell signaling via mass spectrometry. We used an in vitro phagocytosis assay to determine the effect of CD63 on cancer cell phagocytosis through macrophages and analyzed the expression of M1 and M2-associated surface markers through flow cytometry upon co-culturing PBMC with cancer cells over one week.
Results: In patient sections, cancer tissue did not only express more CD63 on the gene expression and protein level but a stronger CD63 expression also correlated with a denser macrophage infiltrate. Looking for pro-tumorigenic functions, deleting CD63 in three cancer cell lines reduced cancer cell growth both in vitro and in an adaptive transfer model in vivo. Additionally, deleting CD63 impaired the pro-tumorigenic focal adhesion signaling in primary fibroblasts. Concerning the interaction between cancer cells and macrophages, deleting CD63 reduced the macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of cancer cells and co-culturing primary monocytes with CD63-deficient lung cancer cells induced the expression of M1-associated surface markers on the PBMC.
Conclusion: In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the tetraspanin CD63 drives NSCLC growth by stimulating cancer cell proliferation - in part by interfering with focal adhesion signaling - and facilitating immune evasion by preventing cancer cell phagocytosis through macrophages and inducing an immunosuppressive phenotype in macrophages.
Citation Format: Tristan Lerbs, Lu Cui, Cristabelle De Souza, Reinhard Buettner, Gerlinde Wernig. CD63 acts as a key modulator of tumor progression and innate immune evasion in non-small cell lung 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 1537.
Abstract 1562: HMGA2 regulates GPX4 expression and oxidative stress
Authors: Dike Precious Elechi , Campbell Taaliah , Awolowo Mojisoluwa , Odero-Marah Valerie 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of mortality, primarily due to its ability to metastasize to the bone. The High Mobility Group AT-Hook 2 (HMGA2) plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and has been implicated in tumorigenesis and the metastatic process. Our recent study revealed that overexpression of the wild-type/full-length HMGA2 isoform in PCa cells promotes cancer progression by triggering epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas truncated HMGA2 isoform promotes progression through oxidative stress signaling. We hypothesize that HMGA2 regulates GPX4 expression and oxidative stress in PCa. We studied the expression of HMGA2 and GPX4 in various PCa cell lines including enzalutamide resistant cell line (C4-2B MDVR), LNCaP cells overexpressing HMGA2 isoforms (wild type and truncated HMGA2). Our analysis of HMGA2 and GPX4 expression in diverse PCa cell lines, shows an inverse relationship between HMGA2 and GPX4 levels. Elevated HMGA2 expression coincides with reduced GPX4 expression, leading to heightened oxidative stress and susceptibility to ferroptosis. Moreover, treatment of enzalutamide resistant cell line C4-2B MDVR with ferroptosis inducer RSL3, further suppresses GPX4 expression, resulting in decreased cell proliferation. Our results unveils the intricate relationship between HMGA2, GPX4 regulation and oxidative stress in the context of prostate cancer progression. Exploiting this oxidative stress pathway offers a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment, especially for enzalutamide-resistant cancer cells.
Acknowledgements: These studies were supported by NIH/NIGMS/RISE SR25GM060414 and NIH/NIMHD 2U54MD007590; 5U54MD013376.
Citation Format: Precious Elechi Dike, Taaliah Campbell, Mojisoluwa Awolowo, Valerie Odero-Marah. HMGA2 regulates GPX4 expression and oxidative stress [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 1562.
Abstract 1569: Keratin X promotes cell metastasis and sorafenib resistance via the AMPKα/Snail axis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lin Yang-Hsiang , Yeh Chau-Ting 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A great majority of liver cancers are developed from cirrhotic livers. The key molecules involved in cirrhosis-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis have not been clearly defined. Understanding the oncogenic pathways and their associations with cancer growth, metastasis and drug resistance may help scientists devise new effective therapeutic agents. In the present study, we identified the intermediate filament-forming protein keratin X (KRTX) as a key factor in cirrhosis-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis. KRTX was highly expressed in HCC tissues and correlated with poor survival outcomes. Experimental verification revealed that overexpression of KRTX enhanced cell growth, tumor cell metastasis, glycolysis and sorafenib resistance. Conversely, knockdown of KRTX led to opposite effects. Mechanistically, KRTX inhibited AMPKα phosphorylation, thereby enhancing Snail protein stability. Additionally, TGFβ1 positively regulated KRTX expression, resulting in a KRTX/AMPKα (Thr172)/Snail axis-mediated increase in cell motility. Treating with 2-deoxyglucose reversed the KRTX-induced metastasis and sorafenib resistance. In clinic, KRTX expression is positively correlated with Snail overexpression and high KRTX/Snail expression had poor prognosis in HCC patients. Our data revealed a signaling pathway from TGFβ1, KRTX, through p-AMPKα (Thr172) to Snail. Targeting KRTX and its pathway may be effective for treating patients with metastatic HCC.
Citation Format: Yang-Hsiang Lin, Chau-Ting Yeh. Keratin X promotes cell metastasis and sorafenib resistance via the AMPKα/Snail axis in hepatocellular carcinoma [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 1569.
Abstract 1583: Neutrophil pro-tumorigenic role in progression and therapy resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sturgeon Reegan , Johnson Esther , Molczyk Caitlin , Goel Paran , Tinsley Parker , Abrahams Lauren , Maher Michael , Singh Rakesh K. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) continues to be a challenge for today’s therapeutics, with a meager 5-year survival rate of 12%. Due to the pancreas’ location, patients often receive diagnosis late, leaving them with limited treatment options. Often, they fail to respond to chemotherapy regimens or develop resistance to those therapies. Tumor-promoting inflammation is a hallmark of cancer, contributing to tumor cells’ survival and proliferation. Infiltrating leukocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines released into the tumor microenvironment (TME) often cause this inflammation. My lab has previously linked increases in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) progression and chemotherapy resistance to inflammation and the CXCR2 pathway. In the present study, we examined the role of neutrophil recruitment in PDAC progression using patient samples and KRAS-dependent KC and KPC murine models. Our data suggest a positive association between tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and PDAC progression. In vitro, we observed neutrophil-PDAC interaction enhancing the survival of both neutrophils and PDAC cell lines. Moreover, this survival was mediated by cellular aggressiveness and therapy resistance. Concerning survival, we saw increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes in the neutrophils upon PDAC cancer cell conditioned media treatment. We also observed modulated expression of immunoregulatory molecules. Our data suggest that increased recruitment of TANs supports PDAC progression and survival, and PDAC cell-neutrophil interaction modulates neutrophil survival and immunoregulatory phenotype.
Citation Format: Reegan Sturgeon, Esther Johnson, Caitlin Molczyk, Paran Goel, Parker Tinsley, Lauren Abrahams, Michael Maher, Rakesh K. Singh. Neutrophil pro-tumorigenic role in progression and therapy resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma [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 1583.
Abstract 1592: Single-cell transcriptomics reveals unique stromal and metabolic heterogeneity in liver metastatic pancreatic cancer
Authors: Singh Rima , Halbrook Christopher 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the 3rd leading cause of cancer related death in the US. This mortality is strongly linked to the complex PDA tumor microenvironment that drives resistance to chemotherapy and immune suppression. Most patients succumb to metastatic disease, with liver being the most frequently colonized organ. Despite this, most pre-clinical studies have focused on primary PDA models to study the disease. Accordingly, the extent that the liver metastatic niche promotes immune evasion and resistance to treatment remains unclear.To directly compare primary vs. metastatic tumors in PDA tumors, we have optimized a syngeneic experimental model to contrast primary vs. metastatic lesions. To define the similarities and differences between cell types present in these tumors, we employed a single-cell transcriptomics approach. Our analysis has identified shared populations of malignant epithelial, stromal, and immune cells between lesions, allowing for a direct comparison of programming. Here, we have observed that the dominant populations of PDA cells in pancreas vs. liver tumors engage in distinct metabolic programs that suggest different actionable vulnerabilities.Beyond these, we also observed fibroblasts and myeloid sub-populations that are exclusive to liver tumors. These data further support our hypothesis that alternative mechanisms of metabolic, immune, and stromal interactions take place in the metastatic tumor microenvironment. To define these crosstalk networks, we employed the interactome tool CellChat, which has uncovered unique signaling interactions between the CAF and cancer cell populations in pancreatic or liver tumors. Overall, these data have the potential to lead to new avenues to directly target cancer cells or engage an effective immune response that can be designed to treat metastatic pancreatic cancer- an urgent clinical need.
Citation Format: Rima Singh, Christopher Halbrook. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals unique stromal and metabolic heterogeneity in liver metastatic pancreatic 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 1592.
Abstract 1597: CD144+cancer-associated fibroblasts drive the malignancy of pancreatic cancer via stimulating inflammatory paracrine
Authors: Sun Xugang , Yu Jun , Zhao Tiansuo , Hao Jihui 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are highly heterogeneous in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We previously reported that CAFs can acquire an endothelial phenotype under stress. Thus, we hypothesized that there are CAFs highly expressing endothelial markers and substantiated a novel subtype of CAFs promoting tumor progression.
Experimental design: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to identify the existence of CD144+CAFs. The prospective and retrospective analysis were combined to figure out the correlation between CD144+CAFs proportion and clinical outcome. The proliferation and invasion assay of cell lines, organoids and pancreatic cancer xenograft model were used to detect the effect of CD144+CAFs on tumor progression. Cytokine array assay, RNA-sequencing, IP-mass spectrum, Ch-IP and luciferase analysis were conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanism. siRNA delivery nanosystem was designed and administrated to precisely target CD144+CAFs in vivo.
Results: CD144+CAFs were present in tumor microenvironment of PDAC and breast cancer and patients with a higher CD144+CAFs proportion have worse prognosis in PDAC. CD144+CAFs can promote the metastasis of PDAC through enhancing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CD144-β-catenin-STAT3 signaling axis was activated and downstream inflammatory secreted cytokines were transcriptionally upregulated to maintain the functions and phenotype of CD144+CAFs. A novel CAF-targeting siRNA delivery nanosystem, loading FAPα and siCDH5, was designed and administrated to precisely target CD144+CAFs, which substantially inhibited the protumoral roles in vivo.
Conclusion: CD144+CAFs can promote the growth and metastasis of PDAC by activating CD144-β-catenin-STAT3 signaling axis and stimulating inflammatory secretion. CAF-targeting siRNA delivery nanosystem can inhibit tumor progression by precisely targeting CD144+CAFs.
Citation Format: Xugang Sun, Jun Yu, Tiansuo Zhao, Jihui Hao. CD144+cancer-associated fibroblasts drive the malignancy of pancreatic cancer via stimulating inflammatory paracrine [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 1597.
Abstract 1635: Inhibition of FANCA Suppresses Breast Cancer Development by Regulating Cell Cycle Progression
Authors: Luo Liang , Liu Wenjun , Yuan Fenghua , Li Fang , Palovcak Anna , Calkins Daniel , Briegel Karoline Briegel , Li Yan , Mason Christian , Liu Zhao-Jun , Daunert Sylvia , Zhang Yanbin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
FANCA is one of the 22 known Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway genes that are involved in interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair. We have also shown that and FANCA plays a role in double strand break repair by promoting strand annealing and exchange. In this report, we describe that FANCA expression in breast cancer is significantly elevated within TCGA databases and in patient tumors-derived sections on both transcription and translation levels and this elevation is associated with poor outcomes of the breast cancer patients. Importantly, we have found that overexpressing FANCA in breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 promotes tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. We have also demonstrated that FANCA inactivation by knocking out or knocking down inhibits growth of MDA-MB-231 in vitro and in vivo by causing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase resulting from hypophosphorylation of Rb protein. Our RNA-seq data has indicated that E2F targets are also downregulated in FANCA knockout (KO) cells compared to the wildtype (WT) MDA-MB-231 cells, which is consistent with the G1/S cell cycle arrest and Rb hypophosphorylation. Intriguingly, heterozygous FANCA KO in a breast cancer mouse model MMTV-PyMT model has shown reduction of breast tumor formation and volume. Our goal is to elucidate the role of FANCA in breast cancer development and to evaluate the potential of FANCA as a target for breast cancer treatment.
Citation Format: Liang Luo, Wenjun Liu, Fenghua Yuan, Fang Li, Anna Palovcak, Daniel Calkins, Karoline Briegel Briegel, Yan Li, Christian Mason, Zhao-Jun Liu, Sylvia Daunert, Yanbin Zhang. Inhibition of FANCA Suppresses Breast Cancer Development by Regulating Cell Cycle Progression [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 1635.
Abstract 1693: Mitochondrial-associated DNAJA3 variant and its role in NASH-driven hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shiode Yuto , Chang Ching-Wen , Wang Xin Wei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite the known progression from NAFLD to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and eventually HCC, the genetic underpinnings driving this transition remain underexplored. A comprehensive genomics assessment was conducted, encompassing a genome-wide study of variants linked to body fat distribution in 344,369 individuals. Correlating these, significant variants associated with NASH and HCC were discerned in a cohort of 1,009 participants from the NCI-UMD study. Candidate variants underwent further eQTL analysis. Our investigation unveiled the rs3747579-TT variant emerged as significantly associated with NASH-related HCC, serving as an eQTL for mitochondrial DNAJA3. HCC patients harboring this variant presented with diminished DNAJA3 expression, correlating with an unfavorable prognosis. Exploration into the 3D genome architecture has identified potential chromatin topology sites that may influence the regulation of DNAJA3 by rs3747579. Specifically, enhancer loops exhibit allele-specific interactions with rs3747579 in the regulation of DNAJA3. Notably, the rs3747579-CC variant was found to interact with RBFOX2. Beyond its known RNA splicing functions, RBFOX2 might have implications in the chromatin landscape, influencing chromatin dynamics and gene transcription. RBFOX2 knockdown experiments showcased significantly reduced DNAJA3 expression, and luciferase assays highlighted increased activity for the rs3747579-CC allele versus its TT counterpart. In summary, our findings spotlight the rs3747579-TT variant as a potential oncogenic factor in DNAJA3, elucidating its role in the genesis of NASH and progression to HCC. This understanding could pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions in HCC stemming from NAFLD/NASH.
Citation Format: Yuto Shiode, Ching-Wen Chang, Xin Wei Wang. Mitochondrial-associated DNAJA3 variant and its role in NASH-driven hepatocellular carcinoma [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 1693.
Abstract 1696: ACTL6A deficiency drives cell death through KLF4-involved chromatin accessibility changes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang Hye-Ju , Kim Eun-Ju , Song Sang-Hyun , Kim Tae-You 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
ACTL6A is a subunit of the SWI/SNF and INO80 chromatin remodeling complexes and plays roles in neural development and cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, it is known to be upregulated in various types of cancer and is associated with a decrease in patient survival rates. However, the mechanism of how chromatin remodelers including ACTL6A cause cell death has yet to be defined. Therefore, we would like to investigate how the depletion of ACTL6A promotes cell growth reduction by mediating changes in the epigenetic landscape in colorectal cancer cells. We engineered ACTL6A knockout by CRISPR-Cas9. We performed Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) for SMARCB1 and INO80, as representative members of their respective families, and KLF4. Moreover, HCT116 cells stably transduced with doxycycline-inducible shGFP or shACTL6A were implanted into the flank of nude mice. One week after tumor implantation, mice were randomly allocated to 4 groups (n=13-15 per group) and doxycycline treated group was administered with doxycycline (1mg/ml) and 5% sucrose in the drinking water. Tumor volume was measured with calipers. Upon depletion of ACTL6A, the regions of increased chromatin accessibility were correlated with the upregulated genes. After the loss of ACTL6A, there was a significant increase in KLF4 expression and genomic binding largely increased, coinciding with an increase in newly accessible regions containing KLF4 motifs. Interestingly, there is a strong positive correlation between changes in chromatin accessibility and overall changes in the binding of KLF4, SWI/SNF, and INO80 complexes. We find that changes in chromatin accessibility are co-regulated by KLF4, the SWI/SNF and the INO80 complex, while SWI/SNF and INO80 complex have a low correlation in binding between the SWI/SNF and INO80 complexes at newly accessible regions, indicating no physical interactions between these two chromatin complexes. Overall, we demonstrated that the redistribution of ACTL6A-deficient two chromatin remodeling complexes and KLF4 is associated with changes in chromatin accessibility, which are also linked to upregulated genes that promote the p53 pathway. These findings revealed the role of KLF4 along with the SWI/SNF and INO80 complexes, in regulating the chromatin landscape and gene expression in ACTL6A-depleted colorectal cancer cells.
Citation Format: Hye-Ju Yang, Eun-Ju Kim, Sang-Hyun Song, Tae-You Kim. ACTL6A deficiency drives cell death through KLF4-involved chromatin accessibility changes in colorectal 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 1696.
Abstract 1732: Linker histone h1 inhibits topoisomerase IIa in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Lasater Samantha , Hamdan Hiba , Ho Po-Yi , Wu Ting , Cao Kaixiang , Yang Ruiqiao , Zhang Yunzhe , Fan Yuhong 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
H1 linker histones play a crucial role in organizing chromatin into higher-order structures and regulating gene expression, contributing significantly to various cellular processes. Topoisomerase IIa (TopoIIa) is essential for multiple cellular functions via regulating DNA topology. Here, we report a direct interaction between H1 linker histones and TopoIIa through both N- and C-terminal domains of H1 variants. H1 suppresses the decatenation enzymatic activity of TopoIIa in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpressing specific H1 variants in HeLa cells results in a marked decrease in cell proliferation and a dramatic increase in the occurrence of cells displaying abnormal mitotic chromosomes. Additionally, we find that the inhibitory effect of the specific H1 variant on TopoIIa activity occurs prior to the formation of DNA-TopoIIa complexes. These results reveal a novel mechanistic link between histone H1 and Topo IIa in the regulation of chromatin function.
Citation Format: Samantha Lasater, Hiba Hamdan, Po-Yi Ho, Ting Wu, Kaixiang Cao, Ruiqiao Yang, Yunzhe Zhang, Yuhong Fan. Linker histone h1 inhibits topoisomerase IIa in vitro and in vivo [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 1732.