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The complex biology of aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in cancer and beyond

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: Christiane A. Opitz, Pauline Holfelder, Mirja Tamara Prentzell, Saskia Trump

Date Published: 1st Oct 2023

Publication Type: Journal

Tryptophan depletion sensitizes the AHR pathway by increasing AHR expression and GCN2/LAT1-mediated kynurenine uptake, and potentiates induction of regulatory T lymphocytes

Abstract (Expand)

Abstract Background Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan-dioxygenase (TDO) are enzymes catabolizing the essential amino acid tryptophan into kynurenine. Expression of these enzymes is … frequently observed in advanced-stage cancers and is associated with poor disease prognosis and immune suppression. Mechanistically, the respective roles of tryptophan shortage and kynurenine production in suppressing immunity remain unclear. Kynurenine was proposed as an endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which can regulate inflammation and immunity. However, controversy remains regarding the role of AHR in IDO1/TDO-mediated immune suppression, as well as the involvement of kynurenine. In this study, we aimed to clarify the link between IDO1/TDO expression, AHR pathway activation and immune suppression. Methods AHR expression and activation was analyzed by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis in cells engineered to express IDO1/TDO, or cultured in medium mimicking tryptophan catabolism by IDO1/TDO. In vitro differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into regulatory T cells (Tregs) was compared in T cells isolated from mice bearing different Ahr alleles or a knockout of Ahr, and cultured in medium with or without tryptophan and kynurenine. Results We confirmed that IDO1/TDO expression activated AHR in HEK-293-E cells, as measured by the induction of AHR target genes. Unexpectedly, AHR was also overexpressed on IDO1/TDO expression. AHR overexpression did not depend on kynurenine but was triggered by tryptophan deprivation. Multiple human tumor cell lines overexpressed AHR on tryptophan deprivation. AHR overexpression was not dependent on general control non-derepressible 2 (GCN2), and strongly sensitized the AHR pathway. As a result, kynurenine and other tryptophan catabolites, which are weak AHR agonists in normal conditions, strongly induced AHR target genes in tryptophan-depleted conditions. Tryptophan depletion also increased kynurenine uptake by increasing SLC7A5 (LAT1) expression in a GCN2-dependent manner. Tryptophan deprivation potentiated Treg differentiation from naïve CD4+ T cells isolated from mice bearing an AHR allele of weak affinity similar to the human AHR. Conclusions Tryptophan deprivation sensitizes the AHR pathway by inducing AHR overexpression and increasing cellular kynurenine uptake. As a result, tryptophan catabolites such as kynurenine more potently activate AHR, and Treg differentiation is promoted. Our results propose a molecular explanation for the combined roles of tryptophan deprivation and kynurenine production in mediating IDO1/TDO-induced immune suppression.

Authors: Marie Solvay, Pauline Holfelder, Simon Klaessens, Luc Pilotte, Vincent Stroobant, Juliette Lamy, Stefan Naulaerts, Quentin Spillier, Raphaël Frédérick, Etienne De Plaen, Christine Sers, Christiane A Opitz, Benoit J Van den Eynde, Jingjing Zhu

Date Published: 21st Jun 2023

Publication Type: Journal

ReStoRunT: Simple Recording, Storing, Running and Tracing changes in Spreadsheets

Abstract (Expand)

In addition to the ubiquitous big data, one key challenge indata processing and management in the life sciences is the diversity ofsmall data. Diverse pieces of small data have to be transformed … intostandards-compliant data. Here, the challenge lies not in the difficulty ofsingle steps that need to be performed, but rather in the fact that manytransformation tasks are to be performed once or only a few times. Thislimits the time that can be put into automated approaches, which inturn severely limits the verifiability of such transformations.As much of the data to be processed is stored in spreadsheets, withinthis paper we justify and propose a lightweight recording-based solutionthat works on a wide variety of spreadsheet programs, from MicrosoftExcel to Google Docs.

Authors: Wolfgang Müller, Lukrécia Mertová

Date Published: 23rd Mar 2023

Publication Type: Journal

Proteome Coverage after Simultaneous Proteo-Metabolome Liquid–Liquid Extraction

Abstract (Expand)

Proteomics and metabolomics are essential in systems biology, and simultaneous proteo-metabolome liquid–liquid extraction (SPM-LLE) allows isolation of the metabolome and proteome from the same sample. … Since the proteome is present as a pellet in SPM-LLE, it must be solubilized for quantitative proteomics. Solubilization and proteome extraction are critical factors in the information obtained at the proteome level. In this study, we investigated the performance of two surfactants (sodium deoxycholate (SDC), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) and urea in terms of proteome coverage and extraction efficiency of an interphase proteome pellet generated by methanol–chloroform based SPM-LLE. We also investigated how the performance differs when the proteome is extracted from the interphase pellet or by direct cell lysis. We quantified 12 lipids covering triglycerides and various phospholipid classes, and 25 polar metabolites covering central energy metabolism in chloroform and methanol extracts. Our study reveals that the proteome coverages between the two surfactants and urea for the SPM-LLE interphase pellet were similar, but the extraction efficiencies differed significantly. While SDS led to enrichment of basic proteins, which were mainly ribosomal and ribonuclear proteins, urea was the most efficient extraction agent for simultaneous proteo-metabolome analysis. The results of our study also show that the performance of surfactants for quantitative proteomics is better when the proteome is extracted through direct cell lysis rather than an interphase pellet. In contrast, the performance of urea for quantitative proteomics was significantly better when the proteome was extracted from an interphase pellet than by direct cell lysis. We demonstrated that urea is superior to surfactants for proteome extraction from SPM-LLE interphase pellets, with a particularly good performance for the extraction of proteins associated with metabolic pathways. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD027338 (https://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/cgi/GetDataset?ID=PXD027338)

Authors: Alienke van Pijkeren, Anna-Sophia Egger, Madlen Hotze, Elisabeth Zimmermann, Tobias Kipura, Julia Grander, André Gollowitzer, Andreas Koeberle, Rainer Bischoff, Kathrin Thedieck, Marcel Kwiatkowski

Date Published: 3rd Mar 2023

Publication Type: Journal

Tryptophan stress activates EGFR-RAS-signaling to MTORC1 and p38/MAPK to sustain translation and AHR-dependent autophagy

Abstract (Expand)

Limited supply and catabolism restrict the essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) in tumors. How tumors sustain translation under Trp stress remains unclear. Unlike other amino acids, Trp stress activates …s the EGFR, which enhances macropinocytosis and RAS signaling to the MTORC1 and p38/MAPK kinases, sustaining translation. The AHR forms part of the Trp stress proteome and promotes autophagy to sustain Trp levels, and ceramide biosynthesis. Thus, Trp restriction elicits pro-translation signals enabling adaptation to nutrient stress, placing Trp into a unique position in the amino acid-mediated stress response. Our findings challenge the current perception that Trp restriction inhibits MTORC1 and the AHR and explain how both cancer drivers remain active. A glioblastoma patient subgroup with enhanced MTORC1 and AHR displays an autophagy signature, highlighting the clinical relevance of MTORC1-AHR crosstalk. Regions of high Trp or high ceramides are mutually exclusive, supporting that low Trp activates the EGFR-MTORC1-AHR axis in glioblastoma tissue.

Authors: Pauline Pfänder, Lucas Hensen, Patricia Razquin Navas, Marie Solvay, Mirja Tamara Prentzell, Ahmed Sadik, Alexander M. Heberle, Sophie Seifert, Leon Regin, Tobias Bausbacher, Anna-Sophia Egger, Madlen Hotze, Tobias Kipura, Bianca Berdel, Ivana Karabogdan, Luis F. Somarribas Patterson, Michele Reil, Deepak Sayeeram, Vera Peters, Jose Ramos Pittol, Ineke van ’t Land-Kuper, Teresa Börding, Saskia Trump, Alienke van Pijkeren, Yang Zhang, Fabricio Loayza-Puch, Alexander Kowar, Sönke Harder, Lorenz Waltl, André Gollowitzer, Tetsushi Kataura, Viktor I. Korolchuk, Shad A. Mohammed, Phillipp Sievers, Felix Sahm, Hartmut Schlüter, Andreas Koeberle, Carsten Hopf, Marcel Kwiatkowski, Christine Sers, Benoit J. Van den Eynde, Christiane A. Opitz, Kathrin Thedieck

Date Published: 17th Jan 2023

Publication Type: Journal

Cardiac PI3K p110alpha attenuation delays aging and extends lifespan.

Abstract (Expand)

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is a key component of the insulin signaling pathway that controls cellular me-tabolism and growth. Loss-of-function mutations in PI3K signaling and other downstream … effectors of the insulin signaling pathway extend the lifespan of various model organisms. However, the pro-longevity effect appears to be sex-specific and young mice with reduced PI3K signaling have increased risk of cardiac disease. Hence, it remains elusive as to whether PI3K inhibition is a valid strategy to delay aging and extend healthspan in humans. We recently demonstrated that reduced PI3K activity in cardiomyocytes delays cardiac growth, causing subnormal contractility and cardiopulmonary functional capacity, as well as increased risk of mortality at young age. In stark contrast, in aged mice, experi-mental attenuation of PI3K signaling reduced the age-dependent decline in cardiac function and extended maximal lifespan, suggesting a biphasic effect of PI3K on cardiac health and survival. The cardiac anti-aging effects of reduced PI3K activity coincided with enhanced oxida-tive phosphorylation and required increased autophagic flux. In humans, explanted failing hearts showed in-creased PI3K signaling, as indicated by increased phos-phorylation of the serine/threonine-protein kinase AKT. Hence, late-life cardiac-specific targeting of PI3K might have a therapeutic potential in cardiac aging and related diseases.

Authors: M. Abdellatif, T. Eisenberg, A. M. Heberle, K. Thedieck, G. Kroemer, S. Sedej

Date Published: 30th Nov 2022

Publication Type: Journal

Fine-Tuning Cardiac Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor Signaling to Promote Health and Longevity.

Abstract (Expand)

BACKGROUND: The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) pathway is a key regulator of cellular metabolism and aging. Although its inhibition promotes longevity across species, the effect of attenuated IGF1 … signaling on cardiac aging remains controversial. METHODS: We performed a lifelong study to assess cardiac health and lifespan in 2 cardiomyocyte-specific transgenic mouse models with enhanced versus reduced IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling. Male mice with human IGF1R overexpression or dominant negative phosphoinositide 3-kinase mutation were examined at different life stages by echocardiography, invasive hemodynamics, and treadmill coupled to indirect calorimetry. In vitro assays included cardiac histology, mitochondrial respiration, ATP synthesis, autophagic flux, and targeted metabolome profiling, and immunoblots of key IGF1R downstream targets in mouse and human explanted failing and nonfailing hearts, as well. RESULTS: Young mice with increased IGF1R signaling exhibited superior cardiac function that progressively declined with aging in an accelerated fashion compared with wild-type animals, resulting in heart failure and a reduced lifespan. In contrast, mice with low cardiac IGF1R signaling exhibited inferior cardiac function early in life, but superior cardiac performance during aging, and increased maximum lifespan, as well. Mechanistically, the late-life detrimental effects of IGF1R activation correlated with suppressed autophagic flux and impaired oxidative phosphorylation in the heart. Low IGF1R activity consistently improved myocardial bioenergetics and function of the aging heart in an autophagy-dependent manner. In humans, failing hearts, but not those with compensated hypertrophy, displayed exaggerated IGF1R expression and signaling activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the relationship between IGF1R signaling and cardiac health is not linear, but rather biphasic. Hence, pharmacological inhibitors of the IGF1 pathway, albeit unsuitable for young individuals, might be worth considering in older adults.

Authors: M. Abdellatif, V. Trummer-Herbst, A. M. Heberle, A. Humnig, T. Pendl, S. Durand, G. Cerrato, S. J. Hofer, M. Islam, J. Voglhuber, J. M. Ramos Pittol, O. Kepp, G. Hoefler, A. Schmidt, P. P. Rainer, D. Scherr, D. von Lewinski, E. Bisping, J. R. McMullen, A. Diwan, T. Eisenberg, F. Madeo, K. Thedieck, G. Kroemer, S. Sedej

Date Published: 21st Jun 2022

Publication Type: Journal

Natural isotope correction improves analysis of protein modification dynamics

Abstract (Expand)

Abstract Stable isotope labelling in combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry approaches are increasingly used to analyze both metabolite and protein modification dynamics. To enable correct …ynamics. To enable correct estimation of the resulting dynamics, it is critical to correct the measured values for naturally occurring stable isotopes, a process commonly called isotopologue correction or deconvolution. While the importance of isotopologue correction is well recognized in metabolomics, it has received far less attention in proteomics approaches. Although several tools exist that enable isotopologue correction of mass spectrometry data, the majority is tailored for the analysis of low molecular weight metabolites. We here present PICor which has been developed for isotopologue correction of complex isotope labelling experiments in proteomics or metabolomics and demonstrate the importance of appropriate correction for accurate determination of protein modifications dynamics, using histone acetylation as an example.

Authors: Jörn Dietze, Alienke van Pijkeren, Anna-Sophia Egger, Mathias Ziegler, Marcel Kwiatkowski, Ines Heiland

Date Published: 1st Dec 2021

Publication Type: Journal

The SZT2 Interactome Unravels New Functions of the KICSTOR Complex

Abstract (Expand)

Seizure threshold 2 (SZT2) is a component of the KICSTOR complex which, under catabolic conditions, functions as a negative regulator in the amino acid-sensing branch of mTORC1. Mutations in this gene …e cause a severe neurodevelopmental and epileptic encephalopathy whose main symptoms include epilepsy, intellectual disability, and macrocephaly. As SZT2 remains one of the least characterized regulators of mTORC1, in this work we performed a systematic interactome analysis under catabolic and anabolic conditions. Besides numerous mTORC1 and AMPK signaling components, we identified clusters of proteins related to autophagy, ciliogenesis regulation, neurogenesis, and neurodegenerative processes. Moreover, analysis of SZT2 ablated cells revealed increased mTORC1 signaling activation that could be reversed by Rapamycin or Torin treatments. Strikingly, SZT2 KO cells also exhibited higher levels of autophagic components, independent of the physiological conditions tested. These results are consistent with our interactome data, in which we detected an enriched pool of selective autophagy receptors/regulators. Moreover, preliminary analyses indicated that SZT2 alters ciliogenesis. Overall, the data presented form the basis to comprehensively investigate the physiological functions of SZT2 that could explain major molecular events in the pathophysiology of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in patients with SZT2 mutations.

Authors: Cecilia Cattelani, Dominik Lesiak, Gudrun Liebscher, Isabel I. Singer, Taras Stasyk, Moritz H. Wallnöfer, Alexander M. Heberle, Corrado Corti, Michael W. Hess, Kristian Pfaller, Marcel Kwiatkowski, Peter P. Pramstaller, Andrew A. Hicks, Kathrin Thedieck, Thomas Müller, Lukas A. Huber, Mariana Eca Guimaraes de Araujo

Date Published: 1st Oct 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Welcome to the Family: Identification of the NAD(+) Transporter of Animal Mitochondria as Member of the Solute Carrier Family SLC25.

Abstract (Expand)

Subcellular compartmentation is a fundamental property of eukaryotic cells. Communication and metabolic and regulatory interconnectivity between organelles require that solutes can be transported across … their surrounding membranes. Indeed, in mammals, there are hundreds of genes encoding solute carriers (SLCs) which mediate the selective transport of molecules such as nucleotides, amino acids, and sugars across biological membranes. Research over many years has identified the localization and preferred substrates of a large variety of SLCs. Of particular interest has been the SLC25 family, which includes carriers embedded in the inner membrane of mitochondria to secure the supply of these organelles with major metabolic intermediates and coenzymes. The substrate specificity of many of these carriers has been established in the past. However, the route by which animal mitochondria are supplied with NAD(+) had long remained obscure. Only just recently, the existence of a human mitochondrial NAD(+) carrier was firmly established. With the realization that SLC25A51 (or MCART1) represents the major mitochondrial NAD(+) carrier in mammals, a long-standing mystery in NAD(+) biology has been resolved. Here, we summarize the functional importance and structural features of this carrier as well as the key observations leading to its discovery.

Authors: M. Ziegler, M. Monne, A. Nikiforov, G. Agrimi, I. Heiland, F. Palmieri

Date Published: 14th Jun 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Hypoxia Routes Tryptophan Homeostasis Towards Increased Tryptamine Production.

Abstract (Expand)

The liver is the central hub for processing and maintaining homeostatic levels of dietary nutrients especially essential amino acids such as tryptophan (Trp). Trp is required not only to sustain protein … synthesis but also as a precursor for the production of NAD, neurotransmitters and immunosuppressive metabolites. In light of these roles of Trp and its metabolic products, maintaining homeostatic levels of Trp is essential for health and well-being. The liver regulates global Trp supply by the immunosuppressive enzyme tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), which degrades Trp down the kynurenine pathway (KP). In the current study, we show that isolated primary hepatocytes when exposed to hypoxic environments, extensively rewire their Trp metabolism by reducing constitutive Tdo2 expression and differentially regulating other Trp pathway enzymes and transporters. Mathematical modelling of Trp metabolism in liver cells under hypoxia predicted decreased flux through the KP while metabolic flux through the tryptamine branch significantly increased. In line, the model also revealed an increased accumulation of tryptamines under hypoxia, at the expense of kynurenines. Metabolic measurements in hypoxic hepatocytes confirmed the predicted reduction in KP metabolites as well as accumulation of tryptamine. Tdo2 expression in cultured primary hepatocytes was reduced upon hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) stabilisation by dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), demonstrating that HIFs are involved in the hypoxic downregulation of hepatic Tdo2. DMOG abrogated hepatic luciferase signals in Tdo2 reporter mice, indicating that HIF stability also recapitulates hypoxic rewiring of Trp metabolism in vivo. Also in WT mice HIF stabilization drove homeostatic Trp metabolism away from the KP towards enhanced tryptamine production, leading to enhanced levels of tryptamine in liver, serum and brain. As tryptamines are the most potent hallucinogens known, the observed upregulation of tryptamine in response to hypoxic exposure of hepatocytes may be involved in the generation of hallucinations occurring at high altitude. KP metabolites are known to activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). The AHR-activating properties of tryptamines may explain why immunosuppressive AHR activity is maintained under hypoxia despite downregulation of the KP. In summary our results identify hypoxia as an important factor controlling Trp metabolism in the liver with possible implications for immunosuppressive AHR activation and mental disturbances.

Authors: S. R. Mohapatra, A. Sadik, S. Sharma, G. Poschet, H. M. Gegner, T. V. Lanz, P. Lucarelli, U. Klingmuller, M. Platten, I. Heiland, C. A. Opitz

Date Published: 8th Mar 2021

Publication Type: Journal

Finding new edges: systems approaches to MTOR signaling.

Abstract (Expand)

Cells have evolved highly intertwined kinase networks to finely tune cellular homeostasis to the environment. The network converging on the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) kinase constitutes a … central hub that integrates metabolic signals and adapts cellular metabolism and functions to nutritional changes and stress. Feedforward and feedback loops, crosstalks and a plethora of modulators finely balance MTOR-driven anabolic and catabolic processes. This complexity renders it difficult - if not impossible - to intuitively decipher signaling dynamics and network topology. Over the last two decades, systems approaches have emerged as powerful tools to simulate signaling network dynamics and responses. In this review, we discuss the contribution of systems studies to the discovery of novel edges and modulators in the MTOR network in healthy cells and in disease.

Authors: A. M. Heberle, U. Rehbein, M. Rodriguez Peiris, K. Thedieck

Date Published: 26th Feb 2021

Publication Type: Journal

IL4I1 Is a Metabolic Immune Checkpoint that Activates the AHR and Promotes Tumor Progression

Abstract (Expand)

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) activation by tryptophan (Trp) catabolites enhances tumor malignancy and suppresses anti-tumor immunity. The context specificity of AHR target genes has so far impeded … systematic investigation of AHR activity and its upstream enzymes across human cancers. A pan-tissue AHR signature, derived by natural language processing, revealed that across 32 tumor entities, interleukin-4-induced-1 (IL4I1) associates more frequently with AHR activity than IDO1 or TDO2, hitherto recognized as the main Trp-catabolic enzymes. IL4I1 activates the AHR through the generation of indole metabolites and kynurenic acid. It associates with reduced survival in glioma patients, promotes cancer cell motility, and suppresses adaptive immunity, thereby enhancing the progression of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in mice. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) induces IDO1 and IL4I1. As IDO1 inhibitors do not block IL4I1, IL4I1 may explain the failure of clinical studies combining ICB with IDO1 inhibition. Taken together, IL4I1 blockade opens new avenues for cancer therapy.

Authors: Ahmed Sadik, Luis F. Somarribas Patterson, Selcen Öztürk, Soumya R. Mohapatra, Verena Panitz, Philipp F. Secker, Pauline Pfänder, Stefanie Loth, Heba Salem, Mirja Tamara Prentzell, Bianca Berdel, Murat Iskar, Erik Faessler, Friederike Reuter, Isabelle Kirst, Verena Kalter, Kathrin I. Foerster, Evelyn Jäger, Carina Ramallo Guevara, Mansour Sobeh, Thomas Hielscher, Gernot Poschet, Annekathrin Reinhardt, Jessica C. Hassel, Marc Zapatka, Udo Hahn, Andreas von Deimling, Carsten Hopf, Rita Schlichting, Beate I. Escher, Jürgen Burhenne, Walter E. Haefeli, Naveed Ishaque, Alexander Böhme, Sascha Schäuble, Kathrin Thedieck, Saskia Trump, Martina Seiffert, Christiane A. Opitz

Date Published: 1st Sep 2020

Publication Type: Journal

Breaking the Interface: Efficient Extraction of Magnetic Beads from Nanoliter Droplets for Automated Sequential Immunoassays

Abstract (Expand)

Droplet-based microfluidic systems offer a high potential for miniaturization and automation. Therefore, they are becoming an increasingly important tool in analytical chemistry, biosciences, and … medicine. Heterogeneous assays commonly utilize magnetic beads as a solid phase. However, the sensitivity of state of the art microfluidic systems is limited by the high bead concentrations required for efficient extraction across the water–oil interface. Furthermore, current systems suffer from a lack of technical solutions for sequential measurements of multiple samples, limiting their throughput and capacity for automation. Taking advantage of the different wetting properties of hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas in the channels, we improve the extraction efficiency of magnetic beads from aqueous nanoliter-sized droplets by 2 orders of magnitude to the low μg/mL range. Furthermore, the introduction of a switchable magnetic trap enables repetitive capture and release of magnetic particles for sequential analysis of multiple samples, enhancing the throughput. In comparison to conventional ELISA-based sandwich immunoassays on microtiter plates, our microfluidic setup offers a 25–50-fold reduction of sample and reagent consumption with up to 50 technical replicates per sample. The enhanced sensitivity and throughput of this system open avenues for the development of automated detection of biomolecules at the nanoliter scale.

Authors: Lukas Metzler, Ulrike Rehbein, Jan-Niklas Schönberg, Thomas Brandstetter, Kathrin Thedieck, Jürgen Rühe

Date Published: 4th Aug 2020

Publication Type: Journal

The therapeutic potential of targeting tryptophan catabolism in cancer.

Abstract (Expand)

Based on its effects on both tumour cell intrinsic malignant properties as well as anti-tumour immune responses, tryptophan catabolism has emerged as an important metabolic regulator of cancer progression. … Three enzymes, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 and 2 (IDO1/2) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), catalyse the first step of the degradation of the essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) to kynurenine (Kyn). The notion of inhibiting IDO1 using small-molecule inhibitors elicited high hopes of a positive impact in the field of immuno-oncology, by restoring anti-tumour immune responses and synergising with other immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibition. However, clinical trials with IDO1 inhibitors have yielded disappointing results, hence raising many questions. This review will discuss strategies to target Trp-degrading enzymes and possible down-stream consequences of their inhibition. We aim to provide comprehensive background information on Trp catabolic enzymes as targets in immuno-oncology and their current state of development. Details of the clinical trials with IDO1 inhibitors, including patient stratification, possible effects of the inhibitors themselves, effects of pre-treatments and the therapies the inhibitors were combined with, are discussed and mechanisms proposed that might have compensated for IDO1 inhibition. Finally, alternative approaches are suggested to circumvent these problems.

Authors: C. A. Opitz, L. F. Somarribas Patterson, S. R. Mohapatra, D. L. Dewi, A. Sadik, M. Platten, S. Trump

Date Published: 11th Dec 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Resistance Exercise Reduces Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Abstract (Expand)

Purpose: Evidence from preclinical studies and trials in healthy volunteers suggests that exercise may modulate the levels of tryptophan (TRP) metabolites along the kynurenine (KYN) pathway. As KYN and … downstream KYN metabolites are known to promote cancer progression by inhibiting anti-tumor immune responses and by promoting the motility of cancer cells, we investigated if resistance exercise can also control the levels of KYN pathway metabolites in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (NCT01468766). Patients and Methods: Chemotherapy-naïve breast cancer patients (n = 96) were either randomized to an exercise/intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The IG participated in a 12-week supervised progressive resistance exercise program twice a week, whereas the CG received a supervised relaxation program. Serum levels of TRP and KYN as well as urine levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA) and neurotoxic quinolinic acid (QUINA) were assessed before (t0), after radiotherapy, and mid-term of the exercise intervention (t1) and after the exercise intervention (t2). Additionally, 24 healthy women (HIG) participated in the exercise program to investigate potential differences in its effects on KYN metabolites in comparison to the breast cancer patients. Results: At baseline (t0) the breast cancer patients showed a significantly elevated serum KYN/TRP ratio and urine QUINA/KYNA ratio, as well as increased urine QUINA levels in comparison to the healthy women. In response to exercise the healthy women and the breast cancer patients differed significantly in the levels of urine QUINA and the QUINA/KYNA ratio. Most importantly, serum KYN levels and the KYN/TRP ratio were significantly reduced in exercising patients (IG) compared to non-exercising patients (CG) both at t1 and t2. Conclusion: Resistance exercise may represent a potent non-pharmacological avenue to counteract an activation of the KYN pathway in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Authors: Philipp Zimmer, Martina E. Schmidt, Mirja Tamara Prentzell, Bianca Berdel, Joachim Wiskemann, Karl Heinz Kellner, Jürgen Debus, Cornelia Ulrich, Christiane A. Opitz, Karen Steindorf

Date Published: 25th Sep 2019

Publication Type: Not specified

Identification of evolutionary and kinetic drivers of NAD-dependent signaling.

Abstract (Expand)

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) provides an important link between metabolism and signal transduction and has emerged as central hub between bioenergetics and all major cellular events. … NAD-dependent signaling (e.g., by sirtuins and poly-adenosine diphosphate [ADP] ribose polymerases [PARPs]) consumes considerable amounts of NAD. To maintain physiological functions, NAD consumption and biosynthesis need to be carefully balanced. Using extensive phylogenetic analyses, mathematical modeling of NAD metabolism, and experimental verification, we show that the diversification of NAD-dependent signaling in vertebrates depended on 3 critical evolutionary events: 1) the transition of NAD biosynthesis to exclusive usage of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NamPT); 2) the occurrence of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), which diverts nicotinamide (Nam) from recycling into NAD, preventing Nam accumulation and inhibition of NAD-dependent signaling reactions; and 3) structural adaptation of NamPT, providing an unusually high affinity toward Nam, necessary to maintain NAD levels. Our results reveal an unexpected coevolution and kinetic interplay between NNMT and NamPT that enables extensive NAD signaling. This has implications for therapeutic strategies of NAD supplementation and the use of NNMT or NamPT inhibitors in disease treatment.

Authors: M. Bockwoldt, D. Houry, M. Niere, T. I. Gossmann, I. Reinartz, A. Schug, M. Ziegler, I. Heiland

Date Published: 6th Aug 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Identification of evolutionary and kinetic drivers of NAD-dependent signaling

Abstract (Expand)

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) provides an important link between metabolism and signal transduction and has emerged as central hub between bioenergetics and all major cellular events. …llular events. NAD-dependent signaling (e.g., by sirtuins and poly–adenosine diphosphate [ADP] ribose polymerases [PARPs]) consumes considerable amounts of NAD. To maintain physiological functions, NAD consumption and biosynthesis need to be carefully balanced. Using extensive phylogenetic analyses, mathematical modeling of NAD metabolism, and experimental verification, we show that the diversification of NAD-dependent signaling in vertebrates depended on 3 critical evolutionary events: 1) the transition of NAD biosynthesis to exclusive usage of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NamPT); 2) the occurrence of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), which diverts nicotinamide (Nam) from recycling into NAD, preventing Nam accumulation and inhibition of NAD-dependent signaling reactions; and 3) structural adaptation of NamPT, providing an unusually high affinity toward Nam, necessary to maintain NAD levels. Our results reveal an unexpected coevolution and kinetic interplay between NNMT and NamPT that enables extensive NAD signaling. This has implications for therapeutic strategies of NAD supplementation and the use of NNMT or NamPT inhibitors in disease treatment.

Authors: Mathias Bockwoldt, Dorothée Houry, Marc Niere, Toni I. Gossmann, Ines Reinartz, Alexander Schug, Mathias Ziegler, Ines Heiland

Date Published: 6th Aug 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Partially non-homogeneous dynamic Bayesian networks based on Bayesian regression models with partitioned design matrices

Abstract (Expand)

Non-homogeneous dynamic Bayesian networks (NH-DBNs) are a popular modelling tool for learning cellular networks from time series data. In systems biology, time series are often measured under different … experimental conditions, and not rarely only some network interaction parameters depend on the condition while the other parameters stay constant across conditions. For this situation, we propose a new partially NH-DBN, based on Bayesian hierarchical regression models with partitioned design matrices. With regard to our main application to semi-quantitative (immunoblot) timecourse data from mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling, we also propose a Gaussian process-based method to solve the problem of non-equidistant time series measurements.

Authors: Mahdi Shafiee Kamalabad, Alexander Martin Heberle, Kathrin Thedieck, Marco Grzegorczyk

Date Published: 1st Jun 2019

Publication Type: Journal

Tryptophan metabolism as a common therapeutic target in cancer, neurodegeneration and beyond

Abstract (Expand)

L-Tryptophan (Trp) metabolism through the kynurenine pathway (KP) is involved in the regulation of immunity, neuronal function and intestinal homeostasis. Imbalances in Trp metabolism in disorders … ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative disease have stimulated interest in therapeutically targeting the KP, particularly the main rate-limiting enzymes indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), IDO2 and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) as well as kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO). However, although small-molecule IDO1 inhibitors showed promise in early-stage cancer immunotherapy clinical trials, a phase III trial was negative. This Review summarizes the physiological and pathophysiological roles of Trp metabolism, highlighting the vast opportunities and challenges for drug development in multiple diseases. Full text of this paper is available here https://inrepo01.inet.dkfz-heidelberg.de/record/143705

Authors: Michael Platten, Ellen A. A. Nollen, Ute F. Röhrig, Francesca Fallarino, Christiane A. Opitz

Date Published: 1st May 2019

Publication Type: Journal

The PI3K and MAPK/p38 pathways control stress granule assembly in a hierarchical manner

Abstract (Expand)

All cells and organisms exhibit stress-coping mechanisms to ensure survival. Cytoplasmic protein-RNA assemblies termed stress granules are increasingly recognized to promote cellular survival under … stress. Thus, they might represent tumor vulnerabilities that are currently poorly explored. The translationinhibitory eIF2α kinases are established as main drivers of stress granule assembly. Using a systems approach, we identify the translation enhancers PI3K and MAPK/p38 as pro-stressgranule- kinases. They act through the metabolic master regulator mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) to promote stress granule assembly.When highly active, PI3K is the main driver of stress granules; however, the impact of p38 becomes apparent as PI3K activity declines. PI3K and p38 thus act in a hierarchical manner to drive mTORC1 activity and stress granule assembly. Of note, this signaling hierarchy is also present in human breast cancer tissue. Importantly, only the recognition of the PI3K-p38 hierarchy under stress enabled the discovery of p38’s role in stress granule formation. In summary, we assign a new prosurvival function to the key oncogenic kinases PI3K and p38, as they hierarchically promote stress granule formation.

Authors: Alexander Martin Heberle, Patricia Razquin Navas, Miriam Langelaar-Makkinje, Katharina Kasack, Ahmed Sadik, Erik Faessler, Udo Hahn, Philip Marx-Stoelting, Christiane A Opitz, Christine Sers, Ines Heiland, Sascha Schäuble, Kathrin Thedieck

Date Published: 28th Mar 2019

Publication Type: Not specified

Copy number profiling by array comparative genomic hybridization identifies frequently occurring BRCA2-like male breast cancer.

Abstract (Expand)

Genomic aberrations can be used to subtype breast cancer. In this study, we investigated DNA copy number (CN) profiles of 69 cases of male breast cancer (MBC) by array comparative genomic hybridization … (aCGH) to detect recurrent gains and losses in comparison with female breast cancers (FBC). Further, we classified these profiles as BRCA1-like, BRCA2-like or non-BRCA-like profiles using previous classifiers derived from FBC, and correlated these profiles with pathological characteristics. We observed large CN gains on chromosome arms 1q, 5p, 8q, 10p, 16p, 17q, and chromosomes 20 and X. Large losses were seen on chromosomes/chromosome arms 1p, 6p, 8p, 9, 11q, 13, 14q, 16q, 17p, and 22. The pattern of gains and losses in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) MBC was largely similar to ER+ FBC, except for gains on chromosome X in MBC, which were uncommon in FBC. Out of 69 MBC patients, 15 patients (22%) had a BRCA2-like profile, of which 2 (3%) were also BRCA1-like. One patient (1%) was only BRCA1-like; the remaining 53 (77%) patients were classified as non-BRCA-like. BRCA2-like cases were more often p53 accumulated than non-BRCA-like cases (P = 0.014). In conclusion, the pattern of gains and losses in ER+ MBC was largely similar to that of its ER+ FBC counterpart, except for gains on chromosome X in MBC, which are uncommon in FBC. A significant proportion of MBC has a BRCA2-like aCGH profile, pointing to a potentially hereditary nature, and indicating that they could benefit from a drug regimen targeting BRCA defects as in FBC.

Authors: H. D. Biesma, P. C. Schouten, M. M. Lacle, J. Sanders, W. Brugman, R. Kerkhoven, I. Mandjes, P. van der Groep, P. J. van Diest, S. C. Linn

Date Published: 11th Sep 2015

Publication Type: Journal

Model of tryptophan metabolism, readily scalable using tissue-specific gene expression data.

Abstract (Expand)

Tryptophan is utilized in various metabolic routes including protein synthesis, serotonin, and melatonin synthesis and the kynurenine pathway. Perturbations in these pathways have been associated with … neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Here we present a comprehensive kinetic model of the complex network of human tryptophan metabolism based upon existing kinetic data for all enzymatic conversions and transporters. By integrating tissue-specific expression data, modeling tryptophan metabolism in liver and brain returned intermediate metabolite concentrations in the physiological range. Sensitivity and metabolic control analyses identified expected key enzymes to govern fluxes in the branches of the network. Combining tissue-specific models revealed a considerable impact of the kynurenine pathway in liver on the concentrations of neuroactive derivatives in the brain. Moreover, using expression data from a cancer study predicted metabolite changes that resembled the experimental observations. We conclude that the combination of the kinetic model with expression data represents a powerful diagnostic tool to predict alterations in tryptophan metabolism. The model is readily scalable to include more tissues, thereby enabling assessment of organismal tryptophan metabolism in health and disease.

Authors: A. K. Stavrum, I. Heiland, S. Schuster, P. Puntervoll, M. Ziegler

Date Published: 29th Nov 2013

Publication Type: Journal

Gene expression profiling of primary male breast cancers reveals two unique subgroups and identifies N-acetyltransferase-1 (NAT1) as a novel prognostic biomarker.

Abstract (Expand)

INTRODUCTION: Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare and inadequately characterized disease. The aim of the present study was to characterize MBC tumors transcriptionally, to classify them into comprehensive … subgroups, and to compare them with female breast cancer (FBC). METHODS: A total of 66 clinicopathologically well-annotated fresh frozen MBC tumors were analyzed using Illumina Human HT-12 bead arrays, and a tissue microarray with 220 MBC tumors was constructed for validation using immunohistochemistry. Two external gene expression datasets were used for comparison purposes: 37 MBCs and 359 FBCs. RESULTS: Using an unsupervised approach, we classified the MBC tumors into two subgroups, luminal M1 and luminal M2, respectively, with differences in tumor biological features and outcome, and which differed from the intrinsic subgroups described in FBC. The two subgroups were recapitulated in the external MBC dataset. Luminal M2 tumors were characterized by high expression of immune response genes and genes associated with estrogen receptor (ER) signaling. Luminal M1 tumors, on the other hand, despite being ER positive by immunohistochemistry showed a lower correlation to genes associated with ER signaling and displayed a more aggressive phenotype and worse prognosis. Validation of two of the most differentially expressed genes, class 1 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and the metabolizing gene N-acetyltransferase-1 (NAT1), respectively, revealed significantly better survival associated with high expression of both markers (HLA, hazard ratio (HR) 3.6, P = 0.002; NAT1, HR 2.5, P = 0.033). Importantly, NAT1 remained significant in a multivariate analysis (HR 2.8, P = 0.040) and may thus be a novel prognostic marker in MBC. CONCLUSIONS: We have detected two unique and stable subgroups of MBC with differences in tumor biological features and outcome. They differ from the widely acknowledged intrinsic subgroups of FBC. As such, they may constitute two novel subgroups of breast cancer, occurring exclusively in men, and which may consequently require novel treatment approaches. Finally, we identified NAT1 as a possible prognostic biomarker for MBC, as suggested by NAT1 positivity corresponding to better outcome.

Authors: I. Johansson, C. Nilsson, P. Berglund, M. Lauss, M. Ringner, H. Olsson, L. Luts, E. Sim, S. Thorstensson, M. L. Fjallskog, I. Hedenfalk

Date Published: 14th Feb 2012

Publication Type: Journal

MIFlowCyt: The minimum information about a flow cytometry experiment

Abstract

Not specified

Authors: Jamie A. Lee, Josef Spidlen, Keith Boyce, Jennifer Cai, Nicholas Crosbie, Mark Dalphin, Jeff Furlong, Maura Gasparetto, Michael Goldberg, Elizabeth M. Goralczyk, Bill Hyun, Kirstin Jansen, Tobias Kollmann, Megan Kong, Robert Leif, Shannon McWeeney, Thomas D. Moloshok, Wayne Moore, Garry Nolan, John Nolan, Janko Nikolich-Zugich, David Parrish, Barclay Purcell, Yu Qian, Biruntha Selvaraj, Clayton Smith, Olga Tchuvatkina, Anne Wertheimer, Peter Wilkinson, Christopher Wilson, James Wood, Robert Zigon, Richard H. Scheuermann, Ryan R. Brinkman

Date Published: 1st Oct 2008

Publication Type: Journal

Suppression of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 expression by promoter hypermethylation in ER-positive breast cancer.

Abstract (Expand)

Kynurenine formation by tryptophan-catabolic indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) plays a key role in tumor immune evasion and inhibition of IDO1 is efficacious in preclinical models of breast cancer. … As the response of breast cancer to immune checkpoint inhibitors may be limited, a better understanding of the expression of additional targetable immunomodulatory pathways is of importance. We therefore investigated the regulation of IDO1 expression in different breast cancer subtypes. We identified estrogen receptor alpha (ER) as a negative regulator of IDO1 expression. Serum kynurenine levels as well as tumoral IDO1 expression were lower in patients with ER-positive than ER-negative tumors and an inverse relationship between IDO1 and estrogen receptor mRNA was observed across 14 breast cancer data sets. Analysis of whole genome bisulfite sequencing, 450k, MassARRAY and pyrosequencing data revealed that the IDO1 promoter is hypermethylated in ER-positive compared with ER-negative breast cancer. Reduced induction of IDO1 was also observed in human ER-positive breast cancer cell lines. IDO1 induction was enhanced upon DNA demethylation in ER-positive but not in ER-negative cells and methylation of an IDO1 promoter construct reduced IDO1 expression, suggesting that enhanced methylation of the IDO1 promoter suppresses IDO1 in ER-positive breast cancer. The association of ER overexpression with epigenetic downregulation of IDO1 appears to be a particular feature of breast cancer as IDO1 was not suppressed by IDO1 promoter hypermethylation in the presence of high ER expression in cervical or endometrial cancer.

Authors: D. L. Dewi, S. R. Mohapatra, S. Blanco Cabanes, I. Adam, L. F. Somarribas Patterson, B. Berdel, M. Kahloon, L. Thurmann, S. Loth, K. Heilmann, D. Weichenhan, O. Mucke, I. Heiland, P. Wimberger, J. D. Kuhlmann, K. H. Kellner, S. Schott, C. Plass, M. Platten, C. Gerhauser, S. Trump, C. A. Opitz

Date Published: No date defined

Publication Type: Not specified

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