Coilin interacts with Ku proteins and inhibits in vitro non-homologous DNA end joining

AbstractCoilin is a nuclear protein that plays a role in Cajal body formation. The function of nucleoplasmic coilin is unknown. Here we report that coilin interacts with Ku70 and Ku80, which are major players in the DNA repair process. Ku proteins compete with SMN and SmB′ proteins for coilin interaction sites. The binding domain on coilin for Ku proteins cannot be localized to one discrete region, and only full-length coilin is capable of inhibiting in vitro non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ). Since Ku proteins do not accumulate in CBs, these findings suggest that nucleoplasmic coilin participates in the regulation of DNA repair.Structured summaryMINT-8052983:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) physically interacts (MI:0915) with SmB′ (uniprotkb:P14678) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-8052941:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Ku70 (uniprotkb:P12956) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-8052765:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Ku80 (uniprotkb:P13010) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-8052971:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) physically interacts (MI:0915) with SMN (uniprotkb:Q16637) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-8052957:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Ku80 (uniprotkb:P13010) by competition binding (MI:0405)MINT-8052894, MINT-8052908:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) binds (MI:0407) to Ku80 (uniprotkb:P13010) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-8052804:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Ku80 (uniprotkb:P13010) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-8052925:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) binds (MI:0407) to Ku70 (uniprotkb:P12956) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-8052786:Ku80 (uniprotkb:P13010) physically interacts (MI:0914) with coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) and Ku70 (uniprotkb:P12956) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-8052776:coilin (uniprotkb:P38432) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Ku70 (uniprotkb:P12956) by pull down (MI:0096

ROR1 and ROR2 expression in pancreatic cancer

Background: The Wnt receptors ROR1 and ROR2 are generating increased interest as cancer therapeutic targets but remain understudied in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Compared to canonical Wnt/ β-catenin signalling, the role of noncanonical Wnt signalling in PDAC remains largely unknown. Only one study has investigated the prognostic significance of the noncanonical Wnt signalling receptor, ROR2 in PDAC. No studies have investigated the prognostic role of ROR1 in PDAC. Methods: Here, we performed analysis of ROR1 and ROR2 mRNA expression in three publicly available datasets ICGC-PACA-AU (n = 81), TCGA-PAAD (n = 150) and CPTAC-PDAC (n = 137). ROR1 and ROR2 protein expression from the CPTAC-PDAC discovery cohort were also analysed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the validated anti ROR1 monoclonal antibody (4A5) was performed on the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative (APGI) cohort of PDAC samples (n = 152). Association between ROR1 cytoplasmic staining intensity and clinicopathological parameters including stage, grade and overall survival (OS) was investigated. Results: High ROR1 mRNA expression levels correlated with a favourable OS outcome in all of the ICGC-PACA-AU, TCGA-PAAD and CPTAC-PDAC cohorts. ROR1 protein expression was not associated with stage, grade or OS in the APGI cohort. Conclusion: ROR1 and ROR2 have potential as prognostic markers when measured at the mRNA level in PDAC. Our IHC cohort did not support ROR1 protein expression in predicting OS, and highlighted the discrepancy of prognostic biomarkers when measured by MS, IHC and RNAseq

Identification of unique neoantigen qualities in long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a lethal cancer with fewer than 7% of patients surviving past 5 years. T-cell immunity has been linked to the exceptional outcome of the few long-term survivors1,2, yet the relevant antigens remain unknown. Here we use genetic, immunohistochemical and transcriptional immunoprofiling, computational biophysics, and functional assays to identify T-cell antigens in long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer. Using whole-exome sequencing and in silico neoantigen prediction, we found that tumours with both the highest neoantigen number and the most abundant CD8+ T-cell infiltrates, but neither alone, stratified patients with the longest survival. Investigating the specific neoantigen qualities promoting T-cell activation in long-term survivors, we discovered that these individuals were enriched in neoantigen qualities defined by a fitness model, and neoantigens in the tumour antigen MUC16 (also known as CA125). A neoantigen quality fitness model conferring greater immunogenicity to neoantigens with differential presentation and homology to infectious disease-derived peptides identified long-term survivors in two independent datasets, whereas a neoantigen quantity model ascribing greater immunogenicity to increasing neoantigen number alone did not. We detected intratumoural and lasting circulating T-cell reactivity to both high-quality and MUC16 neoantigens in long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer, including clones with specificity to both high-quality neoantigens and predicted cross-reactive microbial epitopes, consistent with neoantigen molecular mimicry. Notably, we observed selective loss of high-quality and MUC16 neoantigenic clones on metastatic progression, suggesting neoantigen immunoediting. Our results identify neoantigens with unique qualities as T-cell targets in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. More broadly, we identify neoantigen quality as a biomarker for immunogenic tumours that may guide the application of immunotherapies

Targeting DNA Damage Response and Replication Stress in Pancreatic Cancer

Background and aims: Continuing recalcitrance to therapy cements pancreatic cancer (PC) as the most lethal malignancy, which is set to become the second leading cause of cancer death in our society. The study aim was to investigate the association between DNA damage response (DDR), replication stress and novel therapeutic response in PC to develop a biomarker driven therapeutic strategy targeting DDR and replication stress in PC. Methods: We interrogated the transcriptome, genome, proteome and functional characteristics of 61 novel PC patient-derived cell lines to define novel therapeutic strategies targeting DDR and replication stress. Validation was done in patient derived xenografts and human PC organoids. Results: Patient-derived cell lines faithfully recapitulate the epithelial component of pancreatic tumors including previously described molecular subtypes. Biomarkers of DDR deficiency, including a novel signature of homologous recombination deficiency, co-segregates with response to platinum (P < 0.001) and PARP inhibitor therapy (P < 0.001) in vitro and in vivo. We generated a novel signature of replication stress with which predicts response to ATR (P < 0.018) and WEE1 inhibitor (P < 0.029) treatment in both cell lines and human PC organoids. Replication stress was enriched in the squamous subtype of PC (P < 0.001) but not associated with DDR deficiency. Conclusions: Replication stress and DDR deficiency are independent of each other, creating opportunities for therapy in DDR proficient PC, and post-platinum therapy

DNA methylation patterns identify subgroups of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with clinical association

Here we report the DNA methylation profile of 84 sporadic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) with associated clinical and genomic information. We identified three subgroups of PanNETs, termed T1, T2 and T3, with distinct patterns of methylation. The T1 subgroup was enriched for functional tumors and ATRX, DAXX and MEN1 wild-type genotypes. The T2 subgroup contained tumors with mutations in ATRX, DAXX and MEN1 and recurrent patterns of chromosomal losses in half of the genome with no association between regions with recurrent loss and methylation levels. T2 tumors were larger and had lower methylation in the MGMT gene body, which showed positive correlation with gene expression. The T3 subgroup harboured mutations in MEN1 with recurrent loss of chromosome 11, was enriched for grade G1 tumors and showed histological parameters associated with better prognosis. Our results suggest a role for methylation in both driving tumorigenesis and potentially stratifying prognosis in PanNETs

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Nef protein downmodulates the ligands of the activating receptor NKG2D and inhibits natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Natural killer (NK) cells are a major component of the host innate immune defence against various pathogens. Several viruses, including Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), have developed strategies to evade the NK-cell response. This study was designed to evaluate whether HIV-1 could interfere with the expression of NK cell-activating ligands, specifically the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-I-like MICA and ULBP molecules that bind NKG21D, an activating receptor expressed by all NK cells. Results show that the HIV-1 Nef protein downmodulates cell-surface expression of MICA, ULBP1 and ULBP2, with a stronger effect on the latter molecule. The activity on MICA and ULBP2 is well conserved in Nef protein variants derived from HIV-1-infected patients. In HIV-1-infected cells, cell-surface expression of NKG2D ligands increased to a higher extent with a Nef-deficient virus compared with wild-type virus. Mutational analysis of Nef showed that NKG2D ligand downmodulation has structural requirements that differ from those of other reported Nef activities, including HLA-I downmodulation. Finally, data demonstrate that Nef expression has functional consequences on NK-cell recognition, causing a decreased susceptibility to NK cell-mediated lysis. These findings provide a novel insight into the mechanisms evolved by HIV-1 to escape from the NK-cell response

Atypical subtrochanteric and diaphyseal femoral fractures: report of a task force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

Reports linking long-term use of bisphosphonates (BPs) with atypical fractures of the femur led the leadership of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) to appoint a task force to address key questions related to this problem A multidisciplinary expert group reviewed pertinent published reports concerning atypical femur fractures, as well as preclinical studies that could provide insight into their pathogenesis A case definition was developed so that subsequent studies report on the same condition The task force defined major and minor features of complete and incomplete atypical femoral fractures and recommends that all major features including their location in the subtrochantenc region and femoral shaft transverse or short oblique orientation minimal or no associated trauma a medial spike when the fracture is complete and absence of comminution be present to designate a femoral fracture as atypical Minor features include their association with cortical thickening a periosteal reaction of the lateral cortex prodromal pain bilaterality delayed healing, comorbid conditions and concomitant drug exposures including BPs other antiresorptive agents, glucocorticoids, and proton pump inhibitors Preclinical data evaluating the effects of BPs on collagen cross-linking and maturation accumulation of microdamage and advanced glycation end products mineralization remodeling vascularity and angiogenesis lend biologic plausibility to a potential association with long-term BP use Based on published and unpublished data and the widespread use of BPs, the incidence of atypical femoral fractures associated with BP therapy for osteoporosis appears to be very low particularly compared with the number of vertebral hip and other fractures that are prevented by BPs Moreover a causal association between BPs and atypical fractures has not been established However recent observations suggest that the risk rises with increasing duration of exposure, and there is concern that lack of awareness and underreporting may mask the true incidence of the problem Given the relative rarity of atypical femoral fractures the task force recommends that specific diagnostic and procedural codes be created and that an international registry be established to facilitate studies of the clinical and genetic risk factors and optimal surgical and medical management of these fractures Physicians and patients should be made aware of the possibility of atypical femoral fractures and of the potential for bilaterality through a change in labeling of BPs Research directions should include development of animal models, increased surveillance and additional epidemiologic and clinical data to establish the true incidence of and risk factors for this condition and to inform orthopedic and medical management (C) 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral ResearchBone and mineral researc