U.S. patent application number 14/891961 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-14 for neurotensin-induced tumor formation is regulated by micro rna 133a-aftiphilin-dependent receptor recycling.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. The applicant listed for this patent is THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. Invention is credited to Dimitrios ILIOPOULOS, Ka Man LAW, Charalabos POTHOULAKIS.
Application Number | 20160102361 14/891961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51899030 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160102361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
POTHOULAKIS; Charalabos ; et
al. |
April 14, 2016 |
NEUROTENSIN-INDUCED TUMOR FORMATION IS REGULATED BY MICRO RNA
133A-AFTIPHILIN-DEPENDENT RECEPTOR RECYCLING
Abstract
This application discloses methods of treating, preventing, and
diagnosing colorectal cancer and IBD in a subject comprising
administering an effective dose of antisense miR-133.alpha. or
AFTPH to the subject or detecting expression levels of
miR-133.alpha. and AFTPH.
Inventors: |
POTHOULAKIS; Charalabos;
(LOS ANGELES, CA) ; ILIOPOULOS; Dimitrios; (LOS
ANGELES, CA) ; LAW; Ka Man; (LOS ANGELES,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA |
Oakland |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA
OAKLAND
CA
|
Family ID: |
51899030 |
Appl. No.: |
14/891961 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 19, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US14/38624 |
371 Date: |
November 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61824603 |
May 17, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
514/13.2 ;
435/6.12; 514/1.1; 514/19.2; 514/19.3; 514/44A |
Current CPC
Class: |
C12N 15/113 20130101;
A61P 35/00 20180101; C12N 2310/14 20130101; A61K 38/1709 20130101;
C12Q 1/6886 20130101; C12N 2310/113 20130101; C07K 14/47 20130101;
C12N 15/1135 20130101; C12N 2310/141 20130101; A61K 38/00 20130101;
C12N 15/86 20130101; C12Q 2600/178 20130101; C12N 2310/3231
20130101; C12N 2310/11 20130101; C12N 2740/15043 20130101; C12Q
2600/158 20130101; C12N 2320/30 20130101; C12Q 1/6883 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C12Q 1/68 20060101
C12Q001/68; A61K 38/17 20060101 A61K038/17; C12N 15/113 20060101
C12N015/113 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENT RIGHTS
[0002] This invention was made with Government support of Grant No.
DK60729, awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The
Government has certain rights in the invention.
Claims
1. A method of treating colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel
disease in a subject, the treatment comprising administering an
effective dose of antisense miR-133.alpha..
2. (canceled)
3. A method of diagnosing colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel
disease in a subject wherein an increased expression of
miR-133.alpha. is detected, wherein the increased expression of
miR-133.alpha. compared to a control subject is indicative of the
presence of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease or the
likelihood of the colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
progressing.
4. (canceled)
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the antisense miR-133.alpha. is
administered intracolonically.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the antisense miR-133.alpha. is
expressed by a lentivirus.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the antisense miR-133.alpha.
expressing lentivirus is administered intravenously.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the antisense miR-133.alpha. is a
locked nucleic acid based miR-133.alpha..
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the locked nucleic acid based
miR-133.alpha. is administered intracolonically.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the colorectal cancer is a
cancer selected from a group comprising carcinomas, adenomatous
polyps, adenocarcinomas, colonic carcinoids, colonic polyps,
colorectal callous ademomas, colon cancer, bowel cancer, rectal
cancer, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and
lymphyomas.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the inflammatory bowel disease
is selected from a group comprising Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis, colitis, collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis,
ischaemic colitis, diversion colitis, Behcet's disease, and
indeterminate colitis.
12. A method of treating colorectal cancer or inflammato bowe
disease in a subject, the treatment comprising administering an
effective dose of a AFTPH polypeptide.
13. (canceled)
14. A method of diagnosing colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel
disease in a subject wherein a decreased expression of AFTPH is
detected, wherein the decreased expression of AFTPH compared to a
control subject is indicative of the presence of colorectal cancer
or inflammatory bowel disease or the likelihood of the colorectal
cancer or inflammatory bowel disease progressing.
15. (canceled)
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the AFTPH polypeptide is
expressed by a lentivirus.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the AFTPH polypeptide is
administered intracolonically or intravenously.
18. (canceled)
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the lentivirus expressing AFTPH
polypeptide is administered intravenously.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein the AFTPH polypeptide is a
modified AFTPH polypeptide.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the modified AFTPH polypeptide
is administered by direct administration to a tumor.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the modified AFTPH polypeptide
is administered intravenously or intraperitoneally.
23. (canceled)
24. The method of claim 12, wherein the colorectal cancer is a
cancer selected from a group comprising carcinomas, adenomatous
polyps, adenocarcinomas, colonic carcinoids, colonic polyps,
colorectal callous ademomas, colon cancer, bowel cancer, rectal
cancer, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and
lymphomas.
25. The method of claim 12 wherein the irritable bowel syndrome
disease is selected from a group comprising Crohn's disease,
ulcerative colitis, colitis, collagenous colitis, lymphocytic
colitis, ischaemic colitis, diversion colitis, Behcet's disease,
and indeterminate colitis.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the subjectis a mammal.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the subject is a human.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/824,603, filed May 17, 2013, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all
purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in
the developed world with an overall incidence of 5% in the general
population. The 5-year survival rate ranges from 40-60%, although
surgical intervention can cure up to 90% of patients if the disease
is detected at the early stage. Currently, fecal occult blood test
(FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and double contrast barium enema
(DCBE) are used for CRC screening, but in some cases, small polyps
may be missed. Therefore, intense research efforts are focusing in
the development of novel biomarkers for detection of the disease.
Moreover, the identified biomarkers may by themselves represent a
pharmaceutical target of CRC.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This application presents novel methods of detection,
diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment of inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD) and cancers, specifically colorectal cancers
(CRCs).
[0005] IBD, inclusive of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's
disease (CD), is a chronic inflammatory disease of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. At present, monoclonal antibodies
against TNF-.alpha. remains one of the most effective treatments
against IBD, in addition, aminosalicylates, corticosteroids and
immunosuppresants are also used. However, due to the multi
factorial nature of the disease, flare-ups of the disease and side
effects associated with the different treatment approaches, in
particular corticosteroids are common. Although both genetic and
environmental factors contribute to IBD pathogenesis, epigenetic
regulators, such as microRNAs may also play an important role in
IBD.
[0006] CRC is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum.
Although early intervention by surgery can cure up to 90% patients,
CRC is often diagnosed at an advance stage. Colonoscopy remains one
of the most sensitive CRC screening tests currently available.
Genetic testing of stool DNA is under examination for the
feasibility as screening tools. On the other hand, depending on the
stages, CRC can be treated by either surgery alone or in
combination with chemotherapy. Novel therapeutic modalities are
still actively sought. Research by others has shown that AFTPH
consists of binding sites with other proteins involved in
endocytosis and is crucial to intracellular transport. Our evidence
both in vitro (human cancer cell lines) and in vivo (mouse
xenograph model) shows that reducing AFTPH levels promotes tumor
growth. In addition, we have also shown that AFTPH levels decrease
in colon cancer tissue samples when compared to colonic biopsies
from normal subjects. Thus, AFTPH represents a novel candidate for
CRC screening and a novel therapeutic target for CRC.
[0007] G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) recycling allows cell
resensitization to ligand stimulation and sustains signaling.
Although microRNAs regulate many physiological functions, their
involvement in GPCR recycling is unknown. We have reported that the
neuropeptide neurotensin is involved in the pathophysiology of
colon cancer and intestinal inflammation. We also showed that
recycling of the GPCR neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) regulates
proliferative and pro-inflammatory responses in colonocytes. Here,
we show that in human colonocytes, NT increases miR-133.alpha.
expression that enhances NTR1 recycling, but not endocytosis,
through direct down-regulation of aftiphilin (AFTPH), a protein
associated with trafficking NTR1 induced miR-133.alpha. expression
by reducing binding of Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)
to the miR-133.alpha. promoter. MiR-133.alpha.-regulated NTR1
recycling was linked to NT-associated tumor formation. Increased
miR-133.alpha. and decreased AFTPH mRNA expression was found in
human colon cancers, while miR133.alpha. and AFTPH mRNA levels were
correlated with tumor stage. Thus, we demonstrate a novel mechanism
of a GPCR recycling through microRNA expression that may provide a
new target for therapeutic approaches in colon cancer.
[0008] Neurotensin (NT) is a 13-amino acid neuropeptide expressed
in the central nervous system and the intestine (Polak, J. M., et
al., 1977. Specific localisation of neurotensin to the N cell in
human intestine by radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry. Nature
270:183-184; Castagliuolo, I., et al., 1999. Neurotensin is a
proinflammatory neuropeptide in colonic inflammation. J Clin Invest
103:843-849). Its high affinity G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)
neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR1) (Tanaka, K., et al., 1990. Structure
and functional expression of the cloned rat neurotensin receptor.
Neuron 4:847-854) is overexpressed in colon cancer cell lines
(Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011. Neurotensin Signaling Activates
MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt, Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and
Is Increased in Human Colon Tumors. Gastroenterology
141:1749-1761.e1741) and intestinal tumors (Gui, X., et al., 2008.
Increased neurotensin receptor-1 expression during progression of
colonic adenocarcinoma. Peptides 29:1609-1615).
[0009] In the intestine, NTR1 signaling promotes both proliferation
and inflammation through MAP kinase and NF-.kappa.B pathways
(Castagliuolo, I., Wang, C. C., Valenick, L., Pasha, A.,
Nikulasson, S., Carraway, R. E., and Pothoulakis, C. 1999.
Neurotensin is a proinflammatory neuropeptide in colonic
inflammation. J Clin Invest 103:843-849; Zhao, D., et al., 2004.
Metalloproteinase-dependent transforming growth factor-alpha
release mediates neurotensin-stimulated MAP kinase activation in
human colonic epithelial cells. J Biol Chem 279:43547-43554; Zhao,
D., et al., 2007. Neurotensin stimulates expression of early growth
response gene-1 and EGF receptor through MAP kinase activation in
human colonic epithelial cells. Int J Cancer 120:1652-1656; Zhao,
D., et al., 2001. Signal transduction pathways mediating
neurotensin-stimulated interleukin-8 expression in human
colonocytes. J Biol Chem 276:44464-44471). NTR1 activation induces
differential expression of 38 microRNAs in human colonocytes
overexpressing NTR1 (NCM460-NTR1) (Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011.
Neurotensin Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt,
Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon
Tumors. Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741).
[0010] MicroRNAs are short (19-25 nucleotides), single-stranded RNA
molecules, acting as negative transcriptional or
post-transcriptional regulators. They bind to the 3' untranslated
regions (UTRs) of transcripts (McKenna, et al., 2010. MicroRNAs
control intestinal epithelial differentiation, architecture, and
barrier function. Gastroenterology 139:1654-1664, 1664 e1651) and
lead to messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation, or inhibition of
translation into protein (Bartel, D. P. 2009. MicroRNAs: target
recognition and regulatory functions. Cell 136:215-233). MicroRNAs
regulate many physiological functions, including inflammation
(Contreras, J., et al., 2012. MicroRNAs in inflammation and immune
responses. Leukemia 26:404-413), metabolism (Rottiers, V., et al.,
2012. MicroRNAs in metabolism and metabolic disorders. Nat Rev Mol
Cell Biol 13:239-250) and cancer development (Croce, C. M. 2009.
Causes and consequences of microRNA dysregulation in cancer. Nat
Rev Genet 10:704-714), including colon cancer (Schetter, A. J., et
al., 2011. Alterations of microRNAs contribute to colon
carcinogenesis. Semin Oncol 38:734-742).
[0011] NTR1 is a "class B" receptor with sustained and high
affinity binding to .beta.-arrestins, which control receptor
desensitization and endocytosis (Oakley, R. H., et al., 2000.
Differential affinities of visual arrestin, beta arrestinl, and
beta arrestin2 for G protein-coupled receptors delineate two major
classes of receptors. J Biol Chem 275:17201-17210; Oakley, R. H.,
et al., 2001. Molecular determinants underlying the formation of
stable intracellular G protein-coupled receptor-beta-arrestin
complexes after receptor endocytosis. J Biol Chem 276:19452-19460).
The activated NTR1 internalizes with .beta.-arrestins in
NCM460-NTR1 cells and recycles from Rab5a.sup.- early endosomes in
a endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1)-dependent manner (Law, I.
K. M., et al., 2012. Neurotensin-induced pro-inflammatory signaling
in human colonocytes is regulated by beta-arrestins and
endothelin-converting enzyme-dependent endocytosis and
re-sensitization of NT receptor 1. Journal of Biological
Chemistry).
[0012] GPCR trafficking regulates signaling since receptor
interaction with .beta.-arrestins mediates desensitization and
endocytosis, and receptor recycling generally mediates
resensitization (Schmidlin, F., et al., 2001. Dynamin and
Rab5a-dependent trafficking and signaling of the neurokinin 1
receptor. J Biol Chem 276:25427-25437; Roosterman, D., et al.,
2007. Endothelin-converting enzyme 1 degrades neuropeptides in
endosomes to control receptor recycling. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
104:11838-11843).
[0013] When cells are continuously exposed to NT, NTR1 recycling
and resensitization are required for sustained signaling (Law, I.
K. M., et al., 2012. Neurotensin-induced pro-inflammatory signaling
in human colonocytes is regulated by beta-arrestins and
endothelin-converting enzyme-dependent endocytosis and
re-sensitization of NT receptor 1. Journal of Biological
Chemistry). Since differential microRNA expression in response to
NT in human colonocytes (Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011. Neurotensin
Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt, Promotes Tumor
Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon Tumors.
Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741) coincides with NTR1
internalization and recycling to the plasma membrane (Law, I. K.
M., et al., 2012. Neurotensin-induced pro-inflammatory signaling in
human colonocytes is regulated by beta-arrestins and
endothelin-converting enzyme-dependent endocytosis and
re-sensitization of NT receptor 1. Journal of Biological
Chemistry), we hypothesized that some of the NT-regulated microRNAs
may play a role in these processes.
[0014] Our results indicate that NT-induced miR-133.alpha.
expression regulates NTR1 recycling to the plasma membrane. We show
that aftiphilin (AFTPH) is a downstream target of miR-133.alpha.
that regulates NTR1 recycling as well as colonic tumor growth in
vitro and in vivo. This is the first study providing evidence for
an important role of microRNAs in regulation of GPCR recycling that
is linked to development of colon cancer.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In a first embodiment, this invention comprises a method of
treating colorectal cancer in a subject. In certain embodiments,
the treatment comprises administering an effective dose of
antisense miR-133.alpha..
[0016] In a second embodiment, this invention comprises a method of
treating inflammatory bowel disease in a subject. In certain
embodiments the treatment comprises administering an effective dose
of antisense miR-133.alpha..
[0017] In a third embodiment, this invention comprises a method of
diagnosing colorectal cancer in a subject wherein an increased
expression of miR-133.alpha. is detected, wherein the increased
expression of miR-133.alpha. compared to a control subject is
indicative of the presence of colorectal cancer or the likelihood
of the colorectal cancer progressing.
[0018] In a fourth embodiment, this invention comprises a method of
diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease in a subject wherein an
increased expression of miR-133.alpha. is detected, wherein the
increased expression of miR-133.alpha. compared to a control
subject is indicative of the presence of inflammatory bowel disease
or the likelihood of the inflammatory bowel disease
progressing.
[0019] In any of the first four embodiments, the antisense
miR-133.alpha. can be administered intracolonically. In any of the
first four embodiments, the antisense miR-133.alpha. is expressed
by a lentivirus. In specific embodiments, the antisense
miR-133.alpha. expressing lentivirus is administered
intravenously.
[0020] In any of the first four embodiments, the antisense
miR-133.alpha. is a locked nucleic acid based miR-133.alpha.. In a
specific embodiment, the locked nucleic acid based miR-133.alpha.
is administered intracolonically.
[0021] In any of the above described embodiments, the colorectal
cancer is a cancer selected from a group comprising carcinomas,
adenomatous polyps, adenocarcinomas, colonic carcinoids, colonic
polyps, colorectal callous ademomas, colon cancer, bowel cancer,
rectal cancer, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors,
and lymphomas.
[0022] In any of the above described embodiments, the irritable
bowel syndrome disease is selected from a group comprising Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, colitis, collagenous colitis,
lymphocytic colitis, ischaemic colitis, diversion colitis, Behcet's
disease, and indeterminate colitis.
[0023] In a fifth embodiment, this invention comprises a method of
treating colorectal cancer in a subject. In certain embodiments the
treatment comprises administering an effective dose of a AFTPH
polypeptide.
[0024] In a sixth embodiment, this invention comprises a method of
treating inflammatory bowel disease in a subject. In certain
embodiments the treatment comprises administering an effective dose
of a AFTPH polypeptide.
[0025] In a seventh embodiment, this invention comprises a method
of diagnosing colorectal cancer in a subject wherein a decreased
expression of AFTPH is detected, wherein the decreased expression
of AFTPH compared to a control subject is indicative of the
presence of colorectal cancer or the likelihood of the colorectal
cancer progressing.
[0026] In an eighth embodiment, this invention comprises a method
of diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease in a subject wherein a
decreased expression of AFTPH is detected, wherein the decreased
expression of AFTPH compared to a control subject is indicative of
the presence of inflammatory bowel disease or the likelihood of the
inflammatory bowel disease progressing.
[0027] In specific embodiments, the AFTPH gene is expressed by a
lentivirus. In specific embodiments the AFTPH polypeptide is
administered intracolonically. In specific embodiments, the
lentivirus expressing the AFTPH gene is administered intravenously.
In specific embodiments the lentivirus expressing AFTPH gene is
administered intravenously. In specific embodiments, the AFTPH
polypeptide is a modified AFTPH polypeptide. In specific
embodiments, the modified AFTPH polypeptide is administered by
direct administration to a tumor. In specific embodiments, the
modified AFTPH polypeptide is administered intravenously. In
specific embodiments, the modified AFTPH polypeptide is
administered intraperitoneally.
[0028] In any of the above described embodiments, the colorectal
cancer is a cancer selected from a group comprising carcinomas,
adenomatous polyps, adenocarcinomas, colonic carcinoids, colonic
polyps, colorectal callous ademomas, colon cancer, bowel cancer,
rectal cancer, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors,
and lymphomas.
[0029] In any of the above described embodiments, the irritable
bowel syndrome disease is selected from a group comprising Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, colitis, collagenous colitis,
lymphocytic colitis, ischaemic colitis, diversion colitis, Behcet's
disease, and indeterminate colitis.
[0030] In any of the above described embodiments, the subject is a
mammal. In any of the above described embodiments, the subject is a
human.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1A-B. FIG. 1A-B shows that MiR-133.alpha.
downregulation inhibits receptor recycling. FIG. 1A shows NTR1
localization in NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected with control or
antisense miR-133.alpha.. Cells were incubated with vehicle or NT
(100 nM) for 1 h, washed and recovered in NT-free medium for 3 h or
6 h. (arrows, intracellular NTR1; arrowheads, membrane-associated
NTR1). Scale, 10 .mu.m. FIG. 1B shows that Mean Fluorescence
Intensity (MFI) was measured in the intracellular and cell surface
associated NTR1 labeling and the surface and intracellular values
were expressed as a ratio (upper panels) and percentage of
membrane-associated NTR1 vs total cellular receptor was calculated
in each treatment group (lower panel). *P<0.05 when compared to
vehicle control group and #P<0.05 when compared to antisense
control treatment.
[0032] FIG. 2A-B. FIG. 2A-B shows downregulation of miRs: 140, 21,
210, 155, 23a, 23 beta ((3), 331-5p do not affect NTR1 recycling.
FIG. 2A shows NTR1 localization in NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected
with control or antisense miRNA against miR-140, miR-21, miR-210,
miR-155, miR-23a, miR-23 beta ((3) and miR-331-5p in vehicle
control, 100 nM NT treatment for 1 h, 3 h and 6 h after recovery in
NT-free medium. (arrows, intracellular NTR1; arrowheads,
membrane-associated NTR1) Scale, 10 .mu.m. FIG. 2B shows the
percentage of membrane-associated NTR1 vs total cellular receptors
in different treatments. *P<0.05.
[0033] FIG. 3A-B. FIG. 3A-B shows overexpession of miR-133.alpha.
enhances NT-induced NF-kappa (.kappa.) B signaling. FIG. 3A shows
an IL-8 ELISA on conditioned media from NCM460-NTR1 cells
transfected with control miRNA precursors or miR-133.alpha.
precursors 6 h after vehicle or 100 nM NT treatment. FIG. 3B shows
Western blot analysis of ERK1/2 and NF-.kappa.B phosphorylation in
NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected with control miRNA precursors or
miR-133.alpha. precursors 2 days prior to 100 nM NT treatment for 5
min and 1 h respectively. *P<0.05 when compared to vehicle
control treatment, #P<0.05 when compared to vehicle control
treatment in miR-133.alpha.-overexpressed group.
[0034] FIG. 4A-E. FIG. 4A-E shows AFTPH is the binding target of
miR-133.alpha.. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the complementary
binding site of miR-133.alpha. in AFTPH 3' UTR in different
species. FIG. 4B shows the qPCR analysis of AFTPH levels in
NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected with control and antisense
miR-133.alpha. 2 days prior to NT treatment (100 nM) for 30 min.
FIG. 4C shows a luciferase activity assay of NCM460-NTR1 cells with
the above mentioned treatment and exposed to 100 nM NT for 1 h.
FIG. 4D shows a luciferase activity assay of cells transfected with
plasmids of AFTPH 3' UTR with or without miR-133.alpha. binding
site 2 days prior to NT (100 nM) treatment for 1 h. FIG. 4E shows a
luciferase activity assay of HEK293 cells transfected with control
or miR-133.alpha. precursors 2 days in prior. *P<0.05 when
compared to vehicle treatment or control group.
[0035] FIG. 5A-D. FIG. 5A-D shows that AFTPH regulates NTR1
recycling. FIG. 5A shows the localization of AFTPH and TGN38 in
untreated NCM460-NTR1 cells. FIG. 5B shows the localization of NTR1
and AFTPH in untreated NCM460-NTR1 cells. FIG. 5C shows the
localization of NTR1 in NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected with control
si-RNAs and siRNAs against AFTPH, and FIG. 5D shows 10 nM Brefeldin
A-treatment, followed by treatment with vehicle control, 100 nM NT
treatment, 3 h and 6 h in NT-free medium after NT treatment.
Arrows, intracellular NTR1; arrowheads, membrane-associated NTR1.
Scale, 10 .mu.m (10 micrometers).
[0036] FIG. 6A-B. FIG. 6A-B shows that TGN-localized AFTPH gene
silencing promotes NTR1 recycling. FIG. 6A shows Mean Fluorescence
Intensity (MFI) of membrane-associated NTR1 in NCM460-NTR1 cells
transfected with control siRNAs or si-RNAs against AFTPH 2 days
prior to treatment. FIG. 6B shows percentage of membrane-associated
NTR1 vs total cellular receptors in NCM460-NTR1 cells were
calculated in each treatment. *P<0.05, when compared to vehicle
control treatment.
[0037] FIG. 7A-G. FIG. 7A-G shows that ZEB1 is the negative
transcription regulator of miR-133.alpha.. FIG. 7A is a diagram
showing the complementary ZEB1 binding site in miR-133.alpha.
promoter. FIG. 7B shows the qPCR analysis of miR-133.alpha. levels
in NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected with control si-RNAs or si-RNAs
against ZEB1 2 days prior to 100 nM NT exposure for 1 h. FIG. 7C
shows a luciferase activity assay of NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected
with AFTPH 3' UTR luciferase and control si-RNAs or si-RNAs against
ZEB1 (FIG. 7D) qPCR analysis of AFTPH levels in cells with the
above mentioned treatment. FIG. 7E shows a
chromatin-immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) of ZEB1 binding sites
from NCM460-NTR1 cells incubated with vehicle control or 100 nM NT
for 1 hr (FIG. 7F) MiR-133.alpha. promoter-driven luciferase
activity assay of cells transfected with control si-RNAs and
si-RNAs against ZEB 1 2 days prior to 100 nM NT exposure for 1 h.
FIG. 7G shows a luciferase activity assay of NCM460-NTR1 cells
transfected with miR-133.alpha. promoter with or without ZEB1
binding site 2 days prior to 100 nM NT treatment, 1 h. *P<0.05
when compared to vehicle treatment in control group.
[0038] FIG. 8A-E. FIG. 8A-E shows that MiR-133.alpha. and AFTPH
regulate tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. FIG. 8A shows tumor
volume measured from mice xenografts induced by injection of
HCT-116 and SW480 cells and treated with vehicle control or NT and
antisense miRNA control (as-miR-control) or antisense
miR-133.alpha. (as-miR-133.alpha.) at day 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30.
FIG. 8B shows qPCR analysis of miR-133.alpha., AFTPH and IL-8 mRNA
levels in tumors from the above mentioned treatment. FIG. 8C shows
anchorage-independent colony formation of HCT-116 and SW480 cells
transfected with control siRNAs (si-control) and siRNAs against
AFTPH (si-AFTPH). FIG. 8D shows tumor invasion assay of HCT-116 and
SW480 of the above mentioned treatment. FIG. 8E shows tumor volume
measured from mice xenografts induced by injection of HCT-116 and
SW480 cells and treated with control siRNAs (si-control) and siRNAs
against AFTPH (si-AFTPH) at day 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. *P<0.05
when compared to untreated cells or mice.
[0039] FIG. 9A-B. FIG. 9A-B shows that MiR-133.alpha. plays a
central role in tumor growth in vivo. FIG. 9A shows tumor volume
measured from mice xenograft induced by injection of HCT-116 and
SW480 cells and treated with vehicle control or miR-133.alpha.
precusor and antisense miRNA control or antisense miR-133.alpha. at
day 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30. FIG. 9B shows qPCR analysis of AFTPH
mRNA levels in tumors from the above mentioned treatment.
*P<0.05 when compared to untreated mice.
[0040] FIG. 10A-E. FIG. 10A-E shows that MiR-133.alpha. levels
correlates with colon cancer progression. FIG. 10A shows qPCR
analysis of miR-133.alpha. levels in human control (n=5) and colon
cancer (n=43) tissues. FIG. 10B shows qPCR analysis of AFTPH levels
in the same control and colon cancer tissues. FIG. 10C shows linear
regression of AFTPH levels and miR-133a levels in human tumor
tissues. FIG. 10D shows qPCR analysis of miR-133.alpha. levels in
human colon cancer tissues from stage I (n=6), II (n=18), III
(n=14) and IV (n=5). FIG. 10E shows qPCR analysis of AFTPH levels
in human colon cancer tissues from stage Ito IV.
[0041] FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows that Brefeldin A attenuates colony
formation in vitro. Anchorage-independent colony formation of
untreated or Brefeldin A-treated (2.5 .mu.g/ml, 5 .mu.g/ml, 10
.mu.g/ml) SW480 cells. *P<0.05 when compared to vehicle
treatment; #P<0.05 when compared to NT treatment.
[0042] FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows that MiR-133.alpha. is upregulated in
samples from experimental colitis. miR-133.alpha. expression was
examined in colon tissues in C57/BL6J mice with experimental
colitis. C57/BL6J male mice received intracolonic administration of
2,4,6-TNBS (500 mg/kg) or DSS (5% w/v in drinking water) and colon
tissues were collected at day 2 and 5 respectively. Expression of
miR-133.alpha. was significantly increased in both TNBS- and
DSS-induced colitis (P<0.01).
[0043] FIG. 13A-B. FIG. 13A-B shows that miR-133.alpha. and AFTPH
levels are differentially regulated in UC patients. FIG. 13A shows
qPCR analysis of miR-133.alpha. levels were increased in UC
patients (n=12) when compared to normal subjects (n=9). FIG. 13B
shows qPCR analysis of AFTPH levels were decreased in UC patients
when compared to normal control in the same group of samples
(*P<0.05, **P<0.01).
[0044] FIG. 14. FIG. 14 shows that an overexpression of
miR-133.alpha. increases pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in
vitro. We have previously shown that miR-133.alpha. is expressed in
human colonocyte cell line NCM460. Here we show the role of
miR-133.alpha. in pro-inflammatory signaling in vitro.
Overexpression of miR-133.alpha. in human colonocytes increased
IL-8 secretion by .about.3 fold (P=0.0001).
[0045] FIG. 15. FIG. 15 shows the role of miR-133.alpha. in
pro-inflammatory signaling. Pro-inflammatory responses were induced
by neurotensin (100 nM), a neuropeptide/hormone and a mediator of
intestinal inflammation in human colonocytes. Cells lysates were
collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 min after neurotensin
exposure. Moreover, overexpression of miR-133.alpha. in human
colonic epithelial NCM460 cells resulted in a stronger basal and
more sustained NF-.kappa.B activation. This suggests that
miR-133.alpha. plays an important role in regulating
pro-inflammatory signaling in human colonocytes.
[0046] FIG. 16. FIG. 16 shows that miR-133.alpha. silencing in
human colonic epithelial NCM460 cells (by antisense miR-133.alpha.
treatment) attenuated mRNA expression of the proinflammatory
cytokines IL-6 (P=0.0372) and IL-8 (P=0.0266) by by 40% and 50%
respectively. This, along with the data presented in FIGS. 14 and
15 suggests that miR-133.alpha. plays an important role in
regulating pro-inflammatory signaling in human colonocytes.
[0047] FIG. 17A-D. FIG. 17A-D shows that antisense miR-133.alpha.
attenuated the development of TNBS-induced colitis. We have further
examined the effect of miR-133.alpha. knock-down in experimental
colitis. Two doses of antisense miR-133.alpha. were administered to
C57BL/6J mice via intracolonic route at 24 h and 48 h prior to
TNBS-experimental colitis induction as stated above. Colonic
tissues were collected 2 days after experimental colitis induction.
FIG. 17A shows qPCR analysis of miR-133.alpha. levels were reduced
in antisense miR-133.alpha.-treated mice when compared to mice
received control antisense miR (as-miR-control). FIG. 17B shows the
representative histological images of colon tissues from mice with
the treatments stated above. FIG. 17C shows the scores from
histological examination of the colon tissues from mice treated as
stated above. There was significant improvement in mucosal
integrity and neutrophil infiltration. When compared to control
group, antisense miR-133.alpha.-treated mice had a significantly
lower total histological score (*P<0.05, **P<0.01,
***P<0.005). FIG. 17D shows a reduced production of
proinflammatory cytokines such as lipocalin 2 (lcn2), TNF-.alpha.
and cxc11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Overview
[0048] This is the first report of miR-133.alpha. upregulation in
colon cancer progression in humans that can also predict CRC stage.
This is also the first report showing that miR-133.alpha. induces
NFKB p65 phosphorylation in human colonocytes. Accordingly, in
certain embodiments, miR-133.alpha. knockdown treatment can be used
to reduce tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.
[0049] As described herein, certain embodiments of this application
disclose that increased microRNA-133.alpha. levels in biopsy
samples from colorectal cancer of all tumor stages, including early
stage. In certain embodiments, this application discloses that
increased miR-133.alpha. expression levels are correlated with the
severity of tumor development in human colon cancers. In certain
embodiments, intratumoral reduction of miR-133.alpha. also reduced
tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Accordingly, as described
herein, miR-133.alpha. can be used as a CRC screening biomarker and
a pharmaceutical target for therapy of CRC.
[0050] In certain embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment
can be used to attenuate tumor colony formation in human cancer
cells. In specific embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment
can be used to attenuate tumor colony formation in human CRC. In
specific embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment can be
used to attenuate tumor colony formation in human cancer cell lines
HCT-116 and SW480.
[0051] In certain embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment
can be used to reduce cell invasiveness in human cancer cells. In
certain embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used
to reduce cell invasiveness in human CRC. In certain embodiments,
antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used to reduce cell
invasiveness in human cancer cell lines HCT-116 and SW480.
[0052] In specific embodiments, 50 nM, or 60 nM, or 70 nM, or 80
nM, or 90 nM, or 100 nM, or 120 nM, or 140 nM, or 160 nM, or 180
nM, or 200 nM, or any combination thereof, miR-133.alpha. treatment
can be used to reduce human colonic adenocarcinoma. In specific
embodiments, 50 nM, or 60 nM, or 70 nM, or 80 nM, or 90 nM, or 100
nM, or 120 nM, or 140 nM, or 160 nM, or 180 nM, or 200 nM, or any
combination thereof, miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used to
prevent cell invasion of human colonic adenocarcinoma cells. In
specific embodiments, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg,
6 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 9 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg,
40 mg/kg, or 50 mg/kg, or 60 mg/kg, or 70 mg/kg, or 80 mg/kg, or 90
mg/kg, or 100 mg/kg or any combination thereof, miR-133.alpha.
treatment can be used to suppress CRC tumor growth in vivo and in
vitro when administered intratumorally. In specific embodiments 20
mg/kg miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used to suppress CRC tumor
growth in vivo and in vitro when administered intratumorally. In
specific embodiments 30 mg/kg miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used
to suppress CRC tumor growth in vivo and in vitro when administered
intratumorally. In specific embodiments 40 mg/kg miR-133.alpha.
treatment can be used to suppress CRC tumor growth in vivo and in
vitro when administered intratumorally. In specific embodiments 50
mg/kg miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used to suppress CRC tumor
growth in vivo and in vitro when administered intratumorally.
[0053] In certain embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment
can be administered intratumorally to mediate its tumor suppressing
effect. In certain embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment
can be administered intratumorally, intracolonically,
intravenously, subcutaneously, orally, or topically. In certain
embodiments, the antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used to
suppress or stop tumor growth, to kill or destroy tumor cells, to
prevent tumor growth, or to suppress or prevent tumor metastases.
The methods of administration and targeted anti-tumor action are
non-limiting examples of antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment.
[0054] In specific embodiments, the antisense miR-133.alpha.
treatment is an antisense miR-133.alpha. oligonucleotide(s). In a
specific embodiment, the oligonucleotide(s) are administered to a
patient with CRC intracolonically. In specific embodiments, the
antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment is an antisense miR-133.alpha.
expressing lentivirus. In a specific embodiment, the antisense
miR-133.alpha. expressing lentivirus is administered intravenously.
In specific embodiments, the antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment is
a locked nucleic acid-based miR-133.alpha.. In a specific
embodiment, the locked nucleic acid-based miR-133.alpha. is
administerd to pateitns with CRC intracolonically.
[0055] Furthermore, this is the first report showing increased
miR-133.alpha. expression in experimental models of colitis or in
tissues of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This is also
the first report to show that miR-133.alpha. modulates inflammation
of any etiology. Thus, it is shown herein that miR-133.alpha. is
expressed in human colonic epithelial cells and that its
overexpression induces increased expression of activated
(phosphorylated) NF-.kappa.B p65, a known global mediator of
inflammation. It is also shown that overexpression of
miR-133.alpha. in human colonic epithelial cells results in
increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-8,
one of the most important neutrophil chemoattractans in IBD. It is
also shown that intracolonic administration of antisense
miR-133.alpha. inhibits colonic inflammation (colitis) in a mouse
experimental colitis model, as indicated by improved mucosal
integrity, lower neutrophil infiltration and total histological
score in the colon. It is also shown that increased miR-133.alpha.
levels in colonic biopsies from patients with ulcerative
colitis.
[0056] Moreover, there are currently no publications linking
miR-133.alpha. with inflammation of any etiology, including IBD.
miR-133.alpha. had not been linked to any proinflammatory signaling
pathway apart from our own data included in the attached MS (link
to the global mediator of inflammation NF-.kappa.B) until this
disclosure. As described herein, miR-133.alpha. is expressed in
human colonic epithelial cells and that its overexpression induces
increased expression of activated (phosphorylated) NF-.kappa.B p65,
a known global mediator of inflammation. Furthermore,
overexpression of miR-133.alpha. in human colonic epithelial cells
results in increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine
interleukin-8, one of the most important neutrophil chemoattractans
in IBD.
[0057] As described herein, certain embodiments of this application
disclose that miR-133.alpha. levels are increased in colonic
biopsies of patients with UC. Overexpression of miR-133.alpha. in
human colonic epithelial cells promoted phosphorylation of the p65
subunit of the global mediator of inflammation NF-.kappa.B. In an
experimental colitis model, antagonism of miR-133.alpha. by
antisense miR-133.alpha. reduces histologic colitis damage. These
evidences suggest that miR-133.alpha. may be an important mediator
of colitis and possibly inflammation of other organs, a
pharmaceutical target for IBD treatment, as well as a biomarker for
UC.
[0058] In certain embodiments, intracolonic administration of
antisense miR-133.alpha. inhibits colonic inflammation (colitis),
as indicated by improved mucosal integrity, lower neutrophil
infiltration and total histological score in the colon. In certain
embodiments, ulcerative colitis can be detected by an increased
miR-133.alpha. levels in colonic biopsies.
[0059] Furthermore, it is disclosed herein that Overexpression of
miR-133.alpha. (100 nM) induces NF-.kappa.B p65 phosphorylation and
increased IL-8 secretion in human NCM460 colonocytes. Accordingly,
in certain embodiments antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment can be
used to attenuate intestinal inflammation in experimental colitis
when administered via the intracolonic route.
[0060] In certain embodiments, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment
can be administered intracolonically, intravenously,
subcutaneously, orally, or topically to treat IBD. In certain
embodiments, the antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment can be used to
suppress or stop IBD or to prevent IBD. The methods of
administration and targeted treatment and prevention of IBD are
non-limiting examples of antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment.
[0061] In specific embodiments, the antisense miR-133.alpha. oligo
can be administered to patients to treat IBD. In specific
embodiments, the antisense miR-133.alpha. oligo can be administered
to patients with IBD intracolonically. In specific embodiments, the
antisense miR-133.alpha. expressing lentivirus can be administered
to patients to treat IBD. In specific embodiments, the antisense
miR-133.alpha. expressing lentivirus can be administered to
patients to treat IBD via intravenous administration. In specific
embodiments, locked nucleic acid-based miR-133.alpha. (a more
stable form) can be administered to patients to treat IBD. In
specific embodiments, locked nucleic acid-based miR-133.alpha. (a
more stable form) can be administered to patients to treat IBD
intracolonically. In specific embodiments, levels of miR-133.alpha.
alone or in combination with other biomarkers can predict UC and/or
follow disease progression.
[0062] Furthermore, this is the first report showing AFTPH
downregulation in human CRC. This is also the first report showing
that AFTPH gene silencing promotes tumor growth in vitro and in
vivo. As described for the first time herein, AFTPH gene silencing
promotes tumor colony formation in human cancer cell. As described
herein for the first time, AFTPH gene silencing promotes cell
invasiveness in human cancers.
[0063] As described herein, certain embodiments of this application
disclose that a reduction in AFTPH levels in biopsy samples is
evident in all colorectal cancer tumor stages, and correlated with
the severity of tumor development. In certain embodiments,
intratumoral reduction of AFTPH also promoted tumor growth in mouse
xenograft model. Accordingly, AFTPH can be used as a CRC screening
biomarker and pharmaceutical target.
[0064] In specific embodiments, this application shows that AFTPH
gene silencing promotes human HCT-116 and SW480 colonocyte tumor
formation in anchorage-independent growth assay in 15 days. In
specific embodiments, this application shows that AFTPH gene
silencing promotes human HCT-116 and SW480 cell invasion in
invasion assay in 15 days. In specific embodiments, this
application shows that AFTPH gene silencing (5 mg/kg) promoted
tumor growth in cancer xenograft model with HCT-116 and SW480
colonocytes when administered intratumorally.
[0065] In specific embodiments, lentivirus expressing AFTPH may be
administered to patients with CRC via intravenous administration.
In specific embodiments, AFTPH is negatively regulated by
miR-133.alpha., therefore antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment may
also be used. In specific embodiments, modified AFTPH (functional
peptide) administration may be used either directly injected into
the tumor or administered intravenously or intraperitoneally.
Definitions
[0066] As used herein, the term "treating" includes abrogating,
substantially inhibiting, slowing or reversing the progression of a
condition, substantially ameliorating clinical or aesthetical
symptoms of a condition or substantially preventing the appearance
of clinical or aesthetical symptoms of a condition. In specific
embodiments, "treat" or "treating" refers to suppressing colorectal
cancer or reducing the invasiveness of colorectal cancer. In
specific embodiments, "treating IBD" in a subject comprises
reducing intestinal inflammation in a subject.
[0067] As used herein the term "method" refers to manners, means,
techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including,
but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures
either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means,
techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical,
pharmacological, biological, biochemical and medical arts.
[0068] As used herein, the terms "therapy," "therapeutic,"
"treating," "treat," "treatment," "treatment regimen," or
"treatment regime" can be used interchangalby and refer broadly to
treating a disease, arresting, or reducing the development of the
disease or its clinical symptoms, and/or relieving the disease,
causing regression of the disease or its clinical symptoms. Therapy
encompasses prophylaxis, treatment, remedy, reduction, alleviation,
and/or providing relief from a disease, signs, and/or symptoms of a
disease. Therapy encompasses an alleviation of signs and/or
symptoms in patients with ongoing disease signs and/or symptoms
(e.g., inflammation, pain). Therapy also encompasses "prophylaxis".
The term "reduced", for purpose of therapy, refers broadly to the
clinical significant reduction in signs and/or symptoms. Therapy
includes treating relapses or recurrent signs and/or symptoms
(e.g., inflammation, pain). Therapy encompasses but is not limited
to precluding the appearance of signs and/or symptoms anytime as
well as reducing existing signs and/or symptoms and reducing or
eliminating existing signs and/or symptoms. Therapy includes
treating chronic disease ("maintenance") and acute disease. For
example, treatment includes treating or preventing relapses or the
recurrence of signs and/or symptoms (e.g., inflammation, pain).
[0069] Treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g.,
sufasalazine, mesalamine, NSAIDs, ImSAIDs, and corticosteroids),
immune system suppressors (e.g., azathioprine, mercaptopurine,
infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, methodtrexate,
cyclosporine, and natalizumab), antibiotics (e.g., metronidazol and
ciprofloxacin), anti-diarrheals, laxatives, pain relievers, iron
supplements, nutritional plan, vitamin B-12 shots, 6-thiopurine
therapy, and surgery.
[0070] In certain embodiments, the treatment regimen can be
modified based on a patient's genotype. Specifically, the treatment
regimen can be modified based on whether a patient exhibits an over
expression of NTR1 recycling. In other words, the treatment regimen
can be modified based on whether a patient exhibits an over
expression of miR-133.alpha. protein or mRNA and a decreased
expression of AFTPH protein or mRNA.
[0071] In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 1.5 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 2 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 2.5 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 3 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 4 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 5 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 6 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 7 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 8 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 9 fold increase in expression from a normal or control
subject. In specific embodiments, "over expression" refers to at
least a 10 fold or more increase in expression from a normal or
control subject.
[0072] As used herein, "diagnosing" refers broadly to classifying a
disease or a symptom, determining a severity of the disease,
monitoring disease progression, forecasting an outcome of a disease
and/or prospects of recovery. The term "detecting" may also
optionally encompass any of the foregoing. Diagnosis of a disease
according to the present invention may, in some embodiments, be
affected by determining a level of a polynucleotide or a
polypeptide of the present invention in a biological sample
obtained from the subject, wherein the level determined can be
correlated with predisposition to, or presence or absence of the
disease. It should be noted that a "biological sample obtained from
the subject" may also optionally comprise a sample that has not
been physically removed from the subject.
[0073] As used herein, "predisposition" or "predispose" refers to
the increased likelihood or susceptibility of a patient acquiring
or developing a disease. For example, it is known in the art that a
patient with irritable bowel syndrome is predisposed to eventually
developing Crohn's disease. Accordingly, in certain embodiment,
expression levels of miR-133.alpha. and AFTPH can be measured from,
for example, bowel tissue to determine if a patient is predisposed
to IBD and/or CRC.
[0074] As used herein, "patient" or "subject" refers broadly to any
animal who is in need of treatment either to alleviate a disease
state or to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of a disease
state. Also, "Patient" as used herein, refers broadly to any animal
who has risk factors, a history of disease, susceptibility,
symptoms, signs, was previously diagnosed, is at risk for, or is a
member of a patient population for a disease. The patient may be a
clinical patient such as a human or a veterinary patient such as a
companion, domesticated, livestock, exotic, or zoo animal. The term
"subject" may be used interchangeably with the term "patient." In
preferred embodiments, a patient is a human.
[0075] As used herein, a "modified" polypeptide refers to a peptide
that retains its original function. For example, a polypeptide may
be modified by disrupting one or more disulfide bond of the
polypeptide while retaining the original polypeptide's function.
For example, a polypeptide may be modified by substituting amino
acids while retaining the original polypeptide's function. For
example, a polypeptide may be modified by coupling one or more
additional molecules to the polypeptide while retaining the
original polypeptide's function. Specifically, a modified AFTPH
polypeptide differs from the non-modified AFTPH but maintains the
non-modified AFTPH polypeptide's function. For example, a modified
AFTPH polypeptide may be conjugated to one or more molecules or may
have amino acid substitutions while retaining the non-modified
AFTPH polypeptide's function.
[0076] The present invention employs oligomeric antisense
compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, for use in modulating the
function of nucleic acid molecules encoding miR-133.alpha.,
ultimately modulating the amount of miR-133.alpha. produced. This
is accomplished by providing antisense compounds which specifically
hybridize with one or more nucleic acids encoding miR-133.alpha..
As used herein, the terms "target nucleic acid" and "nucleic acid
encoding miR-133.alpha." encompass DNA encoding miR-133.alpha., RNA
(including pre-mRNA and mRNA) transcribed from such DNA, and also
cDNA derived from such RNA. The specific hybridization of an
oligomeric compound with its target nucleic acid interferes with
the normal function of the nucleic acid. This modulation of
function of a target nucleic acid by compounds which specifically
hybridize to it is generally referred to as "antisense."
[0077] The functions of DNA to be interfered with include
replication and transcription. The functions of RNA to be
interfered with include all vital functions such as, for example,
translocation of the RNA to the site of protein translation,
translation of protein from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield
one or more mRNA species, and catalytic activity which may be
engaged in or facilitated by the RNA. The overall effect of such
interference with target nucleic acid function is modulation of the
expression of miR-133.alpha.. In the context of the present
invention, "modulation" means either an increase (stimulation) or a
decrease (inhibition) in the expression of a gene. In the context
of the present invention, inhibition is the preferred form of
modulation of gene expression and mRNA is a preferred target.
[0078] It is preferred to target specific nucleic acids for
antisense. "Targeting" an antisense compound to a particular
nucleic acid, in the context of this invention, is a multistep
process. The process usually begins with the identification of a
nucleic acid sequence whose function is to be modulated. This may
be, for example, a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the
gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or
disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule from an infectious agent.
In the present invention, the target is a nucleic acid molecule
encoding miR-133.alpha.. The targeting process also includes
determination of a site or sites within this gene for the antisense
interaction to occur such that the desired effect, e.g., detection
or modulation of expression of the protein, will result.
[0079] In certain embodiments, the intragenic site is the region
encompassing the translation initiation or termination codon of the
open reading frame (ORF) of the gene. Since, as is known in the
art, the translation initiation codon is typically 5'-AUG (in
transcribed mRNA molecules; 5'-ATG in the corresponding DNA
molecule), the translation initiation codon is also referred to as
the "AUG codon," the "start codon" or the "AUG start codon". A
minority of genes has a translation initiation codon having the RNA
sequence 5'-GUG, 5'-UUG or 5'-CUG, and 5'-AUA, 5'-ACG and 5'-CUG
have been shown to function in vivo. Thus, the terms "translation
initiation codon" and "start codon" can encompass many codon
sequences, even though the initiator amino acid in each instance is
typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or formylmethionine (in
prokaryotes). It is also known in the art that eukaryotic and
prokaryotic genes may have two or more alternative start codons,
any one of which may be preferentially utilized for translation
initiation in a particular cell type or tissue, or under a
particular set of conditions. In the context of the invention,
"start codon" and "translation initiation codon" refer to the codon
or codons that are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA
molecule transcribed from a gene encoding miR-133.alpha.,
regardless of the sequence(s) of such codons.
[0080] It is also known in the art that a translation termination
codon (or "stop codon") of a gene may have one of three sequences,
i.e., 5'-UAA, 5'-UAG and 5'-UGA (the corresponding DNA sequences
are 5'-TAA, 5'-TAG and 5'-TGA, respectively). The terms "start
codon region" and "translation initiation codon region" refer to a
portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to
about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5' or
3') from a translation initiation codon. Similarly, the terms "stop
codon region" and "translation termination codon region" refer to a
portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to
about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5' or
3') from a translation termination codon.
[0081] The open reading frame (ORF) or "coding region," which is
known in the art to refer to the region between the translation
initiation codon and the translation termination codon, is also a
region which may be targeted effectively. Other target regions
include the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR), known in the art to
refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 5' direction from the
translation initiation codon, and thus including nucleotides
between the 5' cap site and the translation initiation codon of an
mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene, and the 3'
untranslated region (3'UTR), known in the art to refer to the
portion of an mRNA in the 3' direction from the translation
termination codon, and thus including nucleotides between the
translation termination codon and 3' end of an mRNA or
corresponding nucleotides on the gene. The 5' cap of an mRNA
comprises an N7-methylated guanosine residue joined to the 5'-most
residue of the mRNA via a 5'-5' triphosphate linkage. The 5' cap
region of an mRNA is considered to include the 5' cap structure
itself as well as the first 50 nucleotides adjacent to the cap. The
5' cap region may also be a preferred target region.
[0082] Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly
translated, many contain one or more regions, known as "introns,"
which are excised from a transcript before it is translated. The
remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as "exons"
and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence. mRNA
splice sites, i.e., intron-exon junctions, may also be preferred
target regions, and are particularly useful in situations where
aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an
overproduction of a particular mRNA splice product is implicated in
disease. Aberrant fusion junctions due to rearrangements or
deletions are also preferred targets. It has also been found that
introns can also be effective, and therefore preferred, target
regions for antisense compounds targeted, for example, to DNA or
pre-mRNA.
[0083] Once one or more target sites have been identified,
oligonucleotides are chosen which are sufficiently complementary to
the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient
specificity, to give the desired effect. In a specific embodiment,
the antisense oligonucleotide is the complementary sequence of the
target.
[0084] In the context of this invention, "hybridization" means
hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed
Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleoside or
nucleotide bases. For example, adenine and thymine are
complementary nucleobases which pair through the formation of
hydrogen bonds. "Complementary," as used herein, refers to the
capacity for precise pairing between two nucleotides. For example,
if a nucleotide at a certain position of an oligonucleotide is
capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleotide at the same position
of a DNA or RNA molecule, then the oligonucleotide and the DNA or
RNA are considered to be complementary to each other at that
position. The oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are complementary
to each other when a sufficient number of corresponding positions
in each molecule are occupied by nucleotides which can hydrogen
bond with each other. Thus, "specifically hybridizable" and
"complementary" are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient
degree of complementarity or precise pairing such that stable and
specific binding occurs between the oligonucleotide and the DNA or
RNA target. It is understood in the art that the sequence of an
antisense compound need not be 100% complementary to that of its
target nucleic acid to be specifically hybridizable. An antisense
compound is specifically hybridizable when binding of the compound
to the target DNA or RNA molecule interferes with the normal
function of the target DNA or RNA to cause a loss of utility, and
there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid
non-specific binding of the antisense compound to non-target
sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired,
i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays
or therapeutic treatment, and in the case of in vitro assays, under
conditions in which the assays are performed.
[0085] The miR-133.alpha. inhibitors of the present invention
effectively inhibit the activity of the miR-133.alpha.
RNA/nucleotide or inhibit the expression of the miR-133.alpha.
RNA/nucleotide. In one embodiment, the activity or expression of
miR-133.alpha. is inhibited by about 10%. Preferably, the activity
or expression of miR-133.alpha. is inhibited by about 30%. More
preferably, the activity or expression of miR-133.alpha. is
inhibited by 50% or more. Thus, the oligomeric antisense compounds
modulate expression of miR-133.alpha. mRNA by at least 10%, by at
least 20%, by at least 25%, by at least 30%, by at least 40%, by at
least 50%, by at least 60%, by at least 70%, by at least 75%, by at
least 80%, by at least 85%, by at least 90%, by at least 95%, by at
least 98%, by at least 99%, or by 100%.
[0086] It is understood in the art that the sequence of an
antisense compound need not be 100% complementary to that of its
target nucleic acid to be specifically hybridizable. Moreover, an
oligonucleotide may hybridize over one or more segments such that
intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the
hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure).
It is preferred that the antisense compounds of the present
invention comprise at least 70%, or at least 75%, or at least 80%,
or at least 85% sequence complementarity to a target region within
the target nucleic acid, more preferably that they comprise at
least 90% sequence complementarity and even more preferably
comprise at least 95% or at least 99% sequence complementarity to
the target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which
they are targeted. For example, an antisense compound in which 18
of 20 nucleobases of the antisense compound are complementary to a
target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would
represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the
remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered or
interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be
contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. As such,
an antisense compound which is 18 nucleobases in length having 4
(four) noncomplementary nucleobases which are flanked by two
regions of complete complementarity with the target nucleic acid
would have 77.8% overall complementarity with the target nucleic
acid and would thus fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0087] Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a
region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using
BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools), PowerBLAST
programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990,
215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656), and
targetscan algorithms (available at the Targetscan Organization
website).
[0088] Percent homology, sequence identity or complementarity, can
be determined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence
Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group,
University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings,
which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math.,
1981, 2, 482-489). In some preferred embodiments, homology,
sequence identity or complementarity, between the oligomeric and
target is between about 50% to about 60%. In some embodiments,
homology, sequence identity or complementarity, is between about
60% to about 70%. In preferred embodiments, homology, sequence
identity or complementarity, is between about 70% and about 80%. In
more preferred embodiments, homology, sequence identity or
complementarity, is between about 80% and about 90%. In some
preferred embodiments, homology, sequence identity or
complementarity, is about 90%, about 92%, about 94%, about 95%,
about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99% or about 100%.
[0089] According to the present invention, compounds include
antisense oligomeric compounds, antisense oligonucleotides,
ribozymes, external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides,
alternate splicers, primers, probes, and other oligomeric compounds
which hybridize to at least a portion of the target nucleic acid.
As such, these compounds may be introduced in the form of
single-stranded, double-stranded, circular or hairpin oligomeric
compounds and may contain structural elements such as internal or
terminal bulges or loops. Once introduced to a system, the
compounds of the invention may elicit the action of one or more
enzymes or structural proteins to effect modification of the target
nucleic acid.
[0090] One non-limiting example of such an enzyme is RNAse H, a
cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA
duplex. It is known in the art that single-stranded antisense
compounds which are "DNA-like" elicit RNAse H. Activation of RNase
H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby
greatly enhancing the efficiency of oligonucleotide-mediated
inhibition of gene expression. Similar roles have been postulated
for other ribonucleases such as those in the RNase III and
ribonuclease L family of enzymes.
[0091] While a suitable form of antisense compound is a
single-stranded antisense oligonucleotide, in many species the
introduction of double-stranded structures, such as double-stranded
RNA (dsRNA) molecules, has been shown to induce potent and specific
antisense-mediated reduction of the function of a gene or its
associated gene products. This phenomenon occurs in both plants and
animals and is believed to have an evolutionary connection to viral
defense and transposon silencing.
[0092] The antisense compounds of the present invention also
include modified compounds in which a different base is present at
one or more of the nucleotide positions in the compound. For
example, if the first nucleotide is an adenosine, modified
compounds may be produced which contain thymidine, guanosine or
cytidine at this position. This may be done at any of the positions
of the antisense compound.
[0093] The antisense compounds of the present invention can be
utilized for diagnostics, therapeutics, prophylaxis and as research
reagents and kits. Furthermore, antisense oligonucleotides, which
are able to inhibit gene expression with exquisite specificity, are
often used by those of ordinary skill to elucidate the function of
particular genes or to distinguish between functions of various
members of a biological pathway. Antisense modulation has,
therefore, been harnessed for research use.
[0094] For use in kits and diagnostics, the compounds of the
present invention, either alone or in combination with other
compounds or therapeutics, can be used as tools in differential
and/or combinatorial analyses to elucidate expression patterns of a
portion or the entire complement of genes expressed within cells
and tissues.
[0095] As one nonlimiting example, expression patterns within cells
or tissues treated with one or more antisense compounds are
compared to control cells or tissues not treated with antisense
compounds and the patterns produced are analyzed for differential
levels of gene expression as they pertain, for example, to disease
association, signaling pathway, cellular localization, expression
level, size, structure or function of the genes examined. These
analyses can be performed on stimulated or unstimulated cells and
in the presence or absence of other compounds which affect
expression patterns.
[0096] The antisense compounds of the invention are useful for
research and diagnostics, because these compounds hybridize to
nucleic acids encoding miR-133.alpha.. For example,
oligonucleotides that are shown to hybridize with such efficiency
and under such conditions as disclosed herein as to be effective
miR-133.alpha. inhibitors are effective primers or probes under
conditions favoring gene amplification or detection, respectively.
These primers and probes are useful in methods requiring the
specific detection of nucleic acid molecules encoding
miR-133.alpha. and in the amplification of said nucleic acid
molecules for detection or for use in further studies of
miR-133.alpha..
[0097] Hybridization of the antisense oligonucleotides,
particularly the primers and probes, of the invention with a
nucleic acid encoding miR-133.alpha. can be detected by means known
in the art. Such means may include conjugation of an enzyme to the
oligonucleotide, radiolabelling of the oligonucleotide or any other
suitable detection means. Kits using such detection means for
detecting the level of miR-133.alpha. in a sample may also be
prepared.
[0098] The specificity and sensitivity of antisense are also
harnessed by those of skill in the art for therapeutic uses.
Antisense oligonucleotides have been employed as therapeutic
moieties in the treatment of disease states in animals and humans.
Antisense oligonucleotides have been safely and effectively
administered to humans and numerous clinical trials are presently
underway. It is thus established that oligonucleotides can be
useful therapeutic modalities that can be configured to be useful
in treatment regimes for treatment of cells, tissues and animals,
especially humans.
[0099] In the context of this invention, the term "oligonucleotide"
refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or mimetics thereof. This term includes
oligonucleotides composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases,
sugars and covalent internucleoside (backbone) linkages as well as
oligonucleotides having non-naturally-occurring portions which
function similarly. Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides
are often preferred over native forms because of desirable
properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced
affinity for nucleic acid target and increased stability in the
presence of nucleases.
[0100] While antisense oligonucleotides are a preferred form of
antisense compound, the present invention comprehends other
oligomeric antisense compounds, including but not limited to
oligonucleotide mimetics such as are described below. The antisense
compounds in accordance with this invention preferably comprise
from about 8 to about 25 nucleotides (i.e. from about 8 to about 25
linked nucleotides). One having ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that this embodies compounds of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
48, 49, or 50 nucleobases in length.
[0101] In another embodiment, the antisense compounds of the
invention are 15 to 30 nucleobases in length. One having ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that this embodies compounds of
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30
nucleobases in length.
Neurotensin-Induced Tumor Formation is Regulated by
microRNA-133.alpha.-aftiphilin-dependent Receptor Recycling
[0102] Overview. Since microRNAs were first discovered in C.
elegans (Lee, R. C., et al., 1993. The C. elegans heterochronic
gene lin-4 encodes small RNAs with antisense complementarity to
lin-14. Cell 75:843-854), they have been implicated in many
physiological roles, including proliferation (Wu, Z. S., et al.,
2012. Loss of miR-133.alpha. expression associated with poor
survival of breast cancer and restoration of miR-133.alpha.
expression inhibited breast cancer cell growth and invasion. BMC
Cancer 12:51), differentiation (Chen, X., et al., 2009. In vitro
evidence suggests that miR-133.alpha.-mediated regulation of
uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is an indispensable step in myogenic
differentiation. J Biol Chem 284:5362-5369), apoptosis (Xu, P., et
al., 2003. The Drosophila microRNA Mir-14 suppresses cell death and
is required for normal fat metabolism. Curr Biol 13:790-795),
stress response (Dresios, J., et al., 2005. Cold stress-induced
protein Rbm3 binds 60S ribosomal subunits, alters microRNA levels,
and enhances global protein synthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
102:1865-1870) and oncogenesis (Zhao, Y., et al., 2007.
Dysregulation of cardiogenesis, cardiac conduction, and cell cycle
in mice lacking miRNA-1-2. Cell 129:303-317).
[0103] The results presented herein are the first to suggest an
important role for microRNAs in GPCR recycling. In the present
study, we have correlated NT-induced differential microRNA
expression in human colonocytes (Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011.
Neurotensin Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt,
Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon
Tumors. Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741) with the molecular
mechanism regulating NTR1 recycling at the transcriptional level.
Furthermore, we have also shown that miR-133.alpha. and its
previously unrecognized downstream target AFTPH are regulated by NT
and associated with NT/NTR1-associated tumorigenesis.
[0104] miR-133.alpha. was first identified as one of the miRNAs
involved in muscle development. MyoD and myogenin, two
transcription factors associated with muscle differentiation,
increase miR-133.alpha. expression by binding to its promoter
during skeletal muscle differentiation (Chen, X., et al., 2009. In
vitro evidence suggests that miR-133.alpha.-mediated regulation of
uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is an indispensable step in myogenic
differentiation. J Biol Chem 284:5362-5369; Rao, P. K., et al.,
2006. Myogenic factors that regulate expression of muscle-specific
microRNAs. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103:8721-8726). In contrast,
miR-133.alpha. levels are markedly decreased in insulin-like growth
factor-induced hypertrophy in cardiac muscle (Hua, Y., et al.,
2012. IGF-1 deficiency resists cardiac hypertrophy and myocardial
contractile dysfunction: role of microRNA-1 and
microRNA-133.alpha.. J Cell Mol Med 16:83-95). We have identified
for the first time ZEB1 as a negative transcription regulator of
miR-133.alpha. in human colonocytes (FIG. 7).
[0105] In mammary epithelial cells ZEB 1 activation involves
NF-.kappa.B activation (Chua, H. L., et al., 2007. NF-kappaB
represses E-cadherin expression and enhances epithelial to
mesenchymal transition of mammary epithelial cells: potential
involvement of ZEB-1 and ZEB-2. Oncogene 26:711-724), while
NF-.kappa.B is an established downstream target of NTR1 colonocyte
signaling (Zhao, D., et al., 2001. Signal transduction pathways
mediating neurotensin-stimulated interleukin-8 expression in human
colonocytes. J Biol Chem 276:44464-44471; Zhao, D., et al., 2003.
Neurotensin stimulates IL-8 expression in human colonic epithelial
cells through Rho GTPase-mediated NF-kappa B pathways. Am J Physiol
Cell Physiol 284:C1397-1404; Zhao, D., et al., 2005. Neurotensin
stimulates interleukin-8 expression through modulation of I kappa B
alpha phosphorylation and p65 transcriptional activity: involvement
of protein kinase C alpha. Mol Pharmacol 67:2025-2031; Zhao, D., et
al., 2011. Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor transactivation
modulates the inflammatory and proliferative responses of
neurotensin in human colonic epithelial cells. J Biol Chem
286:6092-6099). ZEB1 is related to epithelial-mesenchymal
transition and histone deacetylase downregulation in pancreatic
cancer metastasis (Aigner, K., et al., 2007. The transcription
factor ZEB1 (deltaEF1) promotes tumour cell dedifferentiation by
repressing master regulators of epithelial polarity. Oncogene
26:6979-6988; Peinado, H., et al., 2007. Snail, Zeb and bHLH
factors in tumour progression: an alliance against the epithelial
phenotype? Nat Rev Cancer 7:415-428; Hurt, E. M., et al., 2008.
Expression of the ZEB1 (deltaEF1) transcription factor in human:
additional insights. Mol Cell Biochem 318:89-99; Aghdassi, A., Set
al., 2012. Recruitment of histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2 by
the transcriptional repressor ZEB1 downregulates E-cadherin
expression in pancreatic cancer. Gut 61:439-448).
[0106] Our results show that gene silencing of ZEB1 increases
miR-133.alpha. transcription and downregulates AFTPH, the
downstream target of miR-133.alpha. (FIG. 7B-D), while NT exposure
reduces ZEB1 binding to miR-133.alpha. promoter region (FIG. 7E).
ZEB1 binding to miR-133.alpha. promoter may be crucial to the
physiological function of NTR1/miR-133.alpha. in cancer cells..
[0107] An online data search identified AFTPH as a potential
downstream target of miR-133.alpha. and cross-species sequence
analysis suggested that miR-133.alpha./AFTPH interaction may be
highly conserved (FIG. 4A). Our observation that AFTPH
transcription in vitro is down-regulated after NT exposure (FIGS.
4B and 4C) or miR-133.alpha. overexpression in the absence of NT
stimulation (FIG. 4E) supports this notion.
[0108] AFTPH binds to proteins involved in trafficking, such as
clathrin and adaptor proteins (AP-1, AP-2) (Mattera, R., et al.,
2004. Definition of the consensus motif recognized by gamma-adaptin
ear domains. J Biol Chem 279:8018-8028) and is localized in the TGN
in NCM460-NTR1 cells and neurons (Burman, J. L., et al., 2005.
Aftiphilin is a component of the clathrin machinery in neurons.
FEBS Lett 579:2177-2184.). Although AFTPH gene silencing does not
alter TGN morphology (Hirst, J., et al., 2005. The
aftiphilin/p200/gamma-synergin complex. Mol Biol Cell
16:2554-2565), it leads to unregulated exocytosis of Weibel-Palade
bodies in endothelial cells (Lui-Roberts, et al., 2008. Aftiphilin
and gamma-synergin are required for secretagogue sensitivity of
Weibel-Palade bodies in endothelial cells. Mol Biol Cell
19:5072-5081).
[0109] Some GPCRs traffic from early endosomes to the TGN before
recycling back to the plasma membrane (Lelouvier, B., et al., 2008.
Dynamics of somatostatin type 2A receptor cargoes in living
hippocampal neurons. J Neurosci 28:4336-4349; Csaba, Z., et al.,
2007. Activated somatostatin type 2 receptors traffic in vivo in
central neurons from dendrites to the trans Golgi before recycling.
Traffic 8:820-834; Escola, J. M., et al., 2010. CC chemokine
receptor 5 (CCR5) desensitization: cycling receptors accumulate in
the trans-Golgi network. J Biol Chem 285:41772-41780), depending on
receptor phosphorylation sites (Wang, F., et al., 2008.
Phosphorylation state of mu-opioid receptor determines the
alternative recycling of receptor via Rab4 or Rabll pathway. Mol
Endocrinol 22:1881-1892) and duration of stimulation
(Toy-Miou-Leong, M., et al., 2004. Receptor trafficking via the
perinuclear recycling compartment accompanied by cell division is
necessary for permanent neurotensin cell sensitization and leads to
chronic mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. J Biol Chem
279:12636-12646).
[0110] Rapid resensitization of colonocytes to sustained NT
exposure is achieved by recycling of NTR1 from Rab5.sup.+ early
endosomes to the plasma membrane (Law, I. K. M., et al., 2012.
Neurotensin-induced pro-inflammatory signaling in human colonocytes
is regulated by beta-arrestins and endothelin-converting
enzyme-dependent endocytosis and re-sensitization of NT receptor 1.
Journal of Biological Chemistry), while under chronic stimulation,
NTR1 is recycled from the perinuclear recycling compartments to the
plasma membrane (Toy-Miou-Leong, M., et al., 2004. Receptor
trafficking via the perinuclear recycling compartment accompanied
by cell division is necessary for permanent neurotensin cell
sensitization and leads to chronic mitogen-activated protein kinase
activation. J Biol Chem 279:12636-12646). In NCM460-NTR1 cells,
treatment with Brefeldin A, an inhibitor to trans-Golgi transport,
leads to the accumulation of endocytosed NTR1 (FIG. 5D). Based on
these considerations our data suggest that TGN-localized AFTPH
regulates NTR1 recycling in human colonocytes.
[0111] Although miR-133.alpha. has been suggested as tumor growth
suppressor in bladder, breast, esophageal, and prostate cancer (Wu,
Z. S., et al., 2012. Loss of miR-133.alpha. expression associated
with poor survival of breast cancer and restoration of
miR-133.alpha. expression inhibited breast cancer cell growth and
invasion. BMC Cancer 12:51; Kano, M., et al., 2010. miR-145,
miR-133.alpha. and miR-133b: Tumor-suppressive miRNAs target FSCN1
in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Cancer 127:2804-2814;
Yoshino, H., et al., 2011. The tumour-suppressive function of miR-1
and miR-133.alpha. targeting TAGLN2 in bladder cancer. Br J Cancer
104:808-818; Kojima, S., et al., 2012. Tumour suppressors miR-1 and
miR-133.alpha. target the oncogenic function of purine nucleoside
phosphorylase (PNP) in prostate cancer. Br J Cancer 106:405-413),
our results show that miR-133.alpha. promotes NT-induced colon
tumor colony formation.
[0112] Inhibition of miR-133.alpha. significantly attenuated
NT-induced tumor growth in vivo (FIG. 8A). Its downstream target,
AFTPH, localized in TGN, promotes tumor colony formation in vitro
(FIG. 8C) and in vivo (FIG. 8E) by suppressing NTR1 recycling.
Consistent with our findings, inhibition of TGN transport is
associated with anti-proliferative effects in vitro (Larsson, D.
E., et al., Anticancer Res 26:4125-4129; Larsson, D. E., et al.,
2009. Combination analyses of anti-cancer drugs on human
neuroendocrine tumor cell lines. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol
65:5-12; Larsson, D. E., et al., 2010. The cytotoxic agents
NSC-95397, brefeldin A, bortezomib and sanguinarine induce
apoptosis in neuroendocrine tumors in vitro. Anticancer Res
30:149-156;Wallen, E., et al., 2000. Brefeldin A induces
p53-independent apoptosis in primary cultures of human prostatic
cancer cells. J Urol 164:836-841) and in vivo (Sausville, E. A., et
al., 1996. Antiproliferative effect in vitro and antitumor activity
in vivo of brefeldin A. Cancer J Sci Am 2:52-58).
[0113] MiR-133.alpha. is a potential biomarker for colorectal
cancer (Ma, Y., et al., 2012. Candidate microRNA biomarkers in
human colorectal cancer: systematic review profiling studies and
experimental validation. Int J Cancer 130:2077-2087), while HDAC
activity is regulated by MAP kinase signaling, at least partially
by downregulating NTR1 expression (Wang, X., et al., 2010.
Suppression of neurotensin receptor type 1 expression and function
by histone deacetylase inhibitors in human colorectal cancers. Mol
Cancer Ther 9:2389-2398). Moreover, miR-133.alpha. transcription
increases in colon cancer tissues (FIG. 10A) and with colon tumor
progression and metastasis (FIG. 10D) and is inversely proportional
to AFTPH levels in human tumor samples (FIG. 10C).
[0114] In summary, NT-associated tumor growth is modulated by NTR1
recycling through NT-regulated miR-133.alpha./AFTPH signaling
pathway. Interfering with miR-133.alpha./AFTPH-associated NTR1
recycling from TGN to the plasma membrane may represent a novel
approach to inhibit colon cancer development.
[0115] Cell culture. NCM460-NTR1 cells were generated from normal
human colon mucosal epithelial cells, NCM460 cells (INCELL) as
previously described (Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011. Neurotensin
Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt, Promotes Tumor
Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon Tumors.
Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741). HCT-116 and SW480 cells were
maintained in McCoy's 5a Medium Modified and Roswell Park Memorial
Institute (RPMI) 1640 medium, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine
serum respectively.
[0116] Immunofluorescence. NCM460-NTR1 cells were transfected with
antisense miR-133.alpha. (as-miR-133.alpha.) (Ambion) and its
control using siPORTNeoFX transfection reagent (Applied Biosystems)
or siRNA against AFTPH and its control (Santa Cruz) using
Lipofectamine.TM. RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) where appropriate. Cells
were serum-fasted overnight 2 d post transfection and exposed to
100 nM NT for 1 h. For NTR1 recovery studies, cells were washed
with Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) twice and replenished with
NT-free medium supplemented with 10 .mu.g/ml Brefeldin A (Santa
Cruz) or vehicle (Law, I. K. M., et al., 2012. Neurotensin-induced
pro-inflammatory signaling in human colonocytes is regulated by
beta-arrestins and endothelin-converting enzyme-dependent
endocytosis and re-sensitization of NT receptor 1. Journal of
Biological Chemistry). Cells were fixed in PBS containing 4% (w/v)
paraformeldehyde (pH 7.4, 20 min, 4.degree. C.) and blocked in PBS
containing 3% bovine serum and 0.1% Triton X. Cells were incubated
(16 h, 4.degree. C.) with the following antibodies (Santa Cruz):
goat anti-NTR1 (1:100), goat anti-AFTPH (1:100) and rabbit
anti-TGN38 (1:100). Cells were washed and incubated (2 h, room
temperature) with bovine anti-goat IgG or bovine-anti-rabbit IgG
conjugated to FITC or Texas Red (Santa Cruz, 1:500). After washing
with PBS, cells were mounted with UltraCruz Mounting Medium (Santa
Cruz) and imaged with a Leica TCS SP8 laser scanning confocal
microscope (North Ryde, NSW, Australia) using a Leica HCX PL APO
63.times. oil immersion objective (numerical aperture 1.4). Five
Z-stack images were captured (1024.times.1024 pixel resolution) per
treatment.
[0117] Image analysis protocol. Substacks of five optical sections
were generated per image and were analyzed using ImageJ with
MacBiophotonics plugins. Briefly, a region of interest (ROI) within
the cell surface was defined and then enlarged by 1 .mu.m to
generate a second ROI. Mean fluorescence intensity was measured for
these two regions, representing the intracellular and cell surface
associated NTR1 labeling, respectively. The relative surface and
intracellular values were expressed as a ratio. Data were presented
as either ratios or as a percentage of cell surface NTR1 vs total
cellular receptor (mean.+-.SEM). Only cells with a defined nucleus
were analyzed and only within cell comparisons were made. Treatment
groups were compared by one-way ANOVA with Dunnet's post-hoc
test.
[0118] Cloning and site-directed mutagenesis. The miR-133.alpha.
promoter-driven luciferase reporter construct (pGL3-miR-133.alpha.)
was generated by ligating PCR products encoding the genomic region
of 2000 bp upstream to miR-133.alpha. was Xhol/HindIII digest and
pGL3-Basic (Promega). The primers used are i) miR-133.alpha. Xhol
F: ccgctcgagtttcaaagaaattagttcaaagcttaa; ii) miR-133.alpha. HindIII
R: cccaagcttagtgctgctagtttggaatcc. The following site-directed
mutagenesis was done using QuikChange II XL site-directed
mutagenesis Kit (Agilent Technologies) according to the
manufacturer's instructions. ZEB1 binding site on the
miR-133.alpha. promoter region (pGL3-miR-133.alpha.-AZEB1) was
deleted using with primers: iii) miR133.alpha.-de1216:
gcacttaagtttaggcagtttaacacttctactagaaaaaatgatgaaaaag; iv)
miR133.alpha.-de1216antisense:
ctttttcatcattttttctagtagaagtgttaaactgcctaaacttaagtgc. AFTPH 3' UTR
luciferase reporter plasmid was purchased from Switchgear Genomics
and miR-133.alpha. binding site was deleted (AFTPH
3'UTR-AmiR-133.alpha.) with primers: v) AFTPH-del198:
atcagtatgattcagagaaggacattatatgaatgtcttacaatgg; vi)
AFTPH-del198-antisense:
ccattgtaagacattcatataatgtccttctctgaatcatactgat.
[0119] Luciferase assays. pGL3-miR-133.alpha. or
pGL3-miR-133.alpha.-AZEB1 and pRL-TK (Promega, control) were
transfected to NCM460-NTR1 cells using lipofectamine 2000
(Invitrogen). For AFTPH 3' UTR--associated luciferase activity,
AFTPH 3' UTR luciferase reporter plasmid or AFTPH 3'
UTR-.DELTA.miR-133.alpha. luciferase reporter plasmid and R01_3UTR
(Switchgear Genomics, control) were transfected to NCM460-NTR1
cells in the presence of as-miR-133.alpha. and its control (Ambion)
and in HEK293 cells in the presence of miR-133.alpha. precursor and
its control (Ambion). Two days after transfection NCM460-NTR1 cells
were exposed to NT (1 h), while luciferase activities in
transfected HEK293 cells were measured without NT exposure. Firefly
and Renilla luciferase cell activities were detected using
Dual-luciferase reporter assay system (Promega). The relative
miR-133.alpha. promoter-driven luciferase activities were
calculated by normalizing Firefly luciferase activity with that
from Renilla luciferase. The relative AFTPH 3' UTR-associated
luciferase activities were calculated by normalizing AFTPH 3'
UTR-associated luciferase activities with R01_3' UTR luciferase
activity. Results were presented as the relative luciferase
activity (mean.+-.SEM) from at least three independent sets of
experiments, each with five replicated measurements.
[0120] Immunoblot analysis. NCM460-NTR1 cells were washed with
ice-cold PBS after various treatments and incubated with
radiolabelled immunoprecipitation assay buffer containing protease
inhibitors, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and sodium orthovanadate
(Santa Cruz) for 5 min. The insoluble debris was removed by
centrifugation at 12,000 rpm, 15 min at 4.degree. C. and
supernatants were analyzed by immunoblot analysis. Equal amount of
cell lysates were loaded (.about.35 .mu.g) and transferred to
nitrocellulose membrane. The membrane was blocked with 5% non-fat
dry milk (w/v) in Tris-buffered saline with 0.1% Tween 20 (TBS-T).
Appropriate antibodies were incubated with the membranes overnight
at 4.degree. C., washed with TBS-T and incubated with appropriate
secondary antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. Signals
from target proteins were detected with SuperSignal
chemiluminescent substrate (Pierce). Immunoblot bands were
quantified by densitometry using Multi Gauge V3.1 (Fuji).
[0121] Messenger RNA and microRNA expression analysis. NCM460-NTR1
cells were washed once with ice-cold PBS after various treatments.
Total RNA were extracted by TRIzol (Life technologies) and
reverse-transcribed into first strand cDNAs using random decamers
and reverse transcriptase (Invitrogen) for mRNA expression
analysis. Complementary DNAs for microRNA expression analysis were
prepared with mirVana quantitative reverse-transcription PCR miRNA
Detection Kit and quantitative reverse-transcription PCR primer
sets according to the manufacturer's instructions (Ambion).
[0122] IL-8 ELISA. NCM460-NTR1 cells were stimulated with 100 nM NT
for 6 h after various treatments. IL-8 in supernatants was measured
by Duo-Set.RTM. ELISA for IL-8 (R&D Systems) according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
[0123] Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP). NCM460-NTR1 cells were
cross-linked and fixed after NT exposure for 1 h using Pierce
Agarose ChIP kit (Thermo Scientific) according to the
manufacturer's instructions. The ZEB1 binding region was
immunoprecipitated by rabbit anti-ZEB1 antibody (Bethyl
Laboratories). ZEB1 binding was quantified by real time PCR using a
primer complementary to ZEB1 binding site in miR-133.alpha.
promoter region (Applied Biosystems, assay ID: AJPACV3, Part no.
4441114).
[0124] Anchorage-independent growth assays. Anochorage-independent
growth assays were performed as described (Bakirtzi, K., et al.,
2011. Neurotensin Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and
Akt, Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon
Tumors. Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741). HCT-116 and SW480
cells were transfected with miR-133.alpha. or si-AFTPH 2 days prior
to the assay. In addition, SW480 cells were treated with 2.5, 5, 10
gg/ml brefeldin A in the presence of 100 nM NT. Triplicates of
5,000 cells were suspended in complete growth media supplemented
with 0.4% agarose [mixing 2% agarose with complete growth media in
1:4(v/v)). Cell mixtures were layered on 0.8% agarose and fed with
complete growth media supplemented with 0.4% agarose every 6-7
days. The number of colonies was counted after 15 days. Experiments
were repeated 3 times. Statistical significance was calculated
using the Student's t-Test.
[0125] Xenograft experiments. 6.times.10.sup.6 HCT-116 or SW480
cells were injected subcutaneously in the right flank of athymic
nude (nu/nu) mice (Charles River Laboratories). When the tumors
reached a size of .about.100 mm.sup.3 (10 days) mice were randomly
distributed in different groups (4 mice/group). Effects of
miR-133.alpha. as a mediator of NT tumorigenic activity, the
tumor-injected mice were administered intratumorally as follows: i)
untreated, ii) NT 100 nM every 5 days until day 30, iii) 5 mg/kg of
as-miR-control and NT (100 nM), iv) 5 mg/kg of as-miR-133.alpha.
and NT (100 nM). Effects of AFTPH inhibition on tumor growth, The
tumor-injected mice were divided in the following groups, i)
untreated, ii) 10 mg/kg siRNA-negative control (si-control) and
iii) 10 mg/kg siRNA against AFTPH (si-AFTPH) intratumorally.
Effects of miR-133.alpha. on tumor growth, Mice from the above
treatment were divided into 5 groups and subjected to the following
treatments, i) untreated, ii) microRNA negative control
(miR-control), iii) miR-133.alpha., iv) antisense-miR-negative
control (as-miR-control) and v) antisense-miR-133.alpha.
(as-miR-133.alpha.) intratumorally. The dosage of each treatment
was 5 mg/kg and all treatments were performed every 5 days until
day 30. In all experiments, tumor growth was monitored every five
days for a total period of 35 days and tumor volumes were
calculated by the equation V(mm.sup.3)=axb.sup.2/2, where a is the
largest diameter and b is the perpendicular diameter.
[0126] RNA expression studies in patient samples. RNAs were
extracted from 5 normal and 43 colon cancer tissues were obtained
from OriGene Technologies. MiR-133.alpha. levels and mRNA
expression of AFTPH were determined by real-time PCR analysis.
[0127] Statistical analysis. All in vitro results were derived from
at least of three sets of repeated experiments and expressed as
means.+-.SD and analyzed with Student's t-Tests. Results from
immunofluoresence and in vivo studies were analyzed with
one-way-ANOVA (Prism 5). Studies in human tissues were analyzed
with Two Sample t-Test (Origin 8.6 software). In all statistical
comparisons, P<0.05 was used to indicate significant
differences.
miR-133.alpha. is a Novel Target for Colitis and Inflammatory Bowel
Disease
[0128] Overview. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that includes
ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic
inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Monoclonal
antibodies against TNF-a remain one of the most effective
treatments against IBD. In addition aminosalicylates,
corticosteroids and other immunomodulators/immunosuppresants are
also used as treatment modalities. However, remissions are common
since IBD is a multifactorial disease, while all above treatment
modalities are associated with several and some times debilitating
side effects. Although both genetic and environmental factors
contribute to IBD pathogenesis, epigenetic regulators, such as
microRNAs may also play an important role in IBD. MicroRNAs are
short (19-25 nucleotides), single-stranded RNA molecules, acting as
negative transcriptional regulators. They bind to the 3'
untranslated regions (UTRs) of transcripts (McKenna L B, Schug J,
Vourekas A, et al. MicroRNAs control intestinal epithelial
differentiation, architecture, and barrier function.
Gastroenterology 2010; 139:1654-64, 1664) and lead to messenger RNA
(mRNA) degradation, or inhibition of translation into protein
(Bartel DP. MicroRNAs: target recognition and regulatory functions.
Cell 2009; 136:215-33). In support of this invention, we have shown
that in experimental colitis model, intracolonic administration of
antisense miR-133.alpha. reduces intestinal inflammation, while
overexpression of this microRNA in human colonic epithelial cells
activates the global mediator of inflammation NF-.kappa.B and
increases expression of the potent IBD-related human chemokine
interleukin-8 The above evidences suggest that miR-133.alpha. may
be an important mediator in IBD and a target for IBD treatment.
[0129] Previous studies by others have shown that miR-133.alpha. is
crucial to cardiomyocyte development and miR-133.alpha. may also be
a biomarker for other cancer types such as breast (Wu Z S, Wang C
Q, Xiang R, et al. Loss of miR-133.alpha. expression associated
with poor survival of breast cancer and restoration of
miR-133.alpha. expression inhibited breast cancer cell growth and
invasion. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:51), bladder (Yoshino H, Chiyomaru T,
Enokida H, et al. The tumour-suppressive function of miR-1 and
miR-133.alpha. targeting TAGLN2 in bladder cancer. Br J Cancer
2011; 104:808-18), esophageal (Kano M, Seki N, Kikkawa N, et al.
miR-145, miR-133.alpha. and miR-133b: Tumor-suppressive miRNAs
target FSCN1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Int J Cancer
2010; 127:2804-14), and colorectal cancer (Ma Y, Zhang P, Yang J,
et al. Candidate microRNA biomarkers in human colorectal cancer:
systematic review profiling studies and experimental validation.
Int J Cancer 2012; 130:2077-87). However, so far, miR-133.alpha. is
not related to inflammation of any etiology.
[0130] In order to examine the role of miR-133.alpha. in intestinal
inflammation, we first examined miR-133.alpha. expression in
experimental colitis models. Expression of miR-133.alpha. were
increased in both TNBS- and DSS-induced experimental colitis (FIG.
12). In addition, mRNA analysis also showed an increase in
miR-133.alpha. levels in colon tissues from UC patients (FIG. 13).
Overexpression of miR-133.alpha. (100 nM) increased IL-8 secretion
(FIG. 14) and enhanced NF-.kappa.B p65 phosphorylation, an
important indicator to cellular pro-inflammatory signaling
activation at both basal and stimuated conditions (FIG. 15) in
vitro. On the other hand, miR-133.alpha. knock-down by antisense
miR-133.alpha. reduced IL-6 and IL-8 expression in human
colonocytes upon exposure to neurotensin, an important intestinal
inflammation mediator (FIG. 16). These results suggest that
miR-133.alpha. directly modulates NF-.kappa.B-associated intestinal
inflammation in vivo and in vitro.
[0131] More importantly, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment (20
.mu.g/mouse) attenuated intestinal inflammation in experimental
colitis when administered intracolonically. Antisense
miR-133.alpha.-treated mice had lower neutrophil infiltration
compared to control--treated TNBS-exposed mice. Neutrophil
infiltration plays a central role in intestinal inflammation and
represents the major cause of tissue damage, mucosal integrity and
the resultant total histological score (FIG. 17). These suggests
that miR-133.alpha. may be an important mediator for intestinal
inflammation and a possible target for IBD treatment.
[0132] As demonstrated in the animal model, antisense
miR-133.alpha. oligo may be administered to patients with IBD
intracolonically. Higher delivery efficiency may be achieved by
intravenous administration of antisense miR-133.alpha.-expressing
lentivirus. Locked Nucleic acid-based miR-133.alpha. (a more stable
form) may also be used.
[0133] Cell culture. NCM460-NTR1 cells were generated from normal
human colon mucosal epithelial cells, NCM460 cells (INCELL) as
previously described (Bakirtzi K, Hatziapostolou M, Karagiannides
I, et al. Neurotensin Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and
Akt, Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon
Tumors. Gastroenterology 2011; :1749-1761).
[0134] Immunoblot analysis. NCM460-NTR1 cells were washed with
ice-cold PBS after various treatments and incubated with
radiolabelled immunoprecipitation assay buffer containing protease
inhibitors, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and sodium orthovanadate
(Santa Cruz) for 5 min. The insoluble debris was removed by
centrifugation (12,000 rpm, 15 min at 4.degree. C.) and
supernatants were analyzed by immunoblot analysis. Equal amount of
cell lysates were loaded (.about.35 .mu.g) and transferred to
nitrocellulose membrane. The membrane was blocked with 5% non-fat
dry milk (w/v) in Tris-buffered saline with 0.1% Tween 20 (TBS-T).
Appropriate antibodies were incubated with the membranes overnight
at 4.degree. C., washed with TBS-T and incubated with appropriate
secondary antibodies conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. Signals
from target proteins were detected with SuperSignal
chemiluminescent substrate (Pierce). Immunoblot bands were
quantified by densitometry using Multi Gauge V3.1 (Fuji).
[0135] IL-8 ELISA. NCM460-NTR1 cells were stimulated with 100 nM of
the proinflammatory neuropeptide neurotensin (NT) for 6 h. IL-8 in
cell conditined media was measured by Duo-Sct.RTM. ELISA for IL-8
(R&D Systems) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
[0136] Experimental colitis. C57/BL6J wild-type male mice of 10-12
weeks old were purchased from The Jackson Laboratory and maintained
at the animal research facility of UCLA. Animal studies were
approved by the Chancellor's Animal Research Comittee (ARC) of
UCLA. Mice received standard pelleted chow and tap water ad
libitum. Experimental colitis in C57/BL6J wild-type male mice was
induced by intracolonic administration of 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene
Sulfonic Acid (TNBS, 500 mg/kg, 2 days) or Dextran Sodium Sulfate
in the drinking water (DSS, 5% w/v, 5 days). Tissues were collected
for RNA and protein analysis after each treatment. Antisense
miR-133.alpha. treatment. Forty-eight and 24 h prior to TNBS
treatment, mice were administered as-miR-133.alpha. or its control
(20 mg/mouse) via the intra-colonic route. Acute TNBS colitis were
induced by administering intracolonicallyTNBS. Tissues for mRNA and
protein analysis were collected 48 h after colitis induction.
[0137] RNA Expression Studies from Patient Samples. RNAs from 6
normal colon tissues and 21 colon tissues from patients with
ulcerative colitis were purchased from Origene (Rockville, Md.).
Expression of miR-133.alpha. was determined by real-time PCR
analysis.
[0138] Statistical analysis. All in vitro results were derived from
at least of three sets of repeated experiments and expressed as
means.+-.SD and analyzed with Student's t-Tests. Studies in human
tissues were analyzed with Two Sample t-Test (Origin 8.6 software).
In all statistical comparisons, P<0.05 was used to indicate
significant differences.
Neurotensin-Induced Tumor Formation is Regulated by Neurotensin
Receptor 1 (NTR1)/microRNA-133.alpha.-associated NTR1 Recycling
Involving the Negative Regulator Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox
1 (ZEB1)
[0139] Overview. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signaling is
regulated by receptor endocytosis upon and recycling. We showed
that neurotensin (NT) via its high affinity GPCR, neurotensin
receptor 1 (NTR1), mediates intestinal inflammation, cell
proliferation and colon cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short
inhibitory non-coding RNAs involved in different pathophysiological
functions at the post-transcriptional level. We recently identified
miR-133.alpha. and its downstream target, aftiphilin (AFTPH),
localized in the trans-golgi network (TGN), to regulate NTR1
recycling in human colonocytes (DDW2012: Tu1823). Here we examined
the mechanism by which NT regulates miR-133.alpha. and correlated
miR-133.alpha. and AFTPH expression with colon cancer development
in mouse xenografts and human colon tissue samples.
[0140] The genomic sequence of 2000 bp upstream to the start of
miR-133.alpha. was analyzed by transcription binding site
prediction software and identified a binding site for zinc finger
E-box homeobox 1 (ZEB1 , a negative transcriptional regulator).
ZEB1 gene silencing in non-stimulated NCM460-NTR1 cells increased
miR-133.alpha. (3.3.+-.0.6 fold, p<0.05) and reduced AFTPH mRNA
(27.2.+-.0.1%, p<0.01). ChIP analysis showed that upon NT
exposure ZEB1 was dissociated from the miR-133.alpha. promoter
(41.0.+-.1.7%, p<0.05 compared to non-stimulated cells).
MiR-133.alpha. overexpression increased cyclin Dl expression
(5.2.+-.0.7 fold, p<0.001) in SW480 colon cancer cells. Blocking
NTR1 recycling through AFTPH-localized TGN by Brefeldin A reduced
NT-induced tumor colony formation (44.1.+-.1.1%, p<0.05).
MiR-133.alpha. overexpression and AFTPH gene silencing also
promoted tumor growth in vitro (.about.2.0 fold and .about.1.7 fold
respectively, p<0.05) and in mouse cancer xenografts
(.about.1.25 fold and .about.1.6 fold respectively, p<0.05),
while miR-133.alpha. knock-down attenuated NT-induced tumor growth
(31.6%, p<0.05). MiR-133.alpha. mRNA was negatively correlated
with AFTPH mRNA in human tumor samples (r=-0.8979, n=42), and well
correlated with tumor stage (p<0.01).
[0141] Accordingly, NTR1 signaling modulates miR-133.alpha./AFTPH
expression through dissociation of ZEB1 from the miR-133.alpha.
promoter, which promotes NTR1 recycling. NTR1/miR-133.alpha./AFTPH
interactions regulate colonic tumor growth. This is the first study
providing evidence for an important role of microRNAs in regulation
of GPCR recycling linked to development of colon cancer.
[0142] Methods. MiR-133.alpha. transcriptional regulation was
verified by quantitative PCR, promoter-driven luciferase, promoter
site-directed mutagenesis, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
assays in human colonic epithelial cells overexpressing NTR1
(NCM460-NTR1). The association of miR-133.alpha. and AFTPH with
tumor growth was examined by tumor colony formation assays and
mouse xenografts using SW480 and HCT116 colon cancer cells.
Cancers
[0143] The antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment and AFTPH treatment
can be used to treat, diagnose, and determine the prognosis of
various types of colorectal cancers and IBD in subjects. As used
herein, a subject can be a mammal. In specific embodiments, a
subject is a human. The cancers include, for example, carcinomas,
adenomatous polyps, adenocarcinomas, colonic carcinoids, colonic
polyps, colorectal callous ademomas, colon cancer, bowel cancer,
rectal cancer, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors,
and lymphomas.
[0144] IBD includes, for example, Crohn's disease, ulcerative
colitis, colitis, collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis,
ischaemic colitis, diversion colitis, Behcet's disease, and
indeterminate colitis.
Administrative Modalities
[0145] The antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment agents and AFTPH
treatment agents of the invention are administered to a subject, in
accord with known methods, such as intracolonically, intravenously
as a bolus or by continuous infusion over a period of time, by
intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intracerobrospinally,
subcutaneously, intra-articularly, intrasynovially, intrathecally,
orally, topically, or by an inhalation route. In certain aspects,
the antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment agents and AFTPH treatment
agents of the invention are administered to a subject with cancer.
In certain aspects, the antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment agents
and AFTPH treatment agents of the invention are administered to a
subject with CRC. In certain aspects, the antisense miR-133.alpha.
treatment agents and AFTPH treatment agents of the invention are
administered to a subject with triple negative IBD. Intravenous or
intracolonic administration of the antibody is preferred.
Combination Therapy
[0146] In some embodiments the antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment
and/or AFTPH treatment is used in combination with one or more
additional therapeutic agents, e.g. a chemotherapeutic agent. In
certain embodiments, the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from
fluorouracil (e.g., Adrucil.RTM., Efudex.RTM., and
Fluoroplex.RTM.), bevacizumab, irinotecan hydrochloride (e.g.,
Camptosar.RTM.), capecitabine (e.g., Xeloda.RTM.), cetuximab (e.g.,
Erbitux.RTM.), oxaliplatin (e.g., Eloxatin.RTM.), leucovorin
calcium (e.g., Wellcovorin.RTM.), oxaliplatin, panitumumab (e.g.,
Vectibix.RTM.), regorafenib (e.g., Stivara.RTM.), capecitabine
(e.g., Xeloda.RTM.), and zeb-aflibercept (e.g., Zaltrap.RTM.). In
certain embodiments, the chemotherapeutic agent is a
chemotherapeutic drug combination treatment. In specific
embodiments, the chemotherapeutic drug combination is capox (i.e.,
capecitabine and oxaliplatin), folfiri (i.e., leucovorin calcium,
fluorouracil, and irinotecan hydrochloride), folfiri-bevacizumab
(i.e., leucovorin calcium, fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride,
and bevacizumab), folfiri-cetuximab (i.e., leucovorin calcium,
fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and cetuximab), folfox
(i.e., leucovorin calcium, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin), or xelox
(i.e., capecitabine and oxaliplatin).
[0147] Non-limiting examples of DNA damaging chemotherapeutic
agents that can be used herein include topoisomerase I inhibitors
(e.g., irinotecan, topotecan, camptothecin and analogs or
metabolites thereof, and doxorubicin); topoisomerase II inhibitors
(e.g., etoposide, teniposide, and daunorubicin); alkylating agents
(e.g., melphalan, chlorambucil, busulfan, thiotepa, ifosfamide,
carmustine, lomustine, semustine, streptozocin, decarbazine,
methotrexate, mitomycin C, and cyclophosphamide); DNA intercalators
(e.g., cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and carboplatin); DNA intercalators
and free radical generators such as bleomycin; and nucleoside
mimetics (e.g., 5-fluorouracil, capecitibine, gemcitabine,
fludarabine, cytarabine, mercaptopurine, thioguanine, pentostatin,
and hydroxyurea).
[0148] Chemotherapeutic agents that disrupt cell replication that
can be used herein include: paclitaxel, docetaxel, and related
analogs; vincristine, vinblastin, and related analogs; thalidomide,
lenalidomide, and related analogs (e.g., CC-5013 and CC-4047);
protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., imatinib mesylate and
gefitinib); proteasome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib); NF-.kappa.B
inhibitors, including inhibitors of IKB kinase; antibodies which
bind to proteins overexpressed in cancers and other inhibitors of
proteins or enzymes known to be upregulated, over-expressed or
activated in cancers, the inhibition of which downregulates cell
replication.
[0149] In some embodiments, the antibodies of the invention can be
used prior to, concurrent with, or after treatment with any of the
chemotherapeutic agents described herein or known to the skilled
artisan at this time or subsequently.
[0150] In some embodiments the antisense miR-133.alpha. antibody
molecule thereof is used in combination with one or more additional
therapeutic agents, e.g. antibiotic(s), anti-inflammatory(ies),
anti-diarrheals, laxatives, pain relievers, iron supplements,
aminosalicylate(s), steroids, corticosteroid(s), immune
modifier(s), immunosupressor(s), anti-CD52 agents, biologic
therapy(ies), vitamin B-12 shots, surgery, and nutritional plans.
In certain embodiments, the anti-inflammatory(ies) is selected from
a group comprising sufasalazine, mesalamine, NSAIDs, ImSAIDs, and
corticosteroids. In certain embodiments, the immunosupressor(s) is
selected from a group comprising zathioprine, mercaptopurine,
infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, methodtrexate,
cyclosporine, natalizumab, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus. In certain
embodiments, the antibiotic(s) is selected from a group comprising
metronidazol and ciprofloxacin. In certain embodiments, the
anti-CD52 agent is alemtuzumab.
Efficacy of Methods Described Herein
[0151] In certain aspects of this invention, efficacy of antisense
miR-133.alpha. therapy is measured by decreased serum
concentrations of tumor specific markers, increased overall
survival time, decreased tumor size, cancer remission, decreased
metastasis marker response, and decreased chemotherapy adverse
affects.
[0152] In certain aspects of this invention, efficacy is measured
with companion diagnostic methods and products. Companion
diagnostic measurements can be made before, during, or after
antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment.
[0153] In certain aspects of this invention, efficacy of AFTPH
therapy is measured by decreased serum concentrations of tumor
specific markers, increased overall survival time, decreased tumor
size, cancer remission, decreased metastasis marker response, and
decreased chemotherapy adverse affects.
[0154] In certain aspects of this invention, efficacy is measured
with companion diagnostic methods and products. Companion
diagnostic measurements can be made before, during, or after AFTPH
treatment.
Companion Diagnostics
[0155] In other embodiments, this disclosure relates to companion
diagnostic methods and products comprising antisense
miR-133.alpha.. In one embodiment, the companion diagnostic method
and products can be used to monitor the treatment of CRC or IBD,
specifically adenocarcinomas and colitis, as described herein. In
some embodiments, the companion diagnostic methods and products
include molecular assays to measure levels of proteins, genes or
specific genetic mutations. Such measurements can be used, for
example, to predict whether antisense miR-133.alpha. therapy will
benefit a specific individual, to predict the effective dosage of
antisense miR-133.alpha. therapy, to monitor antisense
miR-133.alpha. therapy, adjust antisense miR-133.alpha. therapy,
tailor the antisense miR-133.alpha. therapy to an individual, and
track cancer progression and remission.
[0156] In some embodiments, the companion diagnostic can be used to
monitor a combination therapy comprising an antisense
miR-133.alpha. treatment.
[0157] In some embodiments, the companion diagnostic can include an
antisense miR-133.alpha. oligonucleotide described herein.
[0158] In some embodiments, the companion diagnostic can be used
before, during, or after antisense miR-133.alpha. therapy.
[0159] In other embodiments, this disclosure relates to companion
diagnostic methods and products comprising AFTPH. In one
embodiment, the companion diagnostic method and products can be
used to monitor the treatment of CRC or IBD, specifically
adenocarcinomas and colitis, as described herein. In some
embodiments, the companion diagnostic methods and products include
molecular assays to measure levels of proteins, genes or specific
genetic mutations. Such measurements can be used, for example, to
predict whether AFTPHtherapy will benefit a specific individual, to
predict the effective dosage of AFTPH therapy, to monitor AFTPH
therapy, adjust AFTPH therapy, tailor the AFTPH therapy to an
individual, and track cancer progression and remission.
[0160] In some embodiments, the companion diagnostic can be used to
monitor a combination therapy with AFTPH.
[0161] In some embodiments, the companion diagnostic can include
AFTPH described herein.
[0162] In some embodiments, the companion diagnostic can be used
before, during, or after AFTPH therapy.
Articles of Manufacture
[0163] In other embodiments, an article of manufacture containing
materials useful for the treatment of the disorders described above
is provided. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a
label. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials,
syringes, and test tubes. The containers may be formed from a
variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds
a composition which is effective for treating the condition and may
have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an
intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a
hypodermic injection needle). The active agent in the composition
is the antibody. The label on, or associated with, the container
indicates that the composition is used for treating the condition
of choice. The article of manufacture may further comprise a second
container comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as
phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution.
It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial
and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters,
needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for
use.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
NT-Induced miR-133.alpha. Upregulation is Involved in NTR1
Recycling
[0164] We have previously shown that NT induces the differential
expression of microRNAs in human colonocytes NT (Bakirtzi, K., et
al., 2011. Neurotensin Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155
and Akt, Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human
Colon Tumors. Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741) within a time
period that coincides with NTR1 internalization and recycling (Law,
I. K. M., et al., 2012. Neurotensin-induced pro-inflammatory
signaling in human colonocytes is regulated by beta-arrestins and
endothelin-converting enzyme-dependent endocytosis and
re-sensitization of NT receptor 1. Journal of Biological
Chemistry). Therefore, we investigated whether the NT--up-regulated
microRNAs (miRs: 140, 21, 210, 155, 133.alpha., 23.alpha.,
23.beta., 331-5p) (Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011. Neurotensin
Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt, Promotes Tumor
Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon Tumors.
Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741) contribute to NTR1
internalization and recycling.
[0165] NCM460-NTR1 cells transfected with antisense microRNAs were
exposed to 100 nM NT for lh, followed by washing and replenishing
with NT-free medium for 3-6 h to allow NTR1 recycling. Our results
show that NT induced NTR1 endocytosis that was unaffected by any
anti-miR treatment (FIG. 1A and FIG. 2). However, antisense
miR-133.alpha. treatment caused a prolonged (at least 6 h)
retention of NTR1 within intracellular vesicles, indicating an
inhibition of recycling (FIG. 1A). Antisense miR-331-5p and 210
also caused delayed recycling, but much less pronounced compared to
antisense miR-133.alpha. (FIG. 2B). In unstimulated cells,
80.0.+-.0.82% of total cellular NTR1 was present at the plasma
membrane.
[0166] NT exposure (lh) reduced membrane-localized NTR1 in both
control miR-transfected and antisense miR-133.alpha.-transfected
NCM460-NTR1 cells (65.2.+-.1.87% and 62.3.+-.1.41% respectively).
However, NTR1 levels at the plasma membrane were higher in cells
transfected with control microRNAs after 3 h (73.9.+-.2.21%) and 6
h (78.3.+-.0.89%) in NT-free medium compared to antisense
miR-133.alpha.-transfected cells 3 h (61.6.+-.1.25%) and 6 hr
(59.2.+-.2.06%) after recovery (FIG. 1B, p<0.05).
[0167] MiR-133.alpha. overexpression in NCM460-NTR1 cells also
increased both basal IL-8 secretion (FIG. 3A) and NT-stimulated
NF-.kappa.B p65 activation, but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation (FIG.
3B), supporting the hypothesis that enhanced receptor recycling
promotes NT-induced cell signaling (Law, I. K. M., et al., 2012.
Neurotensin-induced pro-inflammatory signaling in human colonocytes
is regulated by beta-arrestins and endothelin-converting
enzyme-dependent endocytosis and re-sensitization of NT receptor 1.
Journal of Biological Chemistry).
Example 2
MiR-133.alpha. Directly Regulates AFTPH Expression through Binding
its 3' UTR in Colonic Epithelial Cells
[0168] MicroRNAs act as gene-silencers by inducing the degeneration
of mRNA transcripts through their binding to the 3' UTRs of the
target genes (McKenna, et al., 2010. MicroRNAs control intestinal
epithelial differentiation, architecture, and barrier function.
Gastroenterology 139:1654-1664, 1664 e1651). Therefore, we next
searched for genes with possible miR-133.alpha. binding sites in
their 3' UTRs.
[0169] In silico search using 3 online databases: TargetScanHuman;
miRBase and PicTar identified aftiphilin (AFTPH) with a
miR-133.alpha. binding site at its 3' UTR that was highly conserved
across different species (FIG. 4A). This interaction was validated
experimentally in human colonocytes. Specifically, miR-133.alpha.
induction by NT treatment of NCM460-NTR1 cells resulted in
down-regulation of AFTPH mRNA levels and its 3' UTR-associated
luciferase activity. However this effect was lost in the presence
of antisense miR-133.alpha. (FIGS. 4B and 4C). Furthermore,
deletion of the miR-133.alpha. binding site in AFTPH 3' UTR blocked
NT-induced downregulation of AFTPH 3' UTR luciferase activity (FIG.
4D). In addition, miR-133.alpha. overexpression in HEK293 cells
reduced AFTPH-3' UTR-associated luciferase activity in the absence
of NT stimulation (FIG. 4E).
[0170] Accordingly, NT suppressed AFTPH mRNA levels through
induction of miR-133.alpha. expression in colonocytes.
Example 3
Trans-Golgi Network (TGN)-Localized AFTPH Expression Modulates
NT-miR133.alpha.-Regulated NTR1 Recycling
[0171] AFTPH is a 936 amino acid protein with binding motifs for
clathrin (Dell'Angelica, E. C., 1998. Association of the AP-3
adaptor complex with clathrin. Science 280:431-434), adaptor
protein-1 (AP-1) and AP-2 (Mattera, R., et al., 2004. Definition of
the consensus motif recognized by gamma-adaptin ear domains. J Biol
Chem 279:8018-8028), key mediators of endocytosis and exocytosis.
Endogenous AFTPH was prominently colocalized with the TGN marker
TGN38 in NCM460-NTR1 cells (FIG. 5A), in agreement with previous
observations in neurons (Burman, J. L., et al., 2005. Aftiphilin is
a component of the clathrin machinery in neurons. FEBS Lett
579:2177-2184), and was partially colocalized with NTR1 in human
NCM460-NTR1 colonocytes (FIG. 5B).
[0172] To investigate the role of AFTPH in NT-induced NTR1
internalization and recycling, AFTPH expression in NCM460-NTR1
cells was knocked down by AFTPH gene silencing. Cells were
stimulated with NT for 1 h, and recovered in NT-free medium for 3 h
and 6 h to assess receptor endocytosis and recycling.
[0173] AFTPH knockdown enhanced the recycling efficiency of
internalized NTR1 back to plasma membrane after NT exposure from
68.8.+-.0.76% (vehicle) to 70.0.+-.1.14% (6 h after NTR1 recovery),
when compared to si-control-transfected cells (78.1.+-.1.08% in
vehicle control treatment and 74.6.+-.1.73% 6 hr after NTR1
recovery) (FIG. 5C and FIG. 6).
[0174] The physiological importance of the TGN to NTR1 recycling
was tested by treating NT-stimulated NCM460-NTR1 cells with lOnM
Brefeldin A, a TGN transport inhibitor (Misumi, Y., et al., 1986.
Novel blockade by brefeldin A of intracellular transport of
secretory proteins in cultured rat hepatocytes. J Biol Chem
261:11398-11403; Fujiwara, T., et al., 1988. Brefeldin A causes
disassembly of the Golgi complex and accumulation of secretory
proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. J Biol Chem 263:18545-18552;
Lippincott-Schwartz, J., et al., 1989. Rapid redistribution of
Golgi proteins into the ER in cells treated with brefeldin A:
evidence for membrane cycling from Golgi to ER. Cell 56:801-813),
during NTR1 recovery to the plasma membrane. In the presence of
Brefeldin A, NTR1 did not recycle to the plasma membrane at 3 h
(57.0.+-.2.95%) and 6 h (52.1.+-.2.89%) after NT stimulation
(59.4.+-.1.27%, FIG. 5D and FIG. 6B).
Example 4
Zinc Finger E-Box Binding Homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is a Negative
Transcription regulator of miR-133.alpha.
[0175] To examine the molecular mechanism of NT-induced
miR-133.alpha. up-regulation, the genomic sequence of 2000 bp
upstream to the transcription start site (TSS) of miR-133.alpha.
was analyzed by online transcription binding site prediction
software, Transcription Element Search System (TESS). A
transcription binding site of zinc finger E-box homeobox 1 (ZEB1)
was found upstream to miR-133.alpha. (FIG. 7A).
[0176] We next knocked down ZEB1 expression by siRNA in NCM460-NTR1
cells and exposed them to 100 nM NT (1 h). In cells transfected
with scrambled siRNA, miR-133.alpha. levels were increased after NT
exposure, but after ZEB1 knockdown, basal miR-133.alpha. levels in
the ZEB1-downregulated group were significantly higher compared to
control (FIG. 7B, P<0.05). However, NT failed to increase
miR-133.alpha. expression in ZEB1-silenced cells (FIG. 7B). In
addition, basal AFTPH 3' UTR-associated luciferase activity (FIG.
7C) and transcription levels (FIG. 7D) were reduced significantly
in ZEB 1-silenced cells compared to cells transfected with
scrambled siRNA (P<0.05). However, there was no significant
reduction in luciferase activity or transcription levels after NT
exposure (FIGS. 7C and 7D).
[0177] Chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of the nuclear extracts
from control and NT-exposed cells with a ZEB1 antibody showed
reduced ZEB1 binding after NT stimulation (FIG. 7E). Moreover,
miR-133.alpha. promoter-driven luciferase activity was increased by
NT in control, but not in ZEB1 gene-silenced cells (FIG. 7F), or in
cells transfected with a miR-133.alpha. promoter with deleted ZEB1
binding site (FIG. 7G).
[0178] Therefore, ZEB1 acts as a negative transcription regulator
in NT-associated miR-133.alpha. transcription.
Example 5
NT-Induced miR-133.alpha. Up-Regulation Promotes Tumor Growth In
Vitro and In Vivo
[0179] Mir-133.alpha. has been associated with cancer growth, while
NT/NTR1 coupling promotes colon tumor development (Bakirtzi, K., et
al., 2011. Neurotensin Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155
and Akt, Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human
Colon Tumors. Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741; Bugni, J. M.,
et al., 2012. The neurotensin receptor-1 promotes tumor development
in a sporadic but not an inflammation-associated mouse model of
colon cancer. Int J Cancer 130:1798-1805).
[0180] To examine the importance of miR-133.alpha. in NT-induced
colon tumor development, immunodeficient nude (nu/nu) mice were
inducted with HCT-116 and SW480 cells, which express endogenous
NTR1 (Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011. Neurotensin Signaling Activates
MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt, Promotes Tumor Growth in Mice, and
Is Increased in Human Colon Tumors. Gastroenterology
141:1749-1761.e1741). Mice were monitored for tumor growth after NT
treatment in the presence of antisense scrambled miR
(as-miR-control) and antisense miR-133.alpha.
(as-miR-133.alpha.).
[0181] NT treatment significantly exacerbated tumor growth in both
xenograft models after the second dose was administered to both
NT-treated and as-miR-control-treated mice (FIG. 8A, p<0.05).
Furthermore, intratumoral injection of antisense miR-133.alpha.
suppressed NT-induced tumor growth after three doses of treatment
(FIG. 8A, P<0.05) in both models when compared to those in the
untreated mice.
[0182] Furthermore, antisense miR-133.alpha. treatment inhibited
NT-induced AFTPH mRNA reduction and IL-8 mRNA expression in tumors
(FIG. 8B, P<0.05).
[0183] Similar observations were made in xenograft models of direct
miR-133.alpha. expression regulation without NT treatment in
tumors. Tumor-injected mice treated with miR-133.alpha. precursor
(miR-133.alpha.) showed increased tumor growth and reduced AFTPH
expression in tumors (FIGS. 9A and 9B, P<0.05).
Example 6
AFTPH Acts as a Tumor Suppressor Gene in Colon Cancer
[0184] In addition to the role of NT-miR-133.alpha. pathway in
colon oncogenesis, we also examined the potential function of
TGN-localized AFTPH in colon cancer in vitro and in vivo.
[0185] AFTPH gene-silencing resulted in increased HCT-116 and SW480
colony formation (FIG. 8C, P<0.05) and invasiveness (FIG. 8D,
P<0.05).Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of TGN function
by Brefeldin A inhibited SW480 cell growth (FIG. 11, P<0.05).
More importantly, in vivo AFTPH gene-silencing exacerbated tumor
growth after one dose of treatment (FIG. 8E, P<0.05).
[0186] Taken together, these data suggest that AFTPH has a tumor
suppressive function in colon cancer.
Example 7
Deregulation of NTR1/miR-133.alpha./AFTPH Pathway in Different
Stages of Human Colon Cancers
[0187] NT/NTR1-induced proinflammatory responses have oncogenic
functions in colon cancer (Bakirtzi, K., et al., 2011. Neurotensin
Signaling Activates MicroRNAs-21 and -155 and Akt, Promotes Tumor
Growth in Mice, and Is Increased in Human Colon Tumors.
Gastroenterology 141:1749-1761.e1741). Thus, in addition to the in
vitro and in vivo relevance of the NTR1/miR-133.alpha./AFTPH, we
also examined whether this pathway was deregulated in human colon
cancer tissues.
[0188] Importantly, miR-133.alpha. levels were significantly
increased in human colon cancer tissues (FIG. 10A, P=0.000006)
while AFTPH levels were reduced (FIG. 10B, P=0.00023), consistent
with the results obtained from mouse colon cancer xenografts.
Furthermore, there was a high degree of an inverse correlation
between miR-133.alpha. and AFTPH expression levels (FIG. 10C,
r=-0.948). In addition, increased miR-133.alpha. and decreased
AFTPH mRNA expression levels were highly correlated with the
severity of tumor development (FIGS. 10D and 10E).
[0189] The examples set forth above are provided to give those of
ordinary skill in the art a complete disclosure and description of
how to make and use the embodiments of the compositions, systems
and methods of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the
scope of what the inventors regard as their disclosure.
Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the
disclosure that are obvious to persons of skill in the art are
intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All
patents and publications mentioned in the specification are
indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to
which the disclosure pertains. All references cited in this
disclosure are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if
each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety
individually.
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