Biology subjects

Bosch, F.

Publications and source records attributed to Bosch, F..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Elevated arginine levels in liver tumors promote metabolic reprogramming and tumor growth

Arginine auxotropy, due to reduced expression of urea cycle genes, is common in cancer. However, little is known about the levels of arginine in these cancers. Here, we report that arginine levels are elevated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) despite reduced expression of urea cycle enzymes. Liver tumors accumulate high levels specifically of arginine via increased uptake and, more importantly, via suppression of arginine-to-polyamine conversion due to reduced arginase 1 (ARG1) and agmatinase (AGMAT) expression. Furthermore, the high levels of arginine are required for tumor growth. Mechanistically, high levels of arginine promote tumorigenesis via transcriptional regulation of metabolic genes, including upregulation of asparagine synthetase (ASNS). ASNS-derived asparagine further enhances arginine uptake, creating a positive feedback loop to sustain high arginine levels and oncogenic metabolism. Thus, arginine is a novel second messenger-like molecule that reprograms metabolism to promote tumor growth.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2022

GPR183 mediates the capacity of the novel CD47-CD19 bispecific antibody TG-1801 to heighten ublituximab-umbralisib (U2) anti-lymphoma activity

Targeted therapies have considerably improved the survival rate of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) patients in the last decade; however, most subtypes remain incurable. TG-1801, a bispecific antibody that targets CD47 selectively on CD19+ B-cells, is under clinical evaluation in relapsed/refractory B-NHL patients either as a single-agent or in combination with ublituximab, a CD20 antibody, which is also being combined with the PI3K{delta}/CK1e inhibitor, umbralisib ("U2"-regimen). In this study, we demonstrated that TG-1801 potentiates ublituximab-mediated antibody-dependent cell death (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cell phagocytosis (ADCP), leading to an additive anti-tumour effect of the TG-1801/U2 combination in B-NHL co-cultures. Accordingly, in a B-NHL xenotransplant model, the triplet achieved a 93% tumour growth inhibition, with 40% of the animals remaining tumour-free 35 days after the last dosing. Transcriptomic analysis further uncovered the upregulation of the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR183, as a crucial event associated with TG-1801/U2 synergism, while pharmacological blockade or genetic depletion of this factor impaired ADCP initiation, as well as cytoskeleton remodelling and cell migration, in B-NHL cultures exposed to the drug combination. Thus, our results set the preclinical rationale and support a combination strategy of TG-1801 with PI3K{delta}- and CD20-targeting agents in patients with B-NHL.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Insulin receptor activation by proinsulin preserves synapses and vision in retinitis pigmentosa

Synaptic loss, neuronal death, and circuit remodeling are common features of central nervous system neurodegenerative disorders. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the leading cause of inherited blindness, is a group of retinal dystrophies characterized by photoreceptor dysfunction and death. The insulin receptor, a key controller of metabolism, also regulates neuronal survival and synaptic formation, maintenance, and activity. Indeed, deficient insulin receptor signaling has been implicated in several brain neurodegenerative pathologies. We present evidence linking impaired insulin receptor signaling with RP. We describe a selective decrease in the levels of the insulin receptor and its downstream effector phospho-S6 in retinal horizontal cell axons in the rd10 mouse model of RP, as well as aberrant synapses between rod photoreceptors and the postsynaptic terminals of horizontal and bipolar cells. A gene therapy strategy to induce sustained proinsulin production restored retinal insulin receptor signaling, by increasing S6 phosphorylation, without peripheral metabolic consequences. Moreover, proinsulin preserved photoreceptor synaptic connectivity and prolonged visual function in electroretinogram and optomotor tests. These findings support the therapeutic potential of proinsulin in RP.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 gene therapy in mice inhibits myeloma tumor growth, but has a negative impact on bone

Multiple myeloma is characterized by accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Most patients suffer from an osteolytic bone disease, caused by increased bone degradation and reduced bone formation. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is important for both pre- and postnatal bone formation and induces growth arrest and apoptosis of myeloma cells. BMP4-treatment of myeloma patients could have the potential to reduce tumor growth and restore bone formation. We therefore explored BMP4 gene therapy in a human-mouse model of multiple myeloma where humanized bone scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously in RAG2-/- {gamma}C-/-mice. Mice were treated with adeno-associated virus serotype 8 BMP4 vectors (AAV8-BMP4) to express BMP4 in the liver. When mature BMP4 was detectable in the circulation, myeloma cells were injected into the scaffolds and tumor growth was examined by weekly imaging. Strikingly, the tumor burden was reduced in AAV8-BMP4 mice compared with the AAV8-CTRL mice, suggesting that increased circulating BMP4 reduced tumor growth. BMP4-treatment also prevented bone loss in the scaffolds, most likely due to reduced tumor load. To delineate the effects of BMP4 overexpression on bone per se, without direct influence from cancer cells, we examined the unaffected, non-myeloma femurs by CT. Surprisingly, the AAV8-BMP4 mice had significantly reduced trabecular bone volume, trabecular numbers, as well as significantly increased trabecular separation compared with the AAV8-CTRL mice. There was no difference in cortical bone parameters between the two groups. Taken together, BMP4 gene therapy inhibited myeloma tumor growth, but also reduced the amount of trabecular bone in mice. Our data suggest that care should be taken when considering using BMP4 as a therapeutic agent.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Loss And Gain Of Function Experiments Implicate TMEM18 As A Mediator Of The Strong Association Between Genetic Variants At Human Chromosome 2p25.3 And Obesity

An intergenic region of human Chromosome 2 (2p25.3) harbours genetic variants which are among those most strongly and reproducibly associated with obesity. The molecular mechanisms mediating these effects remain entirely unknown. The gene closest to these variants is TMEM18, encoding a transmembrane protein localised to the nuclear membrane. The expression of Tmem18 within the murine hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus was altered by changes in nutritional state, with no significant change seen in three other closest genes. Germline loss of Tmem18 in mice resulted in increased body weight, which was exacerbated by high fat diet and driven by increased food intake. Selective overexpression of Tmem18 in the PVN of wild-type mice reduced food intake and also increased energy expenditure. We confirmed the nuclear membrane localisation of TMEM18 but provide new evidence that it is has four, not three, transmembrane domains and that it physically interacts with key components of the nuclear pore complex. Our data support the hypothesis that TMEM18 itself, acting within the central nervous system, is a plausible mediator of the impact of adjacent genetic variation on human adiposity.

physiology↗