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Roose, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Roose, J..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

nSMase2-mediated exosome secretion shapes the tumor microenvironment to immunologically support pancreatic cancer

The pleiotropic roles of nSMase2-generated ceramide include regulation of intracellular ceramide signaling and exosome biogenesis. We investigated the effects of eliminating nSMase2 on early and advanced PDA, including its influence on the microenvironment. Employing the KPC mouse model of pancreatic cancer, we demonstrate that pancreatic epithelial nSMase2 ablation reduces neoplasia and promotes a PDA subtype switch from aggressive basal-like to classical. nSMase2 elimination prolongs survival of KPC mice, hinders vasculature development, and fosters a robust immune response. nSMase2 loss leads to recruitment of cytotoxic T cells, N1-like neutrophils, and abundant infiltration of anti-tumorigenic macrophages in the pancreatic preneoplastic microenvironment. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that nSMase2-expressing PDA cell small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) reduce survival of KPC mice; PDA cell sEVs generated independently of nSMase2 prolong survival of KPC mice and reprogram macrophages to a proinflammatory phenotype. Collectively, our study highlights previously unappreciated opposing roles for exosomes, based on biogenesis pathway, during PDA progression. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=189 SRC="FIGDIR/small/614610v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (43K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b6e6d1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ebb41eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17e4275org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3d31f1_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cancer biology↗

Single cell proteomics characterization of bone marrow hematopoiesis with distinct Ras pathway lesions.

Normal hematopoiesis requires constant prolific production of different blood cell lineages by multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Stem- and progenitor- cells need to balance dormancy with proliferation. How genetic alterations impact frequency, lineage potential, and metabolism of HSC is largely unknown. Here, we compared induced expression of KRASG12D or RasGRP1 to normal hematopoiesis. At low-resolution, both Ras pathway lesions result in skewing towards myeloid lineages. Single-cell resolution CyTOF proteomics unmasked an expansion of HSC- and progenitor- compartments for RasGRP1, contrasted by a depletion for KRASG12D. SCENITH quantitates protein synthesis with single-cell precision and corroborated that immature cells display low metabolic SCENITH rates. Both RasGRP1 and KRASG12D elevated mean SCENITH signals in immature cells. However, RasGRP1-overexpressing stem cells retain a metabolically quiescent cell-fraction, whereas this fraction diminishes for KRASG12D. Our temporal single cell proteomics and metabolomics datasets provide a resource of mechanistic insights into altered hematopoiesis at single cell resolution.

developmental biology↗

A critical role for PLCG1 in RAS activation by BCR-ABL1 and FLT3-ITD

Myeloid leukemias are frequently associated with pathologically activating mutations in tyrosine kinases [BCR-ABL1 in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); FLT3 juxtamembrane internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations, FLT3 and KIT activation loop mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)]. Mutations in these kinases activate RAS, which initiates multiple downstream signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The mechanisms whereby RAS is activated by these kinases is incompletely understood, and a better understanding of the molecular mediators involved in RAS activation may uncover new therapeutic strategies. Here we identify a biologically and therapeutically important novel mechanism whereby BCR-ABL1 and FLT3-ITD activate the critical downstream effector RAS in part through phospholipase C gamma-1 (PLCG1). PLCG1 knockout decreases proliferation of CML and FLT3-ITD-expressing AML cells, reduces RAS nucleotide exchange factor activity, and increases sensitivity of CML cells to BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Collectively, these studies suggest that PLCG1 inhibition may augment clinical responses to BCR-ABL1 and FLT3 TKIs in CML and AML.

cancer biology↗

NF-κB inhibitor alpha has a cross-variant role during SARS-CoV-2 infection in ACE2-overexpressing human airway organoids

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread worldwide, tractable primary airway cell models that accurately recapitulate the cell-intrinsic response to arising viral variants are needed. Here we describe an adult stem cell-derived human airway organoid model overexpressing the ACE2 receptor that supports robust viral replication while maintaining 3D architecture and cellular diversity of the airway epithelium. ACE2-OE organoids were infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants and subjected to single-cell RNA-sequencing. NF-{kappa}B inhibitor alpha was consistently upregulated in infected epithelial cells, and its mRNA expression positively correlated with infection levels. Confocal microscopy showed more I{kappa}B expression in infected than bystander cells, but found concurrent nuclear translocation of NF-{kappa}B that I{kappa}B usually prevents. Overexpressing a nondegradable I{kappa}B mutant reduced NF-{kappa}B translocation and increased viral infection. These data demonstrate the functionality of ACE2-OE organoids in SARS-CoV-2 research and identify an incomplete NF-{kappa}B feedback loop as a rheostat of viral infection that may promote inflammation and severe disease.

microbiology↗

Fine-tuning of Epithelial EGFR signals Supports Coordinated Mammary Gland Development

During puberty, robust morphogenesis occurs in the mammary gland; stem- and progenitor-cells develop into mature basal- and luminal-cells to form the ductal tree. The receptor signals that govern this process in mammary epithelial cells (MECs) are incompletely understood. The EGFR has been implicated and here we focused on EGFRs downstream pathway component Rasgrp1. We find that Rasgrp1 dampens EGF-triggered signals in MECs. Biochemically and in vitro, Rasgrp1 perturbation results in increased EGFR-Ras-PI3K-AKT and mTORC1-S6 kinase signals, increased EGF-induced proliferation, and aberrant branching-capacity in 3D cultures. However, in vivo, Rasgrp1 perturbation results in delayed ductal tree maturation with shortened branches and reduced cellularity. Rasgrp1-deficient MEC organoids revealed lower frequencies of basal cells, the compartment that incorporates stem cells. Molecularly, EGF effectively counteracts Wnt signal-driven stem cell gene signature in organoids. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the need for fine-tuning of EGFR signals to properly instruct mammary epithelium during puberty.

cell biology↗

Increased baseline RASGRP1 signals Enhance Stem Cell Fitness during Native Hematopoiesis

Oncogenic mutations in RAS genes, like KRASG12D or NRASG12D, trap Ras in the active state and cause myeloproliferative disorder and T cell leukemia (T-ALL) when induced in the bone marrow via Mx1CRE. The RAS exchange factor RASGRP1 is frequently overexpressed in T-ALL patients. In T-ALL cell lines overexpression of RASGRP1 increases flux through the RASGTP/RasGDP cycle. Here we expanded RASGRP1 expression surveys in pediatric T-ALL and generated a RoLoRiG mouse model crossed to Mx1CRE to determine the consequences of induced RASGRP1 overexpression in primary hematopoietic cells. RASGRP1-overexpressing, GFP-positive cells outcompeted wild type cells and dominated the peripheral blood compartment over time. RASGRP1 overexpression bestows gain-of-function colony formation properties to bone marrow progenitors in medium containing limited growth factors. RASGRP1 overexpression enhances baseline mTOR-S6 signaling in the bone marrow, but not in vitro cytokine-induced signals. In agreement with these mechanistic findings, hRASGRP1-ires-EGFP enhances fitness of stem- and progenitor- cells, but only in the context of native hematopoiesis. RASGRP1 overexpression is distinct from KRASG12D or NRASG12D, does not cause acute leukemia on its own, and leukemia virus insertion frequencies predict that RASGRP1 overexpression can effectively cooperate with lesions in many other genes to cause acute T cell leukemia.Competing Interest StatementConflict of interest disclosure: Jeroen Roose is a co-founder and scientific advisor of Seal Biosciences, Inc. and on the scientific advisory committee for the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. C.G.M. receives research funding from Loxo Oncology, Abbvie, and Pfizer, and speaking fees from Amgen. View Full Text

cancer biology↗