Browsing by Author "Oliveira, Jorge"
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- Deregulated expression of selected histone methylases and demethylases in prostate carcinomaPublication . Quintela Vieira, Ana Filipa; Costa-Pinheiro, Pedro; Ramalho-Carvalho, João; Menezes, Francisco Duarte; Antunes, Luis; Carneiro, Isa; Oliveira, Jorge; Henrique, Rui; Jeronimo, CarmenProstate cancer (PCa), a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality, arises through the acquisition of genetic and epigenetic alterations. Deregulation of histone methyltransferases (HMTs) or demethylases (HDMs) has been associated with PCa development and progression. However, the precise influence of altered HMTs or HDMs expression and respective histone marks in PCa onset and progression remains largely unknown. To clarify the role of HMTs and HDMs in prostate carcinogenesis, expression levels of 37 HMTs and 20 HDMs were assessed in normal prostate and PCa tissue samples by RT-qPCR. SMYD3, SUV39H2, PRMT6, KDM5A, and KDM6A were upregulated, whereas KMT2A-E (MLL1-5) and KDM4B were downregulated in PCa, compared with normal prostate tissues. Remarkably, PRMT6 was the histone modifier that best discriminated normal from tumorous tissue samples. Interestingly, EZH2 and SMYD3 expression levels significantly correlated with less differentiated and more aggressive tumors. Remarkably, SMYD3 expression levels were of independent prognostic value for the prediction of disease-specific survival of PCa patients with clinically localized disease submitted to radical prostatectomy. We concluded that expression profiling of HMTs and HDMs, especially SMYD3, might be of clinical usefulness for the assessment of PCa patients and assist in pre-therapeutic decision-making.
- Downregulation of miR-130b~301b cluster is mediated by aberrant promoter methylation and impairs cellular senescence in prostate cancerPublication . Ramalho-Carvalho, João; Pinho dos Santos Graça, Maria Inês; Gomez, Antonio; Oliveira, Jorge; Henrique, Rui; Esteller, Manel; Jerónimo, CarmenNumerous DNA-damaging cellular stresses, including oncogene activation and DNA-damage response (DDR), may lead to cellular senescence. Previous observations linked microRNA deregulation with altered senescent patterns, prompting us to investigate whether epigenetic repression of microRNAs expression might disrupt senescence in prostate cancer (PCa) cells. Differential methylation mapping in prostate tissues was carried using Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. After validation of methylation and expression analyses in a larger series of prostate tissues, the functional role of the cluster miR-130b~301b was explored using in vitro studies testing cell viability, apoptosis, invasion and DNA damage in prostate cancer cell lines. Western blot and RT-qPCR were performed to support those observations. We found that the miR-130b~301b cluster directs epigenetic activation of cell cycle inhibitors required for DDR activation, thus stimulating the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Furthermore, overexpression of miR-130b~301b cluster markedly reduced the malignant phenotype of PCa cells. Altogether, these data demonstrate that miR-130b~301b cluster overexpression might effectively induce PCa cell growth arrest through epigenetic regulation of proliferation-blocking genes and activation of cellular senescence.
- Epigenetic disruption of miR-130a promotes prostate cancer by targeting SEC23B and DEPDC1Publication . Ramalho-Carvalho, João; Martins, João Barbosa; Cekaite, Lina; Sveen, Anita; Torres-Ferreira, Jorge; Pinho dos Santos Graça, Maria Inês; Costa-Pinheiro, Pedro; Eilertsen, Ina Andrassy; Antunes, Luís; Oliveira, Jorge; Lothe, Ragnhild A.; Henrique, Rui; Jerónimo, CarmenMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that mediate post-transcriptional gene silencing, fine tuning gene expression. In an initial screen, miRNAs were found to be globally down-regulated in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines and primary tumors. Exposure of PCa cell lines to a demethylating agent, 5-Aza-CdR resulted in an increase in the expression levels of miRNAs in general. Using stringent filtering criteria miR-130a was identified as the most promising candidate and selected for validation analyses in our patient series. Down-regulation of miR-130a was associated with promoter hypermethylation. MiR-130a methylation levels discriminated PCa from non-malignant tissues (AUC=0.956), and urine samples revealed high specificity for non-invasive detection of patients with PCa (AUC=0.89). Additionally, repressive histone marks were also found in the promoter of miR-130a. Over-expression of miR-130a in PCa cells reduced cell viability and invasion capability, and increased apoptosis. Putative targets of miR-130a were assessed by microarray expression profiling and DEPD1C and SEC23B were selected for validation. Silencing of both genes resembled the effect of over-expressing miR-130a in PCa cells. Our data indicate that miR-130a is an epigenetically regulated miRNA involved in regulation of key molecular and phenotypic features of prostate carcinogenesis, acting as a tumor suppressor miRNA.
- Expression of EMT-related genes CAMK2N1 and WNT5A is increased in locally invasive and metastatic prostate cancerPublication . Carneiro, Isa; Vieira, Filipa Quintela; Lobo, João; Moreira-Barbosa, Catarina; Menezes, Francisco Duarte; Martins, Ana Teresa; Oliveira, Jorge; Silva, Regina; Jerónimo, Carmen; Henrique, RuiProstate cancer (PCa) varies clinically from very indolent, not requiring therapeutic intervention, to highly aggressive, entailing radical treatment. Currently, stratification of PCa aggressiveness is mostly based on Gleason score, serum PSA and TNM stage, but outcome prediction in an individual basis is suboptimal. Thus, perfecting pre-therapeutic discrimination between indolent and aggressive PCa, avoiding overtreatment is a major challenge. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) allows epithelial cells to acquire mesenchymal properties, constituting a critical step in tumor invasion and metastization. Thus, we hypothesized that EMT-related markers might allow for improved assessment of PCa aggressiveness. Using RealTime ready Custom Panel 384 assay, 93 EMT-related genes were assessed in normal prostate tissues (NPT, n=5), stage pT2a+b-PCa (n=5) and stage pT3b-PCa (n=5), from which CAMK2N1, CD44, KRT14, TGFβ3 and WNT5A genes emerged as the most significantly altered. Expression levels were then evaluated in a larger series (16 NPT and 94 PCa) of frozen tissues using quantitative RT-PCR. Globally, CAMK2N1, CD44 and WNT5A displayed higher expression levels at higher stages and less differentiated PCa. CAMK2N1 and WNT5A immunoexpression analysis disclosed significantly lower expression in NPT and increasing proportion of high-expression cases from pT2a+b to pT3b and metastatic PCa. Furthermore, higher CAMK2N1 and WNT5A transcript levels associated with shorter disease-free and disease-specific survival. In multivariable analysis, a trend for WNT5A expression levels to independently predict DFS was disclosed (p=0.056). Globally, our findings suggest an association between PCa aggressiveness and increased expression of CAMK2N1 and WNT5A, reflecting the acquisition of effective EMT characteristics by PCa cells.
- Expression of histone methyltransferases as novel biomarkers for renal cell tumor diagnosis and prognosticationPublication . Pires-Luís, Ana Sílvia; Vieira-Coimbra, Marcia; Quintela Vieira, Ana Filipa; Costa-Pinheiro, Pedro; Silva-Santos, Rui; Dias, Paula C; Antunes, Luís; Lobo, Francisco; Oliveira, Jorge; Gonçalves, Céline S; Costa, Bruno M; Henrique, Rui; Jerónimo, CarmenRenal cell tumors (RCTs) are the most lethal of the common urological cancers. The widespread use of imaging entailed an increased detection of small renal masses, emphasizing the need for accurate distinction between benign and malignant RCTs, which is critical for adequate therapeutic management. Histone methylation has been implicated in renal tumorigenesis, but its potential clinical value as RCT biomarker remains mostly unexplored. Hence, the main goal of this study was to identify differentially expressed histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and histone demethylases (HDMs) that might prove useful for RCT diagnosis and prognostication, emphasizing the discrimination between oncocytoma (a benign tumor) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), especially the chromophobe subtype (chRCC). We found that the expression levels of 3 genes--SMYD2, SETD3, and NO66--was significantly altered in a set of RCTs, which was further validated in a large independent cohort. Higher expression levels were found in RCTs compared to normal renal tissues (RNTs) and in chRCCs comparatively to oncocytomas. SMYD2 and SETD3 mRNA levels correlated with protein expression assessed by immunohistochemistry. SMYD2 transcript levels discriminated RCTs from RNT, with 82.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity [area under curve (AUC) = 0.959], and distinguished chRCCs from oncocytomas, with 71.0% sensitivity and 73.3% specificity (AUC = 0.784). Low expression levels of SMYD2, SETD3, and NO66 were significantly associated with shorter disease-specific and disease-free survival, especially in patients with non-organ confined tumors. We conclude that expression of selected HMTs and HDMs might constitute novel biomarkers to assist in RCT diagnosis and assessment of tumor aggressiveness.
- High immunoexpression of Ki67, EZH2, and SMYD3 in diagnostic prostate biopsies independently predicts outcome in patients with prostate cancerPublication . Lobo, João; Rodrigues, Ângelo; Antunes, Luís; Pinho dos Santos Graça, Maria Inês; Ramalho-Carvalho, João; Quintela Vieira, Ana Filipa; Martins, Ana Teresa; Oliveira, Jorge; Jerónimo, Carmen; Henrique, RuiOvertreatment is a major concern in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Prognostic biomarkers discriminating indolent from aggressive disease in prostate biopsy are urgently needed. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of Ki67, EZH2, LSD1, and SMYD3 immunoexpression in diagnostic biopsies from a cohort of PCa patients with long term follow-up. A series of 189 consecutive prostate biopsies diagnosed with PCa (1997–2001) in a cancer center was included in the study, with follow-up last updated in November 2016. Biopsies were reviewed and graded according to 2016 WHO criteria. Immunohistochemistry was performed in the most representative block. Nuclear staining was assessed using digital image analysis. Study outcomes included disease-specific, disease-free, and progression-free survival. Statistical analysis was tabulated using SPSS version 22.0. Survival curves and hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using Kaplan-Meyer and Cox-regression models, respectively. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. The proportion of patients who completed the study was 177/189 (94%). In univariable analysis, high Ki67, EZH2, and SMYD3 immunoexpression associated with significantly worse disease-specific survival (HR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.05–3.29; HR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.10–3.27; HR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.02–7.92). In multivariable analysis, the 3 biomarkers displayed significantly worse DSS adjusted for CAPRA score (HR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.01–3.16; HR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.12–3.32; HR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.04–7.10). Among patients with low/intermediate risk CAPRA score, high Ki67 immunoexpression identified those more prone to experience disease recurrence (HR = 9.20, 95% CI: 1.27–66.44) and progression (HR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.05–8.43). High Ki67, EZH2, and SMYD3 immunoexpression, adjusted for standard clinicopathological parameters, independently predicts outcome in patients with PCa, at diagnosis. This might assist in discriminating indolent from aggressive PCa, improving treatment selection.
- Histone methyltransferase PRMT6 plays an oncogenic role of in prostate cancerPublication . Almeida-Rios, Diogo; Pinho dos Santos Graça, Maria Inês; Quintela Vieira, Ana Filipa; Ramalho-Carvalho, João; Pereira-Silva, Eva; Martins, Ana Teresa; Oliveira, Jorge; Gonçalves, Céline S.; Costa, Bruno M.; Henrique, Rui; Jerónimo, CarmenProstate cancer (PCa) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Until now the specific role of histone methyltransferases (HMTs) deregulated expression/activity in PCa is poorly understood. Herein we aimed to uncover the potential oncogenic role of PRMT6 in prostate carcinogenesis. PRMT6 overexpression was confirmed in PCa, at transcript and protein level. Stable PRMT6 knockdown in PC-3 cells attenuated malignant phenotype, increasing apoptosis and decreasing cell viability, migration and invasion. PRMT6 silencing was associated with decreased H3R2me2a levels and increased MLL and SMYD3 expression. PRMT6 silencing increased p21, p27 and CD44 and decreased MMP-9 expression and was associated with PI3K/AKT/mTOR downregulation and increased AR signaling pathway. In Sh-PRMT6 cells, AR restored expression might re-sensitized cells to androgen deprivation therapy, impacting in clinical management of castration-resistant PCa (CRPC). PRMT6 plays an oncogenic role in PCa and predicts for more clinically aggressive disease, constituting a potential target for patients with CRPC.
- MicroRNA-375 plays a dual role in prostate carcinogenesisPublication . Costa-Pinheiro, Pedro; Ramalho-Carvalho, João; Quintela Vieira, Ana Filipa; Ferreira, Jorge; Oliveira, Jorge; Gonçalves, Céline S; Costa, Bruno M .; Henrique, Rui; Jeronimo, CarmenBackground: Prostate cancer (PCa), a highly incident and heterogeneous malignancy, mostly affects men from developed countries. Increased knowledge of the biological mechanisms underlying PCa onset and progression are critical for improved clinical management. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) deregulation is common in human cancers, and understanding how it impacts in PCa is of major importance. MiRNAs are mostly downregulated in cancer, although some are overexpressed, playing a critical role in tumor initiation and progression. We aimed to identify miRNAs overexpressed in PCa and subsequently determine its impact in tumorigenesis. Results: MicroRNA expression profiling in primary PCa and morphological normal prostate (MNPT) tissues identified 17 miRNAs significantly overexpressed in PCa. Expression of three miRNAs, not previously associated with PCa, was subsequently assessed in large independent sets of primary tumors, in which miR-182 and miR-375 were validated, but not miR-32. Significantly higher expression levels of miR-375 were depicted in patients with higher Gleason score and more advanced pathological stage, as well as with regional lymph nodes metastases. Forced expression of miR-375 in PC-3 cells, which display the lowest miR-375 levels among PCa cell lines, increased apoptosis and reduced invasion ability and cell viability. Intriguingly, in 22Rv1 cells, which displayed the highest miR-375 expression, knockdown experiments also attenuated the malignant phenotype. Gene ontology analysis implicated miR-375 in several key pathways deregulated in PCa, including cell cycle and cell differentiation. Moreover, CCND2 was identified as putative miR-375 target in PCa, confirmed by luciferase assay. Conclusions: A dual role for miR-375 in prostate cancer progression is suggested, highlighting the importance of cellular context on microRNA targeting.
- Phenotypic impact of deregulated expression of class I histone deacetylases in urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladderPublication . Neto, Susana; Quintela Vieira, Ana Filipa; Montezuma, Diana; Costa, Natália R.; Antunes, Luís; Baptista, Tiago; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Pinho dos Santos Graça, Maria Inês; Rodrigues, Ângelo; Magalhães, José S.; Oliveira, Jorge; Henrique, Rui; Jerónimo, CarmenDeregulated expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Herein, we investigated class I HDACs expression in bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (BUCC), its prognostic value and biological significance. Significantly increased transcript levels of all HDACs were found in BUCC compared to 20 normal mucosas, and these were higher in lower grade and stage tumors. Increased HDAC3 levels were associated with improved patient survival. SiRNA experiments showed decrease cell viability and motility, and increased apoptosis. We concluded that class I HDACs play an important role in bladder carcinogenesis through deregulation of proliferation, migration and apoptosis, constituting putative therapeutic targets.