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PDGFD up-regulation due to reversible promoter demethylation contributes to gemcitabine resistance via STAT3 activation
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  • Li Qin,
  • Hao Liu,
  • Jenny Beebe,
  • Yangyang Hao,
  • Zizheng Dong,
  • Yunlong Liu,
  • Zhimin He,
  • Jing-Yuan Liu,
  • Jian-Ting Zhang
Li Qin
Indiana University School of Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Hao Liu
Guangzhou Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital
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Jenny Beebe
Indiana University School of Medicine
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Yangyang Hao
Indiana University School of Medicine
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Zizheng Dong
University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
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Yunlong Liu
Indiana University School of Medicine
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Zhimin He
Cancer Research Institute
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Jing-Yuan Liu
University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
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Jian-Ting Zhang
University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
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Abstract

Background and Purpose. Drug resistance is a major problem in cancer treatment with traditional or targeted therapeutics. Gemcitabine, a traditional chemotherapeutics, is approved for several human cancers and the first line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, gemcitabine resistance is frequently observed and a major problem in successful treatments of these cancers and the mechanism of gemcitabine resistance remains largely unknown. In this study, we aim to seek new and understand the molecule mechanisms of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC. Experimental Approach. Using whole genome Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing analysis, we investigated a gemcitabine resistant PDAC cell line M3K compared with its parental MiaPaCa-2 cells and the resistance revertant cell line Rev followed by detailed analyses of PDGFD in gemcitabine resistance using MTT survival assay, bisulfite sequencing, Western blot, siRNA knockdown and over-expression. Key Results. We found that 65 genes had reversible methylation changes in their promoters in gemcitabine resistant PDAC cells. One of these genes, PDGFD, was further studied in detail for the reversible methylation change in its promoter and shown to reversibly up-regulate in expression, contribute to gemcitabine resistance in vitro and in vivo via activating STAT3 signaling in both autocrine and paracrine manners. Its expression also positively associates with poor outcome of PDAC patients. Conclusion and Implications. Reversible epigenetic regulation may play an important role in gemcitabine resistance and targeting PDGFD signaling may alleviate gemcitabine resistance for PDAC treatment.
28 Apr 2020Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
30 Apr 2020Submission Checks Completed
30 Apr 2020Assigned to Editor
04 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor