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Lehrich BM, Delgado ER. Lipid Nanovesicle Platforms for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Precision Medicine Therapeutics: Progress and Perspectives. Organogenesis 2024; 20:2313696. [PMID: 38357804 PMCID: PMC10878025 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2024.2313696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality globally. HCC is highly heterogenous with diverse etiologies leading to different driver mutations potentiating unique tumor immune microenvironments. Current therapeutic options, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and combinations, have achieved limited objective response rates for the majority of patients. Thus, a precision medicine approach is needed to tailor specific treatment options for molecular subsets of HCC patients. Lipid nanovesicle platforms, either liposome- (synthetic) or extracellular vesicle (natural)-derived present are improved drug delivery vehicles which may be modified to contain specific cargos for targeting specific tumor sites, with a natural affinity for liver with limited toxicity. This mini-review provides updates on the applications of novel lipid nanovesicle-based therapeutics for HCC precision medicine and the challenges associated with translating this therapeutic subclass from preclinical models to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M. Lehrich
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Evan R. Delgado
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Donninger H, Hobbing K, Arteel GE, Clark GJ. NORE1A loss promotes MASLD/MASH. Transgenic Res 2024:10.1007/s11248-024-00407-8. [PMID: 39251552 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-024-00407-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
NORE1A (RASSF5) is a tumor suppressor that is frequently down-regulated in liver tumors. It is an upstream component of the HIPPO pathway, a key regulator of liver development and metabolism. HIPPO disruption can lead to the development of MASLD/MASH. While studying the phenotype of NORE1A knockout mice, we noticed that they exhibit no overt liver tumor phenotype, but have a strong propensity to develop fatty livers characteristic of MASLD/MASH. Additionally, knockdown of NORE1A in liver cells upregulates sterol regulator element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), whose deregulation is central to the development MASLD. Examination of primary human MASLD samples showed an inverse correlation between the expression of NORE1A protein and TAZ, a downstream effector of the HIPPO pathway. Thus, loss of NORE1A expression may contribute to the development of MASLD/MASH in humans and NORE1A knockout mice may provide a new MASLD/MASH model that more accurately mimics the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Donninger
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Katherine Hobbing
- Deptartment of Pharmacology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Gavin E Arteel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Geoffrey J Clark
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville, Geoffrey J Clark, 417, CTRB, 505 S. Hancock St., Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
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3
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Hernández-Magaña A, Bensussen A, Martínez-García JC, Álvarez-Buylla ER. A Boolean model explains phenotypic plasticity changes underlying hepatic cancer stem cells emergence. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:99. [PMID: 39223160 PMCID: PMC11369243 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00422-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In several carcinomas, including hepatocellular carcinoma, it has been demonstrated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) have enhanced invasiveness and therapy resistance compared to differentiated cancer cells. Mathematical-computational tools could be valuable for integrating experimental results and understanding the phenotypic plasticity mechanisms for CSCs emergence. Based on the literature review, we constructed a Boolean model that recovers eight stable states (attractors) corresponding to the gene expression profile of hepatocytes and mesenchymal cells in senescent, quiescent, proliferative, and stem-like states. The epigenetic landscape associated with the regulatory network was analyzed. We observed that the loss of p53, p16, RB, or the constitutive activation of β-catenin and YAP1 increases the robustness of the proliferative stem-like phenotypes. Additionally, we found that p53 inactivation facilitates the transition of proliferative hepatocytes into stem-like mesenchymal phenotype. Thus, phenotypic plasticity may be altered, and stem-like phenotypes related to CSCs may be easier to attain following the mutation acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Hernández-Magaña
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad (C3), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Antonio Bensussen
- Departamento de Control Automático, Cinvestav-IPN, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - Elena R Álvarez-Buylla
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
- Centro de Ciencias de la Complejidad (C3), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
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4
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Li S, Hao L, Li N, Hu X, Yan H, Dai E, Shi X. Targeting the Hippo/YAP1 signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma: From mechanisms to therapeutic drugs (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 65:88. [PMID: 39092548 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating cell growth and organ size. Its regulatory effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) encompass diverse aspects, including cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, tumor drug resistance, metabolic reprogramming, immunomodulatory effects and autophagy. Yes‑associated protein 1 (YAP1), a potent transcriptional coactivator and a major downstream target tightly controlled by the Hippo pathway, is influenced by various molecules and pathways. The expression of YAP1 in different cell types within the liver tumor microenvironment exerts varying effects on tumor outcomes, warranting careful consideration. Therefore, research on YAP1‑targeted therapies merits attention. This review discusses the composition and regulation mechanism of the Hippo/YAP1 signaling pathway and its relationship with HCC, offering insights for future research and cancer prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghao Li
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Liyuan Hao
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Na Li
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610075, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Huimin Yan
- Clinical Research Center, Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, P.R. China
| | - Erhei Dai
- Clinical Research Center, Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050024, P.R. China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Center of Experimental Management, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi 030619, P.R. China
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5
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Xu C, Jiang C, Li Z, Gao H, Xian J, Guo W, He D, Peng X, Zhou D, Li D. Exosome nanovesicles: biomarkers and new strategies for treatment of human diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e660. [PMID: 39015555 PMCID: PMC11247338 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles of cellular origin. One of the main characteristics of exosomes is their ability to carry a wide range of biomolecules from their parental cells, which are important mediators of intercellular communication and play an important role in physiological and pathological processes. Exosomes have the advantages of biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and wide biodistribution. As researchers' understanding of exosomes has increased, various strategies have been proposed for their use in diagnosing and treating diseases. Here, we provide an overview of the biogenesis and composition of exosomes, describe the relationship between exosomes and disease progression, and focus on the use of exosomes as biomarkers for early screening, disease monitoring, and guiding therapy in refractory diseases such as tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. We also summarize the current applications of exosomes, especially engineered exosomes, for efficient drug delivery, targeted therapies, gene therapies, and immune vaccines. Finally, the current challenges and potential research directions for the clinical application of exosomes are also discussed. In conclusion, exosomes, as an emerging molecule that can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, combined with multidisciplinary innovative solutions, will play an important role in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Xu
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
| | - Chaoyang Jiang
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
| | - Zhihui Li
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
| | - Hui Gao
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
| | - Jing Xian
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
| | - Wenyan Guo
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
| | - Dan He
- Department of OncologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical CollegeChina National Nuclear Corporation 416 HospitalChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xingchen Peng
- Department of BiotherapyCancer CenterWest China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Daijun Zhou
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
| | - Dong Li
- Department of OncologyThe General Hospital of Western Theater CommandChengduChina
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Vijay V, Karisani N, Shi L, Hung YH, Vu P, Kattel P, Kenney L, Merritt J, Adil R, Wu Q, Zhen Y, Morris R, Kreuzer J, Kathiresan M, Herrera Lopez XI, Ellis H, Gritti I, Lecorgne L, Farag I, Popa A, Shen W, Kato H, Xu Q, Balasooriya ER, Wu MJ, Chaturantabut S, Kelley RK, Cleary JM, Lawrence MS, Root D, Benes CH, Deshpande V, Juric D, Sellers WR, Ferrone CR, Haas W, Vazquez F, Getz G, Bardeesy N. Generation of a biliary tract cancer cell line atlas reveals molecular subtypes and therapeutic targets. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.04.601970. [PMID: 39026794 PMCID: PMC11257448 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.04.601970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are a group of deadly malignancies encompassing intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder carcinoma, and ampullary carcinoma. Here, we present the integrative analysis of 63 BTC cell lines via multi-omics clustering and genome- scale CRISPR screens, providing a platform to illuminate BTC biology and inform therapeutic development. We identify dependencies broadly enriched in BTC compared to other cancers as well as dependencies selective to the anatomic subtypes. Notably, cholangiocarcinoma cell lines are stratified into distinct lineage subtypes based on biliary or dual biliary/hepatocyte marker signatures, associated with dependency on specific lineage survival factors. Transcriptional analysis of patient specimens demonstrates the prognostic significance of these lineage subtypes. Additionally, we delineate strategies to enhance targeted therapies or to overcome resistance in cell lines with key driver gene mutations. Furthermore, clustering based on dependencies and proteomics data elucidates unexpected functional relationships, including a BTC subgroup with partial squamous differentiation. Thus, this cell line atlas reveals potential therapeutic targets in molecularly defined BTCs, unveils biologically distinct disease subtypes, and offers a vital resource for BTC research.
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7
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Luk IS, Bridgwater CM, Yu A, Boila LD, Yáñez-Bartolomé M, Lampano AE, Hulahan TS, Boukhali M, Kathiresan M, Macarulla T, Kenerson HL, Yamamoto N, Sokolov D, Engstrom IA, Sullivan LB, Lampe PD, Cooper JA, Yeung RS, Tian TV, Haas W, Saha SK, Kugel S. SRC inhibition enables formation of a growth suppressive MAGI1-PP2A complex in isocitrate dehydrogenase-mutant cholangiocarcinoma. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadj7685. [PMID: 38748774 PMCID: PMC11218711 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj7685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive bile duct malignancy that frequently exhibits isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1/IDH2) mutations. Mutant IDH (IDHm) ICC is dependent on SRC kinase for growth and survival and is hypersensitive to inhibition by dasatinib, but the molecular mechanism underlying this sensitivity is unclear. We found that dasatinib reduced p70 S6 kinase (S6K) and ribosomal protein S6 (S6), leading to substantial reductions in cell size and de novo protein synthesis. Using an unbiased phosphoproteomic screen, we identified membrane-associated guanylate kinase, WW, and PDZ domain containing 1 (MAGI1) as an SRC substrate in IDHm ICC. Biochemical and functional assays further showed that SRC inhibits a latent tumor-suppressing function of the MAGI1-protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) complex to activate S6K/S6 signaling in IDHm ICC. Inhibiting SRC led to activation and increased access of PP2A to dephosphorylate S6K, resulting in cell death. Evidence from patient tissue and cell line models revealed that both intrinsic and extrinsic resistance to dasatinib is due to increased phospho-S6 (pS6). To block pS6, we paired dasatinib with the S6K/AKT inhibitor M2698, which led to a marked reduction in pS6 in IDHm ICC cell lines and patient-derived organoids in vitro and substantial growth inhibition in ICC patient-derived xenografts in vivo. Together, these results elucidated the mechanism of action of dasatinib in IDHm ICC, revealed a signaling complex regulating S6K phosphorylation independent of mTOR, suggested markers for dasatinib sensitivity, and described a combination therapy for IDHm ICC that may be actionable in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris S. Luk
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Angela Yu
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Liberalis D. Boila
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Mariana Yáñez-Bartolomé
- Preclinical and Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aaron E. Lampano
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Taylor S. Hulahan
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Myriam Boukhali
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Meena Kathiresan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Teresa Macarulla
- Preclinical and Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Gastrointestinal and Endocrine Tumor Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Heidi L. Kenerson
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Naomi Yamamoto
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - David Sokolov
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ian A. Engstrom
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Lucas B. Sullivan
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Paul D. Lampe
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jonathan A. Cooper
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Raymond S. Yeung
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tian V. Tian
- Preclinical and Translational Research Program, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wilhelm Haas
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Supriya K. Saha
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sita Kugel
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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8
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Zhou Y, Zhao Y, Carbonaro M, Chen H, Germino M, Adler C, Ni M, Zhu YO, Kim SY, Altarejos J, Li Z, Burczynski ME, Glass DJ, Sleeman MW, Lee AH, Halasz G, Cheng X. Perturbed liver gene zonation in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Metabolism 2024; 154:155830. [PMID: 38428673 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2024.155830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Liver zonation characterizes the separation of metabolic pathways along the lobules and is required for optimal hepatic function. Wnt signaling is a master regulator of spatial liver zonation. A perivenous-periportal Wnt activity gradient orchestrates metabolic zonation by activating gene expression in perivenous hepatocytes, while suppressing gene expression in their periportal counterparts. However, the understanding as to the liver gene zonation and zonation regulators in diseases is limited. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic liver disease characterized by fat accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Here, we investigated the perturbation of liver gene zonation in a mouse NASH model by combining spatial transcriptomics, bulk RNAseq and in situ hybridization. Wnt-target genes represented a major subset of genes showing altered spatial expression in the NASH liver. The altered Wnt-target gene expression levels and zonation spatial patterns were in line with the up regulation of Wnt regulators and the augmentation of Wnt signaling. Particularly, we found that the Wnt activator Rspo3 expression was restricted to the perivenous zone in control liver but expanded to the periportal zone in NASH liver. AAV8-mediated RSPO3 overexpression in controls resulted in zonation changes, and further amplified the disturbed zonation of Wnt-target genes in NASH, similarly Rspo3 knockdown in Rspo3+/- mice resulted in zonation changes of Wnt-target genes in both chow and HFD mouse. Interestingly, there were no impacts on steatosis, inflammation, or fibrosis NASH pathology from RSPO3 overexpression nor Rspo3 knockdown. In summary, our study demonstrated the alteration of Wnt signaling in a mouse NASH model, leading to perturbed liver zonation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhou
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Yuanqi Zhao
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Marisa Carbonaro
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Helen Chen
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Mary Germino
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Christina Adler
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Min Ni
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Yuan O Zhu
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Sun Y Kim
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Judith Altarejos
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Zhe Li
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | | | - David J Glass
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Mark W Sleeman
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Ann-Hwee Lee
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Gabor Halasz
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America
| | - Xiping Cheng
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY 10591, United States of America.
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Shu B, Zhou Y, Lei G, Peng Y, Ding C, Li Z, He C. TRIM21 is critical in regulating hepatocellular carcinoma growth and response to therapy by altering the MST1/YAP pathway. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1476-1491. [PMID: 38475938 PMCID: PMC11093211 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death globally. Despite efforts being made in last two decades in cancer diagnosis and treatment, the 5-year survival rate of liver cancer remains extremely low. TRIM21 participates in cancer metabolism, glycolysis, immunity, chemosensitivity and metastasis by targeting various substrates for ubiquitination. TRIM21 serves as a prognosis marker for human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the mechanism by which TRIM21 regulates HCC tumorigenesis and progression remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that TRIM21 protein levels were elevated in human HCC. Elevated TRIM21 expression was associated with HCC progression and poor survival. Knockdown of TRIM21 in HCC cell lines significantly impaired cell growth and metastasis and enhanced sorafenib-induced toxicity. Mechanistically, we found that knockdown of TRIM21 resulted in cytosolic translocation and inactivation of YAP. At the molecular level, we further identified that TRIM21 interacted and induced ubiquitination of MST1, which resulted in MST1 degradation and YAP activation. Knockdown of MST1 or overexpression of YAP reversed TRIM21 knockdown-induced impairment of HCC growth and chemosensitivity. Taken together, the current study demonstrates a novel mechanism that regulates the Hippo pathway and reveals TRM21 as a critical factor that promotes growth and chemoresistance in human HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Shu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Yingxia Zhou
- Department of Surgical Operation, The Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Guoqiong Lei
- Department of NeurosurgeryBrain Hospital of Hunan Province (The Second People's Hospital of Human Province)ChangshaHunanChina
| | - Yu Peng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Cong Ding
- Department of PharmacyHunan Normal University School of MedicineChangshaHunanChina
| | - Zhuan Li
- Department of PharmacyHunan Normal University School of MedicineChangshaHunanChina
| | - Chao He
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
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10
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Okada J, Landgraf A, Xiaoli AM, Liu L, Horton M, Schuster VL, Yang F, Sidoli S, Qiu Y, Kurland IJ, Eliscovich C, Shinoda K, Pessin JE. Spatial hepatocyte plasticity of gluconeogenesis during the metabolic transitions between fed, fasted and starvation states. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.29.591168. [PMID: 38746329 PMCID: PMC11092462 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.29.591168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The liver acts as a master regulator of metabolic homeostasis in part by performing gluconeogenesis. This process is dysregulated in type 2 diabetes, leading to elevated hepatic glucose output. The parenchymal cells of the liver (hepatocytes) are heterogeneous, existing on an axis between the portal triad and the central vein, and perform distinct functions depending on location in the lobule. Here, using single cell analysis of hepatocytes across the liver lobule, we demonstrate that gluconeogenic gene expression ( Pck1 and G6pc ) is relatively low in the fed state and gradually increases first in the periportal hepatocytes during the initial fasting period. As the time of fasting progresses, pericentral hepatocyte gluconeogenic gene expression increases, and following entry into the starvation state, the pericentral hepatocytes show similar gluconeogenic gene expression to the periportal hepatocytes. Similarly, pyruvate-dependent gluconeogenic activity is approximately 10-fold higher in the periportal hepatocytes during the initial fasting state but only 1.5-fold higher in the starvation state. In parallel, starvation suppresses canonical beta-catenin signaling and modulates expression of pericentral and periportal glutamine synthetase and glutaminase, resulting in an enhanced pericentral glutamine-dependent gluconeogenesis. These findings demonstrate that hepatocyte gluconeogenic gene expression and gluconeogenic activity are highly spatially and temporally plastic across the liver lobule, underscoring the critical importance of using well-defined feeding and fasting conditions to define the basis of hepatic insulin resistance and glucose production.
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11
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Zhong Z, Jiao Z, Yu FX. The Hippo signaling pathway in development and regeneration. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113926. [PMID: 38457338 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The Hippo signaling pathway is a central growth control mechanism in multicellular organisms. By integrating diverse mechanical, biochemical, and stress cues, the Hippo pathway orchestrates proliferation, survival, differentiation, and mechanics of cells, which in turn regulate organ development, homeostasis, and regeneration. A deep understanding of the regulation and function of the Hippo pathway therefore holds great promise for developing novel therapeutics in regenerative medicine. Here, we provide updates on the molecular organization of the mammalian Hippo signaling network, review the regulatory signals and functional outputs of the pathway, and discuss the roles of Hippo signaling in development and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxing Zhong
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zhihan Jiao
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Fa-Xing Yu
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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12
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Liu K, Wehling L, Wan S, Weiler SME, Tóth M, Ibberson D, Marhenke S, Ali A, Lam M, Guo T, Pinna F, Pedrini F, Damle-Vartak A, Dropmann A, Rose F, Colucci S, Cheng W, Bissinger M, Schmitt J, Birner P, Poth T, Angel P, Dooley S, Muckenthaler MU, Longerich T, Vogel A, Heikenwälder M, Schirmacher P, Breuhahn K. Dynamic YAP expression in the non-parenchymal liver cell compartment controls heterologous cell communication. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:115. [PMID: 38436764 PMCID: PMC10912141 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Hippo pathway and its transcriptional effectors yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are targets for cancer therapy. It is important to determine if the activation of one factor compensates for the inhibition of the other. Moreover, it is unknown if YAP/TAZ-directed perturbation affects cell-cell communication of non-malignant liver cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS To investigate liver-specific phenotypes caused by YAP and TAZ inactivation, we generated mice with hepatocyte (HC) and biliary epithelial cell (BEC)-specific deletions for both factors (YAPKO, TAZKO and double knock-out (DKO)). Immunohistochemistry, single-cell sequencing, and proteomics were used to analyze liver tissues and serum. RESULTS The loss of BECs, liver fibrosis, and necrosis characterized livers from YAPKO and DKO mice. This phenotype was weakened in DKO tissues compared to specimens from YAPKO animals. After depletion of YAP in HCs and BECs, YAP expression was induced in non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) in a cholestasis-independent manner. YAP positivity was detected in subgroups of Kupffer cells (KCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). The secretion of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines such as C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL11), fms-related receptor tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) was increased in the serum of YAPKO animals. YAP activation in NPCs could contribute to inflammation via TEA domain transcription factor (TEAD)-dependent transcriptional regulation of secreted factors. CONCLUSION YAP inactivation in HCs and BECs causes liver damage, and concomitant TAZ deletion does not enhance but reduces this phenotype. Additionally, we present a new mechanism by which YAP contributes to cell-cell communication originating from NPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaijing Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lilija Wehling
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Modeling of Biological Processes, COS Heidelberg/BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shan Wan
- Department of Pathology, School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Sofia M E Weiler
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcell Tóth
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Ibberson
- Deep Sequencing Core Facility, CellNetworks Excellence Cluster, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Silke Marhenke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Adnan Ali
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Macrina Lam
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Te Guo
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Federico Pinna
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabiola Pedrini
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Amruta Damle-Vartak
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Dropmann
- Department of Medicine II, Molecular Hepatology Section, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Fabian Rose
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Silvia Colucci
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology & Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wenxiang Cheng
- Translational Medicine R&D Center, Institute of Biomedical & Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Michaela Bissinger
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schmitt
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrizia Birner
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Poth
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, Molecular Hepatology Section, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Martina U Muckenthaler
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology & Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Longerich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arndt Vogel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Mathias Heikenwälder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kai Breuhahn
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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13
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Fabris L, Campello E, Cadamuro M, Simioni P. The evil relationship between liver fibrosis and cardiovascular disease in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD): Looking for the culprit. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166763. [PMID: 37951510 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome caused by insulin resistance, is a major public health problem, affecting about the 25 % of the general population in Western countries. Morbidity and mortality of MAFLD patients is increased primarily due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Liver fibrosis, the byproduct of hepatic repair, is the main determinant of MAFLD progression and the strongest predictor for overall mortality. Since the mechanistic relationship between MAFLD, fibrosis, insulin resistance and the cardiometabolic risk is far to be clear, deciphering the functional link of hepatic fibrogenesis with genetic factors and hypercoagulability in MAFLD-associated CVD may hold translational potential for risk profiling and innovative therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Fabris
- General Internal Medicine Unit, and Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Disease Unit and Haemophilia Center, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy; Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), University of Padua, Padua, Italy; Digestive Disease Section, Liver Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - E Campello
- General Internal Medicine Unit, and Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Disease Unit and Haemophilia Center, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy; Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - M Cadamuro
- General Internal Medicine Unit, and Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Disease Unit and Haemophilia Center, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy; Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - P Simioni
- General Internal Medicine Unit, and Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Disease Unit and Haemophilia Center, Padua University-Hospital, Padua, Italy; Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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14
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Srivastava A, Rikhari D, Srivastava S. RSPO2 as Wnt signaling enabler: Important roles in cancer development and therapeutic opportunities. Genes Dis 2024; 11:788-806. [PMID: 37692504 PMCID: PMC10491879 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
R-spondins are secretory proteins localized in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies and are processed through the secretory pathway. Among the R-spondin family, RSPO2 has emanated as a novel regulator of Wnt signaling, which has now been acknowledged in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that proliferates and spreads uncontrollably due to the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic factors that constitutively activate Wnt signaling in various types of cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) begins when cells in the colon and rectum follow an indefinite pattern of division due to aberrant Wnt activation as one of the key hallmarks. Decades-long progress in research on R-spondins has demonstrated their oncogenic function in distinct cancer types, particularly CRC. As a critical regulator of the Wnt pathway, it modulates several phenotypes of cells, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and cancer stem cell properties. Recently, RSPO mutations, gene rearrangements, fusions, copy number alterations, and altered gene expression have also been identified in a variety of cancers, including CRC. In this review, we addressed the recent updates regarding the recurrently altered R-spondins with special emphasis on the RSPO2 gene and its involvement in potentiating Wnt signaling in CRC. In addition to the compelling physiological and biological roles in cellular fate and regulation, we propose that RSPO2 would be valuable as a potential biomarker for prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic use in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Srivastava
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211004, India
| | - Deeksha Rikhari
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211004, India
| | - Sameer Srivastava
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211004, India
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15
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Wang W, Zhou Y, Li W, Quan C, Li Y. Claudins and hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116109. [PMID: 38185042 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high incidence and dismal prognosis, making it a significant global health burden. To change this, the development of new therapeutic strategies is imminent. The claudin (CLDN) family, as key components of tight junctions (TJs), plays an important role in the initiation and development of cancer. Dysregulated expression of CLDNs leads to loss of intercellular adhesion and aberrant cell signaling, which are closely related to cancer cell invasion, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CLDN1, CLDN3, CLDN4, CLDN5, CLDN6, CLDN7, CLDN9, CLDN10, CLDN11, CLDN14, and CLDN17 are aberrantly expressed in HCC, which drives the progression of the disease. Consequently, they have tremendous potential as prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets. This article summarizes the aberrant expression, molecular mechanisms, and clinical application studies of different subtypes of CLDNs in HCC, with a particular emphasis on CLDN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China; The Second Norman Bethune College of Clinical Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yi Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China; The First Norman Bethune College of Clinical Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Wei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Chengshi Quan
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China
| | - Yanru Li
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, Changchun, Jilin 130021, China.
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16
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Cassani M, Fernandes S, Oliver‐De La Cruz J, Durikova H, Vrbsky J, Patočka M, Hegrova V, Klimovic S, Pribyl J, Debellis D, Skladal P, Cavalieri F, Caruso F, Forte G. YAP Signaling Regulates the Cellular Uptake and Therapeutic Effect of Nanoparticles. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2302965. [PMID: 37946710 PMCID: PMC10787066 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between living cells and nanoparticles are extensively studied to enhance the delivery of therapeutics. Nanoparticles size, shape, stiffness, and surface charge are regarded as the main features able to control the fate of cell-nanoparticle interactions. However, the clinical translation of nanotherapies has so far been limited, and there is a need to better understand the biology of cell-nanoparticle interactions. This study investigates the role of cellular mechanosensitive components in cell-nanoparticle interactions. It is demonstrated that the genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of yes-associated protein (YAP), a key component of cancer cell mechanosensing apparatus and Hippo pathway effector, improves nanoparticle internalization in triple-negative breast cancer cells regardless of nanoparticle properties or substrate characteristics. This process occurs through YAP-dependent regulation of endocytic pathways, cell mechanics, and membrane organization. Hence, the study proposes targeting YAP may sensitize triple-negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapy and increase the selectivity of nanotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cassani
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrno60200Czech Republic
- Department of Chemical EngineeringThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoria3010Australia
| | - Soraia Fernandes
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrno60200Czech Republic
- Department of Chemical EngineeringThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoria3010Australia
| | - Jorge Oliver‐De La Cruz
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrno60200Czech Republic
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Helena Durikova
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrno60200Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vrbsky
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrno60200Czech Republic
| | - Marek Patočka
- NenoVisionPurkynova 649/127Brno61200Czech Republic
- Faculty of Mechanical EngineeringBrno University of TechnologyTechnicka 2896/2Brno61669Czech Republic
| | | | - Simon Klimovic
- Department of Bioanalytical InstrumentationCEITEC Masaryk UniversityBrno60200Czech Republic
| | - Jan Pribyl
- Department of Bioanalytical InstrumentationCEITEC Masaryk UniversityBrno60200Czech Republic
| | - Doriana Debellis
- Electron Microscopy FacilityFondazione Istituto Italiano Di TecnologiaVia Morego 30Genoa16163Italy
| | - Petr Skladal
- Department of Bioanalytical InstrumentationCEITEC Masaryk UniversityBrno60200Czech Republic
| | - Francesca Cavalieri
- Department of Chemical EngineeringThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoria3010Australia
- School of ScienceRMIT UniversityMelbourne3000VictoriaAustralia
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie ChimicheUniversità di Roma “Tor Vergata”Via Della Ricerca ScientificaRome00133Italy
| | - Frank Caruso
- Department of Chemical EngineeringThe University of MelbourneParkvilleVictoria3010Australia
| | - Giancarlo Forte
- International Clinical Research CenterSt. Anne's University HospitalBrno60200Czech Republic
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & SciencesKing's College LondonLondonWC2R 2LSUK
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17
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Qu N, Luan T, Liu N, Kong C, Xu L, Yu H, Kang Y, Han Y. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 a (HNF4α): A perspective in cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115923. [PMID: 38000355 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
HNF4α, a transcription factor, plays a vital role in regulating functional genes and biological processes. Its alternative splicing leads to various transcript variants encoding different isoforms. The spotlight has shifted towards the extensive discussion on tumors interplayed withHNF4α abnormalities. Aberrant HNF4α expression has emerged as sentinel markers of epigenetic shifts, casting reverberations upon downstream target genes and intricate signaling pathways, most notably with cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of HNF4α's involvement in tumor progression and metastasis, elucidating its role and underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningxin Qu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ting Luan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Naiquan Liu
- The Nephrological Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenhui Kong
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Le Xu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Yu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Kang
- The Pathology Dept, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Han
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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18
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Jiang M, Ren J, Belmonte JCI, Liu GH. Hepatocyte reprogramming in liver regeneration: Biological mechanisms and applications. FEBS J 2023; 290:5674-5688. [PMID: 37556833 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The liver is one of the few organs that retain the capability to regenerate in adult mammals. This regeneration process is mainly facilitated by the dynamic behavior of hepatocytes, which are the major functional constituents in the liver. In response to liver injury, hepatocytes undergo remarkable alterations, such as reprogramming, wherein they lose their original identity and acquire properties from other cells. This phenomenon of hepatocyte reprogramming, coupled with hepatocyte expansion, plays a central role in liver regeneration, and its underlying mechanisms are complex and multifaceted. Understanding the fate of reprogrammed hepatocytes and the mechanisms of their conversion has significant implications for the development of innovative therapeutics for liver diseases. Herein, we review the plasticity of hepatocytes in response to various forms of liver injury, with a focus on injury-induced hepatocyte reprogramming. We provide a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing hepatocyte reprogramming, specifically in the context of liver regeneration, providing insight into potential applications of this process in the treatment of liver disorders, including chronic liver diseases and liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing, China
- School of Future Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Guang-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Aging Biomarker Consortium, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Aging Translational Medicine Center, International Center for Aging and Cancer, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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19
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Shi H, Zou Y, Zhong W, Li Z, Wang X, Yin Y, Li D, Liu Y, Li M. Complex roles of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15311-15322. [PMID: 37608027 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling module that controls organ size in different species, and the disorder of the Hippo pathway can induce liver cancer in organisms, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The exact mechanism that causes cancer is still unknown. Recent studies have shown that it is a classical kinase cascade that phosphorylates the Mst1/2-sav1 complex and activates the phosphorylation of the Lats1/2-mob1A/B complex for inactivating Yap and Taz. These kinases and scaffolds are regarded as primary regulators of the Hippo pathway, and help in activating a variety of carcinogenic processes. Among them, Yap/Taz is seen to be the main effector molecule, which is downstream of the Hippo pathway, and its abnormal activation is related to a variety of human cancers including liver cancer. Currently, since Yap/Taz plays a variety of roles in cancer promotion and tumor regeneration, the Hippo pathway has emerged as an attractive target in recent drug development research. METHODS We collect and review relevant literature in web of Science and Pubmed. CONCLUSION This review highlights the important roles of Yap/Taz in activating Hippo pathway in liver cancer. The recent findings on the crosstalks between the Hippo and other cancer associated pathways and moleculars are also discussed. In this review, we summarized and discussed recent breakthroughs in our understanding of how key components of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway influence the hepatocellular carcinoma, including their effects on tumor occurrence and development, their roles in regulating metastasis, and their function in chemotherapy resistance. Further, the molecular mechanism and roles in regulating cross talk between Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway and other cancer-associated pathways or oncogenes/cancer suppressor genes were summarized and discussed. More, many other inducers and inhibitors of this signaling cascade and available experimental therapies against the YAP/TAZ/TEAD axis were discussed. Targeting this pathway for cancer therapy may have great significance in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Graphical summary of the complex role of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hewen Shi
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zou
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Zhong
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoying Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Shandong Public Health Clinical Center, Jinan, 250102, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yancun Yin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China
| | - Defang Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Liu
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Minjing Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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20
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Robarts DR, Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Venneman KK, Hanover JA, Zachara NE, Slawson C, Apte U. The essential role of O-GlcNAcylation in hepatic differentiation. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0283. [PMID: 37930118 PMCID: PMC10629742 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification catalyzed by the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase, which transfers a single N-acetylglucosamine sugar from UDP-GlcNAc to the protein on serine and threonine residues on proteins. Another enzyme, O-GlcNAcase (OGA), removes this modification. O-GlcNAcylation plays an important role in pathophysiology. Here, we report that O-GlcNAcylation is essential for hepatocyte differentiation, and chronic loss results in fibrosis and HCC. METHODS Single-cell RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to investigate hepatocyte differentiation in hepatocyte-specific O-GlcNAc transferase-knockout (OGT-KO) mice with decreased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation and in O-GlcNAcase-KO mice with increased O-GlcNAcylation in hepatocytes. Patients HCC samples and the diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC model were used to investigate the effect of modulation of O-GlcNAcylation on the development of liver cancer. RESULTS Loss of hepatic O-GlcNAcylation resulted in disruption of liver zonation. Periportal hepatocytes were the most affected by loss of differentiation, characterized by dysregulation of glycogen storage and glucose production. O-GlcNAc transferase-KO mice exacerbated diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC development with increased inflammation, fibrosis, and YAP signaling. Consistently, O-GlcNAcase -KO mice with increased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation inhibited diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC. A progressive loss of O-GlcNAcylation was observed in patients with HCC. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that O-GlcNAcylation is a critical regulator of hepatic differentiation, and loss of O-GlcNAcylation promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. These data highlight increasing O-GlcNAcylation as a potential therapy in chronic liver diseases, including HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R. Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Kaitlyn K. Venneman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - John A. Hanover
- Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Natasha E. Zachara
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chad Slawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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21
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Lv L, Zhou X. Targeting Hippo signaling in cancer: novel perspectives and therapeutic potential. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e375. [PMID: 37799806 PMCID: PMC10547939 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As highly conserved among diverse species, Hippo signaling pathway regulates various biological processes, including development, cell proliferation, stem cell function, tissue regeneration, homeostasis, and organ size. Studies in the last two decades have provided a good framework for how these fundamental functions of Hippo signaling are tightly regulated by a network with numerous intracellular and extracellular factors. The Hippo signaling pathway, when dysregulated, may lead to a wide variety of diseases, especially cancer. There is growing evidence demonstrating that dysregulated Hippo signaling is closely associated with tumorigenesis, cancer cell invasion, and migration, as well as drug resistance. Therefore, the Hippo pathway is considered an appealing therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Promising novel agents targeting the Hippo signaling pathway for cancers have recently emerged. These novel agents have shown antitumor activity in multiple cancer models and demonstrated therapeutic potential for cancer treatment. However, the detailed molecular basis of the Hippo signaling-driven tumor biology remains undefined. Our review summarizes current advances in understanding the mechanisms by which Hippo signaling drives tumorigenesis and confers drug resistance. We also propose strategies for future preclinical and clinical development to target this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liemei Lv
- Department of HematologyShandong Provincial HospitalShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Xiangxiang Zhou
- Department of HematologyShandong Provincial HospitalShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Department of HematologyShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic DiseasesJinanShandongChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
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22
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Gabdulkhakova A, Krutsenko Y, Zhu J, Liu S, Poddar M, Singh S, Ma X, Nejak-Bowen K, Monga SP, Molina LM. Loss of TAZ after YAP deletion severely impairs foregut development and worsens cholestatic hepatocellular injury. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0220. [PMID: 37556373 PMCID: PMC10412434 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously showed that loss of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) in early liver development (YAPKO) leads to an Alagille syndrome-like phenotype, with failure of intrahepatic bile duct development, severe cholestasis, and chronic hepatocyte adaptations to reduce liver injury. TAZ, a paralog of YAP, was significantly upregulated in YAPKO hepatocytes and interacted with TEA domain family member (TEAD) transcription factors, suggesting possible compensatory activity. METHODS We deleted both Yap1 and Wwtr1 (which encodes TAZ) during early liver development using the Foxa3 promoter to drive Cre expression, similar to YAPKO mice, resulting in YAP/TAZ double knockout (DKO) and YAPKO with TAZ heterozygosity (YAPKO TAZHET). We evaluated these mice using immunohistochemistry, serum biochemistry, bile acid profiling, and RNA sequencing. RESULTS DKO mice were embryonic lethal, but their livers were similar to YAPKO, suggesting an extrahepatic cause of death. Male YAPKO TAZHET mice were also embryonic lethal, with insufficient samples to determine the cause. However, YAPKO TAZHET females survived and were phenotypically similar to YAPKO mice, with increased bile acid hydrophilicity and similar global gene expression adaptations but worsened the hepatocellular injury. TAZ heterozygosity in YAPKO impacted the expression of canonical YAP targets Ctgf and Cyr61, and we found changes in pathways regulating cell division and inflammatory signaling correlating with an increase in hepatocyte cell death, cell cycling, and macrophage recruitment. CONCLUSIONS YAP loss (with or without TAZ loss) aborts biliary development. YAP and TAZ play a codependent critical role in foregut endoderm development outside the liver, but they are not essential for hepatocyte development. TAZ heterozygosity in YAPKO livers increased cell cycling and inflammatory signaling in the setting of chronic injury, highlighting genes that are especially sensitive to TAZ regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelya Gabdulkhakova
- Precision Digital Health, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yekaterina Krutsenko
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Junjie Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Pharmacogenetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Silvia Liu
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaochao Ma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Center for Pharmacogenetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kari Nejak-Bowen
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Satdarshan P.S. Monga
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura M. Molina
- Department of Pathology, Division of Experimental Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Benhammou JN, Qiao B, Ko A, Sinnett-Smith J, Pisegna JR, Rozengurt E. Lipophilic statins inhibit YAP coactivator transcriptional activity in HCC cells through Rho-mediated modulation of actin cytoskeleton. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G239-G250. [PMID: 37366601 PMCID: PMC10511177 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00089.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of liver-related death. Lipophilic statins have been associated with a decrease in HCC incidence, raising the possibility of their use as chemoprevention agents. The Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) have emerged as an important pro-oncogenic mechanism in HCC. Statins modulate YAP/TAZ in other solid tumors, but few studies have assessed their mechanisms in HCC. We aimed to delineate how lipophilic statins regulate YAP protein localization by interrogating the mevalonate pathway in a stepwise manner using pharmacological and genetical approaches in HCC cells. Huh7 and Hep3B HCC cells were treated with the lipophilic statins cerivastatin and atorvastatin. YAP protein localization was determined using quantitative immunofluorescence (IF) imaging. The gene expression of CTGF and CYR61, known YAP/TEA-domain DNA-binding factor (TEAD)-regulated genes, was measured using quantitative real-time PCR. Rescue experiments were conducted using metabolites of the mevalonate pathway including mevalonic acid and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GG-PP). The cellular cytoskeleton was assessed using F-actin IF staining. YAP protein was extruded from the nucleus to the cytoplasm with statin treatment. Consistently, CTGF and CYR61 mRNA expression significantly decreased with statins. Cytoskeletal structure was also compromised with statins. Gene expression, YAP protein localization, and cytoskeletal structure were all restored to baseline with exogenous GG-PP but not with other metabolites of the mevalonate pathway. Direct Rho GTPase inhibitor treatment mirrored the statin effects on YAP. YAP protein localization is regulated by lipophilic statins via Rho GTPases, causing cytoskeletal structural changes and is independent of cholesterol metabolites.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Statins are widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, their use has been associated with a decrease in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, their mechanism(s) has remained elusive. In this study, we delineate the mechanism by which statins affect the Yes-associated protein (YAP), which has emerged as a key oncogenic pathway in HCC. We investigate each step of the mevalonate pathway and demonstrate that statins regulate YAP via Rho GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihane N Benhammou
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parental Nutrition, Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Bo Qiao
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parental Nutrition, Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Arthur Ko
- Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Childrens National Research Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
| | - James Sinnett-Smith
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parental Nutrition, Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Joseph R Pisegna
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parental Nutrition, Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Enrique Rozengurt
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parental Nutrition, Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
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24
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Chen F, Schönberger K, Tchorz JS. Distinct hepatocyte identities in liver homeostasis and regeneration. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100779. [PMID: 37456678 PMCID: PMC10339260 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of metabolic liver zonation is spontaneously established by assigning distributed tasks to hepatocytes along the porto-central blood flow. Hepatocytes fulfil critical metabolic functions, while also maintaining hepatocyte mass by replication when needed. Recent technological advances have enabled us to fine-tune our understanding of hepatocyte identity during homeostasis and regeneration. Subsets of hepatocytes have been identified to be more regenerative and some have even been proposed to function like stem cells, challenging the long-standing view that all hepatocytes are similarly capable of regeneration. The latest data show that hepatocyte renewal during homeostasis and regeneration after liver injury is not limited to rare hepatocytes; however, hepatocytes are not exactly the same. Herein, we review the known differences that give individual hepatocytes distinct identities, recent findings demonstrating how these distinct identities correspond to differences in hepatocyte regenerative capacity, and how the plasticity of hepatocyte identity allows for division of labour among hepatocytes. We further discuss how these distinct hepatocyte identities may play a role during liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Jan S. Tchorz
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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25
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Saito Y, Yin D, Kubota N, Wang X, Filliol A, Remotti H, Nair A, Fazlollahi L, Hoshida Y, Tabas I, Wangensteen KJ, Schwabe RF. A Therapeutically Targetable TAZ-TEAD2 Pathway Drives the Growth of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via ANLN and KIF23. Gastroenterology 2023; 164:1279-1292. [PMID: 36894036 PMCID: PMC10335360 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Despite recent progress, long-term survival remains low for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most effective HCC therapies target the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and there are almost no therapies that directly target tumor cells. Here, we investigated the regulation and function of tumor cell-expressed Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in HCC. METHODS HCC was induced in mice by Sleeping Beauty-mediated expression of MET, CTNNB1-S45Y, or TAZ-S89A, or by diethylnitrosamine plus CCl4. Hepatocellular TAZ and YAP were deleted in floxed mice via adeno-associated virus serotype 8-mediated expression of Cre. TAZ target genes were identified from RNA sequencing, confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation, and evaluated in a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats interference (CRISPRi) screen. TEA domain transcription factors (TEADs), anillin (ANLN), Kif23, and programmed cell death protein ligand 1 were knocked down by guide RNAs in dead clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated protein 9 (dCas9) knock-in mice. RESULTS YAP and TAZ were up-regulated in murine and human HCC, but only deletion of TAZ consistently decreased HCC growth and mortality. Conversely, overexpression of activated TAZ was sufficient to trigger HCC. TAZ expression in HCC was regulated by cholesterol synthesis, as demonstrated by pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl- coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1), or sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2). TAZ- and MET/CTNNB1-S45Y-driven HCC required the expression of TEAD2 and, to a lesser extent, TEAD4. Accordingly, TEAD2 displayed the most profound effect on survival in patients with HCC. TAZ and TEAD2 promoted HCC via increased tumor cell proliferation, mediated by TAZ target genes ANLN and kinesin family member 23 (KIF23). Therapeutic targeting of HCC, using pan-TEAD inhibitors or the combination of a statin with sorafenib or anti-programmed cell death protein 1, decreased tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest the cholesterol-TAZ-TEAD2-ANLN/KIF23 pathway as a mediator of HCC proliferation and tumor cell-intrinsic therapeutic target that could be synergistically combined with TIME-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinobu Saito
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York.
| | - Dingzi Yin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Naoto Kubota
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Aveline Filliol
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Helen Remotti
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Ajay Nair
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Ladan Fazlollahi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ira Tabas
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Institute of Human Nutrition, New York, New York
| | - Kirk J Wangensteen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York; Institute of Human Nutrition, New York, New York.
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26
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Qi S, Zhong Z, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Ma M, Wang Y, Liu X, Jin R, Jiao Z, Zhu R, Sha Z, Dang K, Liu Y, Lim D, Mao J, Zhang L, Yu F. Two Hippo signaling modules orchestrate liver size and tumorigenesis. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112126. [PMID: 36919851 PMCID: PMC10233384 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is a central regulator of organ size and tumorigenesis and is commonly depicted as a kinase cascade, with an increasing number of regulatory and adaptor proteins linked to its regulation over recent years. Here, we propose that two Hippo signaling modules, MST1/2-SAV1-WWC1-3 (HPO1) and MAP4K1-7-NF2 (HPO2), together regulate the activity of LATS1/2 kinases and YAP/TAZ transcriptional co-activators. In mouse livers, the genetic inactivation of either HPO1 or HPO2 module results in partial activation of YAP/TAZ, bile duct hyperplasia, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). On the contrary, inactivation of both HPO1 and HPO2 modules results in full activation of YAP/TAZ, rapid development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), and early lethality. Interestingly, HPO1 has a predominant role in regulating organ size. HPO1 inactivation causes a homogenous YAP/TAZ activation and cell proliferation across the whole liver, resulting in a proportional and rapid increase in liver size. Thus, this study has reconstructed the order of the Hippo signaling network and suggests that LATS1/2 and YAP/TAZ activities are finetuned by HPO1 and HPO2 modules to cause different cell fates, organ size changes, and tumorigenesis trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sixian Qi
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhenxing Zhong
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yebin Wang
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Mingyue Ma
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xincheng Liu
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ruxin Jin
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhihan Jiao
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Rui Zhu
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhao Sha
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Kyvan Dang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer BiologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMAUSA
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Dae‐Sik Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Creative Research Initiatives CenterKorea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyDaejeonRepublic of Korea
| | - Junhao Mao
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer BiologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMAUSA
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
- School of Life Science and TechnologyShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Fa‐Xing Yu
- Institute of PediatricsChildren's Hospital of Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- The Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The International Co‐laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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Shi H, Zou Y, Wang X, Wang G, Gao Y, Yi F, Xu J, Yin Y, Li D, Li M. Activating the Hippo pathway by nevadensin overcomes Yap-drived resistance to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:83. [PMID: 37243813 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00699-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant type of tumor that is insensitive to cytotoxic chemotherapy and often develops drug resistance. Nevadensin, a bioflavonoid, exhibits anti-cancer properties in some cancers. However, the precise underlying mechanism of nevadensin against liver cancer are poorly understood. We aim to evaluate the efficacy as well as the molecular mechanism of nevadensin in the treatment of liver cancer. METHODS Effects of nevadensin on HCC cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using EdU labeling and flow cytometry assays. The molecular mechanism of nevadensin on HCC was determined using RNAseq. The effects of nevadensin on hippo-Yap signaling were verified using western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS In this study, we show that nevadensin significantly inhibits growth of HCC cells via inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. RNAseq analysis showed that nevadensin regulates multiple functional signaling pathways associated with cancer including Hippo signaling. Western Blot analysis revealed that nevadensin notably induces activation of the MST1/2- LATS1/2 kinase in HCC cells, further resulting in the primary effector molecule YAP phosphorylation and subsequent degradation. These results indicated that nevadensin might exert its anti-HCC activity through the Hippo-ON mechanism. Moreover, nevadensin could increase the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib by down-regulating YAP and its downstream targets. CONCLUSIONS The present study indicates that nevadensin could be a potential effective approach to treating HCC, and overcoming sorafeni resistance via inducing activation of Hippo signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hewen Shi
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zou
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoli Wang
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijia Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Junqing Xu
- Department of Hematology, Qingdao University Medical College, Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hoepital, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yancun Yin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Defang Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Minjing Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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28
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Sinha S, Aizawa S, Nakano Y, Rialdi A, Choi HY, Shrestha R, Pan SQ, Chen Y, Li M, Kapelanski-Lamoureux A, Yochum G, Sher L, Monga SP, Lazaris A, Machida K, Karin M, Guccione E, Tsukamoto H. Hepatic stellate cell stearoyl co-A desaturase activates leukotriene B4 receptor 2 - β-catenin cascade to promote liver tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2651. [PMID: 37156770 PMCID: PMC10167314 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38406-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 3rd most deadly malignancy. Activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSC) give rise to cancer-associated fibroblasts in HCC and are considered a potential therapeutic target. Here we report that selective ablation of stearoyl CoA desaturase-2 (Scd2) in aHSC globally suppresses nuclear CTNNB1 and YAP1 in tumors and tumor microenvironment and prevents liver tumorigenesis in male mice. Tumor suppression is associated with reduced leukotriene B4 receptor 2 (LTB4R2) and its high affinity oxylipin ligand, 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid (12-HHTrE). Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of LTB4R2 recapitulates CTNNB1 and YAP1 inactivation and tumor suppression in culture and in vivo. Single cell RNA sequencing identifies a subset of tumor-associated aHSC expressing Cyp1b1 but no other 12-HHTrE biosynthetic genes. aHSC release 12-HHTrE in a manner dependent on SCD and CYP1B1 and their conditioned medium reproduces the LTB4R2-mediated tumor-promoting effects of 12-HHTrE in HCC cells. CYP1B1-expressing aHSC are detected in proximity of LTB4R2-positive HCC cells and the growth of patient HCC organoids is blunted by LTB4R2 antagonism or knockdown. Collectively, our findings suggest aHSC-initiated 12-HHTrE-LTB4R2-CTNNB1-YAP1 pathway as a potential HCC therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Sinha
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Satoka Aizawa
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Yasuhiro Nakano
- Laboratory of Cell Growth and Differentiation, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0022, Japan
| | - Alexander Rialdi
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hess Center for Science and Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hye Yeon Choi
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Rajan Shrestha
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Stephanie Q Pan
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Yibu Chen
- USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Meng Li
- USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | | | - Gregory Yochum
- Department of Surgery, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Linda Sher
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Satdarshan Paul Monga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburg, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Anthoula Lazaris
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Keigo Machida
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Michael Karin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hess Center for Science and Medicine, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hidekazu Tsukamoto
- Southern California Research Center for ALPD and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA.
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Robarts DR, Kotulkar M, Paine-Cabrera D, Venneman KK, Hanover JA, Zachara NE, Slawson C, Apte U. The Essential Role of O-GlcNAcylation in Hepatic Differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.16.528884. [PMID: 36824917 PMCID: PMC9949138 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.16.528884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Background & Aims O-GlcNAcylation is a post-translational modification catalyzed by the enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), which transfers a single N-acetylglucosamine sugar from UDP-GlcNAc to the protein on serine and threonine residues on proteins. Another enzyme, O-GlcNAcase (OGA), removes this modification. O-GlcNAcylation plays an important role in pathophysiology. Here, we report that O-GlcNAcylation is essential for hepatocyte differentiation, and chronic loss results in fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Single-cell RNA-sequencing was used to investigate hepatocyte differentiation in hepatocyte-specific OGT-KO mice with increased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation and in OGA-KO mice with decreased O-GlcNAcylation in hepatocytes. HCC patient samples and the DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model were used to investigate the effect of modulation of O-GlcNAcylation on the development of liver cancer. Results Loss of hepatic O-GlcNAcylation resulted in disruption of liver zonation. Periportal hepatocytes were the most affected by loss of differentiation characterized by dysregulation of glycogen storage and glucose production. OGT-KO mice exacerbated DEN-induced HCC development with increased inflammation, fibrosis, and YAP signaling. Consistently, OGA-KO mice with increased hepatic O-GlcNAcylation inhibited DEN-induced HCC. A progressive loss of O-GlcNAcylation was observed in HCC patients. Conclusions Our study shows that O-GlcNAcylation is a critical regulator of hepatic differentiation, and loss of O-GlcNAcylation promotes hepatocarcinogenesis. These data highlight increasing O-GlcNAcylation as a potential therapy in chronic liver diseases, including HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota R. Robarts
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Manasi Kotulkar
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Diego Paine-Cabrera
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Kaitlyn K. Venneman
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - John A. Hanover
- Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Natasha E. Zachara
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chad Slawson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Udayan Apte
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
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Rejuvenation of tendon stem/progenitor cells for functional tendon regeneration through platelet-derived exosomes loaded with recombinant Yap1. Acta Biomater 2023; 161:80-99. [PMID: 36804538 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The regenerative capabilities including self-renewal, migration and differentiation potentials shift from the embryonic phase to the mature period of endogenous tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) characterize restricted functions and disabilities following tendon injuries. Recent studies have shown that tendon regeneration and repair rely on multiple specific transcription factors to maintain TSPCs characteristics and functions. Here, we demonstrate Yap, a Hippo pathway downstream effector, is associated with TSPCs phenotype and regenerative potentials through gene expression analysis of tendon development and repair process. Exosomes have been proven an efficient transport platform for drug delivery. In this study, purified exosomes derived from donor platelets are loaded with recombinant Yap1 protein (PLT-Exo-Yap1) via electroporation to promote the stemness and differentiation potentials of TSPCs in vitro. Programmed TSPCs with Yap1 import maintain stemness and functions after long-term passage in vitro. The increased oxidative stress levels of TSPCs are related to the phenotype changes in duplicative senescent processes. The results show that treatment with PLT-Exo-Yap1 significantly protects TSPCs against oxidative stressor-induced stemness loss and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) through the NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, we fabricate an Exos-Yap1-functioned GelMA hydrogel with a parallel-aligned substrate structure to enhance TSPCs adhesion, promote cell stemness and force regenerative cells toward the tendon lineage for in vitro and in vivo tendon regeneration. The application of Exos-Yap1 functioned implant assists new tendon-like tissue formation with good mechanical properties and locomotor functions in a full-cut Achilles tendon defect model. Thus, PLT-Exo-Yap1-functionalized GelMA promotes the rejuvenation of TSPCs to facilitate functional tendon regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study to explore that the hippo pathway downstream effector Yap is involved in tendon aging and repair processes, and is associated with the regenerative capabilities of TSPCs. In this syudy, Platelet-derived exosomes (PLT-Exos) act as an appropriate carrier platform for the delivery of recombinant Yap1 into TSPCs to regulate Yap activity. Effective Yap1 delivery inhibit oxidative stress-induced senescence associated phenotype of TSPCs by blocking ROS-mediated NF-κb signaling pathway activation. This study emphasizes that combined application of biomimetic scaffolds and Yap1 loaded PLT-Exos can provide structural support and promote rejuvenation of resident cells to assist functional regeneration for Achilles tendon defect, and has the prospect of clinical setting.
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Berasain C, Arechederra M, Argemí J, Fernández-Barrena MG, Avila MA. Loss of liver function in chronic liver disease: An identity crisis. J Hepatol 2023; 78:401-414. [PMID: 36115636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Adult hepatocyte identity is constructed throughout embryonic development and fine-tuned after birth. A multinodular network of transcription factors, along with pre-mRNA splicing regulators, define the transcriptome, which encodes the proteins needed to perform the complex metabolic and secretory functions of the mature liver. Transient hepatocellular dedifferentiation can occur as part of the regenerative mechanisms triggered in response to acute liver injury. However, persistent downregulation of key identity genes is now accepted as a strong determinant of organ dysfunction in chronic liver disease, a major global health burden. Therefore, the identification of core transcription factors and splicing regulators that preserve hepatocellular phenotype, and a thorough understanding of how these networks become disrupted in diseased hepatocytes, is of high clinical relevance. In this context, we review the key players in liver differentiation and discuss in detail critical factors, such as HNF4α, whose impairment mediates the breakdown of liver function. Moreover, we present compelling experimental evidence demonstrating that restoration of core transcription factor expression in a chronically injured liver can reset hepatocellular identity, improve function and ameliorate structural abnormalities. The possibility of correcting the phenotype of severely damaged and malfunctional livers may reveal new therapeutic opportunities for individuals with cirrhosis and advanced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Berasain
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Maria Arechederra
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josepmaria Argemí
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain; Liver Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernández-Barrena
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
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PXR triggers YAP-TEAD binding and Sirt2-driven YAP deacetylation and polyubiquitination to promote liver enlargement and regeneration in mice. Pharmacol Res 2023; 188:106666. [PMID: 36657504 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pregnane X receptor (PXR) plays an important role in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a critical regulator of liver size and liver regeneration. Recently, we reported that PXR-induced liver enlargement and regeneration depend on YAP signalling, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to reveal how PXR regulates or interacts with YAP signalling during PXR-induced hepatomegaly and liver regeneration. Immunoprecipitation (IP), Co-IP and GST pull-down assays were performed in vitro to reveal the regulatory mechanisms involved in the PXR-YAP interaction. The roles of YAP-TEAD binding and Sirt2-driven deacetylation and polyubiquitination of YAP were further investigated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of PXR and the WW domain of YAP were critical for the PXR-YAP interaction. Furthermore, disruption of the YAP-TEAD interaction using the binding inhibitor verteporfin significantly decreased PXR-induced liver enlargement and regeneration after 70 % partial hepatectomy (PHx). Mechanistically, PXR activation significantly decreased YAP acetylation, which was interrupted by the sirtuin inhibitor nicotinamide (NAM). In addition, p300-induced YAP acetylation contributed to K48-linked YAP ubiquitination. Interestingly, PXR activation remarkably inhibited K48-linked YAP ubiquitination while inducing K63-linked YAP polyubiquitination. Sirt2 interference abolished the deacetylation and K63-linked polyubiquitination of YAP, suggesting that the PXR-induced deacetylation and polyubiquitination of YAP are Sirt2 dependent. Taken together, this study demonstrates that PXR induce liver enlargement and regeneration via the regulation of YAP acetylation and ubiquitination and YAP-TEAD binding, providing evidences for using PXR as potential target to promote hepatic development and liver repair.
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Martini T, Naef F, Tchorz JS. Spatiotemporal Metabolic Liver Zonation and Consequences on Pathophysiology. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 18:439-466. [PMID: 36693201 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-031521-024831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocytes are the main workers in the hepatic factory, managing metabolism of nutrients and xenobiotics, production and recycling of proteins, and glucose and lipid homeostasis. Division of labor between hepatocytes is critical to coordinate complex complementary or opposing multistep processes, similar to distributed tasks at an assembly line. This so-called metabolic zonation has both spatial and temporal components. Spatial distribution of metabolic function in hepatocytes of different lobular zones is necessary to perform complex sequential multistep metabolic processes and to assign metabolic tasks to the right environment. Moreover, temporal control of metabolic processes is critical to align required metabolic processes to the feeding and fasting cycles. Disruption of this complex spatiotemporal hepatic organization impairs key metabolic processes with both local and systemic consequences. Many metabolic diseases, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and diabetes, are associated with impaired metabolic liver zonation. Recent technological advances shed new light on the spatiotemporal gene expression networks controlling liver function and how their deregulation may be involved in a large variety of diseases. We summarize the current knowledge about spatiotemporal metabolic liver zonation and consequences on liver pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomaz Martini
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Felix Naef
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Jan S Tchorz
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland;
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Ippolito F, Consalvi V, Noce V, Battistelli C, Cicchini C, Tripodi M, Amicone L, Marchetti A. Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase 5 (ERK5) is required for the Yes-associated protein (YAP) co-transcriptional activity. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:32. [PMID: 36650140 PMCID: PMC9845357 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05569-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
YES-associated protein (YAP) is a transcriptional cofactor with a key role in the regulation of several physio-pathological cellular processes, by integrating multiple cell autonomous and microenvironmental cues. YAP is the main downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, a tumor-suppressive signaling able to transduce several extracellular signals. The Hippo pathway acts restraining YAP activity, since its activation induces YAP phosphorylation and cytoplasmic sequestration. However, recent observations indicate that YAP activity can be also modulated by Hippo independent/integrating pathways, still largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrated the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5)/mitogen-activated protein kinase in the regulation of YAP activity. By means of ERK5 inhibition/silencing and overexpression experiments, and by using as model liver stem cells, hepatocytes, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, we provided evidence that ERK5 is required for YAP-dependent gene expression. Mechanistically, ERK5 controls the recruitment of YAP on promoters of target genes and its physical interaction with the transcriptional partner TEAD; moreover, it mediates the YAP activation occurring in cell adhesion, migration, and TGFβ-induced EMT of liver cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ERK5 signaling modulates YAP activity in a LATS1/2-independent manner. Therefore, our observations identify ERK5 as a novel upstream Hippo-independent regulator of YAP activity, thus unveiling a new target for therapeutic approaches aimed at interfering with its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ippolito
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Consalvi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Noce
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Carla Cicchini
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tripodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Amicone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Li R, Huang W. Yes-Associated Protein and Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif in Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021666. [PMID: 36675179 PMCID: PMC9861006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP, also known as YAP1) and its paralogue TAZ (with a PDZ-binding motif) are transcriptional coactivators that switch between the cytoplasm and nucleus and regulate the organ size and tissue homeostasis. This review focuses on the research progress on YAP/TAZ signaling proteins in myocardial infarction, cardiac remodeling, hypertension and coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and aortic disease. Based on preclinical studies on YAP/TAZ signaling proteins in cellular/animal models and clinical patients, the potential roles of YAP/TAZ proteins in some cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are summarized.
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36
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Vaughan HJ, Zamboni CG, Luly KM, Li L, Gabrielson KL, Hassan LF, Radant NP, Bhardwaj P, Selaru FM, Pomper MG, Green JJ. Non-Viral Gene Delivery to Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Intra-Arterial Injection. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:2525-2537. [PMID: 37197026 PMCID: PMC10184850 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s390384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has limited treatment options, and modest survival after systemic chemotherapy or procedures such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). There is therefore a need to develop targeted therapies to address HCC. Gene therapies hold immense promise in treating a variety of diseases, including HCC, though delivery remains a critical hurdle. This study investigated a new approach of local delivery of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) via intra-arterial injection for targeted local gene delivery to HCC tumors in an orthotopic rat liver tumor model. Methods Poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE) nanoparticles were formulated and assessed for GFP transfection in N1-S1 rat HCC cells in vitro. Optimized PBAE NPs were next administered to rats via intra-arterial injection with and without orthotopic HCC tumors, and both biodistribution and transfection were assessed. Results In vitro transfection of PBAE NPs led to >50% transfected cells in adherent and suspension culture at a variety of doses and weight ratios. Administration of NPs via intra-arterial or intravenous injection demonstrated no transfection of healthy liver, while intra-arterial NP injection led to transfection of tumors in an orthotopic rat HCC model. Conclusion Hepatic artery injection is a promising delivery approach for PBAE NPs and demonstrates increased targeted transfection of HCC tumors compared to intravenous administration, and offers a potential alternative to standard chemotherapies and TACE. This work demonstrates proof of concept for administration of polymeric PBAE nanoparticles via intra-arterial injection for gene delivery in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah J Vaughan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Camila G Zamboni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathryn M Luly
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kathleen L Gabrielson
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laboni F Hassan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas P Radant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pranshu Bhardwaj
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Florin M Selaru
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Martin G Pomper
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordan J Green
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophthalmology, and Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Correspondence: Jordan J Green, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 400 N Broadway, Smith 5017, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA, Tel +1 410 614-9113, Email
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Gao Y, Gong Y, Liu Y, Xue Y, Zheng K, Guo Y, Hao L, Peng Q, Shi X. Integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2215 cells after YAP1 knockdown. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:151987. [PMID: 36473310 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2022.151987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) plays a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Inhibition of YAP1 expression suppresses HCC progression, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we studied the effects and molecular mechanisms of YAP1 knockdown on the growth and metabolism in human HCC HepG2215 cells. Inhibition of YAP1 expression inhibits the proliferation and metastasis in HepG2215 cells, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites were identified in shYAP1-HepG2215 cells. Further, 805 DEGs, mainly associated with metabolism and particularly lipid metabolism, were identified by transcriptome sequencing analyses in shYAP1-HepG2215 cells. YAP1 knockdown increased albumin (ALB) levels by Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses in HepG2215 cells. Metabolomic profiling identified 37 metabolites with significant differences in the shYAP1 group, and amino acid metabolism generally decreased in the shYAP1 group. Comprehensive analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed that the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a central role after YAP1 knockdown in HepG2215 cells. Therefore, YAP1 knockdown inhibited HCC growth, which affected the metabolism of lipids and amino acids by regulating the expression of ALB and ABC transporters in HepG2215 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Gao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Kangning Zheng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yinglin Guo
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Liyuan Hao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Qing Peng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China.
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Nambiar SM, Lee J, Yanum JA, Garcia V, Jiang H, Dai G. Maternal hepatocytes heterogeneously and dynamically exhibit developmental phenotypes partially via yes-associated protein 1 during pregnancy. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 324:G38-G50. [PMID: 36283963 PMCID: PMC9799147 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00197.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy induces reprogramming of maternal physiology to support fetal development and growth. Maternal hepatocytes undergo hypertrophy and hyperplasia to drive maternal liver growth and alter their gene expression profiles simultaneously. This study aimed to further understand maternal hepatocyte adaptation to pregnancy. Timed pregnancies were generated in mice. In a nonpregnant state, most hepatocytes expressed Cd133, α-fetal protein (Afp) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Epcam) mRNAs, whereas overall, at the protein level, they exhibited a CD133-/AFP- phenotype; however, pericentral hepatocytes were EpCAM+. As pregnancy advanced, although most maternal hepatocytes retained Cd133, Afp, and Epcam mRNA expression, they generally displayed a phenotype of CD133+/AFP+, and EpCAM protein expression was switched from pericentral to periportal maternal hepatocytes. In addition, we found that the Hippo/yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway does not respond to pregnancy. Yap1 gene deletion specifically in maternal hepatocytes did not affect maternal liver growth or metabolic zonation. However, the absence of Yap1 gene eliminated CD133 protein expression without interfering with Cd133 transcript expression in maternal livers. We demonstrated that maternal hepatocytes acquire heterogeneous and dynamic developmental phenotypes, resembling fetal hepatocytes, partially via YAP1 through a posttranscriptional mechanism. Moreover, maternal liver is a new source of AFP. In addition, maternal liver grows and maintains its metabolic zonation independent of the Hippo/YAP1 pathway. Our findings revealed a novel and gestation-dependent phenotypic plasticity in adult hepatocytes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that maternal hepatocytes exhibit developmental phenotypes in a temporal and spatial manner, similarly to fetal hepatocytes. They acquire this new property partially via yes-associated protein 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Manohar Nambiar
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Joonyong Lee
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jennifer Abla Yanum
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Veronica Garcia
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Huaizhou Jiang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Pibiri M, Simbula G. Role of the Hippo pathway in liver regeneration and repair: recent advances. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:59. [PMID: 36471376 PMCID: PMC9720992 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-022-00235-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the signaling pathways involved in normal liver regeneration have been well characterized, less has been done for livers affected by chronic tissue damage. These "abnormal livers" have an impaired regenerative response that leads to liver repair and fibrosis. The tumor suppressor Hippo pathway plays a key role in liver regeneration and repair. On this basis, this review discusses recent studies focusing on the involvement of the Hippo signaling pathway during "normal healthy liver regeneration" (i.e., in a normal liver after 2/3 partial hepatectomy) and "abnormal liver regeneration" (i.e., in a liver damaged by chronic disease). This could be an important question to address with respect to new therapies aimed at improving impaired liver regenerative responses. The studies reported here have shown that activation of the Hippo coactivators YAP/TAZ during normal liver regeneration promotes the formation of a new bile duct network through direct BEC proliferation or/and hepatocyte dedifferentiation to HPCs which can trans-differentiate to BECs. Moreover, YAP/TAZ signaling interaction with other signaling pathways mediates the recruitment and activation of Kupffer cells, which release mitogenic cytokines for parenchymal and/or non-parenchymal cells and engage in phagocytosis of cellular debris. In addition, YAP-mediated activation of stellate cells (HSCs) promotes liver regeneration through the synthesis of extracellular matrix. However, in chronically diseased livers, where the predetermined threshold for proper liver regeneration is exceeded, YAP/TAZ activation results in a reparative process characterized by liver fibrosis. In this condition, YAP/TAZ activation in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells results in (i) differentiation of quiescent HSCs into myofibroblastic HSCs; (ii) recruitment of macrophages releasing inflammatory cytokines; (iii) polarization of macrophages toward the M2 phenotype. Since accumulation of damaged hepatocytes in chronic liver injury represent a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocarcinoma, this review also discussed the involvement of the Hippo pathway in the clearance of damaged cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Pibiri
- grid.7763.50000 0004 1755 3242Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oncology and Molecular Pathology Unit, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, Blocco A. 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Simbula
- grid.7763.50000 0004 1755 3242Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oncology and Molecular Pathology Unit, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, Blocco A. 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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40
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Oda C, Kamimura K, Shibata O, Morita S, Tanaka Y, Setsu T, Abe H, Yokoo T, Sakamaki A, Kamimura H, Kofuji S, Wakai T, Nishina H, Terai S. HBx and YAP expression could promote tumor development and progression in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Biophys Rep 2022; 32:101352. [PMID: 36160029 PMCID: PMC9490549 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 10%–20% of the total HCC numbers. Its clinical features include the occurrence in the younger generation, large tumors, and poor prognosis. The contribution of hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein in hepatocytes during activation of various oncogenic pathways has been reported. We aimed to assess the possible association between HBx and Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression in the liver tissue and the clinical features of HBV-related HCC. Methods The relationship between HBx and YAP expression was examined in vivo using HCC tumor and peritumor tissues (n = 55). The clinical information including tumor size, marker, and the prognosis was assessed with protein expressions. The in vitro gene expression analyses were conducted using HBx- and YAP-overexpressing HCC cell lines. Results Among 19 cases of HBV-related, 17 cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related, and 19 cases of nonviral-related HCC, the HBV-related tumor showed the largest size. The HBx-stained area in the tumor and peritumor tissue showed a significant correlation with tumor size and serum α-fetoprotein level. YAP expression was higher in HBV-related tumor tissue than in the peritumor tissue and HCV-related tumor. Additionally, HBx and YAP protein expressions are correlated and both expressions in the tumor contributed to the poor prognosis. An in vitro study demonstrated that HBx and YAP overexpression in the hepatocytes activate the various oncogenic signaling pathways. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that YAP expression in the liver of HBV-infected patients might be the key factor in HBV-related HCC development and control of tumor-related features. HBx and YAP expression are related to the HCC size and tumor marker level. HBx activates YAP expression and both protein expressions are correlated. Co-expression of HBx and YAP contributes to the poor prognosis of HCC cases. HBx and YAP expression in vitro activated various oncogenic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiyumi Oda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Kenya Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
- Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
- Corresponding author. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, 1-757, Asahimachi-Dori, Chuo-Ku, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Osamu Shibata
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Shinichi Morita
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yuto Tanaka
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Toru Setsu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yokoo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akira Sakamaki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroteru Kamimura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kofuji
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Wakai
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishina
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata, Japan
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Zheng S, Bian H, Li J, Shen Y, Yang Y, Hu W. Differentiation therapy: Unlocking phenotypic plasticity of hepatocellular carcinoma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 180:103854. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Mitten EK, Baffy G. Mechanotransduction in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1642-1656. [PMID: 36063966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mechanobiology is a domain of interdisciplinary research that aims to explore the impact of physical force, applied externally or internally, on cell and tissue function, including development, growth, and differentiation. Mechanotransduction is a term that describes how cells sense physical forces (such as compression, stretch, and shear stress), convert them into biochemical signals, and mount adaptive responses integrated by the nucleus. There is accumulating evidence that mechanical forces extensively inform the biological behaviour of liver cells in health and disease. Recent research has elucidated many cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process including the pleiotropic control and diverse effects of the paralogous transcription co-activators YAP/TAZ, which play a prominent role in mechanotransduction. The liver sinusoids represent a unique microenvironment in which cells are exposed to mechanical cues originating in the cytoskeleton and at interfaces with adjacent cells, the extracellular matrix, and vascular or interstitial fluids. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatocellular lipid accumulation and ballooning, activation of inflammatory responses, dysfunction of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells into a pro-contractile and pro-fibrotic phenotype have been associated with aberrant cycles of mechanosensing and mechanoresponses. The downstream consequences of disrupted mechanical homeostasis likely contribute to the progression of NAFLD and promote the development of portal hypertension, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Identification of molecular targets involved in pathogenic mechanotransduction will allow for the development of novel strategies to prevent the progression of liver disease in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie K Mitten
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - György Baffy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston MA, USA.
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43
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Sun Y, Hu L, Tao Z, Jarugumilli GK, Erb H, Singh A, Li Q, Cotton JL, Greninger P, Egan RK, Tony Ip Y, Benes CH, Che J, Mao J, Wu X. Pharmacological blockade of TEAD-YAP reveals its therapeutic limitation in cancer cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6744. [PMID: 36347861 PMCID: PMC9643419 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34559-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting TEAD autopalmitoylation has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for YAP-dependent cancers. Here we show that TEAD palmitoylation inhibitor MGH-CP1 and analogues block cancer cell "stemness", organ overgrowth and tumor initiation in vitro and in vivo. MGH-CP1 sensitivity correlates significantly with YAP-dependency in a large panel of cancer cell lines. However, TEAD inhibition or YAP/TAZ knockdown leads to transient inhibition of cell cycle progression without inducing cell death, undermining their potential therapeutic utilities. We further reveal that TEAD inhibition or YAP/TAZ silencing leads to VGLL3-mediated transcriptional activation of SOX4/PI3K/AKT signaling axis, which contributes to cancer cell survival and confers therapeutic resistance to TEAD inhibitors. Consistently, combination of TEAD and AKT inhibitors exhibits strong synergy in inducing cancer cell death. Our work characterizes the therapeutic opportunities and limitations of TEAD palmitoylation inhibitors in cancers, and uncovers an intrinsic molecular mechanism, which confers potential therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA.
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Lu Hu
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Zhipeng Tao
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Gopala K Jarugumilli
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Erb
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Alka Singh
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Cotton
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Patricia Greninger
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Regina K Egan
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Y Tony Ip
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Cyril H Benes
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Jianwei Che
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, MA, USA
| | - Junhao Mao
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, MA, USA.
| | - Xu Wu
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, MA, USA.
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Fu M, Hu Y, Lan T, Guan KL, Luo T, Luo M. The Hippo signalling pathway and its implications in human health and diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:376. [PMID: 36347846 PMCID: PMC9643504 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As an evolutionarily conserved signalling network, the Hippo pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of numerous biological processes. Thus, substantial efforts have been made to understand the upstream signals that influence the activity of the Hippo pathway, as well as its physiological functions, such as cell proliferation and differentiation, organ growth, embryogenesis, and tissue regeneration/wound healing. However, dysregulation of the Hippo pathway can cause a variety of diseases, including cancer, eye diseases, cardiac diseases, pulmonary diseases, renal diseases, hepatic diseases, and immune dysfunction. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that target dysregulated Hippo components might be promising approaches for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases. Here, we review the key components and upstream signals of the Hippo pathway, as well as the critical physiological functions controlled by the Hippo pathway. Additionally, diseases associated with alterations in the Hippo pathway and potential therapies targeting Hippo components will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyang Fu
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology Nursing, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianxia Lan
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun-Liang Guan
- Department of Pharmacology and Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ting Luo
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China.
| | - Min Luo
- Breast Disease Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, South of Renmin Road, 610041, Chengdu, China.
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Torregrosa C, Chorin F, Beltran EEM, Neuzillet C, Cardot-Ruffino V. Physical Activity as the Best Supportive Care in Cancer: The Clinician's and the Researcher's Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5402. [PMID: 36358820 PMCID: PMC9655932 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Multidisciplinary supportive care, integrating the dimensions of exercise alongside oncological treatments, is now regarded as a new paradigm to improve patient survival and quality of life. Its impact is important on the factors that control tumor development, such as the immune system, inflammation, tissue perfusion, hypoxia, insulin resistance, metabolism, glucocorticoid levels, and cachexia. An increasing amount of research has been published in the last years on the effects of physical activity within the framework of oncology, marking the appearance of a new medical field, commonly known as "exercise oncology". This emerging research field is trying to determine the biological mechanisms by which, aerobic exercise affects the incidence of cancer, the progression and/or the appearance of metastases. We propose an overview of the current state of the art physical exercise interventions in the management of cancer patients, including a pragmatic perspective with tips for routine practice. We then develop the emerging mechanistic views about physical exercise and their potential clinical applications. Moving toward a more personalized, integrated, patient-centered, and multidisciplinary management, by trying to understand the different interactions between the cancer and the host, as well as the impact of the disease and the treatments on the different organs, this seems to be the most promising method to improve the care of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Torregrosa
- Oncologie Digestive, Département d’Oncologie Médicale Institut Curie, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin—Université Paris Saclay, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France
- Département de Chirurgie Digestive et Oncologique, Hôpital Universitaire Ambroise Paré, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 9 avenue Charles de Gaulle, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt, France
| | - Frédéric Chorin
- Laboratoire Motricité Humaine, Expertise, Sport, Santé (LAMHESS), HEALTHY Graduate School, Université Côte d’Azur, 06205 Nice, France
- Clinique Gériatrique du Cerveau et du Mouvement, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Université Côte d’Azur, 06205 Nice, France
| | - Eva Ester Molina Beltran
- Oncologie Digestive, Département d’Oncologie Médicale Institut Curie, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin—Université Paris Saclay, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France
| | - Cindy Neuzillet
- Oncologie Digestive, Département d’Oncologie Médicale Institut Curie, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin—Université Paris Saclay, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France
- GERCOR, 151 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris, France
| | - Victoire Cardot-Ruffino
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Shokouhian B, Aboulkheyr Es H, Negahdari B, Tamimi A, Shahdoust M, Shpichka A, Timashev P, Hassan M, Vosough M. Hepatogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis: Alignment of the main signaling pathways. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3984-4000. [PMID: 36037302 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Development is a symphony of cells differentiation in which different signaling pathways are orchestrated at specific times and periods to form mature and functional cells from undifferentiated cells. The similarity of the gene expression profile in malignant and undifferentiated cells is an interesting topic that has been proposed for many years and gave rise to the differentiation-therapy concept, which appears a rational insight and should be reconsidered. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as the sixth common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide, is one of the health-threatening complications in communities where hepatotropic viruses are endemic. Sedentary lifestyle and high intake of calories are other risk factors. HCC is a complex condition in which various dimensions must be addressed, including heterogeneity of cells in the tumor mass, high invasiveness, and underlying diseases that limit the treatment options. Under these restrictions, recognizing, and targeting common signaling pathways during liver development and HCC could expedite to a rational therapeutic approach, reprograming malignant cells to well-differentiated ones in a functional state. Accordingly, in this review, we highlighted the commonalities of signaling pathways in hepatogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis, and comprised an update on the current status of targeting these pathways in laboratory studies and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahare Shokouhian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Babak Negahdari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atena Tamimi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shahdoust
- School of Biological Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
| | - Anastasia Shpichka
- World-Class Research Center "Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare", Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- World-Class Research Center "Digital biodesign and personalized healthcare", Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia.,Chemistry Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Moustapha Hassan
- Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Research Center (KFC) and Center for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Experimental Cancer Medicine, Institution for Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Clinical Research Center (KFC) and Center for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (CAST), Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
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Loesch R, Caruso S, Paradis V, Godard C, Gougelet A, Renault G, Picard S, Tanaka I, Renoux-Martin Y, Perret C, Taketo MM, Zucman-Rossi J, Colnot S. Deleting the β-catenin degradation domain in mouse hepatocytes drives hepatocellular carcinoma or hepatoblastoma-like tumor growth. J Hepatol 2022; 77:424-435. [PMID: 35257829 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS One-third of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) harbor mutations activating the β-catenin pathway, predominantly via mutations in the CTNNB1 gene itself. Mouse models of Apc loss-of-function are widely used to mimic β-catenin-dependent tumorigenesis. Given the low prevalence of APC mutations in human HCCs, we aimed to generate liver tumors through CTNNB1 exon 3 deletion (βcatΔex3). We then compared βcatΔex3 liver tumors with liver tumors generated via frameshift in exon 15 of Apc (Apcfs-ex15). METHODS We used hepatocyte-specific and inducible mouse models generated through either a Cre-Lox or a CRISPR/Cas9 approach using adeno-associated virus vectors. Tumors generated by the Cre-Lox models were phenotypically analyzed using immunohistochemistry and were selected for transcriptomic analysis by RNA-sequencing (RNAseq). Mouse RNAseq data were compared to human RNAseq data (8 normal tissues, 48 HCCs, 9 hepatoblastomas) in an integrative analysis. Tumors generated via CRISPR were analyzed using DNA sequencing and immuno-histochemistry. RESULTS Mice with CTNNB1 exon 3 deletion in hepatocytes developed liver tumors indistinguishable from Apcfs-ex15 liver tumors. Both Apcfs-ex15 and βcatΔex3 mouse models induced growth of phenotypically distinct tumors (differentiated or undifferentiated). Integrative analysis of human and mouse tumors showed that differentiated mouse tumors cluster with well-differentiated human CTNNB1-mutated tumors. Conversely, undifferentiated mouse tumors cluster with human mesenchymal hepatoblastomas and harbor activated YAP signaling. CONCLUSION Apcfs-ex15 and βcatΔex3 mouse models both induce growth of tumors that are transcriptionally similar to either well-differentiated and β-catenin-activated human HCCs or mesenchymal hepatoblastomas. LAY SUMMARY New and easy-to-use transgenic mouse models of primary liver cancers have been generated, with mutations in the gene encoding beta-catenin, which are frequent in both adult and pediatric primary liver cancers. The mice develop both types of cancer, constituting a strong preclinical model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Loesch
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| | - Stefano Caruso
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France
| | | | - Cecile Godard
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| | - Angélique Gougelet
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| | - Gilles Renault
- INSERM, CNRS, Institut COCHIN, F-75014, France; Plateforme Imageries du Vivant, Université de Paris, France
| | - Simon Picard
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| | - Ingrid Tanaka
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| | - Yoan Renoux-Martin
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France
| | | | | | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France
| | - Sabine Colnot
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), F-75006, France; Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, France.
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Biagioni F, Croci O, Sberna S, Donato E, Sabò A, Bisso A, Curti L, Chiesa A, Campaner S. Decoding YAP dependent transcription in the liver. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:7959-7971. [PMID: 35871292 PMCID: PMC9371928 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The transcriptional coactivator YAP is emerging as a master regulator of cell growth. In the liver, YAP activity is linked to hepatomegaly, regeneration, dedifferentiation, and aggressive tumor growth. Here we present genomic studies to address how YAP may elicit such profound biological changes in murine models. YAP bound the genome in a TEAD-dependent manner, either at loci constitutively occupied by TEAD or by pioneering enhancers, which comprised a fraction of HNF4a/FOXA-bound embryonic enhancers active during embryonic development but silent in the adult. YAP triggered transcription on promoters by recruiting BRD4, enhancing H3K122 acetylation, and promoting RNApol2 loading and pause-release. YAP also repressed HNF4a target genes by binding to their promoters and enhancers, thus preventing RNApol2 pause-release. YAP activation led to the induction of hepatocyte proliferation, accompanied by tissue remodeling, characterized by polarized macrophages, exhausted T-lymphocytes and dedifferentiation of endothelial cells into proliferative progenitors. Overall, these analyses suggest that YAP is a master regulator of liver function that reshapes the enhancer landscape to control transcription of genes involved in metabolism, proliferation, and inflammation, subverts lineage specification programs by antagonizing HNF4a and modulating the immune infiltrate and the vascular architecture of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Biagioni
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Ottavio Croci
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Silvia Sberna
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Elisa Donato
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Arianna Sabò
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO)-IRCCS , Milan , Italy
| | - Andrea Bisso
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO)-IRCCS , Milan , Italy
| | - Laura Curti
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Arianna Chiesa
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Stefano Campaner
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
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49
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Riaz F, Wei P, Pan F. Fine-tuning of regulatory T cells is indispensable for the metabolic steatosis-related hepatocellular carcinoma: A review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:949603. [PMID: 35912096 PMCID: PMC9337771 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.949603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of chronic hepatic diseases are caused by nutritional imbalance. These nutritional inequities include excessive intake of alcohol and fat, which causes alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), respectively. The pathogenesis of hepatic diseases is mainly dependent on oxidative stress, autophagy, DNA damage, and gut microbiota and their metabolites. These factors influence the normal physiology of the liver and impact the hepatic microenvironment. The hepatic microenvironment contains several immune cells and inflammatory cytokines which interact with each other and contribute to the progression of chronic hepatic diseases. Among these immune cells, Foxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are the crucial subset of CD4+ T cells that create an immunosuppressive environment. This review emphasizes the function of Tregs in the pathogenesis of ALD and NAFLD and their role in the progression of NAFLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Briefly, Tregs establish an immunosuppressive landscape in the liver by interacting with the innate immune cells and gut microbiota and their metabolites. Meanwhile, with the advancement of steatosis, these Tregs inhibit the proliferation, activation and functions of other cytotoxic T cells and support the progression of simple steatosis to HCC. Briefly, it can be suggested that targeting Tregs can act as a favourable prognostic indicator by modulating steatosis and insulin resistance during the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and NAFLD-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farooq Riaz
- Center for Cancer Immunology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ping Wei
- Center for Cancer Immunology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Department of otolaryngology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
| | - Fan Pan
- Center for Cancer Immunology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Fan Pan,
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50
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Chakraborty E, Sarkar D. Emerging Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2798. [PMID: 35681776 PMCID: PMC9179883 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from hepatocytes and accounts for 90% of primary liver cancer. According to Global Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence (GLOBOCAN) 2020, globally HCC is the sixth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Reasons for HCC prognosis remaining dismal are that HCC is asymptomatic in its early stages, leading to late diagnosis, and it is markedly resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice in early stages, while surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE) are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments for advanced HCC. Additional first line therapy for advanced HCC includes broad-spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, as well as a combination of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy, namely atezolizumab and bevacizumab. However, these strategies provide nominal extension in the survival curve, cause broad spectrum toxic side effects, and patients eventually develop therapy resistance. Some common mutations in HCC, such as in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) and tumor protein p53 (TP53) genes, are still considered to be undruggable. In this context, identification of appropriate gene targets and specific gene delivery approaches create the potential of gene- and immune-based therapies for the safe and effective treatment of HCC. This review elaborates on the current status of HCC treatment by focusing on potential gene targets and advanced techniques, such as oncolytic viral vectors, nanoparticles, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, immunotherapy, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), and describes future prospects in HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eesha Chakraborty
- C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Massey Cancer Center, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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