Chemokine CCL4 Induces Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C Expression and Lymphangiogenesis by miR-195-3p in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

CCL4 Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment

CCL4, a CC chemokine, previously known as macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β, has diverse effects on various types of immune and nonimmune cells by the virtue of its interaction with its specific receptor, CCR5, in collaboration with related but distinct CC chemokines such as CCL3 and CCL5, which can also bind CCR5. Several lines of evidence indicate that CCL4 can promote tumor development and progression by recruiting regulatory T cells and pro-tumorigenic macrophages, and acting on other resident cells present in the tumor microenvironment, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells, to facilitate their pro-tumorigenic capacities. These observations suggest the potential efficacy of CCR5 antagonists for cancer treatment. On the contrary, under some situations, CCL4 can enhance tumor immunity by recruiting cytolytic lymphocytes and macrophages with phagocytic ability. Thus, presently, the clinical application of CCR5 antagonists warrants more detailed analysis of the role of CCL4 and other CCR5-binding chemokines in the tumor microenvironment.

MicroRNA profiling of serum exosomes in patients with osteosarcoma by high-throughput sequencing

The microRNA expression profile of plasma exosomes in osteosarcoma needs to be further explored. The present study intends to investigate the practicality of plasma exosomal miRNAs as novel biomarkers of osteosarcoma. In the study, exosome-like vesicles were purified from the plasma of patients with osteosarcoma and healthy control. Differential centrifugation was used. The purified vesicles which ranged from 50 to 100 nm in size were identified as exosomes by transmission electron microscopy and western blot. Validating assays in vitro and in vivo were performed via CCK8, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, transwell and wound healing assays and xenograft model. High-throughput sequencing identified that 57 miRNAs, 20 of which were upregulated and 37 downregulated, were differentially expressed in patients with osteosarcoma and healthy control (p<0.01; fold change ≥3). In comparison to the controls, the expression levels of miR-92a-3p, miR-130a-3p, miR-195-3 p, miR-335-5 p, let-7i-3p were upregulated in the exosomes from patients with osteosarcoma with statistical significance. Studies in vitro and in vivo have proved that osteosarcoma-secreted exosomes from miR-195-3 p upregulated 143B osteosarcoma cells promote cell proliferation and invasion. Overall, the present study identified exosomal miRNAs with dysregulated expression in patients with osteosarcoma, and they may have potential as targets for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma.

Impact of CCL4 gene polymorphisms upon the progression of lung cancer in a Han Chinese cohort

Lung cancer is the most common malignancy in China and has a low survival rate amongst Han Chinese. The high mortality is largely attributed to late-stage diagnosis, when treatment is largely ineffective. Identification of genetic variants could potentially assist with earlier diagnosis and thus more effective treatment. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4) plays a critical role as a chemoattractant in tumor development, metastasis and angiogenesis. In this study, we explored three CCL4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1634507, rs1719153, and rs10491121) in 538 patients with lung cancer and 370 healthy, cancer-free controls. Carriers of the GT + TT heterozygote of rs1634507 had a lower risk of lung cancer than wild-type (GG) carriers, while the presence of the AG + GG heterozygote at rs10491121 was associated with a higher risk of lung cancer compared with having the AA genotype. The G/A/G and T/A/A CCL4 haplotypes significantly reduced and increased the risks for lung cancer, respectively. Our study is the first to document correlations between CCL4 polymorphisms and lung cancer development and progression in people of Han Chinese ethnicity.

Expression profile analysis identifies IER3 to predict overall survival and promote lymph node metastasis in tongue cancer

Background

Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important factors affecting the prognosis of tongue cancer, and the molecular mechanism regulating lymph node metastasis of tongue cancer is poorly known.

Methods

The gene expression dataset GSE2280 and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) tongue cancer dataset were downloaded. R software was used to identify the differentially expressed hallmark gene sets and individual genes between metastatic lymph node tissues and primary tongue cancer tissues, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the association with overall survival. The screening and validation of functional genes was performed using western blot, q-PCR, CCK-8, migration and invasion assays, and lymphangiogenesis was examined by using a tube formation assay.

Results

Thirteen common hallmark gene sets were found based on Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and then subjected to differential gene expression analysis, by which 76 deregulated genes were found. Gene coexpression network analysis and survival analysis further confirmed that IER3 was the key gene associated with the prognosis and lymph node metastasis of tongue cancer patients. Knockdown of IER3 with siRNA inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of Tca-8113 cells in vitro and it also inhibited the secretion and expression of VEGF-C in these cells. The culture supernatant of Tca-8113 cells could promote lymphangiogenesis and migration of lymphatic endothelial cells, and knockdown of IER3 in Tca-8113 cells suppressed these processes.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that IER3 plays important roles in lymphangiogenesis regulation and prognosis in tongue cancer and might be a potential therapeutic target.

Non-coding RNAs as Regulators of Lymphangiogenesis in Lymphatic Development, Inflammation, and Cancer Metastasis

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which do not encode proteins, have pivotal roles in manipulating gene expression in development, physiology, and pathology. Emerging data have shown that ncRNAs can regulate lymphangiogenesis, which refers to lymphatics deriving from preexisting vessels, becomes established during embryogenesis, and has a close relationship with pathological conditions such as lymphatic developmental diseases, inflammation, and cancer. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic development, inflammation and cancer metastasis, and discusses ncRNAs' regulatory effects on them. Therapeutic targets with regard to lymphangiogenesis are also discussed.

CCN3 Facilitates Runx2 and Osterix Expression by Inhibiting miR-608 through PI3K/Akt Signaling in Osteoblasts

CCN3, otherwise known as the nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) protein, is a cysteine-rich protein that belongs to the CCN family and regulates several cellular functions. Osteoblasts are major bone-forming cells that undergo proliferation, mineralization, renewal, and repair during the bone formation process. We have previously reported that CCN3 increases bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) production and bone mineralization in osteoblasts, although the role of CCN3 remains unclear with regard to osteogenic transcription factors (runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osterix). Here, we used alizarin red-S and alkaline phosphatase staining to show that CCN3 enhances osteoblast differentiation. Stimulation of osteoblasts with CCN3 increases expression of osteogenic factors such as BMPs, Runx2, and osterix. Moreover, we found that the inhibition of miR-608 expression is involved in the effects of CCN3 and that incubation of osteoblasts with CCN3 promotes focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Akt phosphorylation. Our results indicate that CCN3 promotes the expression of Runx2 and osterix in osteoblasts by inhibiting miR-608 expression via the FAK and Akt signaling pathways.

Prediction of VEGF-C as a Key Target of Pure Total Flavonoids From Citrus Against NAFLD in Mice via Network Pharmacology

Pure total flavonoids from Citrus (PTFC) effectively reduce the symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our previous microarray analysis uncovered the alterations of important signaling pathways in the treatment of NAFLD with PTFC. However, the underlying core genes that might be targeted by PTFC, which play important roles in the progression of NALFD are yet to be identified. In this study, we predicted the vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) as potential key molecular target of PTFC against NAFLD via network pharmacology analysis. The network pharmacology approach presented here provided important clues for understanding the mechanisms of PTFC treatment in the development of NAFLD.

Thrombospondin enhances RANKL-dependent osteoclastogenesis and facilitates lung cancer bone metastasis

Lung cancers have a predilection for metastasizing to bone. The matricellular glycoprotein thrombospondin (TSP)-2 regulates multiple biological functions and has a critical role in tumor development and metastasis, although its effects are uncertain in lung cancer bone metastasis. This study demonstrates that TSP-2 expression is highly correlated with lung cancer tumor stage and that the TSP-2 neutralizing antibody reduces osteoclast formation in conditioned medium obtained from lung cancer cells. We also found that TSP-2 promotes osteoclastogenesis through the RANKL-dependent pathway and that TSP-2-mediated osteoclastogenesis involves the transactivation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) via the inhibition of miR-486-3p expression. Osteoblasts played a critical role in osteoclast differentiation and incubation of osteoblasts with TSP-2 altered the RANKL:OPG ratio. Furthermore, TSP-2 knockdown inhibited lung cancer osteolytic metastasis in vivo. TSP-2 appears to be worth targeting for the prevention of bone metastasis in lung cancer.

Melatonin reduces lung cancer stemness through inhibiting of PLC, ERK, p38, β-catenin, and Twist pathways

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer in cancer-related deaths worldwide, which is characterized by its strong metastatic potential. The melatonin hormone secreted by the pineal grand has an antioxidant effect and protects cells against carcinogenic substances. However, the effects of melatonin in lung cancer stemness are largely unknown. We found that melatonin reduces CD133 expression by ~50% in lung cancer cell lines, while results of a sphere formation assay showed that melatonin inhibits lung cancer stemness. These effects of melatonin were reversed when the cell lines were incubated with phospholipase C (PLC), ERK/p38, and a β-catenin activator. Transfection with Twist siRNA augmented the inhibitory effects of melatonin, indicating that melatonin suppresses lung cancer stemness by inhibiting the PLC, ERK/p38, β-catenin, and Twist signaling pathways. We also found CD133 expression is positively correlated with Twist expression in lung cancer specimens. Melatonin shows promise in the treatment of lung cancer stemness and deserves further study.

VEGF-C Gene Polymorphisms Increase Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) promotes angiogenesis, a prominent feature in rheumatoid synovitis, contributing to the perpetuation of the global burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). VEGF-C gene polymorphisms predict the risk of developing various human diseases, such as urothelial cell carcinoma, oral cancer and coronary artery disease. We sought to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the VEGF-C gene can predict the risk of RA. Our study recruited 210 patients with RA and 373 healthy controls between 2007 and 2015, and performed comparative genotyping for SNPs rs7664413, rs11947611, rs1485766, rs2046463 and rs3775194. In analyses adjusted for potential covariates, we found that compared with subjects with the A/A genotype of SNP rs11947611, those with the A/G genotype were 40% more likely to develop RA (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40 to 0.92; p = 0.02). In addition, subjects lacking the A/A genotype (A/G, G/G) of SNP rs2046463 were more than twice as likely as those with the A/A genotype to require methotrexate (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.98; p = 0.01), while those who lacked the G/G genotype (G/C, C/C) in the SNP rs3775194 had a significantly lower risk of requiring prednisolone as compared with those with the G/G genotype (AOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.79; p = 0.01). Our findings suggest that VEGF-C gene polymorphisms might serve as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for RA therapy. Pharmacotherapies that modulate the activity of the VEGF-C gene may be promising for RA treatment.

Chemokine C-C Motif Ligand 4 Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chemokine C-C motif ligand 4 (CCL4) gene is a chemokine-encoding gene, and the polymorphism of CCL4 gene has been shown to predict risk of various diseases. We want to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CCL4 gene can predict the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Between 2007 and 2015, we recruited 217 patients diagnosed with RA and 371 control participants. Comparative genotyping of the rs1634507, rs10491121, and rs1719153 SNPs was performed. When compared with participants with the A/A genotype of rs1719153, those with the A/T genotype were less likely to develop RA, as were those with the A/T+T/T genotype. The protective effect of the T-containing genotype was even more prominent among females. Those with A/T in rs1719153 were 56% less likely to develop RA compared with females with A/A; a similar protective effect was seen for females with the A/T+T/T genotype compared with those with A/A. The GTEx database revealed that patients carrying the T/T genotype had lower levels of CCL4 gene expression than those carrying the A/A genotype. These results indicate that the nucleotide T over the rs1719153 is associated with decreased CCL4 gene expression and decreased risk for RA.

Correlation between CCL4 gene polymorphisms and clinical aspects of breast cancer

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer mortality amongst women. Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4 is encoded by the CCL4 gene; specific CCL4 gene polymorphisms are related to the risks and prognoses of various diseases. In this study, we examined whether CCL4 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predict the risk and progression of breast cancer. Between 2014 and 2016, we recruited 314 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and a cohort of 209 healthy participants (controls) without a history of cancer. Genotyping of the CCL4 rs1634507, rs10491121 and rs1719153 SNPs revealed no significant between-group differences for these polymorphisms. However, amongst luminal A and luminal B subtypes, compared with patients with the AA genotype, those carrying the AG genotype at SNP rs10491121 were less likely to develop lymph node metastasis. In addition, compared with AA carriers, those carrying the AG + GG genotype at SNP rs10491121 were at lower risk of developing distant metastasis, while the presence of the AT genotype at SNP rs1719153 increased the likelihood of pathologic grade (G3 or G4) disease. Variations in the CCL4 gene may help to predict breast cancer progression and metastasis.