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Natu A, Singh A, Gupta S. Hepatocellular carcinoma: Understanding molecular mechanisms for defining potential clinical modalities. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:1568-1583. [PMID: 34904030 PMCID: PMC8637668 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i11.1568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the sixth most commonly occurring cancer and costs millions of lives per year. The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has relied on scanning techniques and serum-based markers such as α-fetoprotein. These measures have limitations due to their detection limits and asymptomatic conditions during the early stages, resulting in late-stage cancer diagnosis where targeted chemotherapy or systemic treatment with sorafenib is offered. However, the aid of conventional therapy for patients in the advanced stage of HCC has limited outcomes. Thus, it is essential to seek a new treatment strategy and improve the diagnostic techniques to manage the disease. Researchers have used the omics profile of HCC patients for sub-classification of tissues into different groups, which has helped us with prognosis. Despite these efforts, a promising target for treatment has not been identified. The hurdle in this situation is genetic and epigenetic variations in the tumor, leading to disparities in response to treatment. Understanding reversible epigenetic changes along with clinical traits help to define new markers for patient categorization and design personalized therapy. Many clinical trials of inhibitors of epigenetic modifiers (also known as epi-drugs) are in progress. Epi-drugs like azacytidine or belinostat are already approved for other cancer treatments. Furthermore, epigenetic changes have also been observed in drug-resistant HCC tumors. In such cases, combinatorial treatment of epi-drugs with systemic therapy or trans-arterial chemoembolization might re-sensitize resistant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhiram Natu
- Epigenetics and Chromatin Biology Group, Gupta Laboratory, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400085, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anjali Singh
- Epigenetics and Chromatin Biology Group, Gupta Laboratory, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400085, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Epigenetics and Chromatin Biology Group, Gupta Laboratory, Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai 410210, Maharashtra, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai 400085, Maharashtra, India
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Jia G, Wang Y, Lin C, Lai S, Dai H, Wang Z, Dai L, Su H, Song Y, Zhang N, Feng Y, Tang B. LNCAROD enhances hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy by activating glycolysis through induction of pyruvate kinase isoform PKM2. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:299. [PMID: 34551796 PMCID: PMC8459495 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02090-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence has suggested the essential role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in a plethora of malignant tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the underlyling mechanisms of lncRNAs remain unidentified in HCC. The present work was aimed to explore the regulatory functions and mechanisms of LncRNA LNCAROD in HCC progression and chemotherapeutic response. METHODS The expression of LNCAROD in HCC tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qPCR). Cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance were evaluated by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), colony formation, transwell, and chemosensitivity assays. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation qRCR (MeRIP-qPCR) was used to determine N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification level. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull down were applied to identify the molecular sponge role of LNCAROD for modulation of miR-145-5p via the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism, as well as the interaction between LNCAROD and serine-and arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3). The interaction between insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) and LNCAROD was also identified by RIP assay. Gain- or-loss-of-function assays were used to identify the function and underlying mechanisms of LNCAROD in HCC. RESULTS We found that LNCAROD was significantly upregulated and predicted a poorer prognosis in HCC patients. LNCAROD upregulation was maintained by increased m6A methylation-mediated RNA stability. LNCAROD significantly promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, mechanistic studies revealed that pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2)-mediated glycolysis enhancement is critical for the role of LNACROD in HCC. According to bioinformatics prediction and our experimental data, LNCAROD directly binds to SRSF3 to induce PKM switching towards PKM2 and maintains PKM2 levels in HCC by acting as a ceRNA against miR-145-5p. The oncogenic effects of LNCAROD in HCC were more prominent under hypoxia than normoxia due to the upregulation of hypoxia-triggered hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our present study suggests that LNCAROD induces PKM2 upregulation via simultaneously enhancing SRSF3-mediated PKM switching to PKM2 and sponging miR-145-5p to increase PKM2 level, eventually increasing cancer cell aerobic glycolysis to participate in tumor malignancy and chemoresistance, especially under hypoxic microenvironment. This study provides a promising diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guizhi Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengjie Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shihui Lai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongliang Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqian Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Luo Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huizhao Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjie Song
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, 300060, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province for Cancer Prevention and Control, School of Basic Medicine, Mudanjiang Medical University, 157011, Mudanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Naiwen Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, 300060, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province for Cancer Prevention and Control, School of Basic Medicine, Mudanjiang Medical University, 157011, Mudanjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yukuan Feng
- Department of Pancreatic Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, 300060, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province for Cancer Prevention and Control, School of Basic Medicine, Mudanjiang Medical University, 157011, Mudanjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Application Research for Hepatobiliary Diseases of Guangxi, 530021, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
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Liu C, Jin Y, Fan Z. The Mechanism of Warburg Effect-Induced Chemoresistance in Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:698023. [PMID: 34540667 PMCID: PMC8446599 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.698023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although chemotherapy can improve the overall survival and prognosis of cancer patients, chemoresistance remains an obstacle due to the diversity, heterogeneity, and adaptability to environmental alters in clinic. To determine more possibilities for cancer therapy, recent studies have begun to explore changes in the metabolism, especially glycolysis. The Warburg effect is a hallmark of cancer that refers to the preference of cancer cells to metabolize glucose anaerobically rather than aerobically, even under normoxia, which contributes to chemoresistance. However, the association between glycolysis and chemoresistance and molecular mechanisms of glycolysis-induced chemoresistance remains unclear. This review describes the mechanism of glycolysis-induced chemoresistance from the aspects of glycolysis process, signaling pathways, tumor microenvironment, and their interactions. The understanding of how glycolysis induces chemoresistance may provide new molecular targets and concepts for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhimin Fan
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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104
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Wang J, Liu R, Mo H, Xiao X, Xu Q, Zhao W. Deubiquitinase PSMD7 promotes the proliferation, invasion, and cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer cells by stabilizing RAD23B. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3331-3342. [PMID: 34512150 PMCID: PMC8416741 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.61128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination, a crucial post-translational modification, controls substrate degradation and can be reversed by deubiquitinases (DUBs). An increasing number of studies are showing that DUBs regulate the malignant behavior and chemotherapy resistance of gastric cancer (GC) by stabilizing various proteins. However, the expression level and biological function of the DUB, proteasome 26S subunit, non-ATPase 7 (PSMD7), in GC remains unknown. Herein, we report for the first time that PSMD7 is frequently overexpressed in GC tissues. Elevated levels of PSMD7 were also detected in GC cell lines. Notably, the upregulation of PSMD7 closely correlated with malignant clinical parameters and reduced the survival of GC patients. Functionally, we found that PSMD7 knockdown consistently suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of AGS and SGC-7901 cells. Ectopic expression of PSMD7 facilitated GC cell proliferation and mobility. Based on protein-protein interaction prediction, RAD23 homolog B (RAD23B) protein was identified as a candidate substrate of PSMD7. PSMD7 positively regulated the abundance of RAD23B and xeroderma pigmentosum, complementation group C (XPC) protein in GC cells. The interaction between PSMD7 and RAD23B was confirmed using protein immunoprecipitation. PSMD7 knockdown enhanced the ubiquitination and degradation of RAD23B protein in GC cells. PSMD7 promoted cell viability, apoptosis resistance, and DNA damage repair in GC cells upon cisplatin (DDP) treatment. Moreover, PSMD7 silencing inhibited tumor growth and enhanced the sensitivity of GC cells to DDP treatment in mice. In summary, PSMD7 was highly expressed in GC and contributed to the malignant behavior and DDP resistance of tumor cells by stabilizing RAD23B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjiang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Hangzhou Lin'an District, Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 311399, China
| | - Runkun Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Huanye Mo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Xuelian Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qiuran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
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105
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The metabolic flexibility of quiescent CSC: implications for chemotherapy resistance. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:835. [PMID: 34482364 PMCID: PMC8418609 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04116-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Quiescence has been observed in stem cells (SCs), including adult SCs and cancer SCs (CSCs). Conventional chemotherapies mostly target proliferating cancer cells, while the quiescent state favors CSCs escape to chemotherapeutic drugs, leaving risks for tumor recurrence or metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) provides various signals that maintain resident quiescent CSCs, protect them from immune surveillance, and facilitates their recurrence potential. Since the TME has the potential to support and initiate stem cell-like programs in cancer cells, targeting the TME components may prove to be a powerful modality for the treatment of chemotherapy resistance. In addition, an increasing number of studies have discovered that CSCs exhibit the potential of metabolic flexibility when metabolic substrates are limited, and display increased robustness in response to stress. Accompanied by chemotherapy that targets proliferative cancer cells, treatments that modulate CSC quiescence through the regulation of metabolic pathways also show promise. In this review, we focus on the roles of metabolic flexibility and the TME on CSCs quiescence and further discuss potential treatments of targeting CSCs and the TME to limit chemotherapy resistance.
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106
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Lv C, Wang S, Lin L, Wang C, Zeng K, Meng Y, Sun G, Wei S, Liu Y, Zhao Y. USP14 maintains HIF1-α stabilization via its deubiquitination activity in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:803. [PMID: 34420039 PMCID: PMC8380251 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04089-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common visceral neoplasms with its heterogeneity and high rate of recurrence. HCC is characterized to be delayed diagnosis and the development of resistant disease. However, the molecular mechanism for HCC pathogenesis and progression remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that ubiquitin-specific protease14 (USP14) is highly expressed in HCC samples, and the higher expression of USP14 is positively correlated with poor prognosis. Interestingly, USP14 is involved in the maintenance of HIF1-α stability to activate HIF1-α-induced transactivation via its deubiquitinase activity. USP14 depletion or its specific inhibitor IU1 treatment decreased cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and Vascular Mimicry (VM) formation even under hypoxia conditions in HCC cell lines. Moreover, we provided the evidence to show that knockdown of USP14 or USP14 inhibitor (IU1) treatment inhibited tumor growth in tumor-bearing nude mice. Our findings suggest that USP14 maintains HIF1-α stability through its deubiquitination activity, providing a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis and therapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Lv
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
- Anorectal Surgery Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Shengli Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Kai Zeng
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yiming Meng
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Province Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ge Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Shan Wei
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yefu Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Province Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Cell Biology, Key laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health, and Key laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Cancer hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Province Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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107
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Jing T, Wang B, Yang Z, Liu Y, Xu G, Xu X, Jiao K, Chen Z, Xiang L, Zhang L, Liu Y. Deubiquitination of the repressor E2F6 by USP22 facilitates AKT activation and tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2021; 518:266-277. [PMID: 34339800 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulated ubiquitination of tumor-related proteins plays a critical role in tumor development and progression. The deubiquitinase USP22 is aberrantly expressed in certain types of cancer and contributes to aggressive tumor progression. However, the precise mechanism underlying the pro-tumorigenic function of USP22 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Here, we report that E2F6, a pocket protein-independent transcription repressor, is essential for HCC cell growth, and that its activities are controlled by USP22-mediated deubiquitination. USP22 interacts with and stabilizes E2F6, resulting in the transcriptional repression of phosphatase DUSP1. Moreover, the process involving DUSP1 repression by E2F6 strengthens AKT activation in HCC cells. Therefore, these findings provide mechanistic insights into the USP22-mediated control of oncogenic AKT signaling, emphasizing the importance of USP22-E2F6 regulation in HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Boshi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Zhaojuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Guiqin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaoli Xu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Kun Jiao
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zehong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Lvzhu Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Li Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Yongzhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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Zeng Z, Shi Z, Liu Y, Zhao J, Lu Q, Guo J, Liu X, Huang D, Xu Q. HIF-1α-activated TM4SF1-AS1 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by enhancing TM4SF1 expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 566:80-86. [PMID: 34118595 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are essential drivers or suppressors in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by participating in controlling transcription, translation, mRNA stability, and protein degradation protein-protein interaction. TM4SF1-AS1 is recently identified as a tumor-promoting factor in lung cancer. Nevertheless, its function in HCC and related molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, our data indicated that either hypoxia or hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (DMOG) induced the upregulation of TM4SF1-AS1 in HCC cells. HIF-1α knockdown rather than HIF-2α silencing remarkably abrogated hypoxia-upregulated TM4SF1-AS1 expression. Furthermore, we confirmed the elevated expression of TM4SF1-AS1 in HCC tissue samples and cell lines. The silencing of TM4SF1-AS1 prominently inhibited the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of HCC cells. TM4SF1-AS1 depletion significantly blocked hypoxia-enhanced Hep3B cell proliferation and mobility. Interfering TM4SF1-AS1 remarkably reduced TM4SF1 mRNA and protein levels in HCC cells. But TM4SF1-AS1 knockdown did not impact the stability of TM4SF1 mRNA. Hypoxia enhanced the expression of TM4SF1 mRNA, which was subsequently decreased by TM4SF1-AS1 knockdown in HCC cells. We confirmed the positive correlation between TM4SF1 mRNA and TM4SF1-AS1 expression in HCC specimens. Finally, TM4SF1 prominently reversed the inhibitory role of TM4SF1-AS1 depletion in Hep3B cells. In summary, hypoxia-responsive TM4SF1-AS1 was overexpressed in human HCC and contributed to the malignant behaviors of tumor cells by enhancing TM4SF1-AS1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zeng
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China; The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Zhan Shi
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Junjun Zhao
- Graduate Department, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233030, China
| | - Qiliang Lu
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Jinhui Guo
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xin Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
| | - Qiuran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, 310014, China.
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Feng T, Ling S, Xu C, Ying L, Su D, Xu X. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 in cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 514:30-37. [PMID: 33989708 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recently, many studies have shown that deubiquitination modification of proteins is of great significance in major physiological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. The ubiquitin-specific peptidase (USP) family is one of the most numerous and structurally diverse of the deubiquitinates known to date. USP22, an important member of the USP family, has been found to be closely associated with tumor cell cycle regulation, stemness maintenance, invasion and metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune regulation. We focus on recent advances regarding USP22's function in cancer and discuss the prospect of USP22 in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Feng
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer(IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Cancer Research Institute, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer(IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Department of Colorectal Medicine, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer(IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China; Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Sunbin Ling
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Chenyang Xu
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer(IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Lisha Ying
- Cancer Research Institute, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer(IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Dan Su
- Department of Pathology, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer(IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Center for Integrated Oncology and Precision Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
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Sirolimus-based immunosuppression improves the prognosis of liver Transplantation Recipients with low TSC1/2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan Criteria. Eur J Surg Oncol 2021; 47:2533-2542. [PMID: 33902956 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of the immunosuppressive agent sirolimus (SRL) following liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial. Sirolimus is a typical mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, and tuberous sclerosis 1-tuberous sclerosis 2 complex (TSC1/TSC2) is an important negative effector in the mTOR pathway. In this study, we investigated the effect of SRL-based immunosuppression on the prognosis of LT recipients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria based on TSC1/2 expression and explored the effect of TSC1 on HCC in vitro and in vivo. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 120 HCC patients who underwent LT in our hospital between January 1, 2015 and December 30, 2018. All patients had HCC beyond the Milan criteria and were divided into the SRL group (n = 50) and non-SRL group (n = 70). TSC1/2 expression levels in paraffin-embedded tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and then analyzed as subgroups. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. TSC1 expression was silenced in Huh-7 and Bel-7402 cell lines for further cell function experiments. RESULTS 88.3% of patients were HBV LT recipients. The SRL group exhibited better DFS and OS compared to the non-SRL group (P = 0.02, P = 0.003). Subgroup (TSC1-based or TSC2-based) analyses revealed that patients with low TSC1 or TSC2 expression benefited from sirolimus (DFS: P = 0.046, OS: P = 0.006 for TSC1; DFS: P = 0.05, OS: P = 0.003 for TSC2) compared with patients with high expression. TSC1 knockdown in Huh-7 and Bel-7402 HCC cell lines activated the mTORC1 pathway and enhanced cell proliferation, migration and sensitivity to SRL in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION TSC1/2 expression could be used to predict the prognosis of patients with HCC beyond the Milan criteria who underwent SRL-based immunosuppression following LT. TSC1 knockdown promoted HCC malignancy and enhanced sensitivity to SRL.
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Zhan D, Lin M, Chen J, Cai W, Liu J, Fang Y, Li Y, Wu B, Wang G. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α regulates PI3K/AKT signaling through microRNA-32-5p/PTEN and affects nucleus pulposus cell proliferation and apoptosis. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:646. [PMID: 33968177 PMCID: PMC8097185 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration and resulting low back pain arises from the programmed apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). Recent studies show that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α plays a vital role in the etiology and pathogenesis of disc degeneration. However, the underlying mechanism of HIF-1α in NPCs is unclear. The present study identified 994 significant differentially expressed miRNAs by analyzing microarray data downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. MicroRNA(miR)-32-5p expression was 2.81-fold upregulated in NPCs compared with that of the healthy control tissues (P<0.05). A total of 331 significant differentially expressed mRNAs were identified, and PTEN was downregulated in NPCs of non-degenerative disc tissues from young patients. miR-32-5p was predicted to target the PTEN 3'-untranslated region (UTR). To confirm these results, in-vitro experiments investigating the molecular function of miR-32-5p and PTEN were performed. Furthermore, hypoxia induced miR-32-5p and PTEN expression. HIF-1α inhibited NPC proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis by regulating miR-32-5p and PTEN. miR-32-5p promoted NPC proliferation and decreased cell apoptosis. Next, it was verified whether miR-32-5p targeted the PTEN 3'-UTR using dual-luciferase reporter assays. Finally, it was observed that PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was upregulated by a miR-32-5p mimic, which improved cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Importantly, PTEN was downregulated in these experiments; and inhibition of miR-32-5p had the opposite effect. Overall, these results demonstrate that HIF-1α regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis by controlling the miR-32-5p/PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis in NPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daolu Zhan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Mingxia Lin
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Wentao Cai
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Yehan Fang
- Department of Sports Medicine, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Yibo Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
| | - Guangji Wang
- Department of Sports Medicine, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Xiuying, Haikou, Hainan 570311, P.R. China
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Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 ameliorates chronic alcohol-associated liver disease by regulating BRD4. Pharmacol Res 2021; 168:105594. [PMID: 33826947 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a liver system disease caused by alcohol abuse, and it involves complex processes ranging from steatosis to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Steatosis and inflammation are the main phenomena involved in ALD. Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) plays an important role in liver steatosis; however, its functional contribution to ALD remains unclear. USP22-silenced mice were fed a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet. AML-12 and HEK293T cells were used to detect the interaction between USP22 and BRD4. Here, we report that hepatic USP22 expression was dramatically upregulated in mice with ALD. Inflammation and steatosis were significantly ameliorated following USP22 silencing in vivo, as indicated by decreased IL-6 and IL-1β levels. We further showed that the overexpression of USP22 increased inflammation, while knocking down BRD4 suppressed the inflammatory response in AML-12 cells. Notably, USP22 functioned as a BRD4 deubiquitinase to facilitate BRD4 inflammatory functions. More importantly, the expression levels of USP22 and BRD4 in patients with ALD were significantly increased. In conclusion, USP22 acts a key pathogenic factor in ALD by deubiquitinating BRD4, which facilitates the inflammatory response and aggravates ALD.
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Xu S, Ling S, Shan Q, Ye Q, Zhan Q, Jiang G, Zhuo J, Pan B, Wen X, Feng T, Lu H, Wei X, Xie H, Zheng S, Xiang J, Shen Y, Xu X. Self-Activated Cascade-Responsive Sorafenib and USP22 shRNA Co-Delivery System for Synergetic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2003042. [PMID: 33717848 PMCID: PMC7927615 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202003042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to sorafenib severely hinders its effectiveness against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Cancer stemness is closely connected with resistance to sorafenib. Methods for reversing the cancer stemness remains one of the largest concerns in research and the lack of such methods obstructs current HCC therapeutics. Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) is reported to play a pivotal role in HCC stemness and multidrug resistance (MDR). Herein, a galactose-decorated lipopolyplex (Gal-SLP) is developed as an HCC-targeting self-activated cascade-responsive nanoplatform to co-delivery sorafenib and USP22 shRNA (shUSP22) for synergetic HCC therapy. Sorafenib, entrapped in the Gal-SLPs, induced a reactive oxygen species (ROS) cascade and triggered rapid shUSP22 release. Thus, Gal-SLPs dramatically suppressed the expression of USP22. The downregulation of USP22 suppresses multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) to induce intracellular sorafenib accumulation and hampers glycolysis of HCC cells. As a result, Gal-SLPs efficiently inhibit the viability, proliferation, and colony formation of HCC cells. A sorafenib-insensitive patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is established and adopted to evaluate in vivo antitumor effect of Gal-SLPs. Gal-SLPs exhibit potent antitumor efficiency and biosafety. Therefore, Gal-SLPs are expected to have great potential in the clinical treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengjun Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310006China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Sunbin Ling
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310006China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Qiaonan Shan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Qianwei Ye
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Qifan Zhan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Guangjiang Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Jianyong Zhuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Binhua Pan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Xue Wen
- Department of Pathologythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Tingting Feng
- Department of Abdominal Medical OncologyZhejiang Cancer HospitalHangzhouZhejiang310022China
| | - Haohao Lu
- Department of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310027China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310006China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryShulan (Hangzhou) HospitalHangzhouZhejiang310000China
| | - Jiajia Xiang
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemical and Biological EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310027China
| | - Youqing Shen
- Center for Bionanoengineering and Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of EducationCollege of Chemical and Biological EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310027China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryAffiliated Hangzhou First People's HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouZhejiang310006China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgerythe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of Medicine Zhejiang UniversityHangzhouZhejiang310003China
- NHC Key Lab of Combined Multi‐Organ TransplantationHangzhouZhejiang310003China
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Ni W, Bian S, Zhu M, Song Q, Zhang J, Xiao M, Zheng W. Identification and Validation of Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases as a Novel Prognostic Signature for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:629327. [PMID: 33718205 PMCID: PMC7949004 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.629327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), as a sub-family of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), are responsible for the elimination of ubiquitin-triggered modification. USPs are recently correlated with various malignancies. However, the expression features and clinical significance of USPs have not been systematically investigated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Genomic alterations and expression profiles of USPs were investigated in CbioPortal and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) dataset. Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses were conducted to establish a risk signature for HCC prognosis in TCGA LIHC cohort. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and univariate/multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the risk signature in TCGA LIHC and international cancer genome consortium (ICGC) cohorts. Furthermore, we explored the alterations of the signature genes during hepatocarcinogenesis and HCC progression in GSE89377. In addition, the expression feature of USP39 was further explored in HCC tissues by performing western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results Genomic alterations and overexpression of USPs were observed in HCC tissues. The consensus analysis indicated that the USPs-overexpressed sub-Cluster was correlated with aggressive characteristics and poor prognosis. Cox regression with LASSO algorithm identified a risk signature formed by eight USPs for HCC prognosis. High-risk group stratified by the signature score was correlated with advanced tumor stage and poor survival HCC patients in TCGA LIHC cohort. In addition, the 8-USPs based signature could also robustly predict overall survival of HCC patients in ICGC(LIRI-JP) cohort. Furthermore, gene sets enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that the high-risk score was associated with tumor-related pathways. According to the observation in GSE89377, USP39 expression was dynamically increased with hepatocarcinogenesis and HCC progression. The overexpression of USP39 was further determined in a local HCC cohort and correlated with poor prognosis. The co-concurrence analysis suggested that USP39 might promote HCC by regulating cell-cycle- and proliferation- related genes. Conclusion The current study provided a USPs-based signature, highlighting its robust prognostic significance and targeted value for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkai Ni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Saiyan Bian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Mengqi Zhu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qianqian Song
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, One Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Mingbing Xiao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wenjie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Li Q, Ni Y, Zhang L, Jiang R, Xu J, Yang H, Hu Y, Qiu J, Pu L, Tang J, Wang X. HIF-1α-induced expression of m6A reader YTHDF1 drives hypoxia-induced autophagy and malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma by promoting ATG2A and ATG14 translation. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:76. [PMID: 33619246 PMCID: PMC7900110 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00453-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), and its reader protein YTHDF1, play a pivotal role in human tumorigenesis by affecting nearly every stage of RNA metabolism. Autophagy activation is one of the ways by which cancer cells survive hypoxia. However, the possible involvement of m6A modification of mRNA in hypoxia-induced autophagy was unexplored in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, specific variations in YTHDF1 expression were detected in YTHDF1-overexpressing, -knockout, and -knockdown HCC cells, HCC organoids, and HCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) murine models. YTHDF1 expression and hypoxia-induced autophagy were significantly correlated in vitro; significant overexpression of YTHDF1 in HCC tissues was associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate cox regression analysis identified YTHDF1 expression as an independent prognostic factor in patients with HCC. Multiple HCC models confirmed that YTHDF1 deficiency inhibited HCC autophagy, growth, and metastasis. Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that HIF-1α regulated YTHDF1 transcription by directly binding to its promoter region under hypoxia. The results of methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, proteomics, and polysome profiling indicated that YTHDF1 contributed to the translation of autophagy-related genes ATG2A and ATG14 by binding to m6A-modified ATG2A and ATG14 mRNA, thus facilitating autophagy and autophagy-related malignancy of HCC. Taken together, HIF-1α-induced YTHDF1 expression was associated with hypoxia-induced autophagy and autophagy-related HCC progression via promoting translation of autophagy-related genes ATG2A and ATG14 in a m6A-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that YTHDF1 is a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.,School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Ni
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liren Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Runqiu Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.,Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuanchang Hu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiannan Qiu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liyong Pu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jinhai Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Xuehao Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University; Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; NHC Key Laboratory of Living Donor Liver Transplantation (Nanjing Medical University), Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. .,School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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Li M, Xu Y, Liang J, Lin H, Qi X, Li F, Han P, Gao Y, Yang X. USP22 deficiency in melanoma mediates resistance to T cells through IFNγ-JAK1-STAT1 signal axis. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2108-2120. [PMID: 33601053 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9)-mediated loss-of-function screens are powerful tools for identifying genes responsible for diverse phenotypes. Here, we perturbed genes in melanoma cells to screen for genes involved in tumor escape from T cell-mediated killing. Multiple interferon gamma (IFNγ) signaling-related genes were enriched in melanoma cells resistant to T cell killing. In addition, deletion of the deubiquitinating protease ubiquitin specific peptidase 22 (USP22) in mouse melanoma (B16-OVA) cells decreased the efficacy of T cell-mediated killing, both in vitro and in vivo, while overexpression enhanced tumor-cell sensitivity to T (OT-I) cell-mediated killing. USP22 deficiency in both mouse and human melanoma cells showed impaired sensitivity to interferon pathway and USP22 was positively correlated with key molecules of interferon pathway in clinical melanoma samples. Mechanistically, USP22 may directly interact with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), deubiquitinate it, and improve its stability in both human and mouse melanoma cells. Our findings identified a previously unknown function of USP22 and linked the loss of genes in tumor cells that are essential for escaping the effector function of CD8+ T cells during immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqin Xu
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Liang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Lin
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Qi
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanlin Li
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Han
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanfeng Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanming Yang
- Sheng Yushou Center of Cell Biology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Du Y, Wei N, Ma R, Jiang SH, Song D. Long Noncoding RNA MIR210HG Promotes the Warburg Effect and Tumor Growth by Enhancing HIF-1α Translation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Front Oncol 2020; 10:580176. [PMID: 33392077 PMCID: PMC7774020 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.580176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hypoxia is an important environmental factor and has been correlated with tumor progression, treatment resistance and poor prognosis in many solid tumors, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Emerging evidence suggests that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) functions as a critical regulator in tumor biology. However, little is known about the link between hypoxia and lncRNAs in TNBC. Methods TNBC molecular profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were leveraged to identify hypoxia-related molecular alterations. Loss-of-function studies were performed to determine the regulatory role of MIR210HG in tumor glycolysis. The potential functions and mechanisms of hypoxia-MIR210HG axis were explored using qPCR, Western blotting, luciferase reporter assay, and polysome profiling. Results We found that MIR210HG is a hypoxia-induced lncRNA in TNBC. Loss-of-function studies revealed that MIR210HG promoted the Warburg effect as demonstrated by glucose uptake, lactate production and expression of glycolytic components. Mechanistically, MIR210HG potentiated the metabolic transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) translation via directly binding to the 5'-UTR of HIF-1α mRNA, leading to increased HIF-1a protein level, thereby upregulating expression of glycolytic enzymes. MIR210HG knockdown in TNBC cells reduced their glycolytic metabolism and abolished their tumorigenic potential, indicating the glycolysis-dependent oncogenic activity of MIR210HG in TNBC. Moreover, MIR210HG was highly expressed in breast cancer and predicted poor clinical outcome. Conclusion Our results decipher a positive feedback loop between hypoxia and MIR210HG that drive the Warburg effect and suggest that MIR210HG may be a good prognostic marker and therapeutic target for TNBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Du
- Departments of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Na Wei
- Departments of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruolin Ma
- Departments of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shu-Heng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Song
- Departments of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Liang C, Dong Z, Cai X, Shen J, Xu Y, Zhang M, Li H, Yu W, Chen W. Hypoxia induces sorafenib resistance mediated by autophagy via activating FOXO3a in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:1017. [PMID: 33250518 PMCID: PMC7701149 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03233-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, is considered as the only approved drug to cure the advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the acquired chemoresistance caused by intratumoral hypoxia through sorafenib long term therapy induces sorafenib inefficacy. We demonstrated here that hypoxia significantly attenuated sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib treatment and reduced its proliferation. Autophagy was observed in sorafenib-treated HCC cells in hypoxia, and inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA eliminated hypoxia-induced sorafenib resistance. Further study revealed hypoxia-activated FOXO3a, an important cellular stress transcriptional factor, via inducing its dephosphorylation and nuclear location; and FOXO3a-dependent transcriptive activation of beclin-1 was responsible for hypoxia-induced autophagy in HCC cells. Knockout of FOXO3a inhibited the autophagy induced by sorafenib itself in normoxia and significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of sorafenib in HCC cells; and it also inhibited the hypoxia-induced autophagy and achieved the same effect in sorafenib sensitivity-enhancement in HCC cells as it in normoxia. Finally, knockout of intratumoral FOXO3a significantly enhanced curative efficacy of sorafenib via inhibition of autophagy in xenograft tumors in nude mice. Collectively, our study suggests that FOXO3a plays a key role in regulating hypoxia-induced autophagy in sorafenib-treated HCC, and FOXO3-targeted therapy may serve as a promising approach to improve clinical prognosis of patients suffering from HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Liang
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China.
| | - Zhebin Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China
| | - Xianlei Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China
| | - Yuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China
| | - Miaozun Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China
| | - Weiming Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, PR China.
| | - Wei Chen
- Cancer Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310012, PR China.
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Chen S, He Z, Zhu C, Liu Y, Li L, Deng L, Wang J, Yu C, Sun C. TRIM37 Mediates Chemoresistance and Maintenance of Stemness in Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Ubiquitination of PTEN and Activation of the AKT-GSK-3β-β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Front Oncol 2020; 10:554787. [PMID: 33194618 PMCID: PMC7651862 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.554787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The tripartite motif-containing family member TRIM37 is involved in a number of important biological and pathological processes, and it has recently been shown to be an essential regulator of protein ubiquitination and a contributor to tumorigenesis. We previously showed that TRIM37 is overexpressed in and promotes the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer (PC). Methods Sphere formation, flow cytometric, qRT-PCR, western blot, colony formation, EdU incorporation, mouse xenograft model, TUNEL and IHC assays were performed to detect the role of TRIM37 in stemness and chemoresistance of PC in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to determine which intracellular pathways might mediate the effects of TRIM37 in PC cells. Immunofluorescent(IF) staining, co-immunoprecipitation(CO-IP), protein stability and ubiquitination assays were performed to investigate the relationship between TRIM37 and PTEN. Results TRIM37 modulates the ubiquitination and degradation of the tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), which negatively regulates the AKT–GSK-3β–β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby sustaining aberrant activation of PC cells. High expression of TRIM37 combined with low expression of PTEN correlates with poor survival of PC patients. Conclusions Collectively, our results suggest that inhibition of the TRIM37–AKT–GSK-3β–β-catenin axis may be a promising strategy for treatment of PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhiwei He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Changhao Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yanqing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lu Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Chengyi Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Institute of Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Splenic Diseases, Guiyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas and Spleen of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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Hu Y, Wang F, Xu F, Fang K, Fang Z, Shuai X, Cai K, Chen J, Hu P, Chen D, Xu P, Hu C, Zeng Z, Zhong J, Li W, Tang J, Huang M, Zhao Y, Wang C, Zhao G. A reciprocal feedback of Myc and lncRNA MTSS1-AS contributes to extracellular acidity-promoted metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:10120-10140. [PMID: 32929338 PMCID: PMC7481418 DOI: 10.7150/thno.49147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Previous studies have reported on the role of extracellular acidity in the metastasis of numerous cancers. However, the involvement of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in the extracellular acidity-induced cancer metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) remains unclear. Methods: Different expression levels of lncRNAs in PC cells under normal and acidic conditions were compared by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The effects of antisense lncRNA of metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1-AS) on acidic PC cells were assessed by gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pull-down, Western blot, luciferase reporter, and Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were employed to determine the regulatory mechanisms of MTSS1-AS in the acidity-induced metastasis of PC cells. The expression of MTSS1-AS and associated pathways were compared in PC samples and peritumoral normal tissues. Results: RNA-seq demonstrated that MTSS1-AS was significantly downregulated in pancreatic cells cultured with the acidic medium. The overexpression of MTSS1-AS remarkably inhibited the acidity-promoted metastasis of PC cells by upregulating the expression of its sense gene metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1). Mechanistically, MTSS1-AS scaffolded the interaction between E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1 (STUB1) and transcription regulator myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1), leading to ubiquitination-mediated degradation of MZF1. Further, MZF1 inhibited the expression of MTSS1 by binding to the MTSS1 promoter. Thus, the acidity-reduced MTSS1-AS facilitated the stability of MZF1 and its inhibitory effect on MTSS1 transcription, thereby promoting the metastasis of PC cells under acidic conditions. Moreover, MTSS1-AS was transcriptionally repressed by the binding of MYC proto-oncogene (Myc) with initiator (Inr) elements of the MTSS1-AS promoter. Meanwhile, MTSS1-AS mutually repressed the expression of Myc by impairing the MZF1-mediated transcription activation of Myc, thereby forming a negative feedback loop between MTSS1-AS and Myc in acidic PC cells. In accordance with the experimental results, MTSS1-AS and MTSS1 were downregulated in PC and correlated with poor overall survival. Conclusions: The results implicated that a reciprocal feedback loop between Myc and MTSS1-AS contributed to the extracellular acidity-promoted metastasis of PC, and indicated that MTSS1-AS was a valuable biomarker and therapeutic target for PC.
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Chen M, Xu K, Li B, Wang N, Zhang Q, Chen L, Zhang D, Yang L, Xu Z, Xu H. HMGA1 Regulates the Stem Cell-Like Properties of Circulating Tumor Cells from GIST Patients via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:4943-4956. [PMID: 32606726 PMCID: PMC7296980 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s249063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common sarcoma of the digestive system. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been proven to be critical in the recurrence and metastasis of diseases; however, the characteristics of CTCs of GIST are still unclear. Methods We sorted out and verified the validity of CTCs from peripheral blood of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients with or without heterochronous liver metastasis using flow cytometry (FCM). Differential genes were analyzed between the GIST patients with and without liver metastasis using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results The preliminary study on the characteristics of CTCs revealed that CTCs of GIST patients with heterochronous liver metastasis had stronger stem cell-like properties (SC-like properties) than CTCs of those without liver metastasis. Furthermore, NGS followed with a series of assays revealed that HMGA1 played a critical role in regulating the SC-like properties of CTCs. Mechanistically, HMGA1 could activate Wnt/β-catenin pathway in vitro and vivo. Moreover, we found that the expression level of HMGA1 in CTCs was an independent risk factor probably influencing the prognosis of GIST patients. Conclusion Our findings indicate the significant role of HMGA1 in SC-like properties, IM resistance and eventually hepatic metastasis formation of CTCs. Targeting HMGA1 in CTCs may be a therapeutic strategy for GIST patients with hepatic metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Kangjing Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Nuofan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222000, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Diancai Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Zekuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, People's Republic of China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, People's Republic of China
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Fan G, Wei X, Xu X. Is the era of sorafenib over? A review of the literature. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2020; 12:1758835920927602. [PMID: 32518599 PMCID: PMC7252361 DOI: 10.1177/1758835920927602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most severe diseases worldwide. For the different stages of HCC, there are different clinical treatment strategies, such as surgical therapy for the early stage, and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) for intermediate-stage disease. Systemic treatment, which uses mainly targeted drugs, is the standard therapy against advanced HCC. Sorafenib is an important first-line therapy for advanced HCC. As a classically effective drug, sorafenib can increase overall survival markedly. However, it still has room for improvement because of the heterogeneity of HCC and acquired resistance. Scientists have reported the acquired sorafenib resistance is associated with the anomalous expression of certain genes, most of which are also related with HCC onset and development. Combining sorafenib with inhibitors targeting these genes may be an effective treatment. Combined treatment may not only overcome drug resistance, but also inhibit the expression of carcinoma-related genes. This review focuses on the current status of sorafenib in advanced HCC, summarizes the inhibitors that can combine with sorafenib in the treatment against HCC, and provides the rationale for clinical trials of sorafenib in combination with other inhibitors in HCC. The era of sorafenib in the treatment of HCC is far from over, as long as we find better methods of medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghan Fan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, CAMS; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, CAMS; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of the diagnosis and treatment of organ Transplantation, CAMS; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhejiang Province, 79 QingChun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, China
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