Regulation of the prometastatic neuregulin-MMP13 axis by SRC family kinases: therapeutic implications

Exploring the effects of matrix metalloproteinase-13 on the malignant biological behavior of tongue squamous cell carcinoma via the TNF signaling pathway based on bioinformatics methods

Background

Identification of the etiology, molecular mechanisms, and carcinogenic pathways of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is crucial for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This study used bioinformatics methods to identify key genes in TSCC and explored the potential functions and pathway mechanisms related to the malignant biological behavior of TSCC.

Methods

Gene chip data sets (i.e., GSE13601 and GSE34106) containing the data of both TSCC patients and normal control subjects were selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Using a gene expression analysis tool (GEO2R) of the GEO database, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the following criteria: |log fold change| >1, and P<0.05. The GEO2R tool was also used to select the upregulated DEGs in the chip candidates based on a P value <0.05. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) function analysis, and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were then conducted. The results were displayed using R language packages, including volcano plots, Venn diagrams, heatmaps, and enriched pathway bubble charts. Genes from the MalaCards database were compared with the candidate genes, and a thorough review of the literature was conducted to determine the clinical significance of these genes. Finally, feature gene-directed chemical drugs or targeted drugs were predicted using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD).

Results

In total, 767 upregulated DEGs were identified from GSE13601 and 695 from GSE34106. By intersecting the upregulated DEGs from both data sets using a Venn diagram, 100 DEGs related to TSCC were identified. The enrichment analysis of the KEGG signaling pathways identified the majority of the pathways associated with the upregulated DEGs, including the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, the extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the chemokine signaling pathway, the interlukin-17 signaling pathway, and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. The PPI network and module analyses of the shared DEGs ultimately resulted in five clusters and 55 candidate genes. A further intersection analysis of the TSCC-related genes in the MalaCards database via a Venn diagram identified three important shared DEGs; that is, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1), MMP9, and MMP13. In the CTD, seven drugs related to MMP13 were identified for treating tongue tumors.

Conclusions

This study identified key genes and signaling pathways involved in TSCC and thus extended understandings of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the development and progression of TSCC. Additionally, this study showed that MMP13 may influence the malignant biological behavior of TSCC through the TNF signaling pathway. This finding could provide a theoretical basis for research into early differential diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Human Host Defense Peptide LL-37 Suppresses TNFα-Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinases MMP9 and MMP13 in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

INTRODUCTION

TNFα-inducible matrix metalloproteinases play a critical role in the process of airway remodeling in respiratory inflammatory disease including asthma. The cationic host defense peptide LL-37 is elevated in the lungs during airway inflammation. However, the impact of LL-37 on TNFα-driven processes is not well understood. Here, we examined the effect of LL-37 on TNFα-mediated responses in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs).

METHODS

We used a slow off-rate modified aptamer-based proteomics approach to define the HBEC proteome altered in response to TNFα. Abundance of selected protein candidates and signaling intermediates was examined using immunoassays, ELISA and Western blots, and mRNA abundance was examined by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Proteomics analysis revealed that 124 proteins were significantly altered, 12 proteins were enhanced by ≥2-fold compared to unstimulated cells, in response to TNFα. MMP9 was the topmost increased protein in response to TNFα, enhanced by ∼10-fold, and MMP13 was increased by ∼3-fold, compared to unstimulated cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that LL-37 significantly suppressed TNFα-mediated MMP9 and MMP13 in HBEC. Mechanistic data revealed that TNFα-mediated MMP9 and MMP13 production is controlled by SRC kinase and that LL-37 enhances related upstream negative regulators, namely, phospho-AKT (T308) and TNFα-mediated TNFAIP3 or A20.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that LL-37 may play a role in intervening in the process of airway remodeling in chronic inflammatory respiratory disease such as asthma.

Truncated O-glycosylation in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer reveals a gene expression signature associated with extracellular matrix and proteolysis

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of death by cancer in women worldwide. Triple-negative (TN) BC constitutes aggressive and highly metastatic tumors associated with shorter overall survival of patients compared to other BC subtypes. The Tn antigen, a glycoconjugated structure resulting from an incomplete O-glycosylation process, is highly expressed in different adenocarcinomas, including BC. It also favors cancer growth, immunoregulation, and metastasis in TNBC. This work describes the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with BC aggressiveness and metastasis in an incomplete O-glycosylated TNBC cell model. We studied the transcriptome of a TNBC model constituted by the metastatic murine 4T1 cell line that overexpresses the Tn antigen due to a mutation in one of the steps of the O-glycosylation pathway. We analyzed and compared the results with the parental wild-type cell line and with a Tn-negative cell clone that was poorly metastatic and less aggressive than the 4T1 parental cell line. To gain insight into the generated expression data, we performed a gene set analysis. Biological processes associated with cancer development and metastasis, immune evasion, and leukocyte recruitment were highly enriched among functional terms of DEGs. Furthermore, different highly O-glycosylated protein-coding genes, such as mmp9, ecm1 and ankyrin-2, were upregulated in 4T1/Tn+ tumor cells. The altered biological processes and DEGs that promote tumor growth, invasion and immunomodulation might explain the aggressive properties of 4T1/Tn+ tumor cells. These results support the hypothesis that incomplete O-glycosylation that leads to the expression of the Tn antigen, which might regulate activity or interaction of different molecules, promotes cancer development and immunoregulation.

Chemical-proteomics Identify Peroxiredoxin-1 as an Actionable Target in Triple-negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is difficult to treat; therefore, the development of drugs directed against its oncogenic vulnerabilities is a desirable goal. Herein, we report the antitumor effects of CM728, a novel quinone-fused oxazepine, against this malignancy. CM728 potently inhibited TNBC cell viability and decreased the growth of MDA-MB-231-induced orthotopic tumors. Furthermore, CM728 exerted a strong synergistic antiproliferative effect with docetaxel in vitro and this combination was more effective than the individual treatments in vivo. Chemical proteomic approaches revealed that CM728 bound to peroxiredoxin-1 (Prdx1), thereby inducing its oxidation. Molecular docking corroborated these findings. CM728 induced oxidative stress and a multi-signal response, including JNK/p38 MAPK activation and STAT3 inhibition. Interestingly, Prdx1 downregulation mimicked these effects. Finally, CM728 led to DNA damage, cell cycle blockage at the S and G₂/M phases, and the activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis. Taken together, our results identify a novel compound with antitumoral properties against TNBC. In addition, we describe the mechanism of action of this drug and provide a rationale for the use of Prdx1 inhibitors, such as CM728, alone or in combination with other drugs, for the treatment of TNBC.

A network pharmacology strategy to investigate the anti-osteoarthritis mechanism of main lignans components of Schisandrae Fructus

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic age-related progressive joint disorder. Degradation of the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) is considered a hallmark of OA and may be a target for new therapeutic methods. Schisandrae Fructus (SF) has been shown to be effective in treating OA. The major active components of SF are lignans. However, the targets of SF and the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of SF lignans in the treatment of OA have not been elucidated. Therefore, based on network pharmacology, this research predicted the treatment targets of six lignans in SF, constructed a protein-protein interaction network and identified 15 hub genes in the OA-target protein-protein interaction network. Through Gene Ontology function and pathway analyses, the gene functions of lignans in the treatment of OA were determined. Finally, the anti-OA effects of lignans and underlying mechanisms identified in the network pharmacology analysis were verified by molecular docking, real-time PCR and western blotting in vitro. The biological processes of the genes and proteins targeted by lignans in the treatment of OA included the immune response, inflammatory response, cell signal transduction and phospholipid metabolism. Moreover, 20 metabolic pathways were enriched. Network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vitro and in vivo experimental results revealed that SF, schisanhenol and gamma-schisandrin inhibited EGFR and MAPK14 gene expression by inhibiting SRC gene expression and activity and then decreased MMP 13 and collagen II protein and gene expression. This research provides a basis for further study of the anti-OA effects and mechanisms of SF, schisanhenol and gamma-schisandrin.

PDCD4 limits prooncogenic neuregulin-ErbB signaling

The neuregulins and their ErbB/HER receptors play essential roles in mammalian development and tissue homeostasis. In addition, deregulation of their function has been linked to the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer or schizophrenia. These circumstances have stimulated research into the biology of this ligand-receptor system. Here we show the identification of programmed cell death protein-4 (PDCD4) as a novel neuregulin-ErbB signaling mediator. Phosphoproteomic analyses identified PDCD4 as protein whose phosphorylation increased in cells treated with neuregulin. Mutagenesis experiments defined serine 67 of PDCD4 as a site whose phosphorylation increased upon activation of neuregulin receptors. Phosphorylation of that site promoted degradation of PDCD4 by the proteasome, which depended on exit of PDCD4 from the nucleus to the cytosol. Mechanistic studies defined mTORC1 and ERK1/2 as routes implicated in neuregulin-induced serine 67 phosphorylation and PDCD4 degradation. Functionally, PDCD4 regulated several important biological functions of neuregulin, such as proliferation, migration, or invasion.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) Promotes Hypoxia-Induced Invasion and Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer by Targeting Matrix Metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13)

Background

Hypoxia promotes cancer progression. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) has been reported to enhance tumor invasion and metastasis via activating downstream genes, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The purpose of this study was to explore the probable roles of HIF-1α and MMP13 in the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer under hypoxic conditions.

Material/Methods

The expression of HIF-1α and MMP13 protein were detected with immunohistochemistry staining in ovarian cancer tissues, metastatic lesions, and normal fallopian tissues. Ovarian cancer A2780 cells were cultured under normoxic condition and hypoxic condition. mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α and MMP13 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The effects of siRNA against HIF-1α on MMP13 expression were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Transwell invasion assays were performed to test the invasive ability of A2780 cells.

Results

Immunohistochemistry staining showed significantly higher expression of HIF-1α and MMP13 protein in ovarian cancer tissues and metastatic lesions than in normal fallopian tissues. HIF-1α and MMP13 expression were closely related. After exposure to hypoxia, mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α and MMP13 were upregulated. siRNA effectively inhibited HIF-1α expression and MMP13 expression. The number of invading A2780 cells decreased after HIF-1α was silenced.

Conclusions

This study suggests that HIF-1α promotes ovarian cancer cell invasion through a MMP13 mechanism. It might be an effective strategy targeting HIF-1α - MMP13 to inhibit invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer.

MEK5 promotes lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer death worldwide [1]. Because of that, intense efforts are being devoted to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to fight the disease [2]. In this respect, identification of new oncogenic drivers offers therapeutic opportunities in tumours in which those molecules or other cooperating elements play a pathophysiological role. Here, we show that the MEK5 mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase has a pivotal role in lung cancer.

MEK5 acts as an oncogenic driver in mice lung cancer and is pivotal for human lung adenocarcinomahttp://ow.ly/M9e830mZb8N