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Xu Y, Bai Z, Lan T, Fu C, Cheng P. CD44 and its implication in neoplastic diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e554. [PMID: 38783892 PMCID: PMC11112461 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CD44, a nonkinase single span transmembrane glycoprotein, is a major cell surface receptor for many other extracellular matrix components as well as classic markers of cancer stem cells and immune cells. Through alternative splicing of CD44 gene, CD44 is divided into two isoforms, the standard isoform of CD44 (CD44s) and the variant isoform of CD44 (CD44v). Different isoforms of CD44 participate in regulating various signaling pathways, modulating cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance, with its aberrant expression and dysregulation contributing to tumor initiation and progression. However, CD44s and CD44v play overlapping or contradictory roles in tumor initiation and progression, which is not fully understood. Herein, we discuss the present understanding of the functional and structural roles of CD44 in the pathogenic mechanism of multiple cancers. The regulation functions of CD44 in cancers-associated signaling pathways is summarized. Moreover, we provide an overview of the anticancer therapeutic strategies that targeting CD44 and preclinical and clinical trials evaluating the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and drug-related toxicity about CD44-targeted therapies. This review provides up-to-date information about the roles of CD44 in neoplastic diseases, which may open new perspectives in the field of cancer treatment through targeting CD44.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Xu
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ziyi Bai
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tianxia Lan
- Department of BiotherapyLaboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Chenying Fu
- Laboratory of Aging and Geriatric Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ping Cheng
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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Tsui YM, Ho DWH, Sze KMF, Lee JMF, Lee E, Zhang Q, Cheung GCH, Tang CN, Tang VWL, Cheung ETY, Lo ILO, Chan ACY, Cheung TT, Oi-Lin Ng I. Sorted-Cell Sequencing on HCC Specimens Reveals EPS8L3 as a Key Player in CD24/CD13/EpCAM-Triple Positive, Stemness-Related HCC Cells. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 18:101358. [PMID: 38750898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous cancer with varying levels of liver tumor initiating or cancer stem cells in the tumors. We aimed to investigate the expression of different liver cancer stem cell (LCSC) markers in human HCCs and identify their regulatory mechanisms in stemness-related cells. METHODS We used an unbiased, single-marker sorting approach by flow cytometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and transcriptomic analyses on HCC patients' resected specimens. Knockdown approach was used, and relevant functional assays were conducted on the identified targets of interest. RESULTS Flow cytometry on a total of 60 HCC resected specimens showed significant heterogeneity in the expression of LCSC markers, with CD24, CD13, and EpCAM mainly contributing to this heterogeneity. Concomitant expression of CD24, CD13, and EpCAM was detected in 32 HCC samples, and this was associated with advanced tumor stages. Transcriptomic sequencing on the HCC cells sorted for these individual markers identified epidermal growth factor receptor kinase substrate 8-like protein 3 (EPS8L3) as a common gene associated with the 3 markers and was functionally validated in HCC cells. Knocking down EPS8L3 suppressed the expression of all 3 markers. To search for the upstream regulation of EPS8L3, we found SP1 bound to EPS8L3 promoter to drive EPS8L3 expression. Furthermore, using Akt inhibitor MK2206, we showed that Akt signaling-driven SP1 drove the expression of the 3 LCSC markers. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that Akt signaling-driven SP1 promotes EPS8L3 expression, which is critical in maintaining the downstream expression of CD24, CD13, and EpCAM. The findings provide insight into potential LCSC-targeting therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Man Tsui
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Karen Man-Fong Sze
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Joyce Man-Fong Lee
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Eva Lee
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Qingyang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Gary Cheuk-Hang Cheung
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | | | | | | | - Albert Chi-Yan Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tan-To Cheung
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Yang D, Hu Y, Yang J, Tao L, Su Y, Wu Y, Yao Y, Wang S, Ye S, Xu T. Research Progress on the Correlation between Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:163-173. [PMID: 38453527 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant pathologic type of primary liver cancer. It is a malignant tumor of liver epithelial cells. There are many ways to treat HCC, but the survival rate for HCC patients remains low. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms by which HCC occurs and develops is critical to explore new therapeutic targets. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is an important player in the redox reaction of ethanol with endogenous aldehyde products released by lipid peroxidation. Increasing evidence suggests that ALDH2 is a crucial regulator of human tumor development, including HCC. Therefore, clarifying the relationship between ALDH2 and HCC is helpful for formulating rational treatment strategies. This review highlights the regulatory roles of ALDH2 in the development of HCC, elucidates the multiple potential mechanisms by which ALDH2 regulates the development of HCC, and summarizes the progress of research on ALDH2 gene polymorphisms and HCC susceptibility. Meanwhile, we envision viable strategies for targeting ALDH2 in the treatment of HCC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Numerous studies have aimed to explore novel therapeutic targets for HCC, and ALDH2 has been reported to be a critical regulator of HCC progression. This review discusses the functions, molecular mechanisms, and clinical significance of ALDH2 in the development of HCC and examines the prospects of ALDH2-based therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dashuai Yang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Ying Hu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Junfa Yang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Liangsong Tao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Yue Su
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Yincui Wu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Yan Yao
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Shuxian Wang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Sheng Ye
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
| | - Tao Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China (D.Y., L.T., Y.W., Y.Y., S.W., T.X.); State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China (Y.H.); Department of Pediatric orthopedics, Anhui Children's Hospital, Hefei, China (J.Y.); Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China (Y.S.); and School of Materials and Chemistry and School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, China (S.Y.)
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Sadat Kalaki N, Ahmadzadeh M, Najafi M, Mobasheri M, Ajdarkosh H, Karbalaie Niya MH. Systems biology approach to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 37:101633. [PMID: 38283191 PMCID: PMC10821538 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC), is the third most prevalent cancer across the globe, and is often detected at advanced stage. Late diagnosis of CRC, leave the chemotherapy and radiotherapy as the main options for the possible treatment of the disease which are associated with severe side effects. In the present study, we seek to explore CRC gene expression data using a systems biology framework to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods The expression data was retrieved from the gene expression omnibus (GEO). Differential gene expression analysis was conducted using R/Bioconductor package. The PPI network was reconstructed by the STRING. Cystoscope and Gephi software packages were used for visualization and centrality analysis of the PPI network. Clustering analysis of the PPI network was carried out using k-mean algorithm. Gene-set enrichment based on Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway databases was carried out to identify the biological functions and pathways associated with gene groups. Prognostic value of the selected identified hub genes was examined by survival analysis, using GEPIA. Results A total of 848 differentially expressed genes were identified. Centrality analysis of the PPI network resulted in identification of 99 hubs genes. Clustering analysis dissected the PPI network into seven interactive modules. While several DEGs and the central genes in each module have already reported to contribute to CRC progression, survival analysis confirmed high expression of central genes, CCNA2, CD44, and ACAN contribute to poor prognosis of CRC patients. In addition, high expression of TUBA8, AMPD3, TRPC1, ARHGAP6, JPH3, DYRK1A and ACTA1 was found to associate with decreased survival rate. Conclusion Our results identified several genes with high centrality in PPI network that contribute to progression of CRC. The fact that several of the identified genes have already been reported to be relevant to diagnosis and treatment of CRC, other highlighted genes with limited literature information may hold potential to be explored in the context of CRC biomarker and drug target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloufar Sadat Kalaki
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
- International Institute of New Sciences (IINS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Ahmadzadeh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Najafi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meysam Mobasheri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- International Institute of New Sciences (IINS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ajdarkosh
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Ji G, Li Y, Zhang Z, Li H, Sun P. Recent advances of novel targeted drug delivery systems based on natural medicine monomers against hepatocellular carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24667. [PMID: 38312669 PMCID: PMC10834828 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent type of liver cancer, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Surgical interventions are often ineffective, leading HCC patients to rely on systemic chemotherapy. Unfortunately, commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs have limited efficacy and can adversely affect vital organs, causing significant physical and psychological distress for patients. Natural medicine monomers (NMMs) have shown promising efficacy and safety profiles in HCC treatment, garnering attention from researchers. In recent years, the development of novel targeted drug delivery systems (TDDS) combining NMMs with nanocarriers has emerged. These TDDS aim to concentrate drugs effectively in HCC cells by manipulating the characteristics of nanomedicines, leveraging receptor and ligand interactions, and utilizing endogenous stimulatory responses to promote specific nanomedicines distribution. This comprehensive review presents recent research on TDDS for HCC treatment using NMMs from three perspectives: passive TDDS, active TDDS, and stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (SDDS). It consolidates the current state of research on TDDS for HCC treatment with NMMs and highlights the potential of these innovative approaches in improving treatment outcomes. Moreover, the review also identifies research gaps in the related fields to provide references for future targeted therapy research in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanjie Ji
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Zhiyue Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250012, China
| | - Ping Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
- Grade Three Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparation of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250014, China
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Gao Y, Li Y, Zhu Y, Luo Q, Lu Y, Wen K, Du B, Xi X, Li G. Emodin is a Potential Drug Targeting CD44-positive Hepatocellular Cancer. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2024; 24:510-518. [PMID: 38099524 DOI: 10.2174/0115680096256913231101103719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer of the digestive system in our country. The most common subtype of this disease is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, treatment options for HCC patients include surgical resection, liver transplantation, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, and biologic-targeted therapy. However, the efficacy of these treatments is suboptimal, as they are prone to drug resistance, metastasis, spread, and recurrence. These attributes are closely related to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Therefore, the utilization of drugs targeting CSCs may effectively inhibit the development and recurrence of HCC. METHODS HepG2 and Huh7 cells were used to analyze the antitumor activity of emodin by quantifying cell growth and metastasis, as well as to study its effect on stemness. RESULTS Emodin effectively suppressed the growth and movement of HCC cells. Emodin also significantly inhibited the proliferation of CD44-positive hepatoma cells. CONCLUSION Emodin shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for HCC by targeting CD44-- positive hepatoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Youling Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Yunhe Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Qiao Luo
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Yifeng Lu
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Ke Wen
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Boyu Du
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Xueyan Xi
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of General Medicine, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, 442000, P.R. China
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Chen S, Yan Y, Chen Y, Wang K, Zhang Y, Wang X, Li X, Wen J, Yuan Y. All-in-one HN@Cu-MOF nanoparticles with enhanced reactive oxygen species generation and GSH depletion for effective tumor treatment. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:11519-11531. [PMID: 38047895 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02433d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive cancer therapies, especially those based on reactive oxygen species, including photodynamic therapy (PDT), have gained much interest. As emerging photodynamic nanocarriers, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on porphyrin can release reactive oxygen species (ROS) to destroy cancer cells. However, due to the inefficient production of ROS by photosensitizers and the over-expression of glutathione (GSH) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), their therapeutic effect is not satisfactory. Therefore, herein, we developed a multi-functional nanoparticle, HN@Cu-MOF, to enhance the efficacy of PDT. We combined chemical dynamic therapy (CDT) and nitric oxide (NO) therapy by initiating sensitization to PDT and cell apoptosis in the treatment of tumors. The Cu2+-doped MOF reacted with GSH to form Cu+, exhibiting a strong CDT ability to generate hydroxyl radicals (˙OH). The Cu-MOF was coated with HN, which is hyaluronic acid (HA) modified by a nitric oxide donor. HN can target tumor cells over-expressing the CD44 receptor and consume GSH in the cells to release NO. Both cell experiments and in vivo experiments showed an excellent tumor inhibitory effect upon the treatment. Overall, the HN@Cu-MOF nanoparticle-integrated NO gas therapy and CDT with PDT led to a significant enhancement in GSH consumption and a remarkable elevation in ROS production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhui Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
| | - Yu Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
| | - Yixuan Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
| | - Kaili Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
| | - Yawen Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
| | - Xinlong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
| | - Xurui Li
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
| | - Jian Wen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4 Chongshan East Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110032, P. R. China.
| | - Yue Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Key Laboratory of Functional Drug Carrier Materials, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 103 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110016, P. R. China.
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Doustmihan A, Fathi M, Mazloomi M, Salemi A, Hamblin MR, Jahanban-Esfahlan R. Molecular targets, therapeutic agents and multitasking nanoparticles to deal with cancer stem cells: A narrative review. J Control Release 2023; 363:57-83. [PMID: 37739017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that malignant tumors are initiated and maintained by a sub-population of tumor cells that have similar biological properties to normal adult stem cells. This very small population of Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) comprises tumor initiating cells responsible for cancer recurrence, drug resistance and metastasis. Conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, in addition to being potentially toxic and non-specific, may paradoxically increase the population, spread and survival of CSCs. Next-generation sequencing and omics technologies are increasing our understanding of the pathways and factors involved in the development of CSCs, and can help to discover new therapeutic targets against CSCs. In addition, recent advances in nanomedicine have provided hope for the development of optimal specific therapies to eradicate CSCs. Moreover, the use of artificial intelligence and nano-informatics can elucidate new drug targets, and help to design drugs and nanoparticles (NPs) to deal with CSCs. In this review, we first summarize the properties of CSCs and describe the signaling pathways and molecular characteristics responsible for the emergence and survival of CSCs. Also, the location of CSCs within the tumor and the effect of host factors on the creation and maintenance of CSCs are discussed. Newly discovered molecular targets involved in cancer stemness and some novel therapeutic compounds to combat CSCs are highlighted. The optimum properties of anti-CSC NPs, including blood circulation and stability, tumor accumulation and penetration, cellular internalization, drug release, endosomal escape, and aptamers designed for specific targeting of CSCs are covered. Finally, some recent smart NPs designed for therapeutic and theranostic purposes to overcome CSCs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Doustmihan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Fathi
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - MirAhmad Mazloomi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aysan Salemi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa.
| | - Rana Jahanban-Esfahlan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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9
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Cirillo N. The Hyaluronan/CD44 Axis: A Double-Edged Sword in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15812. [PMID: 37958796 PMCID: PMC10649834 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor CD44 is widely used for identifying cancer stem cells and its activation promotes stemness. Recent evidence shows that overexpression of CD44 is associated with poor prognosis in most human cancers and mediates therapy resistance. For these reasons, in recent years, CD44 has become a treatment target in precision oncology, often via HA-conjugated antineoplastic drugs. Importantly, HA molecules of different sizes have a dual effect and, therefore, may enhance or attenuate the CD44-mediated signaling pathways, as they compete with endogenous HA for binding to the receptors. The magnitude of these effects could be crucial for cancer progression, as well as for driving the inflammatory response in the tumor microenvironment. The increasingly common use of HA-conjugated drugs in oncology, as well as HA-based compounds as adjuvants in cancer treatment, adds further complexity to the understanding of the net effect of hyaluronan-CD44 activation in cancers. In this review, I focus on the significance of CD44 in malignancy and discuss the dichotomous function of the hyaluronan/CD44 axis in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cirillo
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 720 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
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10
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Aguilar-Chaparro MA, Rivera-Pineda SA, Hernández-Galdámez HV, Piña-Vázquez C, Villa-Treviño S. The CD44std and CD44v9 subpopulations in non-tumorigenic invasive SNU-423 cells present different features of cancer stem cells. Stem Cell Res 2023; 72:103222. [PMID: 37844417 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2023.103222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer, in which CD44 isoforms have been proposed as markers to identify cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, it is unclear what characteristics are associated with CSCs that exclusively express CD44 isoforms. The objective of the present study was to determine the expression of CD44 isoforms and their properties in CSCs. Analysis of transcriptomic data from HCC patient samples identified CD44v8-10 as a potential marker in HCC. In SNU-423 cells, CD44 expression was detected in over 99% of cells, and two CD44 isoforms, namely, CD44std and CD44v9, were identified in this cell line. CD44 subpopulations, including both CD44v9+ (CD44v9) and CD44v9- (CD44std) cells, were obtained by purification using a magnetic cell separation kit for human CD44v9+ cancer stem cells. CD44v9 cells showed greater potential for colony and spheroid formation, whereas CD44std cells demonstrated significant migration and invasion capabilities. These findings suggested that CD44std and CD44v9 may be used to identify features in CSC populations and provide insights into their roles in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Alejandro Aguilar-Chaparro
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Av. IPN No. 2508 Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, México City CP 07360, Mexico
| | - Sonia Andrea Rivera-Pineda
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Av. IPN No. 2508 Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, México City CP 07360, Mexico
| | - Hury Viridiana Hernández-Galdámez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Av. IPN No. 2508 Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, México City CP 07360, Mexico
| | - Carolina Piña-Vázquez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Av. IPN No. 2508 Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, México City CP 07360, Mexico
| | - Saúl Villa-Treviño
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (CINVESTAV), Av. IPN No. 2508 Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, México City CP 07360, Mexico.
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11
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Chandra J, Molugulu N, Annadurai S, Wahab S, Karwasra R, Singh S, Shukla R, Kesharwani P. Hyaluronic acid-functionalized lipoplexes and polyplexes as emerging nanocarriers for receptor-targeted cancer therapy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116506. [PMID: 37369307 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is an intricate disease that develops as a response to a combination of hereditary and environmental risk factors, which then result in a variety of changes to the genome. The cluster of differentiation (CD44) is a type of transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as a potential biomarker for cancer stem cells (CSC) and viable targets for therapeutic intervention in the context of cancer therapy. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear polysaccharide that exhibits a notable affinity for the CD44 receptor. This characteristic renders it a promising candidate for therapeutic interventions aimed at selectively targeting CD44-positive cancer cells. Treating cancer via non-viral vector-based gene delivery has changed the notion of curing illness through the incorporation of therapeutic genes into the organism. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of various hyaluronic acid-modified lipoplexes and polyplexes as potential drug delivery methods for specific forms of cancer by effectively targeting CD44.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Chandra
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Nagashekhara Molugulu
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Bandar Sunway, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Sivakumar Annadurai
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shadma Wahab
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ritu Karwasra
- Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058, India
| | - Surender Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Rahul Shukla
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER-Raebareli), Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP, 226002, India
| | - Prashant Kesharwani
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India; Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
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12
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Cheng Q, Ning S, Zhu L, Zhang C, Jiang S, Hao Y, Zhu J. NDRG1 facilitates self-renewal of liver cancer stem cells by preventing EpCAM ubiquitination. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:237-248. [PMID: 37165202 PMCID: PMC10338678 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02278-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) is the main pathway of HCC intrahepatic metastasis and is responsible for the poor prognosis of patients with HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PVTT vascular metastases have not been fully elucidated. METHODS NDRG1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting in clinical specimens obtained from curative surgery. The functional relevance of NDRG1 was evaluated using sphere formation and animal models of tumorigenicity and metastasis. The relationship between NDRG1 and EpCAM was explored using molecular biological techniques. RESULTS NDRG1 protein was upregulated in HCC samples compared to non-tumorous tissues. Furthermore, NDRG1 expression was enhanced in the PVTT samples. Our functional study showed that NDRG1 was required for the self-renewal of tumour-initiating/cancer stem cells (CSCs). In addition, NDRG1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation and migration of PVTT-1 cells in vitro and in vivo. NDRG1 was found to stabilise the functional tumour-initiating cell marker EpCAM through protein-protein interactions and inhibition of EpCAM ubiquitination. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that NDRG1 enhances CSCs expansion, PVTT formation and growth capability through the regulation of EpCAM stability. NDRG1 may be a promising target for the treatment of patients with HCC and PVTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Key Laboratory of HCC and Liver Cirrhosis, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China.
| | - Shanglei Ning
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Changlu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Shaodong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Yajing Hao
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Big Data Research in Health, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101, Beijing, China
| | - Jiye Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Key Laboratory of HCC and Liver Cirrhosis, Peking University People's Hospital, 100044, Beijing, China.
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13
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Kaps L, Limeres MJ, Schneider P, Svensson M, Zeyn Y, Fraude S, Cacicedo ML, Galle PR, Gehring S, Bros M. Liver Cell Type-Specific Targeting by Nanoformulations for Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11869. [PMID: 37511628 PMCID: PMC10380755 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocytes exert pivotal roles in metabolism, protein synthesis and detoxification. Non-parenchymal liver cells (NPCs), largely comprising macrophages, dendritic cells, hepatic stellate cells and liver sinusoidal cells (LSECs), serve to induce immunological tolerance. Therefore, the liver is an important target for therapeutic approaches, in case of both (inflammatory) metabolic diseases and immunological disorders. This review aims to summarize current preclinical nanodrug-based approaches for the treatment of liver disorders. So far, nano-vaccines that aim to induce hepatitis virus-specific immune responses and nanoformulated adjuvants to overcome the default tolerogenic state of liver NPCs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis have been tested. Moreover, liver cancer may be treated using nanodrugs which specifically target and kill tumor cells. Alternatively, nanodrugs may target and reprogram or deplete immunosuppressive cells of the tumor microenvironment, such as tumor-associated macrophages. Here, combination therapies have been demonstrated to yield synergistic effects. In the case of autoimmune hepatitis and other inflammatory liver diseases, anti-inflammatory agents can be encapsulated into nanoparticles to dampen inflammatory processes specifically in the liver. Finally, the tolerance-promoting activity especially of LSECs has been exploited to induce antigen-specific tolerance for the treatment of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Kaps
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - María José Limeres
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Paul Schneider
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Malin Svensson
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Yanira Zeyn
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Silvia Fraude
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maximiliano L Cacicedo
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter R Galle
- I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephan Gehring
- Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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14
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Karami Fath M, Garousi S, Mottahedi M, Ghasemzadeh N, Salmani K, Olfati F, Beit Saeed M, Sotoudeh S, Barati G. The role of hypoxia-inducible factors in breast cancer stem cell specification. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 243:154349. [PMID: 36791562 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Breast tumor is heterogeneous cancer with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in developing countries. Despite new efforts to reduce the breast cancer implications, the number of newly diagnosed cases is increasing worldwide. It is believed that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for the implication of cancers including breast cancer. Although CSCs compose a small population in tumor bulks, they play a crucial role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and chemotherapeutic resistance. These events are mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway which regulates the transcription of genes involved in CSC maintenance and tumorigenesis. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms by which hypoxia- or chemotherapy-induced HIFs promote breast CSC specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Karami Fath
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Setareh Garousi
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehran Mottahedi
- Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Kiana Salmani
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Olfati
- Department of Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Miad Beit Saeed
- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Abadan Islamic Azad University, Abadan, Iran
| | - Sina Sotoudeh
- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Iran
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15
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Zhou XH, Li JR, Zheng TH, Chen H, Cai C, Ye SL, Gao B, Xue TC. Portal vein tumor thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular mechanism and therapy. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023; 40:5-32. [PMID: 36318440 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10188-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), a common complication of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remains the bottleneck of the treatments. Liver cancer cells potentially experienced multi-steps during PVTT process, including cancer cells leave from cancer nest, migrate in extracellular matrix, invade the vascular barrier, and colonize in the portal vein. Accumulated evidences have revealed numerous of molecular mechanisms including genetic and epigenetic regulation, cancer stem cells, immunosuppressive microenvironment, hypoxia, et al. contributed to the PVTT formation. In this review, we discuss state-of-the-art PVTT research on the potential molecular mechanisms and experimental models. In addition, we summarize PVTT-associated clinical trials and current treatments for PVTT and suppose perspectives exploring the molecular mechanisms and improving PVTT-related treatment for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Hao Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jing-Ru Li
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Tang-Hui Zheng
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Xiamen Branch, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen, 361015, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Xiamen Branch, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen, 361015, China
| | - Chen Cai
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Sheng-Long Ye
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bo Gao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Tong-Chun Xue
- Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Hepatic Oncology, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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16
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Jeng KS, Chang CF, Sheen IS, Jeng CJ, Wang CH. Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer Stem Cells of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:1417. [PMID: 36674932 PMCID: PMC9861908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death globally. The cancer stem cells (CSCs) of HCC are responsible for tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, recurrence, chemoresistance, target therapy resistance and radioresistance. The reported main surface markers used to identify liver CSCs include epithelial cell adhesion/activating molecule (EpCAM), cluster differentiation 90 (CD90), CD44 and CD133. The main molecular signaling pathways include the Wnt/β-catenin, transforming growth factors-β (TGF-β), sonic hedgehog (SHH), PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Notch. Patients with EpCAM-positive alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-positive HCC are usually young but have advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. CD90-positive HCCs are usually poorly differentiated with worse prognosis. Those with CD44-positive HCC cells develop early metastases. Those with CD133 expression have a higher recurrence rate and a shorter overall survival. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway triggers angiogenesis, tumor infiltration and metastasis through the enhancement of angiogenic factors. All CD133+ liver CSCs, CD133+/EpCAM+ liver CSCs and CD44+ liver CSCs contribute to sorafenib resistance. SHH signaling could protect HCC cells against ionizing radiation in an autocrine manner. Reducing the CSC population of HCC is crucial for the improvement of the therapy of advanced HCC. However, targeting CSCs of HCC is still challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Shyang Jeng
- Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 22060, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Fang Chang
- Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 22060, Taiwan
| | - I-Shyang Sheen
- Department of Hepato Gastroenterology, Linkou Medical Center, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan City 33305, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Juei Jeng
- Postgraduate of Institute of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hsuan Wang
- Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 22060, Taiwan
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17
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Abd El-Fattah EE. Tumor lysis syndrome promotes cancer chemoresistance and relapse through AMPK inhibition. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109568. [PMID: 36527883 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a disease caused when cells divide uncontrollably and spread into surrounding tissues. There are different therapeutic modalities that control cancer growth, of which surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment approach in which medications are used to inhibit cell proliferation and tumor multiplication, thus avoiding invasion and metastasis and thus eradicate cancer. One of the common complications associated with cancer chemotherapy is rapid lysis of expanding tumor cells, known as tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is associated with number of metabolic changes such as hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. Among the consequences of hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia is the inhibition of 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Inhibition of AMPK induced different cancer chemo-resistance mechanisms such as cancer stem cells (CSCs), p-glycoproteins, Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), homeobox protein NANOG, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and immune microenvironment and thus leads to poor response to chemotherapy and even relapses after treatment. Our review aims to uncover new mechanisms underlying the metabolic consequences of tumor lysis on AMPK in tumor microenvironment. In this review, we also investigated the effect of AMPK on different cancer chemo-resistance mechanisms such as cancer stem cells, p-glycoproteins, OCT-4, NANOG, KLF4 and immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam E Abd El-Fattah
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt.
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18
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Park S, Mossmann D, Chen Q, Wang X, Dazert E, Colombi M, Schmidt A, Ryback B, Ng CKY, Terracciano LM, Heim MH, Hall MN. Transcription factors TEAD2 and E2A globally repress acetyl-CoA synthesis to promote tumorigenesis. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4246-4261.e11. [PMID: 36400009 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) plays an important role in metabolism, gene expression, signaling, and other cellular processes via transfer of its acetyl group to proteins and metabolites. However, the synthesis and usage of acetyl-CoA in disease states such as cancer are poorly characterized. Here, we investigated global acetyl-CoA synthesis and protein acetylation in a mouse model and patient samples of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unexpectedly, we found that acetyl-CoA levels are decreased in HCC due to transcriptional downregulation of all six acetyl-CoA biosynthesis pathways. This led to hypo-acetylation specifically of non-histone proteins, including many enzymes in metabolic pathways. Importantly, repression of acetyl-CoA synthesis promoted oncogenic dedifferentiation and proliferation. Mechanistically, acetyl-CoA synthesis was repressed by the transcription factors TEAD2 and E2A, previously unknown to control acetyl-CoA synthesis. Knockdown of TEAD2 and E2A restored acetyl-CoA levels and inhibited tumor growth. Our findings causally link transcriptional reprogramming of acetyl-CoA metabolism, dedifferentiation, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Park
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dirk Mossmann
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xueya Wang
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Dazert
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marco Colombi
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Brendan Ryback
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte K Y Ng
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Markus H Heim
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clarunis, University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael N Hall
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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19
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A Novel 3D Culture Scaffold to Shorten Development Time for Multicellular Tumor Spheroids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213962. [PMID: 36430445 PMCID: PMC9699299 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multicellular tumor spheroids and tumoroids are considered ideal in vitro models that reflect the features of the tumor microenvironment. Biomimetic components resembling the extracellular matrix form scaffolds to provide structure to 3-dimensional (3D) culture systems, supporting the growth of both spheroids and tumoroids. Although Matrigel has long been used to support 3D culture systems, batch variations, component complexity, and the use of components derived from tumors are complicating factors. To address these issues, we developed the ACD 3D culture system to provide better control and consistency. We evaluated spheroid and tumoroid formation using the ACD 3D culture system, including the assessment of cell viability and cancer marker expression. Under ACD 3D culture conditions, spheroids derived from cancer cell lines exhibited cancer stem cell characteristics, including a sphere-forming size and the expression of stem cell marker genes. The ACD 3D culture system was also able to support patient-derived primary cells and organoid cell cultures, displaying adequate cell growth, appropriate morphology, and resistance to oxaliplatin treatment. These spheroids could also be used for drug screening purposes. In conclusion, the ACD 3D culture system represents an efficient tool for basic cancer research and therapeutic development.
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20
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Fath MK, Ebrahimi M, Nourbakhsh E, Hazara AZ, Mirzaei A, Shafieyari S, Salehi A, Hoseinzadeh M, Payandeh Z, Barati G. PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Cancer Stem Cells. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 237:154010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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21
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Vaghari-Tabari M, Hassanpour P, Sadeghsoltani F, Malakoti F, Alemi F, Qujeq D, Asemi Z, Yousefi B. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing: a new approach for overcoming drug resistance in cancer. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:49. [PMID: 35715750 PMCID: PMC9204876 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00348-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 system is an RNA-based adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea. Various studies have shown that it is possible to target a wide range of human genes and treat some human diseases, including cancers, by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. In fact, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing is one of the most efficient genome manipulation techniques. Studies have shown that CRISPR/Cas9 technology, in addition to having the potential to be used as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancers, can also be used to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments. Undoubtedly, the issue of drug resistance is one of the main obstacles in the treatment of cancers. Cancer cells resist anticancer drugs by a variety of mechanisms, such as enhancing anticancer drugs efflux, enhancing DNA repair, enhancing stemness, and attenuating apoptosis. Mutations in some proteins of different cellular signaling pathways are associated with these events and drug resistance. Recent studies have shown that the CRISPR/Cas9 technique can be used to target important genes involved in these mechanisms, thereby increasing the effectiveness of anticancer drugs. In this review article, studies related to the applications of this technique in overcoming drug resistance in cancer cells will be reviewed. In addition, we will give a brief overview of the limitations of the CRISP/Cas9 gene-editing technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parisa Hassanpour
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghsoltani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Faezeh Malakoti
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Forough Alemi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Durdi Qujeq
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CMBRC), Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. .,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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22
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Yang MH, Li B, Chang KJ. Notch pathway inhibition mediated by arsenic trioxide depletes tumor initiating cells in small cell lung cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:2245-2253. [PMID: 35028858 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-07046-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant type of lung cancer. We previously reported that arsenic trioxide (As2O3) inhibited tumor initiating cells (TICs) of SCLC in vitro. In the present study, we aimed to identify the above effect in vivo and shed light on its underlying mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS TICs were enriched by culturing human SCLC cell line as sphere cells in specified serum-free medium. The expression of stem cell markers, CD133 and CD44, and the in vivo tumorigenicity of both TICs and their parental cells were examined. To demonstrate the inhibitory effect of As2O3 on TICs, cell proliferation, clone formation and sphere formation assays were performed. CD133 and Notch pathway-related factors were also measured after As2O3 treatment. Xenograft models were established by injecting TICs into nude mice. Mice were treated with As2O3 for 14 days. Afterwards, the tumor volume and the expression of CD133 and Notch1 were evaluated. TICs obtained by the above-mentioned method showed elevated levels of stem cell markers and increased tumorigenicity compared with their parental cells. As2O3 treatment largely inhibited TICs proliferation, sphere formation and clonogenic capacity. As2O3 also reduced the expression of CD133 and down-regulated Notch pathway in TICs. Furthermore, As2O3 potently inhibited tumor growth, decreased the expression of CD133 and down-regulated Notch1 in tumors originating from TICs. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that As2O3 has a remarkable inhibitory effect on TICs of SCLC both in vitro and in vivo, and the mechanism might involve the down-regulation of Notch pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Hang Yang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, China. .,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China.
| | - Ke-Jie Chang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Cancer Center of the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.
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23
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Yang H, Deng Q, Ni T, Liu Y, Lu L, Dai H, Wang H, Yang W. Targeted Inhibition of LPL/FABP4/CPT1 fatty acid metabolic axis can effectively prevent the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to liver cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4207-4222. [PMID: 34803493 PMCID: PMC8579444 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.64714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as one of the key stages in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), can directly progress to HCC, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each stage of disease development were studied through a GEO dataset deriving from a Stelic Animal Model (STAM), which can simulate the evolution of NAFLD/NASH to HCC in humans. GSVA analysis was performed to analyze the differentially expressed oncogenic signatures in each stage. A human NAFLD-related dataset from GEO database was utilized for gene expression verification and further validated in the protein level in STAM mice. Small molecule inhibitors were applied to STAM mice for investigating whether inhibition of the LPL/FABP4/CPT1 axis could prevent the occurrence of NASH-related HCC in vivo. Microsphere formation and clonal formation assays in vitro were applied to study if inhibition of the LPL/FABP4/CPT1 axis can reduce the viability of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs). Results: We found that upregulation of the LPL/FABP4/CPT1 molecular axis, as a fatty acid metabolic reprogramming process, occurred specifically during the NASH phase. GSVA analysis showed widespread activation of a large number of oncogenic signals, which may contribute to malignant transformation during NASH. Furthermore, inhibition of the LPL/FABP4/CPT1 axis could effectively delay the tumor growth in STAM mice. Cell assays revealed inhibitors targeting this axis can significantly reduce the sphere-forming, proliferation, and clonality of LCSCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that activation of the LPL/FABP4/CPT1 axis is essential for LCSCs maintenance, which acts synergistically with a variety of up-regulated oncogenic signals that drive the hepatocyte-LCSCs transdifferentiation during NASH to HCC progression. Thus, targeting the LPL/FABP4/CPT1 axis may provide a potential direction for NASH-related HCC prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Qingmei Deng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Tun Ni
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.,University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Li Lu
- Department of Anatomy, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Haiming Dai
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Hongzhi Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Wulin Yang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.,Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
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24
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Jiang X, Liang L, Chen G, Liu C. Modulation of Immune Components on Stem Cell and Dormancy in Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:2826. [PMID: 34831048 PMCID: PMC8616319 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) refer to a certain subpopulation within the tumor entity that is characterized by restricted cellular proliferation and multipotent differentiation potency. The existence of CSCs has been proven to contribute to the heterogeneity of malignancies, accounting for intensified tumorigenesis, treatment resistance, and metastatic spread. Dormancy was proposed as a reversible state of cancer cells that are temporarily arrested in the cell cycle, possessing several hallmarks that facilitate their survival within a devastating niche. This transient period is evoked to enter an actively proliferating state by multiple regulatory alterations, and one of the most significant and complex factors comes from local and systemic inflammatory reactions and immune components. Although CSCs and dormant cancer cells share several similarities, the clear relationship between these two concepts remains unclear. Thus, the detailed mechanism of immune cells interacting with CSCs and dormant cancer cells also warrants elucidation for prevention of cancer relapse and metastasis. In this review, we summarize recent findings and prospective studies on CSCs and cancer dormancy to conclude the relationship between these two concepts. Furthermore, we aim to outline the mechanism of immune components in interfering with CSCs and dormant cancer cells to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention of relapse and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Caigang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China; (X.J.); (L.L.); (G.C.)
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25
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Gene Expression Characteristics of Liver Tissue Reveal the Underlying Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:9458328. [PMID: 34651050 PMCID: PMC8506137 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9458328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is high-mortality primary liver cancer and the most common malignant tumor in the world. This study is based on a hepatocellular carcinoma-related dysfunction module designed to explore the dysregulation of genes in liver cancer tissue. Methods By downloading the relevant data on the GEO database, we performed a differential analysis of healthy liver tissue and liver cancer tissues as well as healthy liver tissue and hepatocellular carcinoma tissue and then obtained two sets of differential genes and combined them. We performed a cointerpretation analysis of these differential genes and constructed related functional disorder modules. A hypergeometric test was performed to calculate the potential regulatory effects of multiple factors on the module, and a series of ncRNA and TF regulators were identified. We obtained a total of 4479 differentially expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma, and these genes were clustered into ten hepatocellular carcinoma-related functional interpretation disorder modules. Results Enrichment analysis revealed that these modular genes are mainly involved in signal transduction including cell cycle, TGF-beta signal transduction, and p53 signal transduction. Depending on the predictive analysis of multidimensional regulators, 323 ncRNAs and 52 TF-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma-related dysregulation modules were found to regulate disease progression. Conclusions Based on a series of investigations, it was found that miR-30b-5p may participate in the peroxisome signal transduction by downregulating ABCD3-mediated module 1, thereby promoting the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Our research results not only provide a theoretical basis for biologists to study hepatocellular carcinoma further but also offer new methods and new ideas for the personalized care and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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26
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Sukowati CHC, El-Khobar KE, Tiribelli C. Immunotherapy against programmed death-1/programmed death ligand 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma: Importance of molecular variations, cellular heterogeneity, and cancer stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2021; 13:795-824. [PMID: 34367478 PMCID: PMC8316870 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i7.795] [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: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy related to diverse etiological factors. Different oncogenic mechanisms and genetic variations lead to multiple HCC molecular classifications. Recently, an immune-based strategy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) was presented in HCC therapy, especially with ICIs against the programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1. However, despite the success of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 in other cancers, a substantial proportion of HCC patients fail to respond. In this review, we gather current information on biomarkers of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment and the contribution of HCC heterogeneity and hepatic cancer stem cells (CSCs). Genetic variations of PD-1 and PD-L1 are associated with chronic liver disease and progression to cancer. PD-L1 expression in tumoral tissues is differentially expressed in CSCs, particularly in those with a close association with the tumor microenvironment. This information will be beneficial for the selection of patients and the management of the ICIs against PD-1/PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Centro Studi Fegato, Fondazione Italiana Fegato ONLUS, Trieste 34149, Italy
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27
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Ma S, Cheng J, Wang H, Ding N, Zhou F, Ji R, Zhu L, Zhu C, Pan Y. A novel regulatory loop miR-101/ANXA2/EGR1 mediates malignant characteristics of liver cancer stem cells. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:93-104. [PMID: 32531042 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are the cellular determinants that promote tumor recurrence and metastases. Aberrantly expressed miRNAs were identified in LCSCs and found to play a significant role in modulating biological characteristics of LCSCs. In this study, we implemented miRNA microarrays in CD133+ LCSCs and found miR-101 expression was downregulated. Increasing miR-101 expression repressed the metastasis and tumorigenic potential in LCSCs. Further investigations showed that ANXA2 was a novel target of miR-101. And we revealed that ANXA2 plays a critical role in acceleration of cell cycle and enhancing the migration and invasion abilities of LCSCs. Elevated ANXA2 increased activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) which regulated SOX2 and cell cycle-related kinases. Moreover, ERK phosphorylation inhibited the expression of early growth response 1 (EGR1) which in turn restrained the transcription of miR-101. In vivo experiments, overexpression of miR-101 produced potent inhibitory effects on the growth of LCSCs xenograft tumors as well as ANXA2 knockdown. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel regulatory loop miR-101/ANXA2/EGR1 in LCSCs and may serve as potential therapeutic targets in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Ma
- Department of Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Junping Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ningling Ding
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Runing Ji
- Department of Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chuanwu Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yunzhi Pan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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28
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Wang W, Xu S, Di Y, Zhang Z, Li Q, Guo K, Lv Y, Wang B. Novel role of LINC01013/miR-6795-5p/FMNL3 axis in the regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma stem cell features. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 53:652-662. [PMID: 33847733 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmab040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are major contributors to tumor initiation, recurrence, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Some long non-coding RNAs have been reported as modulators of stem-like properties in cancer cells. However, the role of LINC01013 in liver CSCs has not yet been clarified. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the expression pattern and functions of LINC01013 in HCC. HCC tissues and normal controls were collected, and the expression pattern of LINC01013 and miR-6795-5p was identified by quick real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit-8 assay, colony formation, and spheroid formation were performed to measure cell viability, proliferation, and self-renewal of HCC cell lines. The expression of stem markers was detected by western blot analysis. The effect of LINC01013 on viability, proliferation, and stem-like properties was detected through gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments. The direct interaction among LINC01013, miR-6795-5p, and FMNL3 was testified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Tumor-bearing mice were constructed to ascertain the functions of LINC01013 in vivo. HCC tissues showed increased LINC01013 and FMNL3 expression, while it showed a decreased miR-6795-5p expression as compared to the relative controls. Moreover, the high level of LINC01013 was closely related to the poor prognosis of HCC patients. LINC01013 directly binds to miR-6795-5p and subsequently relieves FMNL3. Silencing LINC01013, FMNL3, or overexpression of miR-6795-5p could suppress spheroid and colony formation, proliferation, as well as expression of stemness markers in HepG2 and SNU-182 cells. LINC01013 knockdown suppressed growth and stem-like traits of HCC cells in vivo by reducing FMNL3 expression. LINC01013/miR-6795-5p/FMNL3 axis may be a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanli Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of General Surgery, Bazhong Central Hospital, Bazhong 636000, China
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery & Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Shicheng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Bazhong Central Hospital, Bazhong 636000, China
| | - Ying Di
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Bazhong Central Hospital, Bazhong 636000, China
| | - Qingshan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery & Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Kun Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Yi Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery & Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Precision Surgery & Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
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Zarębska I, Gzil A, Durślewicz J, Jaworski D, Antosik P, Ahmadi N, Smolińska-Świtała M, Grzanka D, Szylberg Ł. The clinical, prognostic and therapeutic significance of liver cancer stem cells and their markers. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2021; 45:101664. [PMID: 33667731 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2021.101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cause of death among cancers. The poor prognosis of HCC might be caused by a population of cancer stem cells (CSC). CSC have similar characteristics to normal stem cells and are responsible for cancer recurrence, chemoresistance, radioresistance and metastasis. Liver cancer stem cells (LCSC) are identified via specific surface markers, such as CD44, CD90, CD133, and EpCAM (CD326). Recent studies suggested a complex interaction between mentioned LCSC markers and clinical features of HCC. A high expression of CSC is correlated with a negative prognostic factor after surgical resection of HCC and is connected with more aggressive tumor behavior. Moreover, LCSC might be responsible for increasing resistance to sorafenib, a kinase inhibitor drug. A reduction in the LCSC population may be crucial to successful advanced HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Zarębska
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Arkadiusz Gzil
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Justyna Durślewicz
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Damian Jaworski
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Paulina Antosik
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Navid Ahmadi
- Chair and Department of Oncologic Pathology and Prophylactics, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
| | - Marta Smolińska-Świtała
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dariusz Grzanka
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szylberg
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; Department of Pathomorphology, Military Clinical Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland; Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Center, Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Tsuchiya H, Shiota G. Clinical and Biological Implications of Cancer Stem Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Yonago Acta Med 2021; 64:1-11. [PMID: 33642898 DOI: 10.33160/yam.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with poor prognosis, and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Recently, the development of therapeutic drugs via novel mechanisms of action, involving molecular-targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors, has progressed in the field of HCC. However, the recurrence rate remains high, and further improvement of the prognosis of patients with HCC is urgently needed. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a promising target for further development of novel anti-cancer drugs because they are reportedly involved in tumor initiation, maintenance, recurrence, and resistance to conventional therapies. Although several studies have already been conducted, the functions and roles of CSCs in the development and progression of tumors remain to be elucidated. In this review article, we will clarify the fundamental knowledge of CSCs necessary for the understanding of CSCs and will outline so-far identified markers specific to liver CSCs and the pathological and therapeutic implications of CSCs in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
- Division of Medical Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Genomic Medicine and Regenerative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Goshi Shiota
- Division of Medical Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Genomic Medicine and Regenerative Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
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31
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Xu H, Niu M, Yuan X, Wu K, Liu A. CD44 as a tumor biomarker and therapeutic target. Exp Hematol Oncol 2020; 9:36. [PMID: 33303029 PMCID: PMC7727191 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-020-00192-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44, a complex transmembrane glycoprotein, exists in multiple molecular forms, including the standard isoform CD44s and CD44 variant isoforms. CD44 participates in multiple physiological processes, and aberrant expression and dysregulation of CD44 contribute to tumor initiation and progression. CD44 represents a common biomarker of cancer stem cells, and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CD44 is involved in the regulation of diverse vital signaling pathways that modulate cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis and therapy-resistance, and it is also modulated by a variety of molecules in cancer cells. In addition, CD44 can serve as an adverse prognostic marker among cancer population. The pleiotropic roles of CD44 in carcinoma potentially offering new molecular target for therapeutic intervention. Preclinical and clinical trials for evaluating the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and drug-related toxicity of CD44 monoclonal antibody have been carried out among tumors with CD44 expression. In this review, we focus on current data relevant to CD44, and outline CD44 structure, the regulation of CD44, functional properties of CD44 in carcinogenesis and cancer progression as well as the potential CD44-targeting therapy for cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxiao Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University: Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Xun Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University: Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China. .,Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Aiguo Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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32
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Tanabe A, Kimura K, Tazawa H, Maruo T, Taguchi M, Sahara H. Functional analysis of CD44 variants and xCT in canine tumours. Vet Med Sci 2020; 7:577-585. [PMID: 33210459 PMCID: PMC8025623 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell surface glycoprotein CD44 has various types of splicing variants, which contribute to its multiple distinct cellular functions. Recently, it was reported that the CD44v8‐10 isoform interacts with the system Xc(‐) transporter‐related protein (xCT), and inhibits the accumulation of reactive oxygen species by promoting the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione in human tumour cells. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of CD44 variants and xCT in canine tumours. From semi‐quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis, the mRNA expression of the CD44v8‐10 isoform was observed in canine tumour tissues as well as human cases. The overexpression of CD44v8‐10 may promote the synthesis of glutathione and enhance the resistance to radiation of canine breast tumour cells. Furthermore, canine xCT mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in the canine breast tumour tissues as compared to the normal tissues surrounding the tumours. To investigate the function of canine xCT, we treated canine tumour cells with the xCT inhibitor sulfasalazine. Consequently, the sulfasalazine‐treated cells were more sensitive to oxidative stress than the non‐treated cells. Taken together, these results suggested that CD44v8‐10 and xCT play important roles in the therapy resistance of canine tumours as well as human tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanabe
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kento Kimura
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hana Tazawa
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Maruo
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Masayuki Taguchi
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroeki Sahara
- Laboratory of Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
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33
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The novel interplay between CD44 standard isoform and the caspase-1/IL1B pathway to induce hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:961. [PMID: 33168816 PMCID: PMC7652828 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03158-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating data indicate caspase-1 (CASP1), one of the inflammatory caspases, promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression in tumor proliferation, invasion, EMT phenotype and sorafenib resistance. However, the molecular basis of regulating caspase-1 expression and caspase-1/IL1B (interleukin-1β) pathway in HCC remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated the novel interplay between caspase-1/IL1B activation and cluster differentiation 44 standard isoform (CD44s) in HCC. In this study, we observed that CD44s is responsible for caspase-1/IL1B activation both in HCC tissues and five HCC cell lines. In normoxia conditions, CD44s knockdown repressed the activation of caspase-1/IL1B via stimulating AMPK-mediated autophagy. Moreover, our data suggested that p62-induced autophagic degradation of caspase-1 accounted for caspase-1/IL1B inactivation in CD44s deficient cells. Administration of recombinant human IL1B could rescue impaired proliferation, invasion, and EMT phenotype in CD44s deficient HCC cells. Lastly, hypoxia-mediated caspase-1/IL1B overexpression could be abolished by CD44s downregulation through decreasing HIF1A and enhancing autophagic activity. Overall, targeting CD44s is a novel inhibitory mechanism of caspase-1/IL1B expression, both in normoxia and hypoxia conditions.
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Li J, Zhu Y. Recent Advances in Liver Cancer Stem Cells: Non-coding RNAs, Oncogenes and Oncoproteins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:548335. [PMID: 33117795 PMCID: PMC7575754 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.548335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with high morbidity, relapse, metastasis and mortality rates. Although liver surgical resection, transplantation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some molecular targeted therapeutics may prolong the survival of HCC patients to a certain degree, the curative effect is still poor, primarily because of tumor recurrence and the drug resistance of HCC cells. Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), also known as liver tumor-initiating cells, represent one small subset of cancer cells that are responsible for disease recurrence, drug resistance and death. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanism of LCSCs in HCC is of vital importance. Thus, new studies that present gene regulation strategies to control LCSC differentiation and replication are under development. In this review, we provide an update on the latest advances in experimental studies on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), oncogenes and oncoproteins. All the articles addressed the crosstalk between different ncRNAs, oncogenes and oncoproteins, as well as their upstream and downstream products targeting LCSCs. In this review, we summarize three pathways, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, and interleukin 6/Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL6/JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway, and their targeting gene, c-Myc. Furthermore, we conclude that octamer 4 (OCT4) and Nanog are two important functional genes that play a pivotal role in LCSC regulation and HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liver Disease Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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35
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CD44, IL-33, and ST2 Gene Polymorphisms on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Susceptibility in the Chinese Population. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:2918517. [PMID: 33062675 PMCID: PMC7538256 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2918517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The interleukin- (IL-) 33/ST2 axis plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis through influencing cancer stemness and other mechanisms. CD44 is one of the critical markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among the cancer stem cells (CSCs). There is still a lack of CD44 gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) combined with IL-33/ST2 pathway single-nucleotide polymorphisms in HCC susceptibility analysis literature, although CD44 and IL-33/ST2 have been reported separately in human cancers. This study is aimed at investigating the relationship between CD44, IL-33, and ST2 SNPs and HCC susceptibility and clinicopathological features. We analyzed 565 HCC patients and 561 healthy controls in the Chinese population. The genes for CD44rs187115A>G, IL-33 rs1929992A>G, and ST2 rs3821204G>C were typed using the SNaPshot method. We found that the distribution frequencies of CD44 and ST2 alleles and genotypes in both the HCC case group and the control group were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The results showed that individuals carrying at least one G allele of the CD44 rs187115 gene were at a higher risk than the AA genotype carriers (p = 0.007, odds ratio (OR) = 1.429, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.102-1.854). Similarly, individuals with at least one C allele of ST2 rs3821204 had a higher risk of HCC than those with GG genes (p ≤ 0.001, OR = 1.647, 95% CI: 1.296-2.093). Combining the haplotype analysis of the 3 loci suggested that CD44 rs187115, IL-33 rs1929992, and ST2 rs3821204 are associated with the risk of HCC and could potentially serve as useful genetic markers for HCC in some populations of China.
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Walcher L, Kistenmacher AK, Suo H, Kitte R, Dluczek S, Strauß A, Blaudszun AR, Yevsa T, Fricke S, Kossatz-Boehlert U. Cancer Stem Cells-Origins and Biomarkers: Perspectives for Targeted Personalized Therapies. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1280. [PMID: 32849491 PMCID: PMC7426526 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 103.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of biomarkers in diagnosis, therapy and prognosis has gained increasing interest over the last decades. In particular, the analysis of biomarkers in cancer patients within the pre- and post-therapeutic period is required to identify several types of cells, which carry a risk for a disease progression and subsequent post-therapeutic relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells that can drive tumor initiation and can cause relapses. At the time point of tumor initiation, CSCs originate from either differentiated cells or adult tissue resident stem cells. Due to their importance, several biomarkers that characterize CSCs have been identified and correlated to diagnosis, therapy and prognosis. However, CSCs have been shown to display a high plasticity, which changes their phenotypic and functional appearance. Such changes are induced by chemo- and radiotherapeutics as well as senescent tumor cells, which cause alterations in the tumor microenvironment. Induction of senescence causes tumor shrinkage by modulating an anti-tumorigenic environment in which tumor cells undergo growth arrest and immune cells are attracted. Besides these positive effects after therapy, senescence can also have negative effects displayed post-therapeutically. These unfavorable effects can directly promote cancer stemness by increasing CSC plasticity phenotypes, by activating stemness pathways in non-CSCs, as well as by promoting senescence escape and subsequent activation of stemness pathways. At the end, all these effects can lead to tumor relapse and metastasis. This review provides an overview of the most frequently used CSC markers and their implementation as biomarkers by focussing on deadliest solid (lung, stomach, liver, breast and colorectal cancers) and hematological (acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia) cancers. Furthermore, it gives examples on how the CSC markers might be influenced by therapeutics, such as chemo- and radiotherapy, and the tumor microenvironment. It points out, that it is crucial to identify and monitor residual CSCs, senescent tumor cells, and the pro-tumorigenic senescence-associated secretory phenotype in a therapy follow-up using specific biomarkers. As a future perspective, a targeted immune-mediated strategy using chimeric antigen receptor based approaches for the removal of remaining chemotherapy-resistant cells as well as CSCs in a personalized therapeutic approach are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Walcher
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ann-Kathrin Kistenmacher
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Huizhen Suo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reni Kitte
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Dluczek
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Strauß
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - André-René Blaudszun
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tetyana Yevsa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephan Fricke
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uta Kossatz-Boehlert
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
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37
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Liu YC, Yeh CT, Lin KH. Cancer Stem Cell Functions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061331. [PMID: 32466488 PMCID: PMC7349579 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality owing to resistance to traditional treatments and tumor recurrence after therapy, which leads to poor therapeutic outcomes. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a small subset of tumor cells with the capability to influence self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. A number of surface markers for liver cancer stem cell (LCSC) subpopulations (EpCAM, CD133, CD44, CD13, CD90, OV-6, CD47, and side populations) in HCC have been identified. LCSCs play critical roles in regulating HCC stemness, self-renewal, tumorigenicity, metastasis, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance via genetic mutations, epigenetic disruption, signaling pathway dysregulation, or alterations microenvironment. Accumulating studies have shown that biomarkers for LCSCs contribute to diagnosis and prognosis prediction of HCC, supporting their utility in clinical management and development of therapeutic strategies. Preclinical and clinical analyses of therapeutic approaches for HCC using small molecule inhibitors, oncolytic measles viruses, and anti-surface marker antibodies have demonstrated selective, efficient, and safe targeting of LCSC populations. The current review focuses on recent reports on the influence of LCSCs on HCC stemness, tumorigenesis, and multiple drug resistance (MDR), along with LCSC-targeted therapeutic strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
| | - Kwang-Huei Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +886-3-211-8263
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38
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Hin Tang JJ, Hao Thng DK, Lim JJ, Toh TB. JAK/STAT signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepat Oncol 2020; 7:HEP18. [PMID: 32273976 PMCID: PMC7137178 DOI: 10.2217/hep-2020-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the second most lethal cancer in the world with limited treatment options. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which accounts for more than 80% of all liver cancers, has had increasing global incidence over the past few years. There is an urgent need for novel and better therapeutic intervention for HCC patients. The JAK/STAT signaling pathway plays a multitude of important biological functions in both normal and malignant cells. In a subset of HCC, JAK/STAT signaling is aberrantly activated, leading to dysregulation of downstream target genes that controls survival, angiogenesis, stemness, immune surveillance, invasion and metastasis. In this review, we will focus on the role of JAK/STAT signaling in HCC and discuss the current clinical status of several JAK/STAT inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Jit Hin Tang
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jhin Jieh Lim
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health (N.1), National University of Singapore, Singapore
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39
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Koyama S, Tsuchiya H, Amisaki M, Sakaguchi H, Honjo S, Fujiwara Y, Shiota G. NEAT1 is Required for the Expression of the Liver Cancer Stem Cell Marker CD44. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21061927. [PMID: 32168951 PMCID: PMC7139689 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21061927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
CD44, a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker, is required for maintaining CSC properties in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), is an oncogenic driver in HCC. In the present study, we investigated the significance of the NEAT1 gene in association with CD44 expression in liver CSCs of human HCC cell lines. The CSC properties were evaluated by spheroid culture, CSC marker expression, and sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. The expression of both NEAT1 variant 1 (NEAT1v1) and variant 2 (NEAT1v2) as well as CD44 was significantly increased in the spheroid culture, compared with that in monolayer culture. Overexpression of Neat1v1, but not Neat1v2, enhanced the CSC properties, while knockout of the NEAT1 gene suppressed them. CD44 expression was increased by the overexpression of Neat1v1 and abrogated by NEAT1 knockout. The overexpression of NEAT1v1 restored the CSC properties and CD44 expression in NEAT1-knockout cells. NEAT1v1 expression in HCC tissues was correlated with poor prognosis and CD44 expression. These results suggest that NEAT1v1 is required for CD44 expression. To our surprise, NEAT1v1 also restored the CSC properties even in CD44-deficient cells, suggesting that NEAT1v1 maintains the properties of CSCs in a CD44-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigemi Koyama
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +81-859-38-6435
| | - Masataka Amisaki
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Hiromi Sakaguchi
- Division of Radiology, Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Soichiro Honjo
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Fujiwara
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Goshi Shiota
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
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40
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Wu Y, Zhang J, Zhang X, Zhou H, Liu G, Li Q. Cancer Stem Cells: A Potential Breakthrough in HCC-Targeted Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:198. [PMID: 32210805 PMCID: PMC7068598 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulations of cells with stem cell characteristics that produce both cancerous and non-tumorigenic cells in tumor tissues. The literature reports that CSCs are closely related to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and promote the malignant features of HCC such as high invasion, drug resistance, easy recurrence, easy metastasis, and poor prognosis. This review discusses the origin, molecular, and biological features, functions, and applications of CSCs in HCC in recent years; the goal is to clarify the importance of CSCs in treatment and explore their potential value in HCC-targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Wu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jigang Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Heming Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Gaolin Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Wang S, Wang Y, Xun X, Zhang C, Xiang X, Cheng Q, Hu S, Li Z, Zhu J. Hedgehog signaling promotes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma patient-derived organoids. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:22. [PMID: 31992334 PMCID: PMC6986013 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-1523-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mechanism underlying sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests that tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are a pivotal driving force. Both CD44 and Hedgehog signaling play crucial roles in TIC properties in HCC. In this study, we explored the roles of CD44 and Hedgehog signaling in sorafenib resistance and evaluated the therapeutic effect of cotreatment with sorafenib and Hedgehog signaling inhibitors in HCC patient-derived organoid (PDO) models to improve treatment efficacy. METHODS We collected HCC specimens to establish PDO models. Cell viability and malignant transformation properties were investigated after treatment with different TIC-related inhibitors alone or in combination with sorafenib to evaluate the therapeutic effect in PDOs and cell lines by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Expression levels of Hedgehog signaling proteins and CD44 were monitored to reveal potential relationships. RESULTS We demonstrated that our HCC PDO models strongly maintained the histological features of the corresponding tumors and responded to drug treatment. Furthermore, CD44-positive HCC PDOs were obviously resistant to sorafenib, and sorafenib increased CD44 levels. A drug screen showed that compared with Notch, Hippo and Wnt signaling inhibitors, a Hedgehog signaling inhibitor (GANT61) potently suppressed HCC PDO cell viability. In addition, there was a highly synergistic effect in vitro and in vivo on the suppression of cell viability and malignant properties when sorafenib and GANT61 were added to CD44-positive HCC PDOs and cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, the upregulation of CD44 and Hedgehog signaling induced by sorafenib was reversed by GANT61. CONCLUSIONS GANT61 significantly suppressed Hedgehog signaling to reverse sorafenib resistance in CD44-positive HCC. The combination of sorafenib and Hedgehog signaling inhibitors might be effective in HCC patients with high CD44 levels as a personalized-medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of HCC and Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of HCC and Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Xun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changkun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Xiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Cheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.,Peking University Center of Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing, China
| | - Shihua Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of HCC and Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing, China. .,Peking University Center of Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing, China. .,Peking University Institute of Organ Transplantation, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiye Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China. .,Beijing Key Laboratory of HCC and Liver Cirrhosis, Beijing, China. .,Peking University Center of Liver Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Beijing, China. .,Peking University Institute of Organ Transplantation, Beijing, China.
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42
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Siracusano G, Tagliamonte M, Buonaguro L, Lopalco L. Cell Surface Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Bench to Bedside. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010041. [PMID: 31991677 PMCID: PMC7157713 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell surface proteins act as the go-between in carrying the information from the extracellular environment to the intracellular signaling proteins. However, these proteins are often deregulated in neoplastic diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma. This review discusses several recent studies that have investigated the role of cell surface proteins in the occurrence and progression of HCC, highlighting the possibility to use them as biomarkers of the disease and/or targets for vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Siracusano
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-022643-4957
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, “Fondazione Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Cancer Immunoregulation Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, “Fondazione Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.T.); (L.B.)
| | - Lucia Lopalco
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
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43
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Fang M, Yao M, Yang J, Zheng WJ, Wang L, Yao DF. Abnormal CD44 activation of hepatocytes with nonalcoholic fatty accumulation in rat hepatocarcinogenesis. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2020; 12:66-76. [PMID: 31966914 PMCID: PMC6960074 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v12.i1.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing, and NAFLD has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. With abnormal CD44 activation, the severe form of NAFLD can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, the molecular mechanism of CD44 in NAFLD needs to be identified.
AIM To investigate the relationship between CD44 activation and malignant transformation of rat hepatocytes under nonalcoholic lipid accumulation.
METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat (HF) for 12 wk to entice NAFLD and then with HF plus 2-fluorenylacetamide (0.05%) to induce HCC. Rats were sacrificed every 2 wk, and subsequently divided into the groups based on liver pathological examination (hematoxylin and eosin staining): NAFLD, denaturation, precancerosis, HCC, and control. Liver CD44 mRNA was detected by OneArray. Liver fat as assessed by Oil red O staining or CD44 by immunohistochemical assay was compared with their integral optic density. Serum CD44, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and AFP levels were quantitatively tested.
RESULTS Elevated CD44 was first reported in hepatocarcinogenesis, with increasing expression from NAFLD to HCC at the protein or mRNA level. The CD44 integral optic density values were significantly different between the control group and the NAFLD (t = 25.433, P < 0.001), denaturation (t = 48.822, P < 0.001), precancerosis (t = 27.751, P < 0.001), and HCC (t = 16.239, P < 0.001) groups, respectively. Hepatic CD44 can be secreted into the blood, and serum CD44 levels in HCC or precancerous rats were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those in any of the other rats. Positive correlations were found between liver CD44 and CD44 mRNA (rs = 0.373, P = 0.043) and serum CD44 (rs = 0.541, P = 0.002) and between liver CD44 mRNA and serum CD44 (rs = 0.507, P = 0.004). Moreover, significant correlations were found between liver CD44 and liver AFP (rs = 0.572, P = 0.001), between serum CD44 and serum AFP (rs = 0.608, P < 0.001), and between CD44 mRNA and AFP mRNA (rs = 0.370, P = 0.044).
CONCLUSION The data suggested that increasing CD44 expression is associated with the malignant transformation of hepatocytes in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Fang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Min Yao
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Deng-Fu Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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44
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Asai R, Tsuchiya H, Amisaki M, Makimoto K, Takenaga A, Sakabe T, Hoi S, Koyama S, Shiota G. CD44 standard isoform is involved in maintenance of cancer stem cells of a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Cancer Med 2019; 8:773-782. [PMID: 30636370 PMCID: PMC6382709 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have attracted attention as a novel therapeutic target for cancer because they play important roles in the development and aggravation of cancer. CD44 is expressed as a standard isoform (CD44s) and several variant isoforms. CD44v is a major isoform expressed on CSCs of a variety of tumors and has been extensively studied. However, HCC tissues dominantly express CD44s, whose function in CSCs remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the roles of CD44s in CSCs of HCC. Knock‐out of the CD44 gene in HuH7 HCC cells on which only CD44s is expressed resulted in decreased spheroid formation and increased drug sensitivity. The expression of CSC marker genes, including CD133 and EpCAM, was significantly downregulated in the spheroids of CD44‐deficient cells compared with those in the spheroids of HuH7 cells. In addition, CD44 deficiency impaired antioxidant capacity, concomitant with downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and thioredoxin. Because GPX1 uses the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) to regenerate oxidized cellular components, GSH levels were significantly increased in the CD44‐deficient cells. We also found that NOTCH3 and its target genes were downregulated in the spheroids of CD44‐deficient cells. NOTCH3 expression in HCC tissues was significantly increased compared with that in adjacent nontumor liver tissues and was correlated with CD44 expression. These results suggest that CD44s is involved in maintenance of CSCs in a HCC cell line, possibly through the NOTCH3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoma Asai
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Masataka Amisaki
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan.,Faculty of Medicine, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Kazuki Makimoto
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Ai Takenaga
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Sakabe
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Organ Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Shotaro Hoi
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Shigemi Koyama
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | - Goshi Shiota
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
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