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Sun J, Zhang S, Wang M, Cheng H, Wang Y, He S, Zuo Q, Wang N, Li Q, Wang M. Cinobufacini enhances the therapeutic response of 5-Fluorouracil against gastric cancer by targeting cancer stem cells via AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling axis. Transl Oncol 2024; 47:102054. [PMID: 38970916 PMCID: PMC11282984 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2024.102054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) play crucial role in the development, recurrence, and resistance of gastric cancer (GC). Cinobufacini, a traditional Chinese medicine, offers significant advantages in improving tumor therapy. However, pre-clinical investigation into the antitumor effect and mechanism of Cinobufacini on GC is still lacking. Additionally, it has not been reported whether Cinobufacini is related to cancer stem cells (CSCs). METHODS The CCK-8, clone formation, EdU staining, transwell and wound healing experiments were performed to assess the cell toxicity of Cinobufacini and demonstrate the preventive effects of Cinobufacini on proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cells. Elucidating the underlying mechanism of Cinobufacini in GC based on the transcriptome sequencing. Flow cytometry assays, sphere formation assays, subcutaneous xenograft model in nude mice, and immunofluorescent staining have been used to investigate whether the anti-GC effect of Cinobufacini is associated with GCSCs and enhancing therapeutic response to 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). RESULTS Cinobufacini exerts minimal impact on normal human gastric epithelium cell GES-1, while significantly suppressing the proliferation, invasion, and migration of GC cell lines. Additionally, Cinobufacini attenuates the stemness of GCSCs by disrupting the AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling cascade. Moreover, Cinobufacin enhances the anti-tumor effects of 5-FU against GCSCs by reducing in vitro sphere formation and inhibiting subcutaneous graft tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Cinobufacini enhances the therapeutic response of 5-FU against GC by targeting CSCs via AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling axis. Our findings offer a crucial insight into the molecular mechanism of Cinobufacini's anticancer activity in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiejie Sun
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Sufeng Zhang
- College of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Hui Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- College of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Shiming He
- College of Integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Qiang Zuo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230061, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China
| | - Qinglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China.
| | - Manman Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230038, China.
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Chang Z, Gao Y, Chen P, Gao W, Zhao W, Wu D, Liang W, Chen Z, Chen L, Xi H. THBS2 promotes gastric cancer progression and stemness via the Notch signaling pathway. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:3433-3450. [PMID: 39113869 PMCID: PMC11301304 DOI: 10.62347/uxwk4038] [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: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Thrombospondin-2 (THBS2), a secreted extracellular matrix protein, plays a crucial role in various biological processes including angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, and inflammation. Our study focuses on its function in human gastric cancer (GC). Through bioinformatics and tumor tissue analysis, we compared THBS2 expression in GC tissues and adjacent tissues, and predicted regulatory upstream and downstream molecules. The direct regulatory effect of miR-29b-3p on THBS2 was evaluated through dual-luciferase reporter assays, showing that miR-29b-3p targets the 3'-UTR of THBS2 mRNA, reducing its expression in GC cells. The influence of THBS2 on tumorigenesis and stemness was examined on protein expression levels via Western blot. In vivo, THBS2's role was investigated through xenograft and metastasis assays in nude mice, demonstrating that downregulation of THBS2 impairs GC tumorigenesis and liver metastasis. Our study identified THBS2 as a highly expressed prognostic factor in GC patients. Functionally, THBS2 promotes GC progression through the Notch signaling pathway by regulating Notch3, NEY1, and HES1 proteins, and sustains cancer stem cell-like characteristics by Notch3, including the expression of CD44, Nanog, OCT4, and SOX2. In sum, our study reveals that THBS2 promotes GC progression and stemness, modulated negatively by miR-29b-3p. This suggests potential therapeutic targets within the THBS2/Notch signaling axis for combating gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyao Chang
- Medical School of Chinese PLABeijing 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Yunhe Gao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Wenxing Gao
- Medical School of Chinese PLABeijing 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
- School of Medicine, Nankai UniversityTianjin 300071, China
| | - Di Wu
- Medical School of Chinese PLABeijing 100853, China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Wenquan Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Zhida Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
| | - Hongqing Xi
- Department of General Surgery, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijing 100853, China
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3
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Jiang YK, Li W, Qiu YY, Yue M. Advances in targeted therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive in advanced gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2318-2334. [PMID: 38994153 PMCID: PMC11236256 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Emerging therapeutic methods represented by targeted therapy are effective supplements to traditional first-line chemoradiotherapy resistance. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is one of the most important targets in targeted therapy for gastric cancer. Trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy has been used as the first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer. The safety and efficacy of pertuzumab and margetuximab in the treatment of gastric cancer have been verified. However, monoclonal antibodies, due to their large molecular weight, inability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and drug resistance, lead to decreased therapeutic efficacy, so it is necessary to explore the efficacy of other HER2-targeting therapies in gastric cancer. Small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as lapatinib and pyrrotinib, have the advantages of small molecular weight, penetrating the blood-brain barrier and high oral bioavailability, and are expected to become the drugs of choice for perioperative treatment and neoadjuvant therapy of gastric cancer after validation by large-scale clinical trials in the future. Antibo-drug conjugate, such as T-DM1 and T-DXd, can overcome the resistance of monoclonal antibodies despite their different mechanisms of tumor killing, and are a supplement for the treatment of patients who have failed the treatment of monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab. Therefore, after more detailed stratification of gastric cancer patients, various gastric cancer drugs targeting HER2 are expected to play a more significant role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Kun Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250013, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wei Li
- Health Management Center, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250013, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ying-Yang Qiu
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Meng Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250013, Shandong Province, China
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4
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Ozmen E, Demir TD, Ozcan G. Cancer-associated fibroblasts: protagonists of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1340124. [PMID: 38562556 PMCID: PMC10982390 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1340124] [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: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Enhanced knowledge of the interaction of cancer cells with their environment elucidated the critical role of tumor microenvironment in tumor progression and chemoresistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts act as the protagonists of the tumor microenvironment, fostering the metastasis, stemness, and chemoresistance of cancer cells and attenuating the anti-cancer immune responses. Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers in the clinic, refractory to anti-cancer therapies. Growing evidence indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts are the most prominent risk factors for a poor tumor immune microenvironment and dismal prognosis in gastric cancer. Therefore, targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts may be central to surpassing resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics, molecular-targeted agents, and immunotherapies, improving survival in gastric cancer. However, the heterogeneity in cancer-associated fibroblasts may complicate the development of cancer-associated fibroblast targeting approaches. Although single-cell sequencing studies started dissecting the heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts, the research community should still answer these questions: "What makes a cancer-associated fibroblast protumorigenic?"; "How do the intracellular signaling and the secretome of different cancer-associated fibroblast subpopulations differ from each other?"; and "Which cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes predominate specific cancer types?". Unveiling these questions can pave the way for discovering efficient cancer-associated fibroblast targeting strategies. Here, we review current knowledge and perspectives on these questions, focusing on how CAFs induce aggressiveness and therapy resistance in gastric cancer. We also review potential therapeutic approaches to prevent the development and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts via inhibition of CAF inducers and CAF markers in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Ozmen
- Koç University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Tevriz Dilan Demir
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Gulnihal Ozcan
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
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5
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Chen ZW, Dong ZB, Xiang HT, Chen SS, Yu WM, Liang C. Helicobacter pylori CagA protein induces gastric cancer stem cell-like properties through the Akt/FOXO3a axis. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30527. [PMID: 38332574 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30527] [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: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection poses a substantial risk for the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. The primary mechanism through which H. pylori exerts its bacterial virulence is the cytotoxin CagA. This cytotoxin has the potential to induce inter-epithelial mesenchymal transition, proliferation, metastasis, and the acquisition of stem cell-like properties in gastric cancer (GC) cells infected with CagA-positive H. pylori. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct population of cells capable of self-renewal and generating heterogeneous tumor cells. Despite evidence showing that CagA can induce CSCs-like characteristics in GC cells, the precise mechanism through which CagA triggers the development of GC stem cells (GCSCs) remains uncertain. This study reveals that CagA-positive GC cells infected with H. pylori exhibit CSCs-like properties, such as heightened expression of CD44, a specific surface marker for CSCs, and increased ability to form tumor spheroids. Furthermore, we have observed that H. pylori activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a CagA-dependent manner, and our findings suggest that this activation is associated with the CSCs-like characteristics induced by H. pylori. The cytotoxin CagA, which is released during H. pylori infection, triggers the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in a CagA-dependent manner. Additionally, CagA inhibits the transcription of FOXO3a and relocates it from the nucleus to the cytoplasm by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Furthermore, the regulatory function of the Akt/FOXO3a axis in the transformation of GC cells into a stemness state was successfully demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Wei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhe-Bin Dong
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Han-Ting Xiang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Sang-Sang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Wei-Ming Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Chao Liang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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6
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Hasan A, Khan NA, Uddin S, Khan AQ, Steinhoff M. Deregulated transcription factors in the emerging cancer hallmarks. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 98:31-50. [PMID: 38123029 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer progression is a multifaceted process that entails several stages and demands the persistent expression or activation of transcription factors (TFs) to facilitate growth and survival. TFs are a cluster of proteins with DNA-binding domains that attach to promoter or enhancer DNA strands to start the transcription of genes by collaborating with RNA polymerase and other supporting proteins. They are generally acknowledged as the major regulatory molecules that coordinate biological homeostasis and the appropriate functioning of cellular components, subsequently contributing to human physiology. TFs proteins are crucial for controlling transcription during the embryonic stage and development, and the stability of different cell types depends on how they function in different cell types. The development and progression of cancer cells and tumors might be triggered by any anomaly in transcription factor function. It has long been acknowledged that cancer development is accompanied by the dysregulated activity of TF alterations which might result in faulty gene expression. Recent studies have suggested that dysregulated transcription factors play a major role in developing various human malignancies by altering and rewiring metabolic processes, modifying the immune response, and triggering oncogenic signaling cascades. This review emphasizes the interplay between TFs involved in metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming, evading immune attacks, cellular senescence, and the maintenance of cancer stemness in cancerous cells. The insights presented herein will facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic modalities to tackle the dysregulated transcription factors underlying cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adria Hasan
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Naushad Ahmad Khan
- Department of Surgery, Trauma and Vascular Surgery Clinical Research, Hamad General Hospital, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar.
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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7
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Hou J, Pan T, Li F, Sang Q, Wu X, Li J, Yu B, Zang M, Zhu ZG, Su L, Liu B. Androgen receptor promotes cell stemness via interacting with co-factor YAP1 in gastric cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115849. [PMID: 37806457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115849] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed to explain tumor relapse and chemoresistance in various types of cancers, and androgen receptor (AR) has been emerged as a potential regulator of stemness in cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of AR-regulated CSCs properties and chemoresistance in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. Here, we shown that AR is upregulated in GC tissues and correlates with poor survival rate and CSCs phenotypes of GC patients. According to our experimental data, overexpression of AR upregulated the expression of CSCs markers and this was consistent with the result concluded from data analysis that the expression of AR was positively correlated with CD44 in GC patients. In addition, AR overexpression obviously enhanced the tumor sphere formation ability and chemoresistance of GC cells in vitro. Whereas these effects were attenuated by inhibition of AR. These results were further validated in vivo that MGC-803 cells overexpressing AR had stronger properties to initiate gastric tumorigenesis than the control cells, and inhibition of AR increased the chemosensitivity of GC cells. Mechanically, AR upregulated CD44 expression by directly binding to its promoter region and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) served as the co-factor of AR, which was demonstrated by the fact that the promoting effects of AR on GC cells stemness were partially counteracted by YAP1 knockdown. Thus, this study revealed that AR facilitates CSCs properties and chemoresistance of GC cells via forming complex with YAP1and indicates a potential therapeutic approach to GC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyi Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Pan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangyuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqing Sang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiongyan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Beiqin Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingde Zang
- Department of Gastric Cancer Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Gang Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Su
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bingya Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Gastric Neoplasms, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China.
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8
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Zhao H, Jiang R, Zhang C, Feng Z, Wang X. The regulatory role of cancer stem cell marker gene CXCR4 in the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer. NPJ Precis Oncol 2023; 7:86. [PMID: 37679408 PMCID: PMC10484911 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-023-00436-2] [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: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) are increasingly used for screening genes involved in carcinogenesis due to their capacity for dissecting cellular heterogeneity. This study aims to reveal the molecular mechanism of the cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker gene CXCR4 in gastric cancer (GC) growth and metastasis through scRNA-seq combined with bulk RNA-seq. GC-related scRNA-seq data were downloaded from the GEO database, followed by UMAP cluster analysis. Non-malignant cells were excluded by the K-means algorithm. Bulk RNA-seq data and clinical sample information were downloaded from the UCSC Xena database. GO and KEGG pathway analyses validated the correlation between genes and pathways. In vitro and in vivo functional assays were used to examine the effect of perturbed CXCR4 on malignant phenotypes, tumorigenesis, and liver metastasis. A large number of highly variable genes were identified in GC tissue samples. The top 20 principal components were selected, and the cells were clustered into 6 cell types. The C4 cell cluster from malignant epithelial cells might be CSCs. CXCR4 was singled out as a marker gene of CSCs. GC patients with high CXCR4 expression had poor survival. Knockdown of CXCR4 inhibited the malignant phenotypes of CSCs in vitro and curtailed tumorigenesis and liver metastasis in nude mice. CSC marker gene CXCR4 may be a key gene facilitating malignant phenotypes of CSCs, which thus promotes tumor growth and liver metastasis of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou City Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou Third People's Hospital, Xuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Xuzhou, 221000, PR China.
| | - Rongke Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou City Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou Third People's Hospital, Xuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Xuzhou, 221000, PR China
| | | | | | - Xue Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou City Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou Third People's Hospital, Xuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Xuzhou, 221000, PR China
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9
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Rashid K, Ahmad A, Meerasa SS, Khan AQ, Wu X, Liang L, Cui Y, Liu T. Cancer stem cell-derived exosome-induced metastatic cancer: An orchestra within the tumor microenvironment. Biochimie 2023; 212:1-11. [PMID: 37011805 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Although the mechanisms as well as pathways associated with cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance, expansion, and tumorigenicity have been extensively studied and the role of tumor cell (TC)-derived exosomes in this process is well understood, there is a paucity of research focusing specifically on the functional mechanisms of CSC-derived exosomes (CSC-Exo)/-exosomal-ncRNAs and their impact on malignancy. This shortcoming needs to be addressed, given that these vesicular and molecular components of CSCs could have a great impact on the cancer initiation, progression, and recurrence through their interaction with other key tumor microenvironment (TME) components, such as MSCs/MSC-Exo and CAFs/CAF-Exo. In particular, understanding CSCs/CSC-Exo and its crosstalk with MSCs/MSC-Exo or CAFs/CAF-Exo that are associated with the proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis, and metastasis through an enhanced process of self-renewal, chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy resistance may aid cancer treatment. This review contributes to this endeavor by summarizing the characteristic features and functional mechanisms of CSC-Exo/MSC-Exo/CAF-Exo and their mutual impact on cancer progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Rashid
- Department of Cancer Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Aqeel Ahmad
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Semmal Syed Meerasa
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Shaqra, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Xiaobo Wu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuehong Cui
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianshu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Zhao H, Jiang R, Zhang C, Feng Z, Wang X. LncRNA H19-rich extracellular vesicles derived from gastric cancer stem cells facilitate tumorigenicity and metastasis via mediating intratumor communication network. J Transl Med 2023; 21:238. [PMID: 37005676 PMCID: PMC10067256 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04055-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular vesicles (EVs) transport biologically active molecules, and represent a recently identified way of intercellular communication. Recent evidence has also reported that EVs shed by cancer stem cells (CSCs) make a significant contribution to carcinogenesis and metastasis. Here, this study aims to explore the possible molecular mechanism of CSCs-EVs in gastric cancer (GC) by mediating intratumor communication network. METHODS CSCs and non-stem cancer cells (NSCCs) were sorted from GC cells, and EVs were isolated from CSCs. H19 was knocked down in CSCs, and CSCs-EVs or CSCs-EVs containing shRNA-H19 (CSCs-EVs-sh-H19) were co-cultured with NSCCs, followed by evaluation of the malignant behaviors and stemness of NSCCs. Mouse models of GC were established and injected with CSCs-EVs from sh-H19-treated NSCCs in vivo. RESULTS CSCs had notable self-renewal and tumorigenic capacity compared with NSCCs. CSCs promoted the malignant behaviors of NSCCs and expression of stemness marker proteins through secretion of EVs. Inhibited secretion of CSCs-EVs curtailed the tumorigenicity and metastasis of NSCCs in vivo. H19 could be delivered by CSCs-EVs into NSCCs. H19 promoted the malignant behaviors of NSCCs and stemness marker protein expression in vitro along with tumorigenicity and liver metastasis in vivo, which was mechanistically associated with activation of the YAP/CDX2 signaling axis. CONCLUSION Taken together, the present study points to the importance of a novel regulatory axis H19/YAP/CDX2 in carcinogenic and metastatic potential of CSCs-EVs in GC, which may be potential targets for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongying Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou City Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou Third People's Hospital, Xuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, No. 131 Huancheng Road, Gulou District, Xuzhou, 221000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rongke Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou City Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou Third People's Hospital, Xuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, No. 131 Huancheng Road, Gulou District, Xuzhou, 221000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunmei Zhang
- Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijing Feng
- Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou City Cancer Hospital, Xuzhou Third People's Hospital, Xuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, No. 131 Huancheng Road, Gulou District, Xuzhou, 221000, People's Republic of China
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11
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Li X, Li L, Wu J. The members of the miR-148/152 family inhibit cancer stem cell-like properties in gastric cancer via negative regulation of ITGA5. J Transl Med 2023; 21:105. [PMID: 36765401 PMCID: PMC9912648 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03894-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of microRNA (miRNA) in modulating the function of cancer stem cells through diverse signaling pathway has been evidenced. We here identified a role of microRNA (miRNA) family, specifically miR-148/152, in gastric cancer and delineated its functional effects on gastric cancer stem cells. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to analyze expression of integrin α5 (ITGA5) which was verified through expression determination in clinical tissue samples. Next, the upstream regulatory factors of ITGA5 were determined. CD44+EpCAM (high) cells sorted from AGS cells subjected to gain-of-function experiments, followed by evaluation of their capacity of colony formation, generation of tumorosphere, cell migration and viability in vitro and xenograft tumor formation in vivo. RESULTS ITGA5 was elevated in gastric cancer tissues and confirmed as a target gene of the miR-148/152 family members. The miR-148/152 family members were downregulated in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Decreased expression of miR-148/152 family members was also detected in gastric cancer stem cells. However, the raised expression led to reduced colony formation, tumorosphere, cell migration, cell viability, and drug resistance of CD44+EpCAM (high) AGS cells in vitro, and tumorigenesis in vitro. ITGA5 overexpression reversed the effect of the miR-148/152 family members. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the miR-148/152 family members may prevent gastric cancer stem cell-like properties by targeting ITGA5, which can serve as an appealing target for gastric cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Li
- grid.412644.10000 0004 5909 0696Department of Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Li
- grid.412644.10000 0004 5909 0696Department of Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiangying Wu
- Department of Intervention, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 4, Chongshan East Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang, 110032, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Ozcan G. The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in stemness and resistance to chemotherapy in gastric cancer: Future directions for therapeutic targeting. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1082057. [PMID: 36846589 PMCID: PMC9945545 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1082057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a crucial mediator of intra-tumoral heterogeneity, tumor progression, and unresponsiveness to therapy in tumors with hypoxia. Gastric tumors, one of the most aggressive tumors in the clinic, are highly enriched in hypoxic niches, and the degree of hypoxia is strongly correlated with poor survival in gastric cancer patients. Stemness and chemoresistance in gastric cancer are the two root causes of poor patient outcomes. Based on the pivotal role of HIF-1α in stemness and chemoresistance in gastric cancer, the interest in identifying critical molecular targets and strategies for surpassing the action of HIF-1α is expanding. Despite that, the understanding of HIF-1α induced signaling in gastric cancer is far from complete, and the development of efficacious HIF-1α inhibitors bears various challenges. Hence, here we review the molecular mechanisms by which HIF-1α signaling stimulates stemness and chemoresistance in gastric cancer, with the clinical efforts and challenges to translate anti-HIF-1α strategies into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulnihal Ozcan
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Istanbul, Turkiye
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13
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Eid RA, Alaa Edeen M, Shedid EM, Kamal ASS, Warda MM, Mamdouh F, Khedr SA, Soltan MA, Jeon HW, Zaki MSA, Kim B. Targeting Cancer Stem Cells as the Key Driver of Carcinogenesis and Therapeutic Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021786. [PMID: 36675306 PMCID: PMC9861138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging concept of cancer stem cells (CSCs) as the key driver behind carcinogenesis, progression, and diversity has displaced the prior model of a tumor composed of cells with similar subsequently acquired mutations and an equivalent capacity for renewal, invasion, and metastasis. This significant change has shifted the research focus toward targeting CSCs to eradicate cancer. CSCs may be characterized using cell surface markers. They are defined by their capacity to self-renew and differentiate, resist conventional therapies, and generate new tumors following repeated transplantation in xenografted mice. CSCs' functional capabilities are governed by various intracellular and extracellular variables such as pluripotency-related transcription factors, internal signaling pathways, and external stimuli. Numerous natural compounds and synthetic chemicals have been investigated for their ability to disrupt these regulatory components and inhibit stemness and terminal differentiation in CSCs, hence achieving clinical implications. However, no cancer treatment focuses on the biological consequences of these drugs on CSCs, and their functions have been established. This article provides a biomedical discussion of cancer at the time along with an overview of CSCs and their origin, features, characterization, isolation techniques, signaling pathways, and novel targeted therapeutic approaches. Additionally, we highlighted the factors endorsed as controlling or helping to promote stemness in CSCs. Our objective was to encourage future studies on these prospective treatments to develop a framework for their application as single or combined therapeutics to eradicate various forms of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Refaat A. Eid
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Alaa Edeen
- Cell Biology, Histology & Genetics Division, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.A.E.); (B.K.)
| | - Eslam M. Shedid
- Biotechnology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Al Shaimaa S. Kamal
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Mona M. Warda
- Biotechnology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Farag Mamdouh
- Biotechnology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Al Qalyubia Governorate, Banha 13511, Egypt
| | - Sohila A. Khedr
- Industrial Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31733, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A. Soltan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Ismailia 41611, Egypt
| | - Hee Won Jeon
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohamed Samir A. Zaki
- Anatomy Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha P.O. Box 62529, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 31527, Egypt
| | - Bonglee Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (M.A.E.); (B.K.)
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Chaudhary A, Raza SS, Haque R. Transcriptional factors targeting in cancer stem cells for tumor modulation. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 88:123-137. [PMID: 36603792 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are now considered the primary "seeds" for the onset, development, metastasis, and recurrence of tumors. Despite therapeutic breakthroughs, cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide. This is because the tumor microenvironment contains a key population of cells known as CSCs, which promote tumor aggression. CSCs are self-renewing cells that aid tumor recurrence by promoting tumor growth and persisting in patients after many traditional cancer treatments. According to reports, numerous transcription factors (TF) play a key role in maintaining CSC pluripotency and its self-renewal property. The understanding of the functions, structures, and interactional dynamics of these transcription factors with DNA has modified the hypothesis, paving the way for novel transcription factor-targeted therapies. These TFs, which are crucial and are required by cancer cells, play a vital function in the etiology of human cancer. Such CSC TFs will help with gene expression profiling, which provides crucial data for predicting the prognosis of patients. To overcome anti-cancer medication resistance and completely eradicate cancer, a potent therapy combining TFs-based CSC targets with traditional chemotherapy may be developed. In order to develop therapies that could eliminate CSCs, we here concentrated on the effect of TFs and other components of signalling pathways on cancer stemness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Chaudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Earth Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India
| | - Syed Shadab Raza
- Laboratory for Stem Cell & Restorative Neurology, Era's Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Era University, Lucknow, India
| | - Rizwanul Haque
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Earth Biological and Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, Bihar, India.
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15
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Sun Y, Li B, Cao Q, Liu T, Li J. Targeting cancer stem cells with polymer nanoparticles for gastrointestinal cancer treatment. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:489. [PMID: 36182897 PMCID: PMC9526954 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03180-9] [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: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomaterials are developing rapidly in the medical field, bringing new hope for treating various refractory diseases. Among them, polymer nanomaterials, with their excellent properties, have been used to treat various diseases, such as malignant tumors, diabetes, and nervous system diseases. Gastrointestinal cancer is among the cancers with the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cancer stem cells are believed to play an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. This article summarizes the characteristics of gastrointestinal cancer stem cells and reviews the latest research progress in treating gastrointestinal malignant tumors using polymer nanoparticles to target cancer stem cells. In addition, the review article highlights the potential of polymer nanoparticles in targeting gastrointestinal cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, No. 218 Ziqiang Street, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Qian Cao
- Department of Education, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Tongjun Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, No. 218 Ziqiang Street, Changchun, 130041, China
| | - Jiannan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, No. 218 Ziqiang Street, Changchun, 130041, China.
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Liu P, Fan D, Qiao W, He X, Zhang L, Jiang Y, Yang T. SAR Study and Molecular Mechanism Investigation of Novel Naphthoquinone-furan-2-cyanoacryloyl Hybrids with Antitumor Activity. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102104. [PMID: 36297539 PMCID: PMC9609996 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102104] [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: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of novel naphthoquinone-furan-2-cyanoacryloyl hybrids were designed; they were synthesized and preliminarily evaluated for their anti-proliferative activities in vitro against several cancer cell lines and normal cells. The most potent compound, 5c, inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells (IC50 value of 3.10 ± 0.02 μM) and colony survival, and it induced apoptosis while having relatively weaker effects on normal cells. Compound 5c also triggered ROS generation and accumulation, thus partially contributing to the observed cell apoptosis. A Western blotting analysis demonstrated that compound 5c inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3. Furthermore, a biolayer interferometry (BLI) analysis confirmed that compound 5c had a direct effect on STAT3, with a KD value of 13.0 μM. Molecular docking showed that 5c specifically occupied the subpockets in the SH2 domain, thereby blocking the whole transmission signaling process. Overall, this study provides an important structural reference for the development of effective antitumor agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingxian Liu
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dongmei Fan
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wenliang Qiao
- Laboratory of Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinlian He
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lidan Zhang
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yunhan Jiang
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Laboratory of Human Diseases and Immunotherapies, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Correspondence:
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Rao X, Zhang C, Luo H, Zhang J, Zhuang Z, Liang Z, Wu X. Targeting Gastric Cancer Stem Cells to Enhance Treatment Response. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182828. [PMID: 36139403 PMCID: PMC9496718 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) was the fourth deadliest cancer in the world in 2020, and about 770,000 people died from GC that year. The death of patients with GC is mainly caused by the metastasis, recurrence, and chemotherapy resistance of GC cells. The cancer stem cell theory defines cancer stem cells (CSCs) as a key factor in the metastasis, recurrence, and chemotherapy resistance of cancer. It considers targeting gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) to be an effective method for the treatment of GC. For GCSCs, genes or noncoding RNAs are important regulatory factors. Many experimental studies have found that some drugs can target the stemness of gastric cancer by regulating these genes or noncoding RNAs, which may bring new directions for the clinical treatment of gastric cancer. Therefore, this review mainly discusses related genes or noncoding RNAs in GCSCs and drugs that target its stemness, thereby providing some information for the treatment of GC.
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18
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Chu PY, Huang WC, Tung SL, Tsai CY, Chen CJ, Liu YC, Lee CW, Lin YH, Lin HY, Chen CY, Yeh CT, Lin KH, Chi HC. IFITM3 promotes malignant progression, cancer stemness and chemoresistance of gastric cancer by targeting MET/AKT/FOXO3/c-MYC axis. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:124. [PMID: 35941699 PMCID: PMC9361616 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00858-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Targeting the HGF/MET signaling pathway has been a viable therapeutic strategy for various cancer types due to hyperactivation of HGF/MET axis occurs frequently that leads to detrimental cancer progression and recurrence. Deciphering novel molecule mechanisms underlying complex HGF/MET signaling network is therefore critical to development of effective therapeutics for treating MET-dependent malignancies. Results Using isobaric mass tag-based quantitative proteomics approach, we identified IFITM3, an interferon-induced transmembrane protein that was highly expressed in micro-dissected gastric cancer (GC) tumor regions relative to adjacent non-tumor epithelia. Analyses of GC clinical specimens revealed that expression IFITM3 was closely correlated to advanced pathological stages. IFITM3 has been reported as a PIP3 scaffold protein that promotes PI3K signaling. In present study, we unprecedentedly unraveled that IFITM3 associated with MET and AKT to facilitate HGF/MET mediated AKT signaling crosstalk in suppressing FOXO3, consequently leading to c-MYC mediated GC progression. In addition, gene ontology analyses of the clinical GC cohort revealed significant correlation between IFITM3-associated genes and targets of c-MYC, which is a crucial downstream effector of HGF/MET pathway in cancer progression. Moreover, we demonstrated ectopic expression of IFITM3 suppressed FOXO3 expression, consequently led to c-MYC induction to promote tumor growth, cell metastasis, cancer stemness as well as chemoresistance. Conversely, depletion of IFITM3 resulted in suppression of HGF triggered cellular growth and migration via inhibition of AKT/c-MYC signaling in GC. Conclusions In summary, our present study unveiled a novel regulatory mechanism for c-MYC-driven oncogenesis underlined by IFITM3-mediated signaling crosstalk between MET associated AKT signaling cascade. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00858-8.
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Zong C, Yang M, Guo X, Ji W. Chronic restraint stress promotes gastric epithelial malignant transformation by activating the Akt/p53 signaling pathway via ADRB2. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:300. [PMID: 35949623 PMCID: PMC9353258 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The etiology of gastric cancer is associated with infectious, environmental and dietary factors, as well as genetic background. Additionally, emerging evidence has supported the vital role of chronic emotional stress on gastric carcinogenesis; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic stress and a detrimental diet on gastric malignant epithelial transformation in rats. Therefore, 26 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: i) Control; ii) detrimental diet (DD); iii) detrimental diet with chronic restraint (DR) and iv) detrimental diet with chronic restraint and propranolol treatment (DRP). ELISA was performed to detect the serum levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Epithelial cell apoptosis was analyzed using the TUNEL assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Akt and p53 were detected using reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting, respectively. Pathological changes were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E). The H&E staining results showed that dysplasia in the gastric mucosa occurred in two of eight rats in the DD group and in four of five rats in the DR group, whereas no dysplasia was detected in the DRP group. The apoptotic ratios of gastric epithelial cells were significantly decreased in all treatment groups compared with the control group. Adrenoceptor β2 (ADRB2) protein expression levels were increased significantly only in the DR group and this effect was significantly reduced in the DRP group. The mRNA expression levels of Akt and p53 were significantly upregulated in the DD group, and Akt mRNA expression was further elevated in the DR group. With regard to protein expression, the levels of Akt and p-Akt were significantly increased in the DR group, whereas these effects were reversed in the DRP group. Furthermore, the ratio of p-p53/p53 protein was significantly reduced in the DD or DR groups, but was reversed in the DRP group. Collectively, the findings of the present study suggested that chronic restraint stress potentially aggravates the gastric epithelial malignant transformation induced by a detrimental diet, at least partially via the Akt/p53 signaling pathway mediated via ADRB2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanju Zong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Maoquan Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojing Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
| | - Wansheng Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261031, P.R. China
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Wuputra K, Ku CC, Pan JB, Liu CJ, Liu YC, Saito S, Kato K, Lin YC, Kuo KK, Chan TF, Chong IW, Lin CS, Wu DC, Yokoyama KK. Stem Cell Biomarkers and Tumorigenesis in Gastric Cancer. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060929. [PMID: 35743714 PMCID: PMC9224738 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stomach cancer has a high mortality, which is partially caused by an absence of suitable biomarkers to allow detection of the initiation stages of cancer progression. Thus, identification of critical biomarkers associated with gastric cancer (GC) is required to advance its clinical diagnoses and treatment. Recent studies using tracing models for lineage analysis of GC stem cells indicate that the cell fate decision of the gastric stem cells might be an important issue for stem cell plasticity. They include leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5+), Cholecystokinin receptor 2 (Cckr2+), and axis inhibition protein 2 (Axin2+) as the stem cell markers in the antrum, Trefoil Factor 2 (TFF2+), Mist1+ stem cells, and Troy+ chief cells in the corpus. By contrast, Estrogen receptor 1 (eR1), Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 (Lrig1), SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 2 (Sox2), and B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (Bmi1) are rich in both the antrum and corpus regions. These markers might help to identify the cell-lineage identity and analyze the plasticity of each stem cell population. Thus, identification of marker genes for the development of GC and its environment is critical for the clinical application of cancer stem cells in the prevention of stomach cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenly Wuputra
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (K.W.); (C.-C.K.); (J.-B.P.); (C.-S.L.)
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-J.L.); (K.-K.K.); (D.-C.W.)
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Chen Ku
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (K.W.); (C.-C.K.); (J.-B.P.); (C.-S.L.)
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-J.L.); (K.-K.K.); (D.-C.W.)
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Jia-Bin Pan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (K.W.); (C.-C.K.); (J.-B.P.); (C.-S.L.)
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-J.L.); (K.-K.K.); (D.-C.W.)
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Chung-Jung Liu
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-J.L.); (K.-K.K.); (D.-C.W.)
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chang Liu
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Shigeo Saito
- Saito Laboratory of Cell Technology, Yaita 329-2192, Japan;
- Horus Co., Ltd., Nakano, Tokyo 164-0001, Japan
| | - Kohsuke Kato
- Department of Infection Biology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, The University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan;
| | - Ying-Chu Lin
- School of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Kung-Kai Kuo
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-J.L.); (K.-K.K.); (D.-C.W.)
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Division of General & Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
| | - Te-Fu Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Genecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Inn-Wen Chong
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Chang-Shen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (K.W.); (C.-C.K.); (J.-B.P.); (C.-S.L.)
| | - Deng-Chyang Wu
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-J.L.); (K.-K.K.); (D.-C.W.)
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Genecology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
| | - Kazunari K. Yokoyama
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (K.W.); (C.-C.K.); (J.-B.P.); (C.-S.L.)
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan; (C.-J.L.); (K.-K.K.); (D.-C.W.)
- Cell Therapy and Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7312-1101 (ext. 2729); Fax: +886-7313-3849
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Xing Y, Chen H, Guo Z, Zhou X. Circular RNA circ0007360 Attenuates Gastric Cancer Progression by Altering the miR-762/IRF7 Axis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:789073. [PMID: 35252169 PMCID: PMC8891931 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.789073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a major health burden worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel family of noncoding RNAs that are involved in multiple types of cancers, including gastric cancer. As biological functions and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the newly identified circRNA circ0007360 have not been investigated, our present study focused on the role of circ0007360 in the progression of gastric cancer. After characterizing circ0007360 as a cytoplasmic circRNA, we revealed the inhibitory effects of circ0007260 on the survival, migration, invasion, and stemness of gastric cancer cells. Subsequently, miR-762 was identified as a direct target microRNA (miRNA) of circ0007360 and was proved to act as a vital downstream transcript to fulfill the tumor-promoting effects in the absence of circ0007360. Furthermore, we demonstrated that interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), which was validated as a target gene of miR-762, serves as an indirect target of circ0007360 to attenuate the progression of gastric cancer. Moreover, in vivo experiments confirmed the potentiation of gastric cancer cell growth and stemness upon depletion of circ0007360. In summary, our results revealed that activation of the circ0007360/miR-762/IRF7 axis is a novel mechanism for the attenuation of gastric cancer progression. Our study unveils the diagnostic and therapeutic values of circ0007360 in patients with gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawei Xing
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hongxia Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zixiang Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaodong Zhou,
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22
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Liu YP, Qiu ZZ, Li XH, Li EY. Propofol induces ferroptosis and inhibits malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells by regulating miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 13:2114-2128. [PMID: 35070046 PMCID: PMC8713308 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i12.2114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a common malignancy with poor prognosis, in which ferroptosis plays a crucial function in its development. Propofol is a widely used anesthetic and has antitumor potential in gastric cancer. However, the effect of propofol on ferroptosis during gastric cancer progression remains unreported.
AIM To explore the function of propofol in the regulation of ferroptosis and malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells.
METHODS MTT assays, colony formation assays, Transwell assays, wound healing assay, analysis of apoptosis, ferroptosis measurement, luciferase reporter gene assay, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used in this study.
RESULTS Our data showed that propofol was able to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Meanwhile, propofol markedly repressed the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells. Importantly, propofol enhanced the erastin-induced inhibition of growth of gastric cancer cells. Consistently, propofol increased the levels of reactive oxygen species, iron, and Fe2+ in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, propofol suppressed signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 expression by upregulating miR-125b-5p and propofol induced ferroptosis by targeting STAT3 in gastric cancer cells. The miR-125b-5p inhibitor or STAT3 overexpression reversed propofol-attenuated malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells.
CONCLUSION Propofol induced ferroptosis and inhibited malignant phenotypes of gastric cancer cells by regulating the miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis. Propofol may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ping Liu
- Department ofAnesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Zhong-Zhi Qiu
- Department ofAnesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xu-Hui Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heilongjiang Forest Industry Federation (Red Cross) Hospital, Harbin 150008, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - En-You Li
- Department ofAnesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China
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Lv X, Xu G. Regulatory role of the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway in the drug resistance of gastrointestinal cancers. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2021; 13:1648-1667. [PMID: 34853641 PMCID: PMC8603464 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v13.i11.1648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, including esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer, is one of the most prevalent types of malignant carcinoma and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite significant advances in therapeutic strategies for GI cancers in recent decades, drug resistance with various mechanisms remains the prevailing cause of therapy failure in GI cancers. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway has crucial, complex roles in many cellular functions related to drug resistance. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the role of the TGF-β signaling pathway in the resistance of GI cancers to conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and traditional medicine. Various processes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell development, tumor microenvironment alteration, and microRNA biogenesis, are proposed as the main mechanisms of TGF-β-mediated drug resistance in GI cancers. Several studies have already indicated the benefit of combining antitumor drugs with agents that suppress the TGF-β signaling pathway, but this approach needs to be verified in additional clinical studies. Moreover, the identification of potential biological markers that can be used to predict the response to TGF-β signaling pathway inhibitors during anticancer treatments will have important clinical implications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqun Lv
- Department of Pharmacy, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
| | - Guoxiong Xu
- Research Center for Clinical Medicine, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201508, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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24
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Li MM, Yuan J, Guan XY, Ma NF, Liu M. Molecular subclassification of gastrointestinal cancers based on cancer stem cell traits. Exp Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:53. [PMID: 34774101 PMCID: PMC8590337 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00246-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human gastrointestinal malignancies are highly heterogeneous cancers. Clinically, heterogeneity largely contributes to tumor progression and resistance to therapy. Heterogeneity within gastrointestinal cancers is defined by molecular subtypes in genomic and transcriptomic analyses. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been demonstrated to be a major source of tumor heterogeneity; therefore, assessing tumor heterogeneity by CSC trait-guided classification of gastrointestinal cancers is essential for the development of effective therapies. CSCs share critical features with embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Molecular investigations have revealed that embryonic genes and developmental signaling pathways regulating the properties of ESCs or cell lineage differentiation are abnormally active and might be oncofetal drivers in certain tumor subtypes. Currently, multiple strategies allow comprehensive identification of tumor subtype-specific oncofetal signatures and evaluation of subtype-specific therapies. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning the molecular classification of gastrointestinal malignancies based on CSC features and elucidate their clinical relevance. We also outline strategies for molecular subtype identification and subtype-based therapies. Finally, we explore how clinical implementation of tumor classification by CSC subtype might facilitate the development of more effective personalized therapies for gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Mei Li
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Jun Yuan
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ning-Fang Ma
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China.
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Xinzao, Panyu District, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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25
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Li YJ, Liao LL, Liu P, Tang P, Wang H, Peng QH. Sijunzi Decoction Inhibits Stemness by Suppressing β-Catenin Transcriptional Activity in Gastric Cancer Cells. Chin J Integr Med 2021; 28:702-710. [PMID: 34751940 DOI: 10.1007/s11655-021-3314-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate a previously uncharacterized function of Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD) in inhibition of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs). METHODS MKN74 and MKN45, two CD44 positive gastric cancer cell lines with stem cell properties were used. The cells were divided into 2 groups. Treatment group was treated with SJZD (1-5 mg/mL) for indicated time (48 h-14 days). The control group was treated with equal volume of phosphate buffered saline. Cell Counting Assay Kit-8 were used to measure cell viability. Spheroid colony formation and GCSCs marker expression were performed to determine GCSCs stemness. Cell fractionation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to assess the distribution and DNA-binding activity of β-catenin after SJZD treatment, respectively. RESULTS SJZD treatment repressed cell growth and induced apoptosis in MKN74 and MKN45 cell lines (P<0.05). Moreover, SJZD dramatically inhibited formation of spheroid colony and expression of GCSC markers in GC cells (P<0.05). Mechanistically, SJZD reduced nuclear accumulation and DNA binding activity of β-catenin (P<0.05), the key regulator for maintaining CSC stemness. CONCLUSION SJZD inhibits GCSCs by attenuating the transcriptional activity of β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Jun Li
- Department of Oncology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, 412000, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, 412000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lin-Li Liao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China
| | - Ping Tang
- Department of Oncology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, 412000, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, 412000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Oncology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, 412000, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuzhou, 412000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Qing-Hua Peng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for the Prevention and Treatment of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology Diseases with Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China.
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26
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Li Q, Li Y, Jiang H, Xiao Z, Wu X, Zhang H, Zhao Y, Du F, Chen Y, Wu Z, Li J, Hu W, Cho CH, Shen J, Li M. Vitamin D suppressed gastric cancer cell growth through downregulating CD44 expression in vitro and in vivo. Nutrition 2021; 91-92:111413. [PMID: 34450383 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2021.111413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Vitamin D deficiency was found to be associated with increased risk for gastric cancer (GC). We previously found that vitamin D inhibited GC cell growth in vitro. However, the in vivo antitumor effect of vitamin D in GC as well as the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of vitamin D on GC both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Human GC cells MKN45, MKN28, and KATO III were used. The expressions of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and CD44 were downregulated by using predesigned siRNA molecules. Cell viability was evaluated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. Soft agar assay was used for colony formation of GC cells. Flow cytometry was used to assess CD44-positive cell population. CD44high cancer cells were enriched by using anti-CD44-conjugated magnetic microbeads. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were performed to detect gene and protein expressions, respectively. Clinical samples were collected for evaluation of the correlation of VDR and CD44 expression. Orthotopic tumor-bearing mice were established to evaluate the antitumor effect of vitamin D. RESULTS The results showed that the active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, had a remarkable inhibitory effect in CD44-expressing human GC MKN45 and KATO III cells, but not in CD44-null MKN28 cells. The gene expressions of CD44 and VDR in GC cell lines and GC patient tissues were positively correlated. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)2D3 suppressed MKN45 and KATO III cell growth through VDR-induced suppression of CD44. Additionally, we demonstrated that 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which might lead to the downregulation of CD44. In an orthotopic GC nude mice model, both oral intake of vitamin D and intraperitoneal injection with 1,25(OH)2D3 could significantly inhibit orthotopic GC growth and CD44 expression in vivo. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this study provided the first evidence that vitamin D suppressed GC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo through downregulating CD44. The present study sheds light on repurposing vitamin D as a potential therapeutic agent for GC prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianxiu Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China
| | - Houxiang Jiang
- Nanchong Key Laboratory of Individualized Drug Therapy, Department of Pharmacy, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhangang Xiao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China
| | - Hanyu Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Yijishan Hospital of Wanna Medical College), Anhui, China
| | - Yueshui Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China
| | - Fukuan Du
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhigui Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital (T.C.M) Affiliated to Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Chi Hin Cho
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China.
| | - Mingxing Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, China; South Sichuan Institute of Translational Medicine, Sichuan, China.
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Lin DC, Zheng SY, Zhang ZG, Luo JH, Zhu ZL, Li L, Chen LS, Lin X, Sham JSK, Lin MJ, Zhou RX. TRPC3 promotes tumorigenesis of gastric cancer via the CNB2/GSK3β/NFATc2 signaling pathway. Cancer Lett 2021; 519:211-225. [PMID: 34311033 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels have been implicated in various types of malignancies including gastric cancer (GC). However, the detailed mechanisms of TRPC channels underlying cell proliferation and apoptosis of GC cells remain largely unknown. Here, we report that TRPC3 was highly expressed in clinical GC specimens and correlated with GC malignant progression and poor prognosis. Forced expression of TRPC3 in GC cells enhanced both receptor-operated Ca2+ entry (ROCE) and store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) and promoted the nuclear factor of activated T cell 2 (NFATc2) nuclear translocation by AKT/GSK-3β and CNB2 signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPC3 or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TRPC3 knockout effectively inhibited the growth of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. These effects were reversible by the rescue of TRPC3 expression. Furthermore, we confirmed the role of TRPC3 and the ROCE-AKT/GSK3β-CNB2/NFATc2 signaling cascade in regulating cell cycle checkpoint, apoptosis cascade, and intracellular ROS production in GC. Overall, our findings suggest an oncogenic role of TRPC3 in GC and may highlight a potential target of TRPC3 for therapeutic intervention of GC and its malignant progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Cen Lin
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Fujian Province Universities on Ion Channel and Signal Transduction in Cardiovascular Diseases, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Si-Yi Zheng
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Fujian Province Universities on Ion Channel and Signal Transduction in Cardiovascular Diseases, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Guang Zhang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jian-Hua Luo
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhuang-Li Zhu
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Fujian Province Universities on Ion Channel and Signal Transduction in Cardiovascular Diseases, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lu-Shan Chen
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinjian Lin
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China
| | - James S K Sham
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Mo-Jun Lin
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Fujian Province Universities on Ion Channel and Signal Transduction in Cardiovascular Diseases, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Rui-Xiang Zhou
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, Fuzhou, China.
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Wen Z, Chen M, Guo W, Guo K, Du P, Fang Y, Gao M, Wang Q. RORβ suppresses the stemness of gastric cancer cells by downregulating the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway. Oncol Rep 2021; 46:180. [PMID: 34278502 PMCID: PMC8273683 DOI: 10.3892/or.2021.8131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the fifth most common type of cancer worldwide. GC stem cells (GCSCs) have been reported to be responsible for the malignant behavior of GC. However, the key molecular mechanism controlling GCSC function remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the function of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor β (RORβ) in GC. The expression levels of RORβ in GC cells and clinical GC tissues were analyzed using western blotting, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. The association between RORβ expression levels and GCSC markers was analyzed using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and GeneChip was performed to identify differentially expressed genes between control and RORβ-overexpressing GC cells. CCK-8 and flow cytometric assays were used to evaluate the effect of RORβ on cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. The effect of RORβ on the self-renewal capacity of GCSCs was measured using a sphere formation assay, the expression levels of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) factors and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors were measured by RT-qPCR and western blotting, and the tumorigenic capacity was measured by an in vivo mouse model. Finally, the impact of RORβ on the Wnt signaling pathway was determined using western blotting and a TOP/FOP flash assay. The results revealed that the expression levels of RORβ were downregulated in GC tissues compared with para-carcinoma tissues, and were inversely associated with the expression levels of GCSC markers. The overexpression of RORβ upregulated the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic gene, Bcl-2 like protein 11, which subsequently inhibited the viability and promoted the apoptosis of GC cells. In addition, RORβ decreased the sphere forming ability, and downregulated the expression levels of iPS cell- and EMT-related factors. In vivo, RORβ suppressed the tumorigenic capacity and stemness of GC cells. Mechanistically, RORβ was revealed to decrease the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in GCSCs. In conclusion, the findings of the present study identified RORβ as a novel suppressor of GCSCs and highlighted the prospect of RORβ as a novel candidate target for stem cell-based GC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Wenhao Guo
- Department of Pathology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ke Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ping Du
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Yanfei Fang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Min Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, P.R. China
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Hui Y, Yang Y, Li D, Wang J, Di M, Zhang S, Wang S. LncRNA FEZF1-AS1 Modulates Cancer Stem Cell Properties of Human Gastric Cancer Through miR-363-3p/HMGA2. Cell Transplant 2021; 29:963689720925059. [PMID: 32638620 PMCID: PMC7563941 DOI: 10.1177/0963689720925059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death with poor prognosis. Growing evidence has shown that long noncoding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) FEZ family zinc finger 1 antisense RNA 1(FEZF1-AS1), an "oncogene," regulates tumor progression and supports cancer stem cell. However, the tumorigenic mechanism of FEZF1-AS1 on gastric cancer stem cell (GCSC) is yet to be investigated. Here, we discovered that FEZF1-AS1 was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of FEZF1-AS1 inhibited sphere formation and decreased expression of stem factors and markers. Moreover, FEZF1-AS1 silence also suppressed cell proliferation, viability, invasion, and migration of GCSCs. MiR-363-3p is used as a target of FEZF1-AS1, because its expression was suppressed by FEZF1-AS1 in GCSCs. FEZF1-AS1 could sponge miR-363-3p and increased the expression of high-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2). The expression of FEZF1-AS1 and miR-363-3p, as well as that of miR-363-3p and HMGA2, was negatively correlated in GC tissues. Finally, FEZF1-AS1 contributed to promotion of GCSCs progression partially through inhibition of miR-363-3p. Subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor model revealed that silence of FEZF1-AS1 suppressed in vivo tumorigenic ability of GSCS via downregulation of HMGA2. In general, our findings clarified the critical regulatory role of FEZF1-AS1/miR-363-3p/HMGA2 axis in GCSC progression, providing a potential therapeutic target for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjian Hui
- Department of General Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, China.,* Both the authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, China.,* Both the authors contributed equally to this article
| | - Deping Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Vasculocardiology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, China
| | - Maojun Di
- Department of General Surgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, China
| | - Shichao Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, China
| | - Shasha Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan City, China
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30
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Dong J, Cheng XD, Zhang WD, Qin JJ. Recent Update on Development of Small-Molecule STAT3 Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: From Phosphorylation Inhibition to Protein Degradation. J Med Chem 2021; 64:8884-8915. [PMID: 34170703 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor that regulates various biological processes, including proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, immune response, and chemoresistance. In normal cells, STAT3 is tightly regulated to maintain a transiently active state, while persistent STAT3 activation occurs frequently in cancers, associating with a poor prognosis and tumor progression. Targeting the STAT3 protein is a potentially promising therapeutic strategy for tumors. Although none of the STAT3 inhibitors has been marketed yet, a few of them have succeeded in entering clinical trials. This Review aims to systematically summarize the progress of the last 5 years in the discovery of directive STAT3 small-molecule inhibitors and degraders, focusing primarily on their structural features, design strategies, and bioactivities. We hope this Review will shed light on future drug design and inhibitor optimization to accelerate the discovery process of STAT3 inhibitors or degraders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyun Dong
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Cheng
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
| | - Wei-Dong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiang-Jiang Qin
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, China
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31
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Addeo M, Di Paola G, Verma HK, Laurino S, Russi S, Zoppoli P, Falco G, Mazzone P. Gastric Cancer Stem Cells: A Glimpse on Metabolic Reprogramming. Front Oncol 2021; 11:698394. [PMID: 34249759 PMCID: PMC8262334 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.698394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most widespread causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Recently, emerging implied that gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) play an important role in the initiation and progression of GC. This subpopulation comprises cells with several features, such as self-renewal capability, high proliferating rate, and ability to modify their metabolic program, which allow them to resist current anticancer therapies. Metabolic pathway intermediates play a pivotal role in regulating cell differentiation both in tumorigenesis and during normal development. Thus, the dysregulation of both anabolic and catabolic pathways constitutes a significant opportunity to target GCSCs in order to eradicate the tumor progression. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about metabolic phenotype that supports GCSC proliferation and we overview the compounds that selectively target metabolic intermediates of CSCs that can be used as a strategy in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Addeo
- Istituto di Ricerche Genetiche Gaetano Salvatore Biogem Scarl, Ariano Irpino, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Di Paola
- Istituto di Ricerche Genetiche Gaetano Salvatore Biogem Scarl, Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Henu Kumar Verma
- Istituto di Ricerche Genetiche Gaetano Salvatore Biogem Scarl, Ariano Irpino, Italy.,IEOS-CNR, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" - National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Laurino
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)-centro di riferimento oncologico della basilicata (CROB), Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Sabino Russi
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)-centro di riferimento oncologico della basilicata (CROB), Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Pietro Zoppoli
- Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)-centro di riferimento oncologico della basilicata (CROB), Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Geppino Falco
- Istituto di Ricerche Genetiche Gaetano Salvatore Biogem Scarl, Ariano Irpino, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,IEOS-CNR, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology "G. Salvatore" - National Research Council, Naples, Italy.,Laboratory of Pre-Clinical and Translational Research, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS)-centro di riferimento oncologico della basilicata (CROB), Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, Italy
| | - Pellegrino Mazzone
- Istituto di Ricerche Genetiche Gaetano Salvatore Biogem Scarl, Ariano Irpino, Italy
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Lin T, Peng W, Mai P, Zhang E, Peng L. Human Gastric Cancer Stem Cell (GCSC) Markers Are Prognostic Factors Correlated With Immune Infiltration of Gastric Cancer. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:626966. [PMID: 34113647 PMCID: PMC8185345 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.626966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of patients with gastric cancer (GC) is still unsatisfying. Numerous markers of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) have been identified and were thought to be related to cancer aggressiveness. However, the roles of GCSC markers in GC patients’ prognosis and immune infiltration remain unknown. Expression of GCSC markers was analyzed using Oncomine and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Their associations with clinicopathological parameters were analyzed using UALCAN and LinkedOmics. Alternations and protein expression of GCSC markers were analyzed by cBioPortal and the Human Protein Atlas databases, respectively. The prognostic significance of GCSC markers was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier plotter. Correlations between the expression of GCSC markers and immune infiltration along with biomarkers of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) were assessed combined Tumor Immune Estimation Resource and GEPIA. GeneMANIA was used to discover the interactive genes of GCSC markers, and enrichment analysis was performed using Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery server. We identified six GCSC markers significantly up-expressed in GC, compared with normal stomach tissues. Among them, the overexpression of ICAM1, THY1, and CXCR4 significantly indicated adverse, while EPCAM indicated beneficial clinicopathological features of GC patients. The up-regulation of CXCR4 showed unfavorable prognostic significance, whereas EPCAM and TFRC showed the opposite. The six GCSC markers were all correlated with the infiltration and activation of distinct TIICs. Especially, ICAM1, THY1, and CXCR4 showed strongly positive correlations with tumor-associated macrophages. Besides, chemokine, Toll-like receptor, NF-kappa B, and HIF-1 signaling pathways might be involved in the regulation of GCSC markers on cancer development. This study proposed that GCSC markers might be promising targets of GC treatment to weaken cancer stem-like properties and strengthen anticancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Lin
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenya Peng
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peipei Mai
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - E Zhang
- The Fourth Clinical Medical School, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lisheng Peng
- Department of Science and Education, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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33
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Gastric Cancer: Advances in Carcinogenesis Research and New Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073418. [PMID: 33810350 PMCID: PMC8037554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer’s bad incidence, prognosis, cellular and molecular heterogeneity amongst others make this disease a major health issue worldwide. Understanding this affliction is a priority for proper patients’ management and for the development of efficient therapeutical strategies. This review gives an overview of major scientific advances, made during the past 5-years, to improve the comprehension of gastric adenocarcinoma. A focus was made on the different actors of gastric carcinogenesis, including, Helicobacter pylori cancer stem cells, tumour microenvironment and microbiota. New and recent potential biomarkers were assessed as well as emerging therapeutical strategies involving cancer stem cells targeting as well as immunotherapy. Finally, recent experimental models to study this highly complex disease were discussed, highlighting the importance of gastric cancer understanding in the hard-fought struggle against cancer relapse, metastasis and bad prognosis.
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34
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Ehara T, Uehara T, Nakajima T, Kinugawa Y, Kobayashi S, Iwaya M, Ota H, Soejima Y. LGR5 expression is associated with prognosis in poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:228. [PMID: 33676447 PMCID: PMC7936409 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-07913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) is an important cancer stem cell marker in gastric cancer. However, no detailed studies are available on LGR5 expression in poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma (PD-AC). Therefore, we investigated the relationship between LGR5 expression and clinicopathological data in PD-AC. Methods LGR5 mRNA expression levels were quantified in 41 PD-AC specimens using a highly sensitive RNAscope in situ hybridization technique. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection was also detected by EBV in situ hybridization. Results LGR5 expression levels were measured in 38 of 41 PD-AC cases, and 17 cases were identified as LGR5 high. The frequency of EBV positivity tended to be higher in the LGR5-low group than in the LGR5-high group (P = 0.0764). Furthermore, the frequency of vascular invasion tended to be higher in the LGR5-high group than in the LGR5-low group (P = 0.0764). The overall survival of PD-AC patients in the LGR5-high group was significantly lower than in the LGR5-low group (log-rank test, P = 0.0108). The Cox proportional hazard regression model revealed that the LGR5-low group (HR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.11–0.74; P = 0.01) showed independently better OS for PD-AC. Conclusions Quantifying the levels of LGR5 expression may facilitate defining prognosis in Japanese patients with PD-AC. Further study of LGR5 in this context is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehito Ehara
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uehara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan.
| | - Tomoyuki Nakajima
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kinugawa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Shota Kobayashi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Mai Iwaya
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Ota
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan.,Department of Biomedical Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Soejima
- Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
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35
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Razmi M, Ghods R, Vafaei S, Sahlolbei M, Saeednejad Zanjani L, Madjd Z. Clinical and prognostic significances of cancer stem cell markers in gastric cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:139. [PMID: 33639931 PMCID: PMC7912890 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01840-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastric cancer (GC) is considered one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide, which is accompanied by a poor prognosis. Although reports regarding the importance of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in gastric cancer progression have rapidly developed over the last few decades, their clinicopathological and prognostic values in gastric cancer still remain inconclusive. Therefore, the current meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively re-evaluate the association of CSC markers expression, overall and individually, with GC patients’ clinical and survival outcomes. Methods Literature databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Embase were searched to identify the eligible articles. Hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were recorded or calculated to determine the relationships between CSC markers expression positivity and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS)/relapse-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS)/ cancer-specific survival (CSS), and clinicopathological features. Results We initially retrieved 4,425 articles, of which a total of 66 articles with 89 studies were considered as eligible for this meta-analysis, comprising of 11,274 GC patients. Overall data analyses indicated that the overexpression of CSC markers is associated with TNM stage (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.84–2.61, P = 0.013), lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.54–2.02, P < 0.001), worse OS (HR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.54–1.77, P < 0.001), poor CSS/DSS (HR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.33–2.15, P < 0.001), and unfavorable DFS/RFS (HR = 2.35, 95% CI 1.90–2.89, P < 0.001) in GC patients. However, CSC markers expression was found to be slightly linked to tumor differentiation (OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.01–1.55, P = 0.035). Sub-analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship between most of the individual markers, specially Gli-1, Oct-4, CD44, CD44V6, and CD133, and clinical outcomes as well as the reduced survival, whereas overexpression of Lgr-5, Nanog, and sonic hedgehog (Shh) was not found to be related to the majority of clinical outcomes in GC patients. Conclusion The expression of CSC markers is mostly associated with worse outcomes in patients with GC, both overall and individual. The detection of a combined panel of CSC markers might be appropriate as a prognostic stratification marker to predict tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in patients with GC, which probably results in identifying novel potential targets for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdieh Razmi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Vafaei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Sahlolbei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Hwang GR, Yuen JG, Ju J. Roles of microRNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancer Stem Cell Resistance and Therapeutic Development. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041624. [PMID: 33562727 PMCID: PMC7915611 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Resistance to cancer treatment is one of the major challenges currently faced when treating gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. A major contributing factor to this resistance is the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in GI cancers (e.g., colorectal, pancreatic, gastric, liver cancer). Non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been found to regulate several key targets that are responsible for cancer stemness, and function as oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) or tumor suppressor miRNAs. As a result, several miRNAs have been found to alter, or be altered by, the expression of CSC-defining markers and their related pathways. These miRNAs can be utilized to affect stemness in multiple ways, including directly targeting CSCs and enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapeutics. This review highlights current studies regarding the roles of miRNAs in GI CSCs, and efforts towards the development of cancer therapeutics.
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Lu J, Bang H, Kim SM, Cho SJ, Ashktorab H, Smoot DT, Zheng CH, Ryeom SW, Yoon SS, Yoon C, Lee JH. Lymphatic metastasis-related TBL1XR1 enhances stemness and metastasis in gastric cancer stem-like cells by activating ERK1/2-SOX2 signaling. Oncogene 2021; 40:922-936. [PMID: 33288885 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01571-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The poor prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) results largely from metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. Toward novel therapeutic strategies that target or evade these phenomena, we evaluated the function of the transcriptional regulator transducin (β)-like 1 X-linked receptor 1 (TBL1XR1) in GC cells, including stem-like cells. In this study, the correlation of expression of TBL1XR1 and clinical features and GC patients' outcomes was evaluated. Knockdown or exogenous expression of TBL1XR1 was combined with in vitro (2D and 3D cultures) and in vivo (mouse lung and lymphatic metastasis models) assays to evaluate the function of TBL1XR1. TBL1XR1's downstream signaling was delineated by phospho-kinase array and knockdown of candidate mediators. Analysis of clinical data showed that TBL1XR1 overexpression was correlated with worse prognosis. Functional assays showed that TBL1XR1 promoted stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and lung and lymphatic metastasis in GC cells. TBL1XR1 activated ERK1/2-Sox2 signaling and was dependent on signaling via PI3K/AKT, in GC stem-like cells distinguished by CD44 expression. Moreover, inhibition of these signaling proteins reversed chemoresistance in in vitro and in vivo models. Taken together, our results indicate that TBL1XR1 promotes stemness and metastasis in GC, making it a potential prognostic indicator. The PI3K/AKT-TBL1XR1-ERK1/2-Sox2 axis may represent a target for the treatment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Lu
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian, China
| | - Heejin Bang
- Department of Pathology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Su Mi Kim
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Soo-Jeong Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Duane T Smoot
- Department of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chao-Hui Zheng
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian, China
| | - Sandra W Ryeom
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sam S Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Changhwan Yoon
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jun Ho Lee
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
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Jiang ZB, Ma BQ, Feng Z, Liu SG, Gao P, Yan HT. miR-365 inhibits the progression of gallbladder carcinoma and predicts the prognosis of Gallbladder carcinoma patients. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:308-319. [PMID: 33459111 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2021.1874694] [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] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is one of the most common fatal biliary tract tumors in the world. Its 3-year survival rate is 30% and the recurrence rate remains very high. miR-365 was downregulated in numerous tumors and worked as tumor suppressor gene. However, the role of miR-365 in GBC was unclear. In this study, our results found that the expression of miR-365 in GBC tissues was reduced rather than that in non-cancerous tissues. miR-365 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, metastasis and expansion of GBC CSCs. Mechanically, bioinformatic and luciferase reporter analysis identified Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) as a direct target of miR-365. Overexpression of miR-365 in GBC cells reduced the RAC1 mRNA and protein expression. The special RAC1 inhibitor EHop-106 abolished the discrepancy of growth, metastasis and self-renewal ability between miR-365-overexpression GBC cells and their control cells, which further demonstrated that RAC1 was involved in miR-365-disrupted GBC cells growth, metastasis and self-renewal. More importantly, reduced expression of miR-365 was a predictor of poor prognosis of GBC patients. In conclusion, miR-365 inhibited GBC cell growth, metastasis and self-renewal capacity by directly targeting RAC1, and may therefore prove to be a novel prognosis biomarker for GBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Bin Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital , Gansu, China
| | - Bing-Qiang Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital , Gansu, China
| | - Zongfeng Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Cao County People's Hospital , Heze, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shao-Guang Liu
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital , Gansu, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Gansu Provincial Hospital , Gansu, China
| | - Hui-Ting Yan
- Department of Nursing Department, Gansu Provincial Hospital , Gansu, China
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39
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Huang C, Hu CG, Ning ZK, Huang J, Zhu ZM. Identification of key genes controlling cancer stem cell characteristics in gastric cancer. World J Gastrointest Surg 2020; 12:442-459. [PMID: 33304447 PMCID: PMC7701879 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v12.i11.442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-renewal of gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) is considered to be the underlying cause of the metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence of gastric cancer (GC).
AIM To characterize the expression of stem cell-related genes in GC.
METHODS RNA sequencing results and clinical data for gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and the results of the GC mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) were analyzed. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was then used to find modules of interest and their key genes. Survival analysis of key genes was performed using the online tool Kaplan-Meier Plotter, and the online database Oncomine was used to assess the expression of key genes in GC.
RESULTS mRNAsi was significantly upregulated in GC tissues compared to normal gastric tissues (P < 0.0001). A total of 16 modules were obtained from the gene coexpression network; the brown module was most positively correlated with mRNAsi. Sixteen key genes (BUB1, BUB1B, NCAPH, KIF14, RACGAP1, RAD54L, TPX2, KIF15, KIF18B, CENPF, TTK, KIF4A, SGOL2, PLK4, XRCC2, and C1orf112) were identified in the brown module. The functional and pathway enrichment analyses showed that the key genes were significantly enriched in the spindle cellular component, the sister chromatid segregation biological process, the motor activity molecular function, and the cell cycle and homologous recombination pathways. Survival analysis and Oncomine analysis revealed that the prognosis of patients with GC and the expression of three genes (RAD54L, TPX2, and XRCC2) were consistently related.
CONCLUSION Sixteen key genes are primarily associated with stem cell self-renewal and cell proliferation characteristics. RAD54L, TPX2, and XRCC2 are the most likely therapeutic targets for inhibiting the stemness characteristics of GC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ce-Gui Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Zhi-Kun Ning
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Zheng-Ming Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
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40
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Long-Term Helicobacter pylori Infection Switches Gastric Epithelium Reprogramming Towards Cancer Stem Cell-Related Differentiation Program in Hp-Activated Gastric Fibroblast-TGFβ Dependent Manner. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101519. [PMID: 33023180 PMCID: PMC7599721 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-induced inflammatory reaction leads to a persistent disturbance of gastric mucosa and chronic gastritis evidenced by deregulation of tissue self-renewal and local fibrosis with the crucial role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in this process. As we reported before, Hp activated gastric fibroblasts into cells possessing cancer-associated fibroblast properties (CAFs), which secreted factors responsible for EMT process initiation in normal gastric epithelial RGM1 cells. Here, we showed that the long-term incubation of RGM1 cells in the presence of Hp-activated gastric fibroblast (Hp-AGF) secretome induced their shift towards plastic LGR5+/Oct4high/Sox-2high/c-Mychigh/Klf4low phenotype (l.t.EMT+RGM1 cells), while Hp-non-infected gastric fibroblast (GF) secretome prompted a permanent epithelial–myofibroblast transition (EMyoT) of RGM1 cells favoring LGR−/Oct4high/Sox2low/c-Myclow/Klf4high phenotype (l.t.EMT−RGM1 cells). TGFβ1 rich secretome from Hp-reprogrammed fibroblasts prompted phenotypic plasticity and EMT of gastric epithelium, inducing pro-neoplastic expansion of post-EMT cells in the presence of low TGFβR1 and TGFβR2 activity. In turn, TGFβR1 activity along with GF-induced TGFβR2 activation in l.t.EMT−RGM1 cells prompted their stromal phenotype. Collectively, our data show that infected and non-infected gastric fibroblast secretome induces alternative differentiation programs in gastric epithelium at least partially dependent on TGFβ signaling. Hp infection-activated fibroblasts can switch gastric epithelium microevolution towards cancer stem cell-related differentiation program that can potentially initiate gastric neoplasm.
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Alzeeb G, Metges JP, Corcos L, Le Jossic-Corcos C. Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Gastric Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2800. [PMID: 33003476 PMCID: PMC7601358 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC), which includes cancer of the esophagus, the oesophagogastric junction, and the stomach fundus, is highly deadly with strong regional influence, Asia being the most affected. GC is often detected at late stages, with 30% of metastatic cases at diagnosis. Many authors have devised models to both unravel the mechanisms of GC development and to evaluate candidate therapeutics. Among these models, 2D-cell cultures are progressively replaced by 3D-cell cultures that recapitulate, much more comprehensively, tumor cellular and genetic heterogeneity, as well as responsiveness to environmental changes, such as exposure to drugs or irradiation. With respect to the specifics of GC, there are high hopes from such model systems, especially with the aim of identifying prognostic markers and novel drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Alzeeb
- Inserm, University Brest, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (G.A.); (L.C.)
| | - Jean-Philippe Metges
- CHU de Brest, Inserm, University Brest, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France;
| | - Laurent Corcos
- Inserm, University Brest, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (G.A.); (L.C.)
- CHU de Brest, Inserm, University Brest, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France;
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Lin JX, Yoon C, Li P, Ryeom SW, Cho SJ, Zheng CH, Xie JW, Wang JB, Lu J, Chen QY, Yoon SS, Huang CM. CDK5RAP3 as tumour suppressor negatively regulates self-renewal and invasion and is regulated by ERK1/2 signalling in human gastric cancer. Br J Cancer 2020; 123:1131-1144. [PMID: 32606358 PMCID: PMC7525566 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-020-0963-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toward identifying new strategies to target gastric cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), we evaluated the function of the tumour suppressor CDK5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 3 (CDK5RAP3) in gastric CSC maintenance. METHODS We examined the expression of CDK5RAP3 and CD44 in gastric cancer patients. The function and mechanisms of CDK5RAP3 were checked in human and mouse gastric cancer cell lines and in mouse xenograft. RESULTS We show that CDK5RAP3 is weakly expressed in gastric CSCs and is negatively correlated with the gastric CSC marker CD44. CDK5RAP3 overexpression decreased expression of CSC markers, spheroid formation, invasion and migration, and reversed chemoresistance in gastric CSCs in vitro and vivo. CDK5RAP3 expression was found to be regulated by extracellular-related kinase (ERK) signalling. ERK inhibitors decreased spheroid formation, migration and invasion, and the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in both GA cells and organoids derived from a genetically engineered mouse model of GA. Finally, CDK5RAP3 expression was associated with reduced lymph-node metastasis and better prognosis, even in the presence of high expression of the EMT transcription factor Snail, among patients with CD44-positive GA. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that CDK5RAP3 is suppressed by ERK signalling and negatively regulates the self-renewal and EMT of gastric CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Xian Lin
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Changhwan Yoon
- Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Sandra W Ryeom
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Soo-Jeong Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chao-Hui Zheng
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jian-Wei Xie
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jian-Bin Wang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jun Lu
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Qi-Yue Chen
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Sam S Yoon
- Gastric and Mixed Tumor Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Chang-Ming Huang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.
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Mechanisms of cancer stem cell therapy. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 510:581-592. [PMID: 32791136 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis and are involved in drug and radiation resistance, metastasis, tumor relapse and initiation. Remarkably, they have other abilities such as inheritance of self-renewal and de-differentiation. Hence, targeting CSCs is considered a potential anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. Recent advances in the identification of biomarkers to recognize CSCs and the development of new techniques to evaluate tumorigenic and carcinogenic roles of CSCs are instrumental to this approach. Elucidation of signaling pathways that regulate CSCs colony progression and drug resistance are critical in establishing effective targeted therapies. CSCs play a central key role in immunomodulation, immune evasion and effector immunity, which alters immune system balancing. These include mTOR, SHH, NOTCH and Wnt/β-catering in cancer progression. In this review article, we discuss the importance of these CSCs pathways in cancer therapy.
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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: 454] [Impact Index Per Article: 113.5] [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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Ma YS, Li W, Liu Y, Shi Y, Lin QL, Fu D. Targeting Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells as an Effective Treatment for Colorectal Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2020; 19:1533033819892261. [PMID: 32748700 PMCID: PMC7785997 DOI: 10.1177/1533033819892261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the common cancers that threaten human life, the recurrence and metastasis of colorectal cancer seriously affect the prognosis of patients. Although new drugs and comprehensive treatments have been adopted, the current treatment effect on this tumor, especially in advanced colorectal cancer, is still not satisfactory. More and more evidence shows that tumors are likely to be a stem cell disease. In recent years, the rise of cancer stem cell theory has provided a new way for cancer treatment. Studies have found that a small number of special cells in colorectal cancer tissues that induce tumorigenesis, proliferation, and promote tumor migration and metastasis, namely, colorectal cancer stem cells. Colorectal cancer stem cells are defined with a group of cell-surface markers, such as CD44, CD133, CD24, epithelial cell adhesion factor molecule, LGR5, and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. They are highly tumorigenic, aggressive, and chemoresistant and thus are critical in the metastasis and recurrence of colorectal cancer. Therefore, targeting colorectal cancer stem cells may become an important research direction for the future cure of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shui Ma
- National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-Product Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China.,Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-Product Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin-Lu Lin
- National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-Product Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| | - Da Fu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-Product Deep Processing, College of Food Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China.,Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Pádua D, Figueira P, Ribeiro I, Almeida R, Mesquita P. The Relevance of Transcription Factors in Gastric and Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Identification and Eradication. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:442. [PMID: 32626705 PMCID: PMC7314965 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric and colorectal cancers have a high incidence and mortality worldwide. The presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) within the tumor mass has been indicated as the main reason for tumor relapse, metastasis and therapy resistance, leading to poor overall survival. Thus, the elimination of CSCs became a crucial goal for cancer treatment. The identification of these cells has been performed by using cell-surface markers, a reliable approach, however it lacks specificity and usually differs among tumor type and in some cases even within the same type. In theory, the ideal CSC markers are those that are required to maintain their stemness features. The knowledge that CSCs exhibit characteristics comparable to normal stem cells that could be associated with the expression of similar transcription factors (TFs) including SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, KLF4 and c-Myc, and signaling pathways such as the Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog (Hh), Notch and PI3K/AKT/mTOR directed the attention to the use of these similarities to identify and target CSCs in different tumor types. Several studies have demonstrated that the abnormal expression of some TFs and the dysregulation of signaling pathways are associated with tumorigenesis and CSC phenotype. The disclosure of common and appropriate biomarkers for CSCs will provide an incredible tool for cancer prognosis and treatment. Therefore, this review aims to gather the new insights in gastric and colorectal CSC identification specially by using TFs as biomarkers and divulge promising drugs that have been found and tested for targeting these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Pádua
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Figueira
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Inês Ribeiro
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Almeida
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Mesquita
- i3S – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Ci X, Hao J, Dong X, Xue H, Wu R, Choi SYC, Haegert AM, Collins CC, Liu X, Lin D, Wang Y. Conditionally Reprogrammed Cells from Patient-Derived Xenograft to Model Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer Development. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061398. [PMID: 32512818 PMCID: PMC7349646 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a lethal subtype of prostate cancer. It develops mainly via NE transdifferentiation of prostate adenocarcinoma in response to androgen receptor (AR)-inhibition therapy. The study of NEPC development has been hampered by a lack of clinically relevant models. We previously established a unique and first-in-field patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model of adenocarcinoma (LTL331)-to-NEPC (LTL331R) transdifferentiation. In this study, we applied conditional reprogramming (CR) culture to establish a LTL331 PDX-derived cancer cell line named LTL331_CR_Cell. These cells retain the same genomic mutations as the LTL331 parental tumor. They can be continuously propagated in vitro and can be genetically manipulated. Androgen deprivation treatment on LTL331_CR_Cells had no effect on cell proliferation. Transcriptomic analyses comparing the LTL331_CR_Cell to its parental tumor revealed a profound downregulation of the androgen response pathway and an upregulation of stem and basal cell marker genes. The transcriptome of LTL331_CR_Cells partially resembles that of post-castrated LTL331 xenografts in mice. Notably, when grafted under the renal capsules of male NOD/SCID mice, LTL331_CR_Cells spontaneously gave rise to NEPC tumors. This is evidenced by the histological expression of the NE marker CD56 and the loss of adenocarcinoma markers such as PSA. Transcriptomic analyses of the newly developed NEPC tumors further demonstrate marked enrichment of NEPC signature genes and loss of AR signaling genes. This study provides a novel research tool derived from a unique PDX model. It allows for the investigation of mechanisms underlying NEPC development by enabling gene manipulations ex vivo and subsequent functional evaluations in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinpei Ci
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (X.C.); (J.H.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.C.)
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
| | - Jun Hao
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (X.C.); (J.H.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.C.)
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
| | - Hui Xue
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
| | - Rebecca Wu
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
| | - Stephen Yiu Chuen Choi
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
| | - Anne M. Haegert
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (X.C.); (J.H.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.C.)
| | - Colin C. Collins
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (X.C.); (J.H.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.C.)
| | - Xuefeng Liu
- Department of Pathology, Center for Cell Reprogramming, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.); Tel.: 202-687-2820 (X.L.); 604-675-7013 (D.L.); 604-675-8013 (Y.W.)
| | - Dong Lin
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (X.C.); (J.H.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.C.)
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.); Tel.: 202-687-2820 (X.L.); 604-675-7013 (D.L.); 604-675-8013 (Y.W.)
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada; (X.C.); (J.H.); (A.M.H.); (C.C.C.)
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada; (X.D.); (H.X.); (R.W.); (S.Y.C.C.)
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (D.L.); (Y.W.); Tel.: 202-687-2820 (X.L.); 604-675-7013 (D.L.); 604-675-8013 (Y.W.)
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Thankamony AP, Saxena K, Murali R, Jolly MK, Nair R. Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity - A Deadly Deal. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:79. [PMID: 32426371 PMCID: PMC7203492 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intratumoral heterogeneity is a major ongoing challenge in the effective therapeutic targeting of cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that a fraction of cells within a tumor termed Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are primarily responsible for this diversity resulting in therapeutic resistance and metastasis. Adding to this complexity, recent studies have shown that there can be different subpopulations of CSCs with varying biochemical and biophysical traits resulting in varied dissemination and drug-resistance potential. Moreover, cancer cells can exhibit a high level of plasticity or the ability to dynamically switch between CSC and non-CSC states or among different subsets of CSCs. In addition, CSCs also display extensive metabolic plasticity. The molecular mechanisms underlying these different interconnected axes of plasticity has been under extensive investigation and the trans-differentiation process of Epithelial to Mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been identified as a major contributing factor. Besides genetic and epigenetic factors, CSC plasticity is also shaped by non-cell-autonomous effects such as the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we discuss the latest developments in decoding mechanisms and implications of CSC plasticity in tumor progression at biochemical and biophysical levels, and the latest in silico approaches being taken for characterizing cancer cell plasticity. These efforts can help improve existing therapeutic approaches by taking into consideration the contribution of cellular plasticity/heterogeneity in enabling drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana P. Thankamony
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Kritika Saxena
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Reshma Murali
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
| | - Radhika Nair
- Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Fanelli GN, Naccarato AG, Scatena C. Recent Advances in Cancer Plasticity: Cellular Mechanisms, Surveillance Strategies, and Therapeutic Optimization. Front Oncol 2020; 10:569. [PMID: 32391266 PMCID: PMC7188928 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The processes of recurrence and metastasis, through which cancer relapses locally or spreads to distant sites in the body, accounts for more than 90% of cancer-related deaths. At present there are very few treatment options for patients at this stage of their disease. The main obstacle to successfully treat advanced cancer is the cells' ability to change in ways that make them resistant to treatment. Understanding the cellular mechanisms that mediate this cancer cell plasticity may lead to improved patient survival. Epigenetic reprogramming, together with tumor microenvironment, drives such dynamic mechanisms favoring tumor heterogeneity, and cancer cell plasticity. In addition, the development of new approaches that can report on cancer plasticity in their native environment have profound implications for studying cancer biology and monitoring tumor progression. We herein provide an overview of recent advancements in understanding the mechanisms regulating cell plasticity and current strategies for their monitoring and therapy management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Nicolò Fanelli
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Giuseppe Naccarato
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristian Scatena
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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50
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Guo QR, Wang H, Yan YD, Liu Y, Su CY, Chen HB, Yan YY, Adhikari R, Wu Q, Zhang JY. The Role of Exosomal microRNA in Cancer Drug Resistance. Front Oncol 2020; 10:472. [PMID: 32318350 PMCID: PMC7154138 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes affect the initiation and progression of cancers. In the tumor microenvironment, not only cancer cells, but also fibroblasts and immunocytes secrete exosomes. Exosomes act as a communicator between cells by transferring different cargos and microRNAs (miRNAs). Drug resistance is one of the critical factors affecting therapeutic effect in the course of cancer treatment. The currently known mechanisms of drug resistance include drug efflux, alterations in drug metabolism, DNA damage repair, alterations of energy programming, cancer stem cells and epigenetic changes. Many studies have shown that miRNA carried by exosomes is closely associated with the development of drug resistance mediated by the above-mentioned mechanisms. This review article will discuss how exosomal miRNAs regulate the drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-ru Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics/Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-da Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chao-yue Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hu-biao Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yan-yan Yan
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer, Institute of Respiratory and Occupational Diseases, Medical College, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, China
| | - Rameshwar Adhikari
- Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal
| | - Qiang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, School of Tropical Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jian-ye Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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