Expression of AKR1B10 as an independent marker for poor prognosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 prevents esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from reactive carbonyl species-induced cell death and promotes its progression

INTRODUCTION

Chronic alcohol consumption and tobacco usage are major risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption lead to oxidative stress and the generation of reactive carbonyl species (RCS) which induce DNA damage and cell apoptosis. This phenomenon contributes to cell damage and carcinogenesis in various organs including ESCC. However, it also raises an important question on how ESCC cells evade RCS-induced apoptosis and grow rapidly under these conditions. Therefore, we hypothesize that some enzymes produced by ESCC cells are capable of catabolizing RCS, preventing ESCC neoplastic cells from undergoing RCS-induced apoptosis, potentially contributing to ESCC progression.

METHODS

To identify significant gene clusters involved in the metabolism of RCS in ESCC, we used an Agilent SurePrint G3 Human V2 GE 8 × 60 K microarray kit to analyze differentially expressed genes between nine paired ESCC tissues and adjacent normal esophageal tissues taken from areas distant from the tumor site. Bioinformatics analysis using gene ontology (GO) was performed to categorize these genes. To validate the findings, immunohistochemical staining in specimens from 169 surgically resected ESCC patients was performed and then correlated with treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the identified signaling pathway and its biological effects were investigated in ESCC cell lines in vitro and 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO)-induced-ESCC murine model in vivo.

RESULTS

Interestingly, we found that one of the significantly altered 57 GO molecular function domain terms (GO:0004033 aldo-keto reductase activity; P = 0.021) between nine paired ESCC tumors and adjacent normal tissue specimens was associated with the RCS metabolism. Among significant genes within this domain, AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10; P = 0.006) was identified as the most significantly altered gene. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that AKR1B10 expression was higher in ESCC cells than in adjacent normal esophageal epithelium. In addition, AKR1B10 expression was independently significantly associated with a poorer prognosis in 169 ESCC patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results further demonstrated that blood AKR1B10 concentrations were significantly higher in 72 ESCC patients than in 24 healthy controls. In vitro experiments revealed that inhibiting endogenous AKR1B10 enhanced the cytotoxicity of 4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal, a type of RCS. In a 4-NQO-induced-ESCC murine model, oleanolic acid, an AKR1B10 inhibitor, significantly reduced the incidence of esophageal tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that AKR1B10 is an independent adverse prognosticator for patients with ESCC, and could prevent ESCC neoplastic cells from undergoing RCS-induced apoptosis, and promote ESCC progression. Therefore, AKR1B10 signaling could be a potential therapeutic strategy for ESCC.

The pan-cancer landscape of aldo-keto reductase1B10 reveals that its expression is diminished in gastric cancer

Introduction

Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is a multifunctional enzyme, which is important in cancer development and progression, but the landscape of AKR1B10 in pan-cancers and in tumor microenvironment is unclear.

Method

This study integrated the sequencing data of 33 cancer types, including gastric cancer, from TCGA project to explored the expression pattern and genetic and epigenetic alterations of AKR1B10. The association of AKR1B10 expression with clinical progression of cancers was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis; the potential role of AKR1B10 in tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune-related gene expression were analyzed by PURITY, ESTIMATE, TIMER and CIBERSORT algorithms. The expression of AKR1B10 and immune cell markers in gastric cancer were evaluated with multiplex immunofluorescence staining.

Result

Results indicated that AKR1B10 was highly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract in health donors, but the expression of AKR1B10 was significantly changed in most of cancer types, which may be ascribed to DNA methylation in its promoter. The AKR1B10 expression in cancers and its value in disease progression was bidirectional and functionally enriched in metabolism in pan-cancers. In tumor microenvironment, AKR1B10 was significantly correlated with immune cell infiltrations and immune gene expression. In the stomach, along with the diminishing of AKR1B10 expression, CD68+ macrophage increased and CD19+ B cell decreased in gastric cancer.

Discussion

These data indicates that AKR1B10 may be an important factor in the development and progression and a potential therapeutic target for multiple cancers, but plays as a protector in the gastric tissues.

Activity-Based Acylome Profiling with N-(Cyanomethyl)-N-(phenylsulfonyl)amides for Targeted Lysine Acylation and Post-Translational Control of Protein Function in Cells

Lysine acylations are ubiquitous and structurally diverse post-translational modifications that vastly expand the functional heterogeneity of the human proteome. Hence, the targeted acylation of lysine residues has emerged as a strategic approach to exert biomimetic control over the protein function. However, existing strategies for targeted lysine acylation in cells often rely on genetic intervention, recruitment of endogenous acylation machinery, or nonspecific acylating agents and lack methods to quantify the magnitude of specific acylations on a global level. In this study, we develop activity-based acylome profiling (ABAP), a chemoproteomic strategy that exploits elaborate N-(cyanomethyl)-N-(phenylsulfonyl)amides and lysine-centric probes for site-specific introduction and proteome-wide mapping of posttranslational lysine acylations in human cells. Harnessing this framework, we quantify various artificial acylations and rediscover numerous endogenous lysine acylations. We validate site-specific acetylation of target lysines and establish a structure-activity relationship for N-(cyanomethyl)-N-(phenylsulfonyl)amides in proteins from diverse structural and functional classes. We identify paralog-selective chemical probes that acetylate conserved lysines within interferon-stimulated antiviral RNA-binding proteins, generating de novo proteoforms with obstructed RNA interactions. We further demonstrate that targeted acetylation of a key enzyme in retinoid metabolism engenders a proteoform with a conformational change in the protein structure, leading to a gain-of-function phenotype and reduced drug potency. These findings underscore the versatility of our strategy in biomimetic control over protein function through targeted delivery and global profiling of endogenous and artificial lysine acylations, potentially advancing therapeutic modalities and our understanding of biological processes orchestrated by these post-translational modifications.

AKR1B10 expression characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathological features and immune microenvironment

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health threat with diverse and complex pathogenesis. Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10), a tumor-associated enzyme, exhibits abnormal expression in various cancers. However, a comprehensive understanding of AKR1B10's role in HCC is lacking. This study aims to explore the expression characteristics of AKR1B10 in HCC and its correlation with clinicopathological features, survival prognosis, and tumor immune microenvironment, further investigating its role and potential regulatory mechanisms in HCC. This study conducted comprehensive analyses using various bioinformatics tools and databases. Initially, differentially expressed genes related to HCC were identified from the GEO database, and the expression of AKR1B10 in HCC and other cancers was compared using TIMER and GEPIA databases, with validation of its specificity in HCC tissue samples using the HPA database. Furthermore, the relationship of AKR1B10 expression with clinicopathological features (age, gender, tumor size, staging, etc.) of HCC patients was analyzed using the TCGA database's LIHC dataset. The impact of AKR1B10 expression levels on patient prognosis was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. Additionally, the correlation of AKR1B10 expression with tumor biology-related signaling pathways and tumor immune microenvironment was studied using databases like GSEA, Targetscan, and others, identifying microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that regulate AKR1B10 expression to explore potential regulatory mechanisms. Elevated AKR1B10 expression was significantly associated with gender, primary tumor size, and fibrosis stage in HCC tissues. High AKR1B10 expression indicated poor prognosis and served as an independent predictor for patient outcomes. Detailed mechanism analysis revealed a positive correlation between high AKR1B10 expression, immune cell infiltration, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a potential DANCR-miR-216a-5p-AKR1B10 axis regulating the tumor microenvironment and impacting HCC development and prognosis. The heightened expression of AKR1B10 in HCC is not only related to significant clinical-pathological traits but may also influence HCC progression and prognosis by activating key signaling pathways and altering the tumor immune microenvironment. These findings provide new insights into the role of AKR1B10 in HCC pathogenesis and highlight its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

AKR1B10 accelerates glycolysis through binding HK2 to promote the malignant progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a rampant oral cavity neoplasm with high degree of aggressiveness. Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) that is an oxidoreductase dependent on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) has been introduced to possess prognostic potential in OSCC. The present work was focused on specifying the involvement of AKR1B10 in the process of OSCC and its latent functional mechanism.

METHODS

AKR1B10 expression in OSCC tissues and cells were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. CCK-8 method, EdU staining, wound healing and transwell assays respectively assayed cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot evaluated epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents, glucose consumption and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) were measured by relevant commercially available kits and Seahorse XF96 Glycolysis Analyzer, severally. The expressions of proteins associated with metastasis and glycolysis were examined with Western blot. Co-IP assay confirmed the binding between AKR1B10 and hexokinase 2 (HK2).

RESULTS

It was observed that AKR1B10 expression was increased in OSCC tissues and cells. After AKR1B10 was knocked down, the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of OSCC cells were all hampered. Additionally, AKR1B10 silencing suppressed glycolysis and bound to HK2 in OSCC cells. Up-regulation of HK2 partially abolished the hampered glycolysis, proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of AKR1B10-silenced OSCC cells.

CONCLUSION

To sum up, AKR1B10 could bind to HK2 to accelerate glycolysis, thereby facilitating the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of OSCC cells.

Diagnostic value of aldo‑keto reductase family 1 member B10 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is a potential marker of several types of cancer; however, the role of AKR1B10 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. In the present study, AKR1B10 RNA-seq data and clinical information were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) database to evaluate the role of AKR1B10 in HNSCC. There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of AKR1B10 between HNSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and high AKR1B10 expression was not associated with poor overall survival according to the public database. The present study further examined the role of AKR1B10 in patients with NPC using data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Analysis of the GSE53819 and GSE61218 datasets showed that the there were no significant differences in the expression levels of AKR1B10 between NPC tissues and normal tissues. However, analysis of the GSE103611 dataset indicated that AKR1B10 may be associated with distance metastasis following radical treatment in NPC. Finally, serum samples from patients with NPC and healthy controls were collected and analyzed. The results revealed that AKR1B10 levels were significantly increased in samples from patients with NPC compared with those from healthy controls, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.909. In conclusion, unlike tissue AKR1B10 expression, serum AKR1B10 levels may be a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of NPC.

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 promotes stemness and enhances antitumor effects of gefitinib in head and neck cancer via IFIT1 and IFIT3

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is a matrix-remodeling enzyme that has recently been identified as an important regulator of tumor progression and metastasis. This study discovered that LOXL2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues was significantly associated with tumor clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and patients' overall survival time. LOXL2-overexpressing human buccal SCC TW2.6 (TW2.6/LOXL2) and hypopharyngeal SCC FaDu (FaDu/LOXL2) cells exhibited enhanced migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes, independently of its enzymatic activity. Moreover, TW2.6/LOXL2 significantly increased tumor-initiating frequency in SCID mice. We further demonstrated that LOXL2 increased the levels of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1 (IFIT1) and IFIT3 in TW2.6/LOXL2 and FaDu/LOXL2 cells. We also identified IFIT1 and IFIT3 as key downstream components of LOXL2 action in migration, invasion, EMT, and CSC phenotypes in TW2.6 and FaDu cells. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between LOXL2 expression and IFIT1 and IFIT3 overexpression in human OSCC tissues was observed. In addition, TW2.6/LOXL2 and FaDu/LOXL2 cells were 3.3- to 3.6-fold more susceptible to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor gefitinib than were their respective control cells. The antitumor effect of gefitinib on orthotopic TW2.6/LOXL2 xenograft tumor was fourfold higher than that on controls. Our results indicate that LOXL2 expression is a strong prognostic factor for OSCC and may be used as a marker to identify patients most likely to respond to EGFR-targeted therapy.

AKR1B1 as a Prognostic Biomarker of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Simple Summary

We evaluated the levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in 99 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer and their association with clinicopathological characteristics, survival, and response to chemotherapy. An immunohistochemical analysis showed that higher AKR1B1 levels correlated with a better disease-free survival of patients whereas we saw no differences for AKR1B10 levels. A multivariant Cox analysis identified high AKR1B1 levels as an important prognostic factor for both overall and disease-free survival. A further analysis revealed no association between AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 levels and response to chemotherapy.

Abstract

Although aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) have been widely studied in cancer, no study to date has examined the roles of AKR family 1 members B1 (AKR1B1) and B10 (AKR1B10) in a large group of ovarian cancer patients. AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 play a significant role in inflammation and the metabolism of different chemotherapeutics as well as cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Due to these functions, we examined the potential of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 as tissue biomarkers. We assessed the immunohistochemical levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in tissue paraffin sections from 99 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) and compared these levels with clinicopathological characteristics, survival, and response to chemotherapy. A higher immunohistochemical AKR1B1 expression correlated with a better overall and disease-free survival of HGSC patients whereas AKR1B10 expression did not show any significant differences. A multivariant Cox analysis demonstrated that a high AKR1B1 expression was an important prognostic factor for both overall and disease-free survival. However, AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 were not associated with different responses to chemotherapy. Our data suggest that AKR1B1 is involved in the pathogenesis of HGSC and is a potential prognostic biomarker for this cancer.

The expression and significance of AKR1B10 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Aldosterone reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced coenzyme II)-dependent oxidoreductase, and its biological functions include carbonyl detoxification, hormone metabolism, osmotic adjustment, and lipid synthesis. Studies suggested that AKR1B10 is a new biomarker for cancer based on its overexpression in epithelial tumors, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer. At present, studies on the expression of AKR1B10 in laryngeal cancer have not been reported. However, we found that AKR1B10 is upregulated in laryngeal carcinoma, and its expression was negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation. In addition, AKR1B10 expression was positively correlated with tumor size; lymph node metastasis; alcohol use; and Ki-67, mutant p53, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression. AKR1B10 was overexpressed in Hep-2 laryngeal carcinoma cells. Oleanolic acid inhibited AKR1B10 activity and expression in Hep-2 cells and suppressed Hep-2 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Therefore, AKR1B10 may be related to the development of laryngeal carcinoma, suggesting its use as a prognostic indicator for laryngeal cancer.

AKR1B10 expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and its related mechanism

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its related mechanism. In total, 142 BPH patients admitted from March 2017 to March 2019 at the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine and 140 healthy people undergoing physical examination were selected as the research subjects. The clinical value of AKR1B10 in BPH was analyzed. Twenty clean SD rats were selected, and 10 were selected to establish the prostate hyperplasia model, while the remaining 10 were set as the control group. Ten days after the model was established, AKR1B10 and NF-κB expression in prostate tissues of rats in both groups was detected by PCR and immunohistochemistry. The primary cells in prostate hyperplasia were cultured, and then they were transfected with AKR1B10 to observe the changes of cell biological behavior. AKR1B10 and NF-κB mRNA significantly increased in peripheral blood of BPH patients and prostate tissue of BPH model rats (P<0.001), and AKR1B10 had good diagnostic value for BPH (P<0.001). In addition, it was positively correlated with PSA, EGF, IL-6 and TNF-α (P<0.001). After transfection with AKR1B10-inhibitor, it was revealed that the proliferation of prostate hyperplasia cells decreased, while the apoptosis of prostate hyperplasia cells increased and the NF-κB protein expression decreased (P<0.001). Collectively, high expression of AKR1B10 in BPH promoted the proliferation of prostate cells and reduced their apoptosis, and the mechanism may be through regulation of NF-κB.

AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 as Prognostic Biomarkers of Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinomas

Simple Summary

We evaluated the potential of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 as tissue biomarkers of endometrial cancer by assessing the immunohistochemical levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in tissue paraffin sections from 101 well-characterized patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer and 12 patients with serous endometrial cancer. Significantly higher immunohistochemical levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 were found in adjacent non-neoplastic endometrial tissue compared to endometrioid endometrial cancer. The group of patients with both AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 staining above the median values showed significantly better overall and disease-free survival compared to all other patients. Multivariant Cox analysis recognized a strong AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 staining as a statistically important survival prediction factor in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer. In contrast, we observed no significant differences in AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 staining in patients with serous endometrial cancer. Our results suggest that AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 have protective roles in endometrioid endometrial cancer and represent prognostic biomarker candidates.

Abstract

The roles of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) and B10 (AKR1B10) in the pathogenesis of many cancers have been widely reported but only briefly studied in endometrial cancer. To clarify the potential of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 as tissue biomarkers of endometrial cancer, we evaluated the immunohistochemical levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 in tissue paraffin sections from 101 well-characterized patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer and 12 patients with serous endometrial cancer and compared them with the clinicopathological data. Significantly higher immunohistochemical levels of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 were found in adjacent non-neoplastic endometrial tissue compared to endometrioid endometrial cancer. A trend for better survival was observed in patients with higher immunohistochemical AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 levels. However, no statistically significant differences in overall survival or disease-free survival were observed when AKR1B1 or AKR1B10 were examined individually in endometrioid endometrial cancer. However, analysis of AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 together revealed significantly better overall and disease-free survival in patients with both AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 staining above the median values compared to all other patients. Multivariant Cox analysis identified strong AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 staining as a statistically important survival prediction factor. Conversely, no significant differences were found in serous endometrial cancer. Our results suggest that AKR1B1 and AKR1B10 play protective roles in endometrioid endometrial cancer and show potential as prognostic biomarkers.

The Role of AKR1B10 in Physiology and Pathophysiology

AKR1B10 is a human nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent reductase belonging to the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1B subfamily. It catalyzes the reduction of aldehydes, some ketones and quinones, and interacts with acetyl-CoA carboxylase and heat shock protein 90α. The enzyme is highly expressed in epithelial cells of the stomach and intestine, but down-regulated in gastrointestinal cancers and inflammatory bowel diseases. In contrast, AKR1B10 expression is low in other tissues, where the enzyme is upregulated in cancers, as well as in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and several skin diseases. In addition, the enzyme's expression is elevated in cancer cells resistant to clinical anti-cancer drugs. Thus, growing evidence supports AKR1B10 as a potential target for diagnosing and treating these diseases. Herein, we reviewed the literature on the roles of AKR1B10 in a healthy gastrointestinal tract, the development and progression of cancers and acquired chemoresistance, in addition to its gene regulation, functions, and inhibitors.

Whole-transcriptome Analysis of Fully Viable Energy Efficient Glycolytic-null Cancer Cells Established by Double Genetic Knockout of Lactate Dehydrogenase A/B or Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase

BACKGROUND/AIM

Nearly all mammalian tumors of diverse tissues are believed to be dependent on fermentative glycolysis, marked by elevated production of lactic acid and expression of glycolytic enzymes, most notably lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH). Therefore, there has been significant interest in developing chemotherapy drugs that selectively target various isoforms of the LDH enzyme. However, considerable questions remain as to the consequences of biological ablation of LDH or upstream targeting of the glycolytic pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we explore the biochemical and whole transcriptomic effects of CRISPR-Cas9 gene knockout (KO) of lactate dehydrogenases A and B [LDHA/B double KO (DKO)] and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI KO) in the human colon cancer cell line LS174T, using Affymetrix 2.1 ST arrays.

RESULTS

The metabolic biochemical profiles corroborate that relative to wild type (WT), LDHA/B DKO produced no lactic acid, (GPI KO) produced minimal lactic acid and both KOs displayed higher mitochondrial respiration, and minimal use of glucose with no loss of cell viability. These findings show a high biochemical energy efficiency as measured by ATP in glycolysis-null cells. Next, transcriptomic analysis conducted on 48,226 mRNA transcripts reflect 273 differentially expressed genes (DEGS) in the GPI KO clone set, 193 DEGS in the LDHA/B DKO clone set with 47 DEGs common to both KO clones. Glycolytic-null cells reflect up-regulation in gene transcripts typically associated with nutrient deprivation / fasting and possible use of fats for energy: thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), mitochondrial 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 (HMGCS2), PPARγ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), and acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2). Other changes in non-ergometric transcripts in both KOs show losses in "stemness", WNT signaling pathway, chemo/radiation resistance, retinoic acid synthesis, drug detoxification, androgen/estrogen activation, and extracellular matrix reprogramming genes.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that: 1) The "Warburg effect" is dispensable, 2) loss of the LDHAB gene is not only inconsequential to viability but fosters greater mitochondrial energy, and 3) drugs that target LDHA/B are likely to be ineffective without a plausible combination second drug target.

Prognostic value of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) in digestive system cancers: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Numbers of studies have reported that the expression of aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is abnormal in digestive system cancers, and could be used as a prognostic biomarker. However, the results are argued. Therefore, we conduct a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic value of high AKR1B10 expression for overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival (DFS/PFS) in digestive system cancers.

METHODS

Hazard ratios (HRs) with its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the prognostic value of AKR1B10 by using the random effects model. The STATA version 12.0 software were used to perform all the analyses.

RESULTS

Eleven articles including 1428 patients involved in this meta-analysis. The pooled analysis suggested that high AKR1B10 expression was not associated with OS (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.69-2.00) and DFS/PFS (HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.67-1.76) in digestive system cancers. However, Further analysis revealed that high AKR1B10 expression indicated poor OS in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) (HR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.86-4.58) and favorable DSS in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognostic value of high AKR1B10 expression varied in different types of digestive system cancers. Further studies exploring the prognostic role of AKR1B10 in digestive system cancers are needed.

Loss of AKR1B10 promotes colorectal cancer cells proliferation and migration via regulating FGF1-dependent pathway

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy worldwide with poor prognosis and survival rates. The aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) plays an important role in metabolism, cell proliferation and mobility, and is downregulated in CRC. We hypothesized that AKR1B10 would promote CRC genesis via a noncanonical oncogenic pathway and is a novel therapeutic target. In this study, AKR1B10 expression levels in 135 pairs of CRC and para-tumor tissues were examined, and its oncogenic role was determined using in vitro and in vivo functional assays following genetic manipulation of CRC cells. AKR1B10 was downregulated in CRC tissues compared to the adjacent normal colorectal tissues, and associated with the clinicopathological status of the patients. AKR1B10 depletion promoted the proliferation and migration of CRC cells in vitro, while its ectopic expression had the opposite effect. AKR1B10 was also significantly correlated with FGF1 gene and protein levels. Knockdown of AKR1B10 promoted tumor growth in vivo, and increased the expression of FGF1. Finally, AKR1B10 inhibited FGF1, and suppressed the proliferation and migration ability of CRC cells in an FGF1-dependent manner. In conclusion, AKR1B10 acts as a tumor suppressor in CRC by inactivating FGF1, and is a novel target for combination therapy of CRC.

Identification of key genes for predicting colorectal cancer prognosis by integrated bioinformatics analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a life-threatening disease with a poor prognosis. Therefore, it is crucial to identify molecular prognostic biomarkers for CRC. The present study aimed to identify potential key genes that could be used to predict the prognosis of patients with CRC. Three CRC microarray datasets (GSE20916, GSE73360 and GSE44861) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and one dataset was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The three GEO datasets were analyzed to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the BRB-ArrayTools software. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses of these DEGs were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery tool. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed, hub genes were extracted, and modules of the PPI network were analyzed. To investigate the prognostic values of the hub genes in CRC, data from the CRC datasets of TCGA were used to perform the survival analyses based on the sample splitting method and Cox regression model. Correlation among the hub genes was evaluated using Spearman's correlation analysis. In the three GEO datasets, a total of 105 common DEGs were identified, including 51 down- and 54 up-regulated genes in CRC compared with normal colorectal tissues. A PPI network consisting of 100 DEGs and 551 edges was constructed, and 44 nodes were identified as hub genes. Among these 44 genes, the four hub genes TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), solute carrier family 4 member 4 (SLC4A4), aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) and ATP binding cassette subfamily E member 1 (ABCE1) were associated with overall survival (OS) in patients with CRC. Three significant modules were extracted from the PPI network. The hub gene TIMP1 was present in Module 1, ABCE1 was involved in Module 2 and SLC4A4 was identified in Module 3. Univariate analysis revealed that TIMP1, SLC4A4, AKR1B10 and ABCE1 were associated with the OS of patients with CRC. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that SLC4A4 may be an independent prognostic factor associated with OS. Furthermore, the results from correlation analysis revealed that there was no correlation between TIMP1, SLC4A4 and ABCE1, whereas AKR1B10 was positively correlated with SLC4A4. In conclusion, the four key genes TIMP1, SLC4A4, AKR1B10 and ABCE1 associated with the OS of patients with CRC were identified by integrated bioinformatics analysis. These key genes may be used as prognostic biomarkers to predict the survival of patients with CRC, and may therefore represent novel therapeutic targets for CRC.

Overexpression of AKR1B10 predicts tumor recurrence and short survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is an enzyme implicated in physiological xenobiotic detoxification and also in pathological carcinogenesis. Overexpression of AKR1B10 has been reported in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but its correlation with clinical prognosis is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate and clarify the role of AKR1B10 in OSCC carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Tumor tissue specimens were surgically obtained from 107 patients with OSCC. The expression of AKR1B10 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry to explore the relationship between the level of AKR1B10 and clinicopathological features of OSCC patients. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to determine the prognostic value of AKR1B10 in OSCC.

RESULTS

High expression of AKR1B10 was found to be associated with tumor size (P = 0.043), perineural invasion (P = 0.012), and recurrence (P = 0.001) in OSCC. Cox model analysis revealed that high expression of AKR1B10 is significantly associated with poor overall and disease-free survival in OSCC patients. With the combination of clinicopathological factors in analysis, we found that the expression level of AKR1B10 was a practical indicator that could categorize OSCC patients into different risk groups. High expression of AKR1B10 was associated with a reduced survival in patients with well and moderately differentiated OSCC and even a high incidence of tumor recurrence in the patients with late-stage (III and IV) disease.

CONCLUSION

We validated and expanded data on the expression of AKR1B10 in OSCC, suggesting that it is a valuable biomarker for prognostic prediction of recurrence and survival in OSCC.

Long non-coding RNA linc00665 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression and functions as ceRNA to regulate AKR1B10-ERK signaling by sponging miR-98

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in multiple malignancies, demonstrating their potential oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles in tumorigenesis. Herein, we reported the identification of a novel lncRNA, linc00665 (ENST00000590622), which was markedly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues and might serve as an independent predictor for poor prognosis. Functional assays indicated that linc00665 reinforced LUAD cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, transcription factor SP1 induced the transcription of linc00665 in LUAD cells, which exerted its oncogenic role by functioning as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-98 and subsequently activating downstream AKR1B10-ERK signaling pathway. Together, our study elucidates oncogenic roles of linc00665-miR98-AKR1B10 axis in LUAD tumorigenesis, which may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Increased salivary AKR1B10 level: Association with progression and poor prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue specimens is correlated with the progression and prognosis of OSCC.

METHODS

Saliva samples were obtained from 35 normal controls and 86 patients with OSCC before cancer surgery. The AKR1B10 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The mean salivary AKR1B10 levels were significantly higher in the patients with OSCC than in the normal controls (P < .001). Higher salivary AKR1B10 levels were significantly associated with larger tumor size, more advanced clinical stage, and areca quid chewing habit. Patients with OSCC with a higher salivary AKR1B10 level (>646 pg/mL) had a significantly poorer survival than those with a lower (≤646 pg/mL) salivary AKR1B10 level (P = .026).

CONCLUSION

The salivary AKR1B10 level may be a promising biomarker for screening high-risk patients with OSCC and monitoring the progression of OSCC.

Synthesis of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Aldo-Keto Reductase 1B10 and Their Efficacy against Proliferation, Metastasis, and Cisplatin Resistance of Lung Cancer Cells

Aldo-keto reductase 1B10 (AKR1B10) is overexpressed in several extraintestinal cancers, particularly in non-small-cell lung cancer, where AKR1B10 is a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target. Selective AKR1B10 inhibitors are required because compounds should not inhibit the highly related aldose reductase that is involved in monosaccharide and prostaglandin metabolism. Currently, 7-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenylimino)-2H-chromene-3-carboxylic acid benzylamide (HMPC) is known to be the most potent competitive inhibitor of AKR1B10, but it is nonselective. In this study, derivatives of HMPC were synthesized by removing the 4-methoxyphenylimino moiety and replacing the benzylamide with phenylpropylamide. Among them, 4c and 4e showed higher AKR1B10 inhibitory potency (IC₅₀ 4.2 and 3.5 nM, respectively) and selectivity than HMPC. The treatments with the two compounds significantly suppressed not only migration, proliferation, and metastasis of lung cancer A549 cells but also metastatic and invasive potentials of cisplatin-resistant A549 cells.