CD151 modulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and promotes neoangiogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

The controversial role of CD151 in different solid tumors: promoter or suppressor?

As a member of the tetraspanin superfamily, CD151 plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis. CD151 is involved in various cellular processes, including cell-cell junction, signal transduction, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cell maintenance (CSCs), angiogenesis, and exosome regulation. Therefore, CD151 is a potential target for tumor therapy and may be valuable in tumor diagnosis and prognosis. Notably, while CD151 predominantly functions as an oncogene in most cancers, it can also exhibit tumor-suppressive roles in specific contexts, indicating that its function is context-dependent. Additionally, CD151 plays a significant role in modulating the immune microenvironment. For instance, CD151 supports the proliferation, activation, and migration of T cells. The CD151 peptide may function as a tumor vaccination by stimulating CD8 + IFNγ + lymphocytes and inducing cytotoxic effects. Thus, the function of CD151 in tumors is intricate and warrants further investigation. In this review, we discuss the diagnostic and prognostic potential of CD151, as well as its regulatory roles in solid cancers, including those of the digestive system, lung, breast, prostate, and gynecological tissues. Basic experiments and clinical data demonstrate the beneficial and detrimental effects of CD151 in malignancies and offer a path forward for future investigation.

The role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseases and liver cancer: mechanisms and potential therapies

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), with their unique morphology and function, have garnered increasing attention in chronic liver disease research. This review summarizes the critical roles of LSECs under physiological conditions and in two representative chronic liver diseases: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and liver cancer. Under physiological conditions, LSECs act as selective barriers, regulating substance exchange and hepatic blood flow. Interestingly, LSECs exhibit contrasting roles at different stages of disease progression: in the early stages, they actively resist disease advancement and help restore sinusoidal homeostasis; whereas in later stages, they contribute to disease worsening. During this transition, LSECs undergo capillarization, lose their characteristic markers, and become dysfunctional. As the disease progresses, LSECs closely interact with hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, various immune cells, and tumor cells, driving processes such as steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. Consequently, targeting LSECs represents a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic liver diseases. Relevant therapeutic targets and potential drugs are summarized in this review.

Combined knockdown of CD151 and MMP9 may inhibit the malignant biological behaviours of triple-negative breast cancer through the GSK-3β/β-catenin-related pathway

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a significant health concern for women worldwide, and the overproduction of MMP9 and CD151 is associated with various cancers, influencing tumour growth and progression. This study aimed to investigate how CD151 and MMP9 affect TNBC cell migration, apoptosis, proliferation, and invasion. Immunohistochemical experiments revealed that CD151 and MMP9 were positively expressed in triple-negative breast cancer, and lymph node metastasis, the histological grade, and CD151 and MMP9 expression were found to be independent prognostic factors for the survival of patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Cytological experiments indicated that the knockdown of CD151 or MMP9 slowed triple-negative breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion and increased the apoptosis rate. Compared with CD151 knockdown, double MMP9 and CD151 knockdown further promoted cell death and inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, β-catenin and p-GSK-3β were significantly downregulated. In summary, simultaneously silencing CD151 and MMP9 further suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells and promoted their apoptosis. One possible strategy for inducing this effect is to block the GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway.

Small molecule targeted therapies for endometrial cancer: progress, challenges, and opportunities

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common malignancy among women worldwide, and its recurrence makes it a common cause of cancer-related death. Surgery and external radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of strategies are the cornerstone of therapy for EC patients. However, adjuvant treatment strategies face certain drawbacks, such as resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs; therefore, it is imperative to explore innovative therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of EC. With the development of pathology and pathophysiology, several biological targets associated with EC have been identified, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, PARP, GSK-3β, STAT-3, and VEGF. In this review, we summarize the progress of small molecule targeted therapies in terms of both basic research and clinical trials and provide cases of small molecules combined with fluorescence properties in the clinical applications of integrated diagnosis and treatment. We hope that this review will facilitate the further understanding of the regulatory mechanism governing the dysregulation of oncogenic signaling in EC and provide insights into the possible future directions of targeted therapeutic regimens for EC treatment by developing new agents with fluorescence properties for the clinical applications of integrated diagnosis and treatment.

CD151-enriched migrasomes mediate hepatocellular carcinoma invasion by conditioning cancer cells and promoting angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

The tetraspanin family plays a pivotal role in the genesis of migrasomes, and Tetraspanin CD151 is also implicated in neovascularization within tumorous contexts. Nevertheless, research pertaining to the involvement of CD151 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) neovascularization and its association with migrasomes remains inadequate.

METHODS

To investigate the correlation between CD151 and migrasome marker TSPAN4 in liver cancer, we conducted database analysis using clinical data from HCC patients. Expression levels of CD151 were assessed in HCC tissues and correlated with patient survival outcomes. In vitro experiments were performed using HCC cell lines to evaluate the impact of CD151 expression on migrasome formation and cellular invasiveness. Cell lines with altered CD151 expression levels were utilized to study migrasome generation and in vitro invasion capabilities. Additionally, migrasome function was explored through cellular aggregation assays and phagocytosis studies. Subsequent VEGF level analysis and tissue chip experiments further confirmed the role of CD151 in mediating migrasome involvement in angiogenesis and cellular signal transduction.

RESULTS

Our study revealed a significant correlation between CD151 expression and migrasome marker TSPAN4 in liver cancer, based on database analysis of clinical samples. High expression levels of CD151 were closely associated with poor survival outcomes in HCC patients. Experimentally, decreased CD151 expression led to reduced migrasome generation and diminished in vitro invasion capabilities, resulting in attenuated in vivo metastatic potential. Migrasomes were demonstrated to facilitate cellular aggregation and phagocytosis, thereby promoting cellular invasiveness. Furthermore, VEGF-enriched migrasomes were implicated in signaling and angiogenesis, accelerating HCC progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our findings support the notion that elevated CD151 expression promotes migrasome formation, and migrasomes play a pivotal role in the invasiveness and angiogenesis of liver cancer cells, thereby facilitating HCC progression. This finding implies that migrasomes generated by elevated CD151 expression may constitute a promising high-priority target for anti-angiogenic therapy in HCC, offering crucial insights for the in-depth exploration of migrasome function and a renewed comprehension of the mechanism underlying liver cancer metastasis.

The role of Tetraspanins in digestive system tumor development: update and emerging evidence

Digestive system malignancies, including cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, stomach, liver, and colorectum, are the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide due to their high morbidity and poor prognosis. The lack of effective early diagnosis methods is a significant factor contributing to the poor prognosis for these malignancies. Tetraspanins (Tspans) are a superfamily of 4-transmembrane proteins (TM4SF), classified as low-molecular-weight glycoproteins, with 33 Tspan family members identified in humans to date. They interact with other membrane proteins or TM4SF members to form a functional platform on the cytoplasmic membrane called Tspan-enriched microdomain and serve multiple functions including cell adhesion, migration, propagation and signal transduction. In this review, we summarize the various roles of Tspans in the progression of digestive system tumors and the underlying molecular mechanisms in recent years. Generally, the expression of CD9, CD151, Tspan1, Tspan5, Tspan8, Tspan12, Tspan15, and Tspan31 are upregulated, facilitating the migration and invasion of digestive system cancer cells. Conversely, Tspan7, CD82, CD63, Tspan7, and Tspan9 are downregulated, suppressing digestive system tumor cell metastasis. Furthermore, the connection between Tspans and the metastasis of malignant bone tumors is reviewed. We also summarize the potential role of Tspans as novel immunotherapy targets and as an approach to overcome drug resistance. Finally, we discuss the potential clinical value and therapeutic targets of Tspans in the treatments of digestive system malignancies and provide some guidance for future research.

Inhibition of miR-199a-3p in a murine hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) model attenuates fibrotic remodeling

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, characterized by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiomyocyte disarray and fibrosis, which has a prevalence of ∼1: 200-500 and predisposes individuals to heart failure and sudden death. The mechanisms through which diverse HCM-causing mutations cause cardiac dysfunction remain mostly unknown and their identification may reveal new therapeutic avenues. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression and disease phenotype in various pathologies. We explored whether miRNAs could play a role in HCM pathogenesis and offer potential therapeutic targets.

Methods and results

Using high-throughput miRNA expression profiling and qPCR analysis in two distinct mouse models of HCM, we found that miR-199a-3p expression levels are upregulated in mutant mice compared to age- and treatment-matched wild-type mice. We also found that miR-199a-3p expression is enriched in cardiac non-myocytes compared to cardiomyocytes. When we expressed miR-199a-3p mimic in cultured murine primary cardiac fibroblasts and analyzed the conditioned media by proteomics, we found that several extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (e.g., TSP2, FBLN3, COL11A1, LYOX) were differentially secreted (data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD042904). We confirmed our proteomics findings by qPCR analysis of selected mRNAs and demonstrated that miR-199a-3p mimic expression in cardiac fibroblasts drives upregulation of ECM gene expression, including Tsp2, Fbln3, Pcoc1, Col1a1 and Col3a1. To examine the role of miR-199a-3p in vivo, we inhibited its function using lock-nucleic acid (LNA)-based inhibitors (antimiR-199a-3p) in an HCM mouse model. Our results revealed that progression of cardiac fibrosis is attenuated when miR-199a-3p function is inhibited in mild-to-moderate HCM. Finally, guided by computational target prediction algorithms, we identified mRNAs Cd151 and Itga3 as direct targets of miR-199a-3p and have shown that miR-199a-3p mimic expression negatively regulates AKT activation in cardiac fibroblasts.

Conclusions

Altogether, our results suggest that miR-199a-3p may contribute to cardiac fibrosis in HCM through its actions in cardiac fibroblasts. Thus, inhibition of miR-199a-3p in mild-to-moderate HCM may offer therapeutic benefit in combination with complementary approaches that target the primary defect in cardiac myocytes.

Exosomal MicroRNA and Protein Profiles of Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a main risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes, play an important role in tumor development and metastasis, including regulation of HBV-related HCC. In this study, we have characterized exosome microRNA and proteins released in vitro from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC cell lines SNU-423 and SNU-182 and immortalized normal hepatocyte cell lines (THLE2 and THLE3) using microRNA sequencing and mass spectrometry. Bioinformatics, including functional enrichment and network analysis, combined with survival analysis using data related to HCC in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, were applied to examine the prognostic significance of the results. More than 40 microRNAs and 200 proteins were significantly dysregulated (p < 0.05) in the exosomes released from HCC cells in comparison with the normal liver cells. The functional analysis of the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs (i.e., mir-483, mir-133a, mir-34a, mir-155, mir-183, mir-182), their predicted targets, and exosomal differentially expressed proteins (i.e., POSTN, STAM, EXOC8, SNX9, COL1A2, IDH1, FN1) showed correlation with pathways associated with HBV, virus activity and invasion, exosome formation and adhesion, and exogenous protein binding. The results from this study may help in our understanding of the role of HBV infection in the development of HCC and in the development of new targets for treatment or non-invasive predictive biomarkers of HCC.

Fatty acid-binding protein-4 (FABP4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) as predictive values for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) increases the risk for liver cirrhosis. Noninvasive tests for NAFLD/NASH exist, but they are unreliable and thus liver biopsy remains the standard for diagnosis and new noninvasive diagnostic approaches are of great interest. The aim of this study was to test whether the serum levels of fatty acid-binding protein-4 (FABP4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) could be used as a diagnostic tool for NASH.

METHODS

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery and simultaneous liver biopsy were identified. Biopsies were assigned a NAFLD activity score (NAS). MMP9- and FABP4- Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs) on serum samples were performed. The serum levels of FABP4/MMP9 were compared and different models to predict NASH were developed.

RESULTS

A total of 84 patients were included, 28 patients (33.3%) were diagnosed with NASH. Higher concentrations of MMP9 in NASH patients (p < 0.01) were detected. FABP4 concentrations were not significantly increased. A moderate correlation between the NAS and MMP9 concentrations (r = 0.32, P < 0.01) was observed. The neural network model fit best with the dataset, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 83% and an accuracy of 88%.

CONCLUSION

Serum MMP9 levels are increased in patients with NASH and should routinely be measured in patients with obesity, but further investigations are needed to improve noninvasive NASH diagnosis.

The clinical implications and molecular features of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with perineural invasion

BACKGROUND

Perineural invasion (PNI) is associated with metastasis in malignancies, including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and is correlated with poor prognosis.

METHODS

The study included three large cohorts: ZS-ICC and TMA cohorts from our team, MSK cohort from a public database, and a small cohort named cohort 4. Prognostic implications of PNI were investigated in MSK cohort and TMA cohort. PNI-related genomic and transcriptomic profiles were analyzed in MSK and ZS-ICC cohorts. GO, KEGG, and ssGSEA analyses were performed. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the relationship between PNI and markers of neurons, hydrolases, and immune cells. The efficacy of adjuvant therapy in ICC patients with PNI was also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 30.6% and 20.7% ICC patients had PNI in MSK and TMA cohorts respectively. Patients with PNI presented with malignant phenotypes such as high CA19-9, the large bile duct type, lymph node invasion, and shortened overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Nerves involved in PNI positively express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of sympathetic nerves. Patients with PNI showed high mutation frequency of KRAS and an immune suppressive metastasis prone niche of decreased NK cell, increased neutrophil, and elevated PD-L1, CD80, and CD86 expression. Patients with PNI had an extended OS after adjuvant therapy with TEGIO, GEMOX, or capecitabine.

CONCLUSION

Our study deciphered the genomic features and the immune suppressive metastasis-prone niche in ICC with PNI. Patients with PNI showed a poor prognosis after surgery but a good response to adjuvant chemotherapy.

Inhibition of sphingolipid metabolism in osteosarcoma protects against CD151-mediated tumorigenicity

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor, with a poor prognosis owing to the lack of efficient molecular-based targeted therapies. Previous studies have suggested an association between CD151 and distinct consequences in osteosarcoma tumorigenicity. However, the potential of CD151 as a therapeutic target has not yet been sufficiently explored. Here, we performed integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of osteosarcoma and identified sphingolipid metabolism as the top CD151-regulated pathway. CD151 regulates sphingolipid metabolism primarily through SPTCL1, the first rate-limiting enzyme in sphingolipid biosynthesis. Mechanistically, depletion of CD151 enhanced c-myc polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation. c-myc is vital for the transcriptional activation of SPTLC1. Functionally, sphingolipid synthesis and the SPTLC1 inhibitor, myriocin, significantly suppressed the clonogenic growth of CD151-overexpression cells. Importantly, myriocin selectively restrained CD151-high expression tumor growth in preclinical patient-derived xenograft models. Collectively, these data establish that CD151 is a key mediator of sphingolipid metabolism and provide a new approach to developing novel CD151-based targeted therapies for osteosarcoma.

EIF5A2 promotes proliferation and invasion of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells

PURPOSE

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) can invade and metastasize. EIF5A2 is involved in the invasive metastatic process of several digestive malignancies. However, its role in ICC is yet to be elucidated.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB) were used to detect the level of EIF5A2 in the tumor specimens of ICC patients and evaluate the correlation between its expression and clinicopathological characteristics. The significance of EIF5A2 in the prognosis of ICC patients was further evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis. In addition, CCK-8, EdU, Transwell invasion, and scratch assays were utilized to detect tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Furthermore, the role of EIF5A2 in ICC cells was evaluated after modification of EIF5A2 expression.

RESULTS

The level of EIF5A2 protein was significantly higher in ICC than in adjacent tissues. This high expression in the tumor samples was significantly associated with malignant phenotypes, such as lymph node metastasis (LNM), microvascular or bile duct invasion, and poor differentiation. ICC patients with high expression of EIF5A2 had short overall survival and a high cumulative recurrence rate. The multifactorial analysis showed that EIF5A2 is an independent prognostic marker. Furthermore, high levels of EIF5A2 may activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and upregulate Cyclin D1, Cyclin D3, MMP2, and MMP9 to promote ICC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

CONCLUSION

The current study found that EIF5A2 promotes ICC progression and is a prognostic biomarker and candidate therapeutic target for ICC patients.

Exosome-mediated remodeling of the tumor microenvironment: From local to distant intercellular communication

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enveloped nanoscale particles that carry various bioactive signaling molecules secreted by cells. Their biological roles depend on the original cell type from which they are derived and their inclusions. Exosomes, a class of EVs, are released by almost all eukaryotic cell types, including tumor cells. Tumor cell-derived exosomes mediate signal transduction between tumor cells and surrounding non-tumor cells. This intercellular communication actively contributes to the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME) to enable tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. This review summarizes the latest progress in the exploration of exosome-mediated cell-cell communication implicated in TME remodeling and underlying mechanisms. We focus on the role of cell-cell interactions mediated by tumor cell-derived exosomes in promoting invasion and metastasis, and their potential as a therapeutic intervention target against distant metastasis. We also discuss the clinical translational significance of tumor-derived exosomes for early diagnosis, efficacy and progression evaluations.

Key Genes Associated With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic and endocrinopathies disorder in women of reproductive age and non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. Previous research has indicated potential associations between PCOS and NAFLD, but the underlying pathophysiology is still not clear. The present study aims to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PCOS and NAFLD through the bioinformatics method, and explore the associated molecular mechanisms. Methods: The microarray datasets GSE34526 and GSE63067 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed to obtain the DEGs between PCOS and NAFLD with the GEO2R online tool. Next, the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis for the DEGs were performed. Then, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and the hub genes were identified using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Finally, NetworkAnalyst was used to construct the network between the targeted microRNAs (miRNAs) and the hub genes. Results: A total of 52 genes were identified as DEGs in the above two datasets. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs are mostly enriched in immunity and inflammation related pathways. In addition, nine hub genes, including TREM1, S100A9, FPR1, NCF2, FCER1G, CCR1, S100A12, MMP9, and IL1RN were selected from the PPI network by using the cytoHubba and MCODE plug-in. Then, four miRNAs, including miR-20a-5p, miR-129-2-3p, miR-124-3p, and miR-101-3p, were predicted as possibly the key miRNAs through the miRNA-gene network construction. Conclusion: In summary, we firstly constructed a miRNA-gene regulatory network depicting interactions between the predicted miRNA and the hub genes in NAFLD and PCOS, which provides novel insights into the identification of potential biomarkers and valuable therapeutic leads for PCOS and NAFLD.

Role of Tetraspanins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide; and its subtype, HCC, accounts for nearly 80% of cases. HCC progresses rapidly, and to date, there is no efficacious treatment for advanced HCC. Tetraspanins belong to a protein family characterized by four transmembrane domains. Thirty-three known tetraspanins are widely expressed on the surface of most nucleated cells and play important roles in different biological processes. In our review, we summarize the functions of tetraspanins and their underlying mechanism in the life cycle of HCC, from its initiation, progression, and finally to treatment. CD9, TSPAN15, and TSPAN31 can promote HCC cell proliferation or suppress apoptosis. CD63, CD151, and TSPAN8 can also facilitate HCC metastasis, while CD82 serves as a suppressor of metastasis. TSPAN1, TSPAN8, and CD151 act as prognosis indicators and are inversely correlated to the overall survival rate of HCC patients. In addition, we discuss the potential of role of the tetraspanin family proteins as novel therapeutic targets and as an approach to overcome drug resistance, and also provide suggestions for further research.

CTLA-4 Synergizes With PD1/PD-L1 in the Inhibitory Tumor Microenvironment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is highly invasive and carries high mortality due to limited therapeutic strategies. In other solid tumors, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) target cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death 1 (PD1), and the PD1 ligand PD-L1 has revolutionized treatment and improved outcomes. However, the relationship and clinical significance of CTLA-4 and PD-L1 expression in ICC remains to be addressed. Deciphering CTLA-4 and PD-L1 interactions in ICC enable targeted therapy for this disease. In this study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect and quantify CTLA-4, forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3), and PD-L1 in samples from 290 patients with ICC. The prognostic capabilities of CTLA-4, FOXP3, and PD-L1 expression in ICC were investigated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Independent risk factors related to ICC survival and recurrence were assessed by the Cox proportional hazards models. Here, we identified that CTLA-4⁺ lymphocyte density was elevated in ICC tumors compared with peritumoral hepatic tissues (P <.001), and patients with a high density of CTLA-4⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs^{CTLA-4 High}) showed a reduced overall survival (OS) rate and increased cumulative recurrence rate compared with patients with TILs^{CTLA-4 Low} (P <.001 and P = .024, respectively). Similarly, patients with high FOXP3⁺ TILs (TILs^{FOXP3 High}) had poorer prognoses than patients with low FOXP3⁺ TILs (P = .021, P = .034, respectively), and the density of CTLA-4⁺ TILs was positively correlated with FOXP3⁺ TILs (Pearson r = .31, P <.001). Furthermore, patients with high PD-L1 expression in tumors (Tumor^{PD-L1 High}) and/or TILs^{CTLA-4 High} presented worse OS and a higher recurrence rate than patients with TILs^{CTLA-4 Low}Tumor^{PD-L1 Low}. Moreover, multiple tumors, lymph node metastasis, and high Tumor^PD-L1/TILs^CTLA-4 were independent risk factors of cumulative recurrence and OS for patients after ICC tumor resection. Furthermore, among ICC patients, those with hepatolithiasis had a higher expression of CTLA-4 and worse OS compared with patients with HBV infection or undefined risk factors (P = .018). In conclusion, CTLA-4 is increased in TILs in ICC and has an expression profile distinct from PD1/PD-L1. Tumor^PD-L1/TILs^CTLA-4 is a predictive factor of OS and ICC recurrence, suggesting that combined therapy targeting PD1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 may be useful in treating patients with ICC.

Quantitative acetylome analysis reveals histone modifications that may predict prognosis in hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Lysine acetylation (Kac) as an important posttranslational modification of histones is essential for the regulation of gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the atlas of whole acetylated proteins in HCC tissues and the difference in protein acetylation between normal human tissues and HCC tissues are unknown. In this report, we characterized the proteome and acetyl proteome (acetylome) profile of normal, paracancerous, and HCC liver tissues in human clinical samples by quantitative proteomics techniques. We identified 6781 acetylation sites of 2582 proteins and quantified 2492 acetylation sites of 1190 proteins in normal, paracancerous, and HCC liver tissues. Among them, 15 proteins were multiacetylated with more than 10 lysine residues. The histone acetyltransferases p300 and CBP were found to be hyperacetylated in hepatitis B virus pathway. Moreover, we found that 250 Kac sites of 214 proteins were upregulated and 662 Kac sites of 451 proteins were downregulated in HCC compared with normal liver tissues. Additionally, the acetylation levels of lysine 120 in histone H2B (H2BK120ac), lysine 18 in histone H3.3 (H3.3K18ac), and lysine 77 in histone H4 (H4K77ac) were increased in HCC. Interestingly, the higher levels of H2BK120ac, H3.3K18ac, and H4K77ac were significantly associated with worse prognosis, such as poorer survival and higher recurrence in an independent clinical cohort of HCC patients. Overall, this study lays a foundation for understanding the functions of acetylation in HCC and provides potential prognostic factors for the diagnosis and therapy of HCC.

CD151 promotes Colorectal Cancer progression by a crosstalk involving CEACAM6, LGR5 and Wnt signaling via TGFβ1

CD151 impacts various signaling pathways in different cancers, and promotes colorectal cancer (CRC) cell malignancy by yet undefined mechanisms. This study aimed to comprehensively assess CD151's function in CRC. CD151 levels were significantly higher in CRC tissues and cells compared with controls in the tissue microarray. Cell viability, migration and invasion were suppressed by CD151 downregulation in CRC cells. Consistently, mouse xenografts were inhibited by CD151 silencing. RNA-seq revealed that multiple genes were significantly altered by CD151 knockdown in cultured CRC cells and xenografts. Particularly, transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) and leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) alongside CD151 were downregulated both in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry results were validated by qRT-PCR and immunoblot. Moreover, pull-down assay and immunofluorescence confirmed the associations of TGFβ1, CEACAM6 and LGR5 with CD151. This study demonstrated CEACAM6, LGR5 and Wnt pathway suppression by CD151 silencing might occur through TGFβ1 regulation, offering a comprehensive view of CD151's roles in colorectal carcinogenesis. Our findings provide an insight into the CD151-involved signaling network in CRC oncogenesis, which could be utilized to design novel targeted therapies against CD151-based signaling in treatment for CRC.

CD151 Alleviates Early Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction After Experimental Focal Brain Ischemia in Rats

Preservation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function is a potential protective strategy against cerebral ischemic injuries. CD151 has a beneficial effect in maintaining vascular stability and plays a role in pro-angiogenesis. Both vascular stability and angiogenesis can affect BBB function. Therefore, we aimed to examine the action of CD151 in regulating BBB permeability after cerebral ischemic injury in the present study. Using a transient focal cerebral ischemia (tFCI) rat model, we established that CD151 overexpression in the brain mitigated the leakage of endogenous IgG at 6-24 h after tFCI in vivo. Moreover, we found that CD151 can decrease the diffusion of macromolecules through monolayer brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMVECs) after glucose and oxygen deprivation (OGD)-reoxygenation in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of CD151 in BMVECs suppressed OGD-reoxygenation-induced F-actin formation and RhoA activity. However, while preserving BBB integrity after tFCI, CD151 overexpression did not affect the post-stroke outcomes. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that CD151 overexpression in the brain protects BBB permeability at early phase after tFCI. CD151 may be a potential target for early BBB protection in ischemic stroke.

Study on the hepatocellular carcinoma model with metastasis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death around the world due to advanced clinical stage at diagnosis, high incidence of recurrence and metastasis after surgical treatment. It is in urgent need to create appropriate animal models to explore the mechanism, patterns, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies of HCC metastasis and recurrence. However, most of the established models lack the phenotype of invasion and metastasis in patient, or have unstable phenotype. To establish HCC models with stable metastasis phenotype requires profound understanding in cancer metastasis biology and scientific methodology. Over the past 3 decades, HCC models with stable metastasis have been extensively studied. This paper reviewed the history and development of HCC animal models and cell models, focusing on the screening and maintaining of metastatic potential and phenotype. In-depth studies using these models vastly promote the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms and development of therapeutic strategies on HCC metastasis.

High level of RNF187 contributes to the progression and drug resistance of osteosarcoma

Objectives: Ring finger protein 187 (RNF187) was recently demonstrated to be up-regulation and function as a promoter in multiple cancers. However, the roles of RNF187 in osteosarcoma (OS) are unclear. Here, we tried to reveal the clinicopathological and biological roles of RNF187 in OS. Materials and Methods: We employed the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to determine the expression of RNF187 in OS tissues and cells. Migration and invasion capacities were analyzed by wound healing and transwell assays, and colony formation and CCK8 assays were performed to investigate proliferative ability. The functional effects of RNF187 on OS drugs resistance were further determined by CCK8 and western blot assays. Then, the relationship between RNF187 expression and clinical implications was analyzed by tissue microarrays (TMAs) including 51 OS cases. Moreover, the prognostic value was also determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: We reported that RNF187 mRNA was significantly increased in OS tissues compared to matched nontumorous tissues (3.83 ±0.79 vs. 1.70 ± 0.63), which was in line with the IHC assay in TMAs. By RNA interference and cDNA transfection, we showed high level of RNF187 increased the migration, invasion and proliferation of OS cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that elevated RNF187 expression induced OS cell drugs resistance, activated the ERK1/2 molecular and markedly enhanced the BCL-2 expression. Clinically, OS patients with high level of RNF187 was associated with Histologic differentiation (p=0.001), an advanced Enneking stage (p=0.001), response to chemotherapy (p=0.004), and metastasis (p= 0.001). Clinically, our data displayed that the RNF187 overexpression in OS samples associated with shorten overall survival (p=0.001) and high tumor recurrence (p=0.001) in postoperative OS patients. Conclusions: Our results indicate that Elevated RNF187 expression is a new adverse outcomes marker for OS patients and may be used as a new therapeutic target of OS.

FABP4 and MMP9 levels identified as predictive factors for poor prognosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver using data mining approaches and gene expression analysis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) may progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and ultimately to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Prognostic markers for these conditions are poorly defined. The aim of this study was to identify predictive gene markers for the transition from NAFL to NASH and then to poorer conditions. Gene expression omnibus datasets associated with a prediction analysis algorithm were used to create a matrix composed of control subject (n = 52), healthy obese (n = 51), obese with NAFL (n = 42) and NASH patients (n = 37) and 19,085 genes in order to identify specific genes predictive of the transition from steatosis to NASH and from NASH to cirrhosis and HCC and thus patients at high risk of complications. A validation cohort was used to validate these results. We identified two genes, fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), which respectively allowed distinguishing patients at risk of progression from NAFL to NASH and from NASH to cirrhosis and HCC. Thus, NAFL patients expressing high hepatic levels of FABP4 and NASH patients expressing high hepatic levels of MMP9 are likely to experience disease progression. Therefore, using FABP4 and MMP9 as blood markers could help to predict poor outcomes and/or progression of NAFL during clinical trial follow-up.

Mortalin stabilizes CD151-depedent tetraspanin-enriched microdomains and implicates in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Our previous studies showed that tetraspanin CD151 was implicated in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mainly depending on the formation of functional complexes with molecular partners, including Mortalin. In this study, we investigate the role of mortalin in CD151-depedent progression of HCCs.

Methods: Immunofluorescent staining, western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to investigate the expression and location of CD151 and Mortalin in four HCC cell lines with different metastatic ability. The relationship between Mortalin and CD151 was investigated in HCCLM3 cells using co-immunoprecipitation. CD151 or Mortalin expression in HCC cells were modified by transfection technology. Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay were used to assay the role of CD151 and Mortalin in cell migration and invasion. The expression and prognostic implication of CD151 and Mortalin in 187 cases of HCCs were analyzed.

Results: Expression of Mortalin in HCC cells was positive related to their metastatic ability and its tendency was in line with the expression of CD151. Immunofluorescent staining showed that Mortalin was located in cytoplasm, while positive staining for CD151 was observed in cytoplasm and membrane of HCC cells. co-IP revealed that Mortalin formed a complex with CD151. Down-regulation of Mortalin induced a moderate decreased CD151 protein, but not CD151 mRNA, while inhibition of CD151 did not influence the expression of Mortalin at the level of both protein and mRNA. Interference of Mortalin significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of HCC cells with high CD151 expression and partially restored the invasion and migration of HCC cells induced by CD151 over-expression. Clinically, high Mortalin expression correlated with malignant phenotype of HCC, such as microvascular invasion (p=0.017) and tumor diameter (p=0.001). HCC patients expressing high Mortalin were tend to have higher expression of CD151. HCC patients expressing high level of CD151 showed the poorer prognosis in a Mortalin-dependent manner.

Conclusions: Mortalin maybe stabilize of the structure of CD151-dependent tetraspanin-enriched microdomains and implicate in the progression of HCC.

Distinct PD-L1/PD1 Profiles and Clinical Implications in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Patients with Different Risk Factors

Rationale: PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results for several malignancies. However, PD1/PD-L1 signaling and its therapeutic significance remains largely unknown in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cases with complex etiology. Methods: We investigated the expression and clinical significance of CD3 and PD1/PD-L1 in 320 ICC patients with different risk factors. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed 7 advanced ICC patients who were treated with PD1 inhibitor. Results: The cohort comprised 233 patients with HBV infection, 18 patients with hepatolithiasis, and 76 patients with undetermined risk factors. PD-L1 was mainly expressed in tumor cells, while CD3 and PD1 were expressed in infiltrating lymphocytes of tumor tissues. PD1/PD-L1 signals were activated in tumor tissues, and expression was positively correlated with HBV infection and lymph node invasion. More PD1⁺ T cells and higher PD-L1 expression were observed in tumor tissues of ICC patients with HBV infection compared to patients with hepatolithiasis or undetermined risk factors. More PD1⁺ T cells and/or high PD-L1 expression negatively impacted the prognosis of patients with HBV infection but not those with hepatolithiasis. Multivariate analysis showed PD1/PD-L1 expression was an independent indicator of ICC patient prognosis. Advanced ICC patients with HBV infection and less PD1⁺ T cells tended to have good response to anti-PD1 therapy. Conclusion: Hyperactivated PD1/PD-L1 signals in tumor tissues are a negative prognostic marker for ICCs after resection. HBV infection- and hepatolithiasis-related ICCs have distinct PD1/PD-L1 profiles. Further, PD1⁺ T cells could be used as a biomarker to predict prognosis and assay the efficiency of anti-PD1 immunotherapy in ICC patients with HBV infection.

MiR-107 function as a tumor suppressor gene in colorectal cancer by targeting transferrin receptor 1

Background

While microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play a critical role in the progression of colorectal cancer, the role of miR-107 remains unknown. We evaluated its role and explored the underlying mechanism.

Materials & methods

MTT, wound-healing, transwell migration and transwell invasion assays were performed to evaluate the role of miR-107 in SW629 cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Real time-PCR and dual-luciferase reporter gene, TFR1 overexpression and western blotting assays were used to explore the underlying mechanism.

Results

MiR-107 is downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and several human colorectal cancer cell lines. Low miR-107 expression often indicates a poor survival rate for colorectal cancer patients. MiR-107 suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of SW620 cells by negatively regulating transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1).

Conclusion

MiR-107 suppresses the metastasis of colorectal cancer and could be a potential therapy target in colorectal cancer patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s11658-019-0155-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

UHRF1 is regulated by miR-124-3p and promotes cell proliferation in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is abnormally overexpressed in multiple cancers and closely correlated with tumor-promoting effects, such as high proliferation. However, how UHRF1 functions in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has not yet been determined. Herein, we found that UHRF1 is overexpressed in ICC tissues. Downregulated UHRF1 attenuated the transition of the G1/S cell cycle and then suppressed cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, upstream regulators of the UHRF1 expression were predicted, and we found that direct binding of miR-124-3p inhibited the UHRF1 expression. Elevated miR-124-3p suppressed proliferation and led to the arrest of the cell cycle. Furthermore, the expression of UHRF1 was positively correlated with PCNA. Clinically, we showed that elevated UHRF1 was associated with poor prognosis, and served as an independent prognostic factor in ICC patients. Together, these findings demonstrate that UHRF1, regulated by miR-124-3p, acts as a tumor promoter by promoting cell proliferation in ICC.

CD151 confers metastatic potential to clear cell sarcoma of the soft tissue in animal model

Cluster of differentiation 151 (CD151) is a potent therapeutic target for regulating tumor metastasis. In the present study, the role of CD151 in clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue was examined using a xenoplanted tumor model, which had high rates of metastasis. A clear cell sarcoma cell line, HS-MM, which was transplanted to the aponeuroses of the thighs, the most affected sites of human clear cell sarcoma, exhibited robust lymphatic invasion and nodal metastasis in SCID-beige mice. Serial in vivo passaging of peritoneally disseminated tumor cells accelerated the metastatic activity, which was accompanied by increased CD151 expression, and were designated as HS-MM^high. Notably, inoculation of anti-CD151 antibody significantly suppressed the lymphatic invasion, peritoneal dissemination and distant metastasis of the present clear cell sarcoma model without affecting local tumor growth at the transplantation site. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated downregulation of CD151 did not alter cell proliferation, but significantly inhibited Matrigel invasion activity of HS-MM^high cells. Downregulation of CD151 impaired matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and phosphorylation of SMAD3 protein in HS-MM^high cells. The present results suggest that CD151 may contribute to invasion and metastasis of clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue. Therefore, CD151 may serve as a potent target to regulate metastasis of clear cell sarcoma.

Increased long noncoding RNA LASP1-AS is critical for hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis via upregulating LASP1

Aberrant long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been proved to be associated with the many types of malignant tumors (including hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]). In this study, a lncRNAs and mRNAs microarray analysis was performed in three pairs of HCC patitents' tumor. We found lncRNA LIM and SH3 protein 1 antisense (LASP1-AS) and its sense-cognate gene LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) were upregulated in HCC and both are correlated with poorer prognosis and lower survival of HCC patients. Meanwhile, the expression of LASP1-AS correlated positively with LASP1 expression in HCC tissues. LASP1-AS promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of HCC in vitro and vivo by enhancing LASP1 expression. Our study explored lncRNA LASP1-AS as an oncogene in HCC and promoted proliferation and metastasis capabilities of HCC via increasing the expression of its sense-cognate gene LASP1. LncRNA LASP1-AS might be a potential valuable prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target of HCC.

Gfi-1 promotes proliferation of human cervical carcinoma via targeting of FBW7 ubiquitin ligase expression

Background

The independent growth factor 1 (Gfi-1) is a transcription factor essential for several diverse hematopoietic functions and developments. However, the role and molecular mechanism of Gfi-1 in the development and progression of cervical cancer remains unclear.

Purpose

The present study investigates the relation of expression of Gfi-1 with prognoses in patients with cervical cancer.

Methods

We used Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the inhibition of proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer cells in vitro.

Results

This study confirms that the expression of Gfi-1 in cervical cancer tissues was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues. The level of Gfi-1 mRNA in human cervical cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in normal tissues adjacent to cancer. Furthermore, overexpression of Gfi-1 promoted cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration of cervical cancer cells. The increased expression of Gfi-1 promotes the proliferation of cervical cancer cells targeting the tumor suppressor F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7 (FBW7). Clinically, our data suggest that overexpression of Gfi-1 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with cervical cancer. In a tumor xenograft model, knockdown of Gfi-1 inhibited the tumor growth of Hela cells in vivo.

Conclusion

Our results reveal that Gfi-1 plays an important role in cervical cancer and Gfi-1/FBW7 axis serves as a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

LncRNA SNHG3 induces EMT and sorafenib resistance by modulating the miR-128/CD151 pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays important roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Small nucleolar RNA host gene 3 (SNHG3) has been considered as an lncRNA to be associated with a poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Here, we reported that SNHG3 expression was significantly higher in the highly metastatic HCC (HCCLM3) cells compared with the lowly metastatic HCC cells (Hep3B and PLC/PRF/5). Furthermore, forced expression of SNHG3 promoted cell invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and sorafenib resistance in HCC. Moreover, SNHG3 overexpression induced HCC cells EMT via miR-128/CD151 cascade activation. Clinically, our data revealed that increased SNHG3 expression is correlated with poor HCC survival outcomes and sorafenib response. These data suggest that SNHG3 may be a novel therapeutic target and a biomarker for predicting response to sorafenib treatment of HCC.

Circular RNA expression profiles of mouse ovaries during postnatal development and the function of circular RNA epidermal growth factor receptor in granulosa cells

PURPOSE

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that can regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The contribution of circRNAs in the regulation of granulosa cells (GCs) functions is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to analyze circRNA expression in adult and neonate ovaries, uncover the biological roles of circ_0002861 (circEGFR) and identify the mechanism by which it modulates follicular development.

BASIC PROCEDURES

The circRNA expression profiles of adult and neonatal mouse ovaries were explored by high-throughput sequencing. The function of circEGFR was measured by RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, overexpression, knockdown, RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays in GCs.

MAIN FINDINGS

Numerous differentially expressed circRNAs were identified in adult and neonatal ovaries. Through circRNAs expression patterns and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, estrogen signaling was found to be upregulated in adult ovaries compared with neonate ovaries. Further analysis revealed that the expression of circEGFR (circ_0002861, ID: mmu_circ_0002861 in circBase) was increased in adult ovaries compared with neonate ovaries. circEGFR is formed by splicing from exons 14 and 15 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene to produce a covalently linked 249-nucleotide circRNA. Overexpression of circEGFR increased estradiol (E₂) production and GCs growth, whereas circEGFR knockdown enhanced progesterone production and inhibited (E₂) secretion by GCs. Bioinformatic screening identified several binding sites for miR-125a-3p in the circEGFR sequence. RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that circEGFR may act as a sponge for miR-125a-3p, thus modulating Fyn expression.

PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS

These findings illustrate that circEGFR may play a vital role in ovarian GCs by modulating Fyn via competitive binding with miR-125a-3p. Our results suggest potential applications of circEGFR in reproductive and steroid-related disorder therapy.

Immune Targeting of Tetraspanins Involved in Cell Invasion and Metastasis

Metastasis is the ultimate consequence of cancer progression and the cause of patients’ death across different cancer types. Patients with initial diagnosis of distant disease have a worst 5-year survival compared to patients with localized disease. Therapies that target primary tumors fail to eradicate distant dissemination of cancer. Recently, immunotherapies have improved the survival of patients with metastatic disease, such as melanoma and lung cancer. However, only a fraction of patients responds to immunotherapy modalities that target the host immune system. The need to identify new druggable targets that inhibit or prevent metastasis is, therefore, much needed. Tetraspanins have emerged as key players in regulating cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. By serving as molecular adaptors that cluster adhesion receptors, signaling molecules, and cell surface receptors; tetraspanins are involved in all steps of the metastatic cascade. They regulate cell proliferation, participate in EMT transition, modulate integrin-mediated cell adhesion, and participate in angiogenesis and invasion processes. Tetraspanins have also been shown to modulate metastasis indirectly through exosomes and by regulating cellular interactions in the immune system. Importantly, targeting individual tetraspanin with antibodies has impacted tumor progression. This review will focus on the contribution of tetraspanins to the metastatic process and their potential as therapeutic tumor targets.

AGO1 may influence the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through TGF-β pathway

AGO1 is a major component of RNA-induced silencing complexes and plays a crucial role in solid tumors. The aim of our study was to investigate AGO1 functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using small interfering RNA, AGO1 functions were investigated in HCCLM3 cell lines. Cell proliferation, immigration, and invasion significantly decreased after AGO1 depletion using MTT, wound-healing, and transwell assay. The associated proteins in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the activation of its signal pathways were measured using western blot. After AGO1 depleted, increased E-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Zeb1 were founded. In its upstream pathway, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2(Thr202/Tyr204), Smad2(S425/250/255), and Smad4 were significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, inhibitor of ERK1/2(LY3214996) significantly inhibited the growth and migration of the AGO1 cells. The nuclear importing of Smad4 was blocked and furthermore, the transcription of Snail was also influenced for the decrease of combination between Smad4 and the promotor region of Snail. After Snail was overexpressed, the invasion of HCCLM3 cells was significantly rescued. Immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays consisting of 200 HCC patients was used to analyze the associations between AGO1 expression and prognosis. Intratumoral AGO1 expression was an independent risk factor for overall survival (P = 0.008) and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.001). In conclusion, AGO1 may promote HCC metastasis through TGF-β pathway, and AGO1 may be a reliable prognostic factor in HCC.

Tetraspanin CD151 as an emerging potential poor prognostic factor across solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tetraspanin CD151, also known as PETA-3 or SFA-1, has been reported to predict prognosis in various solid tumors. Yet, the results of these studies remained inconclusive. Here, we performed this meta-analysis of relevant studies published on the topic to quantitatively evaluate the clinicopathological significance of CD151 in solid tumors. The relevant articles were identified via searching the PubMed, Web of Science and Embase database. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated to evaluate the prognostic value of CD151 expression in patients with solid tumors. A total of 19 studies involving 4, 270 participants were included in the study, we drew the conclusion that CD151 overexpression was associated with statistically significant poor OS (pooled HR = 1.498, 95% CI = 1.346-1.667, P<0.001) and poor DFS (pooled HR = 1.488, 95% CI = 1.314-1.685, P<0.001). Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed that the associations between CD151 overexpression and the outcome endpoints (OS or TTP) were significant within the Asian region and European, as well in patients with breast cancer or gastric cancer. Taken together, the incorporative HR showed CD151 overexpression was associated with poor survival in human solid tumors. CD151 could be a valuable prognosis biomarker or a potential therapeutic target of solid tumors.

LanCL1 protects prostate cancer cells from oxidative stress via suppression of JNK pathway

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in male. Numerous studies have focused on the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and progression, aiming at developing new therapeutic strategies. Here we describe Lanthionine synthase C-like protein 1 (LanCL1), a member of the LanCL family, is a potential prostate cancer susceptibility gene. LanCL1 promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation and helps protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. Suppression of LanCL1 by siRNA results in increased cancer cell apoptosis. Clinical data also indicate that LanCL1 upregulation in human prostate cancers correlates with tumor progression. Finally, we demonstrate that LanCL1 plays such important role through inhibiting JNK pathway. Altogether, our results suggest that LanCL1 protects cells from oxidative stress, and promotes cell proliferation. LanCL1 reduces cell death via suppression of JNK signaling pathway.

Expression of cluster of differentiation 151 prior to and following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and its association with clinicopathological characteristics

Cluster of differentiation (CD)151, a member of tetraspanin family, is considered to be the first tetraspanin to be associated with tumor metastasis. Previous studies in vivo, in vitro and in the clinic have demonstrated that CD151 is involved in tumor progression at different levels through interaction with integrins, growth factor receptors and matrix metalloproteinases. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely recommended for the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. It has been hypothesized that TACE may create a hypoxic-ischemic environment that increases the expression of tumor progression-associated factors, promotes the angiogenesis of HCC, and initiates the recurrence and metastasis of HCC. Whether TACE promotes HCC progression remains controversial and numerous studies have focused on the influence of TACE on a number of tumor progression-associated factors. In the present study, the expression of serum CD151 in patients with HCC prior to and following TACE and its association with clinicopathological characteristics was investigated. It was revealed that the expression level of CD151 at 5-7 days post-TACE was significantly increased compared with pre-TACE levels. Risk factors and protective factors associated with tumor progression following a single TACE procedure and 18 months of follow-up were also identified. Furthermore, the present study revealed that a pre-TACE CD151 level of >0.3247 ng/ml and a 5-7 days post-TACE CD151 level of >0.3146 ng/ml revealed moderate sensitivity and specificity for predicting HCC progression following a single TACE procedure. The present study highlights CD151 as a useful marker in predicting the response to treatment and monitoring the disease course following TACE.

CD151-mediated adhesion is crucial to osteosarcoma pulmonary metastasis

CD151, a tetraspanin family protein involved in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interaction, is differentially expressed in osteosarcoma cell membranes. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of CD151 in osteosarcoma metastasis. We analyzed CD151 expression in patient tissue samples using immunohistochemistry. CD151 expression was also silenced with shRNA in osteosarcoma cells of high metastatic potential, and cell adhesion, migration and invasion were evaluated in vitro and pulmonary metastasis was investigated in vivo. Mediators of cell signaling pathways were also examined following suppression of CD151 expression. Overall survival for patients with low versus high CD151 expression level was 94 vs. 41 months (p=0.0451). CD151 expression in osteosarcoma cells with high metastatic potential was significantly higher than in those with low metastatic potential (p<0.001). shRNA-mediated silencing of CD151 did not influence cell viability or proliferation; however, cell adhesion, migration and invasion were all inhibited (all p<0.001). In mice inoculated with shRNA-transduced osteosarcoma cells, the number and size of lung metastatic lesions were reduced compared to the mice inoculated with control-shRNA transduced cells (p<0.001). In addition, CD151 knockdown significantly reduced Akt, p38, and p65 phosphorylation as well as focal adhesion kinase, integrin β1, p70s6, and p-mTOR levels. Taken together, CD151 induced osteosarcoma metastasis likely by regulating cell function through adhesion signaling. Further studies are necessary to fully explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of determining CD151 expression in osteosarcoma patients.

Tspan5 is an independent favourable prognostic factor and suppresses tumour growth in gastric cancer

Tetraspanins are believed to interact with specific partner proteins forming tetraspanin-enriched microdomains and regulate some aspects of partner protein functions. However, the role of Tspan5 during pathological processes, particularly in cancer biology, remains unknown. Here we report that Tspan5 is significantly downregulated in gastric cancer (GC) and closely associated with clinicopathological features including tumour size and TNM stage. The expression of Tspan5 is inversely correlated with patient overall survival and is an independent prognostic factor in GC. Upregulation of Tspan5 in tumour cells results in inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and suppression of xenograft growth of GC by reducing tumour cell proliferation in vivo. Thus, Tspan5 functions as a tumour suppressor in stomach to control the tumour growth. Mechanistically, Tspan5 inhibits the cell cycle transition from G1-S phase by increasing the expression of p27 and p15 and decreasing the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, pRB and E2F1. The correlation of Tspan5 expression with the expression of p27, p15, cyclin D1, CDK4, pRB and E2F1 in vivo are also revealed in xenografted tumours. Reconstitution of either cyclin D1 or CDK4 in Tspan5-overexpressing GC cells rescues the inhibitory phenotype produced by Tspan5, suggesting that cyclin D1/CDK4 play a dominant role in mediating the suppression of tumour growth by Tspan5 in GC. Our results suggest that Tspan5 may serve as a prognostic biomarker for predicting outcome of GC patients and provide new insights into the pathogenesis of GC and rational for the development of clinical intervention strategies against GC.

The role of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in endometrial carcinoma: A carcinogenesis, progression, prognosis, and target therapy marker

PURPOSE

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in cancer development. Herein, we demonstrated the role of GSK-3β in endometrial cancer (EC) and identified new therapeutic targets.

RESULTS

GSK-3β was overexpressed in EC tissues, and was positively correlated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, dedifferentiation, and myometrial infiltration depth. Besides, GSK-3β overexpression predicted lower cumulative and relapse-free survival rate. si-GSK-3β transfection suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis through downregulating NF-kB, Cyclin D1 and MMP9 expression whereas upregulating P21 expression. Bioinformatic predictions and dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that GSK-3β was a possible target of miR-129. MiR-129 transfection reduced GSK-3β expression, and exhibited the same trend as si-GSK-3β transfection in cell function experiments. The nude mouse xenograft assay showed that miR-129 overexpression may suppress tumor growth through downregulating GSK-3β expression. Further studies showed that AZD1080, a GSK-3β inhibitor, could also inhibit EC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, while induced cell apoptosis through modulating relevant genes downstream of GSK-3β signaling.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

GSK-3β expression was determined in EC tissue and normal endometrial tissues by immunohistochemistry. After GSK-3β down-regulation by si-GSK-3β, microRNA-129 mimic transfection or GSK-3β inhibitor exposure, EC cell phenotypes and related molecules were examined.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate for the first time that GSK-3β may be a novel and important therapeutic target for the treatment of endometrial carcinoma. GSK-3β inhibitor AZD1080 may be an effective drug for treating endometrial carcinoma.

miR-363 promotes proliferation and chemo-resistance of human gastric cancer via targeting of FBW7 ubiquitin ligase expression

Dysregulation of microRNA expression is involved in several pathological activities associated with gastric cancer progression and chemo-resistance. However, the role and molecular mechanisms of miR-363 in the progression and chemo-resistance of gastric cancer remain enigmatic. In this study, we validated that miR-363 expression was higher in gastric cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. Multivariate analysis identifies high levels of miR-363 expression as an independent predictor for postoperative recurrence and lower overall survival. Increased miR-363 expression promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and chemo-resistance through directly targeting the tumor suppressor F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7). Clinically, our data reveal that overexpression of miR-363 correlates with the poor survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer, and docetaxel + cisplatin + 5-FU (DCF) regimen response is impaired in patients with miR-363 overexpression. These data suggest that miR-363 may be a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer and serve as a biomarker for predicting response to DCF regimen treatment.

Snail collaborates with EGR-1 and SP-1 to directly activate transcription of MMP 9 and ZEB1

The Snail transcription factor plays as a master regulator of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), one of the steps of tumor metastasis. Snail enhances expressions of a lot of mesenchymal genes including the matrix degradation enzyme matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9) and the EMT transcription factor zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), however, the underlying mechanisms are not clarified. Herein, we investigated how Snail upregulated transcription of ZEB1 and MMP9 induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in hepatoma cell HepG2. According to deletion mapping and site directed mutagenesis analysis, the TPA-responsive elements on both MMP9 and ZEB1 promoters locate on a putative EGR1 and SP1 overlapping region coupled with an upstream proposed Snail binding motif TCACA. Consistently, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed TPA triggered binding of Snail, EGR1 and SP1 on MMP9 and ZEB1 promoters. Double ChIP further indicated TPA induced association of Snail with EGR1 and SP1 on both promoters. Also, electrophoresis mobility shift assay revealed TPA enhanced binding of Snail with a MMP9 promoter fragment. According to shRNA techniques, Snail was essential for gene expression of both ZEB1 and MMP9. In conclusion, Snail transactivates genes involved in tumor progression via direct binding to a specific promoter region.

Upregulation of B7-H4 promotes tumor progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Recent reports show that B7-H4 is highly expressed in a variety of tumor cells, functions as a negative regulator of T cells and then promotes tumor progression. However, its expression and role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remain unclear. In present study, B7-H4 expression in ICC and peritumoral tissues was determined at the level of mRNA and protein, and its bioactivity in ICC cells was studied after modification of B7-H4 expression. Then, the mechanism related to tumor progression induced by B7-H4 expression in ICC cells was explored. Finally, clinical significance of B7-H4 expression in ICC patients was further analyzed. The results showed that B7-H4 expression in ICC was much higher than that in peritumoral tissues at the level of both mRNA and protein. The high level of B7-H4 in ICC cells induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions and promoted invasion and metastasis of tumor cells through activation of ERK1/2 signaling. The elevated B7-H4 expression was associated with the downregulated Bax, upregulated Bcl-2 expression, and activation of caspase-3. Clinically, high B7-H4 expression in tumor samples was significantly related to malignant phenotype, such as lymph node metastasis, high tumor stage, and poor differentiation. ICC patients with high expression of B7-H4 had shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival. Moreover, the B7-H4 expression was an independent prognostic factor for predicting OS and tumor recurrence of ICC patients after operation. In conclusion, high expression of B7-H4 promotes tumor progression of ICC and may be a novel therapeutic target for ICC patients.

Up-regulation of RNF187 induces hepatocellular carcinoma cell epithelial to mesenchymal transitions

Ring finger protein 187 (RNF187) has been identified to be a co-activator linking c Jun to Ras signaling. However, the expression and function of RNF187 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) remains unclear. Here, we tried to determine the expression and roles of RNF187 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).The expression of RNF187 was determined in HCC tissues and cell lines, and we found that RNF187 expressed highly in HCC tissues compared with the corresponding adjacent liver tissues both in mRNA and protein level, which was consistent with the result of immunohistochemistry on HCC tissue microarrays. In HCC cell lines, the level of RNF187 was positively associated with the HCC cells metastatic potential. By the RNF187 interference and cDNA transfection, we showed that the high level of RNF187 induced the HCC cells invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the high ability of colony formation.Mechanistically, we detected the high level of RNF187 promoted cell scatter by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Clinically, the high level of RNA187 was significantly correlated with a malignant phenotype, including larger tumor size, multiple tumors, and microvascular invasion. Importantly, high level of RNF187 correlated with HCC patients' shorter OS and lower disease free survival rates than those with low level of RNF187. Our results revealed that elevated expression of RNF187 induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell epithelial to mesenchymal transitions, and represented a novel marker for predicting the poor prognosis of HCC.

Overexpression of WDFY2 inhibits prostate cancer cell growth and migration via inactivation of Akt pathway

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and is the second leading deadly reason among male cancer. WDFY2, which is found to be a cancer-specific fusion gene with CDKN2D in ovarian cancer, is a new gene with unknown function in carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated the role of WDFY2 in prostate cancer development. We examined WDFY2 expression in human prostate tissue specimens and prostate cancer cell lines BPH-1, LNCaP, PC3, and DU-145. Overexpression of WDFY2 was performed to evaluate the role of WDFY2 in cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation of prostate cancer cells. We analyzed the clinical impact and prognosis of WDFY2 expression on the progress of prostate cancer through data from online datasets. Our results showed that WDFY2 had lower expression level in prostate tumors than in normal tissues. Overexpression of WDFY2 in prostate cancer cells DU145 and PC-3 led to the suppression of cancer cell migration and colony formation. Furthermore, we found that WDFY2 exerted its role by suppressing the activity of Akt pathway other than the epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression. In conclusion, we have uncovered WDFY2 as a tumor suppressor gene and a new potential biomarker for cancer progression. Our results showed that WDFY2 inhibited cancer cell colony formation and migration via suppressing Akt pathway, making it a potential new therapeutic target in prostate cancer.

PD-L1 expression of the residual tumor serves as a prognostic marker in local advanced breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

This study sought to investigate the prevalence of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and its prognostic value in patients with residual tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for locally advanced breast cancer. A total of 309 patients considered as non-pathological complete responders (non-pCR) after NCT followed by mastectomy were selected. The expression of PD-L1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in residual breast cancer cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry in surgical specimens. The median density was used to classify PD-L1 expression from low to high. The prognostic value of various clinicopathological factors was evaluated. The expression of PD-L1 was more commonly observed in patients with low levels of total TILs (p < 0.001), high levels of FOXP3+ TILs (p < 0.001) and low levels of CD8+ TILs (p < 0.001). This served as an independent prognostic factor for both relapse-free survival (Hazard ratio = 1.824, p = 0.013) and overall survival (OS) (Hazard ratio = 2.585, p = 0.001). High expression of PD-L1 was correlated to worse survival, which is most significantly observed in triple-negative patients. Patients classified as PD-L1-high/CD8-low exhibited relatively unfavorable survival, whereas patients with either low expression of PD-L1 or high expression of CD8 had similar outcomes. PD-L1 expression in residual tumor can be used as a prognostic marker in non-pCR patients after receiving NCT for breast cancer, which highlights the importance of immune evasion in the therapeutic vulnerability of chemoresistant cancer cells as well as the potential of anti-PD-L1 treatments in non-pCR responders.

BMP4 enhances hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation by promoting cell cycle progression via ID2/CDKN1B signaling

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis, but the effects and signaling mechanisms of BMP4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not clearly clarified. The present study aimed to identify the roles of BMP4 in the proliferation of human HCC. In this study, BMP4 expression and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and the survival of HCC patients were analyzed in two independent cohorts consisting of 310 subjects. Functional analysis of BMP4 on HCC proliferation was performed in vitro and in vivo in human HCC specimens, HCC cells of Bel-7402 and HCCLM3, and subcutaneous tumor model. The downstream signaling targets of BMP4 in HCC were investigated by PCR Array and Western blot. The results indicated that BMP4 expression was significantly increased in HCC tissues and closely related with unfavorable prognosis of HCC. BMP4 treatment increased cell proliferation and promoted G1/S cell cycle progression. In vivo subcutaneous tumor of nude mice model supported that BMP4 overexpression promoted the growth of HCC cells and BMP4 knockdown hold the opposite trend. Id2 was directly upregulated by BMP4, resulting in the mediated expression of cell cycle regulatory protein of CDKN1B. Blocking of Id2 attenuated BMP4-induced proliferation, confirming the important roles of Id2 in BMP4-mediated proliferation in HCC. So BMP4 is overexpressed in HCC tissues and acts as a poor prognostic factor of HCC patients. BMP4-induced ID2/CDKN1B signaling facilitates proliferation of HCC.

Joint features and complementarities of Tspan8 and CD151 revealed in knockdown and knockout models

Tetraspanins are highly conserved 4-transmembrane proteins which form molecular clusters with a large variety of transmembrane and cytosolic proteins. By these associations tetraspanins are engaged in a multitude of biological processes. Furthermore, tetraspanin complexes are located in specialized microdomains, called tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs). TEMs provide a signaling platform and are poised for invagination and vesicle formation. These vesicles can be released as exosomes (Exo) and are important in cell contact-independent intercellular communication. Here, we summarize emphasizing knockdown and knockout models' pathophysiological joint and selective activities of CD151 and Tspan8, and discuss the TEM-related engagement of CD151 and Tspan8 in Exo activities.

Mortalin promotes cell proliferation and epithelial mesenchymal transition of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells in vitro

AIMS

The prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poor in terms of overall survival (OS) and recurrence rate. Mortalin, a stress chaperone, has been reported to be involved in carcinogenesis and metastasis. However, its role in ICC has not been defined.

METHODS

Mortalin expression in tumour samples from patients with ICC was examined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and correlation between its expression and clinicopathological features was assessed. In addition, invasion, migration proliferation and apoptosis, and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers in ICC cells were assessed after mortalin depletion. Finally, the prognostic significance of mortalin in patients with ICC was further evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

We provide evidence that expression of mortalin in human ICC tissues is higher than that in matched peritumoural tissues. The interference of mortalin expression inhibited the proliferation and invasion of ICC cells in vitro. Mechanistically, inhibition of mortalin expression in ICC cells upregulated E-cadherin expression and decreased vimentin and snail expression. Clinically, a high level of mortalin in ICC samples was associated with loss of E-cadherin, and increased expression of vimentin and snail. Patients with ICC and high mortalin expression had a shorter OS and a higher recurrence rate. Multivariate analysis revealed that mortalin overexpression was an independent prognostic indicator for patients with ICC.

CONCLUSIONS

Mortalin may promote cell proliferation and invasion via induction of EMT of ICC cells. A high level of mortalin may be used as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for patients with ICC.