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Chen S, Zhang W, Li X, Cao Z, Liu C. DNA polymerase beta connects tumorigenicity with the circadian clock in liver cancer through the epigenetic demethylation of Per1. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:78. [PMID: 38245510 PMCID: PMC10799862 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06462-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The circadian-controlled DNA repair exhibits a strong diurnal rhythm. Disruption in circadian clock and DNA repair is closely linked with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, but the mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that polymerase beta (POLB), a critical enzyme in the DNA base excision repair pathway, is rhythmically expressed at the translational level in mouse livers. Hepatic POLB dysfunction dampens clock homeostasis, whereas retards HCC progression, by mediating the methylation of the 4th CpG island on the 5'UTR of clock gene Per1. Clinically, POLB is overexpressed in human HCC samples and positively associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, the hepatic rhythmicity of POLB protein expression is orchestrated by Calreticulin (CALR). Our findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the synergy between clock and food signals on the POLB-driven BER system and reveal new clock-dependent carcinogenetic effects of POLB. Therefore, chronobiological modulation of POLB may help to promote precise interventions for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China.
- Chongqing Innovation Institute of China Pharmaceutical University, Chongqing, 401135, China.
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2
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Zhang J, Chen X, Chen G, Wang H, Jia L, Hao Y, Yao D. Identification of a novel PAK1/HDAC6 dual inhibitor ZMF-23 that triggers tubulin-stathmin regulated cell death in triple negative breast cancer. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 251:126348. [PMID: 37586623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most poorly treated subtype of breast cancer, and targeting the heterogeneity of TNBC has emerged as a fascinating therapeutic strategy. In this study, we propose for the first time that dual-targeting PAK1 and HDAC6 is a promising novel strategy for TNBC treatment due to their essential roles in the regulation of energy metabolism and epigenetic modification. We discovered a novel dual-targeting PAK1/HDAC6 inhibitor, 6 - (2-(cyclopropylamino) - 6 - (2,4-dichlorophenyl) - 7 - oxopyrido [2,3-d] pyrimidin - 8 (7H) -yl) - N-hydroxyhexanamide (ZMF-23), which presented profound inhibitory activity against PAK1 and HDAC6 and robust antiproliferative potency in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, SPR and CETSA assay demonstrated the targeted binding of ZMF-23 with PAK1/HDAC6. Mechanically, ZMF-23 strongly inhibited the cellular PAK1 and HDAC6 activity, impeded PAK1 and HDAC6 regulated aerobic glycolysis and migration. By RNA-seq analysis, ZMF-23 was found to induce TNF-α-regulated necroptosis, which further enhanced apoptosis. Additionally, ZMF-23 triggered PAK1-tubulin/HDAC6-Stathmin regulated microtubule structure changes, which further induced the G2/M cycle arrest. Moreover, prominent anti-proliferative effect of ZMF-23 was confirmed in the TNBC xenograft zebrafish and mouse model via PAK1 and HDAC6 inhibition. Collectively, ZMF-23 is a novel dual PAK1/HDAC6 inhibitor with TNBC treatment potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xiya Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Hailing Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Lin Jia
- College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China.
| | - Yue Hao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Dahong Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China.
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3
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Wang Y, Hu P, Wang F, Xi S, Wu S, Sun L, Du Y, Zheng J, Yang H, Tang M, Gao H, Luo H, Lv Y, Yan J, Ou X, Li Y. UHRF1 inhibition epigenetically reprograms cancer stem cells to suppress the tumorigenic phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:381. [PMID: 37380646 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05895-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence in many types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Epigenetic reprogramming of CSCs has emerged as a promising strategy for inducing the transition from malignancy to benignity. Ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is required for DNA methylation inheritance. Here, we investigated the role and mechanism of UHRF1 in regulating CSC properties and evaluated the impact of UHRF1 targeting on HCC. Hepatocyte-specific Uhrf1 knockout (Uhrf1HKO) strongly suppressed tumor initiation and CSC self-renewal in both diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/CCl4-induced and Myc-transgenic HCC mouse models. Ablation of UHRF1 in human HCC cell lines yielded consistent phenotypes. Integrated RNA-seq and whole genome bisulfite sequencing revealed widespread hypomethylation induced by UHRF1 silencing epigenetically reprogrammed cancer cells toward differentiation and tumor suppression. Mechanistically, UHRF1 deficiency upregulated CEBPA and subsequently inhibited GLI1 and Hedgehog signaling. Administration of hinokitiol, a potential UHRF1 inhibitor, significantly reduced tumor growth and CSC phenotypes in mice with Myc-driven HCC. Of pathophysiological significance, the expression levels of UHRF1, GLI1, and key axis proteins consistently increased in the livers of mice and patients with HCC. These findings highlight the regulatory mechanism of UHRF1 in liver CSCs and have important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchen Wang
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengchao Hu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fenfen Wang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shaoyan Xi
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shasha Wu
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liangzhan Sun
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuyang Du
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingyi Zheng
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mao Tang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Han Gao
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yue Lv
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingsong Yan
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xijun Ou
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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4
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Anichini G, Raggi C, Pastore M, Carrassa L, Maresca L, Crivaro E, Lottini T, Duwe L, Andersen JB, Tofani L, Di Tommaso L, Banales JM, Arcangeli A, Marra F, Stecca B. Combined Inhibition of Smoothened and the DNA Damage Checkpoint WEE1 Exerts Antitumor Activity in Cholangiocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2023; 22:343-356. [PMID: 36807728 PMCID: PMC9978885 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-22-0379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is characterized by resistance to chemotherapy and a poor prognosis. Therefore, treatments that can effectively suppress tumor growth are urgently needed. Aberrant activation of hedgehog (HH) signaling has been implicated in several cancers, including those of the hepatobiliary tract. However, the role of HH signaling in intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) has not been completely elucidated. In this study, we addressed the function of the main transducer Smoothened (SMO) and the transcription factors (TFs) GLI1 and GLI2 in iCCA. In addition, we evaluated the potential benefits of the combined inhibition of SMO and the DNA damage kinase WEE1. Transcriptomic analysis of 152 human iCCA samples showed increased expression of GLI1, GLI2, and Patched 1 (PTCH1) in tumor tissues compared with nontumor tissues. Genetic silencing of SMO, GLI1, and GLI2 inhibited the growth, survival, invasiveness, and self-renewal of iCCA cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of SMO reduced iCCA growth and viability in vitro, by inducing double-strand break DNA damage, leading to mitotic arrest and apoptotic cell death. Importantly, SMO inhibition resulted in the activation of the G2-M checkpoint and DNA damage kinase WEE1, increasing the vulnerability to WEE1 inhibition. Hence, the combination of MRT-92 with the WEE1 inhibitor AZD-1775 showed increased antitumor activity in vitro and in iCCA xenografts compared with single treatments. These data indicate that combined inhibition of SMO and WEE1 reduces tumor burden and may represent a strategy for the clinical development of novel therapeutic approaches in iCCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Anichini
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Raggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirella Pastore
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Carrassa
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Luisa Maresca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Enrica Crivaro
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
| | - Tiziano Lottini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lea Duwe
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Dept. of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Dept. of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lorenzo Tofani
- Department of Statistics, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Pathology Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center - IRCCS, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute - Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain.,National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, "Instituto de Salud Carlos III"), Madrid, Spain.,Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Annarosa Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Barbara Stecca
- Core Research Laboratory - Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy
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5
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Tian S, Li J, Xiang J, Peng P. The Clinical Relevance and Immune Correlation of SLC10 Family Genes in Liver Cancer. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:1415-1431. [PMID: 36606115 PMCID: PMC9809167 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s392586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim This study was aimed to reveal the clinical relevance and immune correlation of the SLC10 family genes in liver cancer. Methods A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was utilized to determine the gene expression, genetic alterations, DNA methylation, clinical significance, survival association and immune correlation of seven SLC10 family genes in liver cancer. The multiplexed immunohistochemical technique was applied to determine the association between SLC10A3 protein expression and immune cells, and the correlation between SLC10A3 protein and immune checkpoints (PD1 and PD-L1) in a cohort of 32 individuals with liver cancer. Results The expression of SLC10 family genes was different between normal liver tissues and malignant liver tissues. SLC10A5 showed the highest alteration rate (8%), followed by SLC10A3 (2.8%). Low expression of SLC10A1 was indicative of poor tumor grade and advanced tumor stage in liver cancer. Scatter plots uncovered that expression of SLC10A3 was inversely associated with SLC10A1 and SLC10A5 expression in liver cancer. The expression of SLC10A1 and SLC10A5 was strongly associated with their DNA methylation. SLC10A1 expression was a reliable genetic biomarker for the prediction of survival outcomes in liver cancer population. Expression of SLC10 family genes was remarkably linked with the abundance of most immune infiltrating cells in liver cancer, and SLC10A3 was the most significant member. The multiplexed immunohistochemical technique confirmed that there existed the significant correlations between SLC10A3 protein expression and CD4 T cells, CD20 B cells and the close association with PD-1 in the stromal area from malignant tissues. Conclusion The expressions of SLC10 family genes were different between normal liver tissues and malignant liver tissues, and they were correlated with each other in liver cancer. SLC10A1 possesses the most significant correlation with survival outcomes. SLC10A3 exhibited the most significant relationship with immune cells, as revealed by bioinformatics analysis and multispectral imaging technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Tian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiankang Xiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pailan Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Pailan Peng, Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, No. 28 Guiyi Street, Guiyang, 550000, People’s Republic of China, Email
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6
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The Emerging Role of Tumor Microenvironmental Stimuli in Regulating Metabolic Rewiring of Liver Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010005. [PMID: 36612000 PMCID: PMC9817521 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most devastating cancers worldwide. Extensive phenotypical and functional heterogeneity is a cardinal hallmark of cancer, including PLC, and is related to the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept. CSCs are responsible for tumor growth, progression, relapse and resistance to conventional therapies. Metabolic reprogramming represents an emerging hallmark of cancer. Cancer cells, including CSCs, are very plastic and possess the dynamic ability to constantly shift between different metabolic states depending on various intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, therefore amplifying the complexity of understanding tumor heterogeneity. Besides the well-known Warburg effect, several other metabolic pathways including lipids and iron metabolism are altered in PLC. An increasing number of studies supports the role of the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) in the metabolic control of liver CSCs. In this review, we discuss the complex metabolic rewiring affecting liver cancer cells and, in particular, liver CSCs. Moreover, we highlight the role of TME cellular and noncellular components in regulating liver CSC metabolic plasticity. Deciphering the specific mechanisms regulating liver CSC-TME metabolic interplay could be very helpful with respect to the development of more effective and innovative combinatorial therapies for PLC treatment.
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7
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Leung RWH, Lee TKW. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling as a Driver of Stemness and Metabolic Reprogramming in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215468. [PMID: 36358885 PMCID: PMC9656505 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been reported to play crucial role in pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we focus on the regulatory role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer stemness and metabolic reprogramming, which are two emerging hallmarks of cancer. Understanding the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in regulation of the above processes reveals novel therapeutic strategy against this deadly disease. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide due to its high rates of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been shown to play a significant role in HCC development, progression and clinical impact on tumor behavior. Accumulating evidence has revealed the critical involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in driving cancer stemness and metabolic reprogramming, which are regarded as emerging cancer hallmarks. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its role in HCC. Furthermore, we provide an update on the regulatory roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in metabolic reprogramming, cancer stemness and drug resistance in HCC. We also provide an update on preclinical and clinical studies targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling alone or in combination with current therapies for effective cancer therapy. This review provides insights into the current opportunities and challenges of targeting this signaling pathway in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainbow Wing Hei Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-3400-8799; Fax: +852-2364-9932
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8
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Wei Y, Chen Q, Huang S, Liu Y, Li Y, Xing Y, Shi D, Xu W, Liu W, Ji Z, Wu B, Chen X, Jiang J. The Interaction between DNMT1 and High-Mannose CD133 Maintains the Slow-Cycling State and Tumorigenic Potential of Glioma Stem Cell. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2202216. [PMID: 35798319 PMCID: PMC9475542 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202202216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The quiescent/slow-cycling state preserves the self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and leads to the therapy resistance of CSCs. The mechanisms maintaining CSCs quiescence remain largely unknown. Here, it is demonstrated that lower expression of MAN1A1 in glioma stem cell (GSC) resulted in the formation of high-mannose type N-glycan on CD133. Furthermore, the high-mannose type N-glycan of CD133 is necessary for its interaction with DNMT1. Activation of p21 and p27 by the CD133-DNMT1 interaction maintains the slow-cycling state of GSC, and promotes chemotherapy resistance and tumorigenesis of GSCs. Elimination of the CD133-DNMT1 interaction by a cell-penetrating peptide or MAN1A1 overexpression inhibits the tumorigenesis of GSCs and increases the sensitivity of GSCs to temozolomide. Analysis of glioma samples reveals that the levels of high-mannose type N-glycan are correlated with glioma recurrence. Collectively, the high mannose CD133-DNMT1 interaction maintains the slow-cycling state and tumorigenic potential of GSC, providing a potential strategy to eliminate quiescent GSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyan Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Qihang Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Sijing Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Yingchao Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanShandong250021P. R. China
| | - Yinan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Yang Xing
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Danfang Shi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Wenlong Xu
- Division of NeurosurgeryZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Weitao Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Zhi Ji
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Bingrui Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Xiaoning Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
| | - Jianhai Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Glycoconjuates ResearchDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesFudan UniversityShanghai200032P. R. China
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9
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Raggi C, Taddei ML, Rae C, Braconi C, Marra F. Metabolic reprogramming in cholangiocarcinoma. J Hepatol 2022; 77:849-864. [PMID: 35594992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer and allows tumour cells to meet the increased energy demands required for rapid proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Indeed, many tumour cells acquire distinctive metabolic and bioenergetic features that enable them to survive in resource-limited conditions, mainly by harnessing alternative nutrients. Several recent studies have explored the metabolic plasticity of cancer cells with the aim of identifying new druggable targets, while therapeutic strategies to limit the access to nutrients have been successfully applied to the treatment of some tumours. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a highly heterogeneous tumour, is the second most common form of primary liver cancer. It is characterised by resistance to chemotherapy and poor prognosis, with 5-year survival rates of below 20%. Deregulation of metabolic pathways have been described during the onset and progression of CCA. Increased aerobic glycolysis and glutamine anaplerosis provide CCA cells with the ability to generate biosynthetic intermediates. Other metabolic alterations involving carbohydrates, amino acids and lipids have been shown to sustain cancer cell growth and dissemination. In this review, we discuss the complex metabolic rewiring that occurs during CCA development and leads to unique nutrient addiction. The possible role of therapeutic interventions based on metabolic changes is also thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Raggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Maria Letizia Taddei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Colin Rae
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Braconi
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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10
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Xu L, Zhang J, Sun J, Hou K, Yang C, Guo Y, Liu X, Kalvakolanu DV, Zhang L, Guo B. Epigenetic regulation of cancer stem cells: Shedding light on the refractory/relapsed cancers. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 202:115110. [PMID: 35640714 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The resistance to drugs, ability to enter quiescence and generate heterogeneous cancer cells, and enhancement of aggressiveness, make cancer stem cells (CSCs) integral part of tumor progression, metastasis and recurrence after treatment. The epigenetic modification machinery is crucial for the viability of CSCs and evolution of aggressive forms of a tumor. These mechanisms can also be targeted by specific drugs, providing a promising approach for blocking CSCs. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in CSCs which contribute to drug resistance, quiescence and tumor heterogeneity. We also discuss the drugs that can potentially target these processes and data from experimental and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libo Xu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, PR China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Jinghua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Jicheng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Kunlin Hou
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Chenxin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Ying Guo
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Xiaorui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China
| | - Dhan V Kalvakolanu
- Greenebaum NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, PR China; Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, PR China.
| | - Baofeng Guo
- Department of Plastic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, PR China.
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11
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Huang Z, Zhang Z, Zhou C, Liu L, Huang C. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition: The history, regulatory mechanism, and cancer therapeutic opportunities. MedComm (Beijing) 2022; 3:e144. [PMID: 35601657 PMCID: PMC9115588 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a program wherein epithelial cells lose their junctions and polarity while acquiring mesenchymal properties and invasive ability. Originally defined as an embryogenesis event, EMT has been recognized as a crucial process in tumor progression. During EMT, cell–cell junctions and cell–matrix attachments are disrupted, and the cytoskeleton is remodeled to enhance mobility of cells. This transition of phenotype is largely driven by a group of key transcription factors, typically Snail, Twist, and ZEB, through epigenetic repression of epithelial markers, transcriptional activation of matrix metalloproteinases, and reorganization of cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, EMT is orchestrated by multiple pathways, especially those involved in embryogenesis such as TGFβ, Wnt, Hedgehog, and Hippo, suggesting EMT as an intrinsic link between embryonic development and cancer progression. In addition, redox signaling has also emerged as critical EMT modulator. EMT confers cancer cells with increased metastatic potential and drug resistant capacity, which accounts for tumor recurrence in most clinic cases. Thus, targeting EMT can be a therapeutic option providing a chance of cure for cancer patients. Here, we introduce a brief history of EMT and summarize recent advances in understanding EMT mechanisms, as well as highlighting the therapeutic opportunities by targeting EMT in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Chengwei Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University Ningbo China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
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12
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Castven D, Czauderna C, Becker D, Pereira S, Schmitt J, Weinmann A, Shah V, Hajduk J, Keggenhoff F, Binder H, Keck T, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Wörns MA, Thorgeirsson SS, Breuhahn K, Galle PR, Marquardt JU. Acquired Resistance to Antiangiogenic Therapies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is Mediated by Yes-Associated Protein 1 Activation and Transient Expansion of Stem-Like Cancer Cells. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:1140-1156. [PMID: 34817932 PMCID: PMC9035566 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Induction of neoangiogenesis is a hallmark feature during disease progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Antiangiogenetic compounds represent a mainstay of therapeutic approaches; however, development of chemoresistance is observed in the majority of patients. Recent findings suggest that tumor-initiating cells (TICs) may play a key role in acquisition of resistance, but the exact relevance for HCC in this process remains to be defined. Primary and established hepatoma cell lines were exposed to long-term sorafenib treatment to model acquisition of resistance. Treatment effects on TICs were estimated by sphere-forming capacity in vitro, tumorigenicity in vivo, and flow cytometry. Adaptive molecular changes were assessed by whole transcriptome analyses. Compensatory mechanisms of resistance were identified and directly evaluated. Sustained antiproliferative effect following sorafenib treatment was observed in three of six HCC cell lines and was followed by rapid regrowth, thereby mimicking responses observed in patients. Resistant cells showed induction in sphere forming in vitro and tumor-initiating capacity in vivo as well as increased number of side population and epithelial cell adhesion molecule-positive cells. Conversely, sensitive cell lines showed consistent reduction of TIC properties. Gene sets associated with resistance and poor prognosis, including Hippo/yes-associated protein (YAP), were identified. Western blot and immunohistochemistry confirmed increased levels of YAP. Combined treatment of sorafenib and specific YAP inhibitor consistently revealed synergistic antioncogenic effects in resistant cell lines. Conclusion: Resistance to antiangiogenic therapy might be driven by transient expansion of TICs and activation of compensatory pro-oncogenic signaling pathways, including YAP. Specific targeting of TICs might be an effective therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darko Castven
- Department of Medicine ILichtenberg Research Group for Molecular HepatocarcinogenesisUniversity Medical Center Schleswig HolsteinLuebeckGermany.,Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Carolin Czauderna
- Department of Medicine ILichtenberg Research Group for Molecular HepatocarcinogenesisUniversity Medical Center Schleswig HolsteinLuebeckGermany.,Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Diana Becker
- Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Sharon Pereira
- Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Jennifer Schmitt
- Institute of PathologyUniversity Hospital HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Arndt Weinmann
- Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Viral Shah
- Department of HematologyMedical Oncology, and PneumologyUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Jovana Hajduk
- Department of Medicine ILichtenberg Research Group for Molecular HepatocarcinogenesisUniversity Medical Center Schleswig HolsteinLuebeckGermany.,Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | | | - Harald Binder
- Institute for Medical Biometry and StatisticsFaculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Tobias Keck
- Clinic for SurgeryUniversity Medical Center Schleswig HolsteinLuebeckGermany
| | - Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- Institute of Human GeneticsUniversity of Bonn School of MedicineUniversity of BonnBonnGermany.,Department of GenomicsLife and Brain CenterUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
| | - Marcus A Wörns
- Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Snorri S Thorgeirsson
- Laboratory of Human CarcinogenesisCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Kai Breuhahn
- Institute of PathologyUniversity Hospital HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Peter R Galle
- Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
| | - Jens U Marquardt
- Department of Medicine ILichtenberg Research Group for Molecular HepatocarcinogenesisUniversity Medical Center Schleswig HolsteinLuebeckGermany.,Department of Medicine IUniversity Medical CenterMainzGermany
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13
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Mechanism of cancer stemness maintenance in human liver cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:394. [PMID: 35449193 PMCID: PMC9023565 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04848-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer mainly includes the following four types: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), hepatoblastoma (HB), and combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). Recent studies have indicated that there are differences in cancer stem cell (CSC) properties among different types of liver cancer. Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), also called liver tumor-initiating cells, have been viewed as drivers of tumor initiation and metastasis. Many mechanisms and factors, such as mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, epigenetic modifications, the tumor microenvironment, and tumor plasticity, are involved in the regulation of cancer stemness in liver cancer. In this review, we analyze cancer stemness in different liver cancer types. Moreover, we further evaluate the mechanism of cancer stemness maintenance of LCSCs and discuss promising treatments for eradicating LCSCs.
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14
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Cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma - from origin to clinical implications. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:26-44. [PMID: 34504325 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00508-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 106.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive disease with a poor clinical outcome. The cancer stem cell (CSC) model states that tumour growth is powered by a subset of tumour stem cells within cancers. This model explains several clinical observations in HCC (as well as in other cancers), including the almost inevitable recurrence of tumours after initial successful chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, as well as the phenomena of tumour dormancy and treatment resistance. The past two decades have seen a marked increase in research on the identification and characterization of liver CSCs, which has encouraged the design of novel diagnostic and treatment strategies for HCC. These studies revealed novel aspects of liver CSCs, including their heterogeneity and unique immunobiology, which are suggestive of opportunities for new research directions and potential therapies. In this Review, we summarize the present knowledge of liver CSC markers and the regulators of stemness in HCC. We also comprehensively describe developments in the liver CSC field with emphasis on experiments utilizing single-cell transcriptomics to understand liver CSC heterogeneity, lineage-tracing and cell-ablation studies of liver CSCs, and the influence of the CSC niche and tumour microenvironment on liver cancer stemness, including interactions between CSCs and the immune system. We also discuss the potential application of liver CSC-based therapies for treatment of HCC.
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15
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Correnti M, Cappon A, Pastore M, Piombanti B, Lori G, Oliveira DVPN, Munoz‐Garrido P, Lewinska M, Andersen JB, Coulouarn C, Sulpice L, Peraldo Neia C, Cavalloni G, Quarta S, Biasiolo A, Fassan M, Ramazzotti M, Parri M, Recalcati S, di Tommaso L, Campani C, Invernizzi P, Torzilli G, Marra F, Pontisso P, Raggi C. The protease-inhibitor SerpinB3 as a critical modulator of the stem-like subset in human cholangiocarcinoma. Liver Int 2022; 42:233-248. [PMID: 34478594 PMCID: PMC9290104 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a form of primary liver cancer with limited therapeutic options. Recently, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed as a driving force of tumour initiation and dissemination, thus representing a crucial therapeutic target. The protease inhibitor SerpinB3 (SB3) has been identified in several malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma. SB3 has been involved in the early events of hepatocarcinogenesis and is highly expressed in hepatic progenitor cells and in a mouse model of liver progenitor cell activation. However, only limited information on the possible role of SB3 in CCA stem-like compartment is available. METHODS Enrichment of CCA stem-like subset was performed by sphere culture (SPH) in CCA cell lines (CCLP1, HUCCT1, MTCHC01 and SG231). Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect SB3 in both SPH and parental monolayer (MON) cells. Acquired CSC-like features were analysed using an endogenous and a paracrine in vitro model, with transfection of SB3 gene or addition of recombinant SB3 to cell medium respectively. SB3 tumorigenic role was explored in an in vivo mouse model of CCA by subcutaneous injection of SB3-transfected MON (MONSB3+ ) cells in immune-deficient NOD-SCID/IL2Rgnull (NSG) mice. SB3 expression in human CCA sections was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR) analyses were carried out from a transcriptome database of 104 CCA patients. RESULTS SB3, barely detected in parental MON cells, was overexpressed in the same CCA cells grown as 3D SPH. Notably, MONSB3+ showed significant overexpression of genes associated with stemness (CD24, CD44, CD133), pluripotency (c-MYC, NOTCH1, STAT3, YAP, NANOG, BMI1, KLF4, OCT4, SOX2), epithelial mesenchymal transition (β-catenin, SLUG) and extracellular matrix remodelling (MMP1, MMP7, MMP9, ADAM9, ADAM10, ADAM17, ITGB3). SB3-overexpressing cells showed superior spherogenic capacity and invasion ability compared to control. Importantly, MONSB3+ exhibited activation of MAP kinases (ERK1/2, p38, JNK) as well as phosphorylation of NFκB (p65) in addition to up-regulation of the proto-oncogene β-catenin. All these effects were reversed after transient silencing of SB3. According to the in vitro finding, MONSB3+ cells retained high tumorigenic potential in NSG mice. SB3 overexpression was observed in human CCA tissues and analysis of OS as well as TTR indicated a worse prognosis in SB3+ CCA patients. CONCLUSION These findings indicate a SB3 role in mediating malignant phenotype of CCA and identify a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Correnti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver DiseasesHumanitas Clinical and Research CenterRozzanoItaly,Department of Biomedical Sciences for HealthUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Andrea Cappon
- Animal Care‐Polo Vallisneri University of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Mirella Pastore
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Benedetta Piombanti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Giulia Lori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | | | | | - Monika Lewinska
- Biotech Research and Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jesper B. Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- CHU RennesService de Chirurgie Hépatobiliaire et DigestiveInsermUniv RennesCOSS (Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling)UMR_S 1242Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène MarquisRennesFrance
| | - Laurent Sulpice
- CHU RennesService de Chirurgie Hépatobiliaire et DigestiveINSERM 1241Université de RennesRennesFrance
| | | | - Giuliana Cavalloni
- Division of Medical OncologyCandiolo Cancer InstituteFPO‐IRCCSCandiolo, TorinoItaly
| | - Santina Quarta
- Department of Medicine‐DIMEDUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | | | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine‐DIMEDUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Matteo Parri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Stefania Recalcati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for HealthUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Luca di Tommaso
- Department of PathologyHumanitas Clinical and Research CenterRozzanoItaly,Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityRozzanoItaly
| | - Claudia Campani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver DiseasesDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMonzaItaly,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE‐LIVER)San Gerardo HospitalMonzaItaly
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General SurgeryHumanitas UniversityHumanitas Clinical and Research CenterIRCCS, RozzanoMilanItaly
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | | | - Chiara Raggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
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16
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Liu Z, Sun J, Li C, Xu L, Liu J. MKL1 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis via the COMPASS complex and NF-κB signaling. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1184. [PMID: 34742274 PMCID: PMC8571910 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08185-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histone modification plays essential roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis, but the regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to analyze the roles of Megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1) and its regulation of COMPASS (complex of proteins associated with Set1) in HCC cells. Methods MKL1 expression in clinical tissues and cell lines were detected by bioinformatics, qRT-PCR and western blot. MKL1 expression in HCC cells were silenced with siRNA, followed by cell proliferation evaluation via Edu staining and colony formation, migration and invasion using the Transwell system, and apoptosis by Hoechst staining. HCC cell tumorigenesis was assessed by cancer cell line-based xenograft model, combined with H&E staining and IHC assays. Results MKL1 expression was elevated in HCC cells and clinical tissues which was correlated with poor prognosis. MKL1 silencing significantly repressed proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation but enhanced apoptosis in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells. MKL1 silencing also inhibited COMPASS components and p65 protein expression in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells. HepG2 cell tumorigenesis in nude mice was severely impaired by MKL1 knockdown, resulted into suppressed Ki67 expression and cell proliferation. Conclusion MKL1 promotes HCC pathogenesis by regulating hepatic cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis via the COMPASS complex and NF-κB signaling. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08185-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jiuzheng Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chuanzhi Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Liyou Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China. .,Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.
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17
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DNMT1-mediated methylation of BEX1 regulates stemness and tumorigenicity in liver cancer. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1142-1153. [PMID: 34217777 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) both exhibit notable cancer stem cell (CSC) features. Moreover, the development of both diseases is closely associated with the presence of CSCs. We investigated the role of brain-expressed X-linked protein 1 (BEX1) in regulating the CSC properties of HB and a subtype of HCC with high CSC features (CSC-HCC). METHODS Stemness scores were analyzed in 5 murine HCC models. A subpopulation of BEX1-positive cells and BEX1-negative cells were sorted from HCC cell lines, and subjected to transcriptome analysis. The expression and function of BEX1 was examined via western blotting, sphere formation assays, and xenograft tumor models. RESULTS We identified BEX1 as a novel CSC marker that was required for the self-renewal of liver CSCs. Furthermore, zebularine, a potent DNMT1 inhibitor, can induce the reactivation of BEX1 by removing epigenetic inhibition. Notably, BEX1 was highly expressed in patients with HB and CSC-HCC, but not in patients with non-CSC HCC. Moreover, DNMT1-mediated methylation of the BEX1 promoter resulted in differential BEX1 expression patterns in patients with HB, CSC-HCC, and non-CSC-HCC. Mechanistically, BEX1 interacted with RUNX3 to block its inhibition of β-catenin transcription, which led to the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and stemness maintenance in both HB and CSC-HCC. In contrast, downregulated BEX1 expression released RUNX3 and inhibited the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in non-CSC-HCC. CONCLUSION BEX1, under the regulation of DNMT1, is necessary for the self-renewal and maintenance of liver CSCs through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, rendering BEX1 a potentially valuable therapeutic target in both HB and CSC-HCC. LAY SUMMARY Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to a high rate of cancer recurrence, as well as resistance to conventional therapies. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying their self-renewal remains elusive. Herein, we have reported that BEX1 plays a key role in regulating CSC properties in different types of liver cancer. Targeting BEX1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling may help to address the high rate of recurrence, and heterogeneity of liver cancer.
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18
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Zhang Y, Zhang T, Yin Q, Luo H. Development and validation of genomic and epigenomic signatures associated with tumor immune microenvironment in hepatoblastoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1156. [PMID: 34711185 PMCID: PMC8555350 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08893-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to probe and verify aberrantly methylated and expressed genes in hepatoblastoma and to analyze their interactions with tumor immune microenvironment. Methods Aberrantly methylated and expressed genes were obtained by comprehensively analyzing gene expression and DNA methylation profiles from GSE81928, GSE75271 and GSE78732 datasets. Their biological functions were predicted by the STRING and Metascape databases. CIBERSORT was utilized for inferring the compositions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in each sample. Correlation between hub genes and immune cells was then analyzed. Hub genes were validated in hepatoblastoma tissues via western blot or immunohistochemistry. After transfection with sh-NOTUM, migration and invasion of HuH-6 and HepG2 cells were investigated. The nude mouse tumorigenesis model was constructed. Results Totally, 83 aberrantly methylated and expressed genes were determined in hepatoblastoma, which were mainly involved in metabolic and cancer-related pathways. Moreover, their expression was liver-specific. 13 hub genes were screened, which were closely related to immune cells in hepatoblastoma tissues. Among them, it was confirmed that AXIN2, LAMB1 and NOTUM were up-regulated and SERPINC1 was down-regulated in hepatoblastoma than normal tissues. NOTUM knockdown distinctly weakened migration and invasion of HuH-6 and HepG2 cells and tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions This study identified aberrantly methylated and expressed signatures that were in relation to immune microenvironment in hepatoblastoma. Targeting NOTUM hub gene could suppress migration and invasion of hepatoblastoma cells. Thus, these aberrantly methylated and expressed genes might act as therapeutic agents in hepatoblastoma therapy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08893-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, No.86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, No.86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, China
| | - Qiang Yin
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Children's Hospital, No.86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, China.
| | - Haiyan Luo
- Department of Emergency, Hunan Children's Hospital, No.86 Ziyuan Road, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, China.
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19
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Dong L, Huang J, Zu P, Liu J, Gao X, Du J, Li Y. Transcription factor 3 (TCF3) combined with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) down-regulates microRNA-101 to promote Burkitt lymphoma cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. Bioengineered 2021; 12:7995-8005. [PMID: 34658308 PMCID: PMC8806859 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1977557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the function of transcription factor 3 (TCF3) on the proliferation and apoptosis of Burkitt lymphoma cells and its mechanism. qRT-PCR was performed to determine the expression of TCF3, histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), and microRNA-101 (miR-101) in the Burkitt lymphoma (BL) tumor tissues and lymph node tissues with reactive lymph node hyperplasia (RLNH). We found that the expression of TCF3 and HDAC3 was up-regulated in BL tumor tissues and lymphoma cells, and the miR-101 expression was down-regulated. And TCF3 and HDAC3 were negatively correlated with the expression of miR-101, respectively. In addition, knockdown of TCF3 can inhibit BL cell proliferation, reduce cell viability and promote cell apoptosis, retain the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and inhibit the expression of Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins (p-Akt and p-mTOR). When miR-101 was overexpressed, the results were the same as when TCF3 was knocked down. Moreover, we used Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) to detect the interaction between TCF3 and HDAC3, and performed the Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiment to detect the enrichment of TCF3 and HDAC3 in the promoter region of miR-101. We found that TCF3 can interact with HDAC3 and is enriched in the miR-101 promoter region. In conclusion, TCF3 combined with HDAC3 down-regulates the expression of miR-101, thereby promoting the proliferation of BL cells and inhibiting their apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Dong
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jingjing Huang
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Peng Zu
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Xue Gao
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Jianwei Du
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yufu Li
- Department of Hematology, Henan Institute of Hematology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
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20
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Hu C, Liu X, Zeng Y, Liu J, Wu F. DNA methyltransferase inhibitors combination therapy for the treatment of solid tumor: mechanism and clinical application. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:166. [PMID: 34452630 PMCID: PMC8394595 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01154-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification, regulates gene transcription and maintains genome stability. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors can activate silenced genes at low doses and cause cytotoxicity at high doses. The ability of DNMT inhibitors to reverse epimutations is the basis of their use in novel strategies for cancer therapy. In this review, we examined the literature on DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. We summarized the mechanisms underlying combination therapy using DNMT inhibitors and clinical trials based on combining hypomethylation agents with other chemotherapeutic drugs. We also discussed the efficacy of such compounds as antitumor agents, the need to optimize treatment schedules and the regimens for maximal biologic effectiveness. Notably, the combination of DNMT inhibitors and chemotherapy and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors may provide helpful insights into the development of efficient therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Hu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.,Hunan Cancer Mega-Data Intelligent Application and Engineering Research Centre, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaohan Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Yue Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Junqi Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precision Therapy in Lung Cancer, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Cancer Mega-Data Intelligent Application and Engineering Research Centre, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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21
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Raggi C, Taddei ML, Sacco E, Navari N, Correnti M, Piombanti B, Pastore M, Campani C, Pranzini E, Iorio J, Lori G, Lottini T, Peano C, Cibella J, Lewinska M, Andersen JB, di Tommaso L, Viganò L, Di Maira G, Madiai S, Ramazzotti M, Orlandi I, Arcangeli A, Chiarugi P, Marra F. Mitochondrial oxidative metabolism contributes to a cancer stem cell phenotype in cholangiocarcinoma. J Hepatol 2021; 74:1373-1385. [PMID: 33484774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Little is known about the metabolic regulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We analyzed whether mitochondrial-dependent metabolism and related signaling pathways contribute to stemness in CCA. METHODS The stem-like subset was enriched by sphere culture (SPH) in human intrahepatic CCA cells (HUCCT1 and CCLP1) and compared to cells cultured in monolayer. Extracellular flux analysis was examined by Seahorse technology and high-resolution respirometry. In patients with CCA, expression of factors related to mitochondrial metabolism was analyzed for possible correlation with clinical parameters. RESULTS Metabolic analyses revealed a more efficient respiratory phenotype in CCA-SPH than in monolayers, due to mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. CCA-SPH showed high mitochondrial membrane potential and elevated mitochondrial mass, and over-expressed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1α, a master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. Targeting mitochondrial complex I in CCA-SPH using metformin, or PGC-1α silencing or pharmacologic inhibition (SR-18292), impaired spherogenicity and expression of markers related to the CSC phenotype, pluripotency, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In mice with tumor xenografts generated by injection of CCA-SPH, administration of metformin or SR-18292 significantly reduced tumor growth and determined a phenotype more similar to tumors originated from cells grown in monolayer. In patients with CCA, expression of PGC-1α correlated with expression of mitochondrial complex II and of stem-like genes. Patients with higher PGC-1α expression by immunostaining had lower overall and progression-free survival, increased angioinvasion and faster recurrence. In GSEA analysis, patients with CCA and high levels of mitochondrial complex II had shorter overall survival and time to recurrence. CONCLUSIONS The CCA stem-subset has a more efficient respiratory phenotype and depends on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and PGC-1α to maintain CSC features. LAY SUMMARY The growth of many cancers is sustained by a specific type of cells with more embryonic characteristics, termed 'cancer stem cells'. These cells have been described in cholangiocarcinoma, a type of liver cancer with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic approaches. We demonstrate that cancer stem cells in cholangiocarcinoma have different metabolic features, and use mitochondria, an organelle located within the cells, as the major source of energy. We also identify PGC-1α, a molecule which regulates the biology of mitochondria, as a possible new target to be explored for developing new treatments for cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Raggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Maria Letizia Taddei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Sacco
- SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Navari
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Margherita Correnti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Benedetta Piombanti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirella Pastore
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Campani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Erica Pranzini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jessica Iorio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Lori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Tiziano Lottini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Clelia Peano
- Genomic Unit, IRCCS, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy; Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research, UoS Milan, National Research Council, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Javier Cibella
- Genomic Unit, IRCCS, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Monika Lewinska
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Luca di Tommaso
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Luca Viganò
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Maira
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Madiai
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ivan Orlandi
- SYSBIO, Centre of Systems Biology, Milan, Italy; Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Annarosa Arcangeli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Chiarugi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Excellence Center for Research, Transfer and High Education DenoTHE, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Excellence Center for Research, Transfer and High Education DenoTHE, Florence, Italy.
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22
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Chen QL, Yan Q, Feng KL, Xie CF, Fang CK, Wang JN, Liu LH, Li Y, Zhong C. Using Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis to Identify Abnormally Methylated Differentially Expressed Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:805-823. [PMID: 33732011 PMCID: PMC7956867 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s294505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective For the identification of abnormally methylated differentially expressed genes (MDEGs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), this study integrated four microarray datasets to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Methods We obtained the expression (GSE76427, GSE57957) and methylation (GSE89852, GSE54503) profiles from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The abnormally MDEGs were identified by using R software. We used the clusterProfiler package for the functional and pathway enrichment analysis. The String database was used to build the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and visualize it in Cytoscape. MCODE was employed in the module analysis. Additionally, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were employed to validate results. Lastly, we used cBioPortal software to examine the hub genetic alterations. Results We identified 162 hypermethylated, down-regulated genes and 190 hypomethylated, up-regulated genes. Up-regulated genes with low methylation were enriched in biological processes, such as keratinocyte proliferation, and calcium homeostasis. Pathway analysis was enriched in the AMPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. The PPI network identified PTK2, VWF, and ITGA2 as hypomethylated, high-expressing hub genes. Down-regulated genes with high methylation were related to responses to peptide hormones and estradiol, multi-multicellular organism process. Pathway analysis indicated enrichment in camp, oxytocin signaling pathways. The PPI network identified CFTR, ESR1, and CXCL12 as hypermethylated, low-expressing hub genes. Upon verification in TCGA databases, we found that the expression and methylation statuses of the hub genes changed significantly, and it was consistent with our results. Conclusion The novel abnormally MDEGs and pathways in HCC were identified. These results helped us further understand the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC invasion, metastasis, and development. Hub genes can serve as biomarkers for an accurate diagnosis and treatment of HCC, and PTK2, VWF, ITGA2, CFTR, ESR1, and CXCL12 are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Lian Chen
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Yan
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun-Liang Feng
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Feng Xie
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong-Kai Fang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Nan Wang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Hua Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.,Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Li
- Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China.,Lingnan Medical Research Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People's Republic of China
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23
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Hepigenetics: A Review of Epigenetic Modulators and Potential Therapies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:9593254. [PMID: 33299889 PMCID: PMC7707949 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9593254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the second most lethal, following lung cancer. Currently applied therapeutic practices rely on surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or a combination thereof. These treatment options are associated with extreme adversities, and risk/benefit ratios do not always work in patients' favor. Anomalies of the epigenome lie at the epicenter of aberrant molecular mechanisms by which the disease develops and progresses. Modulation of these anomalous events poses a promising prospect for alternative treatment options, with an abundance of felicitous results reported in recent years. Herein, the most recent epigenetic modulators in hepatocellular carcinoma are recapitulated on.
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24
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Liu A, Wu Q, Peng D, Ares I, Anadón A, Lopez-Torres B, Martínez-Larrañaga MR, Wang X, Martínez MA. A novel strategy for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and chemoresistance of hepatocellular carcinoma: DNA methylation. Med Res Rev 2020; 40:1973-2018. [PMID: 32525219 DOI: 10.1002/med.21696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The cancer mortality rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second highest in the world and the therapeutic options are limited. The incidence of this deadly cancer is rising at an alarming rate because of the high degree of resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy, lack of proper, and adequate vaccination to hepatitis B, and lack of consciousness and knowledge about the disease itself and the lifestyle of the people. DNA methylation and DNA methylation-induced epigenetic alterations, due to their potential reversibility, open the access to develop novel biomarkers and therapeutics for HCC. The contribution to these epigenetic changes in HCC development still has not been thoroughly summarized. Thus, it is necessary to better understand the new molecular targets of HCC epigenetics in HCC diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. This review elaborates on recent key findings regarding molecular biomarkers for HCC early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Currently emerging epigenetic drugs for the treatment of HCC are summarized. In addition, combining epigenetic drugs with nonepigenetic drugs for HCC treatment is also mentioned. The molecular mechanisms of DNA methylation-mediated HCC resistance are reviewed, providing some insights into the difficulty of treating liver cancer and anticancer drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimei Liu
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), Wuhan, China
| | - Qinghua Wu
- College of Life Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Dapeng Peng
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), Wuhan, China
| | - Irma Ares
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Arturo Anadón
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernardo Lopez-Torres
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Rosa Martínez-Larrañaga
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Xu Wang
- National Reference Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues and MAO Key Laboratory for Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues, Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU), Wuhan, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Aránzazu Martínez
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
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25
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Liu YC, Yeh CT, Lin KH. Cancer Stem Cell Functions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061331. [PMID: 32466488 PMCID: PMC7349579 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality owing to resistance to traditional treatments and tumor recurrence after therapy, which leads to poor therapeutic outcomes. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a small subset of tumor cells with the capability to influence self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. A number of surface markers for liver cancer stem cell (LCSC) subpopulations (EpCAM, CD133, CD44, CD13, CD90, OV-6, CD47, and side populations) in HCC have been identified. LCSCs play critical roles in regulating HCC stemness, self-renewal, tumorigenicity, metastasis, recurrence, and therapeutic resistance via genetic mutations, epigenetic disruption, signaling pathway dysregulation, or alterations microenvironment. Accumulating studies have shown that biomarkers for LCSCs contribute to diagnosis and prognosis prediction of HCC, supporting their utility in clinical management and development of therapeutic strategies. Preclinical and clinical analyses of therapeutic approaches for HCC using small molecule inhibitors, oncolytic measles viruses, and anti-surface marker antibodies have demonstrated selective, efficient, and safe targeting of LCSC populations. The current review focuses on recent reports on the influence of LCSCs on HCC stemness, tumorigenesis, and multiple drug resistance (MDR), along with LCSC-targeted therapeutic strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chin Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
| | - Kwang-Huei Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
- Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +886-3-211-8263
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26
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Li X, Wang L, Cao X, Zhou L, Xu C, Cui Y, Qiu Y, Cao J. Casticin inhibits stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via disrupting the reciprocal negative regulation between DNMT1 and miR-148a-3p. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 396:114998. [PMID: 32268151 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.114998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Casticin (CAS) is a polymethyl flavonoid from Fructus viticis and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anticancer. However, whether the molecular mechanism underlying CAS represses stemness characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells involves intervention in the reciprocal negative regulation between DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and miR-148a-3p has not yet been reported. In this study, the effect of CAS on stemness characteristics of HCC cells and its mechanism were investigated. Results showed that CAS selectively reduced the viabilities of HCC cells but not L02 cells, as determined by CCK-8 assay. Importantly, the sub-cytotoxic concentrations of CAS could inhibit the stemness characteristics in HCC cells, as demonstrated by the expression of stemness biomarkers (CD44, EpCAM, Bmi1, Nanog, and Oct4), sphere forming assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. In addition, CAS repressed DNMT1 activity and expression and increased miR-148a-3p. The effect of CAS on stemness characteristics was abolished by stable DNMT1 overexpression. MiR-148a-3p overexpression enhanced the reduction of CAS on stemness characteristics. DNMT1 overexpression promoted miR-148a-3p promoter hypermethylation as detected by methylation-specific PCR (MSP), which repressed its expression. Conversely, miR-148a-3p repressed DNMT1 expression by specific site binding to 3'-UTR of DNMT1 mRNA, as determined by luciferase assay. Moreover, the combination of CAS and agomir-148a-3p had robust effects on tumor suppression as compared to the sole activity of either molecule in nude mouse xenograft experiments in vivo. The findings suggested that CAS could inhibit stemness characteristics in HCC cells by interruption of the reciprocal negative regulation between DNMT1 and miR-148a-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li
- Department of Preclinical Medicine, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China.
| | - Lianghou Wang
- Department of Preclinical Medicine, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Xiaocheng Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China; Key Laboratory of Study and Discover of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Lingli Zhou
- Department of Preclinical Medicine, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Chang Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China; Key Laboratory of Study and Discover of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Yinghong Cui
- Department of Preclinical Medicine, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Yebei Qiu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China; Key Laboratory of Study and Discover of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Jianguo Cao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China; Key Laboratory of Study and Discover of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Medical College, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410013, China.
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27
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Wang M, Ye Q, Mao D, Li H. Research Progress in Liver-Regenerating Microenvironment and DNA Methylation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e920310. [PMID: 32144233 PMCID: PMC7077739 DOI: 10.12659/msm.920310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development, progression, recurrence, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are closely associated with an abnormal liver-regenerating microenvironment (LRM). Therefore, preventing and reversing an abnormal LRM is a potential therapeutic strategy against HCC. Studies are increasingly focusing on the impact of regeneration, fibrosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, immunomodulation, and hepatic stem cells on HCC development and progression. As a key epigenetic mechanism, DNA methylation is extensively involved in regulating physiological and pathological pathways. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the role of DNA methylation in the fibrotic, angiogenic, inflammatory/immune, and stem cell microenvironments of HCC, and discuss new advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on influencing the abnormal LRM, so as to gain new insights into alleviating the abnormal LRM via regulating DNA methylation by TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minggang Wang
- Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
| | - Qianling Ye
- Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Dewen Mao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Hanmin Li
- Hubei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China (mainland)
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28
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Antitumor Activity of a Novel Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2019; 189:2090-2101. [PMID: 31351075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) might have an important role in the pathogenesis and biology of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We examined FGFR expression in CCA tumor specimens obtained from patients and CCA cell lines, and then determined the effects of the novel FGFR inhibitor, derazantinib (DZB; formally, ARQ 087), which is currently in clinical phase 2 trials for intrahepatic CCA. DZB inhibited the growth of CCA cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and AKT. It also activated apoptotic and cell growth arrest signaling. DZB reduced the in vitro invasiveness and the expression of key epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes. The in vitro data correlated with the expression of FGFRs in human CCA specimens by immunohistochemistry (FGFR1, 30% positive; and FGFR2, 65% positive) and the CCA cell lines assayed by Western blot analysis. These correlated in vitro studies suggest that FGFR may play an important role in the pathogenesis and biology of CCA. Our findings support the notion that FGFR inhibitors, like DZB, should be further evaluated at the clinical stage as targeted therapy for CCA treatment.
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29
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Gailhouste L, Liew LC, Yasukawa K, Hatada I, Tanaka Y, Kato T, Nakagama H, Ochiya T. MEG3-derived miR-493-5p overcomes the oncogenic feature of IGF2-miR-483 loss of imprinting in hepatic cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:553. [PMID: 31320614 PMCID: PMC6639415 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1788-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have described the critical role played by microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer progression and the potential of these small non-coding RNAs for diagnostic or therapeutic applications. However, the mechanisms responsible for the altered expression of miRNAs in malignant cells remain poorly understood. Herein, via epigenetic unmasking, we identified a group of miRNAs located in the imprinted delta like non-canonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK1)-maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) locus that were repressed in hepatic tumor cells. Notably, miR-493-5p epigenetic silencing was correlated with hypermethylation of the MEG3 differentially regulated region (DMR) in liver cancer cell lines and tumor tissues from patients. Experimental rescue of miR-493-5p promoted an anti-cancer response by hindering hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell growth in vitro and tumor progression in vivo. We found that miR-493-5p mediated part of its tumor-suppressor activity by abrogating overexpression of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and the IGF2-derived intronic oncomir miR-483-3p in HCC cells characterized by IGF2 loss of imprinting (LOI). In summary, this study describes an unknown miRNA-dependent regulatory mechanism between two distinct imprinted loci and a possible therapeutic window for liver cancer patients exhibiting IGF2-miR-483 LOI and amplification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Gailhouste
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan. .,Liver Cancer Prevention Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Lee Chuen Liew
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yasukawa
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Izuho Hatada
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Kato
- Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nakagama
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ochiya
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan.
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30
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Ji H, Zhou Y, Zhuang X, Zhu Y, Wu Z, Lu Y, Li S, Zeng Y, Lu QR, Huo Y, Shi Y, Bu H. HDAC3 Deficiency Promotes Liver Cancer through a Defect in H3K9ac/H3K9me3 Transition. Cancer Res 2019; 79:3676-3688. [PMID: 31097476 PMCID: PMC6679938 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-3767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage triggers diverse cancers, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the intrinsic link between DNA damage and tumorigenesis remains unclear. Because of its role as an epigenetic and transcriptional regulator, histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is essential for DNA damage control and is often aberrantly expressed in human HCC. In this study, we used individual class I HDAC member-deficient mice to demonstrate that K9 in histone H3 (H3K9), which is the critical site for the assembly of DNA damage response complexes, is exclusively targeted by HDAC3. Ablation of HDAC3 disrupted the deacetylation and consequent trimethylation of H3K9 (H3K9me3), the first step in double-strand break repair, and led to the accumulation of damaged DNA. Simultaneously, hyperacetylated H3K9 (H3K9ac) served as a transcriptional activator and enhanced multiple signaling pathways to promote tumorigenesis. Together, these results show that HDAC3 targets the H3K9ac/H3K9me3 transition to serve as a critical regulator that controls both DNA damage repair and the transcription of many tumor-related genes. Moreover, these findings provide novel insights into the link between DNA damage and transcriptional reprogramming in tumorigenesis. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that HDAC3 exclusively regulates H3K9ac in response to DNA damage, and loss of HDAC3 activity shifts the balance from DNA damage control to protumorigenic transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjie Ji
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- School of Bioscience and Technology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yongjie Zhou
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Zhuang
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongjie Zhu
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhenru Wu
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yannrong Lu
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shengfu Li
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Department of Liver and Vascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing R Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Yanying Huo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Yujun Shi
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Hong Bu
- Laboratory of Pathology, Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, NHC, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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31
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Tian MX, Liu WR, Wang H, Zhou YF, Jin L, Jiang XF, Tao CY, Tang Z, Zhou PY, Fang Y, Qu WF, Ding ZB, Peng YF, Dai Z, Qiu SJ, Zhou J, Lau WY, Fan J, Shi YH. Tissue-infiltrating lymphocytes signature predicts survival in patients with early/intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Med 2019; 17:106. [PMID: 31164128 PMCID: PMC6549297 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1341-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intratumoral immune infiltrates have manifested a robust prognostic signature in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We hypothesized that a novel tissue-related immune signature (TRIS) could improve the prediction of postoperative survival for patients diagnosed with early/intermediate HCC. METHODS Twenty-eight immune features were immunohistochemically examined on 352 HCC specimens. The LASSO Cox regression model was used to construct a five-feature-based TRIS. The univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed. Based on independent predictors, the immune-clinical prognostic index (ICPI) was established. Performance assessment was measured with C-index and compared with seven traditional staging systems. The independent validation cohort (n = 393) was included to validate the model. RESULTS By using the LASSO method, the TRIS were constructed on the basis of five immune features, CD3intratumoral (T), CD27T, CD68peritumoral (P), CD103T, and PD1T. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the TRIS was an independent prognostic predictor. In the training cohort, γ-glutamyl transferase, tumor diameter, tumor differentiation, and TRIS were incorporated into the ICPI. The ICPI presented satisfactory discrimination ability, with C-index values of 0.691 and 0.686 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Compared with seven conventional staging systems (C-index, training cohort, 0.548-0.597; validation cohort, 0.519-0.610), the ICPI exhibited better performance for early/intermediate-stage HCCs. Further, the patients were categorized into three subgroups with X-tile software, and the stratified ICPI presented a superior corrected Akaike information criterion and homogeneity in both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Our ICPI was a useful and reliable prognostic tool which may offer good individualized prediction capability for HCC patients with early/intermediate stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Xin Tian
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Ren Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Fu Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi-Fei Jiang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen-Yang Tao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Tang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei-Yun Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Feng Qu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Bin Ding
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan-Fei Peng
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Dai
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang-Jian Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wan Yee Lau
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Hong Shi
- Department of Liver Surgery, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Wang Y, Hu Y, Guo J, Wang L. miR-148a-3p Suppresses the Proliferation and Invasion of Esophageal Cancer by Targeting DNMT1. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2019; 23:98-104. [PMID: 30735457 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2018.0285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To identify whether miR-148a-3p interacts with DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in esophageal cancer. METHODS A luciferase assay and immunoblotting were performed to detect the relationship between miR-148a-3p and DNMT1. The MTT method, Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and Transwell assays were adopted to assess the biological behaviors in EC109 cells. The association between the expression level of miR-148a-3p, clinical features, and prognosis were evaluated by chi-square test and univariate survival analysis. RESULTS In this study, DNMT1 was identified as a direct target of miR-148a-3p by luciferase assay and Western blot. Real-time quantitative PCR analyses showed that the relative expression levels of miR-148a-3p and DNMT1 were reduced in esophageal cancer samples compared with adjacent tissues; and a negative relationship between both was indicated. Upon overexpression of miR-148a-3p in esophageal cancer cells, proliferation and invasion were significantly suppressed, and apoptosis was promoted. A higher level of miR-148a-3p was correlated with better patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that miR-148a-3p, by targeting DNMT1, likely regulates cell proliferation and invasion in esophageal cancer. miR-148a-3p might also be used prognostically in esophageal cancer and serve as a therapeutic target in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuping Wang
- First Oncology Ward, Henan Province Hospital of TCM, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yuna Hu
- First Oncology Ward, Henan Province Hospital of TCM, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Junhui Guo
- First Oncology Ward, Henan Province Hospital of TCM, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
| | - Lingling Wang
- First Oncology Ward, Henan Province Hospital of TCM, Zhengzhou, P.R. China
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33
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Mohamed RH, Abu-Shahba N, Mahmoud M, Abdelfattah AMH, Zakaria W, ElHefnawi M. Co-regulatory Network of Oncosuppressor miRNAs and Transcription Factors for Pathology of Human Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells (HCSC). Sci Rep 2019; 9:5564. [PMID: 30944375 PMCID: PMC6447552 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41978-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic cancer stem cells (HCSCs) are considered as main players for the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation, metastasis, drug resistance and recurrence. There is a growing evidence supporting the down-regulated miRNAs in HCSCs as key suppressors for the stemness traits, but still more details are vague about how these miRNAs modulate the HCC development. To uncover some of these miRNA regulatory aspects in HCSC, we compiled 15 down-regulated miRNA and their validated and predicted up-regulated targets in HCSC. The targets were enriched for several cancer cell stemness hallmarks and CSC pre-metastatic niche, which support these miRNAs role in suppression of HCSCs neoplastic transformation. Further, we constructed miRNA-Transcription factor (TF) regulatory networks, which provided new insights on the role of the proposed miRNA-TF co-regulation in the cancer stemness axis and its cross talk with the surrounding microenvironment. Our analysis revealed HCSC important hubs as candidate regulators for targeting hepatic cancer stemness such as, miR-148a, miR-214, E2F family, MYC and SLC7A5. Finally, we proposed a possible model for miRNA and TF co-regulation of HCSC signaling pathways. Our study identified an HCSC signature and set bridges between the reported results to give guide for future validation of HCC therapeutic strategies avoiding drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Hassan Mohamed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nourhan Abu-Shahba
- Stem Cell Research Group, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa Mahmoud
- Stem Cell Research Group, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M H Abdelfattah
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.,VAP, CS Department, SUNY, Oswego, NY, USA
| | - Wael Zakaria
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud ElHefnawi
- Biomedical informatics and Chemoinformatics group, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, Informatics and Systems Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt. .,Informatics and systems Department, Division of Engineering research, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
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34
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Recalcati S, Correnti M, Gammella E, Raggi C, Invernizzi P, Cairo G. Iron Metabolism in Liver Cancer Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2019; 9:149. [PMID: 30941302 PMCID: PMC6433741 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSC) which have been identified in several tumors, including liver cancer, represent a particular subpopulation of tumor cells characterized by properties similar to those of adult stem cells. Importantly, CSC are resistant to standard therapies, thereby leading to metastatic dissemination and tumor relapse. Given the increasing evidence that iron homeostasis is deregulated in cancer, here we describe the iron homeostasis alterations in cancer cells, particularly in liver CSC. We also discuss two paradoxically opposite iron manipulation-strategies for tumor therapy based either on iron chelation or iron overload-mediated oxidant production leading to ferroptosis. A better understanding of iron metabolism modifications occurring in hepatic tumors and particularly in liver CSC cells may offer new therapeutic options for this cancer, which is characterized by increasing incidence and unfavorable prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Recalcati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Elena Gammella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Raggi
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Gaetano Cairo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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35
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Czauderna C, Palestino-Dominguez M, Castven D, Becker D, Zanon-Rodriguez L, Hajduk J, Mahn FL, Herr M, Strand D, Strand S, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Gomez-Quiroz LE, Wörns MA, Galle PR, Marquardt JU. Ginkgo biloba induces different gene expression signatures and oncogenic pathways in malignant and non-malignant cells of the liver. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209067. [PMID: 30576355 PMCID: PMC6303069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) is a widely used botanical drug. Several reports indicate that EGb761 confers preventive as well as anti-tumorigenic properties in a variety of tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We here evaluate functional effects and molecular alterations induced by EGb761 in hepatoma cells and non-malignant hepatocytes. Hepatoma cell lines, primary human HCC cells and immortalized human hepatocytes (IH) were exposed to various concentrations (0–1000 μg/ml) of EGb761. Apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated after 72h of EGb761 exposure. Response to oxidative stress, tumorigenic properties and molecular changes were further investigated. While anti-oxidant effects were detected in all cell lines, EGb761 promoted anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects mainly in hepatoma cells. Consistently, EGb761 treatment caused a significant reduction in colony and sphere forming ability in hepatoma cells and no mentionable changes in IH. Transcriptomic changes involved oxidative stress response as well as key oncogenic pathways resembling Nrf2- and mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, EGb761 induces differential effects in non-transformed and cancer cells. While treatment confers protective effects in non-malignant cells, EGb761 significantly impairs tumorigenic properties in cancer cells by affecting key oncogenic pathways. Results provide the rational for clinical testing of EGb761 in preventive and therapeutic strategies in human liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Czauderna
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mayrel Palestino-Dominguez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Iztapalapa, Mexico
| | - Darko Castven
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
| | - Diana Becker
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
| | - Luis Zanon-Rodriguez
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jovana Hajduk
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
| | - Friederike L. Mahn
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
| | - Monika Herr
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dennis Strand
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Strand
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- Department of Genomics of Institute of Human Genetics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Luis E. Gomez-Quiroz
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Iztapalapa, Mexico
| | - Marcus A. Wörns
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter R. Galle
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jens U. Marquardt
- Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Lichtenberg Research Group “Molecular Hepatocarcinogenesis”, Mainz, Germany
- * E-mail:
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36
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Wang N, Wang S, Li MY, Hu BG, Liu LP, Yang SL, Yang S, Gong Z, Lai PBS, Chen GG. Cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma: an overview and promising therapeutic strategies. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2018; 10:1758835918816287. [PMID: 30622654 PMCID: PMC6304707 DOI: 10.1177/1758835918816287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The poor clinical outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is ascribed to the resistance of HCC cells to traditional treatments and tumor recurrence after curative therapies. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been identified as a small subset of cancer cells which have high capacity for self-renewal, differentiation and tumorigenesis. Recent advances in the field of liver CSCs (LCSCs) have enabled the identification of CSC surface markers and the isolation of CSC subpopulations from HCC cells. Given their central role in cancer initiation, metastasis, recurrence and therapeutic resistance, LCSCs constitute a therapeutic opportunity to achieve cure and prevent relapse of HCC. Thus, it is necessary to develop therapeutic strategies to selectively and efficiently target LCSCs. Small molecular inhibitors targeting the core stemness signaling pathways have been actively pursued and evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Other alternative therapeutic strategies include targeting LCSC surface markers, interrupting the CSC microenvironment, and altering the epigenetic state. In this review, we summarize the properties of CSCs in HCC and discuss novel therapeutic strategies that can be used to target LCSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuozhou Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR,
China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck
Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of
Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ming-Yue Li
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong,
China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese
University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bao-guang Hu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The
Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong,
China
| | - Li-ping Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas
Surgery, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Shenzhen
People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sheng-li Yang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical
College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shucai Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Pingshan
District People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province,
China
| | - Zhongqin Gong
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR,
China
| | - Paul B. S. Lai
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
SAR, China
| | - George G. Chen
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
SAR, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese
University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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37
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Ariza-Nieto M, Alley JB, Samy S, Fitzgerald L, Vermeylen F, Shuler ML, Alemán JO. Circulating MIR148A associates with sensitivity to adiponectin levels in human metabolic surgery for weight loss. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:975-982. [PMID: 30300537 PMCID: PMC6176280 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to discover secreted biomarkers to monitor the recovery of physiological adiponectin levels with metabolic surgery, focusing on epigenetic changes that might predict adiponectin function. DESIGN We conducted a prospective observational study of patients undergoing metabolic surgery by Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) for weight loss in a single center (IRB GHS # 1207-27). METHODS All patients (n = 33; 27 females; 6 males) signed informed consent. Metabolites, adiponectin and MIR148A were measured in fasting plasma. We followed MIQE for transcript profiles. RESULTS Patients lost on average 47 ± 12% excess BMI (%EBMI) after 12 weeks. Adiponectin pre, post or delta (post minus pre) did not correlate with %EBMIL. A decrease in adiponectin following weight loss surgery was observed in a subset of patients, chi-square test of independence rejects the null hypotheses that the liver DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and delta adiponectin are independent (chi-square statistics χ2 = 6.9205, P = 0.00852, n = 33), as well as MIR148A and delta adiponectin are independent (chi-square statistics χ2 = 9.6823, P = 0.00186, n = 33). The presence of plasma MIR148A allows identification of patients that appear to be adiponectin insensitive at baseline. CONCLUSION We combined the presence of plasma MIR148A, the concentration of total adiponectin and the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in liver biopsy tissue to identify patients with non-physiological adiponectin. Weight loss and physical activity interventions complemented with the new method presented here could serve to monitor the physiological levels of adiponectin, thought to be important for long-term weight loss maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnolia Ariza-Nieto
- Cornell UniversityMeinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, New York, USA
- epiWELLLLC, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to M Ariza-Nieto:
| | - Joshua B Alley
- Donald Guthrie Foundation for Education and ResearchGuthrie Clinic, Sayre, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sanjay Samy
- Donald Guthrie Foundation for Education and ResearchGuthrie Clinic, Sayre, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura Fitzgerald
- Donald Guthrie Foundation for Education and ResearchGuthrie Clinic, Sayre, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Francoise Vermeylen
- Cornell UniversityCornell Statistical Consulting Unit, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Michael L Shuler
- Cornell UniversityMeinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - José O Alemán
- New York University Langone Medical CenterNew York, New York, USA
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38
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Gao X, Sheng Y, Yang J, Wang C, Zhang R, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Zhang K, Yan S, Sun H, Wei J, Wang X, Yu X, Zhang Y, Luo Q, Zheng Y, Qiao P, Zhao Y, Dong Q, Qin L. Osteopontin alters DNA methylation through up-regulating DNMT1 and sensitizes CD133+/CD44+ cancer stem cells to 5 azacytidine in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018; 37:179. [PMID: 30064482 PMCID: PMC6069805 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0832-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), CD133+/CD44+ cells are one subgroup with high stemness and responsible for metastatic relapse and resistance to treatment. Our previous studies have demonstrated that osteopontin (OPN) plays critical roles in HCC metastasis. We further investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the role of OPN in regulating the stemness of HCC epigenetically and explored possible targeting strategy. METHODS CD133+/CD44+ subgroup sorting from HCC cell lines and HCC tissues was used to investigate the effects of OPN knockdown on stemness. iTRAQ and MedIP-sequencing were applied to detect the protein profile and epigenetic modification of CD133+/CD44+ subgroup with or without OPN knockdown. The antitumor effects of 5 Azacytidine were examined in cultured HCC cells and patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. RESULTS OPN was accumulated in CD133+/CD44+ subgroup of HCC cells. Knocking down OPN significantly inhibited the sphere formation and stemness-related genes expression, and delayed tumor initiation of CD133+/CD44+ subgroup of HCC cells. Employing MedIP-sequencing, dot blot and iTRAQ analyses of CD133+/CD44+ SCR and CD133+/CD44+ shOPN cells, we found that OPN knockdown leaded to reduction in DNA methylation with particular enrichment in CGI. Meanwhile, DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), the main methylation maintainer, was downregulated via proteomics analysis, which mediated OPN altering DNA methylation. Furthermore, DNMT1 upregulation could partially rescue the properties of CD133+/CD44+ shOPN cells. Both in vitro and in vivo assays showed that CD133+/CD44+ cells with high OPN levels were more sensitive to DNA methylation inhibitor, 5 Azacytidine (5 Aza). The above findings were validated in HCC primary cells, a more clinically relevant model. CONCLUSIONS OPN induces methylome reprogramming to enhance the stemness of CD133+/CD44+ subgroup and provides the therapeutic benefits to DNMT1 targeting treatment in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yuanyuan Sheng
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Chaoqun Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Kaili Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Shican Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Haoting Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Jinwang Wei
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Qin Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Peng Qiao
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral and Cancer Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Qiongzhu Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
| | - Lunxiu Qin
- Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital and Cancer Metastasis Institute and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032 China
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Augello C, Colombo F, Terrasi A, Trombetta E, Maggioni M, Porretti L, Rossi G, Guerneri S, Silipigni R, Bosari S, Vaira V. Expression of C19MC miRNAs in HCC associates with stem-cell features and the cancer-testis genes signature. Dig Liver Dis 2018; 50:583-593. [PMID: 29673952 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2018.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intratumor heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and, among HCC cell subsets, the cancer stem cell population (hCSC), is responsible for therapeutic resistance and disease relapse. AIMS To characterize hCSC-enriched HCCs at the molecular level. METHODS Side population (SP) was used to identify the hCSCs in multiple tumor sampling from different patients and primary HCCs cultures. FACS was used to immunoprofile cultures. miRNAs were profiled in samples and correlated to SP. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HCC dataset was analyzed to search for signatures associated with C19MC miRNAs expression. Results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The miRNA cluster on chromosome 19 (C19MC) was enriched in SP and in HCCs with a high SP fraction. At the molecular level, an elevated C19MC was correlated with expression of precursor transcripts. In TCGA-HCC series, high C19MC expression identified a subset of patients with poorer prognosis, advanced disease and overexpression of the cancer-testis (CT) antigens. These data were confirmed in an independent cohort of HCCs and at the protein level. CONCLUSION C19MC miRNAs and CT antigens overexpression represents a novel oncogenic pathway in a subset of hCSC-enriched HCCs with dismal prognosis. CT antigens are promising immunotherapy targets. Therefore, these molecular signatures could identify HCCs who could benefit from immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Augello
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Divisions of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Colombo
- Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratory, Flow Cytometry and Experimental Hepatology Service, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Terrasi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Divisions of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Trombetta
- Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratory, Flow Cytometry and Experimental Hepatology Service, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Maggioni
- Divisions of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Porretti
- Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratory, Flow Cytometry and Experimental Hepatology Service, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Rossi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvana Guerneri
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosamaria Silipigni
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvano Bosari
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Divisions of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Valentina Vaira
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Divisions of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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40
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Gailhouste L, Liew LC, Yasukawa K, Hatada I, Tanaka Y, Nakagama H, Ochiya T. Differentiation Therapy by Epigenetic Reconditioning Exerts Antitumor Effects on Liver Cancer Cells. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1840-1854. [PMID: 29759938 PMCID: PMC6035736 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver tumors are mainly represented by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most aggressive and resistant forms of cancer. Liver tumorigenesis is characterized by an accumulation of epigenetic abnormalities, leading to gene extinction and loss of hepatocyte differentiation. The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of converting liver cancer cells toward a less aggressive and differentiated phenotype using a process called epigenetic reconditioning. Here, we showed that an epigenetic regimen with non-cytotoxic doses of the demethylating compound 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) promoted an anti-cancer response by inhibiting HCC cell tumorigenicity. Furthermore, epigenetic reconditioning improved sorafenib response. Remarkably, epigenetic treatment was associated with a significant restoration of differentiation, as attested by the increased expression of characteristic hepatocyte markers in reconditioned cells. In particular, we showed that reexpression of these epigenetically silenced liver genes following 5-AZA treatment or after knockdown of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was the result of regional CpG demethylation. Lastly, we confirmed the efficacy of HCC differentiation therapy by epigenetic reconditioning using an in vivo tumor growth model. In summary, this work demonstrates that epigenetic reconditioning using the demethylating compound 5-AZA shows therapeutic significance for liver cancer and is potentially attractive for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Gailhouste
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Lee Chuen Liew
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yasukawa
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Izuho Hatada
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nakagama
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ochiya
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
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41
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Correnti M, Raggi C. Stem-like plasticity and heterogeneity of circulating tumor cells: current status and prospect challenges in liver cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:7094-7115. [PMID: 27738343 PMCID: PMC5351693 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor prognosis and high recurrence remain leading causes of primary liver cancerassociated mortality. The spread of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood plays a major role in the initiation of metastasis and tumor recurrence after surgery. Nevertheless, only a subset of CTCs can survive, migrate to distant sites and establish secondary tumors. Consistent with cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis, stem-like CTCs might represent a potential source for cancer relapse and distant metastasis. Thus, identification of stem-like metastasis-initiating CTC-subset may provide useful clinically prognostic information. This review will emphasize the most relevant findings of CTCs in the context of stem-like biology associated to liver carcinogenesis. In this view, the emerging field of stem-like CTCs may deliver substantial contribution in liver cancer field in order to move to personalized approaches for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Correnti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Chiara Raggi
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
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42
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Regulation of HK2 expression through alterations in CpG methylation of the HK2 promoter during progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:41798-41810. [PMID: 27260001 PMCID: PMC5173097 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hexokinase 2 (HK2) is a rate-determining enzyme in aerobic glycolysis, a process upregulated in tumor cells. HK2 expression is controlled by various transcription factors and epigenetic alterations and is heterogeneous in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), though the cause of this heterogeneity is not known. DNA methylation in the HK2 promoter CpG island (HK2-CGI) and its surrounding regions (shore and shelf) has not previously been evaluated, but may provide clues about the regulation of HK2 expression. Here, we compared HK2 promoter methylation in HCCs and adjacent non-cancerous liver tissues using a HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. We found that, while the HK2-CGI N-shore was hypomethylated, thereby enhancing HK2 expression, the HK2-CGI was itself hypermethylated in some HCCs. This hypermethylation suppressed HK2 expression by inhibiting interactions between HIF-1α and a hypoxia response element (HRE) located at -234/-230. HCCs that were HK2negative and had distinct promoter CGI methylation were denoted as having a HK2-CGI methylation phenotype (HK2-CIMP), which was associated with poor clinical outcome. These findings indicate that HK2-CGI N-shore hypomethylation and HK2-CGI hypermethylation affect HK2 expression by influencing the interaction between HIF 1α and HRE. HK2-CGI hypermethylation induces HK2-CIMP and could represent a prognostic biomarker for HCC.
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43
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Bai J, Zhang X, Hu K, Liu B, Wang H, Li A, Lin F, Zhang L, Sun X, Du Z, Song J. Silencing DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibits proliferation, metastasis and invasion in ESCC by suppressing methylation of RASSF1A and DAPK. Oncotarget 2018; 7:44129-44141. [PMID: 27286455 PMCID: PMC5190084 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous study showed DNMT1 is up-regulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which is associated with methylation of tumor suppressors. In the current study, we investigate the role of DNMT1 in ESCC. We found silencing DNMT1 inhibited proliferation, metastasis and invasion of three different ESCC cells, K150, K410 and K450. We also found silencing DNMT1 induced G1 arrest and cell apoptosis in K150, K410 and K450 cells. In vivo study showed silencing DNMT1 suppressed tumor growth in nude mice. In addition, silencing DNMT1 increased expression of tumor suppressor genes, RASSF1A and DAPK, in ESCC cells and ESCC xenograft in nude mice. Moreover, silencing DNMT1 decreased methylation in promoter of RASSF1A and DAPK. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that silencing DNMT1 inhibits proliferation, metastasis and invasion in ESCC by suppressing methylation of RASSF1A and DAPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Bai
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Department of ICU, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Bangqing Liu
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Haiyong Wang
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Angui Li
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Lifei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaolin Sun
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Zhenzong Du
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China.,Current address: Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Lingui District, Guilin, China
| | - Jianfei Song
- Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China.,Current address: Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Lingui District, Guilin, China
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44
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Raggi C, Gammella E, Correnti M, Buratti P, Forti E, Andersen JB, Alpini G, Glaser S, Alvaro D, Invernizzi P, Cairo G, Recalcati S. Dysregulation of Iron Metabolism in Cholangiocarcinoma Stem-like Cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17667. [PMID: 29247214 PMCID: PMC5732280 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17804-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a devastating liver tumour arising from malignant transformation of bile duct epithelial cells. Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a subset of tumour cells endowed with stem-like properties, which play a role in tumour initiation, recurrence and metastasis. In appropriate conditions, CSC form 3D spheres (SPH), which retain stem-like tumour-initiating features. Here, we found different expression of iron proteins indicating increased iron content, oxidative stress and higher expression of CSC markers in CCA-SPH compared to tumour cells growing as monolayers. Exposure to the iron chelator desferrioxamine decreased SPH forming efficiency and the expression of CSC markers and stem-like genes, whereas iron had an opposite effect. Microarray profiles in CCA samples (n = 104) showed decreased H ferritin, hepcidin and ferroportin expression in tumours respect to surrounding liver, whereas transferrin receptor was up-regulated. Moreover, we found a trend toward poorer outcome in CCA patients with elevated expression of ferritin and hepcidin, two major proteins of iron metabolism. These findings, which represent the first evidence of a role for iron in the stem cell compartment as a novel metabolic factor involved in CCA growth, may have implications for a better therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Raggi
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy.,Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, University of Firence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Elena Gammella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Margherita Correnti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Paolo Buratti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Forti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, Department of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Baylor Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Health, Department of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Shannon Glaser
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Baylor Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Health, Department of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Domenico Alvaro
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Program for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, International Center for Digestive Health, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
| | - Gaetano Cairo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy.
| | - Stefania Recalcati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
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45
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Gailhouste L, Liew LC, Yasukawa K, Hagiwara K, Iwazaki N, Yamada Y, Hatada I, Ochiya T. Epigenetic Reprogramming of Human Hepatoma Cells: A Low-Cost Option for Drug Metabolism Assessment. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 5:454-457.e1. [PMID: 29675460 PMCID: PMC5904034 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luc Gailhouste
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan,Corresponding author:
| | - Lee Chuen Liew
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan,Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yasukawa
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan,Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keitaro Hagiwara
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiko Iwazaki
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yamada
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Saitama, Japan
| | - Izuho Hatada
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ochiya
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan,Corresponding author:
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Kennedy L, Hargrove L, Demieville J, Francis N, Seils R, Villamaria S, Francis H. Recent Advances in Understanding Cholangiocarcinoma. F1000Res 2017; 6:1818. [PMID: 29067165 PMCID: PMC5635438 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.12118.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignancy that arises from damaged epithelial cells, cholangiocytes, and possibly de-differentiated hepatocytes. CCA has a poor overall survival rate and limited therapeutic options. Based on this data, it is imperative that new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions be developed. Recent work has attempted to understand the pathological mechanisms driving CCA progression. Specifically, recent publications have delved into the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) during CCA pathology. CSCs are a specific subset of cells within the tumor environment that are derived from a cell with stem-like properties and have been shown to influence recurrence and chemoresistance during CCA. MSCs are known for their anti-inflammatory activity and have been postulated to influence malignancy during CCA, but little is known about their exact functions. miRNAs exert various functions via gene regulation at both the transcriptional and the translational levels, giving miRNAs diverse roles in CCA progression. Additionally, current miRNA-based therapeutic approaches are in clinical trials for various liver diseases, giving hope for similar approaches for CCA. However, the interactions among these three factors in the context of CCA are unknown. In this review, we focus on recently published data (within the last 3 years) that discuss the role of CSCs, MSCs, and miRNAs and their possible interactions during CCA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Kennedy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA.,Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Laura Hargrove
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | | | - Nicole Francis
- Baylor Scott & White Health Digestive Disease Research Center, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Rowan Seils
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Sara Villamaria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Heather Francis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA.,Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, TX, USA.,Baylor Scott & White Health Digestive Disease Research Center, Temple, TX, USA
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47
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The Recent Advances on Liver Cancer Stem Cells: Biomarkers, Separation, and Therapy. Anal Cell Pathol (Amst) 2017; 2017:5108653. [PMID: 28819584 PMCID: PMC5551471 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5108653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As the third major reason of mortality related to cancer in the world, liver cancer is also the fifth most frequent cancer. Unluckily, a majority of patients succumb and relapse though many progresses have been made in detection and therapy of liver cancer. It has been put forward that in liver cancer, cancer stem cells (CSCs) hold main responsibility for the formation, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence of tumor. Strategies that are intended to target liver CSCs are playing a more and more significant role in supervising the development of liver cancer treatment and assessing new therapeutic methods. Herein, a brief review about molecule markers, signal pathways, separation, and treatment on liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) is provided in this paper.
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48
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Lee CW, Huang WC, Huang HD, Huang YH, Ho JH, Yang MH, Yang VW, Lee OK. DNA Methyltransferases Modulate Hepatogenic Lineage Plasticity of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:247-263. [PMID: 28602611 PMCID: PMC5511371 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The irreversibility of developmental processes in mammalian cells has been challenged by rising evidence that de-differentiation of hepatocytes occurs in adult liver. However, whether reversibility exists in mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived hepatocytes (dHeps) remains elusive. In this study, we find that hepatogenic differentiation (HD) of MSCs is a reversible process and is modulated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). DNMTs are regulated by transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), which in turn controls hepatogenic differentiation and de-differentiation. In addition, a stepwise reduction in TGFβ1 concentrations in culture media increases DNMT1 and decreases DNMT3 in primary hepatocytes (Heps) and confers Heps with multi-differentiation potentials similarly to MSCs. Hepatic lineage reversibility of MSCs and lineage conversion of Heps are regulated by DNMTs in response to TGFβ1. This previously unrecognized TGFβ1-DNMTs-MSC-HD axis may further increase the understanding the normal and pathological processes in the liver, as well as functions of MSCs after transplantation to treat liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wei Lee
- Program in Molecular Medicine, National Yang-Ming University and Academia Sinica, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chih Huang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Chiao Tung University, HsinChu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Da Huang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Chiao Tung University, HsinChu 30010, Taiwan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, HsinChu 30010, Taiwan; Center for Bioinformatics Research, National Chiao Tung University, HsinChu 30010, Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsiang Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
| | - Jennifer H Ho
- Center for Stem Cell Research, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Muh-Hwa Yang
- Institute of Biotechnology in Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Genome Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Immunity and Inflammation Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Vincent W Yang
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Oscar K Lee
- Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 10341, Taiwan; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Stem Cell Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11221, Taiwan.
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49
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Abstract
Liver cancer is an often fatal malignant tumor with a high recurrence rate and chemoresistance. The major malignant phenotypes of cancer, including recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance, are related to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In the past few decades, CSCs have been identified and characterized in many tumors including liver cancer. Accumulated evidence has revealed many aspects of the biological behavior of liver CSCs and the mechanism of their regulation. Based on these findings, a number of studies have investigated eradication of liver CSCs. This review focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of the biology of liver CSCs and the development of strategies for their treatment.
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50
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Raggi C, Correnti M, Sica A, Andersen JB, Cardinale V, Alvaro D, Chiorino G, Forti E, Glaser S, Alpini G, Destro A, Sozio F, Di Tommaso L, Roncalli M, Banales JM, Coulouarn C, Bujanda L, Torzilli G, Invernizzi P. Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages. J Hepatol 2017; 66:102-115. [PMID: 27593106 PMCID: PMC5522599 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS A therapeutically challenging subset of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) clinical severity. Presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has prognostic significance in CCA and other malignancies. Thus, we hypothesized that CSCs may actively shape their tumor-supportive immune niche. METHODS CCA cells were cultured in 3D conditions to generate spheres. CCA sphere analysis of in vivo tumorigenic-engraftment in immune-deficient mice and molecular characterization was performed. The in vitro and in vivo effect of CCA spheres on macrophage precursors was tested after culturing healthy donor cluster of differentiation (CD)14+ with CCA-sphere conditioned medium. RESULTS CCA spheres engrafted in 100% of transplanted mice and revealed a significant 20.3-fold increase in tumor-initiating fraction (p=0.0011) and a sustained tumorigenic potential through diverse xenograft-generations. Moreover, CCA spheres were highly enriched for CSC, liver cancer and embryonic stem cell markers both at gene and protein levels. Next, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that in the presence of CCA sphere conditioned medium, CD14+ macrophages expressed key markers (CD68, CD115, human leukocyte antigen-D related, CD206) indicating that CCA sphere conditioned medium was a strong macrophage-activator. Gene expression profile of CCA sphere activated macrophages revealed unique molecular TAM-like features confirmed by high invasion capacity. Also, freshly isolated macrophages from CCA resections recapitulated a similar molecular phenotype of in vitro-educated macrophages. Consistent with invasive features, the largest CD163+ set was found in the tumor front of human CCA specimens (n=23) and correlated with a high level of serum cancer antigen 19.9 (n=17). Among mediators released by CCA spheres, only interleukin (IL)13, IL34 and osteoactivin were detected and further confirmed in CCA patient sera (n=12). Surprisingly, a significant association of IL13, IL34 and osteoactivin with sphere stem-like genes was provided by a CCA database (n=104). In vitro combination of IL13, IL34, osteoactivin was responsible for macrophage-differentiation and invasion, as well as for in vivo tumor-promoting effect. CONCLUSION CCA-CSCs molded a specific subset of stem-like associated macrophages thus providing a rationale for a synergistic therapeutic strategy for CCA-disease. LAY SUMMARY Immune plasticity represents an important hallmark of tumor outcome. Since cancer stem cells are able to manipulate stromal cells to their needs, a better definition of the key dysregulated immune subtypes responsible for cooperating in supporting tumor initiation may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Considering that human cholangiocarcinoma represents a clinical emergency, it is essential to move to predictive models in order to understand the adaptive process of macrophage component (imprinting, polarization and maintenance) engaged by tumor stem-like compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Raggi
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy.
| | - Margherita Correnti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Antonio Sica
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro” Novara, Italy
| | - Jesper B. Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vincenzo Cardinale
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Alvaro
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Chiorino
- Cancer Genomics Laboratory, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, Biella, Italy
| | - Elisa Forti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Shannon Glaser
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White, Department of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Research, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Scott & White Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White, Department of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple, TX, United States
| | | | - Francesca Sozio
- Leukocyte Migration Laboratory, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Di Tommaso
- Pathology Unit, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy,University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Roncalli
- Pathology Unit, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy,University of Milan Medical School, Milan, Italy
| | - Jesus M. Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, San Sebastián, Spain
| | | | - Luis Bujanda
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Center for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Italy; Program for Autoimmune Liver Diseases, International Center for Digestive Health, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Italy.
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