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Chhabra Y, Fane ME, Pramod S, Hüser L, Zabransky DJ, Wang V, Dixit A, Zhao R, Kumah E, Brezka ML, Truskowski K, Nandi A, Marino-Bravante GE, Carey AE, Gour N, Maranto DA, Rocha MR, Harper EI, Ruiz J, Lipson EJ, Jaffee EM, Bibee K, Sunshine JC, Ji H, Weeraratna AT. Sex-dependent effects in the aged melanoma tumor microenvironment influence invasion and resistance to targeted therapy. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00904-8. [PMID: 39243764 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
There is documented sex disparity in cutaneous melanoma incidence and mortality, increasing disproportionately with age and in the male sex. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. While biological sex differences and inherent immune response variability have been assessed in tumor cells, the role of the tumor-surrounding microenvironment, contextually in aging, has been overlooked. Here, we show that skin fibroblasts undergo age-mediated, sex-dependent changes in their proliferation, senescence, ROS levels, and stress response. We find that aged male fibroblasts selectively drive an invasive, therapy-resistant phenotype in melanoma cells and promote metastasis in aged male mice by increasing AXL expression. Intrinsic aging in male fibroblasts mediated by EZH2 decline increases BMP2 secretion, which in turn drives the slower-cycling, highly invasive, and therapy-resistant melanoma cell phenotype, characteristic of the aged male TME. Inhibition of BMP2 activity blocks the emergence of invasive phenotypes and sensitizes melanoma cells to BRAF/MEK inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash Chhabra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
| | - Mitchell E Fane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Sneha Pramod
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Laura Hüser
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Daniel J Zabransky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Vania Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Agrani Dixit
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ruzhang Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Edwin Kumah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Megan L Brezka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kevin Truskowski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Asmita Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gloria E Marino-Bravante
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alexis E Carey
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Naina Gour
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Devon A Maranto
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Murilo R Rocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth I Harper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Justin Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Evan J Lipson
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; The Cancer Convergence Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kristin Bibee
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Joel C Sunshine
- Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Tanaka T, Koga H, Suzuki H, Iwamoto H, Sakaue T, Masuda A, Nakamura T, Akiba J, Yano H, Torimura T, Kawaguchi T. Anti-PD-L1 antibodies promote cellular proliferation by activating the PD-L1-AXL signal relay in liver cancer cells. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:984-997. [PMID: 37553470 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10572-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are emerging treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, evidence has shown they may induce hyperprogressive disease via unexplained mechanisms. METHODS In this study, we investigated the possible stimulative effect of ICIs on programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-harboring liver cancer cells under immunocompetent cell-free conditions. RESULTS The sarcomatous HAK-5 cell line displayed the highest expression of PD-L1 among 11 human liver cancer cell lines used in this study. HLF showed moderate expression, while HepG2, Hep3B, and HuH-7 did not show any. Moreover, sarcomatous HCC tissues expressed high levels of PD-L1. We observed approximately 20% increase in cell proliferation in HAK-5 cells treated with anti-PD-L1 antibodies, such as durvalumab and atezolizumab, for 48 h compared with that of those treated with the control IgG and the anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab. No response to durvalumab or atezolizumab was shown in PD-L1-nonexpressing cells. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments for PD-L1 in HAK-5 and HepG2 cells resulted in a significant decrease and increase in cell proliferation, respectively. Phosphorylated receptor tyrosine kinase array and immunoprecipitation revealed direct interactions between PD-L1 and AXL in tumor cells. This was stabilized by extrinsic anti-PD-L1 antibodies in a glycosylated PD-L1-dependent manner. Activation of AXL, triggering signal relay to the Akt and Erk pathways, boosted tumor cell proliferation both in vitro and in xenografted tumors in NOD/SCID mice. CONCLUSION Collectively, this suggests that anti-PD-L1 antibodies stimulate cell proliferation via stabilization of the PD-L1-AXL complex in specific types of liver cancer, including in HCC with mesenchymal components. SIGNIFICANCE Therapeutic anti-PD-L1 antibodies promote cell proliferation by stabilizing the PD-L1-AXL complex in PD-L1-abundant neoplasms, including in HCC with mesenchymal components. Such a mechanism may contribute to the development of hyperprogressive disease.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/immunology
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/immunology
- Mice
- Animals
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Signal Transduction
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/immunology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Axl Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshimitsu Tanaka
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hironori Koga
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Suzuki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hideki Iwamoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Takahiko Sakaue
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Atsutaka Masuda
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Toru Nakamura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Jun Akiba
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kurume University Hospital, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Yano
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Takuji Torimura
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
- Liver Cancer Research Division, Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Takumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
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3
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Samuell E, Abdel-Aziz AAF, Shehata AS, Abdel-Wahab M, Elmougy RA. The Combined Use of Dickkopf-1 and Soluble Axl Improves Hepatocellular Carcinoma Diagnostic Efficacy in Hepatitis C Patients. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2024; 25:2185-2191. [PMID: 38918682 PMCID: PMC11382852 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2024.25.6.2185] [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: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Standard tools are not sensitive enough for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) early detection. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and soluble Axl (sAxl) and their combined for early differentiating of HCC from premalignant benign liver diseases. METHODS A total of 210 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients (55 fibrotic, 45 cirrhotic and 110 HCC) were enrolled. Both DKK1 and sAxl were tested using ELISA for all participants. RESULTS HCC patients were accompanied by a significant increase (P<0.05) in DKK1 (5.38±2.05 ng/mL) and sAxl (178.02±49.39 ng/mL) compared to patients with fibrosis (2.16±0.6, 97.63±19.71 ng/mL, respectively) and cirrhosis (2.62±0.8, 121.84±34.66 ng/mL, respectively). Both DKK1 (AUC=0.852) and sAxl (AUC=0.882) had a good diagnostic accuracy in separating HCC from all non-HCC patients. Multiplying DKK1 with sAXL yielded values that significantly (P=0.0001) increased in patients who developed HCC (674.3 (434.2-1413.9)) versus fibrotic (204.9 (161.7-262)) and cirrhotic (254.4 (205.4-343.7)) patients. This model improves HCC diagnostic performances [AUC=0.921; sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 87%, PPV 88.5%, NPV 89.7% and efficiency 89.1%]. Elevated DKK1×sAxl values were associated with aggressive tumor features including multiple nodules, large size, Child-Pugh and BCLC late stages. CONCLUSIONS combined use of DKK1×sAxl is simple and feasible HCC diagnostic model that could enhance HCC diagnostic accuracy and could replace AFP in follow up of patients with premalignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ereny Samuell
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmed S Shehata
- Gastroenterology Surgical Center, Mansoura University, Egypt
| | | | - Rehab A Elmougy
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt
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Breitenecker K, Heiden D, Demmer T, Weber G, Primorac AM, Hedrich V, Ortmayr G, Gruenberger T, Starlinger P, Herndler-Brandstetter D, Barozzi I, Mikulits W. Tumor-Extrinsic Axl Expression Shapes an Inflammatory Microenvironment Independent of Tumor Cell Promoting Axl Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4202. [PMID: 38673795 PMCID: PMC11050718 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084202] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl by Gas6 is a major driver of tumorigenesis. Despite recent insights, tumor cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic Axl functions are poorly understood in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, we analyzed the cell-specific aspects of Axl in liver cancer cells and in the tumor microenvironment. We show that tumor-intrinsic Axl expression decreased the survival of mice and elevated the number of pulmonary metastases in a model of resection-based tumor recurrence. Axl expression increased the invasion of hepatospheres by the activation of Akt signaling and a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the liver tumor burden of Axl+/+ mice induced by diethylnitrosamine plus carbon tetrachloride was reduced compared to systemic Axl-/- mice. Tumors of Axl+/+ mice were highly infiltrated with cytotoxic cells, suggesting a key immune-modulatory role of Axl. Interestingly, hepatocyte-specific Axl deficiency did not alter T cell infiltration, indicating that these changes are independent of tumor cell-intrinsic Axl. In this context, we observed an upregulation of multiple chemokines in Axl+/+ compared to Axl-/- tumors, correlating with HCC patient data. In line with this, Axl is associated with a cytotoxic immune signature in HCC patients. Together these data show that tumor-intrinsic Axl expression fosters progression, while tumor-extrinsic Axl expression shapes an inflammatory microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Breitenecker
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Denise Heiden
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Tobias Demmer
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Gerhard Weber
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Ana-Maria Primorac
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Viola Hedrich
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Gregor Ortmayr
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Thomas Gruenberger
- Department of Surgery, HPB Center, Viennese Health Network, Clinic Favoriten and Sigmund Freud Private University, 1100 Vienna, Austria
| | - Patrick Starlinger
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Centre of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dietmar Herndler-Brandstetter
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Iros Barozzi
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.H.); (T.D.); (G.W.); (V.H.); (G.O.); (D.H.-B.); (I.B.)
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5
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Zhang C, Wei W, Tu S, Liang B, Li C, Li Y, Luo W, Wu Y, Dai X, Wang Y, Zheng L, Hao L, Zhang C, Luo Z, Chen YG, Yan X. Upregulation of CYR61 by TGF-β and YAP signaling exerts a counter-suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107208. [PMID: 38521502 PMCID: PMC11021963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Hippo signaling are two critical pathways engaged in cancer progression by regulating both oncogenes and tumor suppressors, yet how the two pathways coordinately exert their functions in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. In this study, we firstly conducted an integrated analysis of public liver cancer databases and our experimental TGF-β target genes, identifying CYR61 as a pivotal candidate gene relating to HCC development. The expression of CYR61 is downregulated in clinical HCC tissues and cell lines than that in the normal counterparts. Evidence revealed that CYR61 is a direct target gene of TGF-β in liver cancer cells. In addition, TGF-β-stimulated Smad2/3 and the Hippo pathway downstream effectors YAP and TEAD4 can form a protein complex on the promoter of CYR61, thereby activating the promoter activity and stimulating CYR61 gene transcription in a collaborative manner. Functionally, depletion of CYR61 enhanced TGF-β- or YAP-mediated growth and migration of liver cancer cells. Consistently, ectopic expression of CYR61 was capable of impeding TGF-β- or YAP-induced malignant transformation of HCC cells in vitro and attenuating HCC xenograft growth in nude mice. Finally, transcriptomic analysis indicates that CYR61 can elicit an antitumor program in liver cancer cells. Together, these results add new evidence for the crosstalk between TGF-β and Hippo signaling and unveil an important tumor suppressor function of CYR61 in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhang
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenjing Wei
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shuo Tu
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bo Liang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chun Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yining Li
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Weicheng Luo
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yiqing Wu
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaohui Dai
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yi Wang
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lijuan Zheng
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Liang Hao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chunbo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ye-Guang Chen
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohua Yan
- The MOE Basic Research and Innovation Center for the Targeted Therapeutics of Solid Tumors, School of Basic Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China; The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.
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6
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Miao YR, Rankin EB, Giaccia AJ. Therapeutic targeting of the functionally elusive TAM receptor family. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:201-217. [PMID: 38092952 PMCID: PMC11335090 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00846-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The TAM receptor family of TYRO3, AXL and MERTK regulates tissue and immune homeostasis. Aberrant TAM receptor signalling has been linked to a range of diseases, including cancer, fibrosis and viral infections. Specifically, the dysregulation of TAM receptors can enhance tumour growth and metastasis due to their involvement in multiple oncogenic pathways. For example, TAM receptors have been implicated in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, maintaining the stem cell phenotype, immune modulation, proliferation, angiogenesis and resistance to conventional and targeted therapies. Therapeutically, multiple TAM receptor inhibitors are in preclinical and clinical development for cancers and other indications, with those targeting AXL being the most clinically advanced. Although there has been notable clinical advancement in recent years, challenges persist. This Review aims to provide both biological and clinical insights into the current therapeutic landscape of TAM receptor inhibitors, and evaluates their potential for the treatment of cancer and non-malignant diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Rebecca Miao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erinn B Rankin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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7
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Zhuo L, Guo M, Zhang S, Wu J, Wang M, Shen Y, Peng X, Wang Z, Jiang W, Huang W. Structure-activity relationship study of 1,6-naphthyridinone derivatives as selective type II AXL inhibitors with potent antitumor efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116090. [PMID: 38169272 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116090] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The role of AXL in various oncogenic processes has made it an attractive target for cancer therapy. Currently, kinase selectivity profiles, especially circumventing MET inhibition, remain a scientific issue of great interest in the discovery of selective type II AXL inhibitors. Starting from a dual MET/AXL-targeted lead structure from our previous work, we optimized a 1,6-naphthyridinone series using molecular modeling-assisted compound design to improve AXL potency and selectivity over MET, resulting in the potent and selective type II AXL-targeted compound 25c. This showed excellent AXL inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1.1 nM) and 343-fold selectivity over the highly homologous kinase MET in biochemical assays. Moreover, compound 25c significantly inhibited AXL-driven cell proliferation, dose-dependently suppressed 4T1 cell migration and invasion, and induced apoptosis. Compound 25c also showed noticeable antitumor efficacy in a BaF3/TEL-AXL xenograft model at well-tolerated doses. Overall, this study presented a potent and selective type II AXL-targeted lead compound for further drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linsheng Zhuo
- Postdoctoral Station for Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Mengqin Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Siyi Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Junbo Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hengyang Central Hospital, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yang Shen
- Postdoctoral Station for Basic Medicine, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Xue Peng
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Weifan Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensor Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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8
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Lan Y, Peng X, Ji Y, Su Y, Duan W, Ai J, Zhang H. Discovery of a 1,6-naphthyridin-4-one-based AXL inhibitor with improved pharmacokinetics and enhanced in vivo antitumor efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116045. [PMID: 38128234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116045] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL has emerged as an attractive target in anticancer drug discovery. Herein, we described the discovery of a new series of 1,6-naphthyridin-4-one derivatives as potent AXL inhibitors. Starting from a low in vivo potency compound 9 which was previously reported by our group, we utilized structure-based drug design and scaffold hopping strategies to discover potent AXL inhibitors. The privileged compound 13c was a highly potent and orally bioavailable AXL inhibitor with an IC50 value of 3.2 ± 0.3 nM. Compound 13c exhibited significantly improved in vivo antitumor efficacy in AXL-driven tumor xenograft mice, causing tumor regression at well-tolerated dose, and demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic properties (MRT = 16.5 h, AUC0-∞ = 59,815 ng h/mL) in Sprague-Dawley rats. These results suggest that 13c is a promising therapeutic candidate for AXL-targeting cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaohan Lan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xia Peng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yinchun Ji
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yi Su
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wenhu Duan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, Shandong, 264117, China
| | - Jing Ai
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Hefeng Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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9
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Xie Y, Wu H, He Y, Liu L, Huang IB, Zhou L, Lin CY, Leung RWH, Loh JJ, Lee TKW, Ding J, Man K, Ma S, Tong M. Targeting AXL induces tumor-intrinsic immunogenic response in tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant liver cancer. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:110. [PMID: 38310091 PMCID: PMC10838288 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06493-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive malignancy without effective therapeutic approaches. Here, we evaluate the tumor-intrinsic mechanisms that attenuate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) that is observed in patients with advanced HCC who progress on first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Upregulation of AXL observed in sorafenib- and lenvatinib-resistant HCCs is correlated with poor response towards TKI and ICI treatments. AXL upregulation protects sorafenib-resistant HCC cells from oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and accompanying immunogenic cell death through suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and STING-type I interferon pathways. Pharmacological inhibition of AXL abrogates the protective effect and re-sensitizes TKI-resistant HCC tumors to anti-PD-1 treatment. We suggest that targeting AXL in combination with anti-PD-1 may provide an alternative treatment scheme for HCC patients who progress on TKI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunong Xie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Haofeng Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yimiao He
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Linglin Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ianto Bosheng Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Precision Medicine Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheuk-Yin Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rainbow Wing-Hei Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jia-Jian Loh
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Terence Kin-Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jin Ding
- Clinical Cancer Institute, Center for Translational Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kwan Man
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- Hong Kong University-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Man Tong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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10
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Tutusaus A, Morales A, García de Frutos P, Marí M. GAS6/TAM Axis as Therapeutic Target in Liver Diseases. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:99-114. [PMID: 38395061 PMCID: PMC11027478 DOI: 10.1055/a-2275-0408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) protein tyrosine kinase membrane receptors and their vitamin K-dependent ligands GAS6 and protein S (PROS) are well-known players in tumor biology and autoimmune diseases. In contrast, TAM regulation of fibrogenesis and the inflammation mechanisms underlying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and, ultimately, liver cancer has recently been revealed. GAS6 and PROS binding to phosphatidylserine exposed in outer membranes of apoptotic cells links TAMs, particularly MERTK, with hepatocellular damage. In addition, AXL and MERTK regulate the development of liver fibrosis and inflammation in chronic liver diseases. Acute hepatic injury is also mediated by the TAM system, as recent data regarding acetaminophen toxicity and acute-on-chronic liver failure have uncovered. Soluble TAM-related proteins, mainly released from activated macrophages and hepatic stellate cells after hepatic deterioration, are proposed as early serum markers for disease progression. In conclusion, the TAM system is becoming an interesting pharmacological target in liver pathology and a focus of future biomedical research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tutusaus
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Morales
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo García de Frutos
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Barcelona, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Marí
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Apostolo D, Ferreira LL, Vincenzi F, Vercellino N, Minisini R, Latini F, Ferrari B, Burlone ME, Pirisi M, Bellan M. From MASH to HCC: the role of Gas6/TAM receptors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1332818. [PMID: 38298195 PMCID: PMC10827955 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1332818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is the replacement term for what used to be called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is characterized by inflammation and injury of the liver in the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors and may eventually result in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer. Several pathogenic mechanisms are involved in the transition from MASH to HCC, encompassing metabolic injury, inflammation, immune dysregulation and fibrosis. In this context, Gas6 (Growth Arrest-Specific 6) and TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK) receptors may play important roles. The Gas6/TAM family is involved in the modulation of inflammation, lipid metabolism, fibrosis, tumor progression and metastasis, processes which play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic liver diseases. In this review, we discuss MASH-associated HCC and the potential involvement of the Gas6/TAM system in disease development and progression. In addition, since therapeutic strategies for MASH and HCC are limited, we also speculate regarding possible future treatments involving the targeting of Gas6 or TAM receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Apostolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Luciana L Ferreira
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Vincenzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Nicole Vercellino
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Rosalba Minisini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Federico Latini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Barbara Ferrari
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Michela E Burlone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore Della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore Della Carità, Novara, Italy
- Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore Della Carità, Novara, Italy
- Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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12
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Wu Q, Li X, Yang Y, Huang J, Yao M, Li J, Huang Y, Cai X, Geller DA, Yan Y. MICA+ Tumor Cell Upregulated Macrophage-Secreted MMP9 via PROS1-AXL Axis to Induce Tumor Immune Escape in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:269. [PMID: 38254761 PMCID: PMC10813556 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) constitute a significant proportion of non-cancerous cells within the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Understanding the communication between macrophages and tumor cells, as well as investigating potential signaling pathways, holds promise for enhancing therapeutic responses in HCC. METHODS single-cell RNA-sequencing data and bulk RNA-sequencing data were derived from open source databases Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Through this analysis, we elucidated the interactions between MICA+ tumor cells and MMP9+ macrophages, primarily mediated via the PROS1-AXL axis in advanced HCC. Subsequently, we employed a range of experimental techniques including lentivirus infection, recombinant protein stimulation, and AXL inhibition experiments to validate these interactions and unravel the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS we presented a single-cell atlas of advanced HCC, highlighting the expression patterns of MICA and MMP9 in tumor cells and macrophages, respectively. Activation of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) signaling pathway was observed in MICA+ tumor cells and MMP9+ macrophages. We identified the existence of an interaction between MICA+ tumor cells and MMP9+ macrophages mediated via the PROS1-AXL axis. Additionally, we found MMP9+ macrophages had a positive correlation with M2-like macrophages. Subsequently, experiments validated that DNA damage not only induced MICA expression in tumor cells via IRF1, but also upregulated PROS1 levels in HCC cells, stimulating macrophages to secrete MMP9. Consequently, MMP9 led to the proteolysis of MICA. CONCLUSION MICA+ HCC cells secreted PROS1, which upregulated MMP9 expression in macrophages through AXL receptors. The increased MMP9 activity resulted in the proteolytic shedding of MICA, leading to the release of soluble MICA (sMICA) and the subsequent facilitation of tumor immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiulin Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Xicai Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Jingquan Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Ming Yao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Jianjun Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Yubin Huang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - Xiaoyong Cai
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
| | - David A. Geller
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Yihe Yan
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530007, China; (Q.W.); (X.L.); (Y.Y.); (J.H.); (M.Y.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (X.C.)
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13
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Hayashi M, Abe K, Sugaya T, Takahata Y, Fujita M, Takahashi A, Ohira H. Influence of serum Gas6 levels on prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2024; 54:62-69. [PMID: 37801445 DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyad132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The prediction of prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients is important for switching treatment. The association between circulating growth arrest-specific 6 levels and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients is unknown. METHODS We retrospectively analysed the association between serum growth arrest-specific 6 levels and clinical findings in 132 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum growth arrest-specific 6 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Amongst 132 patients, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage was classified as 0, A, B, C and D in 19, 48, 41, 18 and 6 patients, respectively. Serum growth arrest-specific 6 levels in hepatocellular carcinoma patients were higher than those in healthy controls (28.4 ng/mL vs. 19.6 ng/mL, P < 0.001), and growth arrest-specific 6 levels were positively correlated with soluble Axl levels. In the entire cohort, high growth arrest-specific 6 levels were associated with a shorter survival period (hazard ratio: 1.78 per 20 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-3.16, P = 0.045). In early and intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (n = 59), we determined a cut-off value of 36.4 ng/mL based on the receiver operating characteristic curve to predict death within 3 years, and high growth arrest-specific 6 levels were associated with a high cumulative incidence of portal vein tumour thrombosis (Gray's test: P = 0.010) and shorter overall survival (log-rank: P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Serum growth arrest-specific 6 levels were associated with prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. In early and intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, high growth arrest-specific 6 levels were associated with a high incidence of portal vein tumour thrombosis. Circulating growth arrest-specific 6 levels may be a useful prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Hayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kazumichi Abe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Sugaya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yosuke Takahata
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masashi Fujita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Ohira
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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14
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Zhao M, Zhang Y, Li L, Liu X, Zhou W, Wang C, Tang Y. KHDRBS3 accelerates glycolysis and promotes malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma via upregulating 14-3-3ζ. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:244. [PMID: 37848941 PMCID: PMC10583372 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03085-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with high morbidity and mortality. KH domain-containing, RNA-binding signal transduction-associated protein 3 (KHDRBS3) is an RNA-binding protein that is aberrantly expressed in multiple tumors; however, its expression and biological function in HCC have not been reported. METHODS KHDRBS3 knockdown and overexpression were performed using the lentiviral vector system to investigate the effects of KHDRBS3 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, chemoresistance, and glycolysis. Murine xenograft tumor models were constructed to study the role of KHDRBS3 on tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, RNA-Pull Down and RNA immunoprecipitation were utilized to explore the interaction between KHDRBS3 and 14-3-3ζ, a phosphopeptide-binding molecule encoded by YWHAZ. RESULTS KHDRBS3 was highly expressed in human HCC tissues and predicted the poor prognosis of patients with HCC. Knockdown of KHDRBS3 exhibited a carcinostatic effect in HCC and impeded proliferation and tumor growth, reduced glycolysis, enhanced cell sensitivity to doxorubicin, and induced apoptosis. On the contrary, forced expression of KHDRBS3 expedited the malignant biological behaviors of HCC cells. The expression of KHDRBS3 was positively correlated with the expression of 14-3-3ζ. RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays demonstrated that KHDRBS3 bound to YWHAZ. We further confirmed that 14-3-3ζ silencing significantly reversed the promotion of proliferation and glycolysis and the inhibition of apoptosis caused by KHDRBS3 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that KHDRBS3 promotes glycolysis and malignant progression of HCC through upregulating 14-3-3ζ expression, providing a possible target for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingda Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83#, Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yibing Zhang
- Department of Medical Affairs, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Longfei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83#, Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaobin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83#, Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Wenping Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83#, Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Chunhui Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83#, Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
| | - Yufu Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, 83#, Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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15
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Breitenecker K, Hedrich V, Pupp F, Chen D, Řezníčková E, Ortmayr G, Huber H, Weber G, Balcar L, Pinter M, Mikulits W. Synergism of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl with ErbB receptors mediates resistance to regorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1238883. [PMID: 37746265 PMCID: PMC10514905 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1238883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients at advanced stages receive immunotherapy or treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as Sorafenib (Sora) or Lenvatinib in frontline as well as Regorafenib (Rego) or Cabozantinib in second-line. A major hindrance of TKI therapies is the development of resistance, which renders drug treatment futile and results in HCC progression. Methods In this study, we addressed the impact of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl binding to its ligand Gas6 in acquiring refractoriness to TKIs. The initial responses of Axl-positive and Axl-negative cell lines to different TKIs were assessed. Upon inducing resistance, RNA-Seq, gain- and loss-of-function studies were applied to understand and intervene with the molecular basis of refractoriness. Secretome analysis was performed to identify potential biomarkers of resistance. Results We show that HCC cells exhibiting a mesenchymal-like phenotype were less sensitive to drug treatment, linking TKI resistance to changes in epithelial plasticity. Gas6/Axl expression and activation were upregulated in Rego-resistant HCC cells together with the induction of ErbB receptors, whereas HCC cells lacking Axl failed to stimulate ErbBs. Treatment of Rego-insensitive HCC cells with the pan-ErbB family inhibitor Afatinib rather than with Erlotinib blocking ErbB1 reduced cell viability and clonogenicity. Genetic intervention with ErbB2-4 but not ErbB1 confirmed their crucial involvement in refractoriness to Rego. Furthermore, Rego-resistant HCC cells secreted basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) depending on Axl expression. HCC patients treated with Sora in first-line and with Rego in second-line displayed elevated serum levels of bFGF, emphasizing bFGF as a predictive biomarker of TKI treatment. Discussion Together, these data suggest that the inhibition of ErbBs is synthetic lethal with Rego in Axl-expressing HCC cells, showing a novel vulnerability of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Breitenecker
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viola Hedrich
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franziska Pupp
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Chen
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Řezníčková
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Gregor Ortmayr
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidemarie Huber
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Weber
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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16
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Staufer K, Huber H, Zessner-Spitzenberg J, Stauber R, Finkenstedt A, Bantel H, Weiss TS, Huber M, Starlinger P, Gruenberger T, Reiberger T, Sebens S, McIntyre G, Tabibiazar R, Giaccia A, Zoller H, Trauner M, Mikulits W. Gas6 in chronic liver disease-a novel blood-based biomarker for liver fibrosis. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:282. [PMID: 37532736 PMCID: PMC10397215 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01551-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl and its cleavage product soluble Axl (sAxl) is increased in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this multicenter study, we evaluated the diagnostic value of Gas6, the high-affinity ligand of Axl, in patients with chronic liver disease. Levels of sAxl and Gas6, and their albumin (alb) ratios were analyzed in serum samples of patients with biopsy-proven liver fibrosis, end-stage liver disease, HCC, and healthy controls, and were compared to Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF™) test, Child-Pugh score (CPS), model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, hepatic venous pressure gradient, and α-fetoprotein, respectively. A total of 1111 patients (median age 57.8 y, 67.3% male) was analyzed. Gas6/alb showed high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of significant (≥F2: AUC 0.805) to advanced fibrosis (≥F3: AUC 0.818), and was superior to Fib-4 for the detection of cirrhosis (F4: AUC 0.897 vs. 0.878). In addition, Gas6/alb was highly predictive of liver disease severity (Odds ratios for CPS B/C, MELD ≥ 15, and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) were 16.534, 10.258, and 12.115), and was associated with transplant-free survival (Hazard ratio 1.031). Although Gas6 and Gas6/alb showed high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of HCC in comparison to chronic liver disease patients without cirrhosis (AUC 0.852, 0.868), they failed to discriminate between HCC in cirrhosis versus cirrhosis only. In conclusion, Gas6/alb shows a high accuracy to detect significant to advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, and predicts severity of liver disease including CSPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Staufer
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidemarie Huber
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jasmin Zessner-Spitzenberg
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Stauber
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Finkenstedt
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heike Bantel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas S Weiss
- Center for Liver Cell Research, Children's University Hospital (KUNO), University of Regensburg Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Markus Huber
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Starlinger
- Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Gruenberger
- Clinicum Favoriten, HPB Center, Vienna Health Network and Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Sebens
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Kiel University and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heinz Zoller
- Department of Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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17
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Jiang B, Zhou Y, Liu Y, He S, Liao B, Peng T, Yao L, Qi L. Research Progress on the Role and Mechanism of IL-37 in Liver Diseases. Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43:336-350. [PMID: 37582401 PMCID: PMC10620037 DOI: 10.1055/a-2153-8836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are important components of the immune system that can predict or influence the development of liver diseases. IL-37, a new member of the IL-1 cytokine family, exerts potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects inside and outside cells. IL-37 expression differs before and after liver lesions, suggesting that it is associated with liver disease; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. This article mainly reviews the biological characteristics of IL-37, which inhibits hepatitis, liver injury, and liver fibrosis by inhibiting inflammation, and inhibits the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by regulating the immune microenvironment. Based on additional evidence, combining IL-37 with liver disease markers for diagnosis and treatment can achieve more significant effects, suggesting that IL-37 can be developed into a powerful tool for the clinical adjuvant treatment of liver diseases, especially HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyi Jiang
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Yulin Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shunde New Rongqi Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Yanting Liu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Siqi He
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Baojian Liao
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Tieli Peng
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Leyi Yao
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
| | - Ling Qi
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, China
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18
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Pidkovka N, Belkhiri A. Altered expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase in gastrointestinal cancers: a promising therapeutic target. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1079041. [PMID: 37469409 PMCID: PMC10353021 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1079041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers that include all cancers of the digestive tract organs are generally associated with obesity, lack of exercising, smoking, poor diet, and heavy alcohol consumption. Treatment of GI cancers typically involves surgery followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation. Unfortunately, intrinsic or acquired resistance to these therapies underscore the need for more effective targeted therapies that have been proven in other malignancies. The aggressive features of GI cancers share distinct signaling pathways that are connected to each other by the overexpression and activation of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase. Several preclinical and clinical studies involving anti-AXL antibodies and small molecule AXL kinase inhibitors to test their efficacy in solid tumors, including GI cancers, have been recently carried out. Therefore, AXL may be a promising therapeutic target for overcoming the shortcomings of standard therapies in GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Pidkovka
- Department of Health Science, South College, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Abbes Belkhiri
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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19
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Tang Y, Zang H, Wen Q, Fan S. AXL in cancer: a modulator of drug resistance and therapeutic target. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:148. [PMID: 37328828 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02726-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
AXL is a member of the TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) receptor tyrosine kinases family (RTKs), and its abnormal expression has been linked to clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of cancer patients. There is mounting evidence supporting AXL's role in the occurrence and progression of cancer, as well as drug resistance and treatment tolerance. Recent studies revealed that reducing AXL expression can weaken cancer cells' drug resistance, indicating that AXL may be a promising target for anti-cancer drug treatment. This review aims to summarize the AXL's structure, the mechanisms regulating and activating it, and its expression pattern, especially in drug-resistant cancers. Additionally, we will discuss the diverse functions of AXL in mediating cancer drug resistance and the potential of AXL inhibitors in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoxiang Tang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Hongjing Zang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Qiuyuan Wen
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
| | - Songqing Fan
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
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20
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Luo W, Li Y, Zeng Y, Li Y, Cheng M, Zhang C, Li F, Wu Y, Huang C, Yang X, Kremerskothen J, Zhang J, Zhang C, Tu S, Li Z, Luo Z, Lin Z, Yan X. Tea domain transcription factor TEAD4 mitigates TGF-β signaling and hepatocellular carcinoma progression independently of YAP. J Mol Cell Biol 2023; 15:mjad010. [PMID: 36806855 PMCID: PMC10446140 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tea domain transcription factor 4 (TEAD4) plays a pivotal role in tissue development and homeostasis by interacting with Yes-associated protein (YAP) in response to Hippo signaling inactivation. TEAD4 and YAP can also cooperate with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-activated Smad proteins to regulate gene transcription. Yet, it remains unclear whether TEAD4 plays a YAP-independent role in TGF-β signaling. Here, we unveil a novel tumor suppressive function of TEAD4 in liver cancer via mitigating TGF-β signaling. Ectopic TEAD4 inhibited TGF-β-induced signal transduction, Smad transcriptional activity, and target gene transcription, consequently suppressing hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and migration in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in mice. Consistently, depletion of endogenous TEAD4 by siRNAs enhanced TGF-β signaling in cancer cells. Mechanistically, TEAD4 associates with receptor-regulated Smads (Smad2/3) and Smad4 in the nucleus, thereby impairing the binding of Smad2/3 to the histone acetyltransferase p300. Intriguingly, these negative effects of TEAD4 on TGF-β/Smad signaling are independent of YAP, as impairing the TEAD4-YAP interaction through point mutagenesis or depletion of YAP and/or its paralog TAZ has little effect. Together, these results unravel a novel function of TEAD4 in fine tuning TGF-β signaling and liver cancer progression in a YAP-independent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicheng Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yi Zeng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yining Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Minzhang Cheng
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yiqing Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Chunhong Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Xiaolong Yang
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Joachim Kremerskothen
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Rheumatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Chunbo Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanchang
University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330008, China
| | - Shuo Tu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Zhihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Breast Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang People’s Hospital, Nanchang 330025, China
| | - Zhijun Luo
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Zhenghong Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 405200, China
| | - Xiaohua Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang 330031, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Diseases of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang People’s Hospital, Nanchang 330025, China
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21
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Hedrich V, Breitenecker K, Ortmayr G, Pupp F, Huber H, Chen D, Sahoo S, Jolly MK, Mikulits W. PRAME Is a Novel Target of Tumor-Intrinsic Gas6/Axl Activation and Promotes Cancer Cell Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2415. [PMID: 37173882 PMCID: PMC10177160 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl by Gas6 fosters oncogenic effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), associating with increased mortality of patients. The impact of Gas6/Axl signaling on the induction of individual target genes in HCC and its consequences is an open issue. (2) Methods: RNA-seq analysis of Gas6-stimulated Axl-proficient or Axl-deficient HCC cells was used to identify Gas6/Axl targets. Gain- and loss-of-function studies as well as proteomics were employed to characterize the role of PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma). Expression of Axl/PRAME was assessed in publicly available HCC patient datasets and in 133 HCC cases. (3) Results: Exploitation of well-characterized HCC models expressing Axl or devoid of Axl allowed the identification of target genes including PRAME. Intervention with Axl signaling or MAPK/ERK1/2 resulted in reduced PRAME expression. PRAME levels were associated with a mesenchymal-like phenotype augmenting 2D cell migration and 3D cell invasion. Interactions with pro-oncogenic proteins such as CCAR1 suggested further tumor-promoting functions of PRAME in HCC. Moreover, PRAME showed elevated expression in Axl-stratified HCC patients, which correlates with vascular invasion and lowered patient survival. (4) Conclusions: PRAME is a bona fide target of Gas6/Axl/ERK signaling linked to EMT and cancer cell invasion in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Hedrich
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.H.)
| | - Kristina Breitenecker
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.H.)
| | - Gregor Ortmayr
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.H.)
| | - Franziska Pupp
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.H.)
| | - Heidemarie Huber
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.H.)
| | - Doris Chen
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarthak Sahoo
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (V.H.)
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22
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Clinical Significance of Combined Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers Expression and Role of Rac1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021765. [PMID: 36675278 PMCID: PMC9865966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis. We aimed to evaluate the correlations between clinicopathological characteristics and EMT markers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent surgical resection and to identify the key regulator in EMT process. Fresh-frozen HCC tissues and adjacent nontumor liver tissues from 30 patients who underwent surgical resection were provided by the Gachon University Gil Medical Center Bio Bank. Human HCC cell lines, Hep3B, SNU449, and Huh7 cells were transfected with Rac1 siRNA and exposed to hypoxic conditions. The combined EMT markers expression (down-expression of E-cadherin and overexpression of p21-activated kinases 1 (PAK1)/Snail) by Western blot in HCC tissues when compared to adjacent nontumor liver tissues was significantly associated with macrovascular invasion (p = 0.021), microvascular invasion (p = 0.001), large tumor size (p = 0.021), and advanced tumor stage (p = 0.015). Patients with combined EMT markers expression showed early recurrence and poor overall survival. In vitro studies showed that Rac1 knockdown decreased the expression of EMT markers including PAK1 and Snail in hypoxia-induced Hep3B cells and suppressed the migration and invasion of hypoxia-induced HCC cells. Rac1 may be a potential therapeutic target for inhibition of EMT process through the inhibition of PAK1 and Snail in HCC.
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23
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Castellano D, Apolo AB, Porta C, Capdevila J, Viteri S, Rodriguez-Antona C, Martin L, Maroto P. Cabozantinib combination therapy for the treatment of solid tumors: a systematic review. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221108691. [PMID: 35923927 PMCID: PMC9340935 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221108691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cabozantinib monotherapy is approved for the treatment of several types of solid tumors. Investigation into the use of cabozantinib combined with other therapies is increasing. To understand the evidence in this area, we performed a systematic review of cabozantinib combination therapy for the treatment of solid tumors in adults. Methods This study was designed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and the protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020144680). On 9 October 2020, we searched for clinical trials and observational studies of cabozantinib as part of a combination therapy for solid tumors using Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases, and by screening relevant congress abstracts. Eligible studies reported clinical or safety outcomes, or biomarker data. Randomized and observational studies with a sample size of fewer than 25 and studies of cabozantinib monotherapy were excluded. For each study, quality was assessed using National Institute for Health and Care Excellence methodology, and the study characteristics were described qualitatively. This study was funded by Ipsen. Results Of 2421 citations identified, 32 articles were included (6 with results from randomized studies, 24 with results from non-randomized phase I or II studies, and 2 with results from both). The most commonly studied tumor types were metastatic urothelial carcinoma/genitourinary tumors and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Findings from randomized studies suggested that cabozantinib combined with other therapies may lead to better progression-free survival than some current standards of care in renal cell carcinoma, CRPC, and non-small-cell lung cancer. The most common adverse events were hypertension, diarrhea, and fatigue. Conclusion This review demonstrates the promising efficacy outcomes of cabozantinib combined with other therapies, and a safety profile similar to cabozantinib alone. However, the findings are limited by the fact that most of the identified studies were reported as congress abstracts only. More evidence from randomized trials is needed to explore cabozantinib as a combination therapy further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Castellano
- Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, Av Cordoba s/n, Madrid 28041, Spain
| | - Andrea B. Apolo
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Camillo Porta
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Bari, Italy
| | - Jaume Capdevila
- Department of Medical Oncology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Viteri
- Dr. Rosell Oncology Institute, Teknon Medical Center, QuironSalud Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Pablo Maroto
- Medical Oncology Service, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
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24
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WNK1 collaborates with TGF-β in endothelial cell junction turnover and angiogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203743119. [PMID: 35867836 PMCID: PMC9335306 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203743119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is essential for growth of new blood vessels, remodeling existing vessels, and repair of damaged vessels, and these require reorganization of endothelial cell-cell junctions through a partial endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Homozygous disruption of the gene encoding the protein kinase WNK1 results in lethality in mice near embryonic day (E) 12 due to impaired angiogenesis. This angiogenesis defect can be rescued by endothelial-specific expression of an activated form of the WNK1 substrate kinase OSR1. We show that inhibition of WNK1 kinase activity not only prevents sprouting of endothelial cells from aortic slices but also vessel extension in inhibitor-treated embryos ex vivo. Mutations affecting TGF-β signaling also result in abnormal vascular development beginning by E10 and, ultimately, embryonic lethality. Previously, we demonstrated cross-talk of WNK1 with TGF-β-regulated SMAD signaling, and OSR1 was identified as a component of the TGF-β interactome. However, molecular events jointly regulated by TGF-β and WNK1/OSR1 have not been delineated. Here, we show that inhibition of WNK1 promotes TGF-β-dependent degradation of the tyrosine kinase receptor AXL, which is involved in TGF-β-mediated cell migration and angiogenesis. We also show that interaction between OSR1 and occludin, a protein associated with endothelial tight junctions, is an essential step to enable tight junction turnover. Furthermore, we show that these phenomena are WNK1 dependent, and sensitive to TGF-β. These findings demonstrate intimate connections between WNK1/OSR1 and multiple TGF-β-sensitive molecules controlling angiogenesis and suggest that WNK1 may modulate many TGF-β-regulated functions.
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25
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Jung JU, Jaykumar AB, Cobb MH. WNK1 in Malignant Behaviors: A Potential Target for Cancer? Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:935318. [PMID: 35813203 PMCID: PMC9257110 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.935318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in cancer patients. Analyses of mouse models and patient data have implicated the protein kinase WNK1 as one of a handful of genes uniquely linked to a subset of invasive cancers. WNK1 signaling pathways are widely implicated in the regulation of ion co-transporters and in controlling cell responses to osmotic stress. In this review we will discuss its actions in tumor malignancy in human cancers and present evidence for its function in invasion, migration, angiogenesis and mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melanie H. Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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26
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Engelsen AST, Lotsberg ML, Abou Khouzam R, Thiery JP, Lorens JB, Chouaib S, Terry S. Dissecting the Role of AXL in Cancer Immune Escape and Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition. Front Immunol 2022; 13:869676. [PMID: 35572601 PMCID: PMC9092944 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.869676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The development and implementation of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) in clinical oncology have significantly improved the survival of a subset of cancer patients with metastatic disease previously considered uniformly lethal. However, the low response rates and the low number of patients with durable clinical responses remain major concerns and underscore the limited understanding of mechanisms regulating anti-tumor immunity and tumor immune resistance. There is an urgent unmet need for novel approaches to enhance the efficacy of ICI in the clinic, and for predictive tools that can accurately predict ICI responders based on the composition of their tumor microenvironment. The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) AXL has been associated with poor prognosis in numerous malignancies and the emergence of therapy resistance. AXL is a member of the TYRO3-AXL-MERTK (TAM) kinase family. Upon binding to its ligand GAS6, AXL regulates cell signaling cascades and cellular communication between various components of the tumor microenvironment, including cancer cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. Converging evidence points to AXL as an attractive molecular target to overcome therapy resistance and immunosuppression, supported by the potential of AXL inhibitors to improve ICI efficacy. Here, we review the current literature on the prominent role of AXL in regulating cancer progression, with particular attention to its effects on anti-tumor immune response and resistance to ICI. We discuss future directions with the aim to understand better the complex role of AXL and TAM receptors in cancer and the potential value of this knowledge and targeted inhibition for the benefit of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnete S. T. Engelsen
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria L. Lotsberg
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Raefa Abou Khouzam
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jean-Paul Thiery
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
| | - James B. Lorens
- Centre for Cancer Biomarkers and Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Salem Chouaib
- Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Stéphane Terry
- Inserm, UMR 1186, Integrative Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Villejuif, France
- Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Research Department, Inovarion, Paris, France
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27
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Zhang X, Zhou C, Wu F, Gao C, Liu Q, Lv P, Li M, Huang L, Wu T, Li W. Bio-engineered nano-vesicles for IR820 delivery: a therapy platform for cancer by surgery and photothermal therapy. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:2780-2792. [PMID: 35119448 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr05601h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Long-term unsolved health problems from pre-/intra-/postoperative complications and thermal ablation complications pose threats to liver-cancer patients. To reduce the threats, we propose a multimodal-imaging guided surgical navigation system and photothermal therapy strategy to improve specific labeling, real-time monitoring and effective treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Using a bioengineering approach, G-Nvs@IR820, a kind of human-cell-membrane nano-vesicle, was generated with growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) expressed on the membrane and with near-infrared absorbing dye (IR820) loaded into it, which is proven to be an effective nanoparticle-drug-delivery system for Axl-overexpressing hepatocellular carcinoma. G-Nvs@IR820 shows excellent features in vitro and in vivo. As Gas6 binds to Axl specifically, G-Nvs@IR820 has good targeting ability to the tumor site and also has a good ability to guide the further accurate obliteration of carcinoma from adjacent normal tissue in surgery with its highly resolved fluorescence/photoacoustic/surgical-navigation signals. Moreover, the G-Nvs@IR820 represented a new perspective for photothermal therapy. Briefly, Nvs@IR820 was synthesized at a gram scale with high affinity, specificity, and safety. It has promising potential in clinical application for IGS and PTT in Axl-overexpressing hepatoma carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Changsheng Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, P. R. China
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Fanghua Wu
- Surgery department, Affiliated Fuzhou First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350009, P. R. China.
| | - Chang Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Peng Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Liyong Huang
- Surgery department, Affiliated Fuzhou First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350009, P. R. China.
| | - Ting Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
| | - Wengang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China.
- Xiamen University Research Center of Retroperitoneal Tumor Committee of Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P. R. China
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The Bright and the Dark Side of TGF-β Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms, Dysregulation, and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040940. [PMID: 35205692 PMCID: PMC8870127 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling is a preeminent regulator of diverse cellular and physiological processes. Frequent dysregulation of TGF-β signaling has been implicated in cancer. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer, the autocrine and paracrine effects of TGF-β have paradoxical implications. While acting as a potent tumor suppressor pathway in the early stages of malignancy, TGF-β diverts to a promoter of tumor progression in the late stages, reflecting its bright and dark natures, respectively. Within this context, targeting TGF-β represents a promising therapeutic option for HCC treatment. We discuss here the molecular properties of TGF-β signaling in HCC, attempting to provide an overview of its effects on tumor cells and the stroma. We also seek to evaluate the dysregulation mechanisms that mediate the functional switch of TGF-β from a tumor suppressor to a pro-tumorigenic signal. Finally, we reconcile its biphasic nature with the therapeutic implications. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with genetic and nongenetic aberrations that impact multiple genes and pathways, including the frequently dysregulated transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. The regulatory cytokine TGF-β and its signaling effectors govern a broad spectrum of spatiotemporally regulated molecular and cellular responses, yet paradoxically have dual and opposing roles in HCC progression. In the early stages of tumorigenesis, TGF-β signaling enforces profound tumor-suppressive effects, primarily by inducing cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, as the tumor advances in malignant progression, TGF-β functionally switches to a pro-tumorigenic signal, eliciting aggressive tumor traits, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immune evasion of cancer cells. On this account, the inhibition of TGF-β signaling is recognized as a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced HCC. In this review, we evaluate the functions and mechanisms of TGF-β signaling and relate its complex and pleiotropic biology to HCC pathophysiology, attempting to provide a detailed perspective on the molecular determinants underlying its functional diversion. We also address the therapeutic implications of the dichotomous nature of TGF-β signaling and highlight the rationale for targeting this pathway for HCC treatment, alone or in combination with other agents.
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Abstract
TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) are a family of tyrosine kinase receptors that are expressed in a variety of cell populations, including liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. These receptors are vital for immune homeostasis, as they regulate the innate immune response by suppressing inflammation via toll-like receptor inhibition and by promoting tissue resolution through efferocytosis. However, there is increasing evidence indicating that aberrant TAM receptor signaling may play a role in pathophysiological processes in the context of liver disease. This review will explore the roles of TAM receptors and their ligands in liver homeostasis as well as a variety of disease settings, including acute liver injury, steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction and hepatocellular carcinoma. A better understanding of our current knowledge of TAM receptors in liver disease may identify new opportunities for disease monitoring as well as novel therapeutic targets. Nonetheless, this review also aims to highlight areas where further research on TAM receptor biology in liver disease is required.
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AXL Knock-Out in SNU475 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Provides Evidence for Lethal Effect Associated with G2 Arrest and Polyploidization. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413247. [PMID: 34948046 PMCID: PMC8708332 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AXL, a member of the TAM family, is a promising therapeutic target due to its elevated expression in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in association with acquired drug resistance. Previously, RNA interference was used to study its role in cancer, and several phenotypic changes, including attenuated cell proliferation and decreased migration and invasion, have been reported. The mechanism of action of AXL in HCC is elusive. We first studied the AXL expression in HCC cell lines by real-time PCR and western blot and showed its stringent association with a mesenchymal phenotype. We then explored the role of AXL in mesenchymal SNU475 cells by CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene knock-out. AXL-depleted HCC cells displayed drastic phenotypic changes, including increased DNA damage response, prolongation of doubling time, G2 arrest, and polyploidization in vitro and loss of tumorigenicity in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of AXL by R428 recapitulated G2 arrest and polyploidy phenotype. These observations strongly suggest that acute loss of AXL in some mesenchymal HCC cells is lethal and points out that its inhibition may represent a druggable vulnerability in AXL-high HCC patients.
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Review: Challenges of In Vitro CAF Modelling in Liver Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235914. [PMID: 34885024 PMCID: PMC8656609 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235914] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Liver cancer and tumours spreading from other organs to the liver are associated with high death rates. Current treatments include surgical removal of the tumour and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, patients are often re-diagnosed with liver nodules in the years after cessation of the treatment. Therefore, scientists are looking for alternative treatment strategies, and these include targeting the tumour environment. The tumour environment includes the cancer-associated fibroblasts, which could be an interesting target for therapy in combination with current strategies. In this review paper we summarize the current models to investigate the effect of the tumour on the cancer-associated fibroblasts. Not many studies focus on the cancer-associated fibroblasts in non-animal models and this should improve in order to better understand the role of the cancer-associated fibroblasts and to evaluate the potential of cancer-associated fibroblast-directed therapies. Abstract Primary and secondary liver cancer are the third cause of death in the world, and as the incidence is increasing, liver cancer represents a global health burden. Current treatment strategies are insufficient to permanently cure patients from this devastating disease, and therefore other approaches are under investigation. The importance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumour microenvironment is evident, and many pre-clinical studies have shown increased tumour aggressiveness in the presence of CAFs. However, it remains unclear how hepatic stellate cells are triggered by the tumour to become CAFs and how the recently described CAF subtypes originate and orchestrate pro-tumoural effects. Specialized in vitro systems will be needed to address these questions. In this review, we present the currently used in vitro models to study CAFs in primary and secondary liver cancer and highlight the trend from using oversimplified 2D culture systems to more complex 3D models. Relatively few studies report on the impact of cancer (sub)types on CAFs and the tumour microenvironment, and most studies investigated the impact of secreted factors due to the nature of the models.
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Intrinsic and Extrinsic Control of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by TAM Receptors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13215448. [PMID: 34771611 PMCID: PMC8582520 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK are receptor tyrosine kinases of the TAM family, which are activated by their ligands Gas6 and Protein S. TAM receptors have large physiological implications, including the removal of dead cells, activation of immune cells, and prevention of bleeding. In the last decade, TAM receptors have been suggested to play a relevant role in liver fibrogenesis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The understanding of TAM receptor functions in tumor cells and their cellular microenvironment is of utmost importance to advances in novel therapeutic strategies that conquer chronic liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major subtype of liver cancer, showing high mortality of patients due to limited therapeutic options at advanced stages of disease. The receptor tyrosine kinases Tyro3, Axl and MerTK—belonging to the TAM family—exert a large impact on various aspects of cancer biology. Binding of the ligands Gas6 or Protein S activates TAM receptors causing homophilic dimerization and heterophilic interactions with other receptors to modulate effector functions. In this context, TAM receptors are major regulators of anti-inflammatory responses and vessel integrity, including platelet aggregation as well as resistance to chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss the relevance of TAM receptors in the intrinsic control of HCC progression by modulating epithelial cell plasticity and by promoting metastatic traits of neoplastic hepatocytes. Depending on different etiologies of HCC, we further describe the overt role of TAM receptors in the extrinsic control of HCC progression by focusing on immune cell infiltration and fibrogenesis. Additionally, we assess TAM receptor functions in the chemoresistance against clinically used tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade in HCC progression. We finally address the question of whether inhibition of TAM receptors can be envisaged for novel therapeutic strategies in HCC.
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Osaka T, Yamaguchi N, Hara T. [Pharmacological properties and clinical outcomes of the anti-cancer drug, cabozantinib (CABOMETYX ®)]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi 2021; 156:303-311. [PMID: 34470936 DOI: 10.1254/fpj.21045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cabozantinib (CAB) is a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against MET, VEGFR2, and AXL, among others. This drug is considered to exert excellent antitumor effects by inhibiting these targets simultaneously. Significant improvement in the primary endpoint (overall survival or PFS) were observed in patients on CAB in comparison with controls in a phase-III study in patients with renal cell carcinoma, progressed after treatment with anti-angiogenic agents, and in another phase-III study in patients with previously treated, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. These results led to the approval of CAB in Japan in 2020 as a therapeutic agent for unresectable or metastatic renal cell carcinoma and unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma progressed after cancer chemotherapy, under the trade name of CABOMETYX® (20 mg, and 60 mg tablets). It has been suggested that CAB may modulate the immune system in favor of antitumor immunity and combined use with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors may exert a synergistic effect. In a phase-III study that examined the efficacy of combination therapy with CAB and nivolumab in treatment-naive patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, progression-free survival was significantly increased in patients on combination therapy over patients on sunitinib monotherapy. Three global phase-III clinical studies of combination therapy with atezolizumab and CAB in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, castration-resistant prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma, are in progress to confirm the efficacy of CAB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Osaka
- Department of Japan Medical Affairs, Japan Oncology Business Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
| | - Naoya Yamaguchi
- Department of Japan Medical Affairs, Japan Oncology Business Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
| | - Takahito Hara
- Strategy Planning Office, Takeda Development Center Japan, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
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Santoni M, Iacovelli R, Colonna V, Klinz S, Mauri G, Nuti M. Antitumor effects of the multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor cabozantinib: a comprehensive review of the preclinical evidence. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2021; 21:1029-1054. [PMID: 34445927 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1919090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Altered receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling contributes to tumorigenesis and suppression of immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells. Cabozantinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor that inhibits several RTKs involved in tumorigenesis, and is approved for the treatment of patients with progressive metastatic medullary thyroid cancer, advanced renal cell carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma that has been previously treated with sorafenib. AREAS COVERED We present an up-to-date evaluation of preclinical evidence for RTK inhibition with cabozantinib, specifically VEGFR, MET, KIT, RET, AXL, FLT3, and associated antitumor effects. Preclinical investigations of cabozantinib in combination with other anticancer drugs are also reviewed. EXPERT OPINION Preclinical evidence shows that cabozantinib has antitumor activity against various cancer cells and exhibits synergy with other anticancer agents, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and hormone receptor or metabolic pathway inhibitors. Further optimization of cabozantinib treatment requires the identification of biomarkers of response and resistance, and exploration of complementary drug targets. Investigation of mechanisms of adaptive resistance, such as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (cancer intrinsic) and immunomodulation by the tumor microenvironment (cancer extrinsic), as well as identification of novel drug targets based on characterization of cancer stem cell metabolomic phenotypes, appear to be promising approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Santoni
- MD, U.O.C. Medical Oncology, Macerata Hospital, Macerata, Italy
| | - Roberto Iacovelli
- Medical Oncologist, Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Valentina Colonna
- Global Medical Development Director, Global Oncology R&D, Ipsen S.p.A., Milano, Italy
| | - Stephan Klinz
- Senior Director, Translational Medicine & Biomarkers, Ipsen, United States, MA, USA
| | - Giorgio Mauri
- Medical Advisor Oncology, Ipsen S.p.A., Milano, Italy
| | - Marianna Nuti
- Professor, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Jaykumar AB, Jung JU, Parida PK, Dang TT, Wichaidit C, Kannangara AR, Earnest S, Goldsmith EJ, Pearson GW, Malladi S, Cobb MH. WNK1 Enhances Migration and Invasion in Breast Cancer Models. Mol Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1800-1808. [PMID: 34253593 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-21-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. Many signaling pathways have been linked to cancer invasiveness, but blockade of few protein components has succeeded in reducing metastasis. Thus, identification of proteins contributing to invasion that are manipulable by small molecules may be valuable in inhibiting spread of the disease. The protein kinase with no lysine (K) 1 (WNK1) has been suggested to induce migration of cells representing a range of cancer types. Analyses of mouse models and patient data have implicated WNK1 as one of a handful of genes uniquely linked to invasive breast cancer. Here, we present evidence that inhibition of WNK1 slows breast cancer metastasis. We show that depletion or inhibition of WNK1 reduces migration of several breast cancer cell lines in wound healing assays and decreases invasion in collagen matrices. Furthermore, WNK1 depletion suppresses expression of AXL, a tyrosine kinase implicated in metastasis. Finally, we demonstrate that WNK inhibition in mice attenuates tumor progression and metastatic burden. These data showing reduced migration, invasion, and metastasis upon WNK1 depletion in multiple breast cancer models suggest that WNK1 contributes to the metastatic phenotype, and that WNK1 inhibition may offer a therapeutic avenue for attenuating progression of invasive breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita B Jaykumar
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Ji-Ung Jung
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Tuyen T Dang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | - Svetlana Earnest
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Gray W Pearson
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Srinivas Malladi
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Melanie H Cobb
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
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Chai ZT, Zhang XP, Ao JY, Zhu XD, Wu MC, Lau WY, Sun HC, Cheng SQ. AXL Overexpression in Tumor-Derived Endothelial Cells Promotes Vessel Metastasis in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:650963. [PMID: 34123800 PMCID: PMC8191462 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.650963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is one of the most serious forms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vessel metastasis and has a poor survival rate. However, the molecular mechanism of PVTT has not yet been elucidated. In this study, the molecular mechanism of AXL expressed in tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs) in vessel metastasis was investigated. High AXL expression was observed in TECs, but not in the tumor cells of HCC patients with PVTT and this was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). AXL overexpression was positively associated with CD 31 expression both in vitro and in vivo. AXL promoted the cell proliferation, tube formation, and migration of both TECs and normal endothelial cells (NECs). High expression of AXL in TECs promoted the cell migration, but not the proliferation of HCC cells. Further studies demonstrated that AXL promoted cell migration and tube formation through activation of the PI3K/AKT/SOX2/DKK-1 axis. AXL overexpression in HUVECs promoted tumor growth and liver or vessel metastasis of HCC in xenograft nude mice, which could be counteracted by treatment with R428, an AXL inhibitor. R428 reduced tumor growth and CD 31 expression in HCC in PDX xenograft nude mice. Therefore, AXL over-expression in TECs promotes vessel metastasis of HCC, which indicates that AXL in TECs could be a potential therapeutic target in HCC patients with PVTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Tao Chai
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu-Ping Zhang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Yang Ao
- Department of Biliary Surgery I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Zhu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Chao Wu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wan Yee Lau
- Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Hui-Chuan Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Qun Cheng
- Department of Hepatic Surgery VI, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Zhang H, Peng X, Dai Y, Shao J, Ji Y, Sun Y, Liu B, Cheng X, Ai J, Duan W. Discovery of a Pyrimidinedione Derivative as a Potent and Orally Bioavailable Axl Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2021; 64:3956-3975. [PMID: 33733758 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl plays important roles in promoting cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance and has been identified as a promising target for anticancer therapeutics. We used molecular modeling-assisted structural optimization starting with the low micromolar potency compound 9 to discover compound 13c, a highly potent and orally bioavailable Axl inhibitor. Selectivity profiling showed that 13c could inhibit the well-known oncogenic kinase Met with equal potency to its inhibition of Axl superfamily kinases. Compound 13c significantly inhibited cellular Axl and Met signaling, suppressed Axl- and Met-driven cell proliferation, and restrained Gas6/Axl-mediated cancer cell migration or invasion. Furthermore, 13c exhibited significant antitumor efficacy in Axl-driven and Met-driven tumor xenograft models, causing tumor stasis or regression at well-tolerated doses. All these favorable data make 13c a promising therapeutic candidate for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hefeng Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xia Peng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Yang Dai
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Jingwei Shao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yinchun Ji
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Sun
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Bo Liu
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
| | - Xu Cheng
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jing Ai
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Wenhu Duan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica (SIMM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
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Aberrant TGF-β1 signaling activation by MAF underlies pathological lens growth in high myopia. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2102. [PMID: 33833231 PMCID: PMC8032689 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
High myopia is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Myopia progression may lead to pathological changes of lens and affect the outcome of lens surgery, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we find an increased lens size in highly myopic eyes associated with up-regulation of β/γ-crystallin expressions. Similar findings are replicated in two independent mouse models of high myopia. Mechanistic studies show that the transcription factor MAF plays an essential role in up-regulating β/γ-crystallins in high myopia, by direct activation of the crystallin gene promoters and by activation of TGF-β1-Smad signaling. Our results establish lens morphological and molecular changes as a characteristic feature of high myopia, and point to the dysregulation of the MAF-TGF-β1-crystallin axis as an underlying mechanism, providing an insight for therapeutic interventions. High myopia is associated with lens changes, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, the authors show increased equatorial diameter of the lens in subjects affected by high myopia, and find that these changes are associated with an increase in crystallin expression driven by the transcription factor MAF and TGF-β1 signaling.
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Wium M, Ajayi-Smith AF, Paccez JD, Zerbini LF. The Role of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Carcinogenesis and Development of Therapeutic Resistance: An Overview of Molecular Mechanisms and Future Applications. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1521. [PMID: 33806258 PMCID: PMC8037968 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Resistance to chemotherapeutic agents by cancer cells has remained a major obstacle in the successful treatment of various cancers. Numerous factors such as DNA damage repair, cell death inhibition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and evasion of apoptosis have all been implicated in the promotion of chemoresistance. The receptor tyrosine kinase Axl, a member of the TAM family (which includes TYRO3 and MER), plays an important role in the regulation of cellular processes such as proliferation, motility, survival, and immunologic response. The overexpression of Axl is reported in several solid and hematological malignancies, including non-small cell lung, prostate, breast, liver and gastric cancers, and acute myeloid leukaemia. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and the development of resistance to therapy. Reports show that Axl overexpression confers drug resistance in lung cancer and advances the emergence of tolerant cells. Axl is, therefore, an important candidate as a prognostic biomarker and target for anticancer therapies. In this review, we discuss the consequence of Axl upregulation in cancers, provide evidence for its role in cancer progression and the development of drug resistance. We will also discuss the therapeutic potential of Axl in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Wium
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Aderonke F. Ajayi-Smith
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
| | - Juliano D. Paccez
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Zerbini
- Cancer Genomics Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (M.W.); (A.F.A.-S.)
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The role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-regulating transcription factors in anti-cancer drug resistance. Arch Pharm Res 2021; 44:281-292. [PMID: 33768509 PMCID: PMC8009775 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-021-01321-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The complex orchestration of gene expression that mediates the transition of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells is implicated in cancer development and metastasis. As the primary regulator of the process, epithelial-mesenchymal transition-regulating transcription factors (EMT-TFs) play key roles in metastasis. They are also highlighted in recent preclinical studies on resistance to cancer therapy. This review describes the role of three main EMT-TFs, including Snail, Twist1, and zinc-finger E homeobox-binding 1 (ZEB1), relating to drug resistance and current possible approaches for future challenges targeting EMT-TFs.
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Abstract
Secretory proteins in tumor tissues are important components of the tumor microenvironment. Secretory proteins act on tumor cells or stromal cells or mediate interactions between tumor cells and stromal cells, thereby affecting tumor progression and clinical treatment efficacy. In this paper, recent research advances in secretory proteins in malignant tumors are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jiajie Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Mingrong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Cancer Precision Medicine, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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Steiner CA, Rodansky ES, Johnson LA, Berinstein JA, Cushing KC, Huang S, Spence JR, Higgins PDR. AXL Is a Potential Target for the Treatment of Intestinal Fibrosis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021; 27:303-316. [PMID: 32676663 PMCID: PMC7885333 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrosis is the final common pathway to intestinal failure in Crohn's disease, but no medical therapies exist to treat intestinal fibrosis. Activated myofibroblasts are key effector cells of fibrosis in multiple organ systems, including the intestine. AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has been implicated in fibrogenic pathways involving myofibroblast activation. We aimed to investigate the AXL pathway as a potential target for the treatment of intestinal fibrosis. METHODS To establish proof of concept, we first analyzed AXL gene expression in 2 in vivo models of intestinal fibrosis and 3 in vitro models of intestinal fibrosis. We then tested whether pharmacological inhibition of AXL signaling could reduce fibrogenesis in 3 in vitro models of intestinal fibrosis. In vitro testing included 2 distinct cell culture models of intestinal fibrosis (matrix stiffness and TGF-β1 treatment) and a human intestinal organoid model using TGF-β1 cytokine stimulation. RESULTS Our findings suggest that the AXL pathway is induced in models of intestinal fibrosis. We demonstrate that inhibition of AXL signaling with the small molecule inhibitor BGB324 abrogates both matrix-stiffness and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1)-induced fibrogenesis in human colonic myofibroblasts. AXL inhibition with BGB324 sensitizes myofibroblasts to apoptosis. Finally, AXL inhibition with BGB324 blocks TGF-β1-induced fibrogenic gene and protein expression in human intestinal organoids. CONCLUSIONS The AXL pathway is active in multiple models of intestinal fibrosis. In vitro experiments suggest that inhibiting AXL signaling could represent a novel approach to antifibrotic therapy for intestinal fibrosis such as in Crohn's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calen A Steiner
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Eva S Rodansky
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Laura A Johnson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Berinstein
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kelly C Cushing
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sha Huang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jason R Spence
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Peter D R Higgins
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Dual inhibition of TGFβ and AXL as a novel therapy for human colorectal adenocarcinoma with mesenchymal phenotype. Med Oncol 2021; 38:24. [PMID: 33570712 PMCID: PMC7878213 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-021-01464-3] [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: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A subset of colorectal cancer (CRC) with a mesenchymal phenotype (CMS4) displays an aggressive disease, with an increased risk of recurrence after surgery, reduced survival, and resistance to standard treatments. It has been shown that the AXL and TGFβ signaling pathways are involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, migration, metastatic spread, and unresponsiveness to targeted therapies. However, the prognostic role of the combination of these biomarkers and the anti-tumor effect of AXL and TGFβ inhibition in CRC still has to be assessed. To evaluate the role of AXL and TGFβ as negative biomarker in CRC, we conducted an in-depth in silico analysis of CRC samples derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus. We found that AXL and TGFβ receptors are upregulated in CMS4 tumors and are correlated with an increased risk of recurrence after surgery in stage II/III CRC and a reduced overall survival. Moreover, we showed that AXL receptor is differently expressed in human CRC cell lines. Dual treatment with the TGFβ galunisertib and the AXL inhibitor, bemcentinib, significantly reduced colony formation and migration capabilities of tumor cells and displayed a strong anti-tumor activity in 3D spheroid cultures derived from patients with advanced CRC. Our work shows that AXL and TGFβ receptors identify a subgroup of CRC with a mesenchymal phenotype and correlate with poor prognosis. Dual inhibition of AXL and TGFβ could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with this aggressive disease.
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Shang W, Wang Y, Liang X, Li T, Shao W, Liu F, Cui X, Wang Y, Lv L, Chai L, Qu L, Zheng L, Jia J. SETDB1 promotes gastric carcinogenesis and metastasis via upregulation of CCND1 and MMP9 expression. J Pathol 2021; 253:148-159. [PMID: 33044755 DOI: 10.1002/path.5568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
SETDB1 is a histone lysine methyltransferase that has critical roles in cancers. However, its potential role in gastric cancer (GC) remains obscure. Here, we mainly investigate the clinical significance and the possible role of SETDB1 in GC. We find that SETDB1 expression is upregulated in GC tissues and its high-level expression was a predictor of poor prognosis in patients. Overexpression of SETDB1 promoted cell proliferation and metastasis, while SETDB1 suppression had an opposite effect both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SETDB1 was shown to interact with ERG to promote the transcription of cyclin D1 (CCND1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) through binding to their promoter regions. In addition, the expression of SETDB1 was also enhanced by the transcription factor TCF4 at the transcriptional level in GC. Furthermore, SETDB1 expression was found to be induced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in a TCF4-dependent manner. Taken together, our results indicate that SETDB1 is aberrantly overexpressed in GC and plays key roles in gastric carcinogenesis and metastasis via upregulation of CCND1 and MMP9. Our work also suggests that SETDB1 could be a potential oncogenic factor and a therapeutic target for GC. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Shang
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiuming Liang
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Tongyu Li
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Wei Shao
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Fen Liu
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiujie Cui
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Lin Lv
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Li Chai
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Lingxin Qu
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Lixin Zheng
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Jihui Jia
- Department of Microbiology/Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of the Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
- Shandong University-Karolinska Institute Collaborative Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Basic Medical Science, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
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Ungefroren H. Autocrine TGF-β in Cancer: Review of the Literature and Caveats in Experimental Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:977. [PMID: 33478130 PMCID: PMC7835898 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autocrine signaling is defined as the production and secretion of an extracellular mediator by a cell followed by the binding of that mediator to receptors on the same cell to initiate signaling. Autocrine stimulation often operates in autocrine loops, a type of interaction, in which a cell produces a mediator, for which it has receptors, that upon activation promotes expression of the same mediator, allowing the cell to repeatedly autostimulate itself (positive feedback) or balance its expression via regulation of a second factor that provides negative feedback. Autocrine signaling loops with positive or negative feedback are an important feature in cancer, where they enable context-dependent cell signaling in the regulation of growth, survival, and cell motility. A growth factor that is intimately involved in tumor development and progression and often produced by the cancer cells in an autocrine manner is transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). This review surveys the many observations of autocrine TGF-β signaling in tumor biology, including data from cell culture and animal models as well as from patients. We also provide the reader with a critical discussion on the various experimental approaches employed to identify and prove the involvement of autocrine TGF-β in a given cellular response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany;
- Clinic for General Surgery, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
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Han M, Liao Z, Liu F, Chen X, Zhang B. Modulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway by long noncoding RNA in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomark Res 2020; 8:70. [PMID: 33292618 PMCID: PMC7709261 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-020-00252-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer with poor prognosis. There have been demonstrated to exist many possible mechanisms in HCC tumorigenesis, and recent investigations have provided some promising therapy targets. However, further mechanisms remain to be researched to improve the therapeutic strategy and diagnosis of HCC. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine which plays critical roles in networks of different cellular processes, and TGF-β signaling has been found to participate in tumor initiation and development of HCC in recent years. Moreover, among the molecules and signaling pathways, researchers paid more attention to lncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs), but the connection between lncRNAs and TGF-βremain poorly understood. In this review, we conclude the malignant procedure which lncRNAs and TGF-β involved in, and summarize the mechanisms of lncRNAs and TGF-βin HCC initiation and development. Furthermore, the interaction between lncRNA and TGF-β are paid more attention, and the potential therapy targets are mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengzhen Han
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhibin Liao
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Furong Liu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoping Chen
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Lei Y, Yan W, Lin Z, Liu J, Tian D, Han P. Comprehensive analysis of partial epithelial mesenchymal transition-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:448-462. [PMID: 33215860 PMCID: PMC7810929 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has revealed that cancer cells undergoing an intermediate state, partial epithelial mesenchymal transition (p‐EMT), tend to metastasize rather than complete EMT. We performed a comprehensive analysis of E‐cadherin and 25 p‐EMT‐related genes in HCC to explore the roles and regulatory mechanisms of them in HCC. We analysed E‐cadherin and 25 p‐EMT‐related genes in HCC and constructed an mRNA‐miRNA‐lncRNA ceRNA subnetwork containing p‐EMT‐related genes by bioinformatic approaches. IHC was used to identify the protein expression of key p‐EMT‐related genes, P4HA2, ITGA5, MMP9, MT1X and SPP1. Complete EMT is not necessary for HCC progression. Overexpression of P4HA2, ITGA5, MMP9, SPP1 and down‐regulation of MT1X were found in HCC tissues, which were significantly associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. By means of stepwise reverse prediction and validation from mRNA to lncRNA, an mRNA‐miRNA‐lncRNA ceRNA subnetwork correlated with HCC prognosis was identified by expression and survival analysis. This study implied that key p‐EMT‐related genes P4HA2, ITGA5, MMP9, MT1X, SPP1 could be prognostic biomarkers and potential targets of therapy for HCC patients. We constructed an mRNA‐miRNA‐lncRNA subnetwork containing p‐EMT‐related genes successfully, among which each component might be utilized as a prognostic biomarker of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Lei
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuoying Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingmei Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dean Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Han S, Wang Y, Ge C, Gao M, Wang X, Wang F, Sun L, Li S, Dong T, Dang Z, Cui W, Zhang G, Liu N. Pharmaceutical inhibition of AXL suppresses tumor growth and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:41. [PMID: 32952632 PMCID: PMC7480165 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common type of cancer in a number of regions of the world, including East Asia, South Africa and Iran. It is often associated with poor prognosis rates. Tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO (AXL) is overexpressed in a subset of ESCC tumors, therefore the present study aimed to determine the effect of R428, a selective inhibitor of AXL, on ESCC tumor cells. TE1 and KYSE150 cell lines were used as models to investigate the effects of R428 treatment. The proliferative rate of the tumor cells was analyzed using MTT and colony formation assays. In addition, cell migration and invasion rates were analyzed using wound healing and Matrigel assays, respectively. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9, and the activation of protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AXL signaling were analyzed using gelatin zymography and western blotting. The results revealed that R428 inhibited the proliferative and invasive abilities of both cell lines. Furthermore, AXL, AKT and ERK signaling were all decreased in response to R428 treatment, alongside the expression levels of MMP2 and MMP9. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that R428 treatment may suppress ESCC tumor cell proliferation and invasion, representing a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Han
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Birth Defect Research and Transformation of Shandong Province, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Yequan Wang
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Science Center of Jining, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Chengyan Ge
- The Second Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Mingtao Gao
- The Second Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Xintong Wang
- The Second Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Feiyu Wang
- The Second Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Lei Sun
- The Second Medical College, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Li
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Science Center of Jining, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Dong
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Science Center of Jining, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Dang
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Science Center of Jining, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Wen Cui
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Science Center of Jining, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Guoan Zhang
- Institute of Forensic Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Forensic Science Center of Jining, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
| | - Ning Liu
- Information Technology Centre, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, P.R. China
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Song X, Wu A, Ding Z, Liang S, Zhang C. Soluble Axl Is a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chinese Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Cancer Res Treat 2020; 52:789-797. [PMID: 32138467 PMCID: PMC7373855 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2019.749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of soluble Axl (sAxl) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in comparison with serum α-fetoprotein (AFP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty HCC patients, 80 liver cirrhosis patients (LC), 80 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and 80 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. sAxl levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum AFP levelswere measured by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate diagnostic performances. RESULTS The results show that levels of sAxl were high expression in patients with HCC (p < 0.05), varied with disease state as follows: HCC > LC > HC > HBV. Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis identified the optimal cut-off for sAxl in differentiating all HCC and non-HCC patients was 1,202 pg/mL (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUC], 0.888; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.852 to 0.924) with sensitivity 95.0%, specificity 73.3%. Furthermore, differential diagnosis of early HCC with non-HCC patients for sAxl showed the optimal cut-off was 1,202 pg/mL (AUC, 0.881; 95% CI, 0.831 to 0.931; sensitivity, 94.1%; specificity, 73.3%). Among AFP-negative HCC patients with non-HCC patients, the cut-off was 1,301 pg/mL (AUC, 0.898; 95% CI, 0.854 to 0.942) with a sensitivity of 84.6%, a specificity of 76.3%. The optimal cut-off for sAxl in differentiating all HCC and chronic liver disease patients was 1,243 pg/mL (AUC, 0.840; 95% CI, 0.791 to 0.888) with sensitivity 93.8%, specificity 61.9%. The combination of AFP and sAxl increased diagnostic value for HCC. CONCLUSION sAxl outperforms AFP in detecting HCC, especially in early HCC and in AFP-negative HCC. Combination sAxl with AFP improved the specificity for early HCC diagnosis. In summary, sAxl is a candidate serum marker for diagnosing HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Song
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
- People’s Hospital of Wudi County, Binzhou, China
| | - Ailu Wu
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
- The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University Institution, Yantai, China
| | - Zhixiao Ding
- People’s Hospital of Wudi County, Binzhou, China
| | - Shixiong Liang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
- Co-correspondence: Shixiong Liang, PhD Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China Tel: 86-0771-5335671 Fax: 86-0771-5312000 E-mail:
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
- Correspondence: Chunyan Zhang, PhD Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, China Tel: 86-0771-5776046 Fax: 86-0771-5312000 E-mail:
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He L, Lei Y, Hou J, Wu J, Lv G. Implications of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Axl in Gastric Cancer Progression. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:5901-5911. [PMID: 32606800 PMCID: PMC7319943 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s257606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive malignancy with high lethality. Systematic chemotherapy is the main therapeutic strategy for advanced GC patients. The overexpression of Axl is associated with poor prognosis and regulates tumor growth and metastasis in many types of cancer. However, the role of Axl in GC progression remains elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR assay (RT-PCR) assays were used to detect the expression of Gas6, Axl, ZEB1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers in GC cells. Cell proliferation was determined by EdU cell proliferation assay and CCK-8 assay. Transwell invasion assay was performed to explore the effect of Axl and ZEB1 on cell invasion. Tumor xenografts and lung metastasis models were conducted to examine the effect of Axl on the growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. RESULTS In our study, we found that high levels of Gas6 and Axl expression were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) in GC patients and the expression of Gas6 and Axl was upregulated in GC cell lines. Ectopic expression of Axl induced EMT and promoted GC cell invasion and proliferation. The knockdown of Axl inhibited EMT and suppressed the proliferation and invasion of GC cell. In vivo study showed that inhibition of Axl impaired tumor growth and lung metastasis of GC cells. Mechanistic investigations revealed that Axl promoted EMT, invasion, and proliferation via upregulating ZEB1 expression in GC cells. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the Gas6/Axl/ZEB1 signaling pathway regulated EMT, invasion, and proliferation in GC cells and might represent a potential therapeutic target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirui He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunpeng Lei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianing Hou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianlong Wu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guoqing Lv
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong518000, People’s Republic of China
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