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Chiu HW, Lee HL, Lee HH, Lu HW, Lin KYH, Lin YF, Lin CH. AIM2 promotes irradiation resistance, migration ability and PD-L1 expression through STAT1/NF-κB activation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 22:13. [PMID: 38166970 PMCID: PMC10762966 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04825-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radioresistance and lymph node metastasis are common phenotypes of refractory oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). As a result, understanding the mechanism for radioresistance and metastatic progression is urgently needed for the precise management of refractory OSCC. Recently, immunotherapies, e.g. immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), were employed to treat refractory OSCC; however, the lack of predictive biomarkers still limited their therapeutic effectiveness. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)/Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and RT-PCR analysis were used to determine absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) expression in OSCC samples. Colony-forming assay and trans-well cultivation was established for estimating AIM2 function in modulating the irradiation resistance and migration ability of OSCC cells, respectively. RT-PCR, Western blot and flow-cytometric analyses were performed to examine AIM2 effects on the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Luciferase-based reporter assay and site-directed mutagenesis were employed to determine the transcriptional regulatory activity of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) and NF-κB towards the AIM2-triggered PD-L1 expression. RESULTS Here, we found that AIM2 is extensively upregulated in primary tumors compared to the normal adjacent tissues and acts as a poor prognostic marker in OSCC. AIM2 knockdown mitigated, but overexpression promoted, radioresistance, migration and PD-L1 expression via modulating the activity of STAT1/NF-κB in OSCC cell variants. AIM2 upregulation significantly predicted a favorable response in patients receiving ICI treatments. CONCLUSIONS Our data unveil AIM2 as a critical factor for promoting radioresistance, metastasis and PD-L1 expression and as a potential biomarker for predicting ICI effectiveness on the refractory OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Wen Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Urology and Kidney, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Lun Lee
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Hsun-Hua Lee
- Department of Neurology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Vertigo and Balance Impairment Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wei Lu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kent Yu-Hsien Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, North Shore Private Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Gynecology, Ryde Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuan-Feng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11696, Taiwan
| | - Che-Hsuan Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
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PHOrming the inflammasome: phosphorylation is a critical switch in inflammasome signalling. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2495-2507. [PMID: 34854899 PMCID: PMC8786285 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inflammasomes are protein complexes in the innate immune system that regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell death. Inflammasome activation and subsequent cell death often occur within minutes to an hour, so the pathway must be dynamically controlled to prevent excessive inflammation and the development of inflammatory diseases. Phosphorylation is a fundamental post-translational modification that allows rapid control over protein function and the phosphorylation of inflammasome proteins has emerged as a key regulatory step in inflammasome activation. Phosphorylation of inflammasome sensor and adapter proteins regulates their inter- and intra-molecular interactions, subcellular localisation, and function. The control of inflammasome phosphorylation may thus provide a new strategy for the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Herein we describe the current knowledge of how phosphorylation operates as a critical switch for inflammasome signalling.
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Scarfe L, Mackie GM, Maslowski KM. Inflammasome-independent functions of NAIPs and NLRs in the intestinal epithelium. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2601-2610. [PMID: 34854889 PMCID: PMC8786307 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The gut relies on the complex interaction between epithelial, stromal and immune cells to maintain gut health in the face of food particles and pathogens. Innate sensing by the intestinal epithelium is critical for maintaining epithelial barrier function and also orchestrating mucosal immune responses. Numerous innate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are involved in such sensing. In recent years, several Nucleotide-binding-domain and Leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors (NLRs) have been found to partake in pathogen or damage sensing while also being implicated in gut pathologies, such as colitis and colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we discuss the current literature focusing on NLR family apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIPs) and other NLRs that have non-inflammasome roles in the gut. The mechanisms behind NLR-mediated protection often converges on similar signalling pathways, such as STAT3, MAPK and NFκB. Further understanding of how these NLRs contribute to the maintenance of gut homeostasis will be important for understanding gut pathologies and developing new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Scarfe
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Gillian M. Mackie
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Kendle M. Maslowski
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
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Absent in melanoma 2 suppresses gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration via inactivation of AKT signaling pathway. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8235. [PMID: 33859277 PMCID: PMC8050218 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87744-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and poses a great threat to public health. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), a member of the pyrin-HIN family proteins, plays various roles across different types of cancers. However, the possible role of AIM2 in GC, as well as the underling mechanisms, are equivocal and need to be further explored. Herein, we identified that AIM2 expression was significantly down-regulated in GC tissues. Furthermore, loss of AIM2 was significantly associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis (LNM) and tumor, node, metastases (TNM) staging, as well as poor prognosis in GC patients. Knockdown of AIM2 in GC cells significantly promoted cellular proliferation and migration, whereas AIM2 overexpression did the opposite. Mechanistically, we discovered that AIM2 regulates the AKT signaling pathway. In fact, the enhanced proliferation and migration ability induced by AIM2 knockdown was partially impaired in cells treated with the AKT inhibitor. Overall, our findings suggests that AIM2 is an independent prognostic marker and highlights a new entry point for targeting the AIM2/AKT signaling axis for GC treatment.
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Xu M, Wang J, Li H, Zhang Z, Cheng Z. AIM2 inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation and migration through suppression of Gli1. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 13:1017-1031. [PMID: 33291082 PMCID: PMC7835022 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), as a member of the pyrin-HIN family proteins, plays contentious roles in different types of cancers. In the present work, we provide evidence that AIM2 was commonly downregulated in human CRC and loss of AIM2 significantly correlated with tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis (LNM) and TNM (Tumor, Node, Metastases) stage in patients suffering from CRC. AIM2 knockdown promoted CRC cell proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progress, whereas AIM2 overexpression did the opposite. AIM2 inhibited glioma-associated oncogene-1 (Gli1) expression through Smoothened homolog (SMO)-independent pathway and regulated CRC cell proliferation and migration in a Gli1-dependent manner. Moreover, AIM2 could modulate Protein kinase B (AKT)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and the increased Gli1 expression and EMT progress induced by AIM2 depletion was reversed after incubation with AKT inhibitor Ly294002 in CRC cells. In conclusion, our results define AIM2 as a novel regulator of Gli1 in CRC cell growth and metastasis, and suggest that the AIM2/AKT/mTOR/Gli1 signaling axis may serve as a potential target for treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menglin Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Haoran Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Zhengrong Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Zhengwu Cheng
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241000, China
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Chai D, Qiu D, Zhang Z, Yuchen Shi S, Wang G, Fang L, Li H, Li H, Tian H, Zheng J. Absent in melanoma 2 enhances anti-tumour effects of CAIX promotor controlled conditionally replicative adenovirus in renal cancer. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:10744-10755. [PMID: 32725966 PMCID: PMC7521288 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditionally replicative adenoviruses (CRAds) were promising approach for solid tumour treatment, but its oncolytic efficiency and toxicity are still not satisfactory for further clinical application. Here, we developed the CAIX promotor (CAIXpromotor)‐controlled CRAd armed with a tumour suppressor absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) to enhance its oncolytic potency. The CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 adenoviruses (Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2) could efficiently express E1A and AIM2 in renal cancer cells. Compared with Ad‐CAIXpromotor, Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis and cell killing, thus resulting in the oncolytic efficiency in 786‐O cells or OSRC‐2 cells. To explore the therapeutic effect, various Ads were intratumourally injected into OSRC‐2‐xenograft mice. The tumour growth was remarkably inhibited in Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2‐treated group as demonstrated by reduced tumour volume and weight with a low toxicity. The inflammasome inhibitor YVAD‐CMK resulted in the reduction of anti‐tumour activity by Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 in vitro or in vivo, suggesting that inflammasome activation response was required for the enhanced therapeutic efficiency. Furthermore, lung metastasis of renal cancer mice was also suppressed by Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 treatment accompanied by the decreased tumour fossil in lung tissues. These results indicated that the tumour‐specific Ad‐CAIXpromotor‐AIM2 could be applied for human renal cancer therapy. The therapeutic strategy of AIM2‐based CRAds could be a potential and promising approach for the therapy of primary solid or metastasis tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafei Chai
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dong Qiu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Zichun Zhang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Shang Yuchen Shi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lin Fang
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Huizhong Li
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hailong Li
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Hui Tian
- Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Junnian Zheng
- Center of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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