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Ilaslan E, Sajek MP, Jaruzelska J, Kusz-Zamelczyk K. Emerging Roles of NANOS RNA-Binding Proteins in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169408. [PMID: 36012673 PMCID: PMC9409212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, growing evidence demonstrates that mammalian Nanos RNA-binding proteins (Nanos1, Nanos2, and Nanos3), known for their indispensable roles in germline development, are overexpressed in a variety of cancers. This overexpression contributes to various oncogenic properties including cancer growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. Here, we highlight recent findings regarding the role of mammalian Nanos RNA-binding proteins and the mechanisms of their overexpression in cancer. In addition, we present expression profiles of human NANOS genes and their oncogenic transcriptional regulators obtained from publicly available cancer and normal tissue RNA-Seq datasets. Altogether, we emphasize the functional significance of NANOS proteins across human cancers as well as highlight the missing links to understanding the full scope of their role in carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkut Ilaslan
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (E.I.); (K.K.-Z.)
| | - Marcin Piotr Sajek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jadwiga Jaruzelska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Kamila Kusz-Zamelczyk
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence: (E.I.); (K.K.-Z.)
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2
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Distinct Roles of NANOS1 and NANOS3 in the Cell Cycle and NANOS3-PUM1-FOXM1 Axis to Control G2/M Phase in a Human Primordial Germ Cell Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126592. [PMID: 35743036 PMCID: PMC9223905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanos RNA-binding proteins are critical factors of germline development throughout the animal kingdom and their dysfunction causes infertility. During evolution, mammalian Nanos paralogues adopted divergent roles in germ cell biology. However, the molecular basis behind this divergence, such as their target mRNAs, remains poorly understood. Our RNA-sequencing analysis in a human primordial germ cell model-TCam-2 cell line revealed distinct pools of genes involved in the cell cycle process downregulated upon NANOS1 and NANOS3 overexpression. We show that NANOS1 and NANOS3 proteins influence different stages of the cell cycle. Namely, NANOS1 is involved in the G1/S and NANOS3 in the G2/M phase transition. Many of their cell cycle targets are known infertility and cancer-germ cell genes. Moreover, NANOS3 in complex with RNA-binding protein PUM1 causes 3′UTR-mediated repression of FOXM1 mRNA encoding a transcription factor crucial for G2/M phase transition. Interestingly, while NANOS3 and PUM1 act as post-transcriptional repressors of FOXM1, FOXM1 potentially acts as a transcriptional activator of NANOS3, PUM1, and itself. Finally, by utilizing publicly available RNA-sequencing datasets, we show that the balance between FOXM1-NANOS3 and FOXM1-PUM1 expression levels is disrupted in testis cancer, suggesting a potential role in this disease.
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Yang P, Qiao Y, Meng M, Zhou Q. Cancer/Testis Antigens as Biomarker and Target for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapy of Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:864159. [PMID: 35574342 PMCID: PMC9092596 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.864159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading type of malignant tumour among cancer-caused death worldwide, and the 5-year survival rate of lung cancer patients is only 18%. Various oncogenes are abnormally overexpressed in lung cancer, including cancer/testis antigens (CTAs), which are restrictively expressed in the male testis but are hardly expressed in other normal tissues, if at all. CTAs are aberrantly overexpressed in various types of cancer, with more than 60 CTAs abnormally overexpressed in lung cancer. Overexpression of oncogenic CTAs drives the initiation, metastasis and progression of lung cancer, and is closely associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Several CTAs, such as XAGE, SPAG9 and AKAP4, have been considered as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of lung cancer. More interestingly, due to the high immunogenicity and specificity of CTAs in cancer, several CTAs, including CT45, BCAP31 and ACTL8, have been targeted for developing novel therapeutics against cancer. CTA-based vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-T) and small molecules have been used in lung cancer treatment in pre-clinical and early clinical trials, with encouraging results being obtained. However, there are still many hurdles to be overcome before these therapeutics can be routinely used in clinical lung cancer therapy. This review summarises the recent rapid progress in oncogenic CTAs, focusing on CTAs as biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis and prognostic prediction, and as targets for novel anti-cancer drug discovery and lung cancer therapy. We also identify challenges and opportunities in CTA-based cancer diagnosis and treatment. Finally, we provide perspectives on the mechanisms of oncogenic CTAs in lung cancer development, and we also suggest CTAs as a new platform for lung cancer diagnosis, prognostic prediction, and novel anti-cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yingnan Qiao
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mei Meng
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Quansheng Zhou
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Yao M, He Q, Yang M, Wu Z, Li Y, Kong M, Kang Z, Yi L, Hu Y, Huang L, Li Z, Yang Z. Association of miR-181c/d gene locus rs8108402 C/T polymorphism with susceptibility to Kawasaki disease in Chinese children. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:899779. [PMID: 36016885 PMCID: PMC9396029 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.899779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. The rs8108402 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is located in the promoter region of miR-181-c/d gene and the intron of Nanos3 gene. The miR-181 family contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and inflammatory disorders, while Nanos3 is involved in DNA transcription regulation and cell proliferation. However, no studies have examined the association between miR-181c/d and Nanos3 polymorphisms and the susceptibility and progression of KD. OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study is to examine the association of miR-181c/miR-181d/Nanos3 gene locus rs8108402 C/T polymorphism with KD susceptibility, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) responsiveness, and the development of coronary artery lesions (CAL). METHODS Peripheral blood specimens from 100 children with KD and 100 healthy children were collected. The polymorphism of rs8108402 C/T was detected using polymerase chain reaction-sequencing-based typing technique. RESULTS There were statistically significant differences in C and T allele frequency distributions between the KD group and healthy controls for the polymorphic site rs8108402 C/T (P = 0.002). The distribution of the genotypes CC, CT, and TT also presented statistical significant difference between the KD and control groups (P = 0.003). Compared to the rs8108402 C allele, the T allele was associated with increased KD susceptibility (OR = 2.080, 95% CI = 1.317∼3.283). However, there were no significant associations discovered between the rs8108402 C/T polymorphism and CAL formation or IVIG unresponsiveness in the study. CONCLUSION SNP rs8108402 C/T located in the miR-181c/d promoter and Nanos3 intronic region is associated with susceptibility to Kawasaki disease but not with the development of coronary artery lesions or IVIG unresponsiveness in Chinese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiqing Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qin He
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Manqiong Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Zhixiang Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Min Kong
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhijuan Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Yi
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanan Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lihua Huang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuoying Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zuocheng Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Hasan MF, Ganapathy K, Sun J, Khatib A, Andl T, Soulakova JN, Coppola D, Zhang W, Chakrabarti R. LncRNA PAINT is associated with aggressive prostate cancer and dysregulation of cancer hallmark genes. Int J Cancer 2021; 149:10.1002/ijc.33569. [PMID: 33729568 PMCID: PMC9211384 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory role in cellular processes and their aberrant expression may drive cancer progression. Here we report the function of a lncRNA PAINT (prostate cancer associated intergenic noncoding transcript) in promoting prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Upregulation of PAINT was noted in advanced stage and metastatic PCa. Inhibition of PAINT decreased cell proliferation, S-phase progression, increased expression of apoptotic markers, and improved sensitivity to docetaxel and Aurora kinase inhibitor VX-680. Inhibition of PAINT decreased cell migration and reduced expression of Slug and Vimentin. Ectopic expression of PAINT suppressed E-cadherin, increased S-phase progression and cell migration. PAINT expression in PCa cells induced larger colony formation, increased tumor growth and higher expression of mesenchymal markers. Transcriptome analysis followed by qRT-PCR validation showed differentially expressed genes involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis and drug resistance in PAINT-expressing cells. Our study establishes an oncogenic function of PAINT in PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Faqrul Hasan
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Kavya Ganapathy
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Jiao Sun
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Ayman Khatib
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Thomas Andl
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Julia N. Soulakova
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Domenico Coppola
- Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
- Florida Digestive Health Specialists, Bradenton, Florida
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Ratna Chakrabarti
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
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Zhang F, Liu R, Liu C, Zhang H, Lu Y. Nanos3, a cancer-germline gene, promotes cell proliferation, migration, chemoresistance, and invasion of human glioblastoma. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:197. [PMID: 32508533 PMCID: PMC7249350 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01272-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery have made crucial strides in glioblastoma treatment, yet they often fail; thus, new treatment and new detection methods are needed. Aberrant expression of Nanos3 has been functionally associated with various cancers. Here, we sought to identify the clinical significance and potential mechanisms of Nanos3 in human glioblastoma. Methods Nanos3 expression was studied in nude mouse glioblastoma tissues and glioblastoma cell lines by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and RT-PCR. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 gene editing assay was performed to generate the Nanos3 knockdown glioblastoma cell lines. The effects of Nanos3 on glioblastoma cells proliferation, migration, invasion, chemoresistance, germ cell characteristics, and tumor formation were analyzed by CCK8, transwell, cell survival experiments and alkaline phosphatase staining in vitro and in nude mouse models in vivo. Correlation between the expression of stemness proteins and the expression of Nanos3 was evaluated by Western blot. Results We found that Nanos3 was strongly expressed in both glioblastoma cell lines and tissues. Western blot and sequencing assays showed that the Nanos3 knockdown glioblastoma cell lines were established successfully, and we discovered that Nanos3 deletion reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioblastoma cells in vitro (P < 0.05). Nanos3 knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of glioblastoma cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and temozolomide (TMZ) (P < 0.05), and Nanos3+/- glioblastoma cell lines did not show the characteristics of the germline cells. In addition, Nanos3 deletion inhibited subcutaneous xenograft tumor growth in vivo (P < 0.001). Moreover, the oncogenesis germline protein levels of CD133, Oct4, Ki67, and Dazl decreased significantly in glioblastoma cells following Nanos3 knockdown. Conclusions Both in vitro and in vivo assays suggest that Nanos3, which is a cancer-germline gene, initiates the tumorigenesis of glioblastoma via acquiring the oncogenesis germline traits. These data demonstrate that ectopic germline traits are necessary for glioblastoma growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyu Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road, Jing-an District, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Ruilai Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road, Jing-an District, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road, Jing-an District, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Haishi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road, Jing-an District, Shanghai, 200040 China
| | - Yuan Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Road, Jing-an District, Shanghai, 200040 China
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Xu J, Chen RM, Chen SQ, Chen K, Tang LM, Yang DH, Yang X, Zhang Y, Song HS, Huang YP. Identification of a germline-expression promoter for genome editing in Bombyx mori. INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 26:991-999. [PMID: 30549429 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Identification of stage- and tissue-specific cis-regulatory elements will enable more precise genomic editing. In previous studies of the silkworm Bombyx mori, we identified and characterized several tissue- and sex-specific cis-regulatory elements using transgenic technology, including a female- and fat body-specific promoter, vitellogenin, testis-specific promoters, Radial spoke head 1 (BmR1) and beta-tubulin 4 (Bmβ4). Here we report a cis-regulatory element specific for a somatic and germ cell-expressed promoter, nanos (Bmnos). We investigated activities of three truncated promoter sequences upstream of the transcriptional initiation site sequences of Bmnos in vitro (nos-0.6kb, nos-1kb and nos-2kb) and in vivo (nos-2kb). In BmN cultured cells, all three lengths drove expression of the gene encoding enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), although nos-2kb had the highest fluorescence activity. In transgenic silkworms, nos-2kb drove EGFP expression at the early embryonic stage, and fluorescence was concentrated in the gonads at later embryonic stages. In addition, this cis-regulatory element was not sex differentiated. The fluorescence intensity gradually weakened following the larval developmental stage in the gonads and were broadly expressed in the whole body. The nos-2kb promoter drove the Cas9 system with efficiency comparable to that of the broad-spectrum strong IE1 promoter. These results indicate that Bmnos is an effective endogenous cis-regulatory element in the early embryo and in the gonad that can be used in applications involving the clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong-Mei Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Qing Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin-Meng Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - De-Hong Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA
| | - Hong-Sheng Song
- College of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Ping Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Wang Z, Li Y, Zhan S, Zhang L, Zhang S, Tang Q, Li M, Tan Z, Liu S, Xing X. SMAD4 Y353C promotes the progression of PDAC. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:1037. [PMID: 31684910 PMCID: PMC6829834 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6251-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background SMAD4 is frequently inactivated and associated with a poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Abnormal SMAD4 expression also plays an important role in the malignant progression of PDAC. Methods We investigated SMAD4 status in PDAC by immunohistochemical methods to explore the relationships between SMAD4 expression and clinicopathological features and then detected SMAD4 mutations by Sanger sequencing in 95 patients with PDAC to identify new mutation sites in PDAC. We further evaluated the effects of a missense mutation, Y353C, in the SMAD4 MH2 domain, on cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Results Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of SMAD4 in PDAC carcinoma tissue was significantly lower than that in normal pancreatic tissue, and negative SMAD4 expression was closely related to tumour diameter, staging, lymph node metastasis and differentiation. Sanger sequencing analysis showed that the rate of SMAD4 mutation was 11.8% in 85 PDAC cases, and the novel SMAD4 Y353C missense mutation identified in this study promoted cell migration and invasion without affecting cell proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, SMAD4 Y353C resulted in reduced expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of Vimentin compared with wild-type SMAD4 overexpression. Conclusion This study supports the key role of SMAD4 as a tumour suppressor gene in PDAC and shows that SMAD4 Y353C is associated with poor progression of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zusen Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yongxing Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shixiong Zhan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qian Tang
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shiguo Liu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Xiaoming Xing
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Andries V, De Keuckelaere E, Staes K, Hochepied T, Taminau J, Lemeire K, Birembaut P, Berx G, van Roy F. A new mouse model to study the role of ectopic Nanos3 expression in cancer. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:598. [PMID: 31208373 PMCID: PMC6580527 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5807-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NANOS3 is a gene conserved throughout evolution. Despite the quite low conservation of Nanos sequences between different organisms and even between Nanos paralogs, their role in germ cell development is remarkably universal. Human Nanos3 expression is normally restricted to the gonads and the brain. However, ectopic activation of this gene has been detected in various human cancers. Until now, Nanos3 and other Nanos proteins have been studied almost exclusively in germ cell development. METHODS Transgenic mice were generated by targeted insertion of a human Nanos3 cDNA into the ROSA26 locus. The transgene could be spatiotemporally induced by Cre recombinase activity removing an upstream floxed STOP cassette. A lung tumor model with ectopic Nanos3 expression was based on the lung-specific activation of the reverse tetracycline transactivator gene, in combination with a tetO-CMV promoter controlling Cre expression. When doxycycline was provided to the mice, Cre was activated leading to deletion of TP53 alleles and activation of both oncogenic KRasG12D and Nanos3. Appropriate controls were foreseen. Tumors and tumor-derived cell cultures were analyzed in various ways. RESULTS We describe the successful generation of Nanos3LSL/- and Nanos3LSL/LSL mice in which an exogenous human NANOS3 gene can be activated in vivo upon Cre expression. These mice, in combination with different conditional and doxycycline-inducible Cre lines, allow the study of the role of ectopic Nanos3 expression in several cancer types. The Nanos3LSL mice were crossed with a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) mouse model based on conditional expression of oncogenic KRas and homozygous loss of p53. This experiment demonstrated that ectopic expression of Nanos3 in the lungs has a significant negative effect on survival. Enhanced bronchiolar dysplasia was observed when Nanos3-expressing NSCLC mice were compared with control NSCLC mice. An allograft experiment, performed with cell cultures derived from primary lung tumors of control and Nanos3-expressing NSCLC mice, revealed lymph node metastasis in mice injected with Nanos3-expressing NSCLC cells. CONCLUSIONS A new mouse model was generated allowing examination of Nanos3-associated pathways and investigation of the influence of ectopic Nanos3 expression in various cancer types. This model might identify Nanos3 as an interesting target in cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Andries
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evi De Keuckelaere
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Staes
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tino Hochepied
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joachim Taminau
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kelly Lemeire
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Birembaut
- INSERM UMRS 1250, Department of Biopathology, CHU Maison-Blanche, University Hospital of Reims & University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, rue Cognacq-Jay 45, 51092, Reims, France
| | - Geert Berx
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frans van Roy
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research (IRC), Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium. .,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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Grelet S, Howe PH. hnRNP E1 at the crossroads of translational regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 5. [PMID: 31681852 PMCID: PMC6824538 DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2018.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), in which cells undergo a switch from a polarized, epithelial phenotype to a highly motile fibroblastic or mesenchymal phenotype is fundamental during embryonic development and can be reactivated in a variety of diseases including cancer. Spatio-temporally-regulated mechanisms are constantly orchestrated to allow cells to adapt to their constantly changing environments when disseminating to distant organs. Although numerous transcriptional regulatory factors are currently well-characterized, the post-transcriptional control of EMT requires continued investigation. The hnRNP E1 protein displays a major role in the control of tumor cell plasticity by regulating the translatome through multiple non-redundant mechanisms, and this role is exemplified when E1 is absent. hnRNP E1 binding to RNA molecules leads to direct or indirect translational regulation of specific sets of proteins: (1) hnRNP E1 binding to specific targets has a direct role in translation by preventing elongation of translation; (2) hnRNP E1-dependent alternative splicing can prevent the generation of a competing long non-coding RNA that acts as a decoy for microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in translational inhibition of EMT master regulators; (3) hnRNP E1 binding to the 3’ untranslated region of transcripts can also positively regulate the stability of certain mRNAs to improve their translation. Globally, hnRNP E1 appears to control proteome reprogramming during cell plasticity, either by direct or indirect regulation of protein translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Grelet
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Philip H Howe
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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De Keuckelaere E, Hulpiau P, Saeys Y, Berx G, van Roy F. Nanos genes and their role in development and beyond. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:1929-1946. [PMID: 29397397 PMCID: PMC11105394 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2766-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The hallmark of Nanos proteins is their typical (CCHC)2 zinc finger motif (zf-nanos). Animals have one to four nanos genes. For example, the fruit fly and demosponge have only one nanos gene, zebrafish and humans have three, and Fugu rubripes has four. Nanos genes are mainly known for their evolutionarily preserved role in germ cell survival and pluripotency. Nanos proteins have been reported to bind the C-terminal RNA-binding domain of Pumilio to form a post-transcriptional repressor complex. Several observations point to a link between the miRNA-mediated repression complex and the Nanos/Pumilio complex. Repression of the E2F3 oncogene product is, indeed, mediated by cooperation between the Nanos/Pumilio complex and miRNAs. Another important interaction partner of Nanos is the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex. Besides the tissue-specific contribution of Nanos proteins to normal development, their ectopic expression has been observed in several cancer cell lines and various human cancers. An inverse correlation between the expression levels of human Nanos1 and Nanos3 and E-cadherin was observed in several cancer cell lines. Loss of E-cadherin, an important cell-cell adhesion protein, contributes to tumor invasion and metastasis. Overexpression of Nanos3 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung cancer cell lines partly by repressing E-cadherin. Other than some most interesting data from Nanos knockout mice, little is known about mammalian Nanos proteins, and further research is needed. In this review, we summarize the main roles of Nanos proteins and discuss the emerging concept of Nanos proteins as oncofetal antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evi De Keuckelaere
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paco Hulpiau
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yvan Saeys
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Berx
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frans van Roy
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- Molecular Cell Biology Unit, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 927, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
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Grelet S, Link LA, Howley B, Obellianne C, Palanisamy V, Gangaraju VK, Diehl JA, Howe PH. A regulated PNUTS mRNA to lncRNA splice switch mediates EMT and tumour progression. Nat Cell Biol 2017; 19:1105-1115. [PMID: 28825698 PMCID: PMC5578890 DOI: 10.1038/ncb3595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The contribution of lncRNAs to tumour progression and the regulatory mechanisms driving their expression are areas of intense investigation. Here, we characterize the binding of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein E1 (hnRNP E1) to a nucleic acid structural element located in exon 12 of PNUTS (also known as PPP1R10) pre-RNA that regulates its alternative splicing. HnRNP E1 release from this structural element, following its silencing, nucleocytoplasmic translocation or in response to TGFβ, allows alternative splicing and generates a non-coding isoform of PNUTS. Functionally the lncRNA-PNUTS serves as a competitive sponge for miR-205 during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In mesenchymal breast tumour cells and in breast tumour samples, the expression of lncRNA-PNUTS is elevated and correlates with levels of ZEB mRNAs. Thus, PNUTS is a bifunctional RNA encoding both PNUTS mRNA and lncRNA-PNUTS, each eliciting distinct biological functions. While PNUTS mRNA is ubiquitously expressed, lncRNA-PNUTS appears to be tightly regulated dependent on the status of hnRNP E1 and tumour context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Grelet
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Laura A Link
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Breege Howley
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Clémence Obellianne
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Viswanathan Palanisamy
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Vamsi K Gangaraju
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - J Alan Diehl
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Philip H Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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Grelet S, McShane A, Geslain R, Howe PH. Pleiotropic Roles of Non-Coding RNAs in TGF-β-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Their Functions in Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2017; 9:cancers9070075. [PMID: 28671581 PMCID: PMC5532611 DOI: 10.3390/cancers9070075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a spatially- and temporally-regulated process involved in physiological and pathological transformations, such as embryonic development and tumor progression. While the role of TGF-β as an EMT-inducer has been extensively documented, the molecular mechanisms regulating this transition and their implications in tumor metastasis are still subjects of intensive debates and investigations. TGF-β regulates EMT through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, and recent advances underline the critical roles of non-coding RNAs in these processes. Although microRNAs and lncRNAs have been clearly identified as effectors of TGF-β-mediated EMT, the contributions of other atypical non-coding RNA species, such as piRNAs, snRNAs, snoRNAs, circRNAs, and even housekeeping tRNAs, have only been suggested and remain largely elusive. This review discusses the current literature including the most recent reports emphasizing the regulatory functions of non-coding RNA in TGF-β-mediated EMT, provides original experimental evidence, and advocates in general for a broader approach in the quest of new regulatory RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Grelet
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MUSC, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| | - Ariel McShane
- Laboratory of tRNA Biology, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424, USA.
| | - Renaud Geslain
- Laboratory of tRNA Biology, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424, USA.
| | - Philip H Howe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MUSC, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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Mooney SM, Jolly MK, Levine H, Kulkarni P. Phenotypic plasticity in prostate cancer: role of intrinsically disordered proteins. Asian J Androl 2017; 18:704-10. [PMID: 27427552 PMCID: PMC5000791 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.183570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A striking characteristic of cancer cells is their remarkable phenotypic plasticity, which is the ability to switch states or phenotypes in response to environmental fluctuations. Phenotypic changes such as a partial or complete epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) that play important roles in their survival and proliferation, and development of resistance to therapeutic treatments, are widely believed to arise due to somatic mutations in the genome. However, there is a growing concern that such a deterministic view is not entirely consistent with multiple lines of evidence, which indicate that stochasticity may also play an important role in driving phenotypic plasticity. Here, we discuss how stochasticity in protein interaction networks (PINs) may play a key role in determining phenotypic plasticity in prostate cancer (PCa). Specifically, we point out that the key players driving transitions among different phenotypes (epithelial, mesenchymal, and hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal), including ZEB1, SNAI1, OVOL1, and OVOL2, are intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and discuss how plasticity at the molecular level may contribute to stochasticity in phenotypic switching by rewiring PINs. We conclude by suggesting that targeting IDPs implicated in EMT in PCa may be a new strategy to gain additional insights and develop novel treatments for this disease, which is the most common form of cancer in adult men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Mooney
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Prakash Kulkarni
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
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Fang S, Yu L, Mei H, Yang J, Gao T, Cheng A, Guo W, Xia K, Liu G. Cisplatin promotes mesenchymal-like characteristics in osteosarcoma through Snail. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:5007-5014. [PMID: 28105207 PMCID: PMC5228568 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
More than 30% of patients with osteosarcoma succumb to pulmonary metastases. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological process by which tumor cells gain an increased capacity for invasiveness and metastasis. A previous study confirmed the phenomenon of EMT in osteosarcoma, a mesenchymal-derived tumor. However, whether chemotherapy affects EMT remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the osteosarcoma cells were exposed to a sublethal dose of cisplatin, and any surviving cells were assumed to be more resistant to cisplatin. In addition, these cells exhibited a more mesenchymal phenotype. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the cisplatin treated cells had an increased long/short axis ratio and increased expression of N-cadherin compared with control cells. A panel of EMT-associated genes was subsequently assessed by quantitative PCR and western blot analysis, and they were observed to be significantly upregulated in the cisplatin treated cells. The in vitro wound healing and Transwell assay indicated that the cisplatin treated cells were more prone to migrate and invade. An in vivo assay showed that the cisplatin-treated xenograft had increased expression of EMT-associated genes, and exhibited increased pulmonary lesions compared with the control, which indicated an elevated capacity to metastasize. The expression of Snail was knocked down by specific small interfering RNA, and it was observed that Snail inhibition promoted cisplatin sensitivity, and cisplatin-induced EMT was significantly blocked. Taken together, the results of the present study supported that idea that Snail participates in cisplatin-induced EMT in osteosarcoma cells, and targeting EMT-transcription factors may offer promise for the therapeutics of osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Fang
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Ling Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Hongjun Mei
- Department of Orthopedics, Wuhan No. 5 Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei 430050, P.R. China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Tian Gao
- Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing 100871, P.R. China
| | - Anyuan Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Weichun Guo
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Kezhou Xia
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Gaiwei Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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