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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very deadly disease. HCC initiation and progression involve multiple genetic events, including the activation of proto-oncogenes and disruption of the function of specific tumor suppressor genes. Activation of oncogenes stimulates cell growth and survival, while loss-of-function mutations of tumor suppressor genes result in unrestrained cell growth. In this review, we summarize the new findings that identified novel proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressors in HCC over the past five years. These findings may inspire the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome of HCC patients.
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Du W, Zhang X, Wan Z. miR-3691-5p promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion through activating PI3K/Akt signaling by targeting PTEN. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:4897-4906. [PMID: 31417285 PMCID: PMC6593750 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s208127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The enhanced ability of cancer metastasis is the major cause for the cancer-related death of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Better understanding the mechanisms for the motility of cancer cells will benefit the treatment. Accumulating evidence suggests that aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression contributes to HCC development and progression, whereas miR-3691-5p has not been reported in HCC. Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression, function and mechanism of miR-3691-5p in HCC. Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to detect miR-3691-5p expression in HCC tissues and cell lines database analysis were conducted for detection of the expression of miR-3691-5p in HCC. Then, the association of miR-3691-5p with clinicopathological features of HCC patients were statistically measured. Subsequently, we attempted to observe the effects of miR-3691-5p on migration and invasion of HCC cells by transwell assays. Furthermore, bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter gene assay as well as recuse experiments were conducted to explore the target of miR-3691-5p in HCC, and to explore whether the target mediated the effects of miR-3691-5p HCC cells. Results: In the current study, we found that miR-3691-5p expression was elevated in both HCC tissues and cell lines, which was significantly correlated with poor prognosis and clinicopathological features including TNM stage (P=0.016) and vascular invasion (P=0.016). Furthermore, gain-or loss-of function assays demonstrated that miR-3691-5p promoted HCC cell migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that PTEN was a direct downstream target of miR-3691-5p. Recuse assays showed that restoration of PTEN reversed the effects of miR-3691-5p on HCC cell migration and invasion through decreasing PI3K/Akt signaling. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that miR-3691-5p contributes to HCC cell migration and invasion through activating PI3K/Akt signaling by targeting PTEN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Du
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Queen Mary, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Queen Mary, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Wan
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 33006, People's Republic of China
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Du X, Qian C, Jin X. Effects of Mitochondrial DNA Deletion and OSW-1 on PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway PCR Array in SK-Hep1 Cells. Chin Med 2019. [DOI: 10.4236/cm.2019.103006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Pan Z, Zhang X, Qian C, Liu X, Jin X. Effect of IRAK1 on Apoptosis and Necroptosis of Hepatoma Cell Line SK-Hep1. Chin Med 2019. [DOI: 10.4236/cm.2019.101003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Zhou J, Li X. Association of PTEN expression with liver function and inflammatory changes in patients with liver cancer after chemotherapy. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:6633-6637. [PMID: 30405802 PMCID: PMC6202462 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.9458] [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: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) expression on liver function classification, serum tumor markers and liver function of patients with liver cancer. A total of 63 patients with primary liver cancer treated in Xiangya Hospital (Changsha, China) were retrospectively analyzed. The difference in the PTEN expression levels in normal liver cells and liver cancer cells was compared via immunohistochemistry. According to the expression level of PTEN in the patient's pathological report, patients were divided into PTEN-positive and PTEN-negative groups. The expression level of each tumor marker in serum of patients was observed, and the association of PTEN expression level with the serum tumor markers was analyzed. Moreover, the changes in liver function and inflammatory factors before and after chemotherapy were compared. Finally, the relationship between the PTEN expression level and Child-Pugh grading of the liver function was detected. Compared with that in normal liver cells, the positive expression rate of PTEN protein in liver cancer cells was significantly decreased (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the expression levels of serum tumor markers, except α-fetoprotein (AFP) in liver cancer patients between PTEN-positive and PTEN-negative group, indicating that PTEN expression has no significant effects on serum tumor markers. The levels of albumin (ALB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and prothrombin activity (PTA) were decreased significantly after chemotherapy compared with those before chemotherapy (P<0.05). Besides, the levels of inflammatory factors were remarkably reduced after chemotherapy. PTEN expression was negatively associated with liver function grading, and the higher the PTEN expression, the lower the liver function grading was. The low expression of PTEN has a certain association with the occurrence and grading of liver cancer. PTEN gene has guiding significance in predicting the occurrence, development and prognosis of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixiang Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoli Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
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Clinicopathological parameters and prognostic relevance of miR-21 and PTEN expression in Wilms' tumor. J Pediatr Surg 2017; 52:1348-1354. [PMID: 28040201 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 11/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MiR-21 is one of the most often found miRNAs overexpressed in solid tumors, while PTEN is the most highly mutated tumor suppressor gene. Our purpose was to examine the expression levels of miR-21 and PTEN protein in Wilms' tumor (WT) and in para-tumoral tissues and to investigate the relationships among miR-21, PTEN expression, clinicopathological parameters and the prognosis of patients with WT. METHODS The expression levels of miR-21 and PTEN protein in WT and corresponding para-tumoral tissues were investigated by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Differences in patient survival were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used for univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic values. RESULTS Compared with para-tumoral renal tissues, the expression levels of miR-21 were significantly upregulated in WT tissues, while the PTEN protein were significantly downregulated (P<0.05). Analyses of the clinicopathological parameters showed that the miR-21 expression level was significantly associated with age, late clinical stage, histopathological tumor type and lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05). PTEN protein expression was significantly associated with age, late clinical stage and histopathological tumor type (P<0.05). The univariate linear regression analysis illustrated a significant negative correlation between miR-21 and PTEN expression (r=-0.687, P<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that patients with high miR-21 and low PTEN protein expression survived significantly longer (P<0.05). However, a multivariate analysis suggested that neither the expression level of miR-21 nor that of PTEN is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Both upregulated miR-21 and downregulated PTEN expression have a possible correlation with the aggressive progression and poor prognosis of WT, which suggests that upregulated miR-21 and downregulated PTEN expression may be valuable markers of tumor progression and indicators of the prognosis of WT.
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Li N, Jiang J, Fu J, Yu T, Wang B, Qin W, Xu A, Wu M, Chen Y, Wang H. Targeting interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 for human hepatocellular carcinoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2016; 35:140. [PMID: 27619757 PMCID: PMC5020546 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0413-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), as a down-stream of toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, plays important roles in series of malignancies. However, the role of IRAK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains little known. METHODS In our study, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), Western Blot, and immunohistochemical staining were used to assess the mRNA and protein levels of IRAK1 in clinical samples and cell lines. Cell counting assay and flow cytometry were employed to analyze the effect of IRAK1 on cell cycle and apoptosis. Transwell assay was used to study the role of IRAK1 in cell migration. Moreover, subcutaneous xenograft tumor models predict the efficacy of targeting IRAK1 against HCC in vivo. RESULTS IRAK1 was over-expressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. Suppression of IRAK1 by small interference RNA (siRNA) or a pharmaceutical IRAK1/4 inhibitor impeded cell growth, induced apoptosis and lessened HCC xenograft tumor growth. Particularly, IRAK1/4 inhibitor treatment caused G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, confirming IRAK1 as a new therapeutic target for HCC. CONCLUSION IRAK1 promotes cell proliferation and protects against apoptosis in HCC, and can be a novel target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinhua Jiang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
- The First Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350001 Fujian China
| | - Jing Fu
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ting Yu
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
| | - Bibo Wang
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenhao Qin
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
| | - An Xu
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengchao Wu
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yao Chen
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute/Hospital, 225 Changhai Road, Shanghai, 200438 People’s Republic of China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai, 201805 People’s Republic of China
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ZHANG DI, ZHOU PEIHUA, WANG WEI, WANG XIAOLONG, LI JUNHUI, SUN XUEJUN, ZHANG LI. MicroRNA-616 promotes the migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC by targeting PTEN. Oncol Rep 2015; 35:366-74. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Herbal product silibinin-induced programmed cell death is enhanced by metformin in cervical cancer cells at the dose without influence on nonmalignant cells. J Appl Biomed 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jab.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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MiR-429 increases the metastatic capability of HCC via regulating classic Wnt pathway rather than epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Cancer Lett 2015; 364:33-43. [PMID: 25931210 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modification of miR-429 can manipulate liver T-ICs via targeting the RBBP4/E2F1/Oct4 axis, which might be crucial for hepatocarcinogenesis. However, whether miR-429 plays a role in regulating metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma is still unclear. Using quantitative methylation analysis and real-time PCR, we have identified the hypomethylated status and upregulation of miR-429 in portal vein metastasis samples in comparison with their matched primary tumor. The ectopic expression of miR-429 dramatically induced the expression of MMP2/7/9 and enhanced HCC migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo in an EMT-independent manner. Both bioinformatics and functional studies elucidated the direct regulation of miR-429 on the 3'UTR of the PTEN gene, which leads to the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling and the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, eventually. Conversely, the knockdown of miR-429 efficiently recovered the expression of PTEN and attenuated PI3K/AKT/β-catenin-mediated cell metastasis. Clinically, the higher expression of miR-429 and nucleus relocation of β-catenin were identified as the adverse prognosis factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In summary, our results here defined miR-429 as a key inducer for HCC pathogenesis and metastasis with potential utility for tumor intervention.
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Zhong Y, Yan J, Deng M, Hu K, Yao Z, Zou Y, Xu R. Impaired phosphate and tension homologue deleted on chromosome 10 expression and its prognostic role in radical surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma with family aggregation resulting from hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2013; 238:866-73. [PMID: 23828588 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213494654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the expression of the phosphate and tension homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) protein and its prognostic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with family aggregation resulting from hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis, which have not been established. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the PTEN protein expression in HCC and paired para-cancerous tissues from 79 patients with HCC caused by hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis. Of these cases, 34 represented HCC with family aggregation (HCCF group), and 45 represented HCC with no family aggregation (HCCN group). Follow-up data were collected for 3 months to 10 years and analysed for HCC recurrence, survival time and prognostic risk factors. The expression of the PTEN protein in the HCC tissue was dramatically lower in the HCCF group than in the HCCN group. The six-month, one-year and two-year overall recurrence (OR) rates of the HCCF group were significantly higher than those of the HCCN group. The one-year, two-year and five-year overall survival (OS) rates of the HCCF group were lower than those of the HCCN group. Impaired PTEN protein expression was an independent prognostic risk factor that was significantly correlated with OR and OS in HCC patients. Dramatically impaired PTEN protein expression in HCC patients with family aggregation resulting from hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis was correlated with OR and OS, and impaired PTEN expression was an independent risk factor for prognosis after radical surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuesi Zhong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
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Saxena A, Tammali R, Ramana KV, Srivastava SK. Aldose reductase inhibition prevents colon cancer growth by restoring phosphatase and tensin homolog through modulation of miR-21 and FOXO3a. Antioxid Redox Signal 2013; 18:1249-62. [PMID: 22978663 PMCID: PMC3584509 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2012.4643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We have shown earlier that inhibition of aldose reductase (AR), an oxidative stress-response protein, prevents colon cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Changes in microribonucleic acid (miR) expression can contribute to cancer by modulating the functional expression of critical genes involved in cancer growth and metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AR regulates miR expression and their dependent mitogenic effects in cancer cells are not known. Therefore, we investigated how AR regulates growth factor-induced expression of miRs and growth of colon cancer cells. RESULTS Inhibition of AR significantly downregulated growth factor-induced miR-21 expression in human colon cancer cells, HT29, SW480, and Caco-2. Further, AR inhibition also increased phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) (a direct target of miR-21) and forkhead box O3A (FOXO3a) in colon cancer cells. Our results obtained with HT29 cells ablated with FOXO3a siRNA showed increased activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation and miR-21 expression, indicating that FOXO3a represses miR-21 via AP-1 inactivation. Inhibition of AR also prevented the epidermal growth factor-induced phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), c-Jun, c-Fos, PTEN, and FOXO3a, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-binding activity of AP-1. More importantly, in human colon adenocarcinoma xenograft tissues, miR-21 expression was lower, and PTEN and FOXO3a levels were significantly higher in AR inhibitor-treated mice compared to controls. INNOVATION These findings demonstrate a novel role of AR in the regulation of miR-21 and its target PTEN in growth factor-induced colon cancer cell growth. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these results show a novel role of AR in mediation of growth factor-induced colon cancer growth by modulating miR-21, PTEN, and FOXO3a expression through reactive oxygen species (ROS)/PI3K/AKT/AP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Saxena
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA
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Wei S, Xiong M, Zhan DQ, Liang BY, Wang YY, Gutmann DH, Huang ZY, Chen XP. Ku80 functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing S-phase arrest through a p53-dependent pathway. Carcinogenesis 2012; 33:538-47. [PMID: 22226916 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgr319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ku80 is a component of the protein complex called DNA-dependent protein kinase, which is involved in DNA double-strand break repair and multiple other functions. Previous studies revealed that Ku80 haplo-insufficient and poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase-null transgenic mice developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at a high frequency. The role of Ku80 has never been investigated in human HCC. Ku80 expressions in HCC and adjacent liver tissue were investigated by using immunohistochemical staining and western blot. Ku80 was transfected into a Ku80-deficient HCC cell line SMMC7721 cells, and the growth features of the Ku80-expressing cells and vector-transfected cells were studied both in vitro and in vivo. Cell cycle analysis and RNA interference were employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the growth regulation associated with Ku80 expression. Ku80 was found frequently downregulated in HCC compared with adjacent liver tissue. Ku80 downregulation was significantly correlated with elevated hepatitis B virus-DNA load and severity of liver cirrhosis. Overexpression of Ku80 in SMMC7721 cells significantly suppressed cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Ku80 overexpression caused S-phase cell cycle arrest and was associated with upregulation of p53 and p21(CIP1/WAF1), and the inhibition of p53 or p21(CIP1/WAF1) expression by RNA interference overcame the growth suppression and S-phase arrest in the Ku80-expressing cells. A novel mechanism was revealed that Ku80 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC by inducing S-phase arrest through a p53-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Wei
- Research Laboratory and Hepatic Surgical Center, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jie Fang Da Dao, Wuhan, China
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Upregulated microRNA-29a by hepatitis B virus X protein enhances hepatoma cell migration by targeting PTEN in cell culture model. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19518. [PMID: 21573166 PMCID: PMC3088678 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Accepted: 04/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) plays important roles in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to cancer development by acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Previously, we reported that HBx was able to promote the migration of hepatoma HepG2 cells. However, the regulation of miRNAs in the development of HBV-related HCC is poorly understood. In the present study, we reported that miR-29a was a novel regulator of migration of hepatoma cells mediated by HBx. Our data showed that the expression of miR-29a was dramatically increased in p21-HBx transgenic mice, HBx-transfected hepatoma HepG2-X (or H7402-X) cells and HepG2.2.15 cells that constitutively replicate HBV. However, our data showed that miR-29a was upregulated in 4 of the 11 clinical HCC samples. We found that the overexpression of miR-29a promoted the migration of HepG2 cells, while a specific miR-29a inhibitor could partially abolish the enhanced migration of HepG2-X cells. Moreover, we identified PTEN was one of the target genes of miR-29a in HepG2 cells. The deletion of the miR-29a-binding site was able to abolish the role of miR-29a in suppression of luciferase activity of the PTEN 3'UTR reporter. Meanwhile, the overexpression of PTEN was able to reverse the promoted migration of HepG2 cells mediated by miR-29a. Moreover, our data showed that the modulation of Akt phosphorylation, a downstream factor of PTEN, was involved in the cell migration enhanced by miR-29a, suggesting that miR-29a is responsible for the cell migration through its target gene PTEN. Thus, we conclude that miR-29a is involved in the regulation of migration of hepatoma cells mediated by HBx through PTEN in cell culture model.
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Sze KMF, Wong KLT, Chu GKY, Lee JMF, Yau TO, Ng IOL. Loss of phosphatase and tensin homolog enhances cell invasion and migration through AKT/Sp-1 transcription factor/matrix metalloproteinase 2 activation in hepatocellular carcinoma and has clinicopathologic significance. Hepatology 2011; 53:1558-69. [PMID: 21520171 DOI: 10.1002/hep.24232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is frequently inactivated in cancers and is associated with advanced stages of cancers or metastasis. However, the molecular mechanism of PTEN in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis is unclear. In this study, we found frequent (47.5%, n = 40) protein underexpression of PTEN in human HCCs compared with their corresponding nontumorous livers. Significantly, PTEN underexpression was associated with larger tumor size (P = 0.021), tumor microsatellite formation (P = 0.027), and shorter overall survival of patients (P = 0.035). Using different cell models, we observed that PTEN-knockdown HCC cells and PTEN-knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) had enhanced cell migratory and invasive abilities. In addition to activation of AKT, there was up-regulation of the Sp1 transcription factor (SP1) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), as well as MMP2 activation in PTEN-knockdown HCC cells and PTEN(-/-) MEFs. With dual luciferase reporter assay, exogenous expression of SP1 in HCC cells led to enhanced MMP2 promoter activity by up to 74%, whereas deletion of the putative SP1 binding site on the MMP2 promoter led to reduced promoter activity by up to 65%. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we documented increased binding of SP1 to the MMP2 promoter in PTEN-knockdown HCC cells. Overexpression of SP1 and MMP2 was significantly but negatively associated with PTEN underexpression in human HCCs. CONCLUSION Our results show that PTEN was underexpressed in HCCs, and this underexpression was associated with more aggressive biological behavior and poorer patient survival. We have provided the first evidence that MMP2 up-regulation upon PTEN loss is SP1-dependent. Our findings indicate that PTEN plays a significant role in down-regulating HCC cell invasion via the AKT/SP1/MMP2 pathway.
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Ding J, Gao Y, Liu R, Xu F, Liu H. Association ofPTENPolymorphisms with Susceptibility to Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Han Chinese Population. DNA Cell Biol 2011; 30:229-34. [DOI: 10.1089/dna.2010.1126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ding
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Tumor Immunology, Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yuzhen Gao
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Tumor Immunology, Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Rengyu Liu
- Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Fei Xu
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Tumor Immunology, Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Haiyan Liu
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Tumor Immunology, Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, P.R. China
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Abstract
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/Akt axis is a key signal transduction node that regulates crucial cellular functions, including insulin and other growth factors signaling, lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as cell survival and apoptosis. In this pathway, PTEN acts as a phosphoinositide phosphatase, which terminates PI3K-propagated signaling by dephosphorylating PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3. However, the role of PTEN does not appear to be restricted only to PI3K signaling antagonism, and new functions have been recently discovered for this protein. In addition to the well-established role of PTEN as a tumor suppressor, increasing evidence now suggests that a dysregulated PTEN expression and/or activity is also linked to the development of several hepatic pathologies. Dysregulated PTEN expression/activity is observed with obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus infections, and abusive alcohol consumption, whereas mutations/deletions have also been associated with the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, it appears that alterations of PTEN expression and activity in hepatocytes are common and recurrent molecular events associated with liver disorders of various etiologies. These recent findings suggest that PTEN might represent a potential common therapeutic target for a number of liver pathologies.
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Cui W, Gu F, Hu KQ. Effects and mechanisms of silibinin on human hepatocellular carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15:1943-50. [PMID: 19399925 PMCID: PMC2675083 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.1943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the in vivo effects and mechanisms of silibinin on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenografts in nude mice.
METHODS: Nude mice bearing HuH7 xenografts were used to assess the anti-HCC effects and mechanisms of silibinin.
RESULTS: Silibinin resulted in a potent dose-dependent reduction of HuH7 xenografts in association with a significant decrease in Ki-67 and α-fetoprotein production, nuclear NF-κB content, polo-like kinase 1, Rb phosphorylation, and E2F1/DP1 complex, but increased p27/CDK4 complex and checkpoint kinase 1 expression, suggesting that the in vivo effects of silibinin are mediated by inhibiting G1-S transition of the cell cycle. Silibinin-induced apoptosis of HuH7 xenografts was associated with inhibited survivin phosphorylation. Silibinin-reduced growth of HuH7 xenografts was associated with decreased p-ERK, increased PTEN expression and the activity of silibinin was correlated with decreased p-Akt production, indicating involvement of PTEN/PI3K/Akt and ERK pathways in its in vivo anti-HCC effects. Silibinin-reduced growth of HuH7 xenografts was also associated with a significant increase in AC-H3 and AC-H4 expression and the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1.
CONCLUSION: Silibinin reduces HCC xenograft growth through the inhibition of cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and PTEN/P-Akt and ERK signaling, inducing cell apoptosis, and increasing histone acetylation and SOD-1 expression.
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He X, Zhu Z, Johnson C, Stoops J, Eaker AE, Bowen W, DeFrances MC. PIK3IP1, a negative regulator of PI3K, suppresses the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Res 2008; 68:5591-8. [PMID: 18632611 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-08-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) is a well-known regulator of cell division, motility, and survival in most cell types. Recently, we characterized a novel protein that we call PI3K Interacting Protein 1 (PIK3IP1), which binds to the p110 catalytic subunit of PI3K and reduces its activity in vitro. Little is known about the role of PIK3IP1 in normal and neoplastic growth in vivo. Proper liver function and development depend on intact PI3K signal transduction; when dysregulated, the PI3K pathway is linked to the development of liver cancer. To begin to dissect the contribution of PIK3IP1 to hepatic PI3K signaling in vivo and to liver tumorigenesis in particular, we formulated the following hypothesis: because PIK3IP1 down-regulates PI3K signaling and uncontrolled PI3K signaling is associated with liver cancer, then PIK3IP1-mediated down-regulation of the PI3K pathway should inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. To test this idea, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing PIK3IP1 in hepatocytes in a mouse strain prone to develop HCC. Isolated PIK3IP1 transgenic mouse hepatocytes showed blunted PI3K signaling, DNA synthetic activity, motility, and survival compared with controls. In vivo, spontaneous liver tumorigenesis was significantly dampened in the transgenic animals. This was accompanied by decreased hepatic PI3K activity and reduced hepatocyte proliferation in the transgenics compared with controls. We also observed that human HCC expressed less PIK3IP1 protein than adjacent matched liver tissue. Our data show that PIK3IP1 is an important regulator of PI3K in vivo, and its dysregulation can contribute to liver carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin He
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Abstract
A few signaling pathways are driving the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. Each of these pathways possesses negative regulators. These enzymes, which normally suppress unchecked cell proliferation, are circumvented in the oncogenic process, either the over-activity of oncogenes is sufficient to annihilate the activity of tumor suppressors or tumor suppressors have been rendered ineffective. The loss of several key tumor suppressors has been described in hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we systematically review the evidence implicating tumor suppressors in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Abstract
AIM: To investigate in vitro effects and mechanisms of silibinin on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell growth.
METHODS: Human HCC cell lines were treated with different doses of silibinin. The effects of silibinin on HCC cell growth and proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, histone acetylation, and other related signal transductions were systematically examined.
RESULTS: We demonstrated that silibinin significantly reduced the growth of HuH7, HepG2, Hep3B, and PLC/PRF/5 human hepatoma cells. Silibinin-reduced HuH7 cell growth was associated with significantly up-regulated p21/CDK4 and p27/CDK4 complexes, down-regulated Rb-phosphorylation and E2F1/DP1 complex. Silibinin promoted apoptosis of HuH7 cells that was associated with down-regulated survivin and up-regulated activated caspase-3 and -9. Silibinin's anti-angiogenic effects were indicated by down-regulated metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and CD34. We found that silibinin-reduced growth of HuH7 cells was associated with increased activity of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and decreased p-Akt production, indicating the role of PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway in silibinin-mediated anti-HCC effects. We also demonstrated that silibinin increased acetylation of histone H3 and H4 (AC-H3 and AC-H4), indicating a possible role of altered histone acetylation in silibinin-reduced HCC cell proliferation.
CONCLUSION: Our results defined silibinin's in vitro anti-HCC effects and possible mechanisms, and provided a rationale to further test silibinin for HCC chemoprevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- John-J Lah
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Drive, Building 53, Suite 113, Orange, CA 92868, United States
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Gurusamy K. Trace element concentration in primary liver cancers--a systematic review. Biol Trace Elem Res 2007; 118:191-206. [PMID: 17916922 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-007-0008-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2006] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 12/20/2006] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of primary liver cancer varies between countries. Many of the etiological factors contributing to the geographical variations in incidence are unknown. Development of hepatocellular carcinoma has been linked to levels of trace elements. This review summarizes the evidence associating HCC with trace elements. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched. Various inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select the articles for inclusion. Data extraction was performed using a custom designed data extraction form. RESULTS A total of 12,344 references were identified. Duplicates, 1,597, were excluded. Clearly irrelevant references, 10,676, were excluded through reading titles and abstracts. Some references (59) were excluded by applying the exclusion criteria. Twelve studies including 646 patients and measuring iron content (8), copper content (11), zinc (9), and selenium (2) qualified for the review. Although a meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity between the studies, a clear pattern of distribution of the trace elements was discernible. CONCLUSION Iron and zinc content are lower in HCC than in surrounding tissues or normal controls. Copper content is lower in HCC than in surrounding tissues and cirrhotic controls. Epidemiological and physiological reasons for the trace element alterations should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurinchi Gurusamy
- HBP and Liver Transplant Surgery, University Department of Surgery, Royal Free and University College School of Medicine, London, UK.
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23
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Meng F, Henson R, Wehbe-Janek H, Ghoshal K, Jacob ST, Patel T. MicroRNA-21 regulates expression of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene in human hepatocellular cancer. Gastroenterology 2007; 133:647-58. [PMID: 17681183 PMCID: PMC4285346 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2121] [Impact Index Per Article: 124.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 05/03/2007] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS microRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression negatively. Although a role for aberrant miRNA expression in cancer has been postulated, the pathophysiologic role and relevance of aberrantly expressed miRNA to tumor biology has not been established. METHODS We evaluated the expression of miRNA in human hepatocellular cancer (HCC) by expression profiling, and defined a target gene and biologically functional effect of an up-regulated miRNA. RESULTS miR-21 was noted to be highly overexpressed in HCC tumors and cell lines in expression profiling studies using a miRNA microarray. Inhibition of miR-21 in cultured HCC cells increased expression of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) tumor suppressor, and decreased tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In contrast-enhanced miR-21 expression by transfection with precursor miR-21 increased tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, an increase in cell migration was observed in normal human hepatocytes transfected with precursor miR-21. PTEN was shown to be a direct target of miR-21, and to contribute to miR-21 effects on cell invasion. Modulation of miR-21 altered focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation and expression of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9, both downstream mediators of PTEN involved in cell migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS Aberrant expression of miR-21 can contribute to HCC growth and spread by modulating PTEN expression and PTEN-dependent pathways involved in mediating phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells such as cell growth, migration, and invasion.
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MESH Headings
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/enzymology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
- Cell Proliferation
- Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism
- Gene Expression Profiling/methods
- Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/enzymology
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/metabolism
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Oligonucleotides, Antisense/metabolism
- PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics
- PTEN Phosphohydrolase/metabolism
- Phosphorylation
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Transfection
- Up-Regulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanyin Meng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Scott and White Clinic, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA
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Wang L, Wang WL, Zhang Y, Guo SP, Zhang J, Li QL. Epigenetic and genetic alterations of PTEN in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Res 2007; 37:389-96. [PMID: 17441812 DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2007.00042.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the roles of epigenetic and genetic alterations of the phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome 10 gene (PTEN) in carcinogenesis and the development of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). METHODS A total of 56 cases of HCC tissues and six liver cell lines were studied for the expression of PTEN by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The PTEN gene mutations in exon5 and exon8 were detected by a combination of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to identify PTEN promoter methylation. RESULTS Of the 56 cases of HCC, 24 (42.9%) expressed the PTEN protein. All surrounding liver tissues of the hepatoma (32 cases) were positive for PTEN. Of the six cell lines, three liver cancer cell lines showed a low expression of PTEN. Five mutations of 56 HCC samples were detected. All of them were located at intron4. No mutation was found in exon5 and exon8. After MSP analysis, we found nine cases of PTEN promoter methylation in 56 specimens (16.1%). However, no CpG island of PTEN was found to be methylated in all six liver cell lines. CONCLUSION The level of PTEN protein was altered in part of the HCC. The downregulation of PTEN expression may not be mainly associated with the PTEN mutations, but partly due to PTEN promoter methylation and other epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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