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Nrf2 and Oxidative Stress: A General Overview of Mechanisms and Implications in Human Disease. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11122345. [PMID: 36552553 PMCID: PMC9774434 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11122345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Organisms are continually exposed to exogenous and endogenous sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other oxidants that have both beneficial and deleterious effects on the cell. ROS have important roles in a wide range of physiological processes; however, high ROS levels are associated with oxidative stress and disease progression. Oxidative stress has been implicated in nearly all major human diseases, from neurogenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Antioxidant defence systems have evolved as a means of protection against oxidative stress, with the transcription factor Nrf2 as the key regulator. Nrf2 is responsible for regulating an extensive panel of antioxidant enzymes involved in the detoxification and elimination of oxidative stress and has been extensively studied in the disease contexts. This review aims to provide the reader with a general overview of oxidative stress and Nrf2, including basic mechanisms of Nrf2 activation and regulation, and implications in various major human diseases.
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Zhang L, Zhang J, Jin Y, Yao G, Zhao H, Qiao P, Wu S. Nrf2 Is a Potential Modulator for Orchestrating Iron Homeostasis and Redox Balance in Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:728172. [PMID: 34589492 PMCID: PMC8473703 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.728172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential trace mineral element in almost all living cells and organisms. However, cellular iron metabolism pathways are disturbed in most cancer cell types. Cancer cells have a high demand of iron. To maintain rapid growth and proliferation, cancer cells absorb large amounts of iron by altering expression of iron metabolism related proteins. However, iron can catalyze the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through Fenton reaction. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is an important player in the resistance to oxidative damage by inducing the transcription of antioxidant genes. Aberrant activation of Nrf2 is observed in most cancer cell types. It has been revealed that the over-activation of Nrf2 promotes cell proliferation, suppresses cell apoptosis, enhances the self-renewal capability of cancer stem cells, and even increases the chemoresistance and radioresistance of cancer cells. Recently, several genes involving cellular iron homeostasis are identified under the control of Nrf2. Since cancer cells require amounts of iron and Nrf2 plays pivotal roles in oxidative defense and iron metabolism, it is highly probable that Nrf2 is a potential modulator orchestrating iron homeostasis and redox balance in cancer cells. In this hypothesis, we summarize the recent findings of the role of iron and Nrf2 in cancer cells and demonstrate how Nrf2 balances the oxidative stress induced by iron through regulating antioxidant enzymes and iron metabolism. This hypothesis provides new insights into the role of Nrf2 in cancer progression. Since ferroptosis is dependent on lipid peroxide and iron accumulation, Nrf2 inhibition may dramatically increase sensitivity to ferroptosis. The combination of Nrf2 inhibitors with ferroptosis inducers may exert greater efficacy on cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Zhang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yuanqing Jin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Gang Yao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Hai Zhao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Penghai Qiao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Shuguang Wu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
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Paiboonrungruang C, Simpson E, Xiong Z, Huang C, Li J, Li Y, Chen X. Development of targeted therapy of NRF2 high esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Signal 2021; 86:110105. [PMID: 34358647 PMCID: PMC8403639 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly disease and one of the most aggressive cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. As a master transcription factor regulating the stress response, NRF2 is often mutated and becomes hyperactive, and thus causes chemo-radioresistance and poor survival in human ESCC. There is a great need to develop NRF2 inhibitors for targeted therapy of NRF2high ESCC. In this review, we mainly focus on three aspects, NRF2 inhibitors and their mechanisms of action, screening novel drug targets, and evaluation of NRF2 activity in the esophagus. A research strategy has been proposed to develop NRF2 inhibitors using human ESCC cells and mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chorlada Paiboonrungruang
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Emily Simpson
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Zhaohui Xiong
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Caizhi Huang
- Bioinformatics Research Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Jianying Li
- Euclados Bioinformatics Solutions, Cary, NC 27519, USA
| | - Yahui Li
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Xiaoxin Chen
- Cancer Research Program, Julius L. Chambers Biomedical Biotechnology Research Institute, North Carolina Central University, 700 George Street, Durham, NC 27707, USA; Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Loss of Tid1/DNAJA3 Co-Chaperone Promotes Progression and Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Surgical Resection: A Novel Model to Stratify Risk of Recurrence. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13010138. [PMID: 33406664 PMCID: PMC7795123 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13010138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tid1 acts as a tumor suppressor in various cancer types, however, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Here, we observed a low protein level of Tid1 in poorly differentiated HCC cell lines. The expression of Tid1 affected the malignancy in human HCC cell lines; meanwhile the protein level of Nrf2 was negatively regulated by Tid1. In multivariate analysis, using immunohistochemical (IHC) assay in 210 HCC cases, we found the tumor size > 5 cm, multiple tumors, presence of vascular invasion, low Tid1 expression in the non-tumor part, and high Nrf2 expression in the non-tumor part, were independently associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS). A scoring system by integrating the five clinical and pathological factors predicts the RFS among HCC patients after surgical resection. In summary, Tid1 plays a prognostic role for surgically resected HCC. Abstract Tid1, a mitochondrial co-chaperone protein, acts as a tumor suppressor in various cancer types. However, the role of Tid1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. First, we found that a low endogenous Tid1 protein level was observed in poorly differentiated HCC cell lines. Further, upregulation/downregulation of Tid1 abrogated/promoted the malignancy of human HCC cell lines, respectively. Interestingly, Tid1 negatively modulated the protein level of Nrf2. Tissue assays from 210 surgically resected HCC patients were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses. The protein levels of Tid1 in the normal and tumor part of liver tissues were correlated with the clinical outcome of the 210 HCC cases. In multivariate analysis, we discovered that tumor size > 5 cm, multiple tumors, presence of vascular invasion, low Tid1 expression in the non-tumor part, and high Nrf2 expression in the non-tumor part were significant factors associated with worse recurrence-free survival (RFS). A scoring system by integrating the five clinical and pathological factors predicts the RFS among HCC patients after surgical resection. Together, Tid1, serving as a tumor suppressor, has a prognostic role for surgically resected HCC to predict RFS.
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Nrf2 in Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Liver Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102932. [PMID: 33053665 PMCID: PMC7599585 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway represents a powerful cell defense mechanism against a variety of toxic insults, its role in acute or chronic liver damage and tumor development is not completely understood. This review addresses how Nrf2 is involved in liver pathophysiology and critically discusses the contrasting results emerging from the literature. The aim of the present report is to stimulate further investigation on the role of Nrf2 that could lead to define the best strategies to therapeutically target this pathway. Abstract Activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, the most important cell defense signal, triggered to neutralize the harmful effects of electrophilic and oxidative stress, plays a crucial role in cell survival. Therefore, its ability to attenuate acute and chronic liver damage, where oxidative stress represents the key player, is not surprising. On the other hand, while Nrf2 promotes proliferation in cancer cells, its role in non-neoplastic hepatocytes is a matter of debate. Another topic of uncertainty concerns the nature of the mechanisms of Nrf2 activation in hepatocarcinogenesis. Indeed, it remains unclear what is the main mechanism behind the sustained activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in hepatocarcinogenesis. This raises doubts about the best strategies to therapeutically target this pathway. In this review, we will analyze and discuss our present knowledge concerning the role of Nrf2 in hepatic physiology and pathology, including hepatocellular carcinoma. In particular, we will critically examine and discuss some findings originating from animal models that raise questions that still need to be adequately answered.
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Role of Nrf2 and mitochondria in cancer stem cells; in carcinogenesis, tumor progression, and chemoresistance. Biochimie 2020; 179:32-45. [PMID: 32946993 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are rare sub-population in tumor mass with self-renewal and differentiation abilities; CSCs are considered as the main cells which are responsible for tumor metastasis, cancer recurrence, and chemo/radio-resistance. CSCs are believed to contain low mitochondria in quantity, high concentration of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and low reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Mitochondria regulate certain cellular functions, including controlling of cellular energetics, calcium signaling, cell growth and cell differentiation, cell cycle regulation, and cell death. Also, mitochondria are the main sources of intrinsic ROS production. Dysfunction of CSCs mitochondria due to oxidative phosphorylation is reported in several pathological conditions, including metabolic disorders, age-related diseases, and various types of cancers. ROS levels play a significant role in cellular signal transduction and CSCs' identity and differentiation capability. Nrf2 is a master transcription factor that plays critical functions in maintaining cellular redox hemostasis by regulating several antioxidant and detoxification pathways. Recently, the critical function of Nrf2 in CSCs has been revealed by several studies. Nrf2 is an essential molecule in the maintenance of CSCs' stemness and self-renewal in response to different oxidative stresses such as chemotherapy-induced elevation of ROS. Nrf2 enables these cells to recover from chemotherapy damages, and promotes establishment of invasion and dissemination. In this study, we have summarized the role of Nrf2 and mitochondria function CSCs, which promote cancer development. The significant role of Nrf2 in the regulation of mitochondrial function and ROS levels suggests this molecule as a potential target to eradicate CSCs.
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Zhou J, Zhang X, Tang H, Yu J, Zu X, Xie Z, Yang X, Hu J, Tan F, Li Q, Lei X. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in autophagy-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 506:1-8. [PMID: 32109431 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved catabolic process, is the most important pathogenic events in the development and progression of liver diseases. Deregulation of Nrf2 is proposed to play a key pathogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Under certain pathophysiological conditions, such as oxidative stress, impaired autophagy is accompanied by the Nrf2 activation that leads to the detrimental effects favoring the proliferation and survival of HCC. Elucidating its role and potential mechanism is essential for understanding tumorigenesis and the development of effective clinical application. Nrf2 is participated in HCC proliferation, migration and invasion through autophagy pathways. These includes the negatively regulated-Nrf2 by Keap1 that participates in HCC tumorigenesis via regulating ROS production, in which autophagy may contribute to oxidant metabolic reprogramming of HCC cells. Post-transcriptional modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination of Nrf2, can be positively or negatively induced by multiple transcription factors. Nrf2 exhibits chemoresistance through its binding sites in the promoter region of the target genes. Nrf2 may be a valuable potential biomarker and therapeutic strategy for diagnostics, prognostics and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Zhou
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Xinxin Zhang
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Huifang Tang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Jia Yu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Xuyu Zu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Zhizhong Xie
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Juan Hu
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Fang Tan
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Qing Li
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China
| | - Xiaoyong Lei
- Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Response Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, PR China.
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Brunetti O, Gnoni A, Licchetta A, Longo V, Calabrese A, Argentiero A, Delcuratolo S, Solimando AG, Casadei-Gardini A, Silvestris N. Predictive and Prognostic Factors in HCC Patients Treated with Sorafenib. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55100707. [PMID: 31640191 PMCID: PMC6843290 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sorafenib is an oral kinase inhibitor that enhances survival in patients affected by advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to the results of two registrative trials, this drug represents a gold quality standard in the first line treatment of advanced HCC. Recently, lenvatinib showed similar results in terms of survival in a non-inferiority randomized trial study considering the same subset of patients. Unlike other targeted therapies, predictive and prognostic markers in HCC patients treated with sorafenib are lacking. Their identification could help clinicians in the daily management of these patients, mostly in light of the new therapeutic options available in the first.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Antonio Gnoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, "S. Cuore di Gesù" Hospital, 73014 Gallipoli, Italy.
| | | | - Vito Longo
- Medical Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Angela Calabrese
- Radiology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Antonella Argentiero
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Sabina Delcuratolo
- Scientific Direction, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Antonio Giovanni Solimando
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Internal Medicine "G. Baccelli", University of Bari Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Andrea Casadei-Gardini
- Department of Medical Oncology, IstitutoScientifico Romagnolo per Lo Studio e Cura Dei Tumori (IRST) IRCCS, 47014 Meldola, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Haematology, University Hospital of Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy.
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", 70124 Bari, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Sui C, Dong Z, Yang C, Zhang M, Dai B, Geng L, Lu J, Yang J, Xu M. LncRNA FOXD2-AS1 as a competitive endogenous RNA against miR-150-5p reverses resistance to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:6024-6033. [PMID: 31210410 PMCID: PMC6714507 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study elucidated the role of a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), FOXD2-AS1, in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the regulatory mechanism underlying FOXD2-AS1/miR-150-5p/transmembrane protein 9 (TMEM9) signalling in HCC. Microarray analysis was used for preliminary screening of candidate lncRNAs in HCC tissues. qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses were used to detect the expression of FOXD2-AS1. Cell proliferation assays, luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were performed to examine the mechanism by which FOXD2-AS1 mediates sorafenib resistance in HCC cells. FOXD2-AS1 and TMEM9 were significantly decreased and miR-150-5p was increased in SR-HepG2 and SR-HUH7 cells compared with control parental cells. Overexpression of FOXD2-AS1 increased TMEM9 expression and overcame the resistance of SR-HepG2 and SR-HUH7 cells. Conversely, knockdown of FOXD2-AS1 decreased TMEM9 expression and increased the sensitivity of HepG2 and Huh7 cells to sorafenib. Our data also demonstrated that FOXD2-AS1 functioned as a sponge for miR-150-5p to modulate TMEM9 expression. Taken together, our findings revealed that FOXD2-AS1 is an important regulator of TMEM9 and contributed to sorafenib resistance. Thus, FOXD2-AS1 may serve as a therapeutic target against sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjun Sui
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhitao Dong
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Minfeng Zhang
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Binghua Dai
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Geng
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiongjiong Lu
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamei Yang
- Department of Special Treatment Ⅰ and Liver Transplantation, Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Minhui Xu
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
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Potential Applications of NRF2 Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:8592348. [PMID: 31097977 PMCID: PMC6487091 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8592348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The NRF2/KEAP1 pathway represents one of the most important cell defense mechanisms against exogenous or endogenous stressors. Indeed, by increasing the expression of several cytoprotective genes, the transcription factor NRF2 can shelter cells and tissues from multiple sources of damage including xenobiotic, electrophilic, metabolic, and oxidative stress. Importantly, the aberrant activation or accumulation of NRF2, a common event in many tumors, confers a selective advantage to cancer cells and is associated to malignant progression, therapy resistance, and poor prognosis. Hence, in the last years, NRF2 has emerged as a promising target in cancer treatment and many efforts have been made to identify therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting its prooncogenic role. By summarizing the results from past and recent studies, in this review, we provide an overview concerning the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway, its biological impact in solid and hematologic malignancies, and the molecular mechanisms causing NRF2 hyperactivation in cancer cells. Finally, we also describe some of the most promising therapeutic approaches that have been successfully employed to counteract NRF2 activity in tumors, with a particular emphasis on the development of natural compounds and the adoption of drug repurposing strategies.
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Raghunath A, Sundarraj K, Arfuso F, Sethi G, Perumal E. Dysregulation of Nrf2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Role in Cancer Progression and Chemoresistance. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120481. [PMID: 30513925 PMCID: PMC6315366 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver executes versatile functions and is the chief organ for metabolism of toxicants/xenobiotics. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and the third foremost cause of cancer death worldwide. Oxidative stress is a key factor related with the development and progression of HCC. Nuclear factor erythroid 2 [NF-E2]-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a cytosolic transcription factor, which regulates redox homeostasis by activating the expression of an array of antioxidant response element-dependent genes. Nrf2 displays conflicting roles in normal, healthy liver and HCC; in the former, Nrf2 offers beneficial effects, whereas in the latter it causes detrimental effects favouring the proliferation and survival of HCC. Sustained Nrf2 activation has been observed in HCC and facilitates its progression and aggressiveness. This review summarizes the role and mechanism(s) of action of Nrf2 dysregulation in HCC and therapeutic options that can be employed to modulate this transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhwar Raghunath
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
| | - Kiruthika Sundarraj
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
| | - Frank Arfuso
- Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Ekambaram Perumal
- Molecular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore 641 046, Tamilnadu, India.
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Dai J, Huang Q, Niu K, Wang B, Li Y, Dai C, Chen Z, Tao K, Dai J. Sestrin 2 confers primary resistance to sorafenib by simultaneously activating AKT and AMPK in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Med 2018; 7:5691-5703. [PMID: 30311444 PMCID: PMC6247041 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the malignancy derived from normal hepatocytes with increasing incidence and extremely poor prognosis worldwide. The only approved first‐line systematic treatment agent for HCC, sorafenib, is capable to effectively improve advanced HCC patients’ survival. However, it is gradually recognized that the therapeutic response to sorafenib could be drastically diminished after short‐term treatment, defined as primary resistance. The present study is aimed to explore the role of stress‐inducible protein Sestrin2 (SESN2), one of the most important sestrins family members, in sorafenib primary resistance. Herein, we initially found that SESN2 expression was significantly up‐regulated in both HCC cell lines and tissues compared to normal human hepatocytes and corresponding adjacent liver tissues, respectively. In addition, SESN2 expression was highly correlated with sorafenib IC50 of HCC cell lines. Thereafter, we showed that sorafenib treatment resulted in an increase of SESN2 expression and the knockdown of SESN2 exacerbated sorafenib‐induced proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis. Further mechanistic study uncovered that SESN2 deficiency impaired both AKT and AMPK phosphorylation and activation after sorafenib treatment. Moreover, the correlations between SESN2 expression and both phosphor‐AKT and phosphor‐AMPK expression were illustrated in HCC tissues. Taken together, our study demonstrates that SESN2 activates AKT and AMPK signaling as a novel mechanism to induce sorafenib primary resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China.,The Cadet Team 6 (Regiment 6) of School of Basic Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qichao Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Experimental Teaching Center of Basic Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kunwei Niu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yijie Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Dai
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhinan Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kaishan Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingyao Dai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Cell Biology, National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Tian B, Lu ZN, Guo XL. Regulation and role of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in multidrug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 280:70-76. [PMID: 29223570 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) chemoresistance, which is regarded as a kind of stress management reaction to chemotherapy drugs, severely hinders the therapy outcomes of HCC treatment. Stress management is generally achieved by activating certain signal pathways and chemical factors, among which, nuclear factor-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) is a key factor in HCC chemoresistance formation. Nrf2 is a nuclear factor that coordinates the induction and expression of a battery of genes encoding cytoprotective proteins when participating in the Nrf2antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) pathway, which is one of the most important intracellular antioxidant stress pathways. This review summarizes the recent understanding of the involvement of Nrf2 in the chemoresistance of liver cancer, its target proteins, expression regulation and potential Nrf2 inhibitors that sensitize chemotherapy drugs in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zhen-Ning Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiu-Li Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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Liang SR, Hu GR, Fang LJ, Huang SJ, Li JS, Zhao MY, Meng MJ. CpG oligodeoxynucleotides enhance chemosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil in HepG2 human hepatoma cells via downregulation of the antiapoptotic factors survivin and livin. Cancer Cell Int 2013; 13:106. [PMID: 24161202 PMCID: PMC4176997 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2867-13-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies indicated that a synthetic oligonucleotide containing un-methylated CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) has a potential function for cancer therapy. In this study, we evaluated the chemosensitizing effects of CpG-ODN in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-treated HepG2 human hepatoma cells. Methods Cell viability assay were utilized to evaluate the direct cytotoxicity of CpG-ODN in the presence or absence of 5-FU in HepG2 cells, and apoptosis as well as cell-cycle was examined by flow cytometry analysis. The mRNA expression of Bcl-2, Livin and Survivin within HepG2 cells treated with CpG-ODN and/or 5-FU were analyzed by Real Time PCR assay in vitro. Results CpG-ODN in combination with 5-FU could decrease cell viability, increase apoptosis and further induce HepG2 cells cycle arrest at S phase when compared with CpG-ODN or 5-FU. CpG-ODN or 5-FU could down-regulate the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 within HepG2 cells. The mRNA expression of Livin and Survivin decreased in cells treated with CpG-ODN alone but increased in cells treated with 5-FU alone. However, CpG-ODN in combination with 5-FU could down-regulate the mRNA expression of Livin and Survivin within HepG2 cells. Conclusions Our finding demonstrated that CpG-ODN enhanced the chemosentivity of 5-FU in HepG2 human hepatoma cells at least in part by down-regulating the expression of Livin and Survivin, leading to apoptosis and further inducing cell cycle arrest at S phase. Therefore, CpG-ODN may be a potential candidate as chemosensitizer for human hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Min-Jie Meng
- School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutical, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, P, R, China.
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