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Ganesan K, Xu C, Wu J, Du B, Liu Q, Sui Y, Song C, Zhang J, Tang H, Chen J. Ononin inhibits triple-negative breast cancer lung metastasis by targeting the EGFR-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024:10.1007/s11427-023-2499-2. [PMID: 38900236 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2499-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The spreading of cancer cells from the primary tumor site to other parts of the body, known as metastasis, is the leading cause of cancer recurrence and mortality in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is observed in approximately 70% of TNBC patients. EGFR is crucial for promoting tumor metastasis and associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, it is vital to identify effective therapeutic strategies targeting EGFR inhibition. Ononin, an isoflavonoid found in various plants, such as clover and soybeans, has been shown to have anticancer properties in several cancers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ononin on TNBC lung metastasis and the associated molecular pathways. We used various assays, including cell viability, colony formation, Transwell, wound healing, ELISA, Western blotting, and staining techniques, to achieve this objective. The results demonstrated that ononin effectively suppressed cellular proliferation and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by the cell viability assay, colony formation assay, and expression of apoptosis markers, and reduced the metastatic capabilities of TNBC cells. These effects were achieved through the direct suppression of cell adhesion, invasiveness and motility. Furthermore, in TNBC xenograft lung metastatic models, ononin treatment significantly reduced tumor growth and lung metastasis. Additionally, ononin reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulating the expression of EMT markers and matrix metalloproteinases, as confirmed by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, ononin treatment reduced EGFR phosphorylation and suppressed the PI3K, Akt, and mTOR signaling pathways, which was further confirmed using EGFR agonists or inhibitors. Importantly, ononin treatment did not exert any toxic effects on liver or kidney function. In conclusion, our findings suggest that ononin is a safe and potentially therapeutic treatment for TNBC metastasis that targets the EGFR-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Further studies are warranted to validate its efficacy and explore its potential clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumar Ganesan
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Cong Xu
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jianming Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Bing Du
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qingqing Liu
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yue Sui
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Cailu Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jinhui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Jianping Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
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Feng H, Zhao Z, Zhao X, Bai X, Fu W, Zheng L, Kang B, Wang X, Zhang Z, Dong C. A novel memory-like Tfh cell subset is precursor to effector Tfh cells in recall immune responses. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20221927. [PMID: 38047912 PMCID: PMC10695277 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, essential for germinal center reactions, are not identical, with different phenotypes reported. Whether, when, and how they generate memory cells is still poorly understood. Here, through single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of CXCR5+Bcl6+ Tfh cells generated under different conditions, we discovered, in addition to PD-1hi effector Tfh cells, a CD62L+PD1low subpopulation. CD62L-expressing Tfh cells developed independently from PD-1+ cells and not in direct contact with B cells. More importantly, CD62L+ Tfh cells expressed memory- and stemness-associated genes, and with better superior long-term survival, they readily generated PD-1hi cells in the recall response. Finally, KLF2 and IL7R, also highly expressed by CD62L+ Tfh cells, were required to regulate their development. Our work thus demonstrates a novel Tfh memory-like cell subpopulation, which may benefit our understanding of immune responses and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Feng
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zixuan Zhao
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhao
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwei Fu
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liangtao Zheng
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Boxi Kang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohu Wang
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zemin Zhang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, and School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Innate and adaptive immune abnormalities underlying autoimmune diseases: the genetic connections. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023:10.1007/s11427-021-2187-3. [PMID: 36738430 PMCID: PMC9898710 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2187-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
With the exception of an extremely small number of cases caused by single gene mutations, most autoimmune diseases result from the complex interplay between environmental and genetic factors. In a nutshell, etiology of the common autoimmune disorders is unknown in spite of progress elucidating certain effector cells and molecules responsible for pathologies associated with inflammatory and tissue damage. In recent years, population genetics approaches have greatly enriched our knowledge regarding genetic susceptibility of autoimmunity, providing us with a window of opportunities to comprehensively re-examine autoimmunity-associated genes and possible pathways. In this review, we aim to discuss etiology and pathogenesis of common autoimmune disorders from the perspective of human genetics. An overview of the genetic basis of autoimmunity is followed by 3 chapters detailing susceptibility genes involved in innate immunity, adaptive immunity and inflammatory cell death processes respectively. With such attempts, we hope to expand the scope of thinking and bring attention to lesser appreciated molecules and pathways as important contributors of autoimmunity beyond the 'usual suspects' of a limited subset of validated therapeutic targets.
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Feng G, Sun Y, Wang S, Lv Y, Yan C, Zhu Y, Zheng Y, Cui D. Phenotypes of peripheral CD4 + T helper cell subsets in pregnant women with HBeAg-negative chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1126311. [PMID: 36816578 PMCID: PMC9929458 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1126311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide, and mother-to-child transmission is the key mode of HBV infection. CD4+ T helper (Th) cells play a critical role in the immune microenvironment of specific maternal tolerance to the foetus during pregnancy. However, the roles of Th cell subsets in pregnant women (PW) with chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASCs) remain completely unclear. Here, we aimed to characterize CD4+ T-cell immunity in PW with hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic ASCs. Methods Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PW without HBV infection or with chronic ASCs and healthy controls (HC) were isolated, and CD4+ Th cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry in addition to serum cytokines. Serological HBV markers, liver function and hormone levels of these individuals were also tested. Results The frequencies of circulating T follicular helper (Tfh) type 2 (Tfh2) cells were significantly evaluated, but Tfh1 cell frequencies were notably decreased in PW compared to HC. Moreover, the frequencies of Th22 cells were only notably increased in PW with chronic ASCs in comparison with PW. Additionally, increased levels of serum IL-4 were positively correlated with Tfh2 cell frequencies in healthy PW. Interestingly, serum P4 levels were positively associated with the frequencies of circulating Tfh2 or Th2 cells but were negatively related to the frequencies of circulating Tfh17 or Th17 cells in healthy PW. Although there were some changes in the other CD4+ Th cell frequencies and cytokine levels or other references, significant differences were not found among HC, healthy PW, PW with HBeAg-negative chronic ASCs. Conclusion CD4+ Th cell subsets played a critical role in the immune microenvironment of PW, and these findings provided potential evidence for why PW with chronic ASCs did not receive antenatal antiviral prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofang Feng
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shifen Wang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Lv
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cuilin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yimin Zhu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yimin Zhu, ; Yongsheng Zheng, ; Dawei Cui,
| | - Yongsheng Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: Yimin Zhu, ; Yongsheng Zheng, ; Dawei Cui,
| | - Dawei Cui
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yimin Zhu, ; Yongsheng Zheng, ; Dawei Cui,
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Feng H, Zhao Z, Dong C. Adapting to the world: The determination and plasticity of T follicular helper cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:981-989. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Grydziuszko E, Phelps A, Bruton K, Jordana M, Koenig JFE. Heterogeneity, subsets, and plasticity of T follicular helper cells in allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:990-998. [PMID: 36070826 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Antibody responses are critical for protection against pathogens. However, diseases such as allergic rhinitis or food allergy result from aberrant production of IgE antibodies against otherwise innocuous environmental antigens. The production of allergen-specific IgE requires interaction between B cells and CD4+ T cells, and a granular understanding of these interactions is required to develop novel therapies for allergic disease. CD4+ T cells are exceptionally heterogeneous in their transcriptional, epigenetic, and proteomic profiles, which poses significant challenges when attempting to define subsets relevant to the study of allergy among a continuum of cells. Defining subsets such as the T follicular helper (TFH) cell cluster provides a shorthand to understand the functions of CD4+ T cells in antibody production and supports mechanistic experimentation for hypothesis-driven discovery. With a focus on allergic disease, this Rostrum article broadly discusses heterogeneity among CD4+ T cells and provides a rationale for subdividing TFH cells into both functional and cytokine-skewed subsets. Further, it highlights the plasticity demonstrated by TFH cells during the primary response and after recall, and it explores the possibility of harnessing this plasticity to reprogram immunity for therapeutic benefit in allergic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Grydziuszko
- Department of Medicine, Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allyssa Phelps
- Department of Medicine, Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelly Bruton
- Department of Medicine, Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manel Jordana
- Department of Medicine, Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua F E Koenig
- Department of Medicine, Schroeder Allergy and Immunology Research Institute, McMaster Immunology Research Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Profile of Dr. Chen Dong. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 65:1072-1074. [PMID: 35596889 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2101-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
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