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Zhou J, Wu J, Wu G, Huang J, Zhang Y, Che J, Zhu K, Geng J, Fan Q. TBX18 knockdown sensitizes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma to radiotherapy by blocking the CHN1/RhoA axis. Radiother Oncol 2023; 186:109788. [PMID: 37399907 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Radioresistance is a challenge in the effective treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Herein, this research ascertained whether TBX18 reduced the radiosensitivity of ESCC. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis was utilized to retrieve differentially expressed genes. Then, the expression of corresponding candidate genes was tested using qRT-PCR in ESCC clinical specimens, and TBX18 was selected for subsequent experiments. The binding between TBX18 and CHN1 was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter and ChIP assays, and the relationship between CHN1 and RhoA was identified by GST pull-down. Ectopic expression or knockdown experiments and radiation treatment were performed in cells and the nude mouse xenograft model to clarify the impacts of TBX18, CHN1, and RhoA on radiosensitivity in ESCC. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR retrieved upregulated TBX18 in ESCC for the follow-up study. Additionally, TBX18 was positively correlated with CHN1 in ESCC clinical specimens. Mechanistically, TBX18 bound to the CHN1 promoter region to transcriptionally activate CHN1, thus elevating RhoA activity. Moreover, TBX18 knockdown reduced ESCC cell proliferation and migration while augmenting their apoptosis after radiation, which was negated by further overexpressing CHN1 or RhoA. CHN1 or RhoA knockdown diminished ESCC cell proliferation and migration, as well as enhanced cell apoptosis, subsequent to radiation. Likewise, TBX18 overexpression increased ESCC cell autophagy after radiation, which was partially reversed by knockdown of RhoA. The results of in vivo xenograft experiments in nude mice were concurrent with the in vitro results. CONCLUSION TBX18 knockdown lowered CHN1 transcription and thus reduced RhoA activity, which sensitized ESCC cells to radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialiang Zhou
- Depatement of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Jia Wu
- Depatement of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Gang Wu
- Depatement of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Jianfeng Huang
- Depatement of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Yunxia Zhang
- Depatement of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Jun Che
- Depatement of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Koujun Zhu
- Depatement of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Jiqun Geng
- Depatement of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China
| | - Qiang Fan
- Depatement of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China.
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Liu H, Zhang Z, Zhou S, Liu X, Li G, Song B, Xu W. Claudin-1/4 as directly target gene of HIF-1α can feedback regulating HIF-1α by PI3K-AKT-mTOR and impact the proliferation of esophageal squamous cell though Rho GTPase and p-JNK pathway. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:665-682. [PMID: 34276052 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-021-00328-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunohistochemical microarray comprising 80 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and discovered that the expression of CLDN1 and CLDN4 were significantly higher in cancer tissues compared to para-cancerous tissues. Furthermore, CLDN4 significantly affected the overall survival of cancer patients. When two ESCC cell lines (TE1, KYSE410) were exposed to hypoxia (0.1% O2), CLDN1/4 was shown to influence the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer. Compared with the control culture group, the cancer cells cultured under hypoxic conditions exhibited obvious changes in CLDN1 and CLDN4 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Through genetic intervention and Chip, we found that HIF-1α could directly regulate the expression of CLDN1 and CLDN4 in cancer cells. Hypoxia can affect the proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells by regulating the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway. Molecular analysis further revealed that CLDN1 and CLDN4 can participate in the regulation process and had a feedback regulatory effect on HIF-1α expression in cancer cells. In vitro cellular experiments and vivo experiments in nude mice further revealed that changes in CLDN4 expression in cancer cells could affect the proliferation of cancer cells via regulation of Rho GTP and p-JNK pathway. Whether CLDN4 can be target for the treatment of ESCC needs further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250022, P.R. China
| | - Zhancheng Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Fourth Hospital of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong, 250031, China
| | - Shenli Zhou
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250022, P.R. China
| | - Xianfang Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250022, P.R. China
| | - Guodong Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 038000, P.R. China
| | - Bing Song
- School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF14 4XY, UK.
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250022, P.R. China.
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Xie FJ, Zheng QQ, Qin J, Zhang LL, Han N, Mao WM. Autophagy Inhibition Stimulates Apoptosis in Oesophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Fasudil. J Cancer 2018; 9:1050-1056. [PMID: 29581784 PMCID: PMC5868172 DOI: 10.7150/jca.23388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fasudil has been proven to be a promising chemotherapeutic drug for various malignancies. However, the potential anticancer effects of fasudil in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain to be established. We confirmed the RhoA activity is inhibited by fasudil in ESCC cells. Then measured the effects of fasudil on apoptosis and autophagy in ESCC. Our study showed fasudil could both induce ESCCs apoptosis and autophagy, and when fasudil-induced autophagy was inhibited by knockdown of the essential autophagy genes (Beclin 1 or ATG7), and pharmacologic agent (chloroquine) treatment, both treatments also significantly sensitized ESCC to fasudil-induced apoptosis, reducing cell viability in vitro. Our study showed autophagy inhibitors combined with fasudil could significantly induce ESCC apoptosis, which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa-Jun Xie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Oesophagus), Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Qiu-Qing Zheng
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Oesophagus), Hangzhou 310022, China.,Department of Ultrasonography, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Jing Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Oesophagus), Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Ling-Ling Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Na Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China.,Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Oesophagus), Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Wei-Min Mao
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Oesophagus), Hangzhou 310022, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310022, China
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Significant inhibition of Tembusu virus envelope and NS5 gene using an adenovirus-mediated short hairpin RNA delivery system. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 54:387-396. [PMID: 28780191 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tembusu virus (TMUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus, which was first isolated in the tropics during the 1970s. Recently, a disease characterized by ovarian haemorrhage and neurological symptoms was observed in ducks in China, which threatens poultry production. However, there is no suitable vaccination strategy or effective antiviral drugs to combat TMUV infections. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop a new anti-TMUV therapy. In this study, we report an efficient short hairpin RNA (shRNA) delivery strategy for the inhibition of TMUV production using an adenovirus vector system. Using specifically designed shRNAs based on the E and NS5 protein genes of TMUV, the vector-expressed viral genes, TMUV RNA replication and infectious virus production were downregulated at different levels in Vero cells, where the shRNA (NS52) was highly effective in inhibiting TMUV. Using the human adenovirus type 5 shRNA delivery system, the recombinant adenovirus (rAd-NS52) inhibited TMUV multiplication with high efficiency. Furthermore, the significant dose-dependent inhibition of viral RNA copies induced by rAd-NS52 was found in TMUV-infected cells, which could last for at least 96h post infection. Our results indicated that the adenovirus-mediated delivery of shRNAs could play an active role in future TMUV antiviral therapeutics.
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Yan G, Zou R, Chen Z, Fan B, Wang Z, Wang Y, Yin X, Zhang D, Tong L, Yang F, Jiang W, Fu W, Zheng J, Bergo MO, Dalin M, Zheng J, Chen S, Zhou J. Silencing RhoA inhibits migration and invasion through Wnt/β-catenin pathway and growth through cell cycle regulation in human tongue cancer. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2014; 46:682-90. [PMID: 25001480 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmu051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) has been identified as a critical regulator of tumor aggressive behavior. In this study, we assessed the role of RhoA in the mechanisms underlying growth, migration, and invasion of squamous cell carcinoma of tongue (TSCC). Stable RhoA knockdown of TSCC cell lines SCC-4 and CAL27 were achieved using Lentiviral transfection. The effects of RhoA depletion on cell migration, invasion, and cell proliferation were determined. The possible underlying mechanism of RhoA depletion on TSCC cell line was also evaluated by determining the expression of Galectin-3 (Gal-3), β-catenin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in vivo. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanism of TSCC growth was studied by analysis of cyclin D1/2, p21CIP1/WAF1, and p27Kip1 protein levels. Immunohistochemical assessments were performed to further prove the alteration of Gal-3 and β-catenin expression. We found that, in mice injected with human TSCC cells in the tongue, RhoA levels were higher in primary tumors and metastasized lymph nodes compared with those in the normal tissues. Silencing of RhoA significantly reduced the tumor growth, decreased the levels of Gal-3, β-catenin, MMP-9, and cyclin D1/2, and increased the levels of p21CIP1/WAF1 and p27Kip1. In vitro, RhoA knockdown also led to inhibition of cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. Our data suggest that RhoA plays a significant role in TSCC progression by regulating cell migration and invasion through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and cell proliferation through cell cycle regulation, respectively. RhoA might be a novel therapeutic target of TSCC.
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Cao W, Yu G, Lu Q, Zhang J. Low expression of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma correlates with a poor prognosis. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:305. [PMID: 23800335 PMCID: PMC3695856 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is currently unclear whether a correlation exists between N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) expression and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The aim of this study was to examine the underlying clinical significance of NDRG2 expression in ESCC patients and to investigate the effects of NDRG2 up-regulation on ESCC cell growth in vitro and in vivo. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the level of NDRG2 expressions in ESCC tissue, which was then compared to specific clinicopathological features in the patient and tissue specimens. Factors associated with patient survival were analysed. Moreover, the effects of up-regulating NDRG2 expression on the growth of an ESCC cell line were examined by MTT, colony formation, DNA replication activity and nude mouse model assays. RESULTS Notably low expression of NDRG2 in ESCC patients was inversely associated with clinical stage, NM classification, histological differentiation and patients' vital status (all P < 0.05). ESCC patients expressing high levels of NDRG2 exhibited a substantially higher 5-year overall survival rate than NDRG2-negative patients. Furthermore, NDRG2 over-expression reduced the proliferation, colony formation and DNA replication activity in ESCC cells, as well as inhibiting the growth of ESCC cells in vivo. CONCLUSION The present experiments demonstrated that NDRG2 may be a diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with ESCC, and up-regulation of NDRG2 might act as a promising therapeutic strategy for aggressive ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, No.1 Xinshi Road, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi, China
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Ma J, Xue Y, Liu W, Yue C, Bi F, Xu J, Zhang J, Li Y, Zhong C, Chen Y. Role of activated Rac1/Cdc42 in mediating endothelial cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis in breast cancer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66275. [PMID: 23750283 PMCID: PMC3672132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a well-established target in anti-cancer therapy. Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis apparently requires the Rho GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42, the relevant mechanisms are unclear. Here, we determined that activated Rac1/Cdc42 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells could decrease p53 protein levels and increase VEGF secretion to promote proliferation and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). However, these effects are reversed after ubiquitin-proteasome breakage. In exploring potential mechanisms for this relationship, we confirmed that activated Rac1/Cdc42 could enhance p53 protein ubiquitination and weaken p53 protein stability to increase VEGF expression. Furthermore, in a xenograft model using nude mice that stably express active Rac1/Cdc42 protein, active Rac1/Cdc42 decreased p53 levels and increased VEGF expression. Additionally, tumor angiogenesis was inhibited, and p53 protein levels were augmented, by intratumoral injection of the ubiquitin-proteasome inhibitor MG132. Finally in 339 human breast cancer tissues, our analyses indicated that Rac1/Cdc42 expression was related to advanced TNM staging, high proliferation index, ER status, and positive invasive features. In particular, our data suggests that high Rac1/Cdc42 expression is correlated with low wt-p53 and high VEGF expression. We conclude that activated Rac1/Cdc42 is a vascular regulator of tumor angiogenesis and that it may reduce stability of the p53 protein to promote VEGF expression by enhancing p53 protein ubiquitin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Ma
- Department of Oncology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Lanzhou General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yan Xue
- Department of Oncology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Wenchao Liu
- Department of Oncology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
| | - Caixia Yue
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction and Molecular Targeted Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feng Bi
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction and Molecular Targeted Therapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junqing Xu
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
| | - Cuiping Zhong
- Department of Ear Nose Throat Surgery, Lanzhou General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
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