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Qin J, Cao P, Ding X, Zeng Z, Deng L, Luo L. Machine learning identifies ferroptosis-related gene ANXA2 as potential diagnostic biomarkers for NAFLD. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1303426. [PMID: 38192427 PMCID: PMC10773757 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1303426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a major cause of chronic liver disease, still lacks effective therapeutic targets today. Ferroptosis, a type of cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation, has been linked to NAFLD in certain preclinical trials, yet the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear. Thus, we analyzed the relationship between ferroptosis genes and NAFLD using high-throughput data. Method We utilized a total of 282 samples from five datasets, including two mouse ones, one human one, one single nucleus dataset and one single cell dataset from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), as the data basis of our study. To filter robust treatment targets, we employed four machine learning methods (LASSO, SVM, RF and Boruta). In addition, we used an unsupervised consensus clustering algorithm to establish a typing scheme for NAFLD based on the expression of ferroptosis related genes (FRGs). Our study is also the first to investigate the dynamics of FRGs throughout the disease process by time series analysis. Finally, we validated the relationship between core gene and ferroptosis by in vitro experiments on HepG2 cells. Results We discovered ANXA2 as a central focus in NAFLD and indicated its potential to boost ferroptosis in HepG2 cells. Additionally, based on the results obtained from time series analysis, ANXA2 was observed to significantly define the disease course of NAFLD. Our results demonstrate that implementing a ferroptosis-based staging method may hold promise for the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. Conclusion Our findings suggest that ANXA2 may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and characterization of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingtong Qin
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Peng Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuexuan Ding
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Zeyao Zeng
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Liyan Deng
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Lianxiang Luo
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, China
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Zherebtsov EA, Potapova EV, Mamoshin AV, Shupletsov VV, Kandurova KY, Dremin VV, Abramov AY, Dunaev AV. Fluorescence lifetime needle optical biopsy discriminates hepatocellular carcinoma. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:633-646. [PMID: 35284175 PMCID: PMC8884204 DOI: 10.1364/boe.447687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
This work presents results of in vivo and in situ measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma by a developed optical biopsy system. Here, we describe the technical details of the implementation of fluorescence lifetime and diffuse reflectance measurements by the system, equipped with an original needle optical probe, compatible with the 17.5G biopsy needle standard. The fluorescence lifetime measurements observed by the setup were verified in fresh solutions of NADH and FAD++, and then applied in a murine model for the characterisation of inoculated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent liver tissue. The technique, applied in vivo and in situ and supplemented by measurements of blood oxygen saturation, made it possible to reveal statistically significant transformation in the set of measured parameters linked with the cellular pools of NADH and NADPH. In the animal model, we demonstrate that the characteristic changes in registered fluorescent parameters can be used to reliably distinguish the HCC tissue, liver tissue in the control, and the metabolically changed liver tissues of animals with the developed HCC tumour. For further transition to clinical applications, the optical biopsy system was tested during the routing procedure of the PNB in humans with suspected HCC. The comparison of the data from murine and human HCC tissues suggests that the tested animal model is generally representative in the sense of the registered fluorescence lifetime parameters, while statistically significant differences between their absolute values can still be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii A Zherebtsov
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
- Optoelectronics and Measurement Techniques unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Co-first authors with equal contribution
| | - Elena V Potapova
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
- Co-first authors with equal contribution
| | - Andrian V Mamoshin
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
- Orel Regional Clinical Hospital, Orel, Russia
| | - Valery V Shupletsov
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
| | - Ksenia Y Kandurova
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
| | - Viktor V Dremin
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Andrey Y Abramov
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Andrey V Dunaev
- Research & Development Center of Biomedical Photonics, Orel State University, Orel, Russia
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Different Risk Factors for Early and Late Recurrence After Curative Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. World J Surg 2021; 46:197-206. [PMID: 34533588 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-021-06308-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Factors of early and late recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be different. The aim of this study was to identify clinical factors, including liver stiffness measurement (LSM), which are associated with HCC recurrence after curative resection. METHODS Patients who underwent preoperative LSM and primary curative resection for HCC between October 2015 and May 2018 were retrospectively reviewed, with 1 year as the cut-off between early and late recurrence. RESULTS Recurrence was observed in 42/149 (28.2%) patients over a median follow-up of 38.3 months (early recurrence: 10 [6.7%] patients; late recurrence: 32 [21.5%] patients). Multivariate analysis identified LSM (P = 0.026) and tumor size (P = 0.010) as the only factors that were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival. Compared with patients without recurrence, those with early recurrence had larger tumor size (P = 0.035) and those with late recurrence had higher LSM (P = 0.024). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis indicated that the optimal LSM cut-off value for predicting HCC recurrence was 7.4 kPa. CONCLUSION Tumor size was associated with early HCC recurrence after curative resection and LSM was associated with late recurrence. LSM cut-off of 7.4 kPa is recommended in predicting recurrence.
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Xu Y, Mu W, Li J, Ba Q, Wang H. Chronic cadmium exposure at environmental-relevant level accelerates the development of hepatotoxicity to hepatocarcinogenesis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:146958. [PMID: 33866181 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental heavy metal with long biological half-time and adverse health effects. The long-term toxicity of Cd at low levels remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the impact of dietary Cd intake at environmental doses in the full disease cycle from liver injury, fibrosis, inflammation to cancer progression in mouse models and in vitro. We found that chronic low-dose Cd exposure promoted the hepatotoxicity and hepato-pathogenesis in normal and CCl4 mouse models. Cd enhanced liver injury and accelerated liver fibrosis, a key risk factor for cirrhosis and liver cancer, featured as up-regulation of fibrosis-related markers (TGF-β1, collagen-1, and TIMP1) and activation of hepatic stellate cells. Consistently, Cd increased the inflammation and the infiltration of macrophages and dendritic cells in liver. At late stage, the angiogenetic factors, VEGF and CD34, were elevated, indicating abnormal angiogenesis. At the end of treatment, Cd promoted CCl4-induced liver cancer formation, including incidence, tumor number and size. These effects were more pronounced in male mice than that in females. The promoting-effects of Cd on fibrosis and angiogenesis were further validated in hepatic stellate cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. PPAR and ERBB signaling pathways were identified as the potential pathways to promote the toxicity of chronic Cd exposure. These findings provide a better understanding about the long-term influence of environmental Cd spanning the entire precancerous lesions-to-cancer formation cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Ba
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-Cell Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Mir IH, Guha S, Behera J, Thirunavukkarasu C. Targeting molecular signal transduction pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma and its implications for cancer therapy. Cell Biol Int 2021; 45:2161-2177. [PMID: 34270844 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a substantial health concern. It is currently the third dominating cause of mortality associated with cancer worldwide. The development of hepatocellular carcinoma is an intricate process that encompasses the impairment of genetic, epigenetic, and signal transduction mechanisms contributing to an aberrant metabolic system, enabling tumorigenesis. Throughout the past decade, research has led to the revelation of molecular pathways implicated in the progression of this notorious disorder. The altered signal transduction pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, phosphoinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, WNT/β-catenin pathway, hepatocyte growth factor/c-MET pathway, and just another kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling pathway is of much therapeutic significance, as targeting them may avail to revert, retard or avert hepatocarcinogenesis. The present review article sums up the contemporary knowledge of such signaling mechanisms, including their therapeutic targets and betokens that novel and efficacious therapies can be developed only by the keen understanding of their character in hepatocarcinogenesis. In additament, we address the role of consequential therapeutic agents and preclinical nondrug therapies known for combating hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishfaq Hassan Mir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Shreyoshi Guha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Jajnasenee Behera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
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Huang SJ, Lee SY, Teng YH, Lee SD, Cheng YJ. Photobiomodulation Therapy to Promote Angiogenesis in Diabetic Mice with Hindlimb Ischemia. PHOTOBIOMODULATION PHOTOMEDICINE AND LASER SURGERY 2021; 39:453-462. [PMID: 34264768 DOI: 10.1089/photob.2020.4896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To assess whether photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) induces angiogenesis in diabetic mice with hindlimb ischemia (HLI). Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at high risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the lower extremities. PBMT has been shown to promote angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo and could be a treatment for DM patients with PAD. Methods: Femoral artery ligation/excision in mice was performed to induce HLI as an animal model of PAD. PBMT at a dose of 660 nm and 1.91 J/cm2 was delivered for 10 min on 5 consecutive days after the HLI surgery. Control mice received HLI only. Mice in the DM group were injected with streptozocin to induce diabetes before HLI surgery. Mice in the laser and DM+ laser groups received both HLI and PBMT, and the latter group had induced DM. After the laser treatment, lower limb blood flow was evaluated by laser Doppler. The capillary density and CD31 were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining, and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) were measured by Western blotting of tissue samples. Results: Compared with the control and DM mice, the laser and DM+ laser groups had more than double the capillary density and blood perfusion rate. Levels of CD31 and VEGF-A proteins in groups that received laser were increased by 1.9- to 3.2-fold compared with groups that did not undergo laser treatment. Animals treated with PBMT exhibited significantly increased HIF-1α expression and ERK phosphorylation compared with animals that did not receive this treatment, and the amount of phospho-eNOS and iNOS increased and decreased, respectively. Conclusions: PBMT can induce therapeutic angiogenesis, indicating that low intensity laser could be a novel treatment for PAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Jie Huang
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Yi Lee
- General Education Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Teng
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Da Lee
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jung Cheng
- Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Rehabilitation, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Vanderborght B, Lefere S, Vlierberghe HV, Devisscher L. The Angiopoietin/Tie2 Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112382. [PMID: 33143149 PMCID: PMC7693961 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the usually late diagnosis and lack of effective therapies, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which poses a growing global health problem, is characterized by a poor prognosis. Angiogenesis plays an important role in HCC progression, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins (Angs) are key drivers of HCC angiogenesis. VEGF-targeting strategies already represent an important component of today’s systemic treatment landscape of HCC, whereas targeting the Ang/Tie2 signaling pathway may harbor future potential in this context due to reported beneficial anticancer effects when targeting this pathway. In addition, a better understanding of the relation between Angs and HCC angiogenesis and progression may reveal their potential as predictive factors for post-treatment disease progression and prognosis. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of the complex role of Ang/Tie2 signaling in HCC, pinpointing its potential value as biomarker and target for HCC treatments, aiding HCC diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Vanderborght
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.V.); (S.L.); (H.V.V.)
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sander Lefere
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.V.); (S.L.); (H.V.V.)
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hans Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hepatology Research Unit, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; (B.V.); (S.L.); (H.V.V.)
| | - Lindsey Devisscher
- Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-9-332-56-65
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Radiation-synthesis of chitosan/poly (acrylic acid) nanogel for improving the antitumor potential of rutin in hepatocellular carcinoma. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2020; 11:261-278. [PMID: 32488816 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00792-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the ability of chitosan/poly (acrylic acid) nanogel (CAN) to improve the bioavailability and anticancer potential of rutin. Synthesis of CAN was carried out by gamma radiation-induced polymerization of acrylic acid in an aqueous solution of chitosan. The relationship between the hydrodynamic radius of CAN and the absorbed radiation doses was also investigated. The prepared nanogels were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques, and then, it was used as a nano-drug carrier for rutin. The developed formulation was evaluated for its antitumor activity against chemically induced hepatocarcinoma in rats. The following parameters were measured: aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, and total bilirubin as liver function test; vascular endothelial growth factor as an angiogenesis marker; α-fetoprotein as a tumor marker; and P53, caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 as apoptosis markers. Histopathological examination was also confirmed. Significant enhanced anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic, and apoptotic effects were observed for rutin-loaded CAN than free rutin, indicating that this formulation could provide a novel therapeutic approach to serve as a promising agent for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Graphical abstract.
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Zhu J, Tang B, Li J, Shi Y, Chen M, Lv X, Meng M, Weng Q, Zhang N, Fan K, Xu M, Ji J. Identification and validation of the angiogenic genes for constructing diagnostic, prognostic, and recurrence models for hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:7848-7873. [PMID: 32379058 PMCID: PMC7244068 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Since angiogenesis has an indispensable effect in the development and progression of tumors, in this study we aimed to identify angiogenic genes closely associated with prognosis of HCC to establish diagnostic, prognostic, and recurrence models. We analyzed 132 angiogenic genes and HCC-related RNA sequence data from the TCGA and ICGC databases by Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and identified four angiogenic genes (ENFA3, EGF, MMP3 and AURKB) to establish prognosis, recurrence and diagnostic models and corresponding nomograms. The prognostic and recurrence models were determined to be independent predictors of prognosis and recurrence (P < 0.05). And compared with the low-risk group, patients in the high-risk group had worse overall survival (OS) rates in training cohort (P < 0.001) and validation cohort (P < 0.001), and higher recurrence rates in training cohort (P<0.001) and validation cohort (P=0.01). The diagnostic models have been validated to correctly distinguish HCC from normal samples and proliferative nodule samples. Through pharmacological analysis we identified piperlongumine as a drug for targeting angiogenesis, and it was validated to inhibit HCC cell proliferation and angiogenesis via the EGF/EGFR axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyu Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bufu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Li
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yueli Shi
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Minjiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Xiuling Lv
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Miaomiao Meng
- Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Qiaoyou Weng
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Nannan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kai Fan
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Min Xu
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, China
| | - Jiansong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Lishui Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Lishui 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui 323000, China
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Liver regeneration microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma for prevention and therapy. Oncotarget 2018; 8:1805-1813. [PMID: 27655683 PMCID: PMC5352100 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on liver cancer prevention and treatment has mainly focused on the liver cancer cells themselves. Currently, liver cancers are no longer viewed as only collections of genetically altered cells but as aberrant organs with a plastic stroma, matrix, and vasculature. Improving the microenvironment of the liver to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting immune function, inflammation and vasculature can regulate the dynamic imbalance between normal liver regeneration and repair and abnormal liver regeneration, thus improving the microenvironment of liver regeneration for the prevention and treatment of liver cancer. This review addresses the basic theory of the liver regeneration microenvironment, including the latest findings on immunity, inflammation and vasculature. Attention is given to the potential design of molecular targets in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In an effort to improve the liver regeneration microenvironment of HCC, researchers have extensively utilized the enhancement of immunity, anti-inflammation and the vasculature niche, which are discussed in detail in this review. In addition, the authors summarize the latest pro-fibrotic transition characteristics of the vascular niche and review potential cell therapies for liver disease.
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Collateral Damage Intended-Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Vasculature Are Potential Targets in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18112355. [PMID: 29112161 PMCID: PMC5713324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18112355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
After oncogenic transformation, tumor cells rewire their metabolism to obtain sufficient energy and biochemical building blocks for cell proliferation, even under hypoxic conditions. Glucose and glutamine become their major limiting nutritional demands. Instead of being autonomous, tumor cells change their immediate environment not only by their metabolites but also by mediators, such as juxtacrine cell contacts, chemokines and other cytokines. Thus, the tumor cells shape their microenvironment as well as induce resident cells, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs), to support them. Fibroblasts differentiate into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which produce a qualitatively and quantitatively different extracellular matrix (ECM). By their contractile power, they exert tensile forces onto this ECM, leading to increased intratumoral pressure. Moreover, along with enhanced cross-linkage of the ECM components, CAFs thus stiffen the ECM. Attracted by tumor cell- and CAF-secreted vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), ECs sprout from pre-existing blood vessels during tumor-induced angiogenesis. Tumor vessels are distinct from EC-lined vessels, because tumor cells integrate into the endothelium or even mimic and replace it in vasculogenic mimicry (VM) vessels. Not only the VM vessels but also the characteristically malformed EC-lined tumor vessels are typical for tumor tissue and may represent promising targets in cancer therapy.
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Ratnasari N, Nurdjanah S, Sadewa AH, Hakimi M, Yano Y. Difference of polymorphism VEGF-gene rs699947 in Indonesian chronic liver disease population. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183503. [PMID: 28837651 PMCID: PMC5570295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The VEGF gene polymorphism rs699947 related to clinical pathology, mortality, and recurrence of HCC. Few studies mentioned an association between VEGF gene polymorphisms with illness progression in chronic liver disease. We aimed to explore differences of VEGF gene polymorphism rs699947 in chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma patients in Indonesian population. Methods A cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling and without matching was performed during a 3 years period (2011–2014) at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Blood DNA was sequenced from 123 subjects with chronic liver diseases [39 chronic hepatitis (CH), 39 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 45 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)]. 59 healthy subjects also participated. Using isolated VEGF genes for specific primers for rs699947, blood samples were examined by targeting DNA sequences with Applied Bio systems. All data were analyzed using STATA version 11.0 with significance level at P<0.05. Results The mean of age in HCC and LC subjects were older than in CH and healthy (P value <0.05); there were more males in LC, HCC and the healthy groups but not in CH (P>0.05). HBV was the dominant etiology in HCC, LC, and CH besides HCV and non HBV-HCV (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the SNP -2578 distributions of allele C compared to allele A in all subjects (healthy vs. LC, and HCC; LC vs. CH (P<0.05), but no significant difference A>C vs. C>C, and genotypes distribution. Proportion of SNP -2578 A>C vs. C>C CH 1.8:1; HCC 1.4:1; healthy 1.7:1; but its proportion in LC was inversed (1:1.2). Genotype A was low in all subjects (5%-11%). Significant difference of allele distribution was found in healthy vs. LC, and HCC; CH vs. LC. Based on HWE analyses, distribution of allele C was dominant. There were not significant differences in deletion, insertion-deletion at -2547 until -2526, and haplotype (Ht) CCGACCCC (P>0.05). The OR analyses of allele and SNP showed that allele A can be a predictor of disease progression in LC to HCC (OR 2.26) and healthy to LC (OR 1.65); and SNP A>C also can be a predictor in healthy to HCC (OR 1.41) and CH (OR 1.14). Conclusion The occurrence of allele A and SNP A>C VEGF gene (-2578) might predict illness progression from healthy to CH, LC or HCC and LC to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neneng Ratnasari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Gadjah Mada University/ Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Siti Nurdjanah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Gadjah Mada University/ Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Hamim Sadewa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mohammad Hakimi
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Yoshihiko Yano
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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13
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Cellular and molecular targets for the immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cell Biochem 2017; 437:13-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-017-3092-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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14
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Wang XP, Zhou J, Han M, Chen CB, Zheng YT, He XS, Yuan XP. MicroRNA-34a regulates liver regeneration and the development of liver cancer in rats by targeting Notch signaling pathway. Oncotarget 2017; 8:13264-13276. [PMID: 28129650 PMCID: PMC5355094 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the role of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) in regulating liver regeneration (LR) and the development of liver cancer in rats by targeting Notch signaling pathway. METHODS Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into partial hepatectomy (PH) group and sham hepatectomy (SH) group. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histological change in liver tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to examine whether miR-34a targeted Notch1 gene. Human liver cancer Huh7 cells were transfected and divided into blank, negative control (NC), miR-34a mimics and miR-34a inhibitors groups. MTT and flow cytometry were used to detect cell growth, and cell cycle and apoptosis, respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied detect to the expressions of miR-34a and Notch receptor mRNA. Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expressions of Notch receptors, P21, Bax, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Tumor xenograft in nude mice was done to observe tumor formation in different groups. RESULTS Compared to the SH group, miR-34a expression in liver tissues in the PH group decreased first and then increased to the normal level during LR. In early stage of LR, the expressions of Notch receptors and miR-34a were negatively correlated. Compared to the blank and NC groups, the cell growth was inhibited, cell cycle was mainly arrested in the G2/M phase and cell apoptosis rate increased in the miR-34a mimics group. Moreover, the expressions of miR-34a, P21 and Bax were up-regulated, while the expressions of Notch receptors, and Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were down-regulated in this group. Additionally, the tumor growth in the miR-34a mimics group was reduced. The miR-34a inhibitors group showed contrary tendencies. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that miR-34a regulated LR and the development of liver cancer by inhibiting Notch signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ping Wang
- Third Division of Organ Transplant Center, The Eastern Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510700, P. R. China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Third Division of Organ Transplant Center, The Eastern Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510700, P. R. China
| | - Ming Han
- Third Division of Organ Transplant Center, The Eastern Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510700, P. R. China
| | - Chuan-Bao Chen
- Third Division of Organ Transplant Center, The Eastern Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510700, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Tao Zheng
- Third Division of Organ Transplant Center, The Eastern Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510700, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Shun He
- Third Division of Organ Transplant Center, The Eastern Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510700, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Peng Yuan
- Third Division of Organ Transplant Center, The Eastern Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510700, P. R. China
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15
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Affo S, Yu LX, Schwabe RF. The Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Fibrosis in Liver Cancer. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2016; 12:153-186. [PMID: 27959632 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-052016-100322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 412] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. Because of the wide landscape of genomic alterations and limited therapeutic success of targeting tumor cells, a recent focus has been on better understanding and possibly targeting the microenvironment in which liver tumors develop. A unique feature of liver cancer is its close association with liver fibrosis. More than 80% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) develop in fibrotic or cirrhotic livers, suggesting an important role of liver fibrosis in the premalignant environment (PME) of the liver. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), in contrast, is characterized by a strong desmoplasia that typically occurs in response to the tumor, suggesting a key role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and fibrosis in its tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we discuss the functional contributions of myofibroblasts, CAFs, and fibrosis to the development of HCC and CCA in the hepatic PME and TME, focusing on myofibroblast- and extracellular matrix-associated growth factors, fibrosis-associated immunosuppressive pathways, as well as mechanosensitive signaling cascades that are activated by increased tissue stiffness. Better understanding of the role of myofibroblasts in HCC and CCA development and progression may provide the basis to target these cells for tumor prevention or therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Affo
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032;
| | - Le-Xing Yu
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032;
| | - Robert F Schwabe
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032;
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16
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Ordoñez R, Fernández A, Prieto-Domínguez N, Martínez L, García-Ruiz C, Fernández-Checa JC, Mauriz JL, González-Gallego J. Ceramide metabolism regulates autophagy and apoptotic cell death induced by melatonin in liver cancer cells. J Pineal Res 2015; 59:178-89. [PMID: 25975536 PMCID: PMC4523438 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is a process that maintains homeostasis during stress, although it also contributes to cell death under specific contexts. Ceramides have emerged as important effectors in the regulation of autophagy, mediating the crosstalk with apoptosis. Melatonin induces apoptosis of cancer cells; however, its role in autophagy and ceramide metabolism has yet to be clearly elucidated. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin administration on autophagy and ceramide metabolism and its possible link with melatonin-induced apoptotic cell death in hepatocarcinoma (HCC) cells. Melatonin (2 mm) transiently induced autophagy in HepG2 cells through JNK phosphorylation, characterized by increased Beclin-1 expression, p62 degradation, and LC3II and LAMP-2 colocalization, which translated in decreased cell viability. Moreover, ATG5 silencing sensitized HepG2 cells to melatonin-induced apoptosis, suggesting a dual role of autophagy in cell death. Melatonin enhanced ceramide levels through both de novo synthesis and acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) stimulation. Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) inhibition with myriocin prevented melatonin-induced autophagy and ASMase inhibition with imipramine-impaired autophagy flux. However, ASMase inhibition partially protected HepG2 cells against melatonin, while SPT inhibition significantly enhanced cell death. Findings suggest a crosstalk between SPT-mediated ceramide generation and autophagy in protecting against melatonin, while specific ASMase-induced ceramide production participates in melatonin-mediated cell death. Thus, dual blocking of SPT and autophagy emerges as a potential strategy to potentiate the apoptotic effects of melatonin in liver cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ordoñez
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Ana Fernández
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Néstor Prieto-Domínguez
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Laura Martínez
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Consejo Superior Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and Liver Unit-Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Carmen García-Ruiz
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Consejo Superior Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and Liver Unit-Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
- University of Southern California Research Center for Alcohol Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - José C. Fernández-Checa
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB), Consejo Superior Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) and Liver Unit-Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
- University of Southern California Research Center for Alcohol Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - José L. Mauriz
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
| | - Javier González-Gallego
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Spain
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17
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Kim SK, Kim H, Koh GY, Lim DS, Yu DY, Kim MD, Park MS, Lim JS. Mouse Hepatic Tumor Vascular Imaging by Experimental Selective Angiography. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131687. [PMID: 26131558 PMCID: PMC4489182 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has unique vascular features, which require selective imaging of hepatic arterial perfusion and portal venous perfusion with vascular catheterization for sufficient evaluation. Unlike in humans, vessels in mice are too small to catheterize, and the importance of separately imaging the feeding vessels of tumors is frequently overlooked in hepatic tumor models. The purpose of this study was to perform selective latex angiography in several mouse liver tumor models and assess their suitability. MATERIALS AND METHODS In several ectopic (Lewis lung carcinoma, B16/F10 melanoma cell lines) and spontaneous liver tumor (Albumin-Cre/MST1fl/fl/MST2fl/fl, Albumin-Cre/WW45fl/fl, and H-ras12V genetically modified mouse) models, the heart left ventricle and/or main portal vein of mice was punctured, and latex dye was infused to achieve selective latex arteriography and/or portography. RESULTS H-ras12V transgenic mice (a HCC and hepatic adenoma model) developed multiple liver nodules that displayed three different perfusion patterns (portal venous or hepatic artery perfusion predominant, mixed perfusion), indicating intra-tumoral vascular heterogeneity. Selective latex angiography revealed that the Lewis lung carcinoma implant model and the Albumin-Cre/WW45fl/fl model reproduced conventional angiography findings of human HCC. Specifically, these mice developed tumors with abundant feeding arteries but no portal venous perfusion. CONCLUSION Different hepatic tumor models showed different tumor vessel characteristics that influence the suitability of the model and that should be considered when designing translational experiments. Selective latex angiography applied to certain mouse tumor models (both ectopic and spontaneous) closely simulated typical characteristics of human HCC vascular imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Kyum Kim
- Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Honsoul Kim
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
| | - Gou Young Koh
- National Research Laboratory of Vascular Biology and Stem Cell, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Sik Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Yeul Yu
- Aging Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Deuk Kim
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Suk Park
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Seok Lim
- Department of Radiology, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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18
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Li C, Wu X, Zhang H, Yang G, Hao M, Sheng S, Sun Y, Long J, Hu C, Sun X, Li L, Zheng J. A Huaier polysaccharide restrains hepatocellular carcinoma growth and metastasis by suppression angiogenesis. Int J Biol Macromol 2015; 75:115-20. [PMID: 25597429 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2015.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly metastatic cancer. Huaier polysaccharide (TP-1) is a naturally occurring bioactive macromolecule, found in Huaier fungus and has been shown to exert in vitro antitumor and antimetastasis for HCC, but no study has addressed in vivo efficacy and mechanisms of action. Presently, we found that TP-1 at doses of 0.5, 1 and 2mg/kg significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis to the lung in mice bearing HCC SMMC-7721 tumors without toxicity. The analysis of tumors by immunohistochemistry demonstrated that TP-1 inhibited PCNA expression, increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells and reduced microvessel density (MVD) to achieve this effect. Furthermore, TP-1 administration reduced the protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), AUF-1 and AEG-1, in tumor tissues. Taken together, our data suggested that the antitumor and anti-metastatic activities of TP-1 might be at least partially through down-regulation of HIF-1alpha/VEGF and AUF-1/AEG-1 signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Infectious Disease, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Huanghe Road, Harbin 150081, China.
| | - Honghai Zhang
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Gengxia Yang
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Meijun Hao
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Shoupeng Sheng
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jiang Long
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Caixia Hu
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xicai Sun
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jiasheng Zheng
- Intervention Therapy Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing You An Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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19
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Zuo C, Xia M, Wu Q, Zhu H, Liu J, Liu C. Role of antiviral therapy in reducing recurrence and improving survival in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma following curative resection (Review). Oncol Lett 2014; 9:527-534. [PMID: 25624883 PMCID: PMC4301553 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with the majority of cases associated with persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus infection. In particular, chronic HBV infection is a predominant risk factor for the development of HCC in Asian and African populations. Hepatic resection, liver transplantion and radiofrequency ablation are increasingly used for the curative treatment of HCC, however, the survival rate of HCC patients who have undergone curative resection remains unsatisfactory due to the high recurrence rate. HCC is a complex disease that is typically resistant to the most commonly used types of chemotherapy and radiotherapy; therefore, the development of novel treatment strategies is required to improve the survival rate of this disease. A high viral load of HBV DNA is the most important correctable risk factor for HCC recurrence, for example nucleos(t)ide analogs improve the outcome following curative resection of HBV-associated HCC, and interferon-α exhibits antitumor activity against various types of cancer via direct inhibitory effects on tumor cells, anti-angiogenesis, enhanced immunogenicity of tumors, immunomodulatory effects and liver dysfunction. In the present review, antiviral treatment for HBV-associated HCC is described as a strategy to reduce recurrence and improve survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaohui Zuo
- Department of Gastroduodenal and Pancreatic Surgery, Translation Medicine Research Center of Liver Cancer, Hunan Province Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China ; Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0275, USA
| | - Man Xia
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0275, USA ; Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Hunan Province Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Qunfeng Wu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0275, USA
| | - Haizhen Zhu
- Department of Gastroduodenal and Pancreatic Surgery, Translation Medicine Research Center of Liver Cancer, Hunan Province Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Jingshi Liu
- Department of Gastroduodenal and Pancreatic Surgery, Translation Medicine Research Center of Liver Cancer, Hunan Province Tumor Hospital and Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0275, USA
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20
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Liu CJ, Jones DS, Tsai PC, Venkataramana A, Cochran JR. An engineered dimeric fragment of hepatocyte growth factor is a potent c-MET agonist. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:4831-7. [PMID: 25451235 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Revised: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), through activation of the c-MET receptor, mediates biological processes critical for tissue regeneration; however, its clinical application is limited by protein instability and poor recombinant expression. We previously engineered an HGF fragment (eNK1) that possesses increased stability and expression yield and developed a c-MET agonist by coupling eNK1 through an introduced cysteine residue. Here, we further characterize this eNK1 dimer and show it elicits significantly greater c-MET activation, cell migration, and proliferation than the eNK1 monomer. The efficacy of the eNK1 dimer was similar to HGF, suggesting its promise as a c-MET agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie J Liu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Douglas S Jones
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ping-Chuan Tsai
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - Jennifer R Cochran
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States; Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States.
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21
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Saraswati S, Alhaider AA, Agrawal SS. Anticarcinogenic effect of brucine in diethylnitrosamine initiated and phenobarbital-promoted hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Chem Biol Interact 2013; 206:214-21. [PMID: 24060683 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Revised: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the effects of brucine on N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis was done by intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine (DENA) followed by promotion with phenobarbital. The rats were exposed to dietary brucine for 4 weeks prior to initiation, and the treatment was continued for 22 consecutive weeks. Brucine decreased the incidence, total number, multiplicity, size and volume of preneoplastic hepatic nodules in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of DENA induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as evidenced by changes in histopathological architecture, increased activity of cytochrome P450, decreased activity of glutathione Stransferase (GST) as well as decreased antioxidant status, enhanced lipid peroxidation, increased liver marker enzymes. Western blot analysis showed decreased expression of cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 with activation of caspase-3 and increased expression of Bax. Immunohistochemical demonstrated the decreased expression of the PCNA and VEGF. These results indicate that brucine prevents lipid peroxidation and hepatic cell damage and also protects the antioxidant system in DENA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Saraswati
- Camel Biomedical Research Unit, College of Pharmacy and Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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22
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Expression of microRNA-150 targeting vascular endothelial growth factor-A is downregulated under hypoxia during liver regeneration. Mol Med Rep 2013; 8:287-93. [PMID: 23715613 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a factor that stimulates the proliferation of sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes during liver regeneration (LR). The present study aimed to screen and validate a microRNA (miRNA) that targets VEGF-A with relative specificity and to elucidate the potential association between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF‑1α) and miRNA expression in the early phase of LR. Changes in the expression of miRNAs, which were predicted to target VEGF-A using online databases, were detected at 12, 24 and 48 h following a 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) using quantitative PCR (qPCR). An inhibitor of the most downregulated miRNA was transfected into the primary hepatocytes in order to observe changes in the expression of the VEGF-A gene. The expression of HIF-1α protein in the regenerating liver was investigated using western blot analysis. The expression levels of HIF-1α mRNA (messenger RNA), the selected miRNA and VEGF-A mRNA in an anoxic model of hepatocytes was examined with qPCR. Of seven putative miRNAs, the expression of miR-150 exhibited the sharpest downregulation from 12-48 h. The micrOFF™ miR-150 inhibitor significantly elevated the expression levels of VEGF-A mRNA and protein 48 h after transfection. Thus, VEGF-A may be a downstream target of miR-150 during LR. Furthermore, HIF-1α protein expression increased to its highest level 24 h following PHx. miR-150 expression was inhibited and the expression of VEGF-A mRNA increased accordingly in the hypoxia-induced hepatocytes. Our results suggest that miR-150 expression is subject to negative regulation by HIF-1α.
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23
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Chen ZY, Shi M, Peng LX, Wei W, Li XJ, Guo ZX, Li SH, Zhong C, Qian CN, Guo RP. Dovitinib preferentially targets endothelial cells rather than cancer cells for the inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma growth and metastasis. J Transl Med 2012; 10:245. [PMID: 23228017 PMCID: PMC3552726 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-10-245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dovitinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptors and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β. Dovitinib is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Method In this study, we used five HCC cell lines and five endothelial cell lines to validate molecular and cellular targets of dovitinib. Results Tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis were significantly suppressed in an orthotopic HCC model. Immunoblotting revealed that among known dovitinib targets, only PDGFR-β was expressed in two HCC cell lines, while four of five endothelial lines expressed PDGFR-β, FGFR-1, and VEGFR-2. Dovitinib inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and motility at 0.04 μmol/L, a pharmacologically relevant concentration; it was unable to inhibit the proliferation or motility of HCC cells at the same concentration. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that dovitinib significantly decreased the microvessel density of xenograft tumors, inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in HCC cells. Conclusion Our findings indicate that dovitinib inhibits HCC growth and metastasis preferentially through an antiangiogenic mechanism, not through direct targeting of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yuan Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, 651 Dongfeng Road East, Guangzhou, China
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Qin L, Bromberg-White JL, Qian CN. Opportunities and challenges in tumor angiogenesis research: back and forth between bench and bed. Adv Cancer Res 2012; 113:191-239. [PMID: 22429856 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-394280-7.00006-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Many signaling pathways are involved in regulating tumor angiogenesis, with the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway being of particular interest. The recognition of the heterogeneity in tumor vasculature has led to better predictions of prognosis through differential analyses of the vasculature. However, the clinical benefits from antiangiogenic therapy are limited, because many antiangiogenic agents cannot provide long-term survival benefits, suggesting the development of drug resistance. Activation of the hypoxia and c-Met pathways, as well as other proangiogenic factors, has been shown to be responsible for such resistance. Vessel co-option could be another important mechanism. For future development, research to improve the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy includes (a) using tumor-derived endothelial cells for drug screening; (b) developing the drugs focusing on specific tumor types; (c) developing a better preclinical model for drug study; (d) developing more accurate biomarkers for patient selection; (e) targeting the c-Met pathway or other pathways; and (f) optimizing the dose and schedule of antiangiogenic therapy. In summary, the future of antiangiogenic therapy for cancer patients depends on our efforts to develop the right drugs, select the right patients, and optimize the treatment conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Qin
- State Key Laboratory on Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
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Predictive value of intratumoral microvascular density in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. J Thorac Oncol 2012; 7:71-5. [PMID: 22011670 DOI: 10.1097/jto.0b013e31823085f4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy represents a recent advance in clinical oncology for significantly improving the survival of patients who have non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There is an unmet need for biomarkers that can predict response to such treatment and identify patients sensitive to it. Our study was designed to investigate the predictive value of intratumoral microvascular density (MVD) in patients with NSCLC treated with bevacizumab. METHODS Sixteen patients with NSCLC who underwent chemotherapy combined with bevacizumab were included into this study. Paraffin-embedded tumor samples were sectioned and stained immunohistochemically for the blood vessel markers CD34 and CD31 to characterize the intratumoral vasculature. A computerized image analysis program was used to quantitatively calculate the intratumoral MVD. Treatment response was evaluated by computed tomography scanning. RESULTS Two types of blood vessels, undifferentiated (CD31*/CD34*) and differentiated (CD34*), were identified. A positive correlation was found between the largest percentage of tumor shrinkage and the MVD of undifferentiated (CD31*/CD34*) vessels, with Spearman correlation coefficient being 0.576 (p = 0.019). No correlation between tumor shrinkage and differentiated vessel MVD (CD34*) was found. Moreover, seven of the eight patients with more undifferentiated vessels showed a partial response, versus only one of the seven patients with fewer undifferentiated vessels (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS There are two major types of microvessel in lung cancer vasculature. The MVD of undifferentiated vessels is a favorable predictor for patients with NSCLC treated with a chemotherapy regimen plus bevacizumab, with a higher MVD value correlating with better treatment response. Further studies are needed to verify the predictive role of MVD in treatment of NSCLC with bevacizumab.
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Cao MR, Li Q, Liu ZL, Liu HH, Wang W, Liao XL, Pan YL, Jiang JW. Harmine induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells via mitochondrial signaling pathway. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2011; 10:599-604. [PMID: 22146623 DOI: 10.1016/s1499-3872(11)60102-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Harmine has antitumor and antinociceptive effects, and inhibits human DNA topoisomerase. However, no detailed data are available on the mechanisms of action of harmine in hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the effects of harmine on proliferation and apoptosis, and the underlying mechanisms in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. METHODS The proliferation of HepG2 cells was determined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and the clone formation test. The morphology of HepG2 cells was examined using fluorescence microscopy after Hoechst 33258 staining. Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) was used to analyze apoptosis and PI to analyze the cell cycle. Western blotting was used to assess expression of the apoptosis-regulated genes Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-xl, Mcl-1, caspase-3, and caspase-9. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ψm) was determined using JC-1. RESULTS Harmine inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Hoechst 33258 staining revealed nuclear fragmentation and chromosomal condensation, cell shrinkage, and attachment loss in HepG2 cells treated with harmine. The percentage of the sub/G1 fraction was increased in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating apoptotic cell death. PI staining showed that harmine changed the cell cycle distribution, by decreasing the proportion of cells in G0/G1 and increasing the proportion in S and G2/M. Harmine induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, with rates of 20.0%, 32.7% and 64.9%, respectively. JC-1 revealed a decrease in ψm. Apoptosis of HepG2 cells was associated with caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation, down-regulation of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Bcl-xl, and no change in Bax. CONCLUSIONS Harmine had an anti-proliferative effect in HepG2 cells by inducing apoptosis. Mitochondrial signal pathways were involved in the apoptosis. The cancer-specific selectivity shown in this study suggested that harmine is a promising novel drug for human hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Rong Cao
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
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Upregulation of vasohibin-1 expression with angiogenesis and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative surgery. Med Oncol 2011; 29:2727-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s12032-011-0106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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28
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Grant D, Fisher RA, Abecassis M, McCaughan G, Wright L, Fan ST. Should the liver transplant criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma be different for deceased donation and living donation? Liver Transpl 2011; 17 Suppl 2:S133-8. [PMID: 21634006 DOI: 10.1002/lt.22348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David Grant
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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