1
|
Huang Q, Xu J, Ge Y, Shi Y, Wang F, Zhu M. NR4A1 inhibits the epithelial–mesenchymal transition of hepatic stellate cells: Involvement of TGF-β–Smad2/3/4–ZEB signaling. Open Life Sci 2022; 17:447-454. [PMID: 35600274 PMCID: PMC9070444 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine whether nuclear receptor 4a1 (NR4A1) is involved in inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and liver fibrosis through the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). HSC-T6 cells were divided into the control group, the acetaldehyde (200 μM, an EMT activator) group, and the NR4A1 activation group (Cytosporone B; 1 μM). The expression levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, the mesenchymal markers fibronectin (FN), vimentin, smooth muscle alpha-actin (α-SMA), and fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP-1), and the components of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathway were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Compared with the control group, E-cadherin in the acetaldehyde group was downregulated, whereas FN, FSP-1, vimentin, α-SMA, and COL1A1/COL1A2 were upregulated (P < 0.05). Compared with the acetaldehyde group, NR4A1 agonist upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated FN, FSP-1, vimentin, α-SMA, and COL1A1/COL1A2 (P < 0.05). After acetaldehyde stimulation, TGF-β, Smad2/3/4, and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox (ZEB) were upregulated, while Smad7 mRNA levels were downregulated (all P < 0.05). Compared with acetaldehyde alone, NR4A1 agonist increased Smad7 mRNA levels and reduced TGF-β, Smad2/3/4, and ZEB mRNA levels (all P < 0.05). NR4A1 activation suppresses acetaldehyde-induced EMT, as shown by epithelial and mesenchymal marker expression. The inhibition of the TGF-β–Smad2/3/4–ZEB signaling during HSC activation might be involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Hangzhou , 310023 , China
| | - Jingying Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Hangzhou , 310023 , China
| | - Yanyan Ge
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Hangzhou , 310009 , China
| | - Yue Shi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Hangzhou , 310023 , China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Hangzhou , 310023 , China
| | - Mingli Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , Hangzhou , 310023 , China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in prostate cancer: A dual function mediator? Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 206:435-452. [PMID: 35202639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.02.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a member of a family of secreted cytokines with vital biological functions in cells. The abnormal expression of TGF-β signaling is a common finding in pathological conditions, particularly cancer. Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of death among men. Several genetic and epigenetic alterations can result in PCa development, and govern its progression. The present review attempts to shed some light on the role of TGF-β signaling in PCa. TGF-β signaling can either stimulate or inhibit proliferation and viability of PCa cells, depending on the context. The metastasis of PCa cells is increased by TGF-β signaling via induction of EMT and MMPs. Furthermore, TGF-β signaling can induce drug resistance of PCa cells, and can lead to immune evasion via reducing the anti-tumor activity of cytotoxic T cells and stimulating regulatory T cells. Upstream mediators such as microRNAs and lncRNAs, can regulate TGF-β signaling in PCa. Furthermore, some pharmacological compounds such as thymoquinone and valproic acid can suppress TGF-β signaling for PCa therapy. TGF-β over-expression is associated with poor prognosis in PCa patients. Furthermore, TGF-β up-regulation before prostatectomy is associated with recurrence of PCa. Overall, current review discusses role of TGF-β signaling in proliferation, metastasis and therapy response of PCa cells and in order to improve knowledge towards its regulation, upstream mediators of TGF-β such as non-coding RNAs are described. Finally, TGF-β regulation and its clinical application are discussed.
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhou J, Wang Y, Wu D, Wang S, Chen Z, Xiang S, Chan FL. Orphan nuclear receptors as regulators of intratumoral androgen biosynthesis in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Oncogene 2021; 40:2625-2634. [PMID: 33750894 PMCID: PMC8049868 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01737-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) almost invariably occurs after androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) for the advanced metastatic disease. It is generally believed that among multiple mechanisms and signaling pathways, CRPC is significantly driven by the reactivation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling in ADT-treated patients with castrate levels of androgen, partially at least mediated by the androgen biosynthesis within the tumor, also known as intratumoral or intraprostatic androgen biosynthesis. Steroidogenic enzymes, such as CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD3B1, AKR1C3 and SRD5A, are essential to catalyze the conversion of the initial substrate cholesterol into potent androgens that confers the CRPC progression. Accumulating evidences indicate that many steroidogenic enzymes are upregulated in the progression setting; however, little is known about the dysregulation of these enzymes in CRPC. Orphan nuclear receptors (ONRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, of which endogenous physiological ligands are unknown and which are constitutively active independent of any physiological ligands. Studies have validated that besides AR, ONRs could be the potential therapeutic targets for prostate cancer, particularly the lethal CRPC progression. Early studies reveal that ONRs play crucial roles in the transcriptional regulation of steroidogenic enzyme genes. Notably, we and others show that three distinct ONRs, including liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1, NR5A2), steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1, AD4BP, NR5A1) and estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα, NR3B1), can contribute to the CRPC progression by promotion of the intratumoral androgen synthesis via their direct transcriptional regulation on multiple steroidogenic enzymes. This review presents an overview of the current understanding on the intratumoral androgen biosynthesis in CRPC, with a special focus on the emerging roles of ONRs in this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianfu Zhou
- grid.411866.c0000 0000 8848 7685Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China ,grid.411866.c0000 0000 8848 7685The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China ,grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuliang Wang
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dinglan Wu
- grid.488521.2Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shusheng Wang
- grid.411866.c0000 0000 8848 7685Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- grid.411866.c0000 0000 8848 7685Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Xiang
- grid.411866.c0000 0000 8848 7685Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Franky Leung Chan
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yu Z, Li L, Wang C, He H, Liu G, Ma H, Pang L, Jiang M, Lu Q, Li P, Qi H. Cantharidin Induces Apoptosis and Promotes Differentiation of AML Cells Through Nuclear Receptor Nur77-Mediated Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1321. [PMID: 32982739 PMCID: PMC7485522 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematopoietic malignancy characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and accumulation of myeloblasts in the bone marrow (BM), blood, and other organs. The nuclear receptors Nur77 is a common feature in leukemic blasts and has emerged as a key therapeutic target for AML. Cantharidin (CTD), a main medicinal component of Mylabris (blister beetle), exerts an anticancer effect in multiple types of cancer cells. Purpose This study aims to characterize the anti-AML activity of CTD in vitro and in vivo and explore the potential role of Nur77 signaling pathway. Study Design/Methods The inhibition of CTD on cell viability was performed in different AML cells, and then the inhibition of CTD on proliferation and colony formation was detected in HL-60 cells. Induction of apoptosis and promotion of differentiation by CTD were further determined. Then, the potential role of Nur77 signaling pathway was assessed. Finally, anti-AML activity was evaluated in NOD/SCID mice. Results In our study, CTD exhibited potent inhibition on cell viability and colony formation ability of AML cells. Moreover, CTD significantly induced the apoptosis, which was partially reversed by Z-VAD-FMK. Meanwhile, CTD promoted the cleavage of caspases 8, 3 and PARP in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, CTD obviously suppressed the proliferation and induced the cell cycle arrest of HL-60 cells at G2/M phase. Meanwhile, CTD effectively promoted the differentiation of HL-60 cells. Notably, CTD transiently induced the expression of Nur77 protein. Interestingly, CTD promoted Nur77 translocation from the nucleus to the mitochondria and enhanced the interaction between Nur77 and Bcl-2, resulting in the exposure of the BH3 domain of Bcl-2, which is critical for the conversion of Bcl-2 from an antiapoptotic to a proapoptotic protein. Importantly, silencing of Nur77 attenuated CTD-induced apoptosis, reversed CTD-mediated cell cycle arrest and differentiation of HL-60 cells. Additionally, CTD also exhibited an antileukemic effect in NOD/SCID mice with the injection of HL-60 cells into the tail vein. Conclusions Our studies suggest that Nur77-mediated signaling pathway may play a critical role in the induction of apoptosis and promotion of differentiation by CTD on AML cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zanyang Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengqiang Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui He
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Gen Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haoyue Ma
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Pang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingdong Jiang
- Radiotherapy Department, Chongqing Ninth People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Qianwei Lu
- Radiotherapy Department, Chongqing Ninth People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan Li
- Radiotherapy Department, Chongqing Ninth People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongyi Qi
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|