The Value of a Novel Panel of Cervical Cancer Biomarkers for Triage of HPV Positive Patients and for Detecting Disease Progression

Manipulating host secreted protein gene expression: an indirect approach by HPV11/16 E6/E7 to suppress PBMC cytokine secretion

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 11/16 E6/E7 proteins have been recognized to be pivotal in viral pathogenesis. This study sought to uncover the potential mechanisms of how HPV11/16 E6/E7-transfected keratinocytes inhibit cytokine secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Upon co-culturing HPV11/16 E6/E7-transfected keratinocytes with PBMC in a non-contact manner, we observed a marked decrease in various cytokines secreted by PBMC. To determine if this suppression was mediated by specific common secreted factors, we conducted transcriptomic sequencing on these transfected cells. This analysis identified 53 common differentially secreted genes in all four HPV-transfected cells. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated these genes were predominantly involved in immune regulation. Results from quantitative PCR (qPCR) and an extensive literature review suggested the downregulation of 12 genes (ACE2, BMP3, BPIFB1, CLU, CST6, CTF1, HMGB2, MMP12, PDGFA, RNASE7, SULF2, TGM2), and upregulation of 7 genes (CCL17, CCL22, FBLN1, PLAU, S100A7, S100A8, S100A9), may be crucial in modulating tumor immunity and combating pathogenic infections, with genes S100A8 and S100A9, and IL-17 signaling pathway being particularly noteworthy. Thus, HPV11/16 E6/E7 proteins may inhibit cytokine secretion of immune cells by altering the expression of host-secreted genes. Further exploration of these genes may yield new insights into the complex dynamics of HPV infection.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the clinical significance of CXCL13 in Pan-Gyn tumors

BACKGROUND

Gynecologic and breast tumors (Pan-Gyn) exhibit similar characteristics, and the role of CXCL13 in anti-tumor immunity and it's potential as a biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy have been gradually revealed. However, the precise role of CXCL13 in Pan-Gyn remains unclear, lacking a systematic analysis.

METHODS

We analyzed 2497 Pan-Gyn samples from the TCGA database, categorizing them into high and low CXCL13 expression groups. Validation was conducted using tumor expression datasets sourced from the GEO database. Correlation between CXCL13 and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) was evaluated using multiple algorithms. Finally, we established nomograms for 3-year and 5-year mortality.

RESULTS

High expression of CXCL13 in Pan-Gyn correlates with a favorable clinical prognosis, increased immune cell infiltration, and reduced intra-tumor heterogeneity. Model was assessed using the C-index [BRCA: 0.763 (0.732-0.794), UCEC: 0.821 (0.793-0.849), CESC: 0.736 (0.684-0.788), and OV: 0.728 (0.707-0.749)], showing decent prediction of discrimination and calibration.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study provides comprehensive insights into the commonalities and differences of CXCL13 in Pan-Gyn, potentially opening new avenues for personalized treatment.

Biological sex differences in hepatic response to in utero dimethylbenz(a)anthracene exposure

Fetal hepatic dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) biotransformation is not defined, thus, this study investigated whether the fetal liver metabolizes DMBA and differs with biological sex. KK.Cg-a/a (lean; n = 20) or KK.Cg-Ay/J (obese; n = 20) pregnant mice were exposed to corn oil (CT) or DMBA (1 mg/kg bw/day) by intraperitoneal injection (n = 10/treatment) from gestation day 7-14. Postnatal day 2 male or female offspring livers were collected. Total RNA (n = 6) and protein (n = 6) were analyzed via a PCR-based array or LC-MS/MS, respectively. The level of Mgst3 was lower (P < 0.05) in livers of female compared to male offspring. Furthermore, in utero DMBA exposure increased (P < 0.1) Cyp2c29 and Gpx3 levels (P < 0.05) in female offspring. In male offspring, the abundance of Ahr, Comt (P < 0.1), Alox5, and Asna1 (P < 0.05) decreased due to DMBA exposure. Female and male offspring had 34 and 21 hepatic proteins altered (P < 0.05) by in utero DMBA exposure, respectively. Opposing patterns for hepatic CD81 and KRT78 occurred, being decreased in females but increased in males, while YWHAG was decreased by DMBA exposure in both. Functional KEGG pathway analysis identified enrichment of 26 and 13 hepatic metabolic proteins in male and female offspring, respectively, due to in utero DMBA exposure. In silico transcription factor analysis of differentially expressed proteins predicted involvement of female NRF1 but male AHR. Thus, hepatic biological sex differences and capacity to respond to toxicants in utero are supported.

Significance of DMBT1 in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Concurrent With Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) concurrent with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) was associated with a better clinical prognosis. This study aimed to investigate a potential mRNA gene that affects the development of PTC, which helps PTC concurrent with HT patients have a better prognosis.

Material/Methods

PTC data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. And the validation data of tissue specimens were collected from Guangzhou First People’s Hospital. The thyroid tissue sections were hybridized with deleted in malignant brain tumor 1 (DMBT1) probes by situ hybridization. Survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and the log-rank test was used to compare group survival rates. Prognosis clinicopathological factors were analyzed by Cox regression. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Gene and Genomic Encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Finally, the correlation of deletion in DMBT1 expression with overall immune status, tumor purity, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene expression profile was analyzed.

Results

HT was significantly associated with sex, tumor foci, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), residual tumor, and tumor stage (T stage). Moreover, PTC concurrent with HT had a lower risk of recurrence versus non-HT groups. A total of 136 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) were identified between HT and non-HT groups. Among them, the expression level of DMBT1 in HT groups was statistically higher than that in non-HT groups. A significant association with ETE and recurrence was revealed in the high expression and the low expression of DMBT1. Furthermore, DMBT1 was an independent predictor of survival. The overall immune activity of high expression of DMBT1 was higher than that of the low-expression group.

Conclusions

The PTC patients with HT had better behavior features and prognosis than those with simple PTC. DMBT1 in PTC-HT patients was a potential possible factor that inhibits tumors. High expression of DMBT1 may improve PTC prognosis by immune-related pathways.

Paradoxical Roles of Desmosomal Components in Head and Neck Cancer

Desmosomes are intercellular adhesion complexes involved in various aspects of epithelial pathophysiology, including tissue homeostasis, morphogenesis, and disease development. Recent studies have reported that the abnormal expression of various desmosomal components correlates with tumor progression and poor survival. In addition, desmosomes have been shown to act as a signaling platform to regulate the proliferation, invasion, migration, morphogenesis, and apoptosis of cancer cells. The occurrence and progression of head and neck cancer (HNC) is accompanied by abnormal expression of desmosomal components and loss of desmosome structure. However, the role of desmosomal components in the progression of HNC remains controversial. This review aims to provide an overview of recent developments showing the paradoxical roles of desmosomal components in tumor suppression and promotion. It offers valuable insights for HNC diagnosis and therapeutics development.

Detection of Cervical Lesions and Cancer in Air-Dried Cytologic Smears by Combined Analysis of mRNA and miRNA Expression Levels

Cervical cancer screening is based on cytologic analysis and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing, each having their drawbacks. Implementation of new biomarker-based methods may improve screening accuracy. Here, the levels of 25 microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) and 12 mRNAs involved in cervical carcinogenesis in 327 air-dried Papanicolaou-stained cervical smears from patients with cervical precancerous lesions, cancer, or without the disease were estimated by real-time PCR. Using logistic regression analysis, small-scale miRNA-based, mRNA-based, and combined molecular classifiers were built based on paired ratios of miRNA or mRNA concentrations; their ability to detect high-grade cervical lesions and cancer was then compared. Combined mRNA-miRNA classifiers manifested a better combination of sensitivity and specificity than miRNA- and mRNA-based classifiers. The best classifier, combining miR-375, miR-20, miR-96, CDKN2A, TSP4, and ECM1, predicted high-grade lesions with diagnostic sensitivity of 89.0%, specificity of 84.2%, and a receiver-operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.913. Additionally, in a subsample of the same specimens, the levels of MIR124-2 and MAL promoter methylation, HR-HPV genotypes, and viral loads were analyzed. The relative high-grade lesion risk estimated by the classifier correlated with the frequency of MAL and MIR124-2 methylation but not with the HR-HPV genotype or viral load. The results support the feasibility of cellular biomarker-based methods for cervical screening and patient management.

The application value of PAX1 and ZNF582 gene methylation in high grade intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer

PURPOSE

To investigate the possibility of using the methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 gene as molecular marker to differentiate the progression of cervical cancer.

METHODS

From January 2016 to March 2018, 150 patients, who were admitted to Cervical Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Xuzhu Maternity and Child Care Hospital, were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into chronic cervicitis (for 19 cases), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) (18 cases), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) (37 cases) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (31 cases). All patients underwent several tests including Thin-prep cytology test (TCT), HPV DNA detection and detection of methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 genes.

RESULTS

For diagnosis of HSIL, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.878 (95% CI 0.806 ~ 0.950); the threshold for PAX1 was 12.285, the sensitivity and specificity were 91.9% and 72.8%, respectively. The AUC of ZNF582 gene detection was 0.900 (95% CI 0.842 ~ 0.959), the threshold was 11.56, while the sensitivity and specificity were 97.3% and 76.7%, respectively. Among various tests we conducted, PAX gene detection methods showed the highest specificity (97.30%). PAX1/ZNF582 gene detection method demonstrated the highest accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with high-grade cervical lesion and cervical cancer, the methylation level of PAX1/ZNF582 gene could be applied as a noteworthy biomarker for diagnosis and for cervical cancer classification.

Cytological Immunostaining of HMGA2, LRP1B, and TP63 as Potential Biomarkers for Triaging Human Papillomavirus-Positive Women

Background: Since human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been promoted as primary screening strategy, the triage method has also evolved from morphological testing to a molecular biomarker detection to improve screening efficiency. In this study, we investigated the performance of three HPV integration hot-spots, HMGA2, LRP1B, and TP63, as potential triage markers in HPV screening tests. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to December 2017 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Immunocytochemistry was carried out using residual cervical cell samples from 121 HPV-positive cases (23 normal, 24 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, and 74 CIN2+). Results: Of the 121 cases, 77 showed completely paired for the three biomarkers. In these 77 cases, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of HMGA2 showed the best potential for detecting CIN2+ among HPV+ cases (sensitivity 70%; specificity 91.89%; AUC 0.839). TP63 was second most effective biomarker (AUC 0.838; sensitivity 80%; specificity 81.08%). In contrast, LRP1B had the smallest AUC (0.801) among the three biomarkers but had the highest sensitivity (90%) and specificity (56.76%). To test the triage value of combining the three biomarkers, logistic regression was conducted followed by ROC comparison analysis. Promisingly, the combination of the three biomarkers gave the largest AUC of 0.951 with 92.5% sensitivity and 89.1% specificity (P < .0001 compared to liquid-based cytology test by Z-test). Conclusions: A combination of HMGA2, LRP1B, and TP63 as potential biomarkers may be useful for screening during triage of HPV-positive patients, particularly for detecting CIN2 + .

CRISPR-mediated deletion of prostate cancer risk-associated CTCF loop anchors identifies repressive chromatin loops

BACKGROUND

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified more than 100 loci associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, most of which are in non-coding regions of the genome. Understanding the function of these non-coding risk loci is critical to elucidate the genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer.

RESULTS

We generate genome-wide regulatory element maps and performed genome-wide chromosome confirmation capture assays (in situ Hi-C) in normal and tumorigenic prostate cells. Using this information, we annotate the regulatory potential of 2,181 fine-mapped prostate cancer risk-associated SNPs and predict a set of target genes that are regulated by prostate cancer risk-related H3K27Ac-mediated loops. We next identify prostate cancer risk-associated CTCF sites involved in long-range chromatin loops. We use CRISPR-mediated deletion to remove prostate cancer risk-associated CTCF anchor regions and the CTCF anchor regions looped to the prostate cancer risk-associated CTCF sites, and we observe up to 100-fold increases in expression of genes within the loops when the prostate cancer risk-associated CTCF anchor regions are deleted.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify GWAS risk loci involved in long-range loops that function to repress gene expression within chromatin loops. Our studies provide new insights into the genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer.