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Dai C, Cao J, Tang Y, Jiang Y, Luo C, Zheng J. YTHDF3 phase separation regulates HSPA13-dependent clear cell renal cell carcinoma development and immune evasion. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:2588-2601. [PMID: 38811341 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Insufficient understanding about the immune evasion mechanism leads to the inability in predicting current immunotherapy effects in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and sensitizing ccRCC to immunotherapy. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) can promote tumor progression and immune evasion. However, research on RBPs, particularly m6A reader YTHDF3, in ccRCC development and immune evasion is limited. In this study, we found that YTHDF3 level was downregulated in ccRCC and was an independent prognostic biomarker for ccRCC. Decreased YTHDF3 expression was correlated with the malignancy, immune evasion, and poor response to anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1)/CTLA-4 in ccRCC. YTHDF3 overexpression restrained ccRCC cell malignancy, PD-L1 expression, CD8+ T cell infiltration and activities in vivo, indicating its inhibitory role in ccRCC development and immune evasion. Mechanistically, YTHDF3 WT was found to have phase separation characteristics and suppress ccRCC malignancy and immune evasion. Whereas YTHDF3 mutant, which disrupted phase separation, abolished its function. YTHDF3 enhanced the degradation of its target mRNA HSPA13 by phase separation and recruiting DDX6, resulting in the downregulation of the downstream immune checkpoint PD-L1. HSPA13 overexpression restored ccRCC malignancy and immune evasion suppressed by YTHDF3 overexpression. In all, our results identify a new model of YTHDF3 in regulating ccRCC progression and immune evasion through phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyun Dai
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfu Cao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuangui Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxiao Jiang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chenghua Luo
- Department of Pathology and Key Laboratory for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, China
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Junfang Zheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis Research, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Lin X, Kang K, Chen P, Zeng Z, Li G, Xiong W, Yi M, Xiang B. Regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:108. [PMID: 38762484 PMCID: PMC11102195 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02023-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune evasion contributes to cancer growth and progression. Cancer cells have the ability to activate different immune checkpoint pathways that harbor immunosuppressive functions. The programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligands (PD-Ls) are considered to be the major immune checkpoint molecules. The interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 negatively regulates adaptive immune response mainly by inhibiting the activity of effector T cells while enhancing the function of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), largely contributing to the maintenance of immune homeostasis that prevents dysregulated immunity and harmful immune responses. However, cancer cells exploit the PD-1/PD-L1 axis to cause immune escape in cancer development and progression. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 by neutralizing antibodies restores T cells activity and enhances anti-tumor immunity, achieving remarkable success in cancer therapy. Therefore, the regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancers have attracted an increasing attention. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the roles of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in human autoimmune diseases and cancers. We summarize all aspects of regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression and activity of PD-1 and PD-L1 in cancers, including genetic, epigenetic, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms. In addition, we further summarize the progress in clinical research on the antitumor effects of targeting PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies alone and in combination with other therapeutic approaches, providing new strategies for finding new tumor markers and developing combined therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Kuan Kang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Pan Chen
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China
| | - Mei Yi
- Department of Dermotology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Bo Xiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
- FuRong Laboratory, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
- Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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Chen H, Zhang M, Li J, Liu M, Cao D, Li YY, Yamashita T, Nio K, Tang H. BMP9-ID1 Pathway Attenuates N 6-Methyladenosine Levels of CyclinD1 to Promote Cell Proliferation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:981. [PMID: 38256056 PMCID: PMC10816017 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal malignant neoplasm, and the involvement of bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver diseases and HCC. Our goal was to investigate the role of BMP9 signaling in regulating N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation and cell cycle progression, and evaluate the therapeutic potential of BMP receptor inhibitors for HCC treatment. We observed that elevated levels of BMP9 expression in tumor tissues or serum samples from HCC patients were associated with a poorer prognosis. Through in vitro experiments utilizing the m6A dot blotting assay, we ascertained that BMP9 reduced the global RNA m6A methylation level in Huh7 and Hep3B cells, thereby facilitating their cell cycle progression. This effect was mediated by an increase in the expression of the inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 1 (ID1). Additionally, using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation qPCR(MeRIP-qPCR), we showed that the BMP9-ID1 pathway promoted CyclinD1 expression by decreasing the m6A methylation level in the 5' UTR of mRNA. This occurred through the upregulation of the fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) in Huh7 and Hep3B cells. In our in vivo mouse xenograft models, we demonstrated that blocking the BMP receptor with LDN-212854 effectively suppressed HCC growth and induced global RNA m6A methylation. Overall, our findings indicate that the BMP9-ID1 pathway promotes HCC cell proliferation by down-regulating the m6A methylation level in the 5' UTR of CyclinD1 mRNA. Targeting the BMP9-ID1 pathway holds promise as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Chen
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (H.C.); (M.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (D.C.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (H.C.); (M.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (D.C.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jianhao Li
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (H.C.); (M.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (D.C.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (H.C.); (M.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (D.C.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Dan Cao
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (H.C.); (M.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (D.C.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ying-Yi Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa 9208641, Japan; (Y.-Y.L.); (T.Y.)
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa 9208641, Japan; (Y.-Y.L.); (T.Y.)
| | - Kouki Nio
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa 9208641, Japan; (Y.-Y.L.); (T.Y.)
| | - Hong Tang
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (H.C.); (M.Z.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (D.C.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Xu Q, Ren N, Ren L, Yang Y, Pan J, Shang H. RNA m6A methylation regulators in liver cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:1. [PMID: 38166832 PMCID: PMC10763310 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and a primary cause of cancer-related death. In recent years, despite the great development of diagnostic methods and targeted therapies for liver cancer, the incidence and mortality of liver cancer are still on the rise. As a universal post-transcriptional modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification accomplishes a dynamic and reversible m6A modification process, which is executed by three types of regulators, methyltransferases (called writers), demethylases (called erasers) and m6A-binding proteins (called readers). Many studies have shown that m6A RNA methylation has an important impact on RNA metabolism, whereas its regulation exception is bound up with the occurrence of human malignant tumors. Aberrant methylation of m6A RNA and the expression of related regulatory factors may be of the essence in the pathogenesis and progression of liver cancer, yet the precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this paper, we review the current research situations of m6A methylation in liver cancer. Among the rest, we detail the mechanism by which methyltransferases, demethylases and m6A binding proteins regulate the occurrence and development of liver cancer by modifying mRNA. As well as the potential effect of m6A regulators in hepatocarcinogenesis and progression. New ideas and approaches will be given to the prevention and treatment of liver cancer through the following relevant research results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoping Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Ning Ren
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lanqi Ren
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yibei Yang
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junjie Pan
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongkai Shang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of the Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Gynecology, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Gynecology, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Hu J, Lin H, Wang C, Su Q, Cao B. METTL14‑mediated RNA methylation in digestive system tumors. Int J Mol Med 2023; 52:86. [PMID: 37539726 PMCID: PMC10555478 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
N6‑methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is one of the most common post‑transcriptional modification mechanism in eukaryotes. m6A is involved in almost all stages of the mRNA life cycle, specifically regulating its stability, splicing, export and translation. Methyltransferase‑like 14 (METTL14) is a particularly important m6A methylation 'writer' that can recognize RNA substrates. METTL14 has been documented to improve the activity and catalytic efficiency of METTL3. However, as individual proteins they can also regulate different biological processes. Malignancies in the digestive system are some of the most common malignancies found in humans, which are typically associated with poor prognoses with limited clinical solutions. METTL14‑mediated methylation has been implicated in both the potentiation and inhibition of digestive system tumor growth, cell invasion and metastasis, in addition to drug resistance. In the present review, the research progress and regulatory mechanisms of METTL14‑mediated methylation in digestive system malignancies were summarized. In addition, future research directions and the potential for its clinical application were examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexuan Hu
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Haishan Lin
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Su
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Bangwei Cao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
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Petri BJ, Cave MC, Klinge CM. Changes in m6A in Steatotic Liver Disease. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1653. [PMID: 37628704 PMCID: PMC10454815 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Fatty liver includes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), now replaced by a consensus group as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). While excess nutrition and obesity are major contributors to fatty liver, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown and therapeutic interventions are limited. Reversible chemical modifications in RNA are newly recognized critical regulators controlling post-transcriptional gene expression. Among these modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant and regulates transcript abundance in fatty liver disease. Modulation of m6A by readers, writers, and erasers (RWE) impacts mRNA processing, translation, nuclear export, localization, and degradation. While many studies focus on m6A RWE expression in human liver pathologies, limitations of technology and bioinformatic methods to detect m6A present challenges in understanding the epitranscriptomic mechanisms driving fatty liver disease progression. In this review, we summarize the RWE of m6A and current methods of detecting m6A in specific genes associated with fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J. Petri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
| | - Matthew C. Cave
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS), University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
- Hepatobiology and Toxicology Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Carolyn M. Klinge
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
- Center for Integrative Environmental Health Sciences (CIEHS), University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA;
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