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Jeng KS, Chang CF, Tsang YM, Sheen IS, Jeng CJ. Reappraisal of the Roles of the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1739. [PMID: 38730691 PMCID: PMC11083695 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
HCC remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death globally. The main challenges in treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) primarily arise from high rates of postoperative recurrence and the limited efficacy in treating advanced-stage patients. Various signaling pathways involved in HCC have been reported. Among them, the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is crucial. The presence of SHH ligands is identified in approximately 60% of HCC tumor tissues, including tumor nests. PTCH-1 and GLI-1 are detected in more than half of HCC tissues, while GLI-2 is found in over 84% of HCC tissues. The SHH signaling pathway (including canonical and non-canonical) is involved in different aspects of HCC, including hepatocarcinogenesis, tumor growth, tumor invasiveness, progression, and migration. The SHH signaling pathway also contributes to recurrence, metastasis, modulation of the cancer microenvironment, and sustaining cancer stem cells. It also affects the resistance of HCC cells to chemotherapy, target therapy, and radiotherapy. Reappraisal of the roles of the SHH signaling pathway in HCC may trigger some novel therapies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Shyang Jeng
- Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Fang Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan;
| | - Yuk-Ming Tsang
- Department of Imaging Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan;
| | - I-Shyan Sheen
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Linkou Chang Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan;
| | - Chi-Juei Jeng
- Graduate Institude of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei City 10617, Taiwan;
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The Role of Smoothened in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186863. [PMID: 32962123 PMCID: PMC7555769 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Smoothened (SMO) belongs to the Hedgehog (HH) signaling pathway, which regulates cell growth, migration, invasion and stem cells in cancer. The HH signaling pathway includes both canonical and noncanonical pathways. The canonical HH pathway functions through major HH molecules such as HH ligands, PTCH, SMO and GLI, whereas the noncanonical HH pathway involves the activation of SMO or GLI through other pathways. The role of SMO has been discussed in different types of cancer, including breast, liver, pancreatic and colon cancers. SMO expression correlates with tumor size, invasiveness, metastasis and recurrence. In addition, SMO inhibitors can suppress cancer formation, reduce the proliferation of cancer cells, trigger apoptosis and suppress cancer stem cell activity. A better understanding of the role of SMO in cancer could contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Jeng KS, Chang CF, Lin SS. Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Organogenesis, Tumors, and Tumor Microenvironments. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030758. [PMID: 31979397 PMCID: PMC7037908 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
During mammalian embryonic development, primary cilia transduce and regulate several signaling pathways. Among the various pathways, Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is one of the most significant. SHH signaling remains quiescent in adult mammalian tissues. However, in multiple adult tissues, it becomes active during differentiation, proliferation, and maintenance. Moreover, aberrant activation of SHH signaling occurs in cancers of the skin, brain, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, colon, breast, lung, prostate, and hematological malignancies. Recent studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment or stroma could affect tumor development and metastasis. One hypothesis has been proposed, claiming that the pancreatic epithelia secretes SHH that is essential in establishing and regulating the pancreatic tumor microenvironment in promoting cancer progression. The SHH signaling pathway is also activated in the cancer stem cells (CSC) of several neoplasms. The self-renewal of CSC is regulated by the SHH/Smoothened receptor (SMO)/Glioma-associated oncogene homolog I (GLI) signaling pathway. Combined use of SHH signaling inhibitors and chemotherapy/radiation therapy/immunotherapy is therefore key in targeting CSCs.
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Peng WT, Sun WY, Li XR, Sun JC, Du JJ, Wei W. Emerging Roles of G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051366. [PMID: 29734668 PMCID: PMC5983678 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among a great variety of cell surface receptors, the largest superfamily is G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), also known as seven-transmembrane domain receptors. GPCRs can modulate diverse signal-transduction pathways through G protein-dependent or independent pathways which involve β-arrestins, G protein receptor kinases (GRKs), ion channels, or Src kinases under physiological and pathological conditions. Recent studies have revealed the crucial role of GPCRs in the tumorigenesis and the development of cancer metastasis. We will sum up the functions of GPCRs—particularly those coupled to chemokines, prostaglandin, lysophosphatidic acid, endothelin, catecholamine, and angiotensin—in the proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis of hepatoma cells and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in this review. We also highlight the potential avenues of GPCR-based therapeutics for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Ting Peng
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Antiinflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
- Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Wu-Yi Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Antiinflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
- Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Xin-Ran Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Antiinflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
- Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Jia-Chang Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Antiinflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
- Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Jia-Jia Du
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Antiinflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
- Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Antiinflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China.
- Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
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Wang Z, Liao J, Wu S, Li C, Fan J, Peng Z. Recipient C6 rs9200 genotype is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation in a Han Chinese population. Cancer Gene Ther 2016; 23:157-61. [PMID: 27173880 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2016.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence is one of the leading causes of death after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The sixth complement component (C6) is a late-acting complement protein that participates in the assembly of the membrane attack complex, which has an indispensable role in innate and acquired immune responses, as well as cancer immune surveillance. However, studies assessing the association between C6 and HCC recurrence after OLT are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the association of donor and recipient C6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms with the risk for HCC recurrence after OLT. A total of 71 adult patients who underwent primary LT for HCC were enrolled. HCC recurrence was observed in 26 (36.6%) patients. Ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped and analyzed in both donor and recipient groups. Patients with the rs9200 heterozygous GA variant presented significantly higher HCC recurrence rates (54.17 vs 27.66%, P=0.028), and lower cumulative tumor-free survival and overall survival (P=0.006 and P=0.013, respectively) compared with those harboring the GG/AA genotype, in multivariate logistic regression and Cox regression analyses. The rs9200 heterozygous GA variant in C6 persisted as a statistically independent prognostic factor (P<0.05) for predicting HCC recurrence after OLT. In conclusion, recipient C6 rs9200 polymorphism is associated with HCC recurrence after OLT, and improves the predictive value of clinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - J Liao
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - S Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - C Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - J Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Z Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zou Y, Guo CG, Yang ZG, Sun JH, Zhang MM, Fu CY. A small interfering RNA targeting vascular endothelial growth factor efficiently inhibits growth of VX2 cells and VX2 tumor model of hepatocellular carcinoma in rabbit by transarterial embolization-mediated siRNA delivery. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2016; 10:1243-55. [PMID: 27069355 PMCID: PMC4818046 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s94122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma is currently the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with an increasing incidence. Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor small interfering RNA (VEGF-siRNA) on rabbit VX2 carcinoma cell viability in vitro and the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE)-mediated VEGF-siRNA delivery on the growth of rabbit VX2 liver-transplanted model in vivo. Methods Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot technologies were used to detect the expression level of VEGF. TAE and computed tomography scan were used to deliver the VEGF-siRNA and detect the tumor volume in vivo, respectively. Microvessel density was detected by immunohistochemistry with CD34 antibody. A biochemical autoanalyzer was used to evaluate the hepatic and renal toxicity. Results The designed VEGF-siRNAs could effectively decrease the expression levels of VEGF mRNA and protein in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the viability of rabbit VX2 carcinoma cells was reduced by 38.5%±7.3% (VEGF-siRNA no 1) and 30.0%±5.8% (VEGF-siRNA no 3) at 48 hours after transfection. Moreover, in rabbit VX2 liver-transplanted model, the growth ratios of tumors at 28 days after TAE-mediated siRNA delivery were 155.18%±19.42% in the control group, 79.67%±19.63% in the low-dose group, and 36.09%±15.73% in the high-dose group, with significant differences among these three groups. Microvessel density dropped to 34.22±4.01 and 22.63±4.07 in the low-dose group and high-dose group, respectively, compared with the control group (57.88±5.67), with significant differences among these three groups. Furthermore, inoculation of VX2 tumor into the liver itself at later stage induced significant increase in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, indicating an obvious damage of liver functions, while treatment of VX2 tumor via TAE-mediated VEGF-siRNA had no toxicity to the livers and kidneys of rabbits, and VEGF-siRNA had the ability to protect liver damage induced by tumor growth. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate that targeting VEGF via TAE-mediated siRNA delivery may become a powerful new option for effective treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zou
- Department of Radiology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China; Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuan-Gen Guo
- Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Gang Yang
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Hui Sun
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Min-Ming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Cai-Yun Fu
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Cell-Based Drug and Applied Technology Development in Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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