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Guo Z, Yao Z, Huang B, Wu D, Li Y, Chen X, Lu Y, Wang L, Lv W. MAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma: Exploring the potent combination of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 140:112821. [PMID: 39088919 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112821] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally, and with the prevalence of metabolic-related diseases, the incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) related hepatocellular carcinoma (MAFLD-HCC) continues to rise with the limited efficacy of conventional treatments, which has created a major challenge for HCC surveillance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and molecularly targeted drugs offer new hope for advanced MAFLD-HCC, but the evidence for the use of both types of therapy in this type of tumour is still insufficient. Theoretically, the combination of immunotherapy, which awakens the body's anti-tumour immunity, and targeted therapies, which directly block key molecular events driving malignant progression in HCC, is expected to produce synergistic effects. In this review, we will discuss the progress of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy in MAFLD-HCC and look forward to the opportunities and challenges of the combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Guo
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Ziang Yao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Peking University People 's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Bohao Huang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100105, China
| | - Dongjie Wu
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yanbo Li
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xiaohan Chen
- Department of Hematology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yanping Lu
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Bao'an Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518100, China.
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
| | - Wenliang Lv
- Department of Infection, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China.
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Darmadi D, Aminov Z, Hjazi A, R R, Kazmi SW, Mustafa YF, Hosseen B, Sharma A, Alubiady MHS, Al-Abdeen SHZ. Investigation of the regulation of EGF signaling by miRNAs, delving into the underlying mechanism and signaling pathways in cancer. Exp Cell Res 2024; 442:114267. [PMID: 39313176 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.114267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
The EGF receptors (EGFRs) signaling pathway is essential for tumorigenesis and progression of cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are essential regulators of EGF signaling, influencing various pathway components and tumor behavior. This article discusses the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of miRNA-mediated regulation of EGF signaling in cancer. miRNAs utilize multiple mechanisms to exert their regulatory effects on EGF signaling. They can target EGF ligands, including EGF and TGF-directly, inhibiting their expression and secretion. In addition, miRNAs can modulate EGF signaling indirectly by targeting EGF receptors, downstream signaling molecules, and transcription factors implicated in regulating the EGF pathway. These miRNAs can disrupt the delicate equilibrium of EGF signaling, resulting in aberrant activation and fostering tumor cell proliferation, survival, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The dysregulation of the expression of specific miRNAs has been linked to clinical outcomes in numerous types of cancer. Specific profiles of miRNA expression have been identified as prognostic markers, reflecting tumor characteristics, invasiveness, metastatic potential, and therapeutic response. These miRNAs can serve as potential therapeutic targets for interventions that modulate EGF signaling and improve patient outcomes. Understanding the intricate relationship between miRNAs and EGF signaling in cancer can transform cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The identification of specific miRNAs involved in the regulation of the EGF pathway opens the door to the development of targeted therapies and personalized medicine approaches. In addition, miRNA-based interventions promise to overcome therapeutic resistance and improve the efficacy of existing treatments. miRNAs are crucial regulators of EGF signaling in cancer, affecting tumor behavior and clinical outcomes. Further research is required to decipher the complex network of miRNA-mediated EGF signaling regulation and translate these findings into clinically applicable strategies for enhanced cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darmadi Darmadi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia.
| | - Zafar Aminov
- Department of Public Health and Healthcare Management, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
| | - Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Roopashree R
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
| | - Syeda Wajida Kazmi
- Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Jhanjeri, Mohali, 140307, Punjab, India.
| | - Yasser Fakri Mustafa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Mosul, 41001, Iraq.
| | - Beneen Hosseen
- Medical Laboratory Technique College, the Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; Medical Laboratory Technique College, the Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; Medical Laboratory Technique College, the Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq.
| | - Abhishek Sharma
- Department of Medicine, National Institute of Medical Sciences, NIMS University Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
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Koriem KMM. Calculus bovis in hepatocellular carcinoma: Tumor molecular basis, Wnt/β-catenin pathway role, and protective mechanism. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30:3959-3964. [PMID: 39351056 PMCID: PMC11438664 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i35.3959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In this editorial, we comment on the recent article by Huang et al. The editorial focuses specifically on the molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC, and protective mechanism of Calculus bovis (CB) in HCC. Liver cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The most prevalent kind of primary liver cancer, HCC, is typically brought on by long-term viral infections (hepatitis B and C), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, and other conditions that can cause the liver to become chronically inflamed and cirrhotic. CB is a well-known traditional remedy in China and Japan and has been used extensively to treat a variety of diseases, such as high fever, convulsions, and stroke. Disturbances in lipid metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, bile acid metabolism, alcohol metabolism, and xenobiotic detoxification lead to fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis. Succinate, which is a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate, is vital to energy production and mitochondrial metabolism. It is also thought to be a signaling molecule in metabolism and in the development and spread of liver malignancies. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is made up of a group of proteins that are essential for both adult tissue homeostasis and embryonic development. Cancer is frequently caused by the dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In HCC liver carcinogenesis, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is activated by the expression of downstream target genes. Communication between the liver and the gut exists via the portal vein, biliary tract, and systemic circulation. This "gut-liver axis" controls intestinal physiology. One of the main factors contributing to the development, progression, and treatment resistance of HCC is the abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, understanding this pathway is essential to treating HCC. Eleven ingredients of CB, particularly oleanolic acid, ergosterol, and ursolic acid, have anti-primary liver cancer properties. Additionally, CB is important in the treatment of primary liver cancer through pathways linked to immune system function and apoptosis. CB also inhibits the proliferation of cancer stem cells and tumor cells and controls the tumor microenvironment. In the future, clinicians may be able to recommend one of many potential new drugs from CB ingredients to treat HCC expression, development, and progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Mohamed Mohamed Koriem
- Department of Medical Physiology, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
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Das D, Xie L, Qiao D, Jia J, Hong J. Discovery of novel, orally bioavailable phenylacetamide derivatives as multikinase inhibitors and in vivo efficacy study in hepatocellular carcinoma animal models. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 113:129971. [PMID: 39306048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 09/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered as one of the leading causes of death in liver disease patients. Several signal transduction pathways are involved in HCC pathogenesis. Multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) show beneficial effects for HCC and the FDA approved a few MKIs including sorafenib, lenvatinib for HCC treatments. Here, a novel series of phenylacetamide derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multikinase inhibitors. Several compounds showed nanomolar IC50 values against FLT1, FLT3, FLT4, KDR, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ. The compounds were tested against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), human colon adenocarcinoma and human gastric carcinoma cell lines. With favorable pharmacokinetics profiles, compound 12 and compound 14 were selected for in vivo efficacy studies in Hep3B mice models and demonstrated efficacious than sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasis Das
- Arromax Pharmatech Co. Ltd. Sangtiandao Innovation Park, No. 1 Huayun Road, SIP, Suzhou 215123, PR China.
| | - Lingzhi Xie
- Arromax Pharmatech Co. Ltd. Sangtiandao Innovation Park, No. 1 Huayun Road, SIP, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Dandan Qiao
- Arromax Pharmatech Co. Ltd. Sangtiandao Innovation Park, No. 1 Huayun Road, SIP, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Jianhe Jia
- Arromax Pharmatech Co. Ltd. Sangtiandao Innovation Park, No. 1 Huayun Road, SIP, Suzhou 215123, PR China
| | - Jian Hong
- Arromax Pharmatech Co. Ltd. Sangtiandao Innovation Park, No. 1 Huayun Road, SIP, Suzhou 215123, PR China.
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Shang Y, Liu T, Wang W. The potential of lenvatinib in breast cancer therapy. Med Oncol 2024; 41:233. [PMID: 39172293 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02477-4] [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: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer, as a highly prevalent cancer among women, is one of the main causes of female mortality due to cancer. There is a need for more treatment options to improve the survival time of breast cancer patients. Metastasis to distant organs is a standard indicator of advanced breast cancer and a primary cause of breast cancer mortality, making the control of breast cancer metastasis crucial. Targeted therapy, with its advantages of precision, high effectiveness, and minimal side effects, has garnered significant attention as a hot research topic in breast cancer treatment. Among these therapies, anti-angiogenic therapy aim to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, control tumor growth, and reduce metastasis. Additionally, anti-angiogenic therapy can restructure the tumor vasculature, enhancing the effectiveness of other anti-cancer drugs. Lenvatinib, an orally available small molecule multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, exerts its anti-tumor effects mainly by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation. It has been approved for the treatment of thyroid cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to its multi-targeted nature, lenvatinib not only has direct anti-tumor effects but also possesses immunomodulatory activity, which can enhance the tumor immune response. This makes it a promising candidate for a broad range of cancers. Recent studies have explored the role of lenvatinib in breast cancer, including its various mechanisms of action and its use as a monotherapy or in combination to control breast cancer progression. This review will summarize the molecular mechanisms and research progress of lenvatinib in breast cancer treatment, discussing its potential applications and therapeutic prospects in managing breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuefeng Shang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
- Department of Breast Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing YouAn Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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Lv Y, Qi J, Babon JJ, Cao L, Fan G, Lang J, Zhang J, Mi P, Kobe B, Wang F. The JAK-STAT pathway: from structural biology to cytokine engineering. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:221. [PMID: 39169031 PMCID: PMC11339341 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01934-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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway serves as a paradigm for signal transduction from the extracellular environment to the nucleus. It plays a pivotal role in physiological functions, such as hematopoiesis, immune balance, tissue homeostasis, and surveillance against tumors. Dysregulation of this pathway may lead to various disease conditions such as immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, hematologic disorders, and cancer. Due to its critical role in maintaining human health and involvement in disease, extensive studies have been conducted on this pathway, ranging from basic research to medical applications. Advances in the structural biology of this pathway have enabled us to gain insights into how the signaling cascade operates at the molecular level, laying the groundwork for therapeutic development targeting this pathway. Various strategies have been developed to restore its normal function, with promising therapeutic potential. Enhanced comprehension of these molecular mechanisms, combined with advances in protein engineering methodologies, has allowed us to engineer cytokines with tailored properties for targeted therapeutic applications, thereby enhancing their efficiency and safety. In this review, we outline the structural basis that governs key nodes in this pathway, offering a comprehensive overview of the signal transduction process. Furthermore, we explore recent advances in cytokine engineering for therapeutic development in this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Lv
- Center for Molecular Biosciences and Non-communicable Diseases Research, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China
- Xi'an Amazinggene Co., Ltd, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710026, China
| | - Jianxun Qi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, China
| | - Jeffrey J Babon
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Longxing Cao
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310024, China
| | - Guohuang Fan
- Immunophage Biotech Co., Ltd, No. 10 Lv Zhou Huan Road, Shanghai, 201112, China
| | - Jiajia Lang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Xi'an Amazinggene Co., Ltd, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710026, China
| | - Pengbing Mi
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Bostjan Kobe
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Faming Wang
- Center for Molecular Biosciences and Non-communicable Diseases Research, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, China.
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Gao K, Cao W, He Z, Liu L, Guo J, Dong L, Song J, Wu Y, Zhao Y. Network medicine analysis for dissecting the therapeutic mechanism of consensus TCM formulae in treating hepatocellular carcinoma with different TCM syndromes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1373054. [PMID: 39211446 PMCID: PMC11357915 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1373054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely utilized as an adjunct therapy, improving patient survival and quality of life. TCM categorizes HCC into five distinct syndromes, each treated with specific herbal formulae. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these treatments remain unclear. Methods We employed a network medicine approach to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of TCM in HCC. By constructing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, we integrated genes associated with TCM syndromes and their corresponding herbal formulae. This allowed for a quantitative analysis of the topological and functional relationships between TCM syndromes, HCC, and the specific formulae used for treatment. Results Our findings revealed that genes related to the five TCM syndromes were closely associated with HCC-related genes within the PPI network. The gene sets corresponding to the five TCM formulae exhibited significant proximity to HCC and its related syndromes, suggesting the efficacy of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment. Additionally, through a random walk algorithm applied to a heterogeneous network, we prioritized active herbal ingredients, with results confirmed by literature. Discussion The identification of these key compounds underscores the potential of network medicine to unravel the complex pharmacological actions of TCM. This study provides a molecular basis for TCM's therapeutic strategies in HCC and highlights specific herbal ingredients as potential leads for drug development and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - WanChen Cao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - ZiHao He
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Liu Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - JinCheng Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Dong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Jini Song
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR, United States
| | - Yang Wu
- The Research Center for Ubiquitous Computing Systems (CUbiCS), Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
- The Research Center for Ubiquitous Computing Systems (CUbiCS), Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Amadeo E, Foti S, Camera S, Rossari F, Persano M, Lo Prinzi F, Vitiello F, Casadei-Gardini A, Rimini M. Developing targeted therapeutics for hepatocellular carcinoma: a critical assessment of promising phase II agents. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:839-849. [PMID: 39039690 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2377321] [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: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the first for primary liver tumors. In recent years greater therapeutic advancement was represented by employment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) either in monotherapy or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). AREAS COVERED Major attention was given to target therapies in the last couple of years, especially in those currently under phase II trials. Priority was given either to combinations of novel ICI and TKIs or those targeting alternative mutations of major carcinogenic pathways. EXPERT OPINION As TKIs are playing a more crucial role in HCC therapeutic strategies, it is fundamental to further expand molecular testing and monitoring of acquired resistances. Despite the recent advancement in both laboratory and clinical studies, further research is necessary to face the discrepancy in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Amadeo
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Foti
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Camera
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Rossari
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Mara Persano
- Medical Oncology, University and University Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Federica Lo Prinzi
- Operative Research Unit of Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitiello
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Casadei-Gardini
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Margherita Rimini
- Department of Oncology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital, Milan, Italy
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Papadakos SP, Chatzikalil E, Vakadaris G, Reppas L, Arvanitakis K, Koufakis T, Siakavellas SI, Manolakopoulos S, Germanidis G, Theocharis S. Exploring the Role of GITR/GITRL Signaling: From Liver Disease to Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2609. [PMID: 39061246 PMCID: PMC11275207 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and presents a continuously growing incidence and high mortality rates worldwide. Besides advances in diagnosis and promising results of pre-clinical studies, established curative therapeutic options for HCC are not currently available. Recent progress in understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) interactions has turned the scientific interest to immunotherapy, revolutionizing the treatment of patients with advanced HCC. However, the limited number of HCC patients who benefit from current immunotherapeutic options creates the need to explore novel targets associated with improved patient response rates and potentially establish them as a part of novel combinatorial treatment options. Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR) belongs to the TNFR superfamily (TNFRSF) and promotes CD8+ and CD4+ effector T-cell function with simultaneous inhibition of Tregs function, when activated by its ligand, GITRL. GITR is currently considered a potential immunotherapy target in various kinds of neoplasms, especially with the concomitant use of programmed cell-death protein-1 (PD-1) blockade. Regarding liver disease, a high GITR expression in liver progenitor cells has been observed, associated with impaired hepatocyte differentiation, and decreased progenitor cell-mediated liver regeneration. Considering real-world data proving its anti-tumor effect and recently published evidence in pre-clinical models proving its involvement in pre-cancerous liver disease, the idea of its inclusion in HCC therapeutic options theoretically arises. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence supporting targeting GITR/GITRL signaling as a potential treatment strategy for advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P. Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Elena Chatzikalil
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Georgios Vakadaris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.V.); (K.A.)
- Basic and Translational Research Unit (BTRU), Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (BRESU), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Lampros Reppas
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Konstantinos Arvanitakis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.V.); (K.A.)
- Basic and Translational Research Unit (BTRU), Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (BRESU), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theocharis Koufakis
- 2nd Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Spyros I. Siakavellas
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Liver-GI Unit, General Hospital of Athens “Hippocration”, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vas. Sofias str, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.I.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Spilios Manolakopoulos
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Liver-GI Unit, General Hospital of Athens “Hippocration”, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vas. Sofias str, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.I.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Georgios Germanidis
- First Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.V.); (K.A.)
- Basic and Translational Research Unit (BTRU), Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (BRESU), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.P.P.); (E.C.)
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Li Y, Chen Y, Wang D, Wu L, Li T, An N, Yang H. Elucidating the multifaceted role of MGAT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma: integrative single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveal novel therapeutic insights. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1442722. [PMID: 39081317 PMCID: PMC11286416 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1442722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Glycosyltransferase-associated genes play a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis. This study investigates their impact on the tumor microenvironment and molecular mechanisms, offering insights into innovative immunotherapeutic strategies for HCC. Methods We utilized cutting-edge single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to examine HCC heterogeneity. Four single-cell scoring techniques were employed to evaluate glycosyltransferase genes. Spatial transcriptomic findings were validated, and bulk RNA-seq analysis was conducted to identify prognostic glycosyltransferase-related genes and potential immunotherapeutic targets. MGAT1's role was further explored through various functional assays. Results Our analysis revealed diverse cell subpopulations in HCC with distinct glycosyltransferase gene activities, particularly in macrophages. Key glycosyltransferase genes specific to macrophages were identified. Temporal analysis illustrated macrophage evolution during tumor progression, while spatial transcriptomics highlighted reduced expression of these genes in core tumor macrophages. Integrating scRNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and spatial transcriptomics, MGAT1 emerged as a promising therapeutic target, showing significant potential in HCC immunotherapy. Conclusion This comprehensive study delves into glycosyltransferase-associated genes in HCC, elucidating their critical roles in cellular dynamics and immune cell interactions. Our findings open new avenues for immunotherapeutic interventions and personalized HCC management, pushing the boundaries of HCC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Department of General Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Department of General Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Danqiong Wang
- Department of General Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ling Wu
- Tumor Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of General Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Na An
- Department of General Medicine, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Haikun Yang
- The Gastroenterology Department, Shanxi Provincial People Hospital, Taiyuan, China
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11
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Zhao LJ, Wang ZY, Liu WT, Yu LL, Qi HN, Ren J, Zhang CG. Aspirin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting platelet activity. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2742-2756. [PMID: 38994144 PMCID: PMC11236245 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant liver disease in the world. Platelets (PLTs) are known to play a key role in the maintenance of liver homeostasis and the pathophysiological processes of a variety of liver diseases. Aspirin is the most classic antiplatelet agent. However, the molecular mechanism of platelet action and whether aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity need further study. AIM To explore the impact of the antiplatelet effect of aspirin on the development of HCC. METHODS Platelet-rich plasma, platelet plasma, pure platelet, and platelet lysate were prepared, and a coculture model of PLTs and HCC cells was established. CCK-8 analysis, apoptosis analysis, Transwell analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to analyze the effects of PLTs on the growth, metastasis, and inflammatory microenvironment of HCC. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the effects of platelet activation on tumor-related signaling pathways. Aspirin was used to block the activation and aggregation of PLTs both in vitro and in vivo, and the effect of PLTs on the progression of HCC was detected. RESULTS PLTs significantly promoted the growth, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and formation of an inflammatory microenvironment in HCC cells. Activated PLTs promoted HCC progression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/protein kinase B/signal transducer and activator of transcription three (MAPK/ AKT/STAT3) signaling axis. Additionally, aspirin inhibited HCC progression in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting platelet activation. CONCLUSION PLTs play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC, and aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity. These results suggest that antiplatelet therapy has promising application prospects in the treatment and combined treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Zhao
- Hematology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453100, Henan Province, China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Zhi-Yin Wang
- Hematology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453100, Henan Province, China
| | - Wei-Ting Liu
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Li-Li Yu
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Hao-Nan Qi
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Chen-Guang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
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12
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Zhao LJ, Wang ZY, Liu WT, Yu LL, Qi HN, Ren J, Zhang CG. Aspirin suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by inhibiting platelet activity. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2730-2744. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant liver disease in the world. Platelets (PLTs) are known to play a key role in the maintenance of liver homeostasis and the pathophysiological processes of a variety of liver diseases. Aspirin is the most classic antiplatelet agent. However, the molecular mechanism of platelet action and whether aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity need further study.
AIM To explore the impact of the antiplatelet effect of aspirin on the development of HCC.
METHODS Platelet-rich plasma, platelet plasma, pure platelet, and platelet lysate were prepared, and a coculture model of PLTs and HCC cells was established. CCK-8 analysis, apoptosis analysis, Transwell analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to analyze the effects of PLTs on the growth, metastasis, and inflammatory microenvironment of HCC. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the effects of platelet activation on tumor-related signaling pathways. Aspirin was used to block the activation and aggregation of PLTs both in vitro and in vivo, and the effect of PLTs on the progression of HCC was detected.
RESULTS PLTs significantly promoted the growth, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and formation of an inflammatory microenvironment in HCC cells. Activated PLTs promoted HCC progression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/protein kinase B/signal transducer and activator of transcription three (MAPK/ AKT/STAT3) signaling axis. Additionally, aspirin inhibited HCC progression in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting platelet activation.
CONCLUSION PLTs play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC, and aspirin can affect HCC progression by inhibiting platelet activity. These results suggest that antiplatelet therapy has promising application prospects in the treatment and combined treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Zhao
- Hematology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453100, Henan Province, China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Zhi-Yin Wang
- Hematology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453100, Henan Province, China
| | - Wei-Ting Liu
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Li-Li Yu
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Hao-Nan Qi
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Jie Ren
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, School of Medical Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
| | - Chen-Guang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
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13
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Szilveszter RM, Muntean M, Florea A. Molecular Mechanisms in Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and in Target Treatments-An Overview. Biomolecules 2024; 14:656. [PMID: 38927059 PMCID: PMC11201617 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060656] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages-predominantly with a pro-tumoral role-hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca-Margit Szilveszter
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
- Cluj County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mara Muntean
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
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14
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Tang Y, Cui G, Liu H, Han Y, Cai C, Feng Z, Shen H, Zeng S. Converting "cold" to "hot": epigenetics strategies to improve immune therapy effect by regulating tumor-associated immune suppressive cells. Cancer Commun (Lond) 2024; 44:601-636. [PMID: 38715348 PMCID: PMC11194457 DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12546] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Significant developments in cancer treatment have been made since the advent of immune therapies. However, there are still some patients with malignant tumors who do not benefit from immunotherapy. Tumors without immunogenicity are called "cold" tumors which are unresponsive to immunotherapy, and the opposite are "hot" tumors. Immune suppressive cells (ISCs) refer to cells which can inhibit the immune response such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T (Treg) cells and so on. The more ISCs infiltrated, the weaker the immunogenicity of the tumor, showing the characteristics of "cold" tumor. The dysfunction of ISCs in the tumor microenvironment (TME) may play essential roles in insensitive therapeutic reaction. Previous studies have found that epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in the regulation of ISCs. Regulating ISCs may be a new approach to transforming "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors. Here, we focused on the function of ISCs in the TME and discussed how epigenetics is involved in regulating ISCs. In addition, we summarized the mechanisms by which the epigenetic drugs convert immunotherapy-insensitive tumors into immunotherapy-sensitive tumors which would be an innovative tendency for future immunotherapy in "cold" tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Tang
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Guangzu Cui
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Haicong Liu
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Changjing Cai
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Ziyang Feng
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
- National Clinical Resaerch Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of OncologyXiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanP. R. China
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15
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Xue Y, Ruan Y, Wang Y, Xiao P, Xu J. Signaling pathways in liver cancer: pathogenesis and targeted therapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:20. [PMID: 38816668 PMCID: PMC11139849 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00184-0] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates. Due to its subtle onset, liver cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage when surgical interventions are no longer feasible. This situation highlights the critical role of systemic treatments, including targeted therapies, in bettering patient outcomes. Despite numerous studies on the mechanisms underlying liver cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the only widely used clinical inhibitors, represented by sorafenib, whose clinical application is greatly limited by the phenomenon of drug resistance. Here we show an in-depth discussion of the signaling pathways frequently implicated in liver cancer pathogenesis and the inhibitors targeting these pathways under investigation or already in use in the management of advanced liver cancer. We elucidate the oncogenic roles of these pathways in liver cancer especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the current state of research on inhibitors respectively. Given that TKIs represent the sole class of targeted therapeutics for liver cancer employed in clinical practice, we have particularly focused on TKIs and the mechanisms of the commonly encountered phenomena of its resistance during HCC treatment. This necessitates the imperative development of innovative targeted strategies and the urgency of overcoming the existing limitations. This review endeavors to shed light on the utilization of targeted therapy in advanced liver cancer, with a vision to improve the unsatisfactory prognostic outlook for those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangtao Xue
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yeling Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
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16
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Xu X, Hu L. Impact of anesthesia-related genes on prognosis and tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38700446 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), renowned for its bleak prognosis and high recurrence rates, necessitates innovative strategies for prognosis assessment and therapeutic intervention. In this pursuit, we systematically investigated the influence of anesthesia-related genes (ANARGs) on HCC outcomes. Leveraging data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), our study scrutinized RNA sequencing data and clinical profiles from 374 HCC patients alongside 50 non-tumor liver samples to unravel ANARG expression patterns and their clinical relevance. Employing consensus clustering, we segregated HCC samples into two distinct subtypes based on ANARG profiles, unveiling significant survival disparities between them. Further differential expression analysis pinpointed pivotal genes and pathways distinguishing these subtypes, notably implicating lipid metabolism and the MTOR signaling pathway in HCC pathogenesis. A prognostic model, comprising five key ANARGs (DAGLA, CYP26B, HAVCR, G6PD and AKR1B), exhibited robust predictive capability for patient outcomes, validated across independent patient cohorts. Furthermore, immune infiltration analysis uncovered a nuanced interplay between ANARG expression and the tumor immune microenvironment, spotlighting variations in immune cell infiltration and function across the identified HCC subtypes. This comprehensive analysis underscores not only the prognostic significance of ANARGs in HCC but also their potential to modulate the tumor microenvironment, providing novel insights for tailoring anesthetic management and therapeutic strategies in HCC care. Our findings advocate for a more integrative approach to HCC management, amalgamating molecular profiling with traditional clinical parameters to refine patient stratification and personalize treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Lihong Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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17
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Feng T, Chen P, Wang T, Lai C, Yao Y. Integrated clinical and prognostic analyses of mTOR/Hippo pathway core genes in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Physiol Biochem 2024; 80:439-449. [PMID: 38468074 PMCID: PMC11074052 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-024-01015-0] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive and dismal cancers globally. Emerging evidence has established that mTOR and Hippo pathways are oncogenic drivers of HCC. However, the prognostic value of these pathways in HCC remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to develop a gene signature utilizing the mTOR/Hippo genes for HCC prognostication. A multiple stage strategy was employed to screen, and a 12-gene signature based on mTOR/Hippo pathways was constructed to predict the prognosis of HCC patients. The risk scores calculated by the signature were inversely correlated with patient prognosis. Validation of the signature in independent cohort confirmed its predictive power. Further analysis revealed molecular differences between high and low-risk groups at genomic, transcriptomic, and protein-interactive levels. Moreover, immune infiltration analysis revealed an immunosuppressive state in the high-risk group. Finally, the gene signature could predict the sensitivity to current chemotherapeutic drugs. This study demonstrated that combinatorial mTOR/Hippo gene signature was a robust and independent prognostic tool for survival prediction of HCC. Our findings not only provide novel insights for the molecular understandings of mTOR/Hippo pathways in HCC, but also have important clinical implications for guiding therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhang Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyou Lai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yutong Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
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18
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Zhang R, Yuan J, Liu S, Torraca V, Liao Z, Wu Y, Tan H, Yao X, Hou X, Lyu H, Xiao S, Guo D, Ali DW, Michalak M, Chen XZ, Zhou C, Tang J. ILKAP Promotes the Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Inhibiting β-Catenin Degradation and Enhancing the WNT Signaling Pathway. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300117. [PMID: 38379270 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300117] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The incidence of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and HCC-related deaths have remarkably increased over the recent decades. It has been reported that β-catenin activation can be frequently observed in HCC cases. This study identified the integrin-linked kinase-associated phosphatase (ILKAP) as a novel β-catenin-interacting protein. ILKAP is localized both in the nucleus and cytoplasm and regulates the WNT pathway in different ways. First, it is demonstrated that ILKAP activates the WNT pathway in HCC cells by increasing the protein level of β-catenin and other proteins associated with the WNT signaling, such as c-Myc and CyclinD1. Next, it is shown that ILKAP promotes the metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo in a zebrafish xenograft model. It is also found that ILKAP dephosphorylates the GSK3β and CK1, contributing to the reduced ubiquitination of β-catenin. Furthermore, it is identified that ILKAP functions by mediating binding between TCF4 and β-catenin to enhance expression of WNT target genes. Taken together, the study demonstrates a critical function of ILKAP in metastasis of HCC, since ILKAP is crucial for the activation of the WNT pathway via stabilization of β-catenin and increased binding between TCF4 and β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Jinglei Yuan
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Shicheng Liu
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Vincenzo Torraca
- School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, London, WC2R 2LS, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, W1B 2HW, UK
| | - Zhiquan Liao
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Yueyan Wu
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Hongfei Tan
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Xia Yao
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Xueyang Hou
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Hao Lyu
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Shuai Xiao
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Dong Guo
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Declan William Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Marek Michalak
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Xing-Zhen Chen
- Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Cefan Zhou
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
| | - Jingfeng Tang
- National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China
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19
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Yang K, Li X, Jiang Z, Li J, Deng Q, He J, Chen J, Li X, Xu S, Jiang Z. Tumour suppressor ABCA8 inhibits malignant progression of colorectal cancer via Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Dig Liver Dis 2024; 56:880-893. [PMID: 37968146 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumours of the digestive tract, and new therapeutic targets and prognostic markers are still urgently required. However, the role and molecular mechanisms of ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 8 (ABCA8) in CRC remain unclear. METHODS Databases and clinical specimens were analysed to determine the expression level of ABCA8 in CRC. Colony formation, CCK-8 and Transwell assays were conducted to determine cell proliferation, viability, migration and invasion. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Western blot and rescue experiments were performed to determine the specific mechanisms of action of ABCA8. RESULTS ABCA8 expression is dramatically down-regulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Ectopic expression of ABCA8 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro, inhibited cell growth, suppressed migration and invasion, reversed epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppressed xenograft tumour growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, ABCA8 inhibited CRC cell proliferation and metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION We verified that ABCA8 inhibits the malignant progression of CRC through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This newly discovered ABCA8-Wnt-β-catenin signalling axis is probably helpful in guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaolu Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou Province, 563000, China
| | - Zhongxiang Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Junfeng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Qianxi Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jin He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shuman Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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20
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Moretti V, Romeo S, Valenti L. The contribution of genetics and epigenetics to MAFLD susceptibility. Hepatol Int 2024:10.1007/s12072-024-10667-5. [PMID: 38662298 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10667-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide. The risk of developing MAFLD varies among individuals, due to a combination of environmental inherited and acquired genetic factors. Genome-wide association and next-generation sequencing studies are leading to the discovery of the common and rare genetic determinants of MAFLD. Thanks to the great advances in genomic technologies and bioinformatics analysis, genetic and epigenetic factors involved in the disease can be used to develop genetic risk scores specific for liver-related complications, which can improve risk stratification. Genetic and epigenetic factors lead to the identification of specific sub-phenotypes of MAFLD, and predict the individual response to a pharmacological therapy. Moreover, the variant transcripts and protein themselves represent new therapeutic targets. This review will discuss the current status of research into genetic as well as epigenetic modifiers of MAFLD development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Moretti
- Precision Medicine Lab, Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Via F Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Romeo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Luca Valenti
- Precision Medicine Lab, Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Via F Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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21
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Zheng S, Chan SW, Liu F, Liu J, Chow PKH, Toh HC, Hong W. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Drug Therapeutic Status, Advances and Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1582. [PMID: 38672664 PMCID: PMC11048862 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, accounting for ~90% of liver neoplasms. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Although there have been rapid developments in the treatment of HCC over the past decade, the incidence and mortality rates of HCC remain a challenge. With the widespread use of the hepatitis B vaccine and antiviral therapy, the etiology of HCC is shifting more toward metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Early-stage HCC can be treated with potentially curative strategies such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, and radiofrequency ablation, improving long-term survival. However, most HCC patients, when diagnosed, are already in the intermediate or advanced stages. Molecular targeted therapy, followed by immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, has been a revolution in HCC systemic treatment. Systemic treatment of HCC especially for patients with compromised liver function is still a challenge due to a significant resistance to immune checkpoint blockade, tumor heterogeneity, lack of oncogenic addiction, and lack of effective predictive and therapeutic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunzhen Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Postdoctoral Scientific Research Workstation, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250098, China;
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (S.W.C.); (W.H.)
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China;
| | - Siew Wee Chan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (S.W.C.); (W.H.)
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceuticals, Postdoctoral Scientific Research Workstation, Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Science, Jinan 250098, China;
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China;
| | - Pierce Kah Hoe Chow
- Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore 169610, Singapore;
- Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore 168583, Singapore;
| | - Wanjin Hong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore; (S.W.C.); (W.H.)
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22
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Baek M, Kim M, Choi HI, Binas B, Cha J, Jung KH, Choi S, Chai YG. Identification of differentially expressed mRNA/lncRNA modules in acutely regorafenib-treated sorafenib-resistant Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301663. [PMID: 38603701 PMCID: PMC11008899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is the standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but many patients become sorafenib-resistant (SR). This study investigated the efficacy of another kinase inhibitor, regorafenib (Rego), as a second-line treatment. We produced SR HCC cells, wherein the PI3K-Akt, TNF, cAMP, and TGF-beta signaling pathways were affected. Acute Rego treatment of these cells reversed the expression of genes involved in TGF-beta signaling but further increased the expression of genes involved in PI3K-Akt signaling. Additionally, Rego reversed the expression of genes involved in nucleosome assembly and epigenetic gene expression. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed four differentially expressed long non-coding RNA (DElncRNA) modules that were associated with the effectiveness of Rego on SR cells. Eleven putative DElncRNAs with distinct expression patterns were identified. We associated each module with DEmRNAs of the same pattern, thus obtaining DElncRNA/DEmRNA co-expression modules. We discuss the potential significance of each module. These findings provide insights and resources for further investigation into the potential mechanisms underlying the response of SR HCC cells to Rego.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Baek
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjae Kim
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae In Choi
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Bert Binas
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Cha
- Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Hwa Jung
- Department of Biopharmaceutical System, Gwangmyeong Convergence Technology Campus of Korea Polytechnic II, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkyoung Choi
- Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Mathematical Data Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Gyu Chai
- Department of Molecular and Life Science, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
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23
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Liu W, Zhang L, Wei X, Xu Y, Fang Q, Qi S, Chen J, Wang C, Wang S, Qin L, Liu P, Wu J. Structural characterization of an inulin neoseries-type fructan from Ophiopogonis Radix and the therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 327:121659. [PMID: 38171656 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121659] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Ophiopogonis Radix is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine and functional food that is rich in polysaccharides and has fructan as a characteristic component. In this study, an inulin neoseries-type fructan designated as OJP-W2 was obtained and characterized from Ophiopogonis Radix, and its potential therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo were investigated. Structural studies revealed that OJP-W2 had a molecular weight of 5.76 kDa and was composed of glucose and fructose with a molar ratio of 1.00:30.87. Further analysis revealed OJP-W2 has a predominantly lineal (1-2)-linked β-D-fructosyl units linked to the glucose moiety of the sucrose molecule with (2-6)-linked β-D-fructosyl side chains. Pharmacological studies revealed that OJP-W2 exerted a marked hepatoprotective effect against liver fibrosis, the mechanism of action was involved in regulating collagen deposition (α-SMA, COL1A1 and liver Hyp contents) and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, alleviating liver inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, CCL5 and F4/80) and MAPK signaling pathway, and inhibiting hepatic apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2, ATF4 and Caspase 3). These data provide evidence for expanding Ophiopogonis Radix-acquired fructan types and advancing our understanding of the specific role of inulin neoseries-type fructan in liver fibrosis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Linzhang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xia Wei
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yongbin Xu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qinqin Fang
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shenglan Qi
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiamei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Changhong Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shunchun Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Rood, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Luping Qin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Liver and Kidney Diseases (Ministry of Education), Department of pharmacy, Institude of Liver Diseases, The NATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China; Basic Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and Syndrome, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Jianjun Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
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24
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Zhu J, Tang W, Fang P, Wang C, Gu M, Yang W, Pan B, Wang B, Guo W. STRN3 promotes tumour growth in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting the hippo pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18147. [PMID: 38429901 PMCID: PMC10907822 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18147] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
HCC is a globally high-incidence malignant tumour, and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Recently, STRN3 has been found to be elevated in various tumours, but its expression and biological functions in HCC have not been studied. In the study, clinical correlation analysis was performed on 371 liver cancer patients from TCGA database and liver cancer tissues and normal tissues from the GEO database. qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect relevant proteins in cells, and CCK8 and colony formation experiments were performed to analyse cell proliferation ability. Transwell and wound healing experiments were performed to detect cell invasion ability, and flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Single-cell sequencing data and multiple immunofluorescence were analysed for the expression abundance and distribution of certain proteins. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of STRN3 in patients' tumour and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. The results indicated STRN3 was highly expressed in liver tumour tissues and was closely associated with poor prognosis. Knockdown of STRN3 could significantly inhibit cell proliferation and migration ability. At the same time, we found that STRN3 could inhibit the Hippo pathway and promote the entry of YAP protein into the nucleus. Our study first found that STRN3 could promote tumour growth by inhibiting the Hippo pathway. The study of STRN3 can promote the understanding and treatment of the occurrence and development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenjia Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Peiqi Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Meixiu Gu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Baishen Pan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Beili Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityXiamenChina
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wusong Branch, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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25
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Apostolo D, Ferreira LL, Vincenzi F, Vercellino N, Minisini R, Latini F, Ferrari B, Burlone ME, Pirisi M, Bellan M. From MASH to HCC: the role of Gas6/TAM receptors. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1332818. [PMID: 38298195 PMCID: PMC10827955 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1332818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is the replacement term for what used to be called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is characterized by inflammation and injury of the liver in the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors and may eventually result in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer. Several pathogenic mechanisms are involved in the transition from MASH to HCC, encompassing metabolic injury, inflammation, immune dysregulation and fibrosis. In this context, Gas6 (Growth Arrest-Specific 6) and TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK) receptors may play important roles. The Gas6/TAM family is involved in the modulation of inflammation, lipid metabolism, fibrosis, tumor progression and metastasis, processes which play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic liver diseases. In this review, we discuss MASH-associated HCC and the potential involvement of the Gas6/TAM system in disease development and progression. In addition, since therapeutic strategies for MASH and HCC are limited, we also speculate regarding possible future treatments involving the targeting of Gas6 or TAM receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Apostolo
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Luciana L Ferreira
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Vincenzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Nicole Vercellino
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Rosalba Minisini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Federico Latini
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Barbara Ferrari
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Michela E Burlone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore Della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Mario Pirisi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore Della Carità, Novara, Italy
- Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mattia Bellan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Maggiore Della Carità, Novara, Italy
- Center on Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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26
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Tan Z, Li X, Chen X, Wang L, Chen B, Ren S, Zhao M. Ellagic acid inhibits tumor growth and potentiates the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23931. [PMID: 38205284 PMCID: PMC10777069 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sorafenib is a classic molecular targeted drug approved for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. However, a poor response rate and increasing resistance to sorafenib make its therapeutic efficacy suboptimal. Combination treatment with an agent capable of potentiating sorafenib sensitivity may be a promising solution. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the synergistic effect of ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenol, and sorafenib on HCC. Methods CCK-8, EdU incorporation and colony formation assays were used to study the effect of EA on HCC cell proliferation. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry in HCC cells and TUNEL assay in xenograft tumors. Transcriptome analysis was utilized to investigate alterations in signaling pathways with EA treatment. A xenograft mouse model was used to confirm the synergistic effect of sorafenib and EA on HCC tumors in vivo. Results We found that EA inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in both HCC cells and xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, EA treatment reduced the activation of the MAPK and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways in HCC cells. Furthermore, combined EA and sorafenib treatment further inhibited the MAPK and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways compared to EA or sorafenib alone. EA synergistically potentiated the anticancer activity of sorafenib against HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion EA inhibits HCC growth by inducing apoptosis through attenuation of the MAPK and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. EA potentiates the response of HCC tumors to sorafenib both in vitro and in vivo, an effect that may be attributed to further inhibition of the MAPK and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. These results suggest that EA is an effective adjuvant option for sorafenib therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenju Tan
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, PR China
| | - Xuemei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, PR China
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, PR China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, PR China
| | - Baijun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, PR China
| | - Sichong Ren
- Department of Nephrology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, PR China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, PR China
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27
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Zhou Y, Yan Z, Pang Y, Jiang Y, Zhuang R, Zhang S, Nurmamat A, Xiu M, Li D, Zhao L, Liu X, Li Q, Han Y. Exploring the Multiple Roles of Notch1 in Biological Development: An Analysis and Study Based on Phylogenetics and Transcriptomics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:611. [PMID: 38203782 PMCID: PMC10778765 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010611] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
At present, there is a research gap concerning the specific functions and mechanisms of the Notch gene family and its signaling pathway in jawless vertebrates. In this study, we identified a Notch1 homologue (Lr. Notch1) in the Lethenteron reissneri database. Through bioinformatics analysis, we identified Lr. Notch1 as the likely common ancestor gene of the Notch gene family in higher vertebrates, indicating a high degree of conservation in the Notch gene family and its signaling pathways. To validate the biological function of Lr. Notch1, we conducted targeted silencing of Lr. Notch1 in L. reissneri and analyzed the resultant gene expression profile before and after silencing using transcriptome analysis. Our findings revealed that the silencing of Lr. Notch1 resulted in differential expression of pathways and genes associated with signal transduction, immune regulation, and metabolic regulation, mirroring the biological function of the Notch signaling pathway in higher vertebrates. This article systematically elucidated the origin and evolution of the Notch gene family while also validating the biological function of Lr. Notch1. These insights offer valuable clues for understanding the evolution of the Notch signaling pathway and establish a foundation for future research on the origin of the Notch signaling pathway, as well as its implications in human diseases and immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuesi Zhou
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of Ministry of Education, Institute of Marine Sustainable Development, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China;
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Zihao Yan
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Ya Pang
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Yao Jiang
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Ruyu Zhuang
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Shuyuan Zhang
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Ayqeqan Nurmamat
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Min Xiu
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Ding Li
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Liang Zhao
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
| | - Xin Liu
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Qingwei Li
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Yinglun Han
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of Ministry of Education, Institute of Marine Sustainable Development, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China;
- Lamprey Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116081, China; (Z.Y.)
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Seafood Deep Processing, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
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Dai H, Liu M, Pan Y, Li T, Pan Y, Chen ZS, Li J, Liu Y, Fang S. CK2B is a Prognostic Biomarker and a Potential Drug Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2024; 19:622-634. [PMID: 37779404 DOI: 10.2174/0115748928262221230925090120] [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: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although casein kinase II subunit beta (CK2B) was previously reported to be involved in human cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there has been no systematic assessment of CK2B in HCC. OBJECTIVE To assess the potential function of CK2B as a prognostic biomarker and possible druggable target in HCC. METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas database was accessed to investigate the potential oncogenic and prognostic roles of CK2B in HCC. Diverse analytical methods were used to obtain a fuller understanding of CK2B, including CIBERSORT, The Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and gene ontology (GO). Furthermore, the Comparative Toxicogenomic Database (CTD) was used to identify potential drugs to treat CK2B-overexpressing HCC. Patents for these drugs were reviewed using Patentscope® and Worldwide Espacenet®. RESULTS Upregulated CK2B expression was markedly associated with more aggressive pathological features, including G3, G4 (vs. G1, G2), and T2, T3 (vs. T1). Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated that patients with HCC with higher expression of CK2B had worse overall survival (P = 0.005), progression-free interval (P = 0.001), and disease-specific survival (P = 0.011). GO and KEGG analysis revealed that CK2B dysregulation affects mitotic chromosome condensation, protein stabilization and binding, regulation of signal transduction of p53 class mediator, and cancer-related pathways. GSEA identified six well-known pathways, including MAPK, WNT, Hedgehog, and TGFβ signaling pathways. Finally, CTD identified six compounds that might represent targeted drugs to treat HCC with CK2B overexpression. A review of patents indicated these compounds showed promising anticancer results; however, whether CK2B interacts with these drugs and improves drug outcomes for patients with HCC was not confirmed. CONCLUSION CK2B is a biomarker for HCC prognosis and could be a potential new drug target. Moreover, the association between infiltrating immune cells and CK2B in the HCC tumor microenvironment might provide a solid basis for further investigation and a potent strategy for immunotherapy of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiru Dai
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Minling Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Yuxi Pan
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Tingwei Li
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Yihang Pan
- Big Data Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
| | - Yuchen Liu
- Big Data Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuo Fang
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, PR China
- Big Data Centre, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, PR China
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Wu D, Jia B, Jia M, Zhao H, Zhao H, Zhou J. Comparative efficacy and safety of systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1274754. [PMID: 38125936 PMCID: PMC10730675 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1274754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, there has been rapid development in systemic therapeutic agents for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, most treatment modalities lack head-to-head comparisons, and the distinctions in their efficacy and safety have yet to be elucidated. Consequently, the accurate selection of a treatment regimen poses a significant challenge for clinicians. Methods This study incorporated twenty-three randomized controlled trials, encompassing fifteen first-line and eight second-line treatments, and involving a total of 14,703 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: In the context of first-line treatment, it was observed that the combination of a PD-1 inhibitor with bevacizumab (1/15) significantly extended overall survival in patients with advanced HCC. Furthermore, PD-1 inhibitors combined with TKIs (1/15) and PD-1 inhibitors combined with bevacizumab (2/15) exhibited enhanced efficacy in reducing the risk of progression-free survival events. In second-line therapy, the network meta-analysis revealed that all investigational agents prolonged progression-free survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma when compared to placebo. Cabozantinib ranked first (1/7) in this regard. However, this translated into an overall survival benefit only for cabozantinib, regorafenib, ramucirumab, and pembrolizumab, with regorafenib achieving the highest ranking (1/7). Conclusion In the treatment of advanced HCC, the immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with bevacizumab regimen and the immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with TKI regimen stand out as the two most effective first-line treatment options. It is noteworthy that, for patients with absolute contraindications to VEGF inhibitors, dual immunotherapy is the preferred choice. For second-line treatment, regorafenib and cabozantinib are identified as the two most effective options. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42023440173.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate College of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, Guangxi Zhuang, China
| | - Binyang Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Muyuan Jia
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, Beijing Arion Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Centre/National Clinical Research Centre for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxue Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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30
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Duan C, Zhao X, Li X, Xie J, Si Y, Wang L, Wu D, Wang Y, Liu S, Wang Q, Zhuang R, Yin W, Li J. Identification of hub genes and potential inhibitory compounds in the process of liver transplantation through transcriptome sequencing. Mol Cell Probes 2023; 72:101936. [PMID: 37802426 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2023.101936] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) is the best choice for patients with end-stage liver diseases. In order to better understand pathophysiological alterations in LT, we aimed to identify potential hub genes and inhibitory compounds involved in the LT process. Four pairs of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples of the LT recipients before and after surgery were collected and taken for transcriptome sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed for the screened differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between pre- and post-operation groups. Common DEGs were obtained from GO and KEGG enriched pathways, followed by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, hub gene identification, module analysis, and structure-based virtual screening process (SBVS). Compared to the pre-operation stage, 4745 genes were down-regulated and 798 up-regulated after LT. GO analysis showed that the DEGs were enriched in ribosome-related translation regulation, and KEGG analysis indicated that infection and immune-related pathways and diseases were largely enriched. A large number of down-regulated DEGs were not only associated with ribosome-related pathways but also with the alterations of epigenetic modifications, in particular ubiquitination. Moreover, through the PPI network of 29 common genes from GO and KEGG-enriched pathways, 7 hub genes were identified, including PTEN, MYC, EIF2S1, EIF4EBP1, HSP90AB1, TP53, and HSPA8, which were mainly involved in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. SBVS of the seed molecule PTEN (PDB code: 1D5R) predicted top hits compounds that may serve as potential inhibitors of PTEN, of which the compound ZINC4235331 had the lowest binding affinity of -10 kcal/mol. The significance of screened hub genes and potential inhibitors involved in the process of LT provides novel therapeutic strategies for improving the outcomes of LT recipients during surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chujun Duan
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhao
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiangang Xie
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yi Si
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Linxiao Wang
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shanshou Liu
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qianmei Wang
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ran Zhuang
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wen Yin
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Junjie Li
- Department of Emergency, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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Tian Z, Xu C, He W, Lin Z, Zhang W, Tao K, Ding R, Zhang X, Dou K. The deubiquitinating enzyme USP19 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progression through stabilizing YAP. Cancer Lett 2023; 577:216439. [PMID: 37832781 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216439] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Hippo pathway plays a crucial role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and yes-associated protein (YAP) is one of the major factors of the Hippo pathway. However, the mechanism of abnormal YAP activation in HCC has not been well elucidated. Here, we screened a Deubiquitinating enzymes' (DUB) siRNA library targeting DUBs, and identified Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 19 (USP19) as a specific deubiquitinating enzyme of YAP in HCC, which could stabilize YAP at K76 and K90 sites via removing the K48- and K11-linked ubiquitin chains. USP19 knockdown decreased the expression of YAP protein and its target gene (CTGF, CYR61, ANKRD1) expression. Through substantial in vivo and in vitro experiments, we prove that USP19 facilities the proliferation and migration of HCC. More importantly, we found that USP19 was upregulated in HCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis. In general, our research revealed a novel post-translational mechanism between USP19 and YAP in HCC, suggesting that USP19 may be a pivotal therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelin Tian
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Weixiang He
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhibin Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China; Chinese Education Ministry's Key Laboratory of Western Resources and Modern Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kaishan Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Kefeng Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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Wang L, Wang J, Ma X, Ju G, Shi C, Wang W, Wu J. USP35 promotes HCC development by stabilizing ABHD17C and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:421. [PMID: 37993419 PMCID: PMC10665393 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01714-5] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
S-palmitoylation is a reversible protein lipidation that controls the subcellular localization and function of targeted proteins, including oncogenes such as N-RAS. The depalmitoylation enzyme family ABHD17s can remove the S-palmitoylation from N-RAS to facilitate cancer development. We previously showed that ABHD17C has oncogenic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and its mRNA stability is controlled by miR-145-5p. However, it is still unclear whether ABHD17C is regulated at the post-translational level. In the present study, we identified multiple ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) that can stabilize ABHD17C by inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation. Among them, USP35 is the most potent stabilizer of ABHD17C. We found a positive correlation between the elevated expression levels of USP35 and ABHD17C, together with their association with increased PI3K/AKT pathway activity in HCCs. USP35 knockdown caused decreased ABHD17C protein level, impaired PI3K/AKT pathway, reduced proliferation, cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, and mitigated migration and invasion. USP35 can interact with and stabilize ABHD17C by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Overexpression of ABHD17C can rescue the defects caused by USP35 knockdown in HCC cells. In support of these in vitro observations, xenograft assay data also showed that USP35 deficiency repressed HCC development in vivo, characterized by reduced proliferation and disrupted PI3K/AKT signaling. Together, these findings demonstrate that USP35 may promote HCC development by stabilization of ABHD17C and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linpei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Ma
- Department of Health Medicine, The 910th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Guomin Ju
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chunfeng Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China.
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Wang X, Luo L, Zhang Y, Liu G, Fang Z, Xu Z, Hu X. CENPB promotes the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma and is directly regulated by miR-29a. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:12171-12191. [PMID: 37925172 PMCID: PMC10683605 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205171] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern as it ranks as the sixth most common malignant tumor and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In this study, we analyzed the expression of centromere protein B (CENPB) mRNA in HCC using TCGA and GEO datasets. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to determine CENPB protein levels in 490 HCC patients. Our findings revealed higher expression of CENPB mRNA in HCC tissues across the three datasets. Additionally, as the pathological stage and histological grade advanced, CENPB expression increased. Patients with elevated levels of CENPB mRNA and protein demonstrated shorter overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (OS). Notably, CENPB protein showed prognostic value in patients with stage I/II, AFP levels below 400 ng/ml, and tumor size less than 5 cm. Using multivariate regression analysis in 490 HCC patients, we developed nomograms to predict 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS and RFS. Knockdown of CENPB in Hep3B and MHCC97 cell lines resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis identified miR-29a as a potential negative regulator of CENPB expression, which was validated through a dual-luciferase reporter assay. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CENPB may serve as an oncogenic factor in HCC and is directly regulated by miR-29a, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Wang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Laibang Luo
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Youfu Zhang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Zehong Fang
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Zhidan Xu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Xuguang Hu
- Department of Organ Transplantation, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi Province, China
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Shi H, Zou Y, Zhong W, Li Z, Wang X, Yin Y, Li D, Liu Y, Li M. Complex roles of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:15311-15322. [PMID: 37608027 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05272-2] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Hippo signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling module that controls organ size in different species, and the disorder of the Hippo pathway can induce liver cancer in organisms, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The exact mechanism that causes cancer is still unknown. Recent studies have shown that it is a classical kinase cascade that phosphorylates the Mst1/2-sav1 complex and activates the phosphorylation of the Lats1/2-mob1A/B complex for inactivating Yap and Taz. These kinases and scaffolds are regarded as primary regulators of the Hippo pathway, and help in activating a variety of carcinogenic processes. Among them, Yap/Taz is seen to be the main effector molecule, which is downstream of the Hippo pathway, and its abnormal activation is related to a variety of human cancers including liver cancer. Currently, since Yap/Taz plays a variety of roles in cancer promotion and tumor regeneration, the Hippo pathway has emerged as an attractive target in recent drug development research. METHODS We collect and review relevant literature in web of Science and Pubmed. CONCLUSION This review highlights the important roles of Yap/Taz in activating Hippo pathway in liver cancer. The recent findings on the crosstalks between the Hippo and other cancer associated pathways and moleculars are also discussed. In this review, we summarized and discussed recent breakthroughs in our understanding of how key components of the Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway influence the hepatocellular carcinoma, including their effects on tumor occurrence and development, their roles in regulating metastasis, and their function in chemotherapy resistance. Further, the molecular mechanism and roles in regulating cross talk between Hippo-YAP/TAZ pathway and other cancer-associated pathways or oncogenes/cancer suppressor genes were summarized and discussed. More, many other inducers and inhibitors of this signaling cascade and available experimental therapies against the YAP/TAZ/TEAD axis were discussed. Targeting this pathway for cancer therapy may have great significance in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Graphical summary of the complex role of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hewen Shi
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zou
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Zhong
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoying Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Center, Shandong Public Health Clinical Center, Jinan, 250102, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxue Wang
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yancun Yin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China
| | - Defang Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Liu
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Minjing Li
- Featured Laboratory for Biosynthesis and Target Discovery of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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Qiu K, Xia Q, Chen H, Ye Q, Mao H, Tian M, Gan Y, Huang Q, Wang H, Duan S. Exploring the anticancer potential of Actinidia chinensis Planch root extracts ( acRoots) on hepatocellular carcinoma: A molecular mechanism study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21851. [PMID: 38027882 PMCID: PMC10656260 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranking as the seventh most prevalent cancer worldwide, poses a significant health challenge. Actinidia chinensis Planch Root extracts (acRoots), a traditional Chinese medicine, has exhibited promising inhibitory effects on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of various cancer cell types. Nevertheless, its specific impact and underlying mechanisms concerning HCC remain unclear. This research aimed to elucidate the anticancer properties and potential molecular mechanisms of acRoots in the HepG2 and LM3 cell lines. Our findings demonstrate that acRoots effectively hampers the in vitro proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, acRoots induces apoptosis and autophagy by impeding the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, with its inhibitory effects on cells being restored under AKT activator induction. This study, for the first time, elucidates that acRoots can suppress HepG2 and LM3 cell proliferation by blocking the Akt/mTOR pathway, thereby activating apoptosis and autophagy. These results underscore the potential of acRoots as a promising antitumor agent for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaijie Qiu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315048, China
| | - Qing Xia
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315048, China
| | - Qiong Ye
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315048, China
| | - Haixiang Mao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315048, China
| | - Mei Tian
- College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Yichao Gan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315048, China
| | - Qinyuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Haibiao Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315048, China
| | - Shiwei Duan
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
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Wu Q, Li X, Long M, Xie X, Liu Q. Integrated analysis of histone lysine lactylation (Kla)-specific genes suggests that NR6A1, OSBP2 and UNC119B are novel therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18642. [PMID: 37903971 PMCID: PMC10616101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46057-4] [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: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone lysine lactylation (Kla) plays a vital role in the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hence, we focused on Kla-specific genes to select novel therapeutic targets. Differentially expressed Kla-specific genes (DEKlaGs) were identified from TCGA with the cut-off criteria |log2(FlodChange (FC))| > 2, p-value < 0.05, following investigating the prognostic value. The correlation between lactate accumulation and prognostic DEKlaGs expression was further investigated. On the other hand, we explored the roles of Kla activation in the immune microenvironment, immunotherapy, and drug resistance. We conducted gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to predict the pathways influenced by Kla. The predictive power of Cox model was further identified in ICGC and GEO databases. A total of 129 DEKlaGs were identified, and 32 molecules might be potential prognostic biomarkers. A Cox model including ARHGEF37, MTFR2, NR6A1, NT5DC2, OSBP2, RNASEH2A, SFN, and UNC119B was constructed, which suggested unfavorable overall survival in high-risk score group, and risk score could serve as an indicator for large tumor size, poor pathological grade and advanced stage. NR6A1, OSBP2 and UNC119B could inhibit NK cell as well as TIL cell infiltration, and impair Type-I and II IFN responses in HCC, thereby contributing to unsatisfactory prognosis and immunotherapy resistance. OSBP2 and UNC119B were identified to be related to chemotherapy resistance. GSEA showed that WNT, MTOR, MAPK and NOTCH signaling pathways were activated, indicating that these pathways might play a crucial role during the Kla process. On the other hand, we showed that NR6A1 and OSBP2 were overexpressed in GEO. OSBP2 and UNC119B contributed to poor survival and advanced stage in ICGC. In summary, histone Kla was related to HCC prognosis and might serve as an independent biomarker. NR6A1, OSBP2 and UNC119B were associated with the prognosis, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy resistance, suggesting that NR6A1, OSBP2 and UNC119B might be novel candidate therapeutic targets for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinjuan Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pain, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Menghong Long
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xianfeng Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu, China.
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Pain, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Hejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Luzhou, China.
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Xue H, Wei M, Ji L. Chlorogenic acids: A pharmacological systematic review on their hepatoprotective effects. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 118:154961. [PMID: 37453191 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver diseases have a negative impact on global health and are a leading cause of death worldwide. Chlorogenic acids (CGAs), a family of esters formed between certain trans-cinnamic acids and quinic acid, are natural polyphenols abundant in coffee, tea, and a variety of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). They are reported to have good hepatoprotective effects against various liver diseases. PURPOSE This review aims to analyze the available literature on the hepatoprotective effect of CGAs, with particular emphasis on their mechanisms. METHODS Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PubMed and Web of Science databases were adopted to retrieve all relevant literature on CGAs for liver disease from 2013 to March 2023. RESULTS Research has indicated that CGAs play a crucial role in improving different types of liver diseases, including drug-induced liver injury (DILI), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), cholestatic liver disease (CLD), liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. CGAs display remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by activating erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and inhibiting toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Some important molecules such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), and other key physiological processes like intestinal barrier and gut microbiota have also been discovered to participate in CGAs-provided amelioration on various liver diseases. CONCLUSION In this review, different studies indicate that CGAs have an excellent protective effect against various liver diseases associated with various signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Xue
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mengjuan Wei
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lili Ji
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicines, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Medicines and The SATCM Key Laboratory for New Resources and Quality Evaluation of Chinese Medicines, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1200 Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Jia H, Wei P, Zhou S, Hu Y, Zhang C, Liang L, Li B, Gan Z, Xia Y, Jiang H, Shao M, Guo S, Yang Z, Zhong J, Ren F, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Zhao T. Attenuated Salmonella carrying siRNA-PD-L1 and radiation combinatorial therapy induces tumor regression on HCC through T cell-mediated immuno-enhancement. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:318. [PMID: 37640735 PMCID: PMC10462685 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01603-x] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent type of aggressive liver cancer, accounts for the majority of liver cancer diagnoses and fatalities. Despite recent advancements in HCC treatment, it remains one of the deadliest cancers. Radiation therapy (RT) is among the locoregional therapy modalities employed to treat unresectable or medically inoperable HCC. However, radioresistance poses a significant challenge. It has been demonstrated that RT induced the upregulation of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor cells, which may affect response to PD-1-based immunotherapy, providing a rationale for combining PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with radiation. Here, we utilized attenuated Salmonella as a carrier to explore whether attenuated Salmonella carrying siRNA-PD-L1 could effectively enhance the antitumor effect of radiotherapy on HCC-bearing mice. Our results showed that a combination of siRNA-PD-L1 and radiotherapy had a synergistic antitumor effect by inhibiting the expression of PD-L1 induced by radiation therapy. Mechanistic insights indicated that the combination treatment significantly suppressed tumor cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and stimulated immune cell infiltration and activation in tumor tissues. Additionally, the combination treatment increased the ratios of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and NK cells from the spleen in tumor-bearing mice. This study presents a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment, especially for patients with RT resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijie Jia
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Pengkun Wei
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Shijie Zhou
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Hu
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Chunjing Zhang
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Lirui Liang
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Bingqing Li
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Zerui Gan
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Yuanling Xia
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Hanyu Jiang
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Mingguang Shao
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Guo
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Zishan Yang
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Jiateng Zhong
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Feng Ren
- Henan International Joint Laboratory of Immunity and Targeted Therapy for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Huiyong Zhang
- Synthetic Biology Engineering Lab of Henan Province, School of Life Science And Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Yongxi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China.
| | - Tiesuo Zhao
- Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China.
- Xinxiang Engineering Technology Research Center of Immune Checkpoint Drug for Liver-Intestinal Tumors, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China.
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 453000, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China.
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Adlat S, Vázquez Salgado AM, Lee M, Yin D, Wangensteen KJ. Emerging and potential use of CRISPR in human liver disease. Hepatology 2023:01515467-990000000-00538. [PMID: 37607734 PMCID: PMC10881897 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR is a gene editing tool adapted from naturally occurring defense systems from bacteria. It is a technology that is revolutionizing the interrogation of gene functions in driving liver disease, especially through genetic screens and by facilitating animal knockout and knockin models. It is being used in models of liver disease to identify which genes are critical for liver pathology, especially in genetic liver disease, hepatitis, and in cancer initiation and progression. It holds tremendous promise in treating human diseases directly by editing DNA. It could disable gene function in the case of expression of a maladaptive protein, such as blocking transthyretin as a therapy for amyloidosis, or to correct gene defects, such as restoring the normal functions of liver enzymes fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase or alpha-1 antitrypsin. It is also being studied for treatment of hepatitis B infection. CRISPR is an exciting, evolving technology that is facilitating gene characterization and discovery in liver disease and holds the potential to treat liver diseases safely and permanently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Adlat
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Song D, An K, Zhai W, Feng L, Xu Y, Sun R, Wang Y, Yang YG, Kan Q, Tian X. NSUN2-mediated mRNA m 5C Modification Regulates the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:823-833. [PMID: 36183976 PMCID: PMC10787115 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
RNA modifications affect many biological processes and physiological diseases. The 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification regulates the progression of multiple tumors. However, its characteristics and functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown. Here, we found that HCC tissues had a higher m5C methylation level than the adjacent normal tissues. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the hypermethylated genes mainly participated in the phosphokinase signaling pathways, such as the Ras and PI3K-Akt pathways. The m5C methyltransferase NSUN2 was highly expressed in HCC tissues. Interestingly, the expression of many genes was positively correlated with the expression of NSUN2, including GRB2, RNF115, AATF, ADAM15, RTN3, and HDGF. Real-time PCR assays further revealed that the expression of the mRNAs of GRB2, RNF115, and AATF decreased significantly with the down-regulation of NSUN2 expression in HCC cells. Furthermore, NSUN2 could regulate the cellular sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib via modulating the Ras signaling pathway. Moreover, knocking down NSUN2 caused cell cycle arrest. Taken together, our study demonstrates the vital role of NSUN2 in the progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Song
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ke An
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Wenlong Zhai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Key Laboratory of Digestive Organ Transplantation of Henan Province, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Luyao Feng
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yingjie Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Ran Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yueqin Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China
| | - Yun-Gui Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Quancheng Kan
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
| | - Xin Tian
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Precision Clinical Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
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Zhou Y, Cui G, Xu H, Chun J, Yang D, Zhang Z, Yang L, Wang J, Wan M, Calvisi DF, Lin S, Chen X, Wang H. Loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET overexpression to drive hepatocarcinogenesis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:476. [PMID: 37500626 PMCID: PMC10374654 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05958-y] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly malignancy with high genetic heterogeneity. TP53 mutation and c-MET activation are frequent events in human HCCs. Here, we discovered that the simultaneous mutations in TP53 and activation of c-MET occur in ~20% of human HCCs, and these patients show a poor prognosis. Importantly, we found that concomitant deletion of Trp53 and overexpression of c-MET (c-MET/sgp53) in the mouse liver led to HCC formation in vivo. Consistent with human HCCs, RNAseq showed that c-MET/sgp53 mouse HCCs were characterized by activated c-MET and Ras/MAPK cascades and increased tumor cell proliferation. Subsequently, a stably passaged cell line derived from a c-MET/sgp53 HCC and corresponding subcutaneous xenografts were generated. Also, in silico analysis suggested that the MEK inhibitor trametinib has a higher inhibition score in TP53 null human HCC cell lines, which was validated experimentally. We consistently found that trametinib effectively inhibited the growth of c-MET/sgp53 HCC cells and xenografts, supporting the possible usefulness of this drug for treating human HCCs with TP53-null mutations. Altogether, our study demonstrates that loss of TP53 cooperates with c-MET to drive hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. The c-MET/sgp53 mouse model and derived HCC cell lines represent novel and useful preclinical tools to study hepatocarcinogenesis in the TP53 null background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guofei Cui
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Joanne Chun
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Doris Yang
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lihui Yang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing, University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Meijuan Wan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
| | - Shumei Lin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Tao M, Han J, Shi J, Liao H, Wen K, Wang W, Mui S, Li H, Yan Y, Xiao Z. Application and Resistance Mechanisms of Lenvatinib in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:1069-1083. [PMID: 37457652 PMCID: PMC10348321 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s411806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Lenvatinib, a multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is one of the preferred targeted drugs for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC). Since the REFLECT study showed that lenvatinib was noninferior to sorafenib in overall survival (OS), lenvatinib monotherapy has been widely used for aHCC. Moreover, lenvatinib combination therapy, especially lenvatinib combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has shown more encouraging clinical results. However, drug development and comprehensive treatment have not significantly improved the prognosis, and lenvatinib resistance is often encountered in treatment. The underlying molecular mechanism of lenvatinib resistance is still unclear, and studies to solve drug resistance are ongoing. The molecular mechanisms of lenvatinib resistance in patients with aHCC include the regulation of signaling pathways, the regulation of noncoding RNAs, the impact of the immune microenvironment, tumor stem cell activation and other mechanisms. This review aims to (1) summarize the progress of lenvatinib in treating aHCC, (2) delineate the known lenvatinib resistance mechanisms of current therapy, and (3) describe the development of therapeutic methods intended to overcome these resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Han
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juanyi Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weidong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sintim Mui
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huoming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongcong Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiyu Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China
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Zhao H, Zhao L, Wu L, Hu S, Huang Y, Zhao W. Hydrogen sulfide suppresses H 2O 2-induced proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Med Oncol 2023; 40:214. [PMID: 37380909 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02091-w] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Both H2S and H2O2 affect many cellular events, such as cell differentiation, cell proliferation and cell death. However, there is some controversy about the roles of H2S and H2O2, since the detailed mechanisms they are involved remain unclear. In this study, low concentration of H2O2 (40 μM) increased the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2, while both H2S and high concentration of H2O2 decreased the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Wound healing assay indicated that 40 μM H2O2 promoted migration of HepG2 cells, which was suppressed by exogenous H2S. Further analysis revealed that administration of exogenous H2S and H2O2 changed the redox status of Wnt3a in HepG2 cells. Altered expression of proteins including Cyclin D1, TCF-4, and MMP7, which are downstream of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, were found after treatment with exogenous H2S and H2O2. Compared with H2S, low concentration of H2O2 showed opposite effects on these protein expression levels in HepG2 cells. These results suggest that H2S suppressed H2O2-induced proliferation and migration of HepG2 through regulating Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhi Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yangmei Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
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Liu D, Li Q, Zang Y, Li X, Li Z, Zhang P, Feng C, Yang P, Cui J, Sun Y, Wei T, Su P, Zhao X, Yang H, Ding Y. USP1 modulates hepatocellular carcinoma progression via the Hippo/TAZ axis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:264. [PMID: 37041150 PMCID: PMC10090121 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05777-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide. The Hippo signaling pathway has emerged as a significant suppressive pathway for hepatocellular carcinogenesis. The core components of the Hippo pathway constitute a kinase cascade, which inhibits the functional activation of YAP/TAZ. Interestingly, the overactivation of YAP/TAZ is commonly observed in hepatocellular carcinoma, although the inhibitory kinase cascade of the Hippo pathway is still functional. Recent studies have indicated that the ubiquitin‒proteasome system also plays important roles in modulating Hippo signaling activity. Our DUB (deubiquitinase) siRNA screen showed that USP1 is a critical regulator of Hippo signaling activity. Analysis of TCGA data demonstrated that USP1 expression is elevated in HCC and associated with poor survival in HCC patients. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that USP1 depletion affects Hippo signaling activity in HCC cell lines. Mechanistic assays revealed that USP1 is required for Hippo/TAZ axis activity and HCC progression. USP1 interacted with the WW domain of TAZ, which subsequently enhanced TAZ stability by suppressing K11-linked polyubiquitination of TAZ. Our study identifies a novel mechanism linking USP1 and TAZ in regulating the Hippo pathway and one possible therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyi Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Quanhui Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Yifeng Zang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Xin Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
| | - Zhongbo Li
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Chang Feng
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Penghe Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
| | - Jiayao Cui
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Tian Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China
| | - Peng Su
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China.
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China.
| | - Huijie Yang
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory of Tumor Migration and Invasion Precision Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China.
| | - Yinlu Ding
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, P. R. China.
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Wang X, Zeng W, Yang L, Chang T, Zeng J. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related gene prognostic index and phenotyping clusters for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Cancer Genet 2023; 274-275:41-50. [PMID: 36972656 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2023.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to high tumor heterogeneity and the immunosuppressive environment of the HCC tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we developed EMT-related genes phenotyping clusters and systematically evaluated their impact on HCC prognosis, the TME, and drug efficacy prediction. We identified HCC specific EMT-related genes using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). An EMT-related genes prognostic index (EMT-RGPI) capable of effectively predicting HCC prognosis was then constructed. Consensus clustering of 12 HCC specific EMT-related hub genes uncovered two molecular clusters C1 and C2. Cluster C2 preferentially associated with unfavorable prognosis, higher stemness index (mRNAsi) value, elevated immune checkpoint expression, and immune cell infiltration. The TGF-β signaling, EMT, glycolysis, Wnt β-catenin signaling, and angiogenesis were markedly enriched in cluster C2. Moreover, cluster C2 exhibited higher TP53 and RB1 mutation rates. The TME subtypes and tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score showed that cluster C1 patients responded well to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) revealed that cluster C2 patients were more sensitive to chemotherapeutic and antiangiogenic agents. These findings may guide risk stratification and precision therapy for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wangyuan Zeng
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou 570102, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Departments of Medical Oncology, China
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Rizwi FA, Abubakar M, Puppala ER, Goyal A, Bhadrawamy CV, Naidu VGM, Roshan S, Tazneem B, Almalki WH, Subramaniyan V, Rawat S, Gupta G. Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Inhibitors for the Treatment and Management of Cancer. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol 2023; 42:15-29. [PMID: 37522565 DOI: 10.1615/jenvironpatholtoxicoloncol.2023045403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second-highest cause of mortality worldwide, killing nearly 9.6 million people annually. Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment during the last couple of decades, it remains a serious concern due to the limitations of currently available cancer management strategies. Therefore, alternative strategies are highly required to overcome these glitches. In addition, many etiological factors such as environmental and genetic factors initiate the activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT) pathway. This aberrant activation of the JAK-STAT pathway has been reported in various disease states, including inflammatory conditions, hematologic malignancies, and cancer. For instance, many patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms carry the acquired gain-of-function JAK2 V617F somatic mutation. This knowledge has dramatically improved our understanding of pathogenesis and has facilitated the development of therapeutics capable of suppressing the constitutive activation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Our aim is not to be expansive but to highlight emerging ideas towards preventive therapy in a modern view of JAK-STAT inhibitors. A series of agents with different specificities against different members of the JAK family of proteins is currently undergoing evaluation in clinical trials. Here we give a summary of how JAK-STAT inhibitors function and a detailed review of current clinical drugs for managing cancer as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahim Anwar Rizwi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - Md Abubakar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - Eswara Rao Puppala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - Ahsas Goyal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, U.P., India
| | - Ch Veera Bhadrawamy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - V G M Naidu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research-Guwahati, Sila Katamur, Halugurisuk P.O-Changsari, Kamrup, Assam, India-781101
| | - S Roshan
- Deccan School of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, India
| | - B Tazneem
- Deccan School of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, India
| | - Waleed Hassan Almalki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Pharmacology Unit, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, MONASH University, Malaysia
| | - Sushama Rawat
- Nirma University, Institute of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India; School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Road, Jagatpura 302017, Jaipur, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Road, Jagatpura 302017, Jaipur, India; Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
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Bagalagel A, Diri R, Noor A, Almasri D, Bakhsh H, Kutbi HI, Al-Gayyar MM. Evaluating the Anticancer Activity of Blocking TNF Type 1 Receptors in Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Rat Model. Cureus 2022; 14:e32519. [DOI: 10.7759/cureus.32519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Tümen D, Heumann P, Gülow K, Demirci CN, Cosma LS, Müller M, Kandulski A. Pathogenesis and Current Treatment Strategies of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:3202. [PMID: 36551958 PMCID: PMC9775527 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent liver cancer with high lethality and low five-year survival rates leading to a substantial worldwide burden for healthcare systems. HCC initiation and progression are favored by different etiological risk factors including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, non-/and alcoholic fatty liver disease (N/AFLD), and tobacco smoking. In molecular pathogenesis, endogenous alteration in genetics (TP53, TERT, CTNNB1, etc.), epigenetics (DNA-methylation, miRNA, lncRNA, etc.), and dysregulation of key signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT, etc.) strongly contribute to the development of HCC. The multitude and complexity of different pathomechanisms also reflect the difficulties in tailored medical therapy of HCC. Treatment options for HCC are strictly dependent on tumor staging and liver function, which are structured by the updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification system. Surgical resection, local ablative techniques, and liver transplantation are valid and curative therapeutic options for early tumor stages. For multifocal and metastatic diseases, systemic therapy is recommended. While Sorafenib had been the standalone HCC first-line therapy for decades, recent developments had led to the approval of new treatment options as first-line as well as second-line treatment. Anti-PD-L1 directed combination therapies either with anti-VEGF directed agents or with anti-CTLA-4 active substances have been implemented as the new treatment standard in the first-line setting. However, data from clinical trials indicate different responses on specific therapeutic regimens depending on the underlying pathogenesis of hepatocellular cancer. Therefore, histopathological examinations have been re-emphasized by current international clinical guidelines in addition to the standardized radiological diagnosis using contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging. In this review, we emphasize the current knowledge on molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. On this occasion, the treatment sequences for early and advanced tumor stages according to the recently updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification system and the current algorithm of systemic therapy (first-, second-, and third-line treatment) are summarized. Furthermore, we discuss novel precautional and pre-therapeutic approaches including therapeutic vaccination, adoptive cell transfer, locoregional therapy enhancement, and non-coding RNA-based therapy as promising treatment options. These novel treatments may prolong overall survival rates in regard with quality of life and liver function as mainstay of HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Arne Kandulski
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases University Hospital Regensburg Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Oncogenic Wnt3a is a promising sensitive biomarker for monitoring hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 22:263-269. [PMID: 36435702 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) depends on early diagnosis. Previously, the abnormal expression of Wnt3a as the key signaling molecule in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was found in HCC cells and could be released into the circulation. In this study, we used rat model of hepatocarcinogenesis to dynamically investigate the alteration of oncogenic Wnt3a and to explore its early monitor value for HCC. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) were fed with diet 2-fluorenylacetamide (2-FAA, 0.05%) for inducing hepatocarcinogenesis, and grouped based on liver morphological alteration by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining; rats fed with normal chow were used as normal control (NC). Total RNA and protein were purified from rat livers. Differently expressed genes (DEGs) or Wnt3a mRNA, cellular distribution, and Wnt3a protein levels were analyzed by whole genome microarray with signal logarithm ratio (SLR log2cy5/cy3), immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS Models of rat hepatocarcinogenesis were successfully established based on liver histopathological H&E staining. Rats were divided into the cell degeneration (rDeg), precancerosis (rPre-C) and HCC (rHCC) groups. Total numbers of the up- and down-regulated DEGs with SLR ≥ 8 were 55 and 48 in the rDeg group, 268 and 57 in the rPre-C group, and 312 and 201 in the rHCC group, respectively. Significantly altered genes were involved in cell proliferation, signal transduction, tumor metastasis, and apoptosis. Compared with the NC group, Wnt3a mRNA was increased by 4.6 folds (P < 0.001) in the rDeg group, 7.4 folds (P < 0.001) in the rPre-C group, and 10.4 folds (P < 0.001) in the rHCC group; the positive rates of liver Wnt3a were 66.7% (P = 0.001) in the rDeg group, 100% (P < 0.001) in the rPre-C group, and 100% (P < 0.001) in the rHCC group, respectively. Also, there were significant differences of liver Wnt3a (P < 0.001) or serum Wnt3a (P < 0.001) among different groups. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of Wnt3a was associated with rat hepatocarcinogenesis and it should be expected to be a promising monitoring biomarker for HCC occurrence at early stage.
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Research progress on the role of cholesterol in hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 938:175410. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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