Dysfunction of Cl- channels promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Integrating lipid metabolite analysis with MRI-based transformer and radiomics for early and late stage prediction of oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) presents significant diagnostic challenges in its early and late stages. This study aims to utilize preoperative MRI and biochemical indicators of OSCC patients to predict the stage of tumors.

METHODS

This study involved 198 patients from two medical centers. A detailed analysis of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (ceT1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) MRI were conducted, integrating these with biochemical indicators for a comprehensive evaluation. Initially, 42 clinical biochemical indicators were selected for consideration. Through univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, only those indicators with p-values less than 0.05 were retained for model development. To extract imaging features, machine learning algorithms in conjunction with Vision Transformer (ViT) techniques were utilized. These features were integrated with biochemical indicators for predictive modeling. The performance of model was evaluated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

After rigorously screening biochemical indicators, four key markers were selected for the model: cholesterol, triglyceride, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and chloride. The model, developed using radiomics and deep learning for feature extraction from ceT1W and T2W images, showed a lower Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.85 in the validation cohort when using these imaging modalities alone. However, integrating these biochemical indicators improved the model's performance, increasing the validation cohort AUC to 0.87.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the performance of the model significantly improved following multimodal fusion, outperforming the single-modality approach.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

This integration of radiomics, ViT models, and lipid metabolite analysis, presents a promising non-invasive technique for predicting the staging of OSCC.

Transcription Factors and Markers Related to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Their Role in Resistance to Therapies in Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are heterogeneous and aggressive tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Although various histological types exist, the most common is squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The incidence of HNSCC is increasing, making it an important public health concern. Tumor resistance to contemporary treatments, namely, chemo- and radiotherapy, and the recurrence of the primary tumor after its surgical removal cause huge problems for patients. Despite recent improvements in these treatments, the 5-year survival rate is still relatively low. HNSCCs may develop local lymph node metastases and, in the most advanced cases, also distant metastases. A key process associated with tumor progression and metastasis is epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), when poorly motile epithelial tumor cells acquire motile mesenchymal characteristics. These transition cells can invade different adjacent tissues and finally form metastases. EMT is governed by various transcription factors, including the best-characterized TWIST1 and TWIST2, SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1, and ZEB2. Here, we highlight the current knowledge of the process of EMT in HNSCC and present the main protein markers associated with it. This review focuses on the transcription factors related to EMT and emphasizes their role in the resistance of HNSCC to current chemo- and radiotherapies. Understanding the role of EMT and the precise molecular mechanisms involved in this process may help with the development of novel anti-cancer therapies for this type of tumor.

Approach for Elucidating the Molecular Mechanism of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Fibrosis of Asthmatic Airway Remodeling Focusing on Cl- Channels

Airway remodeling caused by asthma is characterized by structural changes of subepithelial fibrosis, goblet cell metaplasia, submucosal gland hyperplasia, smooth muscle cell hyperplasia, and angiogenesis, leading to symptoms such as dyspnea, which cause marked quality of life deterioration. In particular, fibrosis exacerbated by asthma progression is reportedly mediated by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It is well known that the molecular mechanism of EMT in fibrosis of asthmatic airway remodeling is closely associated with several signaling pathways, including the TGF-β1/Smad, TGF-β1/non-Smad, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. However, the molecular mechanism of EMT in fibrosis of asthmatic airway remodeling has not yet been fully clarified. Given that Cl- transport through Cl- channels causes passive water flow and consequent changes in cell volume, these channels may be considered to play a key role in EMT, which is characterized by significant morphological changes. In the present article, we highlight how EMT, which causes fibrosis and carcinogenesis in various tissues, is strongly associated with activation or inactivation of Cl- channels and discuss whether Cl- channels can lead to elucidation of the molecular mechanism of EMT in fibrosis of asthmatic airway remodeling.

Ion Channels as Potential Tools for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of HPV-Associated Cancers

The human papilloma virus (HPV) group comprises approximately 200 genetic types that have a special affinity for epithelial tissues and can vary from producing benign symptoms to developing into complicated pathologies, such as cancer. The HPV replicative cycle affects various cellular and molecular processes, including DNA insertions and methylation and relevant pathways related to pRb and p53, as well as ion channel expression or function. Ion channels are responsible for the flow of ions across cell membranes and play very important roles in human physiology, including the regulation of ion homeostasis, electrical excitability, and cell signaling. However, when ion channel function or expression is altered, the channels can trigger a wide range of channelopathies, including cancer. In consequence, the up- or down-regulation of ion channels in cancer makes them attractive molecular markers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the disease. Interestingly, the activity or expression of several ion channels is dysregulated in HPV-associated cancers. Here, we review the status of ion channels and their regulation in HPV-associated cancers and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Understanding the dynamics of ion channels in these cancers should help to improve early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment in the benefit of HPV-associated cancer patients.

Critical roles of adherens junctions in diseases of the oral mucosa

The oral cavity is directly exposed to a variety of environmental stimuli and contains a diverse microbiome that continuously interacts with the oral epithelium. Therefore, establishment and maintenance of the barrier function of the oral mucosa is of paramount importance for its function and for the body's overall health. The adherens junction is a cell-cell adhesion complex that is essential for epithelial barrier function. Although a considerable body of work has associated barrier disruption with oral diseases, the molecular underpinnings of these associations have not been equally investigated. This is critical, since adherens junction components also possess significant signaling roles in the cell, in addition to their architectural ones. Here, we summarize current knowledge involving adherens junction components in oral pathologies, such as cancer and oral pathogen-related diseases, while we also discuss gaps in the knowledge and opportunities for future investigation of the relationship between adherens junctions and oral diseases.

Anoctamins and Calcium Signalling: An Obstacle to EGFR Targeted Therapy in Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma is the most common form of high-grade glioma in adults and has a poor survival rate with very limited treatment options. There have been no significant advancements in glioblastoma treatment in over 30 years. Epidermal growth factor receptor is upregulated in most glioblastoma tumours and, therefore, has been a drug target in recent targeted therapy clinical trials. However, while many inhibitors and antibodies for epidermal growth factor receptor have demonstrated promising anti-tumour effects in preclinical models, they have failed to improve outcomes for glioblastoma patients in clinical trials. This is likely due to the highly plastic nature of glioblastoma tumours, which results in therapeutic resistance. Ion channels are instrumental in the development of many cancers and may regulate cellular plasticity in glioblastoma. This review will explore the potential involvement of a class of calcium-activated chloride channels called anoctamins in brain cancer. We will also discuss the integrated role of calcium channels and anoctamins in regulating calcium-mediated signalling pathways, such as epidermal growth factor signalling, to promote brain cancer cell growth and migration.

Expression of Tumor Suppressor SFRP1 Predicts Biological Behaviors and Prognosis: A Potential Target for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Genomic instability is implicated in the initiation and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Tumor suppressor Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 1 (SFRP1) may participate in the aberrant evolution of OSCC, the intrinsic molecular mechanisms of which may provide effective therapeutic targets. Methods: A bioinformatics analysis was carried out on a publicly available database using R language to map the prognostic value, immune infiltration and enrichment of SFRP1 expression. Subsequently, in vitro experiments were conducted to unveil the biological function of SFRP1. Results: SFRP1 was found to be ubiquitously lowly expressed in OSCC using a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Univariate analysis confirmed that those patients characterized by a low SFRP1 expression were significantly associated with advanced T-stage, clinical stage and poor mortality (p < 0.05). Furthermore, SFRP1 displayed a positive performance in tumor immune infiltration, especially in mast cells. Functional annotations indicated that highly expressed SFRP1 was associated with membrane potential and passive transmembrane transporter activity and it was mainly enriched in calcium pathway and neuroactive ligand−receptor interaction. In vitro, the overexpression of SFRP1 inhibited its proliferation, migration, and invasion and resulted in G0+G1 phase arrest within Cal27 cells (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The bioinformation data suggest that SFRP1 expression provides an insight into the risk and prognostic stratification in OSCC. SFRP1 was validated as a potential biomarker with anticarcinogenic behaviors for use in targeted therapy.

miR-126 in Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Hepatoblastoma Cells Promotes the Tumorigenesis of Hepatoblastoma through Inducing the Differentiation of BMSCs into Cancer Stem Cells

Background

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can deliver miRNAs between cells and play a crucial role in hepatoblastoma progression. In this study, we explored the differentially expressed miRNAs related to tumor cell-derived EVs and the mechanism by which EVs regulate hepatoblastoma progression.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the differentially expressed miRNAs between the hepatoblastoma and adjacent normal tissues. TEM, NTA, and western blotting were conducted to identify EVs. The expression of miR-126-3p, miR-126-5p, miR-30b-3p, miR-30b-3p, SRY, IL-1α, IL-6, and TGF-β was detected by RT-qPCR. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to analyze the expression of PKH67, and flow cytometry was applied to assess the ratio of CD44+ CD90+ CD133+ cells. ELISA was used to evaluate the levels of IL-6 and TGF-β. A xenograft mouse model was constructed to detect the function of EVs with downregulated miR-126. IHC was performed to calculate β-catenin levels in tumor tissues.

Results

miR-126 was upregulated in hepatoblastoma. EVs derived from hepatoblastoma cells significantly increased the ratio of CD44+ CD90+ CD133+ cells and increased the expression of IL-6, Oct4, SRY, and TGF-β in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), while EVs with downregulated miR-126 reversed these phenomena. miR-126 downregulation notably attenuated hepatoblastoma tumor growth and decreased the ratio of CD44+ CD90+ CD133+ cells and increased the expression of IL-6, Oct4, SRY, TGF-β, and β-catenin in tumor tissues of mice. Furthermore, EVs with downregulated miR-126 inhibited the differentiation of BMSCs into cancer stem cells.

Conclusions

Exosomal miR-126 derived from hepatoblastoma cells promoted the tumorigenesis of liver cancer through inducing the differentiation of BMSCs into cancer stem cells.