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Vishnoi K, Ke R, Viswakarma N, Srivastava P, Kumar S, Das S, Singh SK, Principe DR, Rana A, Rana B. Ets1 mediates sorafenib resistance by regulating mitochondrial ROS pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:581. [PMID: 35789155 PMCID: PMC9253325 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05022-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are on a rise in the Western countries including US, attributed mostly to late detection. Sorafenib has been the first-line FDA-approved drug for advanced unresectable HCC for almost a decade, but with limited efficacy due to the development of resistance. More recently, several other multi-kinase inhibitors (lenvatinib, cabozantinib, regorafenib), human monoclonal antibody (ramucirumab), and immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab) have been approved as systemic therapies. Despite this, the median survival of patients is not significantly increased. Understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) that govern HCC resistance is critically needed to increase efficacy of current drugs and to develop more efficacious ones in the future. Our studies with sorafenib-resistant (soraR) HCC cells using transcription factor RT2 Profiler PCR Arrays revealed an increase in E26 transformation-specific-1 (Ets-1) transcription factor in all soraR cells. HCC TMA studies showed an increase in Ets-1 expression in advanced HCC compared to the normal livers. Overexpression or knocking down Ets-1 modulated sorafenib resistance-related epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and cell survival. In addition, the soraR cells showed a significant reduction of mitochondrial damage and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) generation, which were antagonized by knocking down Ets-1 expression. More in-depth analysis identified GPX-2 as a downstream mediator of Ets-1-induced sorafenib resistance, which was down-regulated by Ets-1 knockdown while other antioxidant pathway genes were not affected. Interestingly, knocking down GPX2 expression significantly increased sorafenib sensitivity in the soraR cells. Our studies indicate the activation of a novel Ets-1-GPX2 signaling axis in soraR cells, targeting which might successfully antagonize resistance and increase efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Vishnoi
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Rong Ke
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Navin Viswakarma
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Piush Srivastava
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Subhasis Das
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Sunil Kumar Singh
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Daniel R. Principe
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.280892.90000 0004 0419 4711Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.185648.60000 0001 2175 0319University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.280892.90000 0004 0419 4711Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
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Wang Q, Cheng ST, Chen J. HBx mediated Increase of SIRT1 Contributes to HBV-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumorigenesis. Int J Med Sci 2020; 17:1783-1794. [PMID: 32714081 PMCID: PMC7378664 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.43491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is strongly associated with HCC development, but the pathogenesis of HBV-related HCC remains obscure. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been implicated to enhance the replication of HBV and to promote the tumorigenesis of HCC. In this study, we aim to investigate the functional role of SIRT1 on HBV viral protein and HBV-induced HCC. Methods: Tumorous liver tissues from patient diagnosed with HBV-related HCC were collected and further divided into two groups (with or without metastasis). Then, the mRNA and protein level of SIRT1 in those tissues were detected by real time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Meanwhile, the protein level of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) relative markers in those tissues was determined by Western blot. Furthermore, the expression of SIRT1 in HBV-expressing HCC cells was examined. Next, the relationship between viral proteins and SIRT1 expression were determined by real time PCR and Western blot. In addition, the potential role of HBx-upregulated SIRT1 in HCC proliferation, migration and invasion were analyzed by cell viability assays, cell proliferation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay and Western blot. Results: In this study, we found that the expression of SIRT1 was obviously increased in patients with metastasis compared to the patients without metastasis. Consistently, the expression of SIRT1 was also upregulated in HBV-expressing HCC cells compared to the controls. Further investigation showed that viral protein HBx was responsible for the elevated SIRT1 in HBV-expressing HCC cells. Meanwhile, the expression of HBx could be upregulated by SIRT1. Additionally, functional studies showed that HBx-elevated SIRT1 could promote HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Importantly, HBx induced HCC proliferation and migration could be suppressed by Nicotinamide in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions: Our findings uncovered the positive role of SIRT1 in HBx-mediated tumorigenesis which implicated the potential role of SIRT1 in HBV-related HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Sheng-Tao Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
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Witt-Kehati D, Fridkin A, Alaluf MB, Zemel R, Shlomai A. Inhibition of pMAPK14 Overcomes Resistance to Sorafenib in Hepatoma Cells with Hepatitis B Virus. Transl Oncol 2018. [PMID: 29524828 PMCID: PMC5884218 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) targets the liver and is a major driver for liver cancer. Clinical data suggest that HBV infection is associated with reduced response to treatment with the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib, the first available molecularly targeted anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) drug. Given that Raf is one of the major targets of sorafenib, we investigated the activation state of the Raf-Mek-Erk pathway in the presence of HBV and in response to sorafenib. Here we show that hepatoma cells with replicating HBV are less susceptible to sorafenib inhibitory effect as compared to cells in which HBV expression is suppressed. However, although HBV replication is associated with increased level of pErk, its blockade only modestly augments sorafenib effect. In contrast, the phosphorylated form of the pro-oncogenic Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 (pMAPK14), a protein kinase that was recently linked to sorafenib resistance, is induced in sorafenib-treated hepatoma cells in association with HBV X protein expression. Knocking down pMAPK14 results in augmentation of the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib and largely alleviates resistance to sorafenib in the presence of HBV. Thus, this study suggests that HBV promotes HCC resistance to sorafenib. Combining pMAPK14 inhibitors with sorafenib may be beneficial in patients with HBV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dvora Witt-Kehati
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Alexandra Fridkin
- Department of Medicine D, Beilinson hospital Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - Maya Bitton Alaluf
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Medicine D, Beilinson hospital Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel
| | - Romy Zemel
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Amir Shlomai
- Felsenstein Medical Research Center and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Medicine D, Beilinson hospital Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel; The Liver Institute, Beilinson Hospital Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva, Israel.
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Chen WS, Liu LC, Yen CJ, Chen YJ, Chen JY, Ho CY, Liu SH, Chen CC, Huang WC. Nuclear IKKα mediates microRNA-7/-103/107/21 inductions to downregulate maspin expression in response to HBx overexpression. Oncotarget 2018; 7:56309-56323. [PMID: 27409165 PMCID: PMC5302916 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Maspin is a tumor suppressor that stimulates apoptosis and inhibits metastasis in various cancer types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous study has demonstrated that HBx induced microRNA-7, 103, 107, and 21 expressions to suppress maspin expression, leading to metastasis, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis in HCC patients. However, it remains unclear how HBx elicits these microRNA expressions. HBx has been known to induce aberrant activation and nuclear translocation of inhibitor-κB kinase-α (IKKα) to promote HCC progression. In this study, our data further revealed that nuclear IKKα expression was inversely correlated with maspin expression in HBV-associated patients. Nuclear IKKα but not IKKβ reduced maspin protein and mRNA expression, and inhibition of IKKα reverses HBx-mediated maspin downregulation and chemoresistance. In response to HBx overexpression, nuclear IKKα was further demonstrated to induce the gene expressions of microRNA-7, −103, −107, and −21 by directly targeting their promoters, thereby leading to maspin downregulation. These findings indicated nuclear IKKα as a critical regulator for HBx-mediated microRNA induction and maspin suppression, and suggest IKKα as a promising target to improve the therapeutic outcome of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Shu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Chih Liu
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Internal Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- Department of Medical Research, E-DA Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jhen-Yu Chen
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,The Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yi Ho
- Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hui Liu
- Department of Health Care and Social Work, Yu Da University of Science and Technology, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chow Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chien Huang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,The Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Kim SY, Kyaw YY, Cheong J. Functional interaction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and hepatitis B virus in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:7657-7665. [PMID: 29209107 PMCID: PMC5703926 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i43.7657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a non-cytopathic virus that causes acute and chronic inflammatory liver diseases, often leading to the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although many studies for the roles of HBV on pathogenesis of the liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatic inflammation, cirrhosis, and HCC, have been reported, the mechanisms are not fully understood. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria have the protective mechanisms to restore their damaged function by intrinsic or extrinsic stresses, but their chronic dysfunctions are associated with the pathogenesis of the various diseases. Furthermore, HBV can affect intra- or extracellular homeostasis through induction of ER and mitochondrial dysfunctions, leading to liver injury. Therefore, the mechanism by which HBV induces ER or mitochondrial stresses may be a therapeutic target for treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Young Kim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, South Korea
| | - Yi Yi Kyaw
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, South Korea
| | - Jaehun Cheong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, South Korea
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Zhang Y, Wu SS, Chen XH, Tang ZH, Yu YS, Zang GQ. Tripartite Motif Containing 52 (TRIM52) Promotes Cell Proliferation in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:5202-5210. [PMID: 29089476 PMCID: PMC5678430 DOI: 10.12659/msm.907242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV X protein (HBx) plays a crucial role in the development of HCC. Moreover, many tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins exert diverse biological functions in hepatocarcinogenesis. However, as a novel member of this family, the specific effect of TRIM52 is still largely obscure. In the present study, we investigated the expression and function of TRIM52 in HBV-associated HCC. Material/Methods Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) was performed to detect the HBV DNA levels in the peripheral blood of HCC patients. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of TRIM52, HBx, and NF-κB p65. HBx-pcDNA3.1 and TRIM52-shRNA were used to induce HBx ectopic expression and TRIM52 silencing, respectively. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) was used to block the activation of NF-κB. Cell proliferation was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Results TRIM52 expression was up-regulated together with HBx in HBV-associated HCC tissues. Ectopic expression of HBx elevated TRIM52 expression in HepG2 cells. TRIM52 silencing repressed the proliferation of HepG2.2.15 cells. Moreover, NF-κB p65 expression was increased in HCC cell lines. Blocking NF-κB activation with PDTC suppressed TRIM52 expression and attenuated the viability of HepG2.2.15 cells. Conclusions These findings indicate that TRIM52 can promote cell proliferation and HBx may regulate TRIM52 expression via the NF-κB signaling pathway in HBV-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China (mainland)
| | - Shan-Shan Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Xiao-Hua Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Zheng-Hao Tang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Yong-Sheng Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China (mainland)
| | - Guo-Qing Zang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China (mainland)
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Heqing Y, Bin L, Xuemei Y, Linfa L. The role and mechanism of autophagy in sorafenib targeted cancer therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2016; 100:137-40. [PMID: 26920575 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective tools for treating advanced cancer. However, acquired resistance represents a roadblock in the use of TKIs, such as sorafenib, for cancer therapy. Understanding the acquisition of resistance to sorafenib will help doctors to cope with acquired resistance to TKIs in general and to develop personalized medicine strategies for cancer patients. Autophagy is a biological process that occurs in normal organisms. However, it is also a component of multiple disease processes, including cancer development and progression. However, the roles of autophagy in cancer and in response to cancer therapy are controversial. In this review, we summarize the progress in autophagy and sorafenib resistance research, which is representative of acquired resistance to targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Heqing
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 38 Guangji Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310021, PR China
| | - Long Bin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 38 Guangji Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310021, PR China
| | - Ye Xuemei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 38 Guangji Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310021, PR China
| | - Li Linfa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, 38 Guangji Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310021, PR China.
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Lu ZP, Xiao ZL, Yang Z, Li J, Feng GX, Chen FQ, Li YH, Feng JY, Gao YE, Ye LH, Zhang XD. Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes human hepatoma cell growth via upregulation of transcription factor AP2α and sphingosine kinase 1. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2015; 36:1228-36. [PMID: 26073327 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2015.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) is involved in various cellular functions, including cell growth, migration, apoptosis, cytoskeleton architecture and calcium homoeostasis, etc. As an oncogenic kinase, SPHK1 is associated with the development and progression of cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SPHK1 was involved in hepatocarcinogenesis induced by the hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx). METHODS The expression of SPHK1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue and hepatoma cells were measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. HBx expression levels in hepatoma cells were modulated by transiently transfected with HBx or psi-HBx plasmids. The SPHK1 promoter activity was measured using luciferase reporter gene assay, and the interaction of the transcription factor AP2α with the SPHK1 promoter was studied with chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The growth of hepatoma cells was evaluated in vitro using MTT and colony formation assays, and in a tumor xenograft model. RESULTS A positive correlation was found between the mRNA levels of SPHK1 and HBx in 38 clinical HCC samples (r=+0.727, P<0.01). Moreover, the expression of SPHK1 was markedly increased in the liver cancer tissue of HBx-transgenic mice. Overexpressing HBx in normal liver cells LO2 and hepatoma cells HepG2 dose-dependently increased the expression of SPHK1, whereas silencing HBx in HBx-expressing hepatoma cells HepG2-X and HepG2.2.15 suppressed SPHK1 expression. Furthermore, overexpressing HBx in HepG2 cells dose-dependently increased the SPHK1 promoter activity, whereas silencing HBx in HepG2-X cells suppressed this activity. In HepG2-X cells, AP2α was found to directly interact with the SPHK1 promoter, and silencing AP2α suppressed the SPHK1 promoter activity and SPHK1 expression. Silencing HBx in HepG2-X cells abolished the HBx-enhanced proliferation and colony formation in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION HBx upregulates SPHK1 through the transcription factor AP2α, which promotes the growth of human hepatoma cells.
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