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Khales SA, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Geerts D, Abbaszadegan MR. TWIST1 activates cancer stem cell marker genes to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumorigenesis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1272. [PMID: 36474162 PMCID: PMC9724315 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10252-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. Overexpression of EMT master transcription factors can promote differentiated cells to undergo cancer reprogramming processes and acquire a stem cell-like status. METHODS The KYSE-30 and YM-1 ESCC cell lines were transduced with retroviruses expressing TWIST1 or GFP and analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and immunostaining to investigate the correlation between TWIST1 and stemness markers expression. Cells expressing TWIST1 were characterized for mRNA candidates by qRT-PCR and for protein candidates by Flow cytometry and Immunocytochemistry. TWIST1-ESCC cells were also evaluated for apoptosis and drug resistance. RESULTS Here we identify a role for TWIST1 in the establishment of ESCC cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotype, facilitating the transformation of non-CSCs to CSCs. We provide evidence that TWIST1 expression correlates with the expression of CSC markers in ESCC cell lines. ChIP assay results demonstrated that TWIST1 regulates CSC markers, including CD44, SALL4, NANOG, MEIS1, GDF3, and SOX2, through binding to the E-box sequences in their promoters. TWIST1 promoted EMT through E-cadherin downregulation and vimentin upregulation. Moreover, TWIST1 expression repressed apoptosis in ESCC cells through upregulation of Bcl-2 and downregulation of the Bax protein, and increased ABCG2 and ABCC4 transporters expression, which may lead to drug resistance. CONCLUSIONS These findings support a critical role for TWIST1 in CSC-like generation, EMT progression, and inhibition of apoptosis in ESCC. Thus, TWIST1 represents a therapeutic target for the suppression of esophageal cell transformation to CSCs and ESCC malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sima Ardalan Khales
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Dirk Geerts
- grid.5650.60000000404654431Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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2
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Mechanism of cancer stemness maintenance in human liver cancer. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:394. [PMID: 35449193 PMCID: PMC9023565 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04848-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Primary liver cancer mainly includes the following four types: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), hepatoblastoma (HB), and combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). Recent studies have indicated that there are differences in cancer stem cell (CSC) properties among different types of liver cancer. Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), also called liver tumor-initiating cells, have been viewed as drivers of tumor initiation and metastasis. Many mechanisms and factors, such as mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, epigenetic modifications, the tumor microenvironment, and tumor plasticity, are involved in the regulation of cancer stemness in liver cancer. In this review, we analyze cancer stemness in different liver cancer types. Moreover, we further evaluate the mechanism of cancer stemness maintenance of LCSCs and discuss promising treatments for eradicating LCSCs.
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Cao J, Bhatnagar S, Wang J, Qi X, Prabha S, Panyam J. Cancer stem cells and strategies for targeted drug delivery. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2021; 11:1779-1805. [PMID: 33095384 PMCID: PMC8062588 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small proportion of cancer cells with high tumorigenic activity, self-renewal ability, and multilineage differentiation potential. Standard anti-tumor therapies including conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and molecularly targeted therapies are not effective against CSCs, and often lead to enrichment of CSCs that can result in tumor relapse. Therefore, it is hypothesized that targeting CSCs is key to increasing the efficacy of cancer therapies. In this review, CSC properties including CSC markers, their role in tumor growth, invasiveness, metastasis, and drug resistance, as well as CSC microenvironment are discussed. Further, CSC-targeted strategies including the use of targeted drug delivery systems are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Shubhmita Bhatnagar
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Jiawei Wang
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Xueyong Qi
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Swayam Prabha
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Cancer Research & Molecular Biology and Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Jayanth Panyam
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- School of Pharmacy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA.
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Awasthi BP, Chaudhary P, Guragain D, Jee JG, Kim JA, Jeong BS. Synthesis and anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity of aminopyridinol-sorafenib hybrids. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 36:1884-1897. [PMID: 34340602 PMCID: PMC8344761 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.1953997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is recommended as the primary therapeutic drug for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. To discover a new compound that avoids low response rates and toxic side effects that occur in sorafenib therapy, we designed and synthesized new hybrid compounds of sorafenib and 2,4,5-trimethylpyridin-3-ols. Compound 6 was selected as the best of 24 hybrids that inhibit each of the four Raf kinases. The anti-proliferative activity of 6 in HepG2, Hep3B, and Huh7 cell lines was slightly lower than that of sorafenib. However, in H6c7 and CCD841 normal epithelial cell lines, the cytotoxicity of 6 was much lower than that of sorafenib. In addition, similar to sorafenib, compound 6 inhibited spheroid forming ability of Hep3B cells in vitro and tumour growth in a xenograft tumour model of the chick chorioallantoic membrane implanted with Huh7 cells. Compound 6 may be a promising candidate targeting hepatocellular carcinoma with low toxic side effects on normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Prakash Chaudhary
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Diwakar Guragain
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Goo Jee
- College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Ae Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong-Seon Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
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5
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Shrestha R, Bridle KR, Cao L, Crawford DHG, Jayachandran A. Dual Targeting of Sorafenib-Resistant HCC-Derived Cancer Stem Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:2150-2172. [PMID: 34208001 PMCID: PMC8293268 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28030200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sorafenib, an oral multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been the first-line therapy for the treatment of patients with advanced HCC, providing a survival benefit of only three months in approximately 30% of patients. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a rare tumour subpopulation with self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, and have been implicated in tumour growth, recurrence and drug resistance. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the generation and maintenance of the CSC population, resulting in immune evasion and therapy resistance in several cancers, including HCC. The aim of this study is to target the chemoresistant CSC population in HCC by assessing the effectiveness of a combination treatment approach with Sorafenib, an EMT inhibitor and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). A stem-cell-conditioned serum-free medium was utilised to enrich the CSC population from the human HCC cell lines Hep3B, PLC/PRF/5 and HepG2. The anchorage independent spheres were characterised for CSC features. The human HCC-derived spheres were assessed for EMT status and expression of immune checkpoint molecules. The effect of combination treatment with SB431542, an EMT inhibitor, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of programmed cell death protein ligand-1 (PD-L1) or CD73 along with Sorafenib on human HCC-derived CSCs was examined with cell viability and apoptosis assays. The three-dimensional spheres enriched from human HCC cell lines demonstrated CSC-like features. The human HCC-derived CSCs also exhibited the EMT phenotype along with the upregulation of immune checkpoint molecules. The combined treatment with SB431542 and siRNA-mediated PD-L1 or CD73 knockdown effectively enhanced the cytotoxicity of Sorafenib against the CSC population compared to Sorafenib alone, as evidenced by the reduced size and proliferation of spheres. Furthermore, the combination treatment of Sorafenib with SB431542 and PD-L1 or CD73 siRNA resulted in an increased proportion of an apoptotic population, as evidenced by flow cytometry analysis. In conclusion, the combined targeting of EMT and immune checkpoint molecules with Sorafenib can effectively target the CSC tumour subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Shrestha
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia; (R.S.); (K.R.B.); (L.C.); (D.H.G.C.)
- Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Kim R. Bridle
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia; (R.S.); (K.R.B.); (L.C.); (D.H.G.C.)
- Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Lu Cao
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia; (R.S.); (K.R.B.); (L.C.); (D.H.G.C.)
- Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Darrell H. G. Crawford
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia; (R.S.); (K.R.B.); (L.C.); (D.H.G.C.)
- Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Aparna Jayachandran
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia; (R.S.); (K.R.B.); (L.C.); (D.H.G.C.)
- Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
- Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-4-2424-8058
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Li J, Liu K, Sheng Y, Zhang Q, Chen L, Qian H, Wu H, Su C. Enrichment and identification of differentially expressed genes in hepatocellular carcinoma stem-like cells. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:299. [PMID: 33101493 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are considered to be tumor-initiating cells. To explain the initiation or progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we previously established a culture system that may enrich hepatic cancer stem-like cells (HCSCs). However, the regulatory mechanisms by which HCSCs acquire stem cell properties remain unclear. In the present study, three pairs of HCSCs and case-matched human HCC cells were analyzed by high-throughput screening, and novel biomarkers and pathways for the regulation of HCSCs were identified. The results led to the identification and stratification of 406 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 73 GO terms were found to be significantly associated with DEGs in HCSCs, and only complement and coagulation cascade pathways were identified during the development of HCSCs. By combining the results of the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses, it was revealed that 7 genes were downregulated in the complement and coagulation cascade pathways, and 7 miRNAs were predicted to target several downregulated genes involved in these pathways. The results may contribute toward hepatic cancer stem cell studies and novel drug research for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Li
- Department of Molecular Oncology, National Center for Liver Cancer, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of Biliary Tract Surgery IV, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
| | - Yuehong Sheng
- Department of Minimal Invasion Therapy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, National Center for Liver Cancer, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, National Center for Liver Cancer, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
| | - Haihua Qian
- Department of Molecular Oncology, National Center for Liver Cancer, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
| | - Hongping Wu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, National Center for Liver Cancer, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
| | - Changqing Su
- Department of Molecular Oncology, National Center for Liver Cancer, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Navy Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China
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Liu C, Peng X, Li Y, Liu S, Hou R, Zhang Y, Zuo S, Liu Z, Luo R, Li L, Fang W. Positive feedback loop of FAM83A/PI3K/AKT/c-Jun induces migration, invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 123:109780. [PMID: 31901550 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
FAM83A is part of an 8-member protein family of unknown function and is reported to be a cancer-promoting and treatment-resistance factor in several cancers. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) showed that FAM83A mRNA expression is upregulated in HCC, as are the protein expression levels in both HCC cell lines and tissues. Clinical data have demonstrated that high FAM83A expression is positively correlated with poor progression-free survival time, thus suggesting its cancer-promoting potential. Functional analyses showed that FAM83A overexpression promoted HCC cell migration and invasion in vitro and suppressed sorafenib sensitivity. Inhibiting FAM83A reversed these results. A pulmonary metastasis model further confirmed that FAM83A promoted HCC cell metastasis in vivo. Mechanistic analyses indicated that FAM83A activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, its downstream c-JUN protein, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein levels, including downregulation of E-cadherin and upregulation of Vimentin and N-cadherin. Interestingly, c-JUN induced FAM83A expression by directly binding to its promoter region and thus forming a positive-feedback loop for FAM83A/PI3K/AKT/c-JUN. In conclusion, we demonstrated that FAM83A, as a cancer-metastasis promoter, accelerates migration, invasion and metastasis by activating the PI3K/AKT/c-JUN pathway and inducing its self-expression via feedback, thus forming a FAM83A/PI3K/AKT/c-JUN positive-feedback loop to activate EMT signaling and finally promote HCC migration, invasion and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China; The First Department of Chemotherapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350004, China
| | - Xuemei Peng
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China
| | - Yonghao Li
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China
| | - Shu Liu
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China
| | - Rentao Hou
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China
| | - Yewei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550004, China
| | - Shi Zuo
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550004, China
| | - Zhan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital (People's Hospital of Hunan Province), Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, 410002, China
| | - Rongcheng Luo
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China.
| | - Libo Li
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China.
| | - Weiyi Fang
- Cancer Center, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510315, China.
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Bayat Mokhtari R, Baluch N, Morgatskaya E, Kumar S, Sparaneo A, Muscarella LA, Zhao S, Cheng HL, Das B, Yeger H. Human bronchial carcinoid tumor initiating cells are targeted by the combination of acetazolamide and sulforaphane. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:864. [PMID: 31470802 PMCID: PMC6716820 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bronchial carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors that present as typical (TC) and atypical (AC) variants, the latter being more aggressive, invasive and metastatic. Studies of tumor initiating cell (TIC) biology in bronchial carcinoids has been hindered by the lack of appropriate in-vitro and xenograft models representing the bronchial carcinoid phenotype and behavior. Methods Bronchial carcinoid cell lines (H727, TC and H720, AC) were cultured in serum-free growth factor supplemented medium to form 3D spheroids and serially passaged up to the 3rd generation permitting expansion of the TIC population as verified by expression of stemness markers, clonogenicity in-vitro and tumorigenicity in both subcutaneous and orthotopic (lung) models. Acetazolamide (AZ), sulforaphane (SFN) and the AZ + SFN combination were evaluated for targeting TIC in bronchial carcinoids. Results Data demonstrate that bronchial carcinoid cell line 3rd generation spheroid cells show increased drug resistance, clonogenicity, and tumorigenic potential compared with the parental cells, suggesting selection and expansion of a TIC fraction. Gene expression and immunolabeling studies demonstrated that the TIC expressed stemness factors Oct-4, Sox-2 and Nanog. In a lung orthotopic model bronchial carcinoid, cell line derived spheroids, and patient tumor derived 3rd generation spheroids when supported by a stroma, showed robust tumor formation. SFN and especially the AZ + SFN combination were effective in inhibiting tumor cell growth, spheroid formation and in reducing tumor formation in immunocompromised mice. Conclusions Human bronchial carcinoid tumor cells serially passaged as spheroids contain a higher fraction of TIC exhibiting a stemness phenotype. This TIC population can be effectively targeted by the combination of AZ + SFN. Our work portends clinical relevance and supports the therapeutic use of the novel AZ+ SFN combination that may target the TIC population of bronchial carcinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Bayat Mokhtari
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, 686 Bay St., Rm 15.9714, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada.
| | - Narges Baluch
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, 76 Stuart St, Kingston, ON, K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Evgeniya Morgatskaya
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Williams Science Hall 3035, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences 601 S. Saddle Creek Rd, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - Angelo Sparaneo
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, viale Cappuccini, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Lucia Anna Muscarella
- Laboratory of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, viale Cappuccini, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - Sheyun Zhao
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hai-Ling Cheng
- Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College Street, Rosebrugh Building, Room 407, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada
| | - Bikul Das
- Thoreau Laboratory for Global Health, M2D2, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Innovation Hub, 110 Canal St, Lowell, MA, 01852, USA.,KaviKrishna Laboratory, Indian Institute of Technology Complex, Guwahati, India
| | - Herman Yeger
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, 686 Bay St., Rm 15.9714, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
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9
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A Potential Antitumor Effect of Dendritic Cells Fused with Cancer Stem Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Stem Cells Int 2019; 2019:5680327. [PMID: 31065274 PMCID: PMC6466848 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5680327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
HCC stem cells were reported as posttreatment residual tumor cells that play a pivotal role in tumor relapse. Fusing dendritic cells (DCs) with tumor cells represents an ideal approach to effectively activate the antitumor immunity in vivo. DC/HCC stem cell vaccine provides a potential strategy to generate polyclonal immune response to multiple tumor stem cell antigens including those yet to be unidentified. To assess the potential capacity of DC/HCC stem cell vaccines against HCC, CD90+HepG2 cells were sorted from the HCC cell line HepG2. DC and CD90+HepG2 and DC and HepG2 fused cells were induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG). The influence of fusion cells on proliferation and immunological function transformation of lymphocytes was assessed by FCM and ELISA assay, respectively. The cytotoxicity assay of specific fusion cell-induced CTLs against HepG2 was conducted by CytoTox 96 Non-Radioactive Cytotoxicity Assay kit in vitro. At last, the prevention of HCC formation in vivo was described in a mouse model. The results of FCM analysis showed that the proportion of CD90+HepG2 cells in the spheral CD90+HepG2 enriched by suspension sphere culture was ranging from 98.7% to 99.5%, and 57.1% CD90+HepG2/DC fused cells were successfully constructed. The fusion cells expressed a higher level of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD83, CD86, and MHC-I and MHC-II molecules HLA-ABC and HLA-DR than did immature DCs (P < 0.05). And the functional analysis of fusion cell-induced CTLs also illustrated that CD90+HepG2/DC fusion cells showed a greater capacity to activate proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro (P < 0.05). The CD90+HepG2/DC-activated CTLs had a specific killing ability against CD90+HepG2 cells in vivo. These results suggested that CD90+HepG2/DC fusion cells could efficiently stimulate T lymphocytes to generate specific CTLs targeting CD90+HepG2 cells. It might be a promising strategy of immunotherapy for HCC.
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Li W, Zhang Q, Chen K, Sima Z, Liu J, Yu Q, Liu J. 2-Ethoxystypandrone, a novel small-molecule STAT3 signaling inhibitor from Polygonum cuspidatum, inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis of HCC cells and HCC Cancer stem cells. Altern Ther Health Med 2019; 19:38. [PMID: 30709346 PMCID: PMC6359800 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2440-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an oncogene constitutively activated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and HCC cancer stem cells (CSCs). Constitutively activated STAT3 plays a pivotal role in holding cancer stemness of HCC CSCs, which are essential for hepatoma initiation, relapse, metastasis and drug resistance. Therefore, STAT3 has been validated as a novel anti-cancer drug target and the strategies targeting HCC CSCs may bring new hopes to HCC therapy. This study aimed to isolate and identify small-molecule STAT3 signaling inhibitors targeting CSCs from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the roots of Polygonum cuspidatum and to evaluate their in vitro anti-cancer activities. Methods The chemical components of the EtOAc extract and the subfractions of P. cuspidatum were isolated by using various column chromatographies on silical gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were then determined on the basis of spectroscopic data including NMR, MS and IR analysis and their physicochemical properties. The inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds against STAT3 signaling were screened by a STAT3-dependent luciferase reporter gene assay. The tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 was examined by Western Blot analysis. In vitro anti-cancer effects of the STAT3 pathway inhibitor were further evaluated on cell growth of human HCC cells by a MTT assay, on self-renewal capacity of HCC CSCs by the tumorsphere formation assay, and on cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Results The EtOAc extract of the roots of P. cuspidatum was investigated and a novel juglone analogue 2-ethoxystypandrone (1) along with seven known compounds (2–8) was isolated. Among the eight isolated compounds 1–8, 2-ethoxystypandrone was a novel and potent STAT3 signaling inhibitor (IC50 = 7.75 ± 0.18 μM), and inhibited the IL-6-induced and constitutive activation of phosphorylation of STAT3 in HCC cells. Moreover, 2-ethoxystypandrone inhibited cell survival of HCC cells (IC50 = 3.69 ± 0.51 μM ~ 20.36 ± 2.90 μM), blocked the tumorspheres formation (IC50 = 2.70 ± 0.28 μM), and induced apoptosis of HCC CSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion A novel juglone analogue 2-ethoxystypandrone was identified from the EtOAc extract of the roots of P. cuspidatum and was demonstrated to be a potent small-molecule STAT3 signaling inhibitor, which strongly blocked STAT3 activation, inhibited proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis of HCC cells and HCC CSCs. 2-Ethoxystypandrone as a STAT3 signaling inhibitor might be a promising lead compound for further development into an anti-CSCs drug. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2440-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Jayachandran A, Shrestha R, Dhungel B, Huang IT, Vasconcelos MYK, Morrison BJ, Ramlogan-Steel CA, Steel JC. Murine hepatocellular carcinoma derived stem cells reveal epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity. World J Stem Cells 2017; 9:159-168. [PMID: 29026462 PMCID: PMC5620425 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v9.i9.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To establish a model to enrich and characterize stem-like cells from murine normal liver and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and to further investigate stem-like cell association with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
METHODS In this study, we utilized a stem cell conditioned serum-free medium to enrich stem-like cells from mouse HCC and normal liver cell lines, Hepa 1-6 and AML12, respectively. We isolated the 3-dimensional spheres and assessed their stemness characteristics by evaluating the RNA levels of stemness genes and a cell surface stem cell marker by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR). Next, we examined the relationship between stem cells and EMT using qRT-PCR.
RESULTS Three-dimensional spheres were enriched by culturing murine HCC and normal hepatocyte cell lines in stem cell conditioned serum-free medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and heparin sulfate. The 3-dimensional spheres had enhanced stemness markers such as Klf4 and Bmi1 and hepatic cancer stem cell (CSC) marker Cd44 compared to parental cells grown as adherent cultures. We report that epithelial markers E-cadherin and ZO-1 were downregulated, while mesenchymal markers Vimentin and Fibronectin were upregulated in 3-dimensional spheres. The 3-dimensional spheres also exhibited changes in expression of Snai, Zeb and Twist family of EMT transcription factors.
CONCLUSION Our novel method successfully enriched stem-like cells which possessed an EMT phenotype. The isolation and characterization of murine hepatic CSCs could establish a precise target for the development of more effective therapies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Jayachandran
- the University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Ritu Shrestha
- the University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Bijay Dhungel
- the University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - I-Tao Huang
- the University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Marianna Yumi Kawashima Vasconcelos
- the University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Brian J Morrison
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States
| | - Charmaine A Ramlogan-Steel
- the University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
| | - Jason C Steel
- the University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4120, Australia
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12
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Lv SQ, Ye ZL, Liu PY, Huang Y, Li LF, Liu H, Zhu HL, Jin HJ, Qian QJ. 11R-P53 and GM-CSF Expressing Oncolytic Adenovirus Target Cancer Stem Cells with Enhanced Synergistic Activity. J Cancer 2017; 8:199-206. [PMID: 28243324 PMCID: PMC5327369 DOI: 10.7150/jca.16406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting cancer stem cells with oncolytic virus (OV) holds great potential for thorough elimination of cancer cells. Based on our previous studies, we here established 11R-P53 and mGM-CSF carrying oncolytic adenovirus (OAV) SG655-mGMP and investigated its therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells Hep3B-C and teratoma stem cells ECCG5. Firstly, the augmenting effect of 11R in our construct was tested and confirmed by examining the expression of EGFP with Fluorescence and FCM assays after transfecting Hep3B-C and ECCG5 cells with OVA SG7605-EGFP and SG7605-11R-EGFP. Secondly, the expressions of 11R-P53 and GM-CSF in Hep3B-C and ECCG5 cells after transfection with OAV SG655-mGMP were detected by Western blot and Elisa assays, respectively. Thirdly, the enhanced growth inhibitory and augmented apoptosis inducing effects of OAV SG655-mGMP on Hep3B-C and ECCG5 cells were tested with FCM assays by comparing with the control, wild type 5 adenovirus, 11R-P53 carrying OVA in vitro. Lastly, the in vivo therapeutic effect of OAV SG655-mGMP toward ECCG5 cell-formed xenografts was studied by measuring tumor volumes post different treatments with PBS, OAV SG655-11R-P53, OAV SG655-mGM-CSF and OAV SG655-mGMP. Treatment with OAV SG655-mGMP induced significant xenograft growth inhibition, inflammation factor AIF1 expression and immune cells infiltration. Therefore, our OAV SG655-mGMP provides a novel platform to arm OVs to target cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Qun Lv
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhen-Long Ye
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Pin-Yi Liu
- Ningbo NO.5 Hospital (Ningbo Cancer Hospital), Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Yao Huang
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Lin-Fang Li
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Hai-Li Zhu
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Hua-Jun Jin
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Qi-Jun Qian
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Shanghai Eastern Heptobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai, 200438, China;; Ningbo NO.5 Hospital (Ningbo Cancer Hospital), Ningbo 315201, China
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13
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Long non-coding RNAs and genes contributing to the generation of cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma identified by RNA sequencing analysis. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:2619-2624. [DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.5120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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14
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Jayachandran A, Dhungel B, Steel JC. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal plasticity of cancer stem cells: therapeutic targets in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hematol Oncol 2016; 9:74. [PMID: 27578206 PMCID: PMC5006452 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-016-0307-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide despite the development of various therapeutic strategies. A better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for HCC initiation and progression is essential for the development of more effective therapies. The cancer stem cell (CSC) model has provided new insights into the development and progression of HCC. CSCs are specialized tumor cells that are capable of self-renewal and have long-term repopulation potential. As they are important mediators of tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, therapy resistance, and cancer relapse, the selective targeting of this crucial population of cells has the potential to improve HCC patient outcomes and survival. In recent years, the role of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the advancement of HCC has gained increasing attention. This multi-step reprograming process resulting in a phenotype switch from an epithelial to a mesenchymal cellular state has been closely associated with the acquisition of stem cell-like attributes in tumors. Moreover, CSC mediates tumor metastasis by maintaining plasticity to transition between epithelial or mesenchymal states. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of the reprograming switches that determine the progression through EMT and generation of CSC is essential for developing clinically relevant drug targets. This review provides an overview of the proposed roles of CSC in HCC and discusses recent results supporting the emerging role of EMT in facilitating hepatic CSC plasticity. In particular, we discuss how these important new insights may facilitate rational development of combining CSC- and EMT-targeted therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Jayachandran
- The University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bijay Dhungel
- The University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason C Steel
- The University of Queensland School of Medicine and the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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15
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Sun J, Luo Q, Liu L, Zhang B, Shi Y, Ju Y, Song G. Biomechanical profile of cancer stem-like cells derived from MHCC97H cell lines. J Biomech 2015; 49:45-52. [PMID: 26627368 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Biomechanical properties and cytoskeletal organization of cancer cells are known to be closely related with their aggressive phenotype. In this study, based on atomic force microscopy (AFM), we aimed to evaluate the mechanical property of liver cancer stem-like cells (LCSCs) and compare it with human hepatoma cells (HHCs). LCSCs were enriched from human hepatoma cell line MHCC97H through a sphere culture system. AFM nanoindentation was investigated as a method for measuring the cell stiffness, and reflecting by Young׳s modulus. Microfilament bundles of F-actin were observed with immunofluorescence staining by confocal microscopy. We found that LCSCs show lower Young׳s modulus and higher migration ability compared to MHCC97H cells. Moreover, the decrease in Young׳s modulus is accompanied with a dramatic decline in F-actin content. These results demonstrated a close relationship between the cell Young׳s modulus and metastatic potential of HHCs, which suggest that Young׳s modulus detected by AFM can be used to evaluate metastatic potential of cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People׳s Republic of China.
| | - Qing Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People׳s Republic of China.
| | - Lingling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People׳s Republic of China.
| | - Bingyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People׳s Republic of China.
| | - Yisong Shi
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People׳s Republic of China.
| | - Yang Ju
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Guanbin Song
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, People׳s Republic of China.
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16
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Ding M, Li J, Yu Y, Liu H, Yan Z, Wang J, Qian Q. Integrated analysis of miRNA, gene, and pathway regulatory networks in hepatic cancer stem cells. J Transl Med 2015; 13:259. [PMID: 26259570 PMCID: PMC4531430 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0609-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. HCC has a poor prognosis associated with tumor recurrence and drug resistance, which has been attributed to the existence of hepatic cancer stem cells (HCSCs). However, the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of HCSCs remain unclear. We therefore established a novel system to enrich HCSCs and we demonstrate that these HCSCs exhibit cancer stem cell properties. METHODS We used miRNA and mRNA high-throughput sequencing data sets to determine molecular signatures and regulatory mechanisms in HCSCs. Paired miRNA and gene deep sequencing data in HCSCs versus HCC cells were used to identify candidate biomarkers of HCSCs. Using network analysis, we studied the relationship between miRNA and gene biomarkers, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to study the function of candidate biomarkers. RESULTS We identified 9 up- and 9 down-regulated miRNAs and 115 up- and 402 down-regulated genes in HCSCs compared with HCC cells. A miRNA-gene network was constructed using 651 miRNA-gene interactions (between 7 up-regulated miRNAs and 274 down-regulated genes), and 103 miRNA-gene interactions (between 9 down-regulated miRNAs and 62 up-regulated genes). Pathway enrichment analysis identified five tumor invasion- and metastasis-related pathways and MAPK signaling associated with HCSCs. We further discovered two novel pathways that likely play a role in the regulation of HCSCs. CONCLUSIONS We identified a molecular expression signature and pathway regulatory mechanisms in HCSCs with potential diagnostic and therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ding
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiang Li
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yong Yu
- The First Department of Biliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zi Yan
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinghan Wang
- The First Department of Biliary Surgery, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qijun Qian
- Department of Viral and Gene Therapy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China.
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