Tinagl1 Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression and Metastasis by Simultaneously Inhibiting Integrin/FAK and EGFR Signaling

Implications of ZNF334 gene in lymph node metastasis of lung SCC: potential bypassing of cellular senescence

BACKGROUND

The primary goal of this work is to identify biomarkers associated with lung squamous cell carcinoma and assess their potential for early detection of lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

This study investigated gene expression in lymph node metastasis of lung squamous cell carcinoma using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas and R software. Protein-protein interaction networks, hub genes, and enriched pathways were analyzed. ZNF334 and TINAGL1, two less explored genes, were further examined through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments to validate the findings from bioinformatics analyses. The role of ZNF334 and TINAGL1 in senescence induction was assessed after H2O2 and UV induced senescence phenotype determined using β-galactosidase activity and cell cycle status assay.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 611 up- and 339 down-regulated lung squamous cell carcinoma lymph node metastasis-associated genes (FDR < 0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted the central respiratory pathway within mitochondria for the subnet genes and the nuclear DNA-directed RNA polymerases for the hub genes. Significantly down regulation of ZNF334 gene was associated with malignancy lymph node progression and senescence induction has significantly altered ZNF334 expression (with consistency in bioinformatics, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo results). Deregulation of TINAGL1 expression with inconsistency in bioinformatics, in vitro (different types of lung squamous cancer cell lines), ex vivo, and in vivo results, was also associated with malignancy lymph node progression and altered in senescence phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

ZNF334 is a highly generalizable gene to lymph node metastasis of lung squamous cell carcinoma and its expression alter certainly under senescence conditions.

PDZK1 suppresses TNBC development and sensitizes TNBC cells to erlotinib via the EGFR pathway

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted drugs (erlotinib, etc.) are used to treat multiple types of tumours. EGFR is highly expressed in most triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. However, only a small proportion of TNBC patients benefit from EGFR-targeted drugs in clinical trials, and the resistance mechanism is unclear. Here, we found that PDZ domain containing 1 (PDZK1) is downregulated in erlotinib-resistant TNBC cells, suggesting that PDZK1 downregulation is related to erlotinib resistance in TNBC. PDZK1 binds to EGFR. Through this interaction, PDZK1 promotes EGFR degradation by enhancing the binding of EGFR to c-Cbl and inhibits EGFR phosphorylation by hindering EGFR dimerisation. We also found that PDZK1 is specifically downregulated in TNBC tissues and correlated with a poor prognosis in TNBC patients. In vitro and in vivo functional assays showed that PDZK1 suppressed TNBC development. Restoration of EGFR expression or kinase inhibitor treatment reversed the degree of cell malignancy induced by PDZK1 overexpression or knockdown, respectively. PDZK1 overexpression sensitised TNBC cells to erlotinib both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, PDZK1 is a significant prognostic factor for TNBC and a potential molecular therapeutic target for reversing erlotinib resistance in TNBC cells.

Research progress on the regulatory mechanism of integrin-mediated mechanical stress in cells involved in bone metabolism

Mechanical stress is an internal force between various parts of an object that resists external factors and effects that cause an object to deform, and mechanical stress is essential for various tissues that are constantly subjected to mechanical loads to function normally. Integrins are a class of transmembrane heterodimeric glycoprotein receptors that are important target proteins for the action of mechanical stress stimuli on cells and can convert extracellular physical and mechanical signals into intracellular bioelectrical signals, thereby regulating osteogenesis and osteolysis. Integrins play a bidirectional regulatory role in bone metabolism. In this paper, relevant literature published in recent years is reviewed and summarized. The characteristics of integrins and mechanical stress are introduced, as well as the mechanisms underlying responses of integrin to mechanical stress stimulation. The paper focuses on integrin-mediated mechanical stress in different cells involved in bone metabolism and its associated signalling mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to provide a theoretical basis for the application of integrin-mediated mechanical stress to the field of bone tissue repair and regeneration.

NT5DC2 knockdown suppresses progression, glycolysis, and neuropathic pain in triple-negative breast cancer by blocking the EGFR pathway

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an exceptionally aggressive breast cancer subtype associated with neuropathic pain. This study explores the effects of 5'-nucleotidase domain-containing protein 2 (NT5DC2) on the progression of TNBC and neuropathic pain. Microarray analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes in TNBC and the pathways involved. Gain- and loss-of-function assays of NT5DC2 were performed in TNBC cells, followed by detection of the extracellular acidification rate, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, lactic acid production, glucose uptake, proliferation, migration, and invasion in TNBC cells. Macrophages were co-cultured with TNBC cells to examine the release of polarization-related factors and cytokines. A xenograft tumor model was established for in vivo validation. In addition, a mouse model of neuropathic pain was established through subepineural injection of TNBC cells, followed by measurement of the sciatic functional index and behavioral analysis to assess neuropathic pain. NT5DC2 was upregulated in TNBC and was positively correlated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). NT5DC2 interacted with EGFR to promote downstream signal transduction in TNBC cells. NT5DC2 knockdown diminished proliferation, migration, invasion, the extracellular acidification rate, ATP levels, lactic acid production, and glucose uptake in TNBC cells. Co-culture with NT5DC2-knockdown TNBC cells alleviated the M2 polarization of macrophages. Furthermore, NT5DC2 knockdown reduced tumor growth and neuropathic pain in mice. Importantly, activation of the EGFR pathway counteracted the effects of NT5DC2 knockdown. NT5DC2 knockdown protected against TNBC progression and neuropathic pain by inactivating the EGFR pathway.

A decrease in integrin α5β1/FAK is associated with increased apoptosis of aortic smooth muscle cells in acute type a aortic dissection

BACKGROUND

Acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) is a devastating disease. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) exhibit decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis, and integrin α5β1 and FAK are important proangiogenic factors involved in regulating angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of integrin α5β1 and FAK in patients with AAAD and the potential underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Aortic tissue samples were obtained from 8 patients with AAAD and 4 organ donors at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. The level of apoptosis in the aortic tissues was assessed by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. The expression of integrin α5β1 and FAK was determined. Integrin α5β1 was found to be significantly expressed in HASMCs, and its interaction with FAK was assessed via coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis. Proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays and flow cytometry after integrin α5β1 deficiency.

RESULTS

The levels of integrin α5β1 and FAK were both significantly decreased in patients with AAAD. Downregulating the expression of integrin α5β1-FAK strongly increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in HASMCs, indicating that integrin α5β1-FAK might play an important role in the development of AAAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Downregulation of integrin α5β1-FAK is associated with increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation in aortic smooth muscle cells and may be a potential therapeutic strategy for AAAD.

Antibody-Drug Conjugate αEGFR-E-P125A Reduces Triple-negative Breast Cancer Vasculogenic Mimicry, Motility, and Metastasis through Inhibition of EGFR, Integrin, and FAK/STAT3 Signaling

Primary tumor growth and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) require supporting vasculature, which develop through a combination of endothelial angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry (VM), a process associated with aggressive metastatic behavior in which vascular-like structures are lined by tumor cells. We developed αEGFR-E-P125A, an antibody-endostatin fusion protein that delivers a dimeric, mutant endostatin (E-P125A) payload that inhibits TNBC angiogenesis and VM in vitro and in vivo. To characterize the mechanisms associated with induction and inhibition of VM, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of MDA-MB-231-4175 TNBC cells grown in a monolayer (two-dimensional) was compared with cells plated on Matrigel undergoing VM [three-dimensional (3D)]. We then compared RNA-seq between TNBC cells in 3D and cells in 3D with VM inhibited by αEGFR-E-P125A (EGFR-E-P125A). Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that VM induction activated the IL6-JAK-STAT3 and angiogenesis pathways, which were downregulated by αEGFR-E-P125A treatment.Correlative analysis of the phosphoproteome demonstrated decreased EGFR phosphorylation at Y1069, along with decreased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase Y397 and STAT3 Y705 sites downstream of α5β1 integrin. Suppression of phosphorylation events downstream of EGFR and α5β1 integrin demonstrated that αEGFR-E-P125A interferes with ligand-receptor activation, inhibits VM, and overcomes oncogenic signaling associated with EGFR and α5β1 integrin cross-talk. In vivo, αEGFR-E-P125A treatment decreased primary tumor growth and VM, reduced lung metastasis, and confirmed the inhibition of signaling events observed in vitro. Simultaneous inhibition of EGFR and α5β1 integrin signaling by αEGFR-E-P125A is a promising strategy for the inhibition of VM, tumor growth, motility, and metastasis in TNBC and other EGFR-overexpressing tumors.

SIGNIFICANCE

αEGFR-E-P125A reduces VM, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis by inhibiting EGFR and α5β1 integrin signaling, and is a promising therapeutic agent for TNBC treatment, used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.

The proteome of the blood-brain barrier in rat and mouse: highly specific identification of proteins on the luminal surface of brain microvessels by in vivo glycocapture

BACKGROUND

The active transport of molecules into the brain from blood is regulated by receptors, transporters, and other cell surface proteins that are present on the luminal surface of endothelial cells at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). However, proteomic profiling of proteins present on the luminal endothelial cell surface of the BBB has proven challenging due to difficulty in labelling these proteins in a way that allows efficient purification of these relatively low abundance cell surface proteins.

METHODS

Here we describe a novel perfusion-based labelling workflow: in vivo glycocapture. This workflow relies on the oxidation of glycans present on the luminal vessel surface via perfusion of a mild oxidizing agent, followed by subsequent isolation of glycoproteins by covalent linkage of their oxidized glycans to hydrazide beads. Mass spectrometry-based identification of the isolated proteins enables high-confidence identification of endothelial cell surface proteins in rats and mice.

RESULTS

Using the developed workflow, 347 proteins were identified from the BBB in rat and 224 proteins in mouse, for a total of 395 proteins in both species combined. These proteins included many proteins with transporter activity (73 proteins), cell adhesion proteins (47 proteins), and transmembrane signal receptors (31 proteins). To identify proteins that are enriched in vessels relative to the entire brain, we established a vessel-enrichment score and showed that proteins with a high vessel-enrichment score are involved in vascular development functions, binding to integrins, and cell adhesion. Using publicly-available single-cell RNAseq data, we show that the proteins identified by in vivo glycocapture were more likely to be detected by scRNAseq in endothelial cells than in any other cell type. Furthermore, nearly 50% of the genes encoding cell-surface proteins that were detected by scRNAseq in endothelial cells were also identified by in vivo glycocapture.

CONCLUSIONS

The proteins identified by in vivo glycocapture in this work represent the most complete and specific profiling of proteins on the luminal BBB surface to date. The identified proteins reflect possible targets for the development of antibodies to improve the crossing of therapeutic proteins into the brain and will contribute to our further understanding of BBB transport mechanisms.

Proteomic landscape of primary and metastatic brain tumors for heterogeneity discovery

PURPOSE

Despite recent advancements in our understanding of driver gene mutations and heterogeneity within brain tumors, whether primary or metastatic (also known as secondary), our comprehension of proteomic changes remains inadequate. The aim of this study is to provide an informative source for brain tumor researches, and distinguish primary brain tumors and secondary brain tumors from extracranial origins based on proteomic analysis.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We assembled the most frequent brain tumors as follows: gliomas from WHO grade 2 to 4, with IDH1 mutations and wildtypes; brain metastases (BrMs) originating from lung cancer (LC), breast cancer (BC), ovarian cancer (OC), and colorectal cancer (CC). A total of 29 tissue samples were analyzed by label free quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics.

RESULTS

In total, 8165 protein groups were quantified, of which 4383 proteins were filtered at 50% valid intensity values for downstream analysis. Proteomic analysis of BrMs reveals conserved features shared among multiple origins. While proteomic heterogeneities were found for discriminating different grades of gliomas, as well as IDH1 mutant and wildtype gliomas. In addition, notable distinctions were observed at the pathway level between BrMs and gliomas. Specifically, BrMs exhibited characteristic pathways focused on proliferation and immunomodulation after colonizing the brain, whereas gliomas primarily engaged in invasion processes.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

We characterized an extensive proteomic landscape of BrMs and gliomas. These findings have promising implications for the development of targeted therapies for BrMs and gliomas.

A novel antagonist of the CCL5/CCR5 axis suppresses the tumor growth and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer by CCR5-YAP1 regulation

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer (BC) with a high mortality rate, and few effective therapeutic strategies are available. CCL5/CCR5 is an appealing immunotherapeutic target for TNBC. However, its signaling mechanism is poorly understood and its direct antagonists have not been reported. Here, we developed a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay for discovering its antagonists. Verteporfin was identified as a more selective and potent antagonist than the known CCR5 antagonist maraviroc. Without photodynamic therapy, verteporfin demonstrated significant inhibition on TNBC tumor growth through immune regulation, remarkable suppression of lung metastasis by cell-intrinsic mechanism, and a significant extension of overall survival in vivo. Mechanistically, CCR5 was found to be essential for expression of the key hippo effector YAP1. It promoted YAP1 transcription via HIF-1α and exerted further control over the migration of CD8+ T, NK, and MDSC immune cells through chemokines CXCL16 and CXCL8 which were identified from RNA-seq. Moreover, the CCR5-YAP1 axis played a vital role in promoting metastasis by modulating β-catenin and core epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factors ZEB1 and ZEB2. It is noteworthy that the regulatory relationship between CCR5 and YAP1 was observed across various BC subtypes, TNBC patients, and showed potential relevance in fifteen additional cancer types. Overall, this study introduced an easy-to-use HTS assay that streamlines the discovery of CCL5/CCR5 axis antagonists. Verteporfin was identified as a specific molecular probe of this axis with great potentials as a therapeutic agent for treating sixteen malignant diseases characterized by heightened CCR5 and YAP1 levels.

Unraveling Biomarker Signatures in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review for Targeted Approaches

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, marked by poor outcomes and dismal prognosis. Due to the absence of targetable receptors, chemotherapy still represents the main therapeutic option. Therefore, current research is now focusing on understanding the specific molecular pathways implicated in TNBC, in order to identify novel biomarker signatures and develop targeted therapies able to improve its clinical management. With the aim of identifying novel molecular features characterizing TNBC, elucidating the mechanisms by which these molecular biomarkers are implicated in the tumor development and progression, and assessing the impact on cancerous cells following their inhibition or modulation, we conducted a literature search from the earliest works to December 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, and Web Of Science. A total of 146 studies were selected. The results obtained demonstrated that TNBC is characterized by a heterogeneous molecular profile. Several biomarkers have proven not only to be characteristic of TNBC but also to serve as potential effective therapeutic targets, holding the promise of a new era of personalized treatments able to improve its prognosis. The pre-clinical findings that have emerged from our systematic review set the stage for further investigation in forthcoming clinical trials.

ZDHHC5-mediated S-palmitoylation of FAK promotes its membrane localization and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in glioma

BACKGROUND

Abnormal activation of FAK is associated with tumor development and metastasis. Through interactions with other intracellular signalling molecules, FAK influences cytoskeletal remodelling, modulation of adhesion signalling, and activation of transcription factors, promoting migration and invasion of tumor cells. However, the exact mechanism that regulates these processes remains unresolved. Herein, our findings indicate that the S-palmitoylation of FAK is crucial for both its membrane localization and activation.

METHODS

The palmitoylation of FAK in U251 and T98G cells was assessed by an acyl-PEG exchange (APE) assay and a metabolic incorporation assay. Cellular palmitoylation was inhibited using 2-bromopalmitate, and the palmitoylation status and cellular localization of FAK were determined. A metabolic incorporation assay was used to identify the potential palmitoyl acyltransferase and the palmitoylation site of FAK. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assays, colony formation assays, and Transwell assays were conducted to assess the impact of ZDHHC5 in GBM. Additionally, intracranial GBM xenografts were utilized to investigate the effects of genetically silencing ZDHHC5 on tumor growth.

RESULTS

Inhibiting FAK palmitoylation leads to its redistribution from the membrane to the cytoplasm and a decrease in its phosphorylation. Moreover, ZDHHC5, a protein-acyl-transferase (PAT), catalyzes this key modification of FAK at C456. Knockdown of ZDHHC5 abrogates the S-palmitoylation and membrane distribution of FAK and impairs cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Taken together, our research reveals the crucial role of ZDHHC5 as a PAT responsible for FAK S-palmitoylation, membrane localization, and activation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results imply that targeting the ZDHHC5/FAK axis has the potential to be a promising strategy for therapeutic interventions for glioblastoma (GBM). Video Abstract.

3D bioprinted breast tumor-stroma models for pre-clinical drug testing

The use of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has been proposed for the reproducible production of 3D disease models that can be used for high-throughput drug testing and personalized medicine. However, most such models insufficiently reproduce the features and environment of real tumors. We report the development of bioprinted in vitro 3D tumor models for breast cancer, which physically and biochemically mimic important aspects of the native tumor microenvironment, designed to study therapeutic efficacy. By combining a mix of breast decellularized extracellular matrix and methacrylated hyaluronic acid with tumor-derived cells and non-cancerous stromal cells of biological relevance to breast cancer, we show that biological signaling pathways involved in tumor progression can be replicated in a carefully designed tumor-stroma environment. Finally, we demonstrate proof-of-concept application of these models as a reproducible platform for investigating therapeutic responses to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.

Anti-tumor activity of all-trans retinoic acid in gastric-cancer: gene-networks and molecular mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Gastric-cancer is a heterogeneous type of neoplastic disease and it lacks appropriate therapeutic options. There is an urgent need for the development of innovative pharmacological strategies, particularly in consideration of the potential stratified/personalized treatment of this tumor. All-Trans Retinoic-acid (ATRA) is one of the active metabolites of vitamin-A. This natural compound is the first example of clinically approved cyto-differentiating agent, being used in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. ATRA may have significant therapeutic potential also in the context of solid tumors, including gastric-cancer. The present study provides pre-clinical evidence supporting the use of ATRA in the treatment of gastric-cancer using high-throughput approaches.

METHODS

We evaluated the anti-proliferative action of ATRA in 27 gastric-cancer cell-lines and tissue-slice cultures from 13 gastric-cancer patients. We performed RNA-sequencing studies in 13 cell-lines exposed to ATRA. We used these and the gastric-cancer RNA-sequencing data of the TCGA/CCLE datasets to conduct multiple computational analyses.

RESULTS

Profiling of our large panel of gastric-cancer cell-lines for their quantitative response to the anti-proliferative effects of ATRA indicate that approximately half of the cell-lines are characterized by sensitivity to the retinoid. The constitutive transcriptomic profiles of these cell-lines permitted the construction of a model consisting of 42 genes, whose expression correlates with ATRA-sensitivity.  The model predicts that 45% of the TCGA gastric-cancers are sensitive to ATRA. RNA-sequencing studies performed in retinoid-treated gastric-cancer cell-lines provide insights into the gene-networks underlying ATRA anti-tumor activity. In addition, our data demonstrate that ATRA exerts significant immune-modulatory effects, which seem to be largely controlled by IRF1 up-regulation. Finally, we provide evidence of a feed-back loop between IRF1 and DHRS3, another gene which is up-regulated by ATRA.

CONCLUSIONS

ATRA is endowed with significant therapeutic potential in the stratified/personalized treatment gastric-cancer. Our data represent the fundaments for the design of clinical trials focusing on the use of ATRA in the personalized treatment of this heterogeneous tumor. Our gene-expression model will permit the development of a predictive tool for the selection of ATRA-sensitive gastric-cancer patients. The immune-regulatory responses activated by ATRA suggest that the retinoid and immune-checkpoint inhibitors constitute rational combinations for the management of gastric-cancer.

C1632 inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth and migration by inhibiting LIN28 B/let-7/FAK signaling pathway and FAK phosphorylation

The highly conserved RNA-binding protein LIN28B and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are significantly upregulated in ovarian cancer (OC), serving as markers for disease progression and prognosis. Nonetheless, the correlation between LIN28B and FAK, as well as the pharmacological effects of the LIN28 inhibitor C1632, in OC cells have not been elucidated. The present study demonstrates that C1632 significantly reduced the rate of DNA replication, arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, consequently reducing cell viability, and impeding clone formation. Moreover, treatment with C1632 decreased cell-matrix adhesion, as well as inhibited cell migration and invasion. Further mechanistic studies revealed that C1632 inhibited the OC cell proliferation and migration by concurrently inhibiting LIN28 B/let-7/FAK signaling pathway and FAK phosphorylation. Furthermore, C1632 exhibited an obvious inhibitory effect on OC cell xenograft tumors in mice. Altogether, these findings identified that LIN28 B/let-7/FAK is a valuable target in OC and C1632 is a promising onco-therapeutic agent for OC treatment.

Structural analysis of peptide binding to integrins for cancer detection and treatment

Integrins are cell receptors involved in several metabolic pathways often associated with cell proliferation. Some of these integrins are downregulated during human physical development, but when these integrins are overexpressed in adult humans, they can be associated with several diseases, such as cancer. Molecules that specifically bind to these integrins are useful for cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. This review focuses on the structures of integrin-peptidic ligand complexes to dissect how the binding occurs and the molecular basis of the specificity and affinity of these peptidic ligands. Understanding these interactions at the molecular level is fundamental to be able to design new peptides that are more specific and more sensitive to a particular integrin. The integrin complexes covered in this review are α5β1, αIIbβ3, αvβ3, αvβ6, and αvβ8, because the molecular structures of the complex have been experimentally determined and their presence on tumor cancer cells are associated with a poor prognosis, making them targets for cancer detection and treatment.

Targeting integrin α5β1 in urological tumors: opportunities and challenges

Urological tumors, such as prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer, have shown a significant rise in prevalence in recent years and account for a significant proportion of malignant tumors. It has been established that metastasis to distant organs caused by urological tumors is the main cause of death, although the mechanisms underlying metastasis have not been fully elucidated. The fibronectin receptor integrin α5β1 reportedly plays an important role in distant metastasis and is closely related to tumor development. It is widely thought to be an important cancer mediator by interacting with different ligands, mediating tumor adhesion, invasion, and migration, and leading to immune escape. In this paper, we expound on the relationship and regulatory mechanisms of integrin α5β1 in these three cancers. In addition, the clinical applications of integrin α5β1 in these cancers, especially against treatment resistance, are discussed. Last but not least, the possibility of integrin α5β1 as a potential target for treatment is examined, with new ideas for future research being proposed.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 is a novel matricellular protein that promotes gastric bacterial colonization and gastritis in the setting of Helicobacter pylori infection

The interaction between the gastric epithelium and immune cells plays key roles in H. pylori-associated pathology. Here, we demonstrate a procolonization and proinflammatory role of tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 (TINAGL1), a newly discovered matricellular protein, in H. pylori infection. Increased TINAGL1 production by gastric epithelial cells (GECs) in the infected gastric mucosa was synergistically induced by H. pylori and IL-1β via the ERK-SP1 pathway in a cagA-dependent manner. Elevated human gastric TINAGL1 correlated with H. pylori colonization and the severity of gastritis, and mouse TINAGL1 derived from non-bone marrow-derived cells promoted bacterial colonization and inflammation. Importantly, H. pylori colonization and inflammation were attenuated in Tinagl1^-/- and Tinagl1^ΔGEC mice and were increased in mice injected with mouse TINAGL1. Mechanistically, TINAGL1 suppressed CCL21 expression and promoted CCL2 production in GECs by directly binding to integrin α5β1 to inhibit ERK and activate the NF-κB pathway, respectively, which not only led to decreased gastric influx of moDCs via CCL21-CCR7-dependent migration and, as a direct consequence, reduced the bacterial clearance capacity of the H. pylori-specific Th1 response, thereby promoting H. pylori colonization, but also resulted in increased gastric influx of Ly6C^high monocytes via CCL2-CCR2-dependent migration. In turn, TINAGL1 induced the production of the proinflammatory protein S100A11 by Ly6C^high monocytes, promoting H. pylori-associated gastritis. In summary, we identified a model in which TINAGL1 collectively ensures H. pylori persistence and promotes gastritis.

N6-methyladenosine modification of CENPF mRNA facilitates gastric cancer metastasis via regulating FAK nuclear export

BACKGROUND

N6-methyladenosine (m⁶ A) modification is the most common modification that occurs in eukaryotes. Although substantial effort has been made in the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer (GC) in recent years, the prognosis of GC patients remains unsatisfactory. The regulatory mechanism between m⁶ A modification and GC development needs to be elucidated. In this study, we examined m⁶ A modification and the downstream mechanism in GC.

METHODS

Dot blotting assays, The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to measure the m⁶ A levels in GC tissues. Methylated RNA-immunoprecipitation sequencing and RNA sequencing were performed to identify the targets of m⁶ A modification. Western blotting, Transwell, wound healing, and angiogenesis assays were conducted to examine the role of centromere protein F (CENPF) in GC in vitro. Xenograft, immunohistochemistry, and in vivo metastasis experiments were conducted to examine the role of CENPF in GC in vivo. Methylated RNA-immunoprecipitation-qPCR, RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR and RNA pulldown assays were used to verify the m⁶ A modification sites of CENPF. Gain/loss-of-function and rescue experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between CENPF and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in GC cells. Coimmunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays were performed to explore the proteins that interact with CENPF and elucidate the regulatory mechanisms between them.

RESULTS

CENPF was upregulated in GC and facilitated the metastasis of GC both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, increased m⁶ A modification of CENPF was mediated by methyltransferase 3, and this modified molecule could be recognized by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (HNRNPA2B1), thereby promoting its mRNA stability. In addition, the metastatic phenotype of CENPF was dependent on the MAPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, CENPF could bind to FAK and promote its localization in the cytoplasm. Moreover, we discovered that high expression of CENPF was related to lymphatic invasion and overall survival in GC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed that increased m⁶ A modification of CENPF facilitates the metastasis and angiogenesis of GC through the CENPF/FAK/MAPK and epithelial-mesenchymal transition axis. CENPF expression was correlated with the clinical features of GC patients; therefore, CENPF may serve as a prognostic marker of GC.

PLA2R1 Inhibits Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Proliferation and Migration via the FN1-Mediated ITGB1/FAK Axis

PLA2R1 is a novel gene that is aberrantly expressed in a variety of malignancies. However, the role and mechanism of PLA2R1 in thyroid cancer has not been elucidated. We aimed to uncover the underlying mechanism of PLA2R1 in thyroid cancer. We collected 115 clinical specimens, including 54 tumor tissues and 61 para-cancerous tissues, who underwent surgical treatment at Shanghai Tenth Hospital. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate PLA2R1 expression in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) tissues. The thyroid cancer cell lines 8505c and FTC133 transfected with PLA2R1 overexpression or knockdown plasmids were used for CCK8 assays and a wound healing assay. Next, we conducted coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments and western blotting to explore the underlying mechanism of PLA2R1 in regulating the growth of thyroid cancer. We discovered that the expression of PLA2R1 was lower in the tumor tissues than in para-cancerous tissues (χ² = 37.0, p < 0.01). The overexpression of PLA2R1 significantly suppressed thyroid cancer cell proliferation and migration, and both of these effects were partially attenuated by the knockdown of PLA2R1. Furthermore, the in vivo growth of DTC could be alleviated by the knockdown of PLA2R1. The mechanistic study revealed that PLA2R1 competed with FN1 for binding to ITGB1, inhibiting the FAK axis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). We speculate that PLA2R1 might be a promising marker and a novel therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.

The effectiveness of blood-activating and stasis-transforming traditional Chinese medicines (BAST) in lung cancer progression-a comprehensive review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Blood-activating and stasis-transforming traditional Chinese medicines (BAST) are a class of herbs that have the effect of dilating blood vessels and dispersing stagnation. Modern pharmaceutical research has demonstrated that they are capable of improving hemodynamics and micro-flow, resist thrombosis and promote blood flow. BAST contain numerous active ingredients, which can theoretically regulate multiple targets at the same time and have a wide range of pharmacological effects in the treatment of diseases including human cancers. Clinically, BAST have minimal side effects and can be used in combination with Western medicine to improve patients' quality of life, lessen adverse effects and minimize the risk of recurrence and metastasis of cancers.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

We aimed to summarize the research progression of BAST on lung cancer in the past five years and present a prospect for the future. Particularly, this review further analyzes the effects and molecular mechanisms that BAST inhibit the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant studies about BSAT were collected from PubMed and Web of science.

RESULTS

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the highest mortality rate. Most patients with lung cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage and are highly susceptible to metastasis. Recent studies have shown that BAST, a class of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the function of opening veins and dispersing blood stasis, significantly improve hemodynamics and microcirculation, prevent thrombosis and promote blood flow, and thereby inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer. In the current review, we analyzed 51 active ingredients extracted from BAST. It was found that BAST and their active ingredients contribute to the prevention of invasion and metastasis of lung cancer through multiple mechanisms, such as regulation of EMT process, specific signaling pathway and metastasis-related genes, tumor blood vessel formation, immune microenvironment and inflammatory response of tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

BSAT and its active ingredients have showed promising anticancer activity and significantly inhibit the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer. A growing number of studies have realized their potential clinical significance in the therapy of lung cancer, which will provide substantial evidences for the development of new TCM for lung cancer therapy.

NIR-II light evokes DNA cross-linking for chemotherapy and immunogenic cell death

As a DNA damaging agent, oxaliplatin (OXA) can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumors to activate the immune system. However, the DNA damage induced by OXA is limited and the ICD effect is not strong enough to enhance anti-tumor efficacy. Here, we propose a strategy to maximize the ICD effect of OXA through the mild hyperthermia generated by nanoparticles with a platinum (IV) prodrug of OXA (Pt(IV)-C16) and a near-infrared-II (NIR-II) photothermal agent IR1061 upon the irradiation of NIR-II light. The mild hyperthermia (43 °C) holds advantages in two aspects: 1) increase the Pt-DNA cross-linking, leading to enhanced DNA damage and apoptosis; 2) induce stronger ICD effects for cancer immunotherapy. We demonstrated that, compared with OXA and photothermal therapy of IR1061 alone, these nanoparticles under NIR-II light irradiation can significantly improve the anti-cancer efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer 4T1 tumor. This new strategy provides an effective way to improve the therapeutic outcome of OXA. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: OXA could induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) via stimulating immune responses by increasing tumor cell stress and death, which triggers tumor-specific immune responses to achieve immunotherapy. However, due to the insufficient Pt-DNA crosslinks, the ICD effect triggered by OXA cannot induce robust immune response. Mild hyperthermia has great potential to maximize the therapeutic outcome of oxaliplatin by increasing the Pt-DNA cross-linking to augment the immunoresponse for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.

Cell-type profiling of the sympathetic nervous system using spatial transcriptomics and spatial mapping of mRNA

BACKGROUND

The molecular identification of neural progenitor cell populations that connect to establish the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) remains unclear. This is due to technical limitations in the acquisition and spatial mapping of molecular information to tissue architecture.

RESULTS

To address this, we applied Slide-seq spatial transcriptomics to intact fresh frozen chick trunk tissue transversely cryo-sectioned at the developmental stage prior to SNS formation. In parallel, we performed age- and location-matched single cell (sc) RNA-seq and 10× Genomics Visium to inform our analysis. Downstream bioinformatic analyses led to the unique molecular identification of neural progenitor cells within the peripheral sympathetic ganglia (SG) and spinal cord preganglionic neurons (PGNs). We then successfully applied the HiPlex RNAscope fluorescence in situ hybridization and multispectral confocal microscopy to visualize 12 gene targets in stage-, age- and location-matched chick trunk tissue sections.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these data demonstrate a robust strategy to acquire and integrate single cell and spatial transcriptomic information, resulting in improved resolution of molecular heterogeneities in complex neural tissue architectures. Successful application of this strategy to the developing SNS provides a roadmap for functional studies of neural connectivity and platform to address complex questions in neural development and regeneration.

Plasma anthocyanins and their metabolites reduce in vitro migration of pancreatic cancer cells, PANC-1, in a FAK- and NF-kB dependent manner: Results from the ATTACH-study a randomized, controlled, crossover trial in healthy subjects

Pancreatic cancer is primarily considered to be a metastatic disease with a low 5-year survival rate. We aimed to detect if plasma-isolated anthocyanins and their metabolites (PAMs) modulate pancreatic cancer cells migration and to describe molecular targets of PAMs in this process. Plasma metabolites were isolated by solid-phase extraction before and after a 28-days intervention trial involving 35 healthy subjects comparing effects of a daily anthocyanin-rich juice intake vs. placebo. Plasma extracts were used for migration and mechanistic in vitro studies as well as for metabolomic analysis. Pancreatic PANC-1 and AsPC-1 were used for migration studies in a Boyden chamber co-cultured with endothelial cells. Expression of adhesion molecules on cancer and endothelial cells were determined by flow cytometry and NF-kB (nuclear factor-kappa B) p65 and focal adhesion kinase activation were measured by immunoassays. UHPLC-MS/MS metabolomics was done in plasma and urine samples. Plasma extracts isolated after the intake of the anthocyanin-rich juice significantly reduced PANC-1 migration, but not AsPC-1 migration. In PANC-1, and to a lower extent in endothelial cells, plasma extracts after juice intake decreased the expression of ß1- and ß4-integrins and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Pooled plasma from volunteers with the highest inhibition of PANC-1 migration (n = 10) induced a reduction of NF-kB-p65 and FAK-phosphorylation in cancer and in endothelial cells. Concerning metabolites, 14 were significantly altered by juice intervention and PANC-1 migration was inversely associated with the increase of o-coumaric acid and peonidin-3-galactoside. PAMs were associated with lower PANC-1 cell migration opening new strategies for metastatic pancreatic cancer treatment.

Tanshinone IIA Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells MDA-MB-231 via G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor- (GPER-) Dependent Signaling Pathway

Due to the lack of classic estrogen receptors, there has been a shortage of targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), resulting in a poor prognosis. However, the newly discovered G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) has been found to be expressed in TNBC cells. Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) is an essential Chinese medicine for gynecological disorders, and its component tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) exerts an anticancer effect. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate whether GPER is involved in the inhibitory effect of Tan IIA on TNBC. We applied various databases and GO pathway analysis to predict the possible mechanism of Tan IIA. We identified 39 overlapping targets, including c-Jun, c-Fos, and caspase-3, and enriched cell cycle-related pathways. Next, we demonstrated the strong binding ability of Tan IIA to GPER by molecular docking assay. In the subsequent validation tests, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay showed that Tan IIA inhibited proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells time and dose dependently without affecting normal cells. Using Transwell plate, flow cytometry, and Western blot assays, we showed that Tan IIA inhibited migration and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 dose dependently. Importantly, protein expressions of GPER, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), c-Fos, and c-Jun were all decreased by Tan IIA dose dependently. Administration of GPER inhibitor partly abolished these effects. Furthermore, nuclear translocation of c-Fos and c-Jun as well as cell cycle-related proteins was downregulated by Tan IIA dose dependently. In summary, Tan IIA could inhibit the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells and induce apoptosis, and the possible mechanism may be the regulation of GPER-mediated pathways, suggesting that GPER could be a therapeutic target for TNBC.

HMGN5 Escorts Oncogenic STAT3 Signaling by Regulating the Chromatin Landscape in Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis

Cancer progression is highly dependent on the ability of cancer cell tumor formation, in which epigenetic modulation plays an essential role. However, the epigenetic factors promoting breast tumor formation are less known. Screened from three-dimensional (3D)-sphere tumor formation model, HMGN5 that regulates chromatin structures became the candidate therapeutic target in breast cancer, though its role is obscure. HMGN5 is highly expressed in 3D-spheres of breast cancer cells and clinical tumors, also an unfavorable prognostic marker in patients. Furthermore, HMGN5 controls tumor formation and metastasis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HMGN5 is governed by active STAT3 transcriptionally and further escorts STAT3 to shape the oncogenic chromatin landscape and transcriptional program. More importantly, interference of HMGN5 by nanovehicle-packaged siRNA effectively inhibits tumor growth in breast cancer cell-derived xenograft mice model.

IMPLICATIONS

Our findings reveal a novel feed-forward circuit between HMGN5 and STAT3 in promoting breast cancer tumorigenesis and suggest HMGN5 as a novel epigenetic therapeutic target in STAT3-hyperactive breast cancer.

Prodrug nanoparticles potentiate tumor chemo-immunometabolic therapy by disturbing oxidative stress

Constant oxidative stress and lactate accumulation are two main causes of tumor immunosuppression, their concurrent reduction plays a dominant role in effective antitumor immunity, but remains challenging. Herein, reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive prodrug nanoparticles (designed as DHCRJ) are constructed for metabolic amplified chemo-immunotherapy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by modulating oxidative state and hyperglycolysis. Specifically, DHCRJ is prepared by the self-assembly of DOX prodrug-tethered ROS consuming bond-bridged copolymers with the loading of bromodomain-containing protein 4 inhibitor (BRD4i) JQ1. Interestingly, the nanoparticle polymer network could reduce ROS to relieve tumor hypoxia and realize the dense-to-loose structure inversion arising from ROS-triggered network collapse, which favors JQ1 release and hyaluronidase (Hyal)-activatable DOX prodrugs generation. More importantly, disruption of oxidative stress decreases glucose uptake and assists JQ1 to down-regulate oncogene c-Myc driven tumor glycolysis for blocking the source of lactate and reshaping immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME). Meanwhile, benefiting from the synergistic effect of DOX prodrugs and JQ1, DHCRJ is able to facilitate tumor immunogenicity and potentiate systemic immune responses through antigen processing and presentation pathway. In this manner, DHCRJ significantly suppresses tumor growth and metastasis with prolonged survival. Collectively, this study represents a proof of concept antioxidant-enhanced chemo-immunometabolic therapy strategy using ROS-reducing nanoparticles for efficient synergistic therapeutic modality of TNBC.

Low TINAGL1 expression is a marker for poor prognosis in breast cancer

PURPOSE

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1 (TINAGL1) was reported to suppress tumor metastasis and growth in triple-negative (TN) breast cancer. We aimed to determine the associations of TINAGL1 expression with clinicopathological factors and prognosis in breast cancer patients with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

A total of 599 consecutive primary invasive breast cancer patients with available tissue specimens from surgery in our hospital were included in the study. TINAGL1 mRNA expression was examined in all 599 tissue specimens using a TaqMan real-time PCR system. TINAGL1 protein expression was further examined in 299 patients with available tissue specimens for immunohistochemical staining. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 12.0 years. In the total patients, low TINAGL1 mRNA expression was associated with significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival than high expression (P = 0.003 and P = 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer patients with low TINAGL1 mRNA expression had a worse prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified low TINAGL1 mRNA expression, combined with lymph node positivity, as an independent poor prognostic factor for DFS in invasive breast cancer patients (HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02-1.96; P = 0.036). TINAGL1 mRNA expression also varied with menopausal status, with low TINAGL1 mRNA expression being positively associated with poor prognosis in premenopausal patients, but not in postmenopausal patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that TINAGL1 may be a promising candidate biomarker and therapeutic target in breast cancer patients.

Chitosan Oligosaccharide Prevents Afatinib-Induced Barrier Disruption and Chloride Secretion through Modulation of AMPK, PI3K/AKT, and ERK Signaling in T84 Cells

Diarrhea is an important adverse effect of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, especially afatinib. Novel antidiarrheal agents are needed to reduce epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor-associated diarrhea to improve the quality of life and treatment outcome in cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the anti-diarrheal activity of chitosan oligosaccharide against afatinib-induced barrier disruption and chloride secretion in human intestinal epithelial cells (T84 cells). Chitosan oligosaccharide (100 μg/mL) prevented afatinib-induced barrier disruption determined by changes in transepithelial electrical resistance and FITC-dextran flux in the T84 cell monolayers. In addition, chitosan oligosaccharide prevented afatinib-induced potentiation of cAMP-induced chloride secretion measured by short-circuit current analyses in the T84 cell monolayers. Chitosan oligosaccharide induced the activation of AMPK, a positive regulator of epithelial tight junction and a negative regulator of cAMP-induced chloride secretion. Moreover, chitosan oligosaccharide partially reversed afatinib-induced AKT inhibition without affecting afatinib-induced ERK inhibition via AMPK-independent mechanisms. Collectively, this study reveals that chitosan oligosaccharide prevents the afatinib-induced diarrheal activities in T84 cells via both AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms. Chitosan oligosaccharide represents a promising natural polymer-derived compound for further development of treatment for afatinib-associated diarrheas.

CD146 interaction with integrin β1 activates LATS1-YAP signaling and induces radiation-resistance in breast cancer cells

Radiotherapy is an indispensable modality in comprehensive treatment of breast cancer. However, inherent or acquired radiation resistance of tumors compromises the efficacy of radiotherapy. Herein, we found that CD146, a unique epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inducer particularly highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), is dramatically induced by ionizing irradiation. Further study demonstrates that CD146 promotes tumor cell radioresistance in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, we report the underlying mechanism that CD146 activates YAP protein, and drives its relocation from plasma to nucleus by regulating LATS1, and promoting abnormal DNA damage repair, as well as inducing EMT and stemness. Moreover, CD146 can form a novel co-receptor complex with integrin β1 and induces radiation-resistance in breast cancer. Dual inhibition of CD146 and integrin β1 activity had a stronger inhibitory effect on breast cancer tumor growth and synergistically increased their sensitivity to radiotherapy. This study identifies a unique function of CD146 implicates with integrin β1 and YAP signaling, contributing to radiation resistance. Targeted therapy against CD146 or inhibition of integrin β1 is a potential strategy to overcome radiotherapeutic resistance of breast cancer.

Transformable ECM Deprivation System Effectively Suppresses Renal Cell Carcinoma by Reversing Anoikis Resistance and Increasing Chemotherapy Sensitivity

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial in various biological functions during tumor progression, including induction of anoikis resistance and cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Fibronectin (FN) is a vital ECM component with direct regulatory effects on ECM-mediated anoikis resistance and CAM-DR, making it an attractive and innovative therapeutic target for depriving ECM in tumor tissue. Herein, an ECM deprivation system (EDS) is developed based on FN targeting self-assembly peptide for constructing nanofibers in the ECM of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which contributes to: i) targeting and recognizing FN to form nanofibers for long-term retention in ECM, ii) reversing anoikis resistance via arresting the FN signaling pathway, and iii) serving as a drug-loading platform for sensitizing chemotherapy by ameliorating CAM-DR. The results reveal that EDS significantly reverses anoikis resistance of RCC cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of FAK, a positive regulator of the FN signaling pathway. Meanwhile, EDS serves as a chemotherapy-sensitizer of cancer, exerting significant synergistic effects with doxorubicin (DOX). In vivo validation experiments show that EDS effectively suppresses metastasis and tumor growth with chemotherapy resistance. Collectively, the innovative EDS notably inhibits the tumor-promoting effect of ECM and may provide a novel approach for suppressing ECM and enhancing chemo-drug sensitivity.

Functional analysis reveals that Tinagl1 is required for normal muscle development in mice through the activation of ERK signaling

Tinagl1 (tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen-like 1) is a matricellular protein involved in female infertility and breast cancer tumorigenesis. In this study, we analyzed the function of Tinagl1 in skeletal muscle using knockout mice and cell experiments. Although primary myoblasts isolated from Tinagl1-decifient (Tinagl1^-/-) mice differentiated into normal myotubes, and treatment with recombinant Tinagl1 did not affect the proliferation or differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts, Tinagl1^-/- mice exhibited reduced body mass and calf muscle weights compared to the control group (Tinagl1^flox/flox). Furthermore, Tinagl1^-/- mice showed myofibers with centrally located nuclei, which is a morphological marker of regenerating muscle or myopathy. In addition, the capillary density in the soleus muscle of Tinagl1^-/- mice showed a decreasing trend compared to that of the control group. Importantly, si-RNA-mediated knockdown of TINAGL1 resulted in reduced tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), whereas treatment with Tinagl1 promoted tube formation. Immunoblot analysis revealed that Tinagl1 activates ERK signaling in both HUVECs and C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes, which are involved in the regulation of myogenic differentiation, proliferation, metabolism, and angiogenesis. Our results demonstrate that Tinagl1 may be required for normal muscle and capillary development through the activation of ERK signaling.

DDX39B drives colorectal cancer progression by promoting the stability and nuclear translocation of PKM2

Metastasis is a major cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality, but its molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here, we show that upregulated DDX39B correlates with liver metastases and aggressive phenotypes in CRC. DDX39B is an independent prognostic factor associated with poor clinical outcome in CRC patients. We demonstrate that Sp1 potently activates DDX39B transcription by directly binding to the GC box of the DDX39B promoter in CRC cells. DDX39B overexpression augments the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells, while the opposite results are obtained in DDX39B-deficient CRC cells. Mechanistically, DDX39B interacts directly with and stabilizes PKM2 by competitively suppressing STUB1-mediated PKM2 ubiquitination and degradation. Importantly, DDX39B recruits importin α5 to accelerate the nuclear translocation of PKM2 independent of ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of PKM2, leading to the transactivation of oncogenes and glycolysis-related genes. Consequently, DDX39B enhances glucose uptake and lactate production to activate Warburg effect in CRC. We identify that Arg319 of DDX39B is required for PKM2 binding as well as PKM2 nuclear accumulation and for DDX39B to promote CRC growth and metastasis. In addition, blocking PKM2 nuclear translocation or treatment with glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose efficiently abolishes DDX39B-triggered malignant development in CRC. Taken together, our findings uncover a key role for DDX39B in modulating glycolytic reprogramming and aggressive progression, and implicate DDX39B as a potential therapeutic target in CRC.

Tumor-polarized GPX3+ AT2 lung epithelial cells promote premetastatic niche formation

The cellular and molecular components required for the formation of premetastatic niche (PMN) to promote lung metastasis need to be further investigated. Lung epithelial cells have been reported to exhibit immunomodulatory roles in lung homeostasis and also to mediate immunosuppressive PMN formation in lung metastasis. Here, by single-cell sequencing, we identified a tumor-polarized subpopulation of alveolar type 2 (AT2) epithelial cells with increased expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) and high production of interleukin (IL)-10 in the PMN. IL-10-producing GPX3⁺ AT2 cells inhibited CD4⁺ T cell proliferation but enhanced regulatory T cell generation. Mechanistically, tumor exosome-inducing GPX3 expression is required for GPX3⁺ AT2 cells to preferentially produce IL-10 by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) and promoting HIF-1α-induced IL-10 production. Accordingly, conditional knockout of GPX3 in AT2 cells suppressed lung metastasis in spontaneous metastatic models. Together, our findings reveal a role of tumor-polarized GPX3⁺ AT2 cells in promoting lung PMN formation, adding insights into immune evasion in lung metastasis and providing potential targets for the intervention of tumor metastasis.

Temporal profiling of the breast tumour microenvironment reveals collagen XII as a driver of metastasis

The tumour stroma, and in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM), is a salient feature of solid tumours that plays a crucial role in shaping their progression. Many desmoplastic tumours including breast cancer involve the significant accumulation of type I collagen. However, recently it has become clear that the precise distribution and organisation of matrix molecules such as collagen I is equally as important in the tumour as their abundance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) coexist within breast cancer tissues and play both pro- and anti-tumourigenic roles through remodelling the ECM. Here, using temporal proteomic profiling of decellularized tumours, we interrogate the evolving matrisome during breast cancer progression. We identify 4 key matrisomal clusters, and pinpoint collagen type XII as a critical component that regulates collagen type I organisation. Through combining our proteomics with single-cell transcriptomics, and genetic manipulation models, we show how CAF-secreted collagen XII alters collagen I organisation to create a pro-invasive microenvironment supporting metastatic dissemination. Finally, we show in patient cohorts that collagen XII may represent an indicator of breast cancer patients at high risk of metastatic relapse.

The distribution and organisation of matrix molecules in the tumour stroma help shape solid tumour progression. Here they perform temporal proteomic profiling of the matrisome during breast cancer progression and show that collagen XII secreted from CAFs provides a pro-invasive microenvironment.

A multiomics disease progression signature of low-risk ccRCC

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common renal cancer. Identification of ccRCC likely to progress, despite an apparent low risk at the time of surgery, represents a key clinical issue. From a cohort of adult ccRCC patients (n = 443), we selected low-risk tumors progressing within a 5-years average follow-up (progressors: P, n = 8) and non-progressing (NP) tumors (n = 16). Transcriptome sequencing, miRNA sequencing and proteomics were performed on tissues obtained at surgery. We identified 151 proteins, 1167 mRNAs and 63 miRNAs differentially expressed in P compared to NP low-risk tumors. Pathway analysis demonstrated overrepresentation of proteins related to “LXR/RXR and FXR/RXR Activation”, “Acute Phase Response Signaling” in NP compared to P samples. Integrating mRNA, miRNA and proteomic data, we developed a 10-component classifier including two proteins, three genes and five miRNAs, effectively differentiating P and NP ccRCC and capturing underlying biological differences, potentially useful to identify “low-risk” patients requiring closer surveillance and treatment adjustments. Key results were validated by immunohistochemistry, qPCR and data from publicly available databases. Our work suggests that LXR, FXR and macrophage activation pathways could be critically involved in the inhibition of the progression of low-risk ccRCC. Furthermore, a 10-component classifier could support an early identification of apparently low-risk ccRCC patients.

Focal Adhesion Kinase Provides a Collateral Vulnerability That Can Be Leveraged to Improve mTORC1 Inhibitor Efficacy

The PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 pathway is a major therapeutic target for many cancers, particularly breast cancer. Everolimus is an mTORC1 inhibitor used in metastatic estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer. However, mTORC1 inhibitors have limited efficacy in other breast cancer subtypes. We sought to discover collateral sensitivities to mTORC1 inhibition that could be exploited to improve therapeutic response. Using a mouse model of breast cancer that is intrinsically resistant to mTORC1 inhibition, we found that rapamycin alters the expression of numerous extracellular matrix genes, suggesting a potential role for integrins/FAK in controlling mTORC1-inhibitor efficacy. FAK activation was also inversely correlated with rapamycin response in breast cancer cell lines. Supporting its potential utility in patients, FAK activation was observed in >50% of human breast cancers. While blocking FAK in mouse models of breast cancer that are highly responsive to rapamycin had no impact on tumor growth, FAK inhibition sensitized rapamycin-resistant tumors to mTORC1 inhibition. These data reveal an innate dependency on FAK when mTORC1 signaling is lost in tumors that are resistant to mTORC1 inhibitors. They also suggest a precision medicine approach to improving mTORC1 inhibitor efficacy in resistant cancers by suppressing FAK signaling.

EXOC4 Promotes Diffuse-Type Gastric Cancer Metastasis via Activating FAK Signal

In comparison with intestinal-type gastric cancer, diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) is more likely to recur, metastasize, and exhibit worse clinical outcomes; however, the underlying mechanism of DGC recurrence remains elusive. By employing an LC/MS-MS proteomic approach, we identified that exocyst complex component 4 (EXOC4) was significantly upregulated in DGC with recurrence, compared to those with nonrecurrence. High expression of EXOC4 was correlated with tumor metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with DGC. Moreover, EXOC4 promoted cell migration and invasion as well as the tumor metastasis of DGC cells. Mechanistically, EXOC4 regulated the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) at Y397 sites by stimulating the secretion of integrin α5/β1/EGF and enhancing the interaction of FAK and integrin or EGFR. The FAK inhibitor VS-4718 reversed the metastasis mediated by EXOC4 overexpression and suppressed the tumor growth of patient-derived xenografts derived from DGC with high EXOC4 expression. The EXOC4-FAK axis could be a potential therapeutic target for patients with DGC with high expression of EXOC4.

IMPLICATIONS

The EXOC4-FAK axis promoted DGC metastasis and could be a potential therapeutic target for patients with DGC.

ALTEN: A High-Fidelity Primary Tissue-Engineering Platform to Assess Cellular Responses Ex Vivo

To fully investigate cellular responses to stimuli and perturbations within tissues, it is essential to replicate the complex molecular interactions within the local microenvironment of cellular niches. Here, the authors introduce Alginate-based tissue engineering (ALTEN), a biomimetic tissue platform that allows ex vivo analysis of explanted tissue biopsies. This method preserves the original characteristics of the source tissue's cellular milieu, allowing multiple and diverse cell types to be maintained over an extended period of time. As a result, ALTEN enables rapid and faithful characterization of perturbations across specific cell types within a tissue. Importantly, using single-cell genomics, this approach provides integrated cellular responses at the resolution of individual cells. ALTEN is a powerful tool for the analysis of cellular responses upon exposure to cytotoxic agents and immunomodulators. Additionally, ALTEN's scalability using automated microfluidic devices for tissue encapsulation and subsequent transport, to enable centralized high-throughput analysis of samples gathered by large-scale multicenter studies, is shown.

Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)-Hippo/YAP transduction signaling mediates the stimulatory effects exerted by S100A8/A9-RAGE system in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)

BACKGROUND

Understanding the intricate signaling network involved in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a challenge for developing novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we aim to provide novel mechanistic insights on the function of the S100A8/A9-RAGE system in TNBC.

METHODS

TNM plot analyzer, Kaplan-Meier plotter, Meta-analysis, GEPIA2 and GOBO publicly available datasets were used to evaluate the clinical significance of S100A8/A9 and expression levels of S100A8/A9, RAGE and Filamin family members in breast cancer (BC) subtypes. METABRIC database and Cox proportional hazard model defined the clinical impact of high RAGE expression in BC patients. Multiple bioinformatics programs identified the main enriched pathways within high RAGE expression BC cohorts. By lentiviral system, TNBC cells were engineered to overexpress RAGE. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, nucleus/cytoplasm fractionation, qRT-PCR, gene silencing and luciferase experiments were performed to identify signal transduction mediators engaged by RAGE upon stimulation with S100A8/A9 in TNBC cells. Proliferation, colony formation and transwell migration assays were carried out to evaluate the growth and migratory capacity of TNBC cells. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and independent t-tests.

RESULTS

We found a remarkable high expression of S100A8 and S100A9 in BC, particularly in HER2-positive and TNBC, with the latter associated to worst clinical outcomes. In addition, high RAGE expression correlated with a poor overall survival in BC. Next, we determined that the S100A8/A9-RAGE system triggers FAK activation by engaging a cytoskeleton mechanosensing complex in TNBC cells. Through bioinformatics analysis, we identified the Hippo pathway as the most enriched in BC patients expressing high RAGE levels. In accordance with these data, we demonstrated the involvement of S100A8/A9-RAGE-FAK signaling in the control of Hippo/YAP activities, and we established the crucial contribution of RAGE-FAK-YAP circuitry in the growth and migratory effects initiated by S100A8/A9 in TNBC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides novel mechanistic insights on RAGE actions in TNBC. Moreover, our findings suggest that RAGE-FAK-YAP transduction pathway could be exploited as a druggable system halting the aggressive TNBC subtype.

Tumor Microenvironment Shapes Colorectal Cancer Progression, Metastasis, and Treatment Responses

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most devastating diseases that accounts for numerous deaths worldwide. Tumor cell-autonomous pathways, such as the oncogenic signaling activation, significantly contribute to CRC progression and metastasis. Recent accumulating evidence suggests that the CRC microenvironment also profoundly promotes or represses this process. As the roles of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in CRC progression and metastasis is gradually uncovered, the importance of these non-cell-autonomous signaling pathways is appreciated. However, we are still at the beginning of this TME function exploring process. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the TME in CRC progression and metastasis by focusing on the gut microbiota and host cellular and non-cellular components. We also briefly discuss TME-remodeling therapies in CRC.

Tspan9 Induces EMT and Promotes Osteosarcoma Metastasis via Activating FAK-Ras-ERK1/2 Pathway

Object

At present, there are few effective treatment options available to patients suffering from osteosarcoma (OS). Clarifying the signaling pathways that govern OS oncogenesis may highlight novel approaches to treating this deadly form of cancer. Recent experimental evidence suggests that the transmembrane protein tetraspanin-9 (Tspan9) plays a role in tumor development. This study was thus formulated to assess the molecular role of Tspan9 as a regulator of OS cell metastasis.

Methods

Gene expression in OS cell lines was evaluated via qRT-PCR, while CCK-8, colony formation, Transwell, and wound healing assays were used to explore the in vitro proliferative, invasive, and migratory activities of OS cells. The relationship between Tspan9 and in vivo OS cell metastasis was assessed by injecting these cells into the tail vein of nude mice. Interactions between the Tspan9 and integrin β1 proteins were explored through mass spectrometric and co-immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting to assess the functional mechanisms whereby Tspan9 shapes OS pathogenesis.

Results

Both primary OS tumors and OS cell lines commonly exhibited Tspan9 upregulation, and the knockdown of this tetraspanin suppressed the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activity in OS cells, whereas Tspan9 overexpression resulted in opposite phenotypes. Tumor lung metastasis were significantly impaired in mice implanted with HOS cells in which Tspan9 was downregulated as compared to mice implanted with control HOS cells. Tspan9 was also found to interact with β1 integrin and to contribute to OS metastasis via the amplification of integrin-mediated downstream FAK/Ras/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Conclusion

These data suggest that Tspan9 can serve as a promising therapeutic target in OS.

Prediction for pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of triple-negative invasive breast carcinomas: the performance comparison between quantitative and qualitative sonographic feature analysis

OBJECTIVE

Sonographic features are associated with pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To predict the biological property of TNBC, the performance using quantitative high-throughput sonographic feature analysis was compared with that using qualitative feature assessment.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed ultrasound images, clinical, pathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) data of 252 female TNBC patients. All patients were subgrouped according to the histological grade, Ki67 expression level, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) score. Qualitative sonographic feature assessment included shape, margin, posterior acoustic pattern, and calcification referring to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). Quantitative sonographic features were acquired based on the computer-aided radiomics analysis. Breast cancer masses were manually segmented from the surrounding breast tissues. For each ultrasound image, 1688 radiomics features of 7 feature classes were extracted. The principal component analysis (PCA), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and support vector machine (SVM) were used to determine the high-throughput radiomics features that were highly correlated to biological properties. The performance using both quantitative and qualitative sonographic features to predict biological properties of TNBC was represented by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

In the qualitative assessment, regular tumor shape, no angular or spiculated margin, posterior acoustic enhancement, and no calcification were used as the independent sonographic features for TNBC. Using the combination of these four features to predict the histological grade, Ki67, HER2, axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM), and lymphovascular invasion (LVI), the AUC was 0.673, 0.680, 0.651, 0.587, and 0.566, respectively. The number of high-throughput features that closely correlated with biological properties was 34 for histological grade (AUC 0.942), 27 for Ki67 (AUC 0.732), 25 for HER2 (AUC 0.730), 34 for ALNM (AUC 0.804), and 34 for LVI (AUC 0.795).

CONCLUSION

High-throughput quantitative sonographic features are superior to traditional qualitative ultrasound features in predicting the biological behavior of TNBC.

KEY POINTS

• Sonographic appearances of TNBCs showed a great variety in accordance with its biological and clinical characteristics. • Both qualitative and quantitative sonographic features of TNBCs are associated with tumor biological characteristics. • The quantitative high-throughput feature analysis is superior to two-dimensional sonographic feature assessment in predicting tumor biological property.

Down-regulated TINAGL1 in fibroblasts impairs wound healing in diabetes

Matricellular proteins, a group of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, are key regulators of skin repair and their dysregulation impairs wound healing in diabetes. Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen like 1 (TINAGL1) is a new member of matricellular protein family, and the understanding of its functional role is still relatively limited. In the current study, we detected the expression of TINAGL1 in diabetic skin wound tissues through RT-PCR, ELISA and Western blot analysis, investigated the contribution of TINAGL1 to wound healing through cutaneous administration of recombinant TINAGL1 protein, and characterized its regulation by hyperglycemia through RNA-seq and signal pathway inhibition assay. We showed that TINAGL1 expression has dynamic change and reaching a peak on day-9 after wound during the wound healing process in wild-type (WT) mice. Interestingly, decreased TINAGL1 expression is detected in skin tissues of diabetic patients and mice after wound. Then, we found that high glucose (HG), an important factor that impairs wound healing, reduces the expression of TINAGL1 in fibroblasts through JNK pathway. Notably, the histology analysis, Masson trichrome assay and IHC assay showed that exogenous TINAGL1 promotes wound healing in diabetic mice by accelerating the formation of granulation tissues. Our study provides evidence that TINAGL1 has an essential role in diabetic wound healing, and meanwhile, indicates that manipulation of TINAGL1 might be a possible therapeutic approach.

A liquid fraction of extracellular matrix inhibits glioma cell viability in vitro and in vivo

Suppressive effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) upon various cancers have been reported. Glioblastoma multiforme has poor prognosis and new therapies are desired. This work investigated the effects of a saline-soluble fraction of urinary bladder ECM (ECM-SF) upon glioma cells. Viability at 24 hours in 1, 5, or 10 mg/mL ECM-SF-spiked media was evaluated in primary glioma cells (0319, 1015, 1119), glioma cell lines (A172, T98G, U87MG, C6), and brain cell lines (HCN-2, HMC3). Viability universally decreased at 5 and 10 mg/mL with U87MG, HCN-2, and HCM3 being least sensitive. Apoptosis in 0319 and 1119 cells was confirmed via NucView 488. Bi-weekly intravenous injection of ECM-SF (120 mg/kg) for 10 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rats did not affect weight, temperature, complete blood count, or multi-organ histology (N = 5). Intratumoral injection of ECM-SF (10 uL of 30 mg/mL) at weeks 2-4 post C6 inoculation in Wistar rats increased median survival from 24.5 to 51 days (hazard ratio for death 0.22) and decreased average tumor volume at time of death from 349 mm3 to 90 mm3 over 10 weeks (N = 6). Mass spectrometry identified 2,562 protein species in ECM-SF, parent ECM, and originating tissue. These results demonstrate the suppressive effects of ECM on glioma and warrant further study.

Cellular architecture of human brain metastases

Brain metastasis (BrM) is the most common form of brain cancer, characterized by neurologic disability and an abysmal prognosis. Unfortunately, our understanding of the biology underlying human BrMs remains rudimentary. Here, we present an integrative analysis of >100,000 malignant and non-malignant cells from 15 human parenchymal BrMs, generated by single-cell transcriptomics, mass cytometry, and complemented with mouse model- and in silico approaches. We interrogated the composition of BrM niches, molecularly defined the blood-tumor interface, and revealed stromal immunosuppressive states enriched with infiltrated T cells and macrophages. Specific single-cell interrogation of metastatic tumor cells provides a framework of 8 functional cell programs that coexist or anticorrelate. Collectively, these programs delineate two functional BrM archetypes, one proliferative and the other inflammatory, that are evidently shaped through tumor-immune interactions. Our resource provides a foundation to understand the molecular basis of BrM in patients with tumor cell-intrinsic and host environmental traits.

Comprehensive analysis reveals GRP94 is associated with worse prognosis of breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer diagnosed in women around the world. Glucose-related protein 94 (GRP94) is a molecular chaperone on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is associated with many malignancies, although its role in breast carcinogenesis has remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression of GRP94 in BC and its relationship with BC clinicopathological features and prognosis based on a comprehensive analysis.

METHODS

The mutation and expression patterns of GRP94 in multiple cancers were elucidated from TCGA data. A GRP94 IS (immune score) was generated from breast tumors in Chinese women by multiplying the staining intensity and the percentage of positive cells. The relationship between GRP94 expression and clinicopathological parameters in TMA samples was identified by Spearman correlation analysis. We established a GRP94 co-expression interaction network from two databases (TCGA and STRING). Overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were determined via the KM-plotter analysis platform.

RESULTS

GRP94 is mutated in most cancer types, and the average mutation frequency is 1.1%. GRP94 expression in BC was in the middle of the expression levels of the analyzed cancer types. The protein level of GRP94 was significantly higher in BC tissues than in normal breast tissues. A high level of GRP94 was positively associated with the levels of PR and AR and negatively associated with the level of EGFR but was not associated with age, pathological types, pathological grades, clinical stages or the levels of ER, HER2, P53, Ki67, or CK5/6. High expression of GRP94 predicted decreased OS and RFS in BC. The cluster analysis of the GRP94 gene coexpression network showed six dominant biological events, including ribosome biogenesis, amino acid activation, ER stress, protein folding and protein localization to the nucleus, cell cycle processes and ubiquitin-protein ligase activity involved in the mitotic cell cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that GRP94 could be a potential prognostic factor in BC.

Targeted EV to Deliver Chemotherapy to Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancers

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are heterogeneous and metastatic, and targeted therapy is highly needed for TNBC treatment. Recent studies showed that extracellular vesicles (EV) have great potential to deliver therapies to treat cancers. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a natural compound, verrucarin A (Ver-A), delivered by targeted EV, to treat TNBC. First, the surface expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and CD47 were confirmed with immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of patient tissue microarray, flow cytometry and Western blotting. EVs were isolated from HEK 293F culture and surface tagged with anti-EGFR/CD47 mAbs to construct mAb-EV. The flow cytometry, confocal imaging and live-animal In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS) demonstrated that mAb-EV could effectively target TNBC and deliver the drug. The drug Ver-A, with dosage-dependent high cytotoxicity to TNBC cells, was packed in mAb-EV. The anti-TNBC efficacy study showed that Ver-A blocked tumor growth in both 4T1 xenografted immunocompetent mouse models and TNBC patient-derived xenograft models with minimal side effects. This study demonstrated that the targeted mAb-EV-Ver-A had great potential to treat TNBCs.

Heat shock protein A12A activates migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in a monocarboxylate transporter 4-dependent manner

Metastasis is responsible for most of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated death. However, its underlying mechanism has yet to be fully elucidated. Glycolysis-derived lactate has been shown to be a powerful regulator of cancer metastasis. Heat shock protein A12A (HSPA12A) encodes a novel member of HSP70 family. We have recently demonstrated that heat shock protein A12A (HSPA12A) inhibited renal cancer cell migration by suppressing lactate output and glycolytic activity, which were mediated by unstabilizing CD147 and promoting its degradation. By striking contrast, here we demonstrated that HSPA12A promoted migration of human HCC cells. Extracellular acidification, lactate export, and glycolytic activity in HCC cells were also promoted following HSPA12A overexpression. Further analysis revealed that HSPA12A interacted with MCT4 and increased its membrane localization, thereby promoting export of lactate generated from glycolysis; this led, ultimately, to HCC cell migration. Our results revealed the opposite effect of HSPA12A on migration of renal cancer cells and that of HCC cells. Of note, in contrast to the inhibitory effect on CD147 expression in renal cancer cells, we found that HSPA12A increased CD147 expression in HCC cells, indicating that the expression of CD147 might exist heterogeneity in different cancer cell types. Taken together, we identified HSPA12A as an activator of HCC migration, a role opposite to that of renal cancer cells. Inhibiting HSPA12A might be a potential therapeutic intervention for HCC metastasis.