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Obesity and Pancreatic Cancer: Insight into Mechanisms. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13205067. [PMID: 34680216 PMCID: PMC8534007 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Obesity is recognized as a chronic progressive disease and risk factor for many human diseases. The high and increasing number of obese people may underlie the expected increase in pancreatic cancer cases in the United States. There are several pathways discussed that link obesity with pancreatic cancer. Adipose tissue and adipose tissue-released factors may thereby play an important role. This review discusses selected mechanisms that may accelerate pancreatic cancer development in obesity. Abstract The prevalence of obesity in adults and children has dramatically increased over the past decades. Obesity has been declared a chronic progressive disease and is a risk factor for a number of metabolic, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases. There is clear epidemiologic and preclinical evidence that obesity is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Among various potential mechanisms linking obesity with pancreatic cancer, the adipose tissue and obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation play a central role. The current review discusses selected topics and mechanisms that attracted recent interest and that may underlie the promoting effects of obesity in pancreatic cancer. These topics include the impact of obesity on KRAS activity, the role of visceral adipose tissue, intrapancreatic fat, adipose tissue inflammation, and adipokines on pancreatic cancer development. Current research on lipocalin-2, fibroblast growth factor 21, and Wnt5a is discussed. Furthermore, the significance of obesity-associated insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia and obesity-induced gut dysbiosis with metabolic endotoxemia is reviewed. Given the central role that is occupied by the adipose tissue in obesity-promoted pancreatic cancer development, preventive and interceptive strategies should be aimed at attenuating obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation and/or at targeting specific molecules that mechanistically link adipose tissue with pancreatic cancer in obese patients.
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Hsu PC, Jablons DM, Yang CT, You L. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Pathway, Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and the Regulation of Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153821. [PMID: 31387256 PMCID: PMC6695603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is a well-studied oncogenic pathway in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A subset of advanced NSCLC patients (15–55%) have EGFR-driven mutations and benefit from treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting the PD-1/PDL-1 axis are a new anti-cancer therapy for metastatic NSCLC. The anti-PD-1/PDL-1 ICIs showed promising efficacy (~30% response rate) and improved the survival of patients with metastatic NSCLC, but the role of anti-PD-1/PDL-1 ICIs for EGFR mutant NSCLC is not clear. YAP (yes-associated protein) is the main mediator of the Hippo pathway and has been identified as promoting cancer progression, drug resistance, and metastasis in NSCLC. Here, we review recent studies that examined the correlation between the EGFR, YAP pathways, and PD-L1 and demonstrate the mechanism by which EGFR and YAP regulate PD-L1 expression in human NSCLC. About 50% of EGFR mutant NSCLC patients acquire resistance to EGFR-TKIs without known targetable secondary mutations. Targeting YAP therapy is suggested as a potential treatment for NSCLC with acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Future work should focus on the efficacy of YAP inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint PD-L1/PD-1 blockade in EGFR mutant NSCLC without targetable resistant mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - David M Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
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3
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Hsu PC, Tian B, Yang YL, Wang YC, Liu S, Urisman A, Yang CT, Xu Z, Jablons DM, You L. Cucurbitacin E inhibits the Yes‑associated protein signaling pathway and suppresses brain metastasis of human non‑small cell lung cancer in a murine model. Oncol Rep 2019; 42:697-707. [PMID: 31233205 PMCID: PMC6610039 DOI: 10.3892/or.2019.7207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with an extremely poor prognosis especially for the 40% of patients who develop brain metastasis, and few treatment strategies exist. Cucurbitacin E (CuE), an oxygenated tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from plants particularly of the family Cucurbitaceae, has shown anti-tumorigenic properties in several types of cancer, yet the mechanism remains unclear. Yes-associated protein (YAP), a main mediator of the Hippo signaling pathway, promotes tumorigenesis, drug resistance and metastasis in human NSCLC. The present study was designed to ascertain whether CuE inhibits YAP and its downstream gene expression in the human NSCLC cell lines H2030-BrM3 (K-rasG12C mutation) and PC9-BrM3 (EGFRΔexon19 mutation), which have high potential for brain metastasis. The efficacy of CuE in suppressing brain metastasis of H2030-BrM3 cells in a murine model was also investigated. It was found that after CuE treatment in H2030-BrM3 and PC9-BrM3 cells, YAP protein expression was decreased, and YAP signaling GTIIC reporter activity and expression of the downstream genes CTGF and CYR61 were significantly (P<0.01) decreased. CuE treatment also reduced the migration and invasion abilities of the H2030-BrM3 and PC9-BrM3 cells. Finally, our in vivo study showed that CuE treatment (0.2 mg/kg) suppressed H2030-BrM3 cell brain metastasis and that mice treated with CuE survived longer than the control mice treated with 10% DMSO (P=0.02). The present study is the first to demonstrate that CuE treatment inhibits YAP and the signaling downstream gene expression in human NSCLC in vitro, and suppresses brain metastasis of NSCLC in a murine model. More studies to verify the promising efficacy of CuE in inhibiting brain metastasis of NSCLC and various other cancers may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Yi-Lin Yang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Yu-Cheng Wang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Shu Liu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Branch, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - David M Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
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4
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Rozengurt E, Eibl G. Central role of Yes-associated protein and WW-domain-containing transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif in pancreatic cancer development. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:1797-1816. [PMID: 31057295 PMCID: PMC6478619 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i15.1797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a deadly disease with no efficacious treatment options. PDAC incidence is projected to increase, which may be caused at least partially by the obesity epidemic. Significantly enhanced efforts to prevent or intercept this cancer are clearly warranted. Oncogenic KRAS mutations are recognized initiating events in PDAC development, however, they are not entirely sufficient for the development of fully invasive PDAC. Additional genetic alterations and/or environmental, nutritional, and metabolic signals, as present in obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus, and inflammation, are required for full PDAC formation. We hypothesize that oncogenic KRAS increases the intensity and duration of the growth-promoting signaling network. Recent exciting studies from different laboratories indicate that the activity of the transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW-domain-containing transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) play a critical role in the promotion and maintenance of PDAC operating as key downstream target of KRAS signaling. While initially thought to be primarily an effector of the tumor-suppressive Hippo pathway, more recent studies revealed that YAP/TAZ subcellular localization and co-transcriptional activity is regulated by multiple upstream signals. Overall, YAP has emerged as a central node of transcriptional convergence in growth-promoting signaling in PDAC cells. Indeed, YAP expression is an independent unfavorable prognostic marker for overall survival of PDAC. In what follows, we will review studies implicating YAP/TAZ in pancreatic cancer development and consider different approaches to target these transcriptional regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Rozengurt
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Guido Eibl
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
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Hsu PC, Yang CT, Jablons DM, You L. The Role of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) in Regulating Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) in Thoracic Cancer. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6040114. [PMID: 30544524 PMCID: PMC6315659 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6040114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1)/PD-1 pathway is an immunological checkpoint in cancer cells. The binding of PD-L1 and PD-1 promotes T-cell tolerance and helps tumor cells escape from host immunity. Immunotherapy targeting the PD-L1/PD-1 axis has been developed as an anti-cancer therapy and used in treating advanced human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key mediator of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway, and plays important roles in promoting cancer development, drug resistance and metastasis in human NSCLC and MPM. YAP has been suggested as a new therapeutic target in NSCLC and MPM. The role of YAP in regulating tumor immunity such as PD-L1 expression has just begun to be explored, and the correlation between YAP-induced tumorigenesis and host anti-tumor immune responses is not well known. Here, we review recent studies investigating the correlation between YAP and PD-L1 and demonstrating the mechanism by which YAP regulates PD-L1 expression in human NSCLC and MPM. Future work should focus on the interactions between Hippo/YAP signaling pathways and the immune checkpoint PD-L1/PD-1 pathway. The development of new synergistic drugs for immune checkpoint PD-L1/PD-1 blockade in NSCLC and MPM is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan.
| | - David M Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
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6
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Hsu PC, Miao J, Huang Z, Yang YL, Xu Z, You J, Dai Y, Yeh CC, Chan G, Liu S, Urisman A, Yang CT, Jablons DM, You L. Inhibition of yes-associated protein suppresses brain metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma in a murine model. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:3073-3085. [PMID: 29575527 PMCID: PMC5980132 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes‐associated protein (YAP) is a main mediator of the Hippo pathway and promotes cancer development and progression in human lung cancer. We sought to determine whether inhibition of YAP suppresses metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma in a murine model. We found that metastatic NSCLC cell lines H2030‐BrM3(K‐rasG12C mutation) and PC9‐BrM3 (EGFRΔexon19 mutation) had a significantly decreased p‐YAP(S127)/YAP ratio compared to parental H2030 (K‐rasG12C mutation) and PC9 (EGFRΔexon19 mutation) cells (P < .05). H2030‐BrM3 cells had significantly increased YAP mRNA and expression of Hippo downstream genes CTGF and CYR61 compared to parental H2030 cells (P < .05). Inhibition of YAP by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly decreased mRNA expression in downstream genes CTGF and CYR61 in H2030‐BrM3 cells (P < .05). In addition, inhibiting YAP by YAP shRNA significantly decreased migration and invasion abilities of H2030‐BrM3 cells (P < .05). We are first to show that mice inoculated with YAP shRNA‐transfected H2030‐BrM3 cells had significantly decreased metastatic tumour burden and survived longer than control mice (P < .05). Collectively, our results suggest that YAP plays an important role in promoting lung adenocarcinoma brain metastasis and that direct inhibition of YAP by shRNA suppresses H2030‐BrM3 cell brain metastasis in a murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chih Hsu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jinbai Miao
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Affiliated with Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Lin Yang
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Zhidong Xu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joanna You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yuyuan Dai
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Che-Chung Yeh
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Geraldine Chan
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shu Liu
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anatoly Urisman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Cheng-Ta Yang
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - David M Jablons
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Liang You
- Department of Surgery, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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7
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Fesler A, Liu H, Ju J. Modified miR-15a has therapeutic potential for improving treatment of advanced stage colorectal cancer through inhibition of BCL2, BMI1, YAP1 and DCLK1. Oncotarget 2017; 9:2367-2383. [PMID: 29416778 PMCID: PMC5788646 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in colon cancer treatments, resistance and recurrence remain a significant challenge in treating patients. Novel therapeutic strategies are in urgent need to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes. MicroRNA based therapeutics have potential to help combat resistance. In this study, we have shown that low miR-15a expression correlates with poor patient prognosis. We have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of miR-15a in colon cancer. miR-15a inhibits several important genes (BCL2, BMI1, YAP1 and DCLK1), decreasing cancer progression and resistance. Additionally, by replacing uracil in miR-15a with 5-fluorouracil, we created a novel miR-15a mimic with enhanced therapeutic potential. This mimic maintains target specificity and is more potent than unmodified miR-15a in vitro and inhibits colon tumor metastasis in vivo. This mimic has great potential for therapeutic development for treating colon cancer patients. This novel modification has potential to advance the development of other microRNA based therapeutics beyond miR-15a.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Fesler
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Jingfang Ju
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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Fisher ML, Grun D, Adhikary G, Xu W, Eckert RL. Inhibition of YAP function overcomes BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 2017; 8:110257-110272. [PMID: 29299145 PMCID: PMC5746380 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treating BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma is an important therapeutic goal. Thus, it is important to identify and target mechanisms of resistance to improve therapy. The YAP1 and TAZ proteins of the Hippo signaling pathway are important drivers of cancer cell survival, and are BRAF inhibitor resistant factors in melanoma. We examine the role of YAP1/TAZ in melanoma cancer stem cells (MCS cells). We demonstrate that YAP1, TAZ and TEAD (TEA domain transcription factor) levels are elevated in BRAF inhibitor resistant MCS cells and enhance cell survival, spheroid formation, matrigel invasion and tumor formation. Moreover, increased YAP1, TAZ and TEAD are associated with sustained ERK1/2 activity that is not suppressed by BRAF inhibitor. Xenograft studies show that treating BRAF inhibitor-resistant tumors with verteporfin, an agent that interferes with YAP1 function, reduces YAP1/TAZ level, restores BRAF inhibitor suppression of ERK1/2 signaling and reduces tumor growth. Verteporfin is highly effective as concentrations of verteporfin that do not impact tumor formation restore BRAF inhibitor suppression of tumor formation, suggesting that co-treatment with agents that inhibit YAP1 and BRAF(V600E) may be a viable therapy for cancer stem cell-derived BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L Fisher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Daniel Grun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Gautam Adhikary
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Wen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
| | - Richard L Eckert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.,Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.,Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.,The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
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9
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Song S, Xie M, Scott AW, Jin J, Ma L, Dong X, Skinner HD, Johnson RL, Ding S, Ajani JA. A Novel YAP1 Inhibitor Targets CSC-Enriched Radiation-Resistant Cells and Exerts Strong Antitumor Activity in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 17:443-454. [PMID: 29167315 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that the Hippo coactivator Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is a major mediator of cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, tumor progression, and therapy resistance as well as often a terminal node of many oncogenic pathways. Thus, targeting YAP1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for many types of tumors with high YAP1 expression, including esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, effective YAP1 inhibitors are currently lacking. Here, we identify a small molecule (CA3) that not only has remarkable inhibitory activity on YAP1/Tead transcriptional activity but also demonstrates strong inhibitory effects on esophageal adenocarcinoma cell growth especially on YAP1 high-expressing esophageal adenocarcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo Remarkably, radiation-resistant cells acquire strong cancer stem cell (CSC) properties and aggressive phenotype, while CA3 can effectively suppress these phenotypes by inhibiting proliferation, inducing apoptosis, reducing tumor sphere formation, and reducing the fraction of ALDH1+ cells. Furthermore, CA3, combined with 5-FU, synergistically inhibits esophageal adenocarcinoma cell growth especially in YAP1 high esophageal adenocarcinoma cells. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that CA3 represents a new inhibitor of YAP1 and primarily targets YAP1 high and therapy-resistant esophageal adenocarcinoma cells endowed with CSC properties. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(2); 443-54. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumei Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| | - Min Xie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Ailing W Scott
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jiankang Jin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lang Ma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiaochuan Dong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Heath D Skinner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Randy L Johnson
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Sheng Ding
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jaffer A Ajani
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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10
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Ebelt ND, Manuel ER. Utilizing Salmonella to treat solid malignancies. J Surg Oncol 2017; 116:75-82. [PMID: 28420039 DOI: 10.1002/jso.24644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite intensive research into novel treatment strategies for cancer, it remains the second most common cause of death in industrialized populations. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with dismal prognosis. Currently, surgical resection offers the best chance for extended survival, yet recurrence remains high and is associated with poor outcome. Systemic treatment has evolved from non-specific, cytotoxic chemotherapy to the use of cancer-targeting agents, profoundly changing treatment approaches in the metastatic and adjuvant settings. One promising approach, highlighted in this review, uses the inherent capacity of Salmonella to colonize and eliminate solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy D Ebelt
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California
| | - Edwin R Manuel
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California
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11
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Strnadel J, Choi S, Fujimura K, Wang H, Zhang W, Wyse M, Wright T, Gross E, Peinado C, Park HW, Bui J, Kelber J, Bouvet M, Guan KL, Klemke RL. eIF5A-PEAK1 Signaling Regulates YAP1/TAZ Protein Expression and Pancreatic Cancer Cell Growth. Cancer Res 2017; 77:1997-2007. [PMID: 28381547 PMCID: PMC5392372 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), mutant KRAS stimulates the translation initiation factor eIF5A and upregulates the focal adhesion kinase PEAK1, which transmits integrin and growth factor signals mediated by the tumor microenvironment. Although eIF5A-PEAK1 signaling contributes to multiple aggressive cancer cell phenotypes, the downstream signaling processes that mediate these responses are uncharacterized. Through proteomics and informatic analyses of PEAK1-depleted PDAC cells, we defined protein translation, cytoskeleton organization, and cell-cycle regulatory pathways as major pathways controlled by PEAK1. Biochemical and functional studies revealed that the transcription factors YAP1 and TAZ are key targets of eIF5A-PEAK1 signaling. YAP1/TAZ coimmunoprecipitated with PEAK1. Interfering with eIF5A-PEAK1 signaling in PDAC cells inhibited YAP/TAZ protein expression, decreasing expression of stem cell-associated transcription factors (STF) including Oct4, Nanog, c-Myc, and TEAD, thereby decreasing three-dimensional (3D) tumor sphere growth. Conversely, amplified eIF5A-PEAK1 signaling increased YAP1/TAZ expression, increasing expression of STF and enhancing 3D tumor sphere growth. Informatic interrogation of mRNA sequence databases revealed upregulation of the eIF5A-PEAK1-YAP1-TEAD signaling module in PDAC patients. Taken together, our findings indicate that eIF5A-PEAK1-YAP signaling contributes to PDAC development by regulating an STF program associated with increased tumorigenicity. Cancer Res; 77(8); 1997-2007. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Strnadel
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sunkyu Choi
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Ken Fujimura
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Huawei Wang
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Meghan Wyse
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Tracy Wright
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Emilie Gross
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Carlos Peinado
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Hyun Woo Park
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jack Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jonathan Kelber
- Department of Biology, California State University Northridge, Northridge, California
| | - Michael Bouvet
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Kun-Liang Guan
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Richard L Klemke
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
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12
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Wu DW, Lin PL, Wang L, Huang CC, Lee H. The YAP1/SIX2 axis is required for DDX3-mediated tumor aggressiveness and cetuximab resistance in KRAS-wild-type colorectal cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:1114-1132. [PMID: 28435452 PMCID: PMC5399580 DOI: 10.7150/thno.18175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism underlying tumor aggressiveness and cetuximab (CTX) resistance in KRAS-wild-type (KRAS -WT) colorectal cancer remains obscure. We here provide evidence that DDX3 promoted soft agar growth and invasiveness of KRAS-WT cells, as already confirmed in KRAS-mutated cells. Mechanistically, increased KRAS expression induced ROS production, which elevated HIF-1α and YAP1 expression. Increased HIF-1α persistently promoted DDX3 expression via a KRAS/ROS/HIF-1α feedback loop. DDX3-mediated aggressiveness and CTX resistance were regulated by the YAP1/SIX2 axis in KRAS-WT cells and further confirmed in animal models. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis indicated that DDX3, KRAS, and YAP1 expression had prognostic value for OS and RFS in KRAS-WT and KRAS-mutated tumors, but SIX2 and YAP1/SIX2 were prognostic value only in KRAS-WT patients. The observation from patients seemed to support the mechanistic action of cell and animal models. We therefore suggest that combining YAP1 inhibitors with CTX may therefore suppress DDX3-mediated tumor aggressiveness and enhance CTX sensitivity in KRAS-WT colorectal cancer.
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13
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Abylkassov R, Xie Y. Role of Yes-associated protein in cancer: An update. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:2277-2282. [PMID: 27698789 PMCID: PMC5038596 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an oncoprotein located in the cytoplasm in an inactive form, and when activated, it translocates to the nucleus and activates the transcription of genes responsible for cell division and apoptosis. YAP is one of the downstream regulatory proteins in the Hippo signaling pathway, which is important in cell proliferation and regeneration. Due to its great importance, YAP is regulated very strictly by different regulatory systems. The present review will focus on the canonical pathways of YAP, and will provide details on the most recent findings regarding its regulation and role in tumorigenesis, specifically in prostate tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramazan Abylkassov
- Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University School of Science and Technology, Astana 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Yingqiu Xie
- Department of Biology, Nazarbayev University School of Science and Technology, Astana 010000, Republic of Kazakhstan
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14
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Sharif GM, Wellstein A. Cell density regulates cancer metastasis via the Hippo pathway. Future Oncol 2015; 11:3253-60. [PMID: 26561730 DOI: 10.2217/fon.15.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor site to distant organs is the major cause of death in cancer patients. To disseminate, cancer cells detach from the primary tumor, enter the blood stream and extravasate at distant organ sites such as the liver, lung, bone or brain. While cancer cells are known to evade contact inhibition during growth in culture, we found that cell density is still sensed and can signal through the Hippo pathway effectors LATS1 and YAP. These effectors control cancer cell invasive behavior into stromal tissues, expression of cytokines that recruit inflammatory cells and progression toward metastatic spread. In this perspective, we discuss the drivers and the significance of pathways controlled by cell growth density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada M Sharif
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA
| | - Anton Wellstein
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA
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15
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Nussinov R, Tsai CJ, Muratcioglu S, Jang H, Gursoy A, Keskin O. Principles of K-Ras effector organization and the role of oncogenic K-Ras in cancer initiation through G1 cell cycle deregulation. Expert Rev Proteomics 2015; 12:669-82. [DOI: 10.1586/14789450.2015.1100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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16
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Sharif GM, Schmidt MO, Yi C, Hu Z, Haddad BR, Glasgow E, Riegel AT, Wellstein A. Cell growth density modulates cancer cell vascular invasion via Hippo pathway activity and CXCR2 signaling. Oncogene 2015; 34:5879-89. [PMID: 25772246 PMCID: PMC4573390 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis of cancer cells involves multiple steps, including their dissociation from the primary tumor and invasion through the endothelial cell barrier to enter the circulation and finding their way to distant organ sites where they extravasate and establish metastatic lesions. Deficient contact inhibition is a hallmark of invasive cancer cells, yet surprisingly the vascular invasiveness of commonly studied cancer cell lines is regulated by the density at which cells are propagated in culture. Cells grown at high density were less effective at invading an endothelial monolayer than cells grown at low density. This phenotypic difference was also observed in a zebrafish model of vascular invasion of cancer cells after injection into the yolk sac and extravasation of cancer cells into tissues from the vasculature. The vascular invasive phenotypes were reversible. A kinome-wide RNAi screen was used to identify drivers of vascular invasion by panning shRNA library transduced non-invasive cancer cell populations on endothelial monolayers. The selection of invasive subpopulations showed enrichment of shRNAs targeting the LATS1 (large tumor suppressor 1) kinase that inhibits the activity of the transcriptional coactivator YAP in the Hippo pathway. Depletion of LATS1 from non-invasive cancer cells restored the invasive phenotype. Complementary to this, inhibition or depletion of YAP inhibited invasion in vitro and in vivo. The vascular invasive phenotype was associated with a YAP-dependent up-regulation of the cytokines IL6, IL8, and CXCL1, 2, and 3. Antibody blockade of cytokine receptors inhibited invasion and confirmed that they are rate-limiting drivers that promote cancer cell vascular invasiveness and could provide therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Sharif
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - M O Schmidt
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - C Yi
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Z Hu
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - B R Haddad
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - E Glasgow
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - A T Riegel
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - A Wellstein
- Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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17
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Zhang X, Ni Z, Duan Z, Xin Z, Wang H, Tan J, Wang G, Li F. Overexpression of E2F mRNAs associated with gastric cancer progression identified by the transcription factor and miRNA co-regulatory network analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116979. [PMID: 25646628 PMCID: PMC4315469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is regulated at the transcription and translation levels; thus, both transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNA) play roles in regulation of gene expression. This study profiled differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs in gastric cancer tissues to construct a TF and miRNA co-regulatory network in order to identify altered genes in gastric cancer progression. A total of 70 cases gastric cancer and paired adjacent normal tissues were subjected to cDNA and miRNA microarray analyses. We obtained 887 up-regulated and 93 down-regulated genes and 41 down-regulated and 4 up-regulated miRNAs in gastric cancer tissues. Using the Transcriptional Regulatory Element Database, we obtained 105 genes that are regulated by the E2F family of genes and using Targetscan, miRanda, miRDB and miRWalk tools, we predicted potential targeting genes of these 45 miRNAs. We then built up the E2F-related TF and miRNA co-regulatory gene network and identified 9 hub-genes. Furthermore, we found that levels of E2F1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 mRNAs associated with gastric cancer cell invasion capacity, and has associated with tumor differentiation. These data showed Overexpression of E2F mRNAs associated with gastric cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoTian Zhang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - ZhaoHui Ni
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - ZiPeng Duan
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - ZhuoYuan Xin
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - HuaiDong Wang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - JiaYi Tan
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - GuoQing Wang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- * E-mail: (GW); (FL)
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Pathogenobiology, The Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Chinese Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
- * E-mail: (GW); (FL)
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