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Yadav C, Yadav R, Nanda S, Ranga S, Ahuja P, Tanwar M. Role of HOX genes in cancer progression and their therapeutical aspects. Gene 2024; 919:148501. [PMID: 38670395 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
HOX genes constitute a family of evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that play pivotal roles in embryonic development, tissue patterning, and cell differentiation. These genes are essential for the precise spatial and temporal control of body axis formation in vertebrates. In addition to their developmental functions, HOX genes have garnered significant attention for their involvement in various diseases, including cancer. Deregulation of HOX gene expression has been observed in numerous malignancies, where they can influence tumorigenesis, progression, and therapeutic responses. This review provides an overview of the diverse roles of HOX genes in development, disease, and potential therapeutic targets, highlighting their significance in understanding biological processes and their potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetna Yadav
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Ritu Yadav
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India.
| | - Smiti Nanda
- Retd. Senior Professor and Head, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak 124001, India
| | - Shalu Ranga
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Parul Ahuja
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Mukesh Tanwar
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
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Wang L, Sun H, Cao L, Wang J. Role of HOXA1-4 in the development of genetic and malignant diseases. Biomark Res 2024; 12:18. [PMID: 38311789 PMCID: PMC10840290 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-024-00569-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The HOXA genes, belonging to the HOX family, encompass 11 members (HOXA1-11) and exert critical functions in early embryonic development, as well as various adult processes. Furthermore, dysregulation of HOXA genes is implicated in genetic diseases, heart disease, and various cancers. In this comprehensive overview, we primarily focused on the HOXA1-4 genes and their associated functions and diseases. Emphasis was placed on elucidating the impact of abnormal expression of these genes and highlighting their significance in maintaining optimal health and their involvement in the development of genetic and malignant diseases. Furthermore, we delved into their regulatory mechanisms, functional roles, and underlying biology and explored the therapeutic potential of targeting HOXA1-4 genes for the treatment of malignancies. Additionally, we explored the utility of HOXA1-4 genes as biomarkers for monitoring cancer recurrence and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumin Wang
- Gastroenterology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
| | - Haifeng Sun
- The Third Department of Medical Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinhai Wang
- Gastroenterology Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Abdi E, Latifi-Navid S, Panahi A. Long noncoding RNA polymorphisms in gynecological cancers. Per Med 2024; 21:59-68. [PMID: 38095072 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2023-0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Gynecological malignancies are one of the main causes of cancer-induced mortality. Despite remarkable recent therapeutic advances, current therapeutic options are not sufficient. Regarding the effect of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) on cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis, variations in their expression cause different anomalies, such as tumorigenesis. SNPs influence lncRNA function and expression. LncRNA polymorphisms can predict cancer risk and are effective for early diagnosis and customized therapy. In this literature review, we comprehensively investigate the effect of lncRNA polymorphisms on gynecological cancers. LncRNA-related variants are proposed to evaluate cancer incidence, early detection and management of personalized therapy. Nonetheless, more studies are required to validate the consistency of current findings in numerous samples and across various ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmat Abdi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, 5619911367, Iran
| | - Saeid Latifi-Navid
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, 5619911367, Iran
| | - Alireza Panahi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, 5619911367, Iran
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Yu Z, Liu Z, Lian X, Cheng X, Liu B, Zhang B, Wang H, Wang J, Li A, Ren Z, Pang B, Qian R, Gao Y. High expression of HOXA4 in patients with glioma indicates unfavorable clinical outcomes. Cell Cycle 2022; 21:2387-2402. [PMID: 35852388 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2096715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghong Yu
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Province Intelligent Orthopedic Technology Innovation and Transformation International Joint Laboratory, Henan Key Laboratory for Intelligent Precision Orthopedics, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhendong Liu
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Province Intelligent Orthopedic Technology Innovation and Transformation International Joint Laboratory, Henan Key Laboratory for Intelligent Precision Orthopedics, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Lian
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xingbo Cheng
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Province Intelligent Orthopedic Technology Innovation and Transformation International Joint Laboratory, Henan Key Laboratory for Intelligent Precision Orthopedics, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Binfeng Liu
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Province Intelligent Orthopedic Technology Innovation and Transformation International Joint Laboratory, Henan Key Laboratory for Intelligent Precision Orthopedics, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jialin Wang
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Province Intelligent Orthopedic Technology Innovation and Transformation International Joint Laboratory, Henan Key Laboratory for Intelligent Precision Orthopedics, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ang Li
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Province Intelligent Orthopedic Technology Innovation and Transformation International Joint Laboratory, Henan Key Laboratory for Intelligent Precision Orthopedics, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhishuai Ren
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, P.R.China
| | - Rongjun Qian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Henan University, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanzheng Gao
- Department of Surgery of Spine and Spinal Cord, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Henan Province Intelligent Orthopedic Technology Innovation and Transformation International Joint Laboratory, Henan Key Laboratory for Intelligent Precision Orthopedics, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Henan Zhengzhou, China
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Li Y, Ma K, Xie Q, Zhang X, Zhang X, Chen K, Kong L, Qian R. Identification of HOXD10 as a Marker of Poor Prognosis in Glioblastoma Multiforme. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:5183-5195. [PMID: 34737577 PMCID: PMC8558040 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s336225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose HOXD10 is a tumor modulator that can either be a tumor-suppressor or a tumor-promoting gene. However, the role of HOXD10 in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains unclear. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to detect protein expression of HOXD10 in GBM and normal brain tissue patients. Clinicopathological characteristics with GBM were recorded, and a Kaplan–Meier curve was plotted. Additionally, the mRNA expression of HOXD10 and its effect on prognosis were analyzed using the online tool GEPIA and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA), and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Based on the mRNA expression of HOXD10, GBM patients from TCGA database were divided into low- and high-HOXD10 expression groups to analyze the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and construct a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Results The mRNA expression of HOXD10 was up-regulated in GBM according to GEPIA, while the protein expression of HOXD10 in GBM was down-regulated according to IHC analysis of samples from patients collected from our hospital. Correlation analysis showed that HOXD10 expression was significantly related to IDH1 status. Univariate analysis revealed that low HOXD10 expression, complete surgical resection, postoperative radiotherapy, postoperative temozolomide chemotherapy and IDH1 mutation were all beneficial prognostic factors. Further multivariate analysis revealed that only complete surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that HOXD10 expression is mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions. In the ceRNA network, 89 nodes, containing 45 mRNAs, 39 miRNAs and five lncRNAs associated with prognosis were involved. The PPI network revealed a tight interaction between HOXD10 and HOXD8, HOXD9, HOXD11, HOXD13 and HOXB3. Conclusion Based on our experimental data, although HOXD10 expression is low in GBM compared with normal brain tissue, GBM patients with high HOXD10 expression have a worse prognosis. HOXD10 may play different or even opposite roles in different stages of GBM occurrence and development. For patients with GBM, HOXD10 may be a valid predictor of prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxin Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Xie
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianwei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiulei Zhang
- Department of Microbiome Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Kui Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingfei Kong
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongjun Qian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450003, People's Republic of China
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Rusan M, Andersen RF, Jakobsen A, Steffensen KD. Circulating HOXA9-methylated tumour DNA: A novel biomarker of response to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibition in BRCA-mutated epithelial ovarian cancer. Eur J Cancer 2019; 125:121-129. [PMID: 31865042 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIM Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have emerged as a novel treatment option in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer (OC); however, responses are variable and there is a lack of prognostic and predictive biomarkers. We therefore investigated whether homeobox A9 (HOXA9) promoter methylation in circulating tumour DNA (meth-ctDNA) can serve as a biomarker in patients with platinum-resistant BRCA-mutated OC, undergoing treatment with a PARP inhibitor. METHODS Patients (n = 32) were enrolled as part of a phase II trial testing veliparib in platinum-resistant BRCA-mutated OC. HOXA9 meth-ctDNA was determined at baseline and just before each treatment cycle using digital droplet polymerase chain reaction. Methylation status and change in methylation compared with baseline were correlated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS Detection of HOXA9 meth-ctDNA during treatment with a PARP inhibitor was associated with worse clinical outcomes. This association was apparent after the first cycle of treatment and maintained throughout treatment. After three treatment cycles, patients with detectable HOXA9 meth-ctDNA had a median PFS of 5.1 months compared with 8.3 months for patients without, and a median OS of 9.5 months compared with 19.4 months (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Patients with detectable HOXA9 meth-ctDNA at baseline, but subsequent undetectable levels, had the most favourable clinical outcome, followed by patients with undetectable levels throughout. These associations were maintained in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal monitoring of HOXA9 meth-ctDNA is clinically feasible and is strongly correlated to clinical outcomes (PFS, OS), suggesting that it may serve as a valuable predictive biomarker to inform clinical decision-making in the setting of platinum-resistant BRCA-mutated OC treated with a PARP inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rusan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Vejle University Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Rikke F Andersen
- Department of Biochemistry, Vejle University Hospital, Vejle, Denmark
| | - Anders Jakobsen
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Vejle University Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karina D Steffensen
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Vejle University Hospital, Vejle, Denmark; Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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HOX Genes in High Grade Ovarian Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081107. [PMID: 31382546 PMCID: PMC6721551 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
HOX genes are highly conserved members of the homeobox superfamily that have a crucial role in determining cellular identity. High grade ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy. Our understanding of the role of HOX genes in the oncogenesis of ovarian cancer is evolving, and here we review their dysregulated expression patterns, their function in cell survival and invasion, their potential uses as biomarkers, and ways in which HOX genes are being targeted with new and existing drugs.
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Wang JJ, Zhai QY, Zhang RQ, Ge W, Liu JC, Li L, Sun ZY, De Felici M, Shen W. Effects of activin A on the transcriptome of mouse oogenesis in vitro. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:14339-14350. [PMID: 30633354 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
From the previous research, it has been supported that activin A (ActA) is conducive to ovarian development in vitro. In the present paper, with the aim to identify the molecular pathways through which ActA can influence processes of the fetal and early postnatal oogenesis, we analyzed the transcriptome of embryonic ovaries (12.5 days postcoitum) in vitro cultured with or without ActA for 6 days, as well as the produced oocytes for 28 days, and further compared the gene expression profile with their in vivo counterparts. With the confirmation of designed test, we found that the addition of ActA to the ovary culture tended, generally, to align oocyte gene expression to the in vivo condition, in particular of a number of genes involved in meiosis and epigenetic modifications of histones. In particular, we identified DNA recombination during the oocyte meiotic prophase I and lysine trimethylation of the histone H3K27 during the oocyte growth phase as molecular pathways modulated by ActA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Jie Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qiu-Yue Zhai
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Rui-Qian Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing-Cai Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhong-Yi Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Urology Department, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Institute of Reproductive Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
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Tang X, Jiang J, Zhu J, He N, Tan J. HOXA4-regulated miR-138 suppresses proliferation and gefitinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer. Mol Genet Genomics 2018; 294:85-93. [PMID: 30196354 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-018-1489-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients initially benefiting from gefitinib are confronted with acquired resistance. MiR-138 was previously stated as a growth inhibitor of several cancer cell lines including NSCLC cells and its expression level was significantly lower in gefitinib-resistant cells. The role of miR-138 in NSCLC cell lines PC9 and A549 was verified using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and colony formation assay. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was employed to assess the level of miR-138 in gefitinib-sensitive PC9 cells and gefitinib-resistant PC9GR cells. Bioinformatic algorithms (TargetScan) and rVISTA 2.0 were used to predict binding sites on miR-138 and its target genes. MiR-138 inhibited cell proliferation of PC9 and A549 cells. In PC9GR cells, miR-138 expression was inhibited. Gefitinib treatment negatively regulated miR-138 in PC9 cells. Transfection of PC9GR cells with miR-138 mimics significantly reduced cell viability. MiR-138 was directly regulated by Homeobox A4 (HOXA4) via an HOXA4-binding site on the promoter region. TargetScan predicted numerous miR-138 target genes and EGFR was found to be the functional downstream effector of miR-138. We demonstrated that miR-138 is regulated by HOXA4 and exerts its functions via inhibiting EGFR expression in NSCLC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Tang
- Jiangxi Chest Hospital, No. 346 Dieshan Road, Nanchang, 330000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jiying Jiang
- Central Hospital of Wannian County, No. 168 Wansheng Avenue, Chenying, Wannian County, 335500, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jinbao Zhu
- Yugan County People's Hospital, 297 Century Avenue, Yuting, Yugan, 335100, Jiangxi, China
| | - Nan He
- Guangdong Ascendas Genomics Technology Co., Ltd., 8th Floor South Tower, 6 Xiangxing Road, Torch Development Zone, Zhongshan, 519000, China
| | - Jinlong Tan
- ShangRao People Hospital of Jiangxi, No. 86, Shuyuan Road, Xinzhou District, Shangrao, 333100, Jiangxi, China.
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Lu S, Jiang X, Su Z, Cui Z, Fu W, Tai S. The role of the long non-coding RNA HOXA11-AS in promoting proliferation and metastasis of malignant tumors. Cell Biol Int 2018; 42:1596-1601. [PMID: 30095197 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is one of the focuses and hotspots of biological research in recent years. At the same time, tumors have become the main disease that endangers human health. In recent years, a large number of researchers have explored the relationship between lncRNA and tumors. HOXA11-AS is one of these lncRNAs. The long non-coding RNA HOXA11 antisense RNA (HOXA11-AS) is a novel lncRNA recently discovered. It is found in a variety of tumors such as ovarian cancer, glioma, and gastric cancer (GC) and so on, and is defined as an oncogene. It promotes tumor proliferation and metastasis by interacting with proteins such as miRNA and EZH2. In this paper, we review the mechanism of interaction between HOXA11-AS and various tumors in recent years, and believe that it can be a potential tumor marker and therapeutic target in the future prevention and treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shounan Lu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Xingming Jiang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Zhilei Su
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Zhankun Cui
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Wen Fu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Sheng Tai
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
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Miller KR, Patel JN, Zhang Q, Norris EJ, Symanowski J, Michener C, Sehouli J, Braicu I, Destephanis DD, Sutker AP, Jones W, Livasy CA, Biscotti C, Ganapathi RN, Tait DL, Ganapathi MK. HOXA4/HOXB3 gene expression signature as a biomarker of recurrence in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer following primary cytoreductive surgery and first-line adjuvant chemotherapy. Gynecol Oncol 2018; 149:155-162. [PMID: 29402501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aberrant homeobox (HOX) gene expression is reported in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC), however, its prognostic significance remains unclear. METHODS HOX genes associated with progression-free survival (PFS) in a discovery cohort of primary HGSOC samples with RNA sequencing data, and those previously reported to be associated with clinical outcomes, were selected for qPCR testing in an independent training cohort of primary HGSOC samples (n=71). A prognostic model for PFS was developed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Patients were stratified into risk groups that optimized the test statistic. The model was tested in an independent HGSOC cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (n=320). The effect of selected HOX genes on drug sensitivity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was examined in vitro. RESULTS Of 23 HOX genes tested in the training cohort, HOXA4 (HR=1.20, 95% CI=1.07-1.34, P=0.002) and HOXB3 (HR=1.09, 95% CI=1.01-1.17, P=0.027) overexpression were significantly associated with shorter PFS in multivariate analysis. Based on the optimal cutoff of the HOXA4/HOXB3 risk score, median PFS was 16.9months (95% CI=14.6-21.2months) and not reached (>80months) for patients with high and low risk scores, respectively (HR=8.89, 95% CI=2.09-37.74, P<0.001). In TCGA, the HOXA4/HOXB3 risk score was significantly associated with disease-free survival (HR=1.44, 95% CI=1.00-2.09, P=0.048). HOXA4 or HOXB3 overexpression in ovarian cancer cells decreased sensitivity to cisplatin and attenuated the generation of cisplatin-induced ROS (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HOXA4/HOXB3 gene expression-based risk score may be useful for prognostic risk stratification and warrants prospective validation in HGSOC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Miller
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Jai N Patel
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Eric J Norris
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - James Symanowski
- Department of Biostatistics, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Chad Michener
- Women's Health and Obstetrics/Gynecology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Department of Gynecology, Charité Medical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ioana Braicu
- Department of Gynecology, Charité Medical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Darla D Destephanis
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Ashley P Sutker
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Wendell Jones
- Bioinformatics and Clinical Systems, Q(2) Solutions - EA Genomics, 5927 S. Miami Blvd., Suite 100, Morrisville, NC 27560, USA
| | - Chad A Livasy
- Carolinas Pathology Group, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Charles Biscotti
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ram N Ganapathi
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA.
| | - David L Tait
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC 28204, USA.
| | - Mahrukh K Ganapathi
- Department of Cancer Pharmacology, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, USA.
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12
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Shiao SPK, Xiao H, Dong L, Wang X, Liu K, She J, Shi H. Genome wide DNA differential methylation regions in colorectal cancer patients in relation to blood related family members, obese and non-obese controls - a preliminary report. Oncotarget 2018; 9:25557-25571. [PMID: 29876008 PMCID: PMC5986643 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite evidences linking methylation changes in the cancer tissues, little is known about the methylation modification in the peripheral blood. With the current study, we identified differential methylation regions (DMRs) across human genome by collecting the blood samples of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients compared to that of their blood-related family who shared genetic inheritance and environmental influences, and unrelated obese and non-obese controls by accessing publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus data. We performed genome-wide analyses using the reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) method covering about 25% of CpGs for whole human genome of the four groups (n = 5 each). In comparison to the non-obese controls, we observed significant DMRs in CRC for genes involved in tumorigenesis including MLH3, MSH2, MSH6, SEPT9, GNAS; and glucose transporter genes associated with obesity and diabetes including SLC2A1/GLUT1, and SLC2A3/GLUT3 that were reported on methylation being modified in cancer tissues. In addition, we observed significant DMRs in CRC for genes involved in the methylation pathways including PEMT, ALDH1L1, and DNMT3A. CRC and family members shared significant DMRs for genes of tumorigenesis including MSH2, SEPT9, GNAS, SLC2A1/GLUT1 and SLC2A3/GLUT3); and CAMK1, GLUT1/SLC2A1 and GLUT3/SLC2A3 genes involved in glucose and insulin metabolism that played vital role in development of obesity and diabetes. Our study provided evidences that these differentially methylated genes in the blood could potentially serve as candidate biomarkers for CRC diagnostic and may provide further understanding on CRC progression. Further studies are warranted to validate these methylation changes for diagnostic and prevention of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pamela K Shiao
- College of Nursing, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Haiyan Xiao
- College of Nursing, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Lixin Dong
- College of Nursing, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Kebin Liu
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jinxiong She
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Huidong Shi
- Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.,Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta, GA, USA
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13
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Aabel P, Utheim TP, Olstad OK, Rask-Andersen H, Dilley RJ, von Unge M. Transcription and microRNA Profiling of Cultured Human Tympanic Membrane Epidermal Keratinocytes. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol 2018; 19:243-260. [PMID: 29623476 DOI: 10.1007/s10162-018-0660-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human tympanic membrane (TM) has a thin outer epidermal layer which plays an important role in TM homeostasis and ear health. The specialised cells of the TM epidermis have a different physiology compared to normal skin epidermal keratinocytes, displaying a dynamic and constitutive migration that maintains a clear TM surface and assists in regeneration. Here, we characterise and compare molecular phenotypes in keratinocyte cultures from TM and normal skin. TM keratinocytes were isolated by enzymatic digestion and cultured in vitro. We compared global mRNA and microRNA expression of the cultured cells with that of human epidermal keratinocyte cultures. Genes with either relatively higher or lower expression were analysed further using the biostatistical tools g:Profiler and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Approximately 500 genes were found differentially expressed. Gene ontology enrichment and Ingenuity analyses identified cellular migration and closely related biological processes to be the most significant functions of the genes highly expressed in the TM keratinocytes. The genes of low expression showed a marked difference in homeobox (HOX) genes of clusters A and C, giving the TM keratinocytes a strikingly low HOX gene expression profile. An in vitro scratch wound assay showed a more individualised cell movement in cells from the tympanic membrane than normal epidermal keratinocytes. We identified 10 microRNAs with differential expression, several of which can also be linked to regulation of cell migration and expression of HOX genes. Our data provides clues to understanding the specific physiological properties of TM keratinocytes, including candidate genes for constitutive migration, and may thus help focus further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Aabel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. .,Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Division of Surgery, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway. .,Division of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Tor Paaske Utheim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Rodney James Dilley
- Ear Science Institute Australia, Perth, Australia.,Ear Sciences Centre and Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Magnus von Unge
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Division of Surgery, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Division of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Clinical Research, University of Uppsala, Västerås, Sweden
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A functional variant in HOXA11-AS, a novel long non-coding RNA, inhibits the oncogenic phenotype of epithelial ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 6:34745-57. [PMID: 26430965 PMCID: PMC4741487 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeobox A (HOXA) region of protein-coding genes impacts female reproductive system embryogenesis and ovarian carcinogenesis. The 5-prime end of HOXA includes three long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) (HOXA10-AS, HOXA11-AS, and HOTTIP) that are underexplored in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We evaluated whether common genetic variants in these lncRNAs are associated with EOC risk and/or have functional roles in EOC development. Using genome-wide association study data from 1,201 serous EOC cases and 2,009 controls, an exonic variant within HOXA11-AS, rs17427875 (A>T), was marginally associated with reduced serous EOC risk (OR = 0.88 (95% CI: 0.78-1.01, p = 0.06). Functional studies of ectopic expression of HOXA11-AS minor allele T in EOC cells showed decreased survival, proliferation, migration, and invasion compared to common allele A expression. Additionally, stable expression of HOXA11-AS minor allele T reduced primary tumor growth in mouse xenograft models to a greater extent than common allele A. Furthermore, HOXA11-AS expression levels were significantly lower in human EOC tumors than normal ovarian tissues (p < 0.05), suggesting that HOXA11-AS has a tumor suppressor function in EOC which may be enhanced by the T allele. These findings demonstrate for the first time a role for HOXA11-AS in EOC with effects that could be modified by germline variants.
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15
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The function of homeobox genes and lncRNAs in cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:1635-1641. [PMID: 27588114 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.4901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, the homeobox (HOX) gene family has been reported as a factor in tumorigenesis. In the human genome, the HOX gene family contains 4 clusters with 39 genes and multiple transcripts. Mutation or abnormal expression of genes is responsible for developmental disorders. In addition, changes in the levels and activation of certain HOX genes has been associated with the development of cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have also been identified to serve critical functions in cancer. Although a limited number of lncRNAs have been previously investigated, the list of functional lncRNA genes has recently grown. Two of the most important and well-studied lncRNAs and HOX transcript genes are HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) and HOXA distal transcript antisense RNA (HOTTIP). The present study aimed to review not only the function of the HOTAIR and HOTTIP genes in certain forms of cancer, but also to review other HOX genes and protein functions in cancer, particularly HOX family genes associated with lncRNAs.
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16
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Miller KR, Patel JN, Ganapathi MK, Tait DL, Ganapathi RN. Biological role and clinical implications of homeobox genes in serous epithelial ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2016; 141:608-615. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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17
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Borrelli GM, Abrão MS, Taube ET, Darb-Esfahani S, Köhler C, Kaufmann AM, Chiantera V, Mechsner S. Immunohistochemical Investigation of Metastasis-Related Chemokines in Deep-Infiltrating Endometriosis and Compromised Pelvic Sentinel Lymph Nodes. Reprod Sci 2015; 22:1632-42. [PMID: 26169037 DOI: 10.1177/1933719115592711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a prevalent benign disease, despite sharing several similarities with malignancies, such as the possibility of lymphatic spread. In malignancies, chemokines play a sovereign role in the process of metastasis. Metastasis-related chemokine axes have not yet been assessed in deep-infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), and this investigation was the aim of our study. The expression of these chemokines was investigated by immunohistochemistry in rectovaginal DIE lesions and in matched pelvic sentinel lymph nodes (PSLNs) of patients with endometriosis (n = 27), and their expression in the eutopic endometrium (EE) of endometriosis-free women (n = 20) was used as controls. Their staining pattern in rectovaginal DIE, in endometriotic lesions affecting the PSLN as well as in the EE of patients without endometriosis was characterized for the first time. Overall, these chemokines were highly expressed in DIE and endometriosis in PSLN. Chemokines might be involved in the spread of endometriosis and should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Borrelli
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - M S Abrão
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - E T Taube
- Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Darb-Esfahani
- Institute of Pathology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Köhler
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany Department of Gynecology, Asklepios Klinik Harburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A M Kaufmann
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - V Chiantera
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Mechsner
- Clinic for Gynecology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Liu T, Yu N, Ding F, Wang S, Li S, Zhang X, Sun X, Chen Y, Liu P. Verifying the markers of ovarian cancer using RNA-seq data. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:1125-30. [PMID: 25776533 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Markers associated with diagnosis, presentation and potential therapeutic targets have received widespread attention in ovarian cancer research in the past few years. However, the majority of these markers have been investigated individually, and the changes in expression and the association between them are rarely documented. Next‑generation sequencing, also termed RNA-seq when the sequencing targets are cDNAs, can provide a whole blueprint of the transcriptome of a specific tissue. In the present study, RNA-seq data of human ovarian cancer samples were used to verify the expression of known markers and to identify the association between them. A total of 563 markers associated with ovarian cancer were retrieved from the database of the National Center of Biotechnology Information, and used as the target markers. The transcriptome of the ovarian tissue of four different tumors, containing tumor presentation and recurrence stages, were sequenced using the Illumina GAII platform. Approximately 85.97% markers were expressed of the total 563 markers, and the majority of them were involved in pathways associated with cancer, signaling and infection. In total, 85 markers were found to be aberrantly expressed in tumor cells from patients with ovarian cancer who had recurrences, including 33 upregulated markers at the recurrence stage. Therefore, they may have roles ovarian tumor due to their aberrant expression. Differentially expressed markers and the associations between them can be assessed by examining the RNA-seq data. These findings may provide novel information for further studies on ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfeng Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Nina Yu
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Surong Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Shihong Li
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Xiangxiu Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong 276000, P.R. China
| | - Peishu Liu
- Department of Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250000, P.R. China
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19
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Bhatlekar S, Fields JZ, Boman BM. HOX genes and their role in the development of human cancers. J Mol Med (Berl) 2014; 92:811-23. [PMID: 24996520 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-014-1181-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize published findings on the involvement of HOX genes in oncogenesis. HOX genes are developmental genes--they code for proteins that function as critical master regulatory transcription factors during embryogenesis. Many reports have shown that the protein products of HOX genes also play key roles in the development of cancers. Based on our review of the literature, we found that the expression of HOX genes is not only up- or downregulated in most solid tumors but also that the expression of specific HOX genes in cancers tends to differ based on tissue type and tumor site. It was also observed that HOXC family gene expression is upregulated in most solid tumor types, including colon, lung, and prostate cancer. The two HOX genes that were reported to be most commonly altered in solid tumors were HOXA9 and HOXB13. HOXA were often reported to have altered expression in breast and ovarian cancers, HOXB genes in colon cancers, HOXC genes in prostate and lung cancers, and HOXD genes in colon and breast cancers. It was found that HOX genes are also regulated at the nuclear-cytoplasmic transport level in carcinomas. Tumors arising from tissue having similar embryonic origin (endodermal), including colon, prostate, and lung, showed relatively similar HOXA and HOXB family gene expression patterns compared to breast tumors arising from mammary tissue, which originates from the ectoderm. The differential expression of HOX genes in various solid tumors thus provides an opportunity to advance our understanding of cancer development and to develop new therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Bhatlekar
- Center for Translational Cancer Research, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of Delaware, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE, 19713, USA
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20
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HOXB8 expression in ovarian serous carcinoma effusions is associated with shorter survival. Gynecol Oncol 2013; 129:358-63. [PMID: 23438671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 02/12/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE HOX proteins are key transcription factors in embryogenesis. HOXB5 and HOXB8 were previously shown to be overexpressed in ovarian/primary peritoneal serous carcinoma compared to breast carcinoma using gene expression arrays. The present study investigated the clinical role of HOXB5 and HOXB8 in advanced-stage (FIGO III-IV) ovarian serous carcinoma. METHODS HOXB5 and HOXB8 protein expression was analyzed in 286 effusions and 76 patient-matched solid lesions (27 primary carcinomas, 49 metastases) using immunohistochemistry. Expression was analyzed for association with clinicopathologic parameters, including survival. RESULTS Cytoplasmic HOXB5 protein was detected in 268/286 (94%) effusions. HOXB8 was expressed at both the cytoplasm (252/286; 88%) and nucleus (131/286; 46%) of carcinoma cells. Cytoplasmic HOXB5, cytoplasmic HOXB8 and nuclear HOXB8 were found in 56/76 (74%), 76/76 (100%) and 30/76 (39%) solid lesions, respectively, with significantly higher HOXB5 expression in effusions (p=0.002) and higher cytoplasmic HOXB8 in solid lesions (p<0.001). HOXB5 expression was higher in post-chemotherapy disease recurrence effusions compared to pre-chemotherapy effusions tapped at diagnosis (p=0.04). In univariate survival analysis of the effusion cohort, higher expression of cytoplasmic HOXB8 was associated with significantly shorter progression-free survival (p=0.033), whereas higher nuclear HOXB8 expression was associated with significantly shorter overall survival in analysis limited to patients with post-chemotherapy effusions (p=0.036). Neither finding was independent prognostic factor in Cox multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS HOXB5 and HOXB8 are frequently expressed in ovarian serous carcinoma, with anatomic site-related differences for cytoplasmic staining. HOXB5 may be affected by chemotherapy in effusions. HOXB8 expression is associated with shorter survival in metastatic serous carcinoma.
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21
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McGrath SE, Michael A, Pandha H, Morgan R. Engrailed homeobox transcription factors as potential markers and targets in cancer. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:549-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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22
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Li W, Zhang S, Liu CC, Zhou XJ. Identifying multi-layer gene regulatory modules from multi-dimensional genomic data. Bioinformatics 2012; 28:2458-66. [PMID: 22863767 PMCID: PMC3463121 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bts476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivation: Eukaryotic gene expression (GE) is subjected to precisely coordinated multi-layer controls, across the levels of epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations. Recently, the emerging multi-dimensional genomic dataset has provided unprecedented opportunities to study the cross-layer regulatory interplay. In these datasets, the same set of samples is profiled on several layers of genomic activities, e.g. copy number variation (CNV), DNA methylation (DM), GE and microRNA expression (ME). However, suitable analysis methods for such data are currently sparse. Results: In this article, we introduced a sparse Multi-Block Partial Least Squares (sMBPLS) regression method to identify multi-dimensional regulatory modules from this new type of data. A multi-dimensional regulatory module contains sets of regulatory factors from different layers that are likely to jointly contribute to a local ‘gene expression factory’. We demonstrated the performance of our method on the simulated data as well as on The Cancer Genomic Atlas Ovarian Cancer datasets including the CNV, DM, ME and GE data measured on 230 samples. We showed that majority of identified modules have significant functional and transcriptional enrichment, higher than that observed in modules identified using only a single type of genomic data. Our network analysis of the modules revealed that the CNV, DM and microRNA can have coupled impact on expression of important oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Availability and implementation: The source code implemented by MATLAB is freely available at: http://zhoulab.usc.edu/sMBPLS/. Contact:xjzhou@usc.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary material are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyuan Li
- Program in Molecular and Computational Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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23
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Kim HJ, Roh MS, Son CH, Kim AJ, Jee HJ, Song N, Kim M, Seo SY, Yoo YH, Yun J. Loss of Med1/TRAP220 promotes the invasion and metastasis of human non-small-cell lung cancer cells by modulating the expression of metastasis-related genes. Cancer Lett 2012; 321:195-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2012.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2011] [Revised: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gendronneau G, Boucherat O, Aubin J, Lemieux M, Jeannotte L. The loss of Hoxa5 function causes estrous acyclicity and ovarian epithelial inclusion cysts. Endocrinology 2012; 153:1484-97. [PMID: 22315454 PMCID: PMC3281536 DOI: 10.1210/en.2011-1766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hox genes encode transcription factors that play essential roles during embryo morphogenesis and organogenesis. Expression of several Hox members persists at the adult age, indicating a wide spectrum of action from embryonic to postnatal life. In the present study, we reported that in adult mice, the Hoxa5 gene shows a dynamic expression profile in the ovary that depends on the estrous cycle, the gestational status, and the age of the female, suggesting that Hoxa5 may have distinct physiological functions in the ovary. Consistent with a role for Hoxa5 in ovarian function, Hoxa5(-/-) nulliparous females exhibit precocious puberty and an early onset of estrous acyclicity. They show a prolonged estrous cycle with increased metestrus-diestrus length, a phenotype that worsens with age. Older mutant females also develop ovarian epithelial inclusion cysts reminiscent of human endosalpingiosis. Immunolabeling studies suggest that these cysts originate from the ovarian surface epithelium, a source of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. Staining of the Hoxa5(-/-) ovarian cysts by the ovarian cancer markers paired box gene 8 (PAX8) and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) further strengthens the notion that these cysts may constitute preneoplastic lesions. Moreover, the deregulation of the estrous cycle and the presence of ovarian epithelial cysts in Hoxa5(-/-) older females correlate with a reduced expression of specific epidermal growth factor receptor signaling components, namely Egfr, Areg, and Btc. Altogether, our data unveil that Hoxa5, a stroma-specific gene, plays a significant role in ovarian biology and may be involved in ovarian cancer predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Gendronneau
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de l'Université Laval, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 9, rue McMahon, Québec, Québec, Canada
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25
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Klausen C, Auersperg N. HOXA4 protein levels and localization in the aorta and in human abdominal aortic aneurysms. BMC PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 11:18. [PMID: 22168796 PMCID: PMC3254126 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6793-11-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
This report presents evidence for the specificities of select commercially available HOXA4 antibodies in regards to concerns about the specificity of the HOXA4 antibody used by Lillvis et al. (Regional expression of HOXA4 along the aorta and its potential role in human abdominal aortic aneurysms. BMC Physiol 2011, 11:9). Using an antibody characterized extensively by us, Lillvis et al. report detecting HOXA4 at a size of 33 kDa despite our previous reports that HOXA4 is detected at ~37-39 kDa and that the ~30-33 kDa band is non-specific. Using small interfering RNA targeting HOXA4, forced expression of full-length HOXA4 and HOXA4-positive and -negative ovarian cancer cell lines, we confirm our previous findings that the ~30-33 kDa band is non-specific and that HOXA4 is detected at ~37-39 kDa. Moreover, we demonstrate that HOXA4 small interfering RNA reduces the ~37-39 kDa HOXA4 band, but not the ~30-33 kDa non-specific band, in a human acute monocytic leukemia cell line used by Lillvis et al. Western blot analysis performed with two additional commercially available HOXA4 antibodies also detected HOXA4 at ~37-39 kDa. Lastly, immunofluorescent staining of a HOXA4-negative ovarian cancer cell line with the antibody used by Lillvis et al. yields strong perinuclear staining, similar to that observed by Lillvis et al., which cannot be attributed to HOXA4. Our results highlight and briefly discuss the importance of careful antibody validation and selection for use in various applications.
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26
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Kelly ZL, Michael A, Butler-Manuel S, Pandha HS, Morgan RG. HOX genes in ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2011; 4:16. [PMID: 21906307 PMCID: PMC3179923 DOI: 10.1186/1757-2215-4-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The HOX genes are a family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors that determine cellular identity during development. Here we review a number of recent studies showing that HOX genes are strongly expressed in ovarian cancer, and that in some cases the expression of specific HOX genes is sufficient to confer a particular identity and phenotype upon cancer cells. We also review the recent advances in elucidating the different functions of HOX genes in ovarian cancer. A literature search was performed using the search terms HOX genes (including specific HOX genes), ovarian cancer and oncogenesis. Articles were accessed through searches performed in ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed and ScienceDirect. Taken together, these studies have shown that HOX genes play a role in the oncogenesis of ovarian cancer and function in the inhibition of apoptosis, DNA repair and enhanced cell motility. The function of HOX genes in ovarian cancer oncogenesis supports their potential role as prognostic and diagnostic markers, and as therapeutic targets in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë L Kelly
- Postgraduate Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, GU2 7WG, UK.
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Lillvis JH, Erdman R, Schworer CM, Golden A, Derr K, Gatalica Z, Cox LA, Shen J, Vander Heide RS, Lenk GM, Hlavaty L, Li L, Elmore JR, Franklin DP, Gray JL, Garvin RP, Carey DJ, Lancaster WD, Tromp G, Kuivaniemi H. Regional expression of HOXA4 along the aorta and its potential role in human abdominal aortic aneurysms. BMC PHYSIOLOGY 2011; 11:9. [PMID: 21627813 PMCID: PMC3125234 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6793-11-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The infrarenal abdominal aorta exhibits increased disease susceptibility relative to other aortic regions. Allograft studies exchanging thoracic and abdominal segments showed that regional susceptibility is maintained regardless of location, suggesting substantial roles for embryological origin, tissue composition and site-specific gene expression. RESULTS We analyzed gene expression with microarrays in baboon aortas, and found that members of the HOX gene family exhibited spatial expression differences. HOXA4 was chosen for further study, since it had decreased expression in the abdominal compared to the thoracic aorta. Western blot analysis from 24 human aortas demonstrated significantly higher HOXA4 protein levels in thoracic compared to abdominal tissues (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical staining for HOXA4 showed nuclear and perinuclear staining in endothelial and smooth muscle cells in aorta. The HOXA4 transcript levels were significantly decreased in human abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) compared to age-matched non-aneurysmal controls (P < 0.00004). Cultured human aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells stimulated with INF-γ (an important inflammatory cytokine in AAA pathogenesis) showed decreased levels of HOXA4 protein (P < 0.0007). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated spatial variation in expression of HOXA4 in human aortas that persisted into adulthood and that downregulation of HOXA4 expression was associated with AAAs, an important aortic disease of the ageing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Lillvis
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Morgan R, Plowright L, Harrington KJ, Michael A, Pandha HS. Targeting HOX and PBX transcription factors in ovarian cancer. BMC Cancer 2010; 10:89. [PMID: 20219106 PMCID: PMC2846885 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-10-89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2009] [Accepted: 03/10/2010] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer still has a relatively poor prognosis due to the frequent occurrence of drug resistance, making the identification of new therapeutic targets an important goal. We have studied the role of HOX genes in the survival and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. These are a family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors that determine cell and tissue identity in the early embryo, and have an anti-apoptotic role in a number of malignancies including lung and renal cancer. METHODS We used QPCR to determine HOX gene expression in normal ovary and in the ovarian cancer cell lines SK-OV3 and OV-90. We used a short peptide, HXR9, to disrupt the formation of HOX/PBX dimers and alter transcriptional regulation by HOX proteins. RESULTS In this study we show that the ovarian cancer derived line SK-OV3, but not OV-90, exhibits highly dysregulated expression of members of the HOX gene family. Disrupting the interaction between HOX proteins and their co-factor PBX induces apoptosis in SK-OV3 cells and retards tumour growth in vivo. CONCLUSION HOX/PBX binding is a potential target in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Morgan
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Lynn Plowright
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Kevin J Harrington
- Targeted Therapy Team, Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | | | - Hardev S Pandha
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
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Klausen C, Leung PCK, Auersperg N. Cell motility and spreading are suppressed by HOXA4 in ovarian cancer cells: possible involvement of beta1 integrin. Mol Cancer Res 2009; 7:1425-37. [PMID: 19723874 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-08-0466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
HOX genes are transcription factors that control morphogenesis, organogenesis and differentiation. Increasing evidence suggests that HOX genes play a role in ovarian cancer progression; however few studies have defined functional roles and mechanisms of action. We showed previously that HOXA4 expression is increased in invasive, compared to noninvasive, epithelial ovarian tumors. However, HOXA4 suppressed cell migration suggesting that elevated HOXA4 expression in invasive tumors constitutes a homeostatic response. In the present study, we used siRNA and forced-expression in multiple cell lines to define the role of HOXA4 in the regulation of transwell migration/invasion and cellular/colony morphology. Knockdown of endogenous HOXA4 increased migration, but not Matrigel invasion, of OVCAR-8 and OVCAR-3 cells. HOXA4 knockdown also increased cell spreading on plastic or fibronectin, reduced cell-cell adhesion, and increased filopodia in two- and three-dimensional cultures. These changes were not associated with significant changes in alphaV or beta3 integrin and E- or N-cadherin. However, down-regulation of HOXA4 significantly reduced beta1 integrin protein levels within cell colonies and cell aggregates, but not of single, nonadherent cells. It had no effect on beta1 integrin, alpha5 integrin, or fibronectin mRNA levels. Conversely, overexpression of HOXA4 in CaOV-3 cells suppressed transwell migration and increased beta1 integrin protein levels. Our results confirm that HOXA4 inhibits cell motility, show that it suppresses cell spreading and filopodia formation while enhancing cell-cell adhesion, and suggest a role for beta1 integrin in mediating these changes. These observations support the hypothesis that overexpression of HOXA4 in invasive ovarian tumors is a homeostatic, invasion-suppressive response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Klausen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, 2H30 - 4490 Oak Street, B.C. Women's Hospital, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3V5, Canada.
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