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Singh A, Cheng D, Swaminathan J, Yang Y, Zheng Y, Gordon N, Gopalakrishnan V. REST-dependent downregulation of von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor promotes autophagy in SHH-medulloblastoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13596. [PMID: 38866867 PMCID: PMC11169471 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63371-7] [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] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a driver of sonic hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma genesis. Our previous studies showed that REST enhances cell proliferation, metastasis and vascular growth and blocks neuronal differentiation to drive progression of SHH medulloblastoma tumors. Here, we demonstrate that REST promotes autophagy, a pathway that is found to be significantly enriched in human medulloblastoma tumors relative to normal cerebella. In SHH medulloblastoma tumor xenografts, REST elevation is strongly correlated with increased expression of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α)-a positive regulator of autophagy, and with reduced expression of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor protein - a component of an E3 ligase complex that ubiquitinates HIF1α. Human SHH-medulloblastoma tumors with higher REST expression exhibit nuclear localization of HIF1α, in contrast to its cytoplasmic localization in low-REST tumors. In vitro, REST knockdown promotes an increase in VHL levels and a decrease in cytoplasmic HIF1α protein levels, and autophagy flux. In contrast, REST elevation causes a decline in VHL levels, as well as its interaction with HIF1α, resulting in a reduction in HIF1α ubiquitination and an increase in autophagy flux. These data suggest that REST elevation promotes autophagy in SHH medulloblastoma cells by modulating HIF1α ubiquitination and stability in a VHL-dependent manner. Thus, our study is one of the first to connect VHL to REST-dependent control of autophagy in a subset of medulloblastomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Singh
- Department of Pediatrics Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Donghang Cheng
- Department of Pediatrics Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jyothishmathi Swaminathan
- Department of Pediatrics Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yanwen Yang
- Department of Pediatrics Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nancy Gordon
- Department of Pediatrics Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Vidya Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 853, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences, 6767 Bertner Ave, S3.8344 Mitchell BSRB, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Begagić E, Bečulić H, Džidić-Krivić A, Kadić Vukas S, Hadžić S, Mekić-Abazović A, Šegalo S, Papić E, Muchai Echengi E, Pugonja R, Kasapović T, Kavgić D, Nuhović A, Juković-Bihorac F, Đuričić S, Pojskić M. Understanding the Significance of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors (HIFs) in Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2089. [PMID: 38893207 PMCID: PMC11171068 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aims to investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) in the development, progression, and therapeutic potential of glioblastomas. METHODOLOGY The study, following PRISMA guidelines, systematically examined hypoxia and HIFs in glioblastoma using MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus. A total of 104 relevant studies underwent data extraction. RESULTS Among the 104 studies, global contributions were diverse, with China leading at 23.1%. The most productive year was 2019, accounting for 11.5%. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) was frequently studied, followed by hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF2α), osteopontin, and cavolin-1. Commonly associated factors and pathways include glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). HIF expression correlates with various glioblastoma hallmarks, including progression, survival, neovascularization, glucose metabolism, migration, and invasion. CONCLUSION Overcoming challenges such as treatment resistance and the absence of biomarkers is critical for the effective integration of HIF-related therapies into the treatment of glioblastoma with the aim of optimizing patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emir Begagić
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Hakija Bečulić
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amina Džidić-Krivić
- Department of Neurology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina (S.K.V.)
| | - Samra Kadić Vukas
- Department of Neurology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina (S.K.V.)
| | - Semir Hadžić
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Alma Mekić-Abazović
- Department of Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Sabina Šegalo
- Department of Laboratory Technologies, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (S.Š.); (E.P.)
| | - Emsel Papić
- Department of Laboratory Technologies, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; (S.Š.); (E.P.)
| | - Emmanuel Muchai Echengi
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Kenyatta University, Nairobi 43844-00100, Kenya
| | - Ragib Pugonja
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Tarik Kasapović
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Dalila Kavgić
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Adem Nuhović
- Department of General Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Fatima Juković-Bihorac
- Department of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Slaviša Đuričić
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, 72000 Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
| | - Mirza Pojskić
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Marburg, 35033 Marburg, Germany
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3
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Jiang MQ, Yu SP, Estaba T, Choi E, Berglund K, Gu X, Wei L. Reprogramming Glioblastoma Cells into Non-Cancerous Neuronal Cells as a Novel Anti-Cancer Strategy. Cells 2024; 13:897. [PMID: 38891029 PMCID: PMC11171681 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110897] [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] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with a high mortality rate. Direct reprogramming of glial cells to different cell lineages, such as induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) and induced neurons (iNeurons), provides genetic tools to manipulate a cell's fate as a potential therapy for neurological diseases. NeuroD1 (ND1) is a master transcriptional factor for neurogenesis and it promotes neuronal differentiation. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the expression of ND1 in GBM cells can force them to differentiate toward post-mitotic neurons and halt GBM tumor progression. In cultured human GBM cell lines, including LN229, U87, and U373 as temozolomide (TMZ)-sensitive and T98G as TMZ-resistant cells, the neuronal lineage conversion was induced by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) package carrying ND1. Twenty-one days after AAV-ND1 transduction, ND1-expressing cells displayed neuronal markers MAP2, TUJ1, and NeuN. The ND1-induced transdifferentiation was regulated by Wnt signaling and markedly enhanced under a hypoxic condition (2% O2 vs. 21% O2). ND1-expressing GBM cultures had fewer BrdU-positive proliferating cells compared to vector control cultures. Increased cell death was visualized by TUNEL staining, and reduced migrative activity was demonstrated in the wound-healing test after ND1 reprogramming in both TMZ-sensitive and -resistant GBM cells. In a striking contrast to cancer cells, converted cells expressed the anti-tumor gene p53. In an orthotopical GBM mouse model, AAV-ND1-reprogrammed U373 cells were transplanted into the fornix of the cyclosporine-immunocompromised C57BL/6 mouse brain. Compared to control GBM cell-formed tumors, cells from ND1-reprogrammed cultures formed smaller tumors and expressed neuronal markers such as TUJ1 in the brain. Thus, reprogramming using a single-factor ND1 overcame drug resistance, converting malignant cells of heterogeneous GBM cells to normal neuron-like cells in vitro and in vivo. These novel observations warrant further research using patient-derived GBM cells and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models as a potentially effective treatment for a deadly brain cancer and likely other astrocytoma tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Q. Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Shan Ping Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA
| | - Takira Estaba
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
| | - Emily Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
| | - Ken Berglund
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Xiaohuan Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA 30033, USA
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA; (M.Q.J.); (T.E.); (E.C.); (X.G.)
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Habeeb M, Vengateswaran HT, You HW, Saddhono K, Aher KB, Bhavar GB. Nanomedicine facilitated cell signaling blockade: difficulties and strategies to overcome glioblastoma. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:1677-1705. [PMID: 38288615 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02485g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal type of brain tumor with complex and diverse molecular signaling pathways involved that are in its development and progression. Despite numerous attempts to develop effective treatments, the survival rate remains low. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of these pathways can aid in the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of glioblastoma. Nanomedicines have shown potential in targeting and blocking signaling pathways involved in glioblastoma. Nanomedicines can be engineered to specifically target tumor sites, bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and release drugs over an extended period. However, current nanomedicine strategies also face limitations, including poor stability, toxicity, and low therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, novel and advanced nanomedicine-based strategies must be developed for enhanced drug delivery. In this review, we highlight risk factors and chemotherapeutics for the treatment of glioblastoma. Further, we discuss different nanoformulations fabricated using synthetic and natural materials for treatment and diagnosis to selectively target signaling pathways involved in GBM. Furthermore, we discuss current clinical strategies and the role of artificial intelligence in the field of nanomedicine for targeting GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Habeeb
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Crescent School of Pharmacy, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-600048, India.
| | - Hariharan Thirumalai Vengateswaran
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Crescent School of Pharmacy, B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai-600048, India.
| | - Huay Woon You
- Pusat PERMATA@Pintar Negara, Universiti Kebangsaan 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kundharu Saddhono
- Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Sebelas Maret, 57126, Indonesia
| | - Kiran Balasaheb Aher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, Maharashtra, 424001, India
| | - Girija Balasaheb Bhavar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, Maharashtra, 424001, India
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5
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Dong Y, Quan C. NPFs-mediated actin cytoskeleton: a new viewpoint on autophagy regulation. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:111. [PMID: 38347641 PMCID: PMC10860245 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01444-2] [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] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is a lysosome-dependent catabolic process induced by various cellular stress conditions, maintaining the homeostasis of cells, tissues and organs. Autophagy is a series of membrane-related events involving multiple autophagy-related (ATG) proteins. Most studies to date have focused on various signaling pathways affecting ATG proteins to control autophagy. However, mounting evidence reveals that the actin cytoskeleton acts on autophagy-associated membranes to regulate different events of autophagy. The actin cytoskeleton assists in vesicle formation and provides the mechanical forces for cellular activities that involve membrane deformation. Although the interaction between the actin cytoskeleton and membrane makes the role of actin in autophagy recognized, how the actin cytoskeleton is recruited and assembles on membranes during autophagy needs to be detailed. Nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) activate the Arp2/3 complex to produce actin cytoskeleton. In this review, we summarize the important roles of the actin cytoskeleton in autophagy regulation and focus on the effect of NPFs on actin cytoskeleton assembly during autophagy, providing new insights into the occurrence and regulatory mechanisms of autophagy. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, ChangchunJilin, 130021, China
| | - Chengshi Quan
- The Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, 126 Xinmin Avenue, ChangchunJilin, 130021, China.
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Cheng CW, Liu YF, Liao WL, Chen PM, Hung YT, Lee HJ, Cheng YC, Wu PE, Lu YS, Shen CY. miR-622 Increases miR-30a Expression through Inhibition of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α to Improve Metastasis and Chemoresistance in Human Invasive Breast Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:657. [PMID: 38339408 PMCID: PMC10854867 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030657] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) plays a pivotal role in the survival, metastasis, and response to treatment of solid tumors. Autophagy serves as a mechanism for tumor cells to eliminate misfolded proteins and damaged organelles, thus promoting invasiveness, metastasis, and resistance to treatment under hypoxic conditions. MicroRNA (miRNA) research underscores the significance of these non-coding molecules in regulating cancer-related protein synthesis across diverse contexts. However, there is limited reporting on miRNA-mediated gene expression studies, especially with respect to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and autophagy in the context of hypoxic breast cancer. Our study reveals decreased levels of miRNA-622 (miR-622) and miRNA-30a (miR-30a) in invasive breast cancer cells compared to their non-invasive counterparts. Inducing miR-622 suppresses HIF-1α protein expression, subsequently activating miR-30a transcription. This cascade results in reduced invasiveness and migration of breast cancer cells by inhibiting EMT markers, such as Snail, Slug, and vimentin. Furthermore, miR-30a negatively regulates beclin 1, ATG5, and LC3-II and inhibits Akt protein phosphorylation. Consequently, this improves the sensitivity of invasive MDA-MB-231 cells to docetaxel treatment. In conclusion, our study highlights the therapeutic potential of inducing miR-622 to promote miR-30a expression and thus disrupt HIF-1α-associated EMT and autophagy pathways. This innovative strategy presents a promising approach to the treatment of aggressive breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Wen Cheng
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; (P.-M.C.); (Y.-T.H.)
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fan Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Ling Liao
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40604, Taiwan;
- Department of Medical Genetics and Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40604, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ming Chen
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; (P.-M.C.); (Y.-T.H.)
| | - Yueh-Tzu Hung
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; (P.-M.C.); (Y.-T.H.)
| | - Huei-Jane Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Chun Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 10629, Taiwan;
| | - Pei-Ei Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan;
| | - Yen-Shen Lu
- Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10022, Taiwan;
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10022, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yang Shen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan;
- College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 40604, Taiwan
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Qin Y, Xiong S, Ren J, Sethi G. Autophagy machinery in glioblastoma: The prospect of cell death crosstalk and drug resistance with bioinformatics analysis. Cancer Lett 2024; 580:216482. [PMID: 37977349 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216482] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Brain tumors are common malignancies with high mortality and morbidity in which glioblastoma (GB) is a grade IV astrocytoma with heterogeneous nature. The conventional therapeutics for the GB mainly include surgery and chemotherapy, however their efficacy has been compromised due to the aggressiveness of tumor cells. The dysregulation of cell death mechanisms, especially autophagy has been reported as a factor causing difficulties in cancer therapy. As a mechanism contributing to cell homeostasis, the autophagy process is hijacked by tumor cells for the purpose of aggravating cancer progression and drug resistance. The autophagy function is context-dependent and its role can be lethal or protective in cancer. The aim of the current paper is to highlight the role of autophagy in the regulation of GB progression. The cytotoxic function of autophagy can promote apoptosis and ferroptosis in GB cells and vice versa. Autophagy dysregulation can cause drug resistance and radioresistance in GB. Moreover, stemness can be regulated by autophagy and overall growth as well as metastasis are affected by autophagy. The various interventions including administration of synthetic/natural products and nanoplatforms can target autophagy. Therefore, autophagy can act as a promising target in GB therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qin
- Department of Lab, Chifeng Cancer Hospital (The 2nd Afflicted Hospital of Chifeng University), Chifeng University, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 024000, China.
| | - Shengjun Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jun Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117600, Singapore.
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Danish F, Qureshi MA, Mirza T, Amin W, Sufiyan S, Naeem S, Arshad F, Mughal N. Investigating the Association between the Autophagy Markers LC3B, SQSTM1/p62, and DRAM and Autophagy-Related Genes in Glioma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:572. [PMID: 38203743 PMCID: PMC10779014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010572] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
High-grade gliomas are extremely fatal tumors, marked by severe hypoxia and therapeutic resistance. Autophagy is a cellular degradative process that can be activated by hypoxia, ultimately resulting in tumor advancement and chemo-resistance. Our study aimed to examine the link between autophagy markers' expression in low-grade gliomas (LGGs) and high-grade gliomas (HGGs). In 39 glioma cases, we assessed the protein expression of autophagy markers LC3B, SQSTM1/p62, and DRAM by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the mRNA expression of the autophagy genes PTEN, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, ULK1, ULK2, UVRAG, Beclin 1, and VPS34 using RT-qPCR. LC3B, SQSTM1/p62, and DRAM expression were positive in 64.1%, 51.3%, and 28.2% of glioma cases, respectively. The expression of LC3B and SQSTM1/p62 was notably higher in HGGs compared to LGGs. VPS34 exhibited a significant differential expression, displaying increased fold change in HGGs compared to LGGs. Additionally, it exhibited robust positive associations with Beclin1 (rs = 0.768), UVRAG (rs = 0.802), and ULK2 (rs = 0.786) in HGGs. This underscores a potential association between autophagy and the progression of gliomas. We provide preliminary data for the functional analysis of autophagy using a cell culture model and to identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farheen Danish
- Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75300, Pakistan; (F.D.); (F.A.)
| | - Muhammad Asif Qureshi
- Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75300, Pakistan; (F.D.); (F.A.)
| | - Talat Mirza
- Departments of Research & Molecular Medicine, Ziauddin University, Karachi 75600, Pakistan;
| | - Wajiha Amin
- Departments of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; (W.A.); (S.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Sufiyan Sufiyan
- Departments of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; (W.A.); (S.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Sana Naeem
- Departments of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; (W.A.); (S.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Fatima Arshad
- Department of Pathology, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 75300, Pakistan; (F.D.); (F.A.)
| | - Nouman Mughal
- Departments of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan; (W.A.); (S.S.); (S.N.)
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Liu S, Zhang HL, Li J, Ye ZP, Du T, Li LC, Guo YQ, Yang D, Li ZL, Cao JH, Hu BX, Chen YH, Feng GK, Li ZM, Deng R, Huang JJ, Zhu XF. Tubastatin A potently inhibits GPX4 activity to potentiate cancer radiotherapy through boosting ferroptosis. Redox Biol 2023; 62:102677. [PMID: 36989572 PMCID: PMC10074938 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent lipid peroxidation-driven programmed cell death, is closely related to cancer therapy. The development of druggable ferroptosis inducers and their rational application in cancer therapy are critical. Here, we identified Tubastatin A, an HDAC6 inhibitor as a novel druggable ferroptosis inducer through large-scale drug screening. Tubastatin A directly bonded to GPX4 and inhibited GPX4 enzymatic activity through biotin-linked Tubastatin A putdown and LC/MS analysis, which is independent of its inhibition of HDAC6. In addition, our results showed that radiotherapy not only activated Nrf2-mediated GPX4 transcription but also inhibited lysosome-mediated GPX4 degradation, subsequently inducing ferroptosis tolerance and radioresistance in cancer cells. Tubastatin A overcame ferroptosis resistance and radioresistance of cancer cells by inhibiting GPX4 enzymatic activity. More importantly, Tubastatin A has excellent bioavailability, as demonstrated by its ability to significantly promote radiotherapy-induced lipid peroxidation and tumour suppression in a mouse xenograft model. Our findings identify a novel druggable ferroptosis inducer, Tubastatin A, which enhances radiotherapy-mediated antitumor effects. This work provides a compelling rationale for the clinical evaluation of Tubastatin A, especially in combination with radiotherapy.
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