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Zhang XZ, Mo XC, Wang ZT, Sun R, Sun DQ. N-glycosylation of Wnt3 regulates the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by affecting Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:2769-2780. [PMID: 38994173 PMCID: PMC11236237 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i6.2769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wnt/FZD-mediated signaling pathways are activated in more than 90% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. As a well-known secretory glycoprotein, Wnt3 can interact with FZD receptors on the cell surface, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, the N-glycosylation modification site of Wnt3 and the effect of this modification on the biological function of the protein are still unclear. AIM To investigate the effect of Wnt3 N-glycosylation on the biological function of HCC cells. METHODS Site-directed mutagenesis was used to verify the Wnt3 N-glycosylation sites, actinomycin D treatment was used to detect the stability of Wnt3 after site-directed mutation, the binding of the N-glycosylation site-directed mutant Wnt3 to FZD7 was observed by laser confocal microscopy, and the effects of the N-glycosylation site-directed mutation of Wnt3 on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the progression of HCC cells were detected by western blot and cell function experiments. RESULTS Wnt3 has two N-glycosylation-modified sites (Asn90 and Asn301); when a single site at amino acid 301 is mutated, the stability of Wnt3 is weakened; the binding ability of Wnt3 to FZD7 decreases when both sites are mutated simultaneously; and the level of proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is downregulated. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion are also weakened in the case of single 301 site and double-site mutations. CONCLUSION These results indicate that by inhibiting the N-glycosylation of Wnt3, the proliferation, migration, invasion and colony formation abilities of liver cancer cells can be weakened, which might provide new therapeutic strategies for clinical liver cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Zhan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Research Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Xiao-Chuan Mo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Research Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Zhu-Ting Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Research Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Rong Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Research Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Da-Quan Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Research Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
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2
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Sun F, Chen H, Dai X, Hou Y, Li J, Zhang Y, Huang L, Guo B, Yang D. Liposome-lentivirus for miRNA therapy with molecular mechanism study. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:329. [PMID: 38858736 PMCID: PMC11165871 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02534-0] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a vital role in the occurrence, maintenance, and recurrence of solid tumors. Although, miR-145-5p can inhibit CSCs survival, poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms hamperes further therapeutic optimization for patients. Lentivirus with remarkable transduction efficiency is the most commonly used RNA carrier in research, but has shown limited tumor-targeting capability. METHODS We have applied liposome to decorate lentivirus surface thereby yielding liposome-lentivirus hybrid-based carriers, termed miR-145-5p-lentivirus nanoliposome (MRL145), and systematically analyzed their potential therapeutic effects on liver CSCs (LCSCs). RESULTS MRL145 exhibited high delivery efficiency and potent anti-tumor efficacy under in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the overexpressed miR-145-5p can significantly suppress the self-renewal, migration, and invasion abilities of LCSCs by targeting Collagen Type IV Alpha 3 Chain (COL4A3). Importantly, COL4A3 can promote phosphorylating GSK-3β at ser 9 (p-GSK-3β S9) to inactivate GSK3β, and facilitate translocation of β-catenin into the nucleus to activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby promoting self-renewal, migration, and invasion of LCSCs. Interestingly, COL4A3 could attenuate the cellular autophagy through modulating GSK3β/Gli3/VMP1 axis to promote self-renewal, migration, and invasion of LCSCs. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide new insights in mode of action of miR-145-5p in LCSCs therapy and indicates that liposome-virus hybrid carriers hold great promise in miRNA delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fen Sun
- Institute of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, 250000, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Huaqing Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaoyong Dai
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Precision Medicine and Healthcare Research Center, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, Guangdong, China
| | - Yibo Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yinghe Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Carbon Materials Research and Comprehensive Application, School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Laiqiang Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Bing Guo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Carbon Materials Research and Comprehensive Application, School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Dongye Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The University of Hongkong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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Zhang R, Li S, Schippers K, Eimers B, Niu J, Hornung BVH, van den Hout MCGN, van Ijcken WFJ, Peppelenbosch MP, Smits R. Unraveling the impact of AXIN1 mutations on HCC development: Insights from CRISPR/Cas9 repaired AXIN1-mutant liver cancer cell lines. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304607. [PMID: 38848383 PMCID: PMC11161089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive liver cancer with significant morbidity and mortality rates. AXIN1 is one of the top-mutated genes in HCC, but the mechanism by which AXIN1 mutations contribute to HCC development remains unclear. METHODS In this study, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to repair AXIN1-truncated mutations in five HCC cell lines. RESULTS For each cell line we successfully obtained 2-4 correctly repaired clones, which all show reduced β-catenin signaling accompanied with reduced cell viability and colony formation. Although exposure of repaired clones to Wnt3A-conditioned medium restored β-catenin signaling, it did not or only partially recover their growth characteristics, indicating the involvement of additional mechanisms. Through RNA-sequencing analysis, we explored the gene expression patterns associated with repaired AXIN1 clones. Except for some highly-responsive β-catenin target genes, no consistent alteration in gene/pathway expression was observed. This observation also applies to the Notch and YAP/TAZ-Hippo signaling pathways, which have been associated with AXIN1-mutant HCCs previously. The AXIN1-repaired clones also cannot confirm a recent observation that AXIN1 is directly linked to YAP/TAZ protein stability and signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides insights into the effects of repairing AXIN1 mutations on β-catenin signaling, cell viability, and colony formation in HCC cell lines. However, further investigations are necessary to understand the complex mechanisms underlying HCC development associated with AXIN1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Chiral Functional Substance Research and Application, School of Chemistry & Environment, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kelly Schippers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Boaz Eimers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jiahui Niu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastian V. H. Hornung
- Erasmus Center for Biomics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Maikel P. Peppelenbosch
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ron Smits
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Liang J, Yao N, Deng B, Li J, Jiang Y, Liu T, Hu Y, Cao M, Hong J. GINS1 promotes ZEB1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor metastasis via β-catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31237. [PMID: 38468464 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31237] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
GINS1 regulates DNA replication in the initiation and elongation phases and plays an important role in the progression of various malignant tumors. However, the role of GINS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unclear. In this study, we investigated the role and underlying mechanisms of GINS1 in contributing to HCC metastasis. We found that GINS1 was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, especially in HCC tissues with vascular invasion and HCC cell lines with highly metastatic properties. Additionally, high expression of GINS1 was positively correlated with the progressive clinical features of HCC patients, including tumor number (multiple), tumor size (>5 cm), advanced tumor stage, vascular invasion and early recurrence, suggesting that GINS1 upregulation was greatly involved in HCC metastasis. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that high GINS1 expression predicted a poor prognosis. Both in vitro and in vivo, silencing of GINS1 inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis, while overexpression of GINS1 induced opposite effects. Mechanistically, we found that ZEB1 was a crucial regulator of GINS1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and GINS1 promoted EMT and tumor metastasis through β-catenin signaling. Overall, the present study demonstrated that GINS1 promoted ZEB1-mediated EMT and tumor metastasis via β-catenin signaling in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Yao
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Deng
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Shunde Hospital, Jinan University, Foshan, China
| | - Jinying Li
- Department of Digestive Endoscopy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuchuan Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tongzheng Liu
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youzhu Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Shunde Hospital, Jinan University, Foshan, China
| | - Mingrong Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Hong
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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5
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Matsumoto S, Kikuchi A. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in liver biology and tumorigenesis. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2024; 60:466-481. [PMID: 38379098 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-024-00858-7] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway that controls fundamental physiological and pathological processes by regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway enables liver homeostasis by inducing differentiation and contributes to liver-specific features such as metabolic zonation and regeneration. In contrast, abnormalities in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway promote the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Similarly, hepatoblastoma, the most common childhood liver cancer, is frequently associated with β-catenin mutations, which activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling. HCCs with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway have unique gene expression patterns and pathological and clinical features. Accordingly, they are highly differentiated with retaining hepatocyte-like characteristics and tumorigenic. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC also alters the state of immune cells, causing "immune evasion" with inducing resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have recently become widely used to treat HCC. Activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling exhibits these phenomena in liver tumorigenesis through the expression of downstream target genes, and the molecular basis is still poorly understood. In this review, we describe the physiological roles of Wnt/b-catenin signaling and then discuss their characteristic changes by the abnormal activation of Wnt/b-catenin signaling. Clarification of the mechanism would contribute to the development of therapeutic agents in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Matsumoto
- Departments of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), 2-2 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Akira Kikuchi
- Departments of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Center of Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, 2-8 Yamada-Oka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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6
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Gajos-Michniewicz A, Czyz M. WNT/β-catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma: The aberrant activation, pathogenic roles, and therapeutic opportunities. Genes Dis 2024; 11:727-746. [PMID: 37692481 PMCID: PMC10491942 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.02.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a liver cancer, highly heterogeneous both at the histopathological and molecular levels. It arises from hepatocytes as the result of the accumulation of numerous genomic alterations in various signaling pathways, including canonical WNT/β-catenin, AKT/mTOR, MAPK pathways as well as signaling associated with telomere maintenance, p53/cell cycle regulation, epigenetic modifiers, and oxidative stress. The role of WNT/β-catenin signaling in liver homeostasis and regeneration is well established, whereas in development and progression of HCC is extensively studied. Herein, we review recent advances in our understanding of how WNT/β-catenin signaling facilitates the HCC development, acquisition of stemness features, metastasis, and resistance to treatment. We outline genetic and epigenetic alterations that lead to activated WNT/β-catenin signaling in HCC. We discuss the pivotal roles of CTNNB1 mutations, aberrantly expressed non-coding RNAs and complexity of crosstalk between WNT/β-catenin signaling and other signaling pathways as challenging or advantageous aspects of therapy development and molecular stratification of HCC patients for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gajos-Michniewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 92-215, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz 92-215, Poland
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Yu Y, Wang J, Guo Q, Luo H. LINC01134: a pivotal oncogene with promising predictive maker and therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1265762. [PMID: 38450182 PMCID: PMC10915649 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1265762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a leading and fatal malignancy within the gastrointestinal tract. Recent advancements highlight the pivotal role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in diverse biological pathways and pathologies, particularly in tumorigenesis. LINC01134, a particular lncRNA, has attracted considerable attention due to its oncogenic potential in hepatoma. Current research underscores LINC01134's potential in augmenting the onset and progression of HCC, with notable implications in drug resistance. This review comprehensively explores the molecular functions and regulatory mechanisms of LINC01134 in HCC, offering a fresh perspective for therapeutic interventions. By delving into LINC01134's multifaceted roles, we aim to foster novel strategies in HCC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Yu
- Department of Spleen and Stomach Diseases, Jiujiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jialing Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Qingfa Guo
- Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Hongliang Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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8
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Zhang J, Ma J, Li Y, An Y, Du W, Yang Q, Huang M, Cai X. Overexpression of Aurora Kinase B Is Correlated with Diagnosis and Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2199. [PMID: 38396874 PMCID: PMC10889672 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042199] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Aurora kinase B (AURKB) overexpression promotes tumor initiation and development by participating in the cell cycle. In this study, we focused on the mechanism of AURKB in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and on AURKB's value as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HCC. We used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to analyze AURKB expression in HCC. We found that the expression levels of AURKB in HCC samples were higher than those in the corresponding control group. R packages were used to analyze RNA sequencing data to identify AURKB-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and these genes were found to be significantly enriched during the cell cycle. The biological function of AURKB was verified, and the results showed that cell proliferation was slowed down and cells were arrested in the G2/M phase when AURKB was knocked down. AURKB overexpression resulted in significant differences in clinical symptoms, such as the clinical T stage and pathological stage. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Cox regression analysis, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that AURKB overexpression has good diagnostic and prognostic potential in HCC. Therefore, AURKB may be used as a potential target for the diagnosis and cure of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Xuefei Cai
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases Designated by the Chinese Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Yixue Yuan Road, Chongqing 400016, China; (J.Z.); (J.M.); (Y.L.); (Y.A.); (W.D.); (Q.Y.); (M.H.)
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9
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Pant K, Venugopal SK, Lorenzo Pisarello MJ, Gradilone SA. The Role of Gut Microbiome-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acid Butyrate in Hepatobiliary Diseases. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:1455-1467. [PMID: 37422149 PMCID: PMC10548274 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The short-chain fatty acid butyrate, produced from fermentable carbohydrates by gut microbiota in the colon, has multiple beneficial effects on human health. At the intestinal level, butyrate regulates metabolism, helps in the transepithelial transport of fluids, inhibits inflammation, and induces the epithelial defense barrier. The liver receives a large amount of short-chain fatty acids via the blood flowing from the gut via the portal vein. Butyrate helps prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, inflammation, cancer, and liver injuries. It ameliorates metabolic diseases, including insulin resistance and obesity, and plays a direct role in preventing fatty liver diseases. Butyrate has different mechanisms of action, including strong regulatory effects on the expression of many genes by inhibiting the histone deacetylases and modulating cellular metabolism. The present review highlights the wide range of beneficial therapeutic and unfavorable adverse effects of butyrate, with a high potential for clinically important uses in several liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kishor Pant
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota.
| | - Senthil K Venugopal
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Hepatology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, South Asian University, New Delhi, India
| | - Maria J Lorenzo Pisarello
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA), National Council of Scientific and Technological Research, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina; Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Sergio A Gradilone
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, Minnesota; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Lu G, Lin J, Song G, Chen M. Prognostic significance of CTNNB1 mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:9759-9778. [PMID: 37733676 PMCID: PMC10564414 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205047] [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: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant cancers in humans and has a high fatality rate. In recent years, researchers have verified that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway affects the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with HCC. Although many studies have investigated the relationship between Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and HCC, the prognostic value of β-catenin in HCC remains inconclusive. CTNNB1 (Catenin Beta-1) is an important factor in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, no consensus has been reached on the clinical and prognostic significance of CTNNB1 mutations in HCCs. METHODS Eligible studies and relevant data were obtained from PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Cochrane Library, Ovid, and Embase databases. The correlation between CTNNB1 mutations and clinical/prognosis of patients were evaluated. A fixed- or random-effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Seventeen studies matched the selection criteria, and 1828 patients were included. This meta-analysis demonstrated that patients with HCC with CTNNB1 mutations had favorable clinicopathological features and survival. The combined ORs of 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival were0.52 (n = 6 studies, 95% CI: 0.34-0.81, Z = 2.89, P =0.004, 0.28 (n =6 studies, 95% CI: 0.18-0.42, Z = 6.03, P<0.00001), -0.22 (n = 6 studies, 95% CI: 0.37-0.06, Z = 2.78, P = 0.005), respectively. Additionally, CTNNB1 mutation might be significantly associated with differentiation (OR = 0.54, 95% CI:0.36-0.81, Z = 2.98, P = 0.003), TMN stages (Tumor, Node, Metastasis staging classification) (OR = -0.25, 95% CI:-0.33--0.18, Z = 6.60, P<0.00001), liver cirrhosis (OR = 0.21, 95% CI:0.11-0.39, Z = 4.94, P< = 0.00001), and HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) infection (OR = 0.44, 95% CI:0.31-0.64, Z = 4.37, P<0.0001), but not with tumor size, metastasis, vascular invasion, and HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS CTNNB1 mutation can serve as an indicator of favorable prognosis as well as a novel target for treatment in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genlin Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Longyou People’s Hospital Affiliated with Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Quzhou 324400, China
| | - Jian Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Longyou People’s Hospital Affiliated with Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Quzhou 324400, China
| | - Guoqiang Song
- Department of Pulmonary, Department of Cancer Center, Changxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huzhou 313100, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Longyou People’s Hospital Affiliated with Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Quzhou 324400, China
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11
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Liu Y, Chen Y, Li XH, Cao C, Zhang HX, Zhou C, Chen Y, Gong Y, Yang JX, Cheng L, Chen XD, Shen H, Xiao HM, Tan LJ, Deng HW. Dissection of Cellular Communication between Human Primary Osteoblasts and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Osteoarthritis at Single-Cell Resolution. Int J Stem Cells 2023; 16:342-355. [PMID: 37105556 PMCID: PMC10465330 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc22101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Osteoblasts are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and play important role in bone remodeling. While our previous studies have investigated the cell subtypes and heterogeneity in osteoblasts and BMMSCs separately, cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs in vivo in humans have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular communication between human primary osteoblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods and Results To investigate the cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs and identify new cell subtypes, we performed a systematic integration analysis with our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) transcriptomes data from BMMSCs and osteoblasts. We successfully identified a novel preosteoblasts subtype which highly expressed ATF3, CCL2, CXCL2 and IRF1. Biological functional annotations of the transcriptomes suggested that the novel preosteoblasts subtype may inhibit osteoblasts differentiation, maintain cells to a less differentiated status and recruit osteoclasts. Ligand-receptor interaction analysis showed strong interaction between mature osteoblasts and BMMSCs. Meanwhile, we found FZD1 was highly expressed in BMMSCs of osteogenic differentiation direction. WIF1 and SFRP4, which were highly expressed in mature osteoblasts were reported to inhibit osteogenic differentiation. We speculated that WIF1 and sFRP4 expressed in mature osteoblasts inhibited the binding of FZD1 to Wnt ligand in BMMSCs, thereby further inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. Conclusions Our study provided a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of osteogenic cells. At the single cell level, this study provided insights into the cell-to-cell communications between BMMSCs and osteoblasts and mature osteoblasts may mediate negative feedback regulation of osteogenesis process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Hua Li
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Chong Cao
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui-Xi Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Cui Zhou
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yun Gong
- Tulane Center of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jun-Xiao Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang-Ding Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Shen
- Tulane Center of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Hong-Mei Xiao
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Center of Reproductive Health, System Biology and Data Information, Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li-Jun Tan
- Laboratory of Molecular and Statistical Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Hong-Wen Deng
- Tulane Center of Biomedical Informatics and Genomics, Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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12
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Xu Y, Zhang X, Zhang R, Sun Y, Liu J, Luo C, Yang J, Fang W, Guo Q, Wei L. AFP deletion leads to anti-tumorigenic but pro-metastatic roles in liver cancers with concomitant CTNNB1 mutations. Cancer Lett 2023; 566:216240. [PMID: 37217071 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
HCC remains one of the most prevalent and deadliest cancers. Serum AFP level is a biomarker for clinical diagnosis of HCC, instead the contribution of AFP to HCC development is clearly highly complex. Here, we discussed the effect of AFP deletion in the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. AFP deletion in HepG2 cells inhibited the cell proliferation by inactivating PI3K/AKT signaling. Surprisingly, AFP KO HepG2 cells appeared the increasing metastatic capacity and EMT phenotype, which was attributed to the activation of WNT5A/β-catenin signal. Further studies revealed that the activating mutations of CTNNB1 was closely related with the unconventional pro-metastatic roles of AFP deletion. Consistently, the results of DEN/CCl4-induced HCC mouse model also suggested that AFP knockout suppressed the growth of HCC primary tumors, but promoted lung metastasis. Despite the discordant effect of AFP deletion in HCC progression, a drug candidate named OA showed the potent suppression of HCC tumor growth by interrupting AFP-PTEN interaction and, importantly, reduced the lung metastasis of HCC via angiogenesis suppression. Thus, this study demonstrates an unconventional effect of AFP in HCC progression, and suggests a potent candidate strategy for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuefeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Tripod Preclinincal Research Laboratories Co., Ltd., No. 9 Xinglong Road, Nanjing, 211800, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruitian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuening Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengju Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiming Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinglong Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Libin Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing, 210009, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Catalano T, Selvaggi F, Esposito DL, Cotellese R, Aceto GM. Infectious Agents Induce Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Deregulation in Primary Liver Cancers. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1632. [PMID: 37512809 PMCID: PMC10386003 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071632] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Interaction between infectious agents and liver tissue, as well as repeated and extreme biological events beyond adaptive capacities, may result in pathological conditions predisposing people to development of primary liver cancers (PLCs). In adults, PLCs mainly comprise hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Various infectious agents in the hepatic microenvironment can destabilize normal liver cell functions by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway components. Among them, hepatotropic viruses B, C, and D are involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling dysregulation. Other microbial agents, including oncogenic viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV), bacteria, e.g., Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Salmonella Typhi, the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the fungus Aspergillus flavus, and liver flukes such as Clonorchissinensis or Opisthorchis viverrini, may induce malignant transformation in hepatocytes or in target cells of the biliary tract through aberrant Wnt signaling activation. This review focuses on new insights into infectious agents implicated in the deregulation of Wnt signaling and PLC development. Since the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a driver of cancer following viral and bacterial infections, molecules inhibiting the complex axis of Wnt signaling could represent novel therapeutic approaches in PLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Federico Selvaggi
- Unit of General Surgery, ASL2 Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Ospedale Clinicizzato SS Annunziata, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Diana Liberata Esposito
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberto Cotellese
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Villa Serena Foundation for Research, 65013 Città Sant'Angelo, Italy
| | - Gitana Maria Aceto
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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14
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Lozano E, Sanchon-Sanchez P, Morente-Carrasco A, Chinchilla-Tábora LM, Mauriz JL, Fernández-Palanca P, Marin JJG, Macias RIR. Impact of Aberrant β-Catenin Pathway on Cholangiocarcinoma Heterogeneity. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081141. [PMID: 37190050 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081141] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The poor prognosis of most cases of advanced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) constitutes a severe problem in modern oncology, which is aggravated by the fact that the incidence of this liver cancer is increasing worldwide and is often diagnosed late, when surgical removal is not feasible. The difficulty of dealing with this deadly tumor is augmented by the heterogeneity of CCA subtypes and the complexity of mechanisms involved in enhanced proliferation, apoptosis avoidance, chemoresistance, invasiveness, and metastasis that characterize CCA. Among the regulatory processes implicated in developing these malignant traits, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a pivotal role. Alteration of β-catenin expression and subcellular localization has been associated with worse outcomes in some CCA subtypes. This heterogeneity, which also affects cellular and in vivo models commonly used to study CCA biology and anticancer drug development, must be taken into account for CCA investigation to more accurately extrapolate basic laboratory research to the clinical situation. A better understanding of the altered Wnt/β-catenin pathway in relationship with the heterogeneous forms of CCA is mandatory for developing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from this lethal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Lozano
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Sanchon-Sanchez
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Morente-Carrasco
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Area of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Rey Juan Carlos, 28032 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José L Mauriz
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Paula Fernández-Palanca
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Jose J G Marin
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocio I R Macias
- Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEPHARM) Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Center for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd), Carlos III National Institute of Health, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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15
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Wang X, Chen J, Lin L, Li Y, Tao Q, Lang Z, Zheng J, Yu Z. Machine learning integrations develop an antigen-presenting-cells and T-Cells-Infiltration derived LncRNA signature for improving clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:284. [PMID: 36978017 PMCID: PMC10053113 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10766-w] [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: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As a highly heterogeneous cancer, the prognostic stratification and personalized management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still challenging. Recently, Antigen-presenting-cells (APCs) and T-cells-infiltration (TCI) have been reported to be implicated in modifying immunology in HCC. Nevertheless, the clinical value of APCs and TCI-related long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) in the clinical outcomes and precision treatment of HCC is still obscure. In this study, a total of 805 HCC patients were enrolled from three public datasets and an external clinical cohort. 5 machine learning (ML) algorithms were transformed into 15 kinds of ML integrations, which was used to construct the preliminary APC-TCI related LncRNA signature (ATLS). According to the criterion with the largest average C-index in the validation sets, the optimal ML integration was selected to construct the optimal ATLS. By incorporating several vital clinical characteristics and molecular features for comparison, ATLS was demonstrated to have a relatively more significantly superior predictive capacity. Additionally, it was found that the patients with high ATLS score had dismal prognosis, relatively high frequency of tumor mutation, remarkable immune activation, high expression levels of T cell proliferation regulators and anti-PD-L1 response as well as extraordinary sensitivity to Oxaliplatin/Fluorouracil/Lenvatinib. In conclusion, ATLS may serve as a robust and powerful biomarker for improving the clinical outcomes and precision treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Liver Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Ji Chen
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Lifan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Qiqi Tao
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Zhichao Lang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Jianjian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
| | - Zhengping Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No.2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
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16
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Imamura T, Okamura Y, Ohshima K, Uesaka K, Sugiura T, Yamamoto Y, Ashida R, Ohgi K, Nagashima T, Yamaguchi K. Molecular characterization-based multi-omics analyses in primary liver cancer using the Japanese version of the genome atlas. JOURNAL OF HEPATO-BILIARY-PANCREATIC SCIENCES 2023; 30:269-282. [PMID: 35918906 DOI: 10.1002/jhbp.1223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary liver cancer (PLC) is classified into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and combined hepatocellular and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CHC). We investigated the genomic landscape of PLC according to the histological classification and established a cross-histological molecular subtyping for PLC by a multi-omics analysis. METHODS We analyzed 265 PLC cases with whole-exome sequencing and DNA copy number analyses and 251 cases with gene expression profiling. RESULTS The cohort included HCC (n = 223, 84%), ICC (n = 34, 13%), and CHC (n = 8, 3%). Mutation analyses identified histological type-specific driver genes, such as CTNNB1 in HCC and KRAS, IDH1, and PIK3CA in ICC, and ARID1A and KMT2C in CHC. The tumor suppressor gene TP53 mutation was detected in 21.1% of HCC, 16.1% of ICC, and 25.0% of CHC cases. Other well-characterized tumor suppressor genes included RB1, which was mutated in 2.8% of HCC and 3.2% of ICC; and PTEN, which was mutated in 1.4% of HCC, 3.2% of ICC, and 12.5% of CHC cases. DNA copy number analyses identified focal amplifications, with NUF2 (1q23.3) the most frequently detected as an amplified gene in all 3 types (HCC, 3.8%; CHC, 12.5%, ICC, 3.2%). Molecular subtyping for PLC based on the multi-omics analysis identified three subtypes, one of which was associated with recurrence after resection and amplified genes located at chromosome 8q. CONCLUSIONS Our dataset serves as a fundamental resource for genomic medicine for PLC in Japan and identified amplified genes located at chromosome 8q as promising therapeutic targets for the subgroup with a poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taisuke Imamura
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yukiyasu Okamura
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan.,Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Ohshima
- Medical Genetics Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Uesaka
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Teiichi Sugiura
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yamamoto
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Ashida
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuhisa Ohgi
- Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nagashima
- Cancer Diagnostics Research Division, Shizuoka Cancer Center Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan.,SRL, Inc., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yamaguchi
- Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital and Research Institute, Shizuoka, Japan
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17
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Chong H, Gong Y, Zhang Y, Dai Y, Sheng R, Zeng M. Radiomics on Gadoxetate Disodium-enhanced MRI: Non-invasively Identifying Glypican 3-Positive Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Postoperative Recurrence. Acad Radiol 2023; 30:49-63. [PMID: 35562264 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.04.006] [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: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of preoperative gadoxetate disodium (EOB) MRI-based radiomics on predicting glypican 3 (GPC3)-positive expression and the relevant recurrence-free survival (RFS) of HCC ≤ 5 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between January 2014 and October 2018, 259 patients with solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm who underwent hepatectomy and preoperative EOB-MRI were retrieved. Multivariate logistic regression was implemented to identify independent predictors for GPC3. By combining five feature selection strategies and three classifiers, 15 GPC3-oriented radiomics models could be constructed, the best of which with independent clinicoradiologic predictors was integrated into the comprehensive nomogram. RESULTS GPC3 was an independent risk factor of postoperative recrudescence for HCC. Alpha-fetoprotein >20 ng/mL, homogenous T2 signal and hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase were independently related to GPC3-positive expression in the clinicoradiologic model. With 10 features selected by support vector machines-recursive feature elimination, logistic regression-based classifier achieved the best performance among 15 radiomics models. After five-fold cross-validation, our comprehensive nomogram acquired better average area under receiver operating characteristic curves (training and validation cohorts: 0.931 vs. 0.943) than the clinicoradiologic algorithm (0.738 vs. 0.739) and the optimal radiomics model (0.943 vs. 0.931). Net reclassification indexes further demonstrated the superiority of GPC3 nomogram over clinicoradiologic and radiomics algorithms (46.54%, p < 0.001; 7.84%, p = 0.207). Meanwhile, higher radiomics score significantly shortened the median RFS (from >77.9 to 48.2 months, p = 0.044), which was analogue to that of the histological GPC3-positive phenotype (from >73.9 to 43.2 months, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative EOB-MRI radiomics-based nomogram satisfactorily distinguished GPC3 status and outcomes of solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Chong
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuda Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunfei Zhang
- Central Research Institute, United Imaging Healthcare, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongming Dai
- Central Research Institute, United Imaging Healthcare, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruofan Sheng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, China; Department of Medical Imaging, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 130 Dongan Road, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Institute of Medical Imaging, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, China.
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18
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Zhu M, Zhang J, Bian S, Zhang X, Shen Y, Ni Z, Xu S, Cheng C, Zheng W. Circadian gene CSNK1D promoted the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway via stabilizing Dishevelled Segment Polarity Protein 3. Biol Proced Online 2022; 24:21. [PMID: 36460966 PMCID: PMC9717411 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-022-00183-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A variety of studies have connected circadian rhythm to the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to figure out about the circadian genes' profile characteristics, prognostic significance, and targeted values in HCC. METHODS The expression profiles and prognostic significance of circadian genes in the cancer genome atlas liver hepatocellular carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) database were investigated using bioinformatics analysis. The expression features of Casein Kinase 1 Delta (CSNK1D), a robust signature gene, was further detected by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in a local HCC cohort. The effect of CSNK1D on corresponding phenotypes of HCC cells was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), flowcytometry, clone assay, Transwell assay, and xenograft assay. In addition, the underlying mechanisms of CSNK1D in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling were validated by multiple molecular experiments. RESULTS Abnormal expression of the Circadian genome was associated with the malignant clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients. A 10 circadian gene-based signature with substantial prognostic significance was developed using Cox regression and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis. Of them, CSNK1D, significantly elevated in a local HCC cohort, was chosen for further investigation. Silencing or overexpression of CSNK1D significantly reduced or increased proliferation, invasion, sorafenib resistance, xenograft development, and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of HCC cells, respectively. Mechanically, CSNK1D exacerbated the aggressiveness of HCC cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling through interacting with Dishevelled Segment Polarity Protein 3 (DVL3). CONCLUSIONS The Circadian gene CSNK1D was found to contribute to HCC progression by boosting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, hinting that it could be a prospective therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Zhu
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China ,grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Department of Oncology, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China ,grid.459521.eThe First People’s Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou, 221000 China
| | - Jianping Zhang
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China ,grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Department of Oncology, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
| | - Saiyan Bian
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
| | - Xue Zhang
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
| | - Yiping Shen
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
| | - Zhiyu Ni
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
| | - Shiyu Xu
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
| | - Chun Cheng
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Department of Oncology, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
| | - Wenjie Zheng
- grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China ,grid.440642.00000 0004 0644 5481Department of Oncology, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001 China
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19
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Pallerla SR, Hoan NX, Rachakonda S, Meyer CG, Van Tong H, Toan NL, Linh LTK, Giang DP, Kremsner PG, Bang MH, Song LH, Velavan TP. Custom gene expression panel for evaluation of potential molecular markers in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Med Genomics 2022; 15:235. [PMID: 36345011 PMCID: PMC9641913 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-022-01386-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. It is a highly heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis and limited treatment options, which highlights the need for reliable biomarkers. This study aims to explore molecular markers that allow stratification of HCC and may lead to better prognosis and treatment prediction. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 20 candidate genes (HCC hub genes, potential drug target genes, predominant somatic mutant genes) retrieved from literature and public databases with potential to be used as the molecular markers. We analysed expression of the genes by RT-qPCR in 30 HCC tumour and adjacent non-tumour paired samples from Vietnamese patients. Fold changes in expression were then determined using the 2-∆∆CT method, and unsupervised hierarchical clustering was generated using Cluster v3.0 software. RESULTS Clustering of expression data revealed two subtypes of tumours (proliferative and normal-like) and four clusters for genes. The expression profiles of the genes TOP2A, CDK1, BIRC5, GPC3, IGF2, and AFP were strongly correlated. Proliferative tumours were characterized by high expression of the c-MET, ARID1A, CTNNB1, RAF1, LGR5, and GLUL1 genes. TOP2A, CDK1, and BIRC5 HCC hub genes were highly expressed (> twofold) in 90% (27/30), 83% (25/30), and 83% (24/30) in the tissue samples, respectively. Among the drug target genes, high expression was observed in the GPC3, IGF2 and c-MET genes in 77% (23/30), 63% (19/30), and 37% (11/30), respectively. The somatic mutant Wnt/ß-catenin genes (CTNNB1, GLUL and LGR5) and TERT were highly expressed in 40% and 33% of HCCs, respectively. Among the HCC marker genes, a higher percentage of tumours showed GPC3 expression compared to AFP expression [73% (23/30) vs. 43% (13/30)]. CONCLUSION The custom panel and molecular markers from this study may be useful for diagnosis, prognosis, biomarker-guided clinical trial design, and prediction of treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Reddy Pallerla
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Nghiem Xuan Hoan
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Department of Molecular Biology, 108 Institute of Clinical Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
| | - Sivaramakrishna Rachakonda
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian G Meyer
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Le Thi Kieu Linh
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dao Phuong Giang
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Molecular Biology, 108 Institute of Clinical Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Peter G Kremsner
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene, Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Mai Hong Bang
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi, Vietnam
- Faculty of Gastroenterology, 108 Institute of Clinical Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Le Huu Song
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Molecular Biology, 108 Institute of Clinical Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thirumalaisamy P Velavan
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstr 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
- Vietnamese-German Center for Medical Research (VG-CARE), Hanoi, Vietnam
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20
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Leung RWH, Lee TKW. Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling as a Driver of Stemness and Metabolic Reprogramming in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215468. [PMID: 36358885 PMCID: PMC9656505 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been reported to play crucial role in pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we focus on the regulatory role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer stemness and metabolic reprogramming, which are two emerging hallmarks of cancer. Understanding the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in regulation of the above processes reveals novel therapeutic strategy against this deadly disease. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide due to its high rates of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been shown to play a significant role in HCC development, progression and clinical impact on tumor behavior. Accumulating evidence has revealed the critical involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in driving cancer stemness and metabolic reprogramming, which are regarded as emerging cancer hallmarks. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanism of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its role in HCC. Furthermore, we provide an update on the regulatory roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in metabolic reprogramming, cancer stemness and drug resistance in HCC. We also provide an update on preclinical and clinical studies targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling alone or in combination with current therapies for effective cancer therapy. This review provides insights into the current opportunities and challenges of targeting this signaling pathway in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainbow Wing Hei Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-3400-8799; Fax: +852-2364-9932
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21
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Tran NH, Muñoz S, Thompson S, Hallemeier CL, Bruix J. Hepatocellular carcinoma downstaging for liver transplantation in the era of systemic combined therapy with anti-VEGF/TKI and immunotherapy. Hepatology 2022; 76:1203-1218. [PMID: 35765265 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma remains a global health challenge affecting close to 1 million cases yearly. Liver transplantation provides the best long-term outcomes for those meeting strict criteria. Efforts have been made to expand these criteria, whereas others have attempted downstaging approaches. Although locoregional approaches to downstaging are appealing and have demonstrated efficacy, limitations and challenges exists including poor imaging modality to assess response and appropriate endpoints along the process. Recent advances in systemic treatments including immune checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors have prompted the discussion regarding their role for downstaging disease prior to transplantation. Here, we provide a review of prior locoregional approaches for downstaging, new systemic agents and their role for downstaging, and finally, key and critical considerations of the assessment, endpoints, and optimal designs in clinical trials to address this key question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen H Tran
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sergio Muñoz
- BCLC Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Scott Thompson
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christopher L Hallemeier
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jordi Bruix
- BCLC Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Lu K, Pan Y, Huang Z, Liang H, Ding ZY, Zhang B. TRIM proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:69. [PMID: 36100865 PMCID: PMC9469581 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00854-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family is a highly conserved group of E3 ligases with 77 members known in the human, most of which consist of a RING-finger domain, one or two B-box domains, and a coiled-coil domain. Generally, TRIM proteins function as E3 ligases to facilitate specific proteasomal degradation of target proteins. In addition, E3 ligase independent functions of TRIM protein were also reported. In hepatocellular carcinoma, expressions of TRIM proteins are both regulated by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. TRIM proteins regulate multiple biological activities and signaling cascades. And TRIM proteins influence hallmarks of HCC. This review systematically demonstrates the versatile roles of TRIM proteins in HCC and helps us better understand the molecular mechanism of the development and progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Lu
- Hepatic Surgery Center, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yonglong Pan
- Hepatic Surgery Center, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhao Huang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, National Health Commission, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Huifang Liang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ze-Yang Ding
- Hepatic Surgery Center, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, National Health Commission, Wuhan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
| | - Bixiang Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Clinical Medical Research Center of Hepatic Surgery at Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, National Health Commission, Wuhan, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.
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23
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Dong R, Zhang B, Zhang X. Liver organoids: an in vitro 3D model for liver cancer study. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:152. [PMID: 36085085 PMCID: PMC9463833 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00890-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and its morbidity unceasingly increases these years. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounted for approximately 50% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases globally in 2015. Due to the lack of an effective model to study HBV-associated liver carcinogenesis, research has made slow progress. Organoid, an in vitro 3D model which maintains self-organization, has recently emerged as a powerful tool to investigate human diseases. In this review, we first summarize the categories and development of liver organoids. Then, we mainly focus on the functions of culture medium components and applications of organoids for HBV infection and HBV-associated liver cancer studies. Finally, we provide insights into a potential patient-derived organoid model from those infected with HBV based on our study, as well as the limitations and future applications of organoids in liver cancer research.
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24
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Tong Q, Yi M, Kong P, Xu L, Huang W, Niu Y, Gan X, Zhan H, Tian R, Yan D. TRIM36 inhibits tumorigenesis through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promotes caspase-dependent apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:278. [PMID: 36068629 PMCID: PMC9450375 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02692-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and has an extremely poor prognosis. We aimed to determine the latent relationships between TRIM36 regulation of apoptosis and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to characterize the aberrant expression of TRIM36 in HCC and adjacent tissues. Clinical information was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox methods. RNA-seq of potential targets was conducted to detect the regulation of TRIM36. Apoptosis assays and cellular proliferation, invasion and migration were conducted in a loss- and gain-of-function manner in cultured cells to determine the biological functions of TRIM36. A rescue experiment was conducted to confirm the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in TRIM36 regulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were conducted using cell line-derived xenografts in nude mice to validate the central role of TRIM36 in HCC. RESULTS TRIM36 expression was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues. TRIM36 repressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Huh7 and HCCLM3 cells, whereas it stimulated apoptosis. Wnt/β-catenin signaling was inhibited by TRIM36, and rescue experiments highlighted its importance in HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. In vivo experiments further confirmed the effects of sh-TRIM36 on HCC tumorigenesis, inhibition of apoptosis, and promotion of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. CONCLUSION Our study is the first to indicate that TRIM36 acts as a tumor suppressor in HCC. TRIM36 activates apoptosis and inhibits cellular proliferation, invasion, and migration via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which may serve as an important biomarker and promising therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Tong
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, Xinjiang, China
- The Third Affiliated, Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Mingyu Yi
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Panpan Kong
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, Xinjiang, China
| | - Lin Xu
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wukui Huang
- The Third Affiliated, Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yue Niu
- The Third Affiliated, Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiaojing Gan
- The Third Affiliated, Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Huan Zhan
- The Third Affiliated, Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Rui Tian
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dong Yan
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, Xinjiang, China.
- The Third Affiliated, Teaching Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
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25
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Gerber TS, Ridder DA, Schindeldecker M, Weinmann A, Duret D, Breuhahn K, Galle PR, Schirmacher P, Roth W, Lang H, Straub BK. Constitutive Occurrence of E:N-cadherin Heterodimers in Adherens Junctions of Hepatocytes and Derived Tumors. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162507. [PMID: 36010583 PMCID: PMC9406782 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell–cell junctions are pivotal for embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis but also play a major role in tumorigenesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis. E-cadherin (CDH1) and N-cadherin (CDH2) are two adherens junction’s transmembrane glycoproteins with tissue-specific expression patterns in epithelial and neural/mesenchymal cells. Aberrant expression has been implicated in the process of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in malignant tumors. We could hitherto demonstrate cis-E:N-cadherin heterodimer in endoderm-derived cells. Using immunoprecipitation in cultured cells of the line PLC as well as in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-lysates, we isolated E-N-cadherin heterodimers in a complex with the plaque proteins α- and β-catenin, plakoglobin, and vinculin. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, E-cadherin co-localized with N-cadherin at the basolateral membrane of normal hepatocytes, hepatocellular adenoma (HCA), and in most cases of HCC. In addition, we analyzed E- and N-cadherin expression via immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of 868 HCCs from 570 patients, 25 HCA, and respective non-neoplastic liver tissue, and correlated our results with multiple prognostic markers. While E- or N-cadherin were similarly expressed in tumor sites with vascular invasion or HCC metastases, HCC with vascular encapsulated tumor clusters (VETC) displayed slightly reduced E-cadherin, and slightly increased N-cadherin expression. Analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas patient cohort, we found that reduced mRNA levels of CDH1, but not CDH2 were significantly associated with unfavorable prognosis; however, in multivariate analysis, CDH1 did not correlate with prognosis. In summary, E- and N-cadherin are specific markers for hepatocytes and derived HCA and HCC. E:N-cadherin heterodimers are constitutively expressed in the hepatocytic lineage and only slightly altered in malignant progression, thereby not complying with the concept of EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiemo Sven Gerber
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Dirk Andreas Ridder
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Mario Schindeldecker
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Tissue Biobank, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Arndt Weinmann
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Diane Duret
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Kai Breuhahn
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinic Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter R. Galle
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter Schirmacher
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinic Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wilfried Roth
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Hauke Lang
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Beate Katharina Straub
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Correspondence:
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26
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Selvaggi F, Catalano T, Cotellese R, Aceto GM. Targeting Wnt/β-Catenin Pathways in Primary Liver Tumours: From Microenvironment Signaling to Therapeutic Agents. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081912. [PMID: 35454818 PMCID: PMC9024538 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancers (PLCs) are steadily increasing in incidence and mortality in the world. They have a poor prognosis due to their silent nature, late discovery and resistance to common chemotherapy. At present, there are limited treatment alternatives, and the understanding of PLC molecular aspects is essential to develop more efficient drugs and therapeutic surgical and loco-regional strategies. A clear causal link with liver damage, inflammation, and regeneration has been found in the occurrence of PLC over the last few decades. Physiologically, Wingless/It (Wnt)-β-catenin signaling plays a key role in liver development, metabolic zonation and regeneration. Loss of functional homeostasis of this pathway appears to be a major driver of carcinogenesis in the liver parenchyma. In the hepatic microenvironment, molecular deregulations that exceed the Wnt signaling biological capacity can induce tumor initiation and progression. Indeed, somatic mutations are identified in key components of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling and in PLCs and precancerous lesions. In this review, the altered functions of Wnt/β-catenin signaling are considered in human PLCs, with emphasis on hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) and hepatoblastomas (HB). Based on recent literature, we also focused on liver cancerogenesis through Wnt deregulation. An overview of preclinical and clinical studies on approved and experimental drugs, targeting the Wnt/β-catenin cascade in PLCs, is proposed. In addition, the clinical implication of molecule inhibitors that have been shown to possess activity against the Wnt pathway in association with conventional surgical and loco-regional therapies are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Selvaggi
- Unit of General Surgery, Ospedale Floraspe Renzetti, 66034 Lanciano, Chieti, Italy;
| | - Teresa Catalano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | - Roberto Cotellese
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Villa Serena Foundation for Research, 65013 Città Sant’Angelo, Pescara, Italy
| | - Gitana Maria Aceto
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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27
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Zheng X, Liu X, Lei Y, Wang G, Liu M. Glypican-3: A Novel and Promising Target for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:824208. [PMID: 35251989 PMCID: PMC8889910 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.824208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a membrane-associated proteoglycan that is specifically up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) although rarely or not expressed in normal liver tissues, making it a perfect diagnostic and treatment target for HCC. Several GPC3-based clinical trials are ongoing and recently several innovative GPC3-targeted therapeutic methods have emerged with exciting results, including GPC3 vaccine, anti-GPC3 immunotoxin, combined therapy with immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T or NK cells. Here, we review the value of GPC3 in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC, together with its signaling pathways, with a specific focus on GPC3-targeted treatments of HCC and some prospects for the future GPC3-based therapeutic strategies in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufeng Zheng
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xun Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanna Lei
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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28
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Chen B, Gu Y, Shen H, Liu Q, Wang H, Li Y, Liu X, Liu Y, Du Q, Sun H, Liao X. Borealin Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis by Activating the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:171-188. [PMID: 35308603 PMCID: PMC8926168 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s336452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant disease with high morbidity and mortality throughout the world. While Borealin is a putative oncogene that is dysregulated in multiple tumors, its exact role in HCC remains less investigated. Methods Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were employed to examine the relative amount of Borealin. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and other bioinformatic analyses were implemented to probe into the potential functions of Borealin. The biological roles and mechanisms of Borealin in the tumorigenesis and development of HCC were further evaluated using a battery of functional assays in vivo and in vitro. Results Borealin was enhanced in the HCC tissue samples and hepatoma cells when compared with the nontumor tissues and normal liver cells. Higher Borealin expression was positively linked with advanced pathological phenotypes and inferior overall survival. The overexpression of Borealin promoted the cells’ abilities on proliferation, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, facilitated tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo, whereas the silencing of Borealin inhibited these capabilities in vitro. Furthermore, Borealin interacted with β-catenin and further activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which endowed HCC cells with highly aggressive and metastatic capabilities. Conclusion Borealin was identified as an oncogene that could promote HCC growth and metastasis by activating the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings extended the understanding of Borealin in HCC tumorigenesis and development and highlighted the significance of Borealin in HCC diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiyang Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Gu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas, The First People’s Hospital of Jingmen, Jingmen, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Shen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiangsheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yabo Li
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xifan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qinghao Du
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huapeng Sun
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaofeng Liao
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xiaofeng Liao; Huapeng Sun, Department of General Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China, Email ;
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Xu C, Xu Z, Zhang Y, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Chen X. β-Catenin signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:154515. [PMID: 35166233 PMCID: PMC8843739 DOI: 10.1172/jci154515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling is one of the main genetic alterations in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Comprehensive genomic analyses have revealed that gain-of-function mutation of CTNNB1, which encodes β-catenin, and loss-of-function mutation of AXIN1 occur in approximately 35% of human HCC samples. Human HCCs with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway demonstrate unique gene expression patterns and pathological features. Activated Wnt/β-catenin synergizes with multiple signaling cascades to drive HCC formation, and it functions through its downstream effectors. Therefore, strategies targeting Wnt/β-catenin have been pursued as possible therapeutics against HCC. Here, we review the genetic alterations and oncogenic roles of aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling during hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, we discuss the implication of this pathway in HCC diagnosis, classification, and personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanrui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhong Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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Mo M, Liu B, Luo Y, Tan JHJ, Zeng X, Zeng X, Huang D, Li C, Liu S, Qiu X. Construction and Comprehensive Analysis of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network to Reveal the Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:801478. [PMID: 35141281 PMCID: PMC8819184 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.801478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated to be closely related to the carcinogenesis of human cancer in recent years. However, the molecular mechanism of circRNAs in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully elucidated. We aimed to identify critical circRNAs and explore their potential regulatory network in HCC.Methods: The robust rank aggregation (RRA) algorithm and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were conducted to unearth the differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) in HCC. The expression levels of DEcircRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed by computational biology, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, functional enrichment analysis, survival analysis, and infiltrating immune cells analysis were performed to uncover the potential regulatory mechanisms of the network.Results: A total of 22 DEcircRNAs were screened out from four microarray datasets (GSE94508, GSE97332, GSE155949, and GSE164803) utilizing the RRA algorithm. Meanwhile, an HCC-related module containing 404 circRNAs was identified by WGCNA analysis. After intersection, only four circRNAs were recognized in both algorithms. Following qRT-PCR validation, three circRNAs (hsa_circRNA_091581, hsa_circRNA_066568, and hsa_circRNA_105031) were chosen for further analysis. As a result, a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network containing three circRNAs, 17 miRNAs, and 222 mRNAs was established. Seven core genes (ESR1, BUB1, PRC1, LOX, CCT5, YWHAZ, and DDX39B) were determined from the PPI network of 222 mRNAs, and a circRNA-miRNA-hubgene network was also constructed. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that these seven hub genes were closely correlated with several cancer related pathways. Survival analysis revealed that the expression levels of the seven core genes were significantly associated with the prognosis of HCC patients. In addition, we also found that these seven hub genes were remarkably related to the infiltrating levels of immune cells.Conclusion: Our research identified three pivotal HCC-related circRNAs and provided novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meile Mo
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Bihu Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yihuan Luo
- Department of Acute Care Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jennifer Hui Juan Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xi Zeng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaoyun Zeng
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Dongping Huang
- Department of Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Changhua Li
- Department of Acute Care Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Shun Liu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoqiang Qiu, ; Shun Liu,
| | - Xiaoqiang Qiu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoqiang Qiu, ; Shun Liu,
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Htun MW, Shibata Y, Soe K, Koji T. Nuclear Expression of Pygo2 Correlates with Poorly Differentiated State Involving c-Myc, PCNA and Bcl9 in Myanmar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2021; 54:195-206. [PMID: 35023882 PMCID: PMC8727843 DOI: 10.1267/ahc.21-00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In Myanmar, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is commonly seen in young adult and associated with poor prognosis, while the molecular mechanisms that characterize HCC in Myanmar are unknown. As co-activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and c-Myc (Myc) are reported to associate with malignancy of HCC, we immunohistochemically investigated the expression of Pygo2 and Bcl9, the co-activators of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Myc and PCNA in 60 cases of Myanmar HCC. Pygo2 expression was confirmed by in situ hybridization. The signal intensity was measured by image analyzer and then statistically analyzed. As a result, the expression of Pygo2 was significantly higher in HCC compared to normal liver tissue and the nuclear signal was the most intense in poorly differentiated HCC. Cytoplasmic Bcl9 was expressed in the normal liver tissue but decreased in HCC with the progression of histopathological grade. Myc was significantly higher in poorly differentiated HCC, whereas PCNA labeling index increased with the progression of histopathological grade. Nuclear Pygo2 showed strong correlation with nuclear Myc (P < 0.01) and PCNA (P < 0.001), and inversely correlated with cytoplasmic Bcl9 (P < 0.01). Our results suggested Wnt/β-catenin and Myc signaling is commonly activated in Myanmar HCC and that the correlative upregulation of nuclear Pygo2 and Myc characterizes the malignant features of HCC in Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myo Win Htun
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Yasuaki Shibata
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | | | - Takehiko Koji
- Office for Research Initiative and Development, Nagasaki University
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Mosca N, Khoubai FZ, Fedou S, Carrillo-Reixach J, Caruso S, Del Rio-Alvarez A, Dubois E, Avignon C, Dugot-Senant N, Guettier C, Mussini C, Zucman-Rossi J, Armengol C, Thiébaud P, Veschambre P, Grosset CF. LIM Homeobox-2 Suppresses Hallmarks of Adult and Pediatric Liver Cancers by Inactivating MAPK/ERK and Wnt/Beta-Catenin Pathways. Liver Cancer 2021; 11:126-140. [PMID: 35634422 PMCID: PMC9109075 DOI: 10.1159/000521595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma are two liver cancers characterized by gene deregulations, chromosomal rearrangements, and mutations in Wnt/beta-catenin (Wnt) pathway-related genes. LHX2, a transcriptional factor member of the LIM homeobox gene family, has important functions in embryogenesis and liver development. LHX2 is oncogenic in many solid tumors and leukemia, but its role in liver cancer is unknown. METHODS We analyzed the expression of LHX2 in hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatoblastoma samples using various transcriptomic datasets and biological samples. The role of LHX2 was studied using lentiviral transduction, in vitro cell-based assays (growth, migration, senescence, and apoptosis), molecular approaches (phosphokinase arrays and RNA-seq), bioinformatics, and two in vivo models in chicken and Xenopus embryos. RESULTS We found a strong connection between LHX2 downregulation and Wnt activation in these two liver cancers. In hepatoblastoma, LHX2 downregulation correlated with multiple poor outcome parameters including higher patient age, intermediate- and high-risk tumors, and low patient survival. Forced expression of LHX2 reduced the proliferation, migration, and survival of liver cancer cells in vitro through the inactivation of MAPK/ERK and Wnt signals. In vivo, LHX2 impeded the development of tumors in chick embryos and repressed the Wnt pathway in Xenopus embryos. RNA-sequencing data and bioinformatic analyses confirmed the deregulation of many biological functions and molecular processes associated with cell migration, cell survival, and liver carcinogenesis in LHX2-expressing hepatoma cells. At a mechanistic level, LHX2 mediated the disassembling of beta-catenin/T-cell factor 4 complex and induced expression of multiple inhibitors of Wnt (e.g., TLE/Groucho) and MAPK/ERK (e.g., DUSPs) pathways. CONCLUSION Collectively, our findings demonstrate a tumor suppressive function of LHX2 in adult and pediatric liver cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Mosca
- MIRCADE Team, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | - Fatma Zohra Khoubai
- MIRCADE Team, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sandrine Fedou
- MIRCADE Team, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France,XenoFish, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | - Juan Carrillo-Reixach
- Childhood Liver Oncology Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Program for Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Badalona, Spain,CIBER, Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefano Caruso
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, INSERM, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - Alvaro Del Rio-Alvarez
- Childhood Liver Oncology Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Program for Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Badalona, Spain
| | - Emeric Dubois
- Montpellier GenomiX, University of Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Christophe Avignon
- Department of Pathology, Bicêtre University Hospital, University of Paris-Saclay, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | | | - Catherine Guettier
- Department of Pathology, Bicêtre University Hospital, University of Paris-Saclay, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Charlotte Mussini
- Department of Pathology, Bicêtre University Hospital, University of Paris-Saclay, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, INSERM, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Paris, France,Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Carolina Armengol
- Childhood Liver Oncology Group, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Program for Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Badalona, Spain,CIBER, Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pierre Thiébaud
- MIRCADE Team, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France,XenoFish, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | - Philippe Veschambre
- MIRCADE Team, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France
| | - Christophe François Grosset
- MIRCADE Team, Univ. Bordeaux, Inserm, BMGIC, Biotherapy of Genetic Diseases, Inflammatory Disorders and Cancers, U1035, Bordeaux, France,*Christophe François Grosset,
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Li Y, Yu J, Jia M, Ma P, Dong C. Salt-inducible kinase 2 functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:2530-2540. [PMID: 34491613 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Salt-inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) has been reported to be involved in cancer progression in a dichotomous manner. However, the role and mechanism of action of SIK2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remain elusive. SIK2 expression in HCC tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analyzed using the AIPuFu platform. SIK2 expression in HCC cells was examined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis. The expression of N-cadherin, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and c-Myc was detected by western blot analysis. SIK2 was downregulated in HCC tissues compared with normal patients, and low SIK2 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients in TCGA database. SIK2 was lowly expressed in HCC cells than that in normal human liver epithelial cells. SIK2 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis in HCC cells, while SIK2 silencing exerted the opposite effects. Additionally, SIK2 overexpression inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC cells, as evidenced by the reduced expression of β-catenin and c-Myc. β-catenin overexpression rescued the inhibitory effects of SIK2 on the malignant properties of HCC cells. Xenograft tumor experiment confirmed that SIK2 suppressed the growth of HCC cells in vivo. In conclusion, SIK2 exerted anti-tumor activity in HCC via inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital Affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang, China
| | - Jinsong Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital Affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang, China
| | - Manran Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital Affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang, China
| | - Pei Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital Affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang, China
| | - Chunrong Dong
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China
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Yang Z, Wang M, Ren Y, Li L, Cao L, Zhang W, Lv K, Sun Z, Nie S. Inhibition of Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling alleviates pulmonary fibrogenesis induced by paraquat in vivo and in vitro. Life Sci 2021; 286:120027. [PMID: 34627778 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) caused by paraquat remains a critical issue, and the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regarded as a hallmark of PF, conferring alveolar epithelial cells partial mesenchymal characteristics, facilitating migration, expressing excessive extracellular matrix components, and participating in lung parenchyma remodeling and stiffening. Aberration of Wnt signaling has been identified in EMT and PF, and Wnt protein family consists of 19 ligands. The relationship of the specific Wnt ligands and fibrogenesis induced by PQ was not well defined. In current study, PQ-induced lung fibrosis rat model and EMT cell model were utilized to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms both in vivo and in vitro. The results demonstrated that canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling was highly activated and Wnt10b was the most affected. Additionally, suppression of Wnt10b by RNA interference could reverse EMT in vitro and detain the process of PF in vivo. These data establish Wnt10b as the key regulator of EMT and lung fibrogenesis, and suggest the potential of targeted interference against Wnt10b as a promising therapeutic strategy for lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizhou Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China; Department of Emergency Medicine, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, PR China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China; Department of Emergency Medicine, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, PR China
| | - Yi Ren
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Liping Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Kongbo Lv
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China
| | - Zhaorui Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China; Department of Emergency Medicine, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, PR China.
| | - Shinan Nie
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210002, PR China; Department of Emergency Medicine, the First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, 210002, PR China.
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Nucleoporin 93 mediates β-catenin nuclear import to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis. Cancer Lett 2021; 526:236-247. [PMID: 34767927 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear pore complex (NPC) embedded in the nuclear envelope, is the only channel for macromolecule nucleocytoplasmic transportation and has important biological functions. However, the deregulation of specific nucleoporins (Nups) and NPC-Nup-based mechanisms and their function in tumour progression remain poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify the Nups that contribute to HCC progression and metastasis in 729 primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases using molecular, cytological, and biochemical techniques. Our results revealed elevated Nup93 expression in HCC tissues, especially in cases with metastasis, and was linked to worse prognosis. Furthermore, Nup93 knockdown suppressed HCC cell metastasis and proliferation, while Nup93 overexpression promoted these activities. We observed that Nup93 promotes HCC metastasis and proliferation by regulating β-catenin translocation. In addition, we found that Nup93 interacted with β-catenin directly, independent of importin. Furthermore, LEF1 and β-catenin facilitated the Nup93-mediated metastasis and proliferation in HCC via a positive feedback loop. Thus, our findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying the Nup93-induced promotion of HCC metastasis and suggest potential therapeutic targets in the LEF1-Nup93-β-catenin pathway for HCC therapeutics.
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Wei S, Dai M, Zhang C, Teng K, Wang F, Li H, Sun W, Feng Z, Kang T, Guan X, Xu R, Cai M, Xie D. KIF2C: a novel link between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Protein Cell 2021; 12:788-809. [PMID: 32748349 PMCID: PMC8464548 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00766-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC is refractory to many standard cancer treatments and the prognosis is often poor, highlighting a pressing need to identify biomarkers of aggressiveness and potential targets for future treatments. Kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C) is reported to be highly expressed in several human tumors. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of KIF2C in tumor development and progression have not been investigated. In this study, we found that KIF2C expression was significantly upregulated in HCC, and that KIF2C up-regulation was associated with a poor prognosis. Utilizing both gain and loss of function assays, we showed that KIF2C promoted HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we identified TBC1D7 as a binding partner of KIF2C, and this interaction disrupts the formation of the TSC complex, resulting in the enhancement of mammalian target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1) signal transduction. Additionally, we found that KIF2C is a direct target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and acts as a key factor in mediating the crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling. Thus, the results of our study establish a link between Wnt/β-catenin and mTORC1 signaling, which highlights the potential of KIF2C as a therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Miaomiao Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Kai Teng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250200, China
| | - Fengwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Weipeng Sun
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 510370, China
| | - Zihao Feng
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Tiebang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Xinyuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ruihua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Muyan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells: Molecular Mechanisms, Therapeutic Implications, and Circulating Biomarkers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184550. [PMID: 34572776 PMCID: PMC8472624 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers. HCC is associated with multiple risk factors and is characterized by a marked tumor heterogeneity that makes its molecular classification difficult to apply in the clinics. The lack of circulating biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to treatments further undermines the possibility of developing personalized therapies. Accumulating evidence affirms the involvement of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor heterogeneity, recurrence, and drug resistance. Owing to the contribution of CSCs to treatment failure, there is an urgent need to develop novel therapeutic strategies targeting, not only the tumor bulk, but also the CSC subpopulation. Clarification of the molecular mechanisms influencing CSC properties, and the identification of their functional roles in tumor progression, may facilitate the discovery of novel CSC-based therapeutic targets to be used alone, or in combination with current anticancer agents, for the treatment of HCC. Here, we review the driving forces behind the regulation of liver CSCs and their therapeutic implications. Additionally, we provide data on their possible exploitation as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in patients with HCC.
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Zhang ZS, Yang RH, Yao X, Cheng YY, Shi HX, Yao CY, Gao ZX, Qi DF, Zhang WK, Dou YY, Guo J, Hu MW, Zhao H, Fang D. HGF/c-MET pathway contributes to cisplatin-mediated PD-L1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Biol Int 2021; 45:2521-2533. [PMID: 34486197 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cisplatin has been reported to promote the expression of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in some cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism through which PD-L1 is transcriptionally regulated by cisplatin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remains largely unknown. In the present study, we found that the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), p-Akt, p-ERK, and PD-L1 was increased in cisplatin-treated SNU-368 and SNU-739 cells. HGF stimulation also increased PD-L1 expression in these cells. Moreover, Inhibition of HGF/c-MET, PI3K/Akt, and MEK/ERK signaling pathways can dramatically block cisplatin or HGF-induced PD-L1 expression in SNU-368 and SNU-739 cells. In vivo, combination PHA665752 with cisplatin significantly reduced tumor weight with increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells in the tumor. Taken together, our study suggested that HGF/c-Met axis-induced the activation of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways contributes to cisplatin-mediated PD-L1 expression. These findings may provide an alternative avenue for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Ruo-Han Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xin Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yue-Ying Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Hong-Xiang Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Chao-Yan Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Gao
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - De-Fei Qi
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wen-Ke Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Dou
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Juan Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Meng-Wen Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Dong Fang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Chemical Biology, School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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Guo Y, Zhao YR, Liu H, Xin Y, Yu JZ, Zang YJ, Xu QG. EHMT2 promotes the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by epigenetically silencing APC expression. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:152. [PMID: 34344448 PMCID: PMC8335875 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00663-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, alone accounts for over half (466,100) of new cancer cases and 422,100 deaths based on the average year incidence rates of 2009 to 2011 in China. Due to unclear and complex underlying mechanisms for HCC development, effective therapy for HCC is still unavailable. The Wnt-β-catenin pathway is a critical contributor of HCC pathogenesis: 40-70% of HCCs from patients harbor the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin protein. However, the mechanisms for β-catenin activation are not fully understood. METHODS The deletion of EHMT2 in Hep3B and Huh1 cells was achieved by transiently transfecting cells with pX459 plasmids, which carry EHMT2 specific small guide RNA (sgRNA) sequences for Cas9 protein. All experiments were performed in triplicate and repeated more than three times. RESULTS In the present study, we observed that EHMT2 (but not EHMT1) mRNA and protein levels were significantly elevated in HCC compared with normal controls. Next, the results of Ki67 staining, as well as MTT, soft-agar and xenograft assays, in wild-type and EHMT2-/- Hep3B and Huh1 cancer stem cells collectively revealed that the elevation of EHMT2 expression is required for the tumorigenesis of HCC. Meanwhile, we found that elevated EHMT2 expression contributes to the activation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling: deletion of EHMT2 in Hep3B or Huh1 cells promoted the cytoplasmic localization of β-catenin and restrained the expression of Wnt-β-catenin signaling targets such as Myc, CCND1, MMP-7, etc. We demonstrated that EMHT2 directly mediates the H3K9me2 methylation of the APC promoter to epigenetically silence its expression. More intriguingly, our findings also showed that UNC0642, a specific inhibitor of EHMT2, exhibits anti-tumorigenesis effects in HCC both in vitro and in vivo, which were largely abolished by deletion of EHMT2 or overexpression of APC in Hep3B and Huh1 cells. CONCLUSION Altogether, our observations emphasize that the EHMT2-APC axis is a critical contributor to Wnt-β-catenin pathway activation in HCC, and UNC0642 may be a potential candidate for target drug treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Guo
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Yan-Rong Zhao
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Organ Transplantation Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Yang Xin
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Yu
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China
| | - Yun-Jin Zang
- Liver Disease Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
| | - Qing-Guo Xu
- Organ Transplantation Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China. .,Lead Contact, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 59 Haier Blvd, Qingdao, 266000, Shandong, China.
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Chen R, Bai Y, Liu T, Zhang G, Han Y, Chen L, Gao H, Wei W, Wang M. Evaluation of Glypican-3 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Using IDEAL IQ Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Acad Radiol 2021; 28:e227-e234. [PMID: 32540197 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the value of iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least squares estimation (IDEAL IQ) and gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating Glypican-3 (GPC3) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-six patients with histopathologic diagnosis of HCC were retrospectively included in this study. In all patients IDEAL IQ and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were performed preoperatively using a 3 T MRI system. For an identical slice through the liver of each patient a region of interest was drawn on the tumor in the hepatobiliary phase image and copied to the R2* map and fat fraction map produced by IDEAL IQ. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the region of interest values of R2*, fat fraction and uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA values between patients with positive and negative GPC3 expression HCC. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the diagnostic performances of each of the MRI parameters in evaluating GPC3 expression and histological grade in HCC. RESULTS R2* value was significantly higher in cases of positive than negative GPC3 expression HCCs (p < 0.001), whereas there were no significant differences in fat fraction and uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA between the 2 groups (both p > 0.05). R2* value had higher areas under receiver operating characteristic (0.881), sensitivity (85.96%), and specificity (84.21%) compared to the fat fraction and uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA. CONCLUSION R2* value yielded from IDEAL IQ could reliably predict GPC3 expression in HCC prior to surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rushi Chen
- Academy of Medical Sciences & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Bai
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Taiyuan Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Yanhong Han
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Lijuan Chen
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Haiyan Gao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Meiyun Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
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Gan G, Shi Z, Liu D, Zhang S, Zhu H, Wang Y, Mi J. 3-hydroxyanthranic acid increases the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma to sorafenib by decreasing tumor cell stemness. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:173. [PMID: 34230478 PMCID: PMC8260721 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00561-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is the FDA-approved first-line target drug for HCC patients. However, sorafenib only confers 3–5 months of survival benefit with <30% of HCC patients. Thus, it is necessary to develop a sensitizer for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to sorafenib. Here, we report that in representative HCC cell lines (SMMC-7721 and PLC8024) that are insensitive to sorafenib, 3-HAA (50 μM) significantly enhances cell sensitivity to sorafenib to an extent that could not be explained by additive effects. In nude mice carrying HCC xenograft, tumor growth is inhibited by sorafenib (10 mg/kg/day) or 3-HAA (100 mg/kg/day) alone. When used in combination, the treatment effectively prevents the xenograft from growing. In a set of mechanistic experiments, we find enhanced AKT activation and increased proportion of CD44+CD133+ cells in sorafenib-resistant HCC cells and tissues. The proportion of CD44+CD133+ cells is reduced upon 3-HAA treatment in both cultured cells and mouse xenografts, suggesting that 3-HAA could decrease the stemness of HCC. We also detect decreased phosphorylation of AKT, a regulator of the GSK3β/β-catenin signaling upon 3-HAA treatment. The AKT activator SC79 activates GSK3 β/β-catenin signaling while the Wnt inhibitor XAV-939 abolishes 3-HAA inhibition of HCC growth in vitro and in mice. The current study demonstrates that 3-HAA sensitizes HCC cells to sorafenib by reducing tumor stemness, suggesting it is a promising molecule for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guifang Gan
- Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Department of Clinical Laboratories, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200011, Shanghai, China.,Basic Medical Institute, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaopeng Shi
- Basic Medical Institute, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Basic Medical Institute, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoyi Zhang
- Basic Medical Institute, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, 250117, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Yugang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Mi
- Basic Medical Institute, Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China. .,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025, Shanghai, China.
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Liu C, Zhu X, Jia Y, Chi F, Qin K, Pei J, Zhang C, Mu X, Zhang H, Dong X, Xu J, Yu B. Dasatinib inhibits proliferation of liver cancer cells, but activation of Akt/mTOR compromises dasatinib as a cancer drug. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 53:823-836. [PMID: 33961012 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmab061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dasatinib is a multi-target protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Due to its potent inhibition of Src, Abl, the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) family kinases, and other oncogenic kinases, it has been investigated as a targeted therapy for a broad spectrum of cancer types. However, its efficacy has not been significantly extended beyond leukemia. The mechanism of resistance to dasatinib in a wide array of cancers is not clear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of dasatinib on hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and explored the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that dasatinib potently inhibited the proliferation of SNU-449 cells, but not that of other cell lines, such as SK-Hep-1, even though it inhibited the phosphorylation of Src on both negative and positive regulation sites in all these cells. Dasatinib activated the phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase1 (PDK1)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in SK-Hep-1 cells, but not in SNU-449 cells. Blocking the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway strongly promoted the efficacy of dasatinib in SK-Hep-1 cells. In SNU-449 cells, dasatinib promoted apoptosis and the cleavage of caspase-3 and caspase-7, induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, and inhibited the expression of Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK4)/6/CyclinD1 complex. These findings demonstrate that dasatinib exerts its anti-proliferative effect on hepatocellular cell proliferation by blocking the Src family kinases; however, it causes Akt activation, which compromises dasatinib as an anti-cancer drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Yuqi Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Fenqing Chi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Keru Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Jinhong Pei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi 046000, China
| | - Chan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Xiuli Mu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030013, China
| | - Xiushan Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Baofeng Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
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Apolinário LA, Ramalho LNZ, Moosavi MH, Jager AV, Augusto MJ, Trotta MR, Petta T, Khaneghah AM, Oliveira CAF, Ramalho FS. Oncogenic and tumor suppressor pathways in subchronic aflatoxicosis in rats: Association with serum and urinary aflatoxin exposure biomarkers. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 153:112263. [PMID: 34015426 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112263] [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: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the changes in oncogenic and tumor suppressor signaling pathways in liver and their association with serum and urinary biomarkers of aflatoxin exposure were evaluated in Wistar rats fed diets containing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) for 90 days. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 15 per group) and assigned to dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 50 (AFB50), 100 (AFB100) and 200 μg AFB1 kg-1 diet (AFB200). Multiple preneoplastic foci of hepatocytes marked with glutathione-S-transferase-placental form (GST-P) were identified in AFB100 and AFB200 groups. Hepatocellular damage induced by AFB1 resulted in overexpression of cyclin D1 and β-catenin. The liver expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) and p27Kip1 decreased in AFB100 and AFB200 groups, confirming the favorable conditions for neoplastic progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. All samples from rats fed AFB1-contaminated diets had quantifiable AFB1-lysine in serum or urinary AFM1 and AFB1-N7-guanine, with mean levels of 20.42-50.34 ng mL-1, 5.31-37.68 and 39.15-126.37 ng mg-1 creatinine, respectively. Positive correlations were found between AFB1-lysine, AFM1 or AFB1-N7-guanine and GST-P+, β-catenin+ and cyclin D1+ hepatocytes, while Rb + cells negatively correlated with those AFB1 exposure biomarkers. The pathways evaluated are critical molecular mechanisms of AFB1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia A Apolinário
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, CEP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Leandra N Z Ramalho
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, CEP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Motahareh Hashemi Moosavi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alessandra V Jager
- Department of Bio Molecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, CEP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marlei J Augusto
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, CEP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maurício R Trotta
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, CEP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tânia Petta
- Actinobac Agrosciences. Supera - Parque de Inovação e Tecnologia de Ribeirão Preto, Av. Dra. Nadir Águiar, 1805, CEP, 14056-680, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amin Mousavi Khaneghah
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP). R. Monteiro Lobato, 80, CEP, 13083-862, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos A F Oliveira
- Department of Food Engineering, School of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo. Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, CEP, 13635-900, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
| | - Fernando S Ramalho
- Department of Pathology and Legal Medicine, School of Medicine at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, CEP, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Huang Y, Sheng H, Xiao Y, Hu W, Zhang Z, Chen Y, Zhu Z, Wu D, Cao C, Sun J. Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor ICG-001 enhances the antitumor efficacy of radiotherapy by increasing radiation-induced DNA damage and improving tumor immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiother Oncol 2021; 162:34-44. [PMID: 34214613 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Radiotherapy (RT) has a promising anti-tumor effect depending on its effects on both cancer cells and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). As one of the most common alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, has been reported to induce radioresistance and suppressive TIME. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of wnt/β-catenin inhibitor ICG-001 on radiosensitivity and RT-related TIME of HCC and the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS C57BL/6 and nude mouse tumor models were used to evaluate the efficacy of different treatments on tumor growth, recurrence and mice survival. Flow cytometry was performed to assess tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). DNA damage response (DDR) and radioresistance was investigated by colony formation assays, γ-H2AX and micronuclei measurements. RESULTS The addition of ICG-001 to RT exhibited better anti-tumor and survival-prolong efficacy in C57BL/6 than nude mice. TILs analysis revealed that ICG-001 plus RT boosted the infiltration and IFN-γ production of TIL CD8+ T cells, meanwhile reduced the number of Tregs. Moreover, mechanistic study demonstrated that ICG-001 increased the radiation-induced DDR of HCC cells by suppressing p53, thus leading to stronger activation of cGAS/STING pathway. Utilization of cGAS/STING pathway inhibitors impaired the therapeutic effect of combination therapy. Furthermore, combination therapy led to stronger immunologic memory and tumor relapse prevention. CONCLUSIONS Our findings showed that ICG-001 displayed both local and systematic effects by increasing radiosensitivity and improving immunity in HCC, which indicated that ICG-001 might be a potential synergetic treatment for radiotherapy and radioimmunotherapy in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailong Sheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yazhi Xiao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhihong Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiyao Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenru Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dehua Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Chuanhui Cao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jingyuan Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Li Y, Tian Y, Zhong W, Wang N, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Li J, Ma F, Zhao Z, Peng Y. Artemisia argyi Essential Oil Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis via Suppression of DEPDC1 Dependent Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:664791. [PMID: 34268303 PMCID: PMC8276134 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.664791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor metastasis is the major hurdle for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), due in part to the lack of effective systemic treatments. DEPDC1, a novel oncoantigen upregulated in HCC, is thought to be a molecular-target for novel therapeutic drugs. Artemisia argyi is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. This study investigated the potential therapeutic benefits of Artemisia argyi essential oil (AAEO) in suppressing metastasis of HCC by targeting DEPDC1. Assessment of AAEO cytotoxicity was performed by MTT assay. Anti-metastatic effects of AAEO were investigated in vitro using wound healing and transwell assays. The HepG2 cells were transduced with lentiviral vector containing luciferase (Luc). A metastasis model of nude mice was established by tail vein injection of HepG2-Luc cells. The nude mice were treated with AAEO (57.5, 115, and 230 mg/kg) or sorafenib (40 mg/kg). Metastasis of HCC cells was monitored via in vivo bioluminescence imaging. After treatment for 21 days, tissues were collected for histological examination and immunohistochemistry analysis. Gene and protein levels were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. The results revealed that AAEO significantly inhibits the migration and invasion in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo assays further confirmed that AAEO markedly inhibits HCC metastasis into lung, brain, and femur tissues and exhibits low toxicity. Our results suggested that AAEO significantly downregulates the mRNA and protein expression of DEPDC1. Also, AAEO attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling through reduction of Wnt1 and β-catenin production. Moreover, AAEO prevented epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by downregulation of vimentin and upregulation of E-cadherin. Furthermore, we found that DEPDC1 promoted HCC migration and invasion via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and EMT. These results demonstrate that AAEO effectively inhibits HCC metastasis via attenuating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inhibiting EMT by suppressing DEPDC1 expression. Thus, AAEO likely acts as a novel inhibitor of the DEPDC1 dependent Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Li
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yang Tian
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- Department of Stomatology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yafeng Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhuangli Zhang
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jianbo Li
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fang Ma
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhihong Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Youmei Peng
- Henan Key Laboratory for Pharmacology of Liver Diseases, Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Tian W, Li J, Wang Z, Zhang T, Han Y, Liu Y, Chu W, Liu Y, Yang B. HYD-PEP06 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cell-like properties by inhibiting PI3K/AKT and WNT/ β-catenin signaling activation. Acta Pharm Sin B 2021; 11:1592-1606. [PMID: 34221870 PMCID: PMC8245914 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HYD-PEP06, an endostatin-modified polypeptide, has been shown to produce effective anti-colorectal carcinoma effects through inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, whether HYD-PEP06 has similar suppressive effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remained unknown. In this study, HYD-PEP06 inhibited metastasis and EMT but not proliferation in vitro. Cignal finder pathway reporter array and Western blot analysis revealed that HYD-PEP06 suppressed HCCLM3 cell metastasis and EMT by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, HYD-PEP06 exerted anti-metastasis effects in HepG2 cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) via suppressing the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway. Finally, in HCCLM3 tumor-bearing BALB/c nu/nu nude mice, HYD-PEP06 substantially suppressed tumor growth, lung metastasis and HCC progress. Our results suggest that HYD-PEP06 inhibits the metastasis and EMT of HCC and CSCs as well, and thus has the potential as an agent for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tian
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Jiatong Li
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Zhuo Wang
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Wenfeng Chu
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 451 86671354; fax: +86 451 86675769.
| | - Baofeng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology (the State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China
- Corresponding authors. Tel.: +86 451 86671354; fax: +86 451 86675769.
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Yi Y, Yu MC, Fu PY, Liu G, Zhou PY, Guan RY, Zhou C, Sun BY, Qiu SJ. MNS1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis and metastasis via activating PI3K/AKT by translocating β-catenin and predicts poor prognosis. Liver Int 2021; 41:1409-1420. [PMID: 33506565 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a fatal disease characterized by vast molecular heterogeneity. Although major advances in tumour genetics has led to the identification of new biomarkers, the prognosis of patients with HCC remains dismal. METHODS Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot (WB) were used to evaluate meiosis-specific nuclear structural 1 (MNS1) expression in HCC cells. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to evaluate MNS1 expression in HCC tissues. Clinical significance of MNS1 was evaluated by Cox regression analysis. Transwell assays were conducted to assess cells migration ability. Cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays were performed to detect cells proliferation ability. NOD/SCID/γc(null) (NOG) mice model was adopted to investigate functions of MNS1 in vivo. RESULTS The expression of MNS1, which is elevated in most HCC tissues, correlated with poor survival in HCC patients. Functional experiments revealed the oncogenic role of MNS1, which promotes HCC growth and metastasis through AKT-dependent modulation of β-catenin. β-Catenin expression was crucial for MNS1's oncogenic effects. MNS1 indirectly translocated β-catenin from the cytoplasm to the nucleus via the MNS1-GSK3β axis. CONCLUSIONS MNS1 promotes HCC growth and metastasis via activating PI3K/AKT signalling and may serve as an important prognostic biomarker as well as potential novel therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yi
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Min-Cheng Yu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Yao Fu
- Endoscopy Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gao Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei-Yun Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruo-Yu Guan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Ye Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuang-Jian Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
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Al Refaey HR, Newairy ASA, Wahby MM, Albanese C, Elkewedi M, Choudhry MU, Sultan AS. Manuka honey enhanced sensitivity of HepG2, hepatocellular carcinoma cells, for Doxorubicin and induced apoptosis through inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin and ERK1/2. Biol Res 2021; 54:16. [PMID: 34049576 PMCID: PMC8161992 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-021-00339-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, there is increasing awareness focused on the identification of naturally occurring anticancer agents derived from natural products. Manuka honey (MH) has been recognized for its biological properties as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. However, its antiproliferative mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma is not investigated. The current study focused mainly on investigating the molecular mechanism and synergistic effect of anticancer properties of MH on Doxorubicin (DOX)-mediated apoptotic cell death, using two different p53 statuses (HepG2 and Hep3B) and one non-tumorigenic immortalized liver cell line. Results MH treatment showed a proliferative inhibitory effect on tested cells in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 concentration of (6.92 ± 0.005%) and (18.62 ± 0.07%) for HepG2 and Hep3B cells, respectively, and induced dramatic morphological changes of Hep-G2 cells, which considered as characteristics feature of apoptosis induction after 48 h of treatment. Our results showed that MH or combined treatments induced higher cytotoxicity in p53-wild type, HepG2, than in p53-null, Hep3B, cells. Cytotoxicity was not observed in normal liver cells. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of MH and Dox on apoptosis was evidenced by increased annexin-V-positive cells and Sub-G1 cells in both tested cell lines with a significant increase in the percentage of Hep-G2 cells at late apoptosis as confirmed by the flow cytometric analysis. Consistently, the proteolytic activities of caspase-3 and the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were also higher in the combined treatment which in turn accompanied by significant inhibitory effects of pERK1/2, mTOR, S6K, oncogenic β-catenin, and cyclin D1 after 48 h. In contrast, the MH or combined treatment-induced apoptosis was accompanied by significantly upregulated expression of proapoptotic Bax protein and downregulated expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein after 48 h. Conclusions Our data showed a synergistic inhibitory effect of MH on DOX-mediated apoptotic cell death in HCC cells. To our knowledge, the present study provides the first report on the anticancer activity of MH and its combined treatment with DOX on HCC cell lines, introducing MH as a promising natural and nontoxic anticancer compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba R Al Refaey
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Al-Sayeda A Newairy
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mayssaa M Wahby
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Chris Albanese
- Oncology and Radiology Departments, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mohamed Elkewedi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Technology, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Muhammad Umer Choudhry
- Oncology Department, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ahmed S Sultan
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. .,Oncology Department, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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Nie X, Wei X, Ma H, Fan L, Chen WD. The complex role of Wnt ligands in type 2 diabetes mellitus and related complications. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:6479-6495. [PMID: 34042263 PMCID: PMC8278111 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the major chronic diseases, whose prevalence is increasing dramatically worldwide and can lead to a range of serious complications. Wnt ligands (Wnts) and their activating Wnt signalling pathways are closely involved in the regulation of various processes that are important for the occurrence and progression of T2DM and related complications. However, our understanding of their roles in these diseases is quite rudimentary due to the numerous family members of Wnts and conflicting effects via activating the canonical and/or non-canonical Wnt signalling pathways. In this review, we summarize the current findings on the expression pattern and exact role of each human Wnt in T2DM and related complications, including Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2b, Wnt3, Wnt3a, Wnt4, Wnt5a, Wnt5b, Wnt6, Wnt7a, Wnt7b, Wnt8a, Wnt8b, Wnt9a, Wnt9b, Wnt10a, Wnt10b, Wnt11 and Wnt16. Moreover, the role of main antagonists (sFRPs and WIF-1) and coreceptor (LRP6) of Wnts in T2DM and related complications and main challenges in designing Wnt-based therapeutic approaches for these diseases are discussed. We hope a deep understanding of the mechanistic links between Wnt signalling pathways and diabetic-related diseases will ultimately result in a better management of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Nie
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, School of Basic Medical Sciences, People's Hospital of Hebi, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Xiaoyun Wei
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, School of Basic Medical Sciences, People's Hospital of Hebi, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Han Ma
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, School of Basic Medical Sciences, People's Hospital of Hebi, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Lili Fan
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, School of Basic Medical Sciences, People's Hospital of Hebi, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Wei-Dong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Receptors-Mediated Gene Regulation and Drug Discovery, School of Basic Medical Sciences, People's Hospital of Hebi, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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50
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Wang Y, Huang P, Hu Y, Guo K, Jia X, Huang B, Liu X, He X, Huang F. An oncolytic adenovirus delivering TSLC1 inhibits Wnt signaling pathway and tumor growth in SMMC-7721 xenograft mice model. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 53:766-774. [PMID: 33928346 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor suppressor in lung cancer-1 (TSLC1) was first identified as a tumor suppressor for lung cancer, and frequently downregulated in various types of cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The Wnt pathway plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, migration, and invasion in HCC. However, the function of TSLC1 in modulating Wnt signaling in HCC is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of TSLC1-armed oncolytic adenovirus (S24-TSLC1) on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, cell viability, invasion and migration abilities of HCC in vitro and the growth of SMMC-7721-xenografted tumor in mice model. We detected the expression of TSLC1 in tumor samples and HCC cell lines. The results showed that TSLC1 expression was low in HCC, but high in pericarcinomatous tissue and normal cells, which implied that TSLC1 is a tumor suppressor of liver cancer. S24-TSLC1 exhibited an antitumor effect on HCC cell growth in vitro, but did little damage to normal liver cells. Overexpression of TSLC1 downregulated the transcriptional activity of TCF4/β-catenin and inhibited the mRNA or protein expression of Wnt target genes cyclinD1 and c-myc. S24-TSLC1 also inhibited the invasion and migration of HCC cells. Animal experiments further confirmed that S24-TSLC1 significantly inhibited tumor growth of the SMMC-7721-xenografted tumor. In conclusion, TSLC1 could downregulate the Wnt signal pathway and suppress HCC cell growth, migration and invasion, suggesting that S24-TSLC1 may be a potent antitumor agent for future clinical trials in liver cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yigang Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Panpan Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Yanping Hu
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Keni Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Jia
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Biao Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Xinyuan Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xianglei He
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 311402, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou 311402, China
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