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Xue Y, Ruan Y, Wang Y, Xiao P, Xu J. Signaling pathways in liver cancer: pathogenesis and targeted therapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:20. [PMID: 38816668 PMCID: PMC11139849 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00184-0] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates. Due to its subtle onset, liver cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage when surgical interventions are no longer feasible. This situation highlights the critical role of systemic treatments, including targeted therapies, in bettering patient outcomes. Despite numerous studies on the mechanisms underlying liver cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the only widely used clinical inhibitors, represented by sorafenib, whose clinical application is greatly limited by the phenomenon of drug resistance. Here we show an in-depth discussion of the signaling pathways frequently implicated in liver cancer pathogenesis and the inhibitors targeting these pathways under investigation or already in use in the management of advanced liver cancer. We elucidate the oncogenic roles of these pathways in liver cancer especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the current state of research on inhibitors respectively. Given that TKIs represent the sole class of targeted therapeutics for liver cancer employed in clinical practice, we have particularly focused on TKIs and the mechanisms of the commonly encountered phenomena of its resistance during HCC treatment. This necessitates the imperative development of innovative targeted strategies and the urgency of overcoming the existing limitations. This review endeavors to shed light on the utilization of targeted therapy in advanced liver cancer, with a vision to improve the unsatisfactory prognostic outlook for those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangtao Xue
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yeling Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
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2
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Gao Y, Gong Y, Lu J, Hao H, Shi X. Targeting YAP1 to improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in liver cancer: mechanism and strategy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1377722. [PMID: 38550587 PMCID: PMC10972981 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1377722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the third leading of tumor death, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are yielding much for sufferers to hope for patients, but only some patients with advanced liver tumor respond. Recent research showed that tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for the effectiveness of ICIs in advanced liver tumor. Meanwhile, metabolic reprogramming of liver tumor leads to immunosuppression in TME. These suggest that regulating the abnormal metabolism of liver tumor cells and firing up TME to turn "cold tumor" into "hot tumor" are potential strategies to improve the therapeutic effect of ICIs in liver tumor. Previous studies have found that YAP1 is a potential target to improve the efficacy of anti-PD-1 in HCC. Here, we review that YAP1 promotes immunosuppression of TME, mainly due to the overstimulation of cytokines in TME by YAP1. Subsequently, we studied the effects of YAP1 on metabolic reprogramming in liver tumor cells, including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. Lastly, we summarized the existing drugs targeting YAP1 in the treatment of liver tumor, including some medicines from natural sources, which have the potential to improve the efficacy of ICIs in the treatment of liver tumor. This review contributed to the application of targeted YAP1 for combined therapy with ICIs in liver tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Gao
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Junlan Lu
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Huiqin Hao
- Chinese Medicine Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
- Basic Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
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3
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Shihan MH, Sharma S, Cable C, Prathigudupu V, Chen A, Mattis AN, Chen JY. AMPK stimulation inhibits YAP/TAZ signaling to ameliorate hepatic fibrosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5205. [PMID: 38433278 PMCID: PMC10909858 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55764-5] [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: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is driven by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The Hippo pathway and its effectors, YAP and TAZ, are key regulators of HSC activation and fibrosis. However, there is a lack of mechanistic understanding of YAP/TAZ regulation in HSCs. Here we show that AMPK activation leads to YAP/TAZ inhibition and HSC inactivation in vitro, while the expression of a kinase-inactive mutant reversed these effects compared to wild type AMPKɑ1. Notably, the depletion of LATS1/2, an upstream kinase of YAP/TAZ signaling, rescues YAP/TAZ activation, suggesting that AMPK may be mediating YAP/TAZ inhibition via LATS1/2. In the carbon tetrachloride mouse model of fibrosis, pharmacologic activation of AMPK in HSCs inhibits YAP/TAZ signaling and reduces fibrosis. The findings implicate AMPK as a critical regulator of YAP/TAZ signaling and HSC inactivation and highlight AMPK activation as a therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahbubul H Shihan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Sachin Sharma
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Carson Cable
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Vijaya Prathigudupu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Alina Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA
| | - Aras N Mattis
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
- The Liver Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Jennifer Y Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA.
- The Liver Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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Schiavoni G, Messina B, Scalera S, Memeo L, Colarossi C, Mare M, Blandino G, Ciliberto G, Bon G, Maugeri-Saccà M. Role of Hippo pathway dysregulation from gastrointestinal premalignant lesions to cancer. J Transl Med 2024; 22:213. [PMID: 38424512 PMCID: PMC10903154 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05027-8] [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: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND First identified in Drosophila melanogaster, the Hippo pathway is considered a major regulatory cascade controlling tissue homeostasis and organ development. Hippo signaling components include kinases whose activity regulates YAP and TAZ final effectors. In response to upstream stimuli, YAP and TAZ control transcriptional programs involved in cell proliferation, cytoskeletal reorganization and stemness. MAIN TEXT While fine tuning of Hippo cascade components is essential for maintaining the balance between proliferative and non-proliferative signals, pathway signaling is frequently dysregulated in gastrointestinal cancers. Also, YAP/TAZ aberrant activation has been described in conditions characterized by chronic inflammation that precede cancer development, suggesting a role of Hippo effectors in triggering carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize the architecture of the Hippo pathway and discuss the involvement of signaling cascade unbalances in premalignant lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, providing a focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS The biology of premalignant Hippo signaling dysregulation needs further investigation in order to elucidate the evolutionary trajectories triggering cancer inititation and develop effective early therapeutic strategies targeting the Hippo/YAP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Schiavoni
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Messina
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Scalera
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Memeo
- Pathology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande, Italy
| | | | - Marzia Mare
- Medical Oncology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Directorate, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bon
- Cellular Network and Molecular Therapeutic Target Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marcello Maugeri-Saccà
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology 2, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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5
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Shizu R, Makida N, Sobe K, Ishimura M, Takeshita A, Hosaka T, Kanno Y, Sasaki T, Yoshinari K. Interaction with YAP underlies the species differences between humans and rodents in CAR-dependent hepatocyte proliferation. Toxicol Sci 2024; 198:101-112. [PMID: 38128062 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a nuclear receptor predominantly expressed in the liver, is activated by diverse chemicals and induces hepatocyte proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis in rodents. However, the underlying mechanism responsible for CAR-dependent hepatocyte proliferation remains unclear. Importantly, this phenomenon has not been observed in the human liver. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying CAR-induced hepatocyte proliferation and to explore the species differences in hepatocyte proliferation between humans and rodents. Treatment of mice with the CAR activator TCPOBOP induced hepatocyte proliferation and nuclear accumulation of yes-associated protein (YAP), a known liver cancer inducer. This induction was abolished in CAR-knockout mice. Exogenously expressed YAP in cultured cells was accumulated in the nucleus by the coexpression with mouse CAR but not human CAR. Pull-down analysis of recombinant proteins revealed that mouse CAR interacted with YAP, whereas human CAR did not. Further investigations using YAP deletion mutants identified the WW domain of YAP as essential for interacting with CAR and showed that the PY motif (PPAY) in mouse CAR was crucial for binding to the WW domain, whereas human CAR with its mutated motif (PPAH) failed to interact with YAP. A mouse model harboring the Y150H mutation (PPAY to PPAH) in CAR displayed drastically attenuated TCPOBOP-induced hepatocyte proliferation and nuclear accumulation of YAP. CAR induces the nuclear accumulation of YAP through the PY motif-WW domain interaction to promote hepatocyte proliferation. The absence of this interaction in human CAR contributes to the lack of CAR-dependent hepatocyte proliferation in human livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Shizu
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Natsuki Makida
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Keiichiro Sobe
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Mai Ishimura
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Aki Takeshita
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Takuomi Hosaka
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Kanno
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Sasaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Kouichi Yoshinari
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
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6
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Chen H, Shang Y, Li X, Wang R. YAP1 expression in colorectal cancer confers the aggressive phenotypes via its target genes. Cell Cycle 2024; 23:83-91. [PMID: 38263746 PMCID: PMC11005797 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2309017] [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: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Yes-associated protein1 (YAP1), a downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, is over-expressed in several types of malignancies. We analyzed retrospectively the TCGA database using 447 colorectal cancer (CRC) samples to determine the correlation between YAP1 expression level and CRC patient prognosis. YAP1-enforced expressed CRC cell lines were constructed using the lentivirus particles containing a YAP1 insert. YAP1 was highly expressed in CRC cancerous tissues and is associated with distant metastasis of CRC patients. Kaplan - Meier analysis indicated that CRC patients with a higher YAP1 expression group (n = 104) had worse disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) than lower YAP1 expression group (n = 343) (p = 0.008 and p = 0.022). Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that the elevated YAP1 expression predicted the aggressive phenotype and was an independent indicator for OS and DFS of CRC patients. YAP1 over-expression in CRC cells enhanced their migration and invasion significantly which can be reversed by AXL, CTGF, or CYR61 interference. The study suggested that YAP1 affected the prognosis of CRC patients and controlled the abilities of invasion and migration of CRC cells via its target genes AXL, CTGF, and CYR61.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyuan Chen
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
- Rocket Force Guangzhou Special Service Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Shang
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xia Li
- Rocket Force Guangzhou Special Service Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongquan Wang
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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7
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Niu X, Meng Y, Cui J, Li R, Ding X, Niu B, Chang G, Xu N, Li G, Wang Y, Wang L. Hepatic Stellate Cell- and Liver Microbiome-Specific Delivery System for Dihydrotanshinone I to Ameliorate Liver Fibrosis. ACS NANO 2023; 17:23608-23625. [PMID: 37995097 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality associated with liver diseases, yet effective treatment options remain limited. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are a promising target for hepatic fibrogenesis due to their pivotal role in disease progression. Our previous research has demonstrated the potential of Dihydrotanshinone I (DHI), a lipophilic component derived from the natural herb Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, in treating liver fibrosis by inhibiting the YAP/TEAD2 interaction in HSCs. However, the clinical application of DHI faces challenges due to its poor aqueous solubility and lack of specificity for HSCs. Additionally, recent studies have implicated the impact of liver microbiota, distinct from gut microbiota, on the pathogenesis of liver diseases. In this study, we have developed an HSC- and microbiome-specific delivery system for DHI by conjugating prebiotic-like cyclodextrin (CD) with vitamin A, utilizing PEG2000 as a linker (VAP2000@CD). Our results demonstrate that VAP2000@CD markedly enhances the cellular uptake in human HSC line LX-2 and enhances the deposition of DHI in the fibrotic liver in vivo. Subsequently, intervention with DHI-VAP2000@CD has shown a notable reduction in bile duct-like structure proliferation, collagen accumulation, and the expression of fibrogenesis-associated genes in rats subjected to bile duct ligation. These effects may be attributed to the regulation of the YAP/TEAD2 interaction. Importantly, the DHI-VAP2000@CD intervention has also restored microbial homeostasis in the liver, promoting the amelioration of liver inflammation. Overall, our findings indicate that DHI-VAP2000@CD represents a promising therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis by specifically targeting HSCs and restoring the liver microbial balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Niu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yanan Meng
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jinjin Cui
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Rui Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiao Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resource in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Bingyu Niu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ge Chang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Guiling Li
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yucheng Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
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8
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Jhunjhunwala M, Yu LS, Kuo PC, Li CY, Chen CS. Tumor-Derived Membrane Vesicles Restrain Migration in Gliomas By Altering Collective Polarization. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:4764-4774. [PMID: 37862244 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00533] [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] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Mechanobiology is a cornerstone in physiology. However, its role in biomedical applications remains considerably undermined. In this study, we employed cell membrane vesicles (CMVs), which are currently being used as nanodrug carriers, as tactile cues for mechano-regulation of collective cell behaviors. Gliomas, which are among the most resilient brain tumors and have a low patient survival rate, were used as the cell model. We observed that mechanical responses due to the application of glioma- or microglia-derived CMVs resulted in the doubling of the traction stress of glioma cell collectives with a 10-fold increase in the CMV concentration. Glioma-CMVs constrained cell protrusions and hindered their collective migration, with the migration speed of such cells declining by almost 40% compared to the untreated cells. We speculated that the alteration of collective polarization leads to migration speed changes, and this phenomenon was elucidated using the cellular Potts model. In addition to intracellular force modulation and cytoskeletal reorganization, glioma-CMVs altered drug diffusion within glioma spheroids by downregulating the mechano-signaling protein YAP-1 while also marginally enhancing the associated apoptotic events. Our results suggest that glioma-CMVs can be applied as an adjuvant to current treatment approaches to restrict tumor invasion and enhance the penetration of reagents within tumors. Considering the broad impact of mechano-transduction on cell functions, the regulation of cell mechanics through CMVs can provide a foundation for alternative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lin-Sheng Yu
- National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Republic of China
| | - Ping-Chen Kuo
- National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Republic of China
| | - Chia-Yang Li
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Republic of China
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Republic of China
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Republic of China
| | - Chi-Shuo Chen
- National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300044, Republic of China
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9
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Maspero M, Yilmaz S, Cazzaniga B, Raj R, Ali K, Mazzaferro V, Schlegel A. The role of ischaemia-reperfusion injury and liver regeneration in hepatic tumour recurrence. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100846. [PMID: 37771368 PMCID: PMC10523008 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of cancer recurrence after liver surgery mainly depends on tumour biology, but preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that the degree of perioperative liver injury plays a role in creating a favourable microenvironment for tumour cell engraftment or proliferation of dormant micro-metastases. Understanding the contribution of perioperative liver injury to tumour recurrence is imperative, as these pathways are potentially actionable. In this review, we examine the key mechanisms of perioperative liver injury, which comprise mechanical handling and surgical stress, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and parenchymal loss leading to liver regeneration. We explore how these processes can trigger downstream cascades leading to the activation of the immune system and the pro-inflammatory response, cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, anti-apoptotic signals, and release of circulating tumour cells. Finally, we discuss the novel therapies under investigation to decrease ischaemia-reperfusion injury and increase regeneration after liver surgery, including pharmaceutical agents, inflow modulation, and machine perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Maspero
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Sumeyye Yilmaz
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Beatrice Cazzaniga
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Roma Raj
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Khaled Ali
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Vincenzo Mazzaferro
- General Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Schlegel
- Transplantation Center, Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Immunology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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10
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Felli E, Selicean S, Guixé-Muntet S, Wang C, Bosch J, Berzigotti A, Gracia-Sancho J. Mechanobiology of portal hypertension. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100869. [PMID: 37841641 PMCID: PMC10568428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between mechanical stimuli and cellular mechanobiology orchestrates the physiology of tissues and organs in a dynamic balance characterized by constant remodelling and adaptative processes. Environmental mechanical properties can be interpreted as a complex set of information and instructions that cells read continuously, and to which they respond. In cirrhosis, chronic inflammation and injury drive liver cells dysfunction, leading to excessive extracellular matrix deposition, sinusoidal pseudocapillarization, vascular occlusion and parenchymal extinction. These pathological events result in marked remodelling of the liver microarchitecture, which is cause and result of abnormal environmental mechanical forces, triggering and sustaining the long-standing and progressive process of liver fibrosis. Multiple mechanical forces such as strain, shear stress, and hydrostatic pressure can converge at different stages of the disease until reaching a point of no return where the fibrosis is considered non-reversible. Thereafter, reciprocal communication between cells and their niches becomes the driving force for disease progression. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that, rather than being a passive consequence of fibrosis and portal hypertension (PH), mechanical force-mediated pathways could themselves represent strategic targets for novel therapeutic approaches. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanobiology of PH, by furnishing an introduction on the most important mechanisms, integrating these concepts into a discussion on the pathogenesis of PH, and exploring potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Felli
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Selicean
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jaume Bosch
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
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11
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Yu L, Zhu G, Zhang Z, Xu Z, Peng W, Zeng L, Yu Y, Wang S, Lin Z, Zhang X, Zhou N, Zhang L, Liang L. Nano-Photosensitizer Directed Targeted Phototherapy Effective Against Oral Cancer in Animal Model. Int J Nanomedicine 2023; 18:6185-6198. [PMID: 37933297 PMCID: PMC10625746 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s434917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising strategy for oral cancer treatment. Verteporfin is a powerful photosensitizer and widely used in the treatment of macular degeneration. However, rare work has reported its potential in the treatment of oral cancer. Methods In this study, we introduce an innovative approach of nano-photosensitizer based on Verteporfin, which was prepared by utilizing macrophage membrane to coat Verteporfin-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8) for effective photodynamic therapy against oral cancer. Nanoparticle characteristics were assessed including size, zeta potential, and PDI. Cellular uptake studies were conducted using CAL-27 cells. Furthermore, inhibitory effects in both in vitro and in vivo settings were observed, ensuring biosafety. Assessment of anticancer efficacy involved tumor volume measurement, histological analyses, and immunohistochemical staining. Results In vitro experiments indicated that the nano-photosensitizer showed efficient cellular uptake in the oral cancer cells. Upon the laser irradiation, the nano-photosensitizer induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cancer cell apoptosis. The in vivo experiments indicated that the coating with cell membranes enhanced the circulation time of nano-photosensitizer. Moreover, the specificity of the nano-photosensitizer to the cancer cells was also improved by the cell membrane-camouflaged structure in the tumor-bearing mouse model, which inhibited the tumor growth significantly by the photodynamic effect in the presence of laser irradiation. Conclusion Overall, our findings demonstrate the potential of macrophage membrane-coated ZIF-8-based nanoparticles loaded with Verteporfin for effective photodynamic therapy in oral cancer treatment. This nano-system holds promise for synergistic cancer therapy by combining the cytotoxic effects of PDT with the activation of the immune system, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for combating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Yu
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanxiong Zhu
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zidan Xu
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
| | - Weijie Peng
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the State & NMPA Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liting Zeng
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Sports and Health, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Siran Wang
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongxiao Lin
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the State & NMPA Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wailong, Taipa, Macau, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wailong, Taipa, Macau, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wailong, Taipa, Macau, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingmin Zhang
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the State & NMPA Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Liang
- Department of Preventive Dentistry, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, 510182, People’s Republic of China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the State & NMPA Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences & the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, People’s Republic of China
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12
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Romualdo GR, Heidor R, Bacil GP, Moreno FS, Barbisan LF. Past, present, and future of chemically induced hepatocarcinogenesis rodent models: Perspectives concerning classic and new cancer hallmarks. Life Sci 2023; 330:121994. [PMID: 37543357 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the main primary liver cancer, accounts for 5 % of all incident cases and 8.4 % of all cancer-related deaths worldwide. HCC displays a spectrum of environmental risk factors (viral chronic infections, aflatoxin exposure, alcoholic- and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases) that result in molecular complexity and heterogeneity, contributing to a rising epidemiological burden, poor prognosis, and non-satisfactory treatment options. The emergence of HCC (i.e., hepatocarcinogenesis) is a multistep and complex process that addresses many (epi)genetic alterations and phenotypic traits, the so-called cancer hallmarks. "Polymorphic microbiomes", "epigenetic reprogramming", "senescent cells" and "unlocking phenotypic plasticity" are trending hallmarks/enabling features in cancer biology. As the main molecular drivers of HCC are still undruggable, chemically induced in vivo models of hepatocarcinogenesis are useful tools in preclinical research. Thus, this narrative review aimed at recapitulating the basic features of chemically induced rodent models of hepatocarcinogenesis, eliciting their permanent translational value regarding the "classic" and the "new" cancer hallmarks/enabling features. We gathered state-of-art preclinical evidence on non-cirrhotic, inflammation-, alcoholic liver disease- and nonalcoholic fatty liver-associated HCC models, demonstrating that these bioassays indeed express the recently added hallmarks, as well as reflect the interplay between classical and new cancer traits. Our review demonstrated that these protocols remain valuable for translational preclinical application, as they recapitulate trending features of cancer science. Further "omics-based" approaches are warranted while multimodel investigations are encouraged in order to avoid "model-biased" responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Ribeiro Romualdo
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Experimental Research Unit (UNIPEX), Multimodel Drug Screening Platform - Laboratory of Chemically Induced and Experimental Carcinogenesis (MDSP-LCQE), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), Biosciences Institute, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Chemically Induced and Experimental Carcinogenesis (LCQE), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Renato Heidor
- University of São Paulo (USP), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Prata Bacil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Biosciences Institute, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Chemically Induced and Experimental Carcinogenesis (LCQE), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Salvador Moreno
- University of São Paulo (USP), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Laboratory of Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luís Fernando Barbisan
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Experimental Research Unit (UNIPEX), Multimodel Drug Screening Platform - Laboratory of Chemically Induced and Experimental Carcinogenesis (MDSP-LCQE), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), Biosciences Institute, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Laboratory of Chemically Induced and Experimental Carcinogenesis (LCQE), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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13
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Lv L, Zhou X. Targeting Hippo signaling in cancer: novel perspectives and therapeutic potential. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e375. [PMID: 37799806 PMCID: PMC10547939 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As highly conserved among diverse species, Hippo signaling pathway regulates various biological processes, including development, cell proliferation, stem cell function, tissue regeneration, homeostasis, and organ size. Studies in the last two decades have provided a good framework for how these fundamental functions of Hippo signaling are tightly regulated by a network with numerous intracellular and extracellular factors. The Hippo signaling pathway, when dysregulated, may lead to a wide variety of diseases, especially cancer. There is growing evidence demonstrating that dysregulated Hippo signaling is closely associated with tumorigenesis, cancer cell invasion, and migration, as well as drug resistance. Therefore, the Hippo pathway is considered an appealing therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer. Promising novel agents targeting the Hippo signaling pathway for cancers have recently emerged. These novel agents have shown antitumor activity in multiple cancer models and demonstrated therapeutic potential for cancer treatment. However, the detailed molecular basis of the Hippo signaling-driven tumor biology remains undefined. Our review summarizes current advances in understanding the mechanisms by which Hippo signaling drives tumorigenesis and confers drug resistance. We also propose strategies for future preclinical and clinical development to target this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liemei Lv
- Department of HematologyShandong Provincial HospitalShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Xiangxiang Zhou
- Department of HematologyShandong Provincial HospitalShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Department of HematologyShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic DiseasesJinanShandongChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Hematologic Diseasesthe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhouChina
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14
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Nenu I, Toadere TM, Topor I, Țichindeleanu A, Bondor DA, Trella ȘE, Sparchez Z, Filip GA. Interleukin-6 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Dualistic Point of View. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2623. [PMID: 37892997 PMCID: PMC10603956 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102623] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a pressing health concern, demanding a deep understanding of various mediators' roles in its development for therapeutic progress. Notably, interleukin-6 (IL-6) has taken center stage in investigations due to its intricate and context-dependent functions. This review delves into the dual nature of IL-6 in HCC, exploring its seemingly contradictory roles as both a promoter and an inhibitor of disease progression. We dissect the pro-tumorigenic effects of IL-6, including its impact on tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Concurrently, we examine its anti-tumorigenic attributes, such as its role in immune response activation, cellular senescence induction, and tumor surveillance. Through a comprehensive exploration of the intricate interactions between IL-6 and the tumor microenvironment, this review highlights the need for a nuanced comprehension of IL-6 signaling in HCC. It underscores the importance of tailored therapeutic strategies that consider the dynamic stages and diverse surroundings within the tumor microenvironment. Future research directions aimed at unraveling the multifaceted mechanisms of IL-6 in HCC hold promise for developing more effective treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliana Nenu
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Prof. Dr. O. Fodor" Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Teodora Maria Toadere
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioan Topor
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andra Țichindeleanu
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniela Andreea Bondor
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Șerban Ellias Trella
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Zeno Sparchez
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Prof. Dr. O. Fodor" Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriela Adriana Filip
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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15
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Domènech Omella J, Cortesi EE, Verbinnen I, Remmerie M, Wu H, Cubero FJ, Roskams T, Janssens V. A Novel Mouse Model of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma Induced by Diethylnitrosamine and Loss of Ppp2r5d. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4193. [PMID: 37627221 PMCID: PMC10453342 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164193] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) can be classified in hepatocellular (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). The molecular mechanisms involved in PLC development and phenotype decision are still not well understood. Complete deletion of Ppp2r5d, encoding the B56δ subunit of Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A), results in spontaneous HCC development in mice via a c-MYC-dependent mechanism. In the present study, we aimed to examine the role of Ppp2r5d in an independent mouse model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Ppp2r5d deletion (heterozygous and homozygous) accelerated HCC development, corroborating its tumor-suppressive function in liver and suggesting Ppp2r5d may be haploinsufficient. Ppp2r5d-deficient HCCs stained positively for c-MYC, consistent with increased AKT activation in pre-malignant and tumor tissues of Ppp2r5d-deficient mice. We also found increased YAP activation in Ppp2r5d-deficient tumors. Remarkably, in older mice, Ppp2r5d deletion resulted in cHCC-CCA development in this model, with the CCA component showing increased expression of progenitor markers (SOX9 and EpCAM). Finally, we observed an upregulation of Ppp2r5d in tumors from wildtype and heterozygous mice, revealing a tumor-specific control mechanism of Ppp2r5d expression, and suggestive of the involvement of Ppp2r5d in a negative feedback regulation restricting tumor growth. Our study highlights the tumor-suppressive role of mouse PP2A-B56δ in both HCC and cHCC-CCA, which may have important implications for human PLC development and targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Domènech Omella
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Emanuela E. Cortesi
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (E.E.C.); (T.R.)
| | - Iris Verbinnen
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Michiel Remmerie
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Hanghang Wu
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (H.W.); (F.J.C.)
| | - Francisco J. Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (H.W.); (F.J.C.)
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research, Network on Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tania Roskams
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (E.E.C.); (T.R.)
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Janssens
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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16
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Zhang Z, Shi X, Ji J, Guo Y, Peng Q, Hao L, Xue Y, Liu Y, Li C, Lu J, Yu K. Dihydroartemisinin increased the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila by YAP1 depression that sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Front Med 2023; 17:729-746. [PMID: 37121958 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-022-0978-2] [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: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The effect of anti-programmed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) immunotherapy is limited in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression increased in liver tumor cells in early HCC, and Akkermansia muciniphila abundance decreased in the colon. The response to anti-PD-1 treatment is associated with A. muciniphila abundance in many tumors. However, the interaction between A. muciniphila abundance and YAP1 expression remains unclear in HCC. Here, anti-PD-1 treatment decreased A. muciniphila abundance in the colon, but increased YAP1 expression in the tumor cells by mice with liver tumors in situ. Mechanistically, hepatocyte-specific Yap1 knockout (Yap1LKO) maintained bile acid homeostasis in the liver, resulting in an increased abundance of A. muciniphila in the colon. Yap1 knockout enhanced anti-PD-1 efficacy. Therefore, YAP1 inhibition is a potential target for increasing A. muciniphila abundance to promote anti-PD-1 efficacy in liver tumors. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), acting as YAP1 inhibitor, increased A. muciniphila abundance to sensitize anti-PD-1 therapy. A. muciniphila by gavage increased the number and activation of CD8+ T cells in liver tumor niches during DHA treatment or combination with anti-PD-1. Our findings suggested that the combination anti-PD-1 with DHA is an effective strategy for liver tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqin Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China.
| | - Jingmin Ji
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Yinglin Guo
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Qing Peng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Liyuan Hao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Caige Li
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Junlan Lu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
| | - Kun Yu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050200, China
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17
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Zhu H, Yu H, Zhou H, Zhu W, Wang X. Elevated Nuclear PHGDH Synergistically Functions with cMyc to Reshape the Immune Microenvironment of Liver Cancer. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2205818. [PMID: 37078828 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Herein, we observed that nuclear localization of phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) is associated with poor prognosis in liver cancer, and Phgdh is required for liver cancer progression in a mouse model. Unexpectedly, impairment of Phgdh enzyme activity exerts a slight effect in a liver cancer model. In liver cancer cells, the aspartate kinase-chorismate mutase-tyrA prephenate dehydrogenase (ACT) domain of PHGDH binds nuclear cMyc to form a transactivation axis, PHGDH/p300/cMyc/AF9, which drives chemokine CXCL1 and IL8 gene expression. Then, CXCL1 and IL8 promote neutrophil recruitment and enhance tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) filtration in the liver, thereby advancing liver cancer. Forced cytosolic localization of PHGDH or destruction of the PHGDH/cMyc interaction abolishes the oncogenic function of nuclear PHGDH. Depletion of neutrophils by neutralizing antibodies greatly hampers TAM filtration. These findings reveal a nonmetabolic role of PHGDH with altered cellular localization and suggest a promising drug target for liver cancer therapy by targeting the nonmetabolic region of PHGDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwen Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hua Yu
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wencheng Zhu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xiongjun Wang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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18
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Niu X, Zhang L, Wu Y, Zong Z, Wang B, Liu J, Zhang L, Zhou F. Biomolecular condensates: Formation mechanisms, biological functions, and therapeutic targets. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e223. [PMID: 36875159 PMCID: PMC9974629 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are cellular structures composed of membraneless assemblies comprising proteins or nucleic acids. The formation of these condensates requires components to change from a state of solubility separation from the surrounding environment by undergoing phase transition and condensation. Over the past decade, it has become widely appreciated that biomolecular condensates are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells and play a vital role in physiological and pathological processes. These condensates may provide promising targets for the clinic research. Recently, a series of pathological and physiological processes have been found associated with the dysfunction of condensates, and a range of targets and methods have been demonstrated to modulate the formation of these condensates. A more extensive description of biomolecular condensates is urgently needed for the development of novel therapies. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of biomolecular condensates and the molecular mechanisms of their formation. Moreover, we reviewed the functions of condensates and therapeutic targets for diseases. We further highlighted the available regulatory targets and methods, discussed the significance and challenges of targeting these condensates. Reviewing the latest developments in biomolecular condensate research could be essential in translating our current knowledge on the use of condensates for clinical therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Niu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China.,MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou China
| | - Yuchen Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First School of Medicine Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou China
| | - Zhi Zong
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Bin Wang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Jisheng Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou China
| | - Long Zhang
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network Life Sciences Institute Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science Soochow University Suzhou China
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19
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Taurodeoxycholic acid-YAP1 upregulates OTX1 in promoting gallbladder cancer malignancy through IFITM3-dependent AKT activation. Oncogene 2023; 42:1466-1477. [PMID: 36928361 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-023-02660-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Orthodenticle homeobox (OTX1) is reported to be involved in numerous cancers, but the expression level and molecular function of OTX1 in gallbladder cancer (GBC) remain unknown. Here, we found the elevated level of OTX1 associated with poor prognosis in human gallbladder cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies of human gallbladder cancer cell lines demonstrated that overexpression of OTX1 promoted cell proliferation, whereas the downregulation inhibited it. Additionally, we found a tight correlation between the serum level of taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) and OTX1 expression. TDCA-induced activation of YAP1 by phosphorylation inhibition contributed to the transcriptional activation of OTX1. Mechanistically, we identified that OTX1 activated AKT signaling pathway by transactivating the expression of IFITM3 and thus promoted the proliferation of GBC cells. Taken together, our results showed that TDCA-YAP1-dependent expression of OTX1 regulated IFITM3 and affected GBC proliferation via the AKT signaling pathway. Our experiments also suggested that OTX1 is a novel therapeutic target for GBC.
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20
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Berasain C, Arechederra M, Argemí J, Fernández-Barrena MG, Avila MA. Loss of liver function in chronic liver disease: An identity crisis. J Hepatol 2023; 78:401-414. [PMID: 36115636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Adult hepatocyte identity is constructed throughout embryonic development and fine-tuned after birth. A multinodular network of transcription factors, along with pre-mRNA splicing regulators, define the transcriptome, which encodes the proteins needed to perform the complex metabolic and secretory functions of the mature liver. Transient hepatocellular dedifferentiation can occur as part of the regenerative mechanisms triggered in response to acute liver injury. However, persistent downregulation of key identity genes is now accepted as a strong determinant of organ dysfunction in chronic liver disease, a major global health burden. Therefore, the identification of core transcription factors and splicing regulators that preserve hepatocellular phenotype, and a thorough understanding of how these networks become disrupted in diseased hepatocytes, is of high clinical relevance. In this context, we review the key players in liver differentiation and discuss in detail critical factors, such as HNF4α, whose impairment mediates the breakdown of liver function. Moreover, we present compelling experimental evidence demonstrating that restoration of core transcription factor expression in a chronically injured liver can reset hepatocellular identity, improve function and ameliorate structural abnormalities. The possibility of correcting the phenotype of severely damaged and malfunctional livers may reveal new therapeutic opportunities for individuals with cirrhosis and advanced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Berasain
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Maria Arechederra
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josepmaria Argemí
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain; Liver Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernández-Barrena
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
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21
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Zhao C, Gong J, Bai Y, Yin T, Zhou M, Pan S, Liu Y, Gao Y, Zhang Z, Shi Y, Zhu F, Zhang H, Wang M, Qin R. A self-amplifying USP14-TAZ loop drives the progression and liver metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1-15. [PMID: 35906484 PMCID: PMC9883464 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01040-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
With a 5-year survival rate of approximately 10%, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal solid malignancies in humans. A poor understanding of the underlying biology has resulted in a lack of effective targeted therapeutic strategies. Tissue microarray and bioinformatics analyses have revealed that the downstream transcriptional coactivator of the Hippo pathway, transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), might be a therapeutic target in PDAC. Since pharmacological inhibition of TAZ is challenging, we performed unbiased deubiquitinase (DUB) library screening to explore the pivotal regulators of TAZ ubiquitination as potential targets in PDAC models. We found that USP14 contributed to Yes-associated protein (YAP)/TAZ transcriptional activity and stabilized TAZ but not YAP. Mechanistically, USP14 catalyzed the K48-linked deubiquitination of TAZ to promote TAZ stabilization. Moreover, TAZ facilitated the transcription of USP14 by binding to the TEA domain transcription factor (TEAD) 1/4 response element in the promoter of USP14. USP14 was found to modulate the expression of TAZ downstream target genes through a feedback mechanism and ultimately promoted cancer progression and liver metastasis in PDAC models in vitro and in vivo. In addition, depletion of USP14 led to proteasome-dependent degradation of TAZ and ultimately arrested PDAC tumour growth and liver metastasis. A strong positive correlation between USP14 and TAZ expression was also detected in PDAC patients. The small molecule inhibitor of USP14 catalytic activity, IU1, inhibited the development of PDAC in subcutaneous xenograft and liver metastasis models. Overall, our data strongly suggested that the self-amplifying USP14-TAZ loop was a previously unrecognized mechanism causing upregulated TAZ expression, and identified USP14 as a viable therapeutic target in PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunle Zhao
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Jun Gong
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Yu Bai
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Taoyuan Yin
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Min Zhou
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Shutao Pan
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Yuhui Liu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Yang Gao
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Zhenxiong Zhang
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Yongkang Shi
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Feng Zhu
- grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China ,grid.33199.310000 0004 0368 7223Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030 Hubei China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Renyi Qin
- Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Diseases, Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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22
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Gao Y, Gong Y, Liu Y, Xue Y, Zheng K, Guo Y, Hao L, Peng Q, Shi X. Integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2215 cells after YAP1 knockdown. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:151987. [PMID: 36473310 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2022.151987] [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: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) plays a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Inhibition of YAP1 expression suppresses HCC progression, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we studied the effects and molecular mechanisms of YAP1 knockdown on the growth and metabolism in human HCC HepG2215 cells. Inhibition of YAP1 expression inhibits the proliferation and metastasis in HepG2215 cells, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites were identified in shYAP1-HepG2215 cells. Further, 805 DEGs, mainly associated with metabolism and particularly lipid metabolism, were identified by transcriptome sequencing analyses in shYAP1-HepG2215 cells. YAP1 knockdown increased albumin (ALB) levels by Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses in HepG2215 cells. Metabolomic profiling identified 37 metabolites with significant differences in the shYAP1 group, and amino acid metabolism generally decreased in the shYAP1 group. Comprehensive analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed that the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play a central role after YAP1 knockdown in HepG2215 cells. Therefore, YAP1 knockdown inhibited HCC growth, which affected the metabolism of lipids and amino acids by regulating the expression of ALB and ABC transporters in HepG2215 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Gao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong 030619, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Kangning Zheng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yinglin Guo
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Liyuan Hao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Qing Peng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China.
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23
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Nambiar SM, Lee J, Yanum JA, Garcia V, Jiang H, Dai G. Maternal hepatocytes heterogeneously and dynamically exhibit developmental phenotypes partially via yes-associated protein 1 during pregnancy. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 324:G38-G50. [PMID: 36283963 PMCID: PMC9799147 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00197.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy induces reprogramming of maternal physiology to support fetal development and growth. Maternal hepatocytes undergo hypertrophy and hyperplasia to drive maternal liver growth and alter their gene expression profiles simultaneously. This study aimed to further understand maternal hepatocyte adaptation to pregnancy. Timed pregnancies were generated in mice. In a nonpregnant state, most hepatocytes expressed Cd133, α-fetal protein (Afp) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Epcam) mRNAs, whereas overall, at the protein level, they exhibited a CD133-/AFP- phenotype; however, pericentral hepatocytes were EpCAM+. As pregnancy advanced, although most maternal hepatocytes retained Cd133, Afp, and Epcam mRNA expression, they generally displayed a phenotype of CD133+/AFP+, and EpCAM protein expression was switched from pericentral to periportal maternal hepatocytes. In addition, we found that the Hippo/yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway does not respond to pregnancy. Yap1 gene deletion specifically in maternal hepatocytes did not affect maternal liver growth or metabolic zonation. However, the absence of Yap1 gene eliminated CD133 protein expression without interfering with Cd133 transcript expression in maternal livers. We demonstrated that maternal hepatocytes acquire heterogeneous and dynamic developmental phenotypes, resembling fetal hepatocytes, partially via YAP1 through a posttranscriptional mechanism. Moreover, maternal liver is a new source of AFP. In addition, maternal liver grows and maintains its metabolic zonation independent of the Hippo/YAP1 pathway. Our findings revealed a novel and gestation-dependent phenotypic plasticity in adult hepatocytes.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that maternal hepatocytes exhibit developmental phenotypes in a temporal and spatial manner, similarly to fetal hepatocytes. They acquire this new property partially via yes-associated protein 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Manohar Nambiar
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Joonyong Lee
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jennifer Abla Yanum
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Veronica Garcia
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Huaizhou Jiang
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Guoli Dai
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
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24
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Pibiri M, Simbula G. Role of the Hippo pathway in liver regeneration and repair: recent advances. Inflamm Regen 2022; 42:59. [PMID: 36471376 PMCID: PMC9720992 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-022-00235-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the signaling pathways involved in normal liver regeneration have been well characterized, less has been done for livers affected by chronic tissue damage. These "abnormal livers" have an impaired regenerative response that leads to liver repair and fibrosis. The tumor suppressor Hippo pathway plays a key role in liver regeneration and repair. On this basis, this review discusses recent studies focusing on the involvement of the Hippo signaling pathway during "normal healthy liver regeneration" (i.e., in a normal liver after 2/3 partial hepatectomy) and "abnormal liver regeneration" (i.e., in a liver damaged by chronic disease). This could be an important question to address with respect to new therapies aimed at improving impaired liver regenerative responses. The studies reported here have shown that activation of the Hippo coactivators YAP/TAZ during normal liver regeneration promotes the formation of a new bile duct network through direct BEC proliferation or/and hepatocyte dedifferentiation to HPCs which can trans-differentiate to BECs. Moreover, YAP/TAZ signaling interaction with other signaling pathways mediates the recruitment and activation of Kupffer cells, which release mitogenic cytokines for parenchymal and/or non-parenchymal cells and engage in phagocytosis of cellular debris. In addition, YAP-mediated activation of stellate cells (HSCs) promotes liver regeneration through the synthesis of extracellular matrix. However, in chronically diseased livers, where the predetermined threshold for proper liver regeneration is exceeded, YAP/TAZ activation results in a reparative process characterized by liver fibrosis. In this condition, YAP/TAZ activation in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells results in (i) differentiation of quiescent HSCs into myofibroblastic HSCs; (ii) recruitment of macrophages releasing inflammatory cytokines; (iii) polarization of macrophages toward the M2 phenotype. Since accumulation of damaged hepatocytes in chronic liver injury represent a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocarcinoma, this review also discussed the involvement of the Hippo pathway in the clearance of damaged cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Pibiri
- grid.7763.50000 0004 1755 3242Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oncology and Molecular Pathology Unit, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, Blocco A. 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Simbula
- grid.7763.50000 0004 1755 3242Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oncology and Molecular Pathology Unit, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, S.P. Monserrato-Sestu km 0.700, Blocco A. 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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25
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Luo M, Xu Y, Chen H, Wu Y, Pang A, Hu J, Dong X, Che J, Yang H. Advances of targeting the YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex in the hippo pathway for the treatment of cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 244:114847. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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26
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Gong W, Han Z, Fang F, Chen L. Yap Expression Is Closely Related to Tumor Angiogenesis and Poor Prognosis in Hepatoblastoma. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2022; 41:929-939. [PMID: 34978260 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2021.2020384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background: Hepatoblastoma (HB) is malignant embryonal tumor typically arising in infants and young children. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is aberrantly activated in various tumors; however, the role of YAP in hepatoblastoma is still unexplored. Methods: We assessed YAP expression in hepatoblastoma using immunohistochemistry. The relationships to clinicopathology and survival were analyzed. Results: Positive rate of YAP expression was higher in hepatoblastoma than in adjacent tissues. YAP overexpression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion. Both epithelial and mixed histological types expressed YAP, but high expression was more frequent in MT. YAP expression correlated with VEGF expression, high microvascular density and low overall survival. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that YAP was an independent prognostic factor for survival in children with hepatoblastoma. Conclusion: In hepatoblastoma, YAP may promote VEGF induced angiogenesis and metastases, with resulting poorer prognosis, representing a potential adverse prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchen Gong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiqiang Han
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Fang
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Cancer, Liver Cancer Research Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Cancer, Liver Cancer Research Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
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27
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Athavale D, Song Z, Desert R, Han H, Das S, Ge X, Komakula SSB, Chen W, Gao S, Lantvit D, Guzman G, Nieto N. Ablation of high-mobility group box-1 in the liver reduces hepatocellular carcinoma but causes hyperbilirubinemia in Hippo signaling-deficient mice. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:2155-2169. [PMID: 35344292 PMCID: PMC9315122 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Silencing the Hippo kinases mammalian sterile 20-like 1 and 2 (MST1/2) activates the transcriptional coactivator yes-associated protein (YAP) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatocyte-derived high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) regulates YAP expression; however, its contribution to HCC in the context of deregulated Hippo signaling is unknown. Here, we hypothesized that HMGB1 is required for hepatocarcinogenesis by activating YAP in Hippo signaling-deficient (Mst1/2ΔHep ) mice. Mst1/2ΔHep mice developed HCC within 3.5 months of age and had increased hepatic expression of HMGB1 and elevated YAP activity compared to controls. To understand the contribution of HMGB1, we generated Mst1/2&Hmgb1ΔHep mice. They exhibited decreased YAP activity, cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis, atypical ductal cell expansion, and HCC burden at 3.5 months compared to Mst1/2∆Hep mice. However, Mst1/2&Hmgb1ΔHep mice were smaller, developed hyperbilirubinemia, had more liver injury with intrahepatic biliary defects, and had reduced hemoglobin compared to Mst1/2ΔHep mice. Conclusion: Hepatic HMGB1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis by regulation of YAP activity; nevertheless, it maintains intrahepatic bile duct physiology under Hippo signaling deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipti Athavale
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Zhuolun Song
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Romain Desert
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Hui Han
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Sukanta Das
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Xiaodong Ge
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Wei Chen
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Shenglan Gao
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Daniel Lantvit
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Grace Guzman
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Natalia Nieto
- 14681Department of PathologyUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA.,14681Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA.,Research Biologist, Research & Development Service, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Biagioni F, Croci O, Sberna S, Donato E, Sabò A, Bisso A, Curti L, Chiesa A, Campaner S. Decoding YAP dependent transcription in the liver. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:7959-7971. [PMID: 35871292 PMCID: PMC9371928 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The transcriptional coactivator YAP is emerging as a master regulator of cell growth. In the liver, YAP activity is linked to hepatomegaly, regeneration, dedifferentiation, and aggressive tumor growth. Here we present genomic studies to address how YAP may elicit such profound biological changes in murine models. YAP bound the genome in a TEAD-dependent manner, either at loci constitutively occupied by TEAD or by pioneering enhancers, which comprised a fraction of HNF4a/FOXA-bound embryonic enhancers active during embryonic development but silent in the adult. YAP triggered transcription on promoters by recruiting BRD4, enhancing H3K122 acetylation, and promoting RNApol2 loading and pause-release. YAP also repressed HNF4a target genes by binding to their promoters and enhancers, thus preventing RNApol2 pause-release. YAP activation led to the induction of hepatocyte proliferation, accompanied by tissue remodeling, characterized by polarized macrophages, exhausted T-lymphocytes and dedifferentiation of endothelial cells into proliferative progenitors. Overall, these analyses suggest that YAP is a master regulator of liver function that reshapes the enhancer landscape to control transcription of genes involved in metabolism, proliferation, and inflammation, subverts lineage specification programs by antagonizing HNF4a and modulating the immune infiltrate and the vascular architecture of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Biagioni
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Ottavio Croci
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Silvia Sberna
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Elisa Donato
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Arianna Sabò
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO)-IRCCS , Milan , Italy
| | - Andrea Bisso
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO)-IRCCS , Milan , Italy
| | - Laura Curti
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Arianna Chiesa
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
| | - Stefano Campaner
- Center for Genomic Science of CGS@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) , Milan , Italy
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Dubois F, Bazille C, Levallet J, Maille E, Brosseau S, Madelaine J, Bergot E, Zalcman G, Levallet G. Molecular Alterations in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Hope for Effective Treatment by Targeting YAP. Target Oncol 2022; 17:407-431. [PMID: 35906513 PMCID: PMC9345804 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-022-00900-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive neoplasm, which has primarily been attributed to the exposure to asbestos fibers (83% of cases); yet, despite a ban of using asbestos in many countries, the incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma failed to decline worldwide. While little progress has been made in malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, bevacizumab at first, then followed by double immunotherapy (nivolumab plus ipilumumab), were all shown to improve survival in large phase III randomized trials. The morphological analysis of the histological subtyping remains the primary indicator for therapeutic decision making at an advanced disease stage, while a platinum-based chemotherapy regimen combined with pemetrexed, either with or without bevacizumab, is still the main treatment option. Consequently, malignant pleural mesothelioma still represents a significant health concern owing to poor median survival (12-18 months). Given this context, both diagnosis and therapy improvements require better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying malignant pleural mesothelioma's carcinogenesis and progression. Hence, the Hippo pathway in malignant pleural mesothelioma initiation and progression has recently received increasing attention, as the aberrant expression of its core components may be closely related to patient prognosis. The purpose of this review was to provide a critical analysis of our current knowledge on these topics, the main focus being on the available evidence concerning the role of each Hippo pathway's member as a promising biomarker, enabling detection of the disease at earlier stages and thus improving prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatéméh Dubois
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT Unit, Avenue H. Becquerel, 14074, Caen, France.,Department of Pathology, CHU de Caen, Caen, France.,Federative Structure of Cyto-Molecular Oncogenetics (SF-MOCAE), CHU de Caen, Caen, France
| | - Céline Bazille
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT Unit, Avenue H. Becquerel, 14074, Caen, France.,Department of Pathology, CHU de Caen, Caen, France
| | - Jérôme Levallet
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT Unit, Avenue H. Becquerel, 14074, Caen, France
| | - Elodie Maille
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT Unit, Avenue H. Becquerel, 14074, Caen, France
| | - Solenn Brosseau
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and CIC1425, Hospital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,U830 INSERM "Genetics and Biology of Cancers, A.R.T Group", Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Jeannick Madelaine
- Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology, CHU de Caen, Caen, France
| | - Emmanuel Bergot
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT Unit, Avenue H. Becquerel, 14074, Caen, France.,Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic Oncology, CHU de Caen, Caen, France
| | - Gérard Zalcman
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and CIC1425, Hospital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris-Diderot, Paris, France.,U830 INSERM "Genetics and Biology of Cancers, A.R.T Group", Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Guénaëlle Levallet
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT Unit, Avenue H. Becquerel, 14074, Caen, France. .,Department of Pathology, CHU de Caen, Caen, France. .,Federative Structure of Cyto-Molecular Oncogenetics (SF-MOCAE), CHU de Caen, Caen, France.
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30
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Cigliano A, Zhang S, Ribback S, Steinmann S, Sini M, Ament CE, Utpatel K, Song X, Wang J, Pilo MG, Berger F, Wang H, Tao J, Li X, Pes GM, Mancarella S, Giannelli G, Dombrowski F, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Chen X, Evert K. The Hippo pathway effector TAZ induces intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in mice and is ubiquitously activated in the human disease. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:192. [PMID: 35655220 PMCID: PMC9164528 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02394-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly aggressive primary liver tumor with increasing incidence worldwide, dismal prognosis, and few therapeutic options. Mounting evidence underlines the role of the Hippo pathway in this disease; however, the molecular mechanisms whereby the Hippo cascade contributes to cholangiocarcinogenesis remain poorly defined. Methods We established novel iCCA mouse models via hydrodynamic transfection of an activated form of transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), a Hippo pathway downstream effector, either alone or combined with the myristoylated AKT (myr-AKT) protooncogene, in the mouse liver. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were applied to characterize the models. In addition, in vitro cell line studies were conducted to address the growth-promoting roles of TAZ and its paralog YAP. Results Overexpression of TAZ in the mouse liver triggered iCCA development with very low incidence and long latency. In contrast, co-expression of TAZ and myr-AKT dramatically increased tumor frequency and accelerated cancer formation in mice, with 100% iCCA incidence and high tumor burden by 10 weeks post hydrodynamic injection. AKT/TAZ tumors faithfully recapitulated many of the histomolecular features of human iCCA. At the molecular level, the development of the cholangiocellular lesions depended on the binding of TAZ to TEAD transcription factors. In addition, inhibition of the Notch pathway did not hamper carcinogenesis but suppressed the cholangiocellular phenotype of AKT/TAZ tumors. Also, knockdown of YAP, the TAZ paralog, delayed cholangiocarcinogenesis in AKT/TAZ mice without affecting the tumor phenotype. Furthermore, human preinvasive and invasive iCCAs and mixed hepatocellular carcinoma/iCCA displayed widespread TAZ activation and downregulation of the mechanisms protecting TAZ from proteolysis. Conclusions Overall, the present data underscore the crucial role of TAZ in cholangiocarcinogenesis Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02394-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cigliano
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Silvia Ribback
- Institute of Pathology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sara Steinmann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marcella Sini
- Experimental Pathology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Cindy E Ament
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Utpatel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xinhua Song
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingxiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA.,School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Maria G Pilo
- Institute of Pathology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Fabian Berger
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Liver Transplantation Division, Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junyan Tao
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xiaolei Li
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, 250031, China
| | - Giovanni M Pes
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis", Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Frank Dombrowski
- Institute of Pathology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA.,University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Katja Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, Regensburg, Germany.
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31
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ETV4 potentiates nuclear YAP retention and activities to enhance the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2022; 537:215640. [PMID: 35296440 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215640] [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: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway that promotes cell survival, proliferation and tumorigenesis, relays on the coordinated interactions of YAP with the factors that determine YAP translocation and the related transcriptional programming. Here, we demonstrate that ETV4, a transcriptional factor participating in various protumorigenic processes, enhances YAP-mediated transactivation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. Mechanistically, the enhancement of YAP activities is mediated by the interaction between ETV4 and YAP, which not only increases nuclear YAP accumulation but also directly augments the YAP/TEAD4-mediated transcriptional activation in tumor cells. Functionally, the interplay of ETV4 and YAP promotes growth of liver tumor cells, and activates the genes related to myeloid cell recruitment, including CXCL1 and CXCL5, leading to an enriched presence of myeloid-derived suppressive cells and macrophages but a decreased infiltration of T cells and NK cells in transplanted tumors. More importantly, the correlations between YAP activation, the altered immune cell distribution and ETV4 expression are observed in human HCCs. Therefore, our study reveals a functional interaction between ETV4 and YAP that contributes to HCC progression, and provides mechanistic insights into the regulation of nuclear YAP retention and transactivation.
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32
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Li L, Li R, Wang Y. Identification of Small-molecule YAP-TEAD inhibitors by High-throughput docking for the Treatment of colorectal cancer. Bioorg Chem 2022; 122:105707. [PMID: 35247806 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The YAP-TEAD transcriptional complex is responsible for the expression of genes that regulate cancer cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway due to overexpression of YAP has been reported in various cancers. Inhibition of TEAD represses the expression of associated genes, proving the value of this transcription factor for the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. We retrieved a promising hit compound L06 which is a potent TEAD4 inhibitor through docking-based virtual screening. L06 inhibits TEAD autopalmitoylation, interrupts YAP-TEAD interaction, and reduces the YAP-TEAD transcriptional activity. Moreover, L06 reduces the expression of CTGF, inhibits HCT 116 colorectal cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The YAP-TEAD complex is a viable drug target, and L06 is a lead compound for the development of more potent TEAD inhibitors to treat colorectal cancer and other hyperproliferative pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Li
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou 225300, PR China.
| | - Ruizhe Li
- Moray house school of education and sport, The university of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yumei Wang
- Department of Emergency Internal Medicine, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou 225300, PR China
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33
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Yoshinari K, Shizu R. Distinct roles of the sister nuclear receptors PXR and CAR in liver cancer development. Drug Metab Dispos 2022; 50:1019-1026. [DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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34
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Hao L, Guo Y, Peng Q, Zhang Z, Ji J, Liu Y, Xue Y, Li C, Zheng K, Shi X. Dihydroartemisinin reduced lipid droplet deposition by YAP1 to promote the anti-PD-1 effect in hepatocellular carcinoma. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 96:153913. [PMID: 35026515 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-PD-1 was used to treat for many cancers, but the overall response rate of monoclonal antibodies blocking the inhibitory PD-1/PD-L1 was less than 20%. Lipid droplet (LD) deposition reduced chemotherapy efficacy, but whether LD deposition affects anti-PD-1 treatment and its mechanism remains unclear. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) was FDA proved antimalarial medicine, but its working mechanism on LD deposition has not been clarified. PURPOSE This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of DHA reducing LDs deposition and improving the efficacy of anti-PD-1. METHODS LD numbers and area were separately detected by electron microscopy and oil Red O staining. The expression of YAP1 and PLIN2 was detected by immunohistochemical staining in liver cancer tissues. Transcription and protein expression levels of YAP1 and PLIN2 in cells were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot after DHA treated HepG2215 cells and Yap1LKO mice. RESULTS LD accumulation was found in the liver tumor cells of DEN/TOPBCOP-induced liver tumor mice with anti-PD-1 treatment. But DHA treatment or YAP1 knockdown reduced LD deposition and PLIN2 expression in HepG2215 cells. Furthermore, DHA reduced the LD deposition, PLIN2 expression and triglycerides (TG) content in the liver tumor cells of Yap1LKO mice with liver tumor. CONCLUSION Anti-PD-1 promoted LD deposition, while YAP1 knockdown/out reduced LD deposition in HCC. DHA reduced LD deposition by inhibiting YAP1, enhancing the effect of anti-PD-1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Hao
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yinglin Guo
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Qing Peng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Zhiqin Zhang
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Jingmin Ji
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Yu Xue
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Caige Li
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Kangning Zheng
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China
| | - Xinli Shi
- Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China.
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Romualdo GR, Leroy K, Costa CJS, Prata GB, Vanderborght B, da Silva TC, Barbisan LF, Andraus W, Devisscher L, Câmara NOS, Vinken M, Cogliati B. In Vivo and In Vitro Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Strategies for Translational Modeling. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5583. [PMID: 34771745 PMCID: PMC8582701 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death globally. HCC is a complex multistep disease and usually emerges in the setting of chronic liver diseases. The molecular pathogenesis of HCC varies according to the etiology, mainly caused by chronic hepatitis B and C virus infections, chronic alcohol consumption, aflatoxin-contaminated food, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome or diabetes mellitus. The establishment of HCC models has become essential for both basic and translational research to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and unravel new molecular drivers of this disease. The ideal model should recapitulate key events observed during hepatocarcinogenesis and HCC progression in view of establishing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to be translated into clinical practice. Despite considerable efforts currently devoted to liver cancer research, only a few anti-HCC drugs are available, and patient prognosis and survival are still poor. The present paper provides a state-of-the-art overview of in vivo and in vitro models used for translational modeling of HCC with a specific focus on their key molecular hallmarks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Ribeiro Romualdo
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (G.B.P.); (L.F.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Kaat Leroy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (M.V.)
| | - Cícero Júlio Silva Costa
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
| | - Gabriel Bacil Prata
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (G.B.P.); (L.F.B.)
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-687, Brazil
| | - Bart Vanderborght
- Gut-Liver Immunopharmacology Unit, Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Hepatology Research Unit, Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Tereza Cristina da Silva
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
| | - Luís Fernando Barbisan
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, Brazil; (G.B.P.); (L.F.B.)
| | - Wellington Andraus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinics Hospital, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
| | - Lindsey Devisscher
- Hepatology Research Unit, Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Liver Research Center Ghent, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences IV, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil;
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (K.L.); (M.V.)
| | - Bruno Cogliati
- Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-270, Brazil; (G.R.R.); (C.J.S.C.); (T.C.d.S.)
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36
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Foglia B, Sutti S, Cannito S, Rosso C, Maggiora M, Autelli R, Novo E, Bocca C, Villano G, Ramavath NN, Younes R, Tusa I, Rovida E, Pontisso P, Bugianesi E, Albano E, Parola M. Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion of HIF2α Prevents NASH-Related Liver Carcinogenesis by Decreasing Cancer Cell Proliferation. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 13:459-482. [PMID: 34655812 PMCID: PMC8688724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are involved in chronic liver disease progression. We previously showed that hepatocyte HIF-2α activation contributed significantly to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression in experimental animals and human patients. In this study, using an appropriate genetic murine model, we mechanistically investigated the involvement of hepatocyte HIF-2α in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related carcinogenesis. METHODS The role of HIF-2α was investigated by morphologic, cellular, and molecular biology approaches in the following: (1) mice carrying hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF-2α (HIF-2α-/- mice) undergoing a NASH-related protocol of hepatocarcinogenesis; (2) HepG2 cells stably transfected to overexpress HIF-2α; and (3) liver specimens from NASH patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS Mice carrying hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF-2α (hHIF-2α-/-) showed a significant decrease in the volume and number of liver tumors compared with wild-type littermates. These effects did not involve HIF-1α changes and were associated with a decrease of cell proliferation markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67. In both human and rodent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-related tumors, HIF-2α levels were strictly associated with hepatocyte production of SerpinB3, a mediator previously shown to stimulate liver cancer cell proliferation through the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP)/c-Myc pathway. Consistently, we observed positive correlations between the transcripts of HIF-2α, YAP, and c-Myc in individual hepatocellular carcinoma tumor masses, while HIF-2α deletion down-modulated c-Myc and YAP expression without affecting extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and AKT-dependent signaling. In vitro data confirmed that HIF-2α overexpression induced HepG2 cell proliferation through YAP-mediated mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the activation of HIF-2α in hepatocytes has a critical role in liver carcinogenesis during NASH progression, suggesting that HIF-2α-blocking agents may serve as novel putative therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Foglia
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Stefania Cannito
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Rosso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Division of Gastroenterology, San Giovanni Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Marina Maggiora
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Autelli
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Erica Novo
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Bocca
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | | | - Naresh Naik Ramavath
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Ramy Younes
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Division of Gastroenterology, San Giovanni Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Ignazia Tusa
- Unit of Experimental Oncology and Pathology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rovida
- Unit of Experimental Oncology and Pathology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Division of Gastroenterology, San Giovanni Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy.
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Bou Saleh M, Louvet A, Ntandja-Wandji LC, Boleslawski E, Gnemmi V, Lassailly G, Truant S, Maggiotto F, Ningarhari M, Artru F, Anglo E, Sancho-Bru P, Corlu A, Argemi J, Dubois-Chevalier J, Dharancy S, Eeckhoute J, Bataller R, Mathurin P, Dubuquoy L. Loss of hepatocyte identity following aberrant YAP activation: A key mechanism in alcoholic hepatitis. J Hepatol 2021; 75:912-923. [PMID: 34129887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options, as the molecular mechanisms leading to death are not well understood. This study evaluates the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway which has been shown to play a role in liver regeneration. METHOD The Hippo/YAP pathway was dissected in explants of patients transplanted for AH or alcohol-related cirrhosis and in control livers, using RNA-seq, real-time PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry and transcriptome analysis after laser microdissection. We transfected primary human hepatocytes with constitutively active YAP (YAPS127A) and treated HepaRG cells and primary hepatocytes isolated from AH livers with a YAP inhibitor. We also used mouse models of ethanol exposure (Lieber de Carli) and liver regeneration (carbon tetrachloride) after hepatocyte transduction of YAPS127A. RESULTS In AH samples, RNA-seq analysis and immunohistochemistry of total liver and microdissected hepatocytes revealed marked downregulation of the Hippo pathway, demonstrated by lower levels of active MST1 kinase and abnormal activation of YAP in hepatocytes. Overactivation of YAP in hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo led to biliary differentiation and loss of key biological functions such as regeneration capacity. Conversely, a YAP inhibitor restored the mature hepatocyte phenotype in abnormal hepatocytes taken from patients with AH. In ethanol-fed mice, YAP activation using YAPS127A resulted in a loss of hepatocyte differentiation. Hepatocyte proliferation was hampered by YAPS127A after carbon tetrachloride intoxication. CONCLUSION Aberrant activation of YAP plays an important role in hepatocyte transdifferentiation in AH, through a loss of hepatocyte identity and impaired regeneration. Thus, targeting YAP is a promising strategy for the treatment of patients with AH. LAY SUMMARY Alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by inflammation and a life-threatening alteration of liver regeneration, although the mechanisms behind this have not been identified. Herein, we show that liver samples from patients with alcoholic hepatitis are characterized by profound deregulation of the Hippo/YAP pathway with uncontrolled activation of YAP in hepatocytes. We used human cell and mouse models to show that inhibition of YAP reverts this hepatocyte defect and could be a novel therapeutic strategy for alcoholic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Bou Saleh
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Alexandre Louvet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Line Carolle Ntandja-Wandji
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Emmanuel Boleslawski
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Image Assisted Laser Therapy for Oncology, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Viviane Gnemmi
- CHU Lille, Service d'Anatomopathologie, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Guillaume Lassailly
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Stéphanie Truant
- CHU Lille, Service de Chirurgie Digestive et Transplantations, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - François Maggiotto
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Massih Ningarhari
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Florent Artru
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Emilie Anglo
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Pau Sancho-Bru
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anne Corlu
- INSERM, Univ Rennes, INRAE, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolisms and Cancer), F-35043, Rennes, France
| | - Josepmaria Argemi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Pittsburgh Liver Research Center. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Julie Dubois-Chevalier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Sébastien Dharancy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Jérôme Eeckhoute
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1011-EGID, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ramon Bataller
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Pittsburgh Liver Research Center. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Philippe Mathurin
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France.
| | - Laurent Dubuquoy
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1286 - INFINITE - Institute for Translational Research in Inflammation, F-59000 Lille, France.
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Aloia L. The influence of tissue spatial geometry and functional organisation on liver regeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 130:70-78. [PMID: 34563460 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.09.011] [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: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The adult liver exerts crucial functions, including nutrient metabolism and storage, bile production and drug detoxification. These complex functions expose the liver to constant damage induced by toxins, metabolic intermediates and oxidative stress. However, the adult liver exhibits an exceptional regenerative potential, which allows fast and efficient restoration of tissue architecture and function both after tissue resection and toxic damage. To accomplish its vital role, the liver shows a peculiar tissue architecture into functional units, which follow the gradient of oxygen and nutrients within the parenchyma. Much less is known about the influence of tissue spatial geometry and functional organisation on adult liver regeneration. Here I examine the experimental evidence in mouse models showing that the spatial organisation of the epithelial and mesenchymal compartments plays a key role in liver regeneration and favours the establishment of regenerative adult liver progenitors following liver injury. I also discuss the advantages and limitations of human and mouse 3D hepatic organoid systems, which recapitulate key aspects of liver function and architecture, as models of liver regeneration and disease. Finally, I analyse the role of the YAP/TAZ transcriptional co-activators as a central hub sensing the extra-cellular matrix (ECM), metabolic and epigenetic remodelling that regulate liver regeneration and promote liver disease, such as fibrosis, chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Together, the findings summarised here demonstrate that local physical and functional cellular interactions determined by the liver peculiar spatial geometry, play a crucial role in liver regeneration, and that their alterations have important implications for human liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Aloia
- MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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Montazeri H, Coto-Llerena M, Bianco G, Zangene E, Taha-Mehlitz S, Paradiso V, Srivatsa S, de Weck A, Roma G, Lanzafame M, Bolli M, Beerenwinkel N, von Flüe M, Terracciano L, Piscuoglio S, Ng CKY. Systematic identification of novel cancer genes through analysis of deep shRNA perturbation screens. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8488-8504. [PMID: 34313788 PMCID: PMC8421231 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Systematic perturbation screens provide comprehensive resources for the elucidation of cancer driver genes. The perturbation of many genes in relatively few cell lines in such functional screens necessitates the development of specialized computational tools with sufficient statistical power. Here we developed APSiC (Analysis of Perturbation Screens for identifying novel Cancer genes) to identify genetic drivers and effectors in perturbation screens even with few samples. Applying APSiC to the shRNA screen Project DRIVE, APSiC identified well-known and novel putative mutational and amplified cancer genes across all cancer types and in specific cancer types. Additionally, APSiC discovered tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive effectors, respectively, for individual cancer types, including genes involved in cell cycle control, Wnt/β-catenin and hippo signalling pathways. We functionally demonstrated that LRRC4B, a putative novel tumor-suppressive effector, suppresses proliferation by delaying cell cycle and modulates apoptosis in breast cancer. We demonstrate APSiC is a robust statistical framework for discovery of novel cancer genes through analysis of large-scale perturbation screens. The analysis of DRIVE using APSiC is provided as a web portal and represents a valuable resource for the discovery of novel cancer genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesam Montazeri
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mairene Coto-Llerena
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gaia Bianco
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ehsan Zangene
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Stephanie Taha-Mehlitz
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Viola Paradiso
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sumana Srivatsa
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antoine de Weck
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Lanzafame
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Bolli
- Clarunis, Department of Visceral Surgery, University Centre for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Niko Beerenwinkel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus von Flüe
- Clarunis, Department of Visceral Surgery, University Centre for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, St. Clara Hospital and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luigi M Terracciano
- Department of Pathology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Piscuoglio
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Visceral Surgery and Precision Medicine Research laboratory, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte K Y Ng
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Qing X, Xu W, Zong J, Du X, Peng H, Zhang Y. Emerging treatment modalities for systemic therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomark Res 2021; 9:64. [PMID: 34419152 PMCID: PMC8380325 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-021-00319-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has long been a major global clinical problem as one of the most common malignant tumours with a high rate of recurrence and mortality. Although potentially curative therapies are available for the early and intermediate stages, the treatment of patients with advanced HCC remains to be resolved. Fortunately, the past few years have shown the emergence of successful systemic therapies to treat HCC. At the molecular level, HCC is a heterogeneous disease, and current research on the molecular characteristics of HCC has revealed numerous therapeutic targets. Targeted agents based on signalling molecules have been successfully supported in clinical trials, and molecular targeted therapy has already become a milestone for disease management in patients with HCC. Immunotherapy, a viable approach for the treatment of HCC, recognizes the antigens expressed by the tumour and treats the tumour using the immune system of the host, making it both selective and specific. In addition, the pipeline for HCC is evolving towards combination therapies with promising clinical outcomes. More drugs designed to focus on specific pathways and immune checkpoints are being developed in the clinic. It has been demonstrated that some drugs can improve the prognosis of patients with HCC in first- or second-line settings, and these drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or are nearing approval. This review describes targeting pathways and systemic treatment strategies in HCC and summarizes effective targeted and immune-based drugs for patients with HCC and the problems encountered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Qing
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Wenjing Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jingjing Zong
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xuanlong Du
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Hao Peng
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yewei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongda Hospital, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Nguyen-Lefebvre AT, Selzner N, Wrana JL, Bhat M. The hippo pathway: A master regulator of liver metabolism, regeneration, and disease. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21570. [PMID: 33831275 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002284rr] [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: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The liver is the only visceral organ in the body with a tremendous capacity to regenerate in response to insults that induce inflammation, cell death, and injury. Liver regeneration is a complicated process involving a well-orchestrated activation of non-parenchymal cells in the injured area and proliferation of undamaged hepatocytes. Furthermore, the liver has a Hepatostat, defined as adjustment of its volume to that required for homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms that control different steps of liver regeneration is critical to informing therapies for liver repair, to help patients with liver disease. The Hippo signaling pathway is well known for playing an essential role in the control and regulation of liver size, regeneration, stem cell self-renewal, and liver cancer. Thus, the Hippo pathway regulates dynamic cell fates in liver, and in absence of its downstream effectors YAP and TAZ, liver regeneration is severely impaired, and the proliferative expansion of liver cells blocked. We will mainly review upstream mechanisms activating the Hippo signaling pathway following partial hepatectomy in mouse model and patients, its roles during different steps of liver regeneration, metabolism, and cancer. We will also discuss how targeting the Hippo signaling cascade might improve liver regeneration and suppress liver tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Thu Nguyen-Lefebvre
- Department of Medicine, Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Department of Medicine, Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Mamatha Bhat
- Department of Medicine, Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Quan Y, Li Z, Zhu K, Liang J. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with Hippo/YAP inhibition significantly improve the survival of rats with transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma. Lipids Health Dis 2021; 20:74. [PMID: 34304741 PMCID: PMC8310593 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-021-01486-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed to explore the effect of inhibiting the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway on the outcomes of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A transplanted HCC rat model was established. Then, rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham, TACE, verteporfin (inhibitor of Hippo/YAP), and TACE+verteporfin. Lent-OE-YAP was transfected into rats to overexpress YAP in vivo. After treatments, morphological changes, tumor weight, and the overall survival of rats in different groups were analyzed. Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry staining, and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of factors related to the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway. Results Tumor weight and tissue lesions in the TACE and verteporfin groups were significantly reduced compared with the Sham group. Verteporfin significantly decreased tumor weight after TACE treatment. In addition, verteporfin significantly improved the overall survival of rats with transplanted HCC after TACE treatment. Compared with the Sham group, both TACE and verteporfin groups exhibited significantly decreased expression of macrophage-stimulating (MST)1, MST2, long-acting thyroid stimulator 1, transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), Yes-associated protein (YAP), TEA domain transcription factor (TEAD)1, TEAD2, TEAD3, and TEAD4. TACE plus verteporfin significantly enhanced the downregulation of effectors in the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway and decreased tumor size, while the overexpression of YAP exerted opposite effects. Conclusion The inhibition of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway via verteporfin significantly improved the outcomes of TACE in treating transplanted HCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12944-021-01486-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Quan
- Department of Oncology Medilcal Center, The First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, 526000, China.
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Interventional, First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215006, China
| | - Kangshun Zhu
- Department of Minimally Invasive Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Jundi Liang
- Department of Oncology Medilcal Center, The First People's Hospital of Zhaoqing, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, 526000, China
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Yang J, Xing Z. Ligustilide counteracts carcinogenesis and hepatocellular carcinoma cell-evoked macrophage M2 polarization by regulating yes-associated protein-mediated interleukin-6 secretion. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:1928-1937. [PMID: 34053234 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211010420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-communication between cancer cells and macrophages within the tumor microenvironment fulfills the critical roles in the progression of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ligustilide exerts anti-inflammation, anti-injury, and anti-tumor pleiotropic pharmacological functions. Nevertheless, its roles in HCC cells and tumor microenvironment remain elusive. In the current study, ligustilide dramatically restrained HCC cell viability and migration but had little cytotoxicity to normal hepatocytes. Importantly, ligustilide antagonized HCC cell co-culture-induced macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization by enhancing the percentage of CD14+CD206+ cells and macrophage M2 markers (CD163, Arg1, CD206, CCL22, IL-10, and TGF-β). Mechanistically, ligustilide repressed yes-associated protein (YAP) activation by reducing nuclear translocation, protein expression, transcriptional regulatory activity of YAP, and increasing p-YAP levels. Noticeably, blocking the YAP offset the suppressive effects of ligustilide on macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization evoked by HCC cells. Moreover, the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was mitigated by ligustilide in a YAP-dependent manner in HCC cells, concomitant with inhibition of IL-6R/STAT3 signaling activation. Of interest, interdicting the IL-6 aggravated ligustilide-mediated suppression in HCC-induced macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization; whereas exogenous IL-6 treatment reversed the above effects. Additionally, blockage of IL-6R signaling also overturned IL-6-induced macrophage recruitment and M2 phenotype. Consequently, these findings support a notion that ligustilide not only restrains HCC cell malignancy but also antagonizes HCC cell-evoked macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization by inhibiting YAP/IL-6 release-induced activation of the IL-6 receptor/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6R/STAT3) signaling. Thus, ligustilide may be a promising therapeutic agent to fight HCC by regulating cancer cells and cross-talk between tumor cells and macrophages in tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikang Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jiaozuo People's Hospital, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Zhiyuan Xing
- Emergency Department, Jiaozuo Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiaozuo 454150, China
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Farzaneh Z, Vosough M, Agarwal T, Farzaneh M. Critical signaling pathways governing hepatocellular carcinoma behavior; small molecule-based approaches. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:208. [PMID: 33849569 PMCID: PMC8045321 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01924-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of death due to cancer. Although there are different treatment options, these strategies are not efficient in terms of restricting the tumor cell's proliferation and metastasis. The liver tumor microenvironment contains the non-parenchymal cells with supportive or inhibitory effects on the cancerous phenotype of HCC. Several signaling pathways are dis-regulated in HCC and cause uncontrolled cell propagation, metastasis, and recurrence of liver carcinoma cells. Recent studies have established new approaches for the prevention and treatment of HCC using small molecules. Small molecules are compounds with a low molecular weight that usually inhibit the specific targets in signal transduction pathways. These components can induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, block metastasis, and tumor growth. Devising strategies for simultaneously targeting HCC and the non-parenchymal population of the tumor could lead to more relevant research outcomes. These strategies may open new avenues for the treatment of HCC with minimal cytotoxic effects on healthy cells. This study provides the latest findings on critical signaling pathways governing HCC behavior and using small molecules in the control of HCC both in vitro and in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Farzaneh
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tarun Agarwal
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Maryam Farzaneh
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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MicroRNAs Regulating Hippo-YAP Signaling in Liver Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9040347. [PMID: 33808155 PMCID: PMC8067275 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9040347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and its prevalence and mortality rate are increasing due to the lack of biomarkers and effective treatments. The Hippo signaling pathway has long been known to control liver size, and genetic depletion of Hippo kinases leads to liver cancer in mice through activation of the downstream effectors yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Both YAP and TAZ not only reprogram tumor cells but also alter the tumor microenvironment to exert carcinogenic effects. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of YAP/TAZ-mediated liver tumorigenesis will help overcome liver cancer. For decades, small noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), have been reported to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of many cancers, including liver cancer. However, the interactions between miRNAs and Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling in the liver are still largely unknown. Here, we review miRNAs that influence the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of tumor cells by modulating Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling during hepatic tumorigenesis. Previous findings suggest that these miRNAs are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of liver cancer.
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Delgado ER, Erickson HL, Tao J, Monga SP, Duncan AW, Anakk S. Scaffolding Protein IQGAP1 Is Dispensable, but Its Overexpression Promotes Hepatocellular Carcinoma via YAP1 Signaling. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:e00596-20. [PMID: 33526450 PMCID: PMC8088129 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00596-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IQ motif-containing GTPase-activating protein 1 (IQGAP1) is a ubiquitously expressed scaffolding protein that is overexpressed in a number of cancers, including liver cancer, and is associated with protumorigenic processes, such as cell proliferation, motility, and adhesion. IQGAP1 can integrate multiple signaling pathways and could be an effective antitumor target. Therefore, we examined the role of IQGAP1 in tumor initiation and promotion during liver carcinogenesis. We found that ectopic overexpression of IQGAP1 in the liver is not sufficient to initiate tumorigenesis. Moreover, we report that the tumor burden and cell proliferation in the diethylnitrosamine-induced liver carcinogenesis model in Iqgap1-/- mice may be driven by MET signaling. In contrast, IQGAP1 overexpression enhanced YAP activation and subsequent NUAK2 expression to accelerate and promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a clinically relevant model expressing activated (S45Y) β-catenin and MET. Here, increasing IQGAP1 expression in vivo does not alter β-catenin or MET activation; instead, it promotes YAP activity. Overall, we demonstrate that although IQGAP1 expression is not required for HCC development, the gain of IQGAP1 function promotes the rapid onset and increased liver carcinogenesis. Our results show that an adequate amount of IQGAP1 scaffold is necessary to maintain the quiescent status of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan R Delgado
- Department of Pathology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hanna L Erickson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Junyan Tao
- Department of Pathology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Pathology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew W Duncan
- Department of Pathology, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sayeepriyadarshini Anakk
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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47
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Biswas R, Banerjee A, Lembo S, Zhao Z, Lakshmanan V, Lim R, Le S, Nakasaki M, Kutyavin V, Wright G, Palakodeti D, Ross RS, Jamora C, Vasioukhin V, Jie Y, Raghavan S. Mechanical instability of adherens junctions overrides intrinsic quiescence of hair follicle stem cells. Dev Cell 2021; 56:761-780.e7. [PMID: 33725480 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vinculin, a mechanotransducer associated with both adherens junctions (AJs) and focal adhesions (FAs), plays a central role in force transmission through cell-cell and cell-substratum contacts. We generated the conditional knockout (cKO) of vinculin in murine skin that results in the loss of bulge stem cell (BuSC) quiescence and promotes continual cycling of the hair follicles. Surprisingly, we find that the AJs in vinculin cKO cells are mechanically weak and impaired in force generation despite increased junctional expression of E-cadherin and α-catenin. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that vinculin functions by keeping α-catenin in a stretched/open conformation, which in turn regulates the retention of YAP1, another potent mechanotransducer and regulator of cell proliferation, at the AJs. Altogether, our data provide mechanistic insights into the hitherto-unexplored regulatory link between the mechanical stability of cell junctions and contact-inhibition-mediated maintenance of BuSC quiescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritusree Biswas
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India; SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613401, India
| | - Avinanda Banerjee
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India; Skin Research Institute of Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Sergio Lembo
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Zhihai Zhao
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore
| | - Vairavan Lakshmanan
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India; SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613401, India
| | - Ryan Lim
- Skin Research Institute of Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Shimin Le
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore
| | | | | | - Graham Wright
- A∗STAR Microscopy Platform, Skin Research Institute of Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Dasaradhi Palakodeti
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India
| | - Robert S Ross
- University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Colin Jamora
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India
| | | | - Yan Jie
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Singapore; Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore
| | - Srikala Raghavan
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560065, India; Skin Research Institute of Singapore (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore.
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48
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YAP promotes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma by upregulating survivin. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:689-699. [PMID: 33655469 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00595-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sorafenib is the standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its use is hampered by secondary drug resistance. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a downstream effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, which is crucial for liver tumorigenesis. As yet, however, the mechanism underlying sorafenib resistance and the role of YAP therein is not fully understood and needs to be explored further. METHODS Western blotting, flow cytometry and CCK-8 assays were used to assess the role of YAP in HCC sorafenib resistance. Next, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to identify survivin as a YAP downstream effector, and rescue experiments were performed to confirm that YAP induces sorafenib resistance via survivin. Additionally, Western blotting, flow cytometry and in vivo xenograft models were used to evaluate the effect of verteporfin in combination with sorafenib on HCC. RESULTS We found that sorafenib enhances YAP nuclear accumulation and activation, thereby promoting sorafenib resistance through inhibiting apoptosis in HCC cells. In addition, we found that survivin acts as a downstream mediator of YAP to resist sorafenib-induced apoptosis. Pharmacological inhibition of YAP by verteporfin increased the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib and reversed sorafenib resistance. Moreover, verteporfin in combination with sorafenib significantly suppressed in vivo HCC tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that YAP promotes sorafenib resistance through upregulation of survivin expression in HCC cells. Targeting YAP may be a therapeutic strategy to improve the antitumor effects of sorafenib in HCC.
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49
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Park H, Lee Y, Lee K, Lee H, Yoo JE, Ahn S, Park YN, Kim H. The Clinicopathological Significance of YAP/TAZ Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Relation to Hypoxia and Stemness. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:604600. [PMID: 34257565 PMCID: PMC8262240 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.604600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background/Aims: Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) activation has been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis and hepatic progenitor cell differentiation, and hypoxia has been shown to induce nuclear translocation of YAP in cancer cells. Here, we aimed to investigate the relationship between hypoxia, YAP and TAZ expression and stemness-related marker expression in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and its clinical implications. Methods: Immunohistochemical stains were performed on tissue microarrays from 305 surgically resected HCCs, and the expression status of YAP and TAZ were correlated with CAIX, stemness markers (K19, EpCAM) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers (uPAR, ezrin). The clinicopathological significance of YAP/TAZ expression was analyzed with relation to CAIX expression status. Results: YAP and TAZ expression were seen in 13.4 and 4.3% of HCCs, respectively. YAP/TAZ-positive HCCs frequently demonstrated higher serum AFP levels, microvascular invasion, advanced tumor stage, increased proliferative activity and expression of stemness- and EMT-related markers, CAIX, p53 and Smad2/3 (p < 0.05, all). Interestingly, YAP/TAZ-positivity was associated with microvascular invasion, higher serum AFP levels, stemness and EMT-related marker expression only in tumors expressing CAIX (p < 0.05, all), while these associations were not seen in CAIX-negative HCCs. Conclusions: YAP/TAZ expression is associated with vascular invasion, stemness and EMT in HCCs with hypoxia marker expression. The effect of Hippo signaling pathway deregulation in HCC may depend on the presence or absence of a hypoxic microenvironment, and hypoxia marker expression status should be taken into account when considering the use of YAP/TAZ as markers of aggressive biologic behavior in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjin Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Pathology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yangkyu Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Kiryang Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyejung Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Eun Yoo
- Department of Pathology, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soomin Ahn
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Nyun Park
- Department of Pathology, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Haeryoung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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50
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Wang H, Wang R, Huang D, Li S, Gao B, Kang Z, Tang B, Xie J, Yan F, Liang R, Li H, Yan J. Homoharringtonine Exerts Anti-tumor Effects in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Activation of the Hippo Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:592071. [PMID: 33716735 PMCID: PMC7943857 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.592071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent subtype of liver cancer with a mortality rate of approximately 3–6/100,000 and is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although several small-molecule drugs have been developed for the treatment of HCC, the choice of an agent for patients who require systemic chemotherapy at an advanced stage is still limited. The Hippo pathway is an evolutionarily conserved tumor suppressive pathway commonly dysregulated in HCC, which makes it a promising target for anti-HCC therapies. Homoharringtonine (HHT) is an FDA-approved anti-leukemia drug with proven strong anti-tumor activity in solid tumors. In this study, we found that HHT could significantly inhibit HCC cell growth by suppressing cell proliferation and colony formation. Moreover, HHT repressed cell invasion and migration remarkably. Additionally, HHT induced cell cycle arrest at S phase and promoted apoptosis. Most importantly, we showed that HHT-induced apoptosis was a consequence of the Hippo pathway activation. Consistently, the MST1/2 inhibitor, XMU-MP-1, could restore cell viability and reverse HHT-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo results confirmed the tumor inhibitory effect of HHT. Taken together, our findings suggest that HHT is a potential alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haina Wang
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Diamond Bay Institute of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Sihan Li
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Beibei Gao
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhijie Kang
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Bo Tang
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiajun Xie
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fanzhi Yan
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Rui Liang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hua Li
- College of Pharmacy, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jinsong Yan
- Department of Hematology, Liaoning Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Translational Medicine, Liaoning Medical Center for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Dalian Key Laboratory of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Diamond Bay Institute of Hematology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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