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Jeng KS, Chang CF, Tsang YM, Sheen IS, Jeng CJ. Reappraisal of the Roles of the Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1739. [PMID: 38730691 PMCID: PMC11083695 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16091739] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
HCC remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death globally. The main challenges in treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) primarily arise from high rates of postoperative recurrence and the limited efficacy in treating advanced-stage patients. Various signaling pathways involved in HCC have been reported. Among them, the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is crucial. The presence of SHH ligands is identified in approximately 60% of HCC tumor tissues, including tumor nests. PTCH-1 and GLI-1 are detected in more than half of HCC tissues, while GLI-2 is found in over 84% of HCC tissues. The SHH signaling pathway (including canonical and non-canonical) is involved in different aspects of HCC, including hepatocarcinogenesis, tumor growth, tumor invasiveness, progression, and migration. The SHH signaling pathway also contributes to recurrence, metastasis, modulation of the cancer microenvironment, and sustaining cancer stem cells. It also affects the resistance of HCC cells to chemotherapy, target therapy, and radiotherapy. Reappraisal of the roles of the SHH signaling pathway in HCC may trigger some novel therapies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Shyang Jeng
- Department of Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Fang Chang
- Department of Medical Research, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan;
| | - Yuk-Ming Tsang
- Department of Imaging Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan;
| | - I-Shyan Sheen
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Linkou Chang Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan;
| | - Chi-Juei Jeng
- Graduate Institude of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, Taipei City 10617, Taiwan;
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Kimura Y, Ekuban FA, Zong C, Sugie S, Zhang X, Itoh K, Yamamoto M, Ichihara S, Ohsako S, Ichihara G. Role of Nrf2 in 1,2-dichloropropane-induced cell proliferation and DNA damage in the mouse liver. Toxicol Sci 2023; 195:28-41. [PMID: 37326970 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad059] [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: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
1,2-Dichloropropane (1,2-DCP) is recognized as the causative chemical of occupational cholangiocarcinoma in printing workers in Japan. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of 1,2-DCP-induced carcinogenesis remains elusive. The present study investigated cellular proliferation, DNA damage, apoptosis, and expression of antioxidant and proinflammatory genes in the liver of mice exposed daily to 1,2-DCP for 5 weeks, and the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in these responses. Wild-type and Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2-/-) mice were administered 1,2-DCP by gastric gavage, and then the livers were collected for analysis. Immunohistochemistry for BrdU or Ki67 and TUNEL assay revealed that exposure to 1,2-DCP dose-dependently increased proliferative cholangiocytes, whereas decreased apoptotic cholangiocytes in wild-type mice but not in Nrf2-/- mice. Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR showed that exposure to 1,2-DCP increased the levels of DNA double-strand break marker γ-H2AX and mRNA expression levels of NQO1, xCT, GSTM1, and G6PD in the livers of wild-type mice in a dose-dependent manner, but no such changes were noted in Nrf2-/- mice. 1,2-DCP increased glutathione levels in the liver of both the wild-type and Nrf2-/- mice, suggesting that an Nrf2-independent mechanism contributes to 1,2-DCP-induced increase in glutathione level. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that exposure to 1,2-DCP induced proliferation but reduced apoptosis in cholangiocytes, and induced double-strand DNA breaks and upregulation of antioxidant genes in the liver in an Nrf2-dependent manner. The study suggests a role of Nrf2 in 1,2-DCP-induced cell proliferation, antiapoptotic effect, and DNA damage, which are recognized as key characteristics of carcinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kimura
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Frederick Adams Ekuban
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Cai Zong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Sugie
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Asahi University Murakami Memorial Hospital, Gifu 550-8856, Japan
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, People's Republic of China
| | - Ken Itoh
- Department of Stress Response Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki 036-8562, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yamamoto
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Sahoko Ichihara
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke 329-0431, Japan
| | - Seiichiro Ohsako
- Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan
| | - Gaku Ichihara
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan
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Zheng J, Kim SJ, Saeidi S, Kim SH, Fang X, Lee YH, Guillen-Quispe YN, Ngo HKC, Kim DH, Kim D, Surh YJ. Overactivated NRF2 induces pseudohypoxia in hepatocellular carcinoma by stabilizing HIF-1α. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 194:347-356. [PMID: 36460215 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is highly expressed/activated in most hypoxic tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Another key transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), is also constitutively overactivated in HCC. In an attempt to determine whether HIF-1α and NRF2 could play complementary roles in HCC growth and progression, we investigated the crosstalk between these two transcription factors and underlying molecular mechanisms in cultured HCC cells and experimentally induced hepatocarcinogenesis as well as clinical settings. While silencing of HIF-1α in HepG2 human hepatoma cells did not alter the protein expression of NRF2, NRF2 knockdown markedly reduced the nuclear accumulation of HIF-1α without influencing its mRNA expression. In diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in wild type mice, there was elevated NRF2 expression with concomitant upregulation of HIF-1α. However, this was abolished in Nrf2 knockout mice. NRF2 and HIF-1α co-localized and physically interacted with each other as assessed by in situ proximity ligation and immunoprecipitation assays. In addition, the interaction between NRF2 and HIF-1α as well as their overexpression was found in tumor specimens obtained from HCC patients. In normoxia, HIF-1α undergoes hydroxylation by a specific HIF-prolyl hydroxylase domain protein (PHD), which facilitates ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α. NRF2 contributes to pseudohypoxia, by directly binding to the oxygen-dependent degradation (ODD) domain of HIF-1α, which hampers the PHD2-mediated hydroxylation, concomitant recruitment of von-Hippel-Lindau and ubiquitination of HIF-1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zheng
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Su-Jung Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Soma Saeidi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Seong Hoon Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Xizhu Fang
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Yeon-Hwa Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Yanymee N Guillen-Quispe
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Science, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Hoang Kieu Chi Ngo
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Do-Hee Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Convergence and Integrated Science, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16627, South Korea
| | - Doojin Kim
- Department of Surgery, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University School of Medicine, Incheon 21565, South Korea
| | - Young-Joon Surh
- College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea; Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, South Korea.
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Chen Y, Li M, Yang Y, Lu Y, Li X. Antidiabetic drug metformin suppresses tumorigenesis through inhibition of mevalonate pathway enzyme HMGCS1. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102678. [PMID: 36356901 PMCID: PMC9723917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, shows some potent antitumor effects. However, the molecular mechanism of metformin in tumor suppression has not been clarified. Here, we provided evidence using in vitro and in vivo data that metformin inhibited mevalonate pathway by downregulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 1 (HMGCS1), a key enzyme in this pathway. Our results further demonstrated that metformin downregulated HMGCS1 expression through inhibition of transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor 2. In addition, we determined that HMGCS1 was highly expressed in human liver and lung cancer tissues and associated with lower survival rates. In summary, our study indicated that metformin suppresses tumorigenesis through inhibition of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-HMGCS1 axis, which might be a potential target in cancer prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyan Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanying Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Institute of Metabolism and Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,For correspondence: Xiaoying Li; Yan Lu
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,For correspondence: Xiaoying Li; Yan Lu
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5
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López-Torres CD, Torres-Mena JE, Castro-Gil MP, Villa-Treviño S, Arellanes-Robledo J, Del Pozo-Yauner L, Pérez-Carreón JI. Downregulation of Indolethylamine N-methyltransferase is an early event in the rat hepatocarcinogenesis and is associated with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. J Gene Med 2022; 24:e3439. [PMID: 35816441 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3439] [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: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, often preceded by cirrhosis and usually diagnosed at advanced stages; therefore, identifying molecular changes at early stages is an attractive strategy for detection and timely treatment. Here, we investigated the progressive transcriptomic changes during experimental hepatocarcinogenesis to identify novel early tumor markers in an HCC model induced by chronic administration of sublethal doses of diethylnitrosamine. An analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that four processes associated with oxidation-reduction and detoxification were significantly overrepresented during hepatocarcinogenesis progression, of which the Nuclear Factor, Erythroid 2 Like 2 (NRF2) pathway showed several dysregulated genes. Interestingly, we also identified 91 genes dysregulated at early HCC stages, but the expression of the indolethylamine N-methyltransferase gene (Inmt), as well as the level of its encoding protein, were strongly downregulated. INMT was increased in perivenular hepatocytes of normal livers but decreased in livers of experimental HCC. Furthermore, a gene expression and survival analysis performed using data from the liver hepatocellular carcinoma project of The Cancer Genome Atlas Program revealed that INMT is also significantly downregulated in human HCC and is associated with poor overall survival. In conclusion, by performing a transcriptome analysis of the HCC progression, we identified that INMT is early downregulated in the rat hepatocarcinogenesis and is associated with poor prognosis in human HCC, suggesting that INMT downregulation may be a promising prognostic marker for HCC in high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos David López-Torres
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - María Paulette Castro-Gil
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Saúl Villa-Treviño
- Departamento de Biología Celular. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jaime Arellanes-Robledo
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México.,Dirección de Cátedras. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Luis Del Pozo-Yauner
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama. Alabama, USA
| | - Julio Isael Pérez-Carreón
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Ciudad de México, México
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Tumor Promoting Effects of Sulforaphane on Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Murine Hepatocarcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105397. [PMID: 35628208 PMCID: PMC9141104 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a key transcription factor involved in protection against initiation of carcinogenesis in normal cells. Notably, recent studies have demonstrated that aberrant activation of NRF2 accelerates the proliferation and progression of cancer cells. The differential effects of NRF2 on multi-stage carcinogenesis have raised a concern about the validity of NRF2 activators for chemoprevention. This prompted us to assess the effects of sulforaphane (SFN), a prototypic NRF2 activating chemopreventive phytochemical, on experimentally induced carcinogenesis. In the present study, SFN was daily injected intraperitoneally (25 mg/kg) for 3 months to male C57BL/6 mice at 6 months after single intraperitoneal administration of a hepatocarcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN). The liver to body weight ratio, tumor growth, and the number and the size of hepatomas measured at 9 months after DEN administration were significantly higher in SFN-treated mice than those in vehicle-treated mice. Moreover, the expression of NRF2, its target protein NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, and the cell proliferation marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen was further elevated in DEN plus SFN-treated mice. These results suggest that once hepatocarcinogenesis is initiated, SFN may stimulate tumor progression.
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7
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Mattu S, Zavattari P, Kowalik MA, Serra M, Sulas P, Pal R, Puliga E, Sutti S, Foglia B, Parola M, Albano E, Giordano S, Perra A, Columbano A. Nrf2 Mutation/Activation Is Dispensable for the Development of Chemically Induced Mouse HCC. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 13:113-127. [PMID: 34530178 PMCID: PMC8593617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Activation of the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway has been associated with metabolic reprogramming in many tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the contribution of Nrf2 mutations in this process remains elusive. Here, we investigated the occurrence of Nrf2 mutations in distinct models of mouse hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS HCCs were generated by experimental protocols consisting of the following: (1) a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), followed by repeated treatments with the nuclear-receptor agonist 1,4-bis-[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene; (2) repeated treatments with 1,4-bis-[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)]benzene alone; (3) a single dose of DEN followed by exposure to a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet; and (4) a single dose of DEN with no further treatment. All of these protocols led to HCC development within 28-42 weeks. Activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway was investigated by analyzing the presence of Nrf2 gene mutations, and the expression of Nrf2 target genes. Metabolic reprogramming was assessed by evaluating the expression of genes involved in glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and glutaminolysis. RESULTS No Nrf2 mutations were found in any of the models of hepatocarcinogenesis analyzed. Intriguingly, despite the described cooperation between β-catenin and the Nrf2 pathway, we found no evidence of Nrf2 activation in both early dysplastic nodules and HCCs, characterized by the presence of up to 80%-90% β-catenin mutations. No HCC metabolic reprogramming was observed either. CONCLUSIONS These results show that, unlike rat hepatocarcinogenesis, Nrf2 mutations do not occur in 4 distinct models of chemically induced mouse HCC. Interestingly, in the same models, metabolic reprogramming also was minimal or absent, supporting the concept that Nrf2 activation is critical for the switch from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Mattu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Zavattari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Biology and Genetics, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marta Anna Kowalik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Pia Sulas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rajesh Pal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Puliga
- Department of Oncology, Candiolo, Italy,Candiolo Cancer Institute, Fondazione Piemonte per l'Oncologia -Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Beatrice Foglia
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental and Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental and Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Department of Oncology, Candiolo, Italy,Candiolo Cancer Institute, Fondazione Piemonte per l'Oncologia -Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Candiolo, Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Cagliari, Italy,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Amedeo Columbano, PhD, or Andrea Perra, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SP 8, Km 0.700-09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.fax: (39) 070-666062.
| | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, Cagliari, Italy,Correspondence Address correspondence to: Amedeo Columbano, PhD, or Andrea Perra, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Oncology and Molecular Pathology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SP 8, Km 0.700-09042, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.fax: (39) 070-666062.
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Dietary fructose promotes liver carcinogenesis by inducing the malignant transformation of hepatic progenitor cells. J Funct Foods 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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NRF2 DLG Domain Mutations Identified in Japanese Liver Cancer Patients Affect the Transcriptional Activity in HCC Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105296. [PMID: 34069882 PMCID: PMC8157386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographically, East Asia had the highest liver cancer burden in 2017. Besides this, liver cancer-related deaths were high in Japan, accounting for 3.90% of total deaths. The development of liver cancer is influenced by several factors, and genetic alteration is one of the critical factors among them. Therefore, the detailed mechanism driving the oncogenic transformation of liver cells needs to be elucidated. Recently, many researchers have focused on investigating the liver cancer genome and identified somatic mutations (MTs) of several transcription factors. In this line, next-generation sequencing of the cancer genome identified that oxidative stress-related transcription factor NRF2 (NFE2L2) is mutated in different cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we demonstrated that NRF2 DLG motif mutations (NRF2 D29A and L30F), found in Japanese liver cancer patients, upregulate the transcriptional activity of NRF2 in HCC cell lines. Moreover, the transcriptional activity of NRF2 mutations is not suppressed by KEAP1, presumably because NRF2 MTs disturb proper NRF2-KEAP1 binding and block KEAP1-mediated degradation of NRF2. Additionally, we showed that both MTs upregulate the transcriptional activity of NRF2 on the MMP9 promoter in Hepa1-6 and Huh7 cells, suggesting that MT derived gain-of-function of NRF2 may be important for liver tumor progression. We also found that ectopic overexpression of oncogenic BRAF WT and V600E increases the transcriptional activity of NRF2 WT on both the 3xARE reporter and MMP9 promoter. Interestingly, NRF2 D29A and L30F MTs with oncogenic BRAF V600E MT synergistically upregulate the transcription activity of NRF2 on the 3xARE reporter and MMP9 promoter in Hepa1-6 and Huh7 cells. In summary, our findings suggest that MTs in NRF2 have pathogenic effects, and that NRF2 MTs together with oncogenic BRAF V600E MT synergistically cause more aberrant transcriptional activity. The high activity of NRF2 MTs in HCC with BRAF MT warrants further exploration of the potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic utility of this pathway in HCC.
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Robertson H, Dinkova-Kostova AT, Hayes JD. NRF2 and the Ambiguous Consequences of Its Activation during Initiation and the Subsequent Stages of Tumourigenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3609. [PMID: 33276631 PMCID: PMC7761610 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2, encoded in the human by NFE2L2) mediates short-term adaptation to thiol-reactive stressors. In normal cells, activation of NRF2 by a thiol-reactive stressor helps prevent, for a limited period of time, the initiation of cancer by chemical carcinogens through induction of genes encoding drug-metabolising enzymes. However, in many tumour types, NRF2 is permanently upregulated. In such cases, its overexpressed target genes support the promotion and progression of cancer by suppressing oxidative stress, because they constitutively increase the capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), and they support cell proliferation by increasing ribonucleotide synthesis, serine biosynthesis and autophagy. Herein, we describe cancer chemoprevention and the discovery of the essential role played by NRF2 in orchestrating protection against chemical carcinogenesis. We similarly describe the discoveries of somatic mutations in NFE2L2 and the gene encoding the principal NRF2 repressor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) along with that encoding a component of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase complex Cullin 3 (CUL3), which result in permanent activation of NRF2, and the recognition that such mutations occur frequently in many types of cancer. Notably, mutations in NFE2L2, KEAP1 and CUL3 that cause persistent upregulation of NRF2 often co-exist with mutations that activate KRAS and the PI3K-PKB/Akt pathway, suggesting NRF2 supports growth of tumours in which KRAS or PKB/Akt are hyperactive. Besides somatic mutations, NRF2 activation in human tumours can occur by other means, such as alternative splicing that results in a NRF2 protein which lacks the KEAP1-binding domain or overexpression of other KEAP1-binding partners that compete with NRF2. Lastly, as NRF2 upregulation is associated with resistance to cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we describe strategies that might be employed to suppress growth and overcome drug resistance in tumours with overactive NRF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Robertson
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
| | - John D. Hayes
- Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Division of Cellular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK; (H.R.); (A.T.D.-K.)
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11
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Animal Models: A Useful Tool to Unveil Metabolic Changes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113318. [PMID: 33182674 PMCID: PMC7696782 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents an important health problem. At the moment, systemic therapies offered only modest clinical benefits. Thus, HCC represents a cancer extremely difficult to treat, and therapeutic breakthroughs are urgently needed. Metabolic reprogramming of neoplastic cells has been recognized as one of the core hallmarks of cancer. Experimental animal models represent an important tool that allows to investigate metabolic changes underlying HCC development and progression. In the present review, we characterize available rodent models of hepatocarcinogenesis. Moreover, we discuss the possibility that pharmacological targeting of Warburg metabolism may represent an additional tool to improve already available therapeutic approaches for HCC. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one the most frequent and lethal human cancers. At present, no effective treatment for advanced HCC exist; therefore, the overall prognosis for HCC patients remains dismal. In recent years, a better knowledge of the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of HCC development and progression, has led to the identification of novel potential targets for therapeutic strategies. However, the obtained benefits from current therapeutic options are disappointing. Altered cancer metabolism has become a topic of renewed interest in the last decades, and it has been included among the core hallmarks of cancer. In the light of growing evidence for metabolic reprogramming in cancer, a wide number of experimental animal models have been exploited to study metabolic changes characterizing HCC development and progression and to further expand our knowledge of this tumor. In the present review, we discuss several rodent models of hepatocarcinogenesis, that contributed to elucidate the metabolic profile of HCC and the implications of these changes in modulating the aggressiveness of neoplastic cells. We also highlight the apparently contrasting results stemming from different animal models. Finally, we analyze whether these observations could be exploited to improve current therapeutic strategies for HCC.
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Nrf2 in Neoplastic and Non-Neoplastic Liver Diseases. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12102932. [PMID: 33053665 PMCID: PMC7599585 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Although the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway represents a powerful cell defense mechanism against a variety of toxic insults, its role in acute or chronic liver damage and tumor development is not completely understood. This review addresses how Nrf2 is involved in liver pathophysiology and critically discusses the contrasting results emerging from the literature. The aim of the present report is to stimulate further investigation on the role of Nrf2 that could lead to define the best strategies to therapeutically target this pathway. Abstract Activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, the most important cell defense signal, triggered to neutralize the harmful effects of electrophilic and oxidative stress, plays a crucial role in cell survival. Therefore, its ability to attenuate acute and chronic liver damage, where oxidative stress represents the key player, is not surprising. On the other hand, while Nrf2 promotes proliferation in cancer cells, its role in non-neoplastic hepatocytes is a matter of debate. Another topic of uncertainty concerns the nature of the mechanisms of Nrf2 activation in hepatocarcinogenesis. Indeed, it remains unclear what is the main mechanism behind the sustained activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in hepatocarcinogenesis. This raises doubts about the best strategies to therapeutically target this pathway. In this review, we will analyze and discuss our present knowledge concerning the role of Nrf2 in hepatic physiology and pathology, including hepatocellular carcinoma. In particular, we will critically examine and discuss some findings originating from animal models that raise questions that still need to be adequately answered.
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Tompkins SC, Sheldon RD, Rauckhorst AJ, Noterman MF, Solst SR, Buchanan JL, Mapuskar KA, Pewa AD, Gray LR, Oonthonpan L, Sharma A, Scerbo DA, Dupuy AJ, Spitz DR, Taylor EB. Disrupting Mitochondrial Pyruvate Uptake Directs Glutamine into the TCA Cycle away from Glutathione Synthesis and Impairs Hepatocellular Tumorigenesis. Cell Rep 2020; 28:2608-2619.e6. [PMID: 31484072 PMCID: PMC6746334 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.07.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a devastating cancer increasingly caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Disrupting the liver Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC) in mice attenuates NAFLD. Thus, we considered whether liver MPC disruption also prevents HCC. Here, we use the N-nitrosodiethylamine plus carbon tetrachloride model of HCC development to test how liver-specific MPC knock out affects hepatocellular tumorigenesis. Our data show that liver MPC ablation markedly decreases tumorigenesis and that MPC-deficient tumors transcriptomically downregulate glutathione metabolism. We observe that MPC disruption and glutathione depletion in cultured hepatomas are synthetically lethal. Stable isotope tracing shows that hepatocyte MPC disruption reroutes glutamine from glutathione synthesis into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. These results support a model where inducing metabolic competition for glutamine by MPC disruption impairs hepatocellular tumorigenesis by limiting glutathione synthesis. These findings raise the possibility that combining MPC disruption and glutathione stress may be therapeutically useful in HCC and additional cancers. Tompkins et al. utilize stable glutamine isotope tracers in vivo and ex vivo to demonstrate hepatocyte MPC disruption increases TCA cycle glutamine utilization at the expense of glutathione synthesis and decreases hepatocellular tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C Tompkins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Ryan D Sheldon
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Adam J Rauckhorst
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Maria F Noterman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Shane R Solst
- Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Jane L Buchanan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Kranti A Mapuskar
- Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Alvin D Pewa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; FOEDRC Metabolomics Core Research Facility, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Lawrence R Gray
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Lalita Oonthonpan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Arpit Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Diego A Scerbo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Adam J Dupuy
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Douglas R Spitz
- Free Radical and Radiation Biology Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA
| | - Eric B Taylor
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center (FOEDRC), University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; Abboud Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; Pappajohn Biomedical Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA; FOEDRC Metabolomics Core Research Facility, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA.
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Orrù C, Perra A, Kowalik MA, Rizzolio S, Puliga E, Cabras L, Giordano S, Columbano A. Distinct Mechanisms Are Responsible for Nrf2-Keap1 Pathway Activation at Different Stages of Rat Hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12082305. [PMID: 32824383 PMCID: PMC7463589 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway, the main intracellular defense against environmental stress, has been observed in several human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we assessed whether distinct mechanisms of activation may be involved at different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. We adopted an experimental model consisting of treatment with diethylnitrosamine (DENA) followed by a choline-devoid methionine-deficient (CMD) diet for 4 months. The CMD diet was then replaced with a basal diet, and the animals were killed at 6, 10 or 13 months after DENA injection. Nrf2 activation occurred at early steps of hepatocarcinogenesis and persisted throughout the tumorigenic process. While Nrf2 mutations were extremely frequent at early steps (90%), their incidence diminished with the progression to malignancy (25%). Conversely, while p62 was almost undetectable in early nodules, its accumulation occurred in HCCs, suggesting that Nrf2 pathway activation at late stages is mainly due to Keap1 sequestration by p62. We demonstrate that, in a model of hepatocarcinogenesis resembling human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Nrf2 mutations are the earliest molecular changes responsible for the activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. The progressive loss of mutations associated with a concomitant p62 accumulation implies that distinct mechanisms are responsible for Nrf2-Keap1 pathway activation at different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Orrù
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (C.O.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.)
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (S.R.); (E.P.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Andrea Perra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (C.O.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.G.); (A.C.); Tel.: +39-070-6758292 (A.P.); +39-011-9933233 (S.G.); +39-070-6758345 (A.C.); Fax: +39-011-9933225 (S.G.)
| | - Marta Anna Kowalik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (C.O.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.)
| | - Sabrina Rizzolio
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (S.R.); (E.P.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Puliga
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (S.R.); (E.P.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Lavinia Cabras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (C.O.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.)
| | - Silvia Giordano
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy; (S.R.); (E.P.)
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.G.); (A.C.); Tel.: +39-070-6758292 (A.P.); +39-011-9933233 (S.G.); +39-070-6758345 (A.C.); Fax: +39-011-9933225 (S.G.)
| | - Amedeo Columbano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (C.O.); (M.A.K.); (L.C.)
- Correspondence: (A.P.); (S.G.); (A.C.); Tel.: +39-070-6758292 (A.P.); +39-011-9933233 (S.G.); +39-070-6758345 (A.C.); Fax: +39-011-9933225 (S.G.)
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Hayes JD, Dinkova-Kostova AT, Tew KD. Oxidative Stress in Cancer. Cancer Cell 2020; 38:167-197. [PMID: 32649885 PMCID: PMC7439808 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1150] [Impact Index Per Article: 287.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Contingent upon concentration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) influence cancer evolution in apparently contradictory ways, either initiating/stimulating tumorigenesis and supporting transformation/proliferation of cancer cells or causing cell death. To accommodate high ROS levels, tumor cells modify sulfur-based metabolism, NADPH generation, and the activity of antioxidant transcription factors. During initiation, genetic changes enable cell survival under high ROS levels by activating antioxidant transcription factors or increasing NADPH via the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). During progression and metastasis, tumor cells adapt to oxidative stress by increasing NADPH in various ways, including activation of AMPK, the PPP, and reductive glutamine and folate metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Hayes
- Division of Cellular Medicine, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK, Scotland.
| | - Albena T Dinkova-Kostova
- Division of Cellular Medicine, Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK, Scotland; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences and Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kenneth D Tew
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induction by Aberrant NRF2 Activation-Mediated Transcription Networks: Interaction of NRF2-KEAP1 Controls the Fate of Hepatocarcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155378. [PMID: 32751080 PMCID: PMC7432811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, a master regulator of redox homeostasis regulating a variety of genes for antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. NRF2 was, therefore, initially thought to protect the liver from oxidative stress. Recent studies, however, have revealed that mutations in NRF2 cause aberrant accumulation of NRF2 in the nucleus and exert the upregulation of NRF2 target genes. Moreover, among all molecular changes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), NRF2 activation has been revealed as a more prominent pathway contributing to the progression of precancerous lesions to malignancy. Nevertheless, how its activation leads to poor prognosis in HCC patients remains unclear. In this review, we provide an overview of how aberrant activation of NRF2 triggers HCC development. We also summarize the emerging roles of other NRF family members in liver cancer development.
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Lu M, Zhang X, Zhao J, You Q, Jiang Z. A hydrogen peroxide responsive prodrug of Keap1-Nrf2 inhibitor for improving oral absorption and selective activation in inflammatory conditions. Redox Biol 2020; 34:101565. [PMID: 32422540 PMCID: PMC7231841 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its negative regulator, the E3 ligase adaptor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), control the redox and metabolic homeostasis and oxidative stress. Inhibitors of Keap1-Nrf2 interaction are promising in oxidative stress related inflammatory diseases but now hit hurdles. By utilizing thiazolidinone moiety to shield the key carboxyl pharmacophore in Keap1-Nrf2 inhibitor, a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-responsive prodrug pro2 was developed. The prodrug modification improved the physicochemical properties and cell membrane permeability of the parent drug. Pro2 was stable and stayed inactive under various physiological conditions, while became active by stimulation of H2O2 or inflammation derived reactive oxygen species. Moreover, pro2 exhibited proper pharmacokinetic profile suitable for oral administration and enhanced anti-inflammatory efficiency in vivo. Thus, this novel prodrug approach may not only provide an important advance in the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases with high level of H2O2, but also offer a fresh solution to improve the drug-like and selectivity issues of Keap1-Nrf2 inhibitors. Pro2 was developed by utilizing H2O2-responsive thiazolidinone moiety to shield carboxyl group in Keap1-Nrf2 inhibitor. Pro2 was stable and inactive under various physiological conditions, while became active under inflammatory conditions. Pro2 exhibited proper pharmacokinetic profile for oral administration and enhanced anti-inflammatory efficiency in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengchen Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Lyu H, Wang H, Li L, Zhu J, Chen F, Chen Y, Liu C, Fu J, Yang B, Zhang Q, Xu Y, Pi J. Hepatocyte-specific deficiency of Nrf2 exacerbates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis via aggravated hepatocyte injury and subsequent inflammatory and fibrogenic responses. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 150:136-147. [PMID: 32112813 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis, in which hepatocyte damage and inflammatory response play critical roles, is a physiological response to chronic or iterative liver injury and can progress to cirrhosis over time. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a master transcription factor that regulates oxidative and xenobiotic stress responses as well as inflammation. METHOD To ascertain the cell-specific roles of Nrf2 in hepatocytes and myeloid lineage cells in the progression of liver fibrosis, mice lacking Nrf2 specifically in hepatocytes [Nrf2(L)-KO] and myeloid lineage cells [Nrf2(M)-KO] were generated to evaluate carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury, subsequent inflammation and fibrosis. In addition, mouse primary hepatocytes were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response in the liver is responsive to acute CCl4 exposure in mice. With repeated CCl4 administration, Nrf2(L)-KO, but not Nrf2(M)-KO, mice showed more severe liver fibrosis than Nrf2-LoxP control mice. In addition, in response to acute CCl4 exposure, Nrf2(L)-KO mice displayed aggravated liver injury, elevated lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response compared to control mice. In mouse primary hepatocytes, deficiency of Nrf2 resulted in more severe CCl4-induced lipid oxidation and inflammatory response. CONCLUSION Deficiency of Nrf2 in hepatocytes sensitizes the cells to CCl4-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory response, which are initiator and enhancer of subsequent hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, Nrf2 is a critical determinant of liver injury and fibrosis in response to CCl4, suggesting that Nrf2 might be a valuable target for the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Lyu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Lu Li
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Jiayu Zhu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, No. 16766 Jingshi Road, Lixia Area, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Yannan Chen
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Cuijie Liu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Jingqi Fu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Bei Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| | - Jingbo Pi
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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Camara AB, Brandao IA. The Role of Vitamin D and Sunlight Incidence in Cancer. Anticancer Agents Med Chem 2020; 19:1418-1436. [PMID: 30864510 DOI: 10.2174/1389557519666190312123212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin D (VD) deficiency affects individuals of different ages in many countries. VD deficiency may be related to several diseases, including cancer. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to review the relationship between VD deficiency and cancer. METHODS We describe the proteins involved in cancer pathogenesis and how those proteins can be influenced by VD deficiency. We also investigated a relationship between cancer death rate and solar radiation. RESULTS We found an increased bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon-rectum cancer, lung cancer, oesophagus cancer, oral cancer, ovary cancer, pancreas cancer, skin cancer and stomach cancer death rate in countries with low sunlight. It was also observed that amyloid precursor protein, ryanodine receptor, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, and receptor for advanced glycation end products are associated with a worse prognosis in cancer. While the Klotho protein and VD receptor are associated with a better prognosis in the disease. Nfr2 is associated with both worse and better prognosis in cancer. CONCLUSION The literature suggests that VD deficiency might be involved in cancer progression. According to sunlight data, we can conclude that countries with low average sunlight have high cancers death rate. New studies involving transcriptional and genomic data in combination with VD measurement in long-term experiments are required to establish new relationships between VD and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice B Camara
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59064-741, Natal/RN, Brazil
| | - Igor A Brandao
- Metrópole Digital Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-970, Natal/RN, Brazil
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Wu WL, Papagiannakopoulos T. The Pleiotropic Role of the KEAP1/NRF2 Pathway in Cancer. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-030518-055627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The unregulated proliferative capacity of many tumors is dependent on dysfunctional nutrient utilization and ROS (reactive oxygen species) signaling to sustain a deranged metabolic state. Although it is clear that cancers broadly rely on these survival and signaling pathways, how they achieve these aims varies dramatically. Mutations in the KEAP1/NRF2 pathway represent a potent cancer adaptation to exploit native cytoprotective pathways that involve both nutrient metabolism and ROS regulation. Despite activating these advantageous processes, mutations within KEAP1/ NRF2 are not universally selected for across cancers and instead appear to interact with particular tumor driver mutations and tissues of origin. Here, we highlight the relationship between the KEAP1/NRF2 signaling axis and tumor biology with a focus on genetic mutation, metabolism, immune regulation, and treatment implications and opportunities. Understanding the dysregulation of KEAP1 and NRF2 provides not only insight into a commonly mutated tumor suppressor pathway but also a window into the factors dictating the development and evolution of many cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren L. Wu
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Xu W, Chen S, Zhong G, Liu H, Xiu L, Yu X, Chen F, Li N, Lv Y. Effects of a combination of Japanese Raisin Tree Seed and Flower of Lobed Kudzuvine against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICAL SCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcms.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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Leung HW, Lau EYT, Leung CON, Lei MML, Mok EHK, Ma VWS, Cho WCS, Ng IOL, Yun JP, Cai SH, Yu HJ, Ma S, Lee TKW. NRF2/SHH signaling cascade promotes tumor-initiating cell lineage and drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2020; 476:48-56. [PMID: 32061952 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Solid evidence shows that tumor-initiating cells (T-ICs) are the root of tumor relapse and drug resistance, which lead to a poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Through an in vitro liver T-IC enrichment approach, we identified nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) as a transcription regulator that is significantly activated in enriched liver T-IC populations. In human HCCs, NRF2 was found to be overexpressed, which was associated with poor patient survival. Through a lentiviral based knockdown approach, NRF2 was found to be critical for regulating liver T-IC properties, including self-renewal, tumorigenicity, drug resistance and expression of liver T-IC markers. Furthermore, we found that ROS-induced NRF2 activation regulates sorafenib resistance in HCC cells. Mechanistically, NRF2 was found to physically bind to the promoter of sonic hedgehog homolog (SHH), which triggers activation of the sonic hedgehog pathway. The effect of NRF2 knockdown was eliminated upon administration of recombinant SHH, demonstrating that NRF2 mediated T-IC function via upregulation of SHH expression. Our study suggests a novel regulatory mechanism for the canonical sonic hedgehog pathway that may function through the NRF2/SHH/GLI signaling axis, thus mediating T-IC phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Wing Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | | | - Carmen Oi Ning Leung
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Martina Mang Leng Lei
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Etienne Ho Kit Mok
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Victor Wan San Ma
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong
| | | | - Irene Oi Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jing Ping Yun
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shao Hang Cai
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Jian Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.
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23
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Taguchi K, Kensler TW. Nrf2 in liver toxicology. Arch Pharm Res 2019; 43:337-349. [PMID: 31782059 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-019-01192-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver plays essential roles in the metabolism of many endogenous chemicals and exogenous toxicants. Mechanistic studies in liver have been at the forefront of efforts to probe the roles of bioactivation and detoxication of environmental toxins and toxicants in hepatotoxicity. Moreover, idiosyncratic hepatoxicity remains a key barrier in the clinical development of drugs. The now vast Nrf2 field emerged in part from biochemical and molecular studies on chemical inducers of hepatic detoxication enzymes and subsequent characterization of the modulation of drug/toxicant induced hepatotoxicities in mice through disruption of either Nrf2 or Keap1 genes. In general, loss of Nrf2 increases the sensitivity to such toxic chemicals, highlighting a central role of this transcription factor and its downstream target genes as a modifier to chemical stress. In this review, we summarize the impact of Nrf2 on the toxicology of multiple hepatotoxicants, and discuss efforts to utilize the Nrf2 response in predictive toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Taguchi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan.
| | - Thomas W Kensler
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
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24
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Animal Models of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111792. [PMID: 31739536 PMCID: PMC6895981 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly disease and therapeutic efficacy in advanced HCC is limited. Since progression of chronic liver disease to HCC involves a long latency period of a few decades, a significant window of therapeutic opportunities exists for prevention of HCC and improve patient prognosis. Nonetheless, there has been no clinical advancement in instituting HCC chemopreventive strategies. Some of the major challenges are heterogenous genetic aberrations of HCC, significant modulation of tumor microenvironment and incomplete understanding of HCC tumorigenesis. To this end, animal models of HCC are valuable tools to evaluate biology of tumor initiation and progression with specific insight into molecular and genetic mechanisms involved. In this review, we describe various animal models of HCC that facilitate effective ways to study therapeutic prevention strategies that have translational potential to be evaluated in a clinical context.
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25
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Glutathione Transferase P1-1 an Enzyme Useful in Biomedicine and as Biomarker in Clinical Practice and in Environmental Pollution. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11081741. [PMID: 31357662 PMCID: PMC6723968 DOI: 10.3390/nu11081741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutathione transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1) is expressed in some human tissues and is abundant in mammalian erythrocytes (here termed e-GST). This enzyme is able to detoxify the cell from endogenous and exogenous toxic compounds by using glutathione (GSH) or by acting as a ligandin. This review collects studies that propose GSTP1-1 as a useful biomarker in different fields of application. The most relevant studies are focused on GSTP1-1 as a biosensor to detect blood toxicity in patients affected by kidney diseases. In fact, this detoxifying enzyme is over-expressed in erythrocytes when unusual amounts of toxins are present in the body. Here we review articles concerning the level of GST in chronic kidney disease patients, in maintenance hemodialysis patients and to assess dialysis adequacy. GST is also over-expressed in autoimmune disease like scleroderma, and in kidney transplant patients and it may be used to check the efficiency of transplanted kidneys. The involvement of GSTP in the oxidative stress and in other human pathologies like cancer, liver and neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric disorders is also reported. Promising applications of e-GST discussed in the present review are its use for monitoring human subjects living in polluted areas and mammals for veterinary purpose.
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26
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Zhang X, Liu T, Zhang Y, Liu F, Li H, Fang D, Wang C, Sun H, Xie S. Elucidation of the Differences in Cinobufotalin's Pharmacokinetics Between Normal and Diethylnitrosamine-Injured Rats: The Role of P-Glycoprotein. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:521. [PMID: 31156437 PMCID: PMC6533572 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cinobufotalin is one of the major anti-tumor components isolated from toad venom and has been used in the clinical therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), known as Cinobufacini injection. However, the pharmacokinetic (PK) behaviors of cinobufotalin in vivo with HCC are still unknown. Hence, we have established a HCC model in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN), named as DEN-injured rats. Then, we developed and validated a sensitive and rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (UPLC-MS/MS) method to quantify cinobufotalin in rat plasma. This UPLC-MS/MS method was successfully used to characterize the PK behaviors of cinobufotalin in normal and DEN-injured rats after intravenous (i.v.) injection at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg. Cinobufotalin pharmacokinetics was well described by the two-compartment pharmacokinetic model and the PK parameters were calculated using WinNonlin 3.3 software. The transfer rate constant of cinobufotalin from the central compartment to the peripheral compartment (k12) in DEN-injured rats was significantly greater than that in normal rats (p < 0.01), accompanied by the shorter half-life for the distribution phase (t1/2α). Additionally, the elimination rate constant (K10) and clearance (CL) values in DEN-injured rats were significantly higher than that in normal rats (p < 0.05 for K10 and p < 0.001 for CL, respectively). Therefore, the values of areas under concentration – time curve (AUC) and the liver concentration of cinobufotalin in DEN-injured rats was obviously lower than that in normal rats (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). This indicated that the PK behaviors of cinobufotalin will be altered in rats with HCC. In addition, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has shown higher expression in live tissues of DEN-injured rats. Furthermore, cinobufotalin was identified as the substrate of P-gp using MDCK II and MDCK-MDR1 cell models for the first time. Consequently, P-gp will play an important role in the disposition of cinobufotalin in vivo, which provided a new combination therapy for the clinical treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Tong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yidan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Fanye Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Haiying Li
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Dong Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Chaojie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Hua Sun
- School of Pharmacy, Institute for Innovative Drug Design and Evaluation, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Songqiang Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Chemical Biology, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
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27
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Al-Gayyar MMH, Bagalagel A, Noor AO, Almasri DM, Diri R. The therapeutic effects of nicotinamide in hepatocellular carcinoma through blocking IGF-1 and effecting the balance between Nrf2 and PKB. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 112:108653. [PMID: 30784932 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin growth factor (IGF) family and their receptors play a great role in tumors' development. In addition, IGF-1 enhances cancer progression through regulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis, immune modulation and metastasis. Moreover, nicotinamide is association with protection against cancer. Therefore, we conducted this research to examine the therapeutic effects of nicotinamide against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) both in vivo and in vitro through affecting IGF-1 and the balance between PKB and Nrf2. HCC was induced in rats by 200 mg/kg, ip thioacetamide. The rat survival, number and size of tumors and serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) were measured. The gene and protein levels of IGF-1, Nrf2, PKB and JNK-MAPK were assessed in rat livers. In addition, HepG2 cells, human HCC cell lines, were treated with different concentrations of nicotinamide. We found that nicotinamide enhanced the rats' survival and reduced the number and size of hepatic tumors as well as it reduced serum AFP and HepG2 cells survival. Nicotinamide ameliorated HCC-induced reduction in the expression of Nrf2. Moreover, nicotinamide blocked HCC-induced elevation in IGF-1, PKB and JNK-MAPK. In conclusion, nicotinamide produced cytotoxic effects against HCC both in vivo and in vitro. The cytotoxic activity can be explained by inhibition of HCC-induced increased in the expression of IGF-1 and leads to disturbances in the balance between the cell death signal by PKB and MAPK; and the cell survival signal by Nrf2, directing it towards cell survival signals in normal liver cells providing more protection for body against tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed M H Al-Gayyar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, 71491, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Alaa Bagalagel
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, 71491, Saudi Arabia; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad O Noor
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Diena M Almasri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem Diri
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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28
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A catalogue of somatic NRF2 gain-of-function mutations in cancer. Sci Rep 2018; 8:12846. [PMID: 30150714 PMCID: PMC6110754 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31281-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification and characterization of somatic mutations in cancer have important prognostication and treatment implications. Genes encoding the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) transcription factor and its negative regulator, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), are frequently mutated in cancer. These mutations drive constitutive NRF2 activation and correlate with poor prognosis. Despite its apparent significance, a comprehensive catalogue of somatic NRF2 mutations across different tumor types is still lacking. Here, we catalogue NRF2 mutations in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. 226 unique NRF2-mutant tumors were identified from 10,364 cases. NRF2 mutations were found in 21 out of the 33 tumor types. A total of 11 hotspots were identified. Of these, mutation to the R34 position was most frequent. Notably, R34 and D29 mutations were overrepresented in bladder, lung, and uterine cancers. Analyses of corresponding RNA sequencing data using a de novo derived gene expression classifier showed that the R34 mutations drive constitutive NRF2 activation with a selection pressure biased against the formation of R34L. Of all R34 mutants, R34L conferred the least degree of protein stabilization, suggesting a pro-tumor NRF2 half-life threshold. Our findings offer a comprehensive catalogue of NRF2 mutations in cancer that can help prognostication and NRF2 research.
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