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Baek S, Ha HS, Park JS, Cho MJ, Kim HS, Yu SE, Chung S, Kim C, Kim J, Lee JY, Lee Y, Kim H, Nam Y, Cho S, Lee K, Yoon JK, Choi JS, Han DH, Sung HJ. Chip collection of hepatocellular carcinoma based on O 2 heterogeneity from patient tissue. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5117. [PMID: 38879551 PMCID: PMC11180182 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49386-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma frequently recurs after surgery, necessitating personalized clinical approaches based on tumor avatar models. However, location-dependent oxygen concentrations resulting from the dual hepatic vascular supply drive the inherent heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment, which presents challenges in developing an avatar model. In this study, tissue samples from 12 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are cultured directly on a chip and separated based on preference of oxygen concentration. Establishing a dual gradient system with drug perfusion perpendicular to the oxygen gradient enables the simultaneous separation of cells and evaluation of drug responsiveness. The results are further cross-validated by implanting the chips into mice at various oxygen levels using a patient-derived xenograft model. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells exposed to hypoxia exhibit invasive and recurrent characteristics that mirror clinical outcomes. This chip provides valuable insights into treatment prognosis by identifying the dominant hepatocellular carcinoma type in each patient, potentially guiding personalized therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sewoom Baek
- Department of Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Su Ha
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Division of Cardiology, Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Su Park
- Department of Severance Biomedical Science Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jeong Cho
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, 222, BanpoDaero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Seon Kim
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seung Eun Yu
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seyong Chung
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Chansik Kim
- Department of Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jueun Kim
- Department of Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Youn Lee
- Department of Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yerin Lee
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjae Kim
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Nam
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwoo Cho
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyubae Lee
- Department of Biomedical Materials, Konyang University, 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Ja Kyung Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Center for Clinical Imaging Data Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Sub Choi
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepato-biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Dai Hoon Han
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepato-biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hak-Joon Sung
- Department of Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Fujiwara N, Kimura G, Nakagawa H. Emerging Roles of Spatial Transcriptomics in Liver Research. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:115-132. [PMID: 38574750 DOI: 10.1055/a-2299-7880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Spatial transcriptomics, leveraging sequencing- and imaging-based techniques, has emerged as a groundbreaking technology for mapping gene expression within the complex architectures of tissues. This approach provides an in-depth understanding of cellular and molecular dynamics across various states of healthy and diseased livers. Through the integration of sophisticated bioinformatics strategies, it enables detailed exploration of cellular heterogeneity, transitions in cell states, and intricate cell-cell interactions with remarkable precision. In liver research, spatial transcriptomics has been particularly revelatory, identifying distinct zonated functions of hepatocytes that are crucial for understanding the metabolic and detoxification processes of the liver. Moreover, this technology has unveiled new insights into the pathogenesis of liver diseases, such as the role of lipid-associated macrophages in steatosis and endothelial cell signals in liver regeneration and repair. In the domain of liver cancer, spatial transcriptomics has proven instrumental in delineating intratumor heterogeneity, identifying supportive microenvironmental niches and revealing the complex interplay between tumor cells and the immune system as well as susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In conclusion, spatial transcriptomics represents a significant advance in hepatology, promising to enhance our understanding and treatment of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Mie, Japan
| | - Genki Kimura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Mie, Japan
| | - Hayato Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Mie University, Mie, Japan
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3
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Lyu J, Okada H, Sunagozaka H, Kawaguchi K, Shimakami T, Nio K, Murai K, Shirasaki T, Yoshida M, Arai K, Yamashita T, Tanaka T, Harada K, Takamura T, Kaneko S, Yamashita T, Honda M. Potential utility of l-carnitine for preventing liver tumors derived from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0425. [PMID: 38619434 PMCID: PMC11019826 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent reports have unveiled the potential utility of l-carnitine to alleviate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) by enhancing mitochondrial metabolic function. However, its efficacy at preventing the development of HCC has not been assessed fully. METHODS l-carnitine (2 g/d) was administered to 11 patients with MASH for 10 weeks, and blood liver function tests were performed. Five patients received a serial liver biopsy, and liver histology and hepatic gene expression were evaluated using this tissue. An atherogenic plus high-fat diet MASH mouse model received long-term l-carnitine administration, and liver histology and liver tumor development were evaluated. RESULTS Ten-week l-carnitine administration significantly improved serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels along with a histological improvement in the NAFLD activity score, while steatosis and fibrosis were not improved. Gene expression profiling revealed a significant improvement in the inflammation and profibrotic gene signature as well as the recovery of lipid metabolism. Long-term l-carnitine administration to atherogenic plus high-fat diet MASH mice substantially improved liver histology (inflammation, steatosis, and fibrosis) and significantly reduced the incidence of liver tumors. l-carnitine directly reduced the expression of the MASH-associated and stress-induced transcriptional factor early growth response 1. Early growth response 1 activated the promoter activity of neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated protein 9 (NEDD9), an oncogenic protein. Thus, l-carnitine reduced the activation of the NEDD9, focal adhesion kinase 1, and AKT oncogenic signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Short-term l-carnitine administration ameliorated MASH through its anti-inflammatory effects. Long-term l-carnitine administration potentially improved the steatosis and fibrosis of MASH and may eventually reduce the risk of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyan Lyu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hikari Okada
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hajime Sunagozaka
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kawaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Tetsuro Shimakami
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kouki Nio
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Murai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Shirasaki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mika Yoshida
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Arai
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takuji Tanaka
- Research Center of Diagnostic Pathology, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kenichi Harada
- Department of Human Pathology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Toshinari Takamura
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Taro Yamashita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masao Honda
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa, Japan
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4
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Wang S, Wang X, Shan Y, Tan Z, Su Y, Cao Y, Wang S, Dong J, Gu J, Wang Y. Region-specific cellular and molecular basis of liver regeneration after acute pericentral injury. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:341-358.e7. [PMID: 38402618 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.01.013] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Liver injuries often occur in a zonated manner. However, detailed regenerative responses to such zonal injuries at cellular and molecular levels remain largely elusive. By using a fate-mapping strain, Cyp2e1-DreER, to elucidate liver regeneration after acute pericentral injury, we found that pericentral regeneration is primarily compensated by the expansion of remaining pericentral hepatocytes, and secondarily by expansion of periportal hepatocytes. Employing single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, immunostaining, and in vivo functional assays, we demonstrated that the upregulated expression of the mTOR/4E-BP1 axis and lactate dehydrogenase A in hepatocytes contributes to pericentral regeneration, while activation of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1) signaling in the damaged area mediates fibrotic responses and inhibits hepatocyte proliferation. Inhibiting the pericentral accumulation of monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages through an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-based strategy attenuates these cell-derived TGF-β1 signalings, thus improving pericentral regeneration. Our study provides integrated and high-resolution spatiotemporal insights into the cellular and molecular basis of pericentral regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyong Wang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing 102218, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, the Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Yiran Shan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BNRIST Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zuolong Tan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing Institute of Health Service and Transfusion Medicine, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yuxin Su
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Yannan Cao
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing 102218, China; School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jin Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, BNRIST Bioinformatics Division, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Yunfang Wang
- Hepatopancreatobiliary Center, Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing 102218, China; School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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5
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Zhang X, Yu C, Zhao S, Wang M, Shang L, Zhou J, Ma Y. The role of tumor-associated macrophages in hepatocellular carcinoma progression: A narrative review. Cancer Med 2023; 12:22109-22129. [PMID: 38098217 PMCID: PMC10757104 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, with complex etiology and mechanism, and a high mortality rate. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important part of the HCC tumor microenvironment. Studies in recent years have shown that TAMs are involved in multiple stages of HCC and are related to treatment and prognosis in HCC. The specific mechanisms between TAMs and HCC are gradually being revealed. This paper reviews recent advances in the mechanisms associated with TAMs in HCC, concentrating on an overview of effects of TAMs on drug resistance in HCC and the signaling pathways linked with HCC, providing clues for the treatment and prognosis determination of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chao Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Siqi Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Min Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Longcheng Shang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yong Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First HospitalNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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6
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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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7
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Bryan A, Pingali P, Joslyn M, Li H, Bernas T, Koblinski J, Landry J, Lee WS, Patel B, Neuwelt A. High-Dose Acetaminophen with N-acetylcysteine Rescue Inhibits M2 Polarization of Tumor-Associated Macrophages. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4770. [PMID: 37835464 PMCID: PMC10571846 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
High-dose acetaminophen (AAP) with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) rescue is among the few treatments that has shown activity in phase I trials without achieving dose-limiting toxicity that has not progressed to evaluation in later line studies. While the anti-tumor effects of AAP/NAC appear not to be mediated by glutathione depletion and free radical injury, the mechanism of anti-tumor effects of AAP/NAC has not been definitively characterized. In vitro, the effects of AAP/NAC were evaluated on bone marrow derived macrophages. Effects of AAP on IL-4/STAT6 (M2) or IFN/LPS/STAT1 (M1) signaling and downstream gene and protein expression were studied. NAC reversed the AAP toxicity in the normal liver but did not reverse AAP cytotoxicity against tumor cells in vitro. AAP/NAC selectively inhibited IL-4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation but not IFN/LPS-induced STAT1 phosphorylation. Downstream, AAP/NAC inhibited IL-4 induction of M2-associated genes and proteins but did not inhibit the IFN/LPS induction of M1-associated genes and proteins. In vivo, AAP/NAC inhibited tumor growth in EF43.fgf4 and 4T1 triple-negative breast tumors. Flow cytometry of tumor-associated macrophages revealed that AAP/NAC selectively inhibited M2 polarization. The anti-tumor activity of high-dose AAP/NAC is lost in macrophage-depleted mouse syngeneic tumor models, suggesting a macrophage-dependent mechanism of action. In conclusion, our study is the first to show that high-dose AAP/NAC has profound effects on the tumor immune microenvironment that facilitates immune-mediated inhibition of tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyn Bryan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
| | | | - Martha Joslyn
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
| | - Howard Li
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Charleston, SC 29405, USA
| | - Tytus Bernas
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Jennifer Koblinski
- Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Joseph Landry
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Won Sok Lee
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
| | - Bhaumik Patel
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - Alexander Neuwelt
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA 23249, USA
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
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8
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Zhu Y, Guo Y, Liu H, Zhou A, Fan Z, Zhu X, Miao X. Ubiquitin specific peptidase 47 contributes to liver regeneration. Life Sci 2023; 329:121967. [PMID: 37487274 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121967] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Hepatocytes resume proliferation following liver injuries to compensate for the loss of liver mass. Robust liver regeneration is an intrinsic and pivotal process that facilitates restoration of liver anatomy and function. In the present study we investigated the role of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 47 (USP47) in liver regeneration. METHODS AND MATERIALS Proliferation of hepatocytes was evaluated by Ki67 staining in vivo and EdU incorporation in vitro. DNA-protein interaction was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). RESULTS USP47 expression was up-regulated in hepatocytes isolated from mice subjected to partial hepatectomy (PHx) or exposed to HGF treatment. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed E2F1 as a primary regulator of USP47 transcription. Reporter assay and ChIP assay confirmed that E2F1 directly bound to the USP47 promoter and activated USP47 transcription. Consistently, E2F1 knockdown abrogated USP47 induction by HGF. Compared to the wild type littermates, USP47 knockout mice displayed compromised liver regeneration following PHx. In addition, USP47 inhibition by a small-molecule compound impaired liver regeneration in mice. On the contrary, USP47 over-expression enhanced proliferation of hepatocytes in vitro and promoted liver regeneration in mice. Importantly, a positive correlation between USP47 expression and hepatocyte proliferation was identified in patients with acute liver failure (ALF). SIGNIFICANCE Our data suggest that USP47, transcriptionally activated by E2F1, plays an essential role in liver regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, and Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Anqi Zhou
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Peoples' Hospital of Kunshan, Kunshan, China.
| | - Xiulian Miao
- Institute of Biomedical Research and College of Life Sciences, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.
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9
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Ye Y, Yu B, Wang H, Yi F. Glutamine metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1242059. [PMID: 37635935 PMCID: PMC10452011 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1242059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal disease with limited management strategies and poor prognosis. Metabolism alternations have been frequently unveiled in HCC, including glutamine metabolic reprogramming. The components of glutamine metabolism, such as glutamine synthetase, glutamate dehydrogenase, glutaminase, metabolites, and metabolite transporters, are validated to be potential biomarkers of HCC. Increased glutamine consumption is confirmed in HCC, which fuels proliferation by elevated glutamate dehydrogenase or upstream signals. Glutamine metabolism also serves as a nitrogen source for amino acid or nucleotide anabolism. In addition, more glutamine converts to glutathione as an antioxidant in HCC to protect HCC cells from oxidative stress. Moreover, glutamine metabolic reprogramming activates the mTORC signaling pathway to support tumor cell proliferation. Glutamine metabolism targeting therapy includes glutamine deprivation, related enzyme inhibitors, and transporters inhibitors. Together, glutamine metabolic reprogramming plays a pivotal role in HCC identification, proliferation, and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Ye
- Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Bodong Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Nanchang University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
| | - Fengming Yi
- Department of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Cancer Research, Nanchang, China
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10
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Gu Z, Wang L, Dong Q, Xu K, Ye J, Shao X, Yang S, Lu C, Chang C, Hou Y, Zhai Y, Wang X, He F, Sun A. Aberrant LYZ expression in tumor cells serves as the potential biomarker and target for HCC and promotes tumor progression via csGRP78. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2215744120. [PMID: 37428911 PMCID: PMC10629575 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2215744120] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) takes the predominant malignancy of hepatocytes with bleak outcomes owing to high heterogeneity among patients. Personalized treatments based on molecular profiles will better improve patients' prognosis. Lysozyme (LYZ), a secretory protein with antibacterial function generally expressed in monocytes/macrophages, has been observed for the prognostic implications in different types of tumors. However, studies about the explicit applicative scenarios and mechanisms for tumor progression are still quite limited, especially for HCC. Here, based on the proteomic molecular classification data of early-stage HCC, we revealed that the LYZ level was elevated significantly in the most malignant HCC subtype and could serve as an independent prognostic predictor for HCC patients. Molecular profiles of LYZ-high HCCs were typical of those for the most malignant HCC subtype, with impaired metabolism, along with promoted proliferation and metastasis characteristics. Further studies demonstrated that LYZ tended to be aberrantly expressed in poorly differentiated HCC cells, which was regulated by STAT3 activation. LYZ promoted HCC proliferation and migration in both autocrine and paracrine manners independent of the muramidase activity through the activation of downstream protumoral signaling pathways via cell surface GRP78. Subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft tumor models indicated that targeting LYZ inhibited HCC growth markedly in NOD/SCID mice. These results propose LYZ as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for the subclass of HCC with an aggressive phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
- Research Unit of Proteomics-driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing102206, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
- Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing100124, China
| | - Qian Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Kaikun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Jingnan Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Xianfeng Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Songpeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Cuixiu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Cheng Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
- Research Unit of Proteomics-driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing102206, China
| | - Yushan Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
| | - Yuanjun Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
- Research Unit of Proteomics-driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing102206, China
| | - Xinxin Wang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing100069, China
| | - Fuchu He
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
- Research Unit of Proteomics-driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing102206, China
| | - Aihua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing102206, China
- Research Unit of Proteomics-driven Cancer Precision Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing102206, China
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11
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Yasser M, Ribback S, Evert K, Utpatel K, Annweiler K, Evert M, Dombrowski F, Calvisi DF. Early Subcellular Hepatocellular Alterations in Mice Post Hydrodynamic Transfection: An Explorative Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020328. [PMID: 36672277 PMCID: PMC9857294 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrodynamic transfection (HT) or hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVi) is among the leading technique that is used to deliver plasmid genes mainly into the liver of live mice or rats. The DNA constructs are composed of coupled plasmids, while one contains the gene of interest that stably integrate into the hepatocyte genome with help of the other consisting sleeping beauty transposase system. The rapid injection of a large volume of DNA-solution through the tail vein induces an acute cardiac congestion that refluxed into the liver, mainly in acinus zone 3, also found through our EM study. Although, HT mediated hydrodynamic force can permeabilizes the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium of liver, but the mechanism of plasmid incorporation into the hepatocytes remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we have hydrodynamically injected 2 mL volume of empty plasmid (transposon vector) or saline solution (control) into the tail vein of anesthetized C57BL/6J/129Sv mice. Liver tissue was resected at different time points from two animal group conditions, i.e., one time point per animal (1, 5, 10-20, 60 min or 24 and 48 hrs after HT) or multiple time points per animal (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 min) and quickly fixed with buffered 4% osmium tetroxide. The tissues fed with only saline solution was also resected and fixed in the similar way. EM evaluation from the liver ultrathin sections reveals that swiftly after 1 min, the hepatocytes near to the central venule in the acinus zone 3 shows cytoplasmic membrane-bound vesicles. Such vesicles increased in both numbers and size to vacuoles and precisely often found in the proximity to the nucleus. Further, EM affirm these vacuoles are also optically empty and do not contain any electron dense material. Although, some of the other hepatocytes reveals sign of cell damage including swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and disrupted plasma membrane, but most of the hepatocytes appeared normal. The ultrastructural findings in the mice injected with empty vector or saline injected control mice were similar. Therefore, we have interpreted the vacuole formation as nonspecific endocytosis without specific interactions at the plasma membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Yasser
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Silvia Ribback
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Katja Evert
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Utpatel
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Annweiler
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Frank Dombrowski
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Str. 23e, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Diego F. Calvisi
- Institut fuer Pathologie, Universitaetsklinikum Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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12
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Zhou L, Yu KH, Wong TL, Zhang Z, Chan CH, Loong JH, Che N, Yu HJ, Tan KV, Tong M, Ngan ES, Ho JW, Ma S. Lineage tracing and single-cell analysis reveal proliferative Prom1+ tumour-propagating cells and their dynamic cellular transition during liver cancer progression. Gut 2022; 71:1656-1668. [PMID: 34588223 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-324321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has high intratumoral heterogeneity, which contributes to therapeutic resistance and tumour recurrence. We previously identified Prominin-1 (PROM1)/CD133 as an important liver cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in human HCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the heterogeneity and properties of Prom1+ cells in HCC in intact mouse models. DESIGN We established two mouse models representing chronic fibrotic HCC and rapid steatosis-related HCC. We performed lineage tracing post-HCC induction using Prom1C-L/+; Rosa26tdTomato/+ mice, and targeted depletion using Prom1C-L/+; Rosa26DTA/+ mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was carried out to analyse the transcriptomic profile of traced Prom1+ cells. RESULTS Prom1 in HCC tumours marks proliferative tumour-propagating cells with CSC-like properties. Lineage tracing demonstrated that these cells display clonal expansion in situ in primary tumours. Labelled Prom1+ cells exhibit increasing tumourigenicity in 3D culture and allotransplantation, as well as potential to form cancers of differential lineages on transplantation. Depletion of Prom1+ cells impedes tumour growth and reduces malignant cancer hallmarks in both HCC models. scRNA-seq analysis highlighted the heterogeneity of Prom1+ HCC cells, which follow a trajectory to the dedifferentiated status with high proliferation and stem cells traits. Conserved gene signature of Prom1 linage predicts poor prognosis in human HCC. The activated oxidant detoxification underlies the protective mechanism of dedifferentiated transition and lineage propagation. CONCLUSION Our study combines in vivo lineage tracing and scRNA-seq to reveal the heterogeneity and dynamics of Prom1+ HCC cells, providing insights into the mechanistic role of malignant CSC-like cells in HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ken Ho Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tin Lok Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chun Ho Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jane Hc Loong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Noelia Che
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hua Jian Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kel Vin Tan
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Man Tong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Elly S Ngan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joshua Wk Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China .,Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health Limited (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China .,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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13
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Kawamura S, Matsushita Y, Kurosaki S, Tange M, Fujiwara N, Hayata Y, Hayakawa Y, Suzuki N, Hata M, Tsuboi M, Kishikawa T, Kinoshita H, Nakatsuka T, Sato M, Kudo Y, Hoshida Y, Umemura A, Eguchi A, Ikenoue T, Hirata Y, Uesugi M, Tateishi R, Tateishi K, Fujishiro M, Koike K, Nakagawa H. Inhibiting SCAP/SREBP exacerbates liver injury and carcinogenesis in murine nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:151895. [PMID: 35380992 PMCID: PMC9151706 DOI: 10.1172/jci151895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced de novo lipogenesis mediated by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) is thought to be involved in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis. In this study, we assessed the impact of SREBP inhibition on NASH and liver cancer development in murine models. Unexpectedly, SREBP inhibition via deletion of the SREBP cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) in the liver exacerbated liver injury, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis, despite markedly reduced hepatic steatosis. These phenotypes were ameliorated by restoring SREBP function. Transcriptome and lipidome analyses revealed that SCAP-SREBP pathway inhibition altered the fatty acid (FA) composition of phosphatidylcholines due to both impaired FA synthesis and disorganized FA incorporation into phosphatidylcholine via lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3 (LPCAT3) downregulation, which led to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and hepatocyte injury. Supplementation of phosphatidylcholines significantly improved liver injury and ER stress induced by SCAP deletion. The activity of SCAP-SREBP-LPCAT3 axis was found inversely associated with liver fibrosis severity in human NASH. SREBP inhibition also cooperated with impaired autophagy to trigger liver injury. Thus, excessively strong and broad lipogenesis inhibition was counterproductive for NASH therapy, which will have important clinical implications in NASH treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Kawamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Matsushita
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Mizuki Tange
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States of America
| | - Yuki Hayata
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoku Hayakawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobumi Suzuki
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hata
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayo Tsuboi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Hiroto Kinoshita
- Division of Gastroenterology, Institute for Adult Diseases, Asahi Life Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Nakatsuka
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Sato
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yotaro Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Umemura
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akiko Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mie University, Tsu, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Ikenoue
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hirata
- Division of Advanced Genome Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Motonari Uesugi
- Institute for Chemical Research and Institute for Integrated Cell-Material , Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Tateishi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Kazuhiko Koike
- Department of Gastroenterology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Zhou L, Ma S. Deciphering cancer stem cells in liver cancers: new tools with improved resolution. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:297-300. [PMID: 35262641 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major form of liver cancer in the world with the highest prevalence in Asia. Intra-tumoral heterogeneity is a fundamental characteristic of liver cancer that impacts on its disease progression and treatment response. The cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation is one of the driving forces of tumor cell heterogeneity because it can regenerate cells of different properties as to maintain the tumor bulk of origin. Tremendous effort has been made in the past two decades to identify liver CSCs and promote corresponding treatment strategies for HCC. From xenotransplantation and lineage tracing techniques to the current state-of-the-art single-cell sequencing technologies, advances in research tools fuel the exciting new discoveries in the field of CSCs. In particular, single-cell analysis has spearheaded a new era, with the ability to detect heterogeneity, cellular dynamics, and transition of CSCs and their progenies at a high resolution. This commentary attempts to briefly review the evolution of tools to evaluate CSCs in liver cancers, discuss their contributions and limitations, as well as their combined and complementary utilization with techniques like human tumor organoid culture. By recognizing the shortcomings of each technique, we can reassess the blind spots of CSC studies and with this knowledge, hopefully contribute to a better understanding of hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong.,The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong
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