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Jokelainen O, Rintala TJ, Fortino V, Pasonen-Seppänen S, Sironen R, Nykopp TK. Differential expression analysis identifies a prognostically significant extracellular matrix-enriched gene signature in hyaluronan-positive clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10626. [PMID: 38724670 PMCID: PMC11082176 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61426-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyaluronan (HA) accumulation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is associated with poor prognosis; however, its biology and role in tumorigenesis are unknown. RNA sequencing of 48 HA-positive and 48 HA-negative formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG). The DEGs were subjected to pathway and gene enrichment analyses. The Cancer Genome Atlas Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (TCGA-KIRC) data and DEGs were used for the cluster analysis. In total, 129 DEGs were identified. HA-positive tumors exhibited enhanced expression of genes related to extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and ECM receptor interaction pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition-associated genes were highly enriched in the HA-positive phenotype. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and 17 hub genes were discovered. Heatmap analysis of TCGA-KIRC data identified two prognostic clusters corresponding to HA-positive and HA-negative phenotypes. These clusters were used to verify the expression levels and conduct survival analysis of the hub genes, 11 of which were linked to poor prognosis. These findings enhance our understanding of hyaluronan in ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Jokelainen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Teemu J Rintala
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vittorio Fortino
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Reijo Sironen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Timo K Nykopp
- Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Surgery, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Liu J, Wang H, Liu Q, Long S, Wu Y, Wang N, Lin W, Chen G, Lin M, Wen J. Klotho exerts protection in chronic kidney disease associated with regulating inflammatory response and lipid metabolism. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:46. [PMID: 38584258 PMCID: PMC11000353 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01226-4] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anti-aging protein Klotho plays a protective role in kidney disease, but its potential as a biomarker for chronic kidney disease (CKD) is controversial. Additionally, the main pathways through which Klotho exerts its effects on CKD remain unclear. Therefore, we used bioinformatics and clinical data analysis to determine its role in CKD. RESULTS We analyzed the transcriptomic and clinical data from the Nephroseq v5 database and found that the Klotho gene was mainly expressed in the tubulointerstitium, and its expression was significantly positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and negatively correlated with blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in CKD. We further found that Klotho gene expression was mainly negatively associated with inflammatory response and positively associated with lipid metabolism in CKD tubulointerstitium by analyzing two large sample-size CKD tubulointerstitial transcriptome datasets. By analyzing 10-year clinical data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2016, we also found that Klotho negatively correlated with inflammatory biomarkers and triglyceride and positively correlated with eGFR in the CKD population. Mediation analysis showed that Klotho could improve renal function in the general population by modulating the inflammatory response and lipid metabolism, while in the CKD population, it primarily manifested by mediating the inflammatory response. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis showed that the optimal concentration range for Klotho to exert its biological function was around 1000 pg/ml. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that lower cumulative hazards of all-cause mortality in participants with higher levels of Klotho. We also demonstrated that Klotho could reduce cellular inflammatory response and improve cellular lipid metabolism by establishing an in vitro model similar to CKD. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that Klotho exerts protection in CKD, which may be mainly related to the regulation of inflammatory response and lipid metabolism, and it can serve as a potential biomarker for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Liu
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Huaicheng Wang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qinyu Liu
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shushu Long
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanfang Wu
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Nengying Wang
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Miao Lin
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Nephrology, Provincial Clinical College, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Junping Wen
- Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- Department of Endocrinology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
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Rainu SK, Singh N. Dual-Sensitive Fluorescent Nanoprobes for Simultaneously Monitoring In Situ Changes in pH and Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Stiffness-Tunable Three-Dimensional In Vitro Scaffolds. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:12175-12187. [PMID: 38420964 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c16334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
A tumor microenvironment often presents altered physicochemical characteristics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) including changes in matrix composition, stiffness, protein expression, pH, temperature, or the presence of certain stromal and immune cells. Of these, overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and extracellular acidosis are the two major hallmarks of cancer that can be exploited for tumor detection. The change in matrix stiffness and the release of certain cytokines (TNF-α) in the tumor microenvironment play major roles in inducing MMP-9 expression in cancerous cells. This study highlights the role of mechanical cues in upregulating MMP-9 expression in cancerous cells using stiffness-tunable matrix compositions and dual-sensitive fluorescent nanoprobes. Ionically cross-linked 3D alginate/gelatin (AG) scaffolds with three stiffnesses were chosen to reflect the ECM stiffnesses corresponding to healthy and pathological tissues. Moreover, a dual-sensitive nanoprobe, an MMP-sensitive peptide conjugated to carbon nanoparticles with intrinsic pH fluorescence properties, was utilized for in situ monitoring of the two cancer hallmarks in the 3D scaffolds. This platform was further utilized for designing a 3D core-shell platform for spatially mapping tumor margins and for visualizing TNF-α-induced MMP-9 expression in cancerous cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Kaur Rainu
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Neetu Singh
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
- Biomedical Engineering Unit, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India
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Deen AJ, Adinolfi S, Härkönen J, Patinen T, Liu X, Laitinen T, Takabe P, Kainulainen K, Pasonen-Seppänen S, Gawriyski LM, Arasu UT, Selvarajan I, Mäkinen P, Laitinen H, Kansanen E, Kaikkonen MU, Poso A, Varjosalo M, Levonen AL. Oncogenic KEAP1 mutations activate TRAF2-NFκB signaling to prevent apoptosis in lung cancer cells. Redox Biol 2024; 69:103031. [PMID: 38184997 PMCID: PMC10808971 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) - Nuclear factor erythroid 2 -related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway is the major transcriptional stress response system in cells against oxidative and electrophilic stress. NRF2 is frequently constitutively active in many cancers, rendering the cells resistant to chemo- and radiotherapy. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in the repressor protein KEAP1 are common in non-small cell lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma. While the mutations can occur throughout the gene, they are enriched in certain areas, indicating that these may have unique functional importance. In this study, we show that in the GSEA analysis of TCGA lung adenocarcinoma RNA-seq data, the KEAP1 mutations in R320 and R470 were associated with enhanced Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) - Nuclear Factor kappa subunit B (NFκB) signaling as well as MYC and MTORC1 pathways. To address the functional role of these hotspot mutations, affinity purification and mass spectrometry (AP-MS) analysis of wild type (wt) KEAP1 and its mutation forms, R320Q and R470C were employed to interrogate differences in the protein interactome. We identified TNF receptor associated factor 2 (TRAF2) as a putative protein interaction partner. Both mutant KEAP1 forms showed increased interaction with TRAF2 and other anti-apoptotic proteins, suggesting that apoptosis signalling could be affected by the protein interactions. A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells overexpressing mutant KEAP1 showed high TRAF2-mediated NFκB activity and increased protection against apoptosis, XIAP being one of the key proteins involved in anti-apoptotic signalling. To conclude, KEAP1 R320Q and R470C and its interaction with TRAF2 leads to activation of NFκB pathway, thereby protecting against apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashik Jawahar Deen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Simone Adinolfi
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Jouni Härkönen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland; Department of Pathology, Hospital Nova of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, 40620, Finland
| | - Tommi Patinen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Xiaonan Liu
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Tuomo Laitinen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Piia Takabe
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Kirsi Kainulainen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | | | - Lisa M Gawriyski
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Uma Thanigai Arasu
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Ilakya Selvarajan
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Petri Mäkinen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Hanna Laitinen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Emilia Kansanen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland; Science Service Centre, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Antti Poso
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland; Department of Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
| | - Anna-Liisa Levonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland.
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Novel 3D Flipwell system that models gut mucosal microenvironment for studying interactions between gut microbiota, epithelia and immunity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:870. [PMID: 36650266 PMCID: PMC9845379 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28233-8] [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: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Gut mucosa consists of stratified layers of microbes, semi-permeable mucus, epithelium and stroma abundant in immune cells. Although tightly regulated, interactions between gut commensals and immune cells play indispensable roles in homeostasis and cancer pathogenesis in the body. Thus, there is a critical need to develop a robust model for the gut mucosal microenvironment. Here, we report our novel co-culture utilizing 3D Flipwell system for establishing the stratified layers of discrete mucosal components. This method allows for analyzing synchronous effects of test stimuli on gut bacteria, mucus, epithelium and immune cells, as well as their crosstalks. In the present report, we tested the immuno-stimulatory effects of sepiapterin (SEP, the precursor of the cofactor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-BH4) on the gut mucosal community. We previously reported that SEP effectively reprogrammed tumor-associated macrophages and inhibited breast tumor cell growth. In our co-cultures, SEP largely promoted mucus integrity, bacterial binding, and M1-like polarization of macrophages. Conversely, these phenomena were absent in control-treated cultures. Our results demonstrate that this novel co-culture may serve as a robust in vitro system to recapitulate the effects of pharmacological agents on the gut mucosal microenvironment, and could potentially be expanded to test the effects outside the gut.
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Crosstalk between Tumor-Associated Macrophages and MicroRNAs: A Key Role in Tumor Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232113258. [PMID: 36362044 PMCID: PMC9653885 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
As an in-depth understanding of immunotherapy continues to grow, current anticancer therapy research is increasingly focused on the tumor microenvironment (TME). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in the regulation of genetic information and expression and mediate interactions between tumor cells and components in the TME, such as tumor-associated macrophages (macrophages). Macrophages are abundant in the TME, and their different polarization directions can promote or inhibit tumor growth and progression. By regulating biological behaviors, such as macrophage recruitment, infiltration, and polarization, miRNAs can affect various molecular pathways to regulate tumor progression and treatment response. In this review, we discuss in detail the effects of macrophages on tumors and the multifaceted effects of miRNAs on macrophages. We also discuss the potential clinical applications and prospects of targeted therapy based on miRNAs, novel clinical biomarkers, and drug delivery systems.
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