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Fan L, Sui XY, Jin X, Zhang WJ, Zhou P, Shao ZM. High expression of TLR3 in triple-negative breast cancer predicts better prognosis-data from the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center cohort and tissue microarrays. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:298. [PMID: 37005579 PMCID: PMC10067281 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10721-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have previously reported that Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) acts as a suppressor gene for breast cancer initiation and progression. In this study, we evaluated the role of TLR3 in breast cancer using our original Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) datasets and breast cancer tissue microarrays. METHODS Using FUSCC multiomics datasets on triple- negative breast cancer (TNBC), we compared the mRNA expression of TLR3 in TNBC tissue and the adjacent normal tissue. A Kaplan-Meier plotter was performed to investigate the expression of TLR3 on prognosis in the FUSCC TNBC cohort. We performed immunohistochemical staining to analyze TLR3 protein expression in the TNBC tissue microarrays. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis was performed using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data to verify the results of our FUSCC study. The relationship between TLR3 and clinicopathological features was analyzed with logistic regression and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The association between clinical characteristics and overall survival in TCGA patients was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify signaling pathways that are differentially activated in breast cancer. RESULTS The mRNA expression of TLR3 was lower in TNBC tissue than in the adjacent normal tissue in the FUSCC datasets. The TLR3 had high expression in immunomodulatory (IM) and mesenchymal-like (MES) subtypes and low expression in luminal androgen receptor (LAR) and basal-like immune-suppressed (BLIS) subtypes. High expression of TLR3 in TNBC predicted better prognosis in the FUSCC TNBC cohort. Immunohistochemical staining of the tissue microarrays showed that TLR3 had lower expression in breast cancer tissues than in the adject normal tissues. Furthermore, the TLR3 expression was positively associated with B cell, CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells. Bioinformatic analysis using high-throughput RNA-sequencing data from the TCGA demonstrated that the reduced expression of TLR3 in breast cancer was associated with advanced clinicopathological characteristics, survival time, and poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS TLR3 has low expression in TNBC tissue. High expression of TLR3 in triple-negative breast cancer predicts better prognosis. TLR3 expression may be a potential prognostic molecular marker of poor survival in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Fan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xin-Yi Sui
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wen-Juan Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peng Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Parkway Health, Shanghai, China.
- Runshangshan Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- Department of Breast Surgery, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Ma Y, Lu L, Tan K, Li Z, Guo T, Wu Y, Wu W, Zheng L, Fan F, Mo J, Gong Z. Reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α and bile acid nuclear receptor NR1H4/FXR may affect the hepatic immune microenvironment of biliary atresia. Front Immunol 2022; 13:875593. [PMID: 36090996 PMCID: PMC9454303 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.875593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Biliary atresia (BA) is a childhood liver disease characterized by fibrous obstruction and obstruction of the extrahepatic biliary system and is one of the most common and serious biliary disorders in infants. Significant inflammation and fibrosis of the liver and biliary tract are the most prominent features, regardless of the initial damage to the BA. Abnormalities in innate or adaptive immunity have been found in human patients and mouse models of BA. We previously reported that children with BA had abnormal lipid metabolism, including free serum carnitine. Objective To study gene and protein expression levels of the hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) signaling pathway and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in BA and BA fibrosis, and assess their clinical values. Methods Low expression of PPARα and NR1H4 (FXR) in BA were validated in the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Functional differences were determined by gene set enrichment analysis based on of PPARα and NR1H4 expression. BA patients from GSE46960 were divided into two clusters by using consensus clustering according to PPARα, NR1H4, and SMAD3 expression levels, and immunoinfiltration analysis was performed. Finally, 58 cases treated in our hospital were used for experimental verification. (IHC: 10 Biliary atresia, 10 choledochal cysts; PCR: 10 Biliary atresia, 14 choledochal cysts; WB: 10 Biliary atresia, 4 choledochal cysts). Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression of PPARα, CYP7A1 and NR1H4 (FXR) in the biliary atresia group was significantly lower than in the control group. More BA-specific pathways, including TGFβ signaling pathway, P53 signaling pathway, PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway, etc., are enriched in BA patients with low PPARα and NR1H4 expression. In addition, low NR1H4 expression is abundant in inflammatory responses, IL6/STAT3 signaling pathways, early estrogen responses, IL2 STAT5 signaling pathways, and TGFβ signaling pathways. The TGFβ signaling pathway was significant in both groups. According to the expression of PPARα, NR1H4 and SMAD3, a key node in TGFβ pathway, BA patients were divided into two clusters using consensus clustering. In cluster 2, SMAD3 expression was high, and PPARα and NR1H4 expression were low. In contrast to cluster 1, immune cell infiltration was higher in cluster 2, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA and protein levels of PPARα and NR1H4 in BA patients were lower than in the control group by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis and real-time PCR. Conclusions The downregulation of PPARα and NR1H4 (FXR) signaling pathway may be closely related to biliary atresia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxuan Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kezhe Tan
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Pathology Department, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulu Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feilong Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiayu Mo
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhua Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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La Pergola E, Zen Y, Davenport M. Developmental histology of the portal plate in biliary atresia: observations and implications. Pediatr Surg Int 2021; 37:715-721. [PMID: 33646373 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-021-04861-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The key characteristic of biliary atresia (BA) is obliteration of the extrahepatic bile ducts at the level of the porta hepatis. We aimed to relate the immunohistochemical features of remnant biliary ductules at the porta hepatis with clinical features and outcomes. METHODS Samples were immunostained with anti-cytokeratin 20 (CK20), vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (aSMA). Primary outcome was set as clearance of jaundice (bilirubin ≤ 20 μmol/L) following Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE). RESULTS Eighty-two cases were classified into syndromic BA (n = 10), cystic BA (n = 7), CMV IgM+ BA (n = 9) and isolated BA (n = 56). CK20 expression was confirmed in 40/82 (49%), and vimentin expression in 19/82 (23%). aSMA was negative in all cases studied. CK20 expression was less common in isolated BA (n = 20/56, 36%) compared to CMV IgM+ BA (n = 8/9, 89%), cystic BA (n = 7/7, 100%) (isolated BA vs non-isolated BA, P = 0.0008). There was no difference in vimentin expression among the sub-groups (isolated BA vs. non-isolated BA; P = 0.39). CoJ was achieved in 52/82 (63%) overall with significant difference depending simply on sub-group [e.g. syndromic BA 9/10 (90%)]. CK20 expression was associated with a diminished rate of CoJ in the entire cohort [CK20+ 32/56 (57%) vs. CK20- 20/26 (77%); P = 0.04]. By contrast no correlation was observed between vimentin expression and CoJ (P = 0.13). CONCLUSION CK20+ expression was associated with reduced clearance of jaundice in BA and a trend towards reduced native liver survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico La Pergola
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Yoh Zen
- Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK
| | - Mark Davenport
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK.
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Yang L, Mizuochi T, Shivakumar P, Mourya R, Luo Z, Gutta S, Bezerra JA. Regulation of epithelial injury and bile duct obstruction by NLRP3, IL-1R1 in experimental biliary atresia. J Hepatol 2018; 69:1136-1144. [PMID: 29886157 PMCID: PMC6314850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Biliary atresia (BA) results from a neonatal inflammatory and fibrosing obstruction of bile ducts of unknown etiology. Although the innate immune system has been linked to the virally induced mechanism of disease, the role of inflammasome-mediated epithelial injury remains largely undefined. Here, we hypothesized that disruption of the inflammasome suppresses the neonatal proinflammatory response and prevents experimental BA. METHODS We determined the expression of key inflammasome-related genes in livers from infants at diagnosis of BA and in extrahepatic bile ducts (EHBDs) of neonatal mice after infection with rotavirus (RRV) immediately after birth. Then, we determined the impact of the wholesale inactivation of the genes encoding IL-1R1 (Il1r1-/-), NLRP3 (Nlrp3-/-) or caspase-1 (Casp1-/-) on epithelial injury and bile duct obstruction. RESULTS IL1R1, NLRP3 and CASP1 mRNA increased significantly in human livers at the time of diagnosis, and in EHBDs of RRV-infected mice. In Il1r1-/- mice, the epithelial injury of EHBDs induced by RRV was suppressed, with dendritic cells unable to activate natural killer cells. A similar protection was observed in Nlrp3-/- mice, with decreased injury and inflammation of livers and EHBDs. Long-term survival was also improved. In contrast, the inactivation of the Casp1 gene had no impact on tissue injury, and all mice died. Tissue analyses in Il1r1-/- and Nlrp3-/- mice showed decreased populations of dendritic cells and natural killer cells and suppressed expression of type-1 cytokines and chemokines. CONCLUSIONS Genes of the inflammasome are overexpressed at diagnosis of BA in humans and in the BA mouse model. In the experimental model, the targeted loss of IL-1R1 or NLRP3, but not of caspase-1, protected neonatal mice against RRV-induced bile duct obstruction. LAY SUMMARY Biliary atresia is a severe inflammatory and obstructive disease of bile ducts occurring in infancy. Although the cause is unknown, activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems injures the bile duct epithelium. In this study we found that patients' livers had increased expression of inflammasome genes. Using mice engineered to inactivate individual inflammasome genes, the epithelial injury and bile duct obstruction were prevented by the loss of Il1r1 or Nlrp3, with a decreased activation of natural killer cells and expression of cytokines and chemokines. In contrast, the loss of Casp1 did not change the disease phenotype. Combined, the findings point to a differential role of inflammasome gene products in the pathogenic mechanisms of biliary atresia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Tatsuki Mizuochi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-Machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
| | - Pranavkumar Shivakumar
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Reena Mourya
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Zhenhua Luo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sridevi Gutta
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jorge A Bezerra
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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Wu Y, Liu T, Yuan Y, Zhang Z. Gene expression profile of TLR7 signaling pathway in the liver of rhesus rotavirus-induced murine biliary atresia. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 503:291-296. [PMID: 29909011 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify genes potentially involved in the pathogenesis of bile duct obstruction in biliary atresia (BA). METHODS We used rhesus rotavirus (RRV) Balb/c mouse BA model to study BA. Liver and serum samples were harvested from BA and normal control (NC) groups at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days postinoculation. Serum total bilirubin (STB) and conjugated bilirubin (CB) were measured. Livers of each group at day 7 were used for a genome-wide expression analysis. Expression of TLR7 signaling pathway in liver was measured by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting, including expression of TLR7, activation of phosphorylated IRF7 and secretion of IFN-β, IL-1α and IL-6. Cell viability and survival rate after RRV infection were measured by using TLR7 knockdown human cholangiocarcinoma cell RBE. RESULTS STB was significantly elevated from day 5 postinoculation and CB was from day 7 postinoculation, while CK19 (the biomarker of biliary epithelial cells) expression by western blotting was decreased. By microarray analysis of liver tissues at day 7 postinoculation, TLR7 signaling pathway was up-regulated in BA mice. Based on the results of microarray analysis, the protein expression of TLR7 in the liver tissues of BA groups were found to be up-regulated from day 5 comparing to respective NC groups, although it was increased as pups aged in NC groups. And the level of p-IRF7 and secretion of cytokines were also statistically significant in BA groups. In vitro, TLR7 knockdown cell line showed less cellular proliferation and more susceptible to RRV infection. CONCLUSION By in vivo study, TLR7 signal pathway was up-regulated in BA group; by additional in vitro study, intact TLR7 signal pathway might have some protective abilities in BA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, PR China
| | - Tingzheng Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, PR China
| | - Yuhang Yuan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, PR China
| | - Zhibo Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, PR China.
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