EPSIN 3, A Novel p53 Target, Regulates the Apoptotic Pathway and Gastric Carcinogenesis

Explore the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of JianPi QingRe HuaYu Methods in the treatment of gastric inflammation-cancer transformation by network pharmacology and experimental validation

BACKGROUND

JianPi QingRe HuaYu Methods (JQH) have been long used to treat chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC). However, whether JQH can inhibit the transformation of gastritis to gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear.

METHODS

Herein, we first retrieved the active ingredients and targets of JQH from the TCMSP database and the targets related to the gastric inflammation-cancer transformation from public databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to gastric inflammation-cancer transformation were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, we obtained the potential therapeutic targets of JQH in treating gastric inflammation-cancer transformation by intersecting drugs and disease targets. The Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses of the potential therapeutic targets were conducted using R software. Next, we conducted molecular docking and in vitro experiments to validate our results.

RESULTS

We obtained 214 potential therapeutic targets of JQH by intersecting drugs and disease targets. We found that the potential mechanisms of JQH in treating gastric inflammation-cancer transformation might be related to JAK-STAT, Wnt, p53 and VEGF signaling pathways. The molecular docking indicated that quercetin, as the main active ingredient of JQH, might inhibit gastric inflammation-cancer transformation by binding with specific receptors. Our experimental results showed that quercetin inhibited cells proliferation (P < 0.001), promoted cell apoptosis (P < 0.001), reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.001) and promoted the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.001) in MNNG-induced GES-1 cells. Furthermore, quercetin inhibited cells proliferation (P < 0.001) and reduced mRNA and protein level of markers of PLGC (P < 0.001) in CDCA-induced GES-1 cells.

CONCLUSION

These results provide the material basis and regulatory mechanisms of JQH in treating gastric inflammation-cancer transformation.

EPN3 plays oncogenic role in non-small cell lung cancer by activating the JAK1/2-STAT3 pathway

The effect of Epsin 3 (EPN3) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not yet been clearly elucidated. This study identified the exact function of EPN3 on NSCLC progression. EPN3 expression in NSCLC patients were analyzed based on the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Kaplan-Meier analysis was implemented to research the effect of EPN3 on patients' survival. EPN3 expression in clinical tissues of 62 NSCLC cases was monitored by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. A549 and H1299 cells were transfected with EPN3 shRNA and treated by RO8191 (20 μM). Proliferation was researched by cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethnyl-2 deoxyuridine assays. Apoptosis was monitored by flow cytometry. Migration and invasion was assessed by Transwell experiment. EPN3 effect on A549 cell in vivo growth was researched using nude mice. RO8191 (200 μg) was intratumoral injected into mice. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot was implemented to monitor protein expression in cells and xenograft tumor tissues. EPN3 was abnormally up-regulated in NSCLC patients and cells, indicating a lower overall survival. Loss of EPN3 weakened proliferation, migration and invasion, induced apoptosis, and repressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition in NSCLC cells. Loss of EPN3 inactivated the JAK1/2-STAT3 pathway in NSCLC cells. RO8191 treatment reversed the inhibition of EPN3 knockdown on the malignant phenotype of NSCLC cells. RO8191 intratumoral injection reversed the suppression of EPN3 silencing on NSCLC cell in vivo growth. EPN3 acted as an oncogene in NSCLC via activating the JAK1/2-STAT3 pathway. EPN3 may be a promising target for NSCLC treatment.

Discovering Breast Cancer Biomarkers Candidates through mRNA Expression Analysis Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas Database

Background: Research on the discovery of tumor biomarkers based on big data analysis is actively being conducted. This study aimed to secure foundational data for identifying new biomarkers of breast cancer via breast cancer datasets in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Methods: The mRNA profiles of 526 breast cancer and 60 adjacent non-cancerous breast tissues collected from TCGA datasets were analyzed via MultiExperiment Viewer and GraphPad Prism. Diagnostic performance was analyzed by identifying the pathological grades of the selected differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs and the expression patterns of molecular subtypes. Results: Via DE mRNA profile analysis, we selected 14 mRNAs with downregulated expression (HADH, CPN2, ADAM33, TDRD10, SNF1LK2, HBA2, KCNIP2, EPB42, PYGM, CEP68, ING3, EMCN, SYF2, and DTWD1) and six mRNAs with upregulated expression (ZNF8, TOMM40, EVPL, EPN3, AP1M2, and SPINT2) in breast cancer tissues compared to that in non-cancerous tissues (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In total, 20 DE mRNAs had an area under cover of 0.9 or higher, demonstrating excellent diagnostic performance in breast cancer. Therefore, the results of this study will provide foundational data for planning preliminary studies to identify new tumor biomarkers.

Interferon-alpha responsible EPN3 regulates hepatitis B virus replication

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health problem worldwide, and the current antiviral therapy, including nucleoside analogs, cannot achieve life-long cure, and clarification of antiviral host immunity is necessary for eradication. Here, we found that a clathrin-binding membrane protein epsin3 (EPN3) negatively regulates the expression of HBV RNA. EPN3 expression was induced by transfection of an HBV replicon plasmid, and reduced HBV-RNA level in hepatic cell lines and murine livers hydrodynamically injected with the HBV replicon plasmid. Viral RNA reduction by EPN3 was dependent on transcription, and independent from epsilon structure of viral RNA. Viral RNA reduction by overexpression of p53 or IFN-α treatment, was attenuated by knockdown of EPN3, suggesting its role downstream of IFN-α and p53. Taken together, this study demonstrates the anti-HBV role of EPN3. The mechanism how it decreases HBV transcription is discussed.

Comparison of Gene Expression Profiles of Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma and Poorly Cohesive Carcinoma in Early Gastric Cancer

Introduction:

Although signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) is a subtype of poorly cohesive carcinoma (PC), the differences in the biological behavior between the 2 morphologically similar carcinomas have not been fully studied. Therefore, we performed transcriptome analysis to evaluate the differences of genetic expressions between SRC and PC.

Methods:

The study group consisted of patients with SRC or PC pathology from patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) whose depth of invasion was localized in the mucosal layer. A total of 18 patients were enrolled. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on their histologic type and lymph node (LN) status. Group 1 consisted of patients with PC and positive LN metastasis, Group 2 consisted of patients with PC without LN metastasis, and Group 3 consisted of patients with SRC without LN metastasis. Transcriptome analysis was performed using the nCounter PanCancer Progression Panel Kit.

Results:

The expression of 77 genes in Group 1 was altered compared to that in normal tissues. The expression of 49 and 13 genes in Groups 2 and 3, respectively, was altered when compared to that in normal tissues. Groups 1 and 2 showed similar genetic expressions. However, Group 3 showed numerous differences in gene expression including Roundabout4 (Robo4) compared to the other groups, especially Group 1.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that gene expression patterns were different between SRC and PC and expression of ROBO4 may play an important role in the prognosis of SRC and PC type of EGC.

Epsin 3 potentiates the NF‑κB signaling pathway to regulate apoptosis in breast cancer

Endocrine drug resistance is common in some patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, so it is necessary to identify potential therapeutic targets. The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory effect and mechanism of epsin 3 (EPN3) expression level changes on the proliferation and apoptosis of ER-positive breast cancer. Online GEPIA was used to analyze the expression level of EPN3 in breast cancer. The online Kaplan-Meier plotter tool was used to analyze the relationship between EPN3 expression and the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of EPN3 in breast cancer tissues and cells. A lentiviral infection system was used to knockdown the expression of EPN3 in breast cancer cell lines. Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry assays were conducted to detect the effect of EPN3 knockdown on breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. Western blotting was used to detect the regulation of EPN3 expression on NF-κB, and immunofluorescence was performed to detect the effect of EPN3 expression on NF-κB nuclear translocation. The results demonstrated that the expression level of EPN3 in breast cancer tissues was higher compared with that in adjacent tissues (P<0.05). The expression level of EPN3 in the ER-positive breast cancer cell line, MCF7, was higher compared with that in the other cell lines (MCF10A, ZR75-1, MDA-MB-231, BT549 and SK-BR-3). After knocking down the expression of EPN3 in MCF7 cells, the proliferative ability of the cells was decreased, and the apoptosis rate was increased (P<0.05). After EPN3 knockdown in MCF7 cells, the phosphorylation of NF-κB was decreased (P<0.05), and the nuclear translocation signal was weakened. Thus, it was suggested that EPN3 promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway in ER-positive breast cancer.

Specialised endocytic proteins regulate diverse internalisation mechanisms and signalling outputs in physiology and cancer

Although endocytosis was first described as the process mediating macromolecule or nutrient uptake through the plasma membrane, it is now recognised as a critical component of the cellular infrastructure involved in numerous processes, ranging from receptor signalling, proliferation and migration to polarity and stem cell regulation. To realise these varying roles, endocytosis needs to be finely regulated. Accordingly, multiple endocytic mechanisms exist that require specialised molecular machineries and an array of endocytic adaptor proteins with cell-specific functions. This review provides some examples of specialised functions of endocytic adaptors and other components of the endocytic machinery in different cell physiological processes, and how the alteration of these functions is linked to cancer. In particular, we focus on: (i) cargo selection and endocytic mechanisms linked to different adaptors; (ii) specialised functions in clathrin-mediated versus non-clathrin endocytosis; (iii) differential regulation of endocytic mechanisms by post-translational modification of endocytic proteins; (iv) cell context-dependent expression and function of endocytic proteins. As cases in point, we describe two endocytic protein families, dynamins and epsins. Finally, we discuss how dysregulation of the physiological role of these specialised endocytic proteins is exploited by cancer cells to increase cell proliferation, migration and invasion, leading to anti-apoptotic or pro-metastatic behaviours.

Adapting and Surviving: Intra and Extra-Cellular Remodeling in Drug-Resistant Gastric Cancer Cells

Despite the significant recent advances in clinical practice, gastric cancer (GC) represents a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. In fact, occurrence of chemo-resistance still remains a daunting hindrance to effectiveness of the current approach to GC therapy. There is accumulating evidence that a plethora of cellular and molecular factors is implicated in drug-induced phenotypical switching of GC cells. Among them, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, drug detoxification, DNA damage response and drug target alterations, have been reported as major determinants. Intriguingly, resistant GC phenotype may be the result of GC cell-induced tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling, which is currently emerging as a key player in promoting drug resistance and overcoming cytotoxic effects of drugs. In this review, we discuss the possible mechanisms of drug resistance and their involvement in determining current GC therapies failure.

Genome-wide association study identifies gastric cancer susceptibility loci at 12q24.11-12 and 20q11.21

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality in Japan and worldwide. Although previous studies identify various genetic variations associated with gastric cancer, host genetic factors are largely unidentified. To identify novel gastric cancer loci in the Japanese population, herein, we carried out a large‐scale genome‐wide association study using 6171 cases and 27 178 controls followed by three replication analyses. Analysis using a total of 11 507 cases and 38 904 controls identified two novel loci on 12q24.11‐12 (rs6490061, P = 3.20 × 10⁻⁸ with an odds ratio [OR] of 0.905) and 20q11.21 (rs2376549, P = 8.11 × 10⁻¹⁰ with an OR of 1.109). rs6490061 is located at intron 19 of the CUX2 gene, and its expression was suppressed by Helicobacter pylori infection. rs2376549 is included within the gene cluster of DEFB families that encode antibacterial peptides. We also found a significant association of rs7849280 in the ABO gene locus on 9q34.2 (P = 2.64 × 10⁻¹³ with an OR of 1.148). CUX2 and ABO expression in gastric mucosal tissues was significantly associated with rs6490061 and rs7849280 (P = 0.0153 and 8.00 × 10⁻¹¹), respectively. Our findings show the crucial roles of genetic variations in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer.

Decrease in PSCA expression caused by Helicobacter pylori infection may promote progression to severe gastritis

SNP rs2294008 in Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA) and decreased PSCA expression are associated with gastric cancer. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of rs2294008 and PSCA expression in the gastritis-gastric cancer carcinogenic pathway. We conducted a case-control association study of H. pylori-infected gastritis and gastric cancer. rs2294008 was associated with the progression to chronic active gastritis (P = 9.4 × 10^–5; odds ratio = 3.88, TT + TC vs CC genotype), but not with H. pylori infection per se nor with the progression from active gastritis to gastric cancer. We also assessed the association of rs2294008 with PSCA mRNA expression in the gastric mucosa at various disease stages and found that rs2294008 was associated with PSCA expression (P = 1.3 × 10^–12). H. pylori infection (P = 5.1 × 10^–8) and eradication therapy (P < 1 × 10^–11) resulted in the reduced and increased PSCA expression, respectively, indicating negative regulation of PSCA expression by H. pylori infection. PSCA expression was decreased in severe gastritis compared with mild gastritis only among T allele carriers. Our findings revealed the regulation of PSCA expression by host genetic variation and bacterial infection might contribute to gastritis progression after H. pylori infection.