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Johnston SN, Tsingas M, Ain R, Barve RA, Risbud MV. Increased HIF-2α activity in the nucleus pulposus causes intervertebral disc degeneration in the aging mouse spine. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1360376. [PMID: 38510179 PMCID: PMC10950937 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1360376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are essential to the homeostasis of hypoxic tissues. Although HIF-2α, is expressed in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, consequences of elevated HIF-2 activity on disc health remains unknown. We expressed HIF-2α with proline to alanine substitutions (P405A; P531A) in the Oxygen-dependent degradation domain (HIF-2αdPA) in the NP tissue using an inducible, nucleus pulposus-specific K19CreERT allele to study HIF-2α function in the adult intervertebral disc. Expression of HIF-2α in NP impacted disc morphology, as evident from small but significantly higher scores of degeneration in NP of 24-month-old K19CreERT; HIF-2αdPA (K19-dPA) mice. Noteworthy, comparisons of grades within each genotype between 14 months and 24 months indicated that HIF-2α overexpression contributed to more pronounced changes than aging alone. The annulus fibrosus (AF) compartment in the 14-month-old K19-dPA mice exhibited lower collagen turnover and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging analyses showed changes in the biochemical composition of the 14- and 24-month-old K19-dPA mice. Moreover, there were changes in aggrecan, chondroitin sulfate, and COMP abundance without alterations in NP phenotypic marker CA3, suggesting the overexpression of HIF-2α had some impact on matrix composition but not the cell phenotype. Mechanistically, the global transcriptomic analysis showed enrichment of differentially expressed genes in themes closely related to NP cell function such as cilia, SLIT/ROBO pathway, and HIF/Hypoxia signaling at both 14- and 24-month. Together, these findings underscore the role of HIF-2α in the pathogenesis of disc degeneration in the aged spine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira N. Johnston
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Maria Tsingas
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rahatul Ain
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ruteja A. Barve
- Department of Genetics, Genome Technology Access Centre at the McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Makarand V. Risbud
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Johnston SN, Tsingas M, Ain R, Barve RA, Risbud MV. Increased HIF-2α Activity in the Nucleus Pulposus Causes Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in the Aging Mouse Spine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.22.573086. [PMID: 38187709 PMCID: PMC10769411 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are essential to the homeostasis of hypoxic tissues. Although HIF-2α, is expressed in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, consequences of elevated HIF-2 activity on disc health remains unknown. We expressed HIF-2α with proline to alanine substitutions (P405A;P531A) in the Oxygen-dependent degradation domain (HIF-2αdPA) in the NP tissue using an inducible, nucleus pulposus-specific K19 CreERT allele to study HIF-2α function in the adult intervertebral disc. Expression of HIF-2α in NP impacted disc morphology, as evident from small but significantly higher scores of degeneration in NP of 24-month-old K19 CreERT ; HIF-2α dPA (K19-dPA) mice. Noteworthy, comparisons of grades within each genotype between 14 months and 24 months indicated that HIF-2α overexpression contributed to more pronounced changes than aging alone. The annulus fibrosus (AF) compartment in the 14-month-old K19-dPA mice exhibited lower collagen turnover and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging analyses showed changes in the biochemical composition of the 14-and 24-month-old K19-dPA mice. Moreover, there were changes in aggrecan, chondroitin sulfate, and COMP abundance without alterations in NP phenotypic marker CA3, suggesting the overexpression of HIF-2α had some impact on matrix composition but not the cell phenotype. Mechanistically, the global transcriptomic analysis showed enrichment of differentially expressed genes in themes closely related to NP cell function such as cilia, SLIT/ROBO pathway, and HIF/Hypoxia signaling at both 14- and 24-months. Together, these findings underscore the role of HIF-2α in the pathogenesis of disc degeneration in the aged spine.
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Zhou Q, Li L, Sha F, Lei Y, Tian X, Chen L, Chen Y, Liu H, Guo Y. PTTG1 Reprograms Asparagine Metabolism to Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression. Cancer Res 2023; 83:2372-2386. [PMID: 37159932 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-3561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and has a poor prognosis. Pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) is highly expressed in HCC, suggesting it could play an important role in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Here, we evaluated the impact of PTTG1 deficiency on HCC development using a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC mouse model and a hepatitis B virus (HBV) regulatory X protein (HBx)-induced spontaneous HCC mouse model. PTTG1 deficiency significantly suppressed DEN- and HBx-induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Mechanistically, PTTG1 promoted asparagine synthetase (ASNS) transcription by binding to its promoter, and asparagine (Asn) levels were correspondingly increased. The elevated levels of Asn subsequently activated the mTOR pathway to facilitate HCC progression. In addition, asparaginase treatment reversed the proliferation induced by PTTG1 overexpression. Furthermore, HBx promoted ASNS and Asn metabolism by upregulating PTTG1 expression. Overall, PTTG1 is involved in the reprogramming of Asn metabolism to promote HCC progression and may serve as a therapeutic and diagnostic target for HCC. SIGNIFICANCE PTTG1 is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and increases asparagine production to stimulate mTOR activity and promote tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Leijia Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Feifei Sha
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yiming Lei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xuan Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lingjun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huiling Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yunwei Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Cai DJ, Zhang ZY, Bu Y, Li L, Deng YZ, Sun LQ, Hu CP, Li M. Asparagine synthetase regulates lung-cancer metastasis by stabilizing the β-catenin complex and modulating mitochondrial response. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:566. [PMID: 35739087 PMCID: PMC9226154 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05015-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The availability of asparagine is the limitation of cell growth and metastasis. Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) was an essential enzyme for endogenous asparagine products. In our study, ASNS-induced asparagine products were essential to maintain tumor growth and colony formations in vitro. But mutated ASNS which defected endogenous asparagine products still upregulated cell invasiveness, which indicated that ASNS promoted invasiveness by alternative pathways. Mechanically, ASNS modulated Wnt signal transduction by promoting GSK3β phosphorylation on ser9 and stabilizing the β-catenin complex, as result, ASNS could promote more β-catenin translocation into nucleus independent of endogenous asparagine. At the same time, ASNS modulated mitochondrial response to Wnt stimuli with increased mitochondrial potential and membrane fusion. In summary, ASNS promoted metastasis depending on Wnt pathway and mitochondrial functions even without endogenous asparagine products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Jing Cai
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zi-Yu Zhang
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yue Bu
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Li
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yue-Zhen Deng
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan China ,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Lun-Quan Sun
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan China ,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China
| | - Cheng-Ping Hu
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China ,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Min Li
- grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Lung Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Xiangya Cancer Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China ,Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan China ,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Changsha, China ,grid.216417.70000 0001 0379 7164Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan China ,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, China ,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan China
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Wang W, Guo MN, Li N, Pang DQ, Wu JH. Glutamine deprivation impairs function of infiltrating CD8 + T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma by inducing mitochondrial damage and apoptosis. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1124-1140. [PMID: 35949216 PMCID: PMC9244988 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i6.1124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The functions of infiltrating CD8+ T cells are often impaired due to tumor cells causing nutrient deprivation in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, the mechanisms of CD8+ T cell dysfunction have become a hot research topic, and there is increased interest on how changes in metabolomics correlate with CD8+ T cell dysfunction.
AIM To investigate whether and how glutamine metabolism affects the function of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.
METHODS Immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence were performed on surgically resected liver tissues from patients. Differentially expressed genes in infiltrating CD8+ T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma were detected using RNA sequencing. Activated CD8+ T cells were co-cultured with Huh-7 cells for 3 d. The function and mitochondrial status of CD8+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and transmission electron microscopy. Next, CD8+ T cells were treated with the mitochondrial protective and damaging agents. Functional alterations in CD8+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry. Then, complete medium without glutamine was used to culture cells and their functional changes and mitochondrial status were detected.
RESULTS There were a large number of infiltrating PD-1+CD8+ T cells in liver cancer tissues. Next, we co-cultured CD8+ T cells and Huh-7 cells to explore the regulatory effect of hepatoma cells on CD8+ T cells. Flow cytometry results revealed increased PD-1 expression and decreased secretion of perforin (PRF1) and granzyme B (GZMB) by CD8+ T cells in the co-culture group. Meanwhile, JC-1 staining was decreased and the levels of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis were increased in CD8+ T cells of the co-culture group; additionally, the mitochondria of these cells were swollen. When CD8+ T cells were treated with the mitochondrial protective and damaging agents, their function was restored and inhibited, respectively, through the mitochondrial damage and apoptotic pathways. Subsequently, complete medium without glutamine was used to culture cells. As expected, CD8+ T cells showed functional downregulation, mitochondrial damage, and apoptosis.
CONCLUSION Glutamine deprivation impairs the function of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma through the mitochondrial damage and apoptotic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Meng-Nan Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China
| | - De-Quan Pang
- Department of Oncology, North China University of Science and Technology Affiliated Hospital, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jing-Hua Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063000, Hebei Province, China
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