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Yang F, Li T, Zhang XQ, Gong Y, Su H, Fan J, Wang L, Hu QD, Tan RZ. Screening of active components in Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax notoginseng formula for anti-fibrosis in CKD: nobiletin inhibits Lgals1/PI3K/AKT signaling to improve renal fibrosis. Ren Fail 2024; 46:2375033. [PMID: 38967135 PMCID: PMC11229745 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2024.2375033] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax notoginseng formula (A&P) has been clinically shown to effectively slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has demonstrated significant anti-fibrosis effects in experimental CKD model. However, the specific active ingredients and underlying mechanism are still unclear. The active ingredients of A&P were analyzed by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-HR-MS). A mouse model of CKD was constructed by 5/6 nephrectomy. Renal function was assessed by creatinine and urea nitrogen. Real-time PCR and Western Blot were performed to detect the mRNA and protein changes in kidney and cells. An in vitro fibrotic cell model was constructed by TGF-β induction in TCMK-1 cells. The results showed that thirteen active ingredients of A&P were identified by UPLC-HR-MS, nine of which were identified by analysis with standards, among which the relative percentage of NOB was high. We found that NOB treatment significantly improved renal function, pathological damage and reduced the expression level of fibrotic factors in CKD mice. The results also demonstrated that Lgals1 was overexpressed in the interstitial kidney of CKD mice, and NOB treatment significantly reduced its expression level, while inhibiting PI3K and AKT phosphorylation. Interestingly, overexpression of Lgals1 significantly increased fibrosis in TCMK1 cells and upregulated the activity of PI3K and AKT, which were strongly inhibited by NOB treatment. NOB is one of the main active components of A&P. The molecular mechanism by which NOB ameliorates renal fibrosis in CKD may be through the inhibition of Lgals1/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Yang
- Department of Nephrology, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Integrative Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Tong Li
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiao-qian Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Nephrology, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Su
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Junming Fan
- Department of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Wang
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qiong-dan Hu
- Department of Nephrology, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Rui-zhi Tan
- Research Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Chen JL, Liu L, Peng XR, Wang Y, Xiang X, Chen Y, Xu DX, Chen DZ. Role of the GalNAc-galectin pathway in the healing of premature rupture of membranes. Mol Med 2024; 30:138. [PMID: 39232672 PMCID: PMC11375961 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00908-6] [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: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) is a key cause of preterm birth and represents a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Natural products N-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc), which are basic building blocks of important polysaccharides in biological cells or tissues, such as chitin, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, may improve possible effects of wound healing. METHODS An in vitro inflammation and oxidative stress model was constructed using tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) action on WISH cells. Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) were primarily cultured by digestion to construct a wound model. The effects of GalNAc on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress, migration and proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), glycosaminoglycan (GAG)/hyaluronic acid (HA) production, and protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in hAECs and WISH cells were analyzed using the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, ELISA, CCK-8, scratch, transwell migration, and western blot to determine the mechanism by which GalNAc promotes amniotic wound healing. RESULTS GalNAc decreased IL-6 expression in TNF-α-stimulated WISH cells and ROS expression in LPS-stimulated WISH cells (P < 0.05). GalNAc promoted the expression of Gal-1 and Gal-3 with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects. GalNAc promoted the migration of hAECs (50% vs. 80%) and WISH cells through the Akt signaling pathway, EMT reached the point of promoting fetal membrane healing, and GalNAc did not affect the activity of hAECs and WISH cells (P > 0.05). GalNAc upregulated the expression of sGAG in WISH cells (P < 0.05) but did not affect HA levels (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS GalNAc might be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of PROM through the galectin pathway, including (i) inflammation; (ii) epithelial-mesenchymal transition; (iii) proliferation and migration; and (iv) regression, remodeling, and healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Le Chen
- The School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, China
- Hospital Infection Management Section, Changzhou Wujin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, China
| | - Lou Liu
- Department of obstetrics, Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-Rui Peng
- The School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yan Wang
- The School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiang Xiang
- The School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, China.
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- The School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Dao-Zhen Chen
- The School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, China.
- Department of Laboratory, Haidong No.2 People's Hospital, Haidong, China.
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Kousa AI, Jahn L, Zhao K, Flores AE, Acenas D, Lederer E, Argyropoulos KV, Lemarquis AL, Granadier D, Cooper K, D'Andrea M, Sheridan JM, Tsai J, Sikkema L, Lazrak A, Nichols K, Lee N, Ghale R, Malard F, Andrlova H, Velardi E, Youssef S, Burgos da Silva M, Docampo M, Sharma R, Mazutis L, Wimmer VC, Rogers KL, DeWolf S, Gipson B, Gomes ALC, Setty M, Pe'er D, Hale L, Manley NR, Gray DHD, van den Brink MRM, Dudakov JA. Age-related epithelial defects limit thymic function and regeneration. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:1593-1606. [PMID: 39112630 PMCID: PMC11362016 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-024-01915-9] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is essential for establishing adaptive immunity yet undergoes age-related involution that leads to compromised immune responsiveness. The thymus is also extremely sensitive to acute insult and although capable of regeneration, this capacity declines with age for unknown reasons. We applied single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, lineage-tracing and advanced imaging to define age-related changes in nonhematopoietic stromal cells and discovered the emergence of two atypical thymic epithelial cell (TEC) states. These age-associated TECs (aaTECs) formed high-density peri-medullary epithelial clusters that were devoid of thymocytes; an accretion of nonproductive thymic tissue that worsened with age, exhibited features of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and was associated with downregulation of FOXN1. Interaction analysis revealed that the emergence of aaTECs drew tonic signals from other functional TEC populations at baseline acting as a sink for TEC growth factors. Following acute injury, aaTECs expanded substantially, further perturbing trophic regeneration pathways and correlating with defective repair of the involuted thymus. These findings therefore define a unique feature of thymic involution linked to immune aging and could have implications for developing immune-boosting therapies in older individuals.
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Grants
- T32-GM007270 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
- 1187367 Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- R01 CA228308 NCI NIH HHS
- 1158024 Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- R01-HL145276 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- R01-HL147584 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- R01-HL165673 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- R01 HL123340 NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01 HL145276 NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01-CA228308 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- P30 CA015704 NCI NIH HHS
- P01 CA023766 NCI NIH HHS
- R01 HL165673 NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01 HL147584 NHLBI NIH HHS
- P01-AG052359 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute on Aging (U.S. National Institute on Aging)
- P30-CA015704 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- 1090236 Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- P30 CA008748 NCI NIH HHS
- P01 AG052359 NIA NIH HHS
- T32 GM007270 NIGMS NIH HHS
- 1102104 Cancer Council Victoria
- 1078763 Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- 1146518 Cancer Council Victoria
- U01-AI70035 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- R35 HL171556 NHLBI NIH HHS
- ALTF-431-2017 European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
- R01 CA228358 NCI NIH HHS
- F30-HL165761 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- R01-HL123340 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- R35-HL-171556 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- 1121325 Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- F30 HL165761 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute on Aging (U.S. National Institute on Aging)
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia I Kousa
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, and Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- City of Hope Los Angeles and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Lorenz Jahn
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kelin Zhao
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angel E Flores
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Dante Acenas
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, and Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emma Lederer
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, and Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kimon V Argyropoulos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andri L Lemarquis
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- City of Hope Los Angeles and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - David Granadier
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, and Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kirsten Cooper
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, and Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael D'Andrea
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie M Sheridan
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Tsai
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lisa Sikkema
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Amina Lazrak
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine Nichols
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nichole Lee
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Romina Ghale
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florent Malard
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Sorbonne Université, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine INSERM UMRs938, Service d'Hématologie Clinique et de Thérapie Cellulaire, Hôpital Saint Antoine, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Hana Andrlova
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Salma Youssef
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Melissa Docampo
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roshan Sharma
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Linas Mazutis
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Verena C Wimmer
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kelly L Rogers
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan DeWolf
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brianna Gipson
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Antonio L C Gomes
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Manu Setty
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Basic Sciences Division & Translational Data Science Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dana Pe'er
- Computational and Systems Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura Hale
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nancy R Manley
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel H D Gray
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Program in Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- City of Hope Los Angeles and National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jarrod A Dudakov
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, and Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Wei S, Tan J, Huang X, Zhuang K, Qiu W, Chen M, Ye X, Wu M. Metastasis and basement membrane-related signature enhances hepatocellular carcinoma prognosis and diagnosis by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and immune microenvironment assessment. J Transl Med 2024; 22:711. [PMID: 39085893 PMCID: PMC11293133 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05493-0] [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: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The heightened mortality associated with HCC is largely attributed to its propensity for metastasis, which cannot be achieved without remodeling or loss of the basement membrane (BM). Despite advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, resistance and limited efficacy in late-stage HCC underscore the urgent need for better therapeutic options and early diagnostic biomarkers. Our study aimed to address these gaps by investigating and evaluating potential biomarkers to improve survival outcomes and treatment efficacy in patients with HCC. METHOD In this study, we collected the transcriptome sequencing, clinical, and mutation data of 424 patients with HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and 240 from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases. We then constructed and validated a prognostic model based on metastasis and basement membrane-related genes (MBRGs) using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Five immune-related algorithms (CIBERSORT, QUANTISEQ, MCP counter, ssGSEA, and TIMER) were then utilized to examine the immune landscape and activity across high- and low-risk groups. We also analyzed Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) values, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) scores, mutation frequency, and immune checkpoint gene expression to evaluate immune treatment sensitivity. We analyzed integrin subunit alpha 3 (ITGA3) expression in HCC by performing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis using the TISCH 2.0 database. Lastly, wound healing and transwell assays were conducted to elucidate the role of ITGA3 in tumor metastasis. RESULTS Patients with HCC were categorized into high- and low-risk groups based on the median values, with higher risk scores indicating worse overall survival. Five immune-related algorithms revealed that the abundance of immune cells, particularly T cells, was greater in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. The high-risk group also exhibited a higher TMB value, mutation frequency, and immune checkpoint gene expression and a lower tumor TIDE score, suggesting the potential for better immunotherapy outcomes. Additionally, scRNA-seq analysis revealed higher ITGA3 expression in tumor cells compared with normal hepatocytes. Wound healing scratch and transwell cell migration assays revealed that overexpression of the MBRG ITGA3 enhanced migration of HCC HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION This study established a direct molecular correlation between metastasis and BM, encompassing clinical features, tumor microenvironment, and immune response, thereby offering valuable insights for predicting clinical outcomes and immunotherapy responses in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijia Wei
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Jingyi Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Xueshan Huang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Kai Zhuang
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, 523808, China
| | - Weijian Qiu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Mei Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Xiaoxia Ye
- School of Basic Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China
| | - Minhua Wu
- School of Basic Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524000, China.
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Wei M, Wang X, Mo Y, Kong C, Zhang M, Qiu G, Tang Z, Chen J, Wu F. Combined Effects of Anti-PD-L1 and Nanosonodynamic Therapy on HCC Immune Activation in Mice: An Investigation. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:7215-7236. [PMID: 39050875 PMCID: PMC11268760 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s427144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Current therapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), exhibit limited efficacy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nanoparticles, particularly those that can accumulate specifically within tumors and be activated by sonodynamic therapy (SDT), can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD); however, ICD alone has not achieved satisfactory therapeutic effectiveness. This study investigates whether combining ICB with ICD induced by nanoparticle-mediated SDT could enhance anti-tumor immunity and inhibit HCC growth. Methods We developed an iron-based micelle nanodelivery system encapsulating the Near-Infrared Dye IR-780, which was surface-modified with a cyclic tripeptide composed of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD). This led to the synthesis of targeted IR780@FOM-cRGD nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were specifically engineered to kill tumor cells under sonication, activate immunogenic cell death (ICD), and be used in conjunction with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results The synthesized IR780@FOM-cRGD nanoparticles had an average diameter of 28.23±1.750 nm and a Zeta potential of -23.95±1.926. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that IR780@FOM-cRGD could target HCC cells while minimizing toxicity to healthy cells. Upon sonodynamic activation, these nanoparticles consumed significant amounts of oxygen and generated substantial reactive oxygen species (ROS), effectively killing tumor cells and inhibiting the proliferation, invasion, and migration of H22 cells. Hemolysis assays confirmed the in vivo safety of the nanoparticles, and in vivo fluorescence imaging revealed significant accumulation in tumor tissues. Mouse model experiments showed that combining ICB(which induced by Anti-PD-L1) with ICD (which induced by IR780@FOM-cRGD), could effectively activated anti-tumor immunity and suppressed tumor growth. Discussion This study highlights the potential of IR780@FOM-cRGD nanoparticles to facilitate tumor eradication and immune activation when used in conjunction with Anti-PD-L1 therapy. This combination represents a non-invasive, efficient, and targeted approach for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By integrating sonodynamic therapy with immunotherapy, this strategy promises to substantially improve the effectiveness of traditional treatments in combating HCC, offering new avenues for clinical application and therapeutic innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wei
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunhai Mo
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cunqing Kong
- Medical Imaging Center, Affiliated Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Hubei, 442000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guanhua Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihong Tang
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feixiang Wu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Ministry of Education/Guangxi Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
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Jacob R, Gorek LS. Intracellular galectin interactions in health and disease. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 46:4. [PMID: 38990375 PMCID: PMC11239732 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-024-01010-z] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
In the galectin family, a group of lectins is united by their evolutionarily conserved carbohydrate recognition domains. These polypeptides play a role in various cellular processes and are implicated in disease mechanisms such as cancer, fibrosis, infection, and inflammation. Following synthesis in the cytosol, manifold interactions of galectins have been described both extracellularly and intracellularly. Extracellular galectins frequently engage with glycoproteins or glycolipids in a carbohydrate-dependent manner. Intracellularly, galectins bind to non-glycosylated proteins situated in distinct cellular compartments, each with multiple cellular functions. This diversity complicates attempts to form a comprehensive understanding of the role of galectin molecules within the cell. This review enumerates intracellular galectin interaction partners and outlines their involvement in cellular processes. The intricate connections between galectin functions and pathomechanisms are illustrated through discussions of intracellular galectin assemblies in immune and cancer cells. This underscores the imperative need to fully comprehend the interplay of galectins with the cellular machinery and to devise therapeutic strategies aimed at counteracting the establishment of galectin-based disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Jacob
- Department of Cell Biology and Cell Pathology, Philipps University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 14, D-35043, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Lena-Sophie Gorek
- Department of Cell Biology and Cell Pathology, Philipps University of Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 14, D-35043, Marburg, Germany
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Su X, Li Y, Ren Y, Cao M, Yang G, Luo J, Hu Z, Deng H, Deng M, Liu B, Yao Z. A new strategy for overcoming drug resistance in liver cancer: Epigenetic regulation. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116902. [PMID: 38870626 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116902] [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: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma has posed significant obstacles to effective treatment. Recent evidence indicates that, in addition to traditional gene mutations, epigenetic recoding plays a crucial role in HCC drug resistance. Unlike irreversible gene mutations, epigenetic changes are reversible, offering a promising avenue for preventing and overcoming drug resistance in liver cancer. This review focuses on various epigenetic modifications relevant to drug resistance in HCC and their underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we introduce current clinical epigenetic drugs and clinical trials of these drugs as regulators of drug resistance in other solid tumors. Although there is no clinical study to prevent the occurrence of drug resistance in liver cancer, the development of liquid biopsy and other technologies has provided a bridge to achieve this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorui Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Yupeng Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Mingbo Cao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Gaoyuan Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Ziyi Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Haixia Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Meihai Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Zhicheng Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic-Splenic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
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8
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Lin L, Yu H, Xie X, Lei Q, Chen X, Su X, Wang X, Zhang S, Yang W. Leveraging FAM features to predict the prognosis of LGG patients and immunotherapy outcome. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:2731-2754. [PMID: 39005680 PMCID: PMC11236777 DOI: 10.62347/gigo3446] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity at biological and transcriptomic levels poses a challenge in defining and typing low-grade glioma (LGG), leading to a critical need for specific molecular signatures to enhance diagnosis, therapy, and prognostic evaluation of LGG. This study focused on fatty acid metabolism (FAM) related genes and prognostic features to investigate the mechanisms and treatment strategies for LGG cell metastasis and invasion. By screening 158 FAM-related genes and clustering 512 LGG samples into two subtypes (C1 and C2), differential gene expression analysis and functional enrichment were performed. The immune cell scores and prognosis were compared between the two subtypes, with C1 showing poorer outcomes and higher immune scores. A four-gene signature (PHEX, SHANK2, HOPX, and LGALS1) was identified and validated across different datasets, demonstrating a stable predictive effect. Cellular experiments confirmed the roles of LGALS1 and HOPX in promoting tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while SHANK2 exhibited a suppressive effect. This four-gene signature based on FAM-related genes offers valuable insights for understanding the pathogenesis and clinical management of LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangbin Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery and Urology, Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
- Obesity and Metabolism Medicine-Engineering Integration Laboratory, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University Chengdu 610031, The People's Republic of China
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University Chengdu 610031, The People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Neurosurgery and Urology, Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
| | - Xuelu Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China School of Public Health and West China Forth Hospital, Sichuan University Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
| | - Qingqiang Lei
- Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University Chongqing 400000, The People's Republic of China
| | - Xuerui Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery and Urology, Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Su
- Department of Neurosurgery and Urology, Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University Chengdu 610031, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuxuan Wang
- Department of Research and Development, Beijing DCTY Biotech Co., Ltd. Beijing 102200, The People's Republic of China
| | - Sunfu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Urology, Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
| | - Wenyong Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery and Urology, Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Second Chengdu Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, The People's Republic of China
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9
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Fan C, Xiong F, Zhang S, Gong Z, Liao Q, Li G, Guo C, Xiong W, Huang H, Zeng Z. Role of adhesion molecules in cancer and targeted therapy. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:940-957. [PMID: 38212458 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2417-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Adhesion molecules mediate cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions and transmit mechanical and chemical signals among them. Various mechanisms deregulate adhesion molecules in cancer, enabling tumor cells to proliferate without restraint, invade through tissue boundaries, escape from immune surveillance, and survive in the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have revealed that adhesion molecules also drive angiogenesis, reshape metabolism, and are involved in stem cell self-renewal. In this review, we summarize the functions and mechanisms of adhesion molecules in cancer and the tumor microenvironment, as well as the therapeutic strategies targeting adhesion molecules. These studies have implications for furthering our understanding of adhesion molecules in cancer and providing a paradigm for exploring novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Fan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Fang Xiong
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Zhaojian Gong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Qianjin Liao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Can Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China.
| | - Zhaoyang Zeng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China.
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10
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Saadh MJ, Mahdi MS, Allela OQB, Alazzawi TS, Ubaid M, Rakhimov NM, Athab ZH, Ramaiah P, Chinnasamy L, Alsaikhan F, Farhood B. Critical role of miR-21/exosomal miR-21 in autophagy pathway. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 257:155275. [PMID: 38643552 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155275] [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] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Activation of autophagy, a process of cellular stress response, leads to the breakdown of proteins, organelles, and other parts of the cell in lysosomes, and can be linked to several ailments, such as cancer, neurological diseases, and rare hereditary syndromes. Thus, its regulation is very carefully monitored. Transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms domestically or in whole organisms utilized to control the autophagic activity, have been heavily researched. In modern times, microRNAs (miRNAs) are being considered to have a part in post-translational orchestration of the autophagic activity, with miR-21 as one of the best studied miRNAs, it is often more than expressed in cancer cells. This regulatory RNA is thought to play a major role in a plethora of processes and illnesses including growth, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation. Different studies have suggested that a few autophagy-oriented genes, such as PTEN, Rab11a, Atg12, SIPA1L2, and ATG5, are all targeted by miR-21, indicating its essential role in the regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed J Saadh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman 11831, Jordan
| | | | | | - Tuqa S Alazzawi
- College of dentist, National University of Science and Technology, Dhi Qar, Iraq
| | | | - Nodir M Rakhimov
- Department of Oncology, Samarkand State Medical University, 18 Amir Temur Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan; Department of Oncology, Tashkent State Dental Institute, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Zainab H Athab
- Department of Pharmacy, Al-Zahrawi University College, Karbala, Iraq
| | | | | | - Fahad Alsaikhan
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia jSchool of Pharmacy, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bagher Farhood
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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11
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Wang M, Zhang H, Lu Z, Su W, Tan Y, Wang J, Jia X. PSAT1 mediated EMT of colorectal cancer cells by regulating Pl3K/AKT signaling pathway. J Cancer 2024; 15:3183-3198. [PMID: 38706897 PMCID: PMC11064270 DOI: 10.7150/jca.93789] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the significant barriers impeding its treated consequence and bring about high mortality, less surgical resection rate and poor prognosis of CRC patients. PSAT1 is an enzyme involved in serine biosynthesis. The studies showed that PSAT1 plays the part of a crucial character in the regulation of tumor metastasis. And Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is a process of cell reprogramming in which epithelialcells obtain mesenchymal phenotypes. It is a crucial course in promoting cell metastasis and the progression of malignant tumors. The relationship between PSAT1 and EMT in colorectal cancer, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms, remains enigmatic and warrants thorough exploration. These findings suggest that PSAT1 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for mitigating colorectal cancer metastasis and holds the potential to emerge as a valuable prognostic biomarker in forthcoming research endeavors. Materials and Methods: Utilizing TCGA dataset in conjunction with clinical CRC specimens, our initial focus was directed towards an in-depth examination of PSAT1 expression within CRC, specifically exploring its potential correlation with the adverse prognostic outcomes experienced by patients. Furthermore, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the regulatory influence exerted by PSAT1 on CRC through the utilization of siRNA knockdown techniques. In the realm of in vitro experimentation, we meticulously evaluated the impact of PSAT1 on various facets of CRC progression, including cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and colony formation. In order to elucidate the intricate effects in question, we adopted a multifaceted methodology that encompassed a range of assays and analyses. These included wound healing assays, transwell assays, utilization of the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and colony formation assays. By employing this diverse array of investigative techniques, we were able to achieve a comprehensive comprehension of the multifaceted role that PSAT1 plays in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. This multifarious analysis greatly contributed to our in-depth understanding of the complex mechanisms at play in colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Using WB and PCR experiments, we found that PSAT1 has a role in regulating EMT development in CRC.In terms of mechanism, we found that PSAT1 affected EMT by Regulating Pl3K/AKT Signaling Pathway. Results: Our investigation revealed a noteworthy down-regulation of PSAT1 expression in CRC specimens. Importantly, this down-regulation exhibited a significant positive correlation with the unfavorable prognosis of patients afflicted with CRC. Functionally, our study showcased that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of PSAT1 markedly enhanced various key aspects of CRC pathogenesis in an in vitro setting. Specifically, this included a substantial promotion of CRC cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and colony formation. Moreover, the silencing of PSAT1 also demonstrated a substantial promotion of the EMT process. Intriguingly, our research unveiled a hitherto unexplored mechanism underlying the regulatory role of PSAT1 in CRC and EMT. We have established, for the first time, that PSAT1 exerts its influence by modulating the activation of the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway. This mechanistic insight provides a valuable contribution to the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of CRC progression and EMT induction mediated by PSAT1. Conclusions: In unison, our research findings shed light on the previously uncharted and significant role of the PSAT1/PI3K/AKT axis in the initiation of the EMT process in CRC. Furthermore, our discoveries introduce a novel biomarker with potential implications for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230012 Hefei, Anhui, China
- The Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Pancreas, Southern District, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affliated Hosnital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 230022 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Houshun Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affliated Hosnital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, 230002 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhiyuan Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230012 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wenrui Su
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230012 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yanan Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230012 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230012 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoyi Jia
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230012 Hefei, Anhui, China
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12
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Perez-Moreno E, Oyanadel C, de la Peña A, Hernández R, Pérez-Molina F, Metz C, González A, Soza A. Galectins in epithelial-mesenchymal transition: roles and mechanisms contributing to tissue repair, fibrosis and cancer metastasis. Biol Res 2024; 57:14. [PMID: 38570874 PMCID: PMC10993482 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00490-5] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Galectins are soluble glycan-binding proteins that interact with a wide range of glycoproteins and glycolipids and modulate a broad spectrum of physiological and pathological processes. The expression and subcellular localization of different galectins vary among tissues and cell types and change during processes of tissue repair, fibrosis and cancer where epithelial cells loss differentiation while acquiring migratory mesenchymal phenotypes. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that occurs in the context of these processes can include modifications of glycosylation patterns of glycolipids and glycoproteins affecting their interactions with galectins. Moreover, overexpression of certain galectins has been involved in the development and different outcomes of EMT. This review focuses on the roles and mechanisms of Galectin-1 (Gal-1), Gal-3, Gal-4, Gal-7 and Gal-8, which have been involved in physiologic and pathogenic EMT contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Perez-Moreno
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia (CCTE) Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Oyanadel
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Químicas, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adely de la Peña
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia (CCTE) Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ronny Hernández
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca Pérez-Molina
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Metz
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alfonso González
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile.
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia (CCTE) Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Andrea Soza
- Centro de Biología Celular y Biomedicina (CEBICEM), Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile.
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia (CCTE) Ciencia y Vida, Santiago, Chile.
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13
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Xie A, Wang J, Liu Y, Li G, Yang N. Impacts of β-1, 3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases (B3GNTs) in human diseases. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:476. [PMID: 38553573 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09405-9] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Glycosylation modification of proteins is a common post-translational modification that exists in various organisms and has rich biological functions. It is usually catalyzed by multiple glycosyltransferases located in the Golgi apparatus. β-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases (B3GNTs) are members of the glycosyltransferases and have been found to be involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases including autoimmunity diseases, cancers, neurodevelopment, musculoskeletal system, and metabolic diseases. The functions of B3GNTs represent the glycosylation of proteins is a crucial and frequently life-threatening step in progression of most diseases. In this review, we give an overview about the roles of B3GNTs in tumor, nervous system, musculoskeletal and metabolic diseases, describing the recent results about B3GNTs, in order to provide a research direction and exploration value for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Xie
- The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yi Liu
- The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Guoqing Li
- The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Nanyang Yang
- The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China.
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14
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Rodriguez E, Lindijer DV, van Vliet SJ, Garcia Vallejo JJ, van Kooyk Y. The transcriptional landscape of glycosylation-related genes in cancer. iScience 2024; 27:109037. [PMID: 38384845 PMCID: PMC10879703 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109037] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Changes in glycosylation patterns have been associated with malignant transformation and clinical outcomes in several cancer types, prompting ongoing research into the mechanisms involved and potential clinical applications. In this study, we performed an extensive transcriptomic analysis of glycosylation-related genes and pathways, using publicly available bulk and single cell transcriptomic datasets from tumor samples and cancer cell lines. We identified genes and pathways strongly associated with different tumor types, which may represent novel diagnostic biomarkers. By using single cell RNA-seq data, we characterized the contribution of different cell types to the overall tumor glycosylation. Transcriptomic analysis of cancer cell lines revealed that they present a simplified landscape of genes compared to tissue. Lastly, we describe the association of different genes and pathways with the clinical outcome of patients. These results can serve as a resource for future research aimed to unravel the role of the glyco-code in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Rodriguez
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dimitri V. Lindijer
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra J. van Vliet
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Juan J. Garcia Vallejo
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yvette van Kooyk
- Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cancer Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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15
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Chen F, Gong M, Weng D, Jin Z, Han G, Yang Z, Han J, Wang J. Phellinus linteus activates Treg cells via FAK to promote M2 macrophage polarization in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:18. [PMID: 38240856 PMCID: PMC10799134 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03592-3] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Within HCC's tumor microenvironment, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a critical role. Regulatory T cells (Treg) modulate the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages , but the relationship between FAK, Treg cells, and macrophages remains underexplored. Phellinus linteus (PL) shows promise as a treatment for HCC due to its pharmacological effects. This study aimed to explore the relationship between FAK and Treg-macrophages and to assess whether PL could exert a protective effect through the FAK process in HCC. Initially, C57BL/6-FAK-/- tumor-bearing mice were utilized to demonstrate that FAK stimulates HCC tumor development. High dosages (200 μM) of FAK and the FAK activator ZINC40099027 led to an increase in Treg (CD4+CD25+) cells, a decrease in M1 macrophages (F4/80+CD16/32+, IL-12, IL-2, iNOS), and an increase in M2 macrophages (F4/80+CD206+, IL-4, IL-10, Arg1, TGF-β1). Additionally, FAK was found to encourage cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition while inhibiting apoptosis in HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells. These effects were mediated by the PI3K/AKT1/Janus Kinase (JAK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)/Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. Furthermore, PL exhibited a potent antitumor effect in vivo in a dose-dependent manner, reducing FAK, Treg cells, and M2 macrophages, while increasing M1 macrophages. This effect was achieved through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/JAK/STAT3, and p38/JNK pathways. Overall, our findings suggest that FAK promotes HCC via Treg cells that polarize macrophages toward the M2 type through specific signaling pathways. PL, acting through FAK, could be a protective therapy against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feihua Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mouchun Gong
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dengcheng Weng
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhaoqing Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guofeng Han
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ziqiang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junjun Han
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianjiang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Hangzhou Medical College Affiliated Lin'an People's Hospital, No. 548 Yijin Road, Jincheng Street, Hangzhou, 311300, Zhejiang, China.
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16
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Ogana HA, Hurwitz S, Wei N, Lee E, Morris K, Parikh K, Kim YM. Targeting integrins in drug-resistant acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:295-316. [PMID: 37258706 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) continues to have a poor prognosis, warranting new therapeutic strategies. The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment consists of niches that interact with not only normal haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) but also leukaemia cells like AML. There are many adhesion molecules in the BM microenvironment; therein, integrins have been of central interest. AML cells express integrins that bind to ligands in the microenvironment, enabling adhesion of leukaemia cells in the microenvironment, thereby initiating intracellular signalling pathways that are associated with cell migration, cell proliferation, survival, and drug resistance that has been described to mediate cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Identifying and targeting integrins in AML to interrupt interactions with the microenvironment have been pursued as a strategy to overcome CAM-DR. Here, we focus on the BM microenvironment and review the role of integrins in CAM-DR of AML and discuss integrin-targeting strategies. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Cancer Microenvironment and Pharmacological Interventions. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.2/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather A Ogana
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Samantha Hurwitz
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Nathan Wei
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eliana Lee
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Kayla Morris
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Karina Parikh
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yong-Mi Kim
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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17
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Setayesh T, Hu Y, Vaziri F, Chen X, Lai J, Wei D, Yvonne Wan YJ. Targeting stroma and tumor, silencing galectin 1 treats orthotopic mouse hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:292-303. [PMID: 38261802 PMCID: PMC10793093 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examines inhibiting galectin 1 (Gal1) as a treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Gal1 has immunosuppressive and cancer-promoting roles. Our data showed that Gal1 was highly expressed in human and mouse HCC. The levels of Gal1 positively correlated with the stages of human HCC and negatively with survival. The roles of Gal1 in HCC were studied using overexpression (OE) or silencing using Igals1 siRNA delivered by AAV9. Prior to HCC initiation induced by RAS and AKT mutations, lgals1-OE and silencing had opposite impacts on tumor load. The treatment effect of lgals1 siRNA was further demonstrated by intersecting HCC at different time points when the tumor load had already reached 9% or even 42% of the body weight. Comparing spatial transcriptomic profiles of Gal1 silenced and OE HCC, inhibiting matrix formation and recognition of foreign antigen in CD45+ cell-enriched areas located at tumor-margin likely contributed to the anti-HCC effects of Gal1 silencing. Within the tumors, silencing Gal1 inhibited translational initiation, elongation, and termination. Furthermore, Gal1 silencing increased immune cells as well as expanded cytotoxic T cells within the tumor, and the anti-HCC effect of lgals1 siRNA was CD8-dependent. Overall, Gal1 silencing has a promising potential for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Setayesh
- Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Ying Hu
- Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Farzam Vaziri
- Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Cancer Biology Program, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Jinping Lai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95825, USA
| | - Dongguang Wei
- Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Yu-Jui Yvonne Wan
- Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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18
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Chen H, Ma L, Yang W, Li Y, Ji Z. POLR3G promotes EMT via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in bladder cancer. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23260. [PMID: 37933949 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301095r] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
RNA Polymerase III Subunit G (POLR3G) promotes tumorigenesis, metastasis, cancer stemness, and chemoresistance of breast cancer and lung cancer; however, its biological function in bladder cancer (BLCA) remains unclear. Through bioinformatic analyses, we found that POLR3G expression was significantly elevated in BLCA tumor tissues and was associated with decreased survival. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that POLR3G could serve as an independent prognostic risk factor. Our functional investigations revealed that POLR3G deficiency resulted in reduced migration and invasion of BLCA cells both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the expressions of EMT-related mesenchymal markers were also downregulated in POLR3G knockdown cells. Mechanistically, we showed that POLR3G could activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Inhibition of this pathway with LY294002 reduced the enhanced migration and invasion of BLCA cells induced by POLR3G overexpression, whereas the activation of this pathway using 740Y-P restored the abilities that were inhibited by POLR3G knockdown. Taken together, our findings suggested that POLR3G is a prognostic predictor for BLCA and promotes EMT of BLCA through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualin Chen
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjie Yang
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Li
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Ji
- Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Matera I, Miglionico R, Abruzzese V, Marchese G, Ventola GM, Castiglione Morelli MA, Bisaccia F, Ostuni A. A Regulator Role for the ATP-Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 6 Transporter in HepG2 Cells: Effect on the Dynamics of Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16391. [PMID: 38003580 PMCID: PMC10670978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216391] [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: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that various ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters contribute to the growth and development of tumors, but relatively little is known about how the ABC transporter family behaves in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common cancers worldwide. Cellular model studies have shown that ABCC6, which belongs to the ABC subfamily C (ABCC), plays a role in the cytoskeleton rearrangement and migration of HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells, thus highlighting its role in cancer biology. Deep knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed results could provide therapeutic insights into the tumors in which ABCC6 is modulated. In this study, differential expression levels of mRNA transcripts between ABCC6-silenced HepG2 and control groups were measured, and subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Real-Time PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed bioinformatics; functional studies support the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed effects. The results provide valuable information on the dysregulation of fundamental cellular processes, such as the focal adhesion pathway, which allowed us to obtain detailed information on the active role that the down-regulation of ABCC6 could play in the biology of liver tumors, as it is involved not only in cell migration but also in cell adhesion and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilenia Matera
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Rocchina Miglionico
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Vittorio Abruzzese
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Giovanna Marchese
- Genomix4Life Srl, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (G.M.); (G.M.V.)
- Genome Research Center for Health—CRGS, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
| | | | | | - Faustino Bisaccia
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
| | - Angela Ostuni
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (I.M.); (R.M.); (V.A.); (M.A.C.M.)
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20
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Hodgson K, Orozco-Moreno M, Scott E, Garnham R, Livermore K, Thomas H, Zhou Y, He J, Bermudez A, Garcia Marques FJ, Bastian K, Hysenaj G, Archer Goode E, Heer R, Pitteri S, Wang N, Elliott DJ, Munkley J. The role of GCNT1 mediated O-glycosylation in aggressive prostate cancer. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17031. [PMID: 37813880 PMCID: PMC10562493 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43019-8] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and a major cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Nearly all affected men develop resistance to current therapies and there is an urgent need to develop new treatments for advanced disease. Aberrant glycosylation is a common feature of cancer cells implicated in all of the hallmarks of cancer. A major driver of aberrant glycosylation in cancer is the altered expression of glycosylation enzymes. Here, we show that GCNT1, an enzyme that plays an essential role in the formation of core 2 branched O-glycans and is crucial to the final definition of O-glycan structure, is upregulated in aggressive prostate cancer. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we show GCNT1 promotes the growth of prostate tumours and can modify the glycome of prostate cancer cells, including upregulation of core 2 O-glycans and modifying the O-glycosylation of secreted glycoproteins. Furthermore, using RNA sequencing, we find upregulation of GCNT1 in prostate cancer cells can alter oncogenic gene expression pathways important in tumour growth and metastasis. Our study highlights the important role of aberrant O-glycosylation in prostate cancer progression and provides novel insights regarding the mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Hodgson
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Margarita Orozco-Moreno
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Emma Scott
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Rebecca Garnham
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Karen Livermore
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Huw Thomas
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Yuhan Zhou
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jiepei He
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Abel Bermudez
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Fernando Jose Garcia Marques
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Kayla Bastian
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Gerald Hysenaj
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Emily Archer Goode
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Rakesh Heer
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Paul O'Gorman Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
- Department of Urology, Freeman Hospital, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK
| | - Sharon Pitteri
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - David J Elliott
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Jennifer Munkley
- Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle University Institute of Biosciences, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ, UK.
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21
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Breitenecker K, Hedrich V, Pupp F, Chen D, Řezníčková E, Ortmayr G, Huber H, Weber G, Balcar L, Pinter M, Mikulits W. Synergism of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl with ErbB receptors mediates resistance to regorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1238883. [PMID: 37746265 PMCID: PMC10514905 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1238883] [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: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients at advanced stages receive immunotherapy or treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as Sorafenib (Sora) or Lenvatinib in frontline as well as Regorafenib (Rego) or Cabozantinib in second-line. A major hindrance of TKI therapies is the development of resistance, which renders drug treatment futile and results in HCC progression. Methods In this study, we addressed the impact of the receptor tyrosine kinase Axl binding to its ligand Gas6 in acquiring refractoriness to TKIs. The initial responses of Axl-positive and Axl-negative cell lines to different TKIs were assessed. Upon inducing resistance, RNA-Seq, gain- and loss-of-function studies were applied to understand and intervene with the molecular basis of refractoriness. Secretome analysis was performed to identify potential biomarkers of resistance. Results We show that HCC cells exhibiting a mesenchymal-like phenotype were less sensitive to drug treatment, linking TKI resistance to changes in epithelial plasticity. Gas6/Axl expression and activation were upregulated in Rego-resistant HCC cells together with the induction of ErbB receptors, whereas HCC cells lacking Axl failed to stimulate ErbBs. Treatment of Rego-insensitive HCC cells with the pan-ErbB family inhibitor Afatinib rather than with Erlotinib blocking ErbB1 reduced cell viability and clonogenicity. Genetic intervention with ErbB2-4 but not ErbB1 confirmed their crucial involvement in refractoriness to Rego. Furthermore, Rego-resistant HCC cells secreted basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) depending on Axl expression. HCC patients treated with Sora in first-line and with Rego in second-line displayed elevated serum levels of bFGF, emphasizing bFGF as a predictive biomarker of TKI treatment. Discussion Together, these data suggest that the inhibition of ErbBs is synthetic lethal with Rego in Axl-expressing HCC cells, showing a novel vulnerability of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Breitenecker
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viola Hedrich
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franziska Pupp
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Chen
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Labs Vienna, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Řezníčková
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Gregor Ortmayr
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidemarie Huber
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard Weber
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Center for Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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22
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Cong Y, Zhang SY, Tang PYZ, Li HM, Liu X, Zhao W, Tang YJ. Conjugating 4β-NH-(5-Aminoindazole)-podophyllotoxin and Galectin-1-Targeted Aptamer for Synergistic Chemo-Immunotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203144. [PMID: 37141264 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203144] [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: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
By conjugating a chemotherapeutic candidate drug 4β-NH-(5-aminoindazole)-podophyllotoxin (βIZP) and an immunosuppressive protein galectin-1 targeted aptamer AP74, a chemo-immunotherapy molecule (AP74-βIZP) is developed against liver cancer. AP74-βIZP can target galectin-1 and enrich the tumor microenvironment to improve the tumor inhibition ratio by 6.3%, higher than that of βIZP in a HepG2 xenograft model. In safety evaluation, βIZP cannot be released from AP74-βIZP in normal tissues with low glutathione level. Therefore, the degrees of organs injury and myelosuppression after the treatment with AP74-βIZP are lower than those with βIZP. After 21 d treatment at a drug dose of 5 mg kg-1 , AP74-βIZP does not cause weight loss in mice, while the weight is significantly reduced by 24% and 14% from oxaliplatin and βIZP, respectively. In immune synergy, AP74-IZP enhances CD4/CD8 cell infiltration to promote the expression of cell factor (i.e., IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), which further improves the antitumor activity. The tumor inhibition ratio of AP74-βIZP is 70.2%, which is higher than that of AP74 (35.2%) and βIZP (48.8%). Because of the dual effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, AP74-βIZP exhibits superior activity and lower toxicity. The approach developed in this work could be applicable to other chemotherapy drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Shu-Yue Zhang
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Food Nutrition/Safety and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | | | - Hong-Mei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Jinan Food and Drug Inspection and Testing Center, Jinan, 250101, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Ya-Jie Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
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23
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Su C, Yang JC, Rong Z, Li F, Luo LX, Liu G, Cheng CY, Zhao MG, Yang L. Identification of CCDC115 as an adverse prognostic biomarker in liver cancer based on bioinformatics and experimental analyses. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19233. [PMID: 37674842 PMCID: PMC10477456 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19233] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is a major malignant tumor of the digestive system with a high incidence rate and poor early diagnosis. Coiled-coil domain-containing protein 115 (CCDC115), an accessory component of vacuolar-ATPase with dramatically abnormal expression, is associated with survival outcomes of cancer patients. However, the role of CCDC115 in LIHC remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the functional role of CCDC115 in LIHC by examining CCDC115 expression, and its influence on LIHC prognosis. Through extensive statistical analyses, using LIHC patient databases, we observed that CCDC115 expression significantly increased in tumor tissues of LIHC patients. In addition, CCDC115 expression correlated with the poor prognosis. Additionally, CCDC115 was found to be involved in several cancer-related pathways, specifically the PI3K-Akt pathway. The expression of CCDC115 was positively correlated with human leukocyte antigen molecules as well as with immune checkpoint molecules in LIHC patients. We performed in vitro experiments and confirmed that the expression of CCDC115 significantly affects the proliferation potential, metastasis and sorafenib resistance of liver cancer cells, as well as some key protein expression in PI3K-Akt pathway. These results indicate that CCDC115 could serve as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of LIHC, and targeting CCDC115 may provide a potential strategy to enhance the efficacy of liver cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Su
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Corps, Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing-cheng Yang
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zheng Rong
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fei Li
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lan-xin Luo
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Cai-yan Cheng
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ming-gao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Le Yang
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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24
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Li HZ, Liu QQ, Chang DH, Li SX, Yang LT, Zhou P, Deng JB, Huang CH, Xiao YD. Identification of NOX4 as a New Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its Effect on Sorafenib Therapy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2196. [PMID: 37626693 PMCID: PMC10452076 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082196] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
To improve the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), new biomarkers and therapeutic targets are urgently needed. In this study, the GEO and TCGA dataset were used to explore the differential co-expressed genes and their prognostic correlation between HCC and normal samples. The mRNA levels of these genes were validated by qRT-PCR in 20 paired fresh HCC samples. The results demonstrated that the eight-gene model was effective in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients in the validation cohorts. Based on qRT-PCR results, NOX4 was selected to further explore biological functions within the model and 150 cases of paraffin-embedded HCC tissues were scored for NOX4 immunohistochemical staining. We found that the NOX4 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC and was associated with poor survival. In terms of function, the knockdown of NOX4 markedly inhibited the progression of HCC in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistic studies suggested that NOX4 promotes HCC progression through the activation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In addition, the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib treatment was obviously decreased after NOX4 overexpression. Taken together, this study reveals NOX4 as a potential therapeutic target for HCC and a biomarker for predicting the sorafenib treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Zhou Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China (S.-X.L.)
| | - Qing-Qing Liu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - De-Hua Chang
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Shu-Xian Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China (S.-X.L.)
| | - Long-Tao Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China (S.-X.L.)
| | - Peng Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Jiang-Bei Deng
- Department of Intervention, Changsha Central Hospital, University of South Chian, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Chang-Hao Huang
- The Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Tumor, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Yu-Dong Xiao
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China (S.-X.L.)
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Li X, Wang H, Jia A, Cao Y, Yang L, Jia Z. LGALS1 regulates cell adhesion to promote the progression of ovarian cancer. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:326. [PMID: 37415637 PMCID: PMC10320426 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the significance and molecular mechanisms of galectin-1 (LGALS1) in ovarian cancer (OC). Using the Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Cancer Genome Atlas database, the results of the present study demonstrated that LGALS1 mRNA expression was markedly increased in OC and associated with advanced tumor, lymphatic metastasis and residual lesions. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients who expressed LGALS1 highly had a poor prognosis. Furthermore, using The Cancer Genome Atlas database, differentially expressed genes that are potentially regulated by LGALS1 in OC were determined. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were used to build a biological network of upregulated differentially expressed genes. The results of the enrichment analysis revealed that the upregulated differentially expressed genes were primarily associated with 'ECM-receptor interaction', 'cell-matrix adhesion' and 'focal adhesion', which are closely associated with the metastasis of cancer cells. Subsequently, cell adhesion was selected for further analysis. The results demonstrated that LGALS1 was co-expressed with the candidate genes. Subsequently, the elevated expression levels of candidate genes were verified in OC tissues, and survival analysis indicated that high expression of candidate genes was associated with shortened overall survival of patients with OC. In the present study, OC samples were also collected to verify the high protein expression levels of LGALS1 and fibronectin 1. The results of the present study highlighted that LGALS1 may regulate cell adhesion and participate in the development of OC. Therefore, LGALS1 exhibits potential as a therapeutic target in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejian Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
| | - Huifei Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Jinan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250000, P.R. China
| | - Aran Jia
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
| | - Zanhui Jia
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130041, P.R. China
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Hsu TW, Su YH, Chen HA, Liao PH, Shen SC, Tsai KY, Wang TH, Chen A, Huang CY, Shibu MA, Wang WY, Shen SC. Galectin-1-mediated MET/AXL signaling enhances sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma by escaping ferroptosis. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:6503-6525. [PMID: 37433225 PMCID: PMC10373977 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Sorafenib, a small-molecule inhibitor targeting several tyrosine kinase pathways, is the standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, not all patients with HCC respond well to sorafenib, and 30% of patients develop resistance to sorafenib after short-term treatment. Galectin-1 modulates cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions and plays a crucial role in HCC progression. However, whether Galectin-1 regulates receptor tyrosine kinases by sensitizing HCC to sorafenib remains unclear. Herein, we established a sorafenib-resistant HCC cell line (Huh-7/SR) and determined that Galectin-1 expression was significantly higher in Huh-7/SR cells than in parent cells. Galectin-1 knockdown reduced sorafenib resistance in Huh-7/SR cells, whereas Galectin-1 overexpression in Huh-7 cells increased sorafenib resistance. Galectin-1 regulated ferroptosis by inhibiting excessive lipid peroxidation, protecting sorafenib-resistant HCC cells from sorafenib-mediated ferroptosis. Galectin-1 expression was positively correlated with poor prognostic outcomes for HCC patients. Galectin-1 overexpression promoted the phosphorylation of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL) and MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) signaling, which increased sorafenib resistance. MET and AXL were highly expressed in patients with HCC, and AXL expression was positively correlated with Galectin-1 expression. These findings indicate that Galectin-1 regulates sorafenib resistance in HCC cells through AXL and MET signaling. Consequently, Galectin-1 is a promising therapeutic target for reducing sorafenib resistance and sorafenib-mediated ferroptosis in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Wei Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hao Su
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Digestive Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Chen
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Digestive Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hsiang Liao
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Shih Chiang Shen
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- TMU Research Center for Digestive Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Metabolic and Weight Management Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Kuei-Yen Tsai
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hsuan Wang
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Alvin Chen
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Huang
- Cardiovascular and Mitochondrial Related Disease Research Center, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Center of General Education, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien 97002, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | | | - Wan-Yu Wang
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
| | - Shing-Chuan Shen
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- International Master/PhD Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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Man J, Zhou W, Zuo S, Zhao X, Wang Q, Ma H, Li HY. TANGO1 interacts with NRTN to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 213:115615. [PMID: 37211171 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115615] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Transport and Golgi organization 1 (TANGO1) also known as MIA3, belongs to the melanoma inhibitory activity gene (MIA) family together with MIA, MIA2 and OTOR; these members play different roles in different tumors, but the mechanism underlying TANGO1s effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Our study confirmed that TANGO1 is a promoter of HCC, In HCC cells, TANGO1 can promote proliferation, inhibit apoptosis, promote EMT. These changes were reversed after TANGO1 inhibition. We explored the molecular mechanism of TANGO1 and HCC and found that the promoting effect of TANGO1 on HCC related to neurturin (NRTN) and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway based on RNA-seq results. NRTN is not only related to neuronal growth, differentiation and maintenance but is also involved in a variety of tumorigenic processes, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway has been shown to be involved in HCC progression. We verified that TANGO1 interacts with NRTN in HCC cells using endogenous Co-IP and confocal localization, and both promote HCC progression by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Our results reveal the mechanism by which TANGO1 promotes HCC progression, suggesting that the TANGO1/NRTN axis may be a potential therapeutic target for HCC worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Man
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Wanbiao Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Shi Zuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Xueke Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Huaxing Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China
| | - Hai-Yang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, Peoples Republic of China.
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Alqurashi YE, Al-Hetty HRAK, Ramaiah P, Fazaa AH, Jalil AT, Alsaikhan F, Gupta J, Ramírez-Coronel AA, Tayyib NA, Peng H. Harnessing function of EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma: From biological view to nanotechnological standpoint. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 227:115683. [PMID: 36933639 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Management of cancer metastasis has been associated with remarkable reduction in progression of cancer cells and improving survival rate of patients. Since 90% of mortality are due to cancer metastasis, its suppression can improve ability in cancer fighting. The EMT has been an underlying cause in increasing cancer migration and it is followed by mesenchymal transformation of epithelial cells. HCC is the predominant kind of liver tumor threatening life of many people around the world with poor prognosis. Increasing patient prognosis can be obtained via inhibiting tumor metastasis. HCC metastasis modulation by EMT and HCC therapy by nanoparticles are discussed here. First of all, EMT happens during progression and advanced stages of HCC and therefore, its inhibition can reduce tumor malignancy. Moreover, anti-cancer compounds including all-trans retinoic acid and plumbaging, among others, have been considered as inhibitors of EMT. The EMT association with chemoresistance has been evaluated. Moreover, ZEB1/2, TGF-β, Snail and Twist are EMT modulators in HCC and enhancing cancer invasion. Therefore, EMT mechanism and related molecular mechanisms in HCC are evaluated. The treatment of HCC has not been only emphasized on targeting molecular pathways with pharmacological compounds and since drugs have low bioavailability, their targeted delivery by nanoparticles promotes HCC elimination. Moreover, nanoparticle-mediated phototherapy impairs tumorigenesis in HCC by triggering cell death. Metastasis of HCC and even EMT mechanism can be suppressed by cargo-loaded nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaser E Alqurashi
- Department of Biology, College of Science Al-zulfi, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | | | - Abduladheem Turki Jalil
- Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, Al-Mustaqbal University College, Babylon, Hilla, 51001, Iraq
| | - Fahad Alsaikhan
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jitendra Gupta
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, Pin Code 281406, U. P., India
| | - Andrés Alexis Ramírez-Coronel
- Azogues Campus Nursing Career, Health and Behavior Research Group (HBR), Psychometry and Ethology Laboratory, Catholic University of Cuenca, Ecuador; Epidemiology and Biostatistics Research Group, CES University, Colombia; Educational Statistics Research Group (GIEE), National University of Education, Ecuador
| | - Nahla A Tayyib
- Faculty of Nursing, Umm Al- Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hu Peng
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China.
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29
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Yang F, Li M, Xu D, Jiang Z, Jiang H, Xiao Y, Mei C, Yang M, Chen C, Zhou B, He B, Shan H, Pang P, Li D. Inhibition of JNK/c-Jun-ATF2 Overcomes Cisplatin Resistance in Liver Cancer through down-Regulating Galectin-1. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:2366-2381. [PMID: 37215991 PMCID: PMC10197891 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.79163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to drug resistance, the clinical response to cisplatin (CDDP) from patients with liver cancer is unsatisfactory. The alleviation or overcoming of CDDP resistance is an urgent problem to be solved in clinics. Tumor cells rapidly change signal pathways to mediate drug resistance under drug exposure. Here, multiple phosphor-kinase assays were performed and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was activated in liver cancer cells treated with CDDP. The high activity of the JNK promotes poor progression and mediates cisplatin resistance in liver cancer, leading to a poor prognosis of liver cancer. Mechanistically, the highly activated JNK phosphorylated c-Jun and ATF2 formed a heterodimer to upregulate the expression of Galectin-1, leading to promoting cisplatin resistance in liver cancer. Importantly, we simulated the clinical evolution of drug resistance in liver cancer by continuous CDDP administration in vivo. In vivo bioluminescence imaging showed the activity of JNK gradually increased during this process. Moreover, the inhibition of JNK activity by small molecular or genetic inhibitors enhanced DNA damage and overcame CDDP resistance in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our results underline that the high activity of JNK/c-Jun-ATF2/Galectin-1 mediates cisplatin resistance in liver cancer and provides an optional scheme for dynamic monitoring of molecular activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Mengzhu Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Duo Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Zebo Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Hailong Jiang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Yitai Xiao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Chaoming Mei
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Meilin Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Congmin Chen
- Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510080, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Bailiang He
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Hong Shan
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Pengfei Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Center for Interventional Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519000, China
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30
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Samavarchi Tehrani S, Esmaeili F, Shirzad M, Goodarzi G, Yousefi T, Maniati M, Taheri-Anganeh M, Anushiravani A. The critical role of circular RNAs in drug resistance in gastrointestinal cancers. Med Oncol 2023; 40:116. [PMID: 36917431 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-01980-4] [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: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, drug resistance (DR) in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as the main reason for cancer-related mortality worldwide, has become a serious problem in the management of patients. Several mechanisms have been proposed for resistance to anticancer drugs, including altered transport and metabolism of drugs, mutation of drug targets, altered DNA repair system, inhibited apoptosis and autophagy, cancer stem cells, tumor heterogeneity, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Compelling evidence has revealed that genetic and epigenetic factors are strongly linked to DR. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) interferences are the most crucial epigenetic alterations explored so far, and among these ncRNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are the most emerging members known to have unique properties. Due to the absence of 5' and 3' ends in these novel RNAs, the two ends are covalently bonded together and are generated from pre-mRNA in a process known as back-splicing, which makes them more stable than other RNAs. As far as the unique structure and function of circRNAs is concerned, they are implicated in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and DR. A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for circRNAs-mediated DR in the GI cancers will open a new window to the management of GI cancers. Hence, in the present review, we will describe briefly the biogenesis, multiple features, and different biological functions of circRNAs. Then, we will summarize current mechanisms of DR, and finally, discuss molecular mechanisms through which circRNAs regulate DR development in esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadra Samavarchi Tehrani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fataneh Esmaeili
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Moein Shirzad
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Golnaz Goodarzi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tooba Yousefi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Maniati
- Department of English, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Amir Anushiravani
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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31
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Ghalehbandi S, Yuzugulen J, Pranjol MZI, Pourgholami MH. The role of VEGF in cancer-induced angiogenesis and research progress of drugs targeting VEGF. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 949:175586. [PMID: 36906141 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a double-edged sword; it is a mechanism that defines the boundary between health and disease. In spite of its central role in physiological homeostasis, it provides the oxygen and nutrition needed by tumor cells to proceed from dormancy if pro-angiogenic factors tip the balance in favor of tumor angiogenesis. Among pro-angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prominent target in therapeutic methods due to its strategic involvement in the formation of anomalous tumor vasculature. In addition, VEGF exhibits immune-regulatory properties which suppress immune cell antitumor activity. VEGF signaling through its receptors is an integral part of tumoral angiogenic approaches. A wide variety of medicines have been designed to target the ligands and receptors of this pro-angiogenic superfamily. Herein, we summarize the direct and indirect molecular mechanisms of VEGF to demonstrate its versatile role in the context of cancer angiogenesis and current transformative VEGF-targeted strategies interfering with tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jale Yuzugulen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus via Mersin 10, Turkey
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32
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Targeting galectin-driven regulatory circuits in cancer and fibrosis. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:295-316. [PMID: 36759557 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00636-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Galectins are a family of endogenous glycan-binding proteins that have crucial roles in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. As a group, these proteins use both extracellular and intracellular mechanisms as well as glycan-dependent and independent pathways to reprogramme the fate and function of numerous cell types. Given their multifunctional roles in both tissue fibrosis and cancer, galectins have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for these disorders. Here, we focus on the therapeutic relevance of galectins, particularly galectin 1 (GAL1), GAL3 and GAL9 to tumour progression and fibrotic diseases. We consider an array of galectin-targeted strategies, including small-molecule carbohydrate inhibitors, natural polysaccharides and their derivatives, peptides, peptidomimetics and biological agents (notably, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and truncated galectins) and discuss their mechanisms of action, selectivity and therapeutic potential in preclinical models of fibrosis and cancer. We also review the results of clinical trials that aim to evaluate the efficacy of galectin inhibitors in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cancer. The rapid pace of glycobiology research, combined with the acute need for drugs to alleviate fibrotic inflammation and overcome resistance to anticancer therapies, will accelerate the translation of anti-galectin therapeutics into clinical practice.
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33
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Gao Q, Sun Z, Fang D. Integrins in human hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis and therapy. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:253-268. [PMID: 36848180 PMCID: PMC10106235 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Integrins are a family of transmembrane receptors that connect the extracellular matrix and actin skeleton, which mediate cell adhesion, migration, signal transduction, and gene transcription. As a bi-directional signaling molecule, integrins can modulate many aspects of tumorigenesis, including tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, integrins have a great potential as antitumor therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the recent reports of integrins in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), focusing on the abnormal expression, activation, and signaling of integrins in cancer cells as well as their roles in other cells in the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the regulation and functions of integrins in hepatitis B virus-related HCC. Finally, we update the clinical and preclinical studies of integrin-related drugs in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Gao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Zhaolin Sun
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, China
| | - Deyu Fang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Paskeh MDA, Ghadyani F, Hashemi M, Abbaspour A, Zabolian A, Javanshir S, Razzazan M, Mirzaei S, Entezari M, Goharrizi MASB, Salimimoghadam S, Aref AR, Kalbasi A, Rajabi R, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Sethi G. Biological impact and therapeutic perspective of targeting PI3K/Akt signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma: Promises and Challenges. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106553. [PMID: 36400343 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer progression results from activation of various signaling networks. Among these, PI3K/Akt signaling contributes to proliferation, invasion, and inhibition of apoptosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with high incidence rate, especially in regions with high prevalence of viral hepatitis infection. Autoimmune disorders, diabetes mellitus, obesity, alcohol consumption, and inflammation can also lead to initiation and development of HCC. The treatment of HCC depends on the identification of oncogenic factors that lead tumor cells to develop resistance to therapy. The present review article focuses on the role of PI3K/Akt signaling in HCC progression. Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling promotes glucose uptake, favors glycolysis and increases tumor cell proliferation. It inhibits both apoptosis and autophagy while promoting HCC cell survival. PI3K/Akt stimulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increases matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) expression during HCC metastasis. In addition to increasing colony formation capacity and facilitating the spread of tumor cells, PI3K/Akt signaling stimulates angiogenesis. Therefore, silencing PI3K/Akt signaling prevents aggressive HCC cell behavior. Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling can confer drug resistance, particularly to sorafenib, and decreases the radio-sensitivity of HCC cells. Anti-cancer agents, like phytochemicals and small molecules can suppress PI3K/Akt signaling by limiting HCC progression. Being upregulated in tumor tissues and clinical samples, PI3K/Akt can also be used as a biomarker to predict patients' response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Deldar Abad Paskeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghadyani
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Abbaspour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center,Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Resident of department of Orthopedics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Javanshir
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrnaz Razzazan
- Medical Student, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. 6, Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Alireza Kalbasi
- Department of Pharmacy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Romina Rajabi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.
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Lau LS, Mohammed NBB, Dimitroff CJ. Decoding Strategies to Evade Immunoregulators Galectin-1, -3, and -9 and Their Ligands as Novel Therapeutics in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:15554. [PMID: 36555198 PMCID: PMC9778980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectins are a family of ß-galactoside-binding proteins that play a variety of roles in normal physiology. In cancer, their expression levels are typically elevated and often associated with poor prognosis. They are known to fuel a variety of cancer progression pathways through their glycan-binding interactions with cancer, stromal, and immune cell surfaces. Of the 15 galectins in mammals, galectin (Gal)-1, -3, and -9 are particularly notable for their critical roles in tumor immune escape. While these galectins play integral roles in promoting cancer progression, they are also instrumental in regulating the survival, differentiation, and function of anti-tumor T cells that compromise anti-tumor immunity and weaken novel immunotherapies. To this end, there has been a surge in the development of new strategies to inhibit their pro-malignancy characteristics, particularly in reversing tumor immunosuppression through galectin-glycan ligand-targeting methods. This review examines some new approaches to evading Gal-1, -3, and -9-ligand interactions to interfere with their tumor-promoting and immunoregulating activities. Whether using neutralizing antibodies, synthetic peptides, glyco-metabolic modifiers, competitive inhibitors, vaccines, gene editing, exo-glycan modification, or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, these methods offer new hope of synergizing their inhibitory effects with current immunotherapeutic methods and yielding highly effective, durable responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Seng Lau
- Department of Translational Medicine, Translational Glycobiology Institute at FIU, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Norhan B. B. Mohammed
- Department of Translational Medicine, Translational Glycobiology Institute at FIU, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Charles J. Dimitroff
- Department of Translational Medicine, Translational Glycobiology Institute at FIU, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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[Galectin-1 knockdown inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and promotes apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:1628-1637. [PMID: 36504055 PMCID: PMC9742775 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.11.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of galectin-1 on biological behaviors of lung adenocarcinoma cells and the underlying mechanism. METHODS The expression levels of galectin-1 mRNA were detected in 8 pairs of lung adenocarcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues and in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549 and H1299 and normal bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2b using qRT-PCR. The effect of galectin-1 knockdown by RNA interference on the proliferation, invasion and migration abilities and apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells were examined using CCK8 assay, Transwell assay, scratch assay and flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins BAX, BCL-2, and caspase-3 and the proteins involved in the AKT and ERK pathways. RESULTS The mRNA expression of galectin-1 was significantly increased in lung cancer tissues and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (P < 0.05). In lung adenocarcinoma cells, galectin-1 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and obviously increased cell apoptosis rate (P < 0.05), causing also significant reduction of the phosphorylation level of ERK signaling pathway (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Galectin-1 knockdown inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion and promotes apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells, and this effect is mediated probably by inhibition of the phosphorylation levels of the ERK pathway.
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Bongolo CC, Thokerunga E, Fidele NB, Souraka TDM, Kisembo P, Rugera SP, Worley PF, Tu JC. Upregulation of the long non-coding RNA, LIPCAR promotes proliferation, migration, and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Biomark 2022; 35:245-256. [DOI: 10.3233/cbm-220033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) early diagnosis remains a challenge to date. Alpha-feto protein, though less sensitive remains widely used for both diagnosis and prognosis. Recently however, a number of molecular biomarkers have been suggested as alternatives to Alpha feto protein, especially for early diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of the long non-coding RNA, LIPCAR in the pathogenesis and early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR, and Fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were conducted to determine LIPCAR expression in HCC vs normal blood samples, and HCC cell lines vs normal liver cell lines. Transfection was done to upregulate LIPCAR in one HCC cell line, and used to study cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation. Animal experiment was finally done to determine its effect on metastasis. RESULTS: LIPCAR was significantly upregulated in HCC blood samples and HCC cell lines compared to their respective normal ones. Its overexpression promoted hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, and migration, while inhibiting apoptosis. Its overexpression also promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and metastasis in vivo. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the lncRNA, LIPCAR is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and that its upregulation promotes HCC proliferation, migration, and metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Cedric Bongolo
- Program and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Program and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Erick Thokerunga
- Program and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Program and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Nyimi Bushabu Fidele
- Oral Maxillofacial Head and Neck Oncology Surgery, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Tapara Dramani Maman Souraka
- Program and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Peter Kisembo
- Program and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Simon Peter Rugera
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Paul F. Worley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dental School and Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jian-Cheng Tu
- Program and Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine and Center for Gene Diagnosis, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Tiu YC, Gong L, Zhang Y, Luo J, Yang Y, Tang Y, Lee WM, Guan XY. GLIPR1 promotes proliferation, metastasis and 5-fluorouracil resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma by activating the PI3K/PDK1/ROCK1 pathway. Cancer Gene Ther 2022; 29:1720-1730. [PMID: 35760898 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) contributes to a heavy disease burden for its high prevalence and poor prognosis, with limited effective systemic therapies available. In the era of precision medicine, treatment efficacy might be improved by combining personalized systemic therapies. Since oncogenic activation is one of the primary driving forces in HCC, characterization of these oncogenes can provide insights for developing new targeted therapies. Based on RNA sequencing of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-induced HCC cells, this study discovers and characterizes glioma pathogenesis-related protein 1 (GLIPR1) that robustly drives HCC progression and can potentially serve as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target with clinical utility. GLIPR1 serves opposing roles and involves distinct mechanisms in different cancers. However, based on integrated in-silico analysis, in vitro and in vivo functional investigations, we demonstrate that GLIPR1 plays a multi-faceted oncogenic role in HCC development via enhancing tumor proliferation, metastasis, and 5FU resistance. We also found that GLIPR1 induces EMT and is actively involved in the PI3K/PDK1/ROCK1 singling axis to exert its oncogenic effects. Thus, pre-clinical evaluation of GLIPR1 and its downstream factors in HCC patients might facilitate further discovery of therapeutic targets, as well as improve HCC chemotherapeutic outcomes and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen Chak Tiu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lanqi Gong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuma Yang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wing-Mui Lee
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.
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Yu Q, Chen Z, Liu M, Meng Y, Li X, Li B, Du J. Exploring the potential targets of Sanshimao formula for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment by a method of network pharmacology combined with molecular biology. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 297:115531. [PMID: 35840058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Sanshimao (SSM) formula is an effective prescription for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy in the clinical setting. This prescription is made up of four herbals, Maorenshen, Shijianchuan, Shishangbai and Shidachuan, which are used for detoxification and removing blood stasis. However, its mechanism in the treatment of HCC remains ambiguous. AIM OF THE STUDY To explore the potential targets of SSM against HCC by network pharmacology analysis and verify the data using molecular biological methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS We screened active components and potential targets by data mining, constructed a network, and performed functional analysis and pathway enrichment to explore the therapeutic targets of SSM for HCC treatment. Then, the effects of SSM on HCC cells were studied to validate the data from network pharmacology analysis. RESULTS Eighty-eight common targets were obtained by mapping 932 HCC-related genes, and 325 targets corresponded to 11 active components of SSM. They were enriched in various biological processes, such as the response to inorganic substances, response to toxic substances and apoptotic signalling pathway, and multi-pathways involved pathways in cancer, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and AGE-RAGE signalling pathway in diabetic complications, as evaluated by the analysis of advanced functions and pathways. TP53, JUN, HSP90AA1, EGFR, AR and MAPK1 might be the core targets closely related to the effects of SSM on HCC according to PPI analysis. Treatment with SSM decreased cell viability and migration, promoted apoptosis and inhibited the EGFR/FAK/AKT signalling pathway. CONCLUSION This research preliminarily indicates that SSM treats HCC via multiple components and pathways. EGFR/FAK/AKT are promising therapeutic targets of SSM for HCC treatment. This provides objective evidence for further mechanistic research and the future development and clinical application of SSM in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China; Department of Oncology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minglin Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongbin Meng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bai Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Li Y, Zhang L, Xiong W, Gao X, Xiong Y, Sun W. A Molecular Mechanism Study to Reveal Hirudin's Downregulation to PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway through Decreasing PDGFR β in Renal Fibrosis Treatment. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:5481552. [PMID: 36119923 PMCID: PMC9473867 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5481552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is identified as a widespread chronic progressive disease jeopardizing public health which characterized by gradually loss of renal function. However, there is no efficient therapy to prevail over this disease. Our study was attempting to reveal hirudin's regulation to renal fibrosis as well as the molecular mechanism. We built renal fibrosis models on both cell and animal levels, which were subsequently given with hirudin disposal; then, we performed the transwell assay to estimate the cells' migration and had our detection to relevant proteins with western blot and immunofluorescence. Finally, we commenced both the identification and the determination to the hirudin targeted proteins and its downstream signaling pathways with the methods of network pharmacology. And the results turned out that when it was compared with the model group, the group with hirudin addition came with the suppression in the migration of renal tubular epithelial cells NRK-52E and with a conspicuous decline in the expressions of fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, TGF-β, and snail. After that, we predicted that there were 17 hirudin target points mainly involving in the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Our outcomes of the animal level demonstrated that the conditions of interstitial fibrosis, severe tubular dilatation or atrophy, inflammatory cell infiltration, and massive accumulation of interstitial collagen in the model group were withdrawn after the addition of hirudin. In addition, p-PDGFRβ, p-PI3K, and p-AKT protein expressions were significantly reduced, and the PI3K/AKT pathway was downregulated after hirudin treatment in the model group of NRK-52E cells and animals. Therefore, we had our conclusion that hirudin is capable of suppressing the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway as well as the EMT by decreasing PDGFRβ phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400021, China
| | - Weijian Xiong
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400021, China
| | - Xuan Gao
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400021, China
| | - Yanying Xiong
- Department of Nephrology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing 400021, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- Department of Nephrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine), 210029, China
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Tian X, Yan T, Liu F, Liu Q, Zhao J, Xiong H, Jiang S. Link of sorafenib resistance with the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma: Mechanistic insights. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:991052. [PMID: 36071839 PMCID: PMC9441942 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.991052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic, antiproliferative, and proapoptotic properties, is the first-line treatment for patients with late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the therapeutic effect remains limited due to sorafenib resistance. Only about 30% of HCC patients respond well to the treatment, and the resistance almost inevitably happens within 6 months. Thus, it is critical to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify effective approaches to improve the therapeutic outcome. According to recent studies, tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune escape play critical roles in tumor occurrence, metastasis and anti-cancer drug resistance. The relevant mechanisms were focusing on hypoxia, tumor-associated immune-suppressive cells, and immunosuppressive molecules. In this review, we focus on sorafenib resistance and its relationship with liver cancer immune microenvironment, highlighting the importance of breaking sorafenib resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchen Tian
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tinghao Yan
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fen Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Huabao Xiong
- Institute of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Basic Medical School, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
- *Correspondence: Huabao Xiong, ; Shulong Jiang,
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Sun Y, Zhang H, Meng J, Guo F, Ren D, Wu H, Jin X. S-palmitoylation of PCSK9 induces sorafenib resistance in liver cancer by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111194. [PMID: 35977495 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib is currently the first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, sorafenib resistance remains a significant challenge. Aberrant AKT signaling activation is a crucial mechanism driving sorafenib resistance in HCC. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) plays a vital role in antitumor immune responses. In this study, we demonstrate that aberrant PCSK9 upregulation promotes cell proliferation and sorafenib resistance in HCC by inducing AKT-S473 phosphorylation. After palmitoylation at cysteine 600, the binding affinity between PCSK9 and tensin homolog (PTEN) is dramatically increased, inducing lysosome-mediated PTEN degradation and subsequent AKT activation. We identify zinc finger DHHC-type palmitoyltransferase 16 (ZDHHC16) as a palmitoyltransferase that promotes PCSK9 palmitoylation at cysteine 600. We also develop a biologically active PCSK9-derived peptide that competitively inhibits PCSK9 palmitoylation, suppressing AKT phosphorylation and augmenting the antitumor effects of sorafenib in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Junpeng Meng
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Department of General Surgery, the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Dianyun Ren
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Heshui Wu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China; Sino-German Laboratory of Personalized Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
| | - Xin Jin
- Department of Urology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Uro-Oncology Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
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Kim N, Kim S, Song Y, Choi I, Lee SY, Kim KM, Rhu HC, Lee JY, Seo HR. Chromenopyrimidinone exhibit antitumor effects through inhibition of CAP1 (Adenylyl cyclase-associated protein 1) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 365:110066. [PMID: 35931200 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110066] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant human cancers, with a high mortality rate worldwide. Within an HCC tumor, cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumor maintenance and progression and may contribute to resistance to standard HCC treatments. Previously, we characterized CD133+ cells as CSCs in primary HCC and identified chromenopyrimidinone (CPO) as a novel therapeutic for the effective treatment of CD133+ HCC. However, the biological function and molecular mechanism of CD133 remain unclear. Epigenetic alterations of CSCs have impacts on tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. Here, we found that pharmacological and genetic depletion of CD133 in HCC attenuated the activity of DNA methyltransferases via control of DNMT3B stabilization. Genes were ranked by degree of promoter hypo/hyper methylation and significantly differential expression to create an "epigenetically activated by CPO" ranked genes list. Through this epigenetic analysis, we found that CPO treatment altered DNA methylation-mediated oncogenic signaling in HCCs. Specifically, CPO treatment inhibited Adenylyl cyclase-associated protein 1 (CAP1) expression, thereby reducing FAK/ERK activity and EMT-related proteins in HCC. Moreover, CPO improved the efficacy of sorafenib by inhibiting CAP1 expression and FAK/ERK activation in sorafenib-resistant HCC. These novel mechanistic insights may ultimately open up avenues for strategies targeting DNA methylation in liver cancer stem cells and provides novel therapeutic function of CPO for the effective treatment of sorafenib-resistant HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namjeong Kim
- Advanced Biomedical Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-400, South Korea
| | - Sanghwa Kim
- Advanced Biomedical Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-400, South Korea
| | - Yeonhwa Song
- Advanced Biomedical Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-400, South Korea
| | - Inhee Choi
- Medicinal Chemistry, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-400, South Korea
| | - Su-Yeon Lee
- Advanced Biomedical Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-400, South Korea
| | - Kang Mo Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea
| | - Hyung Chul Rhu
- R&D Center, J2H Biotech, Saneop-ro 156 Beon-gil, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16648, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Young Lee
- R&D Center, J2H Biotech, Saneop-ro 156 Beon-gil, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 16648, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeng Ran Seo
- Advanced Biomedical Research Laboratory, Institut Pasteur Korea, 16, Daewangpangyo-ro 712 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 463-400, South Korea.
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Up-Regulation of RACGAP1 Promotes Progressions of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Regulated by GABPA via PI3K/AKT Pathway. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:3034150. [PMID: 35958019 PMCID: PMC9363186 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3034150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the dominating tumors causing death due to lack of timely discovery and valid treatment. Abnormal increase of Rac GTPase activating protein 1 (RACGAP1) has been verified to be an oncogene in plenty tumors. The profound mechanism of RACGAP1 was rarely reported in HCC. In this study, we explored the function and mechanism of RACGAP1 in HCC through multiple analysis and experiments. RACGAP1 expression was up-regulated in HCC samples and the high expression of RACGAP1 was an independent prognostic risk factor for HCC patients. Meanwhile, RACGAP1 promoted developments of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. We verified that RACGAP1 promoted proliferation of HCC via PI3K/AKT/CDK2 and PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/Cyclin D1 signaling pathway. RACGAP1 accelerated the invasion and metastasis of HCC via phosphorylation of GSK3β and nuclear translocation of β-catenin. Furthermore, by luciferase reporter assay and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, we confirmed Recombinant GA Binding Protein Transcription Factor Alpha (GABPA) regulated the transcription of RACGAP1. All these findings revealed that RACGAP1 promotes the progression of HCC through a novel mechanism, which might be a new therapeutic target for HCC patients.
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Wang S, Wu Y, Liu M, Zhao Q, Jian L. DHW-208, A Novel Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitor, Has Anti-Hepatocellular Carcinoma Activity Through Promoting Apoptosis and Inhibiting Angiogenesis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:955729. [PMID: 35903690 PMCID: PMC9315107 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.955729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide with high prevalence and lethality. Due to insidious onset and lack of early symptoms, most HCC patients are diagnosed at advanced stages without adequate methods but systemic therapies. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the progression and development of HCC. Aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in diverse biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Therefore, the development of PI3K-targeted inhibitors is of great significance for the treatment of HCC. DHW-208 is a novel 4-aminoquinazoline derivative pan-PI3K inhibitor. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of DHW-208 in HCC and investigate its underlying mechanism. DHW-208 could inhibit the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of HCC through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in vitro. Consistent with the in vitro results, in vivo studies demonstrated that DHW-208 elicits an antitumor effect by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-signaling pathway with a high degree of safety in HCC. Therefore, DHW-208 is a candidate compound to be developed as a small molecule PI3K inhibitor for the treatment of HCC, and our study provides a certain theoretical basis for the treatment of HCC and the development of PI3K inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuting Wu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mingyue Liu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qingchun Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Qingchun Zhao, ; Lingyan Jian,
| | - Lingyan Jian
- Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Qingchun Zhao, ; Lingyan Jian,
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Huang M, Lin Y, Wang C, Deng L, Chen M, Assaraf YG, Chen ZS, Ye W, Zhang D. New insights into antiangiogenic therapy resistance in cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutic aspects. Drug Resist Updat 2022; 64:100849. [PMID: 35842983 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2022.100849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer and is required for tumor growth and progression. Antiangiogenic therapy has been revolutionarily developing and was approved for the treatment of various types of cancer for nearly two decades, among which bevacizumab and sorafenib continue to be the two most frequently used antiangiogenic drugs. Although antiangiogenic therapy has brought substantial survival benefits to many cancer patients, resistance to antiangiogenic drugs frequently occurs during clinical treatment, leading to poor outcomes and treatment failure. Cumulative evidence has demonstrated that the intricate interplay among tumor cells, bone marrow-derived cells, and local stromal cells critically allows for tumor escape from antiangiogenic therapy. Currently, drug resistance has become the main challenge that hinders the therapeutic efficacies of antiangiogenic therapy. In this review, we describe and summarize the cellular and molecular mechanisms conferring tumor drug resistance to antiangiogenic therapy, which was predominantly associated with redundancy in angiogenic signaling molecules (e.g., VEGFs, GM-CSF, G-CSF, and IL17), alterations in biological processes of tumor cells (e.g., tumor invasiveness and metastasis, stemness, autophagy, metabolic reprogramming, vessel co-option, and vasculogenic mimicry), increased recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells (e.g., myeloid-derived suppressive cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and tumor-associated neutrophils), and changes in the biological functions and features of local stromal cells (e.g., pericytes, cancer-associated fibroblasts, and endothelial cells). We also review potential biomarkers to predict the response to antiangiogenic therapy in cancer patients, which mainly consist of imaging biomarkers, cellular and extracellular proteins, a certain type of bone marrow-derived cells, local stromal cell content (e.g., pericyte coverage) as well as serum or plasma biomarkers (e.g., non-coding RNAs). Finally, we highlight the recent advances in combination strategies with the aim of enhancing the response to antiangiogenic therapy in cancer patients and mouse models. This review introduces a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and biomarkers associated with the evasion of antiangiogenic therapy in cancer, providing an outlook for developing more effective approaches to promote the therapeutic efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maohua Huang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China; Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yuning Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Chenran Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Lijuan Deng
- Formula-Pattern Research Center, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Minfeng Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, NY 11439, USA.
| | - Wencai Ye
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicine and New Drugs Research, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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Qin W, Wang L, Tian H, Wu X, Xiao C, Pan Y, Fan M, Tai Y, Liu W, Zhang Q, Yang Y. CAF-derived exosomes transmitted Gremlin-1 promotes cancer progression and decreases the sensitivity of hepatoma cells to sorafenib. Mol Carcinog 2022; 61:764-775. [PMID: 35638711 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies worldwide because of metastasis. An increasing number of studies have reported that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have emerged as the largest component of the stroma and play a critical role in tumor-promoting processes. However, the effects of CAFs on cancer progression and the sensitivity of hepatoma cells to sorafenib are not well characterized. Here, we identified the proteome of CAF-derived exosomes, and unveiled that exosomal Gremlin-1 derived from CAFs contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of hepatoma cells and the decrease of the sorafenib sensitivity through regulating Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling pathways. Compared to control subjects, the level of plasma exosomal Gremlin-1 was significantly increased in HCC patients. Further studies indicated that plasma exosomal Gremlin-1 may predict sorafenib response in HCC patients. Collectively, our findings uncover CAFs-derived Gremlin-1-rich exosomes promote EMT and decrease the sensitivity of hepatoma cells to sorafenib by Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qin
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan Tian
- Department of Breast Surgery, Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaocai Wu
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cuicui Xiao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Transplantation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhang Pan
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingming Fan
- Department of Surgery Intensive Care Unit, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Tai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Transplantation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Transplantation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Transplantation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Hepatic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Transplantation Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Chi M, Liu J, Mei C, Shi Y, Liu N, Jiang X, Liu C, Xue N, Hong H, Xie J, Sun X, Yin B, Meng X, Wang B. TEAD4 functions as a prognostic biomarker and triggers EMT via PI3K/AKT pathway in bladder cancer. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:175. [PMID: 35581606 PMCID: PMC9112458 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02377-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background The distant metastasis is the primary cause of cancer morbidity and mortality for bladder cancer (BLCA) paitents. All the recommended therapy for it largely depends on how far the cancer has invaded. It has been confirmed that epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the leading reason for the BLCA metastasis which makes BLCA difficult to cure. The aim of the present study is to identify the BLCA-related genes that can be used as the new prognostic biomarker and treatment target, and to investigate the functional mechanisms of TEAD4 in EMT dysregulation. Methods The "limma" R package was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the normal and the tumor samples from TCGA BLCA and GTEx databases. Kaplan–Meier and UniCox analysis were used to filter DEGs with prognostic value in BLCA. Step muti-Cox analysis was used to construct a prognostic risk score model based on clinical phenotype characters. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore the possible molecular mechanisms affecting the prognosis in BLCA. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of EMT process on the prognosis. Single-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) was used to calculate the correlation betweeen the expression of DEGs and EMT enrichment scores. TEAD4 expression and its association with pathological grading and survival were appraised in samples from TCGA dataset and BLCA tissue microarray. Colony formation assays and CCK8 assays were performed to study the changes in BLCA cell proliferation when the TEAD4 levels was down- or up-regulated in BLCA cells. Transwell and wound healing assays were utilized to analyze the impact of TEAD4 on the invasion and metastasis of the BLCA cells. Western Blot was carried out to detect the changes of EMT-related markers and the active molecules involved in PI3K/AKT signaling in BLCA cells. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was conducted on the genes related to TEAD4 expression. 740Y-P (activator of PI3K/AKT pathway) and LY294002 (inhibitor of PI3K/AKT pathway) were applied to evaluate the contribution of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the EMT of BLCA cells. To examine the in vivo effect of TEAD4 on tumor metastasis, we designed a metastatic nude-mouse model by tail vein injection of TEAD4-knockdown BLCA cells. And PET/CT imaging was used to assess the extent of lung metastases. Results A total of 1592 DEGs were recognized, among which 4 DEGs have been identified as independent prognostic factors for BLCA, such as FASN, IGFL2, PLOD1 and TEAD4. TCGA BLCA samples were divided into significantly different low- and high-risk groups according to the median risk score; GSEA analysis showed that HALLMARK EMT pathway was the top enriched gene signature when compared high-risk and low-risk groups, which was also verified by unsupervised cluster analysis. EMT signature-derived ssGSEA scores demonstrated that TEAD4 had the most positive correlation with EMT process. In addition, TEAD4 expression was upregulated in TCGA BLCA samples and correlated with pT stage, tumor stage and tumor grade. Functional studies showed that TEAD4 knockdown via lentiviral TEAD4 shRNA inhibited cell migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo, with the reduced expression of EMT related markers in BLCA cell lines; the migration and invasion of TEAD4 knockdown cells could be restored by ectopic expression of TEAD4. Meanwhile, KEGG enrichment analysis of genes related to TEAD4 expression showed that enrichment was significantly related to PI3K/AKT pathway. The pathway inhibitor LY294002 blocked the TEAD4-induced enhancement of migration and invasion as well as the expression EMT-related markers, whereas the agonist 740Y-P rescued the decreased migration, invasion and EMT induced by TEAD4 knockdown. Conclusions TEAD4 is closely correlated with poor prognosis in BLCA and mediates its metastasis through regulating EMT via PI3K/AKT pathway, proving that TEAD4 is not only an effective biomarker for predicting the prognosis but also a great potential target for treatment of metastatic BLCA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02377-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Chenxue Mei
- Department of Gastroenterology Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Yaxing Shi
- Department of Urology, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nanqi Liu
- Institute of Health Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China
| | - Xuefeng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Nan Xue
- Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology of China Medical University, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Hong
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jisheng Xie
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Youjiang Medical College for Nationalities, Baise City, China
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Bo Yin
- Department of Urology, ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Xin Meng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
| | - Biao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, China.
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Hermenean A, Oatis D, Herman H, Ciceu A, D’Amico G, Trotta MC. Galectin 1-A Key Player between Tissue Repair and Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105548. [PMID: 35628357 PMCID: PMC9142121 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectins are ten family members of carbohydrate-binding proteins with a high affinity for β galactose-containing oligosaccharides. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is the first protein discovered in the family, expressed in many sites under normal and pathological conditions. In the first part of the review article, we described recent advances in the Gal-1 modulatory role on wound healing, by focusing on the different phases triggered by Gal-1, such as inflammation, proliferation, tissue repair and re-epithelialization. On the contrary, Gal-1 persistent over-expression enhances angiogenesis and extracellular matrix (ECM) production via PI3K/Akt pathway activation and leads to keloid tissue. Therefore, the targeted Gal-1 modulation should be considered a method of choice to treat wound healing and avoid keloid formation. In the second part of the review article, we discuss studies clarifying the role of Gal-1 in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, liver, renal, pancreatic and pulmonary fibrosis. This evidence suggests that Gal-1 may become a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of tissue fibrosis and a promising molecular target for the development of new and original therapeutic tools to treat fibrosis in different chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Hermenean
- Faculty of Medicine, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania;
- “Aurel Ardelean” Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania; (H.H.); (A.C.); (G.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniela Oatis
- Faculty of Medicine, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania;
| | - Hildegard Herman
- “Aurel Ardelean” Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania; (H.H.); (A.C.); (G.D.)
| | - Alina Ciceu
- “Aurel Ardelean” Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania; (H.H.); (A.C.); (G.D.)
| | - Giovanbattista D’Amico
- “Aurel Ardelean” Institute of Life Sciences, Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, 310414 Arad, Romania; (H.H.); (A.C.); (G.D.)
| | - Maria Consiglia Trotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
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Tan Y, Chen Q, Pan S, An W, Xu H, Xing Y, Zhang J. LMOD1, an oncogene associated with Lauren classification, regulates the metastasis of gastric cancer cells through the FAK-AKT/mTOR pathway. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:474. [PMID: 35488236 PMCID: PMC9055720 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09541-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Lauren classification of gastric tumors strongly correlates with prognosis. The purpose of this study was to explore the specific molecular mechanism of Lauren classification of gastric cancer and provide a possible theoretical basis for the treatment of gastric cancer. Methods We standardized the gene expression data of five Gene Expression Omnibus gastric cancer databases and constructed a Weighted Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) model based on clinicopathological information. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) curves were extracted from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GSE62254 databases. Western blotting was used to measure protein expression in cells and tissues. Scratch and transwell experiments were used to test the migration ability of tumor cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure tissue protein expression in clinical tissue samples to correlate to survival data. Results The WGCNA model demonstrated that blue cyan was highly correlated with the Lauren classification of the tumor (r = 0.24, P = 7 × 1016). A protein-protein interaction network was used to visualize the genes in the blue cyan module. The OS and PFS TCGA analysis revealed that LMOD1 was a gene of interest. The proportion of diffuse gastric cancer patients with high expression of LMOD1 was significantly higher than that of intestinal type patients. LMOD1 promoted the migration of gastric cancer cells by regulating the FAK-Akt/mTOR pathway in vitro. Additionally, a Gene Set Enrichment Analysis using the TCGA and GSE62254 databases, and western blot data, showed that LMOD1 could promote an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), thus potentially affecting the occurrence of peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. Immunohistochemistry showed that LMOD1 was highly expressed in cancer tissues, and the prognosis of patients with high LMOD1 expression was poor. Conclusion LMOD1 is an oncogene associated with diffuse gastric cancer and can affect the occurrence and development of EMT by regulating the FAK-Akt/mTOR pathway. LMOD1 can therefore promote peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer cells and can be used as a novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09541-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen Tan
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, No 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Qingchuan Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Siwei Pan
- Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Wen An
- Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Huimian Xu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Yao Xing
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology of Ministry of Public Health, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology of Ministry of Education, China Medical University, No. 77, Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Gastric Surgery, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, No 44 of Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, China.
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