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Hawly J, Murcar MG, Schcolnik-Cabrera A, Issa ME. Glioblastoma stem cell metabolism and immunity. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024:10.1007/s10555-024-10183-w. [PMID: 38530545 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-024-10183-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Despite enormous efforts being invested in the development of novel therapies for brain malignancies, there remains a dire need for effective treatments, particularly for pediatric glioblastomas. Their poor prognosis has been attributed to the fact that conventional therapies target tumoral cells, but not glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are characterized by self-renewal, tumorigenicity, poor differentiation, and resistance to therapy. These characteristics represent the fundamental tools needed to recapitulate the tumor and result in a relapse. The mechanisms by which GSCs alter metabolic cues and escape elimination by immune cells are discussed in this article, along with potential strategies to harness effector immune cells against GSCs. As cellular immunotherapy is making significant advances in a variety of cancers, leveraging this underexplored reservoir may result in significant improvements in the treatment options for brain malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Hawly
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Dekouaneh, Lebanon
| | - Micaela G Murcar
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | | | - Mark E Issa
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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2
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Trejo-Solis C, Silva-Adaya D, Serrano-García N, Magaña-Maldonado R, Jimenez-Farfan D, Ferreira-Guerrero E, Cruz-Salgado A, Castillo-Rodriguez RA. Role of Glycolytic and Glutamine Metabolism Reprogramming on the Proliferation, Invasion, and Apoptosis Resistance through Modulation of Signaling Pathways in Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17633. [PMID: 38139462 PMCID: PMC10744281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417633] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioma cells exhibit genetic and metabolic alterations that affect the deregulation of several cellular signal transduction pathways, including those related to glucose metabolism. Moreover, oncogenic signaling pathways induce the expression of metabolic genes, increasing the metabolic enzyme activities and thus the critical biosynthetic pathways to generate nucleotides, amino acids, and fatty acids, which provide energy and metabolic intermediates that are essential to accomplish the biosynthetic needs of glioma cells. In this review, we aim to explore how dysregulated metabolic enzymes and their metabolites from primary metabolism pathways in glioblastoma (GBM) such as glycolysis and glutaminolysis modulate anabolic and catabolic metabolic pathways as well as pro-oncogenic signaling and contribute to the formation, survival, growth, and malignancy of glioma cells. Also, we discuss promising therapeutic strategies by targeting the key players in metabolic regulation. Therefore, the knowledge of metabolic reprogramming is necessary to fully understand the biology of malignant gliomas to improve patient survival significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Trejo-Solis
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de Mexico 14269, Mexico; (D.S.-A.); (N.S.-G.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Daniela Silva-Adaya
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de Mexico 14269, Mexico; (D.S.-A.); (N.S.-G.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Norma Serrano-García
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de Mexico 14269, Mexico; (D.S.-A.); (N.S.-G.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Roxana Magaña-Maldonado
- Laboratorio Experimental de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de Mexico 14269, Mexico; (D.S.-A.); (N.S.-G.); (R.M.-M.)
| | - Dolores Jimenez-Farfan
- Laboratorio de Inmunología, División de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico;
| | - Elizabeth Ferreira-Guerrero
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico; (E.F.-G.); (A.C.-S.)
| | - Arturo Cruz-Salgado
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca 62100, Mexico; (E.F.-G.); (A.C.-S.)
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3
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Hu KF, Shu CW, Lee CH, Tseng CJ, Chou YH, Liu PF. Comparative clinical significance and biological roles of PFKFB family members in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:257. [PMID: 37919747 PMCID: PMC10621127 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03110-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer cells promote glycolysis, which supports rapid cell growth and proliferation. Phosphofructokinase-fructose bisphosphatases (PFKFBs), a family of bidirectional glycolytic enzymes, play key roles in the regulation of glycolysis in many types of cancer. However, their roles in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common type of oral cancer, are still unknown. METHODS We compared the gene expression levels of PFKFB family members and analyzed their clinical significance in oral cancer patients, whose clinical data were obtained the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Moreover, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, assays for cell viability, cell cycle, cell migration and viability of cell spheroid were performed in scramble and PFKFB-silenced cells. RESULTS We discovered that PFKFB3 expression in tumor tissues was slightly higher than that in tumor adjacent normal tissues but that PFKFB4 expression was significantly higher in the tumor tissues of oral cancer patients. High PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 expression had different effects on the prognosis of oral cancer patients with different clinicopathological outcomes. Our data showed that PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 play different roles; PFKFB3 is involved in cell viability, G2/M cell cycle progression, invasion, and migration, whereas PFKFB4 is involved in the drug resistance and cancer stemness of OSCC cells. Furthermore, oral cancer patients with co-expressions of PFKFB3/cell cycle or EMT markers and PFKFB4/stemness markers had poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 play different biological roles in OSCC cells, which implying that they might be potential prognostic biomarkers for OSCC patients with certain clinicopathological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Fang Hu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
- Department of Dentistry, Division of Periodontics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wen Shu
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
- Center of Excellence for Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Jiunn Tseng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112304, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, 813414, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsiang Chou
- Department of Dentistry, Division of Periodontics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
- School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Feng Liu
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan.
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4
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Menez V, Kergrohen T, Shasha T, Silva-Evangelista C, Le Dret L, Auffret L, Subecz C, Lancien M, Ajlil Y, Vilchis IS, Beccaria K, Blauwblomme T, Oberlin E, Grill J, Castel D, Debily MA. VRK3 depletion induces cell cycle arrest and metabolic reprogramming of pontine diffuse midline glioma - H3K27 altered cells. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1229312. [PMID: 37886173 PMCID: PMC10599138 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1229312] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously identified VRK3 as a specific vulnerability in DMG-H3K27M cells in a synthetic lethality screen targeting the whole kinome. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which VRK3 depletion impact DMG-H3K27M cell fitness. Gene expression studies after VRK3 knockdown emphasized the inhibition of genes involved in G1/S transition of the cell cycle resulting in growth arrest in G1. Additionally, a massive modulation of genes involved in chromosome segregation was observed, concomitantly with a reduction in the level of phosphorylation of serine 10 and serine 28 of histone H3 supporting the regulation of chromatin condensation during cell division. This last effect could be partly due to a concomitant decrease of the chromatin kinase VRK1 in DMG following VRK3 knockdown. Furthermore, a metabolic switch specific to VRK3 function was observed towards increased oxidative phosphorylation without change in mitochondria content, that we hypothesized would represent a cell rescue mechanism. This study further explored the vulnerability of DMG-H3K27M cells to VRK3 depletion suggesting potential therapeutic combinations, e.g. with the mitochondrial ClpP protease activator ONC201.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Menez
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Thomas Kergrohen
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Tal Shasha
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Claudia Silva-Evangelista
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Ludivine Le Dret
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Lucie Auffret
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Chloé Subecz
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Manon Lancien
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Yassine Ajlil
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Irma Segoviano Vilchis
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Kévin Beccaria
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Blauwblomme
- Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Estelle Oberlin
- Inserm UMRS-MD 1197, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Jacques Grill
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Département de Cancérologie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - David Castel
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie-Anne Debily
- U981, Molecular Predictors and New Targets in Oncology, Team Genomics and Oncogenesis of Pediatric Brain Tumors, INSERM, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
- Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
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Gu X, Dai X, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Dong L, Gao C, Wang F. Differential roles of highly expressed PFKFB4 in colon adenocarcinoma patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16284. [PMID: 37770581 PMCID: PMC10539362 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43619-4] [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: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is a common malignant tumor, and the role of the protein PFKFB4 in glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways is crucial. Researchers investigated the clinical significance of PFKFB4 in COAD by studying its expression in 79 tissue samples using immunohistochemistry. We found that PFKFB4 expression was significantly higher in COAD patients, particularly in the sigmoid colon. Interestingly, high PFKFB4 expression was associated with both improved overall survival (OS) and worse progression-free survival (PPS) in COAD patients. Further analysis revealed that genes associated with PFKFB4 were linked to various metabolic pathways, including amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory response. PFKFB4 expression also showed correlations with the infiltration of different immune cell types in COAD patients, such as CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, active mast cells, and resting NK cells. Overall, the relationship between PFKFB4 expression and the prognosis of COAD is complex and diverse, possibly playing different roles at different stages of the disease. Moreover, its mechanism might involve interactions with various metabolic pathways and immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential role of PFKFB4 as a biomarker or therapeutic target in COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Gu
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Xingchen Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Yongli Huang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Yuhuan Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Lintao Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Chanchan Gao
- Department of Oncology, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China.
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6
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Yu T, Zhang Q, Yu SK, Nie FQ, Zhang ML, Wang Q, Lu KH. THOC3 interacts with YBX1 to promote lung squamous cell carcinoma progression through PFKFB4 mRNA modification. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:475. [PMID: 37500615 PMCID: PMC10374565 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06008-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The THO complex (THOC) is ubiquitously involved in RNA modification and various THOC proteins have been reported to regulate tumor development. However, the role of THOC3 in lung cancer remains unknown. In this study, we identified that THOC3 was highly expressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and negatively associated with prognosis. THOC3 knockdown inhibited LUSC cell growth, migration, and glycolysis. THOC3 expression was regulated by TRiC proteins, such as CCT8 and CCT6A, which supported protein folding. Furthermore, THOC3 could form a complex with YBX1 to promote PFKFB4 transcription. THOC3 was responsible for exporting PFKFB4 mRNA to the cytoplasm, while YBX1 ensured the stability of PFKFB4 mRNA by recognizing m5C sites in its 3'UTR. Downregulation of PFKFB4 suppressed the biological activities of LUSC. Collectively, these findings suggest that THOC3, folded by CCT proteins can collaborate with YBX1 to maintain PFKFB4 expression and facilitate LUSC development. Therefore, THOC3 could be considered as a novel promising therapeutic target for LUSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China
- Department of Oncology, the Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Shao-Kun Yu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng-Qi Nie
- Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mei-Ling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai-Hua Lu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, China.
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7
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Razi S, Haghparast A, Chodari Khameneh S, Ebrahimi Sadrabadi A, Aziziyan F, Bakhtiyari M, Nabi-Afjadi M, Tarhriz V, Jalili A, Zalpoor H. The role of tumor microenvironment on cancer stem cell fate in solid tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:143. [PMID: 37328876 PMCID: PMC10273768 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01129-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few decades, the role of cancer stem cells in initiating tumors, metastasis, invasion, and resistance to therapies has been recognized as a potential target for tumor therapy. Understanding the mechanisms by which CSCs contribute to cancer progression can help to provide novel therapeutic approaches against solid tumors. In this line, the effects of mechanical forces on CSCs such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular plasticity, etc., the metabolism pathways of CSCs, players of the tumor microenvironment, and their influence on the regulating of CSCs can lead to cancer progression. This review focused on some of these mechanisms of CSCs, paving the way for a better understanding of their regulatory mechanisms and developing platforms for targeted therapies. While progress has been made in research, more studies will be required in the future to explore more aspects of how CSCs contribute to cancer progression. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Razi
- Vira Pioneers of Modern Science (VIPOMS), Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Amin Ebrahimi Sadrabadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACER, Tehran, Iran
- Cytotech and Bioinformatics Research Group, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Bakhtiyari
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nabi-Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 5163639888, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Arsalan Jalili
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACER, Tehran, Iran.
- Parvaz Research Ideas Supporter Institute, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hamidreza Zalpoor
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy & Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education & Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
- Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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8
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Bernhard C, Reita D, Martin S, Entz-Werle N, Dontenwill M. Glioblastoma Metabolism: Insights and Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119137. [PMID: 37298093 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metabolism is emerging as a potential target for cancer therapies. This new approach holds particular promise for the treatment of glioblastoma, a highly lethal brain tumor that is resistant to conventional treatments, for which improving therapeutic strategies is a major challenge. The presence of glioma stem cells is a critical factor in therapy resistance, thus making it essential to eliminate these cells for the long-term survival of cancer patients. Recent advancements in our understanding of cancer metabolism have shown that glioblastoma metabolism is highly heterogeneous, and that cancer stem cells exhibit specific metabolic traits that support their unique functionality. The objective of this review is to examine the metabolic changes in glioblastoma and investigate the role of specific metabolic processes in tumorigenesis, as well as associated therapeutic approaches, with a particular focus on glioma stem cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Bernhard
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, 67405 lllkirch, France
| | - Damien Reita
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, 67405 lllkirch, France
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Cancer Molecular Genetics, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sophie Martin
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, 67405 lllkirch, France
| | - Natacha Entz-Werle
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, 67405 lllkirch, France
- Pediatric Onco-Hematology Unit, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 67098 Strasbourg, France
| | - Monique Dontenwill
- UMR CNRS 7021, Laboratory Bioimaging and Pathologies, Tumoral Signaling and Therapeutic Targets, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg, 67405 lllkirch, France
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9
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Olaizola P, Banales JM. PFKFB4 Is a Metabolic Driver of HCC Progression and Chemoresistance Through ROS Mitigation. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:1527-1529. [PMID: 36963434 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Olaizola
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, CIBERehd, "Instituto de Salud Carlos III", Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesus M Banales
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, CIBERehd, "Instituto de Salud Carlos III", Madrid, Spain; Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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10
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Kam CS, Ho DWH, Ming VSI, Tian L, Sze KMF, Zhang VX, Tsui YM, Husain A, Lee JMF, Wong CCL, Chan ACY, Cheung TT, Chan LK, Ng IOL. PFKFB4 Drives the Oncogenicity in TP53-Mutated Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Phosphatase-Dependent Manner. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:1325-1350. [PMID: 36806581 PMCID: PMC10140800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metabolic reprogramming is recognized as a cancer hallmark intimately linked to tumor hypoxia, which supports rapid tumor growth and mitigates the consequential oxidative stress. Phosphofructokinase-fructose bisphosphatase (PFKFB) is a family of bidirectional glycolytic enzymes possessing both kinase and phosphatase functions and has emerged as important oncogenes in multiple types of cancer. However, its clinical relevance, functional significance, and underlying mechanistic insights in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the primary malignancy that develops in the most important metabolic organ, has never been addressed. METHODS PFKFB4 expression was examined by RNA sequencing in The Cancer Genome Atlas and our in-house HCC cohort. The up-regulation of PFKFB4 expression was confirmed further by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in an expanded hepatitis B virus-associated HCC cohort followed by clinicopathologic correlation analysis. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated PFKFB4 knockout cells were generated for functional characterization in vivo, targeted metabolomic profiling, as well as RNA sequencing analysis to comprehensively examine the impact of PFKFB4 loss in HCC. RESULTS PFKFB4 expression was up-regulated significantly in HCC and correlated positively with TP53 and TSC2 loss-of-function mutations. In silico transcriptome-based analysis further revealed PFKFB4 functions as a critical hypoxia-inducible gene. Clinically, PFKFB4 up-regulation was associated with more aggressive tumor behavior. Functionally, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated PFKFB4 knockout significantly impaired in vivo HCC development. Targeted metabolomic profiling revealed that PFKFB4 functions as a phosphatase in HCC and its ablation caused an accumulation of metabolites in downstream glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. In addition, PFKFB4 loss induced hypoxia-responsive genes in glycolysis and reactive oxygen species detoxification. Conversely, ectopic PFKFB4 expression conferred sorafenib resistance. CONCLUSIONS PFKFB4 up-regulation supports HCC development and posed therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Shing Kam
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Vanessa Sheung-In Ming
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Karen Man-Fong Sze
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Vanilla Xin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yu-Man Tsui
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Abdullah Husain
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Joyce Man-Fong Lee
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Carmen Chak-Lui Wong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Albert Chi-Yan Chan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tan-To Cheung
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Lo-Kong Chan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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11
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Dai T, Rosario SR, Katsuta E, Dessai AS, Paterson EJ, Novickis AT, Cortes Gomez E, Zhu B, Liu S, Wang H, Abrams SI, Seshadri M, Bshara W, Dasgupta S. Hypoxic activation of PFKFB4 in breast tumor microenvironment shapes metabolic and cellular plasticity to accentuate metastatic competence. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111756. [PMID: 36476868 PMCID: PMC9807018 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells encounter a hostile tumor microenvironment (TME), and their adaptations to metabolic stresses determine metastatic competence. Here, we show that the metabolic enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase-4 (PFKFB4) is induced in hypoxic tumors acquiring metabolic plasticity and invasive phenotype. In mouse models of breast cancer, genetic ablation of PFKFB4 significantly delays distant organ metastasis, reducing local lymph node invasion by suppressing expression of invasive gene signature including integrin β3. Photoacoustic imaging followed by metabolomics analyses of hypoxic tumors show that PFKFB4 drives metabolic flexibility, enabling rapid detoxification of reactive oxygen species favoring survival under selective pressure. Mechanistically, hypoxic induction triggers nuclear translocation of PFKFB4 accentuating non-canonical transcriptional activation of HIF-1α, and breast cancer patients with increased nuclear PFKFB4 in their tumors are found to be significantly associated with poor prognosis. Our findings imply that PFKFB4 induction is crucial for tumor cell adaptation in the hypoxic TME that determines metastatic competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Dai
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Spencer R. Rosario
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Eriko Katsuta
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Abhisha Sawant Dessai
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Emily J. Paterson
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Aaron T. Novickis
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Eduardo Cortes Gomez
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Bokai Zhu
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Hai Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Scott I. Abrams
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Mukund Seshadri
- Department of Oral Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Wiam Bshara
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Subhamoy Dasgupta
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA,Lead contact,Correspondence:
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12
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Sittewelle M, Kappès V, Zhou C, Lécuyer D, Monsoro-Burq AH. PFKFB4 interacts with ICMT and activates RAS/AKT signaling-dependent cell migration in melanoma. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/12/e202201377. [PMID: 35914811 PMCID: PMC9348664 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycolysis regulator PFKFB4 promotes cell migration in metastatic melanoma and normal melanocytes by a non-conventional glycolysis-independent function involving ICMT, RAS, and AKT signaling. Cell migration is a complex process, tightly regulated during embryonic development and abnormally activated during cancer metastasis. RAS-dependent signaling is a major nexus controlling essential cell parameters including proliferation, survival, and migration, utilizing downstream effectors such as the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In melanoma, oncogenic mutations frequently enhance RAS, PI3K/AKT, or MAP kinase signaling and trigger other cancer hallmarks among which the activation of metabolism regulators. PFKFB4 is one of these critical regulators of glycolysis and of the Warburg effect. Here, however, we explore a novel function of PFKFB4 in melanoma cell migration. We find that PFKFB4 interacts with ICMT, a posttranslational modifier of RAS. PFKFB4 promotes ICMT/RAS interaction, controls RAS localization at the plasma membrane, activates AKT signaling and enhances cell migration. We thus provide evidence of a novel and glycolysis-independent function of PFKFB4 in human cancer cells. This unconventional activity links the metabolic regulator PFKFB4 to RAS-AKT signaling and impacts melanoma cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Méghane Sittewelle
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté des Sciences d'Orsay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France.,Institut Curie Research Division, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France
| | - Vincent Kappès
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté des Sciences d'Orsay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France.,Institut Curie Research Division, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France
| | - Chenxi Zhou
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté des Sciences d'Orsay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France.,Institut Curie Research Division, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France
| | - Déborah Lécuyer
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté des Sciences d'Orsay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France.,Institut Curie Research Division, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France
| | - Anne H Monsoro-Burq
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté des Sciences d'Orsay, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France .,Institut Curie Research Division, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3347, INSERM U1021, Orsay, France
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13
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PFKFB4 interacts with FBXO28 to promote HIF-1α signaling in glioblastoma. Oncogenesis 2022; 11:57. [PMID: 36115843 PMCID: PMC9482633 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-022-00433-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor for which there is no cure. The metabolic enzyme 6-Phosphofructo-2-Kinase/Fructose-2,6-Biphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4) is essential for glioblastoma stem-like cell (GSC) survival but its mode of action is unclear. Understanding the role of PFKFB4 in tumor cell survival could allow it to be leveraged in a cancer therapy. Here, we show the importance of PFKFB4 for glioblastoma growth in vivo in an orthotopic patient derived mouse model. In an evaluation of patient tumor samples of different cancer entities, PFKFB4 protein was found to be overexpressed in prostate, lung, colon, mammary and squamous cell carcinoma, with expression level correlating with tumor grade. Gene expression profiling in PFKFB4-silenced GSCs revealed a downregulation of hypoxia related genes and Western blot analysis confirmed a dramatic reduction of HIF (hypoxia inducible factor) protein levels. Through mass spectrometric analysis of immunoprecipitated PFKFB4, we identified the ubiquitin E3 ligase, F-box only protein 28 (FBXO28), as a new interaction partner of PFKFB4. We show that PFKFB4 regulates the ubiquitylation and subsequent proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α, which is mediated by the ubiquitin ligase activity of FBXO28. This newly discovered function of PFKFB4, coupled with its cancer specificity, provides a new strategy for inhibiting HIF-1α in cancer cells. ![]()
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14
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Jalal S, Zhang T, Deng J, Wang J, Xu T, Zhang T, Zhai C, Yuan R, Teng H, Huang L. β-elemene Isopropanolamine Derivative LXX-8250 Induces Apoptosis Through Impairing Autophagic Flux via PFKFB4 Repression in Melanoma Cells. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:900973. [PMID: 36034839 PMCID: PMC9399853 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.900973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer and accounts for most of the skin cancer-related deaths. The efficacy of current therapies for melanoma remains to be improved. The isopropanolamine derivative of β-elemene LXX-8250 was reported to present better water solubility and stronger toxicity to tumor cells than β-elemene. Herein, LXX-8250 treatment showed 4-5-fold more toxicity to melanoma cells than the well-known anti-melanoma drug, Dacarbazine. LXX-8250 treatment induced apoptosis remarkably, which was caused by the impairment of autophagic flux. To clarify the molecular mechanism, microarray analyses were conducted, and PFKFB4 expression was found to be suppressed by LXX-8250 treatment. The cells overexpressed with PFKFB4 exhibited resistance to apoptosis induction and autophagic flux inhibition by LXX-8250 treatment. Moreover, LXX-8250 treatment suppressed glycolysis, to which the cells overexpressed with PFKFB4 were tolerant. LXX-8250 treatment inhibited the growth of melanoma xenografts and suppressed PFKFB4 expression and glycolysis in vivo. Taken together, LXX-8250 treatment induced apoptosis through inhibiting autophagic flux and glycolysis in melanoma cells, which was mediated by suppression of PFKFB4 expression. The study provides a novel strategy to melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajid Jalal
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Dalian, China
| | - Jia Deng
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Tianhua Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Dalian, China
| | - Chuanxin Zhai
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ruqiang Yuan
- Advanced Institute for Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hongming Teng
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Dalian, China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Lin Huang,
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15
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Lai Y, Zhao S, Chen B, Huang Y, Guo C, Li M, Ye B, Wang S, Zhang H, Yang N. Iron controls T helper cell pathogenicity by promoting glucose metabolism in autoimmune myopathy. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e999. [PMID: 35917405 PMCID: PMC9345506 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T helper cells in patients with autoimmune disease of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are characterized with the proinflammatory phenotypes. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed for differential expression genes. Gene expression in CD4+ T-cells was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. CD4+ T-cells from IIM patients or healthy controls were evaluated for metabolic activities by Seahorse assay. Glucose uptake, T-cell proliferation and differentiation were evaluated and measured by flow cytometry. Human CD4+ T-cells treated with iron chelators or Pfkfb4 siRNA were measured for glucose metabolism, proliferation and differentiation. Signalling pathway activation was evaluated by western blot and flow cytometry. Mouse model of experimental autoimmune myositis (EAM) were induced and treated with iron chelator or rapamycin. CD4+ T-cell differentiation and muscle inflammation in the EAM mice were evaluated. RESULTS RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that iron was involved with glucose metabolism and CD4+ T-cell differentiation. IIM patient-derived CD4+ T-cells showed enhanced glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration, which was inhibited by iron chelation. CD4+ T-cells from patients with IIM was proinflammatory and iron chelation suppressed the differentiation of interferon gamma (IFNγ)- and interleukin (IL)-17A-producing CD4+ T-cells, which resulted in an increased percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Mechanistically, iron promoted glucose metabolism by an upregulation of PFKFB4 through AKT-mTOR signalling pathway. Notably, the knockdown of Pfkfb4 decreased glucose influx and thus suppressed the differentiation of IFNγ- and IL-17A-producing CD4+ T-cells. In vivo, iron chelation inhibited mTOR signalling pathway and reduced PFKFB4 expression in CD4+ T-cells, resulting in reduced proinflammatory IFNγ- and IL-17A-producing CD4+ T-cells and increased Foxp3+ Treg cells, leading to ameliorated muscle inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Iron directs CD4+ T-cells into a proinflammatory phenotype by enhancing glucose metabolism. Therapeutic targeting of iron metabolism should have the potential to normalize glucose metabolism in CD4+ T-cells and reverse their proinflammatory phenotype in IIM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Lai
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Siyuan Zhao
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Binfeng Chen
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuefang Huang
- Department of PediatricsThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Chaohuan Guo
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Baokui Ye
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shuyi Wang
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Institute of Precision MedicineThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Niansheng Yang
- Department of RheumatologyThe First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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16
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MEOX2 Regulates the Growth and Survival of Glioblastoma Stem Cells by Modulating Genes of the Glycolytic Pathway and Response to Hypoxia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092304. [PMID: 35565433 PMCID: PMC9099809 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastoma is the most common incurable primary brain tumor in adults, typically leading to death within 15 months of diagnosis. Although there is an ongoing debate in the scientific community about the precise cellular origin of this tumor, glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), which are able to self-renew, yield a full tumor mass, and determine chemo- and radio-resistance, are recognized to have a pivotal role. Our research aims to understand the role of the mesenchyme homeobox 2 (MEOX2) transcription factor in GSCs where it is strongly and specifically expressed. We have found that MEOX2 is indeed important for the survival of these cells. In fact, when we reduce its expression in two different GSC lines, they undergo a massive death accompanied by the inhibition of key genes of the glycolytic metabolism, the main source of energy for these cells. Our results reveal a novel function for MEOX2 in glioblastoma and suggest a mechanism through which GSCs may survive even in unfavorable conditions. Abstract The most widely accepted hypothesis for the development of glioblastoma suggests that glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) are crucially involved in tumor initiation and recurrence as well as in the occurrence of chemo- and radio-resistance. Mesenchyme homeobox 2 (MEOX2) is a transcription factor overexpressed in glioblastoma, whose expression is negatively correlated with patient survival. Starting from our observation that MEOX2 expression is strongly enhanced in six GSC lines, we performed shRNA-mediated knock-down experiments in two different GSC lines and found that MEOX2 depletion resulted in the inhibition of cell growth and sphere-forming ability and an increase in apoptotic cell death. By a deep transcriptome analysis, we identified a core group of genes modulated in response to MEOX2 knock-down. Among these genes, the repressed ones are largely enriched in genes involved in the hypoxic response and glycolytic pathway, two strictly related pathways that contribute to the resistance of high-grade gliomas to therapies. An in silico study of the regulatory regions of genes differentially expressed by MEOX2 knock-down revealed that they mainly consisted of GC-rich regions enriched for Sp1 and Klf4 binding motifs, two main regulators of metabolism in glioblastoma. Our results show, for the first time, the involvement of MEOX2 in the regulation of genes of GSC metabolism, which is essential for the survival and growth of these cells.
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Abstract
Eukaryotic cells have developed complex systems to regulate the production and response to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Different ROS control diverse aspects of cell behaviour from signalling to death, and deregulation of ROS production and ROS limitation pathways are common features of cancer cells. ROS also function to modulate the tumour environment, affecting the various stromal cells that provide metabolic support, a blood supply and immune responses to the tumour. Although it is clear that ROS play important roles during tumorigenesis, it has been difficult to reliably predict the effect of ROS modulating therapies. We now understand that the responses to ROS are highly complex and dependent on multiple factors, including the types, levels, localization and persistence of ROS, as well as the origin, environment and stage of the tumours themselves. This increasing understanding of the complexity of ROS in malignancies will be key to unlocking the potential of ROS-targeting therapies for cancer treatment.
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18
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Jones BC, Pohlmann PR, Clarke R, Sengupta S. Treatment against glucose-dependent cancers through metabolic PFKFB3 targeting of glycolytic flux. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2022; 41:447-458. [PMID: 35419769 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-022-10027-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Reprogrammed metabolism and high energy demand are well-established properties of cancer cells that enable tumor growth. Glycolysis is a primary metabolic pathway that supplies this increased energy demand, leading to a high rate of glycolytic flux and a greater dependence on glucose in tumor cells. Finding safe and effective means to control glycolytic flux and curb cancer cell proliferation has gained increasing interest in recent years. A critical step in glycolysis is controlled by the enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), which converts fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) to fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6BP). F2,6BP allosterically activates the rate-limiting step of glycolysis catalyzed by PFK1 enzyme. PFKFB3 is often overexpressed in many human cancers including pancreatic, colon, prostate, and breast cancer. Hence, PFKFB3 has gained increased interest as a compelling therapeutic target. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge of PFKFB3 functions, its role in cellular pathways and cancer development, its transcriptional and post-translational activity regulation, and the multiple pharmacologic inhibitors that have been used to block PFKFB3 activity in cancer cells. While much remains to be learned, PFKFB3 continues to hold great promise as an important therapeutic target either as a single agent or in combination with current interventions for breast and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon C Jones
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3970 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20057, USA
| | - Paula R Pohlmann
- Department of Breast Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1354, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Robert Clarke
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Ave NE, Austin, MN, 55912, USA
| | - Surojeet Sengupta
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Ave NE, Austin, MN, 55912, USA.
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19
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Metabostemness in cancer: Linking metaboloepigenetics and mitophagy in remodeling cancer stem cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 18:198-213. [PMID: 34355273 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-021-10216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are rare populations of malignant cells with stem cell-like features of self-renewal, uninterrupted differentiation, tumorigenicity, and resistance to conventional therapeutic agents, and these cells have a decisive role in treatment failure and tumor relapse. The self-renewal potential of CSCs with atypical activation of developmental signaling pathways involves the maintenance of stemness to support cancer progression. The acquisition of stemness in CSCs has been accomplished through genetic and epigenetic rewiring following the metabolic switch. In this context, "metabostemness" denotes the metabolic parameters that essentially govern the epitranscriptional gene reprogramming mechanism to dedifferentiate tumor cells into CSCs. Several metabolites often referred to as oncometabolites can directly remodel chromatin structure and thereby influence the operation of epitranscriptional circuits. This integrated metaboloepigenetic dimension of CSCs favors the differentiated cells to move in dedifferentiated macrostates. Some metabolic events might perform as early drivers of epitranscriptional reprogramming; however, subsequent metabolic hits may govern the retention of stemness properties in the tumor mass. Interestingly, selective removal of mitochondria through autophagy can promote metabolic plasticity and alter metabolic states during differentiation and dedifferentiation. In this connection, novel metabostemness-specific drugs can be generated as potential cancer therapeutics to target the metaboloepigenetic circuitry to eliminate CSCs.
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20
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Shen YA, Chen CC, Chen BJ, Wu YT, Juan JR, Chen LY, Teng YC, Wei YH. Potential Therapies Targeting Metabolic Pathways in Cancer Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:1772. [PMID: 34359941 PMCID: PMC8304173 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are heterogeneous cells with stem cell-like properties that are responsible for therapeutic resistance, recurrence, and metastasis, and are the major cause for cancer treatment failure. Since CSCs have distinct metabolic characteristics that plays an important role in cancer development and progression, targeting metabolic pathways of CSCs appears to be a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. Here we classify and discuss the unique metabolisms that CSCs rely on for energy production and survival, including mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and fatty acid metabolism. Because of metabolic plasticity, CSCs can switch between these metabolisms to acquire energy for tumor progression in different microenvironments compare to the rest of tumor bulk. Thus, we highlight the specific conditions and factors that promote or suppress CSCs properties to portray distinct metabolic phenotypes that attribute to CSCs in common cancers. Identification and characterization of the features in these metabolisms can offer new anticancer opportunities and improve the prognosis of cancer. However, the therapeutic window of metabolic inhibitors used alone or in combination may be rather narrow due to cytotoxicity to normal cells. In this review, we present current findings of potential targets in these four metabolic pathways for the development of more effective and alternative strategies to eradicate CSCs and treat cancer more effectively in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao-An Shen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-A.S.); (C.-C.C.); (J.-R.J.); (L.-Y.C.); (Y.-C.T.)
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- International Master/Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Cyuan Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-A.S.); (C.-C.C.); (J.-R.J.); (L.-Y.C.); (Y.-C.T.)
| | - Bo-Jung Chen
- Department of Pathology, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Ting Wu
- Center for Mitochondrial Medicine and Free Radical Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua City 50046, Taiwan;
| | - Jiun-Ru Juan
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-A.S.); (C.-C.C.); (J.-R.J.); (L.-Y.C.); (Y.-C.T.)
| | - Liang-Yun Chen
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-A.S.); (C.-C.C.); (J.-R.J.); (L.-Y.C.); (Y.-C.T.)
| | - Yueh-Chun Teng
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (Y.-A.S.); (C.-C.C.); (J.-R.J.); (L.-Y.C.); (Y.-C.T.)
| | - Yau-Huei Wei
- Center for Mitochondrial Medicine and Free Radical Research, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua City 50046, Taiwan;
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Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are heterogeneous cells with stem cell-like properties that are responsible for therapeutic resistance, recurrence, and metastasis, and are the major cause for cancer treatment failure. Since CSCs have distinct metabolic characteristics that plays an important role in cancer development and progression, targeting metabolic pathways of CSCs appears to be a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. Here we classify and discuss the unique metabolisms that CSCs rely on for energy production and survival, including mitochondrial respiration, glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and fatty acid metabolism. Because of metabolic plasticity, CSCs can switch between these metabolisms to acquire energy for tumor progression in different microenvironments compare to the rest of tumor bulk. Thus, we highlight the specific conditions and factors that promote or suppress CSCs properties to portray distinct metabolic phenotypes that attribute to CSCs in common cancers. Identification and characterization of the features in these metabolisms can offer new anticancer opportunities and improve the prognosis of cancer. However, the therapeutic window of metabolic inhibitors used alone or in combination may be rather narrow due to cytotoxicity to normal cells. In this review, we present current findings of potential targets in these four metabolic pathways for the development of more effective and alternative strategies to eradicate CSCs and treat cancer more effectively in the future.
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PFKFB4 Overexpression Facilitates Proliferation by Promoting the G1/S Transition and Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:8824589. [PMID: 34211613 PMCID: PMC8211511 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8824589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphate-4 (PFKFB4) is a key factor that plays an important role in tumorigenesis. However, its role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression needs to be further validated. We investigated whether PFKFB4 is directly involved in the oncogenic signaling networks of TNBC. Methods First, we assessed the expression level of PFKFB4 in tumor tissue specimens by immunohistochemistry and evaluated its prognostic value. Next, the effect of PFKFB4 on TNBC cell growth and associated mechanisms were investigated. Finally, the results were further verified in vivo. Results We found that PFKFB4 overexpression was associated with an unfavorable prognosis in TNBC patients. PFKFB4 was overexpressed in TNBC cell lines in hypoxic environments, and its overexpression promoted tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. Further analyses demonstrated that the possible mechanism might be that PFKFB4 overexpression facilitates TNBC progression by enhancing the G1/S phase transition by increasing the protein level of CDK6 and phosphorylation of Rb. Conclusions These data suggest that PFKFB4 plays significant roles in the tumorigenesis and development of TNBC.
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van Gisbergen MW, Zwilling E, Dubois LJ. Metabolic Rewiring in Radiation Oncology Toward Improving the Therapeutic Ratio. Front Oncol 2021; 11:653621. [PMID: 34041023 PMCID: PMC8143268 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.653621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To meet the anabolic demands of the proliferative potential of tumor cells, malignant cells tend to rewire their metabolic pathways. Although different types of malignant cells share this phenomenon, there is a large intracellular variability how these metabolic patterns are altered. Fortunately, differences in metabolic patterns between normal tissue and malignant cells can be exploited to increase the therapeutic ratio. Modulation of cellular metabolism to improve treatment outcome is an emerging field proposing a variety of promising strategies in primary tumor and metastatic lesion treatment. These strategies, capable of either sensitizing or protecting tissues, target either tumor or normal tissue and are often focused on modulating of tissue oxygenation, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) stabilization, glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function and the redox balance. Several compounds or therapies are still in under (pre-)clinical development, while others are already used in clinical practice. Here, we describe different strategies from bench to bedside to optimize the therapeutic ratio through modulation of the cellular metabolism. This review gives an overview of the current state on development and the mechanism of action of modulators affecting cellular metabolism with the aim to improve the radiotherapy response on tumors or to protect the normal tissue and therefore contribute to an improved therapeutic ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marike W van Gisbergen
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Department of Dermatology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Emma Zwilling
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ludwig J Dubois
- The M-Lab, Department of Precision Medicine, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analysis of Monolayer and Neurospheres from Established Glioblastoma Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061327. [PMID: 33809510 PMCID: PMC8001840 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Glioblastomas are very aggressive tumours without efficient treatment, where cancer stem-like cells are thought to be responsible for relapse. This pilot study investigated the metabolic discrepancies between monolayer and neurosphere cultures of two glioblastoma cell lines using transcriptomics and metabolomics. We show that the two culture systems display substantial differences regarding their metabolome and transcriptome. Specifically, we found that metabolic reactions connected to arginine biosynthesis are crucial to support the different metabolic needs of neurospheres from the two cell lines. By identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in different glioblastoma subpopulations, new therapeutic strategies may be emerging that can be explored to treat this disease. Moreover, this data set may be of great value as a resource for the scientific community. Abstract Altered metabolic processes contribute to carcinogenesis by modulating proliferation, survival and differentiation. Tumours are composed of different cell populations, with cancer stem-like cells being one of the most prominent examples. This specific pool of cells is thought to be responsible for cancer growth and recurrence and plays a particularly relevant role in glioblastoma (GBM), the most lethal form of primary brain tumours. Here, we have analysed the transcriptome and metabolome of an established GBM cell line (U87) and a patient-derived GBM stem-like cell line (NCH644) exposed to neurosphere or monolayer culture conditions. By integrating transcriptome and metabolome data, we identified key metabolic pathways and gene signatures that are associated with stem-like and differentiated states in GBM cells, and demonstrated that neurospheres and monolayer cells differ substantially in their metabolism and gene regulation. Furthermore, arginine biosynthesis was identified as the most significantly regulated pathway in neurospheres, although individual nodes of this pathway were distinctly regulated in the two cellular systems. Neurosphere conditions, as opposed to monolayer conditions, cause a transcriptomic and metabolic rewiring that may be crucial for the regulation of stem-like features, where arginine biosynthesis may be a key metabolic pathway. Additionally, TCGA data from GBM patients showed significant regulation of specific components of the arginine biosynthesis pathway, providing further evidence for the importance of this metabolic pathway in GBM.
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Carbonic Anhydrase IX Promotes Human Cervical Cancer Cell Motility by Regulating PFKFB4 Expression. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051174. [PMID: 33803236 PMCID: PMC7967120 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a hypoxia-induced protein that is highly expressed in numerous human cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in CAIX and human cervical cancer metastasis remain poorly understood. Our study found that CAIX overexpression increases PFKFB4 expression and EMT, promoting cervical cancer cell migration. CAIX could contribute to cervical cancer cell metastasis and its inhibition could be a cervical cancer treatment strategy. Abstract Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a hypoxia-induced protein that is highly expressed in numerous human cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in CAIX and human cervical cancer metastasis remain poorly understood. In this study, CAIX overexpression in SiHa cells increased cell migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Silencing CAIX in the Caski cell line decreased the motility of cells and EMT. Furthermore, the RNA-sequencing analysis identified a target gene, bifunctional 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFKFB4), which is influenced by CAIX overexpression and knockdown. A positive correlation was found between CAIX expression and PFKFB4 levels in the cervical cancer of the TCGA database. Mechanistically, CAIX overexpression activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) to induce EMT and promote cell migration. In clinical results, human cervical cancer patients with CAIXhigh/PFKFB4high expression in the late stage had higher rates of lymph node metastasis and the shortest survival time. Our study found that CAIX overexpression increases PFKFB4 expression and EMT, promoting cervical cancer cell migration. CAIX could contribute to cervical cancer cell metastasis and its inhibition could be a cervical cancer treatment strategy.
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Kotowski K, Rosik J, Machaj F, Supplitt S, Wiczew D, Jabłońska K, Wiechec E, Ghavami S, Dzięgiel P. Role of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 in Cancer: Genetic Basis, Impact on Disease Development/Progression, and Potential as Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:909. [PMID: 33671514 PMCID: PMC7926708 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycolysis is a crucial metabolic process in rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells. Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) is a key rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis. Its efficiency is allosterically regulated by numerous substances occurring in the cytoplasm. However, the most potent regulator of PFK-1 is fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F-2,6-BP), the level of which is strongly associated with 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activity (PFK-2/FBPase-2, PFKFB). PFK-2/FBPase-2 is a bifunctional enzyme responsible for F-2,6-BP synthesis and degradation. Four isozymes of PFKFB (PFKFB1, PFKFB2, PFKFB3, and PFKFB4) have been identified. Alterations in the levels of all PFK-2/FBPase-2 isozymes have been reported in different diseases. However, most recent studies have focused on an increased expression of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 in cancer tissues and their role in carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on all PFKFB genes and protein structures, and emphasize important differences between the isoenzymes, which likely affect their kinase/phosphatase activities. The main focus is on the latest reports in this field of cancer research, and in particular the impact of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 on tumor progression, metastasis, angiogenesis, and autophagy. We also present the most recent achievements in the development of new drugs targeting these isozymes. Finally, we discuss potential combination therapies using PFKFB3 inhibitors, which may represent important future cancer treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kotowski
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (K.J.)
| | - Jakub Rosik
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (J.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Filip Machaj
- Department of Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland; (J.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Stanisław Supplitt
- Department of Genetics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Daniel Wiczew
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland;
- Laboratoire de physique et chimie théoriques, Université de Lorraine, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Karolina Jabłońska
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (K.J.)
| | - Emilia Wiechec
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Division of Cell Biology, Linköping University, Region Östergötland, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Linköping, Anesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Region Östergötland, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada
| | - Piotr Dzięgiel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.); (K.J.)
- Department of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University School of Physical Education, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
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Meng J, Chen X, Han Z. PFKFB4 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression via phosphorylating and activating transcriptional coactivator SRC-2. BMC Pulm Med 2021; 21:60. [PMID: 33593309 PMCID: PMC7887818 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01420-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the role and its potential mechanism of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4) in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to analyze the interaction between PFKFB4 and SRC-2. Western blot was used to investigate the phosphorylation of steroid receptor coactivator-2 (SRC-2) on the condition that PFKFB4 was knockdown. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to find the downstream target of SRC-2. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, transwell assay and transwell-matrigel assay were used to examine the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities in A549 and NCI-H1975 cells with different treatment. Results In our study we found that PFKFB4 was overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma associated with SRC family protein and had an interaction with SRC-2. PFKFB4 could phosphorylate SRC-2 at Ser487, which altered SRC-2 transcriptional activity. Functionally, PFKFB4 promoted lung adenocarcinoma cells proliferation, migration and invasion by phosphorylating SRC-2. Furthermore, we identified that CARM1 was transcriptionally regulated by SRC-2 and involved in PFKFB4-SRC-2 axis on lung adenocarcinoma progression. Conclusions Our research reveal that PFKFB4 promotes lung adenocarcinoma cells proliferation, migration and invasion via enhancing phosphorylated SRC-2-mediated CARM1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiguang Meng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Xuxin Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Zhihai Han
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sixth Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China.
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Gu X, Guan J, Xu J, Zheng Q, Chen C, Yang Q, Huang C, Wang G, Zhou H, Chen Z, Zhu H. Model based on five tumour immune microenvironment-related genes for predicting hepatocellular carcinoma immunotherapy outcomes. J Transl Med 2021; 19:26. [PMID: 33407546 PMCID: PMC7788940 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02691-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the tumour immune microenvironment is known to significantly influence immunotherapy outcomes, its association with changes in gene expression patterns in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during immunotherapy and its effect on prognosis have not been clarified. METHODS A total of 365 HCC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas liver hepatocellular carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) dataset were stratified into training datasets and verification datasets. In the training datasets, immune-related genes were analysed through univariate Cox regression analyses and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox analyses to build a prognostic model. The TCGA-LIHC, GSE14520, and Imvigor210 cohorts were subjected to time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analyses to verify the reliability of the developed model. Finally, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to study the underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS Five immune-related genes (LDHA, PPAT, BFSP1, NR0B1, and PFKFB4) were identified and used to establish the prognostic model for patient response to HCC treatment. ROC curve analysis of the TCGA (training and validation sets) and GSE14520 cohorts confirmed the predictive ability of the five-gene-based model (AUC > 0.6). In addition, ROC and Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated that the model could stratify patients into a low-risk and a high-risk group, wherein the high-risk group exhibited worse prognosis and was less sensitive to immunotherapy than the low-risk group. Functional enrichment analysis predicted potential associations of the five genes with several metabolic processes and oncological signatures. CONCLUSIONS We established a novel five-gene-based prognostic model based on the tumour immune microenvironment that can predict immunotherapy efficacy in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Guan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiuxian Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chao Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qin Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunhong Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haihong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, NO. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China.
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Sheng KL, Kang L, Pridham KJ, Dunkenberger LE, Sheng Z, Varghese RT. An integrated approach to biomarker discovery reveals gene signatures highly predictive of cancer progression. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21246. [PMID: 33277589 PMCID: PMC7718261 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78126-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Current cancer biomarkers present variability in their predictive power and demonstrate limited clinical efficacy, possibly due to the lack of functional relevance of biomarker genes to cancer progression. To address this challenge, a biomarker discovery pipeline was developed to integrate gene expression profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas and essential survival gene datasets from The Cancer Dependency Map, the latter of which catalogs genes driving cancer progression. By applying this pipeline to lung adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, and glioblastoma, genes highly associated with cancer progression were identified and designated as progression gene signatures (PGSs). Analysis of area under the receiver operating characteristics curve revealed that PGSs predicted patient survival more accurately than previously identified cancer biomarkers. Moreover, PGSs stratified patients with high risk for progressive disease indicated by worse prognostic outcomes, increased frequency of cancer progression, and poor responses to chemotherapy. The robust performance of these PGSs were recapitulated in four independent microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus and were further verified in six freshly dissected tumors from glioblastoma patients. Our results demonstrate the power of an integrated approach to cancer biomarker discovery and the possibility of implementing PGSs into clinical biomarker tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L Sheng
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2265 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Lin Kang
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2265 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
| | - Kevin J Pridham
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Logan E Dunkenberger
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2265 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Zhi Sheng
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
- Faculty of Health Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Robin T Varghese
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2265 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.
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Cai L, Hu C, Yu S, Liu L, Yu X, Chen J, Liu X, Lin F, Zhang C, Li W, Yan X. Identification and validation of a six-gene signature associated with glycolysis to predict the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:1133. [PMID: 33228592 PMCID: PMC7686733 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common gynaecological cancers. The gene signature is believed to be reliable for predicting cancer patient survival. However, there is no relevant study on the relationship between the glycolysis-related gene (GRG) signature and overall survival (OS) of patients with CC. METHODS We extracted the mRNA expression profiles of 306 tumour and 13 normal tissues from the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Database. Then, we screened out differentially expressed glycolysis-related genes (DEGRGs) among these mRNAs. All patients were randomly divided into training cohort and validation cohort according to the ratio of 7: 3. Next, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were carried out to select the GRG with predictive ability for the prognosis of the training cohort. Additionally, risk score model was constructed and validated it in the validation cohort. RESULTS Six mRNAs were obtained that were associated with patient survival. The filtered mRNAs were classified into the protective type (GOT1) and the risk type (HSPA5, ANGPTL4, PFKM, IER3 and PFKFB4). Additionally, by constructing the prognostic risk score model, we found that the OS of the high-risk group was notably poorer, which showed good predictive ability both in training cohort and validation cohort. And the six-gene signature is a prognostic indicator independent of clinicopathological features. Through the verification of PCR, the results showed that compared with the normal cervial tissuses, the expression level of six mRNAs were significantly higher in the CC tissue, which was consistent with our findings. CONCLUSIONS We constructed a glycolysis-related six-gene signature to predict the prognosis of patients with CC using bioinformatics methods. We provide a thorough comprehension of the effect of glycolysis in patients with CC and provide new targets and ideas for individualized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luya Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 2 Fuxue Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P.R. China
| | - Chuan Hu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Shanshan Yu
- Department of Chemoradiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Lixiao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 2 Fuxue Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 2 Fuxue Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P.R. China
| | - Jiahua Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 2 Fuxue Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 2 Fuxue Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P.R. China
| | - Fan Lin
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng Li
- Department of Chemoradiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaojian Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 2 Fuxue Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, P.R. China.
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Vitovcova B, Skarkova V, Rudolf K, Rudolf E. Biology of Glioblastoma Multiforme-Exploration of Mitotic Catastrophe as a Potential Treatment Modality. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155324. [PMID: 32727112 PMCID: PMC7432846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents approximately 60% of all brain tumors in adults. This malignancy shows a high biological and genetic heterogeneity associated with exceptional aggressiveness, leading to a poor survival of patients. This review provides a summary of the basic biology of GBM cells with emphasis on cell cycle and cytoskeletal apparatus of these cells, in particular microtubules. Their involvement in the important oncosuppressive process called mitotic catastrophe will next be discussed along with select examples of microtubule-targeting agents, which are currently explored in this respect such as benzimidazole carbamate compounds. Select microtubule-targeting agents, in particular benzimidazole carbamates, induce G2/M cell cycle arrest and mitotic catastrophe in tumor cells including GBM, resulting in phenotypically variable cell fates such as mitotic death or mitotic slippage with subsequent cell demise or permanent arrest leading to senescence. Their effect is coupled with low toxicity in normal cells and not developed chemoresistance. Given the lack of efficient cytostatics or modern molecular target-specific compounds in the treatment of GBM, drugs inducing mitotic catastrophe might offer a new, efficient alternative to the existing clinical management of this at present incurable malignancy.
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Han W, Shi J, Cao J, Dong B, Guan W. Emerging Roles and Therapeutic Interventions of Aerobic Glycolysis in Glioma. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:6937-6955. [PMID: 32764985 PMCID: PMC7371605 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s260376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma is the most common type of intracranial malignant tumor, with a great recurrence rate due to its infiltrative growth, treatment resistance, intra- and intertumoral genetic heterogeneity. Recently, accumulating studies have illustrated that activated aerobic glycolysis participated in various cellular and clinical activities of glioma, thus influencing the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the glycolytic process is too complicated and ambiguous to serve as a novel therapy for glioma. In this review, we generalized the implication of key enzymes, glucose transporters (GLUTs), signalings and transcription factors in the glycolytic process of glioma. In addition, we summarized therapeutic interventions via the above aspects and discussed promising clinical applications for glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiachao Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Zhu X, Chen HH, Gao CY, Zhang XX, Jiang JX, Zhang Y, Fang J, Zhao F, Chen ZG. Energy metabolism in cancer stem cells. World J Stem Cells 2020; 12:448-461. [PMID: 32742562 PMCID: PMC7360992 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i6.448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal cells mainly rely on oxidative phosphorylation as an effective energy source in the presence of oxygen. In contrast, most cancer cells use less efficient glycolysis to produce ATP and essential biomolecules. Cancer cells gain the characteristics of metabolic adaptation by reprogramming their metabolic mechanisms to meet the needs of rapid tumor growth. A subset of cancer cells with stem characteristics and the ability to regenerate exist throughout the tumor and are therefore called cancer stem cells (CSCs). New evidence indicates that CSCs have different metabolic phenotypes compared with differentiated cancer cells. CSCs can dynamically transform their metabolic state to favor glycolysis or oxidative metabolism. The mechanism of the metabolic plasticity of CSCs has not been fully elucidated, and existing evidence indicates that the metabolic phenotype of cancer cells is closely related to the tumor microenvironment. Targeting CSC metabolism may provide new and effective methods for the treatment of tumors. In this review, we summarize the metabolic characteristics of cancer cells and CSCs and the mechanisms of the metabolic interplay between the tumor microenvironment and CSCs, and discuss the clinical implications of targeting CSC metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hui-Hui Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chen-Yi Gao
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xin-Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jing-Xin Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jun Fang
- Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Breast Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
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Isorhamnetin Induces Melanoma Cell Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt and NF- κB Pathways. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:1057943. [PMID: 32461960 PMCID: PMC7225865 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1057943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is characterized by its bad prognosis for aggressiveness, drug resistance, and early metastasis. Isorhamnetin (3′-methoxy-3,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone; IH) is a natural flavonoid that has been investigated for its antitumor effects in breast cancer, colon cancer, and gastric cancer through inducing cell apoptosis. Given its role in tumor inhibition, no research has been conducted concerning its effect against melanoma. In the present study, we found that IH could significantly inhibit B16F10 cell proliferation and migration and induce B16F10 cell apoptosis. The examination on molecular mechanism revealed that IH could suppress the phosphorylation of Akt and the translocation of NF-κB, which are key factors in apoptosis-related pathways. We also detected that this process was related to the bifunctional 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatases 4 (PFKFB4) by PFKFB4 knockdown experiment. In line with in vitro study, we further provided that IH effectively inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Taken together, IH was proven to induce melanoma cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, which may serve as a potential agent in malignant melanoma treatment in the future.
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Wang G, Li S, Xue K, Dong S. PFKFB4 is critical for the survival of acute monocytic leukemia cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 526:978-985. [PMID: 32299611 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is characterized by an overproliferation of blood cells, is divided into several subtypes in adults and children. Of those subtypes, acute monocytic leukemia (M4/M5, AMoL) is reported to be associated with abnormal gene fusions that result in monocytic cell differentiation being blocked. However, few studies have shown a relationship between cellular metabolism and the initiation of AMoL. Here, we use the open-access database TCGA to analyze the expression of enzymes in the metabolic cycle and find that PFKFB4 is highly expressed in AMoL. Subsequently, knocking down PFKFB4 in THP-1 and U937 cells significantly inhibits cell growth and increases the sensitivity of cells to chemical drug-induced apoptosis. In line with the gene-editing alterations, treatment with a PFKFB4 inhibitor exhibits similar effects on THP-1 and U937 proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, we find that PFKFB4 functions as a reliable target of the epigenetic regulator MLL, which is a well-known modulator in AMoL. Mechanistically, MLL promotes PFKFB4 expression at the transcriptional level through the putative E2F6 binding site in the promoter of the pfkfb4 gene. Taken together, our results suggest PFKFB4 serves as a downstream target of MLL and functions as a potent therapeutic target in AMoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gongai Wang
- Department of Hematology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, No.6, Jiankang Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272011, PR China
| | - Shumei Li
- Department of Hematology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, No.6, Jiankang Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272011, PR China
| | - Kewei Xue
- Department of Oncology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, No.6, Jiankang Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272011, PR China
| | - Shasha Dong
- Department of Hematology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, No.6, Jiankang Road, Jining City, Shandong Province, 272011, PR China.
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Combined proteomics/miRNomics of dendritic cell immunotherapy-treated glioblastoma patients as a screening for survival-associated factors. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:5. [PMID: 31969991 PMCID: PMC6965118 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most prevalent and aggressive brain cancer. With a median overall survival of ~15–20 months under standard therapy, novel treatment approaches are desperately needed. A recent phase II clinical trial with a personalized immunotherapy based on tumor lysate-charged dendritic cell (DC) vaccination, however, failed to prolong survival. Here, we investigated tumor tissue from trial patients to explore glioblastoma survival-related factors. We followed an innovative approach of combining mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics (n = 36) with microRNA sequencing plus RT-qPCR (n = 38). Protein quantification identified, e.g., huntingtin interacting protein 1 (HIP1), retinol-binding protein 1 (RBP1), ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) and focal adhesion kinase 2 (FAK2) as factor candidates correlated with a dismal prognosis. MicroRNA analysis identified miR-216b, miR-216a, miR-708 and let-7i as molecules potentially associated with favorable tissue characteristics as they were enriched in patients with a comparably longer survival. To illustrate the utility of integrated miRNomics and proteomics findings, focal adhesion was studied further as one example for a pathway of potential general interest. Taken together, we here mapped possible drivers of glioblastoma outcome under immunotherapy in one of the largest DC vaccination tissue analysis cohorts so far—demonstrating usefulness and feasibility of combined proteomics/miRNomics approaches. Future research should investigate agents that sensitize glioblastoma to (immuno)therapy—potentially building on insights generated here. Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer and effective immunotherapeutics are limited, with treatment currently based on chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A recent phase II clinical trial tested a personalized, targeted dendritic cell-based immunotherapy but there was no observed improvement in patient survival or progression-free survival compared to standard-of-care therapy. Here, Carmen Visus and colleagues have used tumor tissue samples from glioblastoma patients involved in this trial and receiving immunotherapy. Using a combination of mass spectrometry-based proteomics, microRNA sequencing and RT-qPCR they identified factors associated with survival or poor prognosis. Proteomics associated poor prognosis with various proteins including focal adhesion kinase 2 (FAK2), whilst microRNAs, miR-216b, miR-216a, miR-708 and let-7i, were associated with longer survival. Focussing on one pathway, FAK2, they integrated the proteomic and microRNA datasets and saw a negative association with overall survival across all patients. To test this, they added an FAK inhibitor to glioblastoma cell lines, including cells isolated from trial patients, and observed inhibition of gliomaspheres in treated cells, providing insights into potential immunotherapy targets.
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Yang J, Ren B, Yang G, Wang H, Chen G, You L, Zhang T, Zhao Y. The enhancement of glycolysis regulates pancreatic cancer metastasis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:305-321. [PMID: 31432232 PMCID: PMC11104916 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03278-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is prone to distant metastasis and is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death. In an extremely nutrient-deficient and hypoxic environment resulting from uncontrolled growth, vascular disturbances and desmoplastic reactions, pancreatic cancer cells utilize "metabolic reprogramming" to satisfy their energy demand and support malignant behaviors such as metastasis. Notably, pancreatic cancer cells show extensive enhancement of glycolysis, including glycolytic enzyme overexpression and increased lactate production, and this is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, cancer driver genes, specific transcription factors, a hypoxic tumor microenvironment and stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages. The metabolic switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis in pancreatic cancer cells regulates the invasion-metastasis cascade by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor angiogenesis and the metastatic colonization of distant organs. In addition to aerobic glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation also plays a critical role in pancreatic cancer metastasis in ways that remain unclear. In this review, we expound on the intracellular and extracellular causes of the enhancement of glycolysis in pancreatic cancer and the strong association between glycolysis and cancer metastasis, which we expect will yield new therapeutic approaches targeting cancer metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinshou Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Ren
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Huanyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangyu Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei You
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Taiping Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yupei Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China.
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Trojan SE, Markiewicz MJ, Leśkiewicz K, Kocemba-Pilarczyk KA. The influence of PFK-II overexpression on neuroblastoma patients' survival may be dependent on the particular isoenzyme expressed, PFKFB3 or PFKFB4. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:292. [PMID: 31754349 PMCID: PMC6854802 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-1005-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aim During cancer progression metabolic reprogramming is observed in parallel to the alternation in transcriptional profiles of malignant cells. Recent studies suggest that metabolic isoenzymes of phosphofructokinase II (PFK-II) – PFKFB3 and PFKFB4, often induced in hypoxic environment, significantly contribute to enhancement of glucose metabolism and in consequence cancer progression. Materials and methods Using the publicly available data deposited in the R2 data base we performed a Kaplan–Meyer analysis for cancer patients divided into groups with high and low expression levels of PFKFB3/4, determined based on the median. Results Our data showed that high PFKFB3/4 expression significantly correlates with shorter overall survival in several cancers. Moreover, we found that neuroblastoma patients with poor overall survival and evidence free survival are characterized by high PFKFB3 and at the same time low PFKFB4 expression, whereas patients with high PFKFB4 expressions are characterized by significantly better overall survival/evidence free survival rates. Conclusion Our analysis clearly indicates that expression of PFKFB3/4 isoenzymes may have a key prognostic value for several cancers. What’s more, it seems that in neuroblastoma the prognostic value of PFK-II may be dependent on the relation between PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 isoenzyme expression, indicating that further studies analyzing the role of both cancer specific PFK-II isoenzymes are highly desired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia E Trojan
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University-Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał J Markiewicz
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University-Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Kinga A Kocemba-Pilarczyk
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University-Medical College, Kraków, Poland
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Wang X, Lu S, He C, Wang C, Wang L, Piao M, Chi G, Luo Y, Ge P. RSL3 induced autophagic death in glioma cells via causing glycolysis dysfunction. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 518:590-597. [PMID: 31445705 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RSL3 is a type of small molecular compound which can inactivate glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and induce ferroptosis, but its role in glioma cell death remains unclear. In this study, we found RSL3 inhibited the viabilities of glioma cells and induced glioma cell death in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro studies revealed that RSL3-induced cell death was accompanied with the changes of autophagy-associated protein levels and was alleviated by pretreatment of 3-Methyladenine, bafilomycin A1 and knockdown of ATG5 with siRNA. The ATP and pyruvate content as well as the protein levels of HKII, PFKP, PKM2 were decreased in cells treated by RSL3, indicating that RSL3 induced glycolysis dysfunction in glioma cells. Moreover, supplement of exterior sodium pyruvate, which was a final product of glycolysis, not only inhibited the changes of autophagy-associated protein levels caused by RSL3, but also prevented RSL3-induced cell death. In vivo data suggested that the inhibitory effect of RSL3 on the growth of glioma cells was associated with glycolysis dysfunction and autophagy activation. Taken together, RSL3 induced autophagic cell death in glioma cells via causing glycolysis dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanzhong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Research Center of Neuroscience, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Research Center of Neuroscience, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Research Center of Neuroscience, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Chongcheng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Research Center of Neuroscience, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Research Center of Neuroscience, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Meihua Piao
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Guangfan Chi
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Yinan Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Research Center of Neuroscience, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Pengfei Ge
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China; Research Center of Neuroscience, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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Ibrahim AN, Yamashita D, Anderson JC, Abdelrashid M, Alwakeal A, Estevez-Ordonez D, Komarova S, Markert JM, Goidts V, Willey CD, Nakano I. Intratumoral spatial heterogeneity of BTK kinomic activity dictates distinct therapeutic response within a single glioblastoma tumor. J Neurosurg 2019; 133:1683-1694. [PMID: 31628288 PMCID: PMC7961807 DOI: 10.3171/2019.7.jns191376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite significant recent efforts applied toward the development of efficacious therapies for glioblastoma (GBM) through exploration of GBM's genome and transcriptome, curative therapeutic strategies remain highly elusive. As such, novel and effective therapeutics are urgently required. In this study, the authors sought to explore the kinomic landscape of GBM from a previously underutilized approach (i.e., spatial heterogeneity), followed by validation of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) targeting according to this stepwise kinomic-based novel approach. METHODS Twelve GBM tumor samples were obtained and characterized histopathologically from 2 patients with GBM. PamStation peptide-array analysis of these tissues was performed to measure the kinomic activity of each sample. The Ivy GBM database was then utilized to determine the intratumoral spatial localization of BTK activity by investigating the expression of BTK-related transcription factors (TFs) within tumors. Genetic inhibition of BTK family members through lentiviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown was performed to determine their function in the core-like and edge-like GBM neurosphere models. Finally, the small-molecule inhibitor of BTK, ONO/GS-4059, which is currently under clinical investigation in nonbrain cancers, was applied for pharmacological inhibition of regionally specified newly established GBM edge and core neurosphere models. RESULTS Kinomic investigation identified two major subclusters of GBM tissues from both patients exhibiting distinct profiles of kinase activity. Comparatively, in these spatially defined subgroups, BTK was the centric kinase differentially expressed. According to the Ivy GBM database, BTK-related TFs were highly expressed in the tumor core, but not in edge counterparts. Short hairpin RNA-mediated gene silencing of BTK in previously established edge- and core-like GBM neurospheres demonstrated increased apoptotic activity with predominance of the sub-G1 phase of core-like neurospheres compared to edge-like neurospheres. Lastly, pharmacological inhibition of BTK by ONO/GS-4059 resulted in growth inhibition of regionally derived GBM core cells and, to a lesser extent, their edge counterparts. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies significant heterogeneity in kinase activity both within and across distinct GBM tumors. The study findings indicate that BTK activity is elevated in the classically therapy-resistant GBM tumor core. Given these findings, targeting GBM's resistant core through BTK may potentially provide therapeutic benefit for patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed N. Ibrahim
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Daisuke Yamashita
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Joshua C. Anderson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Moaaz Abdelrashid
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Amr Alwakeal
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Svetlana Komarova
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - James M. Markert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Violaine Goidts
- Brain Tumor Translational Targets, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Ichiro Nakano
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama
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Kessler R, Fleischer M, Springsguth C, Bigl M, Warnke JP, Eschrich K. Prognostic Value of PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA Ratio in Patients With Primary Glioblastoma (IDH-Wildtype). J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2019; 78:865-870. [DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlz067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A hallmark of glioblastoma is the high level of aerobic glycolysis. PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 are regulatory glycolytic enzymes, which are overexpressed in glioblastomas. Selective inhibition of these enzymes has emerged as a new approach in tumor therapy. We investigated the ratios of PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA expression in 66 astrocytic tumors of different malignancy grades. PFKFB3 mRNA levels were considerably higher than those of PFKFB4 in all analyzed tumors. IDH-wildtype glioblastomas showed lower PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA ratios (7.7:1) than IDH-mutant low-grade astrocytomas (36.5:1), indicating a dependency of the ratio on malignancy grade. In IDH-wildtype glioblastomas exhibiting loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the PFKFB3 gene locus, the decrease of PFKFB3 mRNA levels was accompanied by lower PFKFB4 mRNA levels, but the PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA ratio did not differ between tumors with or without PFKFB3 LOH. IDH-wildtype primary glioblastoma patients with high PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 mRNA ratios above the average of 7.7:1 had a significantly longer overall survival time (14 months) than patients with lower ratios (9 months). Our results indicate that low PFKFB3 to PFKFB4 expression ratio is a poor prognostic factor in patients with IDH-wildtype primary glioblastoma and that PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 might represent promising targets for astrocytoma and glioblastoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Kessler
- Rudolf Schoenheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Christopher Springsguth
- Rudolf Schoenheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marina Bigl
- Rudolf Schoenheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Warnke
- Department of Neurosurgery, Paracelsus Hospital, Zwickau, Germany
| | - Klaus Eschrich
- Rudolf Schoenheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Germany
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Silva-Evangelista C, Barret E, Ménez V, Merlevede J, Kergrohen T, Saccasyn A, Oberlin E, Puget S, Beccaria K, Grill J, Castel D, Debily MA. A kinome-wide shRNA screen uncovers vaccinia-related kinase 3 (VRK3) as an essential gene for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma survival. Oncogene 2019; 38:6479-6490. [DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Yao L, Wang L, Cao ZG, Hu X, Shao ZM. High expression of metabolic enzyme PFKFB4 is associated with poor prognosis of operable breast cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2019; 19:165. [PMID: 31244553 PMCID: PMC6582605 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-019-0882-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enhanced glycolysis in tumors, known as the Warburg effect, provides the metabolic basis of enhanced cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. The Warburg pathway enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4) is a newly identified key kinase that regulates transcriptional reprogramming and cell proliferation. Here we show the prognostic value of PFKFB4 expression in patients with operable breast cancer. Methods PFKFB4 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in surgical specimens retrospectively collected from 200 patients with histologically proven invasive ductal breast cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were performed to assess the prognostic significance of PFKFB4 expression. Results Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that breast cancer patients with high PFKFB4 expression demonstrated unfavorable disease-free survival (p = 0.008) and overall survival (p = 0.002). PFKFB4 had an hazard ratio (HR) of 7.38 (95% CI 1.69-32.3; p = 0.008) in univariate Cox analysis and retained prognostic power (HR 7.44, 95% CI 1.67-33.2; p = 0.009) when adjusted by tumor size, lymph node status, grade, estrogen receptor status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status and subtype, which indicated PFKFB4 was an independent prognostic factor in breast cancer. Conclusions Together, our findings establish the prognostic value of metabolic enzyme PFKFB4 in patients with operable breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Yao
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 270 Dong-An Rd., Shanghai, 200032 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,3Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Wang
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 270 Dong-An Rd., Shanghai, 200032 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,3Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Gang Cao
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 270 Dong-An Rd., Shanghai, 200032 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,3Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Hu
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 270 Dong-An Rd., Shanghai, 200032 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,3Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Ming Shao
- 1Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 270 Dong-An Rd., Shanghai, 200032 People's Republic of China.,2Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,3Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,4Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Spheroid glioblastoma culture conditions as antigen source for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy: spheroid proteins are survival-relevant targets but can impair immunogenic interferon γ production. Cytotherapy 2019; 21:643-658. [PMID: 30975602 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of brain cancer. Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy against glioblastoma depends on the effectiveness of loaded antigens. Sphere-inducing culture conditions are being studied by many as a potential antigen source. Here, we investigated two different in vitro conditions (spheroid culture versus adherent culture) in relation to DC immunotherapy: (1) We studied the specific spheroid-culture proteome and assessed the clinical importance of spheroid proteins. (2) We evaluated the immunogenicity of spheroid lysate - both compared to adherent conditions. METHODS We used seven spheroid culture systems, three of them patient-derived. Stemness-related markers were studied in those three via immunofluorescence. Spheroid-specific protein expression was measured via quantitative proteomics. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) survival data was used to investigate the clinical impact of spheroid proteins. Immunogenicity of spheroid versus adherent cell lysate was explored in autologous ELISPOT systems (DCs and T cells from the three patients). RESULTS (1) The differential proteome of spheroid versus adherent glioblastoma culture conditions could successfully be established. The top 10 identified spheroid-specific proteins were associated with significantly decreased overall survival (TCGA MIT/Harvard cohort; n = 350, P = 0.014). (2) In exploratory experiments, immunogenicity of spheroid lysate vis-á-vis interferon (IFN)γ production was lower than that of adherent cell lysate (IFNγ ELISPOT; P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS Spheroid culture proteins seem to represent survival-relevant targets, supporting the use of spheroid culture conditions as an antigen source for DC immunotherapy. However, immunogenicity enhancement should be considered for future research. Transferability of our findings in terms of clinical impact and regarding different spheroid-generation techniques needs further validation.
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Jagust P, de Luxán-Delgado B, Parejo-Alonso B, Sancho P. Metabolism-Based Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Cancer Stem Cells. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:203. [PMID: 30967773 PMCID: PMC6438930 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer heterogeneity constitutes the major source of disease progression and therapy failure. Tumors comprise functionally diverse subpopulations, with cancer stem cells (CSCs) as the source of this heterogeneity. Since these cells bear in vivo tumorigenicity and metastatic potential, survive chemotherapy and drive relapse, its elimination may be the only way to achieve long-term survival in patients. Thanks to the great advances in the field over the last few years, we know now that cellular metabolism and stemness are highly intertwined in normal development and cancer. Indeed, CSCs show distinct metabolic features as compared with their more differentiated progenies, though their dominant metabolic phenotype varies across tumor entities, patients and even subclones within a tumor. Following initial works focused on glucose metabolism, current studies have unveiled particularities of CSC metabolism in terms of redox state, lipid metabolism and use of alternative fuels, such as amino acids or ketone bodies. In this review, we describe the different metabolic phenotypes attributed to CSCs with special focus on metabolism-based therapeutic strategies tested in preclinical and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Jagust
- Centre for Stem Cells in Cancer and Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz de Luxán-Delgado
- Centre for Stem Cells in Cancer and Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Beatriz Parejo-Alonso
- Traslational Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Patricia Sancho
- Centre for Stem Cells in Cancer and Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Traslational Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragon), Zaragoza, Spain
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46
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Vanherwegen AS, Eelen G, Ferreira GB, Ghesquière B, Cook DP, Nikolic T, Roep B, Carmeliet P, Telang S, Mathieu C, Gysemans C. Vitamin D controls the capacity of human dendritic cells to induce functional regulatory T cells by regulation of glucose metabolism. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 187:134-145. [PMID: 30481575 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) instruct regulatory T cells (Tregs) to dampen autoimmunity. Active vitamin D3 (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; 1α,25(OH)2D3) imprints human monocyte-derived DCs with tolerogenic properties by reprogramming their glucose metabolism. Here we identify the glycolytic enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4) as a critical checkpoint and direct transcriptional target of 1α,25(OH)2D3 in determining the tolDC profile. Using tracer metabolomics, we show that PFKFB4 activity is essential for glucose metabolism, especially for glucose oxidation, which is elevated upon 1α,25(OH)2D3 exposure. Pharmacological inhibition of PFKFB4 reversed the 1α,25(OH)2D3-mediated shift in metabolism, DC profile and function, as determined by expression of inhibitory surface markers and secretion of regulatory cytokines and factors. Moreover, PFKFB4 inhibition in 1α,25(OH)2D3-treated DCs blocked their hallmark capacity to induce suppressive Tregs. This work demonstrates that alterations in the bioenergetic metabolism of immune cells are central to the immunomodulatory effects induced by 1α,25(OH)2D3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guy Eelen
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Bart Ghesquière
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven,Belgium; Metabolomics Core Facility, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Tanja Nikolic
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bart Roep
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Diabetes Immunology, Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sucheta Telang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, J. Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Chantal Mathieu
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Conny Gysemans
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, KU, Leuven, Belgium.
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Xu F, Li CH, Wong CH, Chen GG, Lai PBS, Shao S, Chan SL, Chen Y. Genome-Wide Screening and Functional Analysis Identifies Tumor Suppressor Long Noncoding RNAs Epigenetically Silenced in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2019; 79:1305-1317. [PMID: 30718359 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) play critical roles in the development of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms underlying their deregulation remain largely unexplored. In this study, we report that two lncRNAs frequently downregulated in HCC function as tumor suppressors and are epigenetically silenced by histone methyltransferase EZH2. lncRNAs TCAM1P-004 and RP11-598D14.1 were inhibited by EZH-mediated trimethylation of H3K27me3 at their promoters. Downregulation of TCAM1P-004 and RP11-598D14.1 was frequently observed in HCC tumors compared with adjacent normal tissues. Both lncRNAs inhibited cell growth, cell survival, and transformation in HCC cells in vitro as well as tumor formation in vivo. Using RNA pull-down and mass spectrometry, we demonstrated that TCAM1P-004 bound IGF2BP1 and HIST1H1C, whereas RP11-598D14.1 bound IGF2BP1 and STAU1. These lncRNA-protein interactions were critical in regulating p53, MAPK, and HIF1α pathways that promoted cell proliferation in HCC. Overexpression of EZH2 was critical in repressing TCAM1P-004 and RP11-598D14.1, and EZH2-TCAM1P-004/RP11-598D14.1-regulated pathways were prevalent in human HCC. Aberrant suppression of TCAM1P-004 and RP11-598D14.1 led to loss of their tumor-suppressive effects by disrupting the interaction with IGF2BP1, HIST1H1C, and STAU1, which in turn promoted HCC development and progression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the role of TCAMP1P-004 and RP11-598D14.1 in suppressing tumor growth and suggest that EZH2 may serve as a therapeutic target in HCC. SIGNIFICANCE: EZH2-mediated loss of lncRNAs TCAM1P-004 and RP11-598D14.1 hinders the formation of tumor suppressor lncRNA-protein complexes and subsequently promotes HCC growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyue Xu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Han Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Hin Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - George G Chen
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Paul Bo San Lai
- Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Shengwen Shao
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Stephen L Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory in Oncology of South China and Institute of Digestive Disease, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yangchao Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong. .,Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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Zhang Y, Zhu J. Ten genes associated with MGMT promoter methylation predict the prognosis of patients with glioma. Oncol Rep 2019; 41:908-916. [PMID: 30535433 PMCID: PMC6313003 DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioma originates from the glial cells of the spine or brain, and promoter methylation of O6‑methylguanine‑DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) can promote the chemosensitivity of glioma. The present study aimed to reveal the key genes implicated in MGMT promoter methylation in patients with glioma. RNA‑sequencing data and methylation data for glioma were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Following expression characteristic analysis and differential expression analysis using unsupervised hierarchical clustering and a rank sum test, the feature genes were identified between high and low methylation groups. Furthermore, multivariate survival analysis for the feature genes was performed using the survival package in R. Additionally, the independent glioma RNA expression datasets GSE7696 and GSE42669 were used to validate the prognostic efficiency of the gene combination. The results indicated that the prognosis of the low methylation group was significantly worse than that of the high methylation group. The ten genes corresponding to the cut‑off value of 0.56 (Rho GTPase‑activating protein 21, CECR2, histone acetyl‑lysine reader, endosulfine α, G‑patch domain‑containing 8, KIAA1109, MGMT, protocadherin β 13, selenoprotein M, sperm‑associated antigen 9 and WD repeat domain 6) were able to significantly predict prognosis and were differentially expressed between the two groups. Multivariate survival analysis suggested that the ten genes were effective for sample classification and prognostic prediction. Furthermore, the validation datasets confirmed the correlation of the ten genes with prognosis. In conclusion, these 10 genes may be mediated by MGMT promoter methylation in glioma. In addition, the ten‑gene combination may be associated with the prognosis of patients with glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, P.R. China
| | - Junwei Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Medical College, Yiwu, Zhejiang 322000, P.R. China
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Sheng KL, Pridham KJ, Sheng Z, Lamouille S, Varghese RT. Functional Blockade of Small GTPase RAN Inhibits Glioblastoma Cell Viability. Front Oncol 2019; 8:662. [PMID: 30671385 PMCID: PMC6331428 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma, the most common malignant tumor in the brain, lacks effective treatments and is currently incurable. To identify novel drug targets for this deadly cancer, the publicly available results of RNA interference screens from the Project Achilles database were analyzed. Ten candidate genes were identified as survival genes in 15 glioblastoma cell lines. RAN, member RAS oncogene family (RAN) was expressed in glioblastoma at the highest level among all candidates based upon cDNA microarray data. However, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis did not show any correlation between RAN mRNA levels and patient survival. Because RAN is a small GTPase that regulates nuclear transport controlled by karyopherin subunit beta 1 (KPNB1), RAN was further analyzed together with KPNB1. Indeed, GBM patients with high levels of RAN also had more KPNB1 and levels of KPNB1 alone did not relate to patient prognosis. Through a Cox multivariate analysis, GBM patients with high levels of RAN and KPNB1 showed significantly shorter life expectancy when temozolomide and promoter methylation of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase were used as covariates. These results indicate that RAN and KPNB1 together are associated with drug resistance and GBM poor prognosis. Furthermore, the functional blockade of RAN and KPNB1 by importazole remarkably suppressed cell viability and activated apoptosis in GBM cells expressing high levels of RAN, while having a limited effect on astrocytes and GBM cells with undetectable RAN. Together, our results demonstrate that RAN activity is important for GBM survival and the functional blockade of RAN/KPNB1 is an appealing therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin L Sheng
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Kevin J Pridham
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Zhi Sheng
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States.,Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States.,Faculty of Health Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Samy Lamouille
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Basic Science Education, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States.,Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Robin T Varghese
- Department of Biological Affairs and Research, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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50
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Geraldo LHM, Garcia C, da Fonseca ACC, Dubois LGF, de Sampaio e Spohr TCL, Matias D, de Camargo Magalhães ES, do Amaral RF, da Rosa BG, Grimaldi I, Leser FS, Janeiro JM, Macharia L, Wanjiru C, Pereira CM, Moura-Neto V, Freitas C, Lima FRS. Glioblastoma Therapy in the Age of Molecular Medicine. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:46-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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