IMPAD1 and KDELR2 drive invasion and metastasis by enhancing Golgi-mediated secretion

Machine learning-based radiomics for predicting outcomes in cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSES

To investigate the value of machine learning-based radiomics for predicting disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this multicentre study, 700 patients with IB2-IVA cervical cancer who underwent CCRT with ongoing follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Three-dimensional radiomics features of primary lesions and its surrounding 5 mm region in T2WI sequences were collected. Six machine learning methods were used to construct the optimal radiomics model for accurate prediction of DFS and OS after CCRT in LACC patients. Eventually, TCGA and GEO databases were used to explore the mechanisms of radiomics in predicting the progression and survival of cervical cancer. This study adhered CLEAR for reporting and its quality was assessed using RQS and METRICS.

RESULTS

In the prediction of DFS, the RSF model combined tumor and peritumor radiomics demonstrated the best predictive efficacy, with the AUC for predicting 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year DFS in the training, validation, and test sets of 0.986, 0.989, 0.990, and 0.884, 0.838, 0.823, and 0.829, 0.809, 0.841, respectively. In the prediction of OS, the GBM model best performer, with AUC of 0.999, 0.995, 0.978, and 0.981, 0.975, 0.837, and 0.904, 0.860, 0.905. Differential genes in TCGA and GEO suggest that the prediction of radiomics model may be associated with KDELR2 and HK2.

CONCLUSION

Machine learning-based radiomics models help to predict DFS and OS after CCRT in LACC patients, and the combination of tumor and peritumor information has higher predictive efficacy, which can provide a reliable basis for therapeutic decision-making in cervical cancer patients.

KDELR2 promotes bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation via GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway

Nonunion is a challenging complication of fractures for the surgeon. Recently the Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) endoplasmic reticulum protein retention receptor 2 (KDELR2) has been found that involved in osteogenesis imperfecta. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we used lentivirus infection and mouse fracture model to investigate the role of KDELR2 in osteogenesis. Our results showed that KDELR2 knockdown inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of mBMSCs, whereas KDELR2 overexpression had the opposite effect. Furthermore, the levels of active-β-catenin and phospho-GSK3β (Ser9) were upregulated by KDELR2 overexpression and downregulated by KDELR2 knockdown. In the fracture model, mBMSCs overexpressing KDELR2 promoted healing. In conclusion, KDELR2 promotes the osteogenesis of mBMSCs by regulating the GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Hypoxia-Responsive Golgi-Targeted Prodrug Assembled with Anthracycline for Improved Antitumor and Antimetastasis Efficacy

Tumor metastasis is an intricate multistep process regulated via various proteins and enzymes modified and secreted by swollen Golgi apparatus in tumor cells. Thus, Golgi complex is considered as an important target for the remedy of metastasis. Currently, Golgi targeting technologies are mostly employed in Golgi-specific fluorescent probes for diagnosis, but their applications in therapy are rarely reported. Herein, we proposed a prodrug (INR) that can target and destroy the Golgi apparatus, which consisted of indomethacin (IMC) as the Golgi targeting moiety and retinoic acid (RA), a Golgi disrupting agent. The linker between IMC and RA was designed as a hypoxia-responsive nitroaromatic structure, which ensured the release of the prototype drugs in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, INR could be assembled with pirarubicin (THP), an anthracycline, to form a carrier-free nanoparticle (NP) by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. A small amount of mPEG2000-DSPE was added to shield the positive charges and improve the stability of the nanoparticle to obtain PEG-modified nanoparticle (PNP). It was proved that INR released the prototype drugs in tumor cells and hypoxia promoted the release. The Golgi destructive effect of RA in INR was amplified owing to the Golgi targeting ability of IMC, and IMC also inhibited the protumor COX-2/PGE2 signaling. Finally, PNP exhibited excellent curative efficacy on 4T1 primary tumor and its pulmonary and hepatic metastasis. The small molecular therapeutic prodrug targeting Golgi apparatus could be adapted to multifarious drug delivery systems and disease models, which expanded the application of Golgi targeting tactics in disease treatment.

ETV4 facilitates angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma by upregulating MMP14 expression

Abnormal vascularization plays a crucial role in cell proliferation, tumor invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been reported that ETV4 functions as an oncogenic gene in driving the carcinogenesis and progression, and promoting invasion and metastasis of HCC. However, the function of ETV4 on angiogenesis in HCC remains unclear. In the current study, immunohistochemistry showed that knockdown of ETV4 reduced angiogenesis in HCC xenograft tumor tissues. In vitro, tube formation assay verified that ETV4 expression promoted angiogenesis through simulating the angiogenic environment in HCC cells. Transcriptome sequencing indicated that MMP14 was one of the differentially expressed genes enriched in angiogenesis process. Subsequently, it was confirmed that MMP14 was regulated by ETV4 at the transcription level in HCC cells, clinical tissue samples and online databases. Further, we demonstrated that MMP14 induced angiogenesis in ETV4-mediated HCC microenvironment. Collectively, this research further reveals the biological mechanism of ETV4 in promoting the migration and invasion of HCC, and provides novel mechanistic insights and strategic guidance for anti-angiogenic therapy in HCC.

KDELR2 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of bladder urothelial carcinoma and its correlation with immune infiltration

KDELR2 has been reported as a promotive factor for the genesis and progression of several malignancies. However, it is uncertain how it affects bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA). Using data extracted from online databases, an enhanced expression of KDELR2 in BLCA tissues was verified. Overexpression of KDELR2 was correlated with advanced clinicopathologic characteristics and unfavourable prognosis of BLCA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis highlighted the potential diagnostic value of KDELR2. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses further revealed the predictive effect of KDELR2 for the prognosis of BLCA. KDELR2 was primarily enriched in biological functions related to organization of the extracellular matrix. TIMER, ssGSEA and GEPIA analyses suggested that KDELR2 expression is positively related to the infiltration of macrophages, Th2 cells and neutrophils. Finally, knocking-down of KDELR2 in T24 cells resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and macrophages recruitment. These results suggest that KDELR2 overexpression is an indicator for poor prognosis of BLCA and it has the potential to be employed as an immunotherapy target for BLCA.

Salinomycin disturbs Golgi function and specifically affects cells in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gives rise to cells with properties similar to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Targeting the EMT program to selectively eliminate CSCs is a promising way to improve cancer therapy. Salinomycin (Sal), a K+/H+ ionophore, was identified as highly selective towards CSC-like cells, but its mechanism of action and selectivity remains elusive. Here, we show that Sal, similar to monensin and nigericin, disturbs the function of the Golgi. Sal alters the expression of Golgi-related genes and leads to marked changes in Golgi morphology, particularly in cells that have undergone EMT. Moreover, Golgi-disturbing agents severely affect post-translational modifications of proteins, including protein processing, glycosylation and secretion. We discover that the alterations induced by Golgi-disturbing agents specifically affect the viability of EMT cells. Collectively, our work reveals a novel vulnerability related to the EMT, suggesting an important role for the Golgi in the EMT and that targeting the Golgi could represent a novel therapeutic approach against CSCs.

Identification of co-expressed gene networks promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration and having prognostic value in uveal melanoma

Current immunotherapies are unsatisfactory against uveal melanoma (UM); however, elevated CD8+ T cell infiltration level indicates poor prognosis in UM. Here, we aimed to identify co-expressed gene networks promoting CD8+ T cell infiltration in UM and created a prognostic hazard model based on the identified hub genes. Raw data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Stromal-immune comprehensive score (ESTIMATE) was used to evaluate the immune-infiltration landscape of the tumor microenvironment. Single-Sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) and Weighted Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) were used to quantify CD8+ T cell infiltration level and identify hub genes. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed to analyze the biological processes. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression were used to establish a prognostic model, which was further validated. Finally, pan-cancer analysis evaluated these genes to be associated with CD8+ T cell infiltration in other tumors. In conclusion, the proposed four-gene (PTPN12, IDH2, P2RX4, and KDELR2) prognostic hazard model had satisfactory prognostic ability. These hub genes may promote CD8+ T cell infiltration in UM through antigen presentation, and CD8+ T cell possibly function as Treg, resulting in poor prognosis. These findings might facilitate the development of novel immunotherapies.

Using cancer proteomics data to identify gene candidates for therapeutic targeting

Gene-level associations obtained from mass-spectrometry-based cancer proteomics datasets represent a resource for identifying gene candidates for functional studies. When recently surveying proteomic correlates of tumor grade across multiple cancer types, we identified specific protein kinases having a functional impact on uterine endometrial cancer cells. This previously published study provides just one template for utilizing public molecular datasets to discover potential novel therapeutic targets and approaches for cancer patients. Proteomic profiling data combined with corresponding multi-omics data on human tumors and cell lines can be analyzed in various ways to prioritize genes of interest for interrogating biology. Across hundreds of cancer cell lines, CRISPR loss of function and drug sensitivity scoring can be readily integrated with protein data to predict any gene's functional impact before bench experiments are carried out. Public data portals make cancer proteomics data more accessible to the research community. Drug discovery platforms can screen hundreds of millions of small molecule inhibitors for those that target a gene or pathway of interest. Here, we discuss some of the available public genomic and proteomic resources while considering approaches to how these could be leveraged for molecular biology insights or drug discovery. We also demonstrate the inhibitory effect of BAY1217389, a TTK inhibitor recently tested in a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of solid tumors, on uterine cancer cell line viability.

Anti-PD-(L)1 therapy of non-small cell lung cancer-A summary of clinical trials and current progresses

Background

This review discusses the impact of mono or combination therapy of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, comparing clinical outcomes and safety. Cancer subtype, tumor mutational burden (TMB), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression state and T cell infiltration (TIL) density are considered for interpretations. Besides, current progresses in the field of immunotherapy are discussed.

Results

Anti-PD-(L)1 is a safe and an effective strategy in patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC. Clinical responses to nivolumab and pembrolizumab, in particular, are promising. The most desired clinical responses are for patients receiving combination of anti-PD-(L)1 or anti-PD-(L)1/anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) with chemotherapy (taxane and platinum). PD-L1 expression state (PD-L1 ≥ 50%), patient performance state (PS: 0-1 ECOG scale) and effector T cell (Teff) immune signature considerably affect ICI responses. Higher ICI responses are also expected in TMB ^high but EGFR^-/ALK^- cancer patients. In regard with safety profile, adverse events (AEs) related to anti-PD-(L)1 are lower compared with that for platinum-based and docetaxel therapy. Toripalimab is the safest among various immunotherapy drugs. Bispecific antibodies against anti-PD-(L)1 with dominant signaling or alternative checkpoints in tumor microenvironment (TME) is the current focus in immunotherapy of cancers like NSCLC. Besides, the contribution of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to immune escape and their implication in cancer diagnosis and therapy is on the eye of current investigations.

Conclusion

Appropriate biomarker selection will improve therapy outcomes in ICI treated NSCLC patients, particularly in cases under combinatory ICI therapy. Application of bispecific antibodies and EV-based targeted therapy are effective novel strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes in cancer patients.

Construction of a novel molecular typing and scoring system for anoikis distinguishes between different prognostic risks and treatment responsiveness in low-grade glioma

Background

The main factors responsible for low-grade glioma (LGG)s' poor prognosis and treatment effectiveness include recurrence and malignant progression. A specific type of programmed cell death, known as anoikis, which is crucial for tumor invasion and metastasis, however, has not yet been investigated in LGGs.

Methods

We downloaded data of 509 samples from the TCGA-LGG cohort, carried out cluster analysis for typing twice on the basis of 19 anoikis-associated genes, and the subtypes were evaluated the differences in clinicopathological and biological features. ESTIMATE and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis were employed to examine the immunological milieu of LGGs, and enrichment analysis was used to look into the underlying biological mechanisms in LGGs. Cox regression analysis and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator regression algorithm were used to create a prediction scoring system. The scoring system was used for classifying LGG into high- and low- anoikis riskscore (anoiS) groups. The impact of the anoiS on the prognosis, standard treatment, and immunotherapy of patients with LGG was assessed using survival analysis and drug sensitivity analysis. Cell experiments were employed for the verification of the differential expression between LGG cells and normal cells of the anoikis gene team that regard CCT5 as the core.

Results

Based on the expression profiles of the 19 anoikis-associated genes, all individuals with LGG were classified into four subtypes and two macrosubtypes. The different macrosubtypes had significantly different biological characteristics, and the anoirgclusterBD subtype manifested a significantly bad prognosis and a high immune level of infiltration. And subsequent secondary genotyping also showed good prognostic discrimination. We further constructed an anoikis scoring system, anoiS. LGG patients having a high anoiS had a worse prognosis in comparison to those having a low anoiS. The high anoiS group exhibited larger levels of immune infiltration and superior immunotherapy efficacy than the low anoiS group. The high anoiS group was also more susceptible to temozolomide (TMZ) than the low anoiS group, according to a drug sensitivity analysis of TMZ.

Conclusion

This study constructed a scoring system for predicting the prognosis of patients with LGG and their responsive to TMZ and immunotherapy.

Impad1 and Syt11 work in an epistatic pathway that regulates EMT-mediated vesicular trafficking to drive lung cancer invasion and metastasis

Lung cancer is a highly aggressive and metastatic disease responsible for approximately 25% of all cancer-related deaths in the United States. Using high-throughput in vitro and in vivo screens, we have previously established Impad1 as a driver of lung cancer invasion and metastasis. Here we elucidate that Impad1 is a direct target of the epithelial microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-200 and miR∼96 and is de-repressed during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT); thus, we establish a mode of regulation of the protein. Impad1 modulates Golgi apparatus morphology and vesicular trafficking through its interaction with a trafficking protein, Syt11. These changes in Golgi apparatus dynamics alter the extracellular matrix and the tumor microenvironment (TME) to promote invasion and metastasis. Inhibiting Impad1 or Syt11 disrupts the cancer cell secretome, regulates the TME, and reverses the invasive or metastatic phenotype. This work identifies Impad1 as a regulator of EMT and secretome-mediated changes during lung cancer progression.

KDELR2-KIF20A axis facilitates bladder cancer growth and metastasis by enhancing Golgi-mediated secretion

Background

Bladder cancer (BCa) is a fatal form of cancer worldwide associated with a poor prognosis. Identifying novel drivers of growth and metastasis hold therapeutic potential for the disease. Transport homeostasis between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi and the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) mediated by Golgi have been reported to be closely associated with tumor progression. However, to date, mechanistic studies remain limited.

Results

Here, we identified KDELR2 as a potential risk factor with prognostic value in patients with BCa, especially those harbouring the KDELR2 amplification. In addition, we found that KDELR2 is a regulator of BCa cell proliferation and tumorigenicity based on bioinformatic analysis with functional studies. Mechanistically, we revealed that KDELR2 could regulate the expression of KIF20A, thus stimulating the expression of MMP2, MMP9 and MKI67. Functionally, the overexpression of KDELR2 and KIF20A markedly promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and enhanced tumor growth in vivo, while knockdown of KDELR2 and KIF20A exerted the opposite effects. And the overexpression of KDELR2 also enhanced lymph node metastasis in vivo.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings clarified a hitherto unexplored mechanism of KDELR2-KIF20A axis in increasing Golgi-mediated secretion of MMPs to drive tumor progression in BCa.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12575-022-00174-y.

KDEL Receptors: Pathophysiological Functions, Therapeutic Options, and Biotechnological Opportunities

KDEL receptors (KDELRs) are ubiquitous seven-transmembrane domain proteins encoded by three mammalian genes. They bind to and retro-transport endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident proteins with a C-terminal Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) sequence or variants thereof. In doing this, KDELR participates in the ER quality control of newly synthesized proteins and the unfolded protein response. The binding of KDEL proteins to KDELR initiates signaling cascades involving three alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, Src family kinases, protein kinases A (PKAs), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). These signaling pathways coordinate membrane trafficking flows between secretory compartments and control the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), an important step in cancer progression. Considering the basic cellular functions performed by KDELRs, their association with various diseases is not surprising. KDELR mutants unable to bind the collagen-specific chaperon heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47) cause the osteogenesis imperfecta. Moreover, the overexpression of KDELRs appears to be linked to neurodegenerative diseases that share pathological ER-stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Even immune function requires a functional KDELR1, as its mutants reduce the number of T lymphocytes and impair antiviral immunity. Several studies have also brought to light the exploitation of the shuttle activity of KDELR during the intoxication and maturation/exit of viral particles. Based on the above, KDELRs can be considered potential targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for a variety of diseases involving proteostasis disruption, cancer progression, and infectious disease. However, no drugs targeting KDELR functions are available to date; rather, KDELR has been leveraged to deliver drugs efficiently into cells or improve antigen presentation.

Chromatin structure predicts survival in glioma patients

The pathological changes in epigenetics and gene regulation that accompany the progression of low-grade to high-grade gliomas are under-studied. The authors use a large set of paired atac-seq and RNA-seq data from surgically resected glioma specimens to infer gene regulatory relationships in glioma. Thirty-eight glioma patient samples underwent atac-seq sequencing and 16 samples underwent additional RNA-seq analysis. Using an atac-seq/RNA-seq correlation matrix, atac-seq peaks were paired with genes based on high correlation values (|r²| > 0.6). Samples clustered by IDH1 status but not by grade. Surprisingly there was a trend for IDH1 mutant samples to have more peaks. The majority of peaks are positively correlated with survival and positively correlated with gene expression. Constructing a model of the top six atac-seq peaks created a highly accurate survival prediction model (r² = 0.68). Four of these peaks were still significant after controlling for age, grade, pathology, IDH1 status and gender. Grade II, III, and IV (primary) samples have similar transcription factors and gene modules. However, grade IV (recurrent) samples have strikingly few peaks. Patient-derived glioma cultures showed decreased peak counts following radiation indicating that this may be radiation-induced. This study supports the notion that IDH1 mutant and IDH1 wildtype gliomas have different epigenetic landscapes and that accessible chromatin sites mapped by atac-seq peaks tend to be positively correlated with expression. The data in this study leads to a new model of treatment response wherein glioma cells respond to radiation therapy by closing open regions of DNA.

Transcriptome sequencing of black and white hair follicles in the giant panda

With the completion of the draft assembly of the giant panda genome sequence, RNA sequencing technology has been widely used in genetic research on giant pandas. We used RNA-seq to examine black and white hair follicle samples from adult pandas. By comparison with the giant panda genome, 75 963 SNP loci were labeled, 2 426 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 2 029 new genes were discovered, among which 631 were functionally annotated. A cluster analysis of the differentially expressed genes showed that they were mainly related to the Wnt signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, the p53 signaling pathway and ribosome processing. The enrichment results showed that there were significant differences in the regulatory networks of hair follicles with different colors during the transitional stage of hair follicle resting growth, which may play a regulatory role in melanin synthesis during growth. In conclusion, our results provide new insights and more data support for research on the color formation in giant pandas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Dance of The Golgi: Understanding Golgi Dynamics in Cancer Metastasis

The Golgi apparatus is at the center of protein processing and trafficking in normal cells. Under pathological conditions, such as in cancer, aberrant Golgi dynamics alter the tumor microenvironment and the immune landscape, which enhances the invasive and metastatic potential of cancer cells. Among these changes in the Golgi in cancer include altered Golgi orientation and morphology that contribute to atypical Golgi function in protein trafficking, post-translational modification, and exocytosis. Golgi-associated gene mutations are ubiquitous across most cancers and are responsible for modifying Golgi function to become pro-metastatic. The pharmacological targeting of the Golgi or its associated genes has been difficult in the clinic; thus, studying the Golgi and its role in cancer is critical to developing novel therapeutic agents that limit cancer progression and metastasis. In this review, we aim to discuss how disrupted Golgi function in cancer cells promotes invasion and metastasis.

Endogenous and Exogenous Regulatory Signaling in the Secretory Pathway: Role of Golgi Signaling Molecules in Cancer

The biosynthetic transport route that constitutes the secretory pathway plays a fundamental role in the cell, providing to the synthesis and transport of around one third of human proteins and most lipids. Signaling molecules within autoregulatory circuits on the intracellular membranes of the secretory pathway regulate these processes, especially at the level of the Golgi complex. Indeed, cancer cells can hijack several of these signaling molecules, and therefore also the underlying regulated processes, to bolster their growth or gain more aggressive phenotypes. Here, we review the most important autoregulatory circuits acting on the Golgi, emphasizing the role of specific signaling molecules in cancer. In fact, we propose to draw awareness to highlight the Golgi-localized regulatory systems as potential targets in cancer therapy.

HBx increases chromatin accessibility and ETV4 expression to regulate dishevelled-2 and promote HCC progression

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the predominant causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV X protein (HBx), as the most frequently integrated viral gene sequence following HBV infection, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of HCC. H3K27ac is a characteristic marker for identifying active enhancers and even indicates chromatin accessibility associated with super-enhancers (SEs). In this study, H3K27ac ChIP-seq was applied for high-quality SE annotation of HBx-induced SEs and chromatin accessibility evaluation. The results indicated that HBx preferentially affects enrichment of H3K27ac in transcription factor signaling pathway genes, including ETV4. RNA-seq indicated that ETV4 is upregulated by HBx and that upregulated ETV4 promotes HCC progression. Interestingly, ETV4 was also included in the 568 cancer driver gene pool obtained by the Integrative OncoGenomics pipeline. However, the biological function and mechanism of ETV4 remain incompletely understood. In vivo and in vitro, we found that increased ETV4 expression promotes HCC cell migration and invasion by upregulating DVL2 and activating Wnt/β-catenin. The mRNA and protein levels of ETV4 are higher in tumor tissues compared with adjacent tissues, and high expression of ETV4 is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. In summary, we first confirm that ETV4 is significantly upregulated by HBx and involved in SE-associated chromatin accessibility. Increased expression of ETV4 promotes HCC cell invasion and metastasis by upregulating DVL2. The present study provides insight into the ETV4-DVL2-β-catenin axis in HBV-related HCC, which will be helpful for treating patients with aggressive HCC.

N7-methylguanosine modification of lncRNAs in a rat model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension: a comprehensive analysis

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH). The role of N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification in lncRNAs has received increased attentions in recent years. However, the m7G-methylation of lncRNA in HPH has yet to be determined. We have therefore performed a transcriptome-wide analysis of m7G lncRNAs in HPH.

Results

Differentially-expressed m7Gs were detected in HPH, and m7G lncRNAs were significantly upregulated compared with non-m7G lncRNAs in HPH. Importantly, this was the first time that the upregulated m7G lncXR_591973 and m7G lncXR_592398 were identified in HPH.

Conclusion

This study provides the first m7G transcriptome-wide analysis of HPH. Importantly, two HPH-associated m7G lncRNAs were identified, although their clinical significance requires further validation.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-08188-8.

Adaptation of the Golgi Apparatus in Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis

The Golgi apparatus plays a central role in normal cell physiology by promoting cell survival, facilitating proliferation, and enabling cell-cell communication and migration. These roles are partially mediated by well-known Golgi functions, including post-translational modifications, lipid biosynthesis, intracellular trafficking, and protein secretion. In addition, accumulating evidence indicates that the Golgi plays a critical role in sensing and integrating external and internal cues to promote cellular homeostasis. Indeed, the unique structure of the mammalian Golgi can be fine-tuned to adapt different Golgi functions to specific cellular needs. This is particularly relevant in the context of cancer, where unrestrained proliferation and aberrant survival and migration increase the demands in Golgi functions, as well as the need for Golgi-dependent sensing and adaptation to intrinsic and extrinsic stressors. Here, we review and discuss current understanding of how the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus is influenced by oncogenic transformation, and how this adaptation may facilitate cancer cell invasion and metastasis.

The current knowledge concerning solid cancer and therapy

Solid cancers comprise a large number of new cases and deaths from cancer each year globally. There are a number of strategies for addressing tumors raised from solid organs including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, combinational therapy, and stem cell and extracellular vesicle (EV) therapy. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are the dominant cures, but are not always effective, in which even in a localized tumor there is a possibility of tumor relapse after surgical resection. Over half of the cancer patients will receive radiotherapy as a part of their therapeutic schedule. Radiotherapy can cause an abscopal response for boosting the activity of the immune system outside the local field of radiation, but it may also cause an unwanted bystander effect, predisposing nonradiated cells into carcinogenesis. In the context of immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibition is known as the standard-of-care, but the major concern is in regard with cold cancers that show low responses to such therapy. Stem-cell therapy can be used to send prodrugs toward the tumor area; this strategy, however, has its own predicaments, such as unwanted attraction toward the other sites including healthy tissues and its instability. A substitute to such therapy and quite a novel strategy is to use EVs, by virtue of their stability and potential to cross biological barriers and long-term storage of contents. Combination therapy is the current focus. Despite advances in the field, there are still unmet concerns in the area of effective cancer therapy, raising challenges and opportunities for future investigations.

KDELR2 knockdown synergizes with temozolomide to induce glioma cell apoptosis through the CHOP and JNK/p38 pathways

BACKGROUND

The C-terminal tetrapeptide Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu receptors (KDELRs) are transmembrane proteins that regulate ER stress (ERS) response, growth, differentiation, and immune responses. There is an association between KDELR2and promotion of glioblastoma tumorigenesis. The aim of the present study was to explore the functional mechanism of KDELR2 in glioma and during response to chemotherapy to temozolomide (TMZ).

METHODS

The expression of KDELR2 in glioma tissues and cells was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-qPCR assay. Then role of KDELR2 was demonstrated by CCK8, colony formation, flow cytometry and Hochest 33258 assays. The expression of genes (ATF4, ATF6, PERK, eIF2-α, GRP78 and CHOP) in U373 cells was evaluated by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of genes (cleaved caspase 3, caspase 3, cleaved PARP, PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, JNK, p-JNK, p38, p-p38, ATF4, ATF6, XBP-1s, PERK, p-PERK, GRP78 and CHOP) was measured by western blot assay.

RESULTS

The expression of KDELR2 was upregulated in high-grade gliomas tissues. KDELR2 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation but increased cell apoptosis. Further, Knockdown of KDELR2 also activated the ER stress (ERS)-dependent CHOP pathway, and resulted in increased levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Moreover, the combination of KDELR2 knockdown and TMZ application showed a synergistic cytotoxic effect in U373 cells through the ERS-dependent CHOP and JNK/p38 pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

KDELR2 knockdown induces apoptosis and sensitizes glioma cells to TMZ, which is mediated by the ERS-dependent CHOP and JNK/p38 pathways.

KDELR2 promotes breast cancer proliferation via HDAC3-mediated cell cycle progression

Background

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) engage in the regulation of various cellular processes by controlling global gene expression. The dysregulation of HDACs leads to carcinogenesis, making HDACs ideal targets for cancer therapy. However, the use of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) as single agents has been shown to have limited success in treating solid tumors in clinical studies. This study aimed to identify a novel downstream effector of HDACs to provide a potential target for combination therapy.

Methods

Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to screen for genes responsive to HDACi in breast cancer cells. The effects of HDACi on cell viability were detected using the MTT assay. The mRNA and protein levels of genes were determined by quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) and Western blotting. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The binding of CREB1 (cAMP‐response element binding protein 1) to the promoter of the KDELR (The KDEL (Lys‐Asp‐Glu‐Leu) receptor) gene was validated by the ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation assay). The association between KDELR2 and protein of centriole 5 (POC5) was detected by immunoprecipitation. A breast cancer‐bearing mouse model was employed to analyze the effect of the HDAC3‐KDELR2 axis on tumor growth.

Results

KDELR2 was identified as a novel target of HDAC3, and its aberrant expression indicated the poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. We found a strong correlation between the protein expression patterns of HADC3 and KDELR2 in tumor tissues from breast cancer patients. The results of the ChIP assay and qRT‐PCR analysis validated that HDAC3 transactivated KDELR2 via CREB1. The HDAC3‐KDELR2 axis accelerated the cell cycle progression of cancer cells by protecting the centrosomal protein POC5 from proteasomal degradation. Moreover, the HDAC3‐KDELR2 axis promoted breast cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

Our results uncovered a previously unappreciated function of KDELR2 in tumorigenesis, linking a critical Golgi‐the endoplasmic reticulum traffic transport protein to HDAC‐controlled cell cycle progression on the path of cancer development and thus revealing a potential therapeutical target for breast cancer.

Amplifying Tumor-Stroma Communication: An Emerging Oncogenic Function of Mutant p53

TP53 mutations are widespread in human cancers. An expanding body of evidence highlights that, in addition to their manifold cell-intrinsic activities boosting tumor progression, missense p53 mutants enhance the ability of tumor cells to communicate amongst themselves and with the tumor stroma, by affecting both the quality and the quantity of the cancer secretome. In this review, we summarize recent literature demonstrating that mutant p53 enhances the production of growth and angiogenic factors, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, modulates biochemical and biomechanical properties of the extracellular matrix, reprograms the cell trafficking machinery to enhance secretion and promote recycling of membrane proteins, and affects exosome composition. All these activities contribute to the release of a promalignant secretome with both local and systemic effects, that is key to the ability of mutant p53 to fuel tumor growth and enable metastatic competence. A precise knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between mutant p53 and the microenvironment is expected to unveil non-invasive biomarkers and actionable targets to blunt tumor aggressiveness.

Steps in metastasis: an updated review

Metastasis is the most complex and deadly event. Tumor-stromal interface is a place where invasion of tumor cells in the form of single-cell or collective migration occurs, with the latter being less common but more efficient. Initiation of metastasis relies on the tumor cell cross-talking with stromal cells and taking an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in single cells, and a hybrid EMT in collective migratory cells. Stromal cross-talking along with an abnormal leaky vasculature facilitate intravasation of tumor cells, here the cells are called circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Tumor cells isolated from the primary tumor exploit several mechanisms to maintain their survival including rewiring metabolic demands to use sources available within the new environments, avoiding anoikis cell death when cells are detached from extracellular matrix (ECM), adopting flow mechanic by acquiring platelet shielding and immunosuppression by negating the activity of suppressor immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells. CTCs will adhere to the interstituim of the secondary organ/s, within which the newly arrived disseminative tumor cells (DTCs) undergo either dormancy or proliferation. Metastatic outgrowth is under the influence of several factors, such as the activity of macrophages, impaired autophagy and secondary site inflammatory events. Metastasis can be targeted by multiple ways, such as repressing the promoters of pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation, suppressing environmental contributors, such as hypoxia, oxidative and metabolic stressors, and targeting signaling and cell types that take major contribution to the whole process. These strategies can be used in adjuvant with other therapeutics, such as immunotherapy.

MBIP (MAP3K12 binding inhibitory protein) drives NSCLC metastasis by JNK-dependent activation of MMPs

Metastasis is the cause for 90% of cancer-related mortalities. Identification of genetic drivers promoting dissemination of tumor cells may provide opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies. We previously reported an in vivo gain-of-function screen that identified ~30 genes with a functional role in metastasis promotion and characterized detailed mechanistic functions of two hits. In this study, we characterized the contribution of one of the identified genes, MBIP (MAP3K12 binding inhibitory protein), towards driving tumor invasion and metastasis. We demonstrate that expression of MBIP significantly enhances the cellular proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro and metastasis in vivo. We functionally characterized that MBIP mediates activation of the JNK pathway and induces expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are necessary for the invasive and metastatic phenotype. Our findings establish a novel mechanistic role of MBIP as a driver of NSCLC progression and metastasis.