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Namba T, Ichii O, Natsuga K, Nakamura T, Otani Y, Kon Y. Collagen 17A1 in the Urothelium Regulates Epithelial Cell Integrity and Local Immunologic Responses in Obstructive Uropathy. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2024:S0002-9440(24)00177-9. [PMID: 38768778 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2024.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Collagen 17A1 (COL17A1), an epidermal hemidesmosome component, is ectopically induced in the urothelium of mouse and human renal pelvis (RP) in parallel with urinary tract-associated lymphoid structure development. Here, we found that COL17A1 was induced in obstructive uropathy-prone ureter of humans and cats. To ascertain its function, murine urinary organs with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) were analyzed during 1 week after surgery. One day after UUO, COL17A1 expression increased in urothelial cells of RP and ureter, and was positively correlated with renal tubulointerstitial lesions. A portion of RP where the smooth muscle layer from the ureter was interrupted was sensitive to urothelium deciduation and COL17A1 induction, showing urine leaked from the RP lumen into the parenchyma. After urine stimulation, cultured immune cells expressed Cxcl2, also up-regulated in CD11b+ cells following COL17A1 stimulation. One day after UUO, CXCL2+ CD11b+ cells infiltrated the urothelium-disrupted area; however, these numbers were significantly lower in Col17a1-deficient mice. COL17A1+ urothelial cells partially co-expressed cytokeratin-14, a progenitor cell marker for urothelium, whereas Col17a1-deficient mice had lower numbers of cytokeratin-14+ cells. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that expression of epithelial- and immune-associated genes was up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively, in the ureter of Col17a1-deficient mice 4 days after UUO. Thus, COL17A1 maintains urothelium integrity by regulating urothelial cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and activates local immune responses during obstructive uropathy in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Namba
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Osamu Ichii
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Laboratory of Agrobiomedical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Ken Natsuga
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Teppei Nakamura
- Laboratory of Animal Science and Medicine, Department of Applied Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuki Otani
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Kon
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Kennicott K, Liang Y. The immunometabolic function of VGLL3 and female-biased autoimmunity. IMMUNOMETABOLISM (COBHAM, SURREY) 2024; 6:e00041. [PMID: 38726338 PMCID: PMC11078290 DOI: 10.1097/in9.0000000000000041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases exhibit a pronounced yet unexplained prevalence among women. Vestigial-like family member 3 (VGLL3), a female-biased factor that promotes autoimmunity, has recently been discovered to assist cells in sensing and adapting to nutritional stress. This role of VGLL3 may confer a selective advantage during the evolution of placental mammals. However, the excessive activation of the VGLL3-mediated energy-sensing pathway can trigger inflammatory cell death and the exposure of self-antigens, leading to the onset of autoimmunity. These observations have raised the intriguing perspective that nutrient sensing serves as a double-edged sword in immune regulation. Mechanistically, VGLL3 intersects with Hippo signaling and activates multiple downstream, immune-associated genes that play roles in metabolic regulation. Understanding the multifaceted roles of VGLL3 in nutrient sensing and immune modulation provides insight into the fundamental question of sexual dimorphism in immunometabolism and sheds light on potential therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kameron Kennicott
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Yun Liang
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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3
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Feng S, Ding B, Dai Z, Yin H, Ding Y, Liu S, Zhang K, Lin H, Xiao Z, Shen Y. Cancer-associated fibroblast-secreted FGF7 as an ovarian cancer progression promoter. J Transl Med 2024; 22:280. [PMID: 38491511 PMCID: PMC10941588 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05085-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) is distinguished by its aggressive nature and the limited efficacy of current treatment strategies. Recent studies have emphasized the significant role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in OC development and progression. METHODS Employing sophisticated machine learning techniques on bulk transcriptomic datasets, we identified fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), derived from CAFs, as a potential oncogenic factor. We investigated the relationship between FGF7 expression and various clinical parameters. A series of in vitro experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of CAFs-derived FGF7 on OC cell activities, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis was also conducted to elucidate the interaction between FGF7 and its receptor. Detailed mechanistic investigations sought to clarify the pathways through which FGF7 fosters OC progression. RESULTS Our findings indicate that higher FGF7 levels correlate with advanced tumor stages, increased vascular invasion, and poorer prognosis. CAFs-derived FGF7 significantly enhanced OC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Single-cell analysis and in vitro studies revealed that CAFs-derived FGF7 inhibits the ubiquitination and degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) via FGFR2 interaction. Activation of the FGF7/HIF-1α pathway resulted in the upregulation of mesenchymal markers and downregulation of epithelial markers. Importantly, in vivo treatment with neutralizing antibodies targeting CAFs-derived FGF7 substantially reduced tumor growth. CONCLUSION Neutralizing FGF7 in the medium or inhibiting HIF-1α signaling reversed the effects of FGF7-mediated EMT, emphasizing the dependence of FGF7-mediated EMT on HIF-1α activation. These findings suggest that targeting the FGF7/HIF-1α/EMT axis may offer new therapeutic opportunities to intervene in OC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songwei Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Han Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sicong Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Lin
- Department of Clinical Science and Research, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Zhongdang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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4
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Xin Q, Feng I, Yu G, Dean J. Stromal Pbrm1 mediates chromatin remodeling necessary for embryo implantation in the mouse uterus. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e174194. [PMID: 38426493 PMCID: PMC10904057 DOI: 10.1172/jci174194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Early gestational loss occurs in approximately 20% of all clinically recognized human pregnancies and is an important cause of morbidity. Either embryonic or maternal defects can cause loss, but a functioning and receptive uterine endometrium is crucial for embryo implantation. We report that the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) remodeling complex containing polybromo-1 (PBRM1) and Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is essential for implantation of the embryonic blastocyst on the wall of the uterus in mice. Although preimplantation development is unaffected, conditional ablation of Pbrm1 in uterine stromal cells disrupts progesterone pathways and uterine receptivity. Heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2 (Hand2) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor required for embryo implantation. We identify an enhancer of the Hand2 gene in stromal cells that requires PBRM1 for epigenetic histone modifications/coactivator recruitment and looping with the promoter. In Pbrm1cKO mice, perturbation of chromatin assembly at the promoter and enhancer sites compromises Hand2 transcription, adversely affects fibroblast growth factor signaling pathways, prevents normal stromal-epithelial crosstalk, and disrupts embryo implantation. The mutant female mice are infertile and provide insight into potential causes of early pregnancy loss in humans.
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Llorente A, Blasco MT, Espuny I, Guiu M, Ballaré C, Blanco E, Caballé A, Bellmunt A, Salvador F, Morales A, Nuñez M, Loren G, Imbastari F, Fidalgo M, Figueras-Puig C, Gibler P, Graupera M, Monteiro F, Riera A, Holen I, Avgustinova A, Di Croce L, Gomis RR. MAF amplification licenses ERα through epigenetic remodelling to drive breast cancer metastasis. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1833-1847. [PMID: 37945904 PMCID: PMC10709142 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01281-y] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
MAF amplification increases the risk of breast cancer (BCa) metastasis through mechanisms that are still poorly understood yet have important clinical implications. Oestrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) BCa requires oestrogen for both growth and metastasis, albeit by ill-known mechanisms. Here we integrate proteomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, chromatin accessibility and functional assays from human and syngeneic mouse BCa models to show that MAF directly interacts with oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα), thereby promoting a unique chromatin landscape that favours metastatic spread. We identify metastasis-promoting genes that are de novo licensed following oestrogen exposure in a MAF-dependent manner. The histone demethylase KDM1A is key to the epigenomic remodelling that facilitates the expression of the pro-metastatic MAF/oestrogen-driven gene expression program, and loss of KDM1A activity prevents this metastasis. We have thus determined that the molecular basis underlying MAF/oestrogen-mediated metastasis requires genetic, epigenetic and hormone signals from the systemic environment, which influence the ability of BCa cells to metastasize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Llorente
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Blasco
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Irene Espuny
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Guiu
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia Ballaré
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Enrique Blanco
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adrià Caballé
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Bellmunt
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrea Morales
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Nuñez
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guillem Loren
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Imbastari
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Fidalgo
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Endothelial Pathobiology and Microenvironment Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Figueras-Puig
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrizia Gibler
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariona Graupera
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Endothelial Pathobiology and Microenvironment Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Freddy Monteiro
- Functional Genomics Core Facility, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antoni Riera
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ingunn Holen
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Luciano Di Croce
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger R Gomis
- Cancer Science Program, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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Baccili Cury Megid T, Farooq AR, Wang X, Elimova E. Gastric Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Novel Targets, and Immunotherapies: From Bench to Clinical Therapeutics. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5075. [PMID: 37894443 PMCID: PMC10605200 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer is a global health concern, ranking fifth in cancer diagnoses and fourth in cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite recent advancements in diagnosis, most cases are detected at advanced stages, resulting in poor outcomes. However, recent breakthroughs in genome analysis have identified biomarkers that hold positive clinical significance for GC treatment. These biomarkers and classifications offer the potential for more precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for GC patients. In this review, we explore the classification and molecular pathways in this disease, highlighting potential biomarkers that have emerged in recent studies including targeted therapies and immunotherapies. These advancements provide a promising direction for improving the management of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elena Elimova
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada; (T.B.C.M.); (A.R.F.); (X.W.)
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7
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Roussot N, Lecuelle J, Dalens L, Truntzer C, Ghiringhelli F. FGF/FGFR genomic amplification as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint blockade resistance: a short report. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007763. [PMID: 37890888 PMCID: PMC10618988 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A novel crosstalk between immunogenic and oncometabolic pathways triggered by T cell-released interferon-gamma (IFN-ɣ) has been recently identified. This IFN-ɣ-pyruvate kinase M2-β-catenin axis relies on fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) signaling in tumor cells and leads to hyperprogressive disease on immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in preclinical models. This result underlines how IFN-ɣ signaling may have distinct effects on tumor cells depending on their oncogenic and metabolic features. On the basis of these data, this study aims to explore the relationship between genomic tumor FGF2 or FGF/FGF receptor (FGFR) amplification and immunotherapy response in patients with metastatic solid cancers. We used a large genomic data set of 545 ICB-treated patients and compared outcomes between those with and without FGF2 genomic amplification. Patients with no FGF2 genomic amplification had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) (HR=0.55 (95% CI 0.4, 0.8); p value=0.005) and overall survival (OS) (HR=0.56 (0.3, 0.9); p value=0.02) than patients harboring an FGF2 amplification. We next questioned whether such an observation may extend to genomic amplification of the FGF/FGFR pathway. Similarly, patients with no FGF/FGFR genomic amplification had longer PFS (HR=0.71 (0.8, 0.9), p value=0.004) and OS (HR=0.77 (0.6, 1); p value=0.06). RNA sequencing analysis of tumors between the amplified and non-amplified populations showed distinct expression profiles concerning oncogenic pathways. Importantly, using a cohort of patients untreated with ICB from the The Cancer Genome Atlas, we show that FGF2 and FGF/FGFR genomic amplification were not associated with prognosis, thus demonstrating that we identified a predictive biomarker of immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Roussot
- Cancer Biology Transfer Platform, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Dijon, France
| | - Julie Lecuelle
- Cancer Biology Transfer Platform, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Dijon, France
| | - Lorraine Dalens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
| | - Caroline Truntzer
- Cancer Biology Transfer Platform, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Dijon, France
| | - Francois Ghiringhelli
- Cancer Biology Transfer Platform, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Georges-François Leclerc, Dijon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France
- University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
- UMR INSERM 1231, Dijon, France
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8
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Liu Q, Huang J, Yan W, Liu Z, Liu S, Fang W. FGFR families: biological functions and therapeutic interventions in tumors. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e367. [PMID: 37750089 PMCID: PMC10518040 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
There are five fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs), namely, FGFR1-FGFR5. When FGFR binds to its ligand, namely, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), it dimerizes and autophosphorylates, thereby activating several key downstream pathways that play an important role in normal physiology, such as the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT, phospholipase C gamma/diacylglycerol/protein kinase c, and signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways. Furthermore, as an oncogene, FGFR genetic alterations were found in 7.1% of tumors, and these alterations include gene amplification, gene mutations, gene fusions or rearrangements. Therefore, FGFR amplification, mutations, rearrangements, or fusions are considered as potential biomarkers of FGFR therapeutic response for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, it is worth noting that with increased use, resistance to TKIs inevitably develops, such as the well-known gatekeeper mutations. Thus, overcoming the development of drug resistance becomes a serious problem. This review mainly outlines the FGFR family functions, related pathways, and therapeutic agents in tumors with the aim of obtaining better outcomes for cancer patients with FGFR changes. The information provided in this review may provide additional therapeutic ideas for tumor patients with FGFR abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- Cancer CenterIntegrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Jiyu Huang
- Cancer CenterIntegrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Weiwei Yan
- Cancer CenterIntegrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Zhen Liu
- Cancer CenterIntegrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and DegradationBasic School of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Shu Liu
- Department of Breast SurgeryThe Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyangGuizhouChina
| | - Weiyi Fang
- Cancer CenterIntegrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
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9
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Feitelson MA, Arzumanyan A, Medhat A, Spector I. Short-chain fatty acids in cancer pathogenesis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:677-698. [PMID: 37432606 PMCID: PMC10584782 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10117-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a multi-step process that can be viewed as a cellular and immunological shift away from homeostasis in response to selected infectious agents, mutations, diet, and environmental carcinogens. Homeostasis, which contributes importantly to the definition of "health," is maintained, in part by the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are metabolites of specific gut bacteria. Alteration in the composition of gut bacteria, or dysbiosis, is often a major risk factor for some two dozen tumor types. Dysbiosis is often characterized by diminished levels of SCFAs in the stool, and the presence of a "leaky gut," permitting the penetration of microbes and microbial derived molecules (e.g., lipopolysaccharides) through the gut wall, thereby triggering chronic inflammation. SCFAs attenuate inflammation by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor kappa B, by decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, by stimulating the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor beta, and by promoting the differentiation of naïve T cells into T regulatory cells, which down-regulate immune responses by immunomodulation. SCFA function epigenetically by inhibiting selected histone acetyltransferases that alter the expression of multiple genes and the activity of many signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt, Hedgehog, Hippo, and Notch) that contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer. SCFAs block cancer stem cell proliferation, thereby potentially delaying or inhibiting cancer development or relapse by targeting genes and pathways that are mutated in tumors (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor, hepatocyte growth factor, and MET) and by promoting the expression of tumor suppressors (e.g., by up-regulating PTEN and p53). When administered properly, SCFAs have many advantages compared to probiotic bacteria and fecal transplants. In carcinogenesis, SCFAs are toxic against tumor cells but not to surrounding tissue due to differences in their metabolic fate. Multiple hallmarks of cancer are also targets of SCFAs. These data suggest that SCFAs may re-establish homeostasis without overt toxicity and either delay or prevent the development of various tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Feitelson
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
| | - Alla Arzumanyan
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Arvin Medhat
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Islamic Azad University Tehran North Branch, Tehran, 1975933411, Iran
| | - Ira Spector
- SFA Therapeutics, Jenkintown, PA, 19046, USA
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10
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Mosleh B, Schelch K, Mohr T, Klikovits T, Wagner C, Ratzinger L, Dong Y, Sinn K, Ries A, Berger W, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hoetzenecker K, Laszlo V, Dome B, Hegedus B, Jakopovic M, Hoda MA, Grusch M. Circulating FGF18 is decreased in pleural mesothelioma but not correlated with disease prognosis. Thorac Cancer 2023; 14:2177-2186. [PMID: 37340889 PMCID: PMC10396789 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.15004] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a relatively rare malignancy with limited treatment options and dismal prognosis. We have previously found elevated FGF18 expression in PM tissue specimens compared with normal mesothelium. The objective of the current study was to further explore the role of FGF18 in PM and evaluate its suitability as a circulating biomarker. METHODS FGF18 mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time PCR in cell lines and in silico in datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Cell lines overexpressing FGF18 were generated by retroviral transduction and cell behavior was investigated by clonogenic growth and transwell assays. Plasma was collected from 40 PM patients, six patients with pleural fibrosis, and 40 healthy controls. Circulating FGF18 was measured by ELISA and correlated to clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS FGF18 showed high mRNA expression in PM and PM-derived cell lines. PM patients with high FGF18 mRNA expression showed a trend toward longer overall survival (OS) in the TCGA dataset. In PM cells with low endogenous FGF18 expression, forced overexpression of FGF18 resulted in reduced growth but increased migration. Surprisingly, despite the high FGF18 mRNA levels observed in PM, circulating FGF18 protein was significantly lower in PM patients and patients with pleural fibrosis than in healthy controls. No significant association of circulating FGF18 with OS or other disease parameters of PM patients was observed. CONCLUSIONS FGF18 is not a prognostic biomarker in PM. Its role in PM tumor biology and the clinical significance of decreased plasma FGF18 in PM patients warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Mosleh
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Karin Schelch
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Center for Cancer ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Thomas Mohr
- Center for Cancer ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Thomas Klikovits
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Christina Wagner
- Center for Cancer ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Lukas Ratzinger
- Center for Cancer ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Yawen Dong
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Katharina Sinn
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Alexander Ries
- Center for Cancer ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Walter Berger
- Center for Cancer ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | | | - Viktoria Laszlo
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Balazs Dome
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- National Koranyi Institute of PulmonologyBudapestHungary
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryNational Institute of Oncology‐Semmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Balazs Hegedus
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Marko Jakopovic
- Department for Respiratory Diseases JordanovacUniversity of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Mir Alireza Hoda
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Michael Grusch
- Center for Cancer ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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11
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Zhou Y, Sun S, Ling T, Chen Y, Zhou R, You Q. The role of fibroblast growth factor 18 in cancers: functions and signaling pathways. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1124520. [PMID: 37228502 PMCID: PMC10203589 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1124520] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 18(FGF18) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family (FGFs). FGF18 is a class of bioactive substances that can conduct biological signals, regulate cell growth, participate in tissue repair and other functions, and can promote the occurrence and development of different types of malignant tumors through various mechanisms. In this review, we focus on recent studies of FGF18 in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of tumors in digestive, reproductive, urinary, respiratory, motor, and pediatric systems. These findings suggest that FGF18 may play an increasingly important role in the clinical evaluation of these malignancies. Overall, FGF18 can function as an important oncogene at different gene and protein levels, and can be used as a potential new therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sizheng Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tao Ling
- Department of Biotherapy, Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongzhen Chen
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rongzhong Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zaoyang First People’s Hosipital, Zaoyang, China
| | - Qiang You
- Department of Biotherapy, Medical Center for Digestive Diseases, Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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12
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Li Y, Shi Y, Zhang X, Li P, Ma L, Hu P, Xu L, Dai Y, Xia S, Qiu H. FGFR2 upregulates PAI-1 via JAK2/STAT3 signaling to induce M2 polarization of macrophages in colorectal cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166665. [PMID: 36781088 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is frequently activated by overexpression or mutation, and an abnormal fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGFR signaling pathway is associated with the occurrence, development, and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our preliminary analysis found that plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression may be related to FGF/FGFR signaling, however, their role in the tumor immune microenvironment remains unclear. In this study, we observed markedly higher PAI-1 expression in CRC patients with poor survival rates. PAI-1 is regulated by FGF/FGFR2 in colon cancer cells and is involved in M2 macrophage polarization. Mechanistically, inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway could cause PAI-1 downregulation. Furthermore, the activation of phosphorylated STAT3 upregulated PAI-1. In vivo, FGFR2 overexpression in tumor-bearing mouse models suggested that a PAI-1 inhibitor could rescue FGFR2/PAI-1 axis-induced M2 macrophage polarization, which leads to effective immune activity and tumor suppression. Moreover, the combination of a PAI-1 inhibitor and anti-PD-1 therapy exhibited superior antitumor activity in mice. These findings offer novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor deterioration and provide potential therapeutic targets for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yongkang Shi
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery/Cancer Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiuyuan Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Piao Li
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Pengbo Hu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yuhong Dai
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shu Xia
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Hong Qiu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China.
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13
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Cao Z, An L, Han Y, Jiao S, Zhou Z. The Hippo signaling pathway in gastric cancer. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023. [PMID: 36924251 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is an aggressive malignant disease which still lacks effective early diagnosis markers and targeted therapies, representing the fourth-leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide. The Hippo signaling pathway plays crucial roles in organ size control and tissue homeostasis under physiological conditions, yet its aberrations have been closely associated with several hallmarks of cancer. The last decade witnessed a burst of investigations dissecting how Hippo dysregulation contributes to tumorigenesis, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway for tumor intervention. In this review, we systemically document studies on the Hippo pathway in the contexts of gastric tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, acquired drug resistance, and the emerging development of Hippo-targeting strategies. By summarizing major open questions in this field, we aim to inspire further in-depth understanding of Hippo signaling in GC development, as well as the translational implications of targeting Hippo for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifa Cao
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Liwei An
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yi Han
- Department of Stomatology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Shi Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhaocai Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
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14
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Messina B, Lo Sardo F, Scalera S, Memeo L, Colarossi C, Mare M, Blandino G, Ciliberto G, Maugeri-Saccà M, Bon G. Hippo pathway dysregulation in gastric cancer: from Helicobacter pylori infection to tumor promotion and progression. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:21. [PMID: 36635265 PMCID: PMC9837097 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05568-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway plays a critical role for balancing proliferation and differentiation, thus regulating tissue homeostasis. The pathway acts through a kinase cascade whose final effectors are the Yes-associated protein (YAP) and its paralog transcriptional co‑activator with PDZ‑binding motif (TAZ). In response to a variety of upstream signals, YAP and TAZ activate a transcriptional program that modulates cellular proliferation, tissue repair after injury, stem cell fate decision, and cytoskeletal reorganization. Hippo pathway signaling is often dysregulated in gastric cancer and in Helicobacter pylori-induced infection, suggesting a putative role of its deregulation since the early stages of the disease. In this review, we summarize the architecture and regulation of the Hippo pathway and discuss how its dysregulation fuels the onset and progression of gastric cancer. In this setting, we also focus on the crosstalk between Hippo and other established oncogenic signaling pathways. Lastly, we provide insights into the therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant YAP/TAZ activation and discuss the related clinical perspectives and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Messina
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Lo Sardo
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Scalera
- SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic, and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Memeo
- Pathology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande, Italy
| | | | - Marzia Mare
- Medical Oncology Unit, Mediterranean Institute of Oncology, Viagrande, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Dental, Morphological and Functional Imaging Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Directorate, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Maugeri-Saccà
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Division of Medical Oncology 2, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bon
- Cellular Network and Molecular Therapeutic Target Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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LCK inhibition downregulates YAP activity and is therapeutic in patient-derived models of cholangiocarcinoma. J Hepatol 2023; 78:142-152. [PMID: 36162702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.09.014] [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: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS There is an unmet need to develop novel, effective medical therapies for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The Hippo pathway effector, Yes-associated protein (YAP), is oncogenic in CCA, but has historically been difficult to target therapeutically. Recently, we described a novel role for the LCK proto-oncogene, Src family tyrosine kinase (LCK) in activating YAP through tyrosine phosphorylation. This led to the hypothesis that LCK is a viable therapeutic target in CCA via regulation of YAP activity. METHODS A novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor with relative selectivity for LCK, NTRC 0652-0, was pharmacodynamically profiled in vitro and in CCA cells. A panel of eight CCA patient-derived organoids were characterized and tested for sensitivity to NTRC 0652-0. Two patient-derived xenograft models bearing fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2)-rearrangements were utilized for in vivo assessment of pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy. RESULTS NTRC 0652-0 demonstrated selectivity for LCK inhibition in vitro and in CCA cells. LCK inhibition with NTRC 0652-0 led to decreased tyrosine phosphorylation, nuclear localization, and co-transcriptional activity of YAP, and resulted in apoptotic cell death in CCA cell lines. A subset of tested patient-derived organoids demonstrated sensitivity to NTRC 0652-0. CCAs with FGFR2 fusions were identified as a potentially susceptible and clinically relevant genetic subset. In patient-derived xenograft models of FGFR2 fusion-positive CCA, daily oral treatment with NTRC 0652-0 resulted in stable plasma and tumor drug levels, acceptable toxicity, decreased YAP tyrosine phosphorylation, and significantly decreased tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS A novel LCK inhibitor, NTRC 0652-0, inhibited YAP signaling and demonstrated preclinical efficacy in CCA cell lines, and patient-derived organoid and xenograft models. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Although aberrant YAP activation is frequently seen in CCA, YAP targeted therapies are not yet clinically available. Herein we show that a novel LCK-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor (NTRC 0652-0) effectively inhibits YAP tyrosine phosphorylation and cotranscriptional activity and is well tolerated and cytotoxic in multiple preclinical models. The data suggest this approach may be effective in CCA with YAP dependence or FGFR2 fusions, and these findings warrant further investigation in phase I clinical trials.
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16
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Xu X, He K, Hoffman RD, Ying Y, Tao N, Guo W, Shen J, Liu X, Li M, Yan M, Lv G, Gao J. Thymosin Beta 15 Alters the Spatial Development of Thymic Epithelial Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223679. [PMID: 36429107 PMCID: PMC9688846 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the most sensitive organ under various pathophysiological conditions, such as aging, starvation, and infection. As a key stromal cell for T cell development, it is well-known that thymic epithelial cells (TECs) play an important role in the thymus response to the external environment. Thymosin beta 15 (Tβ15) is a G-actin binding protein secreted by TECs, it plays an important role in maintaining the dynamic balance of actin, angiogenesis, axonal formation, and wound healing, but the relationship between Tβ15 and TECs is not clear yet. Here, we show the impact of Tβ15 on the TEC's spatial development, as well as the T-cell differentiation and thymic output. As a result, TEC is the main effector cell of Tβ15 in the thymus. Tβ15 OX inhibits the chemotaxis of TECs to the medulla and subsequently blocks the positive selection of thymocytes from CD3+TCRβ+CD4+CD8+ double positive cells to CD3+TCRβ+CD4+CD8- single-positive (CD4SP) cells. Tβ15-knockdown accelerates the reticular differentiation of astral TECs and medullary TECs. Importantly, mice implanted with Tβ15-knockdown iTECs show high thymic output but low peripheral T cell maturity and activity. In a word, our results explain the role of Tβ15 on the differentiation and function of TECs and provide a new perspective for understanding the process of thymus development and degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xie Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Kai He
- The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Robert D. Hoffman
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90066, USA
| | - Yuyuan Ying
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Nana Tao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Wenqin Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Jiaman Shen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Meiya Li
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Meiqiu Yan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
| | - Guiyuan Lv
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (J.G.); Tel.: +86-571-86613601 (G.L.); +86-571-6613504 (J.G.)
| | - Jianli Gao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (J.G.); Tel.: +86-571-86613601 (G.L.); +86-571-6613504 (J.G.)
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17
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Lei ZN, Teng QX, Tian Q, Chen W, Xie Y, Wu K, Zeng Q, Zeng L, Pan Y, Chen ZS, He Y. Signaling pathways and therapeutic interventions in gastric cancer. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:358. [PMID: 36209270 PMCID: PMC9547882 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01190-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in global cancer diagnosis and fourth in cancer-related death. Despite tremendous progress in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies and significant improvements in patient survival, the low malignancy stage is relatively asymptomatic and many GC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, which leads to unsatisfactory prognosis and high recurrence rates. With the recent advances in genome analysis, biomarkers have been identified that have clinical importance for GC diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Modern molecular classifications have uncovered the vital roles that signaling pathways, including EGFR/HER2, p53, PI3K, immune checkpoint pathways, and cell adhesion signaling molecules, play in GC tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic responsiveness. These biomarkers and molecular classifications open the way for more precise diagnoses and treatments for GC patients. Nevertheless, the relative significance, temporal activation, interaction with GC risk factors, and crosstalk between these signaling pathways in GC are not well understood. Here, we review the regulatory roles of signaling pathways in GC potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets with an emphasis on recent discoveries. Current therapies, including signaling-based and immunotherapies exploited in the past decade, and the development of treatment for GC, particularly the challenges in developing precision medications, are discussed. These advances provide a direction for the integration of clinical, molecular, and genomic profiles to improve GC diagnosis and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ning Lei
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Qiu-Xu Teng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Qin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuhao Xie
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Kaiming Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qianlin Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Leli Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yihang Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
- Institute for Biotechnology, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA.
| | - Yulong He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Digestive Diseases Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 518107, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Zhang X, Soutto M, Chen Z, Bhat N, Zhu S, Eissmann MF, Ernst M, Lu H, Peng D, Xu Z, El-Rifai W. Induction of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 by Helicobacter pylori via Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 With a Feedforward Activation Loop Involving SRC Signaling in Gastric Cancer. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:620-636.e9. [PMID: 35588797 PMCID: PMC9629135 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is the main risk factor for gastric cancer. The role of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGRFs) in H pylori-mediated gastric tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. This study investigated the molecular and mechanistic links between H pylori, inflammation, and FGFR4 in gastric cancer. METHODS Cell lines, human and mouse gastric tissue samples, and gastric organoids models were implemented. Infection with H pylori was performed using in vitro and in vivo models. Western blot, real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays were used for molecular, mechanistic, and functional studies. RESULTS Analysis of FGFR family members using The Cancer Genome Atlas data, followed by validation, indicated that FGFR4 messenger (m)RNA was the most significantly overexpressed member in human gastric cancer tissue samples (P < .001). We also detected high levels of Fgfr4 mRNA and protein in gastric dysplasia and adenocarcinoma lesions in mouse models. Infection with J166, 7.13, and PMSS1 cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA)+ H pylori strains induced FGFR4 mRNA and protein expression in in vitro and in vivo models. This was associated with a concordant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Analysis of the FGFR4 promoter suggested several putative binding sites for STAT3. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and an FGFR-promoter luciferase reporter containing putative STAT3 binding sites and their mutants, we confirmed a direct functional binding of STAT3 on the FGFR4 promoter. Mechanistically, we also discovered a feedforward activation loop between FGFR4 and STAT3 where the fibroblast growth factor 19–FGFR4 axis played an essential role in activating STAT3 in a SRC proto-oncogene non-receptor tyrosine kinase dependent manner. Functionally, we found that FGFR4 protected against H pylori-induced DNA damage and cell death. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated a link between infection, inflammation, and FGFR4 activation, where a feedforward activation loop between FGFR4 and STAT3 is established via SRC proto-oncogene non-receptor tyrosine kinase in response to H pylori infection. Given the relevance of FGFR4 to the etiology and biology of gastric cancer, we propose FGFR4 as a druggable molecular vulnerability that can be tested in patients with gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mohammed Soutto
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Nadeem Bhat
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Shoumin Zhu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Moritz F Eissmann
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heng Lu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Dunfa Peng
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zekuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
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[Expression and significance of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma]. BEIJING DA XUE XUE BAO. YI XUE BAN = JOURNAL OF PEKING UNIVERSITY. HEALTH SCIENCES 2022; 54. [PMID: 35950384 PMCID: PMC9385531 DOI: 10.19723/j.issn.1671-167x.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC; or kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, KIRC), to analyze the relationship between the expression of FGFR2 and the clinical pathological features and prognosis of ccRCC, to study the relationship between the expression of FGFR2 and other molecules, and to explore its role in the development of ccRCC. METHODS Gene expressional and clinical information of ccRCC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO) database. Next, the data were transformed and collated. In the study, 104 clinical ccRCC samples and corresponding paracancerous normal tissue samples were collected from Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed and the staining results were scored, so as to compare the expression of FGFR2 in ccRCC and paracancerous normal tissues. Besides, quantify real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression level of FGFR2 in normal renal epithelial cell lines (293) and ccRCC cell lines (786-O, 769-P, OSRC-2, Caki-1, ACHN, and A498). In addition, the relationship between FGFR2 expression and clinical pathological characteristics (including TNM staging and pathological grading) and survival prognosis in ccRCC patients was further analyzed. Furthermore, the relationship between FGFR2 expression and B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and neutrophil infiltration in the ccRCC patients was analyzed, and the Biological General Repository for Interactionh Datasets (BioGRID) was used to builds protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to study molecules that interacted with the FGFR2 protein. RESULTS In the TCGA database, the expression of FGFR2 was down-regulated in ccRCC tissue samples compared with normal tissue samples, and the expression in the GEO database also showed this differences. Furthermore, FGFR2 expression was downregulated in ccRCC clinical samples and ccRCC cell lines, compared with corresponding paracancerous normal tissue or normal renal epithelial cell lines. In addition, FGFR2 high expression was associated with earlier, lower-level ccRCC and was associated with a better prognosis in the patients with ccRCC. Moreover, FGFR2 expression was not significantly related to B cells, T cells, NK cells and neutrophil infiltration, and the PPI network showed that FGFR2 protein interacted with certain molecules. CONCLUSION Our work sheds light on the potential role of FGFR2 in the development of ccRCC, suggesting that FGFR2 may serve as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for patients with ccRCC.
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Paul S, Xie S, Yao X, Dey A. Transcriptional Regulation of the Hippo Pathway: Current Understanding and Insights from Single-Cell Technologies. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142225. [PMID: 35883668 PMCID: PMC9317057 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway regulates tissue homeostasis in normal development and drives oncogenic processes. In this review, we extensively discuss how YAP/TAZ/TEAD cooperate with other master transcription factors and epigenetic cofactors to orchestrate a broad spectrum of transcriptional responses. Even though these responses are often context- and lineage-specific, we do not have a good understanding of how such precise and specific transcriptional control is achieved—whether they are driven by differences in TEAD paralogs, or recruitment of cofactors to tissue-specific enhancers. We believe that emerging single-cell technologies would enable a granular understanding of how the Hippo pathway influences cell fate and drives oncogenic processes, ultimately allowing us to design better pharmacological agents against TEADs and identify robust pharmacodynamics markers of Hippo pathway inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayantanee Paul
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; (S.P.); (S.X.)
| | - Shiqi Xie
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; (S.P.); (S.X.)
| | - Xiaosai Yao
- Department of Oncology Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
- Correspondence: (X.Y.); (A.D.)
| | - Anwesha Dey
- Department of Discovery Oncology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA; (S.P.); (S.X.)
- Correspondence: (X.Y.); (A.D.)
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21
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Seeneevassen L, Dubus P, Gronnier C, Varon C. Hippo in Gastric Cancer: From Signalling to Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092282. [PMID: 35565411 PMCID: PMC9105983 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hippo pathway is one of the most important ones in mammals. Its key functions in cell proliferation, tissue growth, repair, and homeostasis make it the most crucial one to be controlled. Many means have been deployed for its regulation, since this pathway is not only composed of core regulatory components, but it also communicates with and regulates various other pathways, making this signalisation even more complex. Its role in cancer has been studied more and more over the past few years, and it presents YAP/TAZ as the major oncogenic actors. In this review, we relate how vital this pathway is for different organs, and how regulatory mechanisms have been bypassed to lead to cancerous states. Most studies present an upregulation status of YAP/TAZ, and urge the need to target them. A focus is made here on gastric carcinogenesis, its main dysregulations, and the major strategies adopted and tested to counteract Hippo pathway disbalance in this disease. Hippo pathway targeting can be achieved by various means, which are described in this review. Many studies have tested different potential molecules, which are detailed hereby. Though not all tested in gastric cancer, they could represent a real interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lornella Seeneevassen
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
| | - Pierre Dubus
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
- Department of Histology and Pathology, CHU Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Caroline Gronnier
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Haut-Lévêque Hospital, CHU Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Christine Varon
- BRIC (BoRdeaux Institute of onCology), UMR1312, INSERM, University of Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France; (L.S.); (P.D.); (C.G.)
- Correspondence:
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22
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Somatic Alteration Characteristics of Early-Onset Gastric Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:1498053. [PMID: 35498538 PMCID: PMC9054482 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1498053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancer types worldwide, which brings millions of dollars of economic loss each year. Patients diagnosed with early-onset gastric cancer were reported to have a worse prognosis compared to other gastric cancer patients, while the mechanisms behind such phenomenon are unknown. To identify age-dependent somatic alternations in gastric cancer, next-generation sequencing targeting 425 genes was performed on 1688 gastric tumor tissues and corresponding plasma samples. In our study, the microsatellite instability (MSI) and chromosomal instability score (CIS) values increased along with the age of patients, which indicates that older patients display a less genomic stability pattern. The differences of somatic alternations between young and old groups were compared. Somatic mutations CDH1 and copy number gains of FGFR2 were identified to enrich in the younger gastric cancer patients, which may contribute to the worse prognosis of early-onset gastric cancer patients.
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Incidence of FGFR2 Amplification and FGFR2 Fusion in Patients with Metastatic Cancer Using Clinical Sequencing. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:9714570. [PMID: 35342406 PMCID: PMC8956403 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9714570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Aberrations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor2 (FGFR2) gene, including genetic alterations and chromosomal rearrangements, lead to the development and progression of cancer with poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the FGFR2 signaling pathway to facilitate the development of FGFR2-targeted therapies have not been fully explored. Here, we examined the clinicopathological features of FGFR2 amplification and fusion in gastrointestinal tract/genitourinary tract cancers. FGFR2 amplification and fusion were identified in approximately 1.5% and 1.1% of all cancer types in 1,373 patients, respectively, with both FGFR2 amplification and fusion occurring together at a rate of approximately 0.6%. Of all cancer types screened, gastric cancer (GC) was the most common cancer type with FGFR2 amplification (87.5% of all FGFR2 amplification case) or fusion (46.7% of all cases). In addition, FGFR2 alteration had poorer overall survival (OS, 13.7 months vs. 50.2 months, P = 0.0001) and progression-free survival (PFS, 5.6 months vs. 11.4 months, P = 0.0005) than did those without FGFR2 alteration, respectively. Taken together, our data underscore to screen solid cancer patients for FGFR2 aberrations in oncology clinic.
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Xu Y, Gao F, Zhang J, Cai P, Xu D. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ectopic stromal cells via activation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway in endometriosis. Bioengineered 2022; 13:8360-8371. [PMID: 35311468 PMCID: PMC9161834 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2054207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissues with cancer-like features in extrauterine locations. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is a tyrosine kinase that is involved in cancer pathogenesis. This study aimed to determine the role of FGFR2 in endometriosis. A total of 29 pairs of ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues were collected from women with endometriosis. Endometrial tissues from women with hysteromyomas were considered as normal controls. Primary ectopic stromal cells (ESCs) were isolated from the ectopic endometrium. The role of FGFR2 in ESCs was assessed using immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, cell counting kit-8 assay, EdU staining, flow cytometry, transwell assay, and western blotting. The following signaling pathways were detected using bioinformatic analysis and confirmed in vitro. By searching the GSE171154, GSE86543, and GSE77182 datasets, FGFR2 was identified as an upregulated overlapping gene in endometriosis. Compared to eutopic and normal endometria, FGFR2 was highly expressed in ectopic tissues. Transfection of primary ESCs with FGFR2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) repressed the viability and proliferation of cells and induced apoptosis. FGFR2 siRNA inhibited the migration, invasion, and transforming growth factor-β1-triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling was found to be a downstream signaling pathway for FGFR2. The ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was found to reverse the promoting effects of FGFR2 on ESC proliferation and invasion. FGFR2 silencing effectively inhibited the growth, migration, invasion, and EMT of ESCs. The effects of FGFR2 on endometriosis might be mediated via the activation of ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Xu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Feng Gao
- Biomedical Isotope Research Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Jingyong Zhang
- Vascular Surgery Department, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Pingping Cai
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Dongsheng Xu
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, P.R. China
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Diffuse gastric cancer: Emerging mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188719. [PMID: 35307354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer is globally the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Patients with diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) particularly have a poor prognosis that only marginally improved over the last decades, as conventional chemotherapies are frequently ineffective and specific therapies are unavailable. Early-stage DGC is characterized by intramucosal lesions of discohesive cells, which can be present for many years before the emergence of advanced DGC consisting of highly proliferative and invasive cells. The mechanisms underlying the key steps of DGC development and transition to aggressive tumors are starting to emerge. Novel mouse- and organoid models for DGC, together with multi-omic analyses of DGC tumors, revealed contributions of both tumor cell-intrinsic alterations and gradual changes in the tumor microenvironment to DGC progression. In this review, we will discuss how these recent findings are leading towards an understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for DGC initiation and malignancy, which may provide opportunities for targeted therapies.
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26
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Ooki A, Yamaguchi K. The dawn of precision medicine in diffuse-type gastric cancer. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2022; 14:17588359221083049. [PMID: 35281349 PMCID: PMC8908406 DOI: 10.1177/17588359221083049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. The histology- and morphology-based Lauren classification of GC has been widely used for over 50 years in clinical practice. The Lauren classification divides GC into intestinal and diffuse types, which have distinct etiology, molecular profiles, and clinicopathological features. Diffuse-type GC (DGC) accounts for approximately 30% of GCs. Tumor cells lack adhesion and infiltrate the stroma as single cells or small subgroups, leading to easy dissemination in the abdominal cavity. Clinically, DGC has aggressive traits with a high risk of recurrence and metastasis, which results in unfavorable prognosis. Although systemic chemotherapy is the main therapeutic approach for recurrent or metastatic GC patients, clinical benefits are limited for patients with DGC. Therefore, it is urgent to develop effective therapeutic strategies for DGC patients. Considerable research studies have characterized the molecular and genomic landscape of DGC, of which tight junction protein claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2) and fibroblast growing factors receptor-2 isoform IIIb (FGFR2-IIIb) are the most attractive targets because of their close association with DGC. Recently, the impressive results of two phase II FAST and FIGHT trials demonstrate proof-of-concept, suggesting that anti-CLDN18.2 antibody (zolbetuximab) and FGFR2-IIIb antibody (bemarituzumab) are promising approaches for patients with CLDN18.2-positive and FGFR2-IIIb-positive GC, respectively. In this review, we summarize the clinicopathological features and molecular profiles of DGC and highlight a potential therapeutic target based on the findings of pivotal clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Ooki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
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Battilana G, Zanconato F, Piccolo S. Mechanisms of YAP/TAZ transcriptional control. Cell Stress 2021; 5:167-172. [PMID: 34782888 PMCID: PMC8561301 DOI: 10.15698/cst2021.11.258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated gene expression is intrinsic to cell transformation, tumorigenesis and metastasis. Cancer-specific gene-expression profiles stem from gene regulatory networks fueled by genetic and epigenetic defects, and by abnormal signals of the tumor microenvironment. These oncogenic signals ultimately engage the transcriptional machinery on the cis -regulatory elements of a host of effector genes, through recruitment of transcription factors (TFs), co-activators and chromatin regulators. That said, whether gene-expression in cancer cells is the chaotic product of myriad regulations or rather a relatively ordered process orchestrated by few TFs (master regulators) has long remained enigmatic. Recent work on the YAP/TAZ co-activators has been instrumental to break new ground into this outstanding issue, revealing that tumor cells hijack growth programs that are active during development and regeneration through engagement of a small set of interconnected TFs and their nuclear partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Battilana
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Zanconato
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Piccolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Via G. Colombo 3, 35131, Padua, Italy.,IFOM, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
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Patrick S, Gowda P, Lathoria K, Suri V, Sen E. YAP1-mediated regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in IDH1 mutant gliomas. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:273515. [PMID: 34651186 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutation of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene leads to the production of oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) from α-ketoglutarate and is associated with better prognosis in glioma. As Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is an important regulator of tumor progression, its role in glioma expressing IDH1 with an R132H mutation was investigated. Diminished nuclear levels of YAP1 in IDH1 mutant glioma tissues and cell lines were accompanied by decreased levels of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM). Luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation were used to investigate the functionality of the TEAD2-binding site on the TFAM promoter in mediating its YAP1-dependent expression. YAP1-dependent mitochondrial fragmentation and ROS generation were accompanied by decreased telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) levels and increased mitochondrial TERT localization in IDH1 R132H cells. Treatment with the Src kinase inhibitor bosutinib, which prevents extranuclear shuttling of TERT, further elevated ROS in IDH1 R132H cells and triggered apoptosis. Importantly, bosutinib treatment also increased ROS levels and induced apoptosis in IDH1 wild-type cells when YAP1 was concurrently depleted. These findings highlight the involvement of YAP1 in coupling mitochondrial dysfunction with mitochondrial shuttling of TERT to constitute an essential non-canonical function of YAP1 in the regulation of redox homeostasis. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Patrick
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, National Brain Research Centre, Manesar 122052, India
| | - Pruthvi Gowda
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, National Brain Research Centre, Manesar 122052, India
| | - Kirti Lathoria
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, National Brain Research Centre, Manesar 122052, India
| | - Vaishali Suri
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Ellora Sen
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, National Brain Research Centre, Manesar 122052, India
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29
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Ooki A, Yamaguchi K. The beginning of the era of precision medicine for gastric cancer with fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 aberration. Gastric Cancer 2021; 24:1169-1183. [PMID: 34398359 DOI: 10.1007/s10120-021-01235-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the systemic treatment of metastatic gastric cancer (GC), prognostic outcomes remain poor. Considerable research effort has been invested in characterizing the genomic landscape of GC and identifying potential therapeutic targets. FGFR2 is one of the most attractive targets because aberrations in this gene are frequently associated with GC, particularly the diffuse type in Lauren's classification, which confers an unfavorable prognosis. Based on the preclinical data, the FGFR2 signaling pathway plays a key role in the development and progression of GC, and several FGFR inhibitors have been clinically assessed. However, the lack of robust treatment efficacy has hampered precision medicine for patients with FGFR2-aberrant GC. Recently, the clinical benefits of the FGFR2-IIIb-selective monoclonal antibody bemarituzumab for FGFR2b-positive GC patients were shown in a randomized phase II FIGHT trial of bemarituzumab combined with the first-line chemotherapy. This trial demonstrates proof of concept, suggesting that FGFR2 is a relevant therapeutic target for patients with FGFR2b-positive GC and that bemarituzumab brings new hope for diffuse-type GC patients. In this review, we summarize the oncogenic roles of FGFR2 signaling and highlight the most recent advances in FGFR inhibitors based on the findings of pivotal clinical trials for patients with FGFR2-aberrant GC. Thus, the era of precision medicine for patients with FGFR2-aberrant GC will be opened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akira Ooki
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan.
| | - Kensei Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Chemotherapy, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
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30
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Guo Z, Zhou K, Wang Q, Huang Y, Ji J, Peng Y, Zhang X, Zheng T, Zhang Z, Chong D, Yang Z. The transcription factor RUNX2 fuels YAP1 signaling and gastric cancer tumorigenesis. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3533-3544. [PMID: 34160112 PMCID: PMC8409423 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable efforts in the detection and treatment of gastric cancer (GC), the underlying mechanism of the progression of GC remains unknown. Our previous work has demonstrated the remarkable role of Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), in fueling the invasion and metastasis of GC. The present study aimed to elucidate the role of RUNX2 in tumorigenesis of GC. We assessed Runx2 expression and its clinical significance via bioinformatic analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Roles for Runx2 in self‐renewal and tumorigenesis were examined in vitro and in vivo. Further bioinformatic analysis was applied to study the mechanism of GC progression. We found that Runx2 was highly expressed in the early stage of GC and positively correlated with a poor clinical outcome of patients. Runx2 was also significantly correlated with clinicopathological features, such as Hp infection, new neoplastic events, primary therapeutic outcome, ethnicity, race, and tumor stage. Multivariate analysis revealed that together with Runx2, age, cancer status, M stage, and T stage were independent prognostic factors for the outcome of GC patients. RUNX2 overexpression induced increased anchorage‐independent colony formation, sphere formation, and tumorigenesis in GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, bioinformatic analysis indicated that yes1 associated transcriptional regulator (YAP1) might be a downstream target of RUNX2. Specific knockdown of YAP1 reduced the tumor‐initiating ability of GC cells induced by ectopic Runx2 expression. Our findings support the hypothesis that RUNX2 exerts oncogenic properties via YAP1 regulation, highlighting essential roles for RUNX2 and YAP1 in gastric carcinogenesis and suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjun Guo
- Department of Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Department of General Surgery and Center of Minimal Invasive Gastrointestinal Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Pathology Department, Navy 971 Hospital of PLA, Qindao, China
| | - Yusheng Huang
- Department of Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jia Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Peng
- Department of Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyue Zhang
- Department of Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Taihao Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Daochen Chong
- Pathology Department, Navy 971 Hospital of PLA, Qindao, China
| | - Zhenzhou Yang
- Department of Cancer Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Hang Q, Lu J, Zuo L, Liu M. Linc00641 promotes the progression of gastric carcinoma by modulating the miR-429/Notch-1 axis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:8497-8509. [PMID: 33714199 PMCID: PMC8034904 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202661] [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: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Linc00641 plays different roles in various types of human cancers. However, the function of linc00641 and its underlying mechanism of action in gastric cancer have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of our current study was to explore the molecular mechanism of linc00641 in gastric cancer. MTT assays, flow cytometry, wound healing assays, and Transwell invasion assays were utilized to measure cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion, respectively. Western blotting and RT-PCR assays were carried out to explore the mechanism of linc00641 in gastric cancer cells. We found that silencing linc00641 suppressed the viability and stimulated the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells, while linc00641 overexpression had the opposite effects. Moreover, linc00641 sponged the expression of miR-429 and subsequently upregulated Notch-1 expression in gastric cancer cells. We concluded that linc00641 promoted the malignant progression of gastric cancer by modulating the miR-429/Notch-1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Hang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, PR China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Operating Theatre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, PR China
| | - Lugen Zuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, PR China
| | - Mulin Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, PR China
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