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Zhang Y, Xu W, Peng C, Ren S, Zhang C. Intricate effects of post-translational modifications in liver cancer: mechanisms to clinical applications. J Transl Med 2024; 22:651. [PMID: 38997696 PMCID: PMC11245821 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05455-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a significant global health challenge, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) being the most prevalent form, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Despite advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, the prognosis for advanced liver cancer remains poor. This underscores the urgent need for a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying HCC to enable early detection and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial regulatory mechanisms in cellular biology, affecting protein functionality, interactions, and localization. These modifications, including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and glycosylation, occur after protein synthesis and play vital roles in various cellular processes. Recent advances in proteomics and molecular biology have highlighted the complex networks of PTMs, emphasizing their critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Dysregulation of PTMs has been associated with several malignant cellular processes in HCC, such as altered cell proliferation, migration, immune evasion, and metabolic reprogramming, contributing to tumor growth and metastasis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathological mechanisms and clinical implications of various PTMs in liver cancer. By exploring the multifaceted interactions of PTMs and their impact on liver cancer progression, we highlight the potential of PTMs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The significance of this review lies in its potential to inform the development of novel therapeutic approaches and improve prognostic tools for early intervention in the fight against liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weihao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuanhui Peng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shenli Ren
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Sun W, You X, Zhao X, Zhang X, Yang C, Zhang F, Yu J, Yang K, Wang J, Xu F, Chang Y, Qu B, Zhao X, He Y, Wang Q, Chen J, Qing G. Precise Capture and Dynamic Release of Circulating Liver Cancer Cells with Dual-Histidine-Based Cell Imprinted Hydrogels. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2402379. [PMID: 38655900 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202402379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detection presents significant advantages in diagnosing liver cancer due to its noninvasiveness, real-time monitoring, and dynamic tracking. However, the clinical application of CTCs-based diagnosis is largely limited by the challenges of capturing low-abundance CTCs within a complex blood environment while ensuring them alive. Here, an ultrastrong ligand, l-histidine-l-histidine (HH), specifically targeting sialylated glycans on the surface of CTCs, is designed. Furthermore, HH is integrated into a cell-imprinted polymer, constructing a hydrogel with precise CTCs imprinting, high elasticity, satisfactory blood compatibility, and robust anti-interference capacities. These features endow the hydrogel with excellent capture efficiency (>95%) for CTCs in peripheral blood, as well as the ability to release CTCs controllably and alive. Clinical tests substantiate the accurate differentiation between liver cancer, cirrhosis, and healthy groups using this method. The remarkable diagnostic accuracy (94%), lossless release of CTCs, material reversibility, and cost-effectiveness ($6.68 per sample) make the HH-based hydrogel a potentially revolutionary technology for liver cancer diagnosis and single-cell analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Sun
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Chromatographic R&A Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xin You
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xinjia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Chromatographic R&A Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Chromatographic R&A Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Chunhui Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Fusheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Chromatographic R&A Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, 430200, P. R. China
| | - Jiaqi Yu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, 430200, P. R. China
| | - Kaiguang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Chromatographic R&A Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Jixia Wang
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang, 330000, P. R. China
| | - Fangfang Xu
- Ganjiang Chinese Medicine Innovation Center, Nanchang, 330000, P. R. China
| | - Yongxin Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Chromatographic R&A Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Boxin Qu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xinmiao Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, P. R. China
| | - Yuxuan He
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116029, P. R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Jinghua Chen
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, P. R. China
| | - Guangyan Qing
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Chromatographic R&A Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, 430200, P. R. China
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Liu Y, Sun Y, Xiao M, Li S, Shi S. Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis reveals the versatile role of GALNT7 in epigenetic alterations and immune modulation in cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31515. [PMID: 38845941 PMCID: PMC11153094 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality globally, characterized by intricate molecular alterations, including epigenetic changes such as glycosylation. This study presents a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of Polypeptide N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7 (GALNT7), an enzyme involved in mucin-type O-linked protein glycosylation. GALNT7 has previously been linked to various cancers, but a unified analysis across cancer types is lacking. Leveraging data from TCGA, GTEx, and other sources, we scrutinized GALNT7's expression, prognostic relevance, links to immune-related genes, immune cell infiltration, and its involvement in tumor genetic heterogeneity across 33 cancer types. GALNT7 exhibited diverse expression patterns across cancer types, showcasing its potential as an oncogenic factor, with its expression levels linked to both positive and negative prognoses, highlighting the context-specific nature of its role in cancer progression. We delved into the intricate interplay between GALNT7 and immune genes, unveiling positive and negative correlations, underscoring complex interactions in the tumor microenvironment. GALNT7 was found to impact immune cell infiltration, which could have implications for treatment strategies. Additionally, GALNT7 displayed associations with genetic tumor aspects, encompassing genomic instability, DNA repair issues, and genetic mutations, hinting at its pivotal role in shaping the genetic landscape of diverse cancers. Enrichment analysis uncovered potential functions of GALNT7 beyond glycosylation, such as its participation in signaling pathways and its association with various diseases, notably cancer. This comprehensive analysis elucidates the multifaceted role of GALNT7 in cancer biology, underlining its potential as a therapeutic target and biomarker across various cancer types. These findings provide valuable insights for future research and the development of personalized cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou Normal University, Huzhou First People's Hospital, China
| | - Yue Sun
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou Normal University, Huzhou First People's Hospital, China
| | - Meixia Xiao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou Normal University, Huzhou First People's Hospital, China
| | - Shuang Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou Normal University, Huzhou First People's Hospital, China
| | - Shengming Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou Normal University, Huzhou First People's Hospital, China
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Zhu L, Zou S, Yao D, Li J, Xiong Y, Wu Q, Du Y, Wang J, Wu T, Wei B. Profiling of aberrant sialylated N-glycans in hepatocellular carcinoma by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 555:117827. [PMID: 38346531 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.117827] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant sialylation is closely associated with the tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis, and may be of importance for disease diagnosis. However, the analysis of altered expression of sialylated glycans (SGs) in blood is particularly challenging due to the low content and poor ionization efficiency of sialylated glycans in mass spectrometry. METHODS An analytical strategy based on enrichment of SGs, liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometric detection, and automatic glycan annotation was developed to profile the sialylated N-glycome in serum. The enrichment of sialylated glycans was accomplished using cationic cotton via electrostatic and hydrogen interaction. Using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the approach was applied for nontarget screening and profiling of aberrant sialylated N-glycans in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RESULTS 55 SGs were identified in human serum, and three important SGs (SG35, SG45, and SG46) were screened to have good diagnostic specificity for HCC. Their areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) were higher than α-fetoprotein (AFP)'s (AUC = 0.85), at 0.88, 0.87, and 0.91, respectively. When three SGs are combined, the diagnostic specificity for HCC may increase to 94 %. The fact that SGs biomarkers are sensitive to AFP-Negative HCC is very noteworthy. CONCLUSIONS The method significantly advanced the search for sialylated glycan-based cancer biomarkers. In comparison to traditional indicators like AFP and imaging tools, SGs showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Shengsi Zou
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Dan Yao
- Department of Electricity Physiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University, Heilongjiang 161000, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yinran Xiong
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yiping Du
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Junxue Wang
- Department of infectious diseases, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
| | - Ting Wu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering & Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, and Research Centre of Analysis and Test, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Bo Wei
- Department of infectious diseases, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
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Kohansal-Nodehi M, Swiatek-de Lange M, Kroeniger K, Rolny V, Tabarés G, Piratvisuth T, Tanwandee T, Thongsawat S, Sukeepaisarnjaroen W, Esteban JI, Bes M, Köhler B, Chan HLY, Busskamp H. Discovery of a haptoglobin glycopeptides biomarker panel for early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1213898. [PMID: 37920152 PMCID: PMC10619681 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1213898] [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: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a need for new serum biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Haptoglobin (Hp) N-glycosylation is altered in HCC, but the diagnostic value of site-specific Hp glycobiomarkers is rarely reported. We aimed to determine the site-specific glycosylation profile of Hp for early-stage HCC diagnosis. Method Hp glycosylation was analyzed in the plasma of patients with liver diseases (n=57; controls), early-stage HCC (n=50) and late-stage HCC (n=32). Hp phenotype was determined by immunoblotting. Hp was immunoisolated and digested into peptides. N-glycopeptides were identified and quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Cohort samples were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney U) tests. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under curve (AUC). Results Significantly higher fucosylation, branching and sialylation of Hp glycans, and expression of high-mannose glycans, was observed as disease progressed from cirrhosis to early- and late-stage HCC. Several glycopeptides demonstrated high values for early diagnosis of HCC, with an AUC of 93% (n=1), >80% (n=3), >75% (n=13) and >70% (n=11), compared with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP; AUC of 79%). The diagnostic performance of the identified biomarkers was only slightly affected by Hp phenotype. Conclusion We identified a panel of Hp glycopeptides that are significantly differentially regulated in early- and late-stage HCC. Some glycobiomarkers exceeded the diagnostic value of AFP (the most commonly used biomarker for HCC diagnosis). Our findings provide evidence that glycobiomarkers can be effective in the diagnosis of early HCC - individually, as a panel of glycopeptides or combined with conventional serological biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Vinzent Rolny
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Research and Development Core Lab, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Glòria Tabarés
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Research and Development Core Lab, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Teerha Piratvisuth
- NKC Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Songklanagarind Hospital, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand
| | - Tawesak Tanwandee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Satawat Thongsawat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | | | - Marta Bes
- Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Banc de Sang i Teixits (BST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bruno Köhler
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Liver Cancer Center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Henry Lik-Yuen Chan
- Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Holger Busskamp
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Research and Development Core Lab, Penzberg, Germany
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Zheng Y, Gao K, Gao Q, Zhang S. Glycoproteomic contributions to hepatocellular carcinoma research: a 2023 update. Expert Rev Proteomics 2023; 20:211-220. [PMID: 37882248 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2023.2265064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a significant burden globally, which ranks sixth among the most frequently diagnosed cancers and stands as the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Glycoproteomics, as an important branch of proteomics, has already made significant achievements in the field of HCC research. Aberrant protein glycosylation has shown to promote the malignant transformation of hepatocytes by modulating a wide range of tumor-promoting signaling pathways. The glycoproteome provides valuable information for understanding cancer progression, tumor immunity, and clinical outcome, which could serve as potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools in HCC. AREAS COVERED In this review, recent advances of glycoproteomics contribute to clinical applications (diagnosis and prognosis) and molecular mechanisms (hepatocarcinogenesis, progression, stemness and recurrence, and drug resistance) of HCC are summarized. EXPERT OPINION Glycoproteomics shows promise in HCC, enhancing early detection, risk stratification, and personalized treatments. Challenges include sample heterogeneity, diverse glycans structures, sensitivity issues, complex workflows, limited databases, and incomplete understanding of immune cell glycosylation. Addressing these limitations requires collaborative efforts, technological advancements, standardization, and validation studies. Future research should focus on targeting abnormal protein glycosylation therapeutically. Advancements in glycobiomarkers and glycosylation-targeted therapies will greatly impact HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqi Zheng
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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