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Wu J, Gong L, Li Y, Qu J, Yang Y, Wu R, Fan G, Ding M, Xie K, Li F, Li X. Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang improves thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis by reversing ACSL4-mediated lipid accumulation and promoting mitophagy. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 333:118456. [PMID: 38878839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Liver fibrosis is a generic fibrous scarring event resulting from accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, easily progressing to end-stage liver diseases. Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang (THSWT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula applied in clinics to treat gynecological and chronic liver diseases. However, the role of THSWT on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis and the specific mechanisms remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the improving effects of THSWT on TAA-insulted hepatic fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS UHPLC-MS/MS was performed to explore the chemical characterization of THSWT. Mice were orally administered with THSWT once daily for 6 weeks along with TAA challenge. Liver function was reflected through serum biomarkers and histopathological staining. RNA sequencing, non-targeted metabolomics and molecular biology experiments were applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS THSWT profoundly repaired lipid metabolism dysfunction and blocked collagen accumulation both in TAA-stimulated mice and in hepatocytes. Results of RNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics revealed that the anti-fibrotic effects of THSWT mostly relied on lipid metabolism repairment by increasing levels of acetyl-CoA, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and decreasing relative abundances of acyl-CoA, total cholesterol, diacylglycerol, triacylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. Mechanically, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases 4 (ACSL4) was a key profibrotic target both in human and mice by disrupting lipid oxidation and metabolism in hepatic mitochondria. THSWT effectively blocked ACSL4 and promoted mitophagy to reverse above outcomes, which was verified by mitophagy depletion. CONCLUSION THSWT may be a promising therapeutic option for treating hepatic fibrosis and its complications by modulating lipid metabolism and promoting mitophagy in livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Liping Gong
- The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Shan Dong University, 247 Bei Yuan Da Jie, Jinan, 250033, China
| | - Yufei Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jiaorong Qu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yang Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ruiyu Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Guifang Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Mingning Ding
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Kaihong Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fanghong Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 11 Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiaojiaoyang Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
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Argenziano ME, Kim MN, Montori M, Di Bucchianico A, Balducci D, Ahn SH, Svegliati Baroni G. Epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical aspects of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in MAFLD patients. Hepatol Int 2024:10.1007/s12072-024-10692-4. [PMID: 39012579 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10692-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is undergoing a transformative shift, with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) emerging as a dominant etiology. Diagnostic criteria for MAFLD involve hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysregulation. Globally, MAFLD prevalence stands at 38.77%, significantly linked to the escalating rates of obesity. Epidemiological data indicate a dynamic shift in the major etiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), transitioning from viral to metabolic liver diseases. Besides the degree of liver fibrosis, several modifiable lifestyle risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, alcohol use, smoking, and HBV, HCV infection contribute to the pathogenesis of HCC. Moreover gut microbiota and genetic variants may contribute to HCC development.The pathophysiological link between MAFLD and HCC involves metabolic dysregulation, impairing glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. Silent presentation poses challenges in early MAFLD-HCC diagnosis. Imaging, biopsy, and AI-assisted techniques aid diagnosis, while HCC surveillance in non-cirrhotic MAFLD patients remains debated.ITA.LI.CA. group proposes a survival-based algorithm for treatment based on Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) algorithm. Liver resection, transplantation, ablation, and locoregional therapies are applied based on the disease stage. Systemic treatments is promising, with initial immunotherapy results indicating a less favorable response in MAFLD-related HCC.Adopting lifestyle interventions and chemopreventive measures with medications, including aspirin, metformin, and statins, constitute promising approaches for the primary prevention of HCC.Prognosis is influenced by multiple factors, with MAFLD-HCC associated with prolonged survival. Emerging diagnostic biomarkers and epigenomic markers, show promising results for early HCC detection in the MAFLD population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eva Argenziano
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126,, Ancona, Italy
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mi Na Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Michele Montori
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126,, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Bucchianico
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126,, Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniele Balducci
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Emergency Digestive Endoscopy, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126,, Ancona, Italy
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gianluca Svegliati Baroni
- Liver Disease and Transplant Unit, Obesity Center, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Delle Marche, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Rupa D, Chuang HW, Hu CE, Su WM, Wu SR, Lee HS, Yuan TC. ACSL4 upregulates IFI44 and IFI44L expression and promotes the proliferation and invasiveness of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. Cancer Sci 2024. [PMID: 38989827 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of cellular energy metabolism, including deregulated lipid metabolism, is a hallmark of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), which catalyzes fatty acids to form fatty acyl-CoAs, is critical for synthesizing phospholipids or triglycerides. Despite the differing roles of ACSL4 in cancers, our data showed that ACSL4 was highly expressed in HNSCC tissues, positively correlating with poor survival rates in patients. Knockdown of ACSL4 in HNSCC cells led to reduced cell proliferation and invasiveness. RNA sequencing analyses identified interferon-induced protein 44 (IFI44) and interferon-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L), encoded by two interferon-stimulated genes, as potential effectors of ACSL4. Silencing IFI44 or IFI44L expression in HNSCC cells decreased cell proliferation and invasiveness. Manipulating ACSL4 expression or activity modulated the expression levels of JAK1, tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), interferon α (IFNα), IFNβ, and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), which regulate IFI44 and IFI44L expression. Knockdown of IRF1 reduced the expression of JAK1, TYK2, IFNα, IFNβ, IFI44, or IFI44L and diminished cell proliferation and invasiveness. Our results suggest that ACSL4 upregulates interferon signaling, enhancing IFI44 and IFI44L expression and promoting HNSCC cell proliferation and invasiveness. Thus, ACSL4 could serve as a novel therapeutic target for HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius Rupa
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hao-Wen Chuang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chung-En Hu
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Min Su
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shiou-Rong Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Herng-Sheng Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ta-Chun Yuan
- Department of Life Science, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC
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Alhasan BA, Morozov AV, Guzhova IV, Margulis BA. The ubiquitin-proteasome system in the regulation of tumor dormancy and recurrence. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189119. [PMID: 38761982 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Tumor recurrence is a mechanism triggered in sparse populations of cancer cells that usually remain in a quiescent state after strict stress and/or therapeutic factors, which is affected by a variety of autocrine and microenvironmental cues. Despite thorough investigations, the biology of dormant and/or cancer stem cells is still not fully elucidated, as for the mechanisms of their reawakening, while only the major molecular patterns driving the relapse process have been identified to date. These molecular patterns profoundly interfere with the elements of cellular proteostasis systems that support the efficiency of the recurrence process. As a major proteostasis machinery, we review the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in tumor cell dormancy and reawakening, devoting particular attention to the functions of its components, E3 ligases, deubiquitinating enzymes and proteasomes in cancer recurrence. We demonstrate how UPS components functionally or mechanistically interact with the pivotal proteins implicated in the recurrence program and reveal that modulators of the UPS hold promise to become an efficient adjuvant therapy for eradicating refractory tumor cells to impede tumor relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashar A Alhasan
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Alexey V Morozov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Street 32, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Irina V Guzhova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Boris A Margulis
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
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5
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Su F, Koeberle A. Regulation and targeting of SREBP-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:673-708. [PMID: 38036934 PMCID: PMC11156753 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasing burden on global public health and is associated with enhanced lipogenesis, fatty acid uptake, and lipid metabolic reprogramming. De novo lipogenesis is under the control of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and essentially contributes to HCC progression. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the regulation of SREBP-1 isoforms in HCC based on cellular, animal, and clinical data. Specifically, we (i) address the overarching mechanisms for regulating SREBP-1 transcription, proteolytic processing, nuclear stability, and transactivation and (ii) critically discuss their impact on HCC, taking into account (iii) insights from pharmacological approaches. Emphasis is placed on cross-talk with the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), protein kinase A (PKA), and other kinases that directly phosphorylate SREBP-1; transcription factors, such as liver X receptor (LXR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1 (PGC-1), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), and Myc; epigenetic mechanisms; post-translational modifications of SREBP-1; and SREBP-1-regulatory metabolites such as oxysterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids. By carefully scrutinizing the role of SREBP-1 in HCC development, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance, we shed light on the potential of SREBP-1-targeting strategies in HCC prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengting Su
- Michael Popp Institute and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andreas Koeberle
- Michael Popp Institute and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Wu D, Zuo Z, Sun X, Li X, Yin F, Yin W. ACSL4 promotes malignant progression of Hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting PAK2 transcription. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 224:116206. [PMID: 38615921 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116206] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Long-chain fatty acyl-Coa ligase 4 (ACSL4) is an important enzyme that converts fatty acids to fatty acyl-Coa esters, there is increasing evidence for its role in carcinogenesis. However, the precise role of ACLS4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not clearly understood. In the present study, we provide evidence that ACSL4 expression was specifically elevated in HCC and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. ACSL4 significantly promotes the growth and metastasis of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing and functional experiments showed that the effect of ACSL4 on HCC development was heavily dependent on PAK2. ACSL4 expression is well correlated with PAK2 in HCC, and ACSL4 even transcriptionally increased PAK2 gene expression mediated by Sp1. In addition, emodin, a naturally occurring anthraquinone derivative, inhibited HCC cell growth and tumor progression by targeting ACSL4. In summary, ACSL4 plays a novel oncogene in HCC development by regulating PAK2 transcription. Targeting ACSL4 could be useful in drug development and therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wu
- College of Life Sciences in Nanjing University (Xianlin Campus), State Key lab of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (SKLPB), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Zongchao Zuo
- Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xinning Sun
- College of Life Sciences in Nanjing University (Xianlin Campus), State Key lab of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (SKLPB), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Life Sciences in Nanjing University (Xianlin Campus), State Key lab of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (SKLPB), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Fangzhou Yin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Wu Yin
- College of Life Sciences in Nanjing University (Xianlin Campus), State Key lab of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (SKLPB), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China.
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Benzo Y, Prada JG, Dattilo MA, Bigi MM, Castillo AF, Mori Sequeiros Garcia MM, Poderoso C, Maloberti PM. Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 modulates mitochondrial function in breast cancer cells. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30639. [PMID: 38756582 PMCID: PMC11096749 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that respond to cellular stress through changes in global mass, interconnection, and subcellular location. As mitochondria play an important role in tumor development and progression, alterations in energy metabolism allow tumor cells to survive and spread even in challenging conditions. Alterations in mitochondrial bioenergetics have been recently proposed as a hallmark of cancer, and positive regulation of lipid metabolism constitutes one of the most common metabolic changes observed in tumor cells. Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4) is an enzyme catalyzing the activation of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with a strong substrate preference for arachidonic acid (AA). High ACSL4 expression has been related to aggressive cancer phenotypes, including breast cancer, and its overexpression has been shown to positively regulate the mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, involved in the regulation of mitochondrial metabolism genes. However, little is known about the role of ACSL4 in the regulation of mitochondrial function and metabolism in cancer cells. In this context, our objective was to study whether mitochondrial function and metabolism, processes usually altered in tumors, are modulated by ACSL4 in breast cancer cells. Using ACSL4 overexpression in MCF-7 cells, we demonstrate that this enzyme can increase the mRNA and protein levels of essential mitochondrial regulatory proteins such as nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF-1), voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and respiratory chain Complex III. Furthermore, respiratory parameters analysis revealed an increase in oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and in spare respiratory capacity (SRC), among others. ACSL4 knockdown in MDA-MB-231 cells led to the decrease in OCR and in SCR, supporting the role of ACSL4 in the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics. Moreover, ACSL4 overexpression induced an increase in glycolytic function, in keeping with an increase in mitochondrial respiratory activity. Finally, there was a decrease in mitochondrial mass detected in cells that overexpressed ACSL4, while the knockdown of ACSL4 expression in MDA-MB-231 cells showed the opposite effect. Altogether, these results unveil the role of ACSL4 in mitochondrial function and metabolism and expand the knowledge of ACSL4 participation in pathological processes such as breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanina Benzo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jesica G. Prada
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melina A. Dattilo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Bigi
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana F. Castillo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Mori Sequeiros Garcia
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Poderoso
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula M. Maloberti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CONICET – Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Jiang X, Zhou R, Jiang F, Yan Y, Zhang Z, Wang J. Construction of diagnostic models for the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma using machine learning. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1401496. [PMID: 38812780 PMCID: PMC11133637 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1401496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. A significant proportion of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to unfavorable treatment outcomes. Generally, the development of HCC occurs in distinct stages. However, the diagnostic and intervention markers for each stage remain unclear. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore precise grading methods for HCC. Machine learning has emerged as an effective technique for studying precise tumor diagnosis. In this research, we employed random forest and LightGBM machine learning algorithms for the first time to construct diagnostic models for HCC at various stages of progression. We categorized 118 samples from GSE114564 into three groups: normal liver, precancerous lesion (including chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, dysplastic nodule), and HCC (including early stage HCC and advanced HCC). The LightGBM model exhibited outstanding performance (accuracy = 0.96, precision = 0.96, recall = 0.96, F1-score = 0.95). Similarly, the random forest model also demonstrated good performance (accuracy = 0.83, precision = 0.83, recall = 0.83, F1-score = 0.83). When the progression of HCC was categorized into the most refined six stages: normal liver, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, dysplastic nodule, early stage HCC, and advanced HCC, the diagnostic model still exhibited high efficacy. Among them, the LightGBM model exhibited good performance (accuracy = 0.71, precision = 0.71, recall = 0.71, F1-score = 0.72). Also, performance of the LightGBM model was superior to that of the random forest model. Overall, we have constructed a diagnostic model for the progression of HCC and identified potential diagnostic characteristic gene for the progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Jiang
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ruilong Zhou
- Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fengle Jiang
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanan Yan
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zheting Zhang
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Innovation Center for Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis, Fuzhou, China
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Cai H, Meng Z, Yu F. The involvement of ROS-regulated programmed cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 197:104361. [PMID: 38626849 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104361] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxidative species (ROS) is a crucial factor in the regulation of cellular biological activity and function, and aberrant levels of ROS can contribute to the development of a variety of diseases, particularly cancer. Numerous discoveries have affirmed that this process is strongly associated with "programmed cell death (PCD)," which refers to the suicide protection mechanism initiated by cells in response to external stimuli, such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, etc. Research has demonstrated that ROS-induced PCD is crucial for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These activities serve a dual function in both facilitating and inhibiting cancer, suggesting the existence of a delicate balance within healthy cells that can be disrupted by the abnormal generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby influencing the eventual advancement or regression of a tumor. In this review, we summarize how ROS regulates PCD to influence the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. Studying how ROS-induced PCD affects the progression of HCC at a molecular level can help develop better prevention and treatment methods and facilitate the design of more effective preventative and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanchen Cai
- The First Afliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China; The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ziqi Meng
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fujun Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Toshida K, Itoh S, Iseda N, Tomiyama T, Yoshiya S, Toshima T, Liu YC, Iwasaki T, Okuzaki D, Taniguchi K, Oda Y, Mori M, Yoshizumi T. Impact of ACSL4 on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: Association with cancer-associated fibroblasts and the tumour immune microenvironment. Liver Int 2024; 44:1011-1023. [PMID: 38293713 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15839] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Recently, the association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and ferroptosis has been the focus of much attention. The expression of long chain fatty acyl-CoA ligase 4 (ACSL4), a marker of ferroptosis, in tumour tissue is related to better prognosis in various cancers. In HCC, ACSL4 expression indicates poor prognosis and is related to high malignancy. However, the mechanism remains to be fully understood. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 358 patients with HCC who had undergone hepatic resection. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for ACSL4 was performed. Factors associated with ASCL4 expression were investigated by spatial transcriptome analysis, and the relationships were investigated by IHC. The association between ACSL4 and the tumour immune microenvironment was examined in a public dataset and investigated by IHC. RESULTS Patients were divided into ACSL4-positive (n = 72, 20.1%) and ACSL4-negative (n = 286, 79.9%) groups. ACSL4 positivity was significantly correlated with higher α-fetoprotein (p = .0180) and more histological liver fibrosis (p = .0014). In multivariate analysis, ACSL4 positivity was an independent prognostic factor (p < .0001). Spatial transcriptome analysis showed a positive correlation between ACSL4 and cancer-associated fibroblasts; this relationship was confirmed by IHC. Evaluation of a public dataset showed the correlation between ACSL4 and exhausted tumour immune microenvironment; this relationship was also confirmed by IHC. CONCLUSION ACSL4 is a prognostic factor in HCC patients and its expression was associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts and anti-tumour immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuya Toshida
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shinji Itoh
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Norifumi Iseda
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Tomiyama
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shohei Yoshiya
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeo Toshima
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yu-Chen Liu
- Single Cell Genomics, Human Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Iwasaki
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- Single Cell Genomics, Human Immunology, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Genome Information Research Center, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koji Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Oda
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masaki Mori
- School of Medicine, Tokai University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Yoshizumi
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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11
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Yuan Q, Shi Y, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Hussain Z, Zhao J, Jiang Y, Qiao Y, Guo Y, Lu J, Dong Z, Dong Z, Wang J, Liu K. Domperidone inhibits cell proliferation via targeting MEK and CDK4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:114. [PMID: 38528618 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03291-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the leading causes of digestive system tumor related death in the world. Unfortunately, effective chemopreventive agent is lack for patients with ESCC in clinical practice, which leads to the extremely high mortality rate. METHODS A library of prescribed drugs was screened for finding critical anti-tumor properties in ESCC cells. The phosphoproteomics, kinase array, pulldown assay and drug affinity responsive target stabilization assay (DARTS) were applied to explore mechanisms and searched for synergistic targets. Established models of PDX in mice were used to determine the therapeutic effect of domperidone. RESULTS After screening a library of prescribed drugs, we discovered that domperidone has anti-tumor properties. Domperidone, acting as a gastroprokinetic agent, has been widely used in clinic for gastrointestinal motility disorders. Despite limited research, there are indications that domperidone may have anti-tumor properties. In this study, we determined that domperidone significantly inhibited ESCC proliferation in vitro and in vivo. We employed phosphoproteomics to reveal p-ERK, and p-SMAD3 down-regulation upon domperidone treatment. Then, the results of kinase assay and pulldown assay further validated that domperidone directly combined with MEK1/2 and CDK4, leading to the inhibition of their kinase activity. Furthermore, our results revealed that MEK/ERK and CDK4/SMAD3 signal pathway were major pathways in domperidone against ESCC. CONCLUSION Collectively, these findings suggest that domperidone serves as an effective "multi-target" inhibitor of MEK1/2 and CDK4, offering potential benefits for the chemoprevention of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Yuan
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Yunshu Shi
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Yaqian Shi
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Zubair Hussain
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Jimin Zhao
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Yanan Jiang
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Yaping Guo
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Jing Lu
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Ziming Dong
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China
| | - Zigang Dong
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
| | - Junyong Wang
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
| | - Kangdong Liu
- The Pathophysiology Department, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- China-US (Henan) Hormel Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- Provincial Cooperative Innovation Center for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
- Cancer Chemoprevention International Collaboration Laboratory, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China.
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12
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Wang Q, Liu J, Chen Z, Zheng J, Wang Y, Dong J. Targeting metabolic reprogramming in hepatocellular carcinoma to overcome therapeutic resistance: A comprehensive review. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:116021. [PMID: 38128187 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116021] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a heavy burden on human health with high morbidity and mortality rates. Systematic therapy is crucial for advanced and mid-term HCC, but faces a significant challenge from therapeutic resistance, weakening drug effectiveness. Metabolic reprogramming has gained attention as a key contributor to therapeutic resistance. Cells change their metabolism to meet energy demands, adapt to growth needs, or resist environmental pressures. Understanding key enzyme expression patterns and metabolic pathway interactions is vital to comprehend HCC occurrence, development, and treatment resistance. Exploring metabolic enzyme reprogramming and pathways is essential to identify breakthrough points for HCC treatment. Targeting metabolic enzymes with inhibitors is key to addressing these points. Inhibitors, combined with systemic therapeutic drugs, can alleviate resistance, prolong overall survival for advanced HCC, and offer mid-term HCC patients a chance for radical resection. Advances in metabolic research methods, from genomics to metabolomics and cells to organoids, help build the HCC metabolic reprogramming network. Recent progress in biomaterials and nanotechnology impacts drug targeting and effectiveness, providing new solutions for systemic therapeutic drug resistance. This review focuses on metabolic enzyme changes, pathway interactions, enzyme inhibitors, research methods, and drug delivery targeting metabolic reprogramming, offering valuable references for metabolic approaches to HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Juan Liu
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ziye Chen
- Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Jingjing Zheng
- Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China
| | - Yunfang Wang
- Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Clinical Translational Science Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; Research Unit of Precision Hepatobiliary Surgery Paradigm, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100021, China; Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Center, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Institute for Organ Transplant and Bionic Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102218, China; Key Laboratory of Digital Intelligence Hepatology (Ministry of Education/Beijing), School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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13
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Lin J, Zhang P, Liu W, Liu G, Zhang J, Yan M, Duan Y, Yang N. A positive feedback loop between ZEB2 and ACSL4 regulates lipid metabolism to promote breast cancer metastasis. eLife 2023; 12:RP87510. [PMID: 38078907 PMCID: PMC10712958 DOI: 10.7554/elife.87510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid metabolism plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. However, the mechanisms through which metastatic genes regulate lipid metabolism remain unclear. Here, we describe a new oncogenic-metabolic feedback loop between the epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcription factor ZEB2 and the key lipid enzyme ACSL4 (long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4), resulting in enhanced cellular lipid storage and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to drive breast cancer metastasis. Functionally, depletion of ZEB2 or ACSL4 significantly reduced lipid droplets (LDs) abundance and cell migration. ACSL4 overexpression rescued the invasive capabilities of the ZEB2 knockdown cells, suggesting that ACSL4 is crucial for ZEB2-mediated metastasis. Mechanistically, ZEB2-activated ACSL4 expression by directly binding to the ACSL4 promoter. ACSL4 binds to and stabilizes ZEB2 by reducing ZEB2 ubiquitination. Notably, ACSL4 not only promotes the intracellular lipogenesis and LDs accumulation but also enhances FAO and adenosine triphosphate production by upregulating the FAO rate-limiting enzyme CPT1A (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 isoform A). Finally, we demonstrated that ACSL4 knockdown significantly reduced metastatic lung nodes in vivo. In conclusion, we reveal a novel positive regulatory loop between ZEB2 and ACSL4, which promotes LDs storage to meet the energy needs of breast cancer metastasis, and identify the ZEB2-ACSL4 signaling axis as an attractive therapeutic target for overcoming breast cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Pingping Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Guorong Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Min Yan
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangzhouChina
| | - Yuyou Duan
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Translational Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences and School of Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Na Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
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14
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JENG KUOSHYANG, CHENG POYU, LIN YUEHHSIEN, LIU POCHUN, TSENG PINGHUI, WANG YUCHAO, CHANG CHIUNGFANG, LEU CHUENMIIN. Aldo-keto reductase family member C3 (AKR1C3) promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth by producing prostaglandin F2α. Oncol Res 2023; 32:163-174. [PMID: 38188684 PMCID: PMC10767238 DOI: 10.32604/or.2023.030975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Current therapies are effective for HCC patients with early disease, but many patients suffer recurrence after surgery and have a poor response to chemotherapy. Therefore, new therapeutic targets are needed. We analyzed gene expression profiles between HCC tissues and normal adjacent tissues from public databases and found that the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was significantly different. The analysis showed that AKR1C3 was upregulated in tumors, and high AKR1C3 expression was associated with a poorer prognosis in HCC patients. In vitro, assays demonstrated that the knockdown of AKR1C3 or the addition of the AKR1C3 inhibitor indomethacin suppressed the growth and colony formation of HCC cell lines. Knockdown of AKR1C3 in Huh7 cells reduced tumor growth in vivo. To explore the mechanism, we performed pathway enrichment analysis, and the results linked the expression of AKR1C3 with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) downstream target genes. Suppression of AKR1C3 activity reduced the production of PGF2α, and supplementation with PGF2α restored the growth of indomethacin-treated Huh7 cells. Knockdown of the PGF receptor (PTGFR) and treatment with a PTGFR inhibitor significantly reduced HCC growth. We showed that indomethacin potentiated the sensitivity of Huh7 cells to sorafenib. In summary, our results indicate that AKR1C3 upregulation may promote HCC growth by promoting the production of PGF2α, and suppression of PTGFR limited HCC growth. Therefore, targeting the AKR1C3-PGF2α-PTGFR axis may be a new strategy for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- KUO-SHYANG JENG
- Division of General Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 22060, Taiwan
| | - PO-YU CHENG
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, 11221, Taiwan
| | - YUEH-HSIEN LIN
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, 11221, Taiwan
| | - PO-CHUN LIU
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, 11221, Taiwan
| | - PING-HUI TSENG
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, 11221, Taiwan
| | - YU-CHAO WANG
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, 11221, Taiwan
| | - CHIUNG-FANG CHANG
- Department of Medical Research, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, 22060, Taiwan
| | - CHUEN-MIIN LEU
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, 11221, Taiwan
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15
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Ding K, Liu C, Li L, Yang M, Jiang N, Luo S, Sun L. Acyl-CoA synthase ACSL4: an essential target in ferroptosis and fatty acid metabolism. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:2521-2537. [PMID: 37442770 PMCID: PMC10617883 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthase 4 (ACSL4) is an enzyme that esterifies CoA into specific polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid and adrenic acid. Based on accumulated evidence, the ACSL4-catalyzed biosynthesis of arachidonoyl-CoA contributes to the execution of ferroptosis by triggering phospholipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis is a type of programmed cell death caused by iron-dependent peroxidation of lipids; ACSL4 and glutathione peroxidase 4 positively and negatively regulate ferroptosis, respectively. In addition, ACSL4 is an essential regulator of fatty acid (FA) metabolism. ACSL4 remodels the phospholipid composition of cell membranes, regulates steroidogenesis, and balances eicosanoid biosynthesis. In addition, ACSL4-mediated metabolic reprogramming and antitumor immunity have attracted much attention in cancer biology. Because it facilitates the cross-talk between ferroptosis and FA metabolism, ACSL4 is also a research hotspot in metabolic diseases and ischemia/reperfusion injuries. In this review, we focus on the structure, biological function, and unique role of ASCL4 in various human diseases. Finally, we propose that ACSL4 might be a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyue Ding
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Chongbin Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Na Jiang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Shilu Luo
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
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16
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Li Y, Zhu J, Yu Z, Zhai F, Li H, Jin X. Regulation of apoptosis by ubiquitination in liver cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:4832-4871. [PMID: 37970337 PMCID: PMC10636691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process critical to cell development and tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms. Defective apoptosis is a crucial step in the malignant transformation of cells, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), where the apoptosis rate is higher than in normal liver tissues. Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification process, plays a precise role in regulating the formation and function of different death-signaling complexes, including those involved in apoptosis. Aberrant expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) in liver cancer (LC), such as cellular inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (cIAPs), X chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP), and linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), can contribute to HCC development by promoting cell survival and inhibiting apoptosis. Therefore, the review introduces the main apoptosis pathways and the regulation of proteins in these pathways by E3s and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs). It summarizes the abnormal expression of these regulators in HCC and their effects on cancer inhibition or promotion. Understanding the role of ubiquitination in apoptosis and LC can provide insights into potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of LiHuiLi Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of LiHuiLi Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Zongdong Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of LiHuiLi Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Fengguang Zhai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of LiHuiLi Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center of LiHuiLi Hospital, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315040, Zhejiang, P. R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Health Science Center, Ningbo UniversityNingbo 315211, Zhejiang, P. R. China
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17
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Li J, Xian L, Zhu Z, Wang Y, Zhang W, Zheng R, Xue W, Li J. Role of CELF2 in ferroptosis: Potential targets for cancer therapy (Review). Int J Mol Med 2023; 52:88. [PMID: 37594127 PMCID: PMC10500222 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2023.5291] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a novel form of regulated cellular necrosis that plays a critical role in promoting cancer progression and developing drug resistance. The main characteristic of ferroptosis is iron‑dependent lipid peroxidation caused by excess intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. CUGBP ELAV‑like family number 2 (CELF2) is an RNA‑binding protein that is downregulated in various types of cancer and is associated with poor patient prognoses. CELF2 can directly bind mRNA to a variety of ferroptosis control factors; however, direct evidence of the regulatory role of CELF2 in ferroptosis is currently limited. The aim of the present review was to summarise the findings of previous studies on CELF2 and its role in regulating cellular redox homeostasis. The present review may provide insight into the possible mechanisms through which CELF2 affects ferroptosis and to provide recommendations for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Li
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Lei Xian
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Zifeng Zhu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Wenlei Zhang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Ruipeng Zheng
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Wang Xue
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Jiarui Li
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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18
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Xiao MY, Li FF, Xie P, Qi YS, Xie JB, Pei WJ, Luo HT, Guo M, Gu YL, Piao XL. Gypenosides suppress hepatocellular carcinoma cells by blocking cholesterol biosynthesis through inhibition of MVA pathway enzyme HMGCS1. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 383:110674. [PMID: 37604220 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with high morbidity and mortality. Targeting abnormal cholesterol metabolism is a potential therapeutic direction. Therefore, more natural drugs targeting cholesterol in HCC need to be developed. Gypenosides (Gyp), the major constituent of Gynostemma pentaphyllum, has been demonstrated to have pharmacological properties on anti-cancer, anti-obesity, and hepatoprotective. We investigated whether Gyp, isolated and purified by our lab, could inhibit HCC progression by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis. The present research showed that Gyp inhibited proliferation and migration, and induced apoptosis in Huh-7 and Hep3B cells. Metabolomics, transcriptomics, and target prediction all suggested that lipid metabolism and cholesterol biosynthesis were the mechanisms of Gyp. Gyp could limit the production of cholesterol and target HMGCS1, the cholesterol synthesis-related protein. Downregulation of HMGCS1 could suppress the progression and abnormal cholesterol metabolism of HCC. In terms of mechanism, Gyp suppressed mevalonate (MVA) pathway mediated cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting HMGCS1 transcription factor SREBP2. And the high expression of HMGCS1 in HCC human specimens was correlated with poor clinical prognosis. The data suggested that Gyp could be a promising cholesterol-lowering drug for the prevention and treatment of HCC. And targeting SREBP2-HMGCS1 axis in MVA pathway might be an effective HCC therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Yu Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Fang-Fang Li
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Peng Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yan-Shuang Qi
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jin-Bo Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Wen-Jing Pei
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hao-Tian Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Mei Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yu-Long Gu
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Xiang-Lan Piao
- School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China.
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19
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Chen F, Kang R, Liu J, Tang D. The ACSL4 Network Regulates Cell Death and Autophagy in Diseases. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:864. [PMID: 37372148 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism, cell death, and autophagy are interconnected processes in cells. Dysregulation of lipid metabolism can lead to cell death, such as via ferroptosis and apoptosis, while lipids also play a crucial role in the regulation of autophagosome formation. An increased autophagic response not only promotes cell survival but also causes cell death depending on the context, especially when selectively degrading antioxidant proteins or organelles that promote ferroptosis. ACSL4 is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of long-chain acyl-CoA molecules, which are important intermediates in the biosynthesis of various types of lipids. ACSL4 is found in many tissues and is particularly abundant in the brain, liver, and adipose tissue. Dysregulation of ACSL4 is linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, acute kidney injury, and metabolic disorders (such as obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). In this review, we introduce the structure, function, and regulation of ACSL4; discuss its role in apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy; summarize its pathological function; and explore the potential implications of targeting ACSL4 in the treatment of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangquan Chen
- DAMP Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Rui Kang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jiao Liu
- DAMP Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Modification and Degradation, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
| | - Daolin Tang
- Department of Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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20
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Ni R, Jiang J, Zhao M, Huang S, Huang C. Knockdown of UBQLN1 Functions as a Strategy to Inhibit CRC Progression through the ERK-c-Myc Pathway. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3088. [PMID: 37370699 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by the absence of obvious symptoms in the early stage. Due to the high rate of late diagnosis of CRC patients, the mortality rate of CRC is higher than that of other malignant tumors. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that UBQLN1 plays an important role in many biological processes. However, the role of UBQLN1 in CRC progression is still elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS we found that UBQLN1 was significantly highly expressed in CRC tissues compared with normal tissues. Enhanced/reduced UBQLN1 promoted/inhibited CRC cell proliferation, colony formation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, and knockdown of UBQLN1 inhibited CRC cells' tumorigenesis and metastasis in nude mice in vivo. Moreover, the knockdown of UBQLN1 reduced the expression of c-Myc by downregulating the ERK-MAPK pathway. Furthermore, the elevation of c-Myc in UBQLN1-deficient cells rescued proliferation caused by UBQLN1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS Knockdown of UBQLN1 inhibits the progression of CRC through the ERK-c-Myc pathway, which provides new insights into the mechanism of CRC progression. UBQLN1 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxuan Ni
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Jianwei Jiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Shengkai Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Changzhi Huang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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21
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Liu S, Fan S, Wang Y, Chen R, Wang Z, Zhang Y, Jiang W, Chen Y, Xu X, Yu Y, Li C, Li X. ACSL4 serves as a novel prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltration in Cholangiocarcinoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:444. [PMID: 37193981 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10903-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL) is the second most common primary hepatic malignant tumor, following hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CHOL is highly aggressive and heterogeneous resulting in poor prognosis. The diagnosis and prognosis of CHOL has not improved in the past decade. Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) is reported to be associated with tumors, however, its role in CHOL has not been revealed. This study is mainly for exploring the prognostic values and potential function of ACSL4 in CHOL. METHODS We investigated the expression level and prognostic value of ACSL4 in CHOL based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. TIMER2.0, TISIDB and CIBERSORT databases were utilized to assess the associations between ACSL4 and immune infiltration cells in CHOL. Single-cell sequencing data from GSE138709 was analyzed to study the expression of ACSL4 in different types of cells. ACSL4 co-expressed genes were analyzed by Linkedomics. Additionally, Western Blot, qPCR, EdU assay, CCK8 assay, transwell assay and wound healing assay were performed to further confirm the roles of ACSL4 in the pathogenesis of CHOL. RESULTS We found that the level of ACSL4 was higher in CHOL and it was correlated with the diagnosis and prognosis of CHOL patients. Then, we observed that the infiltration level of immune cells was related to the level of ACSL4 in CHOL. Moreover, ACSL4 and its co-expressed genes were mainly enriched in metabolism-related pathway and ACSL4 is also a key pro-ferroptosis gene in CHOL. Finally, knockdown of ACSL4 could reverse the tumor-promoting effect of ACSL4 in CHOL. CONCLUSIONS The current findings demonstrated ACSL4 may as a novel biomarker for CHOL patients, which might regulate immune microenvironment and metabolism resulting in poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuochen Liu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Shilong Fan
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yirui Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruixiang Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziyi Wang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaodong Zhang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Wangjie Jiang
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yananlan Chen
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China.
| | - Changxian Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Nanjing, China.
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22
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Jiang L, Xu F, Li C, Liu T, Zhao Q, Liu Y, Zhao Y, Li Y, Zhang Z, Tang X, Zhang J. Sulfotransferase 1C2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by enhancing glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism. Cancer Med 2023; 12:10738-10754. [PMID: 36880364 PMCID: PMC10225225 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5759] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is aggressive liver cancer. Despite advanced imaging and other diagnostic measures, HCC in a significant portion of patients had reached the advanced stage at the first diagnosis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for advanced HCC. As a result, HCC is still a leading cause of cancer death, and there is a pressing need for new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. METHODS We investigated sulfotransferase 1C2 (SUTL1C2), which we recently showed was overexpressed in human HCC cancerous tissues. Specifically, we analyzed the effects of SULT1C2 knockdown on the growth, survival, migration, and invasiveness of two HCC cell lines, i.e., HepG2 and Huh7 cells. We also studied the transcriptomes and metabolomes in the two HCC cell lines before and after SULT1C2 knockdown. Based on the transcriptome and metabolome data, we further investigated the SULT1C2 knockdown-mediated shared changes, i.e., glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism, in the two HCC cell lines. Finally, we performed rescue experiments to determine whether the inhibitory effects of SULT1C2 knockdown could be rescued via overexpression. RESULTS We showed that SULT1C2 overexpression promoted the growth, survival, migration, and invasiveness of HCC cells. In addition, SULT1C2 knockdown resulted in a wide range of gene expression and metabolome changes in HCC cells. Moreover, analysis of shared alterations showed that SULT1C2 knockdown significantly suppressed glycolysis and fatty acid metabolism, which could be rescued via SULT1C2 overexpression. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that SULT1C2 is a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for human HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Jiang
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
- School of Life SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Fang Xu
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Chenglong Li
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Ting Liu
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Qianwei Zhao
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology and State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & TreatmentZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Yixian Liu
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Ying Zhao
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Yamei Li
- School of Basic Medical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Zhendong Zhang
- BGI College & Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
| | - Xiaolei Tang
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineLong Island UniversityBrookvilleNew YorkUSA
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Department of Basic Science, School of MedicineLoma Linda UniversityLoma LindaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jintao Zhang
- Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
- Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Epidemiology and State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention & TreatmentZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouHenanChina
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23
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Wang J, Xiang Y, Fan M, Fang S, Hua Q. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Tumor Metabolism. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082385. [PMID: 37190313 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082385] [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] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming, which is considered a hallmark of cancer, can maintain the homeostasis of the tumor environment and promote the proliferation, survival, and metastasis of cancer cells. For instance, increased glucose uptake and high glucose consumption, known as the "Warburg effect," play an essential part in tumor metabolic reprogramming. In addition, fatty acids are harnessed to satisfy the increased requirement for the phospholipid components of biological membranes and energy. Moreover, the anabolism/catabolism of amino acids, such as glutamine, cystine, and serine, provides nitrogen donors for biosynthesis processes, development of the tumor inflammatory environment, and signal transduction. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) has been widely reported to be involved in various cellular biological activities. A potential role of UPS in the metabolic regulation of tumor cells has also been reported, but the specific regulatory mechanism has not been elucidated. Here, we review the role of ubiquitination and deubiquitination modification on major metabolic enzymes and important signaling pathways in tumor metabolism to inspire new strategies for the clinical treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Yuandi Xiang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Mengqi Fan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Shizhen Fang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Qingquan Hua
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
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24
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Zhou Y, Liu X, Zhang W, Xu Y, Zhang Q, Xiong S, Tang H, Luo B. HMGB1 released from dead tumor cells after insufficient radiofrequency ablation promotes progression of HCC residual tumor via ERK1/2 pathway. Int J Hyperthermia 2023; 40:2174709. [PMID: 36755436 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2174709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a first-line treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the recurrence after RFA remains an urgent challenge. Current studies have shown that residual tumor after RFA is an important cause of recurrence. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that the products of dead tumor cells after RFA have direct effects on the development of residual tumors. Further, we investigated the underlying mechanisms. METHODS The proliferation and invasion ability of HepG2 and Huh7 cells were assessed using CCK-8, colony formation, EdU, transwell invasion and migration assay. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to show HMGB1 released from dead tumor cells. The levels of MMP2, MMP9, CyclinE1 and pERK1/2 were determined using western blotting. Finally, in vivo validation was performed in BALB/c nude mice xenograft tumor models. RESULTS The products of dead tumor cells after thermal treatment can promote the proliferation and invasion of residual HCC cells. Dead tumor cells could release high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) after thermal treatment. Similar to the products of dead tumor cells, the recombinant protein of HMGB1 can promote the proliferation and invasion of residual HCC cells. Moreover, HMGB1 could bind to receptor of advanced glycation end-products. Then, it activated the ERK1/2 pathway and significantly upregulated the expressions of MMP2, MMP9, and CyclinE1. CONCLUSION Our study reveals that HMGB1 released by dead tumor cells after thermal treatment can promote the proliferation and invasion of residual HCC cells. Hence, the HMGB1/RAGE/ERK1/2 pathway is a potential target for improving the prognosis of HCC after radiofrequency ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingshi Zhou
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodi Liu
- Laboratory of Ultrasound Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenyue Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanni Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyu Xiong
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haifeng Tang
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoming Luo
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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25
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Jeon AJ, Teo YY, Sekar K, Chong SL, Wu L, Chew SC, Chen J, Kendarsari RI, Lai H, Ling WH, Kaya NA, Lim JQ, Ramasamy A, Oguz G, Chung AYF, Chan CY, Cheow PC, Kam JH, Madhavan K, Kow A, Ganpathi IS, Lim TKH, Leow WQ, Loong S, Loh TJ, Wan WK, Soon GST, Pang YH, Yoong BK, Ong DBL, Lim J, de Villa VH, Cruz RD, Chanwat R, Thammasiri J, Bonney GK, Goh BKP, Tucker-Kellogg G, Foo RSY, Chow PKH. Multi-region sampling with paired sample sequencing analyses reveals sub-groups of patients with novel patient-specific dysregulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:118. [PMID: 36737737 PMCID: PMC9896715 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional differential expression (DE) testing compares the grouped mean value of tumour samples to the grouped mean value of the normal samples, and may miss out dysregulated genes in small subgroup of patients. This is especially so for highly heterogeneous cancer like Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Using multi-region sampled RNA-seq data of 90 patients, we performed patient-specific differential expression testing, together with the patients' matched adjacent normal samples. RESULTS Comparing the results from conventional DE analysis and patient-specific DE analyses, we show that the conventional DE analysis omits some genes due to high inter-individual variability present in both tumour and normal tissues. Dysregulated genes shared in small subgroup of patients were useful in stratifying patients, and presented differential prognosis. We also showed that the target genes of some of the current targeted agents used in HCC exhibited highly individualistic dysregulation pattern, which may explain the poor response rate. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Our results highlight the importance of identifying patient-specific DE genes, with its potential to provide clinically valuable insights into patient subgroups for applications in precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ah-Jung Jeon
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yue-Yang Teo
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Karthik Sekar
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shay Lee Chong
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lingyan Wu
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sin-Chi Chew
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianbin Chen
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Raden Indah Kendarsari
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hannah Lai
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wen Huan Ling
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Neslihan Arife Kaya
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jia Qi Lim
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Adaikalavan Ramasamy
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gokce Oguz
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alexander Yaw-Fui Chung
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.428397.30000 0004 0385 0924Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chung Yip Chan
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.428397.30000 0004 0385 0924Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peng-Chung Cheow
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.428397.30000 0004 0385 0924Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Juinn Huar Kam
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.428397.30000 0004 0385 0924Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Krishnakumar Madhavan
- grid.410759.e0000 0004 0451 6143Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alfred Kow
- grid.410759.e0000 0004 0451 6143Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Iyer Shridhar Ganpathi
- grid.410759.e0000 0004 0451 6143Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tony Kiat Hon Lim
- grid.163555.10000 0000 9486 5048Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
| | - Wei-Qiang Leow
- grid.163555.10000 0000 9486 5048Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
| | - Shihleone Loong
- grid.163555.10000 0000 9486 5048Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
| | - Tracy Jiezhen Loh
- grid.163555.10000 0000 9486 5048Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
| | - Wei Keat Wan
- grid.163555.10000 0000 9486 5048Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, 169608 Singapore
| | - Gwyneth Shook Ting Soon
- grid.412106.00000 0004 0621 9599Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, Singapore, 119074 Singapore
| | - Yin Huei Pang
- grid.412106.00000 0004 0621 9599Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, Singapore, 119074 Singapore
| | - Boon Koon Yoong
- grid.10347.310000 0001 2308 5949Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Diana Bee-Lan Ong
- grid.10347.310000 0001 2308 5949Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jasmine Lim
- grid.10347.310000 0001 2308 5949Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Vanessa H. de Villa
- Department of Surgery and Center for Liver Health and Transplantation, The Medical City, Pasig City, Metro Manila Philippines
| | - Rouchelle D.dela Cruz
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, The Medical City, Pasig City, Metro Manila Philippines
| | - Rawisak Chanwat
- grid.419173.90000 0000 9607 5779Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jidapa Thammasiri
- grid.419173.90000 0000 9607 5779Division of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Glenn K. Bonney
- grid.410759.e0000 0004 0451 6143Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brian K. P. Goh
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.428397.30000 0004 0385 0924Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Greg Tucker-Kellogg
- grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Roger Sik Yin Foo
- grid.185448.40000 0004 0637 0221Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Cardiovascular Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.4280.e0000 0001 2180 6431Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Pierce K. H. Chow
- grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.410724.40000 0004 0620 9745Program in Clinical and Translational Liver Cancer Research, Division of Medical Science, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore, Singapore ,grid.428397.30000 0004 0385 0924Academic Clinical Programme for Surgery, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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Wang H, Shi W, Lu J, Liu Y, Zhou W, Yu Z, Qin S, Fan J. HCC: RNA-Sequencing in Cirrhosis. Biomolecules 2023; 13:141. [PMID: 36671526 PMCID: PMC9855755 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the most common types of cancer worldwide. As the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, its prognosis remains poor. Most patients developed HCC on the basis of chronic liver disease. Cirrhosis is an important precancerous lesion for HCC. However, the molecular mechanisms in HCC development are still unclear. To explore the changes at the level of transcriptome in this process, we performed RNA-sequencing on cirrhosis, HCC and paracancerous tissues. Continuously changing mRNA was identified using Mfuzz cluster analysis, then their functions were explored by enrichment analyses. Data of cirrhotic HCC patients were obtained from TCGA, and a fatty acid metabolism (FAM)-related prognostic signature was then established. The performance and immunity relevance of the signature were verified in internal and external datasets. Finally, we validated the expression and function of ADH1C by experiments. As a result, 2012 differently expressed mRNA were identified by RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. Fatty acid metabolism was identified as a critical pathway by enrichment analyses of the DEGs. A FAM-related prognostic model and nomogram based on it were efficient in predicting the prognosis of cirrhotic HCC patients, as patients with higher risk scores had shorter survival time. Risk scores calculated by the signature were then proved to be associated with a tumor immune environment. ADH1C were downregulated in HCC, while silence of ADH1C could significantly promote proliferation and motility of the HCC cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wenjie Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Zekun Yu
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shengying Qin
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Junwei Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
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Zhang Z, Wu W, Jiao H, Chen Y, Ji X, Cao J, Yin F, Yin W. Squalene epoxidase promotes hepatocellular carcinoma development by activating STRAP transcription and TGF-β/SMAD signalling. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 180:1562-1581. [PMID: 36581319 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is a key enzyme involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, but growing evidence also reveals that SQLE is abnormally expressed in some types of malignant tumours, even though the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Bioinformatics analysis and RNA sequencing were applied to detect differentially expressed genes in clinical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MTT, colony formation, AnnexinV-FITC/PI, EdU, wound healing, transwell, western blot, qRT-PCR, IHC, F-actin, RNA-sequencing, dual-luciferase reporters, and H&E staining were used to investigate the pharmacological effects and possible mechanisms of SQLE. KEY RESULTS SQLE expression was specifically elevated in HCC, correlating with poor clinical outcomes. SQLE significantly promoted HCC growth, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing and functional experiments revealed that the protumourigenic effect of SQLE on HCC was closely related to the activation of TGF-β/SMAD signalling, but the stimulatory effect of SQLE on TGF-β/SMAD signalling and HCC development is critically dependent on STRAP. SQLE expression is well correlated with STRAP in HCC, and further, to amplify TGF-β/SMAD signalling, SQLE even transcriptionally increased STRAP gene expression mediated by AP-2α. Finally, as a chemical inhibitor of SQLE, NB-598 markedly inhibited HCC cell growth and tumour development. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Taken together, SQLE serves as a novel oncogene in HCC development by activating TGF-β/SMAD signalling. Targeting SQLE could be useful in drug development and therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Zhang
- The State Key Lab of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Wu
- Organ Transplantation Center, Southern District, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, China
| | - Hao Jiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Fuyang People's Hospital, Fuyang, China
| | - Yuzhong Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Xiaojun Ji
- Department of Innovation, Nanjing Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University/Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangzhou Yin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wu Yin
- The State Key Lab of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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The Emerging Role of Tumor Microenvironmental Stimuli in Regulating Metabolic Rewiring of Liver Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010005. [PMID: 36612000 PMCID: PMC9817521 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most devastating cancers worldwide. Extensive phenotypical and functional heterogeneity is a cardinal hallmark of cancer, including PLC, and is related to the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept. CSCs are responsible for tumor growth, progression, relapse and resistance to conventional therapies. Metabolic reprogramming represents an emerging hallmark of cancer. Cancer cells, including CSCs, are very plastic and possess the dynamic ability to constantly shift between different metabolic states depending on various intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, therefore amplifying the complexity of understanding tumor heterogeneity. Besides the well-known Warburg effect, several other metabolic pathways including lipids and iron metabolism are altered in PLC. An increasing number of studies supports the role of the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) in the metabolic control of liver CSCs. In this review, we discuss the complex metabolic rewiring affecting liver cancer cells and, in particular, liver CSCs. Moreover, we highlight the role of TME cellular and noncellular components in regulating liver CSC metabolic plasticity. Deciphering the specific mechanisms regulating liver CSC-TME metabolic interplay could be very helpful with respect to the development of more effective and innovative combinatorial therapies for PLC treatment.
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29
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Wan X, Guo W, Zhan Z, Bai O. Dysregulation of FBW7 in malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Front Oncol 2022; 12:988138. [PMID: 36457505 PMCID: PMC9707496 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.988138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is involved in various aspects of cell processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell cycle progression. F-box and WD repeat domain-containing protein 7 (FBW7), as a key component of UPS proteins and a critical tumor suppressor in human cancers, controls proteasome-mediated degradation by ubiquitinating oncoproteins such as c-Myc, Mcl-1, cyclin E, and Notch. It also plays a role in the development of various cancers, including solid and hematological malignancies, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. This comprehensive review emphasizes the functions, substrates, and expression of FBW7 in malignant lymphoproliferative disorders.
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The altered lipidome of hepatocellular carcinoma. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:445-456. [PMID: 35131480 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in metabolic pathways are a hallmark of cancer. A deeper understanding of the contribution of different metabolites to carcinogenesis is thus vitally important to elucidate mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression to inform therapeutic strategies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and its altered metabolic landscape is beginning to unfold with the advancement of technologies. In particular, characterization of the lipidome of human HCCs has accelerated, and together with biochemical analyses, are revealing recurrent patterns of alterations in glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. These widespread alterations encompass a myriad of lipid species with numerous roles affecting multiple hallmarks of cancer, including aberrant growth signaling, metastasis, evasion of cell death and immunosuppression. In this review, we summarize the current trends and findings of the altered lipidomic landscape of HCC and discuss their potential biological significance for hepatocarcinogenesis.
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Rao Y, Zhu J, Zheng H, Dong W, Lin Q. A novel melanoma prognostic model based on the ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNA. Front Oncol 2022; 12:929960. [PMID: 36313708 PMCID: PMC9598429 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.929960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death related to the biological process of many kinds of tumors. Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNA) have been found to play essential roles in the tumor, and their functions in the ferroptosis of tumor cells have been partially discovered. However, there is no summary of ferroptosis-related LncRNA and its functions in melanoma. In the present study, we aim to explore the expression profile of ferroptosis-related LncRNA genes and their value in melanoma prognosis by bioinformatics analysis. The expression of ferroptosis-related gene (FRG) from melanoma clinical data was extracted based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. By screening the RNA expression data of 472 cases of melanoma and 810 cases of normal skin, eighteen ferroptosis-related differential genes were found to be related to the overall survival rate. Furthermore, 384 ferroptosis-related LncRNAs were discovered through constructing the mRNA-LncRNA co-expression network, and ten of them were found with prognostic significance in melanoma by multivariate Cox analysis. Risk assessment showed that the high expression of LncRNA00520 is associated with poor prognosis, while the increased expression of the other LncRNA is beneficial to the prognosis of patients with melanoma. From univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, there were ten ferroptosis-related LncRNA risk models towards to be significant independent prognostic factors for patients with melanoma and valuable predictive factors for overall survival (OS)(P<0.05). The ROC curve further suggested that the risk score has relatively reliable predictive ability (AUC=0.718). The protein level of ferroptosis-related genes was verified by the HPA database and IHC test, leading to the discovery that the expressions of ALOX5, PEBP1, ACSL4, and ZEB1 proteins up-regulated in tumor tissues, and existed differences between tumor tissues and normal tissues. In conclusion, we identified ten ferroptosis-related LncRNA and constructed a prognosis model base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamin Rao
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinchao Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiyan Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobilliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyuan Lin
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Zhang J, Xun M, Li C, Chen Y. The O-GlcNAcylation and its promotion to hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188806. [PMID: 36152903 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
O-GlcNAcylation is a posttranslational modification that attaches O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to the serine and threonine residues of proteins. Such a glycosylation would alter the activities, stabilities, and interactions of target proteins that are functional in a wide range of biological processes and diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that O-GlcNAcylation is tightly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in its onset, growth, invasion and metastasis, drug resistance, and stemness. Here we summarize the discoveries of the role of O-GlcNAcylation in HCC and its function mechanism, aiming to deepen our understanding of HCC pathology, generate more biomarkers for its diagnosis and prognosis, and offer novel molecular targets for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Min Xun
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Chaojie Li
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China
| | - Yuping Chen
- Institute of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, University of South China, Hengyang 410001, China.
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Lu M, Lan X, Wu X, Fang X, Zhang Y, Luo H, Gao W, Wu D. Salvia miltiorrhiza in cancer: Potential role in regulating MicroRNAs and epigenetic enzymes. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1008222. [PMID: 36172186 PMCID: PMC9512245 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1008222] [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: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in gene regulation by influencing the translation and longevity of various target mRNAs and the expression of various target genes as well as by modifying histones and DNA methylation of promoter sites. Consequently, when dysregulated, microRNAs are involved in the development and progression of a variety of diseases, including cancer, by affecting cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis. Preparations from the dried root and rhizome of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge (Lamiaceae), also known as red sage or danshen, are widely used for treating cardiovascular diseases. Accumulating data suggest that certain bioactive constituents of this plant, particularly tanshinones, have broad antitumor effects by interfering with microRNAs and epigenetic enzymes. This paper reviews the evidence for the antineoplastic activities of S. miltiorrhiza constituents by causing or promoting cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and epigenetic changes to provide an outlook on their future roles in the treatment of cancer, both alone and in combination with other modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Xintian Lan
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Xi Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaoxue Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yegang Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Haoming Luo
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Effective Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Wenyi Gao
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Wenyi Gao, ; Donglu Wu,
| | - Donglu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Effective Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- School of Clinical Medical, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Wenyi Gao, ; Donglu Wu,
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Grube J, Woitok MM, Mohs A, Erschfeld S, Lynen C, Trautwein C, Otto T. ACSL4-dependent ferroptosis does not represent a tumor-suppressive mechanism but ACSL4 rather promotes liver cancer progression. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:704. [PMID: 35963845 PMCID: PMC9376109 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death that differs from apoptosis in that it involves iron-dependent peroxidation of membrane phospholipids. Its role in a variety of human disorders, including cancer has been hypothesized in recent years. While it may function as an endogenous tumor suppressor in a variety of cancers, its role during initiation and progression of liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is yet unknown. Because HCC is most commonly found in chronically injured livers, we utilized two well-established mouse models of chronic injury-dependent HCC formation: Treatment with streptozotocin and high-fat diet as metabolic injury model, as well as treatment with diethylnitrosamine and carbon tetrachloride as toxic injury model. We used mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of Acsl4, a key mediator of ferroptosis, to explore the significance of ferroptotic cell death in hepatocytes, the cell type of origin for HCC. Surprisingly, preventing ferroptotic cell death in hepatocytes by deleting Acsl4 does not increase the formation of HCC. Furthermore, Acsl4-deficient livers display less fibrosis and proliferation, especially in the HCC model of toxic damage. Intriguingly, in this model, the absence of ACSL4-dependent processes such as ferroptosis significantly slow down the growth of HCC. These findings suggest that during HCC formation in a chronically injured liver, ferroptotic cell death is not an endogenous tumor-suppressive mechanism. Instead, we find that ACSL4-dependent processes have an unanticipated cancer-promoting effect during HCC formation, which is most likely due to aggravated liver damage as demonstrated by increased hepatic fibrosis. Previous studies suggested that ferroptosis might have beneficial effects for patients during HCC therapy. As a result, during HCC progression and therapy, ferroptosis may have both cancer-promoting and cancer-inhibitory effects, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Grube
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Marius Maximilian Woitok
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Antje Mohs
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Stephanie Erschfeld
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Celina Lynen
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Christian Trautwein
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, 52074 Germany
| | - Tobias Otto
- grid.412301.50000 0000 8653 1507Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, 52074 Germany
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Kui XY, Gao Y, Liu XS, Zeng J, Yang JW, Zhou LM, Liu XY, Zhang Y, Zhang YH, Pei ZJ. Comprehensive Analysis of SLC17A9 and Its Prognostic Value in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:809847. [PMID: 35957868 PMCID: PMC9357942 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.809847] [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: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Solute carrier family 17 member 9 (SLC17A9) encodes a member of a family of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the transport of small molecules. SLC17A9 is involved in the occurrence and development of various cancers, but its biological role in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is unclear. Methods The expression level of SLC17A9 was assessed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and immunohistochemistry of tumor tissues and adjacent normal liver tissues. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and R software package performed diagnosis and prognosis. Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment and co-expression of SLC17A9, gene–gene interaction (GGI), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed using R, GeneMANIA, and STRING. Western blot, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence, colony formation, wound scratch assay, ATP production assays, and high connotation were applied to determine the effect of SLC17A9 knockdown on HEPG2 (hepatocellular liver carcinoma) cells. TIMER, GEPIA, and TCGA analyzed the relationship between SLC17A9 expression and immune cells, m6A modification, and ferroptosis. Results SLC17A9 expression in LIHC tissues was higher than in normal liver tissues (p < 0.001), and SLC17A9 was related to sex, DSS (disease-specific survival), and PFI (progression-free interval) (p = 0.015, 0.006, and 0.023). SLC17A9 expression has diagnostic (AUC: 0.812; CI: 0.770–0.854) and prognostic potential (p = 0.015) in LIHC. Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (GO/KEGG) functional enrichment analysis showed that SLC17A9 was closely related to neuronal cell body, presynapse, axonogenesis, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. GGI showed that SLC17A9 was closely related to MYO5A. PPI showed that SLC17A9 was closely related to SLC18A3. SLC17A9 silencing inhibited HepG2 cells proliferation, migration, colony formation, and reduced their ATP level. SLC17A9 expression level was related to immune cells: B cells (r = 0.094, P = 8.06E-02), CD4+ T cells (r = 0.184, P = 5.95E-04), and macrophages (r = 0.137, P = 1.15E-02); m6A modification: HNRNPC (r = 0.220, p < 0.001), METTL3 (r = 0.180, p < 0.001), and WTAP (r = 0.130, p = 0.009); and ferroptosis: HSPA5 (r = 0.240, p < 0.001), SLC7A11 (r = 0.180, p < 0.001), and FANCD2 (r = 0.280, p < 0.001). Conclusion Our data show that SLC17A9 may influence LIHC progression. SLC17A9 expression correlates with tumor immune infiltration, m6A modification, and ferroptosis in LIHC and may have diagnostic and prognostic value in LIHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yan Kui
- Postgraduate Training Basement of Jinzhou Medical University, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Xu-Sheng Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- Department of Infection Control, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Jian-Wei Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangyang Cenral Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Lu-Meng Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Huanggang Central Hospital, Huanggang, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Yao-Hua Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Pei
- Postgraduate Training Basement of Jinzhou Medical University, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Institute of Anesthesiology and Pain, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Shiyan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Jun Pei,
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Hou J, Jiang C, Wen X, Li C, Xiong S, Yue T, Long P, Shi J, Zhang Z. ACSL4 as a Potential Target and Biomarker for Anticancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Therapeutics. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:949863. [PMID: 35910359 PMCID: PMC9326356 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.949863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major public health problem around the world and the key leading cause of death in the world. It is well-known that glucolipid metabolism, immunoreaction, and growth/death pattern of cancer cells are markedly different from normal cells. Recently, acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family 4 (ACSL4) is found be participated in the activation of long chain fatty acids metabolism, immune signaling transduction, and ferroptosis, which can be a promising potential target and biomarker for anticancer. Specifically, ACSL4 inhibits the progress of lung cancer, estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer, cervical cancer and the up-regulation of ACSL4 can improve the sensitivity of cancer cells to ferroptosis by enhancing the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and lethal reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, it is undeniable that the high expression of ACSL4 in ER negative breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer can also be related with tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In the present review, we provide an update on understanding the controversial roles of ACSL4 in different cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hou
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changqing Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Xudong Wen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chengdu First People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengming Li
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shiqiang Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tian Yue
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Pan Long
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Pan Long, ; Jianyou Shi, ; Zhen Zhang,
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Pan Long, ; Jianyou Shi, ; Zhen Zhang,
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chengdu Third People’s Hospital/Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiao Tong University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Pan Long, ; Jianyou Shi, ; Zhen Zhang,
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Wang W, Wang J, Liu S, Ren Y, Wang J, Liu S, Cui W, Jia L, Tang X, Yang J, Wu C, Wang L. An EHMT2/NFYA-ALDH2 signaling axis modulates the RAF pathway to regulate paclitaxel resistance in lung cancer. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:106. [PMID: 35477569 PMCID: PMC9044593 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01579-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lung cancer is a kind of malignancy with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Paclitaxel (PTX) is the main treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and resistance to PTX seriously affects the survival of patients. However, the underlying mechanism and potential reversing strategy need to be further explored. Methods We identified ALDH2 as a PTX resistance-related gene using gene microarray analysis. Subsequently, a series of functional analysis in cell lines, patient samples and xenograft models were performed to explore the functional role, clinical significance and the aberrant regulation mechanism of ALDH2 in PTX resistance of NSCLC. Furthermore, the pharmacological agents targeting ALDH2 and epigenetic enzyme were used to investigate the diverse reversing strategy against PTX resistance. Results Upregulation of ALDH2 expression is highly associated with resistance to PTX using in vitro and in vivo analyses of NSCLC cells along with clinicopathological analyses of NSCLC patients. ALDH2-overexpressing NSCLC cells exhibited significantly reduced PTX sensitivity and increased biological characteristics of malignancy in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. EHMT2 (euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2) inhibition and NFYA (nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha) overexpression had a cooperative effect on the regulation of ALDH2. Mechanistically, ALDH2 overexpression activated the RAS/RAF oncogenic pathway. NSCLC/PTX cells re-acquired sensitivity to PTX in vivo and in vitro when ALDH2 was inhibited by pharmacological agents, including the ALDH2 inhibitors Daidzin (DZN)/Disulfiram (DSF) and JIB04, which reverses the effect of EHMT2. Conclusion Our findings suggest that ALDH2 status can help predict patient response to PTX therapy and ALDH2 inhibition may be a promising strategy to overcome PTX resistance in the clinic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12943-022-01579-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianmin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Tang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China. .,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China. .,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
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Systematic Discovery of FBXW7-Binding Phosphodegrons Highlights Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases as Important Regulators of Intracellular Protein Levels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063320. [PMID: 35328741 PMCID: PMC8955265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A FBXW7 is an F-box E3 ubiquitin-ligase affecting cell growth by controlling protein degradation. Mechanistically, its effect on its substrates depends on the phosphorylation of degron motifs, but the abundance of these phosphodegrons has not been systematically explored. We used a ratiometric protein degradation assay geared towards the identification of FBXW7-binding degron motifs phosphorylated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Most of the known FBXW7 targets are localized in the nucleus and function as transcription factors. Here, in addition to more transcription affecting factors (ETV5, KLF4, SP5, JAZF1, and ZMIZ1 CAMTA2), we identified phosphodegrons located in proteins involved in chromatin regulation (ARID4B, KMT2E, KMT2D, and KAT6B) or cytoskeletal regulation (MAP2, Myozenin-2, SMTL2, and AKAP11), and some other proteins with miscellaneous functions (EIF4G3, CDT1, and CCAR2). We show that the protein level of full-length ARID4B, ETV5, JAZF1, and ZMIZ1 are affected by different MAPKs since their FBXW7-mediated degradation was diminished in the presence of MAPK-specific inhibitors. Our results suggest that MAPK and FBXW7 partnership plays an important cellular role by directly affecting the level of key regulatory proteins. The data also suggest that the p38α-controlled phosphodegron in JAZF1 may be responsible for the pathological regulation of the cancer-related JAZF1-SUZ12 fusion construct implicated in endometrial stromal sarcoma.
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Du D, Liu C, Qin M, Zhang X, Xi T, Yuan S, Hao H, Xiong J. Metabolic dysregulation and emerging therapeutical targets for hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:558-580. [PMID: 35256934 PMCID: PMC8897153 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 94.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive human cancer with increasing incidence worldwide. Multiple efforts have been made to explore pharmaceutical therapies to treat HCC, such as targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immune based therapies and combination of chemotherapy. However, limitations exist in current strategies including chemoresistance for instance. Tumor initiation and progression is driven by reprogramming of metabolism, in particular during HCC development. Recently, metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), a reappraisal of new nomenclature for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), indicates growing appreciation of metabolism in the pathogenesis of liver disease, including HCC, thereby suggesting new strategies by targeting abnormal metabolism for HCC treatment. In this review, we introduce directions by highlighting the metabolic targets in glucose, fatty acid, amino acid and glutamine metabolism, which are suitable for HCC pharmaceutical intervention. We also summarize and discuss current pharmaceutical agents and studies targeting deregulated metabolism during HCC treatment. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges in the discovery and development of HCC therapy targeting metabolism are discussed.
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Key Words
- 1,3-BPG, 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
- 2-DG, 2-deoxy-d-glucose
- 3-BrPA, 3-bromopyruvic acid
- ACC, acetyl-CoA carboxylase
- ACLY, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) citrate lyase
- ACS, acyl-CoA synthease
- AKT, protein kinase B
- AML, acute myeloblastic leukemia
- AMPK, adenosine mono-phosphate-activated protein kinase
- ASS1, argininosuccinate synthase 1
- ATGL, adipose triacylglycerol lipase
- CANA, canagliflozin
- CPT, carnitine palmitoyl-transferase
- CYP4, cytochrome P450s (CYPs) 4 family
- Cancer therapy
- DNL, de novo lipogenesis
- EMT, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
- ER, endoplasmic reticulum
- ERK, extracellular-signal regulated kinase
- FABP1, fatty acid binding protein 1
- FASN, fatty acid synthase
- FBP1, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1
- FFA, free fatty acid
- Fatty acid β-oxidation
- G6PD, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
- GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- GLS1, renal-type glutaminase
- GLS2, liver-type glutaminase
- GLUT1, glucose transporter 1
- GOT1, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 1
- Glutamine metabolism
- Glycolysis
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha
- HK, hexokinase
- HMGCR, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase
- HSCs, hepatic stellate cells
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- IDH2, isocitrate dehydrogenase 2
- LCAD, long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase
- LDH, lactate dehydrogenase
- LPL, lipid lipase
- LXR, liver X receptor
- MAFLD, metabolic associated fatty liver disease
- MAGL, monoacyglycerol lipase
- MCAD, medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase
- MEs, malic enzymes
- MMP9, matrix metallopeptidase 9
- Metabolic dysregulation
- NADPH, nicotinamide adenine nucleotide phosphate
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- OTC, ornithine transcarbamylase
- PCK1, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1
- PFK1, phosphofructokinase 1
- PGAM1, phosphoglycerate mutase 1
- PGK1, phosphoglycerate kinase 1
- PI3K, phosphoinositide 3-kinase
- PKM2, pyruvate kinase M2
- PPARα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha
- PPP, pentose phosphate pathway
- Pentose phosphate pathway
- ROS, reactive oxygen species
- SCD1, stearoyl-CoA-desaturase 1
- SGLT2, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2
- SLC1A5/ASCT2, solute carrier family 1 member 5/alanine serine cysteine preferring transporter 2
- SLC7A5/LAT1, solute carrier family 7 member 5/L-type amino acid transporter 1
- SREBP1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1
- TAGs, triacylglycerols
- TCA cycle, tricarboxylic acid cycle
- TKIs, tyrosine kinase inhibitors
- TKT, transketolase
- Tricarboxylic acid cycle
- VEGFR, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor
- WD-fed MC4R-KO, Western diet (WD)-fed melanocortin 4 receptor-deficient (MC4R-KO)
- WNT, wingless-type MMTV integration site family
- mIDH, mutant IDH
- mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyu Du
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chan Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mengyao Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Tao Xi
- Research Center of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shengtao Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haiping Hao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Corresponding authors.
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
- Corresponding authors.
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Yu Y, Sun X, Chen F, Liu M. Genetic Alteration, Prognostic and Immunological Role of Acyl-CoA Synthetase Long-Chain Family Member 4 in a Pan-Cancer Analysis. Front Genet 2022; 13:812674. [PMID: 35126480 PMCID: PMC8811308 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.812674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Acyl-CoA Synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) is a member of acyl-CoA synthetase protein long-chain family, which is associated with amino acid synthesis, lipid synthesis and lipid peroxidation dependent iron death. However, the role of ACSL4 in generalized carcinoma remains unclear. We aim to analyze the expression and prognostic value of ACSL4 in pan-cancer, and further explore the correlation between ACSL4 and immune infiltration. Through ONCOMINE, TIMER (Tumor Immune Estimation Resource), GEPIA (Gene expression Profiling Interactive), UALCAN and HPA, ACSL4 expression patterns of in pan-cancer were analyzed. The prognostic value of ACSL4 was analyzed using PrognoScan and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases. Furthermore, gene variation and epigenetic modification of ACSL4 were analyzed by cBioPortal and GSCA databases. Meanwhile, GEPIA and TIMER databases applied to evaluate the relationship between ACSL4 expression and immune infiltration. These results indicate that ACSL4 expression is down-regulated and associated with prognosis in most tumors. In general, lower ACSL4 expression shows more beneficial prognosis. The most common genetic alteration of ACSL4 is point mutation. ACSL4 is negatively correlated with DNA methylation levels in most cancers. ACSL4 mutations or hypomethylation are associated with poor prognosis. In addition, ACSL4 is positively correlated with immune infiltration in cancers. ACSL4 and immune infiltration are strongly associated with prognosis in BRCA (Breast invasive carcinoma) and SKCM (Skin Cutaneous Melanoma). ACSL4 mutation caused significant changes of immune infiltration in UCEC (Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma) and SARC (Sarcoma). ACSL4 may be a promising prognostic biomarker for pan-cancer and is closely associated with immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Yu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuepu Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Linyi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Miao Liu,
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Luo W, Wang J, Dai X, Zhang H, Qu Y, Xiao W, Ye D, Zhu Y. ACSL4 Expression Is Associated With CD8+ T Cell Infiltration and Immune Response in Bladder Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:754845. [PMID: 34868963 PMCID: PMC8640077 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.754845] [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: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to explore the role of ACSL4 in CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration and outcomes of bladder cancer (BLCA) patients after immunotherapy. Methods The correlation between ACSL4 expression and tumor infiltration of immune cells was analyzed using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource database. The prognostic significance of ACSL4 in BLCA was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumors with high and low ACSL4 expression obtained from patients at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. The relationships between immune checkpoint genes and immune response were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas and IMvigor 210 cohorts. The molecular functions, cellular components, and biological processes involving ACSL4 were explored using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology enrichment pathway analyses. Results The expression level of ACSL4 was significantly correlated with the infiltration of CD8+ T cells in BLCA tumors (r = 0.192, P = 2.22e-04). Elevated ACSL4 was associated with suppressed tumor progression and better outcomes for BLCA patients. The higher expression level of ACSL4 predicted better immunotherapeutic responses and was associated with higher expression levels of core immune checkpoint genes, including CD274, CTLA4, PDCD1, and LAG3, compared with the low ACSL4 expression group. Conclusion This study demonstrated for the first time that elevated ACSL4 correlated significantly with CD8+ T cell infiltration and contributed to better immunotherapeutic responses in BLCA patients. Furthermore, ACSL4 serves as a novel biomarker for predicting patient outcomes after immunotherapeutic treatments, which may improve the development of individualized immunotherapy for BLCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Luo
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Dai
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hailiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qu
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Xiao
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dingwei Ye
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiping Zhu
- Department of Urology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Ma Y, Nenkov M, Chen Y, Press AT, Kaemmerer E, Gassler N. Fatty acid metabolism and acyl-CoA synthetases in the liver-gut axis. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:1512-1533. [PMID: 34904027 PMCID: PMC8637682 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i11.1512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty acids are energy substrates and cell components which participate in regulating signal transduction, transcription factor activity and secretion of bioactive lipid mediators. The acyl-CoA synthetases (ACSs) family containing 26 family members exhibits tissue-specific distribution, distinct fatty acid substrate preferences and diverse biological functions. Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulation of fatty acid metabolism in the liver-gut axis, designated as the bidirectional relationship between the gut, microbiome and liver, is closely associated with a range of human diseases including metabolic disorders, inflammatory disease and carcinoma in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. In this review, we depict the role of ACSs in fatty acid metabolism, possible molecular mechanisms through which they exert functions, and their involvement in hepatocellular and colorectal carcinoma, with particular attention paid to long-chain fatty acids and small-chain fatty acids. Additionally, the liver-gut communication and the liver and gut intersection with the microbiome as well as diseases related to microbiota imbalance in the liver-gut axis are addressed. Moreover, the development of potentially therapeutic small molecules, proteins and compounds targeting ACSs in cancer treatment is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Ma
- Section Pathology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07747, Germany
| | - Miljana Nenkov
- Section Pathology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07747, Germany
| | - Yuan Chen
- Section Pathology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07747, Germany
| | - Adrian T Press
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine and Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07747, Germany
| | - Elke Kaemmerer
- Department of Pediatrics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07747, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Gassler
- Section Pathology, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07747, Germany
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The Application Value of Lipoprotein Particle Numbers in the Diagnosis of HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma with BCLC Stage 0-A. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11111143. [PMID: 34834495 PMCID: PMC8617679 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11111143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Early diagnosis is essential for improving the prognosis and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to explore the clinical value of lipoprotein subfractions in the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Lipoprotein subfractions were detected by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and the pattern-recognition method and binary logistic regression were performed to classify distinct serum profiles and construct prediction models for HCC diagnosis. Differentially expressed proteins associated with lipid metabolism were detected by LC-MS/MS, and the potential prognostic significance of the mRNA expression was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. The diagnostic panel constructed from the serum particle number of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-1~LDL-6) achieved higher accuracy for the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC and HBV-related benign liver disease (LD) than that constructed from serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) alone in the training set (AUC: 0.850 vs. AUC: 0.831) and validation set (AUC: 0.926 vs. AUC: 0.833). Furthermore, the panel achieved good diagnostic performance in distinguishing AFP-negative HCC from AFP-negative LD (AUC: 0.773). We also found that lipoprotein lipase (LPL) transcript levels showed a significant increase in cancerous tissue and that high expression was significantly positively correlated with the poor prognosis of patients. Our research provides new insight for the development of diagnostic biomarkers for HCC, and abnormal lipid metabolism and LPL-mediated abnormal serum lipoprotein metabolism may be important factors in promoting HCC development.
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Sha R, Xu Y, Yuan C, Sheng X, Wu Z, Peng J, Wang Y, Lin Y, Zhou L, Xu S, Zhang J, Yin W, Lu J. Predictive and prognostic impact of ferroptosis-related genes ACSL4 and GPX4 on breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. EBioMedicine 2021; 71:103560. [PMID: 34482070 PMCID: PMC8417304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence shows that inducing ferroptosis may improve efficacy of tumor therapy. However, ferroptosis-related genes have been little studied in patients with breast cancer especially in the neoadjuvant setting. ACSL4 and GPX4 have been well established as the positive and negative regulator of ferroptosis, respectively. This study aimed to explore the predictive value of ACSL4 and GPX4 for patients with breast cancer administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS This study included patients treated with paclitaxel-cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Immunohistochemistry staining of ACSL4 and GPX4 was carried out on the core needle biopsy specimens. Logistic regression was performed to explore the predictive biomarkers of pathological complete response (pCR). Survival analyses were examined by log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard regression. FINDINGS A total of 199 patients were included for the analyses. Both ACSL4 expression and ACSL4/GPX4 combination status could serve as independent predictive factors for pCR. The interaction for pCR was observed between ACSL4 and clinical tumor stage. Besides, ACSL4 expression, GPX4 expression, and their combination status were independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Analyses of the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database suggested that higher ACSL4 expression is related to better overall survival, and higher GPX4 expression is related to better distant metastasis-free survival. Pathway analyses revealed that ACSL4 and GPX4 might function in crucial pathways including apoptosis, autophagy, cell adhesion, lipid metabolism, etc. INTERPRETATION: This study revealed the critical value of ACSL4 and GPX4 serving as novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers for patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It might be a novel strategy to induce ferroptosis to promote chemosensitivity. Future studies are required to elucidate the potential mechanisms. FUNDING This work was supported by Shanghai Natural Science Foundation [grant number 19ZR1431100], Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Hospital Development Center [grant numbers SHDC2020CR3003A, 16CR3065B, and 12016231], Shanghai "Rising Stars of Medical Talent" Youth Development Program for Youth Medical Talents - Specialist Program [grant number 2018-15], Shanghai "Rising Stars of Medical Talent" Youth Development Program for Outstanding Youth Medical Talents [grant number 2018-16], Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine [grant number TM201908], Multidisciplinary Cross Research Foundation of Shanghai Jiao Tong University [grant numbers YG2017QN49, ZH2018QNA42, and YG2019QNA28], Nurturing Fund of Renji Hospital [grant numbers PYMDT-002, PY2018-IIC-01, PY2018-III-15, and PYIII20-09], Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality [grant numbers 20DZ2201600 and 15JC1402700], and Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Sha
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqian Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenwei Yuan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaonan Sheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziping Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaohui Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanping Lin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Liheng Zhou
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuguang Xu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjin Yin
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jinsong Lu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China.
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Li G, Lu A, Chen A, Geng S, Xu Y, Chen X, Yang J. BZW2/5MP1 acts as a promising target in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer 2021; 12:5125-5135. [PMID: 34335929 PMCID: PMC8317536 DOI: 10.7150/jca.53282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Basic leucine zipper and W2 domain 2 (BZW2), also known as 5MP1, is a protein related to translation regulation. Evidence from previous studies indicates that BZW2 is involved in tumorigenesis in several cancers. However, little is known about the role of BZW2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we first analyzed the gene expression profile of BZW2 in multiple HCC datasets. Next, we explored the biological effects of BZW2 in HCC cell lines. BZW2 was overexpressed in different HCC cohorts. Multivariate analysis confirmed that increased BZW2 expression is an independent prognostic indicator of shorter overall survival. BZW2 coexpressed genes were mainly enriched in the biological processes of ribonucleoprotein complex biogenesis, rRNA metabolism, translational initiation, and negative regulation of metabolic processes. BZW2 depletion reduced proliferation, clonality, and invasion and increased apoptosis in MHCC97-H cells. Furthermore, BZW2 overexpression or knockdown enhanced or impaired c-Myc expression, respectively. Overall, these findings identified BZW2 as a biomarker of HCC and provided novel insight that the effect of BZW2 on the translatome is a potential mechanism that promotes HCC progression via the c-Myc pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxiong Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Anqian Lu
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Anna Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China.,Department of Translational Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Geng
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
| | - Jin Yang
- Department of Translational Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Institute of Hepatology and Metabolic Diseases of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310015, P.R. China
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Dattilo MA, Benzo Y, Herrera LM, Prada JG, Lopez PF, Caruso CM, Lasaga M, García CI, Paz C, Maloberti PM. Regulation and role of Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 in glial cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 208:105792. [PMID: 33246155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (Acsl4), an enzyme involved in arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, participates in physiological and pathological processes such as steroidogenesis and cancer. The role of Acsl4 in neurons and in nervous system development has also been documented but little is known regarding its functionality in glial cells. In turn, several processes in glial cells, including neurosteroidogenesis, stellation and AA uptake, are regulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signal. In this context, the aim of this work was to analyze the expression and functional role of Acsl4 in primary rat astrocyte cultures and in the C6 glioma cell line by chemical inhibition and stable silencing, respectively. Results show that Acsl4 expression was regulated by cAMP in both models and that cAMP stimulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein mRNA levels was reduced by Acsl4 inhibition or silencing. Also, Acsl4 inhibition reduced progesterone synthesis stimulated by cAMP and also affected cAMP-induced astrocyte stellation, decreasing process elongation and increasing branching complexity. Similar effects were observed for Acsl4 silencing on cAMP-induced C6 cell morphological shift. Moreover, Acsl4 inhibition and silencing reduced proliferation and migration of both cell types. Acsl4 silencing in C6 cells reduced the capacity for colony proliferation and neurosphere formation, the latter ability also being abolished by Acsl4 inhibition. In sum, this work presents novel evidence of Acsl4 involvement in neurosteroidogenesis and the morphological changes of glial cells promoted by cAMP. Furthermore, Acsl4 participates in migration and proliferation, also affecting cell self-renewal. Altogether, these findings provide insights into Acsl4 functions in glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina A Dattilo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yanina Benzo
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucia M Herrera
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jesica G Prada
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula F Lopez
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla M Caruso
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mercedes Lasaga
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Corina I García
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Fundación Instituto Leloir and Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Paz
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula M Maloberti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Wang W, Yang X, Li C, Li Y, Wang H, Han X. Immunogenic Cell Death (ICD) of Murine H22 Cells Induced by Lentinan. Nutr Cancer 2021; 74:640-649. [PMID: 33715541 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2021.1897632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lentinan can lead to apoptosis of tumor cells and improve immune function. However, limited research focused on the immunogenic death regulation mechanism of lentinan on mouse H22 cells. The study aimed to explore the effect of Lentinan on the expression of immunogenic death-related proteins in mice H22 cells. MTT method was used to detect and evaluate the effect of 200-1000 μg/mL lentinan on the survival rate of H22 cells after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to collect the apoptotic rate of lentinan at different concentrations (200-800μg/mL) on H22 cells for 48 h, and obtain the apoptotic rate of 600 μg/mL lentinan at different times (12-72 h). The effect of Lentinan on the expression of H22 Immunogenic Cell Death proteins was analyzed by ELISA and HPLC-MS afterward. Results suggest that lentinan cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic have a concentration-dependent manner with the H22 cells. Moreover, the rate of apoptosis increased significantly (P < 0.05) in 24 h. Lentinan can induce the expression of Calreticulin(CRT), High mobility protein 1(HMGB1), ATP and Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) .Therefore, the antitumor effect of lentinan may be related to the regulation of immunogenic death-related protein expression, which was beneficial to the future development of liver cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wang
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xin Yang
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chong Li
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yandong Li
- Laboratory of Veterinary Drug Residues, Hebei Institute of Veterinary Drugs Control, Shijiazhuang, Hebei provience, PR China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Weifang Xiashan Weitai Biotechnology Co., LTD, Weifang, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Xue Han
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, China
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Liu Y, Zhang X, Zhang J, Tan J, Li J, Song Z. Development and Validation of a Combined Ferroptosis and Immune Prognostic Classifier for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:596679. [PMID: 33425905 PMCID: PMC7785857 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.596679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunotherapy and sorafenib exert anti-tumor effects via ferroptosis, but reliable biomarkers for the individual treatment and prognosis prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the ferroptosis and immune status remain lacking. Methods Ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) were identified by downloading data from FerrDb and by searching and reading original articles from PubMed. Immune-related genes (IRGs) were downloaded from ImmPort. Prognostic FRGs and IRGs in the GSE14520 (n = 220) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, n = 365) datasets were identified. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression were used for model construction. Ferroptosis expression profiles, the infiltration of immune cells, and the somatic mutation status were analyzed and compared. Results Twenty-seven prognostic ferroptosis- and immune-related signatures were included to construct a comprehensive index of ferroptosis and immune status (CIFI). A subgroup of patients was identified as having a high CIFI value, which was associated with a worse prognosis. This subgroup of patients had significantly up-regulated expressions of many suppressors of ferroptosis and higher fractions of immunosuppressive cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Notably, somatic mutation analysis indicated that high-CIFI patients had higher levels of tumor heterogeneity and higher mutation frequencies of genes like TP53. Conclusion In this work, a novel prognostic classifier was developed based on ferroptosis- and IRGs in HCC, and this classifier could be used for prognostic prediction and the selection of patients for immunotherapies and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Pathology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junjun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Tan
- Department of Pathology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Information Science and Engineering, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Zewen Song
- Department of Oncology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
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Chen J, Ding C, Chen Y, Hu W, Yu C, Peng C, Feng X, Cheng Q, Wu W, Lu Y, Xie H, Zhou L, Wu J, Zheng S. ACSL4 reprograms fatty acid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma via c-Myc/SREBP1 pathway. Cancer Lett 2020; 502:154-165. [PMID: 33340617 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Lipid metabolic reprogramming plays a pivotal role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely characterized. Long chain acyl CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), a member of acyl-CoA synthetases (ACS) family, has been identified as a novel marker of alpha-fetoprotein-high subtype HCC and as an oncogene. Here, we identified a new function of ACSL4 in HCC lipid metabolism. ACSL4 can modulate de novo lipogenesis by accumulating intracellular triglycerides, cholesterols, and lipid droplets in HCC. Mechanistically, ACSL4 upregulates the master lipogenesis regulator sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and its downstream lipogenic enzymes in HCC cells via c-Myc. Moreover, SREBP1 is crucial for ACSL4-mediated regulation of lipogenesis as well as HCC cell proliferation and metastasis, as SREBP1 overexpression rescues lipogenic deficiency and decreased oncogenic capabilities associated with ACSL4 suppression in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, our data showed that the expression of ACSL4 was positively correlated with that of SREBP1 in HCC patients, and the combinational biomarkers showed strong predictive value for HCC. Together, our findings uncover a new mechanism by which ACSL4 modulates aberrant lipid metabolism and promotes the progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junru Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Chaofeng Ding
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, China
| | - Yunhao Chen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Wendi Hu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Chengkuan Yu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Chuanhui Peng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Xiaode Feng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Qiyang Cheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Wenxuan Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Yuejie Lu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, China; Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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Cai H, Shao B, Zhou Y, Chen Z. High expression of TOP2A in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with disease progression and poor prognosis. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:232. [PMID: 32968454 PMCID: PMC7500035 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor in the clinic. Although there are increasing numbers of available treatment methods, their therapeutic effects are not satisfactory. The clinical indicators commonly used to predict the prognosis of HCC include tumor size, degree of cirrhosis, degree of tumor differentiation and tumor microvascular invasion; however, there are currently no molecular indicators that can predict the prognosis of HCC. Due to the differences in the progression of liver cancer among individuals, there is a growing need for prognostic biomarkers to accurately stratify patients for appropriate risk-adaptive treatment. The DNA topoisomerase 2-α (TOP2A) gene, which is located on human chromosome 17, encodes DNA topoisomerase IIα. Previous studies have demonstrated that TOP2A indicates a poor prognosis in patients with various types of tumors, but no such studies are currently available on HCC. By analyzing the differential expression of TOP2A in 50 pairs of tumor and paracancerous tissue samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the present study revealed that the expression of TOP2A was significantly higher in tumor tissue compared with that in paracancerous tissue (P=6.319×10-16). In the collected clinical samples, the mRNA expression levels of TOP2A were significantly upregulated in HCC tumor tissues compared with those in the paracancerous tissues (P=6.40×10-3), suggesting that TOP2A was associated with the occurrence and development of liver cancer. In addition, the associations between TOP2A expression, clinicopathological features and prognosis were analyzed using a multi-center large sample dataset from TCGA database, and the results demonstrated that high expression of TOP2A was associated with a higher T stage, poorer clinical stage and higher histological grade compared with those in patients with low TOP2A expression. High expression of TOP2A was also identified to be associated with a poor prognosis of HCC, particularly in Asian populations. These results suggested that high expression of TOP2A in HCC tissues may be closely associated with tumor progression and metastasis, which may be used as a biological indicator to predict tumor prognosis in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226361, P.R. China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Bingfeng Shao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226361, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226361, P.R. China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
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