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Kurganovs NJ, Engedal N. To eat or not to eat: a critical review on the role of autophagy in prostate carcinogenesis and prostate cancer therapeutics. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1419806. [PMID: 38910881 PMCID: PMC11190189 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1419806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Around 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Many strides have been made in the understanding and treatment of this malignancy over the years, however, despite this; treatment resistance and disease progression remain major clinical concerns. Recent evidence indicate that autophagy can affect cancer formation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that can remove unnecessary or dysfunctional components of the cell as a response to metabolic or environmental stress. Due to the emerging importance of autophagy in cancer, targeting autophagy should be considered as a potential option in disease management. In this review, along with exploring the advances made on understanding the role of autophagy in prostate carcinogenesis and therapeutics, we will critically consider the conflicting evidence observed in the literature and suggest how to obtain stronger experimental evidence, as the application of current findings in clinical practice is presently not viable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Jayne Kurganovs
- Autophagy in Cancer Lab, Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nikolai Engedal
- Autophagy in Cancer Lab, Institute for Cancer Research, Department of Tumor Biology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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2
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Tedesco G, Santarosa M, Maestro R. Beyond self‑eating: Emerging autophagy‑independent functions for the autophagy molecules in cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2024; 64:57. [PMID: 38606507 PMCID: PMC11087037 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5645] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved catabolic process that controls organelle quality, removes misfolded or abnormally aggregated proteins and is part of the defense mechanisms against intracellular pathogens. Autophagy contributes to the suppression of tumor initiation by promoting genome stability, cellular integrity, redox balance and proteostasis. On the other hand, once a tumor is established, autophagy can support cancer cell survival and promote epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition. A growing number of molecules involved in autophagy have been identified. In addition to their key canonical activity, several of these molecules, such as ATG5, ATG12 and Beclin‑1, also exert autophagy‑independent functions in a variety of biological processes. The present review aimed to summarize autophagy‑independent functions of molecules of the autophagy machinery and how the activity of these molecules can influence signaling pathways that are deregulated in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Tedesco
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, I-33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Manuela Santarosa
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, I-33081 Aviano, Italy
| | - Roberta Maestro
- Unit of Oncogenetics and Functional Oncogenomics, CRO Aviano, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, I-33081 Aviano, Italy
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3
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Song Y, Na H, Lee SE, Kim YM, Moon J, Nam TW, Ji Y, Jin Y, Park JH, Cho SC, Lee J, Hwang D, Ha SJ, Park HW, Kim JB, Lee HW. Dysfunctional adipocytes promote tumor progression through YAP/TAZ-dependent cancer-associated adipocyte transformation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4052. [PMID: 38744820 PMCID: PMC11094189 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48179-3] [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: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity has emerged as a prominent risk factor for the development of malignant tumors. However, the existing literature on the role of adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to elucidate the correlation between obesity and cancer remains insufficient. Here, we aim to investigate the formation of cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) and their contribution to tumor growth using mouse models harboring dysfunctional adipocytes. Specifically, we employ adipocyte-specific BECN1 KO (BaKO) mice, which exhibit lipodystrophy due to dysfunctional adipocytes. Our results reveal the activation of YAP/TAZ signaling in both CAAs and BECN1-deficient adipocytes, inducing adipocyte dedifferentiation and formation of a malignant TME. The additional deletion of YAP/TAZ from BaKO mice significantly restores the lipodystrophy and inflammatory phenotypes, leading to tumor regression. Furthermore, mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) exhibit decreased BECN1 and increased YAP/TAZ expression in their adipose tissues. Treatment with the YAP/TAZ inhibitor, verteporfin, suppresses tumor progression in BaKO and HFD-fed mice, highlighting its efficacy against mice with metabolic dysregulation. Overall, our findings provide insights into the key mediators of CAA and their significance in developing a TME, thereby suggesting a viable approach targeting adipocyte homeostasis to suppress cancer growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaechan Song
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeju Na
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - You Min Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Wook Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yul Ji
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jin
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyung Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Chan Cho
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehoon Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Gemcro, Inc, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehee Hwang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Jun Ha
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Woo Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Bum Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Woong Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Gemcro, Inc, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Lin L, Li X, Li Y, Lang Z, Li Y, Zheng J. Ginsenoside Rb1 induces hepatic stellate cell ferroptosis to alleviate liver fibrosis via the BECN1/SLC7A11 axis. J Pharm Anal 2024; 14:100902. [PMID: 38784156 PMCID: PMC11112007 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.11.009] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is primarily driven by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a process associated with ferroptosis. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), a major active component extracted from Panax ginseng, inhibits HSC activation. However, the potential role of GRb1 in mediating HSC ferroptosis remains unclear. This study examined the effect of GRb1 on liver fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro, using CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model and primary HSCs, LX-2 cells. The findings revealed that GRb1 effectively inactivated HSCs in vitro, reducing alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Type I collagen (Col1A1) levels. Moreover, GRb1 significantly alleviated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in vivo. From a mechanistic standpoint, the ferroptosis pathway appeared to be central to the antifibrotic effects of GRb1. Specifically, GRb1 promoted HSC ferroptosis both in vivo and in vitro, characterized by increased glutathione depletion, malondialdehyde production, iron overload, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intriguingly, GRb1 increased Beclin 1 (BECN1) levels and decreased the System Xc-key subunit SLC7A11. Further experiments showed that BECN1 silencing inhibited GRb1-induced effects on HSC ferroptosis and mitigated the reduction of SLC7A11 caused by GRb1. Moreover, BECN1 could directly interact with SLC7A11, initiating HSC ferroptosis. In conclusion, the suppression of BECN1 counteracted the effects of GRb1 on HSC inactivation both in vivo and in vitro. Overall, this study highlights the novel role of GRb1 in inducing HSC ferroptosis and promoting HSC inactivation, at least partly through its modulation of BECN1 and SLC7A11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Xinmiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Zhichao Lang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Yeping Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Jianjian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
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5
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Pang Q, Tang Z, Luo L. The crosstalk between oncogenic signaling and ferroptosis in cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 197:104349. [PMID: 38626848 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104349] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death regulation, was identified in 2012. It is characterized by unique features that differentiate it from other types of cell death, including necrosis, apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis. Ferroptosis is defined by an abundance of iron ions and lipid peroxidation, resulting in alterations in subcellular structures, an elevation in reactive oxygen species (ROS), a reduction in glutathione (GSH) levels, and an augmentation in Fe (II) cytokines. Ferroptosis, a regulated process, is controlled by an intricate network of signaling pathways, where multiple stimuli can either enhance or hinder the process. This review primarily examines the defensive mechanisms of ferroptosis and its interaction with the tumor microenvironment. The analysis focuses on the pathways that involve AMPK, p53, NF2, mTOR, System Xc-, Wnt, Hippo, Nrf2, and cGAS-STING. The text discusses the possibilities of employing a combination therapy that targets several pathways for the treatment of cancer. It emphasizes the necessity for additional study in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianghu Pang
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China
| | - Zhirou Tang
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China
| | - Lianxiang Luo
- The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang,School of Ocean and Tropical Medicine. Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524023, China.
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6
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Peng N, Liu J, Hai S, Liu Y, Zhao H, Liu W. Role of Post-Translational Modifications in Colorectal Cancer Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:652. [PMID: 38339403 PMCID: PMC10854713 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030652] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract. CRC metastasis is a multi-step process with various factors involved, including genetic and epigenetic regulations, which turn out to be a serious threat to CRC patients. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins involve the addition of chemical groups, sugars, or proteins to specific residues, which fine-tunes a protein's stability, localization, or interactions to orchestrate complicated biological processes. An increasing number of recent studies suggest that dysregulation of PTMs, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and glycosylation, play pivotal roles in the CRC metastasis cascade. Here, we summarized recent advances in the role of post-translational modifications in diverse aspects of CRC metastasis and its detailed molecular mechanisms. Moreover, advances in drugs targeting PTMs and their cooperation with other anti-cancer drugs, which might provide novel targets for CRC treatment and improve therapeutic efficacy, were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; (N.P.); (S.H.); (Y.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Jingwei Liu
- Department of Anus and Intestine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China;
| | - Shuangshuang Hai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; (N.P.); (S.H.); (Y.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Yihong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; (N.P.); (S.H.); (Y.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Haibo Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; (N.P.); (S.H.); (Y.L.); (H.Z.)
| | - Weixin Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; (N.P.); (S.H.); (Y.L.); (H.Z.)
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7
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Zhu S, Guo J, Yu L, Liu J, Chen J, Xin J, Zhang Y, Luo J, Duan C. Synergistic effect of cryptotanshinone and temozolomide treatment against human glioblastoma cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21835. [PMID: 38071213 PMCID: PMC10710453 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a complex disease to treat owing to its profound chemoresistance. Therefore, we evaluated the combined effect and therapeutic efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ), a potent alkylating agent and the current gold standard therapy for GBM, and cryptotanshinone (CTS), which inhibits glioma cell proliferation in GBM cells. Using LN229 and U87-MG human GBM cells in a short-term stimulation in vitro model, the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects of single and combined treatment with 4 μM CTS and 200 μM TMZ were investigated. Furthermore, cell viability, DNA damage, apoptosis rate, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein were measured using cytotoxic assay, comet assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting analysis, respectively. The two drugs' synergistic interaction was validated using the synergy score. We found that the anti-proliferative effects of combination therapy using the two drugs were greater than that of each agent used alone (CTS or TMZ). Western blot analysis indicated that treatment of GBM cells with CTS combined with TMZ more significantly decreased the expression of MGMT and STAT3, than that with TMZ alone. Combined treatment with CTS and TMZ might be an effective option to overcome the chemoresistance of GBM cells in a long-term treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songxian Zhu
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jingjing Guo
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Li Yu
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 South Renmin Road, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jixiang Chen
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Jinxin Xin
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China
| | - Yuqiang Zhang
- Medical Services, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 South Renmin Road, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
| | - Chao Duan
- Brain Research Institute, Research Center of Neurological Diseases, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, 32 Renmin South Rd, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Wudang Local Chinese Medicine Research, Taihe Hospital of Shiyan, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei, China.
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8
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Spurlock B, Liu J, Qian L. Can we stop one heart from breaking: triumphs and challenges in cardiac reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102116. [PMID: 37797568 PMCID: PMC10872832 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102116] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic cardiac injury causes irreversible muscle loss and scarring, but recent years have seen dramatic advances in cardiac reprogramming, the field focused on regenerating cardiac muscle. With SARS-CoV2 increasing the age-adjusted cardiovascular disease mortality rate, it is worth evaluating the state of this field. Here, we summarize novel innovations in reprogramming strategies, insights into their mechanisms, and technologies for factor delivery. We also propose a broad model of reprogramming to suggest directions for future research. Poet Emily Dickinson wrote, "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." Today, researchers studying cardiac reprogramming view this line as a call to action to translate this revolutionary approach into life-saving treatments for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Spurlock
- McAllister Heart Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jiandong Liu
- McAllister Heart Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Li Qian
- McAllister Heart Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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9
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Zhang H, Chen S, Xu S, Li X. COTE1 Facilitates Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Progression via Beclin1-Dependent Autophagy Inhibition. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:5491682. [PMID: 37780485 PMCID: PMC10541304 DOI: 10.1155/2023/5491682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
COTE1 was recently described as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer. However, the roles of COTE1 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) are little known. Our study is aimed at clarifying novel functions of COTE1 in ICC progression, including proliferation, invasion, and autophagy. By using quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry staining, and western blotting, we found that COTE1 expression was frequently upregulated in ICC tissues, compared to paracarcinoma tissues. High COTE1 expression was significantly correlated with aggressive clinical features and predicted poor prognosis of ICC patients. Functional experiments revealed that ectopic COTE1 expression promoted ICC cell proliferation, colony formation, cellular invasion, migration, and in vivo tumorigenicity; in contrast, COTE1 knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. At molecular mechanism in vitro and vivo, our study revealed that COTE1 overexpression suppressed autophagy via Beclin1 transcription inhibition; conversely, COTE1 silencing facilitated autophagy through promoting Beclin1 expression. Furthermore, the suppression of COTE1 knockdown on cellular growth and invasion was rescued/aggravated by Beclin1 inhibition/accumulation. Our data, for the first time, illustrate that COTE1 is an oncogene in ICC pathogenesis, and the ectopic COTE1 expression promotes ICC proliferation and invasion via Beclin1-dependent autophagy inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhang
- Key Laboratory on Living Donor Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Department of Liver Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Sanrong Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Key Laboratory on Living Donor Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Department of Liver Transplantation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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10
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Hashemi M, Abbaszadeh S, Rashidi M, Amini N, Talebi Anaraki K, Motahhary M, Khalilipouya E, Harif Nashtifani A, Shafiei S, Ramezani Farani M, Nabavi N, Salimimoghadam S, Aref AR, Raesi R, Taheriazam A, Entezari M, Zha W. STAT3 as a newly emerging target in colorectal cancer therapy: Tumorigenesis, therapy response, and pharmacological/nanoplatform strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116458. [PMID: 37348629 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116458] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most aggressive tumor globally, and it can be categorized into two forms: colitis-mediated CRC and sporadic CRC. The therapeutic approaches for CRC encompass surgical intervention, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, even with the implementation of these techniques, the 5-year survival rate for metastatic CRC remains at a mere 12-14%. In the realm of CRC treatment, gene therapy has emerged as a novel therapeutic approach. Among the crucial molecular pathways that govern tumorigenesis, STAT3 plays a significant role. This pathway is subject to regulation by cytokines and growth factors. Once translocated into the nucleus, STAT3 influences the expression levels of factors associated with cell proliferation and metastasis. Literature suggests that the upregulation of STAT3 expression is observed as CRC cells progress towards metastatic stages. Consequently, elevated STAT3 levels serve as a significant determinant of poor prognosis and can be utilized as a diagnostic factor for cancer patients. The biological and malignant characteristics of CRC cells contribute to low survival rates in patients, as the upregulation of STAT3 prevents apoptosis and promotes pro-survival autophagy, thereby accelerating tumorigenesis. Furthermore, STAT3 plays a role in facilitating the proliferation of CRC cells through the stimulation of glycolysis and promoting metastasis via the induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Notably, an intriguing observation is that the upregulation of STAT3 can mediate resistance to 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and other anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, the radio-sensitivity of CRC diminishes with increased STAT3 expression. Compounds such as curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, and other anti-tumor agents exhibit the ability to suppress STAT3 and its associated pathways, thereby impeding tumorigenesis in CRC. Furthermore, it is worth noting that nanostructures have demonstrated anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic properties in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Abbaszadeh
- Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University Tonekabon Branch, Tonekabon, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nafisesadat Amini
- Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | | | | | - Ensi Khalilipouya
- Department of Radiology, Mahdiyeh Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Sasan Shafiei
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Xsphera Biosciences, Translational Medicine Group, 6 Tide Street, Boston, MA, 02210, USA
| | - Rasoul Raesi
- Health Services Management, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Wenliang Zha
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Xianning Medical College, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 437100, China.
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11
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Nicco C, Thomas M, Guillermet J, Havard M, Laurent-Tchenio F, Doridot L, Dautry F, Batteux F, Tchenio T. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates self-sustained quiescence, tumor indolence, and late clinical metastasis in a Beclin-1-dependent manner. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:542-564. [PMID: 36123968 PMCID: PMC9928463 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2022.2123187] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-sustained quiescence (SSQ) has been characterized as a stable but reversible non-proliferative cellular state that limits the cloning of cultured cancer cells. By developing refined clonogenic assays, we showed here that cancer cells in SSQ can be selected with anticancer agents and that culture at low cell density induced SSQ in pancreas and prostate adenocarcinoma cells. Pre-culture of cells in 3D or their pretreatment with pharmacological inhibitors of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) synergize with low cell density for induction of SSQ in a Beclin-1-dependent manner. Dissociated pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) cells rendered defective for SSQ by down-regulating Beclin-1 expression exhibit higher tumor growth rate when injected subcutaneously into mice. Conversely, dissociated PAAD cells in SSQ promote the formation of small indolent tumors that eventually transitioned to a rapid growth phase. Ex vivo clonogenic assays showed that up to 40% of clonogenic cancer cells enzymatically dissociated from resected fast-growing tumors could enter SSQ, suggesting that SSQ could significantly impact the proliferation of cancer cells that are naturally dispersed from tumors. Remarkably, the kinetics of clinical metastatic recurrence in 124 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma included in the TGCA-PAAD project could be predicted from Beclin-1 and Cyclin-A2 mRNA levels in their primary tumor, Cyclin A2 mRNA being a marker of both cell proliferation and mTOR complex 1 activity. Overall, our data show that SSQ is likely to promote the late development of clinical metastases and suggest that identifying new agents targeting cancer cells in SSQ could help improve patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Nicco
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016/CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Marine Thomas
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016/CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Julie Guillermet
- Centre de Recherches en Cancérologie de Toulouse (CRCT), Inserm U1037, CNRS U5071, Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France
| | - Maryline Havard
- Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (LBPA), CNRS UMR8113, IDA FR3242, ENS Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Fanny Laurent-Tchenio
- Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (LBPA), CNRS UMR8113, IDA FR3242, ENS Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ludivine Doridot
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016/CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - François Dautry
- Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (LBPA), CNRS UMR8113, IDA FR3242, ENS Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Frédéric Batteux
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016/CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Tchenio
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016/CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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12
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Transcription of Autophagy Associated Gene Expression as Possible Predictors of a Colorectal Cancer Prognosis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020418. [PMID: 36830954 PMCID: PMC9952998 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Autophagy plays a dual role in oncogenesis-it contributes to the growth of the tumor and can inhibit its development. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the transcriptional activity of LAMP-2, BECN1, PINK1, and FOXO1 genes involved in the autophagy process in histopathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma sections of colorectal cancer: (2) Methods: A gene expression profile analysis was performed using HG-U133A and the RT-qPCR reaction. The transcriptional activity of genes was compared in sections of colorectal cancer in the four clinical stages (CSI-CSIV) concerning the control group; (3) Results: In CSI, the transcriptional activity of the PINK1 gene is highest; in CS II, the LAMP-2 gene is highest, while FOXO1 increases gradually from CSI reaching a maximum in CSIII. There is no BECN1 gene expression in colorectal cancer cells; (4) Conclusions: The observed differences in the mRNA concentration profile of autophagy-related genes in colon cancer specimens may indicate the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of this cancer. Genes involved in autophagy may be diagnostic tools for colorectal cancer screening and personalized therapy in the future.
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13
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Hasan KMM, Haque MA. Autophagy and Its Lineage-Specific Roles in the Hematopoietic System. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2023; 2023:8257217. [PMID: 37180758 PMCID: PMC10171987 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8257217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a dynamic process that regulates the selective and nonselective degradation of cytoplasmic components, such as damaged organelles and protein aggregates inside lysosomes to maintain tissue homeostasis. Different types of autophagy including macroautophagy, microautophagy, and chaperon-mediated autophagy (CMA) have been implicated in a variety of pathological conditions, such as cancer, aging, neurodegeneration, and developmental disorders. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism and biological functions of autophagy have been extensively studied in vertebrate hematopoiesis and human blood malignancies. In recent years, the hematopoietic lineage-specific roles of different autophagy-related (ATG) genes have gained more attention. The evolution of gene-editing technology and the easy access nature of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), hematopoietic progenitors, and precursor cells have facilitated the autophagy research to better understand how ATG genes function in the hematopoietic system. Taking advantage of the gene-editing platform, this review has summarized the roles of different ATGs at the hematopoietic cell level, their dysregulation, and pathological consequences throughout hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazi Md Mahmudul Hasan
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, The University of California, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Md Anwarul Haque
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh
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14
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Condello M, Vona R, Meschini S. Prunus spinosa Extract Sensitized HCT116 Spheroids to 5-Fluorouracil Toxicity, Inhibiting Autophagy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416098. [PMID: 36555736 PMCID: PMC9785163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416098] [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: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation and recycling process involved in tumor progression and drug resistance. The aim of this work was to inhibit autophagy and increase apoptosis in a 3D model of human colorectal cancer by combined treatment with our patented natural product Prunus spinosa + nutraceutical activator complex (PsT + NAC®) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). By means of cytotoxic evaluation (MTT assay), cytofluorimetric analysis, light and fluorescence microscopy investigation and Western blotting evaluation of the molecular pathway PI3/AKT/mTOR, Caspase-9, Caspase-3, Beclin1, p62 and LC3, we demonstrated that the combination PsT + NAC® and 5-FU significantly reduces autophagy by increasing the apoptotic phenomenon. These results demonstrate the importance of using non-toxic natural compounds to improve the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the side effects induced by conventional drugs in human colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Condello
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Rosa Vona
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Meschini
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, National Institute of Health, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (S.M.)
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15
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Tian Y, Liu H, Wang M, Wang R, Yi G, Zhang M, Chen R. Role of STAT3 and NRF2 in Tumors: Potential Targets for Antitumor Therapy. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248768. [PMID: 36557902 PMCID: PMC9781355 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NRF2, also known as NFE2L2), are two of the most complicated transcription regulators, which participate in a variety of physiological processes. Numerous studies have shown that they are overactivated in multiple types of tumors. Interestingly, STAT3 and NRF2 can also interact with each other to regulate tumor progression. Hence, these two important transcription factors are considered key targets for developing a new class of antitumor drugs. This review summarizes the pivotal roles of the two transcription regulators and their interactions in the tumor microenvironment to identify potential antitumor drug targets and, ultimately, improve patients' health and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Tian
- Medical Laboratory of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, China
| | - Haiqing Liu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences (Institute of Basic Medical Sciences), Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250024, China
| | - Mengwei Wang
- School of Stomatology, Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, China
| | - Ruihao Wang
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, China
| | - Guandong Yi
- School of Nursing, Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Medical Laboratory of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, China
| | - Ruijiao Chen
- Medical Laboratory of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining 272067, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-537-361-6216
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16
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Li C, Yin X, Liu Z, Wang J. Emerging Potential Mechanism and Therapeutic Target of Ferroptosis in PDAC: A Promising Future. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:15031. [PMID: 36499358 PMCID: PMC9740869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315031] [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] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a devastating malignant tumor of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors characterized by late diagnosis, low treatment success and poor prognosis. The most common pathological type of PC is pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which accounts for approximately 95% of PC. PDAC is primarily driven by the Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) oncogene. Ferroptosis was originally described as ras-dependent cell death but is now defined as a regulated cell death caused by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Recent studies have revealed that ferroptosis plays an important role in the development and therapeutic response of tumors, especially PDAC. As the non-apoptotic cell death, ferroptosis may minimize the emergence of drug resistance for clinical trials of PDAC. This article reviews what has been learned in recent years about the mechanisms of ferroptosis in PDAC, introduces the association between ferroptosis and the KRAS target, and summarizes several potential strategies that are capable of triggering ferroptosis to suppress PDAC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xunzhe Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Zuojia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Physics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-3400, USA
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17
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Bao ZH, Hou XB, Li HL, Mao YF, Wang WR. The mechanism and progress of ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer. Acta Histochem 2022; 124:151919. [PMID: 35772355 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2022.151919] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide annually. Because of late diagnosis, rapid metastasis and drug resistance to chemotherapy, pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis. Although the treatment of pancreatic cancer has made tremendous progress, the options for effective treatment are still limited, and new treatment methods are in crying needs to improve prognosis in clinic. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent non-apoptotic cell death mode, which is mediated by lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation. Ferroptosis plays a momentous role in regulating different cancers in recent years, such as breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. In this present review, we elaborate on the regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways of ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer, with the intention of delivering directions and new ideas for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Hang Bao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Xiang-Bin Hou
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Hao-Ling Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Yi-Feng Mao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China; Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China
| | - Wen-Rui Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China; Department of Life Sciences, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233030, China.
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18
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Vitto VAM, Bianchin S, Zolondick AA, Pellielo G, Rimessi A, Chianese D, Yang H, Carbone M, Pinton P, Giorgi C, Patergnani S. Molecular Mechanisms of Autophagy in Cancer Development, Progression, and Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071596. [PMID: 35884904 PMCID: PMC9313210 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved and tightly regulated process that plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. It involves regulation of various genes that function to degrade unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components, and to recycle metabolic substrates. Autophagy is modulated by many factors, such as nutritional status, energy level, hypoxic conditions, endoplasmic reticulum stress, hormonal stimulation and drugs, and these factors can regulate autophagy both upstream and downstream of the pathway. In cancer, autophagy acts as a double-edged sword depending on the tissue type and stage of tumorigenesis. On the one hand, autophagy promotes tumor progression in advanced stages by stimulating tumor growth. On the other hand, autophagy inhibits tumor development in the early stages by enhancing its tumor suppressor activity. Moreover, autophagy drives resistance to anticancer therapy, even though in some tumor types, its activation induces lethal effects on cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the biological mechanisms of autophagy and its dual role in cancer. In addition, we report the current understanding of autophagy in some cancer types with markedly high incidence and/or lethality, and the existing therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Angela Maria Vitto
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Silvia Bianchin
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Alicia Ann Zolondick
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA; (A.A.Z.); (H.Y.); (M.C.)
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA
| | - Giulia Pellielo
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Alessandro Rimessi
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Diego Chianese
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Haining Yang
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA; (A.A.Z.); (H.Y.); (M.C.)
| | - Michele Carbone
- Thoracic Oncology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA; (A.A.Z.); (H.Y.); (M.C.)
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
| | - Carlotta Giorgi
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
- Correspondence: (C.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Simone Patergnani
- Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies (LTTA), Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (V.A.M.V.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (A.R.); (D.C.); (P.P.)
- Correspondence: (C.G.); (S.P.)
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19
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Li Z, Si W, Jin W, Yuan Z, Chen Y, Fu L. Targeting autophagy in colorectal cancer: An update on pharmacological small-molecule compounds. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2373-2385. [PMID: 35589015 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy, an evolutionarily highly conserved cellular degradation process, plays the Janus role (either cytoprotective or death-promoting) in colorectal cancer, so the targeting of several key autophagic pathways with small-molecule compounds may be a new therapeutic strategy. In this review, we discuss autophagy-associated cell death pathways and key cytoprotective autophagy pathways in colorectal cancer. Moreover, we summarize a series of small-molecule compounds that have the potential to modulate autophagy-associated cell death or cytoprotective autophagy for therapeutic purposes. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the Janus role of autophagy in colorectal cancer, and shed new light on the exploitation of a growing number of small-molecule compounds to target autophagy in future cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiang Li
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Wen Si
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science and Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences Limited, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Neuroscience, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Wenke Jin
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Zhaoxin Yuan
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Leilei Fu
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Biomimetic Synthesis of Natural Drugs, School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China.
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20
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Xu J, Zhang J, Mao QF, Wu J, Wang Y. The Interaction Between Autophagy and JAK/STAT3 Signaling Pathway in Tumors. Front Genet 2022; 13:880359. [PMID: 35559037 PMCID: PMC9086235 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.880359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor is one of the important factors affecting human life and health in today’s world, and scientists have studied it extensively and deeply, among which autophagy and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway are two important research directions. The JAK/STAT3 axis is a classical intracellular signaling pathway that assumes a key role in the regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and vascular neogenesis, and its abnormal cell signaling and regulation are closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. Therefore, the JAK/STAT3 pathway in tumor cells and various stromal cells in their microenvironment is often considered as an effective target for tumor therapy. Autophagy is a process that degrades cytoplasmic proteins and organelles through the lysosomal pathway. It is a fundamental metabolic mechanism for intracellular degradation. The mechanism of action of autophagy is complex and may play different roles at various stages of tumor development. Altered STAT3 expression has been found to be accompanied by the abnormal autophagy activity in many oncological studies, and the two may play a synergistic or antagonistic role in promoting or inhibiting the occurrence and development of tumors. This article reviews the recent advances in autophagy and its interaction with JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway in the pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangyan Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinrong Zhang
- Department of Science and Education, Dafeng District People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Qi-Fen Mao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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21
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Targeting the endo-lysosomal autophagy pathway to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. J Autoimmun 2022; 128:102814. [PMID: 35298976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2022.102814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious public health problem in Western society with a continuing increase in incidence worldwide. Safe, targeted medicines for IBD are not yet available. Autophagy, a vital process implicated in normal cell homeostasis, provides a potential point of entry for the treatment of IBDs, as several autophagy-related genes are associated with IBD risk. We conducted a series of experiments in three distinct mouse models of colitis to test the effectiveness of therapeutic P140, a phosphopeptide that corrects autophagy dysfunctions in other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Colitis was experimentally induced in mice by administering dextran sodium sulfate and 2,4,6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Transgenic mice lacking both il-10 and iRhom2 - involved in tumor necrosis factor α secretion - were also used. In the three models investigated, P140 treatment attenuated the clinical and histological severity of colitis. Post-treatment, altered expression of several macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy markers, and of pro-inflammatory mediators was corrected. Our results demonstrate that therapeutic intervention with an autophagy modulator improves colitis in animal models. These findings highlight the potential of therapeutic peptide P140 for use in the treatment of IBD.
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22
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Effectiveness of Gamma Oryzanol on prevention of surgical induced endometriosis development in rat model. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2816. [PMID: 35181729 PMCID: PMC8857219 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06883-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is believed to be triggered by endometriosis whose pathophysiology and the etiology is still unknown. Certain genes play pivotal roles in pathogenesis of endometriosis. Natural products and plants are used as important sources for production of new drugs. The current study assesses the effects of gamma-oryzanol (GO) in a rat model with surgically induced endometriosis. The experimental endometriosis was induced in 24 wistar rats, and the animals were subsequently subdivided into endometriosis-sole (endom group), 3000 and 6000 µg/kg GO (GO-3000 and GO-6000) and Vit C groups. The protein levels of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α), Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), light chain 3 (LC3B) and Beclin1 (BECN1) were assessed. TUNEL staining was used for detecting the apoptosis rate. The results revealed that protein levels of SF1, HO1, and total LC3B significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in GO-6000-treated groups compared to endom group. Moreover, the protein level of BECN1 and SIRT-1 significantly (P < 0.05) increased in GO-6000-treated groups compared to endom group. GO treatment did not imply any significant difference (P > 0.05) concerning the protein levels of ER-α. The TUNEL staining results showed higher TUNEL-positive cells reactions in the rats treated with GO-6000 and Vit C. Thus, GO is involved in improving condition rats involved with endometriosis through modulation in the protein levels of some molecules and also induction of apoptosis.
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Abstract
Ferroptosis is a recently recognized iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic regulated cell death (RCD) characterized by lipid peroxide accumulation to lethal levels. Cancer cells, which show an increased iron dependency to enable rapid growth, seem vulnerable to ferroptosis. There is also increasing evidence that ferroptosis might be immunogenic and therefore could synergize with immunotherapies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver tumor with a low survival rate due to frequent recurrence and limited efficacy of conventional chemotherapies, illustrating the urgent need for novel drug approaches or combinatorial strategies. Immunotherapy is a new treatment approach for advanced HCC patients. In this setting, ferroptosis inducers may have substantial clinical potential. However, there are still many questions to answer before the mystery of ferroptosis is fully unveiled. This review discusses the existing studies and our current understanding regarding the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis with the goal of enhancing response to immunotherapy of liver cancer. In addition, challenges and opportunities in clinical applications of potential candidates for ferroptosis-driven therapeutic strategies will be summarized. Unraveling the role of ferroptosis in the immune response could benefit the development of promising anti-cancer therapies that overcome drug resistance and prevent tumor metastasis.
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Wang Y, Li Z, Xu S, Li W, Chen M, Jiang M, Fan X. LncRNA FIRRE functions as a tumor promoter by interaction with PTBP1 to stabilize BECN1 mRNA and facilitate autophagy. Cell Death Dis 2022. [PMID: 35110535 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04509-1.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical functions in various cancers. Firre intergenic repeating RNA element (FIRRE), a lncRNA located in the nucleus, was overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the detailed mechanism of FIRRE in CRC remains elusive. Results of RNA sequence and qPCR illustrated overexpression of FIRRE in CRC cell lines and tissues. The aberrant expression of FIRRE was correlated with the migration, invasion, and proliferation in cell lines. In accordance, it was also associated with lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis in patients with CRC. FIRRE was identified to physically interact with Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTBP1) by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). Overexpression of FIRRE induced the translocation of PTBP1 from nucleus to cytoplasm, which was displayed by immunofluorescence and western blot. In turn, delocalization of FIRRE from nucleus to cytoplasm is observed after the loss of PTBP1. The RNA-protein complex in the cytoplasm directly bound to BECN1 mRNA, and the binding site was at the 3' end of the mRNA. Cells with FIRRE and PTBP1 depletion alone or in combination were treated by Actinomycin D (ACD). Results of qPCR showed FIRRE stabilized BECN1 mRNA in a PTBP1-medieated manner. In addition, FIRRE contributed to autophagy activity. These findings indicate FIRRE acts as an oncogenic factor in CRC, which induces tumor development through stabilizing BECN1 mRNA and facilitating autophagy in a PTBP1-mediated manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Zhengyang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Shizan Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Shanghai, 201503, China
| | - Mengyun Chen
- General Practice of Huamu Community Health Service Center, 90 Yulan Road, Shanghai, 201204, China
| | - Miao Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China.
| | - Xiaoming Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China.
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Wang Y, Li Z, Xu S, Li W, Chen M, Jiang M, Fan X. LncRNA FIRRE functions as a tumor promoter by interaction with PTBP1 to stabilize BECN1 mRNA and facilitate autophagy. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:98. [PMID: 35110535 PMCID: PMC8811066 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04509-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical functions in various cancers. Firre intergenic repeating RNA element (FIRRE), a lncRNA located in the nucleus, was overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the detailed mechanism of FIRRE in CRC remains elusive. Results of RNA sequence and qPCR illustrated overexpression of FIRRE in CRC cell lines and tissues. The aberrant expression of FIRRE was correlated with the migration, invasion, and proliferation in cell lines. In accordance, it was also associated with lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis in patients with CRC. FIRRE was identified to physically interact with Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTBP1) by RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). Overexpression of FIRRE induced the translocation of PTBP1 from nucleus to cytoplasm, which was displayed by immunofluorescence and western blot. In turn, delocalization of FIRRE from nucleus to cytoplasm is observed after the loss of PTBP1. The RNA-protein complex in the cytoplasm directly bound to BECN1 mRNA, and the binding site was at the 3' end of the mRNA. Cells with FIRRE and PTBP1 depletion alone or in combination were treated by Actinomycin D (ACD). Results of qPCR showed FIRRE stabilized BECN1 mRNA in a PTBP1-medieated manner. In addition, FIRRE contributed to autophagy activity. These findings indicate FIRRE acts as an oncogenic factor in CRC, which induces tumor development through stabilizing BECN1 mRNA and facilitating autophagy in a PTBP1-mediated manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Zhengyang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Shizan Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Road, Shanghai, 201503, China
| | - Mengyun Chen
- General Practice of Huamu Community Health Service Center, 90 Yulan Road, Shanghai, 201204, China
| | - Miao Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China.
| | - Xiaoming Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, 1508 Longhang Road, Shanghai, 201508, China.
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Sabet A, Azarpira N, Kohan L, Ghavami S. Evaluation of Autophagy Process in Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells toward Insulin Producing Cells. Int J Organ Transplant Med 2022; 13:4-13. [PMID: 37641731 PMCID: PMC10460531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Autophagy is an intracellular self-degradative homeostasis process which eliminates undesirable and harmful macromolecules and organelles. Autophagy is also involved in self-renewal and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs). Objective In this study, we investigated the expression profile of autophagy marker genes in human iPSCs during their differentiation induction toward insulin producing β-like cells. Methods Human iPSC line, R1-hiPSC1, was used for differentiation induction toward β-like cells. The mRNA expression of Nanog, OCT4 (pluripotency markers), SOX17, FOXA2 (endodermic markers), PTF1A, NKX6.1 (exocrine/endocrine determinants), and PDX1 were measured during differentiation stages. Autophagy was monitored by genes expression study of four autophagy markers, MAP1LC3B, BECN1, SQSTM1/P62 and ATG5, along with protein expression profile of LC3b-II during differentiation stages. Results The mRNA expression measurement of pluripotency, endoderm and exocrine/endocrine marker genes confirmed that hiPSCs skipped pluripotency, differentiated into endoderm, passed through the pancreatic lineage commitment stage and successfully generated insulin producing β-like cells. Expression profile of autophagy genes during differentiation stages indicated the decreased expression levels at the early stages (EB and MEI) and then increased at the definitive endoderm stages (DEI 1, DEI 2 and DE) followed by a subtractive pattern toward the end of differentiation. The results of protein expression of LC3b-II were consistent with gene expression data. Conclusion This study demonstrated the high contribution of key autophagy genes/proteins during the differentiation of hiPSC toward β-like cells. The enhanced autophagy levels were a prominent feature of early stages of differentiation and DE rather than the later stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Sabet
- Department of Genetics, Fars Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
- Department of Genetics, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
| | - N. Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - L. Kohan
- Department of Biology, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran
| | - S. Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Shi M, Maique J, Shepard S, Li P, Seli O, Moe OW, Chang Hu M. In vivo evidence for therapeutic applications of beclin 1 to promote recovery and inhibit fibrosis after acute kidney injury. Kidney Int 2022; 101:63-78. [PMID: 34736972 PMCID: PMC8741729 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2021.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy regulator beclin 1 activity determines the severity of kidney damage induced by ischemia reperfusion injury, but its role in kidney recovery and fibrosis are unknown and its therapeutic potentials have not been tested. Here, we explored beclin 1 effects on kidney fibrosis in three models of acute kidney injury (AKI)-ischemia reperfusion injury, cisplatin kidney toxicity, and unilateral ureteric obstruction in mouse strains with three levels of beclin 1 function: normal (wild type), low (heterozygous global deletion of beclin 1, Becn1+/-), and high beclin 1 activity (knockin gain-of-function mutant Becn1, Becn1FA). Fourteen days after AKI induction, heterozygous mice had more, but knockin mice had less kidney fibrosis than wild-type mice did. One day after ischemia reperfusion injury, heterozygous pan-kidney tubular Becn1 null mice had more severe kidney damage than homozygous distal tubular Becn1 null mice did, which was similar to the wild-type mice, implying that proximal tubular beclin 1 protects the kidney against ischemia reperfusion injury. By 14 days, both pan-kidney heterozygous Becn1 null and distal tubular homozygous Becn1 null mice had poorer kidney recovery than wild-type mice did. Injection of beclin 1 peptides increased cell proliferation in kidney tubules in normal mice. Beclin 1 peptides injection either before or after (2-5 days) ischemia reperfusion injury protected the kidney from injury and suppressed kidney fibrosis. Thus, both endogenous beclin 1 protein expression in kidney tubules and exogenous beclin 1 peptides are kidney protective via attenuation of acute kidney damage, promotion of cell proliferation, and inhibition of kidney fibrosis, consequently improving kidney recovery post-AKI. Hence, exogenous beclin 1 peptide may be a potential new therapy for AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Shi
- Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research
| | - Jenny Maique
- Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research
| | - Sierra Shepard
- Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research
| | - Peng Li
- Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research
| | - Olivia Seli
- Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research
| | - Orson W. Moe
- Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA,Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA,Address for reprint request and other correspondence: Ming Chang Hu, MD, PhD, Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390 USA, or Orson W. Moe, MD, Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390 USA,
| | - Ming Chang Hu
- Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA,Address for reprint request and other correspondence: Ming Chang Hu, MD, PhD, Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390 USA, or Orson W. Moe, MD, Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390 USA,
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Chen J, Guo Q, Chen Q, Chen Y, Chen D, Chen Z, Wang X, Huang Y. Interleukin 10 inhibits oxidative stress-induced autophagosome formation in hepatic stellate cells by activating the mTOR-STAT3 pathway. Exp Cell Res 2021; 411:113001. [PMID: 34973945 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.113001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy is involved in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that interleukin 10 (IL-10) has a marked therapeutic effect against liver fibrosis. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of IL-10 on autophagy in HSCs and fibrotic livers. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of IL-10 on the autophagy of HSCs in vitro and in vivo and then to explore the underlying pathway. In vitro, The results revealed that IL-10 had inhibitory effects on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced autophagy, as evidenced by the decreased LC3II/I ratio and Beclin1 expression, increased p62 expression, reduced numbers of autophagosomes, and blocked autophagy initiation in HSCs. Mechanistically, IL-10 significantly promoted the phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), leading to the activation of STAT3 and mTOR, which in turn inhibited autophagy. In vivo, the increased expression of IL-10 in fibrotic livers inhibited significantly liver fibrosis and decreased the autophagic activity in fibrotic livers and HSCs. Overall, our results indicate that IL-10 suppressed H2O2-induced autophagy in HSCs by activating the STAT3-mTOR signaling pathway. Present study provides a new theoretical basis for the anti-fibrotic effects of IL-10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabing Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Fujian Institute of Digestive Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Qilan Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Fujian Institute of Digestive Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Qingduo Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Fujian Institute of Digestive Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Yizhen Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Fujian Institute of Digestive Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Dongmei Chen
- Department of Clinical Nutrition. Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Zhixin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Fujian Institute of Digestive Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaozhong Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Fujian Institute of Digestive Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
| | - Yuehong Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Fujian Institute of Digestive Disease, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 29#Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou, 350001, Fujian, China.
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Bustos G, Ahumada-Castro U, Silva-Pavez E, Puebla A, Lovy A, Cesar Cardenas J. The ER-mitochondria Ca 2+ signaling in cancer progression: Fueling the monster. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 363:49-121. [PMID: 34392932 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2021.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. All major tumor suppressors and oncogenes are now recognized to have fundamental connections with metabolic pathways. A hallmark feature of cancer cells is a reprogramming of their metabolism even when nutrients are available. Increasing evidence indicates that most cancer cells rely on mitochondrial metabolism to sustain their energetic and biosynthetic demands. Mitochondria are functionally and physically coupled to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the major calcium (Ca2+) storage organelle in mammalian cells, through special domains known as mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCS). In this domain, the release of Ca2+ from the ER is mainly regulated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs), a family of Ca2+ release channels activated by the ligand IP3. IP3R mediated Ca2+ release is transferred to mitochondria through the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU). Once in the mitochondrial matrix, Ca2+ activates several proteins that stimulate mitochondrial performance. The role of IP3R and MCU in cancer, as well as the other proteins that enable the Ca2+ communication between these two organelles is just beginning to be understood. Here, we describe the function of the main players of the ER mitochondrial Ca2+ communication and discuss how this particular signal may contribute to the rise and development of cancer traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galdo Bustos
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Center for Integrative Biology, Santiago, Chile; Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulises Ahumada-Castro
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Center for Integrative Biology, Santiago, Chile; Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Silva-Pavez
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Center for Integrative Biology, Santiago, Chile; Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Puebla
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Center for Integrative Biology, Santiago, Chile; Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alenka Lovy
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Center for Integrative Biology, Santiago, Chile; Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile; Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience Research, Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - J Cesar Cardenas
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Mayor, Center for Integrative Biology, Santiago, Chile; Geroscience Center for Brain Health and Metabolism, Santiago, Chile; Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, United States.
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Role of Hypoxia-Mediated Autophagy in Tumor Cell Death and Survival. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030533. [PMID: 33573362 PMCID: PMC7866864 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell death or type I apoptosis has been extensively studied and its contribution to the pathogenesis of disease is well established. However, autophagy functions together with apoptosis to determine the overall fate of the cell. The cross talk between this active self-destruction process and apoptosis is quite complex and contradictory as well, but it is unquestionably decisive for cell survival or cell death. Autophagy can promote tumor suppression but also tumor growth by inducing cancer-cell development and proliferation. In this review, we will discuss how autophagy reprograms tumor cells in the context of tumor hypoxic stress. We will illustrate how autophagy acts as both a suppressor and a driver of tumorigenesis through tuning survival in a context dependent manner. We also shed light on the relationship between autophagy and immune response in this complex regulation. A better understanding of the autophagy mechanisms and pathways will undoubtedly ameliorate the design of therapeutics aimed at targeting autophagy for future cancer immunotherapies.
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Chakafana G, Shonhai A. The Role of Non-Canonical Hsp70s (Hsp110/Grp170) in Cancer. Cells 2021; 10:254. [PMID: 33525518 PMCID: PMC7911927 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although cancers account for over 16% of all global deaths annually, at present, no reliable therapies exist for most types of the disease. As protein folding facilitators, heat shock proteins (Hsps) play an important role in cancer development. Not surprisingly, Hsps are among leading anticancer drug targets. Generally, Hsp70s are divided into two main subtypes: canonical Hsp70 (Escherichia coli Hsp70/DnaK homologues) and the non-canonical (Hsp110 and Grp170) members. These two main Hsp70 groups are delineated from each other by distinct structural and functional specifications. Non-canonical Hsp70s are considered as holdase chaperones, while canonical Hsp70s are refoldases. This unique characteristic feature is mirrored by the distinct structural features of these two groups of chaperones. Hsp110/Grp170 members are larger as they possess an extended acidic insertion in their substrate binding domains. While the role of canonical Hsp70s in cancer has received a fair share of attention, the roles of non-canonical Hsp70s in cancer development has received less attention in comparison. In the current review, we discuss the structure-function features of non-canonical Hsp70s members and how these features impact their role in cancer development. We further mapped out their interactome and discussed the prospects of targeting these proteins in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Addmore Shonhai
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, 0950 Thohoyandou, South Africa
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Zheng HC, Zhao S, Xue H, Zhao EH, Jiang HM, Hao CL. The Roles of Beclin 1 Expression in Gastric Cancer: A Marker for Carcinogenesis, Aggressive Behaviors and Favorable Prognosis, and a Target of Gene Therapy. Front Oncol 2020; 10:613679. [PMID: 33425768 PMCID: PMC7787063 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.613679] [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: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Beclin 1 is encoded by Becn1, and plays a role in tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration, apoptosis and autophagy. Here, the aggressive phenotypes and relevant proteins were examined after Beclin 1 expression was altered in gastric cancer cells. We also observed the effects of Beclin 1 on gastric carcinogenesis using Becn1 knockout mice. Finally, clinicopathological significances of Beclin 1 expression were analyzed using meta- and bioinformatics analyses. Becn1 overexpression was found to inhibit proliferation, glucose metabolism, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, whereas its knockdown caused the opposite effects. Beclin 1 suppressed the tumor growth by decreasing proliferation and increasing apoptosis. The heterozygous abrogation of Becn1 in gastric pit, parietal and chief cells could not cause any epithelial lesion. Beclin 1-mediated chemoresistance was closely linked to the autophagy, Bax underexpression, and the overexpression of Bcl-2, LRP1, MDR1, and ING5. Bioinformatics analysis showed higher Becn1 mRNA expression in intestinal- than diffuse-type carcinomas (P<0.05), and in male than female gastric cancer patients (P<0.05). Becn1 hyperexpression was positively associated with both overall and progression-free survival rates of the cancer patients (P<0.05). Meta-analysis showed that down-regulated Beclin 1 expression in gastric cancer was positively with lymph node metastasis, TNM staging, dedifferentiation and poor prognosis (P<0.05). Becn1-related signal pathways in gastric cancer included prostate, lung, renal, colorectal, endometrial and thyroid cancers, glioma, and leukemia, the metabolism of amino acid, lipid and sugar, and some signal pathways of insulin, MAPK, TRL, VEGF, JAK-STAT, chemokine, p53, lysosome, peroxidome and ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation (P<0.05). These suggested that Beclin 1 might be considered as a potential marker of gastric carcinogenesis, aggressiveness and prognostic prediction, and as a target of gene therapy in gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Chuan Zheng
- Department of Oncology and Experimental Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Experimental Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Hang Xue
- Department of Oncology and Experimental Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - En-Hong Zhao
- Department of Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Hua-Mao Jiang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Chang-Lai Hao
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
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Identification of Monotonically Differentially Expressed Genes across Pathologic Stages for Cancers. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2020; 2020:8458190. [PMID: 33273919 PMCID: PMC7676961 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8458190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Given the fact that cancer is a multistage progression process resulting from genetic sequence mutations, the genes whose expression values increase or decrease monotonically across pathologic stages are potentially involved in tumor progression. This may provide insightful clues about how human cancers advance, thereby facilitating more personalized treatments. By replacing the expression values of genes with their GeneRanks, we propose a procedure capable of identifying monotonically differentially expressed genes (MEGs) as the disease advances. Using three real-world gene expression data that cover three distinct cancer types-colon, esophageal, and lung cancers-the proposed procedure has demonstrated excellent performance in detecting the potential MEGs. To conclude, the proposed procedure can detect MEGs across pathologic stages of cancers very efficiently and is thus highly recommended.
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STAT3 Pathway in Gastric Cancer: Signaling, Therapeutic Targeting and Future Prospects. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9060126. [PMID: 32545648 PMCID: PMC7345582 DOI: 10.3390/biology9060126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Molecular signaling pathways play a significant role in the regulation of biological mechanisms, and their abnormal expression can provide the conditions for cancer development. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key member of the STAT proteins and its oncogene role in cancer has been shown. STAT3 is able to promote the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells and induces chemoresistance. Different downstream targets of STAT3 have been identified in cancer and it has also been shown that microRNA (miR), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and other molecular pathways are able to function as upstream mediators of STAT3 in cancer. In the present review, we focus on the role and regulation of STAT3 in gastric cancer (GC). miRs and lncRNAs are considered as potential upstream mediators of STAT3 and they are able to affect STAT3 expression in exerting their oncogene or onco-suppressor role in GC cells. Anti-tumor compounds suppress the STAT3 signaling pathway to restrict the proliferation and malignant behavior of GC cells. Other molecular pathways, such as sirtuin, stathmin and so on, can act as upstream mediators of STAT3 in GC. Notably, the components of the tumor microenvironment that are capable of targeting STAT3 in GC, such as fibroblasts and macrophages, are discussed in this review. Finally, we demonstrate that STAT3 can target oncogene factors to enhance the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells.
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