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Mneimneh AT, Darwiche N, Mehanna MM. Investigating the therapeutic promise of Drug-Repurposed-Loaded Nanocarriers: A pioneering strategy in advancing colorectal cancer treatment. Int J Pharm 2024:124473. [PMID: 39025341 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Globally, colorectal cancer is a major health problem that ranks in third place in terms of occurrences and second in terms of mortality worldwide. New cases increase annually, with the absence of effective therapies, especially for metastatic colorectal cancer, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Although conventional treatments are commonly used in oncotherapy, their success rate is low, which leads to the exploration of novel technologies. Recent efforts have focused on developing safe and efficient cancer nanocarriers. With their nanoscale properties, nanocarriers have the potential to utilize internal metabolic modifications amid cancer cells and healthy cells. Drug repurposing is an emerging strategy in cancer management as it is a faster, cheaper, and safer method than conventional drug development. However, most repurposed drugs are characterized by low-key pharmacokinetic characteristics, such as poor aqueous solubility, permeability, retention, and bioavailability. Nanoparticle formulations and delivery have expanded over the past few decades, creating opportunities for drug repurposing and promises as an advanced cancer modality. This review provides a concise and updated overview of colorectal cancer treatment regimens and their therapeutic limitations. Furthermore, the chemotherapeutic effect of various FDA-approved medications, including statins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidiabetic and anthelmintic agents, and their significance in colorectal cancer management. Along with the role of various nanocarrier systems in achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes of employing these redefined drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina T Mneimneh
- Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Research lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Nadine Darwiche
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohammed M Mehanna
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
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2
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López-Cánovas JL, Naranjo-Martínez B, Diaz-Ruiz A. Fasting in combination with the cocktail Sorafenib:Metformin blunts cellular plasticity and promotes liver cancer cell death via poly-metabolic exhaustion. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024:10.1007/s13402-024-00966-2. [PMID: 38990489 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-024-00966-2] [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] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Dual-Interventions targeting glucose and oxidative metabolism are receiving increasing attention in cancer therapy. Sorafenib (S) and Metformin (M), two gold-standards in liver cancer, are known for their mitochondrial inhibitory capacity. Fasting, a glucose-limiting strategy, is also emerging as chemotherapy adjuvant. Herein, we explore the anti-carcinogenic response of nutrient restriction in combination with sorafenib:metformin (NR-S:M). RESULTS Our data demonstrates that, independently of liver cancer aggressiveness, fasting synergistically boosts the anti-proliferative effects of S:M co-treatment. Metabolic and Cellular plasticity was determined by the examination of mitochondrial and glycolytic activity, cell cycle modulation, activation of cellular apoptosis, and regulation of key signaling and metabolic enzymes. Under NR-S:M conditions, early apoptotic events and the pro-apoptotic Bcl-xS/Bcl-xL ratio were found increased. NR-S:M induced the highest retention in cellular SubG1 phase, consistent with the presence of DNA fragments from cellular apoptosis. Mitochondrial functionality, Mitochondrial ATP-linked respiration, Maximal respiration and Spare respiratory capacity, were all found blunted under NR-S:M conditions. Basal Glycolysis, Glycolytic reserve, and glycolytic capacity, together with the expression of glycogenic (PKM), gluconeogenic (PCK1 and G6PC3), and glycogenolytic enzymes (PYGL, PGM1, and G6PC3), were also negatively impacted by NR-S:M. Lastly, a TMT-proteomic approach corroborated the synchronization of liver cancer metabolic reprogramming with the activation of molecular pathways to drive a quiescent-like status of energetic-collapse and cellular death. CONCLUSION Altogether, we show that the energy-based polytherapy NR-S:M blunts cellular, metabolic and molecular plasticity of liver cancer. Notwithstanding the in vitro design of this study, it holds a promising therapeutic tool worthy of exploration for this tumor pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan L López-Cánovas
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Gerontology, Precision Nutrition and Aging Program, Institute IMDEA Food (CEI UAM+CSIC), Crta. de Canto Blanco nº 8, Madrid, E-28049, Spain
| | - Beatriz Naranjo-Martínez
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Gerontology, Precision Nutrition and Aging Program, Institute IMDEA Food (CEI UAM+CSIC), Crta. de Canto Blanco nº 8, Madrid, E-28049, Spain
| | - Alberto Diaz-Ruiz
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Gerontology, Precision Nutrition and Aging Program, Institute IMDEA Food (CEI UAM+CSIC), Crta. de Canto Blanco nº 8, Madrid, E-28049, Spain.
- CIBER Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Córdoba, Spain.
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3
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Sun J, Zhu W, Luan M, Xing Y, Feng Z, Zhu J, Ma X, Wang Y, Jia Y. Positive GLI1/INHBA feedback loop drives tumor progression in gastric cancer. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:2301-2317. [PMID: 38676428 PMCID: PMC11247559 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16193] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
GLI1, a key transcription factor of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, plays an important role in the development of cancer. However, the function and mechanisms by which GLI1 regulates gene transcription are not fully understood in gastric cancer (GC). Here, we found that GLI1 induced the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells, accompanied by transcriptional upregulation of INHBA. This increased INHBA expression exerted a promoting activity on Smads signaling and then transcriptionally activated GLI1 expression. Notably, our results demonstrate that disrupting the interaction between GLI1 and INHBA could inhibit GC tumorigenesis in vivo. More intriguingly, we confirmed the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) activation mechanism of the Helicobacter pylori/FTO/YTHDF2/GLI1 pathway in GC cells. In conclusion, our study confirmed that the GLI1/INHBA positive feedback loop influences GC progression and revealed the mechanism by which H. pylori upregulates GLI1 expression through m6A modification. This positive GLI1/INHBA feedback loop suggests a novel noncanonical mechanism of GLI1 activity in GC and provides potential therapeutic targets for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingguo Sun
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenshuai Zhu
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Muhua Luan
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuanxin Xing
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaotian Feng
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jingyu Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanfei Jia
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Bakrim S, El Hachlafi N, Khalid A, Abdalla AN, El Omari N, Aboulaghras S, Sakran AM, Goh KW, Ming LC, Razi P, Bouyahya A. Recent advances and molecular mechanisms of TGF-β signaling in colorectal cancer, with focus on bioactive compounds targeting. Biomed Pharmacother 2024:116886. [PMID: 38945700 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most significant forms of human cancer. It is characterized by its heterogeneity because several molecular factors are involved in contiguity and can link it to others without having a linear correlation. Among the factors influencing tumor transformation in CRC, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays a key promoter role. This factor is associated with human colorectal tumors with a very high prognosis: it increases the survival, invasion, and metastasis of CRC cells, thus functioning as an oncogene. The inhibition of this factor can constitute a major therapeutic route for CRC treatment. Various chemical drugs including synthetic molecules and biotherapies have been developed as TGF-β inhibitors. Moreover, the scientific community has recently shown a major interest in screening natural drugs inhibiting TGF-β in CRC. In this context, we carried out this review article using computerized databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer Link, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, to highlight the molecular mechanism of TGF-β in CRC induction and progression and current advances in the pharmacodynamic effects of natural bioactive substances targeting TGF-β in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Bakrim
- Geo-Bio-Environment Engineering and Innovation Laboratory, Molecular Engineering, Biotechnology and Innovation Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Naoufal El Hachlafi
- Microbial Biotechnology and Bioactive Molecules Laboratory, Sciences and Technologies Faculty, Sidi Mohmed Ben Abdellah University, P.O.Box-2002, Imouzzer Road, Fez, Morocco
| | - Asaad Khalid
- Health Research Center, Jazan University, P.O. Box: 114, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ashraf N Abdalla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasreddine El Omari
- High Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques of Tetouan, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Sara Aboulaghras
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10106, Morocco
| | - Ashraf M Sakran
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Alqura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khang Wen Goh
- Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia
| | - Long Chiau Ming
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Sunway City, Malaysia.
| | - Pakhrur Razi
- Center of Disaster Monitoring and Earth Observation, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia.
| | - Abdelhakim Bouyahya
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10106, Morocco
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5
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Zhang Z, Chen L, Yang Q, Tang X, Li J, Zhang G, Wang Y, Huang H. INHBA regulates Hippo signaling to confer 5-FU chemoresistance mediated by cellular senescence in colon cancer cells. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 171:106570. [PMID: 38588888 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Colon cancer has become a global public health challenge, and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) chemoresistance is a major obstacle in its treatment. Chemoresistance can be mediated by therapy-induced cellular senescence. This study intended to investigate mechanisms of INHBA (inhibin A) in 5-FU resistance mediated by cellular senescence in colon cancer. Bioinformatics analysis of INHBA expression in colon cancer tissues, survival analysis, and correlation analysis of cellular senescence markers were performed. The effects of INHBA on the biological characteristics and 5-FU resistance of colon cancer cells were examined through loss/gain-of-function and molecular assays. Finally, a xenograft mouse model was built to validate the mechanism of INHBA in vivo. INHBA was upregulated in colon cancer and was significantly positively correlated with cellular senescence markers uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), dense and erect panicle 1 (DEP1), and p21. Cellular senescence in colon cancer mediated 5-FU resistance. Downregulation of INHBA expression enhanced 5-FU sensitivity in colon cancer cells, inhibited cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, increased the proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase, and it resulted in a lower proportion of senescent cells and lower levels of the cellular senescence markers interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8). Analysis of whether to use the pathway inhibitor Verteporfin proved that INHBA facilitated colon cancer cell senescence and enhanced 5-FU chemoresistance via inactivation of Hippo signaling pathway, and consistent results were obtained in vivo. Collectively, INHBA conferred 5-FU chemoresistance mediated by cellular senescence in colon cancer cells through negative regulation of Hippo signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China; Huangyan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou 318020, China
| | - Lili Chen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China; Huangyan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou 318020, China; Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Qiao Yang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China
| | - Xiaowan Tang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China
| | - Guangwen Zhang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China
| | - Youqun Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou 318020, China
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Abutalebi M, Li D, Ahmad W, Mokhtari K, Entezari M, Hashemi M, Fu J, Maghsoudloo M. Discovery of PELATON links to the INHBA gene in the TGF-β pathway in colorectal cancer using a combination of bioinformatics and experimental investigations. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132239. [PMID: 38735606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132239] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major worldwide health issue, with high rates of both occurrence and mortality. Dysregulation of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway is recognized as a pivotal factor in CRC pathogenesis. Notably, the INHBA gene and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key contributors to CRC progression. The aim of this research is to explore the immunological roles of INHBA and PELATON in CRC through a combination of computational predictions and experimental validations, with the goal of enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In this study, we utilized bioinformatics analyses, which involved examining differential gene expression (DEG) in the TCGA-COAD dataset and exploring the INHBA gene in relation to the TGF-β pathway. Additionally, we analyzed mutations of INHBA, evaluated the microenvironment and tumor purity, investigated the INHBA's connection to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and measured its potential as an immunotherapy target using the TIDE score. Utilizing bioinformatics analyses of the TCGA-COAD dataset beside experimental methodologies such as RT-qPCR, our investigation revealed significant upregulation of INHBA in CRC. As results, our analysis of the protein-protein interaction network associated with INHBA showed 10 interacting proteins that play a role in CRC-associated processes. We observed a notable prevalence of mutations within INHBA and explored its correlation with the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our study highlights INHBA as a promising target for immunotherapy in CRC. Moreover, our study identified PELATON as a closely correlated lncRNA with INHBA, with experimental validation confirming their concurrent upregulation in CRC tissues. Thus, these findings highlight the importance of INHBA and PELATON in driving CRC progression, suggesting their potential utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. By integrating computational predictions with experimental validations, this research enhances our understanding of CRC pathogenesis and uncovers prospects for personalized therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Abutalebi
- 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
| | - Dabing Li
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Waqar Ahmad
- Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Khatere Mokhtari
- Department of Modern Biology, ACECR Institute of Higher Education (Isfahan Branch), Isfahan, Iran; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, 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.
| | - 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.
| | - Junjiang Fu
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
| | - Mazaher Maghsoudloo
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Oncology, the Research Center for Preclinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
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Ju SH, Song M, Lim JY, Kang YE, Yi HS, Shong M. Metabolic Reprogramming in Thyroid Cancer. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 2024; 39:425-444. [PMID: 38853437 PMCID: PMC11220218 DOI: 10.3803/enm.2023.1802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine malignancy with increasing incidence globally. Although most cases can be treated effectively, some cases are more aggressive and have a higher risk of mortality. Inhibiting RET and BRAF kinases has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of thyroid cancer, particularly in cases of advanced or aggressive disease. However, the development of resistance mechanisms may limit the efficacy of these kinase inhibitors. Therefore, developing precise strategies to target thyroid cancer cell metabolism and overcome resistance is a critical area of research for advancing thyroid cancer treatment. In the field of cancer therapeutics, researchers have explored combinatorial strategies involving dual metabolic inhibition and metabolic inhibitors in combination with targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy to overcome the challenge of metabolic plasticity. This review highlights the need for new therapeutic approaches for thyroid cancer and discusses promising metabolic inhibitors targeting thyroid cancer. It also discusses the challenges posed by metabolic plasticity in the development of effective strategies for targeting cancer cell metabolism and explores the potential advantages of combined metabolic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Hyeon Ju
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minchul Song
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Joung Youl Lim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Yea Eun Kang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hyon-Seung Yi
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Minho Shong
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
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Hu S, Xiao Q, Gao R, Qin J, Nie J, Chen Y, Lou J, Ding M, Pan Y, Wang S. Identification of BGN positive fibroblasts as a driving factor for colorectal cancer and development of its related prognostic model combined with machine learning. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:516. [PMID: 38654221 PMCID: PMC11041013 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-12251-4] [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: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have indicated that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there are still many unknowns regarding the exact role of CAF subtypes in CRC. METHODS The data for this study were obtained from bulk, single-cell, and spatial transcriptomic sequencing data. Bioinformatics analysis, in vitro experiments, and machine learning methods were employed to investigate the functional characteristics of CAF subtypes and construct prognostic models. RESULTS Our study demonstrates that Biglycan (BGN) positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (BGN + Fib) serve as a driver in colorectal cancer (CRC). The proportion of BGN + Fib increases gradually with the progression of CRC, and high infiltration of BGN + Fib is associated with poor prognosis in terms of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in CRC. Downregulation of BGN expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) significantly reduces migration and proliferation of CRC cells. Among 101 combinations of 10 machine learning algorithms, the StepCox[both] + plsRcox combination was utilized to develop a BGN + Fib derived risk signature (BGNFRS). BGNFRS was identified as an independent adverse prognostic factor for CRC OS and RFS, outperforming 92 previously published risk signatures. A Nomogram model constructed based on BGNFRS and clinical-pathological features proved to be a valuable tool for predicting CRC prognosis. CONCLUSION In summary, our study identified BGN + Fib as drivers of CRC, and the derived BGNFRS was effective in predicting the OS and RFS of CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangshang Hu
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 68, Changle Road, 210006, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianni Xiao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Gao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Qin
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 68, Changle Road, 210006, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junjie Nie
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 68, Changle Road, 210006, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuhan Chen
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinwei Lou
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Muzi Ding
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuqin Pan
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 68, Changle Road, 210006, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center on Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 211100, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shukui Wang
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, 210009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 68, Changle Road, 210006, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, 211122, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center on Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, 211100, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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9
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Colloca A, Donisi I, Anastasio C, Balestrieri ML, D’Onofrio N. Metabolic Alteration Bridging the Prediabetic State and Colorectal Cancer. Cells 2024; 13:663. [PMID: 38667278 PMCID: PMC11049175 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080663] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Prediabetes and colorectal cancer (CRC) represent compelling health burdens responsible for high mortality and morbidity rates, sharing several modifiable risk factors. It has been hypothesized that metabolic abnormalities linking prediabetes and CRC are hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and adipokines imbalance. The chronic stimulation related to these metabolic signatures can favor CRC onset and development, as well as negatively influence CRC prognosis. To date, the growing burden of prediabetes and CRC has generated a global interest in defining their epidemiological and molecular relationships. Therefore, a deeper knowledge of the metabolic impairment determinants is compelling to identify the pathological mechanisms promoting the onset of prediabetes and CRC. In this scenario, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the metabolic alterations of prediabetes and CRC as well as an overview of recent preventive and therapeutic approaches for both diseases, focusing on the role of the metabolic state as a pivotal contributor to consider for the development of future preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nunzia D’Onofrio
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. De Crecchio 7, 80138 Naples, Italy; (A.C.); (I.D.); (C.A.); (M.L.B.)
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10
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Galal MA, Al-Rimawi M, Hajeer A, Dahman H, Alouch S, Aljada A. Metformin: A Dual-Role Player in Cancer Treatment and Prevention. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4083. [PMID: 38612893 PMCID: PMC11012626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074083] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to pose a significant global health challenge, as evidenced by the increasing incidence rates and high mortality rates, despite the advancements made in chemotherapy. The emergence of chemoresistance further complicates the effectiveness of treatment. However, there is growing interest in the potential of metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as an adjuvant chemotherapy agent in cancer treatment. Although the precise mechanism of action of metformin in cancer therapy is not fully understood, it has been found to have pleiotropic effects, including the modulation of metabolic pathways, reduction in inflammation, and the regulation of cellular proliferation. This comprehensive review examines the anticancer properties of metformin, drawing insights from various studies conducted in vitro and in vivo, as well as from clinical trials and observational research. This review discusses the mechanisms of action involving both insulin-dependent and independent pathways, shedding light on the potential of metformin as a therapeutic agent for different types of cancer. Despite promising findings, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as conflicting outcomes in clinical trials, considerations regarding dosing, and the development of resistance. These challenges highlight the importance of further research to fully harness the therapeutic potential of metformin in cancer treatment. The aims of this review are to provide a contemporary understanding of the role of metformin in cancer therapy and identify areas for future exploration in the pursuit of effective anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Ahmed Galal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
- Department of Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
| | - Mohammed Al-Rimawi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
| | | | - Huda Dahman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
| | - Samhar Alouch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
| | - Ahmad Aljada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.G.); (M.A.-R.); (H.D.); (S.A.)
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11
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Elmahboub Y, Albash R, Magdy William M, Rayan AH, Hamed NO, Ousman MS, Raslan NA, Mosallam S. Metformin Loaded Zein Polymeric Nanoparticles to Augment Antitumor Activity against Ehrlich Carcinoma via Activation of AMPK Pathway: D-Optimal Design Optimization, In Vitro Characterization, and In Vivo Study. Molecules 2024; 29:1614. [PMID: 38611893 PMCID: PMC11013883 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29071614] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Metformin (MET), an antidiabetic drug, is emerging as a promising anticancer agent. This study was initiated to investigate the antitumor effects and potential molecular targets of MET in mice bearing solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) as a model of breast cancer (BC) and to explore the potential of zein nanoparticles (ZNs) as a carrier for improving the anticancer effect of MET. ZNs were fabricated through ethanol injection followed by probe sonication method. The optimum ZN formulation (ZN8) was spherical and contained 5 mg zein and 30 mg sodium deoxycholate with a small particle size and high entrapment efficiency percentage and zeta potential. A stability study showed that ZN8 was stable for up to three months. In vitro release profiles proved the sustained effect of ZN8 compared to the MET solution. Treatment of SEC-bearing mice with ZN8 produced a more pronounced anticancer effect which was mediated by upregulation of P53 and miRNA-543 as well as downregulation of NF-κB and miRNA-191-5p gene expression. Furthermore, ZN8 produced a marked elevation in pAMPK and caspase-3 levels as well as a significant decrease in cyclin D1, COX-2, and PGE2 levels. The acquired findings verified the potency of MET-loaded ZNs as a treatment approach for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmina Elmahboub
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza 12585, Egypt;
| | - Rofida Albash
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology, Giza 12585, Egypt;
| | - Mira Magdy William
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza 12585, Egypt
| | - Amal H. Rayan
- Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, AlMaarefa University, Diriyah, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najat O. Hamed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Diriyah, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mona S. Ousman
- Emergency Medical Services, College of Applied Sciences, AlMaarefa University, Diriyah, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Nahed A Raslan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11651, Egypt;
- Clinical Pharmacy Program, College of Health Sciences and Nursing, Al-Rayan Colleges, Medina 42541, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaimaa Mosallam
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, October 6 University, Giza 12585, Egypt;
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12
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Yi L, Jiang X, Zhou Z, Xiong W, Xue F, Liu Y, Xu H, Fan B, Li Y, Shen J. A Hybrid Nanoadjuvant Simultaneously Depresses PD-L1/TGF-β1 and Activates cGAS-STING Pathway to Overcome Radio-Immunotherapy Resistance. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2304328. [PMID: 38229577 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Currently, certain cancer patients exhibit resistance to radiotherapy due to reduced DNA damage under hypoxic conditions and acquired immune tolerance triggered by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and membrane-localized programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). Meanwhile, cytoplasm-distributed PD-L1 induces radiotherapy resistance through accelerating DNA damage repair (DDR). However, the disability of clinically used PD-L1 antibodies in inhibiting cytoplasm-distributed PD-L1 limits their effectiveness. Therefore, a nanoadjuvant is developed to sensitize cancer to radiotherapy via multi-level immunity activation through depressing PD-L1 and TGF-β1 by triphenylphosphine-derived metformin, and activating the cGAS-STING pathway by generating Mn2+ from MnO2 and producing more dsDNA via reversing tumor hypoxia and impairing DDR. Thus, Tpp-Met@MnO2@Alb effectively enhances the efficiency of radiotherapy to inhibit the progression of irradiated local and abscopal tumors and tumor lung metastases, offering a long-term memory of antitumor immunity without discernible side effects. Overall, Tpp-Met@MnO2@Alb has the potential to be clinically applied for overcoming radio-immunotherapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yi
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xin Jiang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Zaigang Zhou
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Fei Xue
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Yu Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Haozhe Xu
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Bo Fan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Jianliang Shen
- National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Tissue Repair Materials, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325001, China
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13
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Goglia U, Hasballa I, Teti C, Boschetti M, Ferone D, Albertelli M. Ianus Bifrons: The Two Faces of Metformin. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1287. [PMID: 38610965 PMCID: PMC11011026 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The ancient Roman god Ianus was a mysterious divinity with two opposite faces, one looking at the past and the other looking to the future. Likewise, metformin is an "old" drug, with one side looking at the metabolic role and the other looking at the anti-proliferative mechanism; therefore, it represents a typical and ideal bridge between diabetes and cancer. Metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanidine hydrochloride) is a drug that has long been in use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but recently evidence is growing about its potential use in other metabolic conditions and in proliferative-associated diseases. The aim of this paper is to retrace, from a historical perspective, the knowledge of this molecule, shedding light on the subcellular mechanisms of action involved in metabolism as well as cellular and tissue growth. The intra-tumoral pharmacodynamic effects of metformin and its possible role in the management of different neoplasms are evaluated and debated. The etymology of the name Ianus is probably from the Latin term ianua, which means door. How many new doors will this old drug be able to open?
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Goglia
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Local Health Authority CN1, 12100 Cuneo, Italy
| | - Iderina Hasballa
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy (M.B.); (D.F.); (M.A.)
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudia Teti
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Unit, Local Health Autorithy Imperia 1, 18100 Imperia, Italy;
| | - Mara Boschetti
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy (M.B.); (D.F.); (M.A.)
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Diego Ferone
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy (M.B.); (D.F.); (M.A.)
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Manuela Albertelli
- Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy (M.B.); (D.F.); (M.A.)
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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14
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Xue P, Chang Z, Chen H, Xi H, Tan X, He S, Qiao H, Jiang X, Liu X, Du B. Macrophage membrane (MMs) camouflaged near-infrared (NIR) responsive bone defect area targeting nanocarrier delivery system (BTNDS) for rapid repair: promoting osteogenesis via phototherapy and modulating immunity. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:87. [PMID: 38429776 PMCID: PMC10908146 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02351-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone defects remain a significant challenge in clinical orthopedics, but no targeted medication can solve these problems. Inspired by inflammatory targeting properties of macrophages, inflammatory microenvironment of bone defects was exploited to develop a multifunctional nanocarrier capable of targeting bone defects and promoting bone regeneration. The avidin-modified black phosphorus nanosheets (BP-Avidin, BPAvi) were combined with biotin-modified Icaritin (ICT-Biotin, ICTBio) to synthesize Icaritin (ICT)-loaded black phosphorus nanosheets (BPICT). BPICT was then coated with macrophage membranes (MMs) to obtain MMs-camouflaged BPICT (M@BPICT). Herein, MMs allowed BPICT to target bone defects area, and BPICT accelerated the release of phosphate ions (PO43-) and ICT when exposed to NIR irradiation. PO43- recruited calcium ions (Ca2+) from the microenvironment to produce Ca3(PO4)2, and ICT increased the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins. Additionally, M@BPICT can decrease M1 polarization of macrophage and expression of pro-inflammatory factors to promote osteogenesis. According to the results, M@BPICT provided bone growth factor and bone repair material, modulated inflammatory microenvironment, and activated osteogenesis-related signaling pathways to promote bone regeneration. PTT could significantly enhance these effects. This strategy not only offers a solution to the challenging problem of drug-targeted delivery in bone defects but also expands the biomedical applications of MMs-camouflaged nanocarriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xue
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road 155, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zhiyong Chang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road 155, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road 155, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Hongzhong Xi
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road 155, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiaoxue Tan
- International Chinese-Belorussian Scientific Laboratory on Vacuum-Plasma Technology, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Shuai He
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road 155, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Haishi Qiao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xiaohong Jiang
- International Chinese-Belorussian Scientific Laboratory on Vacuum-Plasma Technology, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road 155, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Bin Du
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hanzhong Road 155, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210029, China.
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15
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Abou Kors T, Hofmann L, Betzler A, Payer K, Bens M, Truong J, von Witzleben A, Thomas J, Kraus JM, Kalaajieh R, Huber D, Ezić J, Benckendorff J, Greve J, Schuler PJ, Ottensmeier CH, Kestler HA, Hoffmann TK, Theodoraki MN, Brunner C, Laban S. INHBA is Enriched in HPV-negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Promotes Cancer Progression. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:571-587. [PMID: 38329386 PMCID: PMC10901070 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) exhibit a better prognosis than those with HPV-negative OPSCC. This study investigated the distinct molecular pathways that delineate HPV-negative from HPV-positive OPSCC to identify biologically relevant therapeutic targets. Bulk mRNA from 23 HPV-negative and 39 HPV-positive OPSCC tumors (n = 62) was sequenced to uncover the transcriptomic profiles. Differential expression followed by gene set enrichment analysis was performed to outline the top enriched biological process in the HPV-negative compared with HPV-positive entity. INHBA, the highest overexpressed gene in the HPV-negative tumor, was knocked down. Functional assays (migration, proliferation, cell death, stemness) were conducted to confirm the target's oncogenic role. Correlation analyses to reveal its impact on the tumor microenvironment were performed. We revealed that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the most enriched process in HPV-negative compared with HPV-positive OPSCC, with INHBA (inhibin beta A subunit) being the top upregulated gene. INHBA knockdown downregulated the expression of EMT transcription factors and attenuated migration, proliferation, stemness, and cell death resistance of OPSCC cells. We uncovered that INHBA associates with a pro-tumor microenvironment by negatively correlating with antitumor CD8+ T and B cells while positively correlating with pro-tumor M1 macrophages. We identified three miRNAs that are putatively involved in repressing INHBA expression. Our results indicate that the upregulation of INHBA is tumor-promoting. We propose INHBA as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of INHBA-enriched tumors in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC to ameliorate prognosis. SIGNIFICANCE Patients with HPV-negative OPSCC have a poorer prognosis due to distinct molecular pathways. This study reveals significant transcriptomic differences between HPV-negative and HPV-positive OPSCC, identifying INHBA as a key upregulated gene in HPV-negative OPSCC's oncogenic pathways. INHBA is crucial in promoting EMT, cell proliferation, and an immunosuppressive tumor environment, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for HPV-negative OPSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsima Abou Kors
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Linda Hofmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Annika Betzler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Kathrina Payer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Martin Bens
- Fritz Lipmann Institute, Leibniz Institute on Aging, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jens Truong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Adrian von Witzleben
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jaya Thomas
- Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Johann M Kraus
- Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Randa Kalaajieh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Diana Huber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jasmin Ezić
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jens Greve
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Patrick J Schuler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian H Ottensmeier
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Liverpool Head and Neck Center, University of Liverpool, Faculty of Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Hans A Kestler
- Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thomas K Hoffmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Marie-Nicole Theodoraki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Cornelia Brunner
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Laban
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
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16
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Xiao X, Wu X, Yi L, You F, Li X, Xiao C. Causal linkage between type 2 diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease: an integrated Mendelian randomization study and bioinformatics analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1275699. [PMID: 38313367 PMCID: PMC10836595 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1275699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Observational studies have indicated associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and both colorectal cancer (CRC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the underlying causality and biological mechanisms between these associations remains unclear. Methods We conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis employing summary statistics from genome-wide association studies involving European individuals. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was the primary method used to assess causality. Additionally, we applied MR Egger, Weighted median, Simple mode, and Weighted mode to evaluate the robustness of the results. Outliers were identified and eliminated using the MR-PRESSO, while the MR-Egger intercept was used to assess the horizontal pleiotropic effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochrane Q test, and sensitivity analysis was performed using leave-one-out method. The F statistic was calculated to evaluate weak instrumental variable bias. Finally, a pilot bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the underlying biological mechanisms between T2DM and IBD/UC. Results The IVW results demonstrated that T2DM significantly reduced risks of IBD (OR=0.885, 95% CI: 0.818-0.958, P=0.002) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (OR=0.887, 95% CI: 0.812-0.968, P=0.007). Although the 95% CIs of MR Egger, Weighted median, Simple mode, and Weighted mode were broad, the majority of their estimates were consistent with the direction of IVW. Despite significant heterogeneity among SNPs, no horizontal pleiotropy was observed. The leave-one-out analysis showed that the causality remained consistent after each SNP was removed, underscoring the reliability of the results. Reverse MR analysis indicated that genetic susceptibility to both CRC and IBD had no significant effect on the relative risk of T2DM. Ten hub genes were identified, which mainly enriched in pathways including maturity onset diabetes of the young, thyroid cancer, gastric acid secretion, longevity regulating pathway, melanogenesis, and pancreatic secretion. Conclusion The presence of T2DM does not increase the risk of CRC or IBD. Moreover, T2DM might reduce risk of IBD, including UC. Conversely, the occurrence of CRC or IBD does not influence the risk of T2DM. The association between T2DM and IBD/UC may be related to the changes in multiple metabolic pathways and CTLA-4-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Xiao
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuanyu Wu
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Yi
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fengming You
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Cancer Institute, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xueke Li
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chong Xiao
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Cancer Institute, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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17
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Wu Z, Chen J, Yang L, Sun K, Jiang Q, Dong F, Lu W, Chen R, Chen Y. Elevated INHBA Promotes Tumor Progression of Cervical Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241234798. [PMID: 38419562 PMCID: PMC10903216 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241234798] [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: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the role of inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) in the progression of cervical cancer (CCa) and investigate its potential as a therapeutic target. Specifically, the objectives were to assess the expression levels of INHBA in CCa, examine its correlation with patient survival, and elucidate its impact on CCa cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, migration, invasion, and in vivo tumor growth and metastasis. Methods: To achieve the objectives, we conducted a comprehensive set of experimental methods. INHBA expression in CCa was analyzed, and its association with patient survival was assessed using clinical data. In vitro experiments involved the investigation of INHBA's effects on CCa cell proliferation, cell cycle dynamics, migration, and invasion through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Additionally, in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of INHBA on CCa growth and lung metastasis. Results: The results of this study revealed upregulated expression of INHBA in CCa, with a significant association between high INHBA expression and poor patient survival. Functionally, INHBA was found to promote the proliferation of CCa cells, regulate the cell cycle, and enhance migration and invasion through the EMT process in vitro. Moreover, in vivo experiments demonstrated that INHBA facilitated the growth and lung metastasis of CCa. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that INHBA plays a crucial role in the progression of cervical cancer. The upregulation of INHBA is associated with poor patient survival, and its involvement in promoting key aspects of cancer progression makes it a potential therapeutic target for CCa treatment. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying CCa and offer a foundation for further exploration of targeted therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghong Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jina Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Lina Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ke Sun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Qianqian Jiang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Fuyun Dong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Gynecology, Shanghai Electric Power Hospital, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Rujun Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yaping Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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18
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Zhou W, Cao W, Wang M, Yang K, Zhang X, Liu Y, Zhang P, Zhang Z, Cao G, Chen B, Xiong M. Validation of quercetin in the treatment of colon cancer with diabetes via network pharmacology, molecular dynamics simulations, and in vitro experiments. Mol Divers 2023:10.1007/s11030-023-10725-4. [PMID: 37747647 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-023-10725-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
This study built a prognostic model for CRC-diabetes and analyzed whether quercetin could be used for CRC-diabetes treatment through a network of pharmacology, molecular dynamics simulation, bioinformatics, and in vitro experiments. First, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to construct the prognosis modelof CRC-diabetes. Then, the intersection of quercetin target genes with CRC-diabetes genes was used to find the potential target for quercetin in the treatment of CRC-diabetes. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to screen the potential targets for quercetin in the treatment of CRC-diabetes. Finally, we verified the target and pathway of quercetin in the treatment of CRC-diabetes through in vitro experiments. Through molecular docking, seven proteins (HMOX1, ACE, MYC, MMP9, PLAU, MMP3, and MMP1) were selected as potential targets of quercetin. We conducted molecular dynamics simulations of quercetin and the above proteins, respectively, and found that the binding structure of quercetin with MMP9 and PLAU was relatively stable. Finally, according to the results of Western blot results, it was confirmed that quercetin could interact with MMP9. The experimental results show that quercetin may affect the JNK pathway, glycolysis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to treat CRC-diabetes. Based on the TCGA, TTD, DrugBank, and other databases, a prediction model that can effectively predict the prognosis of colon cancer patients with diabetes was constructed. According to experiment results, quercetin can regulate the expression of MMP9. By acting on the JNK pathway, glycolysis, and EMT, it can treat colon cancer patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingqing Wang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xun Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Zehua Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China
| | - Guodong Cao
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Surgery, The People's Hospital of Hanshan County, Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Maoming Xiong
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People's Republic of China.
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Pillai U J, Ray A, Maan M, Dutta M. Repurposing drugs targeting metabolic diseases for cancer therapeutics. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103684. [PMID: 37379903 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Hurdles in the identification of new drugs for cancer treatment have made drug repurposing an increasingly appealing alternative. The approach involves the use of old drugs for new therapeutic purposes. It is cost-effective and facilitates rapid clinical translation. Given that cancer is also considered a metabolic disease, drugs for metabolic disorders are being actively repurposed for cancer therapeutics. In this review, we discuss the repurposing of such drugs approved for two major metabolic diseases, diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which have shown potential as anti-cancer treatment. We also highlight the current understanding of the cancer signaling pathways that these drugs target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisha Pillai U
- Department of Biotechnology, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, Academic City, Dubai, UAE
| | - Anindita Ray
- Department of Biotechnology, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, Academic City, Dubai, UAE
| | - Meenu Maan
- Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai, UAE; New York University-Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
| | - Mainak Dutta
- Department of Biotechnology, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, Academic City, Dubai, UAE.
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20
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颜 畅, 刘 爽, 宋 庆, 胡 艺. [Metformin inhibits self-renewal of colorectal cancer stem cells by inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2023; 43:1279-1286. [PMID: 37712263 PMCID: PMC10505579 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2023.08.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of metformin for inhibiting self-renewal of colorectal cancer stem cells (CSCs). METHODS CSCs were sorted from Wnt reporter- transfected colorectal cancer patient-derived organoids (PDOs) by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and treated with metformin. The changes in self-renewal of the cells were assessed using sphere formation, colony formation and limiting dilution assays. The mRNA expressions of genes related with stemness and differentiation and Wnt target genes was detected by qRT-PCR. Wnt activity was assessed using flow cytometry in the CSCs. Seahorse analysis was used to evaluate cellular oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) after metformin treatment. Mitochondrial membrane potential levels were detected with TMRE staining, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected using MitoSOX staining. Galactose (10 mmol/L), metformin (10 μmol/L), NAC (5 mmol/L), and galactose+metformin were used to modulate ROS levels in the CSCs, and sphere-formation assay and flow cytometry were used to assess the changes in self- renewal capacity and Wnt activity. The effect of lentiviral transfection of yeast NADH dehydrogenase NDI1 on TMRE staining, MitoSOX staining and Wnt activity in the CSCs were analyzed with flow cytometry. RESULTS Metformin significantly decreased the capacities of CSCs to form spheres, colonies and xenografts and reduced Wnt activity in the cells (P < 0.01). The mRNA levels of stemness-related genes and Wnt target genes decreased significantly while those of differentiation-related genes increased in metformin-treated CSCs (P < 0.05), which also showed significantly decreased OCR, TMRE and ROS levels with enhanced ECAR (P < 0.001). Galactose significantly increased sphereforming capacity, ROS levels and Wnt activity of the cells, and these effects were significantly inhibited by metformin (P < 0.05). Transfection of the CSCs with NDI1 significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of metformin on proportion of CSCs and Wnt signaling pathway activity. CONCLUSION Metformin reduces mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and ROS levels by inhibiting mitochondrial complex Ⅰ, thereby suppressing Wnt signaling pathway to reduce selfrenewal ability of colorectal CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- 畅 颜
- 北京大学深圳医院胃肠外科,广东 深圳 518036Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - 爽 刘
- 北京大学深圳医院胃肠外科,广东 深圳 518036Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - 庆志 宋
- 北京大学深圳医院胃肠外科,广东 深圳 518036Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - 艺冰 胡
- 北京大学深圳医院乳甲外科,广东 深圳 518036Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China
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Shen Q, Yang L, Li C, Wang T, Lv J, Liu W, Lin Y, Yin Y, Tao K. Metformin promotes cGAS/STING signaling pathway activation by blocking AKT phosphorylation in gastric cancer. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18954. [PMID: 37600406 PMCID: PMC10432977 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18954] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The cGAS/STING signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating innate immunity. Emerging novel drugs aim to regulate the anti-tumor immune response by activating innate immunity. The anti-diabetic drug metformin has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer effect against various types of cancer. However, the role of metformin in regulating the cGAS/STING signaling pathway in gastric cancer remains unknown. In our study, we first used bioinformatic analysis to detect that metformin is closely related to tumor immunity in multiple tumors. Next, we validated the function of metformin in activating the cGAS/STING signaling pathway in gastric cancer cell lines. In addition, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that metformin is negatively correlated with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in gastric cancer. We further verified that metformin activates the cGAS/STING signaling pathway by blocking AKT phosphorylation. Moreover, we found that metformin regulates the AKT signaling pathway by mediating the transcription factor SOX2. Thus, our study indicates that metformin activates the cGAS/STING signaling pathway by suppressing SOX2/AKT and has promising potential in gastric cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chengguo Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianbo Lv
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weizhen Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuping Yin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaixiong Tao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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22
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Hieber C, Grabbe S, Bros M. Counteracting Immunosenescence-Which Therapeutic Strategies Are Promising? Biomolecules 2023; 13:1085. [PMID: 37509121 PMCID: PMC10377144 DOI: 10.3390/biom13071085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging attenuates the overall responsiveness of the immune system to eradicate pathogens. The increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by innate immune cells under basal conditions, termed inflammaging, contributes to impaired innate immune responsiveness towards pathogen-mediated stimulation and limits antigen-presenting activity. Adaptive immune responses are attenuated as well due to lowered numbers of naïve lymphocytes and their impaired responsiveness towards antigen-specific stimulation. Additionally, the numbers of immunoregulatory cell types, comprising regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, that inhibit the activity of innate and adaptive immune cells are elevated. This review aims to summarize our knowledge on the cellular and molecular causes of immunosenescence while also taking into account senescence effects that constitute immune evasion mechanisms in the case of chronic viral infections and cancer. For tumor therapy numerous nanoformulated drugs have been developed to overcome poor solubility of compounds and to enable cell-directed delivery in order to restore immune functions, e.g., by addressing dysregulated signaling pathways. Further, nanovaccines which efficiently address antigen-presenting cells to mount sustained anti-tumor immune responses have been clinically evaluated. Further, senolytics that selectively deplete senescent cells are being tested in a number of clinical trials. Here we discuss the potential use of such drugs to improve anti-aging therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Hieber
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephan Grabbe
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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23
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Seo DS, Joo S, Baek S, Kang J, Kwon TK, Jang Y. Metformin Resistance Is Associated with Expression of Inflammatory and Invasive Genes in A549 Lung Cancer Cells. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051014. [PMID: 37239373 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051014] [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: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin, the most commonly used drug for type 2 diabetes, has recently been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with cancer. Despite growing evidence that metformin can inhibit tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, studies on drug resistance and its side effects are lacking. Here, we aimed to establish metformin-resistant A549 human lung cancer cells (A549-R) to determine the side effects of metformin resistance. Toward this, we established A549-R by way of prolonged treatment with metformin and examined the changes in gene expression, cell migration, cell cycle, and mitochondrial fragmentation. Metformin resistance is associated with increased G1-phase cell cycle arrest and impaired mitochondrial fragmentation in A549 cells. We demonstrated that metformin resistance highly increased the expression of proinflammatory and invasive genes, including BMP5, CXCL3, VCAM1, and POSTN, using RNA-seq analysis. A549-R exhibited increased cell migration and focal adhesion formation, suggesting that metformin resistance may potentially lead to metastasis during anti-cancer therapy with metformin. Taken together, our findings indicate that metformin resistance may lead to invasion in lung cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Soo Seo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungmin Joo
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungwoo Baek
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyeon Kang
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeg Kyu Kwon
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu 42601, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghoon Jang
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Republic of Korea
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Unraveling the function of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer: Metastasis, therapy response, and revisiting molecular pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114395. [PMID: 36804124 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a dangerous form of cancer that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is a major global health concern, and the aggressive behavior of tumor cells makes it difficult to treat, leading to poor survival rates for patients. One major challenge in treating CRC is the metastasis, or spread, of the cancer, which is a major cause of death. In order to improve the prognosis for patients with CRC, it is necessary to focus on ways to inhibit the cancer's ability to invade and spread. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that is linked to the spread of cancer cells, also known as metastasis. The process transforms epithelial cells into mesenchymal ones, increasing their mobility and ability to invade other tissues. This has been shown to be a key mechanism in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), a particularly aggressive form of gastrointestinal cancer. The activation of EMT leads to increases in the spread of CRC cells, and during this process, levels of the protein E-cadherin decrease while levels of N-cadherin and vimentin increase. EMT also contributes to the development of resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in CRC. Non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), play a role in regulating EMT in CRC, often through their ability to "sponge" microRNAs. Anti-cancer agents have been shown to suppress EMT and reduce the progression and spread of CRC cells. These findings suggest that targeting EMT or related mechanisms may be a promising approach for treating CRC patients in the clinic.
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Celis-Pinto JC, Fernández-Velasco AA, Corte-Torres MD, Santos-Juanes J, Blanco-Agudín N, Piña Batista KM, Merayo-Lloves J, Quirós LM, Fernández-Vega I. PINK1 Immunoexpression Predicts Survival in Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076506. [PMID: 37047483 PMCID: PMC10095114 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PTEN-induced kinase-1 (PINK1) is the initiator of the canonical mitophagy pathway. Our aim was to study the immunoexpression of PINK1 in surgical specimens from ninety patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) to the liver (CRLM). Tissue arrays were produced, and immunohistochemical studies were analyzed by the H-Score method. The mean immunoexpression of PINK1 in normal tissues was between 40 to 100 points. In tumoral tissues, positive PINK1 immunoexpression was observed in all samples, and no differences were noted between CRCs. In CRLMs, a significant under-expression was noted for PINK1 from the rectum (71.3 ± 30.8; p < 0.042) compared to other sites. Altered PINK1 immunoexpression in CRCs, either higher than 100 points or lower than 40 points, was associated with worse overall survival (OS) (p < 0.012) due to a shorter post-metastatic survival (PMS) (p < 0.023), and it was found to be a significant independent predictor of prognosis in a multivariate model for OS and PMS (HR = 1.972, 95% CI 0.971–4.005; p = 0.022. HR = 2.023, 95% CI 1.003–4.091; p = 0.037, respectively). In conclusion, altered PINK1 immunoexpression determined in CRCs with resected CRLM predicts a worse prognosis, possibly due to the abnormal function of mitophagy.
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26
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Bao Y, Li X, El-Samahy MA, Yang H, Wang Z, Yang F, Yao X, Wang F. Exploration the role of INHBA in Hu sheep granulosa cells using RNA-Seq. Theriogenology 2023; 197:198-208. [PMID: 36525859 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.12.006] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Activin/inhibin is an important factor for the fecundity of Hu sheep, and it is involved in follicular development in ovaries. Inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) participates in the synthesis of activin A and inhibin A. In this study, we also noted a positive correlation between INHBA level and the secretion of both activin A and inhibin A in culture medium. Nevertheless, both knockdown and overexpression of INHBA downregulated the expression of Inhibin Subunit Alpha (INHA). Based on RNA-Sequencing, we further examined the effect and molecular mechanism of INHBA knockdown in GCs on mRNA expression. A total of 1,687 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (Fold change ≥ 2; False-discovory-rates (FDR) ≤ 0.01), of which 602 genes were upregulated and 1,087 genes were downregulated in the INHBA interference group compared with the control groups. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment indicated that these DEGs were mainly involved in the regulation of cell cycle, protein serine/threonine kinase activity, and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Moreover, DEGs were significantly enriched in 40 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, including P53, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. We also noted a positive correlation between INHBA level and many PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related genes at the gene or/and protein expression. Overall, this study may contribute to a better understanding of the roles of INHBA on GCs of prolific sheep, as well as the molecular effect of low INHBA expression on GCs, clarifying some reproductive failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjin Bao
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiaodan Li
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - M A El-Samahy
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Animal Production Research Institute, ARC, Ministry of Agriculture, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hua Yang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhibo Wang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiaolei Yao
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Hu Sheep Academy, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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TGF-β Signaling in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC): From Underlying Mechanism to Potential Applications in Clinical Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214436. [PMID: 36430910 PMCID: PMC9698504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious public health issue, and it has the leading incidence and mortality among malignant tumors worldwide. CRC patients with metastasis in the liver, lung or other distant sites always have poor prognosis. Thus, there is an urgent need to discover the underlying mechanisms of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and to develop optimal therapy for mCRC. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a significant role in various physiologic and pathologic processes, and aberrant TGF-β signal transduction contributes to mCRC progression. In this review, we summarize the alterations of the TGF-β signaling pathway in mCRC patients, the functional mechanisms of TGF-β signaling, its promotion of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, its facilitation of angiogenesis, its suppression of anti-tumor activity of immune cells in the microenvironment and its contribution to stemness of CRC cells. We also discuss the possible applications of TGF-β signaling in mCRC diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapies in clinical trials. Hopefully, these research advances in TGF-β signaling in mCRC will improve the development of new strategies that can be combined with molecular targeted therapy, immunotherapy and traditional therapies to achieve better efficacy and benefit mCRC patients in the near future.
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Lin S, Qiu L, Liang K, Zhang H, Xian M, Chen Z, Wei J, Fu S, Gong X, Ding K, Zhang Z, Hu B, Zhang X, Duan Y, Du H. KAT2A/ E2F1 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Migration via Upregulating the Expression of UBE2C in Pan-Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:1817. [PMID: 36292703 PMCID: PMC9602169 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Various studies have shown that lysine acetyltransferase 2A (KAT2A), E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1), and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 C (UBE2C) genes regulated the proliferation and migration of tumor cells through regulating the cell cycle. However, there is a lack of in-depth and systematic research on their mechanisms of action. This study analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to screen potential candidate genes and the regulation network of KAT2A and E2F1 complex in pan-cancer. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB), cell phenotype detection, immunofluorescence co-localization, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP), and RNA-Seq techniques were used to explore the functional of a candidate gene, UBE2C. We found that the expression of these three genes was significantly higher in more than 10 tumor types compared to normal tissue. Moreover, UBE2C was mainly expressed in tumor cells, which highlighted the impacts of UBE2C as a specific therapeutic strategy. Moreover, KAT2A and E2F1 could promote cell proliferation and the migration of cancer cells by enhancing the expression of UBE2C. Mechanically, KAT2A was found to cooperate with E2F1 and be recruited by E2F1 to the UBE2C promoter for elevating the expression of UBE2C by increasing the acetylation level of H3K9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shudai Lin
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- College of Coastal Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
| | - Li Qiu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Keying Liang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Haibo Zhang
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Mingjian Xian
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zixi Chen
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jinfen Wei
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shuying Fu
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaocheng Gong
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ke Ding
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zihao Zhang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bowen Hu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xiquan Zhang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yuyou Duan
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Translational Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences and School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hongli Du
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Chan MKK, Chung JYF, Tang PCT, Chan ASW, Ho JYY, Lin TPT, Chen J, Leung KT, To KF, Lan HY, Tang PMK. TGF-β signaling networks in the tumor microenvironment. Cancer Lett 2022; 550:215925. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Shen X, Jain A, Aladelokun O, Yan H, Gilbride A, Ferrucci LM, Lu L, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Asparagine, colorectal cancer, and the role of sex, genes, microbes, and diet: A narrative review. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:958666. [PMID: 36090030 PMCID: PMC9453556 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.958666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Asparagine (Asn) and enzymes that catalyze the metabolism of Asn have been linked to the regulation and propagation of colorectal cancer (CRC). Increased Asn and asparagine synthetase (ASNS) expression, both contribute to CRC progression and metastasis. In contradistinction, L-asparaginase (ASNase) which breaks down Asn, exhibits an anti-tumor effect. Metabolic pathways such as KRAS/PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 signaling and high SOX12 expression can positively regulate endogenous Asn production. Conversely, the tumor suppressor, TP53, negatively impacts ASNS, thus limiting Asn synthesis and reducing tumor burden. Asn abundance can be altered by factors extrinsic to the cancer cell such as diet, the microbiome, and therapeutic use of ASNase. Recent studies have shown that sex-related factors can also influence the regulation of Asn, and high Asn production results in poorer prognosis for female CRC patients but not males. In this narrative review, we critically review studies that have examined endogenous and exogenous modulators of Asn bioavailability and summarize the key metabolic networks that regulate Asn metabolism. We also provide new hypotheses regarding sex-related influences on Asn, including the involvement of the sex-steroid hormone estrogen and estrogen receptors. Further, we hypothesize that sex-specific factors that influence Asn metabolism can influence clinical outcomes in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Shen
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Oladimeji Aladelokun
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Hong Yan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Austin Gilbride
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Leah M. Ferrucci
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Lingeng Lu
- Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sajid A. Khan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,*Correspondence: Sajid A. Khan, ; Caroline H. Johnson,
| | - Caroline H. Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States,*Correspondence: Sajid A. Khan, ; Caroline H. Johnson,
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Metformin Mitigated Obesity-Driven Cancer Aggressiveness in Tumor-Bearing Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169134. [PMID: 36012397 PMCID: PMC9408975 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin may offer benefits to certain cancer populations experiencing metabolic abnormalities. To extend the anticancer studies of metformin, a tumor model was established through the implantation of murine Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells to Normal Diet (ND)-fed and High-Fat Diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. The HFD-fed mice displayed metabolic and pro-inflammatory alterations together with accompanying aggressive tumor growth. Metformin mitigated tumor growth in HFD-fed mice, paralleled by reductions in circulating glucose, insulin, soluble P-selectin, TGF-β1 and High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1), as well as tumor expression of cell proliferation, aerobic glycolysis, glutaminolysis, platelets and neutrophils molecules. The suppressive effects of metformin on cell proliferation, migration and oncogenic signaling molecules were confirmed in cell study. Moreover, tumor-bearing HFD-fed mice had higher contents of circulating and tumor immunopositivity of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs)-associated molecules, with a suppressive effect from metformin. Data taken from neutrophil studies confirmed the inhibitory effect that metformin has on NET formation induced by HMGB1. Furthermore, HMGB1 was identified as a promoting molecule to boost the transition process towards NETs. The current study shows that metabolic, pro-inflammatory and NET alterations appear to play roles in the obesity-driven aggressiveness of cancer, while also representing candidate targets for anticancer potential of metformin.
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Du Y, Zhu YJ, Zeng B, Mu XL, Liu JY. Super-Resolution Quantification of T2DM-Induced Mitochondrial Morphology Changes and Their Implications in Pharmacodynamics of Metformin and Sorafenib. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:932116. [PMID: 35873543 PMCID: PMC9298863 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.932116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria, as the powerhouse of cells, are involved in various processes of cellular homeostasis, especially energy metabolism. The morphology of mitochondria is a critical indicator for their functions, referring to mitochondrial fusion and fission. Here, we performed structured illumination microscopy (SIM) to measure the mitochondrial morphology in living cells. Benefitting from its nano-scale resolution, this SIM-based strategy can quantify the fusion and fission of mitochondria with high sensitivity. Furthermore, as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is caused by a disorder of energy substrate utilization, this strategy has the potential to study T2DM by analyzing the mitochondrial morphology of insulin-resistant (IR) cells. With SIM, we found that mitochondrial fission was increased in IR MRC-5, LO2, FHs 74 Int, and HepG2 cells but not in IR Huh7 cells with high-invasiveness ability. Furthermore, we found that metformin could inhibit mitochondrial fission in IR cells, and sorafenib could promote mitochondrial fusion in HepG2 cancer cells, especially in those IR cells. To conclude, mitochondrial fission is involved in T2DM, and cancer cells with high-invasiveness ability may be equipped with stronger resistance to energy metabolism disorder. In addition, the pharmacodynamics of metformin and sorafenib in cancer may be related to the inhibition of mitochondrial fission, especially for patients with T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Du
- Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ya-Juan Zhu
- Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Zeng
- Dean's Office, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao-Li Mu
- Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ji-Yan Liu
- Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Department of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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