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Li ZQ, Zhang GS, Liu RQ, Shuai SY, Hu PY, Zheng Q, Xiao SH. Anti-Glioma Effects of Ligustilide or n-Butylphthalide on Their Own and the Synergistic Effects with Temozolomide via PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. Onco Targets Ther 2023; 16:983-994. [PMID: 38021448 PMCID: PMC10676728 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s432901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ligustilide (LIG) and n-butylphthalide (NBP) have neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia; however, their roles in gliomas are not well-known.This study aimed to explore the anti-glioma effects of LIG and NBP individually and the synergistic effects of temozolomide (TMZ) via the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. Materials and Methods Cytotoxicity of LIG and NBP alone and in combination with TMZ in U251 cells was determined using the CCk-8. The effect of compounds alone or in combination on cell migration was detected using the wound healing assay, and the invasion was evaluated by transwell assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry and the changed expressions of proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results The results showed that LIG and NBP significantly inhibited the growth of U251 cells at concentrations of 4-10 µg/mL and 1.5-6 µg/mL in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05, p<0.01). The combination of 20 µg/mL TMZ with LIG in the concentration range of 4-10 µg/mL or with NBP of 0.5-6 µg/mlachieved synergistic effect towardsU251 cells. LIG and NBP, alone or in combination with TMZ, markedly inhibited cell invasion (p< 0.001) and enhanced apoptosis (p< 0.05). The combination of TMZ with LIG or NBP markedly inhibited cell migration (p< 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that LIG, NBP, and TMZ, alone and in combination, significantly decreased the expression of Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-Akt, and increased the expression of Bax. Conclusion Both LIG and NBP exert anti-glioma effects on their own through the PI3K/Akt pathway and enhance TMZ-mediated anti-glioma efficiency via the same pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Qi Li
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guo-Song Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ri-Qun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shu-Yuan Shuai
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng-Yi Hu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shu-Hua Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, People’s Republic of China
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Shi L, Jin L, Huang W. Bile Acids, Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction, and Related Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:1888. [PMID: 37508557 PMCID: PMC10377837 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal barrier is a precisely regulated semi-permeable physiological structure that absorbs nutrients and protects the internal environment from infiltration of pathological molecules and microorganisms. Bile acids are small molecules synthesized from cholesterol in the liver, secreted into the duodenum, and transformed to secondary or tertiary bile acids by the gut microbiota. Bile acids interact with bile acid receptors (BARs) or gut microbiota, which plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal barrier. In this review, we summarize and discuss the recent studies on bile acid disorder associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction and related diseases. We focus on the roles of bile acids, BARs, and gut microbiota in triggering intestinal barrier dysfunction. Insights for the future prevention and treatment of intestinal barrier dysfunction and related diseases are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linsen Shi
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lihua Jin
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Wendong Huang
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
- Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biomedical Science, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Lu L, Jiang YX, Liu XX, Jin JM, Gu WJ, Luan X, Guan YY, Zhang LJ. FXR agonist GW4064 enhances anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in colorectal cancer. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2217024. [PMID: 37261088 PMCID: PMC10228418 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2217024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the top three malignant tumors in terms of morbidity, and the limited efficacy of existing therapies urges the discovery of potential treatment strategies. Immunotherapy gradually becomes a promising cancer treatment method in recent decades; however, less than 10% of CRC patients could really benefit from immunotherapy. It is pressing to explore the potential combination therapy to improve the immunotherapy efficacy in CRC patients. It is reported that Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is deficiency in CRC and associated with immunity. Herein, we found that GW4064, a FXR agonist, could induce apoptosis, block cell cycle, and mediate immunogenic cell death (ICD) of CRC cells in vitro. Disappointingly, GW4064 could not suppress the growth of CRC tumors in vivo. Further studies revealed that GW4064 upregulated PD-L1 expression in CRC cells via activating FXR and MAPK signaling pathways. Gratifyingly, the combination of PD-L1 antibody with GW4064 exhibited excellent anti-tumor effects in CT26 xenograft models and increased CD8+ T cells infiltration, with 33% tumor bearing mice cured. This paper illustrates the potential mechanisms of GW4064 to upregulate PD-L1 expression in CRC cells and provides important data to support the combination therapy of PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade with FXR agonist for CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Center for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital (Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Xin Jiang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Liu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Mei Jin
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jie Gu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Yun Guan
- Department of Pharmacy, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Jun Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Yu D, Lu Z, Wang R, Xiang Y, Li H, Lu J, Zhang L, Chen H, Li W, Luan X, Chen L. FXR agonists for colorectal and liver cancers, as a stand-alone or in combination therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 212:115570. [PMID: 37119860 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115570] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4) is generally considered as a tumor suppressor of colorectal and liver cancers. The interaction between FXR, bile acids (BAs) and gut microbiota is closely associated with an increased risk of colorectal and liver cancers. Increasing evidence shows that FXR agonists may be potential therapeutic agents for colorectal and liver cancers. However, FXR agonists alone do not produce the desired results due to the complicated pathogenesis and single therapeutic mechanism, which suggests that effective treatments will require a multimodal approach. Based on the principle of improvingefficacy andreducingside effects, combination therapy is currently receiving considerable attention. In this review, colorectal and liver cancers are grouped together to discuss the effects of FXR agonists alone or in combination for combating the two cancers. We hope that this review will provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of novel FXR agonists or combination with FXR agonists against colorectal and liver cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danmei Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhou Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Ruyu Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yusen Xiang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongtao Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jiani Lu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lijun Zhang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hongzhuan Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Weihua Li
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Optogenetic Techniques for Cell Metabolism, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xin Luan
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Lili Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of TCM Chemical Biology, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Promotion of Deoxycholic Acid Effect on Colonic Cancer Cell Lines In Vitro by Altering the Mucosal Microbiota. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122486. [PMID: 36557741 PMCID: PMC9788287 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent neoplasm and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Microbiota and their products, such as bile acids (BAs), are important causal factors for the occurrence and development of CRC. Therefore, we performed 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to measure mucosal microbiota and BA composition in paired cancerous and noncancerous gut tissue samples from 33 patients with CRC at a hospital in Beijing. In cancerous tissues, we detected altered mucosal microbiota with increased levels of the genera Bacteroides, Curtobacterium, and Campylobacter and an increase in deoxycholic acid (DCA), which was the only BA elevated in cancerous tissues. Ex vivo coculture showed that the mucosal microbiota in cancerous tissues indeed had a stronger DCA production ability, indicating that DCA-producing bacteria are enriched in tumors. Results from the CCK8 and Transwell assays indicated that DCA enhances the overgrowth, migration, and invasion of CRC cell lines, and, through qPCR and Western blot analyses, downregulation of FXR was observed in CRC cell lines after DCA culture. We then verified the downregulation of FXR expression in cancerous tissues using our data and the TCGA database, and we found that FXR downregulation plays an important role in the development of CRC. In conclusion, differing mucosal microbiota, increased amounts of mucosal DCA, and lower FXR expression were demonstrated in cancerous tissues compared to normal tissue samples. The results of this study can be applied to the development of potential therapeutic targets for CRC prevention, such as altering mucosal microbiota, DCA, or FXR.
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EZH2 as a Prognostic Factor and Its Immune Implication with Molecular Characterization in Prostate Cancer: An Integrated Multi-Omics in Silico Analysis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12111617. [DOI: 10.3390/biom12111617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a type of potentially fatal malignant tumor. Immunotherapy has shown a lot of potential for various types of solid tumors, but the benefits have been less impressive in PCa. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is one of the three core subunits of the polycomb repressive complex 2 that has histone methyltransferase activity, and the immune effects of EZH2 in PCa are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential of EZH2 as a prognostic factor and an immune therapeutic biomarker for PCa, as well as the expression pattern and biological functions. All analyses in this study were based on publicly available databases, mainly containing Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), UCSCXenaShiny, and TISIDB. We performed differential expression analysis, developed a prognostic model, and explored potential associations between EZH2 and DNA methylation modifications, tumor microenvironment (TME), immune-related genes, tumor mutation burden (TMB), tumor neoantigen burden (TNB), and representative mismatch repair (MMR) genes. We also investigated the molecular and immunological characterizations of EZH2. Finally, we predicted immunotherapeutic responses based on EZH2 expression levels. We found that EZH2 was highly expressed in PCa, was associated with a poor prognosis, and may serve as an independent prognostic factor. EZH2 expression in PCa was associated with DNA methylation modifications, TME, immune-related genes, TMB, TNB, and MMR. By gene set enrichment analysis and gene set variation analysis, we found that multiple functions and pathways related to tumorigenesis, progression, and immune activation were enriched. Finally, we inferred that immunotherapy may be more effective for PCa patients with low EZH2 expression. In conclusion, our study showed that EZH2 could be a potentially efficient predictor of prognosis and immune response in PCa patients.
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Huang R, Wu Y, Zou Z. Combining EZH2 inhibitors with other therapies for solid tumors: more choices for better effects. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1449-1464. [PMID: 36601794 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
EZH2 is an epigenetic regulator that methylates lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27) and is closely related to the development and metastasis of tumors. It often shows gain-of-function mutations in hematological tumors, while it is often overexpressed in solid tumors. EZH2 inhibitors have shown good efficacy in hematological tumors in clinical trials but poor efficacy in solid tumors. Therefore, current research on EZH2 inhibitors has focused on exploring additional combination strategies in solid tumors. Herein we summarize the combinations and mechanisms of EZH2 inhibitors and other therapies, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and epigenetic therapy, both in clinical trials and preclinical studies, aiming to provide a reference for better antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Huang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yirong Wu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhengyun Zou
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
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