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Guo X, Song J, Liu M, Ou X, Guo Y. The interplay between the tumor microenvironment and tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles in cancer development and therapeutic response. Cancer Biol Ther 2024; 25:2356831. [PMID: 38767879 PMCID: PMC11110713 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2356831] [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: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an essential role in tumor cell survival by profoundly influencing their proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small particles released by all cell types and often reflect the state of their parental cells and modulate other cells' functions through the various cargo they transport. Tumor-derived small EVs (TDSEVs) can transport specific proteins, nucleic acids and lipids tailored to propagate tumor signals and establish a favorable TME. Thus, the TME's biological characteristics can affect TDSEV heterogeneity, and this interplay can amplify tumor growth, dissemination, and resistance to therapy. This review discusses the interplay between TME and TDSEVs based on their biological characteristics and summarizes strategies for targeting cancer cells. Additionally, it reviews the current issues and challenges in this field to offer fresh insights into comprehending tumor development mechanisms and exploring innovative clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Guo
- The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Jiajun Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Miao Liu
- Nanobiosensing and Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing, Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Xinyi Ou
- Nanobiosensing and Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing, Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Yongcan Guo
- Nanobiosensing and Microfluidic Point-of-Care Testing, Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
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2
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Kong WS, Li JJ, Deng YQ, Ju HQ, Xu RH. Immunomodulatory molecules in colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Cancer Lett 2024; 598:217113. [PMID: 39009068 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217113] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to clinical diagnosis and treatment, liver metastasis occurs in approximately 50 % of CRC patients, indicating a poor prognosis. The unique immune tolerance of the liver fosters an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In the context of tumors, numerous membrane and secreted proteins have been linked to tumor immune evasion as immunomodulatory molecules, but much remains unknown about how these proteins contribute to immune evasion in colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM). This article reviews recently discovered membrane and secreted proteins with roles as both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive molecules within the TME that influence immune evasion in CRC primary and metastatic lesions, particularly their mechanisms in promoting CRLM. This article also addresses screening strategies for identifying proteins involved in immune evasion in CRLM and provides insights into potential protein targets for treating CRLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Shuai Kong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jia-Jun Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Yu-Qing Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Huai-Qiang Ju
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China; Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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3
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Erb HHH, Polishchuk N, Stasyk O, Kahya U, Weigel MM, Dubrovska A. Glutamine Metabolism and Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2871. [PMID: 39199642 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162871] [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: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamine (Gln) is a non-essential amino acid that is involved in the development and progression of several malignancies, including prostate cancer (PCa). While Gln is non-essential for non-malignant prostate epithelial cells, PCa cells become highly dependent on an exogenous source of Gln. The Gln metabolism in PCa is tightly controlled by well-described oncogenes such as MYC, AR, and mTOR. These oncogenes contribute to therapy resistance and progression to the aggressive castration-resistant PCa. Inhibition of Gln catabolism impedes PCa growth, survival, and tumor-initiating potential while sensitizing the cells to radiotherapy. Therefore, given its significant role in tumor growth, targeting Gln metabolism is a promising approach for developing new therapeutic strategies. Ongoing clinical trials evaluate the safety and efficacy of Gln catabolism inhibitors in combination with conventional and targeted therapies in patients with various solid tumors, including PCa. Further understanding of how PCa cells metabolically interact with their microenvironment will facilitate the clinical translation of Gln inhibitors and help improve therapeutic outcomes. This review focuses on the role of Gln in PCa progression and therapy resistance and provides insights into current clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger H H Erb
- Department of Urology, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nikita Polishchuk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Oleh Stasyk
- Department of Cell Signaling, Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 79000 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Uğur Kahya
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias M Weigel
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany
| | - Anna Dubrovska
- OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 01309 Dresden, Germany
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, 01328 Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, 01309 Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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4
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Fan Y, Yu Y. Cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived exosomal METTL3 promotes the proliferation, invasion, stemness and glutaminolysis in non-small cell lung cancer cells by eliciting SLC7A5 m6A modification. Hum Cell 2024; 37:1120-1131. [PMID: 38625505 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01056-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can promote the crosstalk between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment by exosomes. METTL3-mediated N6-methyladenine (m6A) modification has been proved to promote the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we focused on the impacts of CAFs-derived exosomes and METTL3-mediated m6A modification on NSCLC progression. Functional analyses were conducted using Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU, colony formation, sphere formation and transwell assays, respectively. Glutamine metabolism was evaluated by detecting glutamate consumption, and the production of intercellular glutamate and α-ketoglutarate (α-KG). qRT-PCR and western blotting analyses were utilized to measure the levels of genes and proteins. Exosomes were isolated by kits. The methylated RNA immunoprecipitation assay detected the m6A modification profile of Amino acid transporter LAT1 (SLC7A5) mRNA. The NSCLC mouse model was established to conduct in vivo experiments. We found that CAFs promoted the proliferation, invasion, stemness and glutaminolysis in NSCLC cells. METTL3 was enriched in CAFs and was packaged into exosomes. After knockdown of METTL3 in CAF exosomes, it was found the oncogenic effects of CAFs on NSCLC cells were suppressed. CAFs elevated m6A levels in NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, exosomal METTL3-induced m6A modification in SLC7A5 mRNA and stabilized its expression in NSCLC cells. Moreover, SLC7A5 overexpression abolished the inhibitory effects of exosomal METTL3-decreased CAFs on NSCLC cells. In addition, METTL3 inhibition in CAF exosomes impeded NSCLC growth in vivo. In all, CAFs-derived exosomal METTL3 promoted the proliferation, invasion, stemness and glutaminolysis in NSCLC cells by inducing SLC7A5 m6A modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafeng Fan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, No. 3, Zhigongxin Street, Xinghualing District, Taiyuan, 030000, China
| | - Yanling Yu
- Biotherapy department, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital/Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, China.
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Zhu H, Auten RL, Whorton AR, Mason SN, Bock CB, Kucera GT, Kelleher ZT, Vose AT, McMahon TJ. Endothelial LAT1 (SLC7A5) Mediates S-Nitrosothiol Import and Modulates Respiratory Sequelae of Red Blood Cell Transfusion In Vivo. Thromb Haemost 2024; 124:656-668. [PMID: 38519039 PMCID: PMC11199053 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782182] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased adhesivity of red blood cells (RBCs) to endothelial cells (ECs) may contribute to organ dysfunction in malaria, sickle cell disease, and diabetes. RBCs normally export nitric oxide (NO)-derived vascular signals, facilitating blood flow. S-nitrosothiols (SNOs) are thiol adducts formed in RBCs from precursor NO upon the oxygenation-linked allosteric transition in hemoglobin. RBCs export these vasoregulatory SNOs on demand, thereby regulating regional blood flow and preventing RBC-EC adhesion, and the large (system L) neutral amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1; SLC7A5) appears to mediate SNO export by RBCs. METHODS To determine the role of LAT1-mediated SNO import by ECs generally and of LAT1-mediated SNO import by ECs in RBC SNO-dependent modulation of RBC sequestration and blood oxygenation in vivo, we engineered LAT1fl/fl; Cdh5-Cre+ mice, in which the putative SNO transporter LAT1 can be inducibly depleted (knocked down, KD) specifically in ECs ("LAT1ECKD"). RESULTS We show that LAT1 in mouse lung ECs mediates cellular SNO uptake. ECs from LAT1ECKD mice (tamoxifen-induced LAT1fl/fl; Cdh5-Cre+) import SNOs poorly ex vivo compared with ECs from wild-type (tamoxifen-treated LAT1fl/fl; Cdh5-Cre-) mice. In vivo, endothelial depletion of LAT1 increased RBC sequestration in the lung and decreased blood oxygenation after RBC transfusion. CONCLUSION This is the first study showing a role for SNO transport by LAT1 in ECs in a genetic mouse model. We provide the first direct evidence for the coordination of RBC SNO export with EC SNO import via LAT1. SNO flux via LAT1 modulates RBC-EC sequestration in lungs after transfusion, and its disruption impairs blood oxygenation by the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham North Carolina, United States
| | - Richard L. Auten
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Augustus Richard Whorton
- Department of Pharmacology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Stanley Nicholas Mason
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Cheryl B. Bock
- Rodent Cancer Models Shared Resource, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Gary T. Kucera
- Rodent Cancer Models Shared Resource, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Zachary T. Kelleher
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Aaron T. Vose
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham North Carolina, United States
| | - Tim J. McMahon
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Durham VA Health Care System, Durham North Carolina, United States
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Gu X, Mu C, Zheng R, Zhang Z, Zhang Q, Liang T. The Cancer Antioxidant Regulation System in Therapeutic Resistance. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:778. [PMID: 39061847 PMCID: PMC11274344 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13070778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antioxidants play a pivotal role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to induce oxidative stress. In the context of cancer development, cancer cells adeptly maintain elevated levels of both ROS and antioxidants through a process termed "redox reprogramming". This balance optimizes the proliferative influence of ROS while simultaneously reducing the potential for ROS to cause damage to the cell. In some cases, the adapted antioxidant machinery can hamper the efficacy of treatments for neoplastic diseases, representing a significant facet of the resistance mechanisms observed in cancer therapy. In this review, we outline the contribution of antioxidant systems to therapeutic resistance. We detail the fundamental constituents of these systems, encompassing the central regulatory mechanisms involving transcription factors (of particular importance is the KEAP1/NRF2 signaling axis), the molecular effectors of antioxidants, and the auxiliary systems responsible for NADPH generation. Furthermore, we present recent clinical trials based on targeted antioxidant systems for the treatment of cancer, assessing the potential as well as challenges of this strategy in cancer therapy. Additionally, we summarize the pressing issues in the field, with the aim of illuminating a path toward the emergence of novel anticancer therapeutic approaches by orchestrating redox signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanhao Gu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
| | - Chunyang Mu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
| | - Rujia Zheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China
- The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310003, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China
- The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310003, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; (X.G.); (C.M.); (Z.Z.)
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China;
- Zhejiang Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China
- The Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310003, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310003, China
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
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Krieg S, Fernandes SI, Kolliopoulos C, Liu M, Fendt SM. Metabolic Signaling in Cancer Metastasis. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:934-952. [PMID: 38592405 PMCID: PMC7616057 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-24-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Metastases, which are the leading cause of death in patients with cancer, have metabolic vulnerabilities. Alterations in metabolism fuel the energy and biosynthetic needs of metastases but are also needed to activate cell state switches in cells leading to invasion, migration, colonization, and outgrowth in distant organs. Specifically, metabolites can activate protein kinases as well as receptors and they are crucial substrates for posttranslational modifications on histone and nonhistone proteins. Moreover, metabolic enzymes can have moonlighting functions by acting catalytically, mainly as protein kinases, or noncatalytically through protein-protein interactions. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on metabolic signaling in cancer metastasis. SIGNIFICANCE Effective drugs for the prevention and treatment of metastases will have an immediate impact on patient survival. To overcome the current lack of such drugs, a better understanding of the molecular processes that are an Achilles heel in metastasizing cancer cells is needed. One emerging opportunity is the metabolic changes cancer cells need to undergo to successfully metastasize and grow in distant organs. Mechanistically, these metabolic changes not only fulfill energy and biomass demands, which are often in common between cancer and normal but fast proliferating cells, but also metabolic signaling which enables the cell state changes that are particularly important for the metastasizing cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Krieg
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Isabel Fernandes
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Constantinos Kolliopoulos
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ming Liu
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sarah-Maria Fendt
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven and Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Zhao J, Ma W, Wang S, Zhang K, Xiong Q, Li Y, Yu H, Du H. Differentiation of intestinal stem cells toward goblet cells under systemic iron overload stress are associated with inhibition of Notch signaling pathway and ferroptosis. Redox Biol 2024; 72:103160. [PMID: 38631120 PMCID: PMC11040173 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103160] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Iron overload can lead to oxidative stress and intestinal damage and happens frequently during blood transfusions and iron supplementation. However, how iron overload influences intestinal mucosa remains unknown. Here, the aim of current study was to investigate the effects of iron overload on the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). An iron overload mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg body weight iron dextran once a fortnight for a duration of 12 weeks, and an iron overload enteroid model was produced by treatment with 3 mM or 10 mM of ferric ammonium citrate for 24 h. We found that iron overload caused damage to intestinal morphology with a 64 % reduction in villus height/crypt depth ratio, and microvilli injury in the duodenum. Iron overload mediated epithelial function by inhibiting the expression of nutrient transporters and enhancing the expression of secretory factors in the duodenum. Meanwhile, iron overload inhibited the proliferation of ISCs and regulated their differentiation into secretory mature cells, such as goblet cells, through inhibiting Notch signaling pathway both in mice and enteroid. Furthermore, iron overload caused oxidative stress and ferroptosis in intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, ferroptosis could also inhibit Notch signaling pathway, and affected the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs. These findings reveal the regulatory role of iron overload on the proliferation and differentiation of ISCs, providing a new insight into the internal mechanism of iron overload affecting intestinal health, and offering important theoretical basis for the scientific application of iron nutrition regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Sisi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Kang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Qingqing Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yunqin Li
- Analysis Center of Agrobiology and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Infection of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
| | - Huahua Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Infection of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
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9
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Hushmandi K, Einollahi B, Saadat SH, Lee EHC, Farani MR, Okina E, Huh YS, Nabavi N, Salimimoghadam S, Kumar AP. Amino acid transporters within the solute carrier superfamily: Underappreciated proteins and novel opportunities for cancer therapy. Mol Metab 2024; 84:101952. [PMID: 38705513 PMCID: PMC11112377 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Solute carrier (SLC) transporters, a diverse family of membrane proteins, are instrumental in orchestrating the intake and efflux of nutrients including amino acids, vitamins, ions, nutrients, etc, across cell membranes. This dynamic process is critical for sustaining the metabolic demands of cancer cells, promoting their survival, proliferation, and adaptation to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Amino acids are fundamental building blocks of cells and play essential roles in protein synthesis, nutrient sensing, and oncogenic signaling pathways. As key transporters of amino acids, SLCs have emerged as crucial players in maintaining cellular amino acid homeostasis, and their dysregulation is implicated in various cancer types. Thus, understanding the intricate connections between amino acids, SLCs, and cancer is pivotal for unraveling novel therapeutic targets and strategies. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, we delve into the significant impact of amino acid carriers of the SLCs family on the growth and progression of cancer and explore the current state of knowledge in this field, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms that underlie these relationships and highlighting potential avenues for future research and clinical interventions. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Amino acids transportation by SLCs plays a critical role in tumor progression. However, some studies revealed the tumor suppressor function of SLCs. Although several studies evaluated the function of SLC7A11 and SLC1A5, the role of some SLC proteins in cancer is not studied well. To exert their functions, SLCs mediate metabolic rewiring, regulate the maintenance of redox balance, affect main oncogenic pathways, regulate amino acids bioavailability within the TME, and alter the sensitivity of cancer cells to therapeutics. However, different therapeutic methods that prevent the function of SLCs were able to inhibit tumor progression. This comprehensive review provides insights into a rapidly evolving area of cancer biology by focusing on amino acids and their transporters within the SLC superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiavash Hushmandi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Behzad Einollahi
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hassan Saadat
- Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Clinical Sciences Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - E Hui Clarissa Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marzieh Ramezani Farani
- NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Elena Okina
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yun Suk Huh
- NanoBio High-Tech Materials Research Center, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urologic Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, V6H3Z6, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; NUS Center for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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10
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Liu S, Liu M, Li Y, Song Q. N6-methyladenosine-dependent signaling in colorectal cancer: Functions and clinical potential. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 198:104360. [PMID: 38615872 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104360] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent malignancy worldwide. Despite the gradual expansion of therapeutic options for CRC, its clinical management remains a formidable challenge. And, because of the current dearth of technical means for early CRC screening, most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, it is imperative to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for this disease. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the predominant RNA modification in eukaryotes, can be recognized by m6A-specific methylated reading proteins to modulate gene expression. Studies have revealed that CRC disrupts m6A homeostasis through various mechanisms, thereby sustaining aberrant signal transduction and promoting its own progression. Consequently, m6A-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have garnered widespread attention. Although utilizing m6A as a biomarker and drug target has demonstrated promising feasibility, existing observations primarily stem from preclinical models; henceforth necessitating further investigation and resolution of numerous outstanding issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojun Liu
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Song
- Department of Oncology, Suzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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11
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Dannhorn A, Kazanc E, Flint L, Guo F, Carter A, Hall AR, Jones SA, Poulogiannis G, Barry ST, Sansom OJ, Bunch J, Takats Z, Goodwin RJA. Morphological and molecular preservation through universal preparation of fresh-frozen tissue samples for multimodal imaging workflows. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-00987-z. [PMID: 38806741 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00987-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The landscape of tissue-based imaging modalities is constantly and rapidly evolving. While formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material is still useful for histological imaging, the fixation process irreversibly changes the molecular composition of the sample. Therefore, many imaging approaches require fresh-frozen material to get meaningful results. This is particularly true for molecular imaging techniques such as mass spectrometry imaging, which are widely used to probe the spatial arrangement of the tissue metabolome. As high-quality fresh-frozen tissues are limited in their availability, any sample preparation workflow they are subjected to needs to ensure morphological and molecular preservation of the tissues and be compatible with as many of the established and emerging imaging techniques as possible to obtain the maximum possible insights from the tissues. Here we describe a universal sample preparation workflow, from the initial step of freezing the tissues to the cold embedding in a new hydroxypropyl methylcellulose/polyvinylpyrrolidone-enriched hydrogel and the generation of thin tissue sections for analysis. Moreover, we highlight the optimized storage conditions that limit molecular and morphological degradation of the sections. The protocol is compatible with human and plant tissues and can be easily adapted for the preparation of alternative sample formats (e.g., three-dimensional cell cultures). The integrated workflow is universally compatible with histological tissue analysis, mass spectrometry imaging and imaging mass cytometry, as well as spatial proteomic, genomic and transcriptomic tissue analysis. The protocol can be completed within 4 h and requires minimal prior experience in the preparation of tissue samples for multimodal imaging experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Dannhorn
- Imaging and Data analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Emine Kazanc
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lucy Flint
- Imaging and Data analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fei Guo
- Imaging and Data analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Safety Innovations, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alfie Carter
- Imaging and Data analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Safety Innovations, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew R Hall
- Safety Innovations, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stewart A Jones
- Imaging and Data analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Simon T Barry
- Bioscience, Discovery, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Josephine Bunch
- National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (NiCE-MSI), National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK
| | - Zoltan Takats
- Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Richard J A Goodwin
- Imaging and Data analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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12
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Zhang C, Wang Y, Guo X, Wang Z, Xiao J, Liu Z. SLC7A5 correlated with malignancies and immunotherapy response in bladder cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:182. [PMID: 38790003 PMCID: PMC11127462 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03365-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic reprogramming contributes to bladder cancer development. This study aimed to understand the role of SLC7A5 in bladder cancer. METHODS We systematically analyzed the correlation between SLC7A5 and bladder cancer through various approaches, including bioinformatics, western blotting, cell cycle analysis, cell proliferation assays, and invasion experiments. We also investigated the immunological features within the tumor microenvironment (TME), encompassing cancer immune cycles, immune modulators, immune checkpoints, tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIIC), T cell inflammation scores, and treatment responses. Additionally, for a comprehensive assessment of the expression patterns and immunological roles of SLC7A5, pan-cancer analysis was performed using cancer genomics datasets. RESULTS SLC7A5 was associated with adverse prognosis in bladder cancer patients, activating the Wnt pathway and promoting bladder cancer cell cycle progression, proliferation, migration, and invasion. Based on the evidence that SLC7A5 positively correlated with immunomodulators, TIIC, the cancer immune cycle, immune checkpoint and T cell inflammation scores, we also found that SLC7A5 was associated with the inflammatory tumor immune microenvironment. EGFR-targeted therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and radiation therapy were effective for patients with high SLC7A5 expression in bladder cancer. Low SLC7A5 patients were, however, sensitive to targeted therapies and anti-angiogenic therapy, such as blocking β-catenin network, PPAR-γ and FGFR3 signaling. Anti-SLC7A5 combined with cancer immunotherapy may have greater effectiveness than either therapy alone. Furthermore, we observed specific overexpression of SLC7A5 in TME of various cancers. CONCLUSION SLC7A5 can predict therapeutic response to immunotherapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in bladder cancer patients. Targeting SLC7A5 in combination with immunotherapy may be a potentially appropriate treatment option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangdong Guo
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiatong Xiao
- Departments of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
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13
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Wang H, Cao Y, Gou Y, Wang H, Liang Z, Wu Q, Tan J, Liu J, Li Z, Cui J, Zhang H, Zhang Z. IGF2BP3 promotes glutamine metabolism of endometriosis by interacting with UCA1 to enhances the mRNA stability of GLS1. Mol Med 2024; 30:64. [PMID: 38760723 PMCID: PMC11102260 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00834-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Insulin like growth factor II mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) has been implicated in numerous inflammatory and cancerous conditions. However, its precise molecular mechanisms in endometriosis (EMs) remains unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of IGF2BP3 on the occurrence and progression of EMs and to elucidate its underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS Efects of IGF2BP3 on endometriosis were confrmed in vitro and in vivo. Based on bioinformatics analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down assays and Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to show the association between IGF2BP3 and UCA1. Single-cell spatial transcriptomics analysis shows the expression distribution of glutaminase 1 (GLS1) mRNA in EMs. Study the effect on glutamine metabolism after ectopic endometriotic stromal cells (eESCs) were transfected with Sh-IGF2BP3 and Sh-UCA1 lentivirus. RESULTS Immunohistochemical staining have revealed that IGF2BP3 was upregulated in ectopic endometriotic lesions (EC) compared to normal endometrial tissues (EN). The proliferation and migration ability of eESCs were greatly reduced by downregulating IGF2BP3. Additionally, IGF2BP3 has been observed to interact with urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1), leading to increased stability of GLS1 mRNA and subsequently enhancing glutamine metabolism. Results also demonstrated that IGF2BP3 directly interacts with the 3' UTR region of GLS1 mRNA, influencing its expression and stability. Furthermore, UCA1 was able to bind with c-MYC protein, stabilizing c-MYC mRNA and consequently enhancing GLS1 expression through transcriptional promotion. CONCLUSION These discoveries underscored the critical involvement of IGF2BP3 in the elevation and stability of GLS1 mRNA in the context of glutamine metabolism by interacting with UCA1 in EMs. The implications of our study extended to the identification of possible therapeutic targets for individuals with EMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yingying Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yanling Gou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, No. 100 Haining Road, Hongkou District, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Zongwen Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Jiahuan Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital Southeast University (Jiangbei), NanJing, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Jing Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Huiyan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zongfeng Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 148 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150086, China.
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14
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Ogawa M, Tanaka A, Maekawa M, Namba K, Otani Y, Shia J, Wang JY, Roehrl MH. Protein expression of the amino acid transporter SLC7A5 in tumor tissue is prognostic in early-stage colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298362. [PMID: 38722983 PMCID: PMC11081336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteins overexpressed in early-stage cancers may serve as early diagnosis and prognosis markers as well as targets for cancer therapies. In this study, we examined the expression of an essential amino acid carrier SLC7A5 (LAT1, CD98, or 4F2 light chain) in cancer tissue from two well-annotated cohorts of 575 cases of early-stage and 106 cases of late-stage colorectal cancer patients. Immunohistochemistry showed SLC7A5 overexpression in 72.0% of early-stage and 56.6% of late-stage cases. SLC7A5 expression was not influenced by patient gender, age, location, or mismatch repair status, although it appeared to be slightly less prevalent in tumors of mucinous differentiation or with lymphovascular invasion. Statistical analyses revealed a positive correlation between SLC7A5 overexpression and both overall survival and disease-free survival in early-stage but not late-stage cancers. Co-expression analyses of the TCGA and CPTAC colorectal cancer cohorts identified a network of gene transcripts positively related to SLC7A5, with its heterodimer partner SLC3A2 having the highest co-expression score. Network analysis uncovered the SLC7A network to be significantly associated with ncRNA such as tRNA processing and the mitotic cell cycle. Since SLC7A5 is also a marker of activated lymphocytes such as NK, T, and B lymphocytes, SLC7A5 overexpression in early colorectal cancers might trigger a strong anti-tumor immune response which could results in better clinical outcome. Overall, our study provides clear evidence of differential SLC7A5 expression and its prognostic value for early-stage colorectal cancer, although the understanding of its functions in colorectal tumorigenesis and cancer immunity is currently rather limited and awaits further characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Ogawa
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Masaki Maekawa
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Kei Namba
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Yusuke Otani
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jinru Shia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Michael H. Roehrl
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
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15
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Bin P, Wang C, Zhang H, Yan Y, Ren W. Targeting methionine metabolism in cancer: opportunities and challenges. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:395-405. [PMID: 38580603 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Reprogramming of methionine metabolism is a conserved hallmark of tumorigenesis. Recent studies have revealed mechanisms regulating methionine metabolism within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that drive both cancer development and antitumor immunity evasion. In this review article we summarize advancements in our understanding of tumor regulation of methionine metabolism and therapies in development that target tumor methionine metabolism. We also delineate the challenges of methionine blockade therapies in cancer and discuss emerging strategies to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Bin
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Henry Fok School of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
| | - Chuanlong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hangchao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yuqi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenkai Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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16
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Hutchinson K, Schlessinger A. Comprehensive Characterization of LAT1 Cholesterol-Binding Sites. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:3349-3358. [PMID: 38597304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c01391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The human L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1; SLC7A5), is an amino acid exchanger protein, primarily found in the blood-brain barrier, placenta, and testis, where it plays a key role in amino acid homeostasis. Cholesterol is an essential lipid that has been highlighted to play a role in regulating the activity of membrane transporters, such as LAT1, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms driving this phenomenon. Here we perform a comprehensive computational analysis to investigate cholesterol's role in LAT1 structure and function, focusing on four cholesterol-binding sites (CHOL1-4) identified in a recent LAT1-apo inward-open conformation cryo-EM structure. Through a series of independent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, molecular docking, MM/GBSA free energy calculations, and other analysis tools, we explored the interactions between LAT1 and cholesterol. Our findings suggest that CHOL3 forms the most stable and favorable interactions with LAT1. Principal component analysis (PCA) and center of mass (COM) distance assessments show that CHOL3 binding stabilizes the inward-open state of LAT1 by preserving the spatial arrangement of the hash and bundle domains. Additionally, we propose an alternative cholesterol-binding site for originally assigned CHOL1. Overall, this study improves the understanding of cholesterol's modulatory effect on LAT1 and proposes candidate sites for the discovery of future allosteric ligands with rational design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keino Hutchinson
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
- Department of Artificial Intelligence and Human Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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17
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Malviya G, Lannagan TR, Johnson E, Mackintosh A, Bielik R, Peters A, Soloviev D, Brown G, Jackstadt R, Nixon C, Gilroy K, Campbell A, Sansom OJ, Lewis DY. Noninvasive Stratification of Colon Cancer by Multiplex PET Imaging. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:1518-1529. [PMID: 38493804 PMCID: PMC11016897 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The current approach for molecular subtyping of colon cancer relies on gene expression profiling, which is invasive and has limited ability to reveal dynamics and spatial heterogeneity. Molecular imaging techniques, such as PET, present a noninvasive alternative for visualizing biological information from tumors. However, the factors influencing PET imaging phenotype, the suitable PET radiotracers for differentiating tumor subtypes, and the relationship between PET phenotypes and tumor genotype or gene expression-based subtyping remain unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In this study, we conducted 126 PET scans using four different metabolic PET tracers, [18F]fluorodeoxy-D-glucose ([18F]FDG), O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine ([18F]FET), 3'-deoxy-3'-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT), and [11C]acetate ([11C]ACE), using a spectrum of five preclinical colon cancer models with varying genetics (BMT, AKPN, AK, AKPT, KPN), at three sites (subcutaneous, orthograft, autochthonous) and at two tumor stages (primary vs. metastatic). RESULTS The results demonstrate that imaging signatures are influenced by genotype, tumor environment, and stage. PET imaging signatures exhibited significant heterogeneity, with each cancer model displaying distinct radiotracer profiles. Oncogenic Kras and Apc loss showed the most distinctive imaging features, with [18F]FLT and [18F]FET being particularly effective, respectively. The tissue environment notably impacted [18F]FDG uptake, and in a metastatic model, [18F]FET demonstrated higher uptake. CONCLUSIONS By examining factors contributing to PET-imaging phenotype, this study establishes the feasibility of noninvasive molecular stratification using multiplex radiotracer PET. It lays the foundation for further exploration of PET-based subtyping in human cancer, thereby facilitating noninvasive molecular diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Malviya
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow; Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - Emma Johnson
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Agata Mackintosh
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Bielik
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Peters
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Dmitry Soloviev
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Brown
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rene Jackstadt
- Heidelberg Institute for Stem Cell Technology and Experimental Medicine (HI-STEM gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
- Cancer Progression and Metastasis Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Gilroy
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Campbell
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Owen J. Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow; Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David Y. Lewis
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow; Glasgow, United Kingdom
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18
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Xu YJ, Huo YC, Zhao QT, Liu JY, Tian YJ, Yang LL, Zhang Y. NOX4 promotes tumor progression through the MAPK-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 axis in colorectal cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1421-1436. [PMID: 38660653 PMCID: PMC11037073 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i4.1421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic reprogramming plays a key role in cancer progression and clinical outcomes; however, the patterns and primary regulators of metabolic reprogramming in colorectal cancer (CRC) are not well understood. AIM To explore the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) in promoting progression of CRC. METHODS We evaluated the expression and function of dysregulated and survival-related metabolic genes using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Consensus clustering was used to cluster CRC based on dysregulated metabolic genes. A prediction model was constructed based on survival-related metabolic genes. Sphere formation, migration, invasion, proliferation, apoptosis and clone formation was used to evaluate the biological function of NOX4 in CRC. mRNA sequencing was utilized to explore the alterations of gene expression NOX4 over-expression tumor cells. In vivo subcutaneous and lung metastasis mouse tumor model was used to explore the effect of NOX4 on tumor growth. RESULTS We comprehensively analyzed 3341 metabolic genes in CRC and identified three clusters based on dysregulated metabolic genes. Among these genes, NOX4 was highly expressed in tumor tissues and correlated with worse survival. In vitro, NOX4 overexpression induced clone formation, migration, invasion, and stemness in CRC cells. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that NOX4 overexpression activated the mitogen-activated protein kinase-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Trametinib, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, abolished the NOX4-mediated tumor progression. In vivo, NOX4 overexpression promoted subcutaneous tumor growth and lung metastasis, whereas trametinib treatment can reversed the metastasis. CONCLUSION Our study comprehensively analyzed metabolic gene expression and highlighted the importance of NOX4 in promoting CRC metastasis, suggesting that trametinib could be a potential therapeutic drugs of CRC clinical therapy targeting NOX4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Xu
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
- Department of Oncology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People’s Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou 450003, Henan Province, China
| | - Ya-Chang Huo
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Qi-Tai Zhao
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Jin-Yan Liu
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Yi-Jun Tian
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Lei-Lei Yang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
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19
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Wang X, Cornish AE, Do MH, Brunner JS, Hsu TW, Xu Z, Malik I, Edwards C, Capistrano KJ, Zhang X, Ginsberg MH, Finley LWS, Lim MS, Horwitz SM, Li MO. Onco-Circuit Addiction and Onco-Nutrient mTORC1 Signaling Vulnerability in a Model of Aggressive T Cell Malignancy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.03.587917. [PMID: 38617314 PMCID: PMC11014592 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.03.587917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
How genetic lesions drive cell transformation and whether they can be circumvented without compromising function of non-transformed cells are enduring questions in oncology. Here we show that in mature T cells-in which physiologic clonal proliferation is a cardinal feature- constitutive MYC transcription and Tsc1 loss in mice modeled aggressive human malignancy by reinforcing each other's oncogenic programs. This cooperation was supported by MYC-induced large neutral amino acid transporter chaperone SLC3A2 and dietary leucine, which in synergy with Tsc1 deletion overstimulated mTORC1 to promote mitochondrial fitness and MYC protein overexpression in a positive feedback circuit. A low leucine diet was therapeutic even in late-stage disease but did not hinder T cell immunity to infectious challenge, nor impede T cell transformation driven by constitutive nutrient mTORC1 signaling via Depdc5 loss. Thus, mTORC1 signaling hypersensitivity to leucine as an onco-nutrient enables an onco-circuit, decoupling pathologic from physiologic utilization of nutrient acquisition pathways.
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20
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Wu X, Fang Y, Gu Y, Shen H, Xu Y, Xu T, Shi R, Xu D, Zhang J, Leng K, Shu Y, Ma P. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) mediated m 6A modification of circFAM192A promoted gastric cancer proliferation by suppressing SLC7A5 decay. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:11. [PMID: 38556586 PMCID: PMC10982225 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00172-4] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide, especially in East Asia, with high incidence and mortality rate. Epigenetic modifications have been reported to participate in the progression of gastric cancer, among which m6A is the most abundant and important chemical modification in RNAs. Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is the first identified RNA demethylase but little is known about its role in gastric cancer. In our study, data from TCGA and clinical samples showed that FTO was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues. Kaplan-Meier plotter suggested that patients with the high level of FTO had a poor prognosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the role of FTO in promoting gastric cancer cell proliferation. Mechanistically, we found that FTO bound to circFAM192A at the specific site and removed the m6A modification in circFAM192A, protecting it from degradation. CircFAM192A subsequently interacted with the leucine transporter solute carrier family 7 member 5 (SLC7A5) and enhancing its stability. As a result, an increased amount of SLC7A5 was on the membrane, which facilitated leucine uptake and activated the mTOR signaling pathway. Therefore, our study demonstrated that FTO promoted gastric cancer proliferation through the circFAM192A/SLC7A5 axis in the m6A-dependent manner. Our study shed new light on the role of FTO in gastric cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunru Gu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoyang Shen
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangyue Xu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Xu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Run Shi
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Duo Xu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingxin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang Clinic School of Nanjing Medical University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Leng
- Department of Medical Informatics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongqian Shu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Pei Ma
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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21
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Lee G, Lee SM, Lee S, Jeong CW, Song H, Lee SY, Yun H, Koh Y, Kim HU. Prediction of metabolites associated with somatic mutations in cancers by using genome-scale metabolic models and mutation data. Genome Biol 2024; 25:66. [PMID: 38468344 PMCID: PMC11290261 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03208-8] [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: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oncometabolites, often generated as a result of a gene mutation, show pro-oncogenic function when abnormally accumulated in cancer cells. Identification of such mutation-associated metabolites will facilitate developing treatment strategies for cancers, but is challenging due to the large number of metabolites in a cell and the presence of multiple genes associated with cancer development. RESULTS Here we report the development of a computational workflow that predicts metabolite-gene-pathway sets. Metabolite-gene-pathway sets present metabolites and metabolic pathways significantly associated with specific somatic mutations in cancers. The computational workflow uses both cancer patient-specific genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) and mutation data to generate metabolite-gene-pathway sets. A GEM is a computational model that predicts reaction fluxes at a genome scale and can be constructed in a cell-specific manner by using omics data. The computational workflow is first validated by comparing the resulting metabolite-gene pairs with multi-omics data (i.e., mutation data, RNA-seq data, and metabolome data) from acute myeloid leukemia and renal cell carcinoma samples collected in this study. The computational workflow is further validated by evaluating the metabolite-gene-pathway sets predicted for 18 cancer types, by using RNA-seq data publicly available, in comparison with the reported studies. Therapeutic potential of the resulting metabolite-gene-pathway sets is also discussed. CONCLUSIONS Validation of the metabolite-gene-pathway set-predicting computational workflow indicates that a decent number of metabolites and metabolic pathways appear to be significantly associated with specific somatic mutations. The computational workflow and the resulting metabolite-gene-pathway sets will help identify novel oncometabolites and also suggest cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- GaRyoung Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Mi Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungyoung Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Wook Jeong
- Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojin Song
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Yup Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Engineering Biology, BioProcess Engineering Research Center, and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongseok Yun
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Youngil Koh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyun Uk Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Systems Metabolic Engineering and Systems Healthcare Cross-Generation Collaborative Laboratory, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Engineering Biology, BioProcess Engineering Research Center, and BioInformatics Research Center, KAIST, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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Wang B, Pei J, Xu S, Liu J, Yu J. A glutamine tug-of-war between cancer and immune cells: recent advances in unraveling the ongoing battle. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:74. [PMID: 38459595 PMCID: PMC10921613 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02994-0] [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: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamine metabolism plays a pivotal role in cancer progression, immune cell function, and the modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Dysregulated glutamine metabolism has been implicated in cancer development and immune responses, supported by mounting evidence. Cancer cells heavily rely on glutamine as a critical nutrient for survival and proliferation, while immune cells require glutamine for activation and proliferation during immune reactions. This metabolic competition creates a dynamic tug-of-war between cancer and immune cells. Targeting glutamine transporters and downstream enzymes involved in glutamine metabolism holds significant promise in enhancing anti-tumor immunity. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying this interplay is crucial for developing innovative therapeutic approaches that improve anti-tumor immunity and patient outcomes. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in unraveling the tug-of-war of glutamine metabolism between cancer and immune cells and explore potential applications of basic science discoveries in the clinical setting. Further investigations into the regulation of glutamine metabolism in cancer and immune cells are expected to yield valuable insights, paving the way for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Wang
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinli Pei
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shengnan Xu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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23
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Xia R, Peng HF, Zhang X, Zhang HS. Comprehensive review of amino acid transporters as therapeutic targets. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129646. [PMID: 38272411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The solute carrier (SLC) family, with more than 400 membrane-bound proteins, facilitates the transport of a wide array of substrates such as nutrients, ions, metabolites, and drugs across biological membranes. Amino acid transporters (AATs) are membrane transport proteins that mediate transfer of amino acids into and out of cells or cellular organelles. AATs participate in many important physiological functions including nutrient supply, metabolic transformation, energy homeostasis, redox regulation, and neurological regulation. Several AATs have been found to significantly impact the progression of human malignancies, and dysregulation of AATs results in metabolic reprogramming affecting tumor growth and progression. However, current clinical therapies that directly target AATs have not been developed. The purpose of this review is to highlight the structural and functional diversity of AATs, the molecular mechanisms in human diseases such as tumors, kidney diseases, and emerging therapeutic strategies for targeting AATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xia
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hai-Feng Peng
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China.
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24
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Kim YH, Yoon SJ, Kim M, Kim HH, Song YS, Jung JW, Han D, Cho SW, Kwon SW, Park YJ. Integrative Multi-omics Analysis Reveals Different Metabolic Phenotypes Based on Molecular Characteristics in Thyroid Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:883-894. [PMID: 38088902 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-2025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Thyroid cancer metabolic characteristics vary depending on the molecular subtype determined by mutational status. We aimed to investigate the molecular subtype-specific metabolic characteristics of thyroid cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN An integrative multi-omics analysis was conducted, incorporating transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics data obtained from human tissues representing distinct molecular characteristics of thyroid cancers: BRAF-like (papillary thyroid cancer with BRAFV600E mutation; PTC-B), RAS-like (follicular thyroid cancer with RAS mutation; FTC-R), and ATC-like (anaplastic thyroid cancer with BRAFV600E or RAS mutation; ATC-B or ATC-R). To validate our findings, we employed tissue microarray of human thyroid cancer tissues and performed in vitro analyses of cancer cell phenotypes and metabolomic assays after inducing genetic knockdown. RESULTS Metabolic properties differed between differentiated thyroid cancers of PTC-B and FTC-R, but were similar in dedifferentiated thyroid cancers of ATC-B/R, regardless of their mutational status. Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) intermediates and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) were enriched with the activation of TCA cycle only in FTC-R, whereas one-carbon metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism increased in both PTC-B and FTC-R and to a great extent in ATC-B/R. However, the protein expression levels of the BCAA transporter (SLC7A5) and a key enzyme in one-carbon metabolism (SHMT2) increased in all thyroid cancers and were particularly high in ATC-B/R. Knockdown of SLC7A5 or SHMT2 inhibited the migration and proliferation of thyroid cancer cell lines differently, depending on the mutational status. CONCLUSIONS These findings define the metabolic properties of each molecular subtype of thyroid cancers and identify metabolic vulnerabilities, providing a rationale for therapies targeting its altered metabolic pathways in advanced thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Hyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Sang Jun Yoon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Mina Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Hwan Hee Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Young Shin Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Jin Woo Jung
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Dohyun Han
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
- Transdisciplinary Department of Medicine & Advanced Technology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Sung Won Kwon
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, the Republic of South Korea
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25
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Steven RT, Burton A, Taylor AJ, Robinson KN, Dexter A, Nikula CJ, Bunch J. Evaluation of Inlet Temperature with Three Sprayer Designs for Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Tissue Analysis. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2024; 35:224-233. [PMID: 38181191 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) allows for the spatially resolved detection of endogenous and exogenous molecules and atoms in biological samples, typically prepared as thin tissue sections. Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) is one of the most commonly utilized MSI modalities in preclinical research. DESI ion source technology is still rapidly evolving, with new sprayer designs and heated inlet capillaries having recently been incorporated in commercially available systems. In this study, three iterations of DESI sprayer designs are evaluated: (1) the first, and until recently only, commercially available Waters sprayer; (2) a developmental desorption electro-flow focusing ionization (DEFFI)-type sprayer; and (3) a prototype of the newly released Waters commercial sprayer. A heated inlet capillary is also employed, allowing for controlled inlet temperatures up to 500 °C. These three sprayers are evaluated by comparative tissue imaging analyses of murine testes across this temperature range. Single ion intensity versus temperature trends are evaluated as exemplar cases for putatively identified species of interest, such as lactate and glutamine. A range of trends are observed, where intensities follow either increasing, decreasing, bell-shaped, or other trends with temperature. Data for all sprayers show approximately similar trends for the ions studied, with the commercial prototype sprayer (sprayer version 3) matching or outperforming the other sprayers for the ions investigated. Finally, the mass spectra acquired using sprayer version 3 are evaluated by uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) and k-means clustering. This approach is shown to provide valuable insight that is complementary to the presented univariate evaluation for reviewing the parameter space in this study. Full spectral temperature optimization data are provided as supporting data to enable other researchers to design experiments that are optimal for specific ions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory T Steven
- National Physical Laboratory Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Amy Burton
- National Physical Laboratory Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | - Adam J Taylor
- National Physical Laboratory Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | | | - Alex Dexter
- National Physical Laboratory Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
| | | | - Josephine Bunch
- National Physical Laboratory Teddington TW11 0LW, U.K
- Imperial College London, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, U.K
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26
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Li X, Peng X, Li Y, Wei S, He G, Liu J, Li X, Yang S, Li D, Lin W, Fang J, Yang L, Li H. Glutamine addiction in tumor cell: oncogene regulation and clinical treatment. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:12. [PMID: 38172980 PMCID: PMC10763057 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01449-x] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
After undergoing metabolic reprogramming, tumor cells consume additional glutamine to produce amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, and other substances to facilitate their unlimited proliferation. As such, the metabolism of glutamine is intricately linked to the survival and progression of cancer cells. Consequently, targeting the glutamine metabolism presents a promising strategy to inhibit growth of tumor cell and cancer development. This review describes glutamine uptake, metabolism, and transport in tumor cells and its pivotal role in biosynthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, nucleotides, and more. Furthermore, we have also summarized the impact of oncogenes like C-MYC, KRAS, HIF, and p53 on the regulation of glutamine metabolism and the mechanisms through which glutamine triggers mTORC1 activation. In addition, role of different anti-cancer agents in targeting glutamine metabolism has been described and their prospective applications are assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Xueqiang Peng
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Shibo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Guangpeng He
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jiaxing Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Dai Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Weikai Lin
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Jianjun Fang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China.
| | - Hangyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032, China.
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27
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Zhang XY, Luo M, Qin S, Fu WG, Zhang MY. FXR, MRP-1 and SLC7A5: New Targets for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2024; 23:15330338241276889. [PMID: 39194338 PMCID: PMC11363239 DOI: 10.1177/15330338241276889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Detect the expression of Farnesoid X Receptor(FXR), Multiple Drug Resistance Associated Protein-1(MRP-1) and Solute Carrier Family 7, Member 5 (SLC7A5) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) of rat model, so as to provide new therapeutic targets for gene therapy of HCC. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in experimental group were given 0.2% diethylnitrosamine (DEN) by gavage with a dose of 10 mg/kg, 3 times a week, and it stopped at 12 weeks. The control group rats were given physiological saline by gavage, while the sham operation group did not receive anything by gavage. At 10 weeks, one rat in the experimental group was euthanized, and the changes of livers were recorded. The procedure was repeated at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, HCC only occurred in the experimental group. After confirming the formation of the tumor through pathological examination, liver tissues and tumor tissues were taken from the three groups. FXR, MRP-1 and SLC7A5 expression in liver tissues and tumor tissues was detected. After 7 weeks the rats in experimental group ate less, and their weight was significantly reduced. Three months later, HCC was detected in 15 rats in the experimental group. The ratio of FXR/GAPDH mRNA, MRP-1/GAPDH mRNA, SLC7A5/GAPDH mRNA were significantly different among the three groups. Under the light microscope the FXR protein, MRP-1 protein, and SLC7A5 protein react with their respective antibodies, and they showed granular expression. Every pathological section included different numbers of positive cells in each group. FXR expression in HCC of rats was significantly lower than that in normal liver tissues, but MRP-1 and SLC7A5 expression in HCC were significantly higher than that in normal liver tissues, suggesting that drugs targeting FXR, MRP-1 and SLC7A5 may be new strategies for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-yue Zhang
- Clinical Medicine Class 8, 2022, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ming Luo
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Shu Qin
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Wen-guang Fu
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Meng-yu Zhang
- Department of General Surgery (Hepatobiliary Surgery), the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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28
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Norrsell R, Bauden M, Andersson R, Ansari D. L-type Amino Acid Transporter 1 as a Therapeutic Target in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Control 2024; 31:10732748241251583. [PMID: 38683590 PMCID: PMC11060026 DOI: 10.1177/10732748241251583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic rewiring is a key feature of cancer cells to support the demands of growth and proliferation. The metabolism of amino acids is altered in many cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The cellular uptake of amino acids is regulated by amino acid transporters, such as L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1). Accumulating evidence suggests that LAT1 is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and confers a poor prognosis. Here we discuss the prospects of utilizing LAT1 as a novel target for pancreatic cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragnar Norrsell
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Monika Bauden
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Roland Andersson
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Ansari
- Department of Surgery, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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29
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Du W, Xia G, Chen L, Geng L, Xu R, Han Q, Ying X, Yu H. Clinical value of SLC12A9 for diagnosis and prognosis in colorectal cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:15419-15433. [PMID: 38157260 PMCID: PMC10781446 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205360] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of the study is to assess the clinical value and the potential mechanism of SLC12A9 combing transcriptome and single cell sequencing data. METHODS In this study, the expression level and the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of SLC12A9 in CRC and normal tissue were analyzed in multiple data cohort. The standardized mean difference (SMD) calculation and the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) analysis were performed further to detect its diagnostic ability and expression level. KM survival analysis was performed to assess the prognosis value of SLC12A9. The expression level of SLC12A9 in different clinical characteristics was analyzed to explore the clinical value. Single cell data was studied to reveal the potential mechanism of SLC12A9. The correlation analysis of immunoinfiltration was performed to detect the potential immune cell related to SLC12A9. The nomogram was drawn to assess the probable mortality rate of CRC patient. RESULTS We found that SLC12A9 was significantly up-regulated with the moderate diagnostic value in CRC. Patients with overexpressed SLC12A9 had a worse prognosis. SLC12A9 was related to Age, Pathologic N stage, Pathologic M stage, Lymphatic invasion and Pathologic stage (p < 0.05). The 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates of patient named TCGA-G4-6309 are 0.959, 0.897 and 0.827. PCR also showed that SLC12A9 was overexpressed in CRC comparing with normal tissue. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our study comprehensively analyzed the clinical value of SLC12A9 and its potential mechanism, as well as immune cell infiltration, which may accelerate the diagnosis and improve the prognosis of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Du
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui 236000, China
| | - Guozhi Xia
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui 236000, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Conversion therapy center for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumors, First Hospital of Jiaxing, Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314041, China
| | - Lingjun Geng
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui 236000, China
| | - Rubin Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui 236000, China
| | - Qingqing Han
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui 236000, China
| | - Xiaomei Ying
- Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, Anhui 234000, China
| | - Hongzhu Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui 236000, China
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30
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Sardari A, Usefi H. Machine learning-based meta-analysis of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290192. [PMID: 38134011 PMCID: PMC10745176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health concern, resulting in numerous cancer-related deaths. CRC detection, treatment, and prevention can be improved by identifying genes and biomarkers. Despite extensive research, the underlying mechanisms of CRC remain elusive, and previously identified biomarkers have not yielded satisfactory insights. This shortfall may be attributed to the predominance of univariate analysis methods, which overlook potential combinations of variants and genes contributing to disease development. Here, we address this knowledge gap by presenting a novel multivariate machine-learning strategy to pinpoint genes associated with CRC. Additionally, we applied our analysis pipeline to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), as IBD patients face substantial CRC risk. The importance of the identified genes was substantiated by rigorous validation across numerous independent datasets. Several of the discovered genes have been previously linked to CRC, while others represent novel findings warranting further investigation. A Python implementation of our pipeline can be accessed publicly at https://github.com/AriaSar/CRCIBD-ML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aria Sardari
- Department of Computer Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
| | - Hamid Usefi
- Department of Computer Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
- Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
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31
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Wang Y, Wang J, Chen L, Chen Z, Wang T, Xiong S, Zhou T, Wu G, He L, Cao J, Liu M, Li H, Gu H. PRRG4 regulates mitochondrial function and promotes migratory behaviors of breast cancer cells through the Src-STAT3-POLG axis. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:323. [PMID: 38102641 PMCID: PMC10724894 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03178-0] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women worldwide. Most of the breast cancer death are due to disease recurrence and metastasis. Increasingly accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondria play key roles in cancer progression and metastasis. Our recent study revealed that transmembrane protein PRRG4 promotes the metastasis of breast cancer. However, it is not clear whether PRRG4 can affect the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells through regulating mitochondria function. METHODS RNA-seq analyses were performed on breast cancer cells expressing control and PRRG4 shRNAs. Quantitative PCR analysis and measurements of mitochondrial ATP content and oxygen consumption were carried out to explore the roles of PRRG4 in regulating mitochondrial function. Luciferase reporter plasmids containing different lengths of promoter fragments were constructed. Luciferase activities in breast cancer cells transiently transfected with these reporter plasmids were analyzed to examine the effects of PRRG4 overexpression on promoter activity. Transwell assays were performed to determine the effects of PRRG4-regulated pathway on migratory behaviors of breast cancer cells. RESULTS Analysis of the RNA-seq data revealed that PRRG4 knockdown decreased the transcript levels of all the mitochondrial protein-encoding genes. Subsequently, studies with PRRG4 knockdown and overexpression showed that PRRG4 expression increased mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content. Mechanistically, PRRG4 via Src activated STAT3 in breast cancer cells. Activated STAT3 in turn promoted the transcription of mtDNA polymerase POLG through a STAT3 DNA binding site present in the POLG promoter region, and increased mtDNA content as well as mitochondrial ATP production and oxygen consumption. In addition, PRRG4-mediated activation of STAT3 also enhanced filopodia formation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells. Moreover, PRRG4 elevated migratory behaviors and mitochondrial function of breast cancer cells through POLG. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that PRRG4 via the Src-STAT3-POLG axis enhances mitochondrial function and promotes migratory behaviors of breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jieyi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Lan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Tong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Shuting Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Tong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Guang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Licai He
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jiawei Cao
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325200, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongzhi Li
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Room 903 and 904, Biomedical Research Building-South, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Haihua Gu
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Cancer Pathogenesis and Translation, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Room 903 and 904, Biomedical Research Building-South, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang, China.
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32
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Deng H, Jia Q, Ming X, Sun Y, Lu Y, Liu L, Zhou J. Hippo pathway in intestinal diseases: focusing on ferroptosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1291686. [PMID: 38130953 PMCID: PMC10734691 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1291686] [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: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer, has steadily increased over the past decades. The Hippo pathway is involved in cell proliferation, tissue and organ damage, energy metabolism, tumor formation, and other physiologic processes. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxides. The Hippo pathway and ferroptosis are associated with various intestinal diseases; however, the crosstalk between them is unclear. This review elaborates on the current research on the Hippo pathway and ferroptosis in the context of intestinal diseases. We summarized the connection between the Hippo pathway and ferroptosis to elucidate the underlying mechanism by which these pathways influence intestinal diseases. We speculate that a mutual regulatory mechanism exists between the Hippo pathway and ferroptosis and these two pathways interact in several ways to regulate intestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, China
| | - Qiuting Jia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, China
| | - Xin Ming
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Sun
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Key Laboratory of Luzhou, Luzhou, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Papalazarou V, Newman AC, Huerta-Uribe A, Legrave NM, Falcone M, Zhang T, McGarry L, Athineos D, Shanks E, Blyth K, Vousden KH, Maddocks ODK. Phenotypic profiling of solute carriers characterizes serine transport in cancer. Nat Metab 2023; 5:2148-2168. [PMID: 38066114 PMCID: PMC10730406 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00936-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Serine is a vital amino acid in tumorigenesis. While cells can perform de novo serine synthesis, most transformed cells rely on serine uptake to meet their increased biosynthetic requirements. Solute carriers (SLCs), a family of transmembrane nutrient transport proteins, are the gatekeepers of amino acid acquisition and exchange in mammalian cells and are emerging as anticancer therapeutic targets; however, the SLCs that mediate serine transport in cancer cells remain unknown. Here we perform an arrayed RNAi screen of SLC-encoding genes while monitoring amino acid consumption and cell proliferation in colorectal cancer cells using metabolomics and high-throughput imaging. We identify SLC6A14 and SLC25A15 as major cytoplasmic and mitochondrial serine transporters, respectively. We also observe that SLC12A4 facilitates serine uptake. Dual targeting of SLC6A14 and either SLC25A15 or SLC12A4 diminishes serine uptake and growth of colorectal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, particularly in cells with compromised de novo serine biosynthesis. Our results provide insight into the mechanisms that contribute to serine uptake and intracellular handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Papalazarou
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | - Alice C Newman
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alejandro Huerta-Uribe
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nathalie M Legrave
- Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Metabolomics Platform, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Department of Cancer Research, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Mattia Falcone
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Division of Oncogenomics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tong Zhang
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Lynn McGarry
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Emma Shanks
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karen Blyth
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Oliver D K Maddocks
- School of Cancer Sciences, Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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34
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Oliveres H, Cascante M, Maurel J. Metabolic interventions to enhance immunotherapy and targeted therapy efficacy in advanced colorectal cancer. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 77:102401. [PMID: 37806262 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.102401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Current standard-of-care for metastatic colorectal cancer patients includes chemotherapy and anti-angiogenic or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor for microsatellite stable tumors and pembrolizumab for microsatellite instable tumors. However, despite the available therapies, the prognosis remains poor. In recent years, new drugs combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors have been tested in microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients, but the benefit was modest. Here, we review the metabolic interactions between the immune microenvironment and cancer cells. More specifically, we highlight potential correlatives of tumor immune and metabolic features with transcriptomic classifications such as the Consensus Molecular Subtype. Finally, we discuss the unmet need of immune-metabolic signatures and the value of a new signature (IMMETCOLS) for guiding new strategies in metastatic colorectal cancer. We conclude that the field is ready to propose customized strategies for modifying metabolism and improving immunotherapy and targeted therapy efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Oliveres
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Cascante
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Joan Maurel
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumors Group, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
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35
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Ren LL, Mao T, Meng P, Zhang L, Wei HY, Tian ZB. Glutamine addiction and therapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:1852-1863. [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i11.1852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal diseases worldwide owing to its late diagnosis, early metastasis, and poor prognosis. Because current therapeutic options are limited, there is an urgent need to investigate novel targeted treatment strategies. Pancreatic cancer faces significant metabolic challenges, principally hypoxia and nutrient deprivation, due to specific microenvironmental constraints, including an extensive desmoplastic stromal reaction. Pancreatic cancer cells have been shown to rewire their metabolism and energy production networks to support rapid survival and proliferation. Increased glucose uptake and glycolytic pathway activity during this process have been extensively described. However, growing evidence suggests that pancreatic cancer cells are glutamine addicted. As a nitrogen source, glutamine directly (or indirectly via glutamate conversion) contributes to many anabolic processes in pancreatic cancer, including amino acids, nucleobases, and hexosamine biosynthesis. It also plays an important role in redox homeostasis, and when converted to α-ketoglutarate, glutamine serves as an energy and anaplerotic carbon source, replenishing the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of glutamine metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer, focusing on potential therapeutic approaches targeting glutamine metabolism in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Lin Ren
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Tao Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Pin Meng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Hong-Yun Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zi-Bin Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, Shandong Province, China
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36
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Hu SS, Han Y, Tan TY, Chen H, Gao JW, Wang L, Yang MH, Zhao L, Wang YQ, Ding YQ, Wang S. SLC25A21 downregulation promotes KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer progression by increasing glutamine anaplerosis. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e167874. [PMID: 37937641 PMCID: PMC10721270 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.167874] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence shows that KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) depends on glutamine (Gln) for survival and progression, indicating that targeting Gln metabolism may be a promising therapeutic strategy for KRAS-mutant CRC. However, the precise mechanism by which Gln metabolism reprogramming promotes and coordinates KRAS-mutant CRC progression remains to be fully investigated. Here, we discovered that solute carrier 25 member 21 (SLC25A21) expression was downregulated in KRAS-mutant CRC, and that SLC25A21 downregulation was correlated with poor survival of KRAS-mutant CRC patients. SLC25A21 depletion selectively accelerated the growth, invasion, migration, and metastasis of KRAS-mutant CRC cells in vitro and in vivo, and inhibited Gln-derived α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) efflux from mitochondria, thereby potentiating Gln replenishment, accompanied by increased GTP availability for persistent KRAS activation in KRAS-mutant CRC. The restoration of SLC25A21 expression impaired the KRAS-mutation-mediated resistance to cetuximab in KRAS-mutant CRC. Moreover, the arrested α-KG efflux that occurred in response to SLC25A21 depletion inhibited the activity of α-KG-dependent DNA demethylases, resulting in a further decrease in SLC25A21 expression. Our studies demonstrate that SLC25A21 plays a significant role as a tumor suppressor in KRAS-mutant CRC by antagonizing Gln-dependent anaplerosis to limit GTP availability for KRAS activation, which suggests potential alternative therapeutic strategies for KRAS-mutant CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Sha Hu
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Han
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Yuan Tan
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
| | - Jia-Wen Gao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min-Hui Yang
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Qing Wang
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Qing Ding
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, and
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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37
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Spaan CN, de Boer RJ, Smit WL, van der Meer JH, van Roest M, Vermeulen JL, Koelink PJ, Becker MA, Go S, Silva J, Faller WJ, van den Brink GR, Muncan V, Heijmans J. Grp78 is required for intestinal Kras-dependent glycolysis proliferation and adenomagenesis. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301912. [PMID: 37643866 PMCID: PMC10465924 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In development of colorectal cancer, mutations in APC are often followed by mutations in oncogene KRAS The latter changes cellular metabolism and is associated with the Warburg phenomenon. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78) is an important regulator of the protein-folding machinery, involved in processing and localization of transmembrane proteins. We hypothesize that targeting Grp78 in Apc and Kras (AK)-mutant intestines interferes with the metabolic phenotype imposed by Kras mutations. In mice with intestinal epithelial mutations in Apc, Kras G12D and heterozygosity for Grp78 (AK-Grp78 HET ) adenoma number and size is decreased compared with AK-Grp78 WT mice. Organoids from AK-Grp78 WT mice exhibited a glycolysis metabolism which was completely rescued by Grp78 heterozygosity. Expression and correct localization of glucose transporter GLUT1 was diminished in AK-Grp78 HET cells. GLUT1 inhibition restrained the increased growth observed in AK-mutant organoids, whereas AK-Grp78 HET organoids were unaffected. We identify Grp78 as a critical factor in Kras-mutated adenomagenesis. This can be attributed to a critical role for Grp78 in GLUT1 expression and localization, targeting glycolysis and the Warburg effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia N Spaan
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ruben J de Boer
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wouter L Smit
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Hm van der Meer
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Manon van Roest
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Lm Vermeulen
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Pim J Koelink
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marte Aj Becker
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Simei Go
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joana Silva
- Department of Oncogenomics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - William J Faller
- Department of Oncogenomics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gijs R van den Brink
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vanesa Muncan
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jarom Heijmans
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- https://ror.org/05grdyy37 Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Alam S, Doherty E, Ortega-Prieto P, Arizanova J, Fets L. Membrane transporters in cell physiology, cancer metabolism and drug response. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050404. [PMID: 38037877 PMCID: PMC10695176 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050404] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
By controlling the passage of small molecules across lipid bilayers, membrane transporters influence not only the uptake and efflux of nutrients, but also the metabolic state of the cell. With more than 450 members, the Solute Carriers (SLCs) are the largest transporter super-family, clustering into families with different substrate specificities and regulatory properties. Cells of different types are, therefore, able to tailor their transporter expression signatures depending on their metabolic requirements, and the physiological importance of these proteins is illustrated by their mis-regulation in a number of disease states. In cancer, transporter expression is heterogeneous, and the SLC family has been shown to facilitate the accumulation of biomass, influence redox homeostasis, and also mediate metabolic crosstalk with other cell types within the tumour microenvironment. This Review explores the roles of membrane transporters in physiological and malignant settings, and how these roles can affect drug response, through either indirect modulation of sensitivity or the direct transport of small-molecule therapeutic compounds into cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Alam
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Emily Doherty
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Paula Ortega-Prieto
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Julia Arizanova
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Louise Fets
- Drug Transport and Tumour Metabolism Lab, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
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Tombari C, Zannini A, Bertolio R, Pedretti S, Audano M, Triboli L, Cancila V, Vacca D, Caputo M, Donzelli S, Segatto I, Vodret S, Piazza S, Rustighi A, Mantovani F, Belletti B, Baldassarre G, Blandino G, Tripodo C, Bicciato S, Mitro N, Del Sal G. Mutant p53 sustains serine-glycine synthesis and essential amino acids intake promoting breast cancer growth. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6777. [PMID: 37880212 PMCID: PMC10600207 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42458-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of amino acid metabolism, sustained by oncogenic signaling, is crucial for cancer cell survival under nutrient limitation. Here we discovered that missense mutant p53 oncoproteins stimulate de novo serine/glycine synthesis and essential amino acids intake, promoting breast cancer growth. Mechanistically, mutant p53, unlike the wild-type counterpart, induces the expression of serine-synthesis-pathway enzymes and L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1)/CD98 heavy chain heterodimer. This effect is exacerbated by amino acid shortage, representing a mutant p53-dependent metabolic adaptive response. When cells suffer amino acids scarcity, mutant p53 protein is stabilized and induces metabolic alterations and an amino acid transcriptional program that sustain cancer cell proliferation. In patient-derived tumor organoids, pharmacological targeting of either serine-synthesis-pathway and LAT1-mediated transport synergizes with amino acid shortage in blunting mutant p53-dependent growth. These findings reveal vulnerabilities potentially exploitable for tackling breast tumors bearing missense TP53 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Tombari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Rebecca Bertolio
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvia Pedretti
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Audano
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Triboli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Valeria Cancila
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Vacca
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Manuel Caputo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sara Donzelli
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilenia Segatto
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Simone Vodret
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rustighi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fiamma Mantovani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Barbara Belletti
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Gustavo Baldassarre
- Unit of Molecular Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, 33081, Aviano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Science, Human Pathology Section, School of Medicine, University of Palermo, 90133, Palermo, Italy
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Center for Genome Research, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Nico Mitro
- DiSFeB, Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park-Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
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Choudhury M, Schaefbauer KJ, Kottom TJ, Yi ES, Tschumperlin DJ, Limper AH. Targeting Pulmonary Fibrosis by SLC1A5-Dependent Glutamine Transport Blockade. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:441-455. [PMID: 37459644 PMCID: PMC10557918 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2022-0339oc] [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: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The neutral amino acid glutamine plays a central role in TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β)-induced myofibroblast activation and differentiation. Cells take up glutamine mainly through a transporter expressed on the cell surface known as solute carrier SLC1A5 (solute carrier transporter 1A5). In the present work, we demonstrated that profibrotic actions of TGF-β are mediated, at least in part, through a metabolic maladaptation of SLC1A5 and that targeting SLC1A5 abrogates multiple facets of fibroblast activation. This approach could thus represent a novel therapeutic strategy to treat patients with fibroproliferative diseases. We found that SLC1A5 was highly expressed in fibrotic lung fibroblasts and fibroblasts isolated from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lungs. The expression of profibrotic targets, cell migration, and anchorage-independent growth by TGF-β required the activity of SLC1A5. Loss or inhibition of SLC1A5 function enhanced fibroblast susceptibility to autophagy; suppressed mTOR, HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor), and Myc signaling; and impaired mitochondrial function, ATP production, and glycolysis. Pharmacological inhibition of SLC1A5 by the small-molecule inhibitor V-9302 shifted fibroblast transcriptional profiles from profibrotic to fibrosis resolving and attenuated fibrosis in a bleomycin-treated mouse model of lung fibrosis. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to demonstrate the utility of a pharmacological inhibitor of glutamine transport in fibrosis, providing a framework for new paradigm-shifting therapies targeting cellular metabolism for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malay Choudhury
- Thoracic Disease Research Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Kyle J. Schaefbauer
- Thoracic Disease Research Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Theodore J. Kottom
- Thoracic Disease Research Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Eunhee S. Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Daniel J. Tschumperlin
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine and Science, and
| | - Andrew H. Limper
- Thoracic Disease Research Unit, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and
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Lobel GP, Jiang Y, Simon MC. Tumor microenvironmental nutrients, cellular responses, and cancer. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:1015-1032. [PMID: 37703882 PMCID: PMC10528750 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the rapidly expanding field of tumor metabolism has enhanced our knowledge of the impact of nutrient availability on metabolic reprogramming in cancer. Apart from established roles in cancer cells themselves, various nutrients, metabolic enzymes, and stress responses are key to the activities of tumor microenvironmental immune, fibroblastic, endothelial, and other cell types that support malignant transformation. In this article, we review our current understanding of how nutrient availability affects metabolic pathways and responses in both cancer and "stromal" cells, by dissecting major examples and their regulation of cellular activity. Understanding the relationship of nutrient availability to cellular behaviors in the tumor ecosystem will broaden the horizon of exploiting novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham P Lobel
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yanqing Jiang
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - M Celeste Simon
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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42
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Zhu M, Lai W, Yao L, Xu E, Chen X, Zhang YY, Li XG. Glutamine Regulates Gene Expression Profiles to Increase the Proliferation of Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cells and the Expansion of Intestinal Stem Cells. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2917. [PMID: 37760316 PMCID: PMC10525449 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182917] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium is known for its rapid self-renewal, and glutamine is crucial in providing carbon and nitrogen for biosynthesis. However, understanding how glutamine affects gene expression in the intestinal epithelium is limited, and identifying the essential genes and signals involved in regulating intestinal epithelial cell growth is particularly challenging. In this study, glutamine supplementation exhibited a robust acceleration of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and stem cell expansion. RNA sequencing indicated diverse transcriptome changes between the control and glutamine supplementation groups, identifying 925 up-regulated and 1152 down-regulated genes. The up-regulated DEGs were enriched in the KEGG pathway of cell cycle and GO terms of DNA replication initiation, regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, DNA replication, minichromosome maintenance protein (MCM) complex, and ATP binding, whereas the down-regulated DEGs were enriched in the KEGG pathway of p53 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and JAK-STAT signaling pathway and GO terms of inflammatory response and intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, GSEA analysis revealed a significant up-regulation of the cell cycle, DNA replication initiation, ATP-dependent RNA helicase activity, and down-regulation of the TNF signaling pathway. The protein-protein association network of the intersecting genes highlighted the significance of DNA replication licensing factors (MCM3, MCM6, and MCM10) in promoting intestinal epithelial growth in response to glutamine. Based on these findings, we propose that glutamine may upregulate DNA replication licensing factors, leading to increased PI3K/Akt signaling and the suppression of TNF, JAK-STAT, and p53 pathways. Consequently, this mechanism results in the proliferation of porcine intestinal epithelial cells and the expansion of intestinal stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhu
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (M.Z.); (E.X.); (X.C.)
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Weiming Lai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; (W.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - Lewen Yao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; (W.L.); (L.Y.)
| | - E Xu
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (M.Z.); (E.X.); (X.C.)
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (M.Z.); (E.X.); (X.C.)
| | - Yi-yu Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (M.Z.); (E.X.); (X.C.)
| | - Xiang-Guang Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; (W.L.); (L.Y.)
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Vande Voorde J, Steven RT, Najumudeen AK, Ford CA, Dexter A, Gonzalez-Fernandez A, Nikula CJ, Xiang Y, Ford L, Maneta Stavrakaki S, Gilroy K, Zeiger LB, Pennel K, Hatthakarnkul P, Elia EA, Nasif A, Murta T, Manoli E, Mason S, Gillespie M, Lannagan TRM, Vlahov N, Ridgway RA, Nixon C, Raven A, Mills M, Athineos D, Kanellos G, Nourse C, Gay DM, Hughes M, Burton A, Yan B, Sellers K, Wu V, De Ridder K, Shokry E, Huerta Uribe A, Clark W, Clark G, Kirschner K, Thienpont B, Li VSW, Maddocks ODK, Barry ST, Goodwin RJA, Kinross J, Edwards J, Yuneva MO, Sumpton D, Takats Z, Campbell AD, Bunch J, Sansom OJ. Metabolic profiling stratifies colorectal cancer and reveals adenosylhomocysteinase as a therapeutic target. Nat Metab 2023; 5:1303-1318. [PMID: 37580540 PMCID: PMC10447251 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00857-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
The genomic landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) is shaped by inactivating mutations in tumour suppressors such as APC, and oncogenic mutations such as mutant KRAS. Here we used genetically engineered mouse models, and multimodal mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to study the impact of common genetic drivers of CRC on the metabolic landscape of the intestine. We show that untargeted metabolic profiling can be applied to stratify intestinal tissues according to underlying genetic alterations, and use mass spectrometry imaging to identify tumour, stromal and normal adjacent tissues. By identifying ions that drive variation between normal and transformed tissues, we found dysregulation of the methionine cycle to be a hallmark of APC-deficient CRC. Loss of Apc in the mouse intestine was found to be sufficient to drive expression of one of its enzymes, adenosylhomocysteinase (AHCY), which was also found to be transcriptionally upregulated in human CRC. Targeting of AHCY function impaired growth of APC-deficient organoids in vitro, and prevented the characteristic hyperproliferative/crypt progenitor phenotype driven by acute deletion of Apc in vivo, even in the context of mutant Kras. Finally, pharmacological inhibition of AHCY reduced intestinal tumour burden in ApcMin/+ mice indicating its potential as a metabolic drug target in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yuchen Xiang
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lauren Ford
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stefania Maneta Stavrakaki
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Lucas B Zeiger
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kathryn Pennel
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Eftychios Manoli
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sam Mason
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Gillespie
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | - Colin Nixon
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Megan Mills
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Craig Nourse
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - David M Gay
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Københavns Universitet, BRIC, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mark Hughes
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Amy Burton
- National Physical Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Bin Yan
- National Physical Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Katherine Sellers
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Rheos Medicines, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vincen Wu
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kobe De Ridder
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Engy Shokry
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Graeme Clark
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Bernard Thienpont
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | - Simon T Barry
- Bioscience, Early Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard J A Goodwin
- Imaging and Data Analytics, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - James Kinross
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Joanne Edwards
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Zoltan Takats
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Biological Mass Spectrometry, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, UK
| | | | - Josephine Bunch
- National Physical Laboratory, London, UK
- Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Biological Mass Spectrometry, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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44
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Lee MY, Tam WL. Multimodal metabolomics pinpoint new metabolic vulnerability in colorectal cancer. Nat Metab 2023; 5:1255-1257. [PMID: 37580541 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00852-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- May Yin Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
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45
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Tardito S, MacKay C. Rethinking our approach to cancer metabolism to deliver patient benefit. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:406-415. [PMID: 37340094 PMCID: PMC10403540 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02324-9] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered cellular metabolism is a major mechanism by which tumours support nutrient consumption associated with increased cellular proliferation. Selective dependency on specific metabolic pathways provides a therapeutic vulnerability that can be targeted in cancer therapy. Anti-metabolites have been used clinically since the 1940s and several agents targeting nucleotide metabolism are now well established as standard of care treatment in a range of indications. However, despite great progress in our understanding of the metabolic requirements of cancer and non-cancer cells within the tumour microenvironment, there has been limited clinical success for novel agents targeting pathways outside of nucleotide metabolism. We believe that there is significant therapeutic potential in targeting metabolic processes within cancer that is yet to be fully realised. However, current approaches to identify novel targets, test novel therapies and select patient populations most likely to benefit are sub-optimal. We highlight recent advances in technologies and understanding that will support the identification and validation of novel targets, re-evaluation of existing targets and design of optimal clinical positioning strategies to deliver patient benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saverio Tardito
- The Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Craig MacKay
- Cancer Research Horizons, The Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK.
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Ai C, Sun X, Xiao S, Guo L, Shang M, Shi D, Meng D, Zhao Y, Wang X, Li J. CAFs targeted ultrasound-responsive nanodroplets loaded V9302 and GLULsiRNA to inhibit melanoma growth via glutamine metabolic reprogramming and tumor microenvironment remodeling. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:214. [PMID: 37420266 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01979-z] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite rapid advances in metabolic therapies over the past decade, their efficacy in melanoma has been modest, largely due to the interaction between cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and cancer cells to promote cancer growth. Altering the tumor microenvironment (TME) is challenging and elusive. CAFs is critical for glutamine deprivation survival in melanoma. In this research, we assembled a CAFs-targeted, controlled-release nanodroplets for the combined delivery of the amino acid transporter ASCT2 (SLC1A5) inhibitor V9302 and GLULsiRNA (siGLUL). The application of ultrasound-targeted microbubble disruption (UTMD) allows for rapid release of V9302 and siGLUL, jointly breaking the glutamine metabolism interaction between CAFs and cancer cells on one hand, on the other hand, blocking activated CAFs and reducing the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) to facilitate drug penetration. In addition, ultrasound stimulation made siGLUL more accessible to tumor cells and CAFs, downregulating GLUL expression in both cell types. FH-V9302-siGLUL-NDs also serve as contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging agents for tumor imaging. Our study developed and reported FH-NDs as nanocarriers for V9302 and siGLUL, demonstrating that FH-V9302-siGLUL-NDs have potential bright future applications for integrated diagnostic therapy. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Ai
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Lu Guo
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Mengmeng Shang
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Dandan Shi
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Dong Meng
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Yading Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Ultrasound, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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Yuan Y, Sun X, Liu M, Li S, Dong Y, Hu K, Zhang J, Xu B, Ma S, Jiang H, Hou P, Lin Y, Gan L, Liu T. Negative correlation between acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 and cetuximab resistance in colorectal cancer. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2023; 55:1467-1478. [PMID: 37310146 PMCID: PMC10520478 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023111] [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: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of anti-EGFR therapy has revolutionized the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, not all patients respond consistently well. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct further research to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of cetuximab resistance in CRC. In this study, we find that the expressions of many metabolism-related genes are downregulated in cetuximab-resistant CRC cells compared to their sensitive counterparts. Specifically, acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), a key enzyme in fatty acid metabolism, is downregulated during the development of cetuximab resistance. Silencing of ACAA2 promotes proliferation and increases cetuximab tolerance in CRC cells, while overexpression of ACAA2 exerts the opposite effect. RTK-Kras signaling might contribute to the downregulation of ACAA2 expression in CRC, and ACAA2 predicts CRC prognosis in patients with Kras mutations. Collectively, our data suggest that modulating ACAA2 expression contributes to secondary cetuximab resistance in Kras wild-type CRC patients. ACAA2 expression is related to Kras mutation and demonstrates a prognostic role in CRC patients with Kras mutation. Thus, ACAA2 is a potential target in CRC with Kras mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitao Yuan
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Mengling Liu
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Suyao Li
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Yu Dong
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Keshu Hu
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Bei Xu
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
| | - Sining Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyZhongshan HospitalShanghai200032China
| | - Hesheng Jiang
- Department of SurgerySouthwest HealthcareSouthern California Medical Education ConsortiumTemecula Valley HospitalTemeculaUSA
| | - Pengcong Hou
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
- Shanghai Institute of Precision MedicineShanghai Ninth People’s HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200032China
| | - Yufu Lin
- Department of OncologyZhongshan Hospital (Xiamen)Fudan UniversityXiamen361004China
| | - Lu Gan
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
- Fudan Zhangjiang InstituteShanghai200032China
| | - Tianshu Liu
- Department of Medical OncologyZhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
- Center of Evidence Based MedicineFudan UniversityShanghai200032China
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Yang L, Chu Z, Liu M, Zou Q, Li J, Liu Q, Wang Y, Wang T, Xiang J, Wang B. Amino acid metabolism in immune cells: essential regulators of the effector functions, and promising opportunities to enhance cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:59. [PMID: 37277776 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01453-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amino acids are basic nutrients for immune cells during organ development, tissue homeostasis, and the immune response. Regarding metabolic reprogramming in the tumor microenvironment, dysregulation of amino acid consumption in immune cells is an important underlying mechanism leading to impaired anti-tumor immunity. Emerging studies have revealed that altered amino acid metabolism is tightly linked to tumor outgrowth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance through governing the fate of various immune cells. During these processes, the concentration of free amino acids, their membrane bound transporters, key metabolic enzymes, and sensors such as mTOR and GCN2 play critical roles in controlling immune cell differentiation and function. As such, anti-cancer immune responses could be enhanced by supplement of specific essential amino acids, or targeting the metabolic enzymes or their sensors, thereby developing novel adjuvant immune therapeutic modalities. To further dissect metabolic regulation of anti-tumor immunity, this review summarizes the regulatory mechanisms governing reprogramming of amino acid metabolism and their effects on the phenotypes and functions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells to propose novel approaches that could be exploited to rewire amino acid metabolism and enhance cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luming Yang
- Chongqing University Medical School, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaole Chu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Liu
- Chongqing University Medical School, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Zou
- Chongqing University Medical School, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China
| | - Yazhou Wang
- Chongqing University Medical School, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China.
| | - Junyu Xiang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China.
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Digestive Malignancies, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), 10# Changjiang Branch Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Pathology and Southwest Cancer Center, Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunopathology of Ministry of Education of China, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, People's Republic of China.
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Yan H, Talty R, Jain A, Cai Y, Zheng J, Shen X, Muca E, Paty PB, Bosenberg MW, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Discovery of decreased ferroptosis in male colorectal cancer patients with KRAS mutations. Redox Biol 2023; 62:102699. [PMID: 37086630 PMCID: PMC10172914 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant tumor metabolism is a hallmark of cancer in which metabolic rewiring can support tumor growth under nutrient deficient conditions. KRAS mutations occur in 35-45% of all colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and are difficult to treat. The relationship between mutant KRAS and aberrant metabolism in CRCs has not been fully explored and could be a target for intervention. We previously acquired non-targeted metabolomics data from 161 tumor tissues and 39 normal colon tissues from stage I-III chemotherapy naïve CRC patients. In this study, we revealed that only in male patients, tumors with KRAS mutations had several altered pathways that suppress ferroptosis, including glutathione biosynthesis, transsulfuration activity, and methionine metabolism. To validate this phenotype, MC38 CRC cells (KRASG13R) were treated with a ferroptosis inducer; RAS-selected lethal (RSL3). RSL3 altered metabolic pathways in the opposite direction to that seen in KRAS mutant tumors from male patients confirming a suppressed ferroptosis metabolic phenotype in these patients. We further validated gene expression data from an additional CRC patient cohort (Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)), and similarly observed differences in ferroptosis-related genes by sex and KRAS status. Further examination of the relationship between these genes and overall survival (OS) in the GEO cohort showed that KRAS mutant tumors are associated with poorer 5-year OS compared to KRAS wild type tumors, and only in male patients. Additionally, high compared to low expression of GPX4, FTH1, FTL, which suppress ferroptosis, were associated with poorer 5-year OS only in KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients. Additionally, low compared to high expression of ACSL4 was associated with poorer OS for this group. Our results show that KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients have suppressed ferroptosis, and gene expression changes that suppress ferroptosis associate with adverse outcomes for these patients, revealing a novel potential avenue for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Ronan Talty
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Yuping Cai
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Xinyi Shen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Engjel Muca
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Philip B Paty
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Marcus W Bosenberg
- Departments of Pathology, Dermatology, and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Sajid A Khan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Caroline H Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA.
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50
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Liang ZQ, Bian Y, Gu JF, Yin G, Sun RL, Liang Y, Wan LL, Yin QH, Wang X, Gao J, Zhao F, Tang DC. Exploring the anti-metastatic effects of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge-Curcuma aromatica Salisb. on colorectal cancer: A network-based metabolomics and pharmacology approach. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 114:154772. [PMID: 37015187 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy that can significantly diminish patients' quality of life. Astragalus mongholicus Bunge-Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (AC) is an ancient Chinese medicinal combination used for the treatment of CRC. However, the core ingredients and targets involved in regulating lipid and amino acid metabolism in CRC remain unknown. We aimed to explore the key components and pharmacological mechanisms of AC in the treatment of CRC through a comprehensive analysis of network metabolomics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and biological methods. METHODS Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (MS) was used for quality control. Gas chromatography/MS and liquid chromatography/MS were used to detect metabolites in the feces and serum of CRC mice. A network pharmacology approach and molecular docking were used to explore the potential genes involved in the CRC-target-component network. The effect of AC on tumor immunity was investigated using flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS AC, high-dose AC, and 5-fluorouracil treatment reduced liver metastasis and tumor mass. Compared with the CRC group, 2 amino acid metabolites and 14 lipid metabolites (LPC, PC, PE) were upregulated and 15 amino acid metabolites and 9 lipid metabolites (TG, PE, PG, 12-HETE) were downregulated. Subsequently, through network analysis, four components and six hub genes were identified for molecular docking. AC can bind to ALDH1B1, ALDH2, CAT, GOT2, NOS3, and ASS1 through beta-Elemene, canavanine, betaine, and chrysanthemaxanthin. AC promoted the responses of M1 macrophages and down-regulated the responses of M2 macrophages, Treg cells, and the gene expression of related factors. CONCLUSION Our research showed that AC effectively inhibited the growth and metastasis of tumors and regulated metabolism and immunity in a CRC mouse model. Thus, AC may be an effective alternative treatment option for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Qing Liang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong Bian
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; Laboratory Animal Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Fei Gu
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gang Yin
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruo Lan Sun
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Liang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lin Lu Wan
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Hang Yin
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin Gao
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China; School of Acupuncture and Tuina, School of Health and Rehabilitation, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fan Zhao
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - De Cai Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China.
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