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Li F, Wan X, Li Z, Zhou L. High glucose inhibits autophagy and promotes the proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7382. [PMID: 38872380 PMCID: PMC11176572 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7382] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, characterized by its complex etiology and slow research progress. Diabetes, as an independent risk factor for CRC, has been widely certified. Consequently, this study centers on elucidating the intricacies of CRC cells initiation and progression within a high-glucose environment. METHODS A battery of assays was employed to assess the proliferation and metastasis of CRC cells cultured under varying glucose concentrations. Optimal glucose levels conducive to cells' proliferation and migration were identified. Western blot analyses were conducted to evaluate alterations in apoptosis, autophagy, and EMT-related proteins in CRC cells under high-glucose conditions. The expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway-associated proteins was assessed using western blot. The effect of high glucose on xenograft growth was investigated in vivo by MC38 cells, and changes in inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-13, TNF-α, IL-5, and IL-12) were measured via serum ELISA. RESULTS Our experiments demonstrated that elevated glucose concentrations promoted both the proliferation and migration of CRC cells; the most favorable glucose dose is 20 mM. Western blot analyses revealed a decrease in apoptotic proteins, such as Bim, Bax, and caspase-3 with increasing glucose levels. Concurrently, the expression of EMT-related proteins, including N-cadherin, vimentin, ZEB1, and MMP9, increased. High-glucose cultured cells exhibited elevated levels of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway proteins. In the xenograft model, tumor cells stimulated by high glucose exhibited accelerated growth, larger tumor volumes, and heightened KI67 expression of immunohistochemistry. ELISA experiments revealed higher expression of IL-4 and IL-13 and lower expression of TNF-α and IL-5 in the serum of high-glucose-stimulated mice. CONCLUSION The most favorable dose and time for tumor cells proliferation and migration is 20 mM, 48 h. High glucose fosters CRC cell proliferation and migration while suppressing autophagy through the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xing Wan
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhigui Li
- Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liming Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, West China School of Basic Science and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Mai Y, Liao C, Wang S, Zhou X, Meng L, Chen C, Qin Y, Deng G. High glucose-induced NCAPD2 upregulation promotes malignant phenotypes and regulates EMT via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in HCC. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:1685-1711. [PMID: 38726276 PMCID: PMC11076239 DOI: 10.62347/hynz9211] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognized as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). High glucose levels have been implicated in inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), contributing to the progression of various cancers. However, the molecular crosstalk remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking DM to HCC. Initially, the expression of NCAPD2 in HCC cells and patients was measured. A series of functional in vitro assays to examine the effects of NCAPD2 on the malignant behaviors and EMT of HCC under high glucose conditions were then conducted. Furthermore, the impacts of NCAPD2 knockdown on HCC proliferation and the β-catenin pathway were investigated in vivo. In addition, bioinformatics methods were performed to analyze the mechanisms and pathways involving NCAPD2, as well as its association with immune infiltration and drug sensitivity. The findings indicated that NCAPD2 was overexpressed in HCC, particularly in patients with DM, and its aberrant upregulation was linked to poor prognosis. In vitro experiments demonstrated that high glucose upregulated NCAPD2 expression, enhancing proliferation, invasion, and EMT, while knockdown of NCAPD2 reversed these effects. In vivo studies suggested that NCAPD2 knockdown might suppress HCC growth via the β-catenin pathway. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that NCAPD2 was involved in cell cycle regulation and primarily interacted with NCAPG, SMC4, and NCAPH. Additionally, NCAPD2 was positively correlated with EMT and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, whereas knockdown of NCAPD2 inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, NCAPD2 expression was significantly associated with immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, and drugs sensitivity. In conclusion, our study identified NCAPD2 as a novel oncogene in HCC and as a potential therapeutic target for HCC patients with DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Mai
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Chuanjie Liao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of EducationNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Shengyu Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Liheng Meng
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Cuihong Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Yingfen Qin
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Ganlu Deng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of EducationNanning 530021, Guangxi, China
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Mai Y, Meng L, Deng G, Qin Y. The Role of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-Related Risk Factors and Drugs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:159-171. [PMID: 38268569 PMCID: PMC10806369 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s441672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
With changes in modern lifestyles, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a global epidemic metabolic disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. T2DM is a complex metabolic disorder and has been considered an independent risk factor for HCC. Growing evidence supports that T2DM-related risk factors facilitate hepatocarcinogenesis via abundant mechanisms. With the wide implementation of microbiomics, transcriptomics, and immunotherapy, the understanding of the complex mechanisms of intestinal flora and immune cell subsets have advanced tremendously in T2DM-related HCC, uncovering new findings in T2DM-related HCC patients. In addition, reports have indicated the different effects of anti-DM drugs on the progression of HCC. In this review, we summarize the effects of major T2DM-related risk factors (including hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin, chronic inflammation, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, gut microbiota and immunomodulation), and anti-DM drugs on the carcinogensis and progression of HCC, as well as their potential molecular mechanisms. In addition, other factors (miRNAs, genes, and lifestyle) related to T2DM-related HCC are discussed. We propose a refined concept by which T2DM-related risk factors and anti-DM drugs contribute to HCC and discuss research directions prompted by such evidence worth pursuing in the coming years. Finally, we put forward novel therapeutic approaches to improve the prognosis of T2DM-related HCC, including exploiting novel diagnostic biomarkers, combination therapy with immunocheckpoint inhibitors, and enhancement of the standardized management of T2DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Mai
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangXi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liheng Meng
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangXi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ganlu Deng
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer (Guangxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingfen Qin
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangXi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China
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Chen S, Tao Y, Wang Q, Ren J, Jing Y, Huang J, Zhang L, Li R. Glucose induced-AKT/mTOR activation accelerates glycolysis and promotes cell survival in acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2023; 128:107059. [PMID: 36989577 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2023.107059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies have demonstrated that excessive glucose utilization is a common feature of cancer cells to support malignant phenotype. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is recognized as a heterogeneous disorder of hematopoietic stem cells characterized by altered glucose metabolism. However, the role of glucose metabolic dysfunction in AML development remains obscure. In this study, glucose and 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) treatment were applied to analyze the relationship between glucose metabolism and cell survival. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry (FCM) assays were used to examine the cell viability and apoptosis rate. Glucose consumption and lactate production were measured to assess the glucose metabolism pathway. The results demonstrated that abnormally increased glucose effectively promoted proliferation of leukemic cells and inhibited cell apoptosis, while 2-DG ameliorated leukemic phenotypes. Importantly, glucose exposure induced active glycolysis by increasing glucose consumption and lactate production. Furthermore, the levels of key glycolysis-related genes glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) were upregulated. Mechanistic investigations revealed that AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was activated in glucose condition. In conclusion, our findings indicate that glucose induced-AKT/mTOR activation plays a growth-promoting role in AML, highlighting that inhibition of glycolysis would be a vital adjuvant therapy strategy for AML.
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Chomphoo S, Kunprom W, Thithuan K, Sorin S, Khawkhiaw K, Kamkaew A, Phoomak C, Chiu CF, Saengboonmee C. Hyperglycemia Alters O-GlcNAcylation Patterns of Hepatocytes in Mice Treated With Hepatoxic Carcinogen. In Vivo 2023; 37:685-695. [PMID: 36881103 PMCID: PMC10026651 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an established risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with unclarified mechanisms. This study investigated the effects of hyperglycemia on O-GlcNacylation in hepatocytes and its associations with hepatocarcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mouse and human HCC cell lines were used in an in vitro model of hyperglycemia. Western blotting was used to determine the effects of high glucose on O-GlcNacylation in HCC cells. Twenty 4-week-old C3H/HeNJcl mice were randomized into four groups: non-DM control, non-DM plus diethylnitrosamine (DEN), DM, and DM plus DEN. DM was induced using intraperitoneal injection of a single high dose of streptozotocin. DEN was used to induce HCC. All mice were euthanized at week 16 after DM induction, and the liver tissues were histologically examined using hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS High glucose increased O-GlcNacylated proteins in mouse and human HCC cell lines compared with those cultured at normal glucose concentration. Mice with hyperglycemia or DEN treatment had increased O-GlcNacylated proteins in hepatocytes. No gross tumors were evident at the end of the experiment but hepatic morbidity was observed. Mice with hyperglycemia and DEN treatment showed greater histological morbidity in their livers, i.e. increased nuclear size, hepatocellular swelling and sinusoidal dilatation, compared with mice in the DM group or treated with DEN alone. CONCLUSION Hyperglycemia increased O-GlcNAcylation in both in vitro and animal models. Increased O-GlcNAcylated proteins may be associated with hepatic histological morbidities which then promote HCC development in carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surang Chomphoo
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Waritta Kunprom
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Kanyarat Thithuan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Supannika Sorin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Kullanat Khawkhiaw
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Anyanee Kamkaew
- School of Chemistry, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Chatchai Phoomak
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ching-Feng Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Metabolism and Obesity Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Charupong Saengboonmee
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;
- Center for Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
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Peng S, Wu Y, Zheng Y. High glucose causes developmental abnormalities in neuroepithelial cysts with actin and HK1 distribution changes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1021284. [PMID: 36684439 PMCID: PMC9852901 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1021284] [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: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that the offspring of diabetic pregnant women have an increased risk for neural tube defects. Previous studies in animal models suggested that high glucose induces cell apoptosis and epigenetic changes in the developing neural tube. However, effects on other cellular aspects such as the cell shape changes were not fully investigated. Actin dynamics plays essential roles in cell shape change. Disruption on actin dynamics is known to cause neural tube defects. In the present study, we used a 3D neuroepithelial cyst model and a rosette model, both cultured from human embryonic stem cells, to study the cellular effects caused by high glucose. By using these models, we observed couple of new changes besides increased apoptosis. First, we observed that high glucose disturbed the distribution of pH3 positive cells in the neuroepithelial cysts. Secondly, we found that high glucose exposure caused a relatively smaller actin inner boundary enclosed area, which was unlikely due to osmolarity changes. We further investigated key glucose metabolic enzymes in our models and the results showed that the distribution of hexokinase1 (HK1) was affected by high glucose. We observed that hexokinase1 has an apical-basal polarized distribution and is highest next to actin at the boundaries. hexokinase1 was more diffused and distributed less polarized under high glucose condition. Together, our observations broadened the cellular effects that may be caused by high glucose in the developing neural tube, especially in the secondary neurulation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Peng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufang Zheng
- Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Yufang Zheng,
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Pathmanathan S, Yao Z, Coelho P, Valla R, Drecun L, Benz C, Snider J, Saraon P, Grozavu I, Kotlyar M, Jurisica I, Park M, Stagljar I. B cell linker protein (BLNK) is a regulator of Met receptor signaling and trafficking in non-small cell lung cancer. iScience 2022; 25:105419. [DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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