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Gonçalo RIC, Sousa JT, Costa CSDO, Mafra RP, Santos JLDMD, da Silva LP, Queiroz LMG. Does YAP influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions? Oral Dis 2024; 30:4538-4546. [PMID: 38297810 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the immunohistochemical expression of YAP and its correlation with markers involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis in benign epithelial odontogenic lesions. STUDY DESIGN The sample consisted of 95 cases of odontogenic lesions (25 dentigerous cysts, 30 non-syndromic odontogenic keratocysts, 30 conventional ameloblastomas, and 10 unicystic ameloblastomas) and 10 dental follicles used as normal odontogenic tissue. The histological sections were submitted to immunohistochemistry with YAP, cyclin D1, Ki-67, and Bcl-2 antibodies. Immunoexpression was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using an adapted method. The collected data were analyzed descriptively and statistically (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS The highest YAP expression was observed in odontogenic keratocysts, followed by unicystic ameloblastomas and conventional ameloblastomas, which exhibited moderate immunoreactivity predominantly in peripheral cells. Furthermore, significant differences in YAP immunoexpression were observed between the groups analyzed, with significant positive correlations between YAP and cyclin D1 in dentigerous cysts and unicystic ameloblastomas and between YAP and Ki-67 in unicystic ameloblastomas (p < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant correlations between YAP and Bcl-2 immunoexpression in the groups studied. CONCLUSION YAP may influence epithelial cell proliferation in odontogenic cysts and tumors, suggesting its possible participation in the progression of the odontogenic lesions studied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rodrigo Porpino Mafra
- Department of Oral Pathology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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Cagnin S, Pontisso P, Martini A. SerpinB3: A Multifaceted Player in Health and Disease-Review and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2579. [PMID: 39061218 PMCID: PMC11274807 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142579] [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: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
SerpinB3, a member of the serine-protease inhibitor family, has emerged as a crucial player in various physiological and pathological processes. Initially identified as an oncogenic factor in squamous cell carcinomas, SerpinB3's intricate involvement extends from fibrosis progression and cancer to cell protection in acute oxidative stress conditions. This review explores the multifaceted roles of SerpinB3, focusing on its implications in fibrosis, metabolic syndrome, carcinogenesis and immune system impairment. Furthermore, its involvement in tissue protection from oxidative stress and wound healing underscores its potential as diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Recent studies have described the therapeutic potential of targeting SerpinB3 through its upstream regulators, offering novel strategies for cancer treatment development. Overall, this review underscores the importance of further research to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action of SerpinB3 and to exploit its therapeutic potential across various medical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35123 Padova, Italy; (S.C.); (A.M.)
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Villano G, Novo E, Turato C, Quarta S, Ruvoletto M, Biasiolo A, Protopapa F, Chinellato M, Martini A, Trevellin E, Granzotto M, Cannito S, Cendron L, De Siervi S, Guido M, Parola M, Vettor R, Pontisso P. The protease activated receptor 2 - CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta - SerpinB3 axis inhibition as a novel strategy for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Mol Metab 2024; 81:101889. [PMID: 38307387 PMCID: PMC10864841 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101889] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The serine protease inhibitor SerpinB3 has been described as critical mediator of liver fibrosis and it has been recently proposed as an additional hepatokine involved in NASH development and insulin resistance. Protease Activated Receptor 2 has been identified as a novel regulator of hepatic metabolism. A targeted therapeutic strategy for NASH has been investigated, using 1-Piperidine Propionic Acid (1-PPA), since this compound has been recently proposed as both Protease Activated Receptor 2 and SerpinB3 inhibitor. METHODS The effect of SerpinB3 on inflammation and fibrosis genes was assessed in human macrophage and stellate cell lines. Transgenic mice, either overexpressing SerpinB3 or carrying Serpinb3 deletion and their relative wild type strains, were used in experimental NASH models. Subgroups of SerpinB3 transgenic mice and their controls were also injected with 1-PPA to assess the efficacy of this compound in NASH inhibition. RESULTS 1-PPA did not present significant cell and organ toxicity and was able to inhibit SerpinB3 and PAR2 in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was associated to a parallel reduction of the synthesis of the molecules induced by endogenous SerpinB3 or by its paracrine effects both in vitro and in vivo, leading to inhibition of lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis in experimental NASH. At mechanistic level, the antiprotease activity of SerpinB3 was found essential for PAR2 activation, determining upregulation of the CCAAT Enhancer Binding Protein beta (C/EBP-β), another pivotal regulator of metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis, which in turn determined SerpinB3 synthesis. CONCLUSIONS 1-PPA treatment was able to inhibit the PAR2 - C/EBP-β - SerpinB3 axis and to protect from NASH development and progression, supporting the potential use of a similar approach for a targeted therapy of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Villano
- Dept. of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Erica Novo
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stefania Cannito
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Guido
- Dept. of Medicine, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Italy
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Martini A, Turato C, Cannito S, Quarta S, Biasiolo A, Ruvoletto M, Novo E, Marafatto F, Guerra P, Tonon M, Clemente N, Bocca C, Piano SS, Guido M, Gregori D, Parola M, Angeli P, Pontisso P. The polymorphic variant of SerpinB3 (SerpinB3-PD) is associated with faster cirrhosis decompensation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59:380-392. [PMID: 37990490 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SerpinB3 is a cysteine protease inhibitor involved in liver disease progression due to its proinflammatory and profibrogenic properties. The polymorphic variant SerpinB3-PD (SB3-PD), presents a substitution in its reactive centre loop, determining the gain of function. AIMS To disclose the clinical characteristics of a cohort of patients with cirrhosis in relation to the presence of SB3-PD and to assess the effect of this genetic variant on fibrogenic and inflammatory cytokines in vitro. METHODS We assessed SB3 polymorphism in 90 patients with cirrhosis, prospectively followed up in our referral centre. We used HepG2 and HuH-7 cells transfected to overexpress either wild-type SB3 (SB3-WT) or SB3-PD to assess their endogenous effect, while LX2 and THP-1 cells were treated with exogenous SB3-WT or SB3-PD proteins. RESULTS Patients carrying SB3-PD had more severe portal hypertension and higher MELD scores, than patients carrying SB3-WT. In multivariate analysis, SB3-PD was an independent predictor of cirrhosis complications. Patients with SB3-PD polymorphism presented with more severe liver fibrosis and inflammatory features. Hepatoma cells overexpressing SB3-PD showed higher TGF-β1 expression than controls. The addition of recombinant SB3-PD induced an up-regulation of TGF-β1 in LX2 cells and a more prominent inflammatory profile in THP-1 cells, compared to the effect of SB3-WT protein. CONCLUSIONS The polymorphic variant SB3-PD is highly effective in determining activation of TGF-β1 and inflammation in vitro. Patients with cirrhosis who carry SB3-PD polymorphism may be more prone to develop severe liver disease progression. However, further validation studies are warranted to support the in vivo relevance of this polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Martini
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristian Turato
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Cannito
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Santina Quarta
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandra Biasiolo
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Ruvoletto
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Erica Novo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Filippo Marafatto
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Pietro Guerra
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Marta Tonon
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Nausicaa Clemente
- Department of Health Science, Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases (IRCAD), University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Claudia Bocca
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Salvatore Silvio Piano
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Dario Gregori
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Angeli
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
- European Reference Network - ERN RARE-LIVER, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Università, Padova, Italy
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Martini A, Prasai K, Zemla TJ, Ahmed FY, Elnagar MB, Giama NH, Guzzardo V, Biasiolo A, Fassan M, Yin J, Pontisso P, Roberts LR. SerpinB3/4 Expression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:225. [PMID: 38201652 PMCID: PMC10778206 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010225] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), the second most common primary liver tumor, is associated with a dismal outcome, and useful prognostic markers are not currently available in clinical practice. SerpinB3, a serine protease inhibitor, was recently found to play a relevant role in malignant transformation in different cancers. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of SerpinB3/4 in tissue and serum samples of patients with CCA in relation to clinical outcomes. SerpinB3/4 was assessed in the tissue microarrays (TMAs) of 123 surgically resected CCAs. ELISA assays were carried out in 188 patients with CCA to detect the free and IgM-linked forms of SerpinB3/4. Overall survival was analyzed in relation to SerpinB3/4 expression, and Cox models were used to identify the variables associated with survival. High levels of SerpinB3/4 (TMA score 2+/3+) were detected in 15 tumors (12.2%), characterized by a more advanced TNM stage (III/IV: 64.3% vs. 31.3%; p = 0.031) and lower overall patient survival, independently of CCA subclass (intrahepatic CCA: median 1.1 (0.8-Not Estimable, NE) vs. 2.4 (1.8-3.4) years; p = 0.0007; extrahepatic CCA: median 0.8 (0.2-NE) vs. 2.2 (1.5-5.4) years; p = 0.011). Vascular invasion (p = 0.027) and SerpinB3/4 scores (p = 0.0016) were independently associated with mortality in multivariate analysis. Patients who had detectable free or IgM-linked SerpinB3/4 in their serum showed poorer survival (1 vs. 2.4 years, p = 0.015, for free SerpinB3/4, and 1 vs. 2.6 years, p = 0.0026, for SerpinB3/4-IgM). In conclusion, high levels of SerpinB3/4 in tissue and serum in CCA are associated with poor outcomes after surgery, regardless of tumor subclass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Martini
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Kritika Prasai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Tyler J. Zemla
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (T.J.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fowsiyo Y. Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Mamoun B. Elnagar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Nasra H. Giama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
| | - Vincenza Guzzardo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Alessandra Biasiolo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
- Veneto Institute of Oncology, (IOV-IRCCS), via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Jun Yin
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (T.J.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy; (A.M.); (V.G.); (A.B.); (M.F.)
- European Reference Network—ERN RARE-LIVER, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lewis R. Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; (K.P.); (F.Y.A.); (M.B.E.); (N.H.G.); (L.R.R.)
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Ohara Y, Tang W, Liu H, Yang S, Dorsey TH, Cawley H, Moreno P, Chari R, Guest MR, Azizian A, Gaedcke J, Ghadimi M, Hanna N, Ambs S, Hussain SP. SERPINB3-MYC axis induces the basal-like/squamous subtype and enhances disease progression in pancreatic cancer. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113434. [PMID: 37980563 PMCID: PMC10842852 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits distinct molecular subtypes: classical/progenitor and basal-like/squamous. Our study aimed to identify genes contributing to the development of the basal-like/squamous subtype, known for its aggressiveness. Transcriptome analyses revealed consistent upregulation of SERPINB3 in basal-like/squamous PDAC, correlating with reduced patient survival. SERPINB3 transgene expression in PDAC cells enhanced in vitro invasion and promoted lung metastasis in a mouse PDAC xenograft model. Metabolome analyses unveiled a metabolic signature linked to both SERPINB3 and the basal-like/squamous subtype, characterized by heightened carnitine/acylcarnitine and amino acid metabolism, associated with poor prognosis in patients with PDAC and elevated cellular invasiveness. Further analysis uncovered that SERPINB3 inhibited the cysteine protease calpain, a key enzyme in the MYC degradation pathway, and drove basal-like/squamous subtype and associated metabolic reprogramming through MYC activation. Our findings indicate that the SERPINB3-MYC axis induces the basal-like/squamous subtype, proposing SERPINB3 as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for this variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuki Ohara
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Wei Tang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
| | - Huaitian Liu
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shouhui Yang
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tiffany H Dorsey
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Helen Cawley
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Paloma Moreno
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Raj Chari
- Genome Modification Core, Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Mary R Guest
- Genome Modification Core, Laboratory Animal Sciences Program, Frederick National Lab for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Azadeh Azizian
- Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Moltkestraße 90, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jochen Gaedcke
- Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Moltkestraße 90, 76133 Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Michael Ghadimi
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nader Hanna
- Division of General & Oncologic Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Stefan Ambs
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - S Perwez Hussain
- Pancreatic Cancer Section, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Guerra P, Martini A, Pontisso P, Angeli P. Novel Molecular Targets for Immune Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3629. [PMID: 37509293 PMCID: PMC10377787 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and aggressive cancer with a high mortality rate. The incidence of HCC is increasing worldwide, and the lack of effective screening programs often results in delayed diagnosis, making it a challenging disease to manage. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for different kinds of cancers, with the potential to stimulate the immune system to target cancer cells. However, the current immunotherapeutic approaches for HCC have shown limited efficacy. Since HCC arises within a complex tumour microenvironment (TME) characterized by the presence of various immune and stromal cell types, the understanding of this interaction is crucial for the identification of effective therapy. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the TME of HCC and the immune cells involved in anti-tumour responses, including the identification of new possible targets for immunotherapy. We illustrate a possible classification of HCC based on the tumour immune infiltration and give evidence about the role of SerpinB3, a serine protease inhibitor involved in the regulation of the immune response in different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Guerra
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology (UIMH), Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Martini
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology (UIMH), Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology (UIMH), Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Angeli
- Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology (UIMH), Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
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Biasiolo A, Sandre M, Ferro S, Quarta S, Ruvoletto M, Villano G, Turato C, Guido M, Marin O, Pontisso P. Epitope-Specific Anti-SerpinB3 Antibodies for SerpinB3 Recognition and Biological Activity Inhibition. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050739. [PMID: 37238609 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050739] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SerpinB3 is a serine protease inhibitor that plays a relevant role in disease progression and cancer by increasing fibrosis, cell proliferation, and invasion, besides conferring resistance to apoptosis. The mechanisms underlying these biological activities are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to generate antibodies directed against different SerpinB3 epitopes to better investigate their biological role. Five exposed epitopes were identified using the software DNASTAR Lasergene and the corresponding synthetic peptides were used for NZW rabbit immunization. Anti-P#2 and anti-P#4 antibodies were able to recognize both SerpinB3 and SerpinB4 by ELISA. Anti-P#5 antibody, produced against the reactive site loop of SerpinB3, showed the greatest specific reactivity for human SerpinB3. This antibody was able to recognize SerpinB3 at nuclear level, while anti-P#3 antibody recognized SerpinB3 only at cytoplasmic level, both by immunofluorescence and by immunohistochemistry. The biological activity of each antibody preparation was assessed in HepG2 cells overexpressing SerpinB3 and anti-P#5 antibody reduced proliferation by 12% cell and cell invasion by 75%, while trivial results were obtained with the other antibody preparations. These findings indicate that the reactive site loop of SerpinB3 is essential for the invasiveness features induced by this serpin and it could become a novel druggable target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Biasiolo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Michele Sandre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Santina Quarta
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Ruvoletto
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Villano
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Cristian Turato
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Oriano Marin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
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Chen L, Shi V, Wang S, Freeman R, Ruiz F, Jayachandran K, Zhang J, Cosper P, Sun L, Luke CJ, Spina C, Grigsby PW, Schwarz JK, Markovina S. SCCA1/SERPINB3 promotes suppressive immune environment via STAT-dependent chemokine production, blunting the therapy-induced T cell responses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.01.526675. [PMID: 36778224 PMCID: PMC9915608 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.01.526675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a commonly used cancer treatment; however, patients with high serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA1/SERPINB3) are associated with resistance and poor prognosis. Despite being a strong clinical biomarker, the modulation of SERPINB3 in tumor immunity is poorly understood. We investigated the microenvironment of SERPINB3 high tumors through RNAseq of primary cervix tumors and found that SERPINB3 was positively correlated with CXCL1/8, S100A8/A9 and myeloid cell infiltration. Induction of SERPINB3 in vitro resulted in increased CXCL1/8 and S100A8/A9 production, and supernatants from SERPINB3-expressing cultures attracted monocytes and MDSCs. In murine tumors, the orthologue mSerpinB3a promoted MDSC, TAM, and M2 macrophage infiltration contributing to an immunosuppressive phenotype, which was further augmented upon radiation. Radiation-enhanced T cell response was muted in SERPINB3 tumors, whereas Treg expansion was observed. A STAT-dependent mechanism was implicated, whereby inhibiting STAT signaling with ruxolitinib abrogated suppressive chemokine production. Patients with elevated pre-treatment serum SCCA and high pSTAT3 had increased intratumoral CD11b+ myeloid cell compared to patients with low SCCA and pSTAT3 cohort that had overall improved cancer specific survival after radiotherapy. These findings provide a preclinical rationale for targeting STAT signaling in tumors with high SERPINB3 to counteract the immunosuppressive microenvironment and improve response to radiation.
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10
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Bile detection of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 55:534-540. [PMID: 36369195 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare biliary tract tumor with poor prognosis that often is challenging to diagnose and the majority of patients present with advanced stage. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA1) overexpression has been found in different tumors associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance. AIMS To assess the presence and possible prognostic role of SCCA1/2 isoforms in bile and serum of patients with CCA. METHODS Forty seven surgical patients (36 with CCA and 11 with benign diseases) were prospectively included in the study. Serum and bile specimens were collected at the time of surgery and free and IgM-complexed SCCA was quantified by ELISA (Xeptagen, srl). RESULTS Free or IgM linked SCCA was rarely found in serum, while SCCA was detectable in bile samples of patients with CCA, especially in those with extrahepatic form (43% vs 17%, p = 0.008), but not in controls. Despite similar tumor stage, these positive patients presented a trend toward a higher percentage of portal invasion (27% vs 15%) and of tumor recurrence than negative cases (62% vs 40%), although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION These preliminary results indicate that bile testing for SCCA is a specific marker of extrahepatic CCA, with potential prognostic value.
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11
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Lauko A, Volovetz J, Turaga SM, Bayik D, Silver DJ, Mitchell K, Mulkearns-Hubert EE, Watson DC, Desai K, Midha M, Hao J, McCortney K, Steffens A, Naik U, Ahluwalia MS, Bao S, Horbinski C, Yu JS, Lathia JD. SerpinB3 drives cancer stem cell survival in glioblastoma. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111348. [PMID: 36103817 PMCID: PMC9513382 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite therapeutic interventions for glioblastoma (GBM), cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive recurrence. The precise mechanisms underlying CSC resistance, namely inhibition of cell death, are unclear. We built on previous observations that the high cell surface expression of junctional adhesion molecule-A drives CSC maintenance and identified downstream signaling networks, including the cysteine protease inhibitor SerpinB3. Using genetic depletion approaches, we found that SerpinB3 is necessary for CSC maintenance, survival, and tumor growth, as well as CSC pathway activation. Knockdown of SerpinB3 also increased apoptosis and susceptibility to radiation therapy. SerpinB3 was essential to buffer cathepsin L-mediated cell death, which was enhanced with radiation. Finally, we found that SerpinB3 knockdown increased the efficacy of radiation in pre-clinical models. Taken together, our findings identify a GBM CSC-specific survival mechanism involving a cysteine protease inhibitor, SerpinB3, and provide a potential target to improve the efficacy of GBM therapies against therapeutically resistant CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Lauko
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Josephine Volovetz
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Soumya M Turaga
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Defne Bayik
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Daniel J Silver
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Kelly Mitchell
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Erin E Mulkearns-Hubert
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Dionysios C Watson
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Kiran Desai
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Manav Midha
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jing Hao
- Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Kathleen McCortney
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Alicia Steffens
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ulhas Naik
- Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | | | - Shideng Bao
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Craig Horbinski
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jennifer S Yu
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Justin D Lathia
- Department of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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12
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Correnti M, Cappon A, Pastore M, Piombanti B, Lori G, Oliveira DVPN, Munoz‐Garrido P, Lewinska M, Andersen JB, Coulouarn C, Sulpice L, Peraldo Neia C, Cavalloni G, Quarta S, Biasiolo A, Fassan M, Ramazzotti M, Parri M, Recalcati S, di Tommaso L, Campani C, Invernizzi P, Torzilli G, Marra F, Pontisso P, Raggi C. The protease-inhibitor SerpinB3 as a critical modulator of the stem-like subset in human cholangiocarcinoma. Liver Int 2022; 42:233-248. [PMID: 34478594 PMCID: PMC9290104 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a form of primary liver cancer with limited therapeutic options. Recently, cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed as a driving force of tumour initiation and dissemination, thus representing a crucial therapeutic target. The protease inhibitor SerpinB3 (SB3) has been identified in several malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma. SB3 has been involved in the early events of hepatocarcinogenesis and is highly expressed in hepatic progenitor cells and in a mouse model of liver progenitor cell activation. However, only limited information on the possible role of SB3 in CCA stem-like compartment is available. METHODS Enrichment of CCA stem-like subset was performed by sphere culture (SPH) in CCA cell lines (CCLP1, HUCCT1, MTCHC01 and SG231). Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect SB3 in both SPH and parental monolayer (MON) cells. Acquired CSC-like features were analysed using an endogenous and a paracrine in vitro model, with transfection of SB3 gene or addition of recombinant SB3 to cell medium respectively. SB3 tumorigenic role was explored in an in vivo mouse model of CCA by subcutaneous injection of SB3-transfected MON (MONSB3+ ) cells in immune-deficient NOD-SCID/IL2Rgnull (NSG) mice. SB3 expression in human CCA sections was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR) analyses were carried out from a transcriptome database of 104 CCA patients. RESULTS SB3, barely detected in parental MON cells, was overexpressed in the same CCA cells grown as 3D SPH. Notably, MONSB3+ showed significant overexpression of genes associated with stemness (CD24, CD44, CD133), pluripotency (c-MYC, NOTCH1, STAT3, YAP, NANOG, BMI1, KLF4, OCT4, SOX2), epithelial mesenchymal transition (β-catenin, SLUG) and extracellular matrix remodelling (MMP1, MMP7, MMP9, ADAM9, ADAM10, ADAM17, ITGB3). SB3-overexpressing cells showed superior spherogenic capacity and invasion ability compared to control. Importantly, MONSB3+ exhibited activation of MAP kinases (ERK1/2, p38, JNK) as well as phosphorylation of NFκB (p65) in addition to up-regulation of the proto-oncogene β-catenin. All these effects were reversed after transient silencing of SB3. According to the in vitro finding, MONSB3+ cells retained high tumorigenic potential in NSG mice. SB3 overexpression was observed in human CCA tissues and analysis of OS as well as TTR indicated a worse prognosis in SB3+ CCA patients. CONCLUSION These findings indicate a SB3 role in mediating malignant phenotype of CCA and identify a new therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Correnti
- Center for Autoimmune Liver DiseasesHumanitas Clinical and Research CenterRozzanoItaly,Department of Biomedical Sciences for HealthUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Andrea Cappon
- Animal Care‐Polo Vallisneri University of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Mirella Pastore
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Benedetta Piombanti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Giulia Lori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | | | | | - Monika Lewinska
- Biotech Research and Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jesper B. Andersen
- Biotech Research and Innovation CentreUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Cédric Coulouarn
- CHU RennesService de Chirurgie Hépatobiliaire et DigestiveInsermUniv RennesCOSS (Chemistry, Oncogenesis Stress Signaling)UMR_S 1242Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Eugène MarquisRennesFrance
| | - Laurent Sulpice
- CHU RennesService de Chirurgie Hépatobiliaire et DigestiveINSERM 1241Université de RennesRennesFrance
| | | | - Giuliana Cavalloni
- Division of Medical OncologyCandiolo Cancer InstituteFPO‐IRCCSCandiolo, TorinoItaly
| | - Santina Quarta
- Department of Medicine‐DIMEDUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | | | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine‐DIMEDUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Matteo Parri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical SciencesUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Stefania Recalcati
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for HealthUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Luca di Tommaso
- Department of PathologyHumanitas Clinical and Research CenterRozzanoItaly,Department of Biomedical SciencesHumanitas UniversityRozzanoItaly
| | - Claudia Campani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Pietro Invernizzi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Center for Autoimmune Liver DiseasesDepartment of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMonzaItaly,European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE‐LIVER)San Gerardo HospitalMonzaItaly
| | - Guido Torzilli
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General SurgeryHumanitas UniversityHumanitas Clinical and Research CenterIRCCS, RozzanoMilanItaly
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | | | - Chiara Raggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical MedicineUniversity of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
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13
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Bian E, Chen X, Cheng L, Cheng M, Chen Z, Yue X, Zhang Z, Chen J, Sun L, Huang K, Huang C, Fang Z, Zhao B, Li J. Super-enhancer-associated TMEM44-AS1 aggravated glioma progression by forming a positive feedback loop with Myc. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:337. [PMID: 34696771 PMCID: PMC8543865 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02129-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been considered as one type of gene expression regulator for cancer development, but it is not clear how these are regulated. This study aimed to identify a specific lncRNA that promotes glioma progression. Methods RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and quantitative real-time PCR were performed to screen differentially expressed genes. CCK-8, transwell migration, invasion assays, and a mouse xenograft model were performed to determine the functions of TMEM44-AS1. Co-IP, ChIP, Dual-luciferase reporter assays, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were performed to study the molecular mechanism of TMEM44-AS1 and the downstream target. Results We identified a novel lncRNA TMEM44-AS1, which was aberrantly expressed in glioma tissues, and that increased TMEM44-AS1 expression was correlated with malignant progression and poor survival for patients with glioma. Expression of TMEM44-AS1 increased the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells. Knockdown of TMEM44-AS1 in glioma cells reduced cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion, and tumor growth in a nude mouse xenograft model. Mechanistically, TMEM44-AS1 is directly bound to the SerpinB3, and sequentially activated Myc and EGR1/IL-6 signaling; Myc transcriptionally induced TMEM44-AS1 and directly bound to the promoter and super-enhancer of TMEM44-AS1, thus forming a positive feedback loop with TMEM44-AS. Further studies demonstrated that Myc interacts with MED1 regulates the super-enhancer of TMEM44-AS1. More importantly, a novel small-molecule Myc inhibitor, Myci975, alleviated TMEM44-AS1-promoted the growth of glioma cells. Conclusions Our study implicates a crucial role of the TMEM44-AS1-Myc axis in glioma progression and provides a possible anti-glioma therapeutic agent. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02129-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erbao Bian
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China. .,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Xueran Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Li Cheng
- School of pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Meng Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Zhigang Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yue
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Zhengwei Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Libo Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Kebing Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- School of pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Zhiyou Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China. .,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology; Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 350, Shushan Hu Road, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China.
| | - Bing Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China. .,Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Jun Li
- School of pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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14
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Foglia B, Sutti S, Cannito S, Rosso C, Maggiora M, Autelli R, Novo E, Bocca C, Villano G, Ramavath NN, Younes R, Tusa I, Rovida E, Pontisso P, Bugianesi E, Albano E, Parola M. Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion of HIF2α Prevents NASH-Related Liver Carcinogenesis by Decreasing Cancer Cell Proliferation. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 13:459-482. [PMID: 34655812 PMCID: PMC8688724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are involved in chronic liver disease progression. We previously showed that hepatocyte HIF-2α activation contributed significantly to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression in experimental animals and human patients. In this study, using an appropriate genetic murine model, we mechanistically investigated the involvement of hepatocyte HIF-2α in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related carcinogenesis. METHODS The role of HIF-2α was investigated by morphologic, cellular, and molecular biology approaches in the following: (1) mice carrying hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF-2α (HIF-2α-/- mice) undergoing a NASH-related protocol of hepatocarcinogenesis; (2) HepG2 cells stably transfected to overexpress HIF-2α; and (3) liver specimens from NASH patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS Mice carrying hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF-2α (hHIF-2α-/-) showed a significant decrease in the volume and number of liver tumors compared with wild-type littermates. These effects did not involve HIF-1α changes and were associated with a decrease of cell proliferation markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67. In both human and rodent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-related tumors, HIF-2α levels were strictly associated with hepatocyte production of SerpinB3, a mediator previously shown to stimulate liver cancer cell proliferation through the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP)/c-Myc pathway. Consistently, we observed positive correlations between the transcripts of HIF-2α, YAP, and c-Myc in individual hepatocellular carcinoma tumor masses, while HIF-2α deletion down-modulated c-Myc and YAP expression without affecting extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and AKT-dependent signaling. In vitro data confirmed that HIF-2α overexpression induced HepG2 cell proliferation through YAP-mediated mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the activation of HIF-2α in hepatocytes has a critical role in liver carcinogenesis during NASH progression, suggesting that HIF-2α-blocking agents may serve as novel putative therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Foglia
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Stefania Cannito
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Chiara Rosso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Division of Gastroenterology, San Giovanni Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Marina Maggiora
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Autelli
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Erica Novo
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Bocca
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | | | - Naresh Naik Ramavath
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Ramy Younes
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Division of Gastroenterology, San Giovanni Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Ignazia Tusa
- Unit of Experimental Oncology and Pathology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rovida
- Unit of Experimental Oncology and Pathology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy; Division of Gastroenterology, San Giovanni Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy.
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15
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Younis MA, Khalil IA, Harashima H. Gene Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Highlighting the Journey from Theory to Clinical Applications. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202000087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A. Younis
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Hokkaido University Kita‐12, Nishi‐6, Kita‐ku Sapporo 060‐0812 Japan
- Faculty of Pharmacy Assiut University Assiut 71526 Egypt
| | - Ikramy A. Khalil
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Hokkaido University Kita‐12, Nishi‐6, Kita‐ku Sapporo 060‐0812 Japan
- Faculty of Pharmacy Assiut University Assiut 71526 Egypt
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Hokkaido University Kita‐12, Nishi‐6, Kita‐ku Sapporo 060‐0812 Japan
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16
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Cannito S, Foglia B, Villano G, Turato C, C Delgado T, Morello E, Pin F, Novo E, Napione L, Quarta S, Ruvoletto M, Fasolato S, Zanus G, Colombatto S, Lopitz-Otsoa F, Fernández-Ramos D, Bussolino F, Sutti S, Albano E, Martínez-Chantar ML, Pontisso P, Parola M. SerpinB3 Differently Up-Regulates Hypoxia Inducible Factors -1α and -2α in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms Revealing Novel Potential Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121933. [PMID: 31817100 PMCID: PMC6966556 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: SerpinB3 (SB3) is a hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α-dependent cysteine-protease inhibitor up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), released by cancer cells and able to stimulate proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition. Methods: In the study we employed transgenic and knock out SerpinB3 mice, liver cancer cell line, human HCC specimens, and mice receiving diethyl-nitrosamine (DEN) administration plus choline-deficient L-amino acid refined (CDAA) diet (DEN/CDAA protocol). Results: We provide detailed and mechanistic evidence that SB3 can act as a paracrine mediator able to affect the behavior of surrounding cells by differentially up-regulating, in normoxic conditions, HIF-1α and HIF-2α. SB3 acts by (i) up-regulating HIF-1α transcription, facilitating cell survival in a harsh microenvironment and promoting angiogenesis, (ii) increasing HIF-2α stabilization via direct/selective NEDDylation, promoting proliferation of liver cancer cells, and favoring HCC progression. Moreover (iii) the highest levels of NEDD8-E1 activating enzyme (NAE1) mRNA were detected in a subclass of HCC patients expressing the highest levels of HIF-2α transcripts; (iv) mice undergoing DEN/CDAA carcinogenic protocol showed a positive correlation between SB3 and HIF-2α transcripts with the highest levels of NAE1 mRNA detected in nodules expressing the highest levels of HIF-2α transcripts. Conclusions: These data outline either HIF-2α and NEDDylation as two novel putative therapeutic targets to interfere with the procarcinogenic role of SerpinB3 in the development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Cannito
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine & Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (F.P.); (E.N.)
| | - Beatrice Foglia
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine & Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (F.P.); (E.N.)
| | - Gianmarco Villano
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (G.V.); (M.R.); (S.F.)
| | - Cristian Turato
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Teresa C Delgado
- Liver Disease and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Technology Park of Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; (T.C.D.); (F.L.-O.); (D.F.-R.); (M.L.M.-C.)
| | - Elisabetta Morello
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine & Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (F.P.); (E.N.)
| | - Fabrizio Pin
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine & Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (F.P.); (E.N.)
| | - Erica Novo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine & Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (F.P.); (E.N.)
| | - Lucia Napione
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy;
- Laboratory of Vascular Oncology Candiolo Cancer Institute—FPO IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), 10060 Candiolo, Italy;
| | - Santina Quarta
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.Q.); (P.P.)
| | - Mariagrazia Ruvoletto
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (G.V.); (M.R.); (S.F.)
| | - Silvano Fasolato
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (G.V.); (M.R.); (S.F.)
| | - Giacomo Zanus
- Hepatobiliary Surgery, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | | | - Fernando Lopitz-Otsoa
- Liver Disease and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Technology Park of Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; (T.C.D.); (F.L.-O.); (D.F.-R.); (M.L.M.-C.)
| | - David Fernández-Ramos
- Liver Disease and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Technology Park of Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; (T.C.D.); (F.L.-O.); (D.F.-R.); (M.L.M.-C.)
| | - Federico Bussolino
- Laboratory of Vascular Oncology Candiolo Cancer Institute—FPO IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), 10060 Candiolo, Italy;
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy; (S.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Maria Luz Martínez-Chantar
- Liver Disease and Metabolism Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Technology Park of Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain; (T.C.D.); (F.L.-O.); (D.F.-R.); (M.L.M.-C.)
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (S.Q.); (P.P.)
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine & Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (B.F.); (E.M.); (F.P.); (E.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0116707772
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17
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Wang XN, Su XX, Cheng SQ, Sun ZY, Huang ZS, Ou TM. MYC modulators in cancer: a patent review. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2019; 29:353-367. [PMID: 31068032 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2019.1612878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The important role of MYC in tumorigenesis makes it particularly important to design MYC modulators. Over the past decade, researchers have raised a number of strategies for designing MYC modulators, some of which are already in clinical trials. This paper aims to review the patents of MYC modulators. AREAS COVERED The important biological relevance of c-MYC and the regulation pathways related to c-MYC are briefly introduced. Base on that, the MYC modulators reported in published patents and references primarily for cancer treatment are outlined, highlighting the structures and biological activities. EXPERT OPINION There has been a growing awareness of finding and designing MYC modulators as novel anticancer drugs over recent years. Patents involving the discovery, synthesis, and application of MYC modulators are particularly important for further development in this field. Although finding direct MYC inhibitors or binders is challenging, MYC cannot be simply defined as an undruggable target. There is still substantial evidence proving the concept that MYC modulators can benefit to the treatment of both human hematological malignancies and solid tumors. More efforts should be taken to improve the activity and specificity of MYC modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Na Wang
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Xiao-Xuan Su
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Sui-Qi Cheng
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Zhi-Yin Sun
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Zhi-Shu Huang
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
| | - Tian-Miao Ou
- a School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong , China
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18
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MiR-122 Targets SerpinB3 and Is Involved in Sorafenib Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8020171. [PMID: 30717317 PMCID: PMC6406326 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8020171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The only first-line treatment approved for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sorafenib. Since many patients experience drug resistance, the discovery of more effective therapeutic strategies represents an unmet clinical need. MicroRNA (MiR)-122 is downregulated in most HCCs, while oncogenic SerpinB3 is upregulated. Here, we assessed the relationship between miR-122 and SerpinB3 and their influence on cell phenotype and sorafenib resistance in HCC. A bioinformatics analysis identified SerpinB3 among hypothetical miR-122 targets. In SerpinB3-overexpressing HepG2 cells, miR-122 transfection decreased SerpinB3 mRNA and protein levels, whereas miR-122 inhibition increased SerpinB3 expression. Luciferase assay demonstrated the interaction between miR-122 and SerpinB3 mRNA. In an HCC rat model, high miR-122 levels were associated with negative SerpinB3 expression, while low miR-122 levels correlated with SerpinB3 positivity. A negative correlation between miR-122 and SerpinB3 or stem cell markers was found in HCC patients. Anti-miR-122 transfection increased cell viability in sorafenib-treated Huh-7 cells, while miR-122 overexpression increased sorafenib sensitivity in treated cells, but not in those overexpressing SerpinB3. In conclusion, we demonstrated that miR-122 targets SerpinB3, and its low levels are associated with SerpinB3 positivity and a stem-like phenotype in HCC. MiR-122 replacement therapy in combination with sorafenib deserves attention as a possible therapeutic strategy in SerpinB3-negative HCCs.
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19
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Caforio M, Sorino C, Iacovelli S, Fanciulli M, Locatelli F, Folgiero V. Recent advances in searching c-Myc transcriptional cofactors during tumorigenesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:239. [PMID: 30261904 PMCID: PMC6161371 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0912-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Background The mechanism by which c-Myc exerts its oncogenic functions is not completely clear and different hypotheses are still under investigation. The knowledge of the capacity of c-Myc to bind exclusively E-box sequences determined the discrepancy between, on the one hand, genomic studies showing the binding of c-Myc to all active promoters and, on the other hand, the evidence that only 60% or less of the binding sites have E-box sequences. Main body In this review, we provide support to the hypothesis that the cooperation of c-Myc with transcriptional cofactors mediates c-Myc-induced cellular functions. We produce evidence that recently identified cofactors are involved in c-Myc control of survival mechanisms of cancer cells. Conclusion The identification of new c-Myc cofactors could favor the development of therapeutic strategies able to compensate the difficulty of targeting c-Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Caforio
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Sorino
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, Translational Research Area, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Iacovelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- SAFU, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics, and Technological Innovation, Translational Research Area, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00146, Rome, Italy.,Department of Pediatric Science, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valentina Folgiero
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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20
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Morello E, Sutti S, Foglia B, Novo E, Cannito S, Bocca C, Rajsky M, Bruzzì S, Abate ML, Rosso C, Bozzola C, David E, Bugianesi E, Albano E, Parola M. Hypoxia-inducible factor 2α drives nonalcoholic fatty liver progression by triggering hepatocyte release of histidine-rich glycoprotein. Hepatology 2018; 67:2196-2214. [PMID: 29266399 DOI: 10.1002/hep.29754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Mechanisms underlying progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are still incompletely characterized. Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases, but the actual role of HIF-2α in the evolution of NAFLD has never been investigated in detail. In this study, we show that HIF-2α is selectively overexpressed in the cytosol and the nuclei of hepatocytes in a very high percentage (>90%) of liver biopsies from a cohort of NAFLD patients at different stages of the disease evolution. Similar features were also observed in mice with steatohepatitis induced by feeding a methionine/choline-deficient diet. Experiments performed in mice carrying hepatocyte-specific deletion of HIF-2α and related control littermates fed either a choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined or a methionine/choline-deficient diet showed that HIF-2α deletion ameliorated the evolution of NAFLD by decreasing parenchymal injury, fatty liver, lobular inflammation, and the development of liver fibrosis. The improvement in NAFLD progression in HIF-2α-deficient mice was related to a selective down-regulation in the hepatocyte production of histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRGP), recently proposed to sustain macrophage M1 polarization. In vitro experiments confirmed that the up-regulation of hepatocyte HRGP expression was hypoxia-dependent and HIF-2α-dependent. Finally, analyses performed on specimens from NAFLD patients indicated that HRGP was overexpressed in all patients showing hepatocyte nuclear staining for HIF-2α and revealed a significant positive correlation between HIF-2α and HRGP liver transcript levels in these patients. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that hepatocyte HIF-2α activation is a key feature in both human and experimental NAFLD and significantly contributes to the disease progression through the up-regulation of HRGP production. (Hepatology 2018;67:2196-2214).
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Morello
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sutti
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Beatrice Foglia
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Erica Novo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefania Cannito
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Bocca
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Martina Rajsky
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefania Bruzzì
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Rosso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Bozzola
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Ezio David
- Pathology Unit, S. Giovanni Battista Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Albano
- Department of Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Maurizio Parola
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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21
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Izuhara K, Yamaguchi Y, Ohta S, Nunomura S, Nanri Y, Azuma Y, Nomura N, Noguchi Y, Aihara M. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen 2 (SCCA2, SERPINB4): An Emerging Biomarker for Skin Inflammatory Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1102. [PMID: 29642409 PMCID: PMC5979376 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinoma antigens 1 and 2 (SCCA1 and 2, SERPIN B3 and B4), members of the ovalbumin serpin (ov-serpin)/clade B serpin family, were originally discovered as tumor-specific antigens and are used as tumor markers for various kinds of squamous cell carcinomas. Recently, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of how SCCA1/2 enhance tumor growth has greatly increased. Moreover, it has been shown that SCCA1/2 are involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases: asthma, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis (AD). IL-22 and IL-17, signature cytokines of type 17 inflammation, as well as IL-4 and IL-13, signature cytokines of type 2 inflammation, both of which are positively correlated with the pathogenesis of psoriasis and allergic diseases, respectively, can induce expression of SCCA1/2 in airway epithelial cells and/or keratinocytes, leading to high expression of SCCA1/2 in these diseases. Based on these findings, several trials have been performed to examine the potential of applying SCCA1/2 to biomarkers for these diseases. The findings show that SCCA2 is useful to aid diagnosis, estimate clinical severity and disease type, and assess responses to treatment in psoriasis and AD. These results suggest that SCCA2 has emerged as a novel biomarker for skin inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Izuhara
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Saga Medical School, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
| | - Yukie Yamaguchi
- Department of Environmental Immuno-Dermatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan.
| | - Shoichiro Ohta
- Department of Medical Technology and Sciences, School of Health Sciences at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, Okawa 831-8501, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Nunomura
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Saga Medical School, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
| | - Yasuhiro Nanri
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Saga Medical School, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
| | | | | | | | - Michiko Aihara
- Department of Environmental Immuno-Dermatology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan.
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22
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Fassan M, Realdon S, Vianello L, Quarta S, Ruol A, Castoro C, Scarpa M, Zaninotto G, Guzzardo V, Chiarion Sileni V, Pontisso P, Rugge M. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is up-regulated during Barrett's carcinogenesis and predicts esophageal adenocarcinoma resistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Oncotarget 2018; 8:24372-24379. [PMID: 28042960 PMCID: PMC5421854 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCCA) is consistently overexpressed in many different solid tumors, and has been associated with both tumor aggressiveness and chemoresistance. No data, however, is currently available on SCCA expression during esophageal Barrett's carcinogenesis, nor on SCCA expression's role on esophageal adenocarcinoma chemoresistance. The SCCA immunohistochemical expression was assessed in a series of 100 biopsy samples covering the whole histological spectrum of Barrett's oncogenesis. Squamous native mucosa was characterized by a moderate to strong cytoplasmic and nuclear SCCA expression in suprabasal, medium, and superficial layers. On the other hand, almost half of the considered lesions did not express SCCA; the other half featured weak to moderate SCCA expression. The relationship between SCCA protein expression and tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was assessed in 90 esophageal adenocarcinoma specimens (40 biopsy and 50 surgery specimens), stratified according to Mandard tumor regression grade. As observed in other settings, the presence of SCCA expression clustered in the group of tumors characterized by a lower responsiveness to neoadjuvant treatments. The present results suggest an involvement of SCCA in a subset of Barrett-related tumors, and prompt to consider the SCCA-protein expression as response-predictive marker of neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal adenocarcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Realdon
- Gastroenterology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Vianello
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Santina Quarta
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), 5th Medical Clinic, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alberto Ruol
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), 3rd Surgical Clinic, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Castoro
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Scarpa
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Zaninotto
- Imperial College London, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Division of Surgery, London, UK
| | - Vincenza Guzzardo
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Vanna Chiarion Sileni
- Melanoma & Esophageal Oncology Unit, Istituto Oncologico Veneto, IOV-IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), 5th Medical Clinic, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Massimo Rugge
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Veneto Tumour Registry, Veneto Region, Padua, Italy
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23
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C-MYC and BCL-2 mediate YAP-regulated tumorigenesis in OSCC. Oncotarget 2017; 9:668-679. [PMID: 29416644 PMCID: PMC5787498 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional co-activator Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key oncogene in mammalian cells. The present understanding of YAP in oral squamous cells carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of YAP on proliferation and apoptosis in OSCC and the molecular mechanism. The results showed the expression level of YAP was higher in OSCC tissues than that in adjacent normal tissues. Knockdown of YAP in CAL27 cell lines prohibited cell proliferation while augmented apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of YAP protected cells from apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation. Moreover, C-MYC and BCL-2 mRNA and protein levels were altered due to the differential expression of YAP. Subsequent Verteporfin treatment in CAL27 cells revealed that the transcription and translation of BCL-2 and C-MYC both decreased. In a tumor xenograft model, knockdown of YAP suppressed tumor growth of CAL27 in vivo, while YAP overexpression promoted the tumor growth. These results suggest that YAP is a crucial regulator that exerts pro-proliferation and anti-apoptosis effects in OSCC through actions affecting the cell cycle and intrinsic apoptotic signaling. Thus YAP could potentially serve as a valuable molecular biomarker or therapeutic target in the treatment of OSCC.
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24
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Turato C, Balasso A, Carloni V, Tiribelli C, Mastrotto F, Mazzocca A, Pontisso P. New molecular targets for functionalized nanosized drug delivery systems in personalized therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. J Control Release 2017; 268:184-197. [PMID: 29051062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most frequent solid tumor of the liver, has a very poor prognosis, being the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide. The incidence and mortality of this liver tumor are increasing in most areas of the world as a consequence of aging and the emerging of new risk factors such as the metabolic syndrome, beside the recognized role of hepatitis B and C viral infections and alcohol abuse. Despite the increasing knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic carcinogenesis, effective therapeutic strategies are still an unmet clinical need. Efforts have been made to develop selective drugs as well as effective targeted drug delivery systems. The development of novel drug carriers for therapeutic molecules can indeed offer a valuable strategy to ameliorate the efficacy of HCC treatment. In this review, we discuss recent drug delivery strategies for HCC treatment based on the exploitation of targeted nanoparticles (NPs). Indeed, a few of these platforms have achieved an advanced stage of preclinical development. Here, we review the most promising drug nanovehicles based on both synthetic and natural polymers, including polysaccharides that have emerged for their biocompatibility and biodegradability. To maximize site-selectivity and therapeutic efficacy, drug delivery systems should be functionalized with ligands which can specifically recognize and bind targets expressed by HCC, namely cell membrane associated antigens, receptors or biotransporters. Cell surface and intracellular molecular targets are exploited either to selectively deliver drug-loaded nanovehicles or to design novel selective therapeutics. In conclusion, the combination of novel and safe drug delivery strategies based on site-specific targeted drug nanovehicles with therapeutic molecular targets may significantly improve the pharmacological efficacy for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Balasso
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Vinicio Carloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Mastrotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzocca
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
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25
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Luo G, Li B, Duan C, Cheng Y, Xiao B, Yao F, Wei M, Tao Q, Feng C, Xia X, Zhou H, Zhao X, Dai R. c‑Myc promotes cholangiocarcinoma cells to overcome contact inhibition via the mTOR pathway. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:2498-2506. [PMID: 28849072 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The loss of contact inhibition is a hallmark of a wide range of human cancer cells. Yet, the precise mechanism behind this process is not fully understood. c‑Myc plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis, but its involvement in regulating contact inhibition has not been explored to date. Here, we report that c‑Myc plays an important role in abrogating contact inhibition in human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells. Our data show that the protein level of c‑Myc obviously decreased in contact-inhibited normal biliary epithelial cells. However, CCA cells sustain high protein levels of c‑Myc and keep strong proliferation ability in confluent conditions. Importantly, the suppression of c‑Myc by inhibitor or siRNA induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in confluent CCA cells. We demonstrate that the inhibition of c‑Myc suppressed the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in confluent CCA cells, and mTOR inhibition induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in confluent CCA cells. In confluent CCA cells, the activity of Merlin is downregulated, and Yes-associated protein (YAP) sustains high levels of activity. Furthermore, YAP inhibition not only induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, but also decreased c‑Myc expression in confluent CCA cells. These results indicate that Merlin/YAP/c‑Myc/mTOR signaling axis promotes human CCA cell proliferation by overriding contact inhibition. We propose that overriding c‑Myc‑mediated contact inhibition is implicated in the development of CCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guosong Luo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Bin Li
- Liver Diseases Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Chunyan Duan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Bin Xiao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Fuli Yao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Mei Wei
- Department of Liver Diseases of the Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Qinghua Tao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, P.R. China
| | - Chunhong Feng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Xianming Xia
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofang Zhao
- Liver Diseases Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
| | - Rongyang Dai
- Liver Diseases Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China
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26
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Dolezal JM, Wang H, Kulkarni S, Jackson L, Lu J, Ranganathan S, Goetzman ES, Bharathi SS, Beezhold K, Byersdorfer CA, Prochownik EV. Sequential adaptive changes in a c-Myc-driven model of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:10068-10086. [PMID: 28432125 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.782052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer that frequently overexpresses the c-Myc (Myc) oncoprotein. Using a mouse model of Myc-induced HCC, we studied the metabolic, biochemical, and molecular changes accompanying HCC progression, regression, and recurrence. These involved altered rates of pyruvate and fatty acid β-oxidation and the likely re-directing of glutamine into biosynthetic rather than energy-generating pathways. Initial tumors also showed reduced mitochondrial mass and differential contributions of electron transport chain complexes I and II to respiration. The uncoupling of complex II's electron transport function from its succinate dehydrogenase activity also suggested a mechanism by which Myc generates reactive oxygen species. RNA sequence studies revealed an orderly progression of transcriptional changes involving pathways pertinent to DNA damage repair, cell cycle progression, insulin-like growth factor signaling, innate immunity, and further metabolic re-programming. Only a subset of functions deregulated in initial tumors was similarly deregulated in recurrent tumors thereby indicating that the latter can "normalize" some behaviors to suit their needs. An interactive and freely available software tool was developed to allow continued analyses of these and other transcriptional profiles. Collectively, these studies define the metabolic, biochemical, and molecular events accompanyingHCCevolution, regression, and recurrence in the absence of any potentially confounding therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huabo Wang
- From the Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and
| | | | | | - Jie Lu
- From the Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and
| | | | | | | | - Kevin Beezhold
- Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224
| | - Craig A Byersdorfer
- Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224
| | - Edward V Prochownik
- From the Divisions of Hematology/Oncology and .,the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, and.,the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232
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27
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Sun Y, Sheshadri N, Zong WX. SERPINB3 and B4: From biochemistry to biology. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 62:170-177. [PMID: 27637160 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human SERPINB3 and SERPINB4 are evolutionary duplicated serine/cysteine protease inhibitors. Genomic analysis indicates that these paralogous genes were encoded from independent loci arising from tandem gene duplication. Although the two molecules share 92% identity of their amino acid sequences, they are distinct in the Reactive Center Loop (RCL) including a hinge region and catalytic sequences which accounts for altered substrate specificity. Elevated expression of the two molecules has been reported to contribute to numerous pathological conditions such as inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this review, we focus on summarizing the biochemical features of SERPINB3/B4 and discussing the mechanistic basis for their biological functions and implications in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Sun
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Namratha Sheshadri
- National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, United States
| | - Wei-Xing Zong
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, United States.
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