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Yao S, Prates K, Freydenzon A, Assante G, McRae AF, Morris MJ, Youngson NA. Liver-specific deletion of de novo DNA methyltransferases protects against glucose intolerance in high-fat diet-fed male mice. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23690. [PMID: 38795327 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301546rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
Alterations to gene transcription and DNA methylation are a feature of many liver diseases including fatty liver disease and liver cancer. However, it is unclear whether the DNA methylation changes are a cause or a consequence of the transcriptional changes. It is even possible that the methylation changes are not required for the transcriptional changes. If DNA methylation is just a minor player in, or a consequence of liver transcriptional change, then future studies in this area should focus on other systems such as histone tail modifications. To interrogate the importance of de novo DNA methylation, we generated mice that are homozygous mutants for both Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b in post-natal liver. These mice are viable and fertile with normal sized livers. Males, but not females, showed increased adipose depots, yet paradoxically, improved glucose tolerance on both control diet and high-fat diets (HFD). Comparison of the transcriptome and methylome with RNA sequencing and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in adult hepatocytes revealed that widespread loss of methylation in CpG-rich regions in the mutant did not induce loss of homeostatic transcriptional regulation. Similarly, extensive transcriptional changes induced by HFD did not require de novo DNA methylation. The improved metabolic phenotype of the Dnmt3a/3b mutant mice may be mediated through the dysregulation of a subset of glucose and fat metabolism genes which increase both glucose uptake and lipid export by the liver. However, further work is needed to confirm this.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Yao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - K Prates
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Biotechnology, Genetics, and Cellular Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - A Freydenzon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - G Assante
- Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - A F McRae
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - M J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - N A Youngson
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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Du HX, Wang H, Ma XP, Chen H, Dai AB, Zhu KX. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase 2 in pancreatic cancer: An approach towards managing clinical prognosis and molecular immunological characterization. Oncol Lett 2023; 26:478. [PMID: 37818134 PMCID: PMC10561166 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Most patients with pancreatic cancer are already in the late stages of the disease when they are diagnosed, and pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease with a poor prognosis. With the advancement of research, immunotherapy has become a new focus in the treatment of tumors. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no reliable diagnostic or prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer; therefore, the present study investigated the potential of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase 2 (EIF2AK2) as a predictive and diagnostic marker for pancreatic cancer. Immunohistochemical staining of clinical samples independently verified that EIF2AK2 expression was significantly higher in clinically operated pancreatic cancer tissues than in adjacent pancreatic tissues., and EIF2AK2 expression and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using downloadable RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genomic Tumor Expression Atlas. In addition, Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses and immune cell infiltration were used for functional enrichment analysis of EIF2AK2-associated DEGs. The clinical importance of EIF2AK2 was also determined using Kaplan-Meier survival, Cox regression and time-dependent survival receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, and a predictive nomogram model was generated. Finally, the functional role of EIF2AK2 was assessed in PANC-1 cells using a short hairpin RNA-EIF2AK2 knockdown approach, including CCK-8, wound healing assay, cell cycle and apoptosis assays. The findings suggested that EIF2AK2 may have potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for patients with pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, EIF2AK2 may provide a new therapeutic target for patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Xuan Du
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Hu Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Peng Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Hao Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Ai-Bin Dai
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Ke-Xiang Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
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Liu R, Ding Y, Li W, Li S, Li X, Zhao D, Zhang Y, Wei G, Zhang X. Protective role of curcumin on broiler liver by modulating aflatoxin B1-induced DNA methylation and CYPs expression. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 260:115086. [PMID: 37269612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of epigenetic DNA methylation and CYPs expression in AFB1-exposed broiler liver and the protective effect of curcumin. Sixty-four one-day-old AA broilers were randomly divided into four groups, including control group, AFB1 group (1 mg/kg AFB1), curcumin + AFB1 group (1 mg/kg curcumin) and curcumin group (300 mg/kg curcumin). Histological observation, CYP450 enzyme activities, the expression levels of DNA methyltransferases and CYP450 enzymes, and the overall DNA methylation level in broiler liver were investigated. Dietary AFB1 was found to induce severe liver injury in broilers, upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of CYP450 enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4) and the enzyme activities of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. According to HPLC, qPCR and western blot analyses, the overall DNA methylation level and the mRNA and protein expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b) in the liver were significantly increased after AFB1 exposure. Importantly, the Pearson test and correlation analysis data revealed that the overall DNA methylation level of broiler liver was positively correlated with DNMTs, while CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 were negatively correlated. Surprisingly, curcumin supplementation strongly ameliorated AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity by restoring the histological changes, decreasing the expression and enzymatic activity of liver CYP450 enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4), and increasing the overall DNA methylation level and the expression of DNMTs. Taken together, we concluded that curcumin could protect against AFB1-induced liver injury by mediating the effects of DNA methylation and CYPs expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruimeng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control, College of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yixin Ding
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Weina Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control, College of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Sihong Li
- Animal Genome Engineering Research Team, College of Animal Science and Technology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Xiaoting Li
- School of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, Shandong 252000, China
| | - Dongmei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control, College of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control, College of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Gaoqiang Wei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control, College of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Xiuying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Control, College of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
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DNMT1/PKR double knockdowned HepG2 (HepG2-DP) cells have high hepatic function and differentiation ability. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21173. [PMID: 36476676 PMCID: PMC9729623 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HepG2 cells are widely used as a human hepatocytes model, but their functions, including drug metabolism, are inferior to primary hepatocytes. We previously reported that the hepatic gene expressions in HepG2 cells were upregulated by treatment with zebularine, which is an inhibitor of DNA methylation, through the inhibition of both DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). In this study, we established a new HepG2 cell subline, HepG2-DP cells, by stable double knockdown of DNMT1 and PKR and evaluated its function. Albumin production, expression of CYP1A2 genes, and accumulation of lipid droplets were increased in HepG2-DP cells compared with the original HepG2 cells. Comprehensive gene expression analysis of transcription factors revealed that the expression of important genes for hepatic function, such as HNF1β, HNF4α, ONECUT1, FOXA1, FOXA2, FOXA3, and various nuclear receptors, was upregulated in HepG2-DP cells. These results indicate that the newly established HepG2-DP cells are a highly functional hepatocyte cell line. In addition, we investigated whether HepG2-DP cells are able to mature by differentiation induction, since HepG2 cells are derived from hepatoblastoma. The gene expression of major CYPs and Phase II, III drug-metabolizing enzyme genes was significantly increased in HepG2-DP cells cultured in differentiation induction medium. These results suggest that HepG2-DP cells can be further matured by the induction of differentiation and could therefore be applied to studies of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics.
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Donia T, Khedr S, Salim EI, Hessien M. Trichostatin A sensitizes hepatoma cells to Taxol more than 5-Aza-dC and dexamethasone. Drug Metab Pers Ther 2021; 36:299-309. [PMID: 34773731 DOI: 10.1515/dmpt-2020-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This work was designed to compare the sensitizing effects of epigenetic modifiers on cancer cells vs. that of glucocorticoids. Also, to evaluate their effects on genes involved in epigenetic changes and drug metabolism. METHODS Hepatoma cells (HepG2) were treated with the anticancer drug (Taxol), with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (Trichostatin A [TSA]), DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5-Aza-dC) or dexamethasone (DEX). Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay and the apoptosis was determined by Annexin V-FITC. The expression levels of HDAC1, HDAC3, Dnmt1, Dnmt3α, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 were monitored by qRT-PCR. RESULTS TSA, synergistically enhanced cells sensitivity with the anticancer effect of Taxol more than 5-Aza-dC and DEX. This was evidenced by the relative decrease in IC50 in cells cotreated with Taxol + TSA, Taxol + 5-Aza-dC or Taxol + DEX. Apoptosis was induced in 51.2, 16.9 and 41.3% of cells, respectively. In presence of Taxol, TSA induced four-fold increase in the expression of HDAC1 and downregulated Dnmt1&3α genes. CYP2D6 demonstrated progressive expression (up to 28-fold) with the increasing number of drugs. Moreover, the isoform overexpressed in cells treated with TSA + Taxol > DEX + Taxol > 5-Aza-dC + Taxol (6.4, 4.6 and 2.99, respectively). The investigated genes were clustered in two distinct subsets, where no coregulation was observed between HDAC1 and HDAC3. However, tight pairwise correlation-based cluster was seen between (CYP3A4/Dnmt3α and CYP2D6/CYP2C19). CONCLUSIONS The data reflects the sensitizing effect of acetylation modification by TSA on the responsiveness of hepatoma cells to anticancer therapy. The effect of histone deacetylase inhibition was more than hypomethylation and glucocorticoid effects. TSA exerts its role through its modulatory role on epigenetics and drugs metabolizing genes. Other modifiers (5-Aza-dC and DEX), however may adopt different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thoria Donia
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Sherien Khedr
- College of Pharmacy, Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Elsayed I Salim
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hessien
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Donia T, Khedr S, Salim EI, Hessien M. Trichostatin A sensitizes hepatoma cells to Taxol more than 5-Aza-dC and dexamethasone. Drug Metab Pers Ther 2021; 0:dmdi-2020-0186. [PMID: 33818027 DOI: 10.1515/dmdi-2020-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This work was designed to compare the sensitizing effects of epigenetic modifiers on cancer cells vs. that of glucocorticoids. Also, to evaluate their effects on genes involved in epigenetic changes and drug metabolism. METHODS Hepatoma cells (HepG2) were treated with the anticancer drug (Taxol), with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (Trichostatin A [TSA]), DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5-Aza-dC) or dexamethasone (DEX). Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay and the apoptosis was determined by Annexin V-FITC. The expression levels of HDAC1, HDAC3, Dnmt1, Dnmt3α, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 were monitored by qRT-PCR. RESULTS TSA, synergistically enhanced cells sensitivity with the anticancer effect of Taxol more than 5-Aza-dC and DEX. This was evidenced by the relative decrease in IC50 in cells cotreated with Taxol + TSA, Taxol + 5-Aza-dC or Taxol + DEX. Apoptosis was induced in 51.2, 16.9 and 41.3% of cells, respectively. In presence of Taxol, TSA induced four-fold increase in the expression of HDAC1 and downregulated Dnmt1&3α genes. CYP2D6 demonstrated progressive expression (up to 28-fold) with the increasing number of drugs. Moreover, the isoform overexpressed in cells treated with TSA + Taxol > DEX + Taxol > 5-Aza-dC + Taxol (6.4, 4.6 and 2.99, respectively). The investigated genes were clustered in two distinct subsets, where no coregulation was observed between HDAC1 and HDAC3. However, tight pairwise correlation-based cluster was seen between (CYP3A4/Dnmt3α and CYP2D6/CYP2C19). CONCLUSIONS The data reflects the sensitizing effect of acetylation modification by TSA on the responsiveness of hepatoma cells to anticancer therapy. The effect of histone deacetylase inhibition was more than hypomethylation and glucocorticoid effects. TSA exerts its role through its modulatory role on epigenetics and drugs metabolizing genes. Other modifiers (5-Aza-dC and DEX), however may adopt different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thoria Donia
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Sherien Khedr
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Elsayed I Salim
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hessien
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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Carter AC, King JB, Mattes AO, Cai S, Singh N, Cichewicz RH. Natural-Product-Inspired Compounds as Countermeasures against the Liver Carcinogen Aflatoxin B 1. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2019; 82:1694-1703. [PMID: 31136174 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) ranks among the most potent liver carcinogens known, and the accidental or intentional exposure of humans and livestock to this toxin remains a serious global threat. One protective measure that had been proposed is employing small-molecule therapeutics capable of mitigating the toxicity of AfB1; however, to date, these efforts have had little clinical success. To identify molecular scaffolds that reduce the toxicity of AfB1, we developed a cell-based high-throughput high-content imaging assay that enabled our team to test natural products (pure compounds, fractions, and extracts) for protection of monolayers and spheroids composed of HepG2 liver cells against AfB1. The spheroid assay showed notable potential for further development, as it afforded greater sensitivity of HepG2 cells to AfB1, which is believed to better mimic the in vivo response of hepatocytes to the toxin. One of the most bioactive compounds to arise from this investigation was alternariol-9-methyl ether (1, purified from an Alternaria sp. isolate), which inspired the synthesis and testing of several structurally related molecules. Based on these findings, it is proposed that several types of natural and synthetic polyarene molecules that have undergone oxidative functionalization (e.g., compounds containing 3-methoxyphenol moieties) are promising starting points for the development of new agents that protect against AfB1 toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C Carter
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center , University of Oklahoma , 101 Stephenson Parkway , Norman , Oklahoma 73019 , United States
| | - Jarrod B King
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center , University of Oklahoma , 101 Stephenson Parkway , Norman , Oklahoma 73019 , United States
| | - Allison O Mattes
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center , University of Oklahoma , 101 Stephenson Parkway , Norman , Oklahoma 73019 , United States
| | - Shengxin Cai
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center , University of Oklahoma , 101 Stephenson Parkway , Norman , Oklahoma 73019 , United States
| | - Narender Singh
- CFD Research Corporation , 701 McMillian Way, Suite D , Huntsville , Alabama 35806 , United States
| | - Robert H Cichewicz
- Natural Products Discovery Group, Institute for Natural Products Applications and Research Technologies, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Science Research Center , University of Oklahoma , 101 Stephenson Parkway , Norman , Oklahoma 73019 , United States
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Sarne V, Braunmueller S, Rakob L, Seeboeck R. The Relevance of Gender in Tumor-Influencing Epigenetic Traits. EPIGENOMES 2019; 3:epigenomes3010006. [PMID: 34991275 PMCID: PMC8594720 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes3010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis as well as the molecular orchestration of cancer progression are very complex mechanisms that comprise numerous elements of influence and regulation. Today, many of the major concepts are well described and a basic understanding of a tumor's fine-tuning is given. Throughout the last decade epigenetics has been featured in cancer research and it is now clear that the underlying mechanisms, especially DNA and histone modifications, are important regulators of carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Another key regulator, which is well known but has been neglected in scientific approaches as well as molecular diagnostics and, consequently, treatment conceptualization for a long time, is the subtle influence patient gender has on molecular processes. Naturally, this is greatly based on hormonal differences, but from an epigenetic point of view, the diverse susceptibility to stress and environmental influences is of prime interest. In this review we present the current view on which and how epigenetic modifications, emphasizing DNA methylation, regulate various tumor diseases. It is our aim to elucidate gender and epigenetics and their interconnectedness, which will contribute to understanding of the prospect molecular orchestration of cancer in individual tumors.
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Luo YH, Chen J, Xiao EH, Li QY, Luo YM. Zebularine Promotes Hepatic Differentiation of Rabbit Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Interfering with p38 MAPK Signaling. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:9612512. [PMID: 30405726 PMCID: PMC6199887 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9612512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Demethylating agent zebularine is reported to be capable of inducing differentiation of stem cells by activation of methylated genes, though its function in hepatocyte differentiation is unclear. p38 signal pathway is involved in differentiation of hepatocytes and regulating of DNA methyltransferases 1 (DNMT1) expression. However, little is known about the impact of zebularine on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and p38 signaling during hepatic differentiation. The present study investigated the effects of zebularine on hepatic differentiation of rabbit BMMSCs, as well as the role of p38 on DNMT1 and hepatic differentiation, with the aim of developing a novel strategy for improving derivation of hepatocytes. BMMSCs were treated with zebularine at concentrations of 10, 20, 50, and 100 μM in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor; changes in the levels of hepatic-specific alpha-fetoprotein and albumin were detected and determined by RT-PCR, WB, and immunofluorescence staining. Expression of DNMT1 and phosphorylated p38 as well as urea production and ICG metabolism was also analyzed. Zebularine at concentrations of 10, 20, and 50 μM could not affect cell viability after 48 h. Zebularine treatment leads to an inhibition of DNMT activity and increase of hepatic-specific proteins alpha-fetoprotein and albumin in BMMSCs in vitro; zebularine addition also induced expression of urea production of and ICG metabolism. p38 signal was activated in BMMSCs simulated with HGF; inhibition of p38 facilitated the synthesis of DNMT1 and albumin in cells. Zebularine restrained DNMT1 and phosphorylated p38 which were induced by HGF. Therefore, this study demonstrated that treatment with zebularine exhibited terminal hepatic differentiation of BMMSCs in vitro in association with hepatocyte growth factor; p38 pathway at least partially participates in zebularine-induced hepatic differentiation of rabbit BMMSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Heng Luo
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - En-Hua Xiao
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Qiu-Yun Li
- Department of Radiology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yong-Mei Luo
- Department of safety & environmental protection, Shenzhen Zhongjin Lingnan Nonfemet Company Ltd, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518040, China
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Gailhouste L, Liew LC, Yasukawa K, Hatada I, Tanaka Y, Nakagama H, Ochiya T. Differentiation Therapy by Epigenetic Reconditioning Exerts Antitumor Effects on Liver Cancer Cells. Mol Ther 2018; 26:1840-1854. [PMID: 29759938 PMCID: PMC6035736 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2018.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver tumors are mainly represented by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most aggressive and resistant forms of cancer. Liver tumorigenesis is characterized by an accumulation of epigenetic abnormalities, leading to gene extinction and loss of hepatocyte differentiation. The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of converting liver cancer cells toward a less aggressive and differentiated phenotype using a process called epigenetic reconditioning. Here, we showed that an epigenetic regimen with non-cytotoxic doses of the demethylating compound 5-azacytidine (5-AZA) promoted an anti-cancer response by inhibiting HCC cell tumorigenicity. Furthermore, epigenetic reconditioning improved sorafenib response. Remarkably, epigenetic treatment was associated with a significant restoration of differentiation, as attested by the increased expression of characteristic hepatocyte markers in reconditioned cells. In particular, we showed that reexpression of these epigenetically silenced liver genes following 5-AZA treatment or after knockdown of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was the result of regional CpG demethylation. Lastly, we confirmed the efficacy of HCC differentiation therapy by epigenetic reconditioning using an in vivo tumor growth model. In summary, this work demonstrates that epigenetic reconditioning using the demethylating compound 5-AZA shows therapeutic significance for liver cancer and is potentially attractive for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Gailhouste
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Lee Chuen Liew
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yasukawa
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Izuho Hatada
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Tanaka
- Department of Virology and Liver Unit, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Nakagama
- Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ochiya
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
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