1
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Zhang QY, Ding W, Mo JS, Ou-Yang SM, Lin ZY, Peng KR, Liu GP, Lu JJ, Yue PB, Lei JP, Wang YD, Zhang XL. Novel STAT3 oligonucleotide compounds suppress tumor growth and overcome the acquired resistance to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2024; 45:1701-1714. [PMID: 38609562 PMCID: PMC11272795 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01261-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of tumors, leading to resistance and poor prognosis. Activation of STAT3 signaling is frequently detected in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but potent and less toxic STAT3 inhibitors have not been discovered. Here, based on antisense technology, we designed a series of stabilized modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting STAT3 mRNA (STAT3 ASOs). Treatment with STAT3 ASOs decreased the STAT3 mRNA and protein levels in HCC cells. STAT3 ASOs significantly inhibited the proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion of cancer cells by specifically perturbing STAT3 signaling. Treatment with STAT3 ASOs decreased the tumor burden in an HCC xenograft model. Moreover, aberrant STAT3 signaling activation is one of multiple signaling pathways involved in sorafenib resistance in HCC. STAT3 ASOs effectively sensitized resistant HCC cell lines to sorafenib in vitro and improved the inhibitory potency of sorafenib in a resistant HCC xenograft model. The developed STAT3 ASOs enrich the tools capable of targeting STAT3 and modulating STAT3 activity, serve as a promising strategy for treating HCC and other STAT3-addicted tumors, and alleviate the acquired resistance to sorafenib in HCC patients. A series of novel STAT3 antisense oligonucleotide were designed and showed potent anti-cancer efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo by targeting STAT3 signaling. Moreover, the selected STAT3 ASOs enhance sorafenib sensitivity in resistant cell model and xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Yi Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wen Ding
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jian-Shan Mo
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shu-Min Ou-Yang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zi-You Lin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ke-Ren Peng
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guo-Pin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China
| | - Jin-Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Pei-Bin Yue
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, and Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Jin-Ping Lei
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yan-Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Xiao-Lei Zhang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Druggability and New Drug Evaluation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Chiral Molecule and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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2
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Huang CY, Tan KT, Huang SF, Lu YJ, Wang YH, Chen SJ, Tse KP. Study of sex-biased differences in genomic profiles in East Asian hepatocellular carcinoma. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:276. [PMID: 38981878 PMCID: PMC11233483 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01131-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a notable sex disparity in incidence and tumor aggressiveness. Revealing differences in genetic landscapes between male and female HCCs may expand the understanding of sexual disparities mechanisms and assist the development of precision medicine. Although reports on the sex disparity of HCC are accumulated, studies focusing on sex-related biomarkers among Asian populations remain limited. Here, we conducted a comprehensive genomic profiling analysis to explore differences between male and female patients within a cohort of 195 Taiwanese HCC patients. We did not detect any sex-biased genomic alterations. However, when our investigation extended to the TCGA dataset, we found higher frequencies of gene copy gains in CCNE2 and mutations in CTNNB1 and TP53 among male patients. Besides, we further evaluated the associations between genomic alterations and patients' prognosis by sex. The results showed that female patients harboring tumors with STAT3 gain and alterations in the JAK-STAT pathway displayed a poor prognosis. These two factors remained independently associated with unfavorable prognosis even after adjusting for the patient's age and stage characteristics (Hazard ratio = 10.434, 95% CI 3.331-32.677, P < 0.001; Hazard ratio = 2.547, 95% CI 1.195-5.432, P = 0.016, respectively). In summary, this study provides valuable insights into understanding sex disparity in HCC in the East Asian population. Validation through larger cohorts and extensive sequencing efforts is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kien-Thiam Tan
- ACT Genomics Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan
- Anbogen Therapeutics, Inc., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiu-Feng Huang
- Core Pathology Lab, Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | | | - Yeh-Han Wang
- ACT Genomics Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | | | - Ka-Po Tse
- ACT Genomics Co., Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan.
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3
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Xue Y, Ruan Y, Wang Y, Xiao P, Xu J. Signaling pathways in liver cancer: pathogenesis and targeted therapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:20. [PMID: 38816668 PMCID: PMC11139849 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates. Due to its subtle onset, liver cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage when surgical interventions are no longer feasible. This situation highlights the critical role of systemic treatments, including targeted therapies, in bettering patient outcomes. Despite numerous studies on the mechanisms underlying liver cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the only widely used clinical inhibitors, represented by sorafenib, whose clinical application is greatly limited by the phenomenon of drug resistance. Here we show an in-depth discussion of the signaling pathways frequently implicated in liver cancer pathogenesis and the inhibitors targeting these pathways under investigation or already in use in the management of advanced liver cancer. We elucidate the oncogenic roles of these pathways in liver cancer especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the current state of research on inhibitors respectively. Given that TKIs represent the sole class of targeted therapeutics for liver cancer employed in clinical practice, we have particularly focused on TKIs and the mechanisms of the commonly encountered phenomena of its resistance during HCC treatment. This necessitates the imperative development of innovative targeted strategies and the urgency of overcoming the existing limitations. This review endeavors to shed light on the utilization of targeted therapy in advanced liver cancer, with a vision to improve the unsatisfactory prognostic outlook for those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangtao Xue
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yeling Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
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4
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Mao B, Liu S, Zhu S, Wu F, Yuan W, Yan Y, Wang B. The janus face of serotonin: Regenerative promoter and chronic liver disease aggravator. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30703. [PMID: 38756588 PMCID: PMC11096747 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30703] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The progression of liver diseases, from viral hepatitis and fatty liver disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the most representative series of pathological events in liver diseases. While serotonin (5-HT) primarily regulates brain functions such as psychology, mood, and appetite in the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral 5-HT plays a crucial role in regulating tumor development, glucose and lipid metabolism, immune function and inflammatory response related to liver diseases. These peripheral physiological processes involving 5-HT are the key mechanisms driving the development of these liver diseases. This study presents an overview of the existing literature, focusing on the role of 5-HT in HCC, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and liver injury. In summary, while 5-HT promotes liver regeneration, it can also contribute to the progression of chronic liver disease. These findings indicate the potential for the development and use of 5-HT-related drugs for the treatment of liver diseases, including HCC and cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benliang Mao
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shoupei Liu
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Translational Medicine, Institutes for Life Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanfei Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Yan
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bailin Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- College of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
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5
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Younis MA, Harashima H. Understanding Gene Involvement in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Implications for Gene Therapy and Personalized Medicine. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2024; 17:193-213. [PMID: 38737776 PMCID: PMC11088404 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s431346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the dominant type of liver cancers and is one of the deadliest health threats globally. The conventional therapeutic options for HCC are hampered by low efficiency and intolerable side effects. Gene therapy, however, now offers hope for the treatment of many disorders previously considered incurable, and gene therapy is beginning to address many of the shortcomings of conventional therapies. Herein, we summarize the involvement of genes in the pathogenesis and prognosis of HCC, with a special focus on dysregulated signaling pathways, genes involved in immune evasion, and non-coding RNAs as novel two-edged players, which collectively offer potential targets for the gene therapy of HCC. Herein, the opportunities and challenges of HCC gene therapy are discussed. These include innovative therapies such as genome editing and cell therapies. Moreover, advanced gene delivery technologies that recruit nanomedicines for use in gene therapy for HCC are highlighted. Finally, suggestions are offered for improved clinical translation and future directions in this area of endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud A Younis
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
- Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Hideyoshi Harashima
- Laboratory of Innovative Nanomedicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
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6
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Jia J, Zhou X, Chu Q. Mechanisms and therapeutic prospect of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in liver cancer. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-04983-5. [PMID: 38519710 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-04983-5] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer (LC) poses a significant global health challenge due to its high incidence and poor prognosis. Current systemic treatment options, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and immunotherapy, have shown limited effectiveness for advanced LC patients. Moreover, owing to the heterogeneous nature of LC, it is crucial to uncover more in-depth pathogenic mechanisms and develop effective treatments to address the limitations of the existing therapeutic modalities. Increasing evidence has revealed the crucial role of the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway in the pathogenesis of LC. The specific mechanisms driving the JAK-STAT pathway activation in LC, participate in a variety of malignant biological processes, including cell differentiation, evasion, anti-apoptosis, immune escape, and treatment resistance. Both preclinical and clinical investigations on the JAK-STAT pathway inhibitors have exhibited potential in LC treatment, thereby opening up avenues for the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies for LC. In this study, we provide an overview of the JAK-STAT pathway, delving into the composition, activation, and dynamic interplay within the pathway. Additionally, we focus on the molecular mechanisms driving the aberrant activation of the JAK-STAT pathway in LC. Furthermore, we summarize the latest advancements in targeting the JAK-STAT pathway for LC treatment. The insights presented in this review aim to underscore the necessity of research into the JAK-STAT signaling pathway as a promising avenue for LC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- JunJun Jia
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xuelian Zhou
- Division of Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Qingfei Chu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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7
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Luo X, He X, Zhang X, Zhao X, Zhang Y, Shi Y, Hua S. Hepatocellular carcinoma: signaling pathways, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e474. [PMID: 38318160 PMCID: PMC10838672 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with a high mortality rate. It is regarded as a significant public health issue because of its complicated pathophysiology, high metastasis, and recurrence rates. There are no obvious symptoms in the early stage of HCC, which often leads to delays in diagnosis. Traditional treatment methods such as surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and interventional therapies have limited therapeutic effects for HCC patients with recurrence or metastasis. With the development of molecular biology and immunology, molecular signaling pathways and immune checkpoint were identified as the main mechanism of HCC progression. Targeting these molecules has become a new direction for the treatment of HCC. At present, the combination of targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors is the first choice for advanced HCC patients. In this review, we mainly focus on the cutting-edge research of signaling pathways and corresponding targeted therapy and immunotherapy in HCC. It is of great significance to comprehensively understand the pathogenesis of HCC, search for potential therapeutic targets, and optimize the treatment strategies of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Luo
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Interventional Diagnosis and TreatmentZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Xin He
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Xingmei Zhang
- Department of NeurobiologySchool of Basic Medical SciencesSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Yuzhe Zhang
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Yusheng Shi
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
| | - Shengni Hua
- Department of Radiation OncologyZhuhai People's HospitalZhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan UniversityZhuhaiChina
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8
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Zhao R, Hu Z, Zhang X, Huang S, Yu G, Wu Z, Yu W, Lu J, Ruan B. The oncogenic mechanisms of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway in digestive tract tumors. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:68. [PMID: 38273295 PMCID: PMC10809652 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01421-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Digestive tract tumors are heterogeneous and involve the dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways. The Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway plays a notable role in the oncogenesis of digestive tract tumors. Typically activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, it regulates important biological processes, such as cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, immune responses, and inflammation. The aberrant activation of this pathway manifests in different forms, including mutations in JAKs, overexpression of cytokine receptors, and sustained STAT activation, and contributes to promoting the malignant characteristics of cancer cells, including uncontrolled proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, enhanced invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, acquisition of stem-like properties, and drug resistance. Numerous studies have shown that aberrant activation of the JAK-STAT pathway is closely related to the development and progression of digestive tract tumors, contributing to tumor survival, angiogenesis, changes in the tumor microenvironment, and even immune escape processes. In addition, this signaling pathway also affects the sensitivity of digestive tract tumors to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehensively understand the oncogenic mechanisms underlying the JAK-STAT pathway in order to develop effective therapeutic strategies against digestive tract tumors. Currently, several JAK-STAT inhibitors are undergoing clinical and preclinical trials as potential treatments for various human diseases. However, further investigation is required to determine the role of this pathway, as well as the effectiveness and safety of its inhibitors, especially in the context of digestive tract tumors. In this review, we provide an overview of the structure, classic activation, and negative regulation of the JAK-STAT pathway. Furthermore, we discuss the pathogenic mechanisms of JAK-STAT signaling in different digestive tract tumors, with the aim of identifying potential novel therapeutic targets. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruihong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Zhangmin Hu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Shujuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Guodong Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Wei Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Juan Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China.
| | - Bing Ruan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China.
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9
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Wang J, Ma C, Tang Z, Sun Z, Qaed E, Chi X, Wang J, Jamalat Y, Geng Z, Tang Z, Yao Q. Mechanism study of oleanolic acid derivative, K73-03, inducing cell apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:17. [PMID: 38185661 PMCID: PMC10771654 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03119-x] [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: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Oleanolic acid (3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, OA) is a kind of pentacyclic triterpene, which widely distributes in nature. OA possesses a powerful anti-cancer effect; however, its low solubility limits its bioavailability and application. In this study, a new OA derivative, K73-03, was used to determine its effect on liver cancer cells and detailed molecular mechanisms. Here, we show that K73-03 may lead to the disorder of mitochondria in HepG2 cells, leading to excessive ROS production and apoptosis in cells. Meanwhile, K73-03 could induce cell apoptosis by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway and NF-κB/P65 pathway. Collectively, this study may provide a preliminary basis for further cancer treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130000, China
| | - Chuchu Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhongyuan Tang
- Department of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, 130033, P.R. China
| | - Zhengwu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Eskandar Qaed
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xinming Chi
- Histology and Embryology Department, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Pathophysiology Department, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yazeed Jamalat
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Zhaohong Geng
- Department of Cardiology, 2th Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Zhongshan Road No. 467, Dalian, 116000, China.
| | - Zeyao Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
| | - Qiying Yao
- Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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10
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Xiong HJ, Yu HQ, Zhang J, Fang L, Wu D, Lin XT, Xie CM. Elevated FBXL6 activates both wild-type KRAS and mutant KRAS G12D and drives HCC tumorigenesis via the ERK/mTOR/PRELID2/ROS axis in mice. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:68. [PMID: 38124228 PMCID: PMC10731709 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00501-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) and mutant KRASG12D have been implicated in human cancers, but it remains unclear whether their activation requires ubiquitination. This study aimed to investigate whether and how F-box and leucine-rich repeat 6 (FBXL6) regulates KRAS and KRASG12D activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We constructed transgenic mouse strains LC (LSL-Fbxl6KI/+;Alb-Cre, n = 13), KC (LSL-KrasG12D/+;Alb-Cre, n = 10) and KLC (LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Fbxl6KI/+;Alb-Cre, n = 12) mice, and then monitored HCC for 320 d. Multiomics approaches and pharmacological inhibitors were used to determine oncogenic signaling in the context of elevated FBXL6 and KRAS activation. Co‑immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), Western blotting, ubiquitination assay and RAS activity detection assay were employed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism by which FBXL6 activates KRAS. The pathological relevance of the FBXL6/KRAS/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/proteins of relevant evolutionary and lymphoid interest domain 2 (PRELID2) axis was evaluated in 129 paired samples from HCC patients. RESULTS FBXL6 is highly expressed in HCC as well as other human cancers (P < 0.001). Interestingly, FBXL6 drives HCC in transgenic mice. Mechanistically, elevated FBXL6 promotes the polyubiquitination of both wild-type KRAS and KRASG12D at lysine 128, leading to the activation of both KRAS and KRASG12D and promoting their binding to the serine/threonine-protein kinase RAF, which is followed by the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/ERK/mTOR signaling. The oncogenic activity of the MEK/ERK/mTOR axis relies on PRELID2, which induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, hepatic FBXL6 upregulation facilitates KRASG12D to induce more severe hepatocarcinogenesis and lung metastasis via the MEK/ERK/mTOR/PRELID2/ROS axis. Dual inhibition of MEK and mTOR effectively suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in this subtype of cancer in vivo. In clinical samples, FBXL6 expression positively correlates with p-ERK (χ2 = 85.067, P < 0.001), p-mTOR (χ2 = 66.919, P < 0.001) and PRELID2 (χ2 = 20.891, P < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analyses suggested that HCC patients with high FBXL6/p-ERK levels predicted worse overall survival (log‑rank P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS FBXL6 activates KRAS or KRASG12D via ubiquitination at the site K128, leading to activation of the ERK/mTOR/PRELID2/ROS axis and tumorigenesis. Dual inhibition of MEK and mTOR effectively protects against FBXL6- and KRASG12D-induced tumorigenesis, providing a potential therapeutic strategy to treat this aggressive subtype of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Jun Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hong-Qiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lei Fang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Di Wu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiao-Tong Lin
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Chuan-Ming Xie
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Liu K, Chen J, Zhao Y, Boland J, Ting KK, Lockwood G, McKenzie C, Kench J, Vadas MA, Gamble JR, McCaughan GW. Novel miRNA-based drug CD5-2 reduces liver tumor growth in diethylnitrosamine-treated mice by normalizing tumor vasculature and altering immune infiltrate. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1245708. [PMID: 37795103 PMCID: PMC10545841 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1245708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Liver cancers exhibit abnormal (leaky) vasculature, hypoxia and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Normalization of tumor vasculature is an emerging approach to treat many cancers. Blockmir CD5-2 is a novel oligonucleotide-based inhibitor of the miR-27a interaction with VE-Cadherin, the endothelial-specific cadherin. The combination of a vasoactive medication with inhibition of immune checkpoints such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) has been shown to be effective in treating liver cancer in humans. We aimed to study the effect of CD5-2 combined with checkpoint inhibition (using an antibody against PD1) on liver tumor growth, vasculature and immune infiltrate in the diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver tumor mouse model. Methods We first analyzed human miR-27a and VE-Cadherin expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas for hepatocellular carcinoma. CD5-2 and/or anti-PD1 antibody were given to the DEN-treated mice from age 7-months until harvest at age 9-months. Tumor and non-tumor liver tissues were analyzed using histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy. Results Human data showed high miR-27a and low VE-Cadherin were both significantly associated with poorer prognosis. Mice treated with CD5-2 plus anti-PD1 antibody had significantly smaller liver tumors (50% reduction) compared to mice treated with either agent alone, controls, or untreated mice. There was no difference in tumor number. Histologically, tumors in CD5-2-treated mice had less leaky vessels with higher VE-Cadherin expression and less tumor hypoxia compared to non-CD5-2-treated mice. Only tumors in the combination CD5-2 plus anti-PD1 antibody group exhibited a more favorable immune infiltrate (significantly higher CD3+ and CD8+ T cells and lower Ly6G+ neutrophils) compared to tumors from other groups. Discussion CD5-2 normalized tumor vasculature and reduced hypoxia in DEN-induced liver tumors. CD5-2 plus anti-PD1 antibody reduced liver tumor size possibly by altering the immune infiltrate to a more immunosupportive one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Liu
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jinbiao Chen
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yang Zhao
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jade Boland
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ka Ka Ting
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Glen Lockwood
- Biogerontology Group, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catriona McKenzie
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James Kench
- New South Wales Health Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mathew A. Vadas
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer R. Gamble
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffrey W. McCaughan
- AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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12
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Park H, Lee S, Lee J, Moon H, Ro SW. Exploring the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Unraveling Signaling Complexity and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13764. [PMID: 37762066 PMCID: PMC10531214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813764] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) continues to pose a substantial global health challenge due to its high incidence and limited therapeutic options. In recent years, the Janus Kinase (JAK) and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) pathway has emerged as a critical signaling cascade in HCC pathogenesis. The review commences with an overview of the JAK/STAT pathway, delving into the dynamic interplay between the JAK/STAT pathway and its numerous upstream activators, such as cytokines and growth factors enriched in pathogenic livers afflicted with chronic inflammation and cirrhosis. This paper also elucidates how the persistent activation of JAK/STAT signaling leads to diverse oncogenic processes during hepatocarcinogenesis, including uncontrolled cell proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, and immune escape. In the context of therapeutic implications, this review summarizes recent advancements in targeting the JAK/STAT pathway for HCC treatment. Preclinical and clinical studies investigating inhibitors and modulators of JAK/STAT signaling are discussed, highlighting their potential in suppressing the deadly disease. The insights presented herein underscore the necessity for continued research into targeting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway as a promising avenue for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Simon Weonsang Ro
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si 17104, Republic of Korea; (H.P.); (S.L.); (J.L.); (H.M.)
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Talamantes S, Lisjak M, Gilglioni EH, Llamoza-Torres CJ, Ramos-Molina B, Gurzov EN. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus as growing aetiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100811. [PMID: 37575883 PMCID: PMC10413159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity-related complications such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are well-established risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of steatosis, hyperinsulinemia and hepatic inflammation in HCC development and progression. We focus on recent findings linking intracellular pathways and transcription factors that can trigger the reprogramming of hepatic cells. In addition, we highlight the role of enzymes in dysregulated metabolic activity and consequent dysfunctional signalling. Finally, we discuss the potential uses and challenges of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat NAFLD/T2D-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Talamantes
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
| | - Michela Lisjak
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
| | - Eduardo H. Gilglioni
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
| | - Camilo J. Llamoza-Torres
- Department of Hepatology, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, 30120, Spain
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, 30120, Spain
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, 30120, Spain
| | - Esteban N. Gurzov
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, 30120, Spain
- WELBIO Department, WEL Research Institute, Avenue Pasteur 6, Wavre, 1300, Belgium
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14
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Zhang X, Liu Y, Yang R, Guo Y, Yan M, Xiao Y, Dong Y, Zhang R, Qin Y, Bu Y, Zhang Y, Gao H. Phosphorylation of RasGRP1 by Shc3 prevents RasGRP1 degradation and contributes to Ras/c-Jun activation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cell Biochem 2023:10.1007/s11010-023-04839-4. [PMID: 37646951 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04839-4] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein 1 (RasGRP1), a Ras activator, is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other kinds of cancer and is associated with the poor prognosis of patients. However, little is known about the underlying regulatory mechanisms of RasGRP1 in the context of cancer. Here, we report that RasGRP1 physically interacted with the adaptor protein Src homolog and collagen homolog 3 (Shc3). Moreover, RasGRP1 C-terminus domain (aa 607-797) bound to the central collagen-homology 1 (CH1) domain of Shc3. Subsequently, Shc3 enhanced the RasGRP1 tyrosine phosphorylation rate and stability by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Notably, the phosphorylation-mimicking mutants of RasGRP1, RasGRP1 Y704A, and Y748A, rescued the phosphorylation and ubiquitination levels of RasGRP1 in HCC cells. Further investigation showed that the RasGRP1 and Shc3 interaction induced activation of Ras and c-Jun, resulting in cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, the regulation of Shc3/RasGRP1/Ras/c-Jun signal transduction was confirmed in vivo using the subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. Thus, we propose that continuous Shc3 overexpression may be a possible mechanism for maintaining RasGRP1 stability and that persistent activation of Ras/c-Jun signaling through the interaction of RasGRP1 and Shc3 is a key event increasing cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that the interaction of RasGRP1 and Shc3 plays an important role in HCC tumorigenesis and suggests the potential clinical usage of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yuanyuan Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Meiling Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yunzhuo Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Ruixia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yinpeng Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yishan Bu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Huier Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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Caputo M, Xia Y, Anand SK, Cansby E, Andersson E, Marschall HU, Königsrainer A, Peter A, Mahlapuu M. STE20-type kinases MST3 and MST4 promote the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma: Evidence from human cell culture and expression profiling of liver biopsies. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23105. [PMID: 37490000 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300397rr] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal and fastest growing malignancies. Recently, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by liver steatosis, inflammation, cell injury (hepatocyte ballooning), and different stages of fibrosis, has emerged as a major catalyst for HCC. Because the STE20-type kinases, MST3 and MST4, have been described as critical molecular regulators of NASH pathophysiology, we here focused on determining the relevance of these proteins in human HCC. By analyzing public datasets and in-house cohorts, we found that hepatic MST3 and MST4 expression was positively correlated with the incidence and severity of HCC. We also found that the silencing of both MST3 and MST4, but also either of them individually, markedly suppressed the tumorigenesis of human HCC cells including attenuated proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mechanistic investigations revealed lower activation of STAT3 signaling in MST3/MST4-deficient hepatocytes and identified GOLGA2 and STRIPAK complex as the binding partners of both MST3 and MST4. These findings reveal that MST3 and MST4 play a critical role in promoting the progression of HCC and suggest that targeting these kinases may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Caputo
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sumit Kumar Anand
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emmelie Cansby
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emma Andersson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hanns-Ulrich Marschall
- Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alfred Königsrainer
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peter
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Department for Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Margit Mahlapuu
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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16
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Zhang Z, Mao M, Wang F, Zhang Y, Shi J, Chang L, Wu X, Zhang Z, Xu P, Lu S. Comprehensive analysis and immune landscape of chemokines- and chemokine receptors-based signature in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1164669. [PMID: 37545521 PMCID: PMC10399597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1164669] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite encouraging results from immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the prognosis remains poor. Chemokines and their receptors are an essential component in the development of HCC, but their significance in HCC have not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to establish chemokine-related prognostic signature and investigate the association between the genes and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Methods 342 HCC patients have screened from the TCGA cohort. A prognostic signature was developed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox proportional risk regression analysis. External validation was performed using the LIHC-JP cohort deployed from the ICGC database. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the GEO database. Two nomograms were developed to estimate the outcome of HCC patients. RT-qPCR was used to validate the differences in the expression of genes contained in the signature. Results The prognostic signature containing two chemokines-(CCL14, CCL20) and one chemokine receptor-(CCR3) was successfully established. The HCC patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups according to their median risk scores. We found that patients in the low-risk group had better outcomes than those in the high-risk group. The results of univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses suggested that this prognostic signature could be considered an independent risk factor for the outcome of HCC patients. We discovered significant differences in the infiltration of various immune cell subtypes, tumor mutation burden, biological pathways, the expression of immune activation or suppression genes, and the sensitivity of different groups to chemotherapy agents and small molecule-targeted drugs in the high- and low-risk groups. Subsequently, single-cell analysis results showed that the higher expression of CCL20 was associated with HCC metastasis. The RT-qPCR results demonstrated remarkable discrepancies in the expression of CCL14, CCL20, and CCR3 between HCC and its paired adjacent non-tumor tissues. Conclusion In this study, a novel prognostic biomarker explored in depth the association between the prognostic model and TIME was developed and verified. These results may be applied in the future to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy or targeted therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Mingsong Mao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fangzhou Wang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Jihang Shi
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhenpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
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Williams O, Hu L, Huang W, Patel P, Bartom ET, Bei L, Hjort E, Hijiya C, Eklund EA. Nore1 inhibits age-associated myeloid lineage skewing and clonal hematopoiesis but facilitates termination of emergency (stress) granulopoiesis. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104867. [PMID: 37247756 PMCID: PMC10404618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104867] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-associated bone marrow changes include myeloid skewing and mutations that lead to clonal hematopoiesis. Molecular mechanisms for these events are ill defined, but decreased expression of Irf8/Icsbp (interferon regulatory factor 8/interferon consensus sequence binding protein) in aging hematopoietic stem cells may contribute. Irf8 functions as a leukemia suppressor for chronic myeloid leukemia, and young Irf8-/- mice have neutrophilia with progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with aging. Irf8 is also required to terminate emergency granulopoiesis during the innate immune response, suggesting this may be the physiologic counterpart to leukemia suppression by this transcription factor. Identifying Irf8 effectors may define mediators of both events and thus contributors to age-related bone marrow disorders. In this study, we identified RASSF5 (encoding Nore1) as an Irf8 target gene and investigated the role of Nore1 in hematopoiesis. We found Irf8 activates RASSF5 transcription and increases Nore1a expression during emergency granulopoiesis. Similar to Irf8-/- mice, we found that young Rassf5-/- mice had increased neutrophils and progressed to AML with aging. We identified enhanced DNA damage, excess clonal hematopoiesis, and a distinct mutation profile in hematopoietic stem cells from aging Rassf5-/- mice compared with wildtype. We found sustained emergency granulopoiesis in Rassf5-/- mice, with repeated episodes accelerating AML, also similar to Irf8-/- mice. Identifying Nore1a downstream from Irf8 defines a pathway involved in leukemia suppression and the innate immune response and suggests a novel molecular mechanism contributing to age-related clonal myeloid disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatundun Williams
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Liping Hu
- The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Weiqi Huang
- The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Medicine Service, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Priyam Patel
- The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Bartom
- The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ling Bei
- RxD Nova Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Vacaville, California, USA
| | | | - Christina Hijiya
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Eklund
- The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Medicine Service, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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Xu S, Leng Y, Feng G, Zhang C, Chen M. A gene pathway enrichment method based on improved TF-IDF algorithm. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 34:101421. [PMID: 36923007 PMCID: PMC10009669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101421] [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: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene pathway enrichment analysis is a widely used method to analyze whether a gene set is statistically enriched on certain biological pathway network. Current gene pathway enrichment methods commonly consider local importance of genes in pathways without considering the interactions between genes. In this paper, we propose a gene pathway enrichment method (GIGSEA) based on improved TF-IDF algorithm. This method employs gene interaction data to calculate the influence of genes based on the local importance in a pathway as well as the global specificity. Computational experiment result shows that, compared with traditional gene set enrichment analysis method, our proposed method in this paper can find more specific enriched pathways related to phenotype with higher efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shutan Xu
- College of Information Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.,Key Laboratory of Fisheries Information, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Yinhui Leng
- College of Information Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Guofu Feng
- College of Information Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Chenjing Zhang
- College of Information Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Ming Chen
- College of Information Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.,Key Laboratory of Fisheries Information, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai, 201306, China
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19
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D'Artista L, Moschopoulou AA, Barozzi I, Craig AJ, Seehawer M, Herrmann L, Minnich M, Kang TW, Rist E, Henning M, Klotz S, Heinzmann F, Harbig J, Sipos B, Longerich T, Eilers M, Dauch D, Zuber J, Wang XW, Zender L. MYC determines lineage commitment in KRAS-driven primary liver cancer development. J Hepatol 2023; 79:141-149. [PMID: 36906109 PMCID: PMC10330789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.02.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Primary liver cancer (PLC) comprises hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), two frequent and lethal tumour types that differ regarding their tumour biology and responses to cancer therapies. Liver cells harbour a high degree of cellular plasticity and can give rise to either HCC or iCCA. However, little is known about the cell-intrinsic mechanisms directing an oncogenically transformed liver cell to either HCC or iCCA. The scope of this study was to identify cell-intrinsic factors determining lineage commitment in PLC. METHODS Cross-species transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling was applied to murine HCCs and iCCAs and to two human PLC cohorts. Integrative data analysis comprised epigenetic Landscape In Silico deletion Analysis (LISA) of transcriptomic data and Hypergeometric Optimization of Motif EnRichment (HOMER) analysis of chromatin accessibility data. Identified candidate genes were subjected to functional genetic testing in non-germline genetically engineered PLC mouse models (shRNAmir knockdown or overexpression of full-length cDNAs). RESULTS Integrative bioinformatic analyses of transcriptomic and epigenetic data pinpointed the Forkhead-family transcription factors FOXA1 and FOXA2 as MYC-dependent determination factors of the HCC lineage. Conversely, the ETS family transcription factor ETS1 was identified as a determinant of the iCCA lineage, which was found to be suppressed by MYC during HCC development. Strikingly, shRNA-mediated suppression of FOXA1 and FOXA2 with concomitant ETS1 expression fully switched HCC to iCCA development in PLC mouse models. CONCLUSIONS The herein reported data establish MYC as a key determinant of lineage commitment in PLC and provide a molecular explanation why common liver-damaging risk factors such as alcoholic or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis can lead to either HCC or iCCA. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Liver cancer is a major health problem and comprises hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), two frequent and lethal tumour types that differ regarding their morphology, tumour biology, and responses to cancer therapies. We identified the transcription factor and oncogenic master regulator MYC as a switch between HCC and iCCA development. When MYC levels are high at the time point when a hepatocyte becomes a tumour cell, an HCC is growing out. Conversely, if MYC levels are low at this time point, the result is the outgrowth of an iCCA. Our study provides a molecular explanation why common liver-damaging risk factors such as alcoholic or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis can lead to either HCC or iCCA. Furthermore, our data harbour potential for the development of better PLC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana D'Artista
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Athina Anastasia Moschopoulou
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Iros Barozzi
- Institute of Cancer Research, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Amanda J Craig
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marco Seehawer
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lea Herrmann
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Martina Minnich
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Tae-Won Kang
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Elke Rist
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Henning
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Klotz
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Florian Heinzmann
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Jule Harbig
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Bence Sipos
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Longerich
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Eilers
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Dauch
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria; Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Xin Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA; Liver Cancer Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lars Zender
- Department of Medical Oncology and Pneumology (Internal Medicine VIII), University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; iFIT Cluster of Excellence EXC 2180 'Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; German Cancer Research Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Tübingen, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
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20
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Wu C, Liu D, Zhang L, Wang J, Ding Y, Sun Z, Wang W. 5'-tiRNA-Gln inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by repressing translation through the interaction with eukaryotic initiation factor 4A-I. Front Med 2023; 17:476-492. [PMID: 36973570 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-022-0966-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are novel non-coding RNAs that are involved in the occurrence and progression of diverse diseases. However, their exact presence and function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Here, differentially expressed tsRNAs in HCC were profiled. A novel tsRNA, tRNAGln-TTG derived 5'-tiRNA-Gln, is significantly downregulated, and its expression level is correlated with progression in patients. In HCC cells, 5'-tiRNA-Gln overexpression impaired the proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo, while 5'-tiRNA-Gln knockdown yielded opposite results. 5'-tiRNA-Gln exerted its function by binding eukaryotic initiation factor 4A-I (EIF4A1), which unwinds complex RNA secondary structures during translation initiation, causing the partial inhibition of translation. The suppressed downregulated proteins include ARAF, MEK1/2 and STAT3, causing the impaired signaling pathway related to HCC progression. Furthermore, based on the construction of a mutant 5'-tiRNA-Gln, the sequence of forming intramolecular G-quadruplex structure is crucial for 5'-tiRNA-Gln to strongly bind EIF4A1 and repress translation. Clinically, 5'-tiRNA-Gln expression level is negatively correlated with ARAF, MEK1/2, and STAT3 in HCC tissues. Collectively, these findings reveal that 5'-tiRJNA-Gln interacts with EIF4A1 to reduce related mRNA binding through the intramolecular G-quadruplex structure, and this process partially inhibits translation and HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengdong Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Dekai Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Lufei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jingjie Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yuan Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Zhongquan Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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21
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Ko FCF, Yan S, Lee KW, Lam SK, Ho JCM. Chimera and Tandem-Repeat Type Galectins: The New Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy. Biomolecules 2023; 13:902. [PMID: 37371482 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060902] [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: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, a total of 12 galectins have been identified. Their intracellular and extracellular biological functions are explored and discussed in this review. These galectins play important roles in controlling immune responses within the tumour microenvironment (TME) and the infiltration of immune cells, including different subsets of T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils, to fight against cancer cells. However, these infiltrating cells also have repair roles and are hijacked by cancer cells for pro-tumorigenic activities. Upon a better understanding of the immunomodulating functions of galectin-3 and -9, their inhibitors, namely, GB1211 and LYT-200, have been selected as candidates for clinical trials. The use of these galectin inhibitors as combined treatments with current immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is also undergoing clinical trial investigations. Through their network of binding partners, inhibition of galectin have broad downstream effects acting on CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), Natural Killer (NK) cells, and macrophages as well as playing pro-inflammatory roles, inhibiting T-cell exhaustion to support the fight against cancer cells. Other galectin members are also included in this review to provide insight into potential candidates for future treatment(s). The pitfalls and limitations of using galectins and their inhibitors are also discussed to cognise their clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frankie Chi Fat Ko
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sheng Yan
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Wai Lee
- Pathology Department, Baptist Hospital, Waterloo Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sze Kwan Lam
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - James Chung Man Ho
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
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22
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Rong J, Pu R, Sun H, Liu Y, Tian T, Bi H, Xia T, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Zhu L. Association between the Methylation of CpG Islands in JAK-STAT Pathway-Related Genes and Colorectal Cancer. Gene 2023; 868:147357. [PMID: 36914143 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant promoter methylation of CpG islands plays an important role in carcinogenesis. However, the association between the DNA methylation of JAK-STAT pathway-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility remains unclear. METHODS We conducted a case-control study of 403 patients with CRC and 419 cancer free controls, and the DNA methylation levels of JAK2, STAT1, STAT3, and SOCS3 in peripheral blood samples from all subjects were assessed using a methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) analysis. RESULTS Compared with controls, the methylation of the JAK2, STAT1 and SOCS3 genes increased the CRC risk (ORadjusted=1.96, 95% CI, 1.12-3.41, P=0.01; ORadjusted=5.37, 95% CI, 3.74-7.71, P<0.01; ORadjusted=3.30, 95% CI, 1.58-6.87, P<0.01). In the multiple CpG site methylation (MCSM) analysis, a high MCSM value denoted an increased CRC risk (ORadjusted=4.97, 95% CI, 3.34-7.37, P<0.01). CONCLUSION In peripheral blood, the methylation of JAK2, STAT1, and high levels of MCSM are promising biomarkers for CRC risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiesheng Rong
- Second Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Pu
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongru Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yupeng Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian Tian
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Bi
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Xia
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yashuang Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Epidemiology, Public Health College, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
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23
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Tang S, Xu B, Pang H, Xiao L, Mei Q, He X. Ozonated Water Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Invasion and Metastasis by Regulating the HMGB1/NF-κB/STAT3 Signaling Pathway. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:203-215. [PMID: 36798740 PMCID: PMC9926998 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s394074] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a highly conserved chromosome protein, is considered as a potential therapeutic target and novel biomarker because of its regulation in the proliferation and metastasis of HCC. Ozone has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of cancer. The objective of this study was to explore the effects and molecular mechanism of ozonated water on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BEL7402 HCC cells. Materials and Methods We assessed cell proliferation using a CCK-8 assay kit and flow cytometry; we performed wound healing and transwell assays to evaluate the effects of ozonated water treatment on cell invasion and migration. We determined reactive oxygen species (ROS) values by flow cytometry and used ELISAs to detect cytokines HMGB1, IL-6, and TNF-α. In addition, we assessed mRNA and protein cytokine expressions using RT-qPCR and Western blot. Results Ozonated water decreased the viability of the HCC cells; the IC50 of ozonated water at 24 h was approximately 1.5 μg/mL. Compared with control groups, ozone treated cells revealed reduced mobility on wound healing assays and decreased invasion in transwell assays. HMGB1, IL-6, and TNF-α cytokines were found at lower levels in ozone treated cells than in control cells. Ozonated water-induced ROS accumulation. Likewise, the expressions of phosphorylated nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB), p65, NF-κB, P-STAT3, IL-6, JAK2, Slug, Twist, vimentin, MMP-2, MMP-9, and HMGB1 were decreased in the treated cells. Conclusion Our findings suggest that ozonated water inhibits the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells via regulation of the HMGB1/NF-κB/STAT3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiying Tang
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bihong Xu
- Interventional Radiology and Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Department of Pathology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huajin Pang
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijun Xiao
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China
| | - Quelin Mei
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaofeng He
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Xiaofeng He, Email
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24
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Morgan KJ, Doggett K, Geng F, Mieruszynski S, Whitehead L, Smith KA, Hogan BM, Simons C, Baillie GJ, Molania R, Papenfuss AT, Hall TE, Ober EA, Stainier DYR, Gong Z, Heath JK. ahctf1 and kras mutations combine to amplify oncogenic stress and restrict liver overgrowth in a zebrafish model of hepatocellular carcinoma. eLife 2023; 12:73407. [PMID: 36648336 PMCID: PMC9897728 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleoporin (NUP) ELYS, encoded by AHCTF1, is a large multifunctional protein with essential roles in nuclear pore assembly and mitosis. Using both larval and adult zebrafish models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in which the expression of an inducible mutant kras transgene (krasG12V) drives hepatocyte-specific hyperplasia and liver enlargement, we show that reducing ahctf1 gene dosage by 50% markedly decreases liver volume, while non-hyperplastic tissues are unaffected. We demonstrate that in the context of cancer, ahctf1 heterozygosity impairs nuclear pore formation, mitotic spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation, leading to DNA damage and activation of a Tp53-dependent transcriptional programme that induces cell death and cell cycle arrest. Heterozygous expression of both ahctf1 and ranbp2 (encoding a second nucleoporin), or treatment of heterozygous ahctf1 larvae with the nucleocytoplasmic transport inhibitor, Selinexor, completely blocks krasG12V-driven hepatocyte hyperplasia. Gene expression analysis of patient samples in the liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) dataset in The Cancer Genome Atlas shows that high expression of one or more of the transcripts encoding the 10 components of the NUP107-160 subcomplex, which includes AHCTF1, is positively correlated with worse overall survival. These results provide a strong and feasible rationale for the development of novel cancer therapeutics that target ELYS function and suggest potential avenues for effective combinatorial treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Morgan
- Epigenetics and Development Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Karen Doggett
- Epigenetics and Development Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Fansuo Geng
- Epigenetics and Development Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Stephen Mieruszynski
- Epigenetics and Development Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Lachlan Whitehead
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
- Centre for Dynamic Imaging, Advanced Technology and Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
| | - Kelly A Smith
- Department of Physiology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
| | - Benjamin M Hogan
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer CentreMelbourneAustralia
| | - Cas Simons
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
- Murdoch Children's Research InstituteParkvilleAustralia
| | - Gregory J Baillie
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
| | - Ramyar Molania
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
| | - Anthony T Papenfuss
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
- Bioinformatics Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
| | - Thomas E Hall
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
| | - Elke A Ober
- Danish Stem Cell Center, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Didier YR Stainier
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung ResearchBad NauheimGermany
| | - Zhiyuan Gong
- Department of Biological Science, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Joan K Heath
- Epigenetics and Development Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
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25
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Fan L, Tang Y, Li J, Huang W. Increased expression of TBC1D10B as a potential prognostic and immunotherapy relevant biomarker in liver hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:335. [PMID: 36611046 PMCID: PMC9825366 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20341-1] [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: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The TBC1 domain family member 10B (EPI64B/TBC1D10B), a member of the RabGAP EPI64 subfamily, contains a TBC domain that confers GTPase-activating protein activity. Even though overexpression of TBC1D10B has been reported to promote tumor invasion and metastasis in gastric adenocarcinoma, the prognostic value of TBC1D10B and its correlation with DNA methylation and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma are still not known. Transcriptional expression profiles of TBC1D10B between hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and normal tissues were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus. The Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium and the Human Protein Atlas were used to assess the TBC1D10B protein expression. The biological functions of TBC1D10B were evaluated by the Metascape database and by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to distinguish hepatocellular carcinoma from adjacent normal tissues. The effect of TBC1D10B on survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. DNA methylation in the TBC1D10B gene was assessed using the online MEXPRESS and MethSurv tools. The association between TBC1D10B mRNA expression and immune cell infiltration was investigated by the TIMER2 web server, tumor immune estimation resource and single-sample GSEA. This study found that TBC1D10B is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and that increased TBC1D10B mRNA expression is associated with female sex, lower Body Mass Index, high level of alpha fetal protein, and worse clinical stages. The mRNA and protein levels of TBC1D10B were verified in cells. Functional annotation indicated enrichment with negative regulation of the cell cycle, extracellular matrix, and corresponding pathways in the high-TBC1D10B phenotype. The ROC curve analysis showed that, with a cutoff level of 2.912, the accuracy, sensitive, and specificity in differentiate TBC1D10B hepatocellular carcinoma from adjacent controls were 0.931, 0.920, and 0.802, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that hepatocellular carcinoma patients with high TBC1D10B had a worse prognosis than those with low TBC1D10B, especially in patients with a weight below 70 kg, height above 170 cm, and histological G2 and G3. We also found that the methylation of TBC1D10B was associated with the prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that TBC1D10B mRNA expression was positively correlated with infiltration levels of most immune cells, but negatively correlated with Th17 and cytotoxic cells infiltration. Our study indicates that increased TBC1D10B expression in hepatocellular carcinoma may play a role in tumorigenesis by regulating the cell cycle and extracellular matrix. TBC1D10B may be a novel prognostic and predictive marker and immune therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Fan
- grid.477238.dDepartment of Reproductive Medicine, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001 Guangxi China
| | - Yongmei Tang
- grid.477238.dDepartment of Reproductive Medicine, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001 Guangxi China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, Guangxi, China.
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Liuzhou, 545001, Guangxi, China.
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26
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Da BL, He AR, Shetty K, Suchman KI, Yu H, Lau L, Wong LL, Rabiee A, Amdur RL, Crawford JM, Fox SS, Grimaldi GM, Shah PK, Weinstein J, Bernstein D, Satapathy SK, Chambwe N, Xiang X, Mishra L. Pathogenesis to management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Genes Cancer 2022; 13:72-87. [DOI: 10.18632/genesandcancer.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ben L. Da
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Aiwu Ruth He
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC 20007, USA
| | - Kirti Shetty
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kelly I. Suchman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Herbert Yu
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI 96813-5516, USA
| | - Lawrence Lau
- Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Linda L. Wong
- Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813-5516, USA
| | - Atoosa Rabiee
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VA Medical Center, Washington DC 20422, USA
| | - Richard L. Amdur
- Quantitative Intelligence, The Institutes for Health Systems Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, NY 10022, USA
| | - James M. Crawford
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Sharon S. Fox
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Gregory M. Grimaldi
- Department of Radiology, Northwell Health, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Priya K. Shah
- Department of Radiology, Northwell Health, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Jonathan Weinstein
- Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Northwell Health, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - David Bernstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Sanjaya K. Satapathy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Nyasha Chambwe
- The Institute of Molecular Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, NY 11030, USA
| | - Xiyan Xiang
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwell Health, NY 11030, USA
| | - Lopa Mishra
- The Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwell Health, NY 11030, USA
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Tourkochristou E, Assimakopoulos SF, Thomopoulos K, Marangos M, Triantos C. NAFLD and HBV interplay - related mechanisms underlying liver disease progression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:965548. [PMID: 36544761 PMCID: PMC9760931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.965548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) constitute common chronic liver diseases with worldwide distribution. NAFLD burden is expected to grow in the coming decade, especially in western countries, considering the increased incidence of diabetes and obesity. Despite the organized HBV vaccinations and use of anti-viral therapies globally, HBV infection remains endemic and challenging public health issue. As both NAFLD and HBV have been associated with the development of progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the co-occurrence of both diseases has gained great research and clinical interest. The causative relationship between NAFLD and HBV infection has not been elucidated so far. Dysregulated fatty acid metabolism and lipotoxicity in NAFLD disease seems to initiate activation of signaling pathways that enhance pro-inflammatory responses and disrupt hepatocyte cell homeostasis, promoting progression of NAFLD disease to NASH, fibrosis and HCC and can affect HBV replication and immune encountering of HBV virus, which may further have impact on liver disease progression. Chronic HBV infection is suggested to have an influence on metabolic changes, which could lead to NAFLD development and the HBV-induced inflammatory responses and molecular pathways may constitute an aggravating factor in hepatic steatosis development. The observed altered immune homeostasis in both HBV infection and NAFLD could be associated with progression to HCC development. Elucidation of the possible mechanisms beyond HBV chronic infection and NAFLD diseases, which could lead to advanced liver disease or increase the risk for severe complications, in the case of HBV-NAFLD co-existence is of high clinical significance in the context of designing effective therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanthia Tourkochristou
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Stelios F. Assimakopoulos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece,*Correspondence: Stelios F. Assimakopoulos,
| | - Konstantinos Thomopoulos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Markos Marangos
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Christos Triantos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Devi P, Engdahl K, Punga T, Bergqvist A. Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis of CpG Methylation of a Tumor Suppressor Gene SHP-1 Promoter in Stable Cell Lines and HCV-Positive Patients. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112352. [PMID: 36366451 PMCID: PMC9695419 DOI: 10.3390/v14112352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major causative pathogen associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis. The main virion component, the Core (C) protein, is involved in multiple aspects of HCV pathology including oncogenesis and immune evasion. In this study, we established a next-generation bisulfite sequencing (NGS-BS) protocol to analyze the CpG methylation profile at the tumor suppressor gene SHP-1 P2 promoter as a model system. Our data show that HCV C protein expression in the immortalized T cells correlated with a specific CpG methylation profile at the SHP-1 P2. The NGS-BS on HCV-positive (HCV+) patient-derived PBMCs revealed a considerably different CpG methylation profile compared to the HCV C protein immortalized T cells. Notably, the CpG methylation profile was very similar in healthy and HCV+ PBMCs, suggesting that the SHP-1 P2 CpG methylation profile is not altered in the HCV+ individuals. Collectively, the NGS-BS is a highly sensitive method that can be used to quantitatively characterize the CpG methylation status at the level of individual CpG position and also allows the characterization of cis-acting effects on epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Devi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Katarina Engdahl
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tanel Punga
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, SE 75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anders Bergqvist
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, SE 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
- Clinical Microbiology and Hospital Infection Control, Uppsala University Hospital, SE 75185 Uppsala, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-186113937
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29
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Rusu I, Pirlog R, Chiroi P, Nutu A, Puia VR, Fetti AC, Rusu DR, Berindan-Neagoe I, Al Hajjar N. The Implications of Noncoding RNAs in the Evolution and Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)-Related HCC. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12370. [PMID: 36293225 PMCID: PMC9603983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver pathology worldwide. Meanwhile, liver cancer represents the sixth most common malignancy, with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as the primary, most prevalent subtype. Due to the rising incidence of metabolic disorders, NAFLD has become one of the main contributing factors to HCC development. However, although NAFLD might account for about a fourth of HCC cases, there is currently a significant gap in HCC surveillance protocols regarding noncirrhotic NAFLD patients, so the majority of NAFLD-related HCC cases were diagnosed in late stages when survival chances are minimal. However, in the past decade, the focus in cancer genomics has shifted towards the noncoding part of the genome, especially on the microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which have proved to be involved in the regulation of several malignant processes. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding some of the main dysregulated, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and their implications for NAFLD and HCC development. A central focus of the review is on miRNA and lncRNAs that can influence the progression of NAFLD towards HCC and how they can be used as potential screening tools and future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Rusu
- Department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- 3rd Department of General Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400186 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Radu Pirlog
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Paul Chiroi
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andreea Nutu
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad Radu Puia
- 3rd Department of General Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400186 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Surgery, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alin Cornel Fetti
- 3rd Department of General Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400186 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Surgery, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Daniel Radu Rusu
- Department of Pathology, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Nadim Al Hajjar
- 3rd Department of General Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400186 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Surgery, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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30
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SHP-1/STAT3-Signaling-Axis-Regulated Coupling between BECN1 and SLC7A11 Contributes to Sorafenib-Induced Ferroptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911092. [PMID: 36232407 PMCID: PMC9570040 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a type of iron-dependent cell death pertaining to an excess of lipid peroxidation. It has been suggested that sorafenib—an anti-angiogenic medication for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)—induces ferroptosis, but the underlying mechanism for this remains largely unknown. We employed siRNA-mediated gene silencing to investigate the role of Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1), following sorafenib treatment, in cystine/glutamate-antiporter-system-Xc−-regulated cystine uptake. Co-immunoprecipitation was also performed to examine the interactions between MCL1, beclin 1 (BECN1), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), which functions as the catalytic subunit of system Xc−. The results of this study showed that sorafenib enhanced the activity of SHP-1, dephosphorylated STAT3, downregulated the expression of MCL1 and, consequently, reduced the association between MCL1 and BECN1. In contrast, increased binding between BECN1 and SLC7A11 was observed following sorafenib treatment. The elevated interaction between BECN1 and SLC7A11 inhibited the activity of system Xc−, whereas BECN1 silencing restored cystine intake and protected cells from ferroptosis. Notably, ectopic expression of MCL1 uncoupled BECN1 from SLC7A11 and rescued cell viability by attenuating lipid peroxidation. The results revealed that ferroptosis could be induced in HCC via SHP-1/STAT3-mediated downregulation of MCL1 and subsequent inhibition of SLC7A11 by increased BECN1 binding.
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31
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Makino Y, Hikita H, Kato S, Sugiyama M, Shigekawa M, Sakamoto T, Sasaki Y, Murai K, Sakane S, Kodama T, Sakamori R, Kobayashi S, Eguchi H, Takemura N, Kokudo N, Yokoi H, Mukoyama M, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. STAT3 is Activated by CTGF-mediated Tumor-stroma Cross Talk to Promote HCC Progression. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:99-119. [PMID: 36210625 PMCID: PMC9672888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is known as a pro-oncogenic transcription factor. Regarding liver carcinogenesis, however, it remains controversial whether activated STAT3 is pro- or anti-tumorigenic. This study aimed to clarify the significance and mechanism of STAT3 activation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Hepatocyte-specific Kras-mutant mice (Alb-Cre KrasLSL-G12D/+; KrasG12D mice) were used as a liver cancer model. Cell lines of hepatoma and stromal cells including stellate cells, macrophages, T cells, and endothelial cells were used for culture. Surgically resected 12 HCCs were used for human analysis. RESULTS Tumors in KrasG12D mice showed up-regulation of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3), together with interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines, STAT3 target genes, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Hepatocyte-specific STAT3 knockout (Alb-Cre KrasLSL-G12D/+ STAT3fl/fl) downregulated p-STAT3 and CTGF and suppressed tumor progression. In coculture with stromal cells, proliferation, and expression of p-STAT3 and CTGF, were enhanced in hepatoma cells via gp130/STAT3 signaling. Meanwhile, hepatoma cells produced CTGF to stimulate integrin/nuclear factor kappa B signaling and up-regulate IL-6 family cytokines from stromal cells, which could in turn activate gp130/STAT3 signaling in hepatoma cells. In KrasG12D mice, hepatocyte-specific CTGF knockout (Alb-Cre KrasLSL-G12D/+ CTGFfl/fl) downregulated p-STAT3, CTGF, and IL-6 family cytokines, and suppressed tumor progression. In human HCC, single cell RNA sequence showed CTGF and IL-6 family cytokine expression in tumor cells and stromal cells, respectively. CTGF expression was positively correlated with that of IL-6 family cytokines and STAT3 target genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas. CONCLUSIONS STAT3 is activated by CTGF-mediated tumor-stroma crosstalk to promote HCC progression. STAT3-CTGF positive feedback loop could be a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Makino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Seiya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaya Sugiyama
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Minoru Shigekawa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Sakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoichi Sasaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shogo Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Takemura
- Department of Surgery, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norihiro Kokudo
- Department of Surgery, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideki Yokoi
- Department of Nephrology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masashi Mukoyama
- Department of Nephrology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Nephrology, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
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32
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Machida K. HCV and tumor-initiating stem-like cells. Front Physiol 2022; 13:903302. [PMID: 36187761 PMCID: PMC9520593 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.903302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoplasms contain tumor-initiating stem-like cells (TICs) that are characterized by increased drug resistance. The incidence of many cancer types have trended downward except for few cancer types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore mechanism of HCC development and therapy resistance needs to be understood. These multiple hits by hepatitis C virus (HCV) eventually promotes transformation and TIC genesis, leading to HCC development. This review article describes links between HCV-associated HCC and TICs. This review discusses 1) how HCV promotes genesis of TICs and HCC development; 2) how this process avails itself as a novel therapeutic target for HCC treatment; and 3) ten hall marks of TIC oncogenesis and HCC development as targets for novel therapeutic modalities.
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33
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A Review of Current and Emerging Therapies for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:6445-6462. [PMID: 36135076 PMCID: PMC9498097 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29090507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Liver disease including cirrhosis and viral hepatitis remains among the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma and despite increased screening, many patients are diagnosed in the advanced stages precluding them from locoregional therapy. Therapeutic agents for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were limited to Sorafenib for several years; however, with the emergence of molecular targeted therapies including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, in addition to immunotherapies, the way hepatocellular carcinoma is treated has changed significantly. In this review, we summarize the key clinical trials that lead to the approval of these agents for systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and discuss the preferred sequence of treatment options as well as prospective studies for management of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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34
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Makino Y, Hikita H, Fukumoto K, Sung JH, Sakano Y, Murai K, Sakane S, Kodama T, Sakamori R, Kondo J, Kobayashi S, Tatsumi T, Takehara T. Constitutive Activation of the Tumor Suppressor p53 in Hepatocytes Paradoxically Promotes Non-Cell Autonomous Liver Carcinogenesis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:2860-2873. [PMID: 35696550 PMCID: PMC9379366 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-4390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In chronic liver diseases (CLD), p53 is constitutively activated in hepatocytes due to various etiologies as viral infection, ethanol exposure, or lipid accumulation. This study was aimed to clarify the significance of p53 activation on the pathophysiology of CLDs. In Kras-mutant liver cancer model, murine double minute 2 (Mdm2), a negative regulator of p53, was specifically deleted in hepatocytes [Alb-Cre KrasLSL-G12D Mdm2fl/fl (LiKM; KrasG12D mutation and Mdm2 loss in the liver)]. Accumulation of p53 and upregulation of its downstream genes were observed in hepatocytes in LiKM mice. LiKM mice showed liver inflammation accompanied by hepatocyte apoptosis, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and the emergence of hepatic progenitor cells (HPC). More importantly, Mdm2 deletion promoted non-cell autonomous development of liver tumors. Organoids generated from HPCs harbored tumor-formation ability when subcutaneously inoculated into NOD/Shi-scid/IL2Rγ (null) mice. Treatment with acyclic retinoid suppressed growth of HPCs in vitro and inhibited tumorigenesis in LiKM mice. All of the phenotypes in LiKM mice, including accelerated liver tumorigenesis, were negated by further deletion of p53 in hepatocytes (Alb-Cre KrasLSL-G12D Mdm2fl/fl p53fl/fl). Activation of hepatic p53 was noted in liver biopsy samples obtained from 182 patients with CLD, in comparison with 23 normal liver samples without background liver diseases. In patients with CLD, activity of hepatic p53 was positively correlated with the expression of apoptosis, SASP, HPC-associated genes and tumor incidence in the liver after biopsy. In conclusion, activation of hepatocyte p53 creates a microenvironment prone to tumor formation from HPCs. Optimization of p53 activity in hepatocytes is important to prevent patients with CLD from hepatocarcinogenesis. SIGNIFICANCE This study reveals that activation of p53 in hepatocytes promotes liver carcinogenesis derived from HPCs, which elucidates a paradoxical aspect of a tumor suppressor p53 and novel mechanism of liver carcinogenesis. See related commentary by Barton and Lozano, p. 2824.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Makino
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hayato Hikita
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Fukumoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ji Hyun Sung
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Sakano
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Murai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sadatsugu Sakane
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sakamori
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jumpei Kondo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shogo Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohide Tatsumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.,Corresponding Author: Tetsuo Takehara, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. Phone: 816-6879-3621; Fax: 816-6879-3629; E-mail:
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Yao X, Takayama H, Kamoshita K, Oo HK, Tanida R, Kato K, Ishii KA, Takamura T. Cyclosporine A Downregulates Selenoprotein P Expression via a Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3-Forkhead Box Protein O1 Pathway in Hepatocytes In Vitro. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022. [PMID: 35906096 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant applied worldwide for preventing graft rejection and autoimmune diseases. However, CsA elevates oxidative stress, which can lead to liver injuries. The present study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying the CsA-mediated oxidative stress. Among the redox proteins, CsA concentration-dependently downregulated Selenop-encoding selenoprotein P, a major circulating antioxidant protein reducing reactive oxygen species, in hepatocytes cell lines and primary hepatocytes. The luciferase assay identified the CsA-responsive element in the SELENOP promoter containing a putative binding site for forkhead box protein O (FoxO) 1. The CsA-mediated suppression on the SELENOP promoter was independent of the nuclear factor of activated T-cell, a classic target repressed by CsA. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that CsA suppressed the FoxO1 binding to the SELENOP promoter. Foxo1 knockdown significantly downregulated Selenop expression in H4IIEC3 cells. Furthermore, CsA downregulated FoxO1 by inactivating its upstream signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Knockdown of Stat3 downregulated Foxo1 and Selenop expression in hepatocytes. These findings revealed a novel mechanism underlying CsA-induced oxidative stress by downregulating the STAT3-FoxO1-Selenop pathway in hepatocytes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study shows that Cyclosporine A (CsA) downregulates Selenop, an antioxidant protein, by suppressing the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3-forkhead box protein O1 pathway in hepatocytes, possibly one of the causations of CsA-induced oxidative stress in hepatocytes. The present study sheds light on the previously unrecognized CsA-redox axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Yao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Takayama
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Kyoko Kamoshita
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Hein Ko Oo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Ryota Tanida
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Kaisei Kato
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Kiyo-Aki Ishii
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
| | - Toshinari Takamura
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, (X.Y., H.T., Ky.K., H.K.O., R.T., Ka.K., T.T.), Life Sciences Division, Engineering and Technology Department (H.T.), and Department of Integrative Medicine for Longevity (K.-A.I.), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
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Wang CH, Lin RC, Hsu HY, Tseng YT. Hormone replacement therapy is associated with reduced hepatocellular carcinoma risk and improved survival in postmenopausal women with hepatitis B: A nationwide long-term population-based cohort study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271790. [PMID: 35862398 PMCID: PMC9302748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Postmenopausal women with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are more likely to have accelerated liver fibrosis, eventually advancing to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The association between sex hormones and HBV-related HCC risk is unclear. We investigated whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is beneficial to postmenopausal women with HBV infection. This retrospective study selected the data of 44,465patients with HBV infection between January 2000 and December 2018 from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. After excluding patients with preexisting liver diseases, liver cirrhosis, or liver malignancies, we grouped the remaining 10,474 patients by whether they had undergone HRT for at least 3 months (n = 5,638) and whether they had not received HRT (n = 4,836). After propensity score matching, we assigned 3080 patients to an HRT cohort and matched them (1:1) with those in a non-HRT cohort. The incidence of HCC (P < 0.022) and all-cause mortality rate (P < 0.001) were lower in the HRT cohort than in the non-HRT cohort. The liver cirrhosis risk was not significantly higher in the HRT cohort (P = 0.355). HRT is associated with reduced HCC risk and improved survival outcomes but is unrelated to liver cirrhosis development in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hsiang Wang
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Optometry, Chung Hwa Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ruey-Chang Lin
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hua-Yin Hsu
- Departments of Nursing, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Tsung Tseng
- Committee of Medical Research, Tainan Municipal Hospital (Managed by Show Chwan Medical Care Corporation), Tainan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Yao X, Takayama H, Kamoshita K, Oo HK, Tanida R, Kato K, Ishii KA, Takamura T. Cyclosporine A downregulates selenoprotein P expression via a STAT3-FoxO1 pathway in hepatocytes in vitro. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 382:199-207. [PMID: 35906096 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.001175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a worldwide applied immunosuppressant for preventing graft rejection and autoimmune diseases. However, CsA elevates oxidative stress leading to liver injuries. The present study aimed to clarify the mechanisms underlying the CsA-mediated oxidative stress. Among the redox proteins, CsA concentration-dependently downregulated Selenop encoding selenoprotein P (SeP), a major circulating antioxidant protein reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), in hepatocytes cell lines and primary hepatocytes. The luciferase assay identified the CsA-responsive element in the SELENOP promoter containing a putative binding site for FoxO1. The CsA-mediated suppression on the SELENOP promoter was independent of NFAT, a classic target repressed by CsA. A ChIP assay showed that CsA suppressed the FoxO1 binding to the SELENOP promoter. Foxo1 knockdown significantly downregulated Selenop expression in H4IIEC3 cells. Furthermore, CsA downregulated FoxO1 by inactivating its upstream signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Knockdown of Stat3 downregulated Foxo1 and Selenop expression in hepatocytes. These findings revealed a novel mechanism underlying CsA-induced oxidative stress via downregulating the STAT3-FoxO1-Selenop pathway in hepatocytes. Significance Statement Our study shows that CsA downregulates Selenop, an antioxidant protein, via suppressing the STAT3-FoxO1 pathway in hepatocytes, possibly one of the causations of CsA-induced oxidative stress in hepatocytes. The present study sheds light on the previously unrecognized CsA-redox axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Yao
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | | | - Kyoko Kamoshita
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Hein Ko Oo
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Ryota Tanida
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Kaisei Kato
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Kiyo-Aki Ishii
- Integrative Medicine for Longevity, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Toshinari Takamura
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
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Yamaguchi T, Yoshida K, Murata M, Suwa K, Tsuneyama K, Matsuzaki K, Naganuma M. Smad3 Phospho-Isoform Signaling in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116270. [PMID: 35682957 PMCID: PMC9181097 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis with insulin resistance, oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, adipokine secretion by fat cells, endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides) released by gut microbiota, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Together, these factors promote NAFLD progression from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and eventually end-stage liver diseases in a proportion of cases. Hepatic fibrosis and carcinogenesis often progress together, sharing inflammatory pathways. However, NASH can lead to hepatocarcinogenesis with minimal inflammation or fibrosis. In such instances, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and lipotoxicity can directly lead to liver carcinogenesis through genetic and epigenetic alterations. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling is implicated in hepatic fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI) and activated-Ras/c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) differentially phosphorylate the mediator Smad3 to create two phospho-isoforms: C-terminally phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3C) and linker-phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3L). TβRI/pSmad3C signaling terminates cell proliferation, while constitutive Ras activation and JNK-mediated pSmad3L promote hepatocyte proliferation and carcinogenesis. The pSmad3L signaling pathway also antagonizes cytostatic pSmad3C signaling. This review addresses TGF-β/Smad signaling in hepatic carcinogenesis complicating NASH. We also discuss Smad phospho-isoforms as biomarkers predicting HCC in NASH patients with or without cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yamaguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.M.); (K.S.); (K.M.); (M.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-72-804-0101; Fax: +81-72-804-2524
| | - Katsunori Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.M.); (K.S.); (K.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Miki Murata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.M.); (K.S.); (K.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Kanehiko Suwa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.M.); (K.S.); (K.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Koichi Tsuneyama
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan;
| | - Koichi Matsuzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.M.); (K.S.); (K.M.); (M.N.)
| | - Makoto Naganuma
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka 573-1010, Japan; (K.Y.); (M.M.); (K.S.); (K.M.); (M.N.)
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Kim H, Jeong M, Na DH, Ryu SH, Jeong EI, Jung K, Kang J, Lee HJ, Sim T, Yu DY, Yu HC, Cho BH, Jung YK. AK2 is an AMP-sensing negative regulator of BRAF in tumorigenesis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:469. [PMID: 35585049 PMCID: PMC9117275 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04921-7] [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: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The RAS-BRAF signaling is a major pathway of cell proliferation and their mutations are frequently found in human cancers. Adenylate kinase 2 (AK2), which modulates balance of adenine nucleotide pool, has been implicated in cell death and cell proliferation independently of its enzyme activity. Recently, the role of AK2 in tumorigenesis was in part elucidated in some cancer types including lung adenocarcinoma and breast cancer, but the underlying mechanism is not clear. Here, we show that AK2 is a BRAF-suppressor. In in vitro assays and cell model, AK2 interacted with BRAF and inhibited BRAF activity and downstream ERK phosphorylation. Energy-deprived conditions in cell model and the addition of AMP to cell lysates strengthened the AK2-BRAF interaction, suggesting that AK2 is involved in the regulation of BRAF activity in response to cell metabolic state. AMP facilitated the AK2-BRAF complex formation through binding to AK2. In a panel of HCC cell lines, AK2 expression was inversely correlated with ERK/MAPK activation, and AK2-knockdown or -knockout increased BRAF activity and promoted cell proliferation. Tumors from HCC patients showed low-AK2 protein expression and increased ERK activation compared to non-tumor tissues and the downregulation of AK2 was also verified by two microarray datasets (TCGA-LIHC and GSE14520). Moreover, AK2/BRAF interaction was abrogated by RAS activation in in vitro assay and cell model and in a mouse model of HRASG12V-driven HCC, and AK2 ablation promoted tumor growth and BRAF activity. AK2 also bound to BRAF inhibitor-insensitive BRAF mutants and attenuated their activities. These findings indicate that AK2 monitoring cellular AMP levels is indeed a negative regulator of BRAF, linking the metabolic status to tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjoo Kim
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
| | - Muhah Jeong
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
| | - Do-Hyeong Na
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
| | - Shin-Hyeon Ryu
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
| | - Eun Il Jeong
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
| | - Kwangmin Jung
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
| | - Jaemin Kang
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
| | - Ho-June Lee
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Departments of Discovery Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080 USA
| | - Taebo Sim
- grid.35541.360000000121053345Chemical Kinomics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792 Korea
| | - Dae-Yeul Yu
- grid.249967.70000 0004 0636 3099Aging Intervention Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hee Chul Yu
- grid.411545.00000 0004 0470 4320Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, 561-180 Korea
| | - Baik-Hwan Cho
- grid.411545.00000 0004 0470 4320Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, 561-180 Korea
| | - Yong-Keun Jung
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905School of Biological Science, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826 Korea
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Mi H, Ho WJ, Yarchoan M, Popel AS. Multi-Scale Spatial Analysis of the Tumor Microenvironment Reveals Features of Cabozantinib and Nivolumab Efficacy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:892250. [PMID: 35634309 PMCID: PMC9136005 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.892250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Concomitant inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or its ligand PD-L1 is a standard of care for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but only a minority of patients respond, and responses are usually transient. Understanding the effects of therapies on the tumor microenvironment (TME) can provide insights into mechanisms of therapeutic resistance. Methods 14 patients with HCC were treated with the combination of cabozantinib and nivolumab through the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Among them, 12 patients (5 responders + 7 non-responders) underwent successful margin negative resection and are subjects to tissue microarray (TMA) construction containing 37 representative tumor region cores. Using the TMAs, we performed imaging mass cytometry (IMC) with a panel of 27-cell lineage and functional markers. All multiplexed images were then segmented to generate a single-cell dataset that enables (1) tumor-immune compartment analysis and (2) cell community analysis based on graph-embedding methodology. Results from these hierarchies are merged into response-associated biological process patterns. Results Image processing on 37 multiplexed-images discriminated 59,453 cells and was then clustered into 17 cell types. Compartment analysis showed that at immune-tumor boundaries from NR, PD-L1 level on tumor cells is significantly higher than remote regions; however, Granzyme B expression shows the opposite pattern. We also identify that the close proximity of CD8+ T cells to arginase 1hi (Arg1hi) macrophages, rather than CD4+ T cells, is a salient feature of the TME in non-responders. Furthermore, cell community analysis extracted 8 types of cell-cell interaction networks termed cellular communities (CCs). We observed that in non-responders, macrophage-enriched CC (MCC) and lymphocyte-enriched CC (LCC) strongly communicate with tumor CC, whereas in responders, such communications were undermined by the engagement between MCC and LCC. Conclusion These results demonstrate the feasibility of a novel application of multiplexed image analysis that is broadly applicable to quantitative analysis of pathology specimens in immuno-oncology and provides further evidence that CD163-Arg1hi macrophages may be a therapeutic target in HCC. The results also provide critical information for the development of mechanistic quantitative systems pharmacology models aimed at predicting outcomes of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyang Mi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Won Jin Ho
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mark Yarchoan
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Zhan S, Yang P, Zhou S, Xu Y, Xu R, Liang G, Zhang C, Chen X, Yang L, Jin F, Wang Y. Serum mitochondrial tsRNA serves as a novel biomarker for hepatocarcinoma diagnosis. Front Med 2022; 16:216-226. [PMID: 35416630 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-022-0920-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which makes up the majority of liver cancer, is induced by the infection of hepatitis B/C virus. Biomarkers are needed to facilitate the early detection of HCC, which is often diagnosed too late for effective therapy. The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) play vital roles in tumorigenesis and are stable in circulation. However, the diagnostic values and biological functions of circulating tsRNAs, especially for HCC, are still unknown. In this study, we first utilized RNA sequencing followed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR to analyze tsRNA signatures in HCC serum. We identified tRF-Gln-TTG-006, which was remarkably upregulated in HCC serum (training cohort: 24 HCC patients vs. 24 healthy controls). In the validation stage, we found that tRF-Gln-TTG-006 signature could distinguish HCC cases from healthy subjects with high sensitivity (80.4%) and specificity (79.4%) even in the early stage (Stage I: sensitivity, 79.0%; specificity, 74.8%; 155 healthy controls vs. 153 HCC patients from two cohorts). Moreover, in vitro studies indicated that circulating tRF-Gln-TTG-006 was released from tumor cells, and its biological function was predicted by bioinformatics assay and validated by colony formation and apoptosis assays. In summary, our study demonstrated that serum tsRNA signature may serve as a novel biomarker of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoubin Zhan
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Shengkai Zhou
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ye Xu
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Gaoli Liang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Chenyu Zhang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang, 222000, China.
| | - Fangfang Jin
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Yanbo Wang
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Physiology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Liu H, Yang M, Dong Z. HSPB11 is a Prognostic Biomarker Associated with Immune Infiltrates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:4017-4027. [PMID: 35444459 PMCID: PMC9014112 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s363679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Patients and Methods Results Conclusion
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiwei Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Zhiwei Dong, Department of General Surgery, Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8617611408626, Fax +86 411-84671291-3106, Email
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Bie C, Chen Y, Tang H, Li Q, Zhong L, Peng X, Shi Y, Lin J, Lai J, Wu S, Tang S. Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor Drives Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Invasion by Activating Stat3-Midkine-Stat3 Loop. Dig Dis Sci 2022; 67:569-584. [PMID: 33559791 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-021-06862-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activation of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R)-mediated Janus kinase (JAK)1/2-Stat3 pathway contributes to hepatocarcinogenesis. Specifically, a previous study showed that IGF-1R inhibition downregulated Midkine expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIMS The present study investigated the role of IGF-1R-JAK1/2-Stat3 and Midkine signaling in HCC, in addition to the molecular link between the IGF-1R-Stat3 pathway and Midkine. METHODS The expression levels of IGF-1R, Stat3, and Midkine were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, following which the association of IGF-1R with Stat3 and Midkine expression was evaluated in HCC. The molecular link between the IGF-1R-Stat3 pathway and Midkine was then investigated in vitro before the effect of IGF-1R-Stat3 and Midkine signaling on HCC growth and invasion was studied in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS IGF-1R, Stat3, and Midkine mRNA overexpressions were all found in HCC, where the levels of Stat3 and Midkine mRNA correlated positively with those of IGF-1R. In addition, Midkine mRNA level also correlated positively with Stat3 mRNA expression in HCC tissues. IGF-1R promoted Stat3 activation, which in turn led to the upregulation of Midkine expression in Huh7 cells. Similarly, Midkine also promoted Stat3 activation through potentiating JAK1/2 phosphorylation. Persistent activation of this Stat3-Midkine-Stat3 positive feedback signal loop promoted HCC growth and invasion, the inhibition of which resulted in significant antitumor activities both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Constitutive activation of the IGF-1R-mediated Stat3-Midkine-Stat3 positive feedback loop is present in HCC, the inhibition of which can serve as a potential therapeutic intervention strategy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiqun Bie
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Shenzhen Shajing Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Shenzhen, 518104, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanfang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Huijun Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Shenzhen Shajing Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Shenzhen, 518104, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Interventional Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital (Clinical College) of Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojuan Peng
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital (Clinical College) of Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Junqin Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Junlong Lai
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenglan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Shenzhen Shajing Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Shenzhen, 518104, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaohui Tang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Gouda G, Gupta MK, Donde R, Behera L, Vadde R. Tumor microenvironment in heptocellular carcinoma. THERANOSTICS AND PRECISION MEDICINE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA 2022:109-124. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98806-3.00007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
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Lu X, Ma P, Kong L, Wang X, Wang Y, Jiang L. Vitamin K2 Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Proliferation by Binding to 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 4. Front Oncol 2021; 11:757603. [PMID: 34858832 PMCID: PMC8630649 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.757603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous studies have proved that 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4 (HSD17B4) is a novel proliferation-promoting protein. The overexpression of HSD17B4 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation. Vitamin K2 (VK2), a fat-soluble vitamin, has the function of promoting coagulation and can inhibit the progression of liver cancer. A previous study demonstrated that VK2 could bind to HSD17B4 in HepG2 cells. However, the mechanism of VK2 in inhibiting HCC cell proliferation is not clear. In this study, we investigate whether VK2 can inhibit the proliferation of HCC cell induced by HSD17B4 and the possible mechanism. We detected the effect of VK2 on HSD17B4-induced HCC cell proliferation, and the activation of STAT3, AKT, and MEK/ERK signaling pathways. We measured the effect of HSD17B4 on the growth of transplanted tumor and the inhibitory effect of VK2. Our results indicated that VK2 directly binds to HSD17B4, but does not affect the expression of HSD17B4, to inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells by inhibiting the activation of Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways, leading to decreased STAT3 activation. VK2 also inhibited the growth of HSD17B4-induced transplanted tumors. These findings provide a theoretical and experimental basis for possible future prevention and treatment of HCC using VK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lu
- Center for Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, Tangshan Maternal and Children Hospital, Tangshan, China
| | - Panpan Ma
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lingyu Kong
- Department of Oncology, Tianjin Binhai New Area Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yaqi Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Hebei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lingling Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Key Laboratory of Neurobiology and Vascular Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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46
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Dark and bright side of targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 in the liver. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1440-1451. [PMID: 34364916 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 4 (FGFR4) and its cognate ligand, FGF19, are implicated in a range of cellular processes, including differentiation, metabolism and proliferation. Indeed, their aberrant activation has been associated with the development of hepatic tumours. Despite great advances in early diagnosis and the development of new therapies, liver cancer is still associated with a high mortality rate, owing primarily to high molecular heterogeneity and unclear molecular targeting. The development of FGFR4 inhibitors is a promising tool in patients with concomitant supraphysiological levels of FGF19 and several clinical trials are testing these treatments for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conversely, using FGF19 analogues to activate FGFR4-KLOTHO β represents a novel therapeutic strategy in patients presenting with cholestatic liver disorders and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which could potentially prevent the development of metabolic HCC. Herein, we provide an overview of the currently available therapeutic options for targeting FGFR4 in HCC and other liver diseases, highlighting the need to carefully stratify patients and personalise therapeutic strategies.
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47
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La Marca JE, Willoughby LF, Allan K, Portela M, Goh PK, Tiganis T, Richardson HE. PTP61F Mediates Cell Competition and Mitigates Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12732. [PMID: 34884538 PMCID: PMC8657627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue homeostasis via the elimination of aberrant cells is fundamental for organism survival. Cell competition is a key homeostatic mechanism, contributing to the recognition and elimination of aberrant cells, preventing their malignant progression and the development of tumors. Here, using Drosophila as a model organism, we have defined a role for protein tyrosine phosphatase 61F (PTP61F) (orthologue of mammalian PTP1B and TCPTP) in the initiation and progression of epithelial cancers. We demonstrate that a Ptp61F null mutation confers cells with a competitive advantage relative to neighbouring wild-type cells, while elevating PTP61F levels has the opposite effect. Furthermore, we show that knockdown of Ptp61F affects the survival of clones with impaired cell polarity, and that this occurs through regulation of the JAK-STAT signalling pathway. Importantly, PTP61F plays a robust non-cell-autonomous role in influencing the elimination of adjacent polarity-impaired mutant cells. Moreover, in a neoplastic RAS-driven polarity-impaired tumor model, we show that PTP61F levels determine the aggressiveness of tumors, with Ptp61F knockdown or overexpression, respectively, increasing or reducing tumor size. These effects correlate with the regulation of the RAS-MAPK and JAK-STAT signalling by PTP61F. Thus, PTP61F acts as a tumor suppressor that can function in an autonomous and non-cell-autonomous manner to ensure cellular fitness and attenuate tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. La Marca
- Cell Polarity, Cell Signaling & Cancer Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.E.L.M.); (K.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Lee F. Willoughby
- Cell Cycle & Development Laboratory, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia;
| | - Kirsten Allan
- Cell Polarity, Cell Signaling & Cancer Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.E.L.M.); (K.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Marta Portela
- Cell Polarity, Cell Signaling & Cancer Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.E.L.M.); (K.A.); (M.P.)
| | - Pei Kee Goh
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (P.K.G.); (T.T.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tony Tiganis
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (P.K.G.); (T.T.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Helena E. Richardson
- Cell Polarity, Cell Signaling & Cancer Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia; (J.E.L.M.); (K.A.); (M.P.)
- Cell Cycle & Development Laboratory, Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia;
- Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, Department of Biochemistry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
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Márquez-Quiroga LV, Arellanes-Robledo J, Vásquez-Garzón VR, Villa-Treviño S, Muriel P. Models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis potentiated by chemical inducers leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 195:114845. [PMID: 34801522 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver cancer, arises after a long period of exposure to etiological factors. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is ranked as the main risk factor for developing HCC; hence, experimental models of NASH leading to HCC have become key tools both to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology and to evaluate new putative drugs for treating chronic liver diseases in humans. Animal models of NASH induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) plus chemical inducers, such as the NASH-HCC (STAM), high-fat diet/diethylnitrosamine (HFD/DEN), choline-deficient high-fat diet/DEN (CDHFD/DEN), and Western diet/carbon tetrachloride (WD/CCl4) models, are promising because they exacerbate liver damage and significantly shorten the experimental time. In this review, we critically summarize and discuss the ability of these models to recapitulate the liver alterations that precede and lead to HCC progression, as well as the impact of the diet in promoting liver injury progression. We also emphasize the strengths and weaknesses of the models' ability to closely mimic the stages of liver injury development that occur in humans. Based on the molecular mechanisms induced by the currently available NASH models leading to HCC, we argue that although several NASH models have importantly contributed to describing the disease chronology, the progress in emulating the progression from NASH to HCC has been partial. Thus, the development of novel NASH/HCC models remains an unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Vanessa Márquez-Quiroga
- Laboratorio de Hepatología Experimental, Departamento de Farmacología, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jaime Arellanes-Robledo
- Laboratorio de Enfermedades Hepáticas, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica - INMEGEN, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Dirección de Cátedras, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - CONACYT, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| | - Verónica Rocío Vásquez-Garzón
- Facultad de Medicina y Cirugía, Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico; Dirección de Cátedras, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología - CONACYT, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Saul Villa-Treviño
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Pablo Muriel
- Laboratorio de Hepatología Experimental, Departamento de Farmacología, Cinvestav-IPN, Apartado Postal 14-740, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Scheiter A, Evert K, Reibenspies L, Cigliano A, Annweiler K, Müller K, Pöhmerer LMG, Xu H, Cui G, Itzel T, Materna-Reichelt S, Coluccio A, Honarnejad K, Teufel A, Brochhausen C, Dombrowski F, Chen X, Evert M, Calvisi DF, Utpatel K. RASSF1A independence and early galectin-1 upregulation in PIK3CA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis: new therapeutic venues. Mol Oncol 2021; 16:1091-1118. [PMID: 34748271 PMCID: PMC8895452 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR and Ras/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways is a hallmark of hepatocarcinogenesis. In a subset of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling dysregulation depends on phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate 3‐kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) mutations, while RAS/MAPK activation is partly attributed to promoter methylation of the tumor suppressor Ras association domain‐containing protein 1 (RASSF1A). To evaluate a possible cocarcinogenic effect of PIK3CA activation and RASSF1A knockout, plasmids expressing oncogenic forms of PIK3CA (E545K or H1047R mutants) were delivered to the liver of RASSF1A knockout and wild‐type mice by hydrodynamic tail vein injection combined with sleeping beauty‐mediated somatic integration. Transfection of either PIK3CA E545K or H1047R mutants sufficed to induce HCCs in mice irrespective of RASSF1A mutational background. The related tumors displayed a lipogenic phenotype with upregulation of fatty acid synthase and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 (SCD1). Galectin‐1, which was commonly upregulated in preneoplastic lesions and tumors, emerged as a regulator of SCD1. Co‐inhibitory treatment with PIK3CA inhibitors and the galectin‐1 inhibitor OTX008 resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity in human HCC cell lines, suggesting novel therapeutic venues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katja Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Karolina Müller
- Center for Clinical Studies, University Hospital Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Hongwei Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Center of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guofei Cui
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Timo Itzel
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Silvia Materna-Reichelt
- Division of Personalized Tumor Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Coluccio
- Division of Personalized Tumor Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kamran Honarnejad
- Division of Personalized Tumor Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Teufel
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Frank Dombrowski
- Institute of Pathology, University Medicine of Greifswald, Germany
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthias Evert
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Germany
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50
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Wu F, Xu L, Tu Y, Cheung OK, Szeto LL, Mok MT, Yang W, Kang W, Cao Q, Lai PB, Chan SL, Tan P, Sung JJ, Yip KY, Cheng AS, To KF. Sirtuin 7 super-enhancer drives epigenomic reprogramming in hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancer Lett 2021; 525:115-130. [PMID: 34736960 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cancer burden worldwide with increasing incidence in many developed countries. Super-enhancers (SEs) drive gene expressions required for cell type-specificity and tumor cell identity. However, their roles in HCC remain unclear because of data scarcity from primary tumors. Herein, chromatin profiling of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)-associated HCCs and matched liver tissues uncovered an average of ∼500 somatically-acquired SEs per patient. The identified SE-target genes were functionally enriched for aberrant metabolism and cancer phenotypes, especially chromatin regulators including deacetylases and Polycomb repressive complexes. Notably, all examined tumors exhibited SE activation of Sirtuin 7 (SIRT7), genome-wide promoter H3K18 deacetylation and concurrent H3K27me3, as well as tumor-suppressor gene silencing. Depletion of SIRT7 SE in hepatoma cells induced global H3K18 acetylation and reactivated key metabolic and immune regulators, leading to marked suppression of tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo. In concordance, SIRT7 physically interacted with the methyltransferase EZH2, and they were co-expressed in primary HCCs. In summary, our integrative analysis establishes a compendium of SEs in NAFLD-associated HCCs and uncovers SIRT7-driven chromatin regulatory network as potential druggable vulnerability of this increasingly prevalent cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Liangliang Xu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yalin Tu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Otto Kw Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lemuel Lm Szeto
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Myth Ts Mok
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Weiqin Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wei Kang
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qin Cao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Paul Bs Lai
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stephen L Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Patrick Tan
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Joseph Jy Sung
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kevin Y Yip
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Alfred Sl Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Ka F To
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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