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Lin Y, Lou X, Li S, Cai W, Che T. Identification and Validation of Immune Implication of R-Spondin 1 and an R-Spondin 1-Related Prognostic Signature in Esophagus Cancer. Int J Genomics 2024; 2024:7974277. [PMID: 38962149 PMCID: PMC11222003 DOI: 10.1155/2024/7974277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
R-spondin 1 (RSPO1), which encodes a secretory-activating protein, is a promising therapeutic target for various tumors. The aim of this study was to establish a robust RSPO1-related signature specific to esophageal cancer (ESCA). Our comprehensive study involved meticulous analysis of RSPO1 expression in ESCA tissues and validation across ESCA cell lines and clinical samples using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GTEx databases. Using TCGA-ESCA dataset, we employed single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) to elucidate the complex interaction between RSPO1 expression and the abundance of 22 specific immune cell types infiltrating ESCA. The biological significance of RSPO1 was further elucidated using KEGG, GO, and GSEA, demonstrating its relevance to pivotal tumor and immune pathways. This study culminated in the construction of prognostic nomograms enriched by calibration curves, facilitating the projection of individual survival probabilities at intervals of one, three, and five years. A substantial decrease in RSPO1 expression was observed within ESCA tissues and cell lines compared to their normal esophageal counterparts, and a significant decrease in the proportion of activated dendritic cells was evident within ESCA, accompanied by an augmented presence of macrophages and naive B cells relative to normal tissue. GSEA and KEGG analyses showed that RSPO1 was associated with tumor and immune pathways. Additionally, an independent prognostic risk score based on the RSPO1-related gene signature was developed and validated for patients with ESCA. Finally, RT-qPCR and western blotting were performed to confirm RSPO1 expression in normal and ESCA cell lines and tissue samples. In summary, our investigation underscores the pivotal role of RSPO1 in orchestrating tumor immunity and proposes RSPO1 as a prospective target for immunotherapeutic interventions in ESCA. Furthermore, the intricate profile of the two RSPO1-related genes has emerged as a promising predictive biomarker with notable potential for application in ESCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuansheng Lin
- Department of Intensive Care UnitSuzhou HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Xinqi Lou
- Institute of Clinical Medicine ResearchSuzhou HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Shengjun Li
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care MedicineSuzhou HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Department of Intensive Care UnitSuzhou HospitalAffiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing University, Suzhou 215000, China
| | - Tuanjie Che
- The Open Project of Key Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Molecular Diagnosis of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730000, China
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2
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Kato Y, Fukazawa T, Tanimoto K, Kanawa M, Kojima M, Saeki I, Kurihara S, Touge R, Hirohashi N, Okada S, Hiyama E. Achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 2 activation promotes hepatoblastoma progression. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:847-858. [PMID: 38183173 PMCID: PMC10921009 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16051] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 2 (ASCL2) is highly expressed in hepatoblastoma (HB) tissues, but its role remains unclear. Thus, biological changes in the HB cell line HepG2 in response to induced ASCL2 expression were assessed. ASCL2 expression was induced in HepG2 cells using the Tet-On 3G system, which includes doxycycline. Cell viability, proliferation activity, mobility, and stemness were evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, colony-formation, migration, invasion, and sphere-formation assays. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of markers for proliferation (CCND1 and MYC), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT; SNAI1, TWIST1, and ZEB1), mesenchymal-epithelial transition (CDH1), and stemness (KLF4, POU5F1, and SOX9). Compared with the non-induced HepG2 cells, cells with induced ASCL2 expression showed significant increases in viability, colony number, migration area (%), and sphere number on days 7, 14, 8, and 7, respectively, and invasion area (%) after 90 h. Furthermore, induction of ASCL2 expression significantly upregulated CCND1, MYC, POU5F1, SOX9, and KLF4 expression on days 2, 2, 3, 3, and 5, respectively, and increased the ratios of SNAI1, TWIST1, and ZEB1 to CDH1 on day 5. ASCL2 promoted the formation of malignant phenotypes in HepG2 cells, which may be correlated with the upregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway-, EMT-, and stemness-related genes. ASCL2 activation may therefore be involved in the progression of HB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaka Kato
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Takahiro Fukazawa
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and DevelopmentHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Division of Medical Research Support, Advanced Research Support CenterEhime UniversityToonJapan
| | - Keiji Tanimoto
- Department of Radiation Disaster Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and MedicineHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Masami Kanawa
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and DevelopmentHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Masato Kojima
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and DevelopmentHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryHiroshima University HospitalHiroshimaJapan
| | - Isamu Saeki
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryHiroshima University HospitalHiroshimaJapan
| | - Sho Kurihara
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryHiroshima University HospitalHiroshimaJapan
| | - Ryo Touge
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryHiroshima University HospitalHiroshimaJapan
| | - Nobuyuki Hirohashi
- Department of Radiation Disaster Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and MedicineHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Satoshi Okada
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Eiso Hiyama
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and DevelopmentHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Department of Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health SciencesHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
- Department of Pediatric SurgeryHiroshima University HospitalHiroshimaJapan
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Yuan X, Chen J, Shi D, Song J, Wang P, Cheng D, Yang C, Qiu X, Zhai C. Advanced esophageal cancer with bone metastases: Prognostic biomarkers and palliative treatment. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23510. [PMID: 38170113 PMCID: PMC10758821 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23510] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common and devastating tumor of the upper digestive tract. Unfortunately, by the time any symptoms have manifested, the disease has often progressed to an advanced stage and is accompanied by macro- and micrometastases, including in the bones. The treatment of esophageal cancer with bone metastases remains clinically challenging, given the poor prognosis associated with this condition. Effective prognostic biomarkers can help medical staff choose the appropriate operation and treatment plan, that is for most beneficial for making patients. Current treatments for esophageal cancer with bone metastases include pain-relieving drugs, surgical therapy, radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT, including molecular-targeted drug therapy), endocrine therapy (ET), bisphosphonates (BPs) and interventional therapy. Of these robust measures, radiotherapy has emerged as a particularly promising therapy for bone metastases from esophageal cancer. Substantial progress has been made in radiation therapy techniques since the discovery of X-rays by Roentgen in 1895. In its palliative capacity, the key goals of radiotherapy are to relieve the patients' bone pain and debilitate effects, including relieving spinal cord compression, correcting the spinal deformity and restoring spinal stability. However, it is worth mentioning that RT for esophageal cancer has various side effects. Currently, the available studies focused exclusively on radiotherapy for ECBM are too small to draw any definitive conclusions, and each of these studies has significant limitations. In this review, in addition to the epidemiology described at the beginning, we will explore the current prognostic biomarkers and radiotherapy for esophageal cancer, with a particular focus on those with bone metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Yuan
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Yixing People's Hospital, Yixing, China
| | - Dingsen Shi
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jiaxun Song
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Pu Wang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Dong Cheng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Cheng Yang
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Xubin Qiu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Chenjun Zhai
- Department of Orthopedics, Yixing People's Hospital, Yixing, China
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Fischer AD, Veronese Paniagua DA, Swaminathan S, Kashima H, Rubin DC, Madison BB. The oncogenic function of PLAGL2 is mediated via ASCL2 and IGF2 and a Wnt-independent mechanism in colorectal cancer. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2023; 325:G196-G211. [PMID: 37310750 PMCID: PMC10396286 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00058.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis and progression are linked to common oncogenic mutations, especially in the tumor suppressor APC, whose loss triggers the deregulation of TCF4/β-Catenin activity. CRC tumorigenesis is also driven by multiple epimutational modifiers such as transcriptional regulators. We describe the common (and near-universal) activation of the zinc finger transcription factor and Let-7 target PLAGL2 in CRC and find that it is a key driver of intestinal epithelial transformation. PLAGL2 drives proliferation, cell cycle progression, and anchorage-independent growth in CRC cell lines and nontransformed intestinal cells. Investigating effects of PLAGL2 on downstream pathways revealed very modest effects on canonical Wnt signaling. Alternatively, we find pronounced effects on the direct PLAGL2 target genes IGF2, a fetal growth factor, and ASCL2, an intestinal stem cell-specific bHLH transcription factor. Inactivation of PLAGL2 in CRC cell lines has pronounced effects on ASCL2 reporter activity. Furthermore, ASCL2 expression can partially rescue deficits of proliferation and cell cycle progression caused by depletion of PLAGL2 in CRC cell lines. Thus, the oncogenic effects of PLAGL2 appear to be mediated via core stem cell and onco-fetal pathways, with minimal effects on downstream Wnt signaling.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A Let-7 target called PLAGL2 drives oncogenic transformation via Wnt-independent pathways. This work illustrates the robust effects of this zinc finger transcription factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and nontransformed intestinal epithelium, with effects mediated, in part, via the direct target genes ASCL2 and IGF2. This has implications for the role of PLAGL2 in activation of onco-fetal and onco-stem cell pathways, contributing to immature and highly proliferative phenotypes in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony D Fischer
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Daniel A Veronese Paniagua
- Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, United States
| | - Shriya Swaminathan
- Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Hajime Kashima
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Deborah C Rubin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - Blair B Madison
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
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Li W, Li K, He X, Jiang Y, Lan R, Hong Q, Liu Y, Chu M. ALAS1 associated with goat kidding number trait was regulated by the transcription factor ASCL2 to affect granulosa cell proliferation. Anim Genet 2023; 54:189-198. [PMID: 36632647 DOI: 10.1111/age.13287] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
ALAS1 is a member of the α-oxoamine synthase family, which is the first rate-limiting enzyme for heme synthesis and is important for maintaining intracellular heme levels. In the ovary, ALAS1 is associated with the regulation of ovulation-related mitochondrial P450 cytochromes, steroid metabolism, and steroid hormone production. However, there are few studies on the relationship between ALAS1 and reproductive traits in goats. In this study, a mutation located in the promoter region of ALAS1 (g.48791372C>A) was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the kidding number of Yunshang black goats. Specifically, the mean kidding number in the first three litters and the kidding numbers of all three litters were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in individuals with the CA genotype or AA genotype than in those with the CC genotype. To further investigate the regulatory mechanism of ALAS1, the expression of ALAS1 in goat ovarian tissues with different genotypes was verified by real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the expression of ALAS1 was significantly higher in the ovaries of individuals with AA genotype than those with AC and CC genotypes (p < 0.01), and the expression trend of transcription factor ASCL2 was consistent with ALAS1. Additionally, the ALAS1 g.48791372C>A mutation created a new binding site for the transcription factor ASCL2. The luciferase activity assay indicated that the mutation increased the promoter activity of ALAS1. Overexpression of the transcription factor ASCL2 induced increased expression of ALAS1 in goat granulosa cells (p < 0.05). The opposite trend was shown for the inhibition of ASCL2 expression. The results of real-time quantitative PCR, EdU and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays indicated that the transcription factor ASCL2 increased the proliferation of goat granulosa cells by mediating the expression of ALAS1. In conclusion, the transcription factor ASCL2 positively regulated the transcriptional activity and expression levels of ALAS1, altering granulosa cell proliferation and the kidding number in goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kunyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanting Jiang
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, China
| | - Rong Lan
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, China
| | - Qionghua Hong
- Yunnan Animal Science and Veterinary Institute, Kunming, China
| | - Yufang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingxing Chu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Shang Y, Jiang T, Ran L, Hu W, Wu Y, Ye J, Peng Z, Chen L, Wang R. TET2-BCLAF1 transcription repression complex epigenetically regulates the expression of colorectal cancer gene Ascl2 via methylation of its promoter. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102095. [PMID: 35660018 PMCID: PMC9251787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102095] [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: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascl2 has been shown to be involved in tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC), although its epigenetic regulatory mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we found that methylation of the Ascl2 promoter (bp -1670 ∼ -1139) was significantly increased compared to the other regions of the Ascl2 locus in CRC cells and was associated with elevated Ascl2 mRNA expression. Furthermore, we found that promoter methylation was predictive of CRC patient survival after analyzing DNA methylation data, RNA-Seq data, and clinical data of 410 CRC patient samples from the MethHC database, the MEXPRESS database, and the Cbioportal website. Using the established TET methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) knockdown and ectopic TET2 catalytic domain–expression cell models, we performed glucosylated hydroxymethyl–sensitive quatitative PCR (qPCR), real-time PCR, and Western blot assays to further confirm that hypermethylation of the Ascl2 promoter, and elevated Ascl2 expression in CRC cells was partly due to the decreased expression of TET2. Furthermore, BCLAF1 was identified as a TET2 interactor in CRC cells by LC-MS/MS, coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence colocalization, and proximity ligation assays. Subsequently, we found the TET2–BCLAF1 complex bound to multiple elements around CCGG sites at the Ascl2 promoter and further restrained its hypermethylation by inducing its hydroxymethylation using chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR and glucosylated hydroxymethyl-qPCR assays. Finally, we demonstrate that TET2-modulated Ascl2-targeted stem gene expression in CRC cells was independent of Wnt signaling. Taken together, our data suggest an additional option for inhibiting Ascl2 expression in CRC cells through TET2–BCLAF1–mediated promoter methylation, Ascl2-dependent self-renewal of CRC progenitor cells, and TET2–BCLAF1–related CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Shang
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lijian Ran
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Wenjing Hu
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yun Wu
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jun Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology of 958 Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Zhihong Peng
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Rongquan Wang
- Institute of Gastroenterology of PLA, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University) Chongqing 400038, China.
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Li Y, Wu M, Xu S, Huang H, Yan L, Gu Y. Colorectal cancer stem cell-derived exosomal long intergenic noncoding RNA 01315 (LINC01315) promotes proliferation, migration, and stemness of colorectal cancer cells. Bioengineered 2022; 13:10827-10842. [PMID: 35470736 PMCID: PMC9161962 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2065800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The effect of long intergenic noncoding RNA 01315 (LINC01315) on colorectal cancer has widely been proved. Nevertheless, how LINC01315 functions in the stemness of colorectal cancer and whether LINC01315 exists in colorectal cancer stem-like cell-derived exosomes remain dim, which are thus investigated in this research. CD133+/CD44+ colorectal cancer stem cells were sorted and verified through flow cytometry. Exosomes derived from CD133+/CD44+ colorectal cancer stem cells were collected. The viability, proliferation, stemness and migration of CD133+/CD44+, CD133−/CD44−, and colorectal cancer cells after transfection or the co-culture with exosomes were detected by MTT, colony formation, spheroid, and wound healing assays, respectively. Expressions of LINC01315, BCL-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, MMP-9, E-cadherin, and vimentin in cells or exosomes were analyzed using western blot or qRT-PCR. Genes interacted with LINC01315 in colorectal cancer were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. The results showed that LINC01315 was high-expressed in CD133+/CD44+ colorectal cancer stem cells and exosomes. Compared with colorectal cancer cells, the viability, proliferation, stemness, and migration of CD133+/CD44+ cancer cells were stronger, while these of CD133−/CD44− cancer cells were weaker. Besides, LINC01315 silencing decreased the viability, proliferation, stemness, and migration of CD133+/CD44+ cancer cells, while sh-LINC01315 inhibited the promotive effects of CD133+/CD44+ cancer cell-derived exosomes on the viability, proliferation, stemness, and migration of colorectal cancer cells. LINC01315 was also found to be correlated with DPEP1, KRT23, ASCL2, AXIN2, and DUSP4 in colorectal cancer. In conclusion, colorectal cancer stem cell-derived exosomal LINC01315 promotes the proliferation, migration, and stemness of colorectal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youran Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minna Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hua Huang
- Department of Anorectal, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Changshu, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunfei Gu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Shibahara Y, Espin-Garcia O, Conner J, Weiss J, Derouet M, Allen J, Allison F, Kalimuthu S, Yeung JC, Darling GE. Intestinal Stem Cell Marker ASCL2 is a Novel Prognostic Predictor in Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Cureus 2022; 14:e21021. [PMID: 35154991 PMCID: PMC8818334 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Intestinal stem cell markers play a significant role in esophageal adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis via Barrett’s esophagus; however, its utility as a prognostic biomarker has not been established. Methods We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of intestinal stem cell markers, ASCL2 and LGR5, using whole slides (35 cases) and tissue microarray (TMA; 64 cases). On TMA slides, adjacent normal squamous epithelium, metaplastic glandular epithelium (Barrett's esophagus), and dysplastic glandular epithelium were inserted when applicable. Two pathologists semi-quantitatively scored stained slides independently, and the results were correlated with clinicopathologic factors and outcomes. Results In whole slides, 51% and 57% expressed high ASCL2 and high LGR5; in TMA, 69% and 88% expressed high ASCL2 and high LGR5, respectively. In TMA, high ASCL2 and low LGR5 expression significantly correlated to a higher number of involved lymph nodes (p=0.027 and p=0.0039), and LGR5 expression significantly correlated to the pathological stage (p=0.0032). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a negative impact of high ASCL2 expression on overall survival (OS; WS p=0.0168, TMA p=0.0276) as well as progression-free survival (PFS; WS p=0.000638, TMA p=0.0466) but not LGR5. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that ASCL2 expression is an independent prognostic factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma (OS; WS p=0.25, TMA p=0.011. PFS; WS p=0.012, TMA p=0.038). Analysis of the TCGA dataset showed that ASCL2 mRNA levels were correlated to nodal status but not overall survival. Conclusion High expression of the intestinal stem cell marker ASCL2 may predict unfavorable outcomes in surgically resected esophageal adenocarcinoma.
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Li QL, Lin X, Yu YL, Chen L, Hu QX, Chen M, Cao N, Zhao C, Wang CY, Huang CW, Li LY, Ye M, Wu M. Genome-wide profiling in colorectal cancer identifies PHF19 and TBC1D16 as oncogenic super enhancers. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6407. [PMID: 34737287 PMCID: PMC8568941 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26600-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Although genomic mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms have been extensively studied, the epigenomic status in colorectal cancer patient tissues remains elusive. Here, together with genomic and transcriptomic analysis, we use ChIP-Seq to profile active enhancers at the genome wide level in colorectal cancer paired patient tissues (tumor and adjacent tissues from the same patients). In total, we sequence 73 pairs of colorectal cancer tissues and generate 147 H3K27ac ChIP-Seq, 144 RNA-Seq, 147 whole genome sequencing and 86 H3K4me3 ChIP-Seq samples. Our analysis identifies 5590 gain and 1100 lost variant enhancer loci in colorectal cancer, and 334 gain and 121 lost variant super enhancer loci. Multiple key transcription factors in colorectal cancer are predicted with motif analysis and core regulatory circuitry analysis. Further experiments verify the function of the super enhancers governing PHF19 and TBC1D16 in regulating colorectal cancer tumorigenesis, and KLF3 is identified as an oncogenic transcription factor in colorectal cancer. Taken together, our work provides an important epigenomic resource and functional factors for epigenetic studies in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Lan Li
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Xiang Lin
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Ya-Li Yu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Qi-Xin Hu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Meng Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Nan Cao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Chen-Yu Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Cheng-Wei Huang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Lian-Yun Li
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Mei Ye
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Geriatrics, Hubei Clinical Centre & Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
| | - Min Wu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, RNA Institute, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Hubei Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Hubei Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
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10
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Du L, Cheng Q, Zheng H, Liu J, Liu L, Chen Q. Targeting stemness of cancer stem cells to fight colorectal cancers. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 82:150-161. [PMID: 33631296 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer initiating/ stem cells (CSCs) undergo self-renewal and differentiation that contributes to tumor initiation, recurrence and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Targeting of colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs) holds significant promise in eradicating cancer cells and ultimately curing patients with cancer. In this review, we will introduce the current progress of CCSC studies, including the specific surface markers of CCSCs, the intrinsic signaling pathways that regulate the stemness and differentiation characteristics of CCSCs, and the tumor organoid model for CCSC research. We will focus on how these studies will lead to the progress in targeting specific surface markers or signaling pathways on CCSCs by monoclonal antibodies, or by natural or synthetic compounds, or by immunotherapy. As CSCs are highly heterogeneous and plastic, we suggest that combinatory approaches that target the stemness network may represent an important strategy for eradicating cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Du
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Qi Cheng
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; The Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lei Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine. Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Quan Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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11
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Walker BS, Zarour LR, Wieghard N, Gallagher AC, Swain JR, Weinmann S, Lanciault C, Billingsley K, Tsikitis VL, Wong MH. Stem Cell Marker Expression in Early Stage Colorectal Cancer is Associated with Recurrent Intestinal Neoplasia. World J Surg 2020; 44:3501-3509. [PMID: 32647988 PMCID: PMC10659815 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-020-05586-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second in cancer deaths worldwide and presents multiple management challenges, one of which is identifying high risk stage II disease that may benefit from adjuvant therapy. Molecular biomarkers, such as ones that identify stem cell activity, could better stratify high-risk cohorts for additional treatment. METHODS To identify possible biomarkers of high-risk disease in early-stage CRC, a discovery set (n = 66) of advanced-stage tumors were immunostained with antibodies to stemness proteins (CD166, CD44, CD26, and LGR5) and then digitally analyzed. Using a second validation cohort (n = 54) of primary CRC tumors, we analyzed protein and gene expression of CD166 across disease stages, and extended our analyses to CD166-associated genes (LGR5, ASCL2, BMI1, POSTN, and VIM) by qRT-PCR. RESULTS Stage III and metastatic CRC tumors highly expressed stem cell-associated proteins, CD166, CD44, and LGR5. When evaluated across stages, CD166 protein expression was elevated in advanced-stage compared to early-stage tumors. Notably, a small subset of stage I and II cancers harbored elevated CD166 protein expression, which correlated with development of recurrent cancer or adenomatous polyps. Gene expression analyses of CD166-associated molecules revealed elevated ASCL2 in primary tumors from patients who recurred. CONCLUSIONS We identified a protein signature prognostic of aggressive disease in early stage CRC. Stem cell-associated protein and gene expression identified a subset of early-stage tumors associated with cancer recurrence and/or subsequent adenoma formation. Signatures for stemness offer promising fingerprints for stratifying early-stage patients at high risk of recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett S Walker
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L619, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Luai R Zarour
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L619, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Nicole Wieghard
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L619, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Alexandra C Gallagher
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, OHSU, 2720 S Moody Ave., KR-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - John R Swain
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, OHSU, 2720 S Moody Ave., KR-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Sheila Weinmann
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research, 3800 N. Interstate Ave., Portland, OR, 97227, USA
| | - Christian Lanciault
- Department of Pathology, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L-113, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Kevin Billingsley
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L619, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S Moody Ave., Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - V Liana Tsikitis
- Department of Surgery, OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, L619, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S Moody Ave., Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
| | - Melissa H Wong
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, OHSU, 2720 S Moody Ave., KR-CDCB, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 2720 S Moody Ave., Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
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