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Li J, Bao H, Huang Z, Liang Z, Wang M, Lin N, Ni C, Xu Y. Little things with significant impact: miRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1191070. [PMID: 37274242 PMCID: PMC10235484 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1191070] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has developed into one of the most lethal, aggressive, and malignant cancers worldwide. Although HCC treatment has improved in recent years, the incidence and lethality of HCC continue to increase yearly. Therefore, an in-depth study of the pathogenesis of HCC and the search for more reliable therapeutic targets are crucial to improving the survival quality of HCC patients. Currently, miRNAs have become one of the hotspots in life science research, which are widely present in living organisms and are non-coding RNAs involved in regulating gene expression. MiRNAs exert their biological roles by suppressing the expression of downstream genes and are engaged in various HCC-related processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. In addition, the expression status of miRNAs is related to the drug resistance mechanism of HCC, which has important implications for the systemic treatment of HCC. This paper reviews the regulatory role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of HCC and the clinical applications of miRNAs in HCC in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiehan Li
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Haolin Bao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ziyue Huang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Zixin Liang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Ning Lin
- Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Fujian Province University, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Chunjie Ni
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Tumor Targeted Nano Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Functional and Clinical Translational Medicine, Fujian Province University, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Tumor Targeted Nano Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Oncogenomics, Key Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Biomarkers and In Vitro Diagnosis Translation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer (Fujian Medical University), Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Pharmacy and Individualized Therapy of Huzhou, Department of Pharmacy, Changxing People’s Hospital, Changxing, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Pathology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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2
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Xuan SH, Hua ML, Xiang Z, He XL, Huang L, Jiang C, Dong P, Wu J. Roles of cancer stem cells in gastrointestinal cancers. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15:209-220. [PMID: 37181004 PMCID: PMC10173810 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i4.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the main cause of tumor growth, invasion, metastasis and recurrence. Recently, CSCs have been extensively studied to identify CSC-specific surface markers as well as signaling pathways that play key roles in CSCs self-renewal. The involvement of CSCs in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers also highlights these cells as a priority target for therapy. The diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of GI cancer have always been a focus of attention. Therefore, the potential application of CSCs in GI cancers is receiving increasing attention. This review summarizes the role of CSCs in GI cancers, focusing on esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. In addition, we propose CSCs as potential targets and therapeutic strategies for the effective treatment of GI cancers, which may provide better guidance for clinical treatment of GI cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Hai Xuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The People’s Hospital of Dongtai City, Dongtai 224299, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng-Lu Hua
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ze Xiang
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiang-Lin He
- School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lan Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chun Jiang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peng Dong
- Hangzhou Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou 215008, Jiangsu Province, China
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3
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Pan Y, You B, Zhao X, Li W. MicroRNA-30a depresses hepatic stellate cell activation against liver fibrosis through blockade of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37018431 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2023.2197714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the mechanism of microRNA (miR)-30a in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Subsequent to knockdown and ectopic experiments, HSCs were induced with 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 to inspect the role of the miR-30a/TGF-β receptor 1 (TGFBR1) axis in HSC proliferation and activation. qRT-PCR was utilized to examine TGFBR1 mRNA and miR-30a expression and western blot to test TGFBR1, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen I and mothers against DPP homolog 2/3 (Smad2/3) protein expression. The fluorescence intensity of α-SMA was measured with immunofluorescence staining. The interaction of TGFBR1 with miR-30a was tested with a dual-luciferase reporter assay. TGF-β1 treated HSCs had upregulated expressions of α-SMA and Collagen I. In addition, downregulated miR-30a, upregulated TGFBR1 and activated TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway were found in activated HSCs. Upregulation of miR-30a or downregulation of TGFBR1 suppressed the activation and growth of HSCs. miR-30a repression activated the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway and promoted HSC proliferation and activation, while suppression of TGFBR1 revered these effects. miR-30a was an upstream regulatory factor of TGFBR1. miR-30a blocks the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway to inhibit HSC activation against liver fibrosis by targeting TGFBR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Pan
- Department of Transplantation, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Bo You
- Department of Transplantation, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Transplantation, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Transplantation, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China
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4
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Hu T, Wang X, Xia Y, Wu L, Ma Y, Zhou R, Zhao Y. Comprehensive analysis identifies as a critical prognostic prediction gene in breast cancer. Chin Med J (Engl) 2022; 135:2218-2231. [PMID: 36113844 PMCID: PMC9771277 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aurora kinases (AURKs) family plays a vital role not only in cell division but also in tumorigenesis. However, there are still rare systematic analyses of the diverse expression patterns and prognostic value of the AURKs family in breast cancer (BC). Systematic bioinformatics analysis was conducted to explore the biological role, prognostic value, and immunologic function of AURKs family in BC. METHODS The expression, prognostic value, and clinical functions of AURKs family in BC were evaluated with several bioinformatics web portals: ONCOMINE Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Kaplan-Meier plotter, cBioPortal, Metascape, GeneMANIA, and LinkedOmics; and the result was verified using human tissues. RESULTS The expression of AURKA and AURKB were upregulated in BC in subgroup analyses based on tumor stage (all P < 0.05). BC patients with high AURKA and AURKB expression had a worse overall survival, relapse-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival (all P < 0.05). Verification experiment revealed that AURKA and AURKB were upregulated in BC ( P < 0.05). AURKA and AURKB were specifically associated with several tumor-associated kinases (polo-like kinase 1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1), miRNAs (miR-507 and miR-381), and E2F transcription factor 1. Moreover, AURKA and AURKB were correlated with immune cell infiltration. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that AURKA and AURKB were involved in the cell cycle signaling pathway, platinum drug resistance signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, Hippo signaling pathway, and nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Aurora kinases AURKA and AURKB could be employed as novel prognostic biomarkers or promising therapeutic targets for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Hu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Yun Xia
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Lu Wu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Yuxi Ma
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Yanxia Zhao
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
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5
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Xu C, Sun W, Liu J, Pu H, Li Y. MiR-342-3p inhibits LCSC oncogenicity and cell stemness through HDAC7/PTEN axis. Inflamm Res 2021; 71:107-117. [PMID: 34842937 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-021-01521-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the effects of miR-342-3p on liver cancer stem cells (LCSC) and related mechanism. METHODS LCSC were sorted using immunomagnetic beads and flow cytometry was used to determine CD133+ and CD133- sorted cells. The self-renewal ability and growth ability of LCSC were measured by tumor spheroid formation assay and soft agar colony formation assay. Protein and mRNA expressions of CD44, ALDH1, Bmi1, Sox2 and Oct4 were detected by western blot and quantitative PCR. The relationship between miR-342-3p and HDAC7 was analyzed by dual-luciferase assay. The acetylation level of H3 protein was measured by acetyl Lysine antibody. RESULTS miR-342-3p overexpression in LCSC lead to lower tumor volume, reduced tumor spheroid formation and agar colony formation rates, as well as lower mRNA and protein expressions of CD44, ALDH1, Bmi1, Sox2, and Oct4. Dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed HDAC7 as a target gene of miR-342-3p. Inhibition of HDAC7 or overexpression of PTEN suppressed the carcinogenicity and stemness of LCSC. PTEN expression was increased in sh-HDAC7 group and decreased in pcDNA3.1-HDAC7 group. HDAC7 promoted H3 deacetylation and inhibited PTEN expression. Overexpression of HDAC7 or silencing of PTEN could reverse the inhibitory effect of overexpression of miR-342-3p on LCSC carcinogenicity and cell stemness. CONCLUSION MiR-342-3p inhibited LCSC oncogenicity and cell stemness by promoting PTEN and inhibiting HDAC7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunlin Xu
- Department of Infectious Disease (No. 3), Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Sun
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150, Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinglei Liu
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150, Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Haihong Pu
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150, Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinghong Li
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 150, Haping Road, Nangang District, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Xu XF, Yang XK, Song Y, Chen BJ, Yu X, Xu T, Chen ZL. Dysregulation of Non-coding RNAs mediates Cisplatin Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and therapeutic strategies. Pharmacol Res 2021; 176:105906. [PMID: 34543740 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth major contributor to cancer-related deaths worldwide, and patients mostly have poor prognosis. Although several drugs have been approved for the treatment of HCC, cisplatin (CDDP) is still applied in treatment of HCC as a classical chemotherapeutic drug. Unfortunately, the emergence of CDDP resistance has caused HCC patients to exhibit poor drug response. How to mitigate or even reverse CDDP resistance is an urgent clinical issue to be solved. Because of critical roles in biological functional processes and disease developments, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been extensively studied in HCC in recent years. Importantly, ncRNAs have also been demonstrated to be involved in the development of HCC to CDDP resistance process. Therefore, this review highlighted the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in CDDP resistance of HCC, elucidated the multiple potential mechanisms by which HCC develops CDDP resistance, and attempted to propose multiple drug delivery systems to alleviate CDDP resistance. Recently, ncRNA-based therapy may be a feasible strategy to alleviate CDDP resistance in HCC. Meanwhile, nanoparticles can overcome the deficiencies in ncRNA-based therapy and make it possible to reverse tumor drug resistance. The combined use of these strategies provides clues for reversing CDDP resistance and overcoming the poor prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Feng Xu
- Department of Hemorrhoid and Fistula of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chaohu Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University, Chaohu, Anhui, 238000, P.R. China.
| | - Xiao-Ke Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, P.R. China.
| | - Yang Song
- Department of Pain Treatment, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, P.R. China.
| | - Bang-Jie Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, P.R. China.
| | - Xiao Yu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, P. R. China.
| | - Tao Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, P. R. China; School of Pharmacy, Anhui Key Lab. of Bioactivity of Natural Products, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, P. R. China.
| | - Zhao-Lin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, P.R. China.
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Zeng Z, Lu Q, Liu Y, Zhao J, Zhang Q, Hu L, Shi Z, Tu Y, Xiao Z, Xu Q, Huang D. Effect of the Hypoxia Inducible Factor on Sorafenib Resistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:641522. [PMID: 34307125 PMCID: PMC8292964 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.641522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is the first-line drug for treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mechanistically, it suppresses tumor angiogenesis, cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis. Although sorafenib effectively prolongs median survival rates of patients with advanced HCC, its efficacy is limited by drug resistance in some patients. In HCC, this resistance is attributed to multiple complex mechanisms. Previous clinical data has shown that HIFs expression is a predictor of poor prognosis, with further evidence demonstrating that a combination of sorafenib and HIFs-targeted therapy or HIFs inhibitors can overcome HCC sorafenib resistance. Here, we describe the molecular mechanism underlying sorafenib resistance in HCC patients, and highlight the impact of hypoxia microenvironment on sorafenib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Zeng
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiliang Lu
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Junjun Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China.,Graduate Department, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Linjun Hu
- The Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.,Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhan Shi
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifeng Tu
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zunqiang Xiao
- The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiuran Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, China
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8
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Liu L, Borlak J. Advances in Liver Cancer Stem Cell Isolation and their Characterization. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2021; 17:1215-1238. [PMID: 33432485 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-020-10114-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade research on cancer stem cells (CSC) significantly contributed to a better understanding of tumor biology. Given their similarity to normal stem cells, i.e. self-renewal and pluripotency the need arises to develop robust protocols for the isolation and characterization of CSCs. As with other malignancies, hepatic tumors are composed of a heterogeneous population of cells including liver cancer stem cells (LCSC). Yet, a precise understanding of why stem cells become cancerous is still lacking. There is unmet need to develop robust protocols for the successful isolation of LCSCs from human tissue resection material as to assist in the development of molecular targeted therapies. Here we review the research progress made in the isolation and characterization of LCSCs by considering a wide range of cell surface markers and sorting methods, as applied to side populations, microsphere cultures and the gradient centrifugation method. We emphasize the different fluorescence activated cell sorting methods and the possibility to enrich LCSCs by immunomagnetic beads. We review the specificity of functional assays by considering ABCG transporter and ALDH1 enzyme activities and evaluate the in vivo tumorigenicity of LCSCs in highly sensitive bioassays. Finally, we evaluate different LCSC markers in association with viral and non-viral liver disease and explore the potential of novel drug delivery systems targeting CD133, EpCAM, CD13 and CD90 for the development of molecular targeted therapies. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Liu
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jürgen Borlak
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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Li J, Zhu Y. Recent Advances in Liver Cancer Stem Cells: Non-coding RNAs, Oncogenes and Oncoproteins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:548335. [PMID: 33117795 PMCID: PMC7575754 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.548335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with high morbidity, relapse, metastasis and mortality rates. Although liver surgical resection, transplantation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some molecular targeted therapeutics may prolong the survival of HCC patients to a certain degree, the curative effect is still poor, primarily because of tumor recurrence and the drug resistance of HCC cells. Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs), also known as liver tumor-initiating cells, represent one small subset of cancer cells that are responsible for disease recurrence, drug resistance and death. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanism of LCSCs in HCC is of vital importance. Thus, new studies that present gene regulation strategies to control LCSC differentiation and replication are under development. In this review, we provide an update on the latest advances in experimental studies on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), oncogenes and oncoproteins. All the articles addressed the crosstalk between different ncRNAs, oncogenes and oncoproteins, as well as their upstream and downstream products targeting LCSCs. In this review, we summarize three pathways, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, and interleukin 6/Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL6/JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway, and their targeting gene, c-Myc. Furthermore, we conclude that octamer 4 (OCT4) and Nanog are two important functional genes that play a pivotal role in LCSC regulation and HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,Liver Disease Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
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10
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Li J, Zhang C, Yuan X, Ren Z, Yu Z. Correlations between stemness indices for hepatocellular carcinoma, clinical characteristics, and prognosis. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:5496-5510. [PMID: 33042433 PMCID: PMC7540154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, potential mechanisms for this have not yet been elucidated. We constructed a model based on the Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium database to generate stemness indices. We then utilized RNA-seq data and clinical information from the Cancer Genome Atlas (CGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) for model predictions and verification. An mRNA gene expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) and a DNA methylation-based stemness index (mDNAsi) were both calculated through one-class logistic regression. By applying univariate Cox regression analysis, we found that the mRNAsi and the mDNAsi correlated significantly with overall survival. Functional prediction analyses were used to characterize implicated genes and their degree of involvement as network hubs through protein-protein interaction analysis, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test was used to assess the relationship between hub genes and indices for stemness. The mRNAsi values for CGA and ICGC carcinoma samples correlated significantly with negative clinical characteristics and overall survival, whereas gene and protein-protein interaction analyses revealed that SNAP25, KPT19, GABBR1, and EPCAM were negatively associated with clinical mDNAsi scores. Collectively, the data suggest that our new stemness model based on related genes may predict patient prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Zhigang Ren
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Zujiang Yu
- Gene Hospital of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhou 450052, Henan, P.R. China
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