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Xin X, Cheng X, Zeng F, Xu Q, Hou L. The Role of TGF-β/SMAD Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: from Mechanism to Therapy and Prognosis. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:1436-1451. [PMID: 38385079 PMCID: PMC10878151 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.89568] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with high incidence and mortality, accounting for approximately 90% of liver cancer. The development of HCC is a complex process involving the abnormal activation or inactivation of multiple signaling pathways. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) signaling pathway regulates the development of HCC. TGF-β activates intracellular SMADs protein through membrane receptors, resulting in a series of biological cascades. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that TGF-β/SMAD signaling plays multiple regulatory functions in HCC. However, there is still controversy about the role of TGF-β/SMAD in HCC. Because it involves different pathogenic factors, disease stages, and cell microenvironment, as well as upstream and downstream relationships with other signaling pathways. This review will summary the regulatory mechanism of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway in HCC, involving the regulation of different pathogenic factors, different disease stages, different cell populations, microenvironments, and the interaction with microRNAs. In addition, we also introduced small molecule inhibitors, therapeutic vaccines, and traditional Chinese medicine extracts based on targeting the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway, which will provide future research direction for HCC therapy targeting the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Xin
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyu Cheng
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Fanxin Zeng
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, Sichuan province, China
| | - Qing Xu
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Hou
- The College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China
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Zhang L, Guo M. Correlation of TGF-β1 and Smad2 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in hepatitis B virus associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2023; 31:1014-1021. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v31.i24.1014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occurrence and development of liver cancer are affected by many classical signaling pathways, and as a result, the growth of cancer cells is either inhibited or promoted. The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad2 signaling pathway is often involved in the development of cancer.
AIM To investigate the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and its correlation with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
METHODS Sixty-five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by pathology after surgical resection at our hospital from February 2016 to March 2019 were selected for the study, and they were divided into 37 HBV-infected cases and 28 non-infected cases based on whether HBV infection occurred. Eight cases were lost after 3 years of follow-up, and the remaining patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into two subgroups based on their survival status: 36 cases in survival group and 21 cases in death group. The expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in liver cancer tissues and paraneoplastic tissues was detected by protein immunoblotting (Western blot). The correlation of TGF-β1 and Smad2 protein expression with clinicopathological characteristics and survival rate was analyzed. Cox regression analysis of prognostic factors was performed.
RESULTS The expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues of both HBV-infected and non-infected patients was higher than that in paracancerous tissues, and their expression in HBV-infected patients was higher than that of non-infected patients (P < 0.05). The expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2 was associated with the degree of differentiation, satellite lesions, cirrhosis, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). TGF-β1 and Smad2 expression was higher in dead patients than in survivors (P < 0.05). The survival rate within 3 years was lower in patients with high TGF-β1 expression (48.28%) than in those with low expression (78.57%; P = 0.003). The survival rate within 3 years was also lower inpatients with high Smad2 expression (50.00%) than in those with low expression (77.78%; P = 0.012). TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, TGF-β1 expression, and Smad2 expression were identified to be independent risk factors for poor prognosis within 3 years (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION The expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad2 in HBV-infected hepatocellular carcinoma tissues are elevated, and are associated with clinical pathological characteristics and poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ji'an People's Hospital, Huzhou 313300, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ming Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ji'an People's Hospital, Huzhou 313300, Zhejiang Province, China
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Gao S, Tan H, Li D. Oridonin suppresses gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell proliferation by targeting the TNF-alpha/androgen receptor/TGF-beta signalling pathway axis. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:2661-2674. [PMID: 37431884 PMCID: PMC10494293 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Statistics provided by GLOBOCAN list gastric cancer as the sixth most common, with a mortality ranking of third highest for the year 2020. In China, a herb called Rabdosia rubescens (Hemsl.) H.Hara, has been used by local residents for the treatment of digestive tract cancer for hundreds of years. Oridonin, the main ingredient of the herb, has a curative effect for gastric cancer, but the mechanism has not been previously clarified. This study mainly aimed to investigate the role of TNF-alpha/Androgen receptor/TGF-beta signalling pathway axis in mediating the proliferation inhibition of oridonin on gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells. MTT assay, cell morphology observation assay and fluorescence assay were adopted to study the efficacy of oridonin on cell proliferation. The network pharmacology was used to predict the pathway axis regulated by oridonin. Western blot assay was adopted to verify the TNF-α/Androgen receptor/TGF-β signalling pathway axis regulation on gastric cancer by oridonin. The results showed Oridonin could inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells, change cell morphology and cause cell nuclear fragmentation. A total of 11signaling pathways were annotated by the network pharmacology, among them, Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) signalling pathway, androgen receptor (AR) signalling pathway and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) signalling pathway account for the largest proportion. Oridonin can regulate the protein expression of the three signalling pathways, which is consistent with the results predicted by network pharmacology. These findings indicated that oridonin can inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells by regulating the TNF-α /AR /TGF-β signalling pathway axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyong Gao
- Drug Engineering and Technology Research CenterHarbin University of CommerceHarbinChina
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Prevention and Antitumor DrugsHarbinChina
| | - Huixin Tan
- Department of PharmacyFourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medicine UniversityHarbinChina
| | - Dan Li
- Drug Engineering and Technology Research CenterHarbin University of CommerceHarbinChina
- Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Prevention and Antitumor DrugsHarbinChina
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Huang Q, Li J, Liao Y, Wei L, Chen H. Effect of Propofol Nanoemulsion on Brain Perilymph Metabolism Through Transforming Growth Factor β1/Extracellular Signal Regulated Kinase 5 (TGF- β1/ERK5) Signaling Pathway. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2022. [DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2022.3394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Propofol takes part in the metabolism of perilymph in the brain. Propofol nanoemulsion can enhance the efficacy of drugs. This study explored how propofol modified by nanoemulsion inhibited the TGF-β1/ERK5 signaling pathway, thus affecting the brain. The role of perilymph
metabolism, and its mechanism of action were also clarified. 40 SD rats of clean grade were separated into 4 groups, namely; control group, propofol, propofol nanoemulsion and TGF-β1/ERK5 inhibitor group. We observed the particle size and potential of propofol nanoemulsion, concentration
of several groups of immune factors, inflammatory factors, TGF-β1, and ERK5 protein expression. Results from the laser particle size analyzer showed that the average particle size for the propofol nanoemulsion was 87.14 nm. The zeta potential was 0.391 mV, which was close to electrical
neutrality. ELISA results showed that the concentrations of IgG, IgA, and lgM in the propofol group, propofol nanoemulsion group, and TGF-β1/ERK5 inhibitor group were evidently lower and the IgG, IgA, IgM concentration for the propofol nanoemulsion group. Moreover, the concentration
was lower than that of other groups. ELISA test results showed that the concentrations of IL-12, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-2 in the propofol group, propofol nanoemulsion group, and TGF-β1/ERK5 inhibitor group were obviously lower. The concentrations of IL-12, IL-10, TNF-α
and IL-2 in the propofol nanoemulsion group were lower than those in the other groups (p < 0.05). These results exhibited that, the expression levels of TGF-β1 and ERK5 in the propofol group, propofol nanoemulsion group, and TGF-β1/ERK5 inhibitor group were
evidently lower. TGF-β1 and ERK5 expression levels in the propofol nanoemulsion group was lower than in the other groups (p<0.05). Propofol nanoemulsion regulates the TGF-β1/ERK5 signaling pathway, inhibits its expression, reducing inflammation, increasing
immune response, and promoting perilymph metabolism in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinfeng Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University (Anesthesiology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical), Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University (Anesthesiology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical), Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ye Liao
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University (Anesthesiology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical), Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - LiQin Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University (Anesthesiology Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical), Fuzhou 350000, Fujian Province, China
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Hao J, Zhang W, Huang Z. Bupivacaine modulates the apoptosis and ferroptosis in bladder cancer via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway. Bioengineered 2022; 13:6794-6806. [PMID: 35246010 PMCID: PMC9278971 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2036909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to explore the effects of local anesthetic bupivacaine on bladder cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. The cytotoxicity was detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis was measured by Hoechst 33342 staining and TUNEL. The contents of Fe2+, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated by the corresponding kit. Mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed by JC-1 kit. HE staining, TUNEL and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the xenografted tumors. Protein expression was estimated by Western blot. Bupivacaine significantly inhibited the activity of T24 cells and 5637 cells at 0.25-16 mM. Bupivacaine promoted cell apoptosis with increased concentration. bupivacaine inhibited the expression of Bcl-2 and increased the expression of Bax and cytochrome C. Moreover, bupivacaine amplified the level of Fe2+ and ROS, and restrained the expression of cystine/glutamic acid reverse transporter (xCT) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Further results showed that bupivacaine decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced GSH, and increased MDA levels. Besides, bupivacaine attenuated the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. In addition, bupivacaine suppressed the growth of xenografted tumors, induced apoptosis and ferroptosis, and inhibited the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in xenografted tumors. Bupivacaine could induce apoptosis and ferroptosis by inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in bladder cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianli Hao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Weiqing Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Zeqing Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
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Zhang Z, Yan B, Li Y, Yang S, Li J. Propofol inhibits oxidative stress injury through the glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway. Bioengineered 2022; 13:1612-1625. [PMID: 35030972 PMCID: PMC8805835 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2021062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is the main cause of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Propofol is a commonly used intravenous hypnotic anesthetic agent with antioxidant properties. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the protective effects of propofol on H2O2-induced cardiomyocyte injury and myocardial ischemic/reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats. Cardiomyocyte injury was evaluated by determining cardiac troponin-1 (cTn-1) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels. Antioxidative stress was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and catalase (CAT) levels. Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and TUNEL assays. Bax and Bcl-2 expression levels were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. The levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway-related factors were measured using Western blotting. Myocardial infarction in rats was analyzed using an Evans blue staining assay. The results showed that propofol reduced the levels of CK-MB, cTn-1, LDH, MDA, and ROS, and increased the levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT in H2O2-treated H9c2 cells. Additionally, propofol inhibited H2O2-induced apoptosis by downregulating Bax and upregulating Bcl-2. Moreover, propofol decreased the area of myocardial infarction in rats with MIRI. The GSK3β-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway was activated by propofol. Rescue experiments showed that Nrf2 knockdown alleviated the effects of propofol on oxidative stress and apoptosis in H9c2 cells. In conclusion, propofol attenuated H2O2-induced myocardial cell injury by regulating the GSK3β/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and alleviating MIRI, suggesting that propofol is a promising therapeutic option for ischemic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - BaoFeng Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fifth Medical Center of Chinese Pla General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Medical Administration, The Eleventh People’s Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinfeng Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
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