Comprehensive Analysis for Identifying Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Colon Adenocarcinoma

Identification of modules and key genes associated with breast cancer subtypes through network analysis

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women around the world. Intratumor and intertumoral heterogeneity persist in mammary tumors. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers is essential for the treatment of this malignancy. This study analyzed 28,143 genes expressed in 49 breast cancer cell lines using a Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis to determine specific target proteins for Basal A, Basal B, Luminal A, Luminal B, and HER2 ampl breast cancer subtypes. Sixty-five modules were identified, of which five were characterized as having a high correlation with breast cancer subtypes. Genes overexpressed in the tumor were found to participate in the following mechanisms: regulation of the apoptotic process, transcriptional regulation, angiogenesis, signaling, and cellular survival. In particular, we identified the following genes, considered as hubs: IFIT3, an inhibitor of viral and cellular processes; ETS1, a transcription factor involved in cell death and tumorigenesis; ENSG00000259723 lncRNA, expressed in cancers; AL033519.3, a hypothetical gene; and TMEM86A, important for regulating keratinocyte membrane properties, considered as a key in Basal A, Basal B, Luminal A, Luminal B, and HER2 ampl breast cancer subtypes, respectively. The modules and genes identified in this work can be used to identify possible biomarkers or therapeutic targets in different breast cancer subtypes.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of normal and pathological tissues from the same patient uncovers colon cancer progression

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the evolutionary trajectory of colon cells from normal colon mucosa, to adenoma, then to carcinoma in the same microenvironment. Normal colon, adenoma and carcinoma tissues from the same patient were analyzed by single-cell sequencing, which perfectly simulated the process of time-dependent colon cancer due to the same microenvironment. A total of 22 cell types were identified. Results suggest the presence of dominant clones of same cells including C2 goblet cell, epithelial cell subtype 1 (Epi1), enterocyte cell subset 0 (Entero0), and Entero5 in carcinoma. Epi1 and Entero0 were Co-enriched in antibacterial and IL-17 signaling, Entero5 was enriched in immune response and mucin-type O-glycan biosynthesis. We discovered new colon cancer related genes including AC007952.4, NEK8, CHRM3, ANO7, B3GNT6, NEURL1, ODC1 and KCNMA1. The function of TBC1D4, LTB, C2CD4A, AND GBP4/5 in T cells needs to be clarified. We used colon samples from the same person, which provide new information for colon cancer therapy.

A novel epigenetic biomarker, plasma miR-138-5p gene promoter-methylated DNA, for colorectal cancer diagnosis

Aim: The miR-138-5p promoter-methylated DNA level, miR-138-5p and PDL1 expression were investigated in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Materials & methods: miR-138-5p promoter methylation status and miR-138-5p expression were investigated using the MethyLight and qPCR method, respectively. For measuring PDL-1, we applied the Bioassay Technology Elisa kit. Results: The percentage of methylated reference values of plasma and tissue samples from patients was higher than control groups. The area under curve presented a sensitivity of 55% and a specificity of 82.5% for plasma samples. Compared with the control groups, lower expression of miR-138-5p and higher concentration of PDL1 protein were observed in the patients group. Conclusion: CRC may be detected early by identifying miR-138-5p methylated DNA in plasma as a diagnostic biomarker.

Loss of interleukin-10 receptor disrupts intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and skews differentiation towards the goblet cell fate

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) are crucial for maintaining proper digestion and overall homeostasis of the gut mucosa. IEC proliferation and differentiation are tightly regulated by well described pathways, however, relatively little is known about how cytokines shape these processes. Given that the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 promotes intestinal barrier function, and insufficient IL-10 signaling increases susceptibility to intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, we hypothesized that IL-10 signaling modulates processes underlying IEC proliferation and differentiation. This was tested using in vivo and in vitro IEC-specific IL-10 receptor 1 (IL-10R1) depletion under homeostatic conditions. Our findings revealed that loss of IL-10R1 drove lineage commitment toward a dominant goblet cell phenotype while decreasing absorptive cell-related features. Diminished IL-10 signaling also significantly elevated IEC proliferation with relatively minor changes to apoptosis. Characterization of signaling pathways upstream of proliferation demonstrated a significant reduction in the Wnt inhibitor, DKK1, increased nuclear localization of β-catenin, and increased transcripts of the proliferation marker, OLFM4, with IL-10R1 depletion. Phosphorylated STAT3 was nearly completely absent in IL-10R1 knockdown cells and may provide a mechanistic link between our observations and the regulation of these cellular processes. Our results demonstrate a novel role for IL-10 signaling in intestinal mucosal homeostasis by regulating proper balance of proliferation and IEC lineage fate.

ETV4 transcriptionally activates HES1 and promotes Stat3 phosphorylation to promote malignant behaviors of colon adenocarcinoma

Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is the commonest type of colorectal cancer with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. ETS variant 4 (ETV4) is a member of the ETS transcription factors and is frequently involved in the progression of many cancers. This study focused on the relevance of ETV4 to the progression of COAD. ETV4 was highly expressed in the collected COAD tissues and acquired cells and indicated advanced Dukes staging in patients. Knockdown of ETV4 in COAD cells weakened proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activity of cells. The downstream genes of ETV4 were predicted, and a Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was conducted to identify the key molecule involved. ETV4 bound to the promoter sequence of HES1 and activated its transcription. Further overexpression of HES1 restored the malignant behaviors of COAD cells. HES1 was also found to promote phosphorylation of Stat3. Similar results were reproduced in vivo where downregulation of ETV4 blocked the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. This study demonstrated that ETV4 encourages malignant development of COAD through activating HES1 transcription and Stat3 phosphorylation. This study may offer novel insights into COAD therapy.

Identification of Key Genes in Lung Adenocarcinoma and Establishment of Prognostic Mode

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Cyclovirobuxine D inhibits colorectal cancer tumorigenesis via the CTHRC1‑AKT/ERK‑Snail signaling pathway

Cyclovirobuxine D (CVB-D) is an alkaloid, which is mainly derived from Buxus microphylla. It has been reported that CVB-D has positive effects on breast cancer, gastric cancer and other malignant tumors. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports regarding the effects of CVB-D on colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of the present study was to determine the anticancer effects of CVB-D and further elucidate its molecular mechanism(s). DLD-1 and LoVo cell lines were selected to evaluate the antitumor effect of CVB-D. Cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation were evaluated by the MTT and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects on apoptosis and the cell cycle in CVB-D-treated CRC cells. The migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells were examined by wound healing and Transwell assays. In addition, RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis and western blotting were performed to investigate the target of drug action and clarify the molecular mechanisms. A xenograft model was established using nude mice, and ultrasound was employed to assess the preclinical therapeutic effects of CVB-D in vivo. It was identified that CVB-D inhibited the proliferation, migration, stemness, angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of CRC cells, and induced apoptosis and S-phase arrest. In addition, CVB-D significantly inhibited the growth of xenografts. It is notable that CVB-D exerted anticancer effects in CRC cells partly by targeting collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), which may be upstream of the AKT and ERK pathways. CVB-D exerted anticancer effects through the CTHRC1-AKT/ERK-Snail signaling pathway. Targeted therapy combining CTHRC1 with CVB-D may offer a promising novel therapeutic approach for CRC treatment.