SOCS3 Genetic Polymorphism Is Associated With Clinical Features and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Receiving Hepatectomy

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-3 Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients in Egypt

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) contributes significantly to cancer mortalities worldwide. The association between a specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located within the SOCS3 gene as well as the likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression in individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) was found to be significant. We aimed to study SOCS3 gene polymorphisms at rs4969168 and rs4969170and HCC susceptibility in individuals with CHC.

METHODS

The current prospective study involved 111 subjects divided in to three groups (HCC, HCV with and with no cirrhosis, and apparently healthy individuals). Tumor staging was done using BCLC staging system. SOCS3 (rs4969168 and rs4969170) gene polymorphisms' analysis was done utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (via DNA extracted from all subjects). All subjects underwent a complete history, medical examination, and laboratory and radiological data collection.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy controls, homozygous AA genotypes and heterozygous GA genotypes were substantially overrepresented in  HCC patients as well as those with CHCaccompanied by cirrhosis.AFP, smoking, glucose level, and AA genotype of rs4969170 might be critical significant parameters for HCC development.

CONCLUSION

SOCS3 gene polymorphisms at rs4969168 and rs4969170 are associated with HCC and liver fibrosis progression in the Egyptian population with CHC infection.

Paeoniflorin inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth by reducing PD-L1 expression

Abnormal expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on cancer cells contributes to immune escape in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Paeoniflorin has been shown to inhibit the growth of HCC; however, whether its inhibitory effect involves reducing PD-L1 expression on HCC cells remains unknown. We investigated the antitumor effects of paeoniflorin and its potential regulatory mechanisms in HCC. The effects of paeoniflorin on tumor growth and tumor immunity were determined in H22-xenografted mice and DEN-induced HCC rats. Small interfering RNA against suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was transfected into HepG2 cells to verify the effect of paeoniflorin on the SOCS3/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/PD-L1signaling pathway. The levels of SOCS3/STAT3/PD-L1 signaling pathway-related mRNAs and proteins were determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), granzyme B (GrB), and perforin 1 (PRF1) levels were detected in an H22 and mouse T cell co-culture system. Paeoniflorin can trigger T cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses by increasing CD8+ T cell counts in tumor tissues, thereby inhibiting tumor growth. Moreover, paeoniflorin increased IL-2, IFN-γ, GrB, and PRF1 levels in the co-culture system. PD-L1 expression was suppressed by paeoniflorin, and this effect was mediated by the SOCS3/STAT3 signaling pathway. Paeoniflorin might thus act via enhancing SOCS3 to inhibit STAT3/PD-L1 signaling and subsequently restore T cell sensitivity to kill tumor cells. Our findings provide novel insights into the anticancer effects of paeoniflorin.

Prognostic value of genotyping in hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review

Primary liver cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death. Advances in sequencing technology are opening genomics to widespread application for diagnosis and research. The poor prognosis of advanced HCC warrants a personalized approach. The objective was to assess the value of genotyping for risk stratification and prognostication of HCC. We performed a systematic review of manuscripts published on MEDLINE from 1 January 2009 to 1 January 2022, addressing the value of genotyping for HCC risk stratification and prognostication. Publication information for each has been collected using a standardized data extraction form. Twenty-five articles were analysed. This study showed that various genomics approaches (i.e., NGS, SNP, CASP or polymorphisms in circadian genes' association) provided predictive and prognostic information, such as disease control rate, median progression-free survival, and shorter median overall survival. Genotyping, which advances in understanding the molecular origin, could be a solution to predict prognosis or treatment response in patients with HCC.

Analysis of SOCS3 gene genotype in patients with acute cerebral infarction and its relationship with disease progression

OBJECTIVE

This reseaech aimed to analyze the polymorphism of SOCS3 gene in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), and to explore its relationship with disease progression.

METHODS

A total of 310 patients with ACI were categorized into mild stroke group and moderate to severe stroke group according to the National Institute of Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission. Based on NIHSS scores at 7 days after admission, patients were further divided into advanced group and non-advanced group. According to the results of SOCS3 gene detection, three genotypes of rs8064821 were detected: CC, CA and AA. The distribution difference of the genotypes and their predictive possibility were reckoned.

RESULTS

The distribution of SOCS3 genotype at rs8064821 in patients with ACI was CC (161 cases), CA (127 cases), and AA (22 cases), with frequencies of 51.93 %, 40.97 %, and 7.10 %, respectively. Compared with mild group, the proportion of CC genotype was lower, while the proportion of CA and AA genotypes was higher in moderate-severe stroke group (P < 0.01). Compared with non-advanced group, patients who advanced to neurological deficit had a lower proportion of CC genotype, and a higher proportion of CA and AA genotype (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

CA and AA genotypes were the main genotypes of SOCS3 in patients with ACI in northern Anhui of China. The disease was more severe in patients with CA and AA, who are more likely to develop neurological deficits.

SOCS3 Gene Polymorphism and Hypertension Susceptibility in Chinese Population: A Two-Center Case-Control Study

Endothelial inflammation and vascular damage are essential risk factors contributing to hypertension. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is involved in the regulation of multiple inflammatory pathways. A large number of studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory effect of SOCS3 in hypertension, obesity, and allergic reactions has brought more insights into the inhibition of inflammation. Therefore, we selected a tagSNP of SOCS3 (rs8064821) to investigate whether they are contributing to the risk of hypertension in the Chinese population. In total, 532 patients with hypertension and 569 healthy controls were enrolled for two central of China. SOCS3 rs8064821 C>A polymorphism was genotyped using TaqMan assay. SOCS3 rs8064821 CA genotype was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR = 1.821, 95%CI = 1.276-2.600, P = 0.001). Rs8064821 A allele was associated with higher SOCS3 mRNA level in PBMCs from healthy donors. SOCS3 rs8064821 C>A polymorphism may contribute to the risk of hypertension in the Chinese population by regulating the expression of SOCS3.

RASSF1A: A promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

The Ras association domain family 1 isoform A (RASSF1A), a tumor suppressor, regulates several tumor-related signaling pathways and interferes with diverse cellular processes. RASSF1A is frequently demonstrated to be inactivated by hypermethylation in numerous types of solid cancers. It is also associated with lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, and chemo-resistance. Therefore, reactivation of RASSF1A may be a viable strategy to block tumor progress and reverse drug resistance. In this review, we have summarized the clinical value of RASSF1A for screening, staging, and therapeutic management of human malignancies. We also highlighted the potential mechanism of RASSF1A in chemo-resistance, which may help identify novel drugs in the future.

Next generation sequencing and RNA-seq characterization of adipose tissue in the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) in South Africa: Possible mechanism(s) of pathogenesis and pathophysiology of pansteatitis

BACKGROUND

Concerted efforts to identify the pathogenesis and mechanism(s) involved in pansteatitis, (a generalized inflammation of the adipose tissue), that was attributed to the recent crocodile die off in the Olifants River and Loskop Dam in Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa have been in the forefront of research in recent time. As part of the efforts, molecular characterization of healthy and pansteatitis adipose tissue was carried out by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and de novo assembly of the adipose transcriptome, followed by differential gene expression analysis.

METHODOLOGY

Healthy adipose tissue consisting of fifty samples was collected from the subcutaneous, visceral, intermuscular adipose tissues and the abdominal fat body of ten 4 years old juvenile crocodiles from a local crocodile farm in Pretoria, South Africa. Ten pansteatitis samples were collected from visceral and intermuscular adipose tissues of five crocodiles that were dying of pansteatitis.

RESULTS

Forty-two thousand, two hundred and one (42,201) transcripts were assembled, out of which 37, 835 had previously been characterized. The de novo assembled transcriptome had an N50 (average sequence) of 436 bp, percentage GC content of 43.92, which compared well with previously assembled transcripts in the saltwater crocodile. Seventy genes were differentially expressed and upregulated in pansteatitis. These included genes coding for extracellular matrix (ECM) signaling ligands, inflammatory cytokines and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) receptors, fatty acid synthase and fatty acid binding proteins, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), nuclear factor and apoptosis signaling ligands, and mitogen activated protein kinase enzymes among others. Majority (88.6%) of the upregulated genes were found to be involved in hypoxia inducible pathways for activation of NFkβ and inflammation, apoptosis, Toll-like receptor pathway and PPARγ. Bicaudal homologous 2 Drosophila gene (BICD2) associated with spinal and lower extremity muscle atrophy was also upregulated in pansteatitis while Sphingosine -1-phosphate phosphatase 2 (SGPP2) involved in Sphingosine -1- phosphate metabolism was downregulated. Futhermore, Doublesex-mab-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) responsible for sex gonad development and germ cell differentiation was also downregulated.

CONCLUSION

Thus, from the present study, based on differentially expressed genes in pansteatitis, affected Nile crocodiles might have died partly due to their inability to utilize stored triglycerides as a result of inflammation induced insulin resistance, leading to starvation in the midst of plenty. Affected animals may have also suffered muscular atrophy of the lower extremities and poor fertility.

Expression and prognostic value of HER-2/neu, STAT3 and SOCS3 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex and heterogeneous tumor with several genomic alterations, while the viral-chemical etiology along with molecular mechanisms of HCC pathogenesis remains largely unknown. This study aimed to determine expression profile and prognostic value of HER-2/neu, STAT3 and SOCS3 in HCC.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were performed to evaluate the expression of HER-2/neu, STAT3 and SOCS3 in HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues collected from 176 HCC patients.

RESULTS

HER-2/neu and STAT3 levels were higher and SOCS3 expression was lower in HCC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. HER-2/neu, STAT3 and SOCS3 levels were associated with histological grade, tumor diameter, TNM stage, vascular invasion, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis in HCC. SOCS3 expression was negatively associated with HER-2/neu and STAT3 expression. HCC patients with higher HER-2/neu and STAT3 levels had shorter overall, disease-free and disease-specific survival, whereas the opposite was found in patients with higher SOCS3 expression. In Cox regression analysis, tumor size, TNM stage, and STAT3 expression were identified as independent prognostic factors of HCC.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these observations suggest that HER-2/neu, STAT3 and, SOCS3 are related to the aggressive tumor behavior and STAT3 has potential value as a prognostic factor for HCC.

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein-3 rs12252-CC is associated with low differentiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a component of ISG (Interferon-Stimulated Gene) family. The association between IFITM3 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reported. While the relationship between this genetic variation and the progress of HCC remains unclear. To address this issue, we explore the relationship between the IFITM3-rs12252 genetic variants and the progression of HCC in this study.A total of 336 candidates were enrolled in the study, including 156 patients with HBV related HCC and 180 patients with chronic Hepatitis B infections or liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B were diagnosed with clinical characteristics and staging, laboratory testing, and imaging results of viral infection and hepatic damage. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to determine the gene polymorphism of IFITM3, and analyzed with the GraphPad Prism v 5.The patients with HCC had a significantly higher proportion of IFITM3 rs12252-CC as compared with the patients with chronic HBV infection or liver cirrhosis. Moreover, the distribution of CC genotype in HCC patients with low differentiation was significantly higher than that in those with high differentiation. Furthermore, the patients with CC genotype were found with bigger tumor size, higher percentage of vascular thrombosis, higher distribution of low differentiation and higher 5-year relapse rate than those with CT/TT genotypes.This study indicates a correlation between the IFITM3-rs12252 CC genotype and the progression of HCC.

Polymorphisms of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis among Han Taiwanese

BACKGROUND

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS), particularly SOCS-3, allow discrimination of patients with active tuberculosis (TB) from healthy subjects in a gender- and age-dependent manner. However, no information is available on whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SOCS-3 gene occur in patients with TB. This study was designed to investigate SOCS-3 SNPs in association with susceptibility to TB in the Taiwanese population.

METHODS

Four SNPs in the SOCS-3 gene located at rs8064821, rs4969168, rs2280148, and rs35037722 were studied by the TaqMan SNP Genotyping assay in 200 healthy and 210 TB patients enrolled in 2015-2018.

RESULTS

Significant differences were not detected in genotype frequencies or odds ratios (ORs) between healthy and TB patients for any of the four polymorphisms. The lack of significant differences was also found when the patients were stratified by sex. However, males exhibited GG homozygous at rs35037722 in association with susceptibility to TB after the OR analysis was adjusted for age. For rs8064821, AA and AC genotypes were associated with TB susceptibility in patients ≤ 65 years old compared to CC genotype, whereas older subjects had no such association.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that particular SOCS-3 SNPs are dependent on gender or age to influence TB susceptibility in the Han Taiwanese.

In vivo and in vitro effects of microRNA-221 on hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression through the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway by targeting SOCS3

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as the third leading cancer-caused deaths, prevails with high mortality, and affects more than half a million individuals per year worldwide. A former study revealed that microRNA-221 (miR-221) was involved in cell proliferation of liver cancer and HCC development. The current study aims to evaluate whether miR-221 targeting SOCS3 affects HCC through JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway. A series of miR-221 mimic, miR-221 inhibitor, siRNA against SOCS3, and SOCS3 plasmids were introduced to SMMC7721 cells with the highest miR-221 expression assessed. The expression of JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway-related genes and proteins was determined by Western blot analysis. Cell apoptosis, viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated by means of flow cytometry, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, and transwell assays, respectively. HCC xenograft in nude mice was performed to measure HCC tumor growth. miR-221 was found to be highly expressed but SOCS3 was poorly expressed in HCC tissues. miR-221 expression was correlated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and tumor node metastasis (TNM) of HCC, and SOCS3 expression was correlated with LNM, differentiation and TNM of HCC. SOCS3 is a target gene of miR-221. MiR-221 mimic or si-SOCS3 exposure was found to induce cell viability, migration, and invasion, and reduce apoptosis. MiR-221 inhibitor was observed to have inhibitory effects on HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, the expression of JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway was suppressed by miR-221 inhibitor. Downregulated miR-221 expression could promote its target gene SOCS3 to inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of HCC cells by repressing JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway.

SOCS3 genetic variants and promoter hypermethylation in patients with chronic hepatitis B

The clinical manifestations of hepatitis B viral infection (HBV) include chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The contribution of negative regulator suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) promoter variants in HBV disease and SOCS3 hypermethylation in tumor tissues were investigated The SOCS3 promoter region was screened for polymorphisms in 878 HBV patients and in 272 healthy individuals. SOCS3 promoter methylation was examined by bisulfite sequencing. SOCS3 mRNA expression was quantified in 37 tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver tissue specimens. The minor allele rs12953258A was associated with increased susceptibility to HBV infection (OR=1.3, 95%CI=1.1-1.6, adjusted P=0.03). The minor allele rs111033850C and rs12953258A were observed in increased frequencies in HCC and LC patients compared to CHB patients (HCC: OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.1-2.9, adjusted P=0.046; LC: OR=1.4, 95%CI=1.1-1.9, adjusted P=0.017, respectively). HBV patients with rs111033850CC major genotype had decreased viral load (P=0.034), whereas the rs12953258AA major genotype contributed towards increased viral load (P=0.029). Tumor tissues revealed increased hypermethylation compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues (OR=5.4; 95%CI= 1.9-17.1; P=0.001). Increased SOCS3 expression was observed in HBV infested tumor tissues than non-HBV related tumor tissues (P=0.0048). SOCS3 promoter hypermethylation was associated with relatively low mRNA expression in tumor tissues (P=0.0023). In conclusion, SOCS3 promoter variants are associated with HBV susceptibility and SOCS3 hypermethylation stimulates HCC development.