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Ikumawoyi VO, Lynch KD, Iverson DT, Call MR, Yue GE, Prasad B, Clarke JD. Microcystin-LR activates serine/threonine kinases and alters the phosphoproteome in human HepaRG cells. Toxicon 2024; 249:108072. [PMID: 39154757 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.108072] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Microcystin-LR (MCLR) exposure has been associated with development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Many of the carcinogenic mechanisms for MCLR have been attributed to the induction of cell survival and proliferation through altered protein phosphorylation pathways by inhibition of protein phosphatases 1 (PP1) and PP2A. The current study determined MCLR effects on the phosphoproteome in human HepaRG cells. Differentiated HepaRG cells were treated with either vehicle or MCLR followed by phosphoproteomic analysis and Western blotting of MAPK-activated proteins. MCLR decreased cell viability at 24 h at doses as low as 0.03 μM. MCLR also caused a dose-dependent increase in phosphorylation of signaling and stress kinases. The number of decreased phosphosites by 0.1 μM MCLR was similar between the 2 h (212) and 24 h (154) timepoints. In contrast, a greater number of phosphosites were increased at 24 h (567) versus the 2 h timepoint (136), indicating the hyperphosphorylation state caused by MCLR-mediated inhibition of PPs is time-dependent. A kinase perturbation analysis predicted that MCLR exposure at both 2 h and 24 h increased the function of aurora kinase B (AURKB), checkpoint kinase 1 (CHEK1), and serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1). STRING database analysis of the phosphosites altered by MCLR exposure revealed pathways associated with cell proliferation and survival, including ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR2)-mediated vascular permeability. In addition, several cancer-related KEGG pathways were enriched at both 2 h and 24 h timepoints, and multiple cancer-related disease-gene associations were identified at the 24 h timepoint. Many of the kinases and pathways described above play crucial roles in the development of HCC by affecting processes such as invasion and metastasis. Overall, our data indicate that MCLR-mediated changes in protein phosphorylation involve biological pathways related to carcinogenesis that may contribute to the development of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor O Ikumawoyi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States
| | - Katherine D Lynch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States
| | - Dayne T Iverson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States
| | - M Ridge Call
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States
| | - Guihua Eileen Yue
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States
| | - Bhagwat Prasad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States
| | - John D Clarke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, 99202, United States.
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Ke R, Kumar S, Singh SK, Rana A, Rana B. Molecular insights into the role of mixed lineage kinase 3 in cancer hallmarks. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189157. [PMID: 39032538 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Mixed-lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) is a serine/threonine kinase of the MAPK Kinase kinase (MAP3K) family that plays critical roles in various biological processes, including cancer. Upon activation, MLK3 differentially activates downstream MAPKs, such as JNK, p38, and ERK. In addition, it regulates various non-canonical signaling pathways, such as β-catenin, AMPK, Pin1, and PAK1, to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. Recent studies have also uncovered other potentially diverse roles of MLK3 in malignancy, which include metabolic reprogramming, cancer-associated inflammation, and evasion of cancer-related immune surveillance. The role of MLK3 in cancer is complex and cancer-specific, and an understanding of its function at the molecular level aligned specifically with the cancer hallmarks will have profound therapeutic implications for diagnosing and treating MLK3-dependent cancers. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the effect of MLK3 on the hallmarks of cancer, providing insights into its potential as a promising anticancer drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Ke
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sunil Kumar Singh
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ajay Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Basabi Rana
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System Cancer Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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3
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Wang A, Zhang Y, Lv X, Liang G. Therapeutic potential of targeting protein tyrosine phosphatases in liver diseases. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:3295-3311. [PMID: 39220870 PMCID: PMC11365412 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.05.006] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is a post-translational modification that regulates protein structure to modulate demic organisms' homeostasis and function. This physiological process is regulated by two enzyme families, protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). As an important regulator of protein function, PTPs are indispensable for maintaining cell intrinsic physiology in different systems, as well as liver physiological and pathological processes. Dysregulation of PTPs has been implicated in multiple liver-related diseases, including chronic liver diseases (CLDs), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver injury, and several PTPs are being studied as drug therapeutic targets. Therefore, given the regulatory role of PTPs in diverse liver diseases, a collated review of their function and mechanism is necessary. Moreover, based on the current research status of targeted therapy, we emphasize the inclusion of several PTP members that are clinically significant in the development and progression of liver diseases. As an emerging breakthrough direction in the treatment of liver diseases, this review summarizes the research status of PTP-targeting compounds in liver diseases to illustrate their potential in clinical treatment. Overall, this review aims to support the development of novel PTP-based treatment pathways for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Xinting Lv
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Guang Liang
- Department of Pharmacy and Institute of Inflammation, Zhejiang Provincial Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou 310014, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines of the Changbai Mountain, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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Kodama T, Takehara T. Molecular Genealogy of Metabolic-associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:147-158. [PMID: 38499207 PMCID: PMC11245329 DOI: 10.1055/a-2289-2298] [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] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
This review examines the latest epidemiological and molecular pathogenic findings of metabolic-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its increasing prevalence is a significant concern and reflects the growing burden of obesity and metabolic diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic-associated HCC has unique molecular abnormality and distinctive gene expression patterns implicating aberrations in bile acid, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory pathways. Furthermore, a notable frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes such as patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3, transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2, glucokinase regulator, and membrane-bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 has been observed. The tumor immune microenvironment of metabolic-associated HCC is characterized by unique phenotypes of macrophages, neutrophils, and T lymphocytes. Additionally, the pathogenesis of metabolic-associated HCC is influenced by abnormal lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and dysbiosis. In conclusion, deciphering the intricate interactions among metabolic processes, genetic predispositions, inflammatory responses, immune regulation, and microbial ecology is imperative for the development of novel therapeutic and preventative measures against metabolic-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Kodama
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Takehara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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Wang J, Zhang B, Chen X, Xin Y, Li K, Zhang C, Tang K, Tan Y. Cell mechanics regulate the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via JNK signaling. Acta Biomater 2024; 176:321-333. [PMID: 38272199 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, especially those with metastatic competence, show reduced stiffness compared to the non-malignant counterparts. However, it is still unclear whether and how the mechanics of HCC cells influence their migration and invasion. This study reports that HCC cells with enhanced motility show reduced mechanical stiffness and cytoskeleton, suggesting the inverse correlation between cellular stiffness and motility. Through pharmacologic and genetic approaches, inhibiting actomyosin activity reduces HCC cellular stiffness but promotes their migration and invasion, while activating it increases cell stiffness but impairs cell motility. Actomyosin regulates cell motility through the influence on cellular stiffness. Mechanistically, weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion. Further, HCC cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit higher motility but lower stiffness than control cells. Increasing CSC stiffness weakens migration and invasion through the activation of JNK signaling. In conclusion, our findings unveil a new regulatory role of actomyosin-mediated cellular mechanics in tumor cell motility and present new evidence to support that tumor cell softening may be one driving force for HCC metastasis. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tumor cells progressively become softened during metastasis and low cell stiffness is associated with high metastatic potential. However, it remains unclear whether tumor cell softening is a by-product of or a driving force for tumor progression. This work reports that the stiffness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells is linked to their migration and invasion. Importantly, tumor cell softening promotes migration and invasion, while cell stiffening impairs the mobility. Weakening/strengthening cells inhibits/promotes JNK phosphorylation, activation/inhibition of which rescues the effects of cell mechanics on their migration and invasion ability. Further, stiffening liver cancer stem cells attenuates their motility through activating JNK signaling. In summary, our study uncovers a previously unappreciated role of tumor cell mechanics in migration and invasion and implicates the therapeutic potential of cell mechanics in the mechanotargeting of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfan Wang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Bai Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xi Chen
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Ying Xin
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Keming Li
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Cunyu Zhang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Kai Tang
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Youhua Tan
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518000, China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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Yu J, Li X, Cao J, Zhu T, Liang S, Du L, Cao M, Wang H, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Shen B, Feng J, Zhang J, Wang J, Jin J. Components of the JNK-MAPK pathway play distinct roles in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:17495-17509. [PMID: 37902853 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05473-9] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), specifically the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-MAPK subfamily, play a crucial role in the development of various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the specific roles of JNK1/2 and their upstream regulators, MKK4/7, in HCC carcinogenesis remain unclear. METHODS In this study, we performed differential expression analysis of JNK-MAPK components at both the transcriptome and protein levels using TCGA and HPA databases. We utilized Kaplan-Meier survival plots and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate the prognostic performance of a risk scoring model based on these components in the TCGA-HCC cohort. Additionally, we conducted immunoblotting, apoptosis analysis with FACS and soft agar assays to investigate the response of JNK-MAPK pathway components to various death stimuli (TRAIL, TNF-α, anisomycin, and etoposide) in HCC cell lines. RESULTS JNK1/2 and MKK7 levels were significantly upregulated in HCC samples compared to paracarcinoma tissues, whereas MKK4 was downregulated. ROC analyses suggested that JNK2 and MKK7 may serve as suitable diagnostic genes for HCC, and high JNK2 expression correlated with significantly poorer overall survival. Knockdown of JNK1 enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells, while JNK2 knockdown reduced TNF-α/cycloheximide (CHX)-and anisomycin-induced apoptosis. Neither JNK1 nor JNK2 knockdown affected etoposide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, MKK7 knockdown augmented TNF-α/CHX- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis and inhibited colony formation in hepatoma cells. CONCLUSION Targeting MKK7, rather than JNK1/2 or MKK4, may be a promising therapeutic strategy to inhibit the JNK-MAPK pathway in HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijun Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Xinying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Junxia Cao
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Beijing No. 80 High School, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Shuifeng Liang
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Le Du
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Meng Cao
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Department of Hematology, The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Yaolin Zhang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Yinxi Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China
| | - Beifen Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jiannan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China
| | - Jiyan Zhang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Jianfeng Jin
- School of Basic Medicine, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China.
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Mohamed MR, Haybaeck J, Wu H, Su H, Bartneck M, Lin C, Boekschoten MV, Boor P, Goeppert B, Rupp C, Strnad P, Davis RJ, Cubero FJ, Trautwein C. JNKs protect from cholestatic liver disease progression by modulating Apelin signalling. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100854. [PMID: 37791376 PMCID: PMC10543210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Cholestatic liver injury is associated with c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) activation in distinct cell types. Its hepatocyte-specific function during cholestasis, however, has not yet been established. Therefore, in our present study, we investigated the role of JNK1/2 during cholestasis and dissected its hepatocyte-specific function. Methods A cohort of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (n = 29) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 37) was examined. Wild-type, hepatocyte-specific knockout mice for Jnk2 (Jnk2Δhepa) or Jnk1 and Jnk2 (Jnk1Δhepa/2Δhepa) were generated. Mice were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment. Finally, Apelin signalling was blocked using a specific inhibitor. As an interventional approach, Jnk1/2 were silenced in wild-type mice using lipid nanoparticles for small interfering RNA delivery. Results JNK activation was increased in liver specimens from patients with chronic cholestasis (primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis) and in livers of Mdr2-/- and BDL-treated animals. In Jnk1Δhepa/2Δhepa animals, serum transaminases increased after BDL, and liver histology demonstrated enhanced cell death, compensatory proliferation, hepatic fibrogenesis, and inflammation. Furthermore, microarray analysis revealed that hepatocytic Jnk1/2 ablation induces JNK-target genes involved in oxidative stress and Apelin signalling after BDL. Consequently, blocking Apelin signalling attenuated BDL-induced liver injury and fibrosis in Jnk1Δhepa/2Δhepa mice. Finally, we established an interventional small interfering RNA approach of selective Jnk1/2 targeting in hepatocytes in vivo, further demonstrating the essential protective role of Jnk1/2 during cholestasis. Conclusions Jnk1 and Jnk2 work together to protect hepatocytes from cholestatic liver disease by controlling Apelin signalling. Dual modification of JNK signalling in hepatocytes is feasible, and enhancing its expression might be an attractive therapeutic approach for cholestatic liver disease. Impact and Implications The cell-specific function of Jnk genes during cholestasis has not been explicitly explored. In this study, we showed that combined Jnk1/2, but not Jnk2 deficiency, in hepatocytes exacerbates liver damage and fibrosis by enhancing Apelin signalling, which contributes to cholestasis progression. Combined cell-specific Jnk targeting may be a new molecular strategy for treating cholestatic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Institute of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hanghang Wu
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Huan Su
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Bartneck
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Cheng Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mark V. Boekschoten
- Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics Group, Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute of Pathology and Department of Nephrology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Goeppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Rupp
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Roger J. Davis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
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Hori T, Yokobori K, Moore R, Negishi M, Sueyoshi T. CAR requires Gadd45β to promote phenobarbital-induced mouse liver tumors in early stage. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1217847. [PMID: 37746289 PMCID: PMC10516603 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1217847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenobarbital (PB) is an archetypal substance used as a mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) promotor in established experimental protocols. Our previous results showed CAR is the essential factor for PB induced HCC promotion. Subsequent studies suggested Gadd45β, which is induced by PB through CAR activation, is collaborating with CAR to repress TNF-α induced cell death. Here, we used Gadd45β null mice (Gadd45β KO) treated with N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at 5 weeks of age and kept the mice with PB supplemented drinking water from 7 to 57 weeks old. Compared with wild type mice, Gadd45β KO mice developed no HCC in the PB treated group. Increases in liver weight were more prominent in wild type mice than KO mice. Microarray analysis of mRNA derived from mouse livers found multiple genes specifically up or down regulated in wild type mice but not null mice in DEN + PB groups. Further qPCR analysis confirmed two genes, Tgfbr2 and irisin/Fndc5, were up-regulated in PB treated wild type mice but no significant increase was observed in Gadd45β KO mice. We focused on these two genes because previous reports showed that hepatic Irisin/Fndc5 expression was significantly higher in HCC patients and that irisin binds to TGF-β receptor complex that includes TGFBR2 subunit. Our results revealed irisin peptide in cell culture media increased the growth rate of mouse hepatocyte-derived AML12 cells. Microarray analysis revealed that irisin-regulated genes in AML12 cells showed a significant association with the genes in the TGF-β pathway. Expression of irisin/Fndc5 and Tgfbr2 induced growth of human HCC cell line HepG2. Thus, Gadd45β plays an indispensable role in mouse HCC development regulating the irisin/Fndc5 and Tgfbr2 genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Hori
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health,
Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Department of Biomechanics, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Yokobori
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health,
Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Rick Moore
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health,
Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Masahiko Negishi
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health,
Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Tatsuya Sueyoshi
- Pharmacogenetics Section, Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health,
Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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Talamantes S, Lisjak M, Gilglioni EH, Llamoza-Torres CJ, Ramos-Molina B, Gurzov EN. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus as growing aetiologies of hepatocellular carcinoma. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100811. [PMID: 37575883 PMCID: PMC10413159 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity-related complications such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are well-established risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the role of steatosis, hyperinsulinemia and hepatic inflammation in HCC development and progression. We focus on recent findings linking intracellular pathways and transcription factors that can trigger the reprogramming of hepatic cells. In addition, we highlight the role of enzymes in dysregulated metabolic activity and consequent dysfunctional signalling. Finally, we discuss the potential uses and challenges of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat NAFLD/T2D-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Talamantes
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
| | - Michela Lisjak
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
| | - Eduardo H. Gilglioni
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
| | - Camilo J. Llamoza-Torres
- Department of Hepatology, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, 30120, Spain
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, 30120, Spain
| | - Bruno Ramos-Molina
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, 30120, Spain
| | - Esteban N. Gurzov
- Signal Transduction and Metabolism Laboratory, Laboratoire de Gastroentérologie Expérimental et Endotools, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, 1070, Belgium
- Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), Murcia, 30120, Spain
- WELBIO Department, WEL Research Institute, Avenue Pasteur 6, Wavre, 1300, Belgium
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10
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Kouroumalis E, Tsomidis I, Voumvouraki A. Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Interplay of Apoptosis and Autophagy. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041166. [PMID: 37189787 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multifactorial process that has not yet been fully investigated. Autophagy and apoptosis are two important cellular pathways that are critical for cell survival or death. The balance between apoptosis and autophagy regulates liver cell turnover and maintains intracellular homeostasis. However, the balance is often dysregulated in many cancers, including HCC. Autophagy and apoptosis pathways may be either independent or parallel or one may influence the other. Autophagy may either inhibit or promote apoptosis, thus regulating the fate of the liver cancer cells. In this review, a concise overview of the pathogenesis of HCC is presented, with emphasis on new developments, including the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress, the implication of microRNAs and the role of gut microbiota. The characteristics of HCC associated with a specific liver disease are also described and a brief description of autophagy and apoptosis is provided. The role of autophagy and apoptosis in the initiation, progress and metastatic potential is reviewed and the experimental evidence indicating an interplay between the two is extensively analyzed. The role of ferroptosis, a recently described specific pathway of regulated cell death, is presented. Finally, the potential therapeutic implications of autophagy and apoptosis in drug resistance are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Kouroumalis
- Department of Gastroenterology, PAGNI University Hospital, University of Crete School of Medicine, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Crete Medical School, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsomidis
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Crete Medical School, 71500 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54621 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
| | - Argyro Voumvouraki
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, 54621 Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
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11
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Gutierrez AH, Mazariegos MS, Alemany S, Nevzorova YA, Cubero FJ, Sanz-García C. Tumor progression locus 2 (TPL2): A Cot-plicated progression from inflammation to chronic liver disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166660. [PMID: 36764206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166660] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The cytoplasmic protein tumor progression locus 2 (TPL2), also known as cancer Osaka thyroid (Cot), or MAP3K8, is thought to have a significant role in a variety of cancers and illnesses and it is a key component in the activation pathway for the expression of inflammatory mediators. Despite the tight connection between inflammation and TPL2, its function has not been extensively studied in chronic liver disease (CLD), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Here, we analyze more in detail the significance of TPL2 in CLD to shed light on the pathological and molecular transduction pattern of TPL2 during the progression of CLD. This might result in important advancements and enable progress in the diagnosis and treatment of CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro H Gutierrez
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina S Mazariegos
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Alemany
- Department of Metabolism and Cell Signaling, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain; Biomedicine Unit (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Yulia A Nevzorova
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Sanz-García
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Du L, Ji Y, Xin B, Zhang J, Lu LC, Glass CK, Feng GS. Shp2 Deficiency in Kupffer Cells and Hepatocytes Aggravates Hepatocarcinogenesis by Recruiting Non-Kupffer Macrophages. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:1351-1369. [PMID: 36828281 PMCID: PMC10140795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.02.011] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Complex communications between hepatocytes and Kupffer cells (KCs) are known to drive or suppress hepatocarcinogenesis, with controversial data in the literature. In previous experiments that aimed to decipher hepatocyte/KC interactions, we unexpectedly unveiled a tumor-suppressing effect of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, a widely used inducer of MX dynamin like GTPase 1 (Mx1)-cre expression, which questioned a theory of interleukin 1a/6 cytokine circuit in hepatocyte/KC communication. The goal of this study was to clarify the controversy and decipher unique functions of KCs and non-KC macrophages in liver tumorigenesis. METHODS We used the C-type lectin domain family 4 member F (Clec4f)-cre system to delete Src-homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (Shp2)/protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 11 (Ptpn11) in KCs, and a combination of Clec4f-cre and adeno-associated virus-cre to delete Shp2 in KCs and hepatocytes to investigate the effects on hepatocellular carcinoma development and immune cell compositions/activities. RESULTS Ablating Shp2 in KCs generated a tumor-promoting niche, which was exacerbated further by concurrent removal of Shp2 in both KCs and hepatocytes. Shp2 deficiency induced KC apoptosis and decreased its numbers, which induced compensatory recruitment of bone marrow-derived monocytes into liver. These newly recruited monocytes differentiated into non-KC macrophages with tumor-associated macrophage function, leading to aggravated tumor progression through down-regulation of CD8 T cells. Tumor-associated macrophage blockade by anti-chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) antibody inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma progression, while depletion of all macrophages had a tumor-promoting effect by increasing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) and decreasing CD8 T cells. CONCLUSIONS Shp2 loss in KCs or hepatocytes generated a protumorigenic microenvironment, which was exacerbated by its removal in both cell types. These results show the complexity of intercellular signaling events in liver tumorigenesis and raises caution on the use of specific Shp2 inhibitor in liver cancer therapy. Transcript profiling: RNA sequencing data are available at Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE222594).
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Du
- Department of Pathology, Department of Molecular Biology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yichun Ji
- Department of Pathology, Department of Molecular Biology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Bing Xin
- Department of Pathology, Department of Molecular Biology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jiemeng Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Department of Molecular Biology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Li-Chun Lu
- Department of Pathology, Department of Molecular Biology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California; Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Christopher K Glass
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Gen-Sheng Feng
- Department of Pathology, Department of Molecular Biology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
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13
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Abstract
The HER2+ subtype of human breast cancer is associated with the malignant transformation of luminal ductal cells of the mammary epithelium. The sequence analysis of tumor DNA identifies loss of function mutations and deletions of the MAP2K4 and MAP2K7 genes that encode direct activators of the JUN NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). We report that in vitro studies of human mammary epithelial cells with CRISPR-induced mutations in the MAPK and MAP2K components of the JNK pathway caused no change in growth in 2D culture, but these mutations promoted epithelial cell proliferation in 3D culture. Analysis of gene expression signatures in 3D culture demonstrated similar changes caused by HER2 activation and JNK pathway loss. The mechanism of signal transduction cross-talk may be mediated, in part, by JNK-suppressed expression of integrin α6β4 that binds HER2 and amplifies HER2 signaling. These data suggest that HER2 activation and JNK pathway loss may synergize to promote breast cancer. To test this hypothesis, we performed in vivo studies using a mouse model of HER2+ breast cancer with Cre/loxP-mediated ablation of genes encoding JNK (Mapk8 and Mapk9) and the MAP2K (Map2k4 and Map2k7) that activate JNK in mammary epithelial cells. Kaplan-Meier analysis of tumor development demonstrated that JNK pathway deficiency promotes HER2+-driven breast cancer. Collectively, these data identify JNK pathway genes as potential suppressors for HER2+ breast cancer.
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14
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Yang W, Guo C, Herman JG, Zhu C, Lv H, Su X, Zhang L, Zhang M, Guo M. Epigenetic silencing of JAM3 promotes esophageal cancer development by activating Wnt signaling. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:164. [PMID: 36461092 PMCID: PMC9719220 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01388-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of JAM3 in different tumors is controversial. The epigenetic regulation and the mechanism of JAM3 remain to be elucidated in human esophageal cancer (EC). METHODS Eleven EC cell lines, 49 cases of esophageal intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) and 760 cases of primary EC samples were employed. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, MTT, western blot and xenograft mouse models were applied in this study. RESULTS The inverse association between RNA expression and promoter region methylation of JAM3 was found by analyzing 185 cases of EC samples extracted from the TCGA database (p < 0.05). JAM3 was highly expressed in KYSE450, KYSE520, TE1 and YES2 cells, low level expressed in KYSE70 cells and unexpressed in KYSE30, KYSE150, KYSE410, KYSE510, TE13 and BIC1 cells. JAM3 was unmethylated in KYSE450, KYSE520, TE1 and YES2 cells, partial methylated in KYSE70 cells and completely methylated in KYSE30, KYSE150, KYSE410, KYSE510, TE13 and BIC1 cells. The expression of JAM3 is correlated with methylation status. The levels of JAM3 were unchanged in KYSE450, KYSE520, TE1 and YES2 cells, increased in KYSE70 cells and restored expression in KYSE30, KYSE150, KYSE410, KYSE510, TE13 and BIC1 cells after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment, suggesting that the expression of JAM3 is regulated by promoter region methylation. JAM3 was methylated in 26.5% (13/49) of EIN and 51.1% (388/760) of primary EC, and methylation of JAM3 was associated significantly with tumor differentiation and family history (all p < 0.05). Methylation of JAM3 is an independent prognostic factor of poor 5-year overall survival (p < 0.05). JAM3 suppresses cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion and induces G1/S arrest and apoptosis in EC. Further study demonstrated that JAM3 suppressed EC cells and xenograft tumor growth by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling. CONCLUSION JAM3 is frequently methylated in human EC, and the expression of JAM3 is regulated by promoter region methylation. JAM3 methylation is an early detection and prognostic marker of EC. JAM3 suppresses EC growth both in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weili Yang
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, #28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Chao Guo
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, #28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - James G. Herman
- grid.478063.e0000 0004 0456 9819The Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, #28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853 China ,grid.216938.70000 0000 9878 7032Medical College of NanKai University, Tianjin, 300071 China
| | - Honghui Lv
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, #28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Xiaomo Su
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, #28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Lirong Zhang
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Henan Key Laboratory for Esophageal Cancer Research, Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Meiying Zhang
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, #28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853 China
| | - Mingzhou Guo
- grid.414252.40000 0004 1761 8894Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, #28 Fuxing Road, Beijing, 100853 China ,grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Henan Key Laboratory for Esophageal Cancer Research, Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
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15
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Tian Z, Xu C, Yang P, Lin Z, Wu W, Zhang W, Ding J, Ding R, Zhang X, Dou K. Molecular pathogenesis: Connections between viral hepatitis-induced and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:984728. [PMID: 36189208 PMCID: PMC9520190 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.984728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world and is usually caused by viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV), alcoholic, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD). Viral hepatitis accounts for 80% of HCC cases worldwide. In addition, With the increasing incidence of metabolic diseases, NAFLD is now the most common liver disease and a major risk factor for HCC in most developed countries. This review mainly described the specificity and similarity between the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis(HBV and HCV)-induced HCC and NAFLD-induced HCC. In general, viral hepatitis promotes HCC development mainly through specific encoded viral proteins. HBV can also exert its tumor-promoting mechanism by integrating into the host chromosome, while HCV cannot. Viral hepatitis-related HCC and NASH-related HCC differ in terms of genetic factors, and epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA effects). In addition, both of them can lead to HCC progression through abnormal lipid metabolism, persistent inflammatory response, immune and intestinal microbiome dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelin Tian
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Peijun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhibin Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wenlong Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wenjie Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Chinese Education Ministry’s Key Laboratory of Western Resources and Modern Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jian Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Xuan Zhang, ; Kefeng Dou,
| | - Kefeng Dou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Xuan Zhang, ; Kefeng Dou,
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16
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Fragment-Based and Structural Investigation for Discovery of JNK3 Inhibitors. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14091900. [PMID: 36145648 PMCID: PMC9501523 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family and are related to cell proliferation, gene expression, and cell death. JNK isoform 3 (JNK3) is an important therapeutic target in varieties of pathological conditions including cancers and neuronal death. There is no approved drug targeting JNKs. To discover chemical inhibitors of JNK3, virtual fragment screening, the saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR, in vitro kinase assay, and X-ray crystallography were employed. A total of 27 fragments from the virtually selected 494 compounds were identified as initial hits via STD NMR and some compounds showed the inhibition of the activity of JNK3 in vitro. The structures of JNK3 with a fragment and a potent inhibitor were determined by X-ray crystallography. The fragment and inhibitor shared a common JNK3-binding feature. The result shows that fragment screening by NMR spectroscopy is a very efficient method to screen JNK3 binders and the structure of JNK3-inhibitor complex can be used to design and develop more potent inhibitors.
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17
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Ning W, Xu N, Zhou C, Zou L, Quan J, Yang H, Lu Z, Cao H, Liu J. Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Hedyotis diffusa Willd Induces Apoptosis via JNK/Nur77 Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:1932777. [PMID: 36062172 PMCID: PMC9433286 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1932777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by poor diagnosis and high mortality. Novel and efficient therapeutic agents are urgently needed for the treatment. Hedyotis diffusa Willd (HDW) is used to treat cancers, especially HCC in China. Purpose The study aimed to identify the main anti-HCC extract in HDW and to explore the mechanism of the active extract. Materials and Methods The high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS) method was used for the simultaneous determination of main compounds in the ethyl acetate fraction of HDW (EHDW). The toxicity test of different HDW fractions was carried out on larvae at 2 day-post-fertilization (dpf) for 72 h. The in vivo anti-HCC effect of different HDW fractions was evaluated on a zebrafish tumor model by immersion administration. The antiproliferative effect of HDW fractions was determined with MTT assay, as well as hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining assay. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to observe changes in nucleus morphology. Flow cytometry analysis was used to investigate apoptosis induction. Western blot analysis was used to examine apoptosis-related proteins, and key proteins in JNK/Nur77 signaling pathway. SP600125 was served to validate the apoptotic mechanism. Results EHDW showed the strongest tumor cell growth inhibitory effect on zebrafish tumor model. Further study revealed that EHDW induced apoptosis in zebrafish tumor model and in cultured Hep3B cells. Meanwhile, it has been shown that the levels of BCL2-associated X (Bax), cytochrome c (cyto c), cleaved-caspase 3, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cells were upregulated. In contrast, the level of antiapoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was downregulated in Hep3B cells. Additionally, EHDW activated JNK/Nur77 pathway by increasing the levels of p-JNK(Thr183/Tyr185) and p-Nur77(Ser351). Further study showed that blockage of JNK by SP600125 reversed EHDW-induced JNK/Nur77 pathway and the downstream apoptotic proteins. Conclusion In conclusion, EHDW exerted the anti-HCC effect, which may be attributed to the activation of JNK/Nur77 pathway. This study supported the rationale of HDW as an HCC therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Ning
- Dongguan Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan 523005, China
| | - Nishan Xu
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chunhong Zhou
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Lifang Zou
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jingyu Quan
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zinbin Lu
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huihui Cao
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Junshan Liu
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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18
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Min RWM, Aung FWM, Liu B, Arya A, Win S. Mechanism and Therapeutic Targets of c-Jun-N-Terminal Kinases Activation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10082035. [PMID: 36009582 PMCID: PMC9406172 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10082035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is the most common chronic liver disease. Activation of mitogen-activated kinases (MAPK) cascade, which leads to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation occurs in the liver in response to the nutritional and metabolic stress. The aberrant activation of MAPKs, especially c-Jun-N-terminal kinases (JNKs), leads to unwanted genetic and epi-genetic modifications in addition to the metabolic stress adaptation in hepatocytes. A mechanism of sustained P-JNK activation was identified in acute and chronic liver diseases, suggesting an important role of aberrant JNK activation in NASH. Therefore, modulation of JNK activation, rather than targeting JNK protein levels, is a plausible therapeutic application for the treatment of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bryant Liu
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Ave., HMR 612, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Aliza Arya
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Ave., HMR 612, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sanda Win
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2011 Zonal Ave., HMR 612, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Correspondence:
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19
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Jiang H, Tang W, Song Y, Jin W, Du Q. Induction of Apoptosis by Metabolites of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Da Huang): A Review of the Potential Mechanism in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:806175. [PMID: 35308206 PMCID: PMC8924367 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.806175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is a global disease with a high mortality rate and limited treatment options. Alternations in apoptosis of tumor cells and immune cells have become an important method for detailing the underlying mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bcl-2 family, Caspase family, Fas and other apoptosis-related proteins have also become antagonistic targets of HCC. Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, RR), a traditional Chinese herb, has recently demonstrated antitumor behaviors. Multiple active metabolites of RR, including emodin, rhein, physcion, aloe-emodin, gallic acid, and resveratrol, can successfully induce apoptosis and inhibit HCC. However, the underlying mechanisms of these metabolites inhibiting the occurrence and development of HCC by inducing apoptosis is complicated owing to the multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics of traditional Chinese herbs. Accordingly, this article reviews the pathways of apoptosis, the relationship between HCC and apoptosis, the role and mechanism of apoptosis induced by mitochondrial endoplasmic reticulum pathway and death receptor pathway in HCC and the mechanism of six RR metabolites inhibiting HCC by inducing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanyu Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wuyinuo Tang
- Department of Geriatrics, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Song
- Emergency Department, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Jin
- Emergency Department, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Quanyu Du
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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20
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Effects of High Starch and Supplementation of an Olive Extract on the Growth Performance, Hepatic Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Metabolism of Largemouth Bass ( Micropterus salmoides). Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030577. [PMID: 35326228 PMCID: PMC8945146 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of high-starch diets and the supplementation of an olive extract (OE) on the growth performance, liver health and lipid metabolism of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were prepared: two basal diets containing low (9.0%) and high (14.4%) levels of starch (named as LS and HS), and 0.125% OE was supplemented to each basal diet (named LSOE and HSOE). The results show that high-starch diets had significant negative effects on growth performance, with lower FR, SGR and higher FCR, whereas OE significantly lowered FCR, determined by two-way ANOVA analysis. High-starch diets induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and liver function injury, with significant increases in the content of plasmatic AKP, AST, ALT, hepatic SOD and MDA, and up-regulation of hepatic TNFα, IL1β, and TGFβ1 gene expression. In addition, a high-starch diet decreased the phosphorylation of AMPK and upregulated the expression of SREBP, together with higher hepatic liver lipid and HSI. The oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders indicate metabolic liver disease (MLD) of largemouth bass fed high-starch diets. Feeding on OE-supplemented diets increased the hepatic antioxidant capacity by decreasing the content of MDA and SOD. Fish fed the HSOE diet had an activated phosphorylation of JNK and decreased expression of pro-inflammatory IL1β compared with those fed the HS diet, which strongly indicated that the degree of inflammatory responses was reduced after OE supplementation. Interestingly, this study demonstrated that OE regulates hepatic lipid metabolism in fish by inhibiting the expression of hepatic lipogenesis genes (ACC1 and FASN) and promoting lipolysis (ATGL) and β-oxidation (CPT1α) to prevent TG accumulation. In conclusion, high-starch feed induced oxidative stress and lipid metabolic disorder of largemouth bass, while supplementation with OE improved its antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory responses and lipid metabolism. However, hepatic histopathological results suggested that OE supplementation could not completely repair the MLD caused by the high level of starch in largemouth bass.
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21
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Zaki MYW, Fathi AM, Samir S, Eldafashi N, William KY, Nazmy MH, Fathy M, Gill US, Shetty S. Innate and Adaptive Immunopathogeneses in Viral Hepatitis; Crucial Determinants of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1255. [PMID: 35267563 PMCID: PMC8909759 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections remain the most common risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and their heterogeneous distribution influences the global prevalence of this common type of liver cancer. Typical hepatitis infection elicits various immune responses within the liver microenvironment, and viral persistence induces chronic liver inflammation and carcinogenesis. HBV is directly mutagenic but can also cause low-grade liver inflammation characterized by episodes of intermittent high-grade liver inflammation, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis, which can progress to decompensated liver disease and HCC. Equally, the absence of key innate and adaptive immune responses in chronic HCV infection dampens viral eradication and induces an exhausted and immunosuppressive liver niche that favors HCC development and progression. The objectives of this review are to (i) discuss the epidemiological pattern of HBV and HCV infections, (ii) understand the host immune response to acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and (iii) explore the link between this diseased immune environment and the development and progression of HCC in preclinical models and HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Y. W. Zaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
- National Institute for Health Research Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit and Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ahmed M. Fathi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Samara Samir
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt;
| | - Nardeen Eldafashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Kerolis Y. William
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt;
| | - Maiiada Hassan Nazmy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Moustafa Fathy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia 61732, Egypt; (A.M.F.); (N.E.); (M.H.N.); (M.F.)
| | - Upkar S. Gill
- Barts Liver Centre, Centre for Immunobiology, Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, QMUL, London E1 2AT, UK;
| | - Shishir Shetty
- National Institute for Health Research Birmingham Liver Biomedical Research Unit and Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Wei T, Wu L, Ji X, Gao Y, Xiao G. Ursolic Acid Protects Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Induced Drosophila Ulcerative Colitis Model by Inhibiting the JNK Signaling. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11020426. [PMID: 35204308 PMCID: PMC8869732 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11020426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ursolic acid (UA) is a bioactive molecule widely distributed in various fruits and vegetables, which was reported to play a therapeutic role in ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by toxic chemicals. However, the underlying mechanism has not been well clarified in vivo. Here, using a Drosophila UC model induced by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), we investigated the defensive effect of UA on intestinal damage. The results showed that UA could significantly protect Drosophila from the damage caused by SDS exposure. Further, UA alleviated the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) induced by SDS and upregulated the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT). Moreover, the proliferation and differentiation of intestine stem cells (ISCs) as well as the excessive activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-dependent JAK/STAT signaling pathway induced by SDS were restored by UA. In conclusion, UA prevents intestine injury from toxic compounds by reducing the JNK/JAK/STAT signaling pathway. UA may provide a theoretical basis for functional food or natural medicine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wei
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (T.W.); (L.W.); (X.J.); (Y.G.)
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Lei Wu
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (T.W.); (L.W.); (X.J.); (Y.G.)
| | - Xiaowen Ji
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (T.W.); (L.W.); (X.J.); (Y.G.)
| | - Yan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (T.W.); (L.W.); (X.J.); (Y.G.)
| | - Guiran Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; (T.W.); (L.W.); (X.J.); (Y.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-177-3022-7689
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced ROS/JNK signaling pathway activates the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch to promote the release of HCV particles via polyubiquitylation of VPS4A. J Virol 2022; 96:e0181121. [PMID: 35044214 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01811-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection activates the reactive oxygen species (ROS)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. However, the roles of ROS/JNK activation in the HCV life cycle still remain unclear. We sought to identify a novel role of ROS/JNK signaling pathway in the HCV life cycle. Immunoblot analysis revealed that HCV-induced ROS/JNK activation promoted phosphorylation of Itch, a HECT-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, leading to activation of Itch. The siRNA-knockdown of Itch significantly reduced the extracellular HCV infectivity titers, HCV RNA, and HCV core protein without affecting intracellular HCV infectivity titers, HCV RNA, and HCV proteins, suggesting that Itch is involved in release of HCV particles. HCV-mediated JNK/Itch activation specifically promoted polyubiquitylation of an AAA-type ATPase VPS4A, but not VPS4B, required to form multivesicular bodies. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that two lysine residues (K23 and K121) on VPS4A were important for VPS4A polyubiquitylation. The siRNA-knockdown of VPS4A, but not VPS4B, significantly reduced extracellular HCV infectivity titers. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that HCV infection specifically enhanced the interaction between CHMP1B, a subunit of endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT)-III complex, and VPS4A, but not VPS4B, whereas VPS4A K23R/K121R greatly reduced the interaction with CHMP1B. HCV infection significantly increased ATPase activity of VPS4A, but not VPS4A K23R/K121R or VPS4B, suggesting that HCV-mediated polyubiquitylation of VPS4A contributes to activation of VPS4A. Taken together, we propose that HCV-induced ROS/JNK/Itch signaling pathway promotes VPS4A polyubiquitylation, leading to enhanced VPS4A-CHMP1B interaction and promotion of VPS4A ATPase activity, thereby promoting the release of HCV particles. IMPORTANCE ROS/JNK signaling pathway contributes to liver diseases, including steatosis, metabolic disorders, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We previously reported that HCV activates the ROS/JNK signaling pathway, leading to the enhancement of hepatic gluconeogenesis and apoptosis induction. This study further demonstrates that HCV-induced ROS/JNK signaling pathway activates the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch to promote release of HCV particles via polyubiquitylation of VPS4A. We provide evidence suggesting that HCV infection promotes the ROS/JNK/Itch signaling pathway and ESCRT/VPS4A machinery to release infectious HCV particles. Our results may lead to a better understanding of the mechanistic details of HCV particle release.
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Watroba M, Szukiewicz D. Sirtuins at the Service of Healthy Longevity. Front Physiol 2021; 12:724506. [PMID: 34899370 PMCID: PMC8656451 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.724506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sirtuins may counteract at least six hallmarks of organismal aging: neurodegeneration, chronic but ineffective inflammatory response, metabolic syndrome, DNA damage, genome instability, and cancer incidence. Moreover, caloric restriction is believed to slow down aging by boosting the activity of some sirtuins through activating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), thus raising the level of intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) by stimulating NAD+ biosynthesis. Sirtuins and their downstream effectors induce intracellular signaling pathways related to a moderate caloric restriction within cells, mitigating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell senescence phenotype (CSP) induction, and apoptosis as forms of the cellular stress response. Instead, it can promote DNA damage repair and survival of cells with normal, completely functional phenotypes. In this review, we discuss mechanisms of sirtuins action toward cell-conserving phenotype associated with intracellular signaling pathways related to moderate caloric restriction, as well as some tissue-specific functions of sirtuins, especially in the central nervous system, heart muscle, skeletal muscles, liver, kidneys, white adipose tissue, hematopoietic system, and immune system. In this context, we discuss the possibility of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Watroba
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Szukiewicz
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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25
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Banerjee K, Choudhuri SK. A novel tin based hydroxamic acid complex induces apoptosis through redox imbalance and targets Stat3/JNK1/MMP axis to overcome drug resistance in cancer. Free Radic Res 2021; 55:1018-1035. [PMID: 34865583 DOI: 10.1080/10715762.2021.2013480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Undesired toxicity and emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) are the major impediments for the successful application of organotin-based compounds against cancer. Since oxalyl-bis(N-phenyl)hydroxamic acid (OBPHA) exerts significant efficacy against cancer, we believe that derivatives of OBPHA including organotin molecule can show a promising effect against cancer. Herein, we have selected three previously characterized OBPHA derivatives viz., succinyl-bis(N-phenyl)hydroxamic acid (SBPHA), diphenyl-tin succinyl-bis(N-phenyl)hydroxamic acid (Sn-SBPHA), malonyl-bis(N-phenyl)hydroxamic acid (MBPHA) and evaluated their antiproliferative efficacy against both drug resistant (CEM/ADR5000; EAC/Dox) and sensitive (CCRF-CEM; HeLa; EAC/S) cancers. Data revealed that Sn-SBPHA selectively targets drug resistant and sensitive cancers without inducing any significant toxicity to normal cells (Chang Liver). Moreover, shortening of the backbone of SBPHA enhances the efficacy of the newly formed molecule MBPHA by targeting only drug sensitive cancers. Sn-SBPHA induces caspase3-dependent apoptosis through redox-imbalance in both drug resistant and sensitive cancer. Sn-SBPHA also reduced the activation and expression of both MMP2 and MMP9 without altering the expression status of TIMP1 and TIMP2 in drug resistant cancer. In addition, Sn-SBPHA reduced the activation of both STAT3 and JNK1, the transcriptional modulator of MMPs, in a redox-dependent manner in CEM/ADR5000 cells. Thus, Sn-SBPHA targets MMPs by modulating STAT3 and JNK1 in a redox-dependent manner. However, MBPHA and SBPHA fail to target drug resistance and both drug resistant and sensitive cancer respectively. Furthermore, Sn-SBPHA significantly increases the lifespan of doxorubicin resistant and sensitive Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma bearing mice without inducing any significant systemic-toxicity. Therefore, Sn-SBPHA has the therapeutic potential to target and overcome MDR in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaushik Banerjee
- Department of In vitro Carcinogenesis and Cellular Chemotherapy, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Soumitra Kumar Choudhuri
- Department of In vitro Carcinogenesis and Cellular Chemotherapy, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, India
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26
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Roles of Therapeutic Bioactive Compounds in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:9068850. [PMID: 34754365 PMCID: PMC8572616 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9068850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is due to poor prognosis and lack of availability of effective treatment. Novel therapeutic strategies will be the fine tuning of intracellular ROS signaling to effectively deprive cells of ROS-induced tumor-promoting events. This review discusses the generation of ROS, the major signaling their modulation in therapeutics. We explore some of the major pathways involved in HCC, which include the VEGF, MAPK/ERK, mTOR, FGF, and Ser/Thr kinase pathways. In this review, we study cornerstone on natural bioactive compounds with their effect on hepatocarcinomas. Furthermore, we focus on oxidative stress and FDA-approved signaling pathway inhibitors, along with chemotherapy and radiotherapy enhancers which with early evidence of success. While more in vivo testing is required to confirm the findings presented here, our findings will aid future nonclinical, preclinical, and clinical studies with these compounds, as well as inspire medicinal chemistry scientists to conduct appropriate research on this promising natural compound and their derivatives.
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27
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Desert R, Ge X, Song Z, Han H, Lantvit D, Chen W, Das S, Athavale D, Abraham-Enachescu I, Blajszczak C, Chen Y, Musso O, Guzman G, Hoshida Y, Nieto N. Role of Hepatocyte-Derived Osteopontin in Liver Carcinogenesis. Hepatol Commun 2021; 6:692-709. [PMID: 34730871 PMCID: PMC8948552 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) expression correlates with tumor progression in many cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its role in the onset of HCC remains unclear. We hypothesized that increased hepatocyte‐derived OPN is a driver of hepatocarcinogenesis. Analysis of a tissue microarray of 366 human samples revealed a continuous increase in OPN expression during hepatocarcinogenesis. In patients with cirrhosis, a transcriptome‐based OPN correlation network was associated with HCC incidence along 10 years of follow‐up, together with messenger RNA (mRNA) signatures of carcinogenesis. After diethylnitrosamine (DEN) injection, mice with conditional overexpression of Opn in hepatocytes (OpnHep transgenic [Tg]) showed increased tumor burden. Surprisingly, mice with conditional ablation of Opn in hepatocytes (OpnΔHep) expressed a similar phenotype. The acute response to DEN was reduced in OpnΔHep, which also showed more cancer stem/progenitor cells (CSCs, CD44+AFP+) at 5 months. CSCs from OpnHep Tg mice expressed several mRNA signatures known to promote carcinogenesis, and mRNA signatures from OpnHep Tg mice were associated with poor outcome in human HCC patients. Treatment with rOPN had little effect on CSCs, and their progression to HCC was similar in Opn−/− compared with wild‐type mice. Finally, ablation of Cd44, an OPN receptor, did not reduce tumor burden in Cd44−/−OpnHep Tg mice. Conclusions: Hepatocyte‐derived OPN acts as a tumor suppressor at physiological levels by controlling the acute response to DEN and the presence of CSCs, while induction of OPN is pro‐tumorigenic. This is primarily due to intracellular events rather that by the secretion of the protein and receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Desert
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xiaodong Ge
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhuolun Song
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hui Han
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel Lantvit
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sukanta Das
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dipti Athavale
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ioana Abraham-Enachescu
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chuck Blajszczak
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Orlando Musso
- INSERM, University of Rennes, INRA, Institut NuMeCAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer), Rennes, France
| | - Grace Guzman
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Natalia Nieto
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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28
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Correia de Sousa M, Calo N, Sobolewski C, Gjorgjieva M, Clément S, Maeder C, Dolicka D, Fournier M, Vinet L, Montet X, Dufour JF, Humar B, Negro F, Sempoux C, Foti M. Mir-21 Suppression Promotes Mouse Hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4983. [PMID: 34638467 PMCID: PMC8508272 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The microRNA 21 (miR-21) is upregulated in almost all known human cancers and is considered a highly potent oncogene and potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In the liver, miR-21 was reported to promote hepatic steatosis and inflammation, but whether miR-21 also drives hepatocarcinogenesis remains poorly investigated in vivo. Here we show using both carcinogen (Diethylnitrosamine, DEN) or genetically (PTEN deficiency)-induced mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), total or hepatocyte-specific genetic deletion of this microRNA fosters HCC development-contrasting the expected oncogenic role of miR-21. Gene and protein expression analyses of mouse liver tissues further indicate that total or hepatocyte-specific miR-21 deficiency is associated with an increased expression of oncogenes such as Cdc25a, subtle deregulations of the MAPK, HiPPO, and STAT3 signaling pathways, as well as alterations of the inflammatory/immune anti-tumoral responses in the liver. Together, our data show that miR-21 deficiency promotes a pro-tumoral microenvironment, which over time fosters HCC development via pleiotropic and complex mechanisms. These results question the current dogma of miR-21 being a potent oncomiR in the liver and call for cautiousness when considering miR-21 inhibition for therapeutic purposes in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Correia de Sousa
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Nicolas Calo
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Cyril Sobolewski
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Monika Gjorgjieva
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Sophie Clément
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland; (S.C.); (F.N.)
| | - Christine Maeder
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Dobrochna Dolicka
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Margot Fournier
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Laurent Vinet
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland; (L.V.); (X.M.)
| | - Xavier Montet
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland; (L.V.); (X.M.)
| | - Jean-François Dufour
- Department for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University Hospital Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Bostjan Humar
- Department of Visceral & Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Francesco Negro
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospitals, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland; (S.C.); (F.N.)
| | - Christine Sempoux
- Service of Clinical Pathology, University Institute of Pathology, Vaud University Hospital Center, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Michelangelo Foti
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; (M.C.d.S.); (N.C.); (C.S.); (M.G.); (C.M.); (D.D.); (M.F.)
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29
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Ruiz EJ, Lan L, Diefenbacher ME, Riising EM, Da Costa C, Chakraborty A, Hoeck JD, Spencer-Dene B, Kelly G, David JP, Nye E, Downward J, Behrens A. JunD, not c-Jun, is the AP-1 transcription factor required for Ras-induced lung cancer. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e124985. [PMID: 34236045 PMCID: PMC8410048 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The AP-1 transcription factor c-Jun is required for Ras-driven tumorigenesis in many tissues and is considered as a classical proto-oncogene. To determine the requirement for c-Jun in a mouse model of K-RasG12D-induced lung adenocarcinoma, we inducibly deleted c-Jun in the adult lung. Surprisingly, we found that inactivation of c-Jun, or mutation of its JNK phosphorylation sites, actually increased lung tumor burden. Mechanistically, we found that protein levels of the Jun family member JunD were increased in the absence of c-Jun. In c-Jun-deficient cells, JunD phosphorylation was increased, and expression of a dominant-active JNKK2-JNK1 transgene further increased lung tumor formation. Strikingly, deletion of JunD completely abolished Ras-driven lung tumorigenesis. This work identifies JunD, not c-Jun, as the crucial substrate of JNK signaling and oncogene required for Ras-induced lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gavin Kelly
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Pierre David
- Institute of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emma Nye
- Experimental Histopathology, and
| | - Julian Downward
- Oncogene Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Axel Behrens
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory.,Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory, Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom.,Imperial College, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, London, United Kingdom.,Convergence Science Centre, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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Ooshio T, Yamamoto M, Fujii K, Xin B, Watanabe K, Goto M, Okada Y, Suzuki A, Penninger JM, Nishina H, Nishikawa Y. Hepatocyte Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase 7 Contributes to Restoration of the Liver Parenchyma Following Injury in Mice. Hepatology 2021; 73:2510-2526. [PMID: 32969030 PMCID: PMC8252741 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK) 7 and MKK4 are upstream activators of c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinases (JNKs) and have been shown to be required for the early development of the liver. Although it has been suggested that MKK7 might be involved in the regulation of hepatocyte proliferation, the functional role of MKK7 in the liver has remained unclear. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, we examined phenotypic alterations in liver-specific or hepatocyte/hematopoietic cell-specific MKK7 knockout (KO) mice, which were generated by crossing MKK7LoxP/LoxP with albumin-cyclization recombination (Alb-Cre) or myxovirus resistance protein 1-Cre mice, respectively. The livers of Alb-Cre-/+ MKK7LoxP/LoxP mice developed without discernible tissue disorganization. MKK7 KO mice responded normally to liver injuries incurred by partial hepatectomy or injection of CCl4 . However, tissue repair following CCl4 -induced injury was delayed in MKK7 KO mice compared with that of control mice. Furthermore, after repeated injections of CCl4 for 8 weeks, the liver in MKK7 KO mice showed intense fibrosis with increased protractive hepatocyte proliferation, suggesting that MKK7 deficiency might affect regenerative responses of hepatocytes in the altered tissue microenvironment. MKK7 KO hepatocytes demonstrated normal proliferative activity when cultured in monolayers. However, MKK7 KO significantly suppressed branching morphogenesis of hepatocyte aggregates within a collagen gel matrix. Microarray analyses revealed that suppression of branching morphogenesis in MKK7 KO hepatocytes was associated with a reduction in mRNA expression of transgelin, glioma pathogenesis related 2, and plasminogen activator urokinase-type (Plau); and forced expression of these genes in MKK7 KO hepatocytes partially recovered the attenuated morphogenesis. Furthermore, hepatocyte-specific overexpression of Plau rescued the impaired tissue repair of MKK7 KO mice following CCl4 -induced injury. CONCLUSIONS MKK7 is dispensable for the regenerative proliferation of hepatocytes but plays important roles in repair processes following parenchymal destruction, possibly through modulation of hepatocyte-extracellular matrix interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Ooshio
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
| | - Masahiro Yamamoto
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
| | - Kiyonaga Fujii
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
| | - Bing Xin
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
| | - Kenji Watanabe
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan,Division of Gastroenterological and General SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
| | - Masanori Goto
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
| | - Yoko Okada
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
| | - Akira Suzuki
- Division of Molecular and Cellular BiologyKobe University Graduate School of MedicineKobeHyogoJapan
| | - Josef M. Penninger
- Department of Medical GeneticsLife Sciences InstituteUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada,Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Hiroshi Nishina
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative BiologyMedical Research InstituteTokyo Medical and Dental UniversityBunkyo‐ku, TokyoJapan
| | - Yuji Nishikawa
- Division of Tumor PathologyDepartment of PathologyAsahikawa Medical UniversityAsahikawaHokkaidoJapan
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Tam SY, Law HKW. JNK in Tumor Microenvironment: Present Findings and Challenges in Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092196. [PMID: 34063627 PMCID: PMC8124407 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Apart from having both tumor promoting and tumor suppressing roles in cancers due to its impact on apoptosis and autophagy pathways, JNK also plays complex roles in the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) and is involved in different tumorigenesis pathways. The JNK pathway influences various stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions along with different cell populations in TME. In this review, we aim to present the current knowledge of JNK-mediated processes in TME and the challenges in clinical translation. Abstract The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are a group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). JNK is mainly activated under stressful conditions or by inflammatory cytokines and has multiple downstream targets for mediating cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, and immune responses. JNK has been demonstrated to have both tumor promoting and tumor suppressing roles in different cancers depending on the focused pathway in each study. JNK also plays complex roles in the heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME). JNK is involved in different tumorigenesis pathways. TME closely relates with tumor development and consists of various stressful and chronic inflammatory conditions along with different cell populations, in which the JNK pathway may have various mediating roles. In this review, we aim to summarize the present knowledge of JNK-mediated processes in TME, including hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, inflammation, immune responses, angiogenesis, as well as the regulation of various cell populations within TME. This review also suggests future research directions for translating JNK modulation in pre-clinical findings to clinical benefits.
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Li D, Wang Z, Zhang C, Xu C. IL-1R1 deficiency impairs liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy in aged mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 45:225-234. [PMID: 33907503 PMCID: PMC8068764 DOI: 10.3906/biy-2010-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation has a dual effect: it can protect the body and destroy tissue and cell as well. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the role of IL-1R1 in liver regeneration (LR) after partial hepatectomy (PH) in aged mice. The wild-type (WT, n = 36) and the IL-1R1 knockout (KO, n = 36) 24-month-old C57BL/6J mice underwent two-thirds PH; 33 WT mice underwent sham operation. Liver coefficient was calculated by liver/body weight. The mRNA and protein expressions of genes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting methods, respectively. Compared with WT mice, liver coefficient was lower in the IL-1R1 KO aged mice at 168 and 192 h (p = 0.039 and p = 0.027). The mRNA transcription of inflammation-related genes and cell cycle-associated genes decreased or delayed. The protein expressions of proliferation-related marker PCNA and proliferation-associated signaling pathway components JNK1, NF-κB and STAT3 reduced or retarded. There was stronger activation of proapoptotic proteins caspase-3, caspase-8 and BAX in the IL-1R1 KO mice at different time points (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). IL-1R1 KO reduced inflammation and caused impaired liver regeneration after 2/3 partial hepatectomy in aged mice. Maintaining proper inflammation may contribute to regeneration after liver partly surgical resection in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deming Li
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Overseas Expertise Introduction Center for Discipline Innovation of Pulmonary Fibrosis (111 Project), Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China
| | - Ze Wang
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Overseas Expertise Introduction Center for Discipline Innovation of Pulmonary Fibrosis (111 Project), Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Overseas Expertise Introduction Center for Discipline Innovation of Pulmonary Fibrosis (111 Project), Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China
| | - Cunshuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China.,Overseas Expertise Introduction Center for Discipline Innovation of Pulmonary Fibrosis (111 Project), Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan China
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Longo M, Paolini E, Meroni M, Dongiovanni P. Remodeling of Mitochondrial Plasticity: The Key Switch from NAFLD/NASH to HCC. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4173. [PMID: 33920670 PMCID: PMC8073183 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver and the third-leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Currently, the global burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has dramatically overcome both viral and alcohol hepatitis, thus becoming the main cause of HCC incidence. NAFLD pathogenesis is severely influenced by lifestyle and genetic predisposition. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that may adapt in response to environment, genetics and epigenetics in the liver ("mitochondrial plasticity"). Mounting evidence highlights that mitochondrial dysfunction due to loss of mitochondrial flexibility may arise before overt NAFLD, and from the early stages of liver injury. Mitochondrial failure promotes not only hepatocellular damage, but also release signals (mito-DAMPs), which trigger inflammation and fibrosis, generating an adverse microenvironment in which several hepatocytes select anti-apoptotic programs and mutations that may allow survival and proliferation. Furthermore, one of the key events in malignant hepatocytes is represented by the remodeling of glucidic-lipidic metabolism combined with the reprogramming of mitochondrial functions, optimized to deal with energy demand. In sum, this review will discuss how mitochondrial defects may be translated into causative explanations of NAFLD-driven HCC, emphasizing future directions for research and for the development of potential preventive or curative strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Longo
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Erika Paolini
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marica Meroni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
| | - Paola Dongiovanni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.L.); (E.P.); (M.M.)
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Zhi Y, Zhou X, Yu J, Yuan L, Zhang H, Ng DCH, Xu Z, Xu D. Pathophysiological Significance of WDR62 and JNK Signaling in Human Diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:640753. [PMID: 33937237 PMCID: PMC8086514 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.640753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is highly evolutionarily conserved and plays important roles in a broad range of physiological and pathological processes. The WD40-repeat protein 62 (WDR62) is a scaffold protein that recruits different components of the JNK signaling pathway to regulate several human diseases including neurological disorders, infertility, and tumorigenesis. Recent studies revealed that WDR62 regulates the process of neural stem cell mitosis and germ cell meiosis through JNK signaling. In this review we summarize the roles of WDR62 and JNK signaling in neuronal and non-neuronal contexts and discuss how JNK-dependent signaling regulates both processes. WDR62 is involved in various human disorders via JNK signaling regulation, and may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqiang Zhi
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaokun Zhou
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jurui Yu
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Institute of Life Sciences, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ling Yuan
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongsheng Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Dominic C H Ng
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Zhiheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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Su H, Fan S, Zhang L, Qi H. TMAO Aggregates Neurological Damage Following Ischemic Stroke by Promoting Reactive Astrocytosis and Glial Scar Formation via the Smurf2/ALK5 Axis. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:569424. [PMID: 33815059 PMCID: PMC8012716 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.569424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke has been reported to cause significant changes to memory, thinking, and behavior. Intriguingly, recently reported studies have indicated the association of Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) with the acute phase of ischemic stroke. However, the comprehensive underlying mechanism remained unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between TMAO and recovery of neurological function after ischemic stroke. For this purpose, a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rat model was established and treated with TMAO or/and sh-ALK5, followed by the neurological function evaluation. Behaviors of rats were observed through staircase and cylinder tests. Moreover, the expression of Smurf2 and ALK5 was detected by immunohistochemistry while expression of GFAP, Neurocan, and Phosphacan in brain tissues was determined by immunofluorescence. Thereafter, gain- and loss-of-function assays in astrocytes, the proliferation, viability, and migration were evaluated by the EdU, CCK-8, and Transwell assays. Besides, Smurf2 mRNA expression was determined by the RT-qPCR, whereas, Smurf2, ALK5, GFAP, Neurocan, and Phosphacan expression was evaluated by the Western blotting. Finally, the interaction of Smurf2 with ALK5 and ALK5 ubiquitination was assessed by the co-immunoprecipitation. Notably, our results showed that TMAO promoted the proliferation of reactive astrocyte and formation of glial scar in MCAO/R rats. However, this effect was abolished by the Smurf2 overexpression or ALK5 silencing. We further found that TMAO upregulated the ALK5 expression by inhibiting the ubiquitination role of Smurf2. Overexpression of ALK5 reversed the inhibitory effect of Smurf2 on astrocyte proliferation, migration, and viability. Collectively, our work identifies the evolutionarily TMAO/Smurf2/ALK5 signaling as a major genetic factor in the control of reactive astrocyte proliferation and glial scar formation in ischemic stroke, thus laying a theoretical foundation for the identification of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Su
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shaoping Fan
- Department of Neurosurgery, The People's Hospital of Longhua District, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lingqiong Zhang
- Department of Hand Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hui Qi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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JNK signaling as a target for anticancer therapy. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:405-434. [PMID: 33710509 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00238-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The JNKs are members of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) which regulate many physiological processes including inflammatory responses, macrophages, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and death. It is increasingly clear that the continuous activation of JNKs has a role in cancer development and progression. Therefore, JNKs represent attractive oncogenic targets for cancer therapy using small molecule kinase inhibitors. Studies showed that the two major JNK proteins JNK1 and JNK2 have opposite functions in different types of cancers, which need more specification in the design of JNK inhibitors. Some of ATP- competitive and ATP non-competitive inhibitors have been developed and widely used in vitro, but this type of inhibitors lack selectivity and inhibits phosphorylation of all JNK substrates and may lead to cellular toxicity. In this review, we summarized and discussed the strategies of JNK binding inhibitors and the role of JNK signaling in the pathogenesis of different solid and hematological malignancies.
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Cicuéndez B, Ruiz-Garrido I, Mora A, Sabio G. Stress kinases in the development of liver steatosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Metab 2021; 50:101190. [PMID: 33588102 PMCID: PMC8324677 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an important component of metabolic syndrome and one of the most prevalent liver diseases worldwide. This disorder is closely linked to hepatic insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, and inflammation. Although the mechanisms that cause steatosis and chronic liver injury in NAFLD remain unclear, a key component of this process is the activation of stress-activated kinases (SAPKs), including p38 and JNK in the liver and immune system. This review summarizes findings which indicate that the dysregulation of stress kinases plays a fundamental role in the development of steatosis and are important players in inducing liver fibrosis. To avoid the development of steatohepatitis and liver cancer, SAPK activity must be tightly regulated not only in the hepatocytes but also in other tissues, including cells of the immune system. Possible cellular mechanisms of SAPK actions are discussed. Hepatic JNK triggers steatosis and insulin resistance, decreasing lipid oxidation and ketogenesis in HFD-fed mice. Decreased liver expression of p38α/β in HFD increases lipogenesis. Hepatic p38γ/δ drive insulin resistance and inhibit autophagy, which may lead to steatosis. Macrophage p38α/β promote cytokine production and M1 polarization, leading to lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Myeloid p38γ/δ contribute to cytokine production and neutrophil migration, protecting against steatosis, diabetes and NAFLD. JNK1 and p38γ induce HCC while p38α blocks it. However, deletion of hepatic JNK1/2 induces cholangiocarcinoma. SAPK are potential therapeutic target for metabolic disorders, steatohepatitis and liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Cicuéndez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Ruiz-Garrido
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Mora
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Guadalupe Sabio
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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38
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Herrera-Melle L, Crespo M, Leiva M, Sabio G. Stress-activated kinases signaling pathways in cancer development. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2020.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Wei T, Ji X, Xue J, Gao Y, Zhu X, Xiao G. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside represses tumor growth and invasion in vivo by suppressing autophagy via inhibition of the JNK signaling pathways. Food Funct 2020; 12:387-396. [PMID: 33326533 DOI: 10.1039/d0fo02107e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Black bean seed coat extract (BBSCE) contains a high amount of bioactive compounds which can reduce the risk of cancers, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood in vivo. Here using a Drosophila model of a malignant tumor, wherein the activated oncogene Raf (RafGOF) cooperates with loss-of-function mutations in the conserved tumor suppressor scribble (scrib-/-), we investigated the antitumor mechanism of BBSCE and its main active component cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in vivo. The results showed that supplementation of either BBSCE or C3G inhibited the tumor growth and invasion of RafGOFscrib-/- and extended their survival in a dose dependent manner. Strikingly, the activation of both autonomous and non-autonomous autophagy in tumor flies was significantly reduced by C3G treatment. A further study indicated that C3G exhibited an antitumor effect in vivo by blocking autophagy both in tumor cells and in its microenvironment by inhibiting the JNK pathway. Interestingly, the efficacy of chloroquine (CQ, an autophagy inhibitor used as an antitumor agent) combined with C3G is much better than either C3G or CQ treatment alone. C3G may be combined with CQ to treat cancers and to provide a theoretical basis for functional food or natural medicine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wei
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, China.
| | - Xiaowen Ji
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, China.
| | - Jinsong Xue
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, China.
| | - Yan Gao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, China.
| | - Xiaomei Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Guiran Xiao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, China.
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40
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Crespo M, Gonzalez-Teran B, Nikolic I, Mora A, Folgueira C, Rodríguez E, Leiva-Vega L, Pintor-Chocano A, Fernández-Chacón M, Ruiz-Garrido I, Cicuéndez B, Tomás-Loba A, A-Gonzalez N, Caballero-Molano A, Beiroa D, Hernández-Cosido L, Torres JL, Kennedy NJ, Davis RJ, Benedito R, Marcos M, Nogueiras R, Hidalgo A, Matesanz N, Leiva M, Sabio G. Neutrophil infiltration regulates clock-gene expression to organize daily hepatic metabolism. eLife 2020; 9:59258. [PMID: 33287957 PMCID: PMC7723411 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver metabolism follows diurnal fluctuations through the modulation of molecular clock genes. Disruption of this molecular clock can result in metabolic disease but its potential regulation by immune cells remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrated that in steady state, neutrophils infiltrated the mouse liver following a circadian pattern and regulated hepatocyte clock-genes by neutrophil elastase (NE) secretion. NE signals through c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibiting fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and activating Bmal1 expression in the hepatocyte. Interestingly, mice with neutropenia, defective neutrophil infiltration or lacking elastase were protected against steatosis correlating with lower JNK activation, reduced Bmal1 and increased FGF21 expression, together with decreased lipogenesis in the liver. Lastly, using a cohort of human samples we found a direct correlation between JNK activation, NE levels and Bmal1 expression in the liver. This study demonstrates that neutrophils contribute to the maintenance of daily hepatic homeostasis through the regulation of the NE/JNK/Bmal1 axis. Every day, the body's biological processes work to an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm is controlled by ‘clock genes’ that are switched on or off by daily physical and environmental cues, such as changes in light levels. These daily rhythms are very finely tuned, and disturbances can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. The ability of the body to cycle through the circadian rhythm each day is heavily influenced by the clock of one key organ: the liver. This organ plays a critical role in converting food and drink into energy. There is evidence that neutrophils – white blood cells that protect the body by being the first response to inflammation – can influence how the liver performs its role in obese people, by for example, releasing a protein called elastase. Additionally, the levels of neutrophils circulating in the blood change following a daily pattern. Crespo, González-Terán et al. wondered whether neutrophils enter the liver at specific times of the day to control liver’s daily rhythm. Crespo, González-Terán et al. revealed that neutrophils visit the liver in a pattern that peaks when it gets light and dips when it gets dark by counting the number of neutrophils in the livers of mice at different times of the day. During these visits, neutrophils secreted elastase, which activated a protein called JNK in the cells of the mice’s liver. This subsequently blocked the activity of another protein, FGF21, which led to the activation of the genes that allow cells to make fat molecules for storage. JNK activation also switched on the clock gene, Bmal1, ultimately causing fat to build up in the mice’s liver. Crespo, González-Terán et al. also found that, in samples from human livers, the levels of elastase, the activity of JNK, and whether the Bmal1 gene was switched on were tightly linked. This suggests that neutrophils may be controlling the liver’s rhythm in humans the same way they do in mice. Overall, this research shows that neutrophils can control and reset the liver's daily rhythm using a precisely co-ordinated series of molecular changes. These insights into the liver's molecular clock suggest that elastase, JNK and BmaI1 may represent new therapeutic targets for drugs or smart medicines to treat metabolic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Crespo
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ivana Nikolic
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfonso Mora
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cintia Folgueira
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Rodríguez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Leiva-Vega
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Irene Ruiz-Garrido
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Cicuéndez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonia Tomás-Loba
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Noelia A-Gonzalez
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Daniel Beiroa
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lourdes Hernández-Cosido
- Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of Salamanca-IBSAL, Department of Surgery, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jorge L Torres
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Salamanca-IBSAL, Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Norman J Kennedy
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Roger J Davis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Rui Benedito
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Marcos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Salamanca-IBSAL, Department of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Andrés Hidalgo
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Matesanz
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Magdalena Leiva
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Sabio
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
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41
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Elsherbiny NM, Eisa NH, El-Sherbiny M, Said E. Chemo-preventive effect of crocin against experimentally-induced hepatocarcinogenesis via regulation of apoptotic and Nrf2 signaling pathways. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103494. [PMID: 32942000 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The results of the current study investigated the chemo-preventive effect of crocin against hepatocarcinogenesis in rats with particular focus on the evaluation of the modulatory impact of crocin on apoptotic and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways. Thioacetamide (TAA) (200 mg/kg, I.P.) was used for experimental induction of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. Crocin administration significantly attenuated TAA-induced cancerous lesions with concomitant attenuation of impaired liver functions. This was associated with significant enhancement in hepatic Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression with parallel suppression in Keap-1 expression. Inline, crocin induced a significant improvement in hepatic oxidative status with enhanced antioxidant batteries. Crocin administration significantly suppressed the hepatic content of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (c-JNK) with significant upregulation in TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and caspase-8 protein expression as well as p53 gene expression; biomarkers of apoptosis. Moreover, hepatic expression of the apoptotic BAX significantly increased and the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 significantly decreased in the liver specimen; biomarkers of intrinsic apoptosis. In conclusion; crocin attenuates experimentally induced hepato-carcinogenesis via modulation of oxidative/apoptotic signaling. Namely, crocin induced hepatic expression of Nrf2 with downstream modulation of endogenous HO-1 and Keap-1 signaling with modulation of various key players of apoptosis including; c-JNK, p53, TRAIL, caspase-8, BAX, and Bcl-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal M Elsherbiny
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nada H Eisa
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Sherbiny
- Department of Anatomy, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt; Almaarefa University, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Said
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt.
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42
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Schröder M, Tan L, Wang J, Liang Y, Gray NS, Knapp S, Chaikuad A. Catalytic Domain Plasticity of MKK7 Reveals Structural Mechanisms of Allosteric Activation and Diverse Targeting Opportunities. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1285-1295.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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43
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JNK-mediated disruption of bile acid homeostasis promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:16492-16499. [PMID: 32601222 PMCID: PMC7368313 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002672117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is associated with hepatic steatosis and activation of the cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) stress-signaling pathway. Studies in mice demonstrate that JNK deficiency in the liver prevents the development of hepatic steatosis. This observation suggests that inhibition of JNK signaling may represent a possible treatment for hepatic steatosis. However, the long-term consequences of JNK inhibition are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that loss of JNK causes changes in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism that promote cholestasis, bile duct proliferation, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We identify PPARα activation as the molecular mechanism that accounts for this phenotype. Our analysis has important implications for the long-term use of JNK inhibitors for the treatment of obesity. Metabolic stress causes activation of the cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway. It is established that one consequence of JNK activation is the development of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis through inhibition of the transcription factor PPARα. Indeed, JNK1/2 deficiency in hepatocytes protects against the development of steatosis, suggesting that JNK inhibition represents a possible treatment for this disease. However, the long-term consequences of JNK inhibition have not been evaluated. Here we demonstrate that hepatic JNK controls bile acid production. We found that hepatic JNK deficiency alters cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis, conjugation, and transport, resulting in cholestasis, increased cholangiocyte proliferation, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Gene ablation studies confirmed that PPARα mediated these effects of JNK in hepatocytes. This analysis highlights potential consequences of long-term use of JNK inhibitors for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
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44
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Duong MTH, Lee JH, Ahn HC. C-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitors: Structural insight into kinase-inhibitor complexes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1440-1457. [PMID: 32637042 PMCID: PMC7327381 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) plays an important role in physiological processes including neuronal function, immune activity, and development, and thus, JNKs have been a therapeutic target for various diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer. Efforts to develop JNK-specific inhibitors have been ongoing for several decades. In this process, the structures of JNK in complex with various inhibitors have contributed greatly to the design of novel compounds and to the elucidation of structure-activity relationships. Almost 100 JNK structures with various compounds have been determined. Here we summarize the information gained from these structures and classify the inhibitors into several groups based on the binding mode. These groups include inhibitors in the open conformation and closed conformation of the gatekeeper residue, non-ATP site binders, peptides, covalent inhibitors, and type II kinase inhibitors. Through this work, deep insight into the interaction of inhibitors with JNKs can be gained and this will be helpful for developing novel, potent, and selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Men Thi Hoai Duong
- Department of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, Gyeonggi 10326, South Korea
| | - Joon-Hwa Lee
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, South Korea
| | - Hee-Chul Ahn
- Department of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, Gyeonggi 10326, South Korea
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45
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Cheng X, Chen M, Liu Z. MicroRNA-294 Promotes Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion in SMMC-7721 Hepatoma Carcinoma Cells by Activating the JNK/ERK Signaling Pathway. Am J Med Sci 2020; 359:365-371. [PMID: 32498943 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been reported that miR-294 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cells. However, the potential role of miR-294 in the pathogenesis of HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of miR-294 in HCC and the potential mechanism involved in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine the expression of miR-294 in HCC tissues and cell lines. Following the overexpression or knockdown of miR-294, the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of cells were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. The phosphorylation of JNK and ERK was determined through western blotting. Furthermore, HCC cells were treated with JNK inhibitor SP600125 or ERK inhibitor U0126 and transfected with miR-294 mimics or negative control. Subsequently, the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK was evaluated and the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of HCC cells were also determined. RESULTS The expression of miR-294 was significantly increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. Following the overexpression of miR-294, proliferation, migration, and invasion were promoted in the SSMC-7721 cell line, and the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK was increased, while silencing of miR-294 led to the opposite result. Use of the JNK or ERK inhibitor to treat SSMC-7721 cells transfected with miR-294 mimics decreased the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK and inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of cells. CONCLUSIONS miR-294 is important for the development of HCC in terms of the biological activities of cells, and may be a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianping Cheng
- Department of Oncology, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Mo Chen
- Department of Oncology, Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital, Anhui Province, China
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46
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Cubero FJ, Mohamed MR, Woitok MM, Zhao G, Hatting M, Nevzorova YA, Chen C, Haybaeck J, de Bruin A, Avila MA, Boekschoten MV, Davis RJ, Trautwein C. Loss of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase 1 and 2 Function in Liver Epithelial Cells Triggers Biliary Hyperproliferation Resembling Cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatol Commun 2020; 4:834-851. [PMID: 32490320 PMCID: PMC7262317 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted inhibition of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNKs) has shown therapeutic potential in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA)‐related tumorigenesis. However, the cell‐type‐specific role and mechanisms triggered by JNK in liver parenchymal cells during CCA remain largely unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the relevance of JNK1 and JNK2 function in hepatocytes in two different models of experimental carcinogenesis, the dethylnitrosamine (DEN) model and in nuclear factor kappa B essential modulator (NEMO)hepatocyte‐specific knockout (Δhepa) mice, focusing on liver damage, cell death, compensatory proliferation, fibrogenesis, and tumor development. Moreover, regulation of essential genes was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunoblottings, and immunostainings. Additionally, specific Jnk2 inhibition in hepatocytes of NEMOΔhepa/JNK1Δhepa mice was performed using small interfering (si) RNA (siJnk2) nanodelivery. Finally, active signaling pathways were blocked using specific inhibitors. Compound deletion of Jnk1 and Jnk2 in hepatocytes diminished hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in both the DEN model and in NEMOΔhepa mice but in contrast caused massive proliferation of the biliary ducts. Indeed, Jnk1/2 deficiency in hepatocytes of NEMOΔhepa (NEMOΔhepa/JNKΔhepa) animals caused elevated fibrosis, increased apoptosis, increased compensatory proliferation, and elevated inflammatory cytokines expression but reduced HCC. Furthermore, siJnk2 treatment in NEMOΔhepa/JNK1Δhepa mice recapitulated the phenotype of NEMOΔhepa/JNKΔhepa mice. Next, we sought to investigate the impact of molecular pathways in response to compound JNK deficiency in NEMOΔhepa mice. We found that NEMOΔhepa/JNKΔhepa livers exhibited overexpression of the interleukin‐6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway in addition to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (Raf)‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. The functional relevance was tested by administering lapatinib, which is a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of erythroblastic oncogene B‐2 (ErbB2) and EGFR signaling, to NEMOΔhepa/JNKΔhepa mice. Lapatinib effectively inhibited cystogenesis, improved transaminases, and effectively blocked EGFR‐Raf‐MEK‐ERK signaling. Conclusion: We define a novel function of JNK1/2 in cholangiocyte hyperproliferation. This opens new therapeutic avenues devised to inhibit pathways of cholangiocarcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany.,Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology, and ENT Complutense University School of Medicine Madrid Spain.,12 de Octubre Health Research Institute Madrid Spain
| | - Mohamed Ramadan Mohamed
- Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany.,Department of Therapeutic Chemistry National Research Center Giza Egypt
| | - Marius M Woitok
- Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany
| | - Gang Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany
| | - Maximilian Hatting
- Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany
| | - Yulia A Nevzorova
- Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany.,Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology Faculty of Biology Complutense University Madrid Spain
| | - Chaobo Chen
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology, and ENT Complutense University School of Medicine Madrid Spain
| | - Johannes Haybaeck
- Department of Pathology Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg Germany.,Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine Institute of Pathology Medical University of Graz Graz Austria.,Department of Pathology, Neuropathology, and Molecular Pathology Medical University of Innsbruck Innsbruck Austria
| | - Alain de Bruin
- Department of Pathobiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Dutch Molecular Pathology Center Utrecht University Utrecht the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics University Medical Center Groningen University of Groningen Groningen the Netherlands
| | - Matias A Avila
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra Pamplona Spain.,Hepatology Program Center for Applied Medical Research University of Navarra Pamplona Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas Instituto de Salud Carlos III Madrid Spain
| | - Mark V Boekschoten
- Nutrition, Metabolism, and Genomics Group Division of Human Nutrition Wageningen University Wageningen the Netherlands
| | - Roger J Davis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester MA
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Department of Internal Medicine III University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany
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47
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Targeting MAPK Signaling in Cancer: Mechanisms of Drug Resistance and Sensitivity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031102. [PMID: 32046099 PMCID: PMC7037308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 393] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways represent ubiquitous signal transduction pathways that regulate all aspects of life and are frequently altered in disease. Here, we focus on the role of MAPK pathways in modulating drug sensitivity and resistance in cancer. We briefly discuss new findings in the extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, but mainly focus on the mechanisms how stress activated MAPK pathways, such as p38 MAPK and the Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), impact the response of cancer cells to chemotherapies and targeted therapies. In this context, we also discuss the role of metabolic and epigenetic aberrations and new therapeutic opportunities arising from these changes.
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48
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Crosstalk between NLRP12 and JNK during Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020496. [PMID: 31941025 PMCID: PMC7013925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a leading cause of cancer-related death, is initiated and promoted by chronic inflammation. Inflammatory mediators are transcriptionally regulated by several inflammatory signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of the MAPK family, plays a central role in HCC pathogenesis. Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) activate JNK and other MAPK upon recognition by toll-like receptors (TLRs). Apart from TLRs, PAMPs are sensed by several other pattern recognition receptors, including cytosolic NOD-like receptors (NLRs). In a recent study, we demonstrated that the NLR member NLRP12 plays a critical role in suppressing HCC via negative regulation of the JNK pathway. This article briefly reviews the crosstalk between NLRP12 and JNK that occurs during HCC.
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49
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Successful stories of drug repurposing for cancer therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. DRUG REPURPOSING IN CANCER THERAPY 2020. [PMCID: PMC7471801 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819668-7.00008-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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50
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Phosphorylation Dynamics of JNK Signaling: Effects of Dual-Specificity Phosphatases (DUSPs) on the JNK Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20246157. [PMID: 31817617 PMCID: PMC6941053 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20246157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphorylation affects conformational change, interaction, catalytic activity, and subcellular localization of proteins. Because the post-modification of proteins regulates diverse cellular signaling pathways, the precise control of phosphorylation states is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Kinases function as phosphorylating enzymes, and phosphatases dephosphorylate their target substrates, typically in a much shorter time. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway, a mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, is regulated by a cascade of kinases and in turn regulates other physiological processes, such as cell differentiation, apoptosis, neuronal functions, and embryonic development. However, the activation of the JNK pathway is also implicated in human pathologies such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the proper balance between activation and inactivation of the JNK pathway needs to be tightly regulated. Dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) regulate the magnitude and duration of signal transduction of the JNK pathway by dephosphorylating their substrates. In this review, we will discuss the dynamics of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, the mechanism of JNK pathway regulation by DUSPs, and the new possibilities of targeting DUSPs in JNK-related diseases elucidated in recent studies.
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