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Cui Y, Lan L, Lv J, Zhao B, Kong J, Lai Y. Chalcomoracin promotes apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2024; 77:428-435. [PMID: 38724630 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-024-00732-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Chalcomoracin (CMR), a Diels-Alder adduct obtained from mulberry leaves, demonstrated wide-spectrum anti-cancer activity. Herein, we aimed to explore the function of CMR and how it works in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Human HCC cell lines Hep3B and SNU-387 were cultured and treated with various concentrations of CMR (1.5, 3, and 6 µM). Subsequently, the effects of CMR on cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion abilities were studied in vitro. Furthermore, the levels of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway-related proteins in cells under CMR exposure were detected using western blot. Experiments in vivo were conducted to examine the effects of CMR on tumor growth in HCC. CMR administration inhibited the viability and clonogenic, migration, and invasion abilities, as well as promoted cell apoptosis and ER stress in Hep3B and SNU-387 cells. In addition, CMR treatment reduced the phosphorylation levels of ERK, P38, and JNK in the MAPK pathway. Moreover, an in vivo study showed that CMR administration could inhibit tumorigenesis and MAPK pathway activity in HCC. Our data indicate that CMR has the potential to inhibit the development of HCC, potentially through the inhibition of the MAPK pathway. These findings suggest that CMR may have promising applications as an anticancer agent in future therapeutics for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350028, China
| | - Liqin Lan
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350028, China
| | - Jiahui Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350028, China
| | - Bixing Zhao
- The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350028, China
| | - Jinfeng Kong
- Department of Liver Disease, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350028, China.
| | - Yongping Lai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350028, China.
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Ahmadi M, Mohajeri Khorasani A, Morshedzadeh F, Saffarzadeh N, Ghaderian SMH, Ghafouri-Fard S, Mousavi P. HLF is a promising prognostic, immunological, and therapeutic biomarker in human tumors. Biochem Biophys Rep 2024; 38:101725. [PMID: 38711550 PMCID: PMC11070826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2024.101725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite past research linking HLF mutations to cancer development, no pan-cancer analyses of HLF have been published. As a result, we utilized multiple databases to illustrate the potential roles of HLF in diverse types of cancers. Several databases were used to assess HLF expression in the TCGA cancer samples. Additional assessments were undertaken to investigate the relationship between HLF and overall survival, immune cell infiltration, genetic alterations, promoter methylation, and protein-protein interaction. HLF's putative roles and the relationship between HLF expression and drug reactivity were investigated. HLF expression was shown to be lower in tumor tissues from a variety of malignancies when compared to normal tissues. There was a substantial link found between HLF expression and patient survival, genetic mutations, and immunological infiltration. HLF influenced the pathways of apoptosis, cell cycle, EMT, and PI3K/AKT signaling. Abnormal expression of HLF lowered sensitivity to numerous anti-tumor drugs and small compounds. According to our findings, reduced HLF expression drives cancer growth, and it has the potential to be identified as a vital biomarker for use in prognosis, immunotherapy, and targeted treatment of a range of malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Firouzeh Morshedzadeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Negin Saffarzadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pegah Mousavi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
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Yao J, Wan H, Zhang J, Shen W, Wei X, Shi C, Ou B, Liu D, Ge L, Fei J, Zeng X. Tubuloside B, a major constituent of Cistanche deserticola, inhibits migration of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting Hippo-YAP pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 129:155552. [PMID: 38552378 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have shown that phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) have multiple pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective or neuroprotective functions, whereas their anti-tumor effects are rarely studied. Tubuloside B (Tub B) is a PhG isolated from Cistanche deserticola, a traditional Chinese medicine. To date, there is a lack of comprehensive research regarding the biological activity of Tub B. PURPOSE The subject of the current study was to investigate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell activity and the underlying mechanism of Tub B. METHODS We evaluated the in vitro anti-migratory effect of Tub B by scratch and transwell assays. RNA-seq was employed to identify the differential genes by Tub B. Besides, the functional mechanism of Tub B was investigated by distinct molecular biology techniques including immunofluorescent staining, quantitative PCR, as well as western blot analysis. Subsequently, we utilized Hep3B cells for in vivo metastasis assays through spleen injection and evaluated the anti-migratory effect of Tub B in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RESULTS Tub B exhibited in vitro and in vivo inhibition of HCC cell migration. Tub B decreased the expression of transcriptional target genes downstream of the Hippo pathway, including CTGF, CYR61, and N-cadherin as determined by RNA-seq. Furthermore, mechanistic studies confirmed that Tub B increased phosphorylation of YAP at S127, which contributes to YAP cytoplasmic localization. Additionally, overexpression of YAP abrogated Tub B-induced inhibition of HCC migration and the mRNA levels of CTGF, CYR61, and N-cadherin. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results illustrated that Tub B demonstrated great potential in inhibiting migration of HCC, and a portion of its impact can be attributed to the modulation of the Hippo-YAP pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yao
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518120, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Haoqiang Wan
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518120, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Jingmei Zhang
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518104, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Wanying Shen
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; College of pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 73000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Wei
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; College of pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 73000, Gansu Province, PR China
| | - Chenyan Shi
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518120, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Baoru Ou
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518120, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Dongyu Liu
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518120, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Lanlan Ge
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518120, Guangdong Province, PR China
| | - Jia Fei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China.
| | - Xiaobin Zeng
- Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Center Lab of Longhua Branch, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong Province, PR China; Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518120, Guangdong Province, PR China.
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Szilveszter RM, Muntean M, Florea A. Molecular Mechanisms in Tumorigenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and in Target Treatments-An Overview. Biomolecules 2024; 14:656. [PMID: 38927059 PMCID: PMC11201617 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060656] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages-predominantly with a pro-tumoral role-hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raluca-Margit Szilveszter
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
- Cluj County Emergency Clinical Hospital, 400340 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mara Muntean
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (M.M.); (A.F.)
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Xue Y, Ruan Y, Wang Y, Xiao P, Xu J. Signaling pathways in liver cancer: pathogenesis and targeted therapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:20. [PMID: 38816668 PMCID: PMC11139849 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00184-0] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates. Due to its subtle onset, liver cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage when surgical interventions are no longer feasible. This situation highlights the critical role of systemic treatments, including targeted therapies, in bettering patient outcomes. Despite numerous studies on the mechanisms underlying liver cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the only widely used clinical inhibitors, represented by sorafenib, whose clinical application is greatly limited by the phenomenon of drug resistance. Here we show an in-depth discussion of the signaling pathways frequently implicated in liver cancer pathogenesis and the inhibitors targeting these pathways under investigation or already in use in the management of advanced liver cancer. We elucidate the oncogenic roles of these pathways in liver cancer especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the current state of research on inhibitors respectively. Given that TKIs represent the sole class of targeted therapeutics for liver cancer employed in clinical practice, we have particularly focused on TKIs and the mechanisms of the commonly encountered phenomena of its resistance during HCC treatment. This necessitates the imperative development of innovative targeted strategies and the urgency of overcoming the existing limitations. This review endeavors to shed light on the utilization of targeted therapy in advanced liver cancer, with a vision to improve the unsatisfactory prognostic outlook for those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangtao Xue
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yeling Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
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Chava S, Ekmen N, Ferraris P, Aydin Y, Moroz K, Wu T, Thung SN, Dash S. Mechanisms of Sorafenib Resistance in HCC Culture Relate to the Impaired Membrane Expression of Organic Cation Transporter 1 (OCT1). J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2024; 11:839-855. [PMID: 38741679 PMCID: PMC11090194 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s452152] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sorafenib, an FDA-approved drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, encounters resistance in many patients. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying sorafenib resistance is crucial for devising alternative strategies to overcome it. Aim This study aimed to investigate sorafenib resistance mechanisms using a diverse panel of HCC cell lines. Methods HCC cell lines were subjected to continuous sorafenib treatment, and stable cell lines (Huh 7.5 and Huh 7PX) exhibiting sustained growth in its presence were isolated. The investigation of drug resistance mechanisms involved a comparative analysis of drug-targeted signal transduction pathways (EGFR/RAF/MEK/ERK/Cyclin D), sorafenib uptake, and membrane expression of the drug uptake transporter. Results HCC cell lines (Huh 7.5 and Huh 7PX) with a higher IC50 (10μM) displayed a more frequent development of sorafenib resistance compared to those with a lower IC50 (2-4.8μM), indicating a potential impact of IC50 variation on initial treatment response. Our findings reveal that activated overexpression of Raf1 kinases and impaired sorafenib uptake, mediated by reduced membrane expression of organic cation transporter-1 (OCT1), contribute to sorafenib resistance in HCC cultures. Stable expression of the drug transporter OCT1 through cDNA transfection or adenoviral delivery of OCT1 mRNA increased sorafenib uptake and successfully overcame sorafenib resistance. Additionally, consistent with sorafenib resistance in HCC cultures, cirrhotic liver-associated human HCC tumors often exhibited impaired membrane expression of OCT1 and OCT3. Conclusion Intrinsic differences among HCC cell clones, affecting sorafenib sensitivity at the expression level of Raf kinases, drug uptake, and OCT1 transporters, were identified. This study underscores the potential of HCC tumor targeted OCT1 expression to enhance sorafenib treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Chava
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Nergiz Ekmen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Pauline Ferraris
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Yucel Aydin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Krzysztof Moroz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Swan N Thung
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Srikanta Dash
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Üremis N, Türköz Y, Üremiş MM, Çiğremiş Y, Şalva E. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Investigating EGFR-VEGF-mediated apoptotic effect of cucurbitacin D and I combination with sorafenib via Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:3247. [PMID: 37917368 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02811-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nuray Üremis
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
| | - Yusuf Türköz
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Muhammed Mehdi Üremiş
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Yılmaz Çiğremiş
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Emine Şalva
- Department of Pharmacy Technology, Pharmacy Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
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Cai H, Meng Z, Yu F. The involvement of ROS-regulated programmed cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 197:104361. [PMID: 38626849 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104361] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxidative species (ROS) is a crucial factor in the regulation of cellular biological activity and function, and aberrant levels of ROS can contribute to the development of a variety of diseases, particularly cancer. Numerous discoveries have affirmed that this process is strongly associated with "programmed cell death (PCD)," which refers to the suicide protection mechanism initiated by cells in response to external stimuli, such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, etc. Research has demonstrated that ROS-induced PCD is crucial for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These activities serve a dual function in both facilitating and inhibiting cancer, suggesting the existence of a delicate balance within healthy cells that can be disrupted by the abnormal generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby influencing the eventual advancement or regression of a tumor. In this review, we summarize how ROS regulates PCD to influence the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC. Studying how ROS-induced PCD affects the progression of HCC at a molecular level can help develop better prevention and treatment methods and facilitate the design of more effective preventative and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanchen Cai
- The First Afliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China; The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ziqi Meng
- The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China; The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fujun Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Xiao Y, Zhu Y, Chen J, Wu M, Wang L, Su L, Feng F, Hou Y. Overexpression of SYNGAP1 suppresses the proliferation of rectal adenocarcinoma via Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:135. [PMID: 38679635 PMCID: PMC11056356 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00997-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Rectal adenocarcinoma (READ) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Growing studies have confirmed Ras GTPase-activating proteins are involved in the progression of several tumors. This study aimed to explore the expression and function of Ras GTPase-activating proteins in READ. In this study, we analyzed RNA sequencing data from 165 patients with READ and 789 normal tissue samples, identifying 5603 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 2937 upregulated genes and 2666 downregulated genes. Moreover, we also identified two dysregulated genes, RASA4 and SYNGAP1, among six Ras GTPase-activating proteins. High NF1 expression was associated with longer overall survival, while high SYNGAP1 expression showed a trend towards extended overall survival. Further analysis revealed the mutation frequency and copy number variations of Ras GTPase-activating proteins in various cancer samples. Additionally, DNA methylation analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between DNA methylation of Ras GTPase-activating proteins and their expression. Moreover, among Ras GTPase-activating proteins, we focused on SYNGAP1, and experimental validation confirmed that the overexpression of SYNGAP1 in READ significantly suppressed READ cell proliferation and increased apoptosis via regulating the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. These findings underscored the potential significance of SYNGAP1 in READ and provide new insights for further research and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Xiao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiaojiao Chen
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Mei Wu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Feng
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
| | - Yanli Hou
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
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Zheng W, Yuan H, Fu Y, Deng G, Zheng X, Xu L, Fan H, Jiang W, Yu X. An effective two-stage NMBzA-induced rat esophageal tumor model revealing that the FAT-Hippo-YAP1 axis drives the progression of ESCC. Cancer Lett 2024; 588:216813. [PMID: 38499266 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Rat model of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBzA)-induced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is routinely used to study ESCC initiation, progression and new therapeutic strategies. However, the model is time-consuming and malignant tumor incidences are low. Here, we report the usage of multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib as a tumor promoter to establish an efficient two-stage NMBzA-induced rat ESCC carcinogenesis model, resulting in increments of tumor incidences and shortened tumor formation times. By establishing the model and applying whole-genome sequencing, we discover that benign papillomas and malignant ESCCs harbor most of the "driver" events found in rat ESCCs (e.g. recurrent mutations in Ras family, the Hippo and Notch pathways and histone modifier genes) and the mutational landscapes of rat and human ESCCs overlap extensively. We generate tumor cell lines derived from NMBzA-induced papillomas and ESCCs, showing that papilloma cells retain more characteristics of normal epithelial cells than carcinoma cells, especially their exhibitions of normal rat cell karyotypes and inabilities of forming tumors in immunodeficient mice. Three-dimensional (3-D) organoid cultures and single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) indicate that, when compared to control- and papilloma-organoids, ESCC-organoids display salient abnormalities at tissue and single-cell levels. Multi-omic analyses indicate that NMBzA-induced rat ESCCs are accompanied by progressive hyperactivations of the FAT-Hippo-YAP1 axis and siRNA or inhibitors of YAP1 block the growth of rat ESCCs. Taken together, these studies provide a framework of using an effective rat ESCC model to investigate multilevel functional genomics of ESCC carcinogenesis, which justify targeting YAP1 as a therapeutic strategy for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zheng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Hui Yuan
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yuxia Fu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Guodong Deng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Xuejing Zheng
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Hongjun Fan
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Xiying Yu
- Department of Etiology and Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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11
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Zhang Y, Zou W, Dou W, Luo H, Ouyang X. Pleiotropic physiological functions of Piezo1 in human body and its effect on malignant behavior of tumors. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1377329. [PMID: 38690080 PMCID: PMC11058998 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1377329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanosensitive ion channel protein 1 (Piezo1) is a large homotrimeric membrane protein. Piezo1 has various effects and plays an important and irreplaceable role in the maintenance of human life activities and homeostasis of the internal environment. In addition, recent studies have shown that Piezo1 plays a vital role in tumorigenesis, progression, malignancy and clinical prognosis. Piezo1 is involved in regulating the malignant behaviors of a variety of tumors, including cellular metabolic reprogramming, unlimited proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, maintenance of stemness, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Moreover, Piezo1 regulates tumor progression by affecting the recruitment, activation, and differentiation of multiple immune cells. Therefore, Piezo1 has excellent potential as an anti-tumor target. The article reviews the diverse physiological functions of Piezo1 in the human body and its major cellular pathways during disease development, and describes in detail the specific mechanisms by which Piezo1 affects the malignant behavior of tumors and its recent progress as a new target for tumor therapy, providing new perspectives for exploring more potential effects on physiological functions and its application in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen Zou
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenlei Dou
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Hongliang Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xi Ouyang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- The Second Clinical Medicine School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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12
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Bhatia V, Esmati L, Bhullar RP. Regulation of Ras p21 and RalA GTPases activity by quinine in mammary epithelial cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:567-577. [PMID: 37131040 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04725-z] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Quinine, a bitter compound, can act as an agonist to activate the family of bitter taste G protein-coupled receptor family of proteins. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that quinine causes activation of RalA, a Ras p21-related small G protein. Ral proteins can be activated directly or indirectly through an alternative pathway that requires Ras p21 activation resulting in the recruitment of RalGDS, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ral. Using normal mammary epithelial (MCF-10A) and non-invasive mammary epithelial (MCF-7) cell lines, we investigated the effect of quinine in regulating Ras p21 and RalA activity. Results showed that in the presence of quinine, Ras p21 is activated in both MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells; however, RalA was inhibited in MCF-10A cells, and no effect was observed in the case of MCF-7 cells. MAP kinase, a downstream effector for Ras p21, was activated in both MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells. Western blot analysis confirmed the expression of RalGDS in MCF-10A cells and MCF-7 cells. The expression of RalGDS was higher in MCF-10A cells in comparison to the MCF-7 cells. Although RalGDS was detected in MCF-10A and MCF-7 cells, it did not result in RalA activation upon Ras p21 activation with quinine suggesting that the Ras p21-RalGDS-RalA pathway is not active in the MCF-10A cells. The inhibition of RalA activity in MCF-10A cells due to quinine could be as a result of a direct effect of this bitter compound on RalA. Protein modeling and ligand docking analysis demonstrated that quinine can interact with RalA through the R79 amino acid, which is located in the switch II region loop of the RalA protein. It is possible that quinine causes a conformational change that results in the inhibition of RalA activation even though RalGDS is present in the cell. More studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism(s) that regulate Ral activity in mammary epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikram Bhatia
- Manitoba Chemosensory Biology Research Group and Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
- Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM), Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Laya Esmati
- Manitoba Chemosensory Biology Research Group and Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada
| | - Rajinder P Bhullar
- Manitoba Chemosensory Biology Research Group and Department of Oral Biology, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2, Canada.
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Pessino G, Scotti C, Maggi M, Immuno-Hub Consortium. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Old and Emerging Therapeutic Targets. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:901. [PMID: 38473265 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16050901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), globally ranks sixth in incidence and third in cancer-related deaths. HCC risk factors include non-viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, environmental exposures, and genetic factors. No specific genetic alterations are unequivocally linked to HCC tumorigenesis. Current standard therapies include surgical options, systemic chemotherapy, and kinase inhibitors, like sorafenib and regorafenib. Immunotherapy, targeting immune checkpoints, represents a promising avenue. FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitors, such as atezolizumab and pembrolizumab, show efficacy, and combination therapies enhance clinical responses. Despite this, the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenge, as the complex tumor ecosystem and the immunosuppressive microenvironment associated with it hamper the efficacy of the available therapeutic approaches. This review explores current and advanced approaches to treat HCC, considering both known and new potential targets, especially derived from proteomic analysis, which is today considered as the most promising approach. Exploring novel strategies, this review discusses antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T), and engineered antibodies. It then reports a systematic analysis of the main ligand/receptor pairs and molecular pathways reported to be overexpressed in tumor cells, highlighting their potential and limitations. Finally, it discusses TGFβ, one of the most promising targets of the HCC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Pessino
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Scotti
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maristella Maggi
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Immuno-Hub Consortium
- Unit of Immunology and General Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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14
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Li S, Liu W, Wang TT, Chen TQ, Guo JC. Identification of peanut skin components for treating hepatocellular carcinoma via network pharmacology and in vitro experiments. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14428. [PMID: 38230768 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14428] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Peanut skin (PS) contains various flavonoids and phenols that have antitumor and antioxidant effects. However, no research has been conducted on PS and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this study sought to explore the potential mechanism of PS in treating HCC. PS was searched for in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and SYMMAP databases. HCC targets were searched for in five major databases. Protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were used for verification. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were used to verify the regulation of PS on human HCC (HepG2) cells. Ten ingredients and 95 common targets were identified for PS and HCC, respectively. The key targets of ingredients mainly relate to pathways such as hepatitis B, lipid and atherosclerosis, advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-AGE receptors (RAGEs) signaling pathway in diabetic complications, interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, mitogen activated kinase-like protein (MAPK) signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In addition, the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis indicated the ingredients had strong binding ability with the targets. Moreover, in vitro experiments confirmed that luteolin can promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells by controlling the expression of phosphorylated protein-tyrosine kinase (p-AKT). This study provides preliminary evidence that PS produces a marked effect in regulating multiple signaling pathways in HCC through multiple ingredients acting on multiple core genes, including AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), MYC, caspase 3 (CASP3), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), jun proto-oncogene(JUN), and provides the basis for follow-up research to verify the mechanism of action of PS in treating HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Changsha Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Tong-Tong Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Tong-Qiang Chen
- Hunan provincial institute of product and goods quality inspection, Changsha, China
| | - Jin-Cai Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Changsha Stomatological Hospital, Changsha, China
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Hajizadeh M, Hajizadeh F, Ghaffarei S, Amin Doustvandi M, Hajizadeh K, Yaghoubi SM, Mohammadnejad F, Khiabani NA, Mousavi P, Baradaran B. MicroRNAs and their vital role in apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma: miRNA-based diagnostic and treatment methods. Gene 2023; 888:147803. [PMID: 37716587 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies with high invasive and metastatic capability. Although significant advances have been made in the treatment of HCC, the overall survival rate of patients is still low. It is essential to explore accurate biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis along with therapeutic procedures to increase the survival rate of these patients. Anticancer therapies can contribute to induce apoptosis for the elimination of cancerous cells. However, dysregulated apoptosis and proliferation signaling pathways lead to treatment resistance, a significant challenge in improving efficient therapies. MiRNAs, short non-coding RNAs, play crucial roles in the progression of HCC, which regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional inhibition and targeting mRNA degradation in cancers. Dysregulated expression of multiple miRNAs is associated with numerous biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and drug resistance in HCC. This review summarizes the role and potential efficacy of miRNAs in promoting and inhibiting cell proliferation and apoptosis in HCC, as well as the role of miRNAs in therapy resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Hajizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farnaz Hajizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sevil Ghaffarei
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Khadijeh Hajizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyyed Mohammad Yaghoubi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | - Pegah Mousavi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Xiong HJ, Yu HQ, Zhang J, Fang L, Wu D, Lin XT, Xie CM. Elevated FBXL6 activates both wild-type KRAS and mutant KRAS G12D and drives HCC tumorigenesis via the ERK/mTOR/PRELID2/ROS axis in mice. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:68. [PMID: 38124228 PMCID: PMC10731709 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00501-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) and mutant KRASG12D have been implicated in human cancers, but it remains unclear whether their activation requires ubiquitination. This study aimed to investigate whether and how F-box and leucine-rich repeat 6 (FBXL6) regulates KRAS and KRASG12D activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We constructed transgenic mouse strains LC (LSL-Fbxl6KI/+;Alb-Cre, n = 13), KC (LSL-KrasG12D/+;Alb-Cre, n = 10) and KLC (LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Fbxl6KI/+;Alb-Cre, n = 12) mice, and then monitored HCC for 320 d. Multiomics approaches and pharmacological inhibitors were used to determine oncogenic signaling in the context of elevated FBXL6 and KRAS activation. Co‑immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), Western blotting, ubiquitination assay and RAS activity detection assay were employed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism by which FBXL6 activates KRAS. The pathological relevance of the FBXL6/KRAS/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/proteins of relevant evolutionary and lymphoid interest domain 2 (PRELID2) axis was evaluated in 129 paired samples from HCC patients. RESULTS FBXL6 is highly expressed in HCC as well as other human cancers (P < 0.001). Interestingly, FBXL6 drives HCC in transgenic mice. Mechanistically, elevated FBXL6 promotes the polyubiquitination of both wild-type KRAS and KRASG12D at lysine 128, leading to the activation of both KRAS and KRASG12D and promoting their binding to the serine/threonine-protein kinase RAF, which is followed by the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/ERK/mTOR signaling. The oncogenic activity of the MEK/ERK/mTOR axis relies on PRELID2, which induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, hepatic FBXL6 upregulation facilitates KRASG12D to induce more severe hepatocarcinogenesis and lung metastasis via the MEK/ERK/mTOR/PRELID2/ROS axis. Dual inhibition of MEK and mTOR effectively suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in this subtype of cancer in vivo. In clinical samples, FBXL6 expression positively correlates with p-ERK (χ2 = 85.067, P < 0.001), p-mTOR (χ2 = 66.919, P < 0.001) and PRELID2 (χ2 = 20.891, P < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analyses suggested that HCC patients with high FBXL6/p-ERK levels predicted worse overall survival (log‑rank P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS FBXL6 activates KRAS or KRASG12D via ubiquitination at the site K128, leading to activation of the ERK/mTOR/PRELID2/ROS axis and tumorigenesis. Dual inhibition of MEK and mTOR effectively protects against FBXL6- and KRASG12D-induced tumorigenesis, providing a potential therapeutic strategy to treat this aggressive subtype of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Jun Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hong-Qiang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lei Fang
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Di Wu
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiao-Tong Lin
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Chuan-Ming Xie
- Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Shen L, Zhang C, Cui K, Liang X, Zhu G, Hong L. Fer-mediated activation of the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway drives the proliferation, migration, and invasion of endometrial carcinoma cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2023:10.1007/s11010-023-04890-1. [PMID: 38017327 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04890-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of Feline sarcoma-related protein (Fer) in various cancers has been extensively studied, but its specific involvement and underlying mechanisms in the progression of endometrial carcinoma (EC) are yet to be fully understood. METHODS The expression levels of Fer were assessed in EC tissues and cell lines using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. CCK-8 assay, Edu staining, transwell assays, and flow cytometry, were conducted to evaluate the impact of Fer on EC cells. Furthermore, a mice xenograft model and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were utilized for in vivo analysis. The levels of Ras, pMek1/2, and pErk1/2 were determined by western blot assay. Ras-MAPK signaling pathway inhibitor was utilized to study the regulatory role of Fer on EC cells. RESULTS Our findings revealed that Fer exhibited upregulation in both EC tissues and cell lines, concomitant with the activation of the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway. Silencing of Fer resulted in the suppression of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and Ras-MAPK signaling pathway, while promoted hypoxia-induced apoptosis in RL95-2 and KLE cells. Fer overexpression stimulated cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and Ras-MAPK signaling pathway in Ishikawa and AN3-CA cells, which were reversed after treatment with either Ras or MAPK inhibitor. Moreover, silencing of Fer suppressed tumor growth and downregulated the expression of Ki-67, Ras, pMek1/2, and pErk1/2, but had no significant effect on Mek1/2 and Erk1/2, while upregulated caspase-3 expression in vivo. CONCLUSION In summary, the upregulation of Fer in EC cells resulted in the enhancement of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through the activation of the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifan Shen
- Department of Gynecology, Surgery Building, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), 19Th Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570000, China
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Central Lab, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), Haikou, China
| | - Kaiying Cui
- Department of Gynecology, Surgery Building, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), 19Th Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570000, China
| | - Xin Liang
- Department of Gynecology, Surgery Building, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), 19Th Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570000, China
| | - Genhai Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Surgery Building, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), 19Th Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570000, China
| | - Lan Hong
- Department of Gynecology, Surgery Building, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), 19Th Xiuhua Road, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570000, China.
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Wang L, Wang J, Ma X, Ju G, Shi C, Wang W, Wu J. USP35 promotes HCC development by stabilizing ABHD17C and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:421. [PMID: 37993419 PMCID: PMC10665393 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01714-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
S-palmitoylation is a reversible protein lipidation that controls the subcellular localization and function of targeted proteins, including oncogenes such as N-RAS. The depalmitoylation enzyme family ABHD17s can remove the S-palmitoylation from N-RAS to facilitate cancer development. We previously showed that ABHD17C has oncogenic roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and its mRNA stability is controlled by miR-145-5p. However, it is still unclear whether ABHD17C is regulated at the post-translational level. In the present study, we identified multiple ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) that can stabilize ABHD17C by inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation. Among them, USP35 is the most potent stabilizer of ABHD17C. We found a positive correlation between the elevated expression levels of USP35 and ABHD17C, together with their association with increased PI3K/AKT pathway activity in HCCs. USP35 knockdown caused decreased ABHD17C protein level, impaired PI3K/AKT pathway, reduced proliferation, cell cycle arrest, increased apoptosis, and mitigated migration and invasion. USP35 can interact with and stabilize ABHD17C by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Overexpression of ABHD17C can rescue the defects caused by USP35 knockdown in HCC cells. In support of these in vitro observations, xenograft assay data also showed that USP35 deficiency repressed HCC development in vivo, characterized by reduced proliferation and disrupted PI3K/AKT signaling. Together, these findings demonstrate that USP35 may promote HCC development by stabilization of ABHD17C and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linpei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Ma
- Department of Health Medicine, The 910th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Guomin Ju
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chunfeng Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 362000, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China.
| | - Jian Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Rajpurohit S, Musunuri B, Basthi Mohan P, Bhat G, Shetty S. Role of granulocyte colony stimulating factor in the treatment of cirrhosis of liver: a systematic review. J Int Med Res 2023; 51:3000605231207064. [PMID: 37946367 PMCID: PMC10637184 DOI: 10.1177/03000605231207064] [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: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We performed a systematic review to analyze the benefits of and risk factors associated with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials and case-control studies that compared the use of GCSF with another treatment or control group. The Jadad and Newcastle-Ottawa scales were used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. The primary outcome studied was mortality; and the secondary outcomes were the disease severity score, liver transplantation criteria, complications, CD34+ cell count, adverse events, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). PROSPERO registration number CRD42023416014. RESULTS The initial search yielded 2,235 studies, of which seven studies of 670 patients with liver cirrhosis were included. Multiple cycles of GCSF significantly improved the survival rate, disease severity score, CD34+ cell count, and HRQOL; and significantly reduced the incidences of liver transplantation, ascites, infection, and hepatic encephalopathy. Fatigue and backache were the most commonly reported adverse events. CONCLUSION GCSF significantly improves the survival rate and disease severity scores, and reduces the incidence of complications in patients with liver cirrhosis. The administration of GCSF is likely to be effective in patients awaiting liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddheesh Rajpurohit
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Balaji Musunuri
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Pooja Basthi Mohan
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ganesh Bhat
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shiran Shetty
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Ouyang JY, Lin WJ, Dong JM, Yang Y, Yang HK, Zhou ZL, Wang RQ. Exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Wuzhuyu decoction on hepatocellular carcinoma using network pharmacology. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:6327-6343. [PMID: 37900230 PMCID: PMC10601014 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i27.6327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wuzhuyu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicinal formula, is effective in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIM To explore the potential mechanism of action of Wuzhuyu decoction against HCC. METHODS The active components of each Chinese herbal medicinal ingredient in Wuzhuyu decoction and their targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform. HCC was used as a search query in GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Malacards, DisGeNET, Therapeutic Target Database, and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. The overlapping targets of the Wuzhuyu decoction and HCC were defined, and then protein-protein interaction, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed. CytoHubba was used to select hub genes, and their binding activities and key active components were verified using molecular docking. RESULTS A total of 764 compounds, 77 active compounds, and 204 potential target genes were identified in Wuzhuyu decoction. For HCC, 9468 potential therapeutic target genes were identified by combining the results from the six databases and removing duplicates. A total of 179 overlapping targets of Wuzhuyu decoction and HCC were defined, including 10 hub genes (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, AKT1, TP53, caspase-3, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, MYC, mitogen-activated protein kinase 8, and JUN). There were six main active components (quercetin, kaempferol, ginsenoside Rh2, rutaecarpine, β-carotene, and β-sitosterol) that may act on hub genes to treat HCC in Wuzhuyu decoction. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis mainly involved the mitogen-activated protein kinase, p53, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase-Akt, Janus kinase-signal transducer of activators of transcription, and Hippo signaling pathways. Further verification based on molecular docking results showed that the small molecule compounds (quercetin, kaempferol, ginsenoside Rh2, rutaecarpine, β-carotene, and β-sitosterol) contained in Wuzhuyu decoction generally have excellent binding affinity to the macromolecular target proteins encoded by the top 10 genes. CONCLUSION This study revealed that Wuzhuyu decoction may be a latent multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway treatment for HCC. It provided novel insights for verifying the mechanism of Wuzhuyu decoction in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ying Ouyang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei-Jie Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jia-Mei Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hai-Kui Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Rui-Qi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong Province, China
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Liu T, Li Y, Wang L, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Gai X, Chen L, Liu L, Yang L, Wang B. Network pharmacology-based exploration identified the antiviral efficacy of Quercetin isolated from mulberry leaves against enterovirus 71 via the NF-κB signaling pathway. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1260288. [PMID: 37795035 PMCID: PMC10546324 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1260288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Mulberry leaf (ML) is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, historically documented in "Shen Nong's Materia Medica". This study aimed to investigate the effects of ML on enterovirus 71 (EV71) using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments. Methods: We successfully pinpointed shared targets between mulberry leaves (ML) and the EV71 virus by leveraging online databases. Our investigation delved into the interaction among these identified targets, leading to the identification of pivotal components within ML that possess potent anti-EV71 properties. The ability of these components to bind to the targets was verified by molecular docking. Moreover, bioinformatics predictions were used to identify the signaling pathways involved. Finally, the mechanism behind its anti-EV71 action was confirmed through in vitro experiments. Results: Our investigation uncovered 25 active components in ML that targeted 231 specific genes. Of these genes, 29 correlated with the targets of EV71. Quercetin, a major ingredient in ML, was associated with 25 of these genes. According to the molecular docking results, Quercetin has a high binding affinity to the targets of ML and EV71. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, the antiviral effect of Quercetin against EV71 was found to be closely related to the NF-κB signaling pathway. The results of immunofluorescence and Western blotting showed that Quercetin significantly reduced the expression levels of VP1, TNF-α, and IL-1β in EV71-infected human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. The phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 was reduced, and the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway was suppressed by Quercetin. Furthermore, our results showed that Quercetin downregulated the expression of JNK, ERK, and p38 and their phosphorylation levels due to EV71 infection. Conclusion: With these findings in mind, we can conclude that inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway is a critical mechanism through which Quercetin exerts its anti-EV71 effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianrun Liu
- School of Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Yingyu Li
- School of Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Lumeng Wang
- School of Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | | | - Yuxuan Zhang
- School of Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Xuejie Gai
- The Affiliated First Hospital, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Li Chen
- School of Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Lei Liu
- School of Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
| | - Limin Yang
- School of Medicine, Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Baixin Wang
- School of Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
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Qiu M, Lin Q, Liu Y, Chen P, Zhou Y, Jiang Y, Zhou Z, Wen Q, Zhou X, Liang X, Gan H, Yu H. Potentially functional genetic variants in RPS6KA4 and MAP2K5 in the MAPK signaling pathway predict HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma survival. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:1378-1387. [PMID: 37278562 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the third leading cause of cancer deaths with a dismal 5-year survival rate. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is abnormally activated in HCC to promote growth and aggressive metastatic potential of cancer cells. Therefore, genetic variants in the MAPK signaling pathway may serve as potential predictors of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC survival. In the present study, we performed a two-stage survival analysis to evaluate the associations between 10,912 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 79 MAPK signaling pathway genes and the overall survival (OS) of 866 HBV-related HCC patients, followed by functional annotation. In combined datasets, we identified two novel and potential functional SNPs (RPS6KA4 rs600377 T>G and MAP2K5 rs17300363 A>C) as prognostic factors for HBV-related HCC, with adjusted allelic hazards ratios of 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.46, p = 0.010) and 1.48 (1.15-1.91, p = 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, their combined risk genotypes also predicted a poor survival in a dose-response manner in the combined data set (Ptrend < 0.001). Additional functional analysis showed that RPS6KA4 rs600377 G and MAP2K5 rs17300363 C alleles were associated with elevated mRNA expression levels of the corresponding genes in normal tissues. These results provide new insights into the role of genetic variants in the MAPK signaling pathway genes in HBV-related HCC survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moqin Qiu
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Qiuling Lin
- Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yingchun Liu
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Peiqin Chen
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhou
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yanji Jiang
- Department of Research Service, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Zihan Zhou
- Department of Tumor Prevention and Control, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Qiuping Wen
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xianguo Zhou
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xiumei Liang
- Department of Disease Process Management, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Haijie Gan
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Hongping Yu
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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23
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He J, Zhang X, Chen X, Xu Z, Chen X, Xu J. Shared Genes and Molecular Mechanisms between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Established by WGCNA Analysis. Glob Med Genet 2023; 10:144-158. [PMID: 37501756 PMCID: PMC10370469 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of death from cancer worldwide. The histopathological features, risk factors, and prognosis of HCC caused by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) appear to be significantly different from those of HCC caused by other etiologies of liver disease. Objective This article explores the shared gene and molecular mechanism between NAFLD and HCC through bioinformatics technologies such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), so as to provide a reference for comprehensive understanding and treatment of HCC caused by NAFLD. Methods NAFLD complementary deoxyribonucleic acid microarrays (GSE185051) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and HCC ribonucleic acid (RNA)-sequencing data (RNA-seq data) from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NAFLD and HCC. Then, the clinical traits and DEGs in the two disease data sets were analyzed by WGCNA to obtain W-DEGs, and cross-W-DEGs were obtained by their intersection. We performed subsequent Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analyses of the cross-W-DEGs and established protein-protein interaction networks. Then, we identified the hub genes in them by Cytoscape and screened out the final candidate genes. Finally, we validated candidate genes by gene expression, survival, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results The GO analysis of 79 cross-W-DEGs showed they were related mainly to RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) and its upstream transcription factors. KEGG analysis revealed that they were enriched predominantly in inflammation-related pathways (tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-17). Four candidate genes (JUNB, DUSP1, NR4A1, and FOSB) were finally screened out from the cross-W-DEGs. Conclusion JUNB, DUSP1, NR4A1, and FOSB inhibit NAFLD and HCC development and progression. Thus, they can serve as potential useful biomarkers for predicting and treating NAFLD progression to HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan He
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (ZHONG JING) School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhang
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongyao Xu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqi Chen
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangyan Xu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (ZHONG JING) School, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
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24
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Wang Y, Deng B. Hepatocellular carcinoma: molecular mechanism, targeted therapy, and biomarkers. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:629-652. [PMID: 36729264 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10084-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. The biological process of HCC is complex, with multiple factors leading to the broken of the balance of inactivation and activation of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, the abnormal activation of molecular signaling pathways, the differentiation of HCC cells, and the regulation of angiogenesis. Due to the insidious onset of HCC, at the time of first diagnosis, less than 30% of HCC patients are candidates for radical treatment. Systematic antitumor therapy is the hope for the treatment of patients with middle-advanced HCC. Despite the emergence of new systemic therapies, survival rates for advanced HCC patients remain low. The complex pathogenesis of HCC has inspired researchers to explore a variety of biomolecular targeted therapeutics targeting specific targets. Correct understanding of the molecular mechanism of HCC occurrence is key to seeking effective targeted therapy. Research on biomarkers for HCC treatment is also advancing. Here, we explore the molecular mechanism that are associated with HCC development, summarize targeted therapies for HCC, and discuss potential biomarkers that may drive therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Baocheng Deng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
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Xiong Z, Chan SL, Zhou J, Vong JSL, Kwong TT, Zeng X, Wu H, Cao J, Tu Y, Feng Y, Yang W, Wong PPC, Si-Tou WWY, Liu X, Wang J, Tang W, Liang Z, Lu J, Li KM, Low JT, Chan MWY, Leung HHW, Chan AWH, To KF, Yip KYL, Lo YMD, Sung JJY, Cheng ASL. Targeting PPAR-gamma counteracts tumour adaptation to immune-checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut 2023; 72:1758-1773. [PMID: 37019619 PMCID: PMC10423534 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-328364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Therapy-induced tumour microenvironment (TME) remodelling poses a major hurdle for cancer cure. As the majority of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits primary or acquired resistance to antiprogrammed cell death (ligand)-1 (anti-PD-[L]1) therapies, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying tumour adaptation to immune-checkpoint targeting. DESIGN Two immunotherapy-resistant HCC models were generated by serial orthotopic implantation of HCC cells through anti-PD-L1-treated syngeneic, immunocompetent mice and interrogated by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), genomic and immune profiling. Key signalling pathway was investigated by lentiviral-mediated knockdown and pharmacological inhibition, and further verified by scRNA-seq analysis of HCC tumour biopsies from a phase II trial of pembrolizumab (NCT03419481). RESULTS Anti-PD-L1-resistant tumours grew >10-fold larger than parental tumours in immunocompetent but not immunocompromised mice without overt genetic changes, which were accompanied by intratumoral accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), cytotoxic to exhausted CD8+ T cell conversion and exclusion. Mechanistically, tumour cell-intrinsic upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) transcriptionally activated vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) production to drive MDSC expansion and CD8+ T cell dysfunction. A selective PPARγ antagonist triggered an immune suppressive-to-stimulatory TME conversion and resensitised tumours to anti-PD-L1 therapy in orthotopic and spontaneous HCC models. Importantly, 40% (6/15) of patients with HCC resistant to pembrolizumab exhibited tumorous PPARγ induction. Moreover, higher baseline PPARγ expression was associated with poorer survival of anti-PD-(L)1-treated patients in multiple cancer types. CONCLUSION We uncover an adaptive transcriptional programme by which tumour cells evade immune-checkpoint targeting via PPARγ/VEGF-A-mediated TME immunosuppression, thus providing a strategy for counteracting immunotherapeutic resistance in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhewen Xiong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stephen Lam Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jingying Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joaquim S L Vong
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tsz Tung Kwong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xuezhen Zeng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Haoran Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianquan Cao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yalin Tu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Feng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Weiqin Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Patrick Pak-Chun Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Willis Wai-Yiu Si-Tou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenshu Tang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhixian Liang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jiahuan Lu
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka Man Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jie-Ting Low
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Michael Wing-Yan Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Min-Hsiung, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Howard H W Leung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anthony W H Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-Fai To
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kevin Yuk-Lap Yip
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuk Ming Dennis Lo
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joseph Jao-Yiu Sung
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alfred Sze-Lok Cheng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Wu X, Jin B, Liu X, Mao Y, Wan X, Du S. An immune-related biomarker index for predicting the effectiveness of immunotherapy and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:10319-10333. [PMID: 37273105 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04899-5] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Currently, there are no recognized biomarkers for predicting the immunotherapy response and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to establish an immune-related gene prognostic index (IRGPI) for HCC, and to investigate the clinical, immune, molecular, and microenvironmental characteristics of the IRGPI subgroups, as well as their impact on the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) therapy and patients' prognosis. METHODS We analyzed the LIHC dataset (n = 424) from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the GSE10140 dataset (n = 84) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and univariate/multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify immune-related hub genes with prognostic significance. Subsequently, The IRGPI was then established with these special genes obtained, and the molecular, immune, and clinicopathological characteristics of the IRGPI subgroups, along with their predictive role in ICIs treatment and HCC prognosis, were investigated. RESULTS The IRGPI was composed of nine genes, namely CHGA, GAL, CCR3, MMP7, STC1, UCN, OXT, SOCS2, and GCG. The IRGPI-high group exhibited a worse prognosis in both the TCGA and GEO databases compared to the IRGPI-low group. The IRGPI-high group was primarily associated with adaptive immune response and cell-cell interaction pathways and exhibited a higher frequency of gene mutations (such as TP53 and CTNNB1), higher expression of PD-L1 and CTLA4, a higher proportion of macrophages M0 and follicular helper T cells, and a higher APC_co_inhibition and T_cell_co-inhibition immune score. Furthermore, the IRGPI-high group was associated with worse immune subtypes, clinicopathological characteristics, immunotherapy response, and clinical prognosis. CONCLUSION IRGPI is a biomarker with significant potential for predicting the immunotherapy response and prognosis of HCC patients, and is closely related to the immunosuppressive microenvironment and poorer clinicopathological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang'an Wu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Bao Jin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiao Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xueshuai Wan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Shunda Du
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Dongcheng, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Abou Zeid AA, El-Sayed ET, Ahdy JK, Tawfik MR. Ras Association Domain Family 1A Gene Promoter Methylation as a Biomarker for Chronic Viral Hepatitis C-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cureus 2023; 15:e45687. [PMID: 37868533 PMCID: PMC10590080 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One of the most prevalent aberrant epigenetic modifications found in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is abnormal DNA methylation. Our study aimed to evaluate serum Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) gene promoter methylation in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C (HCV)-associated liver cirrhosis with and without HCC as a potential new marker for the early detection of HCC. Methodology The 60 participants who participated in the trial were divided into the following three groups: 20 patients with newly diagnosed primary HCC on top of HCV-related liver cirrhosis, 20 patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis, and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals as a control group. All participants underwent methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction testing to detect the blood level of the RASSF1A gene's methylated promoter. Results Methylated RASSF1A was found in 30% of patients with liver cirrhosis caused by HCV and in 65% of patients with HCC, but not in any of the controls. It was discovered that the serum methylation RASSF1A had an accuracy of 82.50% and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.825 for separating HCC patients from healthy controls. With an AUC of 0.675 and an accuracy of 67.50%, it was able to differentiate patients with HCC from those with HCV-related liver cirrhosis. Additionally, there was no statistically significant association between RASSF1A methylation status and HCC mass size (p = 0.449). Conclusions Serum RASSF1A promoter methylation status detection could be useful for detecting HCC early, especially in high-risk individuals such as those with HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abla A Abou Zeid
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EGY
| | - Eman T El-Sayed
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EGY
| | - Jylan K Ahdy
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Al Ramel Pediatric Hospital, Ministry of Health, Alexandria, EGY
| | - Marwa R Tawfik
- Hepatobiliary Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EGY
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Zhang X, Liu Y, Yang R, Guo Y, Yan M, Xiao Y, Dong Y, Zhang R, Qin Y, Bu Y, Zhang Y, Gao H. Phosphorylation of RasGRP1 by Shc3 prevents RasGRP1 degradation and contributes to Ras/c-Jun activation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cell Biochem 2023:10.1007/s11010-023-04839-4. [PMID: 37646951 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein 1 (RasGRP1), a Ras activator, is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other kinds of cancer and is associated with the poor prognosis of patients. However, little is known about the underlying regulatory mechanisms of RasGRP1 in the context of cancer. Here, we report that RasGRP1 physically interacted with the adaptor protein Src homolog and collagen homolog 3 (Shc3). Moreover, RasGRP1 C-terminus domain (aa 607-797) bound to the central collagen-homology 1 (CH1) domain of Shc3. Subsequently, Shc3 enhanced the RasGRP1 tyrosine phosphorylation rate and stability by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Notably, the phosphorylation-mimicking mutants of RasGRP1, RasGRP1 Y704A, and Y748A, rescued the phosphorylation and ubiquitination levels of RasGRP1 in HCC cells. Further investigation showed that the RasGRP1 and Shc3 interaction induced activation of Ras and c-Jun, resulting in cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, the regulation of Shc3/RasGRP1/Ras/c-Jun signal transduction was confirmed in vivo using the subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. Thus, we propose that continuous Shc3 overexpression may be a possible mechanism for maintaining RasGRP1 stability and that persistent activation of Ras/c-Jun signaling through the interaction of RasGRP1 and Shc3 is a key event increasing cell proliferation. Our findings suggest that the interaction of RasGRP1 and Shc3 plays an important role in HCC tumorigenesis and suggests the potential clinical usage of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Department of Pediatric Oncology, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Emergency Medicine, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yuanyuan Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Meiling Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yunzhuo Dong
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Ruixia Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yinpeng Qin
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yishan Bu
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Huier Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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Domènech Omella J, Cortesi EE, Verbinnen I, Remmerie M, Wu H, Cubero FJ, Roskams T, Janssens V. A Novel Mouse Model of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma Induced by Diethylnitrosamine and Loss of Ppp2r5d. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4193. [PMID: 37627221 PMCID: PMC10453342 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary liver cancer (PLC) can be classified in hepatocellular (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA). The molecular mechanisms involved in PLC development and phenotype decision are still not well understood. Complete deletion of Ppp2r5d, encoding the B56δ subunit of Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A), results in spontaneous HCC development in mice via a c-MYC-dependent mechanism. In the present study, we aimed to examine the role of Ppp2r5d in an independent mouse model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Ppp2r5d deletion (heterozygous and homozygous) accelerated HCC development, corroborating its tumor-suppressive function in liver and suggesting Ppp2r5d may be haploinsufficient. Ppp2r5d-deficient HCCs stained positively for c-MYC, consistent with increased AKT activation in pre-malignant and tumor tissues of Ppp2r5d-deficient mice. We also found increased YAP activation in Ppp2r5d-deficient tumors. Remarkably, in older mice, Ppp2r5d deletion resulted in cHCC-CCA development in this model, with the CCA component showing increased expression of progenitor markers (SOX9 and EpCAM). Finally, we observed an upregulation of Ppp2r5d in tumors from wildtype and heterozygous mice, revealing a tumor-specific control mechanism of Ppp2r5d expression, and suggestive of the involvement of Ppp2r5d in a negative feedback regulation restricting tumor growth. Our study highlights the tumor-suppressive role of mouse PP2A-B56δ in both HCC and cHCC-CCA, which may have important implications for human PLC development and targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Domènech Omella
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Emanuela E. Cortesi
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (E.E.C.); (T.R.)
| | - Iris Verbinnen
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Michiel Remmerie
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
| | - Hanghang Wu
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (H.W.); (F.J.C.)
| | - Francisco J. Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (H.W.); (F.J.C.)
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), 28007 Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research, Network on Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tania Roskams
- Translational Cell & Tissue Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (E.E.C.); (T.R.)
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Janssens
- Laboratory of Protein Phosphorylation & Proteomics, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (J.D.O.); (I.V.); (M.R.)
- KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Zhang Z, Mao M, Wang F, Zhang Y, Shi J, Chang L, Wu X, Zhang Z, Xu P, Lu S. Comprehensive analysis and immune landscape of chemokines- and chemokine receptors-based signature in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1164669. [PMID: 37545521 PMCID: PMC10399597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1164669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite encouraging results from immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the prognosis remains poor. Chemokines and their receptors are an essential component in the development of HCC, but their significance in HCC have not yet been fully elucidated. We aimed to establish chemokine-related prognostic signature and investigate the association between the genes and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Methods 342 HCC patients have screened from the TCGA cohort. A prognostic signature was developed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox proportional risk regression analysis. External validation was performed using the LIHC-JP cohort deployed from the ICGC database. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the GEO database. Two nomograms were developed to estimate the outcome of HCC patients. RT-qPCR was used to validate the differences in the expression of genes contained in the signature. Results The prognostic signature containing two chemokines-(CCL14, CCL20) and one chemokine receptor-(CCR3) was successfully established. The HCC patients were stratified into high- and low-risk groups according to their median risk scores. We found that patients in the low-risk group had better outcomes than those in the high-risk group. The results of univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses suggested that this prognostic signature could be considered an independent risk factor for the outcome of HCC patients. We discovered significant differences in the infiltration of various immune cell subtypes, tumor mutation burden, biological pathways, the expression of immune activation or suppression genes, and the sensitivity of different groups to chemotherapy agents and small molecule-targeted drugs in the high- and low-risk groups. Subsequently, single-cell analysis results showed that the higher expression of CCL20 was associated with HCC metastasis. The RT-qPCR results demonstrated remarkable discrepancies in the expression of CCL14, CCL20, and CCR3 between HCC and its paired adjacent non-tumor tissues. Conclusion In this study, a novel prognostic biomarker explored in depth the association between the prognostic model and TIME was developed and verified. These results may be applied in the future to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy or targeted therapy for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Mingsong Mao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Fangzhou Wang
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Jihang Shi
- Medical School of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Wu
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhenpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Research Unit of Proteomics and Research and Development of New Drug of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Proteome Research Center, Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Shichun Lu
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Beijing, China
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Zhang Q, Liu J, Lin H, Lin B, Zhu M, Li M. Glucose metabolism reprogramming promotes immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2023; 4:519-536. [PMID: 37455832 PMCID: PMC10344893 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex process that plays an important role in its progression. Abnormal glucose metabolism in HCC cells can meet the nutrients required for the occurrence and development of liver cancer, better adapt to changes in the surrounding microenvironment, and escape the attack of the immune system on the tumor. There is a close relationship between reprogramming of glucose metabolism and immune escape. This article reviews the current status and progress of glucose metabolism reprogramming in promoting immune escape in liver cancer, aiming to provide new strategies for clinical immunotherapy of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Zhang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Jinchen Liu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Haifeng Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 570216, Hainan Province, China
| | - Bo Lin
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Mingyue Zhu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
| | - Mengsen Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 571199, Hainan Province, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 570216, Hainan Province, China
- Institution of Tumor, Hainan Medical College, Haikou 570102, Hainan Province, China
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Chen L, Li Y, Chen Y. KLHL7 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression and molecular therapy resistance by degrading RASA2. iScience 2023; 26:106914. [PMID: 37378318 PMCID: PMC10291331 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106914] [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: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis, and patients often seem to be refractory to the use of therapeutic drugs. In this study, we found that the KLHL7 expression was upregulated in HCC that was associated with poor patient prognosis. KLHL7 has been found to promote HCC development in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Mechanistically, RASA2, a RAS GAP, was identified as a substrate of KLHL7. Upregulation of KLHL7 by growth factors promotes K48-linked polyubiquitination of RASA2 for degradation via the proteasomal pathway. Our in vivo experiments revealed that inhibition of KLHL7 in combination with lenvatinib treatment resulted in efficient killing of HCC cells. Together, these findings demonstrate a role for KLHL7 in HCC and reveal a mechanism by which growth factors regulate the RAS-MAPK pathway. It represents a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Yongheng Chen
- Department of Oncology, NHC Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics, State Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Anticancer Drugs, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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Wu C, Liu D, Zhang L, Wang J, Ding Y, Sun Z, Wang W. 5'-tiRNA-Gln inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression by repressing translation through the interaction with eukaryotic initiation factor 4A-I. Front Med 2023; 17:476-492. [PMID: 36973570 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-022-0966-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are novel non-coding RNAs that are involved in the occurrence and progression of diverse diseases. However, their exact presence and function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Here, differentially expressed tsRNAs in HCC were profiled. A novel tsRNA, tRNAGln-TTG derived 5'-tiRNA-Gln, is significantly downregulated, and its expression level is correlated with progression in patients. In HCC cells, 5'-tiRNA-Gln overexpression impaired the proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo, while 5'-tiRNA-Gln knockdown yielded opposite results. 5'-tiRNA-Gln exerted its function by binding eukaryotic initiation factor 4A-I (EIF4A1), which unwinds complex RNA secondary structures during translation initiation, causing the partial inhibition of translation. The suppressed downregulated proteins include ARAF, MEK1/2 and STAT3, causing the impaired signaling pathway related to HCC progression. Furthermore, based on the construction of a mutant 5'-tiRNA-Gln, the sequence of forming intramolecular G-quadruplex structure is crucial for 5'-tiRNA-Gln to strongly bind EIF4A1 and repress translation. Clinically, 5'-tiRNA-Gln expression level is negatively correlated with ARAF, MEK1/2, and STAT3 in HCC tissues. Collectively, these findings reveal that 5'-tiRJNA-Gln interacts with EIF4A1 to reduce related mRNA binding through the intramolecular G-quadruplex structure, and this process partially inhibits translation and HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengdong Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Dekai Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Lufei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Jingjie Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yuan Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Zhongquan Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Research Center of Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Clinical Research Center of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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Liu J, Qu J, Xu L, Qiao C, Shao G, Liu X, He H, Zhang J. Prediction of liver cancer prognosis based on immune cell marker genes. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147797. [PMID: 37180166 PMCID: PMC10174299 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Monitoring the response after treatment of liver cancer and timely adjusting the treatment strategy are crucial to improve the survival rate of liver cancer. At present, the clinical monitoring of liver cancer after treatment is mainly based on serum markers and imaging. Morphological evaluation has limitations, such as the inability to measure small tumors and the poor repeatability of measurement, which is not applicable to cancer evaluation after immunotherapy or targeted treatment. The determination of serum markers is greatly affected by the environment and cannot accurately evaluate the prognosis. With the development of single cell sequencing technology, a large number of immune cell-specific genes have been identified. Immune cells and microenvironment play an important role in the process of prognosis. We speculate that the expression changes of immune cell-specific genes can indicate the process of prognosis. Method Therefore, this paper first screened out the immune cell-specific genes related to liver cancer, and then built a deep learning model based on the expression of these genes to predict metastasis and the survival time of liver cancer patients. We verified and compared the model on the data set of 372 patients with liver cancer. Result The experiments found that our model is significantly superior to other methods, and can accurately identify whether liver cancer patients have metastasis and predict the survival time of liver cancer patients according to the expression of immune cell-specific genes. Discussion We found these immune cell-specific genes participant multiple cancer-related pathways. We fully explored the function of these genes, which would support the development of immunotherapy for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Liu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Junjie Qu
- Interventional Medicine Center, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Lingling Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chen Qiao
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Guiwen Shao
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hui He
- Department of Laparoscopic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Interventional Therapy, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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Lin Q, Qiu M, Wei X, Xiang Z, Zhou Z, Ji I, Liang X, Zhou X, Wen Q, Liu Y, Yu H. Genetic variants of SOS2, MAP2K1 and RASGRF2 in the RAS pathway genes predict survival of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:1599-1611. [PMID: 37029817 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03469-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
The RAS pathway participates in the cascade of proliferation and cell division process, and the activated RAS pathway can lead to tumorigenesis including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, few studies have explored the effects of genetic variants in the RAS pathway-related genes on the survival of patients with HBV-related HCC. In the present study, we assessed the associations between 11,658 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 62 RAS pathway genes and the overall survival (OS) of 866 HBV-related HCC individuals, which were randomly split (1:1) into discovery and validation datasets. As a result, three potentially functional SNPs were identified, based on multivariable cox proportional hazards regression analyses, in SOS Ras/Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2 (SOS2, rs4632055 A > G), Ras protein-specific guanine nucleotide releasing factor 2 (RASGRF2, rs26418A > G) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAP2K1,rs57120695 C > T), which were significantly and independently associated with OS of HBV-related HCC patients [adjusted hazards ratios (HRs) of 1.42, 1.32 and 1.50, respectively; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.14 to 1.76, 1.15 to 1.53 and 1.15 to 1.97, respectively; P = 0.001, < 0.001 and 0.003, respectively]. Additionally, the joint effects as the unfavorable genotypes of these three SNPs showed a significant association with the poor survival of HCC (trend test P < 0.001). The expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis further revealed that the rs4632055 G allele and the rs26418 A allele were associated with lower mRNA expression levels of SOS2 and RASGRF2, respectively. Collectively, these potentially functional SNPs of RASGRF2, SOS2 and M2PAK1 may become potential prognostic biomarkers for HBV-related HCC after hepatectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuling Lin
- Department of Clinical Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Moqin Qiu
- Department of Respiratory Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xueyan Wei
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhouyun Xiang
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Zihan Zhou
- Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Iiangyan Ji
- Department of Scientific Research Dept, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xiumei Liang
- Department of Disease Process Management, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xianguo Zhou
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Qiuping Wen
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yingchun Liu
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
- Key Cultivated Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Medicine, Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
| | - Hongping Yu
- Department of Experimental Research, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
- Key Cultivated Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Medicine, Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor, Guangxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Nanning, China.
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He XY, Zhu MM, Zheng J, Wang CY, Zhao XK, Zhang BT, Zhou DC, Zhang S, Yang XX, Duan YJ, Han JH, Chen YL. Liver X receptor agonists exert antitumor effects against hepatocellular carcinoma via inducing REPS2 expression. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:635-646. [PMID: 35995867 PMCID: PMC9958117 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-022-00961-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies show that liver X receptor (LXR) agonists exert significant antitumor effects in a variety of tumor cell lines including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). But the molecular mechanisms underlying LXR antitumor activity are not fully understood. In this study we investigated the effect of LXR agonist T0901317 (T317) on HCC development and its relationship with RalA binding protein 1 (RALBP1)-associated EPS domain containing 2 (REPS2)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling axis. We showed that T317 (0.1-0.5 μM) dose-dependently increased REPS2 expression in normal hepatocytes (BNLCL.2 and LO2) and HCC cells (HepG2 and Huh-7). Using promoter activity assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay we demonstrated that T317 enhanced REPS2 expression at the transcriptional level via promoting the binding of LXR protein to the LXR-response element (LXRE) in the REPS2 promoter region. We showed that the inhibitory effect of T317 on the proliferation and migration of HCC cells was closely related to REPS2. Moreover, we revealed that T317 (400 nM) increased expression of REPS2 in HepG2 cells, thus inhibiting epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated endocytosis of EGFR as well as the downstream activation of AKT/NF-κB, p38MAPK, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Clinical data analysis revealed that REPS2 expression levels were inversely correlated with the development of HCC and reduced REPS2 expression associated with poor prognosis, suggesting that REPS2 might be involved in the development of HCC. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of LXR agonist-inhibited HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yu He
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Meng-Meng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Juan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Cheng-Yi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Xiao-Kang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Bao-Tong Zhang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, Southern University of Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Da-Chen Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Ya-Jun Duan
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Ji-Hong Han
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Yuan-Li Chen
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Regulation for Major Diseases of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China.
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Gümüş M, Koca İ, Sert Y, Dişli A, Yenilmez Tunoğlu EN, Tutar L, Tutar Y. Triad pyrazole-thiazole-coumarin heterocyclic core effectively inhibit HSP and drive cancer cells to apoptosis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:14382-14397. [PMID: 36826447 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2181643] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Intensive studies on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is spreading rapidly around the world and has a high mortality rate, is due to the lack of adequate preventive or curative treatment methods. Treating patients with HCC has become very challenging because of the heterogeneity in the patient population lead activation of different signaling pathways, and pathway crosstalk for patients. Therefore, understanding these molecular mechanisms and combining drugs with molecular therapies to overcome these drawbacks has become an area of utmost importance. In this study, the biological activities of the designed and characterized triad Pyrazole-Thiazol-Coumarin (PTC) compounds were determined by performing cell viability, qPCR array, apoptosis and cell cycle assays. One of the compounds (PTC10) implicitly suppresses multiple pathways (RAS/MAP kinase and PI3K-AKT) simultaneously. This action is provided by (i) arresting cancer cells at G2 phase, (ii) driving cancer cells to apoptosis and (iii) inhibiting HSP network. Remarkably, HSP is an apoptotic factor and help cancer cell to survive. HSP90 also coordinates with Cdk4/Cdc37, therefore inhibiting HSP both drives cells to arrest and apoptosis. ATP hydrolysis and aggregation assay further displayed specific HSP inhibition. Therefore, PTC provides a unique drug template for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Gümüş
- Akdağmadeni Health College, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Türkiye
| | - İrfan Koca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Science, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Türkiye
| | - Yusuf Sert
- Sorgun Vocational School, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Türkiye
| | - Ali Dişli
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | | | - Lütfi Tutar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Türkiye
| | - Yusuf Tutar
- Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Molecular Oncology Division, Health Sciences Institutes, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Personalized and Immunotherapy Applied Research Center, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Yao H, Yu S, Luo Y, Wang M, Wang X, Xu S, Chen Y, Xie Z. Effects of plasma-derived exosomes from the normal and thin Bactrian camels on hepatocellular carcinoma and their differences at transcriptome and proteomics levels. Front Oncol 2023; 13:994340. [PMID: 36816960 PMCID: PMC9933125 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.994340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant primary tumor. Bactrian camels have high economic and social values, but their potential medical value has not been studied. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bactrian camel plasma-derived exosomes on HCC. Methods Plasma was obtained from thin and normal Bactrian camels, and used to isolate exosomes by ultracentrifugation. The exosomes were then characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Nano particle tracking analyzer. In vivo imaging of nude mice and hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining of liver tissues were used to explore the effects of the exosomes on tumor growth. Finally, the differences of the two exosomes were further analyzed using small RNA sequencing and proteomics. Results In vivo imaging and HE staining showed that no significant differences were found in fluorescence value and liver tissue morphology between the control mice and the mice treated with the exosomes from thin Bactrian camels; while the fluorescence value and the live histology changes were alleviated in the mice with the exosomes from normal Bactrian camels. After sequencing and proteomic analysis, 40 differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs, 15 down-regulated and 25 up-regulated) and 172 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs, 77 up-regulated and 95 down-regulated) were identified in the plasma-derived exosomes from normal Bactrian camels. These identified DE-miRNAs and DEPs were significantly enriched in many signaling pathways. Conclusions Normal Bactrian camel plasma-derived exosomes may inhibit the growth of HCC cells through regulating pathways of Ras, Ras-Association Proximate 1 (Rap1), phosphoinositide 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and canonical Wnt signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqiang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Siriguleng Yu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China,*Correspondence: Siriguleng Yu,
| | - Yuchen Luo
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Xiuying Wang
- Department of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Siriguleng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Yufei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Zhifeng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology for Animal Diseases, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
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Hsu CH, Weng PW, Chen MY, Yeh CT, Setiawan SA, Yadav VK, Wu ATH, Tzeng DTW, Gong JX, Yang Z, Tzeng YM. Therapeutic targeting of hepatocellular carcinoma cells with antrocinol, a novel, dual-specificity, small-molecule inhibitor of the KRAS and ERK oncogenic signaling pathways. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 370:110329. [PMID: 36565974 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110329] [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: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Until recently, sorafenib has been the only treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Some patients, however, exhibit resistance to this treatment and subsequently experience cancer progression, recurrence, or death. Therefore, identifying a new alternative treatment for patients with little or no response to sorafenib treatment is vital. In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential and underlying molecular mechanism of antrocinol ((3aS,4R,6aS,10aR)-4-(hydroxymethyl)-7,7-dimethyldecahydro-1H-naphtho[1,8a-c]furan-1-one) in patients with HCC. The results indicated that antrocinol was more therapeutically effective than antrocin, Stivarga, and sorafenib against HCC cell lines. Antrocinol also substantially suppressed the expression of KRAS-GTP, p-MEK1/2, p-ERK1/2, and p-AKT in the Huh7 cell line. Additionally, antrocinol-induced apoptosis in the Huh7 cell line, inhibited the formation of tumorspheres, and suppressed the expression of cancer stem cell markers CD133, KLF4, CD44, OCT4, SOX2, and c-Myc. Animal studies revealed that antrocinol alone considerably suppressed tumor growth in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice inoculated with Huh7 tumorspheres. It also synergistically enhanced the anticancer effect of sorafenib, resulting in enhanced suppression of tumor growth (p < 0.001) and tumorsphere formation (p < 0.001). In tumor samples resected from mice treated with antrocinol alone or in combination with sorafenib, immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase in BAX expression and a decrease in ERK and AKT protein expression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the anti-HCC activity of antrocinol. With its higher therapeutic efficacy than that of sorafenib, antrocinol is a candidate drug for patients with HCC who demonstrate little or no response to sorafenib treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hung Hsu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, 11031, Taiwan; Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Wei Weng
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan; Department of Orthopaedics, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yao Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Tai Yeh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan; Continuing Education Program of Food Biotechnology Applications, College of Science and Engineering, National Taitung University, Taitung, 95092, Taiwan
| | - Syahru Agung Setiawan
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Vijesh Kumar Yadav
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, 23561, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Alexander T H Wu
- Ph.D. Program of Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - David T W Tzeng
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Lifebit, London, EC2A 2AP, UK
| | - Jian-Xian Gong
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Laboratory of Chemical Genomics, School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of the Ministry of Education and Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Yew-Min Tzeng
- Department of Applied Science, National Taitung University, Taitung, 95092, Taiwan; Department of Applied Chemistry, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, 41349, Taiwan.
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In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Novel Ciprofloxacin Mannich Base in Lung Adenocarcinoma and High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines via Attenuating MAPK Signaling Pathway. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28031137. [PMID: 36770806 PMCID: PMC9921546 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28031137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel drugs are desperately needed in order to combat a significant challenge due to chemo-therapeutic resistance and bad prognosis. This research aimed to assess the anticancer activity of a newly synthesized ciprofloxacin Mannich base (CMB) on ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3) and lung cancer (A-549) cell lines and to investigate probable involved molecular mechanisms. The cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic impact of CMB on both cell lines was investigated using MTT assay, Annexin V assay, and cell cycle analysis, as well as caspase-3 activation. Western blotting was carried out to evaluate downstream targets of the MAPK pathway, while qRT PCR was used to evaluate the gene expression pattern of the p53/Bax/Bcl2 pathway. CMB treatment showed significantly reduced cell proliferation in both OVCAR-3 and A-549 cells with half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 11.60 and 16.22 µg/mL, respectively. CMB also induced apoptosis, S phase cell cycle arrest, and up-regulated expression of p53, p21, and Bax while down-regulated Bcl2 expression. CMB also halted cell proliferation by deactivating the MAPK pathway. In conclusion, CMB may be regarded as a potential antiproliferative agent for lung and ovarian cancers due to anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic actions via inhibition of the MAPK pathway and p53/Bax/Bcl2.
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Lozano A, Souche FR, Chavey C, Dardalhon V, Ramirez C, Vegna S, Desandre G, Riviere A, Zine El Aabidine A, Fort P, Akkari L, Hibner U, Grégoire D. Ras/MAPK signalling intensity defines subclonal fitness in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma. eLife 2023; 12:76294. [PMID: 36656749 PMCID: PMC9891719 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative differences in signal transduction are to date an understudied feature of tumour heterogeneity. The MAPK Erk pathway, which is activated in a large proportion of human tumours, is a prototypic example of distinct cell fates being driven by signal intensity. We have used primary hepatocyte precursors transformed with different dosages of an oncogenic form of Ras to model subclonal variations in MAPK signalling. Orthotopic allografts of Ras-transformed cells in immunocompromised mice gave rise to fast-growing aggressive tumours, both at the primary location and in the peritoneal cavity. Fluorescent labelling of cells expressing different oncogene levels, and consequently varying levels of MAPK Erk activation, highlighted the selection processes operating at the two sites of tumour growth. Indeed, significantly higher Ras expression was observed in primary as compared to secondary, metastatic sites, despite the apparent evolutionary trade-off of increased apoptotic death in the liver that correlated with high Ras dosage. Analysis of the immune tumour microenvironment at the two locations suggests that fast peritoneal tumour growth in the immunocompromised setting is abrogated in immunocompetent animals due to efficient antigen presentation by peritoneal dendritic cells. Furthermore, our data indicate that, in contrast to the metastatic-like outgrowth, strong MAPK signalling is required in the primary liver tumours to resist elimination by NK (natural killer) cells. Overall, this study describes a quantitative aspect of tumour heterogeneity and points to a potential vulnerability of a subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma as a function of MAPK Erk signalling intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Lozano
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Francois-Régis Souche
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
- Department of surgery and liver transplantation, Hopital Saint Eloi Hopitaux universitaires de MontpelierMontpellierFrance
| | - Carine Chavey
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Valérie Dardalhon
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Christel Ramirez
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode InstituteAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Serena Vegna
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode InstituteAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Guillaume Desandre
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Anaïs Riviere
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Amal Zine El Aabidine
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Philippe Fort
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie Cellulaire de Montpellier (CRBM), University of Montpellier, CNRSMontpellierFrance
| | - Leila Akkari
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode InstituteAmsterdamNetherlands
| | - Urszula Hibner
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
| | - Damien Grégoire
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, University of MontpellierMontpellierFrance
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Abu-Shahba N, Hegazy E, Khan FM, Elhefnawi M. In Silico Analysis of MicroRNA Expression Data in Liver Cancer. Cancer Inform 2023; 22:11769351231171743. [PMID: 37200943 PMCID: PMC10185868 DOI: 10.1177/11769351231171743] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal miRNA expression has been evidenced to be directly linked to HCC initiation and progression. This study was designed to detect possible prognostic, diagnostic, and/or therapeutic miRNAs for HCC using computational analysis of miRNAs expression. Methods: miRNA expression datasets meta-analysis was performed using the YM500v2 server to compare miRNA expression in normal and cancerous liver tissues. The most significant differentially regulated miRNAs in our study undergone target gene analysis using the mirWalk tool to obtain their validated and predicted targets. The combinatorial target prediction tool; miRror Suite was used to obtain the commonly regulated target genes. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on the resulting targets using the DAVID tool. A network was constructed based on interactions among microRNAs, their targets, and transcription factors. Hub nodes and gatekeepers were identified using network topological analysis. Further, we performed patient data survival analysis based on low and high expression of identified hubs and gatekeeper nodes, patients were stratified into low and high survival probability groups. Results: Using the meta-analysis option in the YM500v2 server, 34 miRNAs were found to be significantly differentially regulated (P-value ⩽ .05); 5 miRNAs were down-regulated while 29 were up-regulated. The validated and predicted target genes for each miRNA, as well as the combinatorially predicted targets, were obtained. DAVID enrichment analysis resulted in several important cellular functions that are directly related to the main cancer hallmarks. Among these functions are focal adhesion, cell cycle, PI3K-Akt signaling, insulin signaling, Ras and MAPK signaling pathways. Several hub genes and gatekeepers were found that could serve as potential drug targets for hepatocellular carcinoma. POU2F1 and PPARA showed a significant difference between low and high survival probabilities (P-value ⩽ .05) in HCC patients. Our study sheds light on important biomarker miRNAs for hepatocellular carcinoma along with their target genes and their regulated functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan Abu-Shahba
- Department of Medical Molecular Genetics, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
- Stem Cell Research Group, Medical Research Center of Excellence, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Elsayed Hegazy
- School of Information Technology and Computer Science, Nile University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Faiz M. Khan
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Elhefnawi
- Biomedical Informatics and Chemoinformatics Group, Informatics and Systems Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
- Mahmoud Elhefnawi, Biomedical Informatics and Chemoinformatics Group, Informatics and Systems Department, National Research Centre, 33, elbohouth street, Cairo 11211, Egypt.
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Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Current Therapeutic Algorithm for Localized and Advanced Disease. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:3817724. [PMID: 36624801 PMCID: PMC9825221 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3817724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis of various etiologies. In recent years, there has been an advance in the knowledge of molecular mechanisms and a better staging definition of patients which has allowed the development of new therapies that have entered the therapeutic workup of these patients. Deep information on molecular drivers of HCC contributed to the development of targeted therapies with remarkable benefits. The novel strategies of targeting immune evasion using immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T and TCR-T therapeutics have also shown promising results. For advanced diseases, the therapeutic algorithm has been recently updated, thanks to the efficacy of combining immunotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy in the first-line setting, and new drugs, both as single-agents or combinations, are currently under investigation.
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Tümen D, Heumann P, Gülow K, Demirci CN, Cosma LS, Müller M, Kandulski A. Pathogenesis and Current Treatment Strategies of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Biomedicines 2022; 10:3202. [PMID: 36551958 PMCID: PMC9775527 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent liver cancer with high lethality and low five-year survival rates leading to a substantial worldwide burden for healthcare systems. HCC initiation and progression are favored by different etiological risk factors including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, non-/and alcoholic fatty liver disease (N/AFLD), and tobacco smoking. In molecular pathogenesis, endogenous alteration in genetics (TP53, TERT, CTNNB1, etc.), epigenetics (DNA-methylation, miRNA, lncRNA, etc.), and dysregulation of key signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT, etc.) strongly contribute to the development of HCC. The multitude and complexity of different pathomechanisms also reflect the difficulties in tailored medical therapy of HCC. Treatment options for HCC are strictly dependent on tumor staging and liver function, which are structured by the updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification system. Surgical resection, local ablative techniques, and liver transplantation are valid and curative therapeutic options for early tumor stages. For multifocal and metastatic diseases, systemic therapy is recommended. While Sorafenib had been the standalone HCC first-line therapy for decades, recent developments had led to the approval of new treatment options as first-line as well as second-line treatment. Anti-PD-L1 directed combination therapies either with anti-VEGF directed agents or with anti-CTLA-4 active substances have been implemented as the new treatment standard in the first-line setting. However, data from clinical trials indicate different responses on specific therapeutic regimens depending on the underlying pathogenesis of hepatocellular cancer. Therefore, histopathological examinations have been re-emphasized by current international clinical guidelines in addition to the standardized radiological diagnosis using contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging. In this review, we emphasize the current knowledge on molecular pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. On this occasion, the treatment sequences for early and advanced tumor stages according to the recently updated Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification system and the current algorithm of systemic therapy (first-, second-, and third-line treatment) are summarized. Furthermore, we discuss novel precautional and pre-therapeutic approaches including therapeutic vaccination, adoptive cell transfer, locoregional therapy enhancement, and non-coding RNA-based therapy as promising treatment options. These novel treatments may prolong overall survival rates in regard with quality of life and liver function as mainstay of HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Arne Kandulski
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases University Hospital Regensburg Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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A Lamin Family-Based Signature Predicts Prognosis and Immunotherapy Response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:4983532. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/4983532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Lamin family members play crucial roles in promoting oncogenesis and cancer development. The values of lamin family in predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response remain largely unclarified. Our research is aimed at comprehensively estimating the clinical significance of lamin family in hepatocellular carcinoma and constructing a novel lamin family-based signature to predict prognosis and guide the precise immunotherapy. Methods. The expression features and prognostic value of LMNA, LMNB1, and LMNB2 were explored in the TCGA and GEO databases. The biological functions of LMNB1 and LMNB2 were validated by in vitro assays. A lamin family-based signature was built using the TCGA training set. The TCGA test set, entire TCGA set, and GSE14520 set were used to validate its predictive power. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the independence of the lamin family-based signature from other clinicopathological characteristics. A nomogram was constructed using the lamin family-based signature and TNM stage. The associations of this signature with molecular pathways, clinical characteristics, immune cell infiltration, and immunotherapy response were analyzed. Results. Lamin family members were upregulated in HCC. Upregulation of LMNB1 and LMNB2 promoted HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. The predictive signature was initially established based on LMNB1 and LMNB2 which could effectively identify differences in overall survival, immune cell infiltration, and clinicopathological characteristics of high- and low-risk patients. The nomogram showed high prognostic predictive accuracy. Importantly, the lamin family-based signature was correlated with immune suppression and expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Conclusions. The lamin family-based signature is a robust biomarker to predict overall survival and immunotherapy response in HCC. High-risk score patients have a poorer overall survival and might be more sensitive to immunotherapy. This signature may contribute to improving individualized prognosis prediction and precision immunotherapy for HCC patients.
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Ince V, Sahin TT, Akbulut S, Yilmaz S. Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Historical evolution of transplantation criteria. World J Clin Cases 2022; 10:10413-10427. [PMID: 36312504 PMCID: PMC9602233 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i29.10413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma is still a hot topic, and the main factor that is associated with the success of treatment is to determine the patients who will benefit from LT. Milan criteria have been defined 25 years ago and still is being used for patient selection for LT. However, in living donor LT, the Milan criteria is being extended. Current criteria for patient selection do not only consider morphologic characteristics such as tumor size and number of tumor nodules but also biologic markers that show tumor aggressiveness is also being considered. In the present review article, we have summarized all the criteria and scoring systems regarding LT for hepatocellular carcinoma. All criteria have 5-year overall survival rates that were comparable to the Milan Criteria and ranged between 60%-85%. On the other hand, it was seen that the recurrence rates had increased as the Milan criteria were exceeded; the 5-year recurrence rates ranged between 4.9% to 39.9%. Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma needs a multidisciplinary approach. Ideal selection criteria are yet to be discovered. The same is true for treatment modalities. The goal will be achieved by a harmonic interplay between basic science researchers and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkan Ince
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Tevfik Tolga Sahin
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Sami Akbulut
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
- Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
| | - Sezai Yilmaz
- Surgery and Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya 44280, Turkey
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Yu H, Mi C, Wang Q, Dai G, Zhang T, Zhang G, Xie K, Zhao Z. Long noncoding RNA profiling reveals that LncRNA BTN3A2 inhibits the host inflammatory response to Eimeria tenella infection in chickens. Front Immunol 2022; 13:891001. [PMID: 36091044 PMCID: PMC9452752 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.891001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidiosis is a widespread parasitic disease that causes serious economic losses to the poultry industry every year. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in transcriptional regulation and are involved in a variety of diseases and immune responses. However, the lncRNAs associated with Eimeria tenella (E. tenella) resistance have not been identified in chickens. In addition, the expression profiles and functions of lncRNAs during E. tenella infection remain unclear. In the present study, high-throughput sequencing was applied to identify lncRNAs in chicken cecal tissues from control (JC), resistant (JR), and susceptible (JS) groups on day 4.5 post-infection (pi), and functional tests were performed. A total of 564 lncRNAs were differentially expressed, including 263 lncRNAs between the JS and JC groups, 192 between the JR and JS groups, and 109 between the JR and JC groups. Functional analyses indicated that these differentially expressed lncRNAs were involved in pathways related to E. tenella infection, including the NF-kappa B signaling, B cell receptor signaling and natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity pathways. Moreover, through cis regulation network analysis of the differentially expressed lncRNAs, we found that a novel lncRNA termed lncRNA BTN3A2 was significantly increased in both cecum tissue and DF-1 cells after coccidia infection or sporozoite stimulation. Functional test data showed that the overexpression of lncRNA BTN3A2 reduced the production of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-8, while lncRNA BTN3A2 knockdown promoted the production of these inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, this study identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs during E. tenella infection in chickens for the first time and provide the direct evidence that lncRNA BTN3A2 regulates the host immune response to coccidia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailiang Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Changhao Mi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Guojun Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Guojun Dai,
| | - Tao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Genxi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kaizhou Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhao
- Poultry Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yangzhou, China
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Hu H, Zhang T, Wu Y, Deng M, Deng H, Yang X. Cross-regulation between microRNAs and key proteins of signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 16:753-765. [PMID: 35833844 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2022.2101994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a subtype of primary liver cancer and a major cause of death. Although miRNA plays an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma, the specific regulatory network remains unclear. Therefore, this paper comprehensively describes the miRNA-related signaling pathways in HCC and the possible interactions among different signaling pathways. The aim is to lay the foundation for the discovery of new molecular targets and multi-target therapy. AREAS COVERED Based on miRNA, HCC, and signaling pathways, the literature was searched on Web of Science and PubMed. Then, common targets between different signaling pathways were found from KEGG database, and possible cross-regulation mechanisms were further studied. In this review, we elaborated from two aspects, respectively, laying a foundation for studying the regulatory mechanism and potential targets of miRNA in HCC. EXPERT OPINION Non-coding RNAs have become notable molecules in cancer research in recent years, and many types of targeted drugs have emerged. From the outset, molecular targets and signal pathways are interlinked, which suggests that signal pathways and regulatory networks should be concerned in basic research, which also provides a strong direction for future mechanism research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihong Hu
- School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Taolan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Pharmacy Department, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yiwen Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Meina Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Huiling Deng
- School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.,The Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
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Pan-Cancer Analysis Reveals SH3TC2 as an Oncogene for Colorectal Cancer and Promotes Tumorigenesis via the MAPK Pathway. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153735. [PMID: 35954399 PMCID: PMC9367385 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary SH3 domain and tetrapeptide repeat 2 (SH3TC2) is a protein-encoding gene and has previously been described as a critical signaling hub for neurological disorders, but no systematic analysis of SH3TC2 is available in cancer research. We analyzed SH3TC2 in various kinds of cancer to find its tumorigenic role in one or more specific cancers and further explored the mechanism of SH3TC2 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our research revealed that higher expression of SH3TC2 indicated poor disease-free survival and promoted CRC progression and invasion via the MAPK signaling pathway. Abstract SH3 domain and tetrapeptide repeat 2 (SH3TC2) is a protein-encoding gene and has previously been described as a critical signaling hub for neurological disorders. Although increasing evidence supports a vital role of SH3TC2 in the tumorigenesis of various kinds of cancer, no systematic analysis of SH3TC2 is available. The function and mechanism of SH3TC2 in other cancers remain unknown. Thus, this study aimed to analyze SH3TC2 in various kinds of cancer to find its tumorigenic role in one or more specific cancers. In the current study, we analyzed the expression level and prognostic value of SH3TC2 in different tumors in the TCGA-GTEx pan-cancer dataset. Subsequently, the prognostic role and mechanism of SH3TC2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) were further explored via clinical samples and in vitro and in vivo experiments. We observed differential expression of SH3TC2 in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), acute myeloid leukemia (LAML), READ (rectum adenocarcinoma), SKCM (skin cutaneous melanoma), and TGCT (testicular germ cell tumors). Subsequently, SH3TC2 showed a significant effect on the clinical stage and prognostic value in CRC, LAML, and SKCM. Moreover, we found in the TCGA database and seven GEO datasets that SH3TC2 was significantly highly expressed in tumor tissue. Through enrichment analysis of SH3TC2 and its co-expressed genes, we found that SH3TC2 may play a role in the MAPK signaling pathway. Correlation analysis indicated that SH3TC2 was significantly associated with multiple key factors in the MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, higher expression of SH3TC2 was found in tumor tissue in our cohort including 40 CRC patients. Overexpression of SH3TC2 may imply poor prognosis. Knockdown of SH3TC2 significantly inhibited tumor invasion, migration, and proliferation. More importantly, knockdown of SH3TC2 inhibited tumor growth in a CRC mouse model. The study preliminarily conducted a pan-cancer study of SH3TC2 and further explored the mechanism of SH3TC2 in CRC. Our research revealed that higher expression of SH3TC2 may promote CRC progression and invasion via the MAPK signaling pathway.
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Khan SA, Lee TKW. Investigations of nitazoxanide molecular targets and pathways for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:968148. [PMID: 35959427 PMCID: PMC9358010 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.968148] [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: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitazoxanide has been investigated for colorectal cancer and breast cancer. However, its molecular targets and pathways have not yet been explored for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. Utilizing a network pharmacology approach, nitazoxanide’s potential targets and molecular pathways for HCC treatment were investigated. HCC targets were extracted from the GeneCards database. Potential targets of nitazoxanide were predicted using Swiss Target Prediction and Super Pred. Intersecting targets were analyzed with VENNY online tool. Using Cytoscape, a protein-protein interaction (PPI), cluster, and core targets-pathways networks were constructed. Using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), gene ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted. The nitazoxanide was molecularly docked with anti-HCC core targets by employing Auto Dock Vina. A total of 168 potential targets of nitazoxanide, 13,415 HCC-related targets, and 153 intersecting targets were identified. The top eight anti-HCC core targets were identified: SRC, EGFR, CASP3, MMP9, mTOR, HIF1A, ERBB2, and PPARG. GO enrichment analysis showed that nitazoxanide might have anti-HCC effects by affecting gene targets involved in multiple biological processes (BP) (protein phosphorylation, transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase (RTKs) signaling pathway, positive regulation of MAP kinase activity, etc.). KEGG pathways and core targets-pathways network analysis indicated that pathways in cancer and proteoglycans in cancer are two key pathways that significantly contribute to the anti-HCC effects of nitazoxanide. Results of molecular docking demonstrated the potential for active interaction between the top eight anti-HCC core targets and nitazoxanide. Our research offers a theoretical basis for the notion that nitazoxanide may have distinct therapeutic effects in HCC, and the identified pharmacological targets and pathways might function as biomarkers for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakeel Ahmad Khan
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Shakeel Ahmad Khan, ; Terence Kin Wah Lee,
| | - Terence Kin Wah Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Shakeel Ahmad Khan, ; Terence Kin Wah Lee,
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