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Ali MH, Talha M, Hussain SA. The Role of Hepatic Stellate Cells and the Gas6/Axl Axis in Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 14:101400. [PMID: 38601748 PMCID: PMC11002857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2024.101400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Haris Ali
- Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Talha
- Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Syed A.S. Hussain
- Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
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Hazari Y, Chevet E, Bailly-Maitre B, Hetz C. ER stress signaling at the interphase between MASH and HCC. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00844. [PMID: 38626349 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
HCC is the most frequent primary liver cancer with an extremely poor prognosis and often develops on preset of chronic liver diseases. Major risk factors for HCC include metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, a complex multifactorial condition associated with abnormal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis. To cope with ER stress, the unfolded protein response engages adaptive reactions to restore the secretory capacity of the cell. Recent advances revealed that ER stress signaling plays a critical role in HCC progression. Here, we propose that chronic ER stress is a common transversal factor contributing to the transition from liver disease (risk factor) to HCC. Interventional strategies to target the unfolded protein response in HCC, such as cancer therapy, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younis Hazari
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India
| | - Eric Chevet
- Inserm U1242, University of Rennes, Rennes, France
- Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France
| | - Béatrice Bailly-Maitre
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) UMR1065, Université Côte d'Azur (UCA), Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire (C3M), 06204 Nice, France Team "Metainflammation and Hematometabolism", Metabolism Department, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, INSERM, U1065, C3M, 06200 Nice, France
| | - Claudio Hetz
- Program of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Geroscience, Brain Health and Metabolism (GERO), Santiago, Chile
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, USA
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Yi J, Jeong JH, Won J, Chung S, Pak JH. The crosstalk between cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells promotes the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and periductal fibrosis during Clonorchis sinensis infection. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:151. [PMID: 38519993 PMCID: PMC10958959 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06236-2] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Clonorchis sinensis infection is one of the risk factors that provokes chronic inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, periductal fibrosis and even cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Disrupted or aberrant intercellular communication among liver-constituting cells leads to pathological states that cause various hepatic diseases. This study was designed to investigate the pathological changes caused by C. sinensis excretory-secretory products (ESPs) in non-cancerous human cell lines (cholangiocytes [H69 cell line] and human hepatic stellate cells [LX2 cell line]) and their intercellular crosstalk, as well the pathological changes in infected mouse liver tissues. METHODS The cells were treated with ESPs, following which transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion levels and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)- and fibrosis-related protein expression were measured. The ESP-mediated cellular motility (migration/invasion) between two cells was assessed using the Transwell and three-dimensional microfluidic assay models. The livers of C. sinensis-infected mice were stained using EMT and fibrotic marker proteins. RESULTS Treatment of cells with ESPs increased TGF-β1 and IL-6 secretion and the expression of EMT- and fibrosis-related proteins. The ESP-mediated mutual cell interaction further affected the cytokine secretion and protein expression levels and promoted cellular motility. N-cadherin overexpression and collagen fiber deposition were observed in the livers of C. sinensis-infected mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that EMT and biliary fibrosis occur through intercellular communication between cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells during C. sinensis infection, promoting malignant transformation and advanced hepatobiliary abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyeong Yi
- Department of Biochemistry, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology (AMIST), University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center (AMC), 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Department of Biochemistry, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology (AMIST), University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center (AMC), 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihee Won
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Chung
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jhang Ho Pak
- Department of Biochemistry, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology (AMIST), University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center (AMC), 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
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Xu N, Wu J, Wang W, Sun S, Sun M, Bian Y, Zhang H, Liu S, Yu G. Anti-tumor therapy of glycyrrhetinic acid targeted liposome co-delivery of doxorubicin and berberine for hepatocellular carcinoma. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s13346-023-01512-7. [PMID: 38236508 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01512-7] [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] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
During the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatic stellate cells undergo activation and transform into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) due to the influence of tumor cells. The interaction between CAFs and tumor cells can compromise the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and promote tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This study explores the potential of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA)-modified liposomes (lip-GA) as a strategy for co-delivery of berberine (Ber) and doxorubicin (Dox) to treat HCC. The characterizations of liposomes, including particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, stability and in vitro drug release, were investigated. The study evaluated the anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects of Dox&Ber@lip-GA on the Huh-7 + LX-2 cell model were through MTT and wound-healing assays. Additionally, the in vivo drug distribution and anti-tumor efficacy were investigated using the H22 + NIH-3T3-bearing mouse model. The results indicated that Dox&Ber@lip-GA exhibited a nanoscale particle size, accumulated specifically in the tumor region, and was efficiently taken up by tumor cells. Compared to other groups, Dox&Ber@lip-GA demonstrated higher cytotoxicity and lower migration rates. Additionally, it significantly reduced the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and inhibited tumor angiogenesis, thereby suppressing tumor growth. In conclusion, Dox&Ber@lip-GA exhibited superior anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic strategy for combating HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medicine University, Weifang, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College: Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Jingliang Wu
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China.
| | - Weihao Wang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medicine University, Weifang, China
| | - Shujie Sun
- School of Nursing, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, China
| | - Mengmeng Sun
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medicine University, Weifang, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College: Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Yandong Bian
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medicine University, Weifang, China
| | - Huien Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medicine University, Weifang, China
| | - Shuzhen Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medicine University, Weifang, China
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College: Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Guohua Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medicine University, Weifang, China.
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College: Weifang People's Hospital, Weifang, China.
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Yoo SH, Nahm JH, Lee WK, Lee HW, Chang HY, Lee JI. Loss of Krüppel-like factor-10 facilitates the development of chemical-induced liver cancer in mice. Mol Med 2023; 29:156. [PMID: 37946098 PMCID: PMC10636809 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00751-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Krüppel-like factor 10 (KLF10) is involved in a positive feedback loop that regulates transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling, and TGFβ plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver disease. Here, we investigated whether KLF10 deletion affects the development of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS We induced KLF10 deletion in C57BL/6 mice. Liver fibrosis was induced by feeding a diet high in fat and sucrose (high-fat diet [HFD]), whereas HCC was produced by intraperitoneal administration of N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN). An in vitro experiment was performed to evaluate the role of KLF10 in the cancer microenvironment using Hep3B and LX2 cells. An immunohistochemical study of KLF10 expression was performed using human HCC samples from 60 patients who had undergone liver resection. RESULTS KLF10 deletion resulted in an increased DEN-induced HCC burden with significant upregulation of SMAD2, although loss of KLF10 did not alter HFD-induced liver fibrosis. DEN-treated mice with KLF10 deletion exhibited increased levels of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and SNAI2) and tumor metastasis markers (matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9). KLF10 depletion in Hep3B and LX2 cells using siRNA was associated with increased invasiveness. Compared with co-culture of KLF10-preserved Hep3B cells and KLF10-intact LX2 cells, co-culture of KLF10-preserved Hep3B cells and KLF10-depleted LX2 cells resulted in significantly enhanced invasion. Low KLF10 expression in resected human HCC specimens was associated with poor survival. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that loss of KLF10 facilitates liver cancer development with alteration in TGFβ signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hwan Yoo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hae Nahm
- Department of Pathology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Woon Kyu Lee
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Woong Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Young Chang
- Medical Research Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, 06230, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Il Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
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Dekky B, Azar F, Bonnier D, Monseur C, Kalebić C, Arpigny E, Colige A, Legagneux V, Théret N. ADAMTS12 is a stromal modulator in chronic liver disease. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23237. [PMID: 37819632 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200692rrrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Adamalysins, a family of metalloproteinases containing a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) and ADAM with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs), belong to the matrisome and play important roles in various biological and pathological processes, such as development, immunity and cancer. Using a liver cancer dataset from the International Cancer Genome Consortium, we developed an extensive in silico screening that identified a cluster of adamalysins co-expressed in livers from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Within this cluster, ADAMTS12 expression was highly associated with recurrence risk and poorly differentiated HCC signatures. We showed that ADAMTS12 was expressed in the stromal cells of the tumor and adjacent fibrotic tissues of HCC patients, and more specifically in activated stellate cells. Using a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury, we showed that Adamts12 was strongly and transiently expressed after a 24 h acute treatment, and that fibrosis was exacerbated in Adamts12-null mice submitted to carbon tetrachloride-induced chronic liver injury. Using the HSC-derived LX-2 cell line, we showed that silencing of ADAMTS12 resulted in profound changes of the gene expression program. In particular, genes previously reported to be induced upon HSC activation, such as PAI-1, were mostly down-regulated following ADAMTS12 knock-down. The phenotype of these cells was changed to a less differentiated state, showing an altered actin network and decreased nuclear spreading. These phenotypic changes, together with the down-regulation of PAI-1, were offset by TGF-β treatment. The present study thus identifies ADAMTS12 as a modulator of HSC differentiation, and a new player in chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassil Dekky
- University of Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Fida Azar
- University of Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Dominique Bonnier
- University of Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Christine Monseur
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-R, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Chiara Kalebić
- University of Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Esther Arpigny
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-R, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Alain Colige
- Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, GIGA-R, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Vincent Legagneux
- University of Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Nathalie Théret
- University of Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
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Wang HC, Yin WX, Jiang M, Han JY, Kuai XW, Sun R, Sun YF, Ji JL. Function and biomedical implications of exosomal microRNAs delivered by parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:5435-5451. [PMID: 37900996 PMCID: PMC10600808 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i39.5435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) are important components of the tumor microenvironment. They are small membrane-bound vesicles derived from almost all cell types and play an important role in intercellular communication. Exosomes transmit biological molecules obtained from parent cells, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and are involved in cancer development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), the most abundant contents in exosomes, are selectively packaged into exosomes to carry out their biological functions. Recent studies have revealed that exosome-delivered miRNAs play crucial roles in the tumorigenesis, progression, and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, exosomes have great industrial prospects in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with HCC. This review summarized the composition and function of exosomal miRNAs of different cell origins in HCC and highlighted the association between exosomal miRNAs from stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and the progression of HCC. Finally, we described the potential applicability of exosomal miRNAs derived from mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Chen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Yin
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Meng Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jia-Yi Han
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xing-Wang Kuai
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu-Feng Sun
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ju-Ling Ji
- Department of Pathology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Microenvironment and Translational Cancer Research, Science and Technology Bureau of Nantong City, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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Ishteyaque S, Yadav KS, Verma S, Washimkar KR, Mugale MN. CYP2E1 triggered GRP78/ATF6/CHOP signaling axis inhibit apoptosis and promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 745:109701. [PMID: 37499993 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109701] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is an enzyme, primarily involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics and procarcinogens. The present study was designed to investigate the potential role of CYP2E1 triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress in the progression of HCC through inhibition of apoptosis. In vitro CYP2E1 promotes HepG2 cell migration, reduced chromatin condensation, enhanced intracellular ROS accumulation and induce cell cycle progression. Conversely this effect was averted by CYP2E1 siRNA, selective inhibitor Diallyl sulphide (DAS) and antioxidants (vitamin C and E). In vivo Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced HCC rats showed decreased body weight and increased relative liver weight. Moreover, macro trabecular-massive HCC (MTM-HCC) histological subtyping showed pathological features like well-differentiated tumors, micro-trabecular and pseudo glandular patterns, megakaryocytes and cholestasis. Masson's trichrome staining revealed an intensive accumulation of collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Increased CYP2E1, VEGF and PCNA enhance the carcinogenicity as revealed in immunohistochemistry results. Immunoblot analysis showed reduced expression of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in cytosolic as well as mitochondrial fraction of rat liver tissue respectively. Also, increased level of CYP2E1 stimulated the upregulation of unfolded proteins response (UPR) and ER stress-related proteins such as Glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP). Meanwhile, CYP2E1 stimulated ER-stress reduces BCL2 and downregulates the cleaved caspase 3 thus suppresses apoptosis. in. Furthermore, immunofluorescence revealed increased expression level of α-SMA in the HCC rat liver tissue. The level of CYP2E1 mRNA was significantly increased. Altogether, these findings indicate that CYP2E1 has a dynamic role in the pathogenesis of HCC and might be a budding agent in liver carcinogenesis therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmeen Ishteyaque
- Division of Cancer Biology CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Karan Singh Yadav
- Division of Cancer Biology CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Smriti Verma
- Division of Cancer Biology CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Kaveri R Washimkar
- Division of Cancer Biology CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Madhav Nilakanth Mugale
- Division of Cancer Biology CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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Kersten V, Seitz T, Sommer J, Thasler WE, Bosserhoff A, Hellerbrand C. Bone Morphogenetic Protein 13 Has Protumorigenic Effects on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11059. [PMID: 37446238 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311059] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in hepatic fibrosis and, thus, build the "soil" for hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, HSCs are known to promote the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the molecular mechanisms are only incompletely understood. Recently, we newly described the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 13 (BMP13) by HSCs in fibrotic liver tissue. In addition, BMP13 has mostly been studied in the context of cartilage and bone repair, but not in liver disease or cancer. Thus, we aimed to analyze the expression and function of BMP13 in HCC. Expression analyses revealed high BMP13-expression in activated human HSCs, but not in human HCC-cell-lines. Furthermore, analysis of human HCC tissues showed a significant correlation between BMP13 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the co-localization of BMP13 and α-SMA, indicating activated HSCs as the cellular source of BMP13 in HCC. Stimulation of HCC cells with recombinant BMP13 increased the expression of the inhibitors of differentiation 1 (ID1) and 2 (ID2), which are known targets of BMP-signaling and cell-cycle promotors. In line with this, BMP13-stimulation caused an induced SMAD 1/5/9 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, as well as reduced expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors 1A (CDKN1A) and 2A (CDKN2A). Furthermore, stimulation with recombinant BMP13 led to increased proliferation and colony size formation of HCC cells in clonogenicity assays. The protumorigenic effects of BMP13 on HCC cells were almost completely abrogated by the small molecule dorsomorphin 1 (DMH1), which selectively blocks the intracellular kinase domain of ALK2 and ALK3, indicating that BMP13 acts via these BMP type I receptors on HCC cells. In summary, this study newly identifies stroma-derived BMP13 as a potential new tumor promotor in HCC and indicates this secreted growth-factor as a possible novel therapeutic target in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Kersten
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Seitz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Judith Sommer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E Thasler
- Human Tissue and Cell Research-Services GmbH, Am Klopferspitz 19, D-82152 Planegg, Germany
| | - Anja Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
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10
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Zhao HC, Chen CZ, Tian YZ, Song HQ, Wang XX, Li YJ, He JF, Zhao HL. CD168+ macrophages promote hepatocellular carcinoma tumor stemness and progression through TOP2A/β-catenin/ YAP1 axis. iScience 2023; 26:106862. [PMID: 37275516 PMCID: PMC10238939 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer stem-like cells (LCSCs) are the main cause of heterogeneity and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to explore the origin of LCSCs and the role of the TOP2A/β-catenin/YAP1 axis in tumor stemness and progression. Using single-cell RNA-seq analysis, we identified TOP2A+CENPF+ LCSCs, which were mainly regulated by CD168+ M2-like macrophages. Furthermore, spatial location analysis and fluorescent staining confirmed that LCSCs were enriched at tumor margins, constituting the spatial heterogeneity of HCC. Mechanistically, TOP2A competitively binds to β-catenin, leading to disassociation of β-catenin from YAP1, promoting HCC stemness and overgrowth. Our study provides valuable insights into the spatial transcriptome heterogeneity of the HCC microenvironment and the critical role of TOP2A/β-catenin/YAP1 axis in HCC stemness and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Chao Zhao
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Chang-Zhou Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yan-Zhang Tian
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Huang-Qin Song
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Wang
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Yan-Jun Li
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Jie-Feng He
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
| | - Hao-Liang Zhao
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan 030032, China
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11
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Fan X, Meng M, Li B, Chen H, Tan J, Xu K, Xiao S, Kwan HY, Liu Z, Su T. Brevilin A is a potent anti-metastatic CRC agent that targets the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the HSCs-CRC interplay. J Transl Med 2023; 21:260. [PMID: 37062842 PMCID: PMC10105967 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04087-6] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of the colorectal cancer (CRC) patients will develop liver metastasis that underlies the cancer mortality. In the hepatic tumor microenvironment, the interplay between CRC cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and the activation of HSCs to become carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) will further promote the cancer development. Nevertheless, the critical signaling molecule that involved in these processes remains unknown, which hinders the development of effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of metastatic CRC (mCRC). METHODS Conditioned medium system and co-cultured system were used to examine the interplay between CRC cells and HSCs. Luminex liquid suspension chip detection and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to screen for the mediators in the conditioned medium that facilitated the CRC-HSCs interplay and HSCs-to-CAFs differentiation. Cell and animal models were used to examine whether brevilin A inhibited CRC liver metastasis via the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis. RESULTS In the CRC-HSCs interplay, CRC promoted HSCs-to-CAFs differentiation by releasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); and HSCs released interleukin 6 (IL6) that activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the CRC and hence increased the cancer metastatic potential. The functions of the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the HSCs-CRC interplay were further validated by VEGF recombinant protein and IL6 neutralizing antibody. More importantly, brevilin A, an active compound isolated from Centipeda minima (L.) A. Br. et Aschers, targeted the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the CRC-HSCs interplay, hence significantly inhibited colorectal liver metastasis and cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS We are the first to demonstrate brevilin A possesses potent anti-mCRC effect by targeting the VEGF-IL6-STAT3 axis in the CRC-HSCs interplay. Our findings not only support the development of brevilin A as a novel therapeutic agent for mCRC treatment, but also pave the path for the development of other VEGF-IL6-STAT3 targeting therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingjing Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Baoting Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Jincheng Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Keyang Xu
- Centre for Cancer & Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shilin Xiao
- Centre for Cancer & Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hiu-Yee Kwan
- Centre for Cancer & Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Zhongqiu Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Tao Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, Joint International Research Laboratory of Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicines, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China.
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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12
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Moirangthem A, Gondaliya P, Yan IK, Sayyed AA, Driscoll J, Patel T. Extracellular vesicle‑mediated miR‑126‑3p transfer contributes to inter‑cellular communication in the liver tumor microenvironment. Int J Oncol 2023; 62:31. [PMID: 36660950 PMCID: PMC9851126 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2023.5479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their contents are gaining recognition as important mediators of intercellular communication through the transfer of bioactive molecules, such as non‑coding RNA. The present study comprehensively assessed the microRNA (miRNA/miR) content within EVs released from HepG2 liver cancer (LC) cells and LX2 hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and determined the contribution of EV miRNA to intercellular communication. Using both transwell and spheroid co‑cultures of LC cells and HSCs, miR‑126‑3p within EV was established as a mediator of HSC to LC cell communication that influenced tumor cell migration and invasion, as well as the growth of multicellular LC/HSC spheroids. Manipulation of miR‑126‑3p either by enforced expression using pre‑miR‑126‑3p or by inhibition using antimiR‑126‑3p did not alter tumor cell viability, proliferation or sensitivity to either sorafenib or regorafenib. By contrast, enforced expression of miR‑126‑3p decreased tumor‑cell migration. Knockdown of miR‑126‑3p in tumor cells increased disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain‑containing protein 9 (ADAM9) expression and in HSCs increased collagen‑1A1 accumulation with an increase in compactness of multicellular spheroids. Within LC/HSC spheroids, ADAM9 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression was increased by silencing of miR‑126‑3p but diminished with the restoration of miR‑126‑3p. These studies implicate miR‑126‑3p in functional effects on migration, invasion and spheroid growth of tumor cells in the presence of HSCs, and thereby demonstrate functional EV‑RNA‑based intercellular signaling between HSCs and LC cells that is directly relevant to tumor‑cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Irene K. Yan
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Adil Ali Sayyed
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Julia Driscoll
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Tushar Patel
- Departments of Transplantation and Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
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13
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Ezhilarasan D, Najimi M. Deciphering the possible reciprocal loop between hepatic stellate cells and cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment of the liver. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023; 182:103902. [PMID: 36621514 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)/myofibroblasts are the important sources of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the liver tumor microenvironment (TME). The crosstalk between activated HSCs and tumor cells mediates HCC progression, metastasis, tumor cell survival, angiogenesis and chemoresistance. In TME, HCC cells secrete various soluble factors responsible for the phenotypic activation of quiescent HSCs. Tumor cells use activated HSC-derived extracellular matrix (ECM) for migration and invasion. Further, in liver TME, activated HSCs and sinusoidal endothelial cells engage in a crosstalk that causes the secretion of angiogenesis and metastasis-related growth factors and cytokines. Activated HSCs and immune cells crosstalk to decrease immune surveillance in the liver TME by increasing the population of T regulatory cells and M2 macrophages or myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Thus, HSCs play a vital role in liver TME cell interactions. Therefore, a deep understanding of HSCs activation and their crosstalk with cancer and immune cells in TME may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to target HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077, India.
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels 1200, Belgium
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14
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Quiroz Reyes AG, Lozano Sepulveda SA, Martinez-Acuña N, Islas JF, Gonzalez PD, Heredia Torres TG, Perez JR, Garza Treviño EN. Cancer Stem Cell and Hepatic Stellate Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338231163677. [PMID: 36938618 PMCID: PMC10028642 DOI: 10.1177/15330338231163677] [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] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer. It is highly lethal and has high recurrence. Death among HCC patients occur mainly due to tumor progression, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are cell subpopulations within the tumor that promote invasion, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) responsible for primary secretory ECM proteins during liver injury and inflammation. These cells promote fibrogenesis, infiltrate the tumor stroma, and contribute to HCC development. Interactions between HSC and CSC and their microenvironment help promote carcinogenesis through different mechanisms. This review summarizes the roles of CSCs and HSCs in establishing the TME in primary liver tumors and describes their involvement in HCC chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana G Quiroz Reyes
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Sonia A Lozano Sepulveda
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Natalia Martinez-Acuña
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Jose F Islas
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Paulina Delgado Gonzalez
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Tania Guadalupe Heredia Torres
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Jorge Roacho Perez
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Elsa N Garza Treviño
- Facultad de Medicina, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, 27771Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico
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15
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Ezhilarasan D, Najimi M. Intercellular communication among liver cells in the perisinusoidal space of the injured liver: Pathophysiology and therapeutic directions. J Cell Physiol 2023; 238:70-81. [PMID: 36409708 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30915] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the perisinusoidal space are surrounded by hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and other resident immune cells. In the normal liver, HSCs communicate with these cells to maintain normal liver functions. However, after chronic liver injury, injured hepatocytes release several proinflammatory mediators, reactive oxygen species, and damage-associated molecular patterns into the perisinusoidal space. Consequently, such alteration activates quiescent HSCs to acquire a myofibroblast-like phenotype and express high amounts of transforming growth factor-β1, angiopoietins, vascular endothelial growth factors, interleukins 6 and 8, fibril forming collagens, laminin, and E-cadherin. These phenotypic and functional transdifferentiation lead to hepatic fibrosis with a typical abnormal extracellular matrix synthesis and disorganization of the perisinusoidal space of the injured liver. Those changes provide a favorable environment that regulates tumor cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and survival in the perisinusoidal space. Such tumor cells by releasing transforming growth factor-β1 and other cytokines, will, in turn, activate and deeply interact with HSCs via a bidirectional loop. Furthermore, hepatocellular carcinoma-derived mediators convert HSCs and macrophages into protumorigenic cell populations. Thus, the perisinusoidal space serves as a critical hub for activating HSCs and their interactions with other cell types, which cause a variety of liver diseases such as hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and their complications, such as portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeting the crosstalk between activated HSCs and tumor cells/immune cells in the tumor microenvironment may also support a promising therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Ezhilarasan
- Department of Pharmacology, Molecular Medicine and Toxicology Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mustapha Najimi
- Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology and Cell Therapy, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
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16
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Li S, Hu X, Yu S, Yi P, Chen R, Huang Z, Huang Y, Huang Y, Zhou R, Fan X. Hepatic stellate cell-released CXCL1 aggravates HCC malignant behaviors through the MIR4435-2HG/miR-506-3p/TGFB1 axis. Cancer Sci 2022; 114:504-520. [PMID: 36169092 PMCID: PMC9899617 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a critical event in the development of hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By the release of soluble cytokines, chemokines, and chemotaxis, HSCs affect HCC cell phenotypes through a complex tumor microenvironment. In this study, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify the TGF-β signaling pathway as a key signaling pathway in Hep3B cells cultured in HSC conditioned medium. MIR4435-2HG is a hub lncRNA associated with the TGF-β signaling pathway and HSC activation. HSC-condition medium (CM) culture induced HCC cell malignant behaviors, which were partially reversed by MIR4435-2HG silencing. miR-506-3p directly bound to MIR4435-2HG and the 3'UTR of TGFB1. Similarly, overexpression of miR-506-3p also attenuated HSC-CM-induced malignant behavior of HCC cells. In HSC-CM cultured HCC cells, the effects of MIR4435-2HG knockdown on TGFB1 expression and HCC cell phenotypes were partially reversed by miR-506-3p inhibition. HSCs affected HCC cell phenotypes by releasing CXCL1. In an orthotopic xenotransplanted tumor model of HCC cells plus HSCs in mice, CXCR2 knockdown in HCC cells significantly inhibited tumorigenesis, which was partially reversed by MIR4435-2HG overexpression in HCC cells. In HCC tissue samples, the levels of CXCL1, TGF-β1, and MIR4435-2HG were upregulated, while miR-506-3p expression was downregulated. In conclusion, HSC-released CXCL1 aggravated HCC cell malignant behaviors through the MIR4435-2HG/miR-506-3p/TGFB1 axis. In addition to CXCL1, the MIR4435-2HG/miR-506-3p/TGFB1 axis might also be the underlying target for HCC therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaling Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xingwang Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Songman Yu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Panpan Yi
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Ruochan Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Zebing Huang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yan Huang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Yun Huang
- Department of Surgery, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xuegong Fan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Disease, Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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17
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Pavlović N, Heindryckx F. Targeting ER stress in the hepatic tumor microenvironment. FEBS J 2022; 289:7163-7176. [PMID: 34331743 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer. It currently ranks as one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers worldwide, with an increasing mortality rate and limited treatment options. An important hallmark of liver pathologies, such as liver fibrosis and HCC, is the accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which induces ER stress and leads to the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Upon accumulation of misfolded proteins, ER stress is sensed through three transmembrane proteins, IRE1α, PERK, and ATF6, which trigger the UPR to either alleviate ER stress or induce apoptosis. Increased expression of ER stress markers has been widely shown to correlate with fibrosis, inflammation, drug resistance, and overall HCC aggressiveness, as well as poor patient prognosis. While preclinical in vivo cancer models and in vitro approaches have shown promising results by pharmacologically targeting ER stress mediators, the major challenge of this therapeutic strategy lies in specifically and effectively targeting ER stress in HCC. Furthermore, both ER stress inducers and inhibitors have been shown to ameliorate HCC progression, adding to the complexity of targeting ER stress players as an anticancer strategy. More studies are needed to better understand the dual role and molecular background of ER stress in HCC, as well as its therapeutic potential for patients with liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Pavlović
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden
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18
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Guizhen Z, Guanchang J, Liwen L, Huifen W, Zhigang R, Ranran S, Zujiang Y. The tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma and its targeting strategy by CAR-T cell immunotherapy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:918869. [PMID: 36093115 PMCID: PMC9452721 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.918869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the major subtype of liver cancer, which ranks sixth in cancer incidence and third in mortality. Although great strides have been made in novel therapy for HCC, such as immunotherapy, the prognosis remains less than satisfactory. Increasing evidence demonstrates that the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) exerts a significant role in the evolution of HCC and has a non-negligible impact on the efficacy of HCC treatment. In the past two decades, the success in hematological malignancies made by chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cell therapy leveraging it holds great promise for cancer treatment. However, in the face of a hostile TME in solid tumors like HCC, the efficacy of CAR-T cells will be greatly compromised. Here, we provide an overview of TME features in HCC, discuss recent advances and challenges of CAR-T immunotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Guizhen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Presion Medicine Cencter Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ji Guanchang
- Department of Urology People’s Hospital of Puyang, Puyang, China
| | - Liu Liwen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Presion Medicine Cencter Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wang Huifen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Presion Medicine Cencter Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
- Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ren Zhigang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sun Ranran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yu Zujiang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Presion Medicine Cencter Gene Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, China
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19
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Yang J, Guo W, Lu M. Recent Perspectives on the Mechanism of Recurrence After Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Mini-Review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:895678. [PMID: 36081558 PMCID: PMC9445307 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.895678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Hepatectomy, liver transplantation, and ablation are the three radical treatments for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (ESHCC), but not all patients are fit for or can tolerate surgery; moreover, liver donors are limited. Therefore, ablation plays an important role in the treatment of ESHCC. However, some studies have shown that ablation has a higher local recurrence (LR) rate than hepatectomy and liver transplantation. The specific mechanism is unknown. The latest perspectives on the mechanism of recurrence after ablation of HCC were described and summarized. In this review, we discussed the possible mechanisms of recurrence after ablation of HCC, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), activating autophagy, changes in non-coding RNA, and changes in the tumor microenvironment. A systematic and comprehensive understanding of the mechanism will contribute to the research and development of related treatment, combined with ablation to improve the therapeutic effect in patients with ESHCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianquan Yang
- The School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Ultrasound Medical Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen Guo
- Institute of Materia Medica, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Man Lu
- The School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Ultrasound Medical Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Man Lu,
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20
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Ke S, Wang C, Su Z, Lin S, Wu G. Integrated Analysis Reveals Critical Ferroptosis Regulators and FTL Contribute to Cancer Progression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Genet 2022; 13:897683. [PMID: 35651950 PMCID: PMC9149379 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.897683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The carcinogenesis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involve complex molecular mechanisms, and ferroptosis is related to the development and therapeutic efficacy of HCC, but the specific mechanism and prognostic role of ferroptosis-related genes in HCC have not been elucidated. Methods: Differentially expressed gene analysis, Cox regression, and unsupervised consensus clustering were applied to identify crucial ferroptosis regulators and establish ferroptosis-related subtypes in HCC. Random forest analysis and survival analysis were adopted to confirm FTL as the hub prognostic and diagnostic ferroptosis regulator in HCC. Results: The ferroptosis-related subtypes based on the crucial prognostic ferroptosis regulators showed that patients in fescluster A had a higher survival probability (p < 0.001) and better clinical characteristics than patients in fescluster B in the TCGA-LIHC cohort. Patients with a high tumor mutation burden (TMB) in fescluster B presented a significantly poorer prognosis. FTL was the core ferroptosis regulator, and its low expression revealed a significant survival advantage compared with its high expression (p = 0.03). The expression and predictive value of FTL were both closely related to the clinical features (p < 0.05). Expression of FTL accurately distinguished HCC from normal tissues in the TCGA-LIHC cohort, ICGC cohort, and GSE14520 dataset. In addition, higher infiltrating fractions of immune cells, such as activated CD8+ T cells and Gamma delta T cells, mainly enriched immune-related signaling pathways, including the IL2-STAT3 signaling pathway and interferon-gamma response signaling pathway, and higher expression of immune checkpoints, including PDCD1, CTLA4, TIGIT, and CD83, were presented in patients with high FTL expression (p < 0.05). Patients with high FTL were more sensitive to some targeted drugs, such as cisplatin, dasatinib, and sorafenib, than those with low FTL (p < 0.05). A nomogram based on FTL accurately predicted the prognosis of HCC. Further knockdown of FTL was determined to significantly inhibit cell proliferation and migration in HCC. Conclusion: Our study validated ferroptosis-related subtypes and FTL with effective prognostic value in HCC and was beneficial for identifying candidates suitable for targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy, thereby offering further insight into individual treatment strategies to improve disease outcomes in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoying Ke
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Congren Wang
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Zijian Su
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Shaoze Lin
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Gongle Wu
- Hepatological Surgery Department, First Hospital of Quanzhou Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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Huang Y, Wang T, Yang J, Wu X, Fan W, Chen J. Current Strategies for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Modulating the Tumor Microenvironment via Nano-Delivery Systems: A Review. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:2335-2352. [PMID: 35619893 PMCID: PMC9128750 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s363456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains a global health challenge with a projected incidence of over one million cases by 2025. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common primary liver cancer, accounting for about 90% of all liver cancer cases. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the internal and external environment for tumor development, which plays an important role in tumorigenesis, immune escape and treatment resistance. Knowing that TME is a unique setting for HCC tumorigenesis, exploration of strategies to modulate TME has attracted increasing attention. Among them, the use of nano-delivery systems to deliver therapeutic agents to regulate TME components has shown great potential. TME-modulating nanoparticles have the advantages of protecting therapeutic agents from degradation, enhancing the ability of targeting HCC and reducing systemic toxicity. In this article, we summarize the TME components associated with HCC, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), extracellular matrix (ECM), endothelial cells and immune cells, discuss their impact on the HCC progression, and highlight recent studies on nano-delivery systems that modulate these components. Finally, we also discuss opportunities and challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjie Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiansi Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiefen Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Wei Er Lab, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Fan
- Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianming Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
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22
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Sajid M, Liu L, Sun C. The Dynamic Role of NK Cells in Liver Cancers: Role in HCC and HBV Associated HCC and Its Therapeutic Implications. Front Immunol 2022; 13:887186. [PMID: 35669776 PMCID: PMC9165341 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an important complication of chronic liver disease, especially when cirrhosis occurs. Existing treatment strategies include surgery, loco-regional techniques, and chemotherapy. Natural killer cells are distinctive cytotoxic lymphocytes that play a vital role in fighting tumors and infections. As an important constituent of the innate immune system against cancer, phenotypic and functional deviations of NK cells have been demonstrated in HCC patients who also exhibit perturbation of the NK-activating receptor/ligand axis. The rate of recurrence of tumor-infiltrating and circulating NK cells are positively associated with survival benefits in HCC and have prognostic significance, suggesting that NK cell dysfunction is closely related to HCC progression. NK cells are the first-line effector cells of viral hepatitis and play a significant role by directly clearing virus-infected cells or by activating antigen-specific T cells by producing IFN-γ. In addition, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered NK cells suggest an exclusive opportunity to produce CAR-NKs with several specificities with fewer side effects. In the present review, we comprehensively discuss the innate immune landscape of the liver, particularly NK cells, and the impact of tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) on the function of NK cells and the biological function of HCC. Furthermore, the role of NK cells in HCC and HBV-induced HCC has also been comprehensively elaborated. We also elaborate on available NK cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches in HCC treatment and summarize current advancements in the treatment of HCC. This review will facilitate researchers to understand the importance of the innate immune landscape of NK cells and lead to devising innovative immunotherapeutic strategies for the systematic treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sajid
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
- Transplant and Immunology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lianxin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
| | - Cheng Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Anhui Provincial Clinical Research Center for Hepatobiliary Diseases, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Heifei, China
- Transplant and Immunology Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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23
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Peschl V, Seitz T, Sommer J, Thasler W, Bosserhoff A, Hellerbrand C. Bone morphogenetic protein 13 in hepatic stellate cells and hepatic fibrosis. J Cell Biochem 2022; 123:1544-1552. [PMID: 35442524 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30248] [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: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis can be considered as a deregulated wound healing process in response to chronic liver injury. Bone morphogenetic protein 13 (BMP13) has been described to promote bone and tendon repair. In this study, we aimed to analyze the expression and function of BMP13 in hepatic fibrosis. We found increased BMP13 expression during the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which is known as the key event of hepatic fibrosis. Fitting to this, BMP13 was elevated in murine models of hepatic fibrosis, and immunofluorescence staining showed colocalization of BMP13 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker for activated HSC, in cirrhotic human liver tissue. BMP13 depletion in activated human HSC reduced the phosphorylation of smad1/5/9 and the expression of the transcription factor inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1), a known BMP target gene and profibrogenic factor. Furthermore, BMP13-depletion led to reduced proliferation and downregulation of collagen I α1 (COL1A1) and α-SMA, and, interestingly, also reduced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). Conversely, stimulation with recombinant BMP13 induced the phosphorylation of smad1/5/9 and ERK, as well as the proliferation and the expression of ID1, COL1A1, and α-SMA in HSCs. These stimulatory effects were inhibited by dorsomorphin 1, a small-molecule inhibitor of the BMP-type I receptors activin receptor-like kinase-2 and -3, which are both expressed by HSC. In summary, these data indicate increased BMP13 expression in hepatic fibrosis as a profibrogenic factor. Thus, this soluble growth factor might have the potential as a new fibrosis marker and antifibrogenic therapeutic target in patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Peschl
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Seitz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Judith Sommer
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Anja Bosserhoff
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
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24
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Yang S, Cai C, Wang H, Ma X, Shao A, Sheng J, Yu C. Drug delivery strategy in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:26. [PMID: 35248060 PMCID: PMC8898478 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00796-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, with high rates of recurrence and death. Surgical resection and ablation therapy have limited efficacy for patients with advanced HCC and poor liver function, so pharmacotherapy is the first-line option for those patients. Traditional antitumor drugs have the disadvantages of poor biological distribution and pharmacokinetics, poor target selectivity, high resistance, and high toxicity to nontargeted tissues. Recently, the development of nanotechnology has significantly improved drug delivery to tumor sites by changing the physical and biological characteristics of drugs and nanocarriers to improve their pharmacokinetics and biological distribution and to selectively accumulate cytotoxic agents at tumor sites. Here, we systematically review the tumor microenvironment of HCC and the recent application of nanotechnology in HCC.
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25
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Hirway SU, Weinberg SH. A review of computational modeling, machine learning and image analysis in cancer metastasis dynamics. COMPUTATIONAL AND SYSTEMS ONCOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cso2.1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas U. Hirway
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
| | - Seth H. Weinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering The Ohio State University Columbus Ohio USA
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26
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Yan Z, Da Q, Li Z, Lin Q, Yi J, Su Y, Yu G, Ren Q, Liu X, Lin Z, Qu J, Yin W, Liu J. Inhibition of NEK7 Suppressed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Mediating Cancer Cell Pyroptosis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:812655. [PMID: 35223495 PMCID: PMC8866693 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.812655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in cell cycle progression via mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis. It has been related to multiple cancers, including breast cancer, hepatocellular cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. Moreover, NEK7 regulated the NLRP3 inflammasome to activate Caspase-1, resulting in cell pyroptosis. In the present study, we investigated whether NEK7 is involved in cell pyroptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Interestingly, we found that NEK7 was significantly related to expression of pyroptosis marker GSDMD in HCC. We found that NEK7 expression was significantly correlated with GSDMD expression in bioinformatics analysis, and NEK7 expression was significantly co-expressed with GSDMD in our HCC specimens. Cell viability, migration, and invasion capacity of HCC cell lines were inhibited, and the tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model was also suppressed following knockdown of NEK7 expression. Mechanistic studies revealed that knockdown of NEK7 in HCC cells significantly upregulated the expression of pyroptosis markers such as NLRP3, Caspase-1, and GSDMD. Coculture of HCC cells stimulated hepatic stellate cell activation by increasing p-ERK1/2 and α-SMA. Knockdown of NEK7 impaired the stimulation of HCC cells. Therefore, downregulation of NEK7 inhibited cancer–stromal interaction by triggering cancer cell pyroptosis. Taken together, this study highlights the functional role of NEK7-regulated pyroptosis in tumor progression and cancer–stromal interaction of HCC, suggesting NEK7 as a potential target for a new therapeutic strategy of HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Yan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-Peking University-Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingen Da
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-Peking University-Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-Peking University-Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhangfu Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen-Peking University-Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qirui Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Yi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanze Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanyin Yu
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qingqi Ren
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zewei Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianhua Qu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weihua Yin
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jikui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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27
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The Bright and the Dark Side of TGF-β Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Mechanisms, Dysregulation, and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040940. [PMID: 35205692 PMCID: PMC8870127 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling is a preeminent regulator of diverse cellular and physiological processes. Frequent dysregulation of TGF-β signaling has been implicated in cancer. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer, the autocrine and paracrine effects of TGF-β have paradoxical implications. While acting as a potent tumor suppressor pathway in the early stages of malignancy, TGF-β diverts to a promoter of tumor progression in the late stages, reflecting its bright and dark natures, respectively. Within this context, targeting TGF-β represents a promising therapeutic option for HCC treatment. We discuss here the molecular properties of TGF-β signaling in HCC, attempting to provide an overview of its effects on tumor cells and the stroma. We also seek to evaluate the dysregulation mechanisms that mediate the functional switch of TGF-β from a tumor suppressor to a pro-tumorigenic signal. Finally, we reconcile its biphasic nature with the therapeutic implications. Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with genetic and nongenetic aberrations that impact multiple genes and pathways, including the frequently dysregulated transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. The regulatory cytokine TGF-β and its signaling effectors govern a broad spectrum of spatiotemporally regulated molecular and cellular responses, yet paradoxically have dual and opposing roles in HCC progression. In the early stages of tumorigenesis, TGF-β signaling enforces profound tumor-suppressive effects, primarily by inducing cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, as the tumor advances in malignant progression, TGF-β functionally switches to a pro-tumorigenic signal, eliciting aggressive tumor traits, such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immune evasion of cancer cells. On this account, the inhibition of TGF-β signaling is recognized as a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced HCC. In this review, we evaluate the functions and mechanisms of TGF-β signaling and relate its complex and pleiotropic biology to HCC pathophysiology, attempting to provide a detailed perspective on the molecular determinants underlying its functional diversion. We also address the therapeutic implications of the dichotomous nature of TGF-β signaling and highlight the rationale for targeting this pathway for HCC treatment, alone or in combination with other agents.
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28
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Wang H, Zheng S, Jiang H, Wang X, Zhou F, Weng Z. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals a novel cell state and switching genes during hepatic stellate cell activation in vitro. J Transl Med 2022; 20:53. [PMID: 35093101 PMCID: PMC8800312 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03263-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The transformation of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) to myofibroblast is a key event during liver fibrogenesis. However, the differentiation trajectory of HSC-to-myofibroblast transition and the switching genes during this process remains not well understood. Methods We applied single-cell sequencing data to reconstruct a single-lineage pseudotime trajectory of HSC transdifferentiation in vitro and analyzed the gene expression patterns along the trajectory. GeneSwitches was used to identify the order of critical gene expression and functional events during HSC activation. Results A novel cell state during HSC activation was revealed and the HSCs belonging to this state may be an important origin of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Combining single-cell transcriptomics with GeneSwitches analyses, we identified some distinct switching genes and the order at which these switches take place for the new state of HSC and the classic culture-activated HSC, respectively. Based on the top switching genes, we established a four-gene combination which exhibited highly diagnostic accuracy in predicting advanced liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or hepatitis B (HBV). Conclusion Our study revealed a novel cell state during HSC activation which may be relevant to CAFs, and identified switching genes that may play key roles in HSC transdifferentiation and serve as predictive markers of advanced fibrosis in patients with chronic liver diseases. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03263-4.
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29
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Cucarull B, Tutusaus A, Rider P, Hernáez-Alsina T, Cuño C, García de Frutos P, Colell A, Marí M, Morales A. Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Advances. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030621. [PMID: 35158892 PMCID: PMC8833604 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, continues to be a serious medical problem with poor prognosis, without major therapeutic improvement for years and increasing incidence. Fortunately, advances in systemic treatment options are finally arriving for HCC patients. After a decade of sorafenib as a standard therapy for advanced HCC, several tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), antiangiogenic antibodies, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have reached the clinic. Although infections by hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus remain principal factors for HCC development, the rise of non- alcoholic steatohepatitis from diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome is impeding HCC decline. Knowledge of specific molecular mechanisms, based on the etiology and the HCC microenvironment that influence tumor growth and immune control, will be crucial for physician decision-making among a variety of drugs to prescribe. In addition, markers of treatment efficacy are needed to speed the movement of patients towards other potentially effective treatments. Consequently, research to provide scientific data for the evidence-based management of liver cancer is guaranteed in the coming years and discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Cucarull
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Anna Tutusaus
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Patricia Rider
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
| | | | - Carlos Cuño
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Pablo García de Frutos
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
- Unidad Asociada (IMIM), IIBB-CSIC, CIBERCV, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Colell
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
- Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Marí
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-932558314 (M.M. & A.M.)
| | - Albert Morales
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (B.C.); (A.T.); (P.R.); (C.C.); (P.G.d.F.); (A.C.)
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, CIBEREHD, IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (A.M.); Tel.: +34-932558314 (M.M. & A.M.)
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30
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Shen X, Zhao J, Wang Q, Chen P, Hong Y, He X, Chen D, Liu H, Wang Y, Cai X. The Invasive Potential of Hepatoma Cells Induced by Radiotherapy is Related to the Activation of Stellate Cells and Could be Inhibited by EGCG Through the TLR4 Signaling Pathway. Radiat Res 2022; 197:365-375. [PMID: 35051295 DOI: 10.1667/rade-21-00129.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Post-radiotherapy recurrence and metastasis of liver cancer were thought to arise from the invasion and metastasis of residual hepatocellular carcinoma cells, but it has now been shown to be closely related to the increased metastatic potential of residual liver cancer cells mediated by radiotherapy. The changes of liver microenvironment after radiotherapy also provide a favorable condition for promoting the metastatic potential of hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies have shown that radiation-induced activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is one of the main changes in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we hypothesized that activated HSCs are involved in regulating the metastatic capacity of residual cancer cells after radiotherapy. The present study observed that 48 h co-culture of three human hepatoma cell lines (MHCC97-L, Hep-3B, LM3) with a irradiated human HSC line (LX-2) in a transwell chamber could significantly improve the invasion of the human hepatoma cells; and the culture supernatant of activated HSCs could also enhance the invasion of the hepatoma cells. In contrast, co-culture with irradiated hepatoma cells enhanced the invasion of LX-2 cells. In vitro, irradiation enhanced the activation phenotype and the toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway of LX-2 cells or primary mouse HSCs, which upregulated intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1), laminin receptor (67 LR), Interleukin- 6 (IL-6), and CX3C chemokine ligand 1 (CX3CL1) and downregulated toll-interacting proteins. The compound (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibited signal transduction of activated TLR4 and radiation-induced invasion of LX-2 cells by binding to 67 LR. These observations indicated that the enhancement of the metastatic potential of hepatoma cells after irradiation was relevant to the activation of HSCs, and the activation of TLR4 signaling pathway was involved in this process, which was inhibited by EGCG. Our results will help enhance the therapeutic efficacy of liver cancer stereotactic body radiation therapy to prevent and decrease the risks of post-radiotherapy recurrence and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Shen
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Jia Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ping Chen
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Yiyang Hong
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan He
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Dafang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
| | - Xiujun Cai
- Key Laboratory of Endoscopic Technology Research, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China
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31
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Pandita H, Mezey E, Ganapathy-Kanniappan S. Augmented Liver Uptake of the Membrane Voltage Sensor Tetraphenylphosphonium Distinguishes Early Fibrosis in a Mouse Model. Front Physiol 2021; 12:676722. [PMID: 34759830 PMCID: PMC8573124 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.676722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial (mito-) oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) is a critical determinant of cellular membrane potential/voltage. Dysregulation of OxPhos is a biochemical signature of advanced liver fibrosis. However, less is known about the net voltage of the liver in fibrosis. In this study, using the radiolabeled [3H] voltage sensor, tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP), which depends on membrane potential for cellular uptake/accumulation, we determined the net voltage of the liver in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis. We demonstrated that the liver uptake of 3H-TPP significantly increased at 4 weeks of CCl4-administration (6.07 ± 0.69% ID/g, p < 0.05) compared with 6 weeks (4.85 ± 1.47% ID/g) and the control (3.50 ± 0.22% ID/g). Analysis of the fibrosis, collagen synthesis, and deposition showed that the increased 3H-TPP uptake at 4 weeks corresponds to early fibrosis (F1), according to the METAVIR scoring system. Biodistribution data revealed that the 3H-TPP accumulation is significant in the fibrogenic liver but not in other tissues. Mechanistically, the augmentation of the liver uptake of 3H-TPP in early fibrosis concurred with the upregulation of mito-electron transport chain enzymes, a concomitant increase in mito-oxygen consumption, and the activation of the AMPK-signaling pathway. Collectively, our results indicate that mito-metabolic response to hepatic insult may underlie the net increase in the voltage of the liver in early fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshi Pandita
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Esteban Mezey
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shanmugasundaram Ganapathy-Kanniappan
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Sükei T, Palma E, Urbani L. Interplay between Cellular and Non-Cellular Components of the Tumour Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5586. [PMID: 34771746 PMCID: PMC8583132 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide. Currently, treatments available for advanced HCC provide dismal chances of survival, thus there is an urgent need to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. While much of the focus of recent decades has been on targeting malignant cells, promising results have emerged from targeting the tumour microenvironment (TME). The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the main non-cellular component of the TME and it profoundly changes during tumorigenesis to promote the growth and survival of malignant cells. Despite this, many in vitro models for drug testing fail to consider the TME leading to a high failure rate in clinical trials. Here, we present an overview of the function and properties of the ECM in the liver and how these change during malignant transformation. We also discuss the relationship between immune cells and ECM in the TME in HCC. Lastly, we present advanced, 3D culture techniques of cancer modelling and argue that the incorporation of TME components into these is essential to better recapitulate the complex interactions within the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Sükei
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London SE5 9NT, UK; (T.S.); (E.P.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Elena Palma
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London SE5 9NT, UK; (T.S.); (E.P.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Luca Urbani
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London SE5 9NT, UK; (T.S.); (E.P.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
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Lam M, Reales-Calderon JA, Ow JR, Adriani G, Pavesi A. In vitro 3D liver tumor microenvironment models for immune cell therapy optimization. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:041502. [PMID: 34632251 PMCID: PMC8492081 DOI: 10.1063/5.0057773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, liver cancer kills more than 18 million people every year worldwide, urging new strategies to model the disease and to improve the current therapeutic options. In vitro tumor models of human cancer continue to evolve, and they represent an important screening tool. However, there is a tremendous need to improve the physiological relevance and reliability of these in vitro models to fulfill today's research requirements for better understanding of cancer progression and treatment options at different stages of the disease. This review describes the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironmental characteristics and illustrates the current immunotherapy strategy to fight the disease. Moreover, we present a recent collection of 2D and 3D in vitro liver cancer models and address the next generation of in vitro systems recapitulating the tumor microenvironment complexity in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxine Lam
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jose Antonio Reales-Calderon
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jin Rong Ow
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Giulia Adriani
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore
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Thanapirom K, Caon E, Papatheodoridi M, Frenguelli L, Al-Akkad W, Zhenzhen Z, Vilia MG, Pinzani M, Mazza G, Rombouts K. Optimization and Validation of a Novel Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System in Decellularized Human Liver Scaffold for the Study of Liver Fibrosis and Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194936. [PMID: 34638417 PMCID: PMC8508071 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study aims to overcome the current methodological limitations in discovering new therapeutic targets. Therefore, we optimized and validated a co-culture system using decellularized human liver three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds obtained from healthy and cirrhotic human livers for anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer dual drug screening. Both platforms mimic the naturally healthy and physio-pathological microenvironment and are able to recapitulate the key cellular and molecular events leading to liver fibrogenesis and cancer. This study demonstrates the differences between single versus co-cultures and the usage of human-derived liver 3D ECM scaffolds from healthy and cirrhotic livers. As lead compounds, we used Sorafenib and Regorafenib, first- and second-line drugs, and identified two different drug-induced mechanisms depending on the 3D ECM microenvironment. The 3D ECM scaffolds may represent innovative platforms for disease modeling, biomarker discovery, and drug testing in fibrosis and primary cancer. Abstract The introduction of new preclinical models for in vitro drug discovery and testing based on 3D tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) is very much awaited. This study was aimed at developing and validating a co-culture model using decellularized human liver 3D ECM scaffolds as a platform for anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer drug testing. Decellularized 3D scaffolds obtained from healthy and cirrhotic human livers were bioengineered with LX2 and HEPG2 as single and co-cultures for up to 13 days and validated as a new drug-testing platform. Pro-fibrogenic markers and cancer phenotypic gene/protein expression and secretion were differently affected when single and co-cultures were exposed to TGF-β1 with specific ECM-dependent effects. The anti-fibrotic efficacy of Sorafenib significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced pro-fibrogenic effects, which coincided with a downregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation. The anti-cancer efficacy of Regorafenib was significantly reduced in 3D bioengineered cells when compared to 2D cultures and dose-dependently associated with cell apoptosis by cleaved PARP-1 activation and P-STAT3 inhibition. Regorafenib reversed TGF-β1-induced P-STAT3 and SHP-1 through induction of epithelial mesenchymal marker E-cadherin and downregulation of vimentin protein expression in both co-cultures engrafting healthy and cirrhotic 3D scaffolds. In their complex, the results of the study suggest that this newly proposed 3D co-culture platform is able to reproduce the natural physio-pathological microenvironment and could be employed for anti-fibrotic and anti-HCC drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kessarin Thanapirom
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Elisabetta Caon
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Margarita Papatheodoridi
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Luca Frenguelli
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Walid Al-Akkad
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Zhang Zhenzhen
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Maria Giovanna Vilia
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London NW3 2QG, UK
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
| | - Krista Rombouts
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK; (K.T.); (E.C.); (M.P.); (L.F.); (W.A.-A.); (Z.Z.); (M.G.V.); (M.P.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Kang MJ, Lee S, Jung U, Mandal C, Park H, Stetler-Stevenson WG, Kim YS, Moon JW, Park SH, Oh J. Inhibition of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation Suppresses Tumorigenicity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Mice. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:2219-2230. [PMID: 34428424 PMCID: PMC8747013 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Transdifferentiation (or activation) of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to myofibroblasts is a key event in liver fibrosis. Activated HSCs in the tumor microenvironment reportedly promote tumor progression. This study analyzed the effect of an inhibitor of HSC activation, retinol-binding protein–albumin domain III fusion protein (R-III), on protumorigenic functions of HSCs. Although conditioned medium collected from activated HSCs enhanced the migration, invasion, and proliferation of the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hepa-1c1c7, this effect was not observed in Hepa-1c1c7 cells treated with conditioned medium from R-III–exposed HSCs. In a subcutaneous tumor model, larger tumors with increased vascular density were formed in mice transplanted with Hepa-1c1c7+HSC than in mice transplanted with Hepa-1c1c7 cells alone. Intriguingly, when Hepa-1c1c7+HSC–transplanted mice were injected intravenously with R-III, a reduction in vascular density and extended tumor necrosis were observed. In an orthotopic tumor model, co-transplantation of HSCs enhanced tumor growth, angiogenesis, and regional metastasis accompanied by increased peritumoral lymphatic vessel density, which was abolished by R-III. In vitro study showed that R-III treatment affected the synthesis of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors in activated HSCs, which might be the potential mechanism underlying the R-III effect. These findings suggest that the inhibition of HSC activation abrogates HSC-induced tumor angiogenesis and growth, which represents an attractive therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jung Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soovin Lee
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Usuk Jung
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chanchal Mandal
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - Heekyung Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea
| | - William G Stetler-Stevenson
- Extracellular Matrix Pathology Section, Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Young-Sik Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Wook Moon
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun-Hwa Park
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Junseo Oh
- Department of Biomedical Science, Korea University Graduate School, Seoul, Korea; Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
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Wu M, Miao H, Fu R, Zhang J, Zheng W. Hepatic Stellate Cell: A Potential Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2021; 13:261-272. [PMID: 32091349 DOI: 10.2174/1874467213666200224102820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, in which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority. Despite the progression in treatment, the prognosis remains extremely poor for HCC patients. The mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis are complex, of which fibrosis is acknowledged as the pre-cancerous stage of HCC. Approximately, 80-90% of HCC develops in the fibrotic or cirrhotic livers. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main effector cells of liver fibrosis, could secret various biological contents to maintain the liver inflammation. By decades, HSCs are increasingly correlated with HCC in the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarized the underlying mechanisms that HSCs participated in the genesis and progression of HCC. HSCs secrete various bioactive contents and regulate tumor-related pathways, subsequently contribute to metastasis, angiogenesis, immunosuppression, chemoresistance and cancer stemness. The study indicates that HSC plays vital roles in HCC progression, suggesting it as a promising therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengna Wu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, 226001 Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huajie Miao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, 226001 Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Fu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Haian Hospital of Nantong University, 17 Zhongba Road, 226600, Haian, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Chemotherapy, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, 226001 Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjie Zheng
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 Xisi Road, 226001 Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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ADAM 17 and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: The Evolving Story and Its Link to Fibrosis and Cancer. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10153373. [PMID: 34362154 PMCID: PMC8347979 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10153373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) has been the goal of wide investigation. Since its discovery as the tumour necrosis factor-α convertase, it has been studied as the main drug target, especially in the context of inflammatory conditions and tumour. In fact, evidence is mounting to support a key role of ADAM17 in the induction of the proliferation, migration and progression of tumour cells and the trigger of the pro-fibrotic process during chronic inflammatory conditions; this occurs, probably, through the activation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a central morphologic conversion that occurs in adults during wound healing, tumour progression and organ fibrosis. EMT is characterised by the disassembly of cell–cell contacts, remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton and separation of cells, and generates fibroblast-like cells that express mesenchymal markers and have migratory properties. This transition is characterised by loss of epithelial proteins such as E-cadherin and the acquisition of new mesenchymal markers, including vimentin and a-smooth muscle actin. The present review discusses the current understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in ADAM17-dependent EMT in order to individuate innovative therapeutic strategies using ADAM17-related pathways.
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Esparza-Baquer A, Labiano I, Sharif O, Agirre-Lizaso A, Oakley F, Rodrigues PM, Zhuravleva E, O'Rourke CJ, Hijona E, Jimenez-Agüero R, Riaño I, Landa A, La Casta A, Zaki MYW, Munoz-Garrido P, Azkargorta M, Elortza F, Vogel A, Schabbauer G, Aspichueta P, Andersen JB, Knapp S, Mann DA, Bujanda L, Banales JM, Perugorria MJ. TREM-2 defends the liver against hepatocellular carcinoma through multifactorial protective mechanisms. Gut 2021; 70:1345-1361. [PMID: 32907830 PMCID: PMC8223629 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent and aggressive cancer usually arising on a background of chronic liver injury involving inflammatory and hepatic regenerative processes. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2) is predominantly expressed in hepatic non-parenchymal cells and inhibits Toll-like receptor signalling, protecting the liver from various hepatotoxic injuries, yet its role in liver cancer is poorly defined. Here, we investigated the impact of TREM-2 on liver regeneration and hepatocarcinogenesis. DESIGN TREM-2 expression was analysed in liver tissues of two independent cohorts of patients with HCC and compared with control liver samples. Experimental HCC and liver regeneration models in wild type and Trem-2-/- mice, and in vitro studies with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and HCC spheroids were conducted. RESULTS TREM-2 expression was upregulated in human HCC tissue, in mouse models of liver regeneration and HCC. Trem-2-/- mice developed more liver tumours irrespective of size after diethylnitrosamine (DEN) administration, displayed exacerbated liver damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and hepatocyte proliferation. Administering an antioxidant diet blocked DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in both genotypes. Similarly, Trem-2-/- animals developed more and larger tumours in fibrosis-associated HCC models. Trem-2-/- livers showed increased hepatocyte proliferation and inflammation after partial hepatectomy. Conditioned media from human HSCs overexpressing TREM-2 inhibited human HCC spheroid growth in vitro through attenuated Wnt ligand secretion. CONCLUSION TREM-2 plays a protective role in hepatocarcinogenesis via different pleiotropic effects, suggesting that TREM-2 agonism should be investigated as it might beneficially impact HCC pathogenesis in a multifactorial manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Esparza-Baquer
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ibone Labiano
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Omar Sharif
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Arginine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aloña Agirre-Lizaso
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Fiona Oakley
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Pedro M Rodrigues
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ekaterina Zhuravleva
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Colm J O'Rourke
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elizabeth Hijona
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raul Jimenez-Agüero
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ioana Riaño
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ana Landa
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Adelaida La Casta
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Marco Y W Zaki
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minya, Egypt
| | - Patricia Munoz-Garrido
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikel Azkargorta
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Proteomics Platform, CIC bioGUNE, ProteoRed-ISCIII, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park, Derio, Spain
| | - Felix Elortza
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Proteomics Platform, CIC bioGUNE, ProteoRed-ISCIII, Bizkaia Science and Technology Park, Derio, Spain
| | - Andrea Vogel
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Arginine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gernot Schabbauer
- Institute for Vascular Biology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Arginine Metabolism in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Aspichueta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Lejona, Spain
| | - Jesper B Andersen
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sylvia Knapp
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine I, Laboratory of Infection Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Derek A Mann
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Luis Bujanda
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Lejona, Spain
| | - Jesus Maria Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Maria Jesus Perugorria
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Lejona, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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Seitz T, Hellerbrand C. Role of fibroblast growth factor signalling in hepatic fibrosis. Liver Int 2021; 41:1201-1215. [PMID: 33655624 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fibrotic remodelling is a highly conserved protective response to tissue injury and it is essential for the maintenance of structural and functional tissue integrity. Also hepatic fibrosis can be considered as a wound-healing response to liver injury, reflecting a balance between liver repair and scar formation. In contrast, pathological fibrosis corresponds to impaired wound healing. Usually, the liver regenerates after acute injury. However, if the damaging mechanisms persist, the liver reacts with progressive and uncontrolled accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Eventually, excessive fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Furthermore, cirrhosis is the major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Therefore, hepatic fibrosis is the most critical pathological factor that determines the morbidity and mortality of patients with chronic liver disease. Still, no effective anti-fibrogenic therapies exist, despite the very high medical need. The regulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling is a prerequisite for adequate wound healing, repair and homeostasis in various tissues and organs. The FGF family comprises 22 proteins that can be classified into paracrine, intracrine and endocrine factors. Most FGFs signal through transmembrane tyrosine kinase FGF receptors (FGFRs). Although FGFRs are promising targets for the treatment of HCC, the expression and function of FGFR-ligands in hepatic fibrosis is still poorly understood. This review summarizes the latest advances in our understanding of FGF signalling in hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, the potential of FGFs as targets for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and remaining challenges for the field are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Seitz
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Bozward AG, Warricker F, Oo YH, Khakoo SI. Natural Killer Cells and Regulatory T Cells Cross Talk in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Exploring Therapeutic Options for the Next Decade. Front Immunol 2021; 12:643310. [PMID: 33995362 PMCID: PMC8120158 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.643310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite major advances in immunotherapy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a challenging target. Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial components of the anti-HCC immune response, which can be manipulated for immunotherapeutic benefit as primary targets, modulators of the tumour microenvironment and in synchronising with tumour antigen specific effector CD8 cells for tumour clearance. Regulatory T cells shape the anti-tumour response from effector T cells via multiple suppressive mechanisms. Future research is needed to address the development of novel NK cell-targeted immunotherapy and on restraining Treg frequency and function in HCC. We have now entered a new era of anti-cancer treatment using checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-based strategies. Combining GMP-NK cell immunotherapy to enhance the frequency of NK cells with CPI targeting both NK and CD8 T cells to release co-inhibitory receptors and enhance the cells anti-tumour immunity of HCC would be an attractive therapeutic option in the treatment of HCC. These therapeutic approaches should now be complemented by the application of genomic, proteomic and metabolomic approaches to understanding the microenvironment of HCC which, together with deep immune profiling of peripheral blood and HCC tissue before and during treatment, will provide the much-needed personalised medicine approach required to improve clinical outcomes for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber G. Bozward
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR BRC) Birmingham, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network Centre- Rare Liver, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Frazer Warricker
- The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ye H. Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastroenterology Research and National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR BRC) Birmingham, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network Centre- Rare Liver, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Salim I. Khakoo
- The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, The School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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41
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Sufleţel RT, Melincovici CS, Gheban BA, Toader Z, Mihu CM. Hepatic stellate cells - from past till present: morphology, human markers, human cell lines, behavior in normal and liver pathology. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY 2021; 61:615-642. [PMID: 33817704 PMCID: PMC8112759 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.61.3.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC), initially analyzed by von Kupffer, in 1876, revealed to be an extraordinary mesenchymal cell, essential for both hepatocellular function and lesions, being the hallmark of hepatic fibrogenesis and carcinogenesis. Apart from their implications in hepatic injury, HSCs play a vital role in liver development and regeneration, xenobiotic response, intermediate metabolism, and regulation of immune response. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding HSCs morphology, human HSCs markers and human HSC cell lines. We also summarize the latest findings concerning their roles in normal and liver pathology, focusing on their impact in fibrogenesis, chronic viral hepatitis and liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rada Teodora Sufleţel
- Discipline of Histology, Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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42
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Böttcher K, Longato L, Marrone G, Mazza G, Ghemtio L, Hall A, Luong TV, Caruso S, Viollet B, Zucman-Rossi J, Pinzani M, Rombouts K. AICAR and compound C negatively modulate HCC-induced primary human hepatic stellate cell activation in vitro. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G543-G556. [PMID: 33406006 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00262.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Tumor stroma and microenvironment have been shown to affect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth, with activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) as a major contributor in this process. Recent evidence suggests that the energy sensor adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) may mediate a series of essential processes during carcinogenesis and HCC progression. Here, we investigated the effect of different HCC cell lines with known TP53 or CTNBB1 mutations on primary human HSC activation, proliferation, and AMPK activation. We show that conditioned media obtained from multiple HCC cell lines differently modulate human hepatic stellate cell (hHSC) proliferation and hHSC AMPK activity in a paracrine manner. Pharmacological treatment of hHSC with AICAR and Compound C inhibited the HCC-induced proliferation/activation of hHSC through AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms, which was further confirmed using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient of both catalytic AMPKα isoforms (AMPKα1/α2-/-) and wild type (wt) MEF. Both compounds induced S-phase cell-cycle arrest and, in addition, AICAR inhibited the mTORC1 pathway by inhibiting phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6 in hHSC and wt MEF. Data mining of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Liver Cancer (LICA-FR) showed that AMPKα1 (PRKAA1) and AMPKα2 (PRKAA2) expression differed depending on the mutation (TP53 or CTNNB1), tumor grading, and G1-G6 classification, reflecting the heterogeneity in human HCC. Overall, we provide evidence that AMPK modulating pharmacological agents negatively modulate HCC-induced hHSC activation and may therefore provide a novel approach to target the mutual, tumor-promoting interactions between hHSC and HCC.NEW & NOTEWORTHY HCC is marked by genetic heterogeneity and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are considered key players during HCC development. The paracrine effect of different HCC cell lines on the activation of primary hHSC was accompanied by differential AMPK activation depending on the HCC line used. Pharmacological treatment inhibited the HCC-induced hHSC activation through AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent mechanisms. This heterogenic effect on HCC-induced AMPK activation was confirmed by data mining TCGA and LICA-FR databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Böttcher
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Longato
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giusi Marrone
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leo Ghemtio
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrew Hall
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tu Vinh Luong
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefano Caruso
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Benoit Viollet
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors Laboratory, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom.,Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krista Rombouts
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
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43
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Théret N, Bouezzeddine F, Azar F, Diab-Assaf M, Legagneux V. ADAM and ADAMTS Proteins, New Players in the Regulation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071563. [PMID: 33805340 PMCID: PMC8037375 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Members of the adamalysin family are multi-domain proteins involved in many cancer-related functions. In this review, we will examine the literature on the involvement of adamalysins in hepatocellular carcinoma progression and their importance in the tumor microenvironment where they regulate the inflammatory response and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition. We complete this review with an analysis of adamalysin expression in a large cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. These original results give a new insight into the involvement of all adamalysins in the primary liver cancer. Abstract The tumor microenvironment plays a major role in tumor growth, invasion and resistance to chemotherapy, however understanding how all actors from microenvironment interact together remains a complex issue. The tumor microenvironment is classically represented as three closely connected components including the stromal cells such as immune cells, fibroblasts, adipocytes and endothelial cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the cytokine/growth factors. Within this space, proteins of the adamalysin family (ADAM for a disintegrin and metalloproteinase; ADAMTS for ADAM with thrombospondin motifs; ADAMTSL for ADAMTS-like) play critical roles by modulating cell–cell and cell–ECM communication. During last decade, the implication of adamalysins in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been supported by numerous studies however the functional characterization of most of them remain unsettled. In the present review we propose both an overview of the literature and a meta-analysis of adamalysins expression in HCC using data generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Théret
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.A.); (V.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Fidaa Bouezzeddine
- Molecular Cancer and Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University Fanar, 1500 Beirut, Lebanon; (F.B.); (M.D.-A.)
| | - Fida Azar
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.A.); (V.L.)
| | - Mona Diab-Assaf
- Molecular Cancer and Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences II, Lebanese University Fanar, 1500 Beirut, Lebanon; (F.B.); (M.D.-A.)
| | - Vincent Legagneux
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, University of Rennes 1, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.A.); (V.L.)
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44
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Wang F, Malnassy G, Qiu W. The Epigenetic Regulation of Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:653037. [PMID: 33791228 PMCID: PMC8005717 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.653037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal and complex malignancy strongly influenced by the surrounding tumor microenvironment. The HCC microenvironment comprises hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), stromal and endothelial cells, and the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM). Emerging evidence demonstrates that epigenetic regulation plays a crucial role in altering numerous components of the HCC tumor microenvironment. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of the microenvironment in HCC. We review recent studies demonstrating how specific epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone regulation, and non-coding RNAs mediated regulation) in HSCs, TAMs, and ECM, and how they contribute to HCC development, so as to gain new insights into the treatment of HCC via regulating epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States.,Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Greg Malnassy
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States.,Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Wei Qiu
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States.,Department of Cancer Biology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States
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45
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Dmello RS, To SQ, Chand AL. Therapeutic Targeting of the Tumour Microenvironment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042067. [PMID: 33669775 PMCID: PMC7922123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver metastasis is the primary contributor to the death of patients with colorectal cancer. Despite the overall success of current treatments including targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy combinations in colorectal cancer patients, the prognosis of patients with liver metastasis remains poor. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the tumour microenvironment and the crosstalk within that determines the fate of circulating tumour cells in distant organs. Understanding the interactions between liver resident cells and tumour cells colonising the liver opens new therapeutic windows for the successful treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Here we discuss critical cellular interactions within the tumour microenvironment in primary tumours and in liver metastases that highlight potential therapeutic targets. We also discuss recent therapeutic advances for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
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46
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Moaz IM, Abdallah AR, Yousef MF, Ezzat S. Main insights of genome wide association studies into HCV-related HCC. EGYPTIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43066-019-0013-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-mortality globally. Hepatocarcinogenesis is a complex multifactorial process. Host genetic background appeared to play a crucial role in the progression of HCC among chronic hepatitis C patients, especially in the era of Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) which allowed us to study the association of millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with different complex diseases. This article aimed to review the discovered SNPs associated with the risk of HCV-related HCC development which was reported in the published GWA studies and subsequent validation studies and also try to explain the possible functional pathways.
Main text
We reviewed the recent GWA studies which reported several new loci associated with the risk of HCV-related HCC, such as (SNPs) in MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA), DEP domain-containing 5 (DEPDC5), Tolloid-like protein 1 (TLL1), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. We also explained the possible underlying biological mechanisms that affect the host immune response pathways. Additionally, we discussed the controversial results reported by the subsequent validation studies of different ethnicities.
Conclusions
Although GWA studies reported strong evidence of the association between the identified SNPs and the risk of HCV-related HCC development, more functional experiments are necessary to confirm the defined roles of these genetic mutations for the future clinical application in different populations.
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47
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Current perspectives on the tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatol Int 2020; 14:947-957. [DOI: 10.1007/s12072-020-10104-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Pavlović N, Calitz C, Thanapirom K, Mazza G, Rombouts K, Gerwins P, Heindryckx F. Inhibiting IRE1α-endonuclease activity decreases tumor burden in a mouse model for hepatocellular carcinoma. eLife 2020; 9:e55865. [PMID: 33103995 PMCID: PMC7661042 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a liver tumor that usually arises in patients with cirrhosis. Hepatic stellate cells are key players in the progression of HCC, as they create a fibrotic micro-environment and produce growth factors and cytokines that enhance tumor cell proliferation and migration. We assessed the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the cross-talk between stellate cells and HCC cells. Mice with a fibrotic HCC were treated with the IRE1α-inhibitor 4μ8C, which reduced tumor burden and collagen deposition. By co-culturing HCC-cells with stellate cells, we found that HCC-cells activate IREα in stellate cells, thereby contributing to their activation. Inhibiting IRE1α blocked stellate cell activation, which then decreased proliferation and migration of tumor cells in different in vitro 2D and 3D co-cultures. In addition, we also observed cell-line-specific direct effects of inhibiting IRE1α in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Pavlović
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Carlemi Calitz
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Kess Thanapirom
- Regenerative Medicine & Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Guiseppe Mazza
- Regenerative Medicine & Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Krista Rombouts
- Regenerative Medicine & Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Pär Gerwins
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
- Department of Radiology, Uppsala University HospitalUppsalaSweden
| | - Femke Heindryckx
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
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Su TH, Peng CY, Tseng TC, Yang HC, Liu CJ, Liu CH, Chen PJ, Chen DS, Kao JH. Serum Mac-2-Binding Protein Glycosylation Isomer at Virological Remission Predicts Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Death in Chronic Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:589-597. [PMID: 31574141 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate serum Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) levels in predicting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mortality at virological remission (VR, HBV DNA <20 IU/mL) following antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with cirrhosis. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included patients with CHB-related Child-Pugh A cirrhosis undergoing long-term antiviral therapy. Serum M2BPGi levels were quantified and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify risk predictors for HCC and death. RESULTS A total of 126 and 145 patients were included in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The mean age was 56, and the mean M2BPGi level was 1.86 cut-off index (COI) in the derivation cohort. After adjustment for confounders, a higher M2BPGi level at VR significantly predicted HCC (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.10, P=0.002) and death (HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.02-4.62, P=0.044). The M2BPGi ≥3 COI significantly increased the risk of HCC and death in the derivation and validation cohorts. Serial M2BPGi levels declined significantly (P=0.0001) in non-HCC patients only, and remained significantly lower than those who developed HCC afterwards (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS Serum M2BPGi levels at antiviral therapy-induced VR predict HCC development and death in patients with CHB-related Child-Pugh A cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Hung Su
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yuan Peng
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Chung Tseng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chih Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Jen Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hua Liu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Jer Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ding-Shinn Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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50
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Li J, Yan Y, Ang L, Li X, Liu C, Sun B, Lin X, Peng Z, Zhang X, Zhang Q, Wu H, Zhao M, Su C. Extracellular vesicles-derived OncomiRs mediate communication between cancer cells and cancer-associated hepatic stellate cells in hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment. Carcinogenesis 2020; 41:223-234. [PMID: 31140556 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical determinant for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are main interstitial cells in TME and play a vital role in early intrahepatic invasion and metastasis of HCC. The potential mechanism on the interactions between HSCs and HCC cells remains unclear. In this study, the effects of extracellular vesicles (EVs)-derived OncomiRs that mediate communication between HCC cells and cancer-associated hepatic stellate cells (caHSCs) and remold TME were investigated. The results found that the HCC cells-released EVs contained more various OncomiRs, which could activate HSCs (LX2 cells) and transform them to caHSCs, the caHSCs in turn exerted promotion effects on HCC cells through HSCs-released EVs. To further simulate the effects of OncomiRs in EVs on construction of pro-metastatic TME, a group of OncomiRs, miR-21, miR-221 and miR-151 was transfected into HCC cells and LX2 cells. These microRNAs in the EVs from OncomiRs-enhanced cells were demonstrated to have oncogenic effects on HCC cells by upregulating the activities of protein kinase B (AKT)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal pathways. Equivalent results were also found in HCC xenografted tumor models. The findings suggested that the OncomiR secretion and transference by cancer cells-released EVs can mediate the communication between HCC cells and HSCs. HCC cells and caHSCs, as well as their secreted EVs, jointly construct a pro-metastatic TME suitable for invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, all these TME components form a positive feedback loop to promote HCC progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Li
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Ang
- Department of Pathology, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaoya Li
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunying Liu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuejing Lin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhangxiao Peng
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongping Wu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Changqing Su
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital and National Center for Liver Cancer, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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