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Chen Y, Deng X, Li Y, Han Y, Peng Y, Wu W, Wang X, Ma J, Hu E, Zhou X, Shen E, Zeng S, Cai C, Qin Y, Shen H. Comprehensive molecular classification predicted microenvironment profiles and therapy response for HCC. Hepatology 2024; 80:536-551. [PMID: 38537130 PMCID: PMC11332383 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Tumor microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity leads to a discrepancy in survival prognosis and clinical treatment response for patients with HCC. The clinical applications of documented molecular subtypes are constrained by several issues. APPROACH AND RESULTS We integrated 3 single-cell data sets to describe the TME landscape and identified 6 prognosis-related cell subclusters. Unsupervised clustering of subcluster-specific markers was performed to generate transcriptomic subtypes. The predictive value of these molecular subtypes for prognosis and treatment response was explored in multiple external HCC cohorts and the Xiangya HCC cohort. TME features were estimated using single-cell immune repertoire sequencing, mass cytometry, and multiplex immunofluorescence. The prognosis-related score was constructed based on a machine-learning algorithm. Comprehensive single-cell analysis described TME heterogeneity in HCC. The 5 transcriptomic subtypes possessed different clinical prognoses, stemness characteristics, immune landscapes, and therapeutic responses. Class 1 exhibited an inflamed phenotype with better clinical outcomes, while classes 2 and 4 were characterized by a lack of T-cell infiltration. Classes 5 and 3 indicated an inhibitory tumor immune microenvironment. Analysis of multiple therapeutic cohorts suggested that classes 5 and 3 were sensitive to immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapy, whereas classes 1 and 2 were more responsive to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment. Class 4 displayed resistance to all conventional HCC therapies. Four potential therapeutic agents and 4 targets were further identified for high prognosis-related score patients with HCC. CONCLUSIONS Our study generated a clinically valid molecular classification to guide precision medicine in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Chen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangying Deng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yin Li
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yinghui Peng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wantao Wu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xinwen Wang
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiayao Ma
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Erya Hu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Edward Shen
- Department of Life Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shan Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Changjing Cai
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yiming Qin
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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2
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Xue Y, Ruan Y, Wang Y, Xiao P, Xu J. Signaling pathways in liver cancer: pathogenesis and targeted therapy. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2024; 5:20. [PMID: 38816668 PMCID: PMC11139849 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-024-00184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide with high incidence and mortality rates. Due to its subtle onset, liver cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage when surgical interventions are no longer feasible. This situation highlights the critical role of systemic treatments, including targeted therapies, in bettering patient outcomes. Despite numerous studies on the mechanisms underlying liver cancer, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the only widely used clinical inhibitors, represented by sorafenib, whose clinical application is greatly limited by the phenomenon of drug resistance. Here we show an in-depth discussion of the signaling pathways frequently implicated in liver cancer pathogenesis and the inhibitors targeting these pathways under investigation or already in use in the management of advanced liver cancer. We elucidate the oncogenic roles of these pathways in liver cancer especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the current state of research on inhibitors respectively. Given that TKIs represent the sole class of targeted therapeutics for liver cancer employed in clinical practice, we have particularly focused on TKIs and the mechanisms of the commonly encountered phenomena of its resistance during HCC treatment. This necessitates the imperative development of innovative targeted strategies and the urgency of overcoming the existing limitations. This review endeavors to shed light on the utilization of targeted therapy in advanced liver cancer, with a vision to improve the unsatisfactory prognostic outlook for those patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangtao Xue
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yeling Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technology of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run-Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Innovation and Application of Minimally Invasive Instruments, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang Minimal Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research Center of Severe Hepatobiliary Disease, Zhejiang Research and Development Engineering Laboratory of Minimally Invasive Technology and Equipment, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
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3
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Liu T, Zhai C, Tian B, Li C, Han S, Wang S, Xuan M, Liu D, Zhao Y, Zhao H, Yu W, Wang J. Downregulation of Roundabout guidance receptor 2 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by interacting with Y-box binding protein 1. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2588. [PMID: 38297025 PMCID: PMC10830551 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53013-3] [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: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Roundabout guidance receptor 2 (Robo2) is closely related to malignant tumors such as pancreatic cancer and liver fibrosis, but there is no relevant research on the role of Robo2 in HCC. The study will further explore the function and mechanism of Robo2 and its downstream target genes in HCC. Firstly, Robo2 protein levels in human HCC tissues and paired adjacent normal liver tissues were detected. Then we established HepG2 and Huh7 hepatoma cell lines with knock-down Robo2 by transfection with lentiviral vectors, and examined the occurrence of EMT, proliferation and apoptosis abilities in HCC cells by western blot, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and TUNEL staining. Then we verified the interaction between Robo2 and its target gene by Co-IP and immunofluorescence co-staining, and further explored the mechanism of Robo2 and YB-1 by rescue study. The protein expression level of Robo2 in HCC was considerably higher than that in the normal liver tissues. After successfully constructing hepatoma cells with knock-down Robo2, it was confirmed that down-regulated Robo2 suppressed EMT and proliferation of hepatoma cells, and accelerated the cell apoptosis. High-throughput sequencing and validation experiments verified that YB-1 was the downstream target gene of Robo2, and over-expression of YB-1 could reverse the apoptosis induced by Robo2 down-regulation and its inhibitory effect on EMT and proliferation. Robo2 deficiency inhibits EMT and proliferation of hepatoma cells and augments the cell apoptosis by regulating YB-1, thus inhibits the occurrence of HCC and provides a new strategy for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liu
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Congjie Zhai
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Colorectal Cancer Precision Diagnosis and Treatment, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Bo Tian
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Shuangshuang Han
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Shihui Wang
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Mingda Xuan
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Dehua Liu
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Yunxia Zhao
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Hongyan Zhao
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China
| | - Weifang Yu
- Department of Endoscopy Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China.
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, No. 89 Donggang Road, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, China.
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4
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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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5
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Chowdhary S, Deka R, Panda K, Kumar R, Solomon AD, Das J, Kanoujiya S, Gupta AK, Sinha S, Ruokolainen J, Kesari KK, Gupta PK. Recent Updates on Viral Oncogenesis: Available Preventive and Therapeutic Entities. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:3698-3740. [PMID: 37486263 PMCID: PMC10410670 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c01080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Human viral oncogenesis is a complex phenomenon and a major contributor to the global cancer burden. Several recent findings revealed cellular and molecular pathways that promote the development and initiation of malignancy when viruses cause an infection. Even, antiviral treatment has become an approach to eliminate the viral infections and prevent the activation of oncogenesis. Therefore, for a better understanding, the molecular pathogenesis of various oncogenic viruses like, hepatitis virus, human immunodeficiency viral (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), could be explored, especially, to expand many potent antivirals that may escalate the apoptosis of infected malignant cells while sparing normal and healthy ones. Moreover, contemporary therapies, such as engineered antibodies antiviral agents targeting signaling pathways and cell biomarkers, could inhibit viral oncogenesis. This review elaborates the recent advancements in both natural and synthetic antivirals to control viral oncogenesis. The study also highlights the challenges and future perspectives of using antivirals in viral oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Chowdhary
- Department
of Industrial Microbiology, Sam Higginbottom
University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh India
| | - Rahul Deka
- Department
of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Birla
Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215, Jharkhand, India
| | - Kingshuk Panda
- Department
of Applied Microbiology, Vellore Institute
of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rohit Kumar
- Department
of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Abhishikt David Solomon
- Department
of Molecular & Cellular Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jimli Das
- Centre
for
Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Dibrugarh
University, Assam 786004, India
| | - Supriya Kanoujiya
- School
of
Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Ashish Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Somya Sinha
- Department
of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to
Be University, Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Janne Ruokolainen
- Department
of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto
University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Kavindra Kumar Kesari
- Department
of Applied Physics, School of Science, Aalto
University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
- Division
of Research and Development, Lovely Professional
University, Phagwara 144411, Punjab, India
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department
of Life Sciences, Sharda School of Basic Sciences and Research, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Department
of Biotechnology, Graphic Era Deemed to
Be University, Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
- Faculty
of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International
University, Nilai 71800, Malaysia
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6
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Biasiolo A, Sandre M, Ferro S, Quarta S, Ruvoletto M, Villano G, Turato C, Guido M, Marin O, Pontisso P. Epitope-Specific Anti-SerpinB3 Antibodies for SerpinB3 Recognition and Biological Activity Inhibition. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050739. [PMID: 37238609 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050739] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SerpinB3 is a serine protease inhibitor that plays a relevant role in disease progression and cancer by increasing fibrosis, cell proliferation, and invasion, besides conferring resistance to apoptosis. The mechanisms underlying these biological activities are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to generate antibodies directed against different SerpinB3 epitopes to better investigate their biological role. Five exposed epitopes were identified using the software DNASTAR Lasergene and the corresponding synthetic peptides were used for NZW rabbit immunization. Anti-P#2 and anti-P#4 antibodies were able to recognize both SerpinB3 and SerpinB4 by ELISA. Anti-P#5 antibody, produced against the reactive site loop of SerpinB3, showed the greatest specific reactivity for human SerpinB3. This antibody was able to recognize SerpinB3 at nuclear level, while anti-P#3 antibody recognized SerpinB3 only at cytoplasmic level, both by immunofluorescence and by immunohistochemistry. The biological activity of each antibody preparation was assessed in HepG2 cells overexpressing SerpinB3 and anti-P#5 antibody reduced proliferation by 12% cell and cell invasion by 75%, while trivial results were obtained with the other antibody preparations. These findings indicate that the reactive site loop of SerpinB3 is essential for the invasiveness features induced by this serpin and it could become a novel druggable target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Biasiolo
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Michele Sandre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Ferro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Santina Quarta
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Ruvoletto
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Villano
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Cristian Turato
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Maria Guido
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Oriano Marin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pontisso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
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7
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Zhen J, Pan J, Zhou X, Yu Z, Jiang Y, Gong Y, Ding Y, Liu Y, Guo L. FARSB serves as a novel hypomethylated and immune cell infiltration related prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:2937-2969. [PMID: 37074800 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent tumor with high morbidity, and an unfavourable prognosis. FARSB is an aminoacyl tRNA synthase, and plays a key role in protein synthesis in cells. Furthermore, previous reports have indicated that FARSB is overexpressed in gastric tumor tissues and is associated with a poor prognosis and tumorigenesis. However, the function of FARSB in HCC has not been studied. RESULTS The results showed that FARSB mRNA and protein levels were upregulated in HCC and were closely related to many clinicopathological characteristics. Besides, according to multivariate Cox analysis, high FARSB expression was linked with a shorter survival time in HCC and may be an independent prognostic factor. In addition, the FARSB promoter methylation level was negatively associated with the expression of FARSB. Furthermore, enrichment analysis showed that FARSB was related to the cell cycle. And TIMER analysis revealed that the FARSB expression was closely linked to tumor purity and immune cell infiltration. The TCGA and ICGC data analysis suggested that FARSB expression is greatly related to m6A modifier related genes. Potential FARSB-related ceRNA regulatory networks were also constructed. What's more, based on the FARSB-protein interaction network, molecular docking models of FARSB and RPLP1 were constructed. Finally, drug susceptibility testing revealed that FARSB was susceptible to 38 different drugs or small molecules. CONCLUSIONS FARSB can serve as a prognostic biomarker for HCC and provide clues about immune infiltration, and m6A modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhen
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jingying Pan
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuanrui Zhou
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zichuan Yu
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yike Jiang
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yiyang Gong
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yongqi Ding
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Second College of Clinical Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Liangyun Guo
- Department of Ultrasonography, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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8
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Ren Z, Chen Y, Shi L, Shao F, Sun Y, Ge J, Zhang J, Zang Y. Sox9/CXCL5 axis facilitates tumour cell growth and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. FEBS J 2022; 289:3535-3549. [PMID: 35038357 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
High rates of metastasis and postsurgical recurrence contribute to the higher mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), partly due to cancer stem cell (CSC)-dependent tumorigenesis and metastasis. Sex-determining region Y-box 9 (Sox9) has been previously characterized as a candidate CSC marker of HCC. Here, we observed that the increase of Sox9 significantly promoted HCC cell growth and invasion in cell cultures, whereas knockdown of Sox9 showed the opposite effects, suggesting that Sox9 may regulate the proliferation and invasion of hepatoma cells in an autocrine manner. RNA sequencing, together with functional assays and clinical analyses, identified CXCL5 as a key mediator downstream of Sox9 in HCC cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that Sox9 induced CXCL5 expression by directly binding to a promoter region. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we demonstrated that the intrinsic effective role of Sox9 in hepatoma cell growth and invasion depended on CXCL5, and that blockade of CXCL5/CXCR2 signalling abolished Sox9-triggered HCC cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, the Sox9/CXCL5 axis activated PI3K-AKT and ERK1/2 signalling which are implicated in regulating HCC cell proliferation and invasion. Finally, the Sox9/CXCL5 axis contributed to the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages in both tumour and peritumoral tissues from the orthotopic xenograft model. In summary, our data identify the Sox9/CXCL5 axis as an endogenous factor in controlling HCC cell growth and invasion, thereby raising the possibility of pharmacologic intervention with CXCL5/CXCR2 pathway inhibitors in therapy for HCC patients with higher Sox9 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
| | - Lei Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
| | - Fang Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
| | - Yanyan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
| | - Jia Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
| | - Yuhui Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University, China
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9
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Dituri F, Gigante G, Scialpi R, Mancarella S, Fabregat I, Giannelli G. Proteoglycans in Cancer: Friends or Enemies? A Special Focus on Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14081902. [PMID: 35454809 PMCID: PMC9024587 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14081902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Proteoglycans affect multiple molecular and cellular processes during the progression of solid tumors with a highly desmoplastic stroma, such as HCC. Due to their role in enhancing or limiting the traits of cancer cells underlying their aggressiveness, such as proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and stemness, these macromolecules could be exploited as molecular targets or therapeutic agents. Proteoglycans, such as biglycan, versican, syndecan-1, glypican-3, and agrin, promote HCC cell proliferation, EMT, and angiogenesis, while endostatin and proteoglycan 4 were shown to impair cancer neovascularization or to enhance the sensitivity of HCC cells to drugs, such as sorafenib and regorafenib. Based on this evidence, interventional strategies involving the use of humanized monoclonal antibodies, T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors, or recombinant proteins mimicking potentially curative proteoglycans, are being employed or may be adopted in the near future for the treatment of HCC. Abstract Proteoglycans are a class of highly glycosylated proteins expressed in virtually all tissues, which are localized within membranes, but more often in the pericellular space and extracellular matrix (ECM), and are involved in tissue homeostasis and remodeling of the stromal microenvironment during physiological and pathological processes, such as tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and cancer. In general, proteoglycans can perform signaling activities and influence a range of physical, chemical, and biological tissue properties, including the diffusivity of small electrolytes and nutrients and the bioavailability of growth factors. While the dysregulated expression of some proteoglycans is observed in many cancers, whether they act as supporters or limiters of neoplastic progression is still a matter of controversy, as the tumor promoting or suppressive function of some proteoglycans is context dependent. The participation of multiple proteoglycans in organ regeneration (as demonstrated for the liver in hepatectomy mouse models) and in cancer suggests that these molecules actively influence cell growth and motility, thus contributing to key events that characterize neoplastic progression. In this review, we outline the main roles of proteoglycans in the physiology and pathology of cancers, with a special mention to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), highlighting the translational potential of proteoglycans as targets or therapeutic agents for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Gianluigi Gigante
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Rosanna Scialpi
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), CIBEREHD and University of Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology Saverio de Bellis, IRCCS Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (G.G.); (R.S.); (S.M.); (G.G.)
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10
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Gautam AK, Kumar P, Raj R, Kumar D, Bhattacharya B, Rajinikanth PS, Chidambaram K, Mahata T, Maity B, Saha S. Preclinical Evaluation of Dimethyl Itaconate Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Activation of the e/iNOS-Mediated NF-κB-Dependent Apoptotic Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:823285. [PMID: 35095533 PMCID: PMC8795766 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.823285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors affecting a large population worldwide, with the fifth and seventh greatest mortality rates among men and women, respectively, and the third prime cause of mortality among cancer victims. Dimethyl itaconate (DI) has been reported to be efficacious in colorectal cancer by decreasing IL-1β release from intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC in male albino Wistar rats was treated with DI as an anticancer drug. The function and molecular mechanism of DI against HCC in vivo were assessed using histopathology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot studies. Metabolomics using 1H-NMR was used to investigate metabolic profiles. As per molecular insights, DI has the ability to trigger mitochondrial apoptosis through iNOS- and eNOS-induced activation of the NF-κB/Bcl-2 family of proteins, CytC, caspase-3, and caspase-9 signaling cascade. Serum metabolomics investigations using 1H-NMR revealed that aberrant metabolites in DEN-induced HCC rats were restored to normal following DI therapy. Furthermore, our data revealed that the DI worked as an anti-HCC agent. The anticancer activity of DI was shown to be equivalent to that of the commercial chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anurag Kumar Gautam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Pranesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India.,Department of Pharmacology, Aryakul College of Pharmacy and Research, Lucknow, India
| | - Ritu Raj
- Centre of Biomedical Research, SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Centre of Biomedical Research, SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow, India
| | | | - P S Rajinikanth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
| | - Kumarappan Chidambaram
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tarun Mahata
- Centre of Biomedical Research, SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Biswanath Maity
- Centre of Biomedical Research, SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Sudipta Saha
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
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11
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Xu P, Luo A, Xiong C, Ren H, Yan L, Luo Q. SCUBE3 downregulation modulates hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting CCNE1 via TGFβ/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:1. [PMID: 34980127 PMCID: PMC8725472 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02402-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to verify the role of signal peptide-CUB-EGF-like domain-containing protein3 (SCUBE3) in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. METHODS The role of SCUBE3 in HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle in vitro were detected using MTT assay, colony formation assay, 5-ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine assay (EDU), Celigo cell counting assay, Caspase3/7 activity assay, and flow cytometry. The effect of SCUBE3 on HCC cell proliferation in vivo was inspected by a xenograft tumour model in nude mice. The related mechanisms were further studied. RESULTS The level of SCUBE3 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of SCUBE3 inhibited proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest in HCC cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Screening of cell cycle-related proteins revealed that CCNL2, CDK6, CCNE1, and CCND1 exhibited a significantly different expression profile. We found that SCUBE3 may promote the proliferation of HCC cells by regulating CCNE1 expression. The pathway enrichment analysis showed that the TGFβ signalling pathway and the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway were significantly altered. Co-immunoprecipitation results showed that SCUBE3 binds to the TGFβRII receptor. SCUBE3 knockdown inhibited the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway and the phosphorylation of GSK3β to inhibit its kinase activity. CONCLUSIONS SCUBE3 promotes HCC development by regulating CCNE1 via TGFβ/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway. In addition, SCUBE3 may be a new molecular target for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Aoran Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuan Xiong
- Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology Research Institute, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 610061, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Ren
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Yan
- Clinical Laboratory Department, Chongqing Hygeia Cancer Hospital, 200 SiXian Road, Chongqing, 401332, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education), Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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12
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Zhong S, Zhang T, Tang L, Li Y. Cytokines and Chemokines in HBV Infection. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:805625. [PMID: 34926586 PMCID: PMC8674621 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.805625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a leading cause of hepatic inflammation and damage. The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is predominantly mediated by persistent intrahepatic immunopathology. With the characterization of unique anatomical and immunological structure, the liver is also deemed an immunological organ, which gives rise to massive cytokines and chemokines under pathogenesis conditions, having significant implications for the progression of HBV infection. The intrahepatic innate immune system is responsible for the formidable source of cytokines and chemokines, with the latter also derived from hepatic parenchymal cells. In addition, systemic cytokines and chemokines are disturbed along with the disease course. Since HBV is a stealth virus, persistent exposure to HBV-related antigens confers to immune exhaustion, whereby regulatory cells are recruited by intrahepatic chemokines and cytokines, including interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor β, are involved in such series of causal events. Although the considerable value of two types of available approved treatment, interferons and nucleos(t)ide analogues, effectively suppress HBV replication, neither of them is sufficient for optimal restoration of the immunological attrition state to win the battle of the functional or virological cure of CHB infection. Notably, cytokines and chemokines play a crucial role in regulating the immune response. They exert effects by directly acting on HBV or indirectly manipulating target immune cells. As such, specific cytokines and chemokines, with a potential possibility to serve as novel immunological interventions, combined with those that target the virus itself, seem to be promising prospects in curative CHB infection. Here, we systematically review the recent literature that elucidates cytokine and chemokine-mediated pathogenesis and immune exhaustion of HBV infection and their dynamics triggered by current mainstream anti-HBV therapy. The predictive value of disease progression or control and the immunotherapies target of specific major cytokines and chemokines in CHB infection will also be delineated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihong Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Libo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Chen Q, Chen AZ, Jia G, Li J, Zheng C, Chen K. Molecular Imaging of Tumor Microenvironment to Assess the Effects of Locoregional Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepatol Commun 2021; 6:652-664. [PMID: 34738743 PMCID: PMC8948593 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Among all primary liver cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type, representing 75%‐85% of all primary liver cancer cases. Median survival following diagnosis of HCC is approximately 6 to 20 months due to late diagnosis in its course and few effective treatment options. Interventional therapy with minimal invasiveness is recognized as a promising treatment for HCC. However, due to the heterogeneity of HCC and the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, the long‐term efficacy of treatment for HCC remains a challenge in the clinic. Tumor microenvironment, including factors such as hypoxia, angiogenesis, low extracellular pH, interstitial fluid pressure, aerobic glycolysis, and various immune responses, has emerged as a key contributor to tumor residual and progression after locoregional treatment for HCC. New approaches to noninvasively assess the treatment response and assist in the clinical decision‐making process are therefore urgently needed. Molecular imaging tools enabling such an assessment may significantly advance clinical practice by allowing real‐time optimization of treatment protocols for the individual patient. This review discusses recent advances in the application of molecular imaging technologies for noninvasively assessing changes occurring in the microenvironment of HCC after locoregional treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Chen
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Austin Z Chen
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guorong Jia
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jindian Li
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chuansheng Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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14
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Karan D. CCL23 in Balancing the Act of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Antitumor Immunity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:727583. [PMID: 34671553 PMCID: PMC8522494 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.727583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a cellular process in response to stress stimuli in protecting functional activities. However, sustained hyperactive ER stress influences tumor growth and development. Hepatocytes are enriched with ER and highly susceptible to ER perturbations and stress, which contribute to immunosuppression and the development of aggressive and drug-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ER stress-induced inflammation and tumor-derived chemokines influence the immune cell composition at the tumor site. Consequently, a decrease in the CCL23 chemokine in hepatic tumors is associated with poor survival of HCC patients and could be a mechanism hepatic tumor cells use to evade the immune system. This article describes the prospective role of CCL23 in alleviating ER stress and its impact on the HCC tumor microenvironment in promoting antitumor immunity. Moreover, approaches to reactivate CCL23 combined with immune checkpoint blockade or chemotherapy drugs may provide novel opportunities to target hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dev Karan
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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15
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Wang C, Shang C, Gai X, Song T, Han S, Liu Q, Zheng X. Sulfatase 2-Induced Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via Inhibition of Apoptosis and Induction of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:631931. [PMID: 33889573 PMCID: PMC8056031 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.631931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sulfatase 2 (SULF2) removes the 6-O-sulfate groups from heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and consequently alters the binding sites for various signaling molecules. Here, we elucidated the role of SULF2 in the differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) microenvironment and the mechanism underlying CAF-mediated HCC growth. Methods The clinical relevance of SULF2 and CAFs was examined using in silico and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. Functional studies were performed to evaluate the role of SULF2 in the differentiation of HSCs into CAFs and elucidate the mechanism underlying CAF-mediated HCC growth. Mechanistic studies were performed using the chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The in vitro findings were verified using the nude HCC xenograft mouse model. Results The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and IHC analyses revealed that the expression of CAF markers, which was positively correlated with that of SULF2 in the HCC tissues, predicted unfavorable postsurgical outcomes. Co-culturing HSCs with HCC cells expressing SULF2 promoted CAF differentiation. Additionally, CAFs repressed HCC cell apoptosis by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Meanwhile, SULF2-induced CAFs promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells by modulating the SDF-1/CXCR4/OIP5-AS1/miR-153-3p/SNAI1 axis. Studies using HCC xenograft mouse models demonstrated that OIP5-AS1 induced EMT by upregulating SNAI1 and promoted HCC growth in vivo. Conclusion These data indicated that SULF2 secreted by the HCC cells induced the differentiation of HSCs into CAFs through the TGFβ1/SMAD3 signaling pathway. SULF2-induced CAFs attenuated HCC apoptosis by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induced EMT through the SDF-1/CXCR4/OIP5-AS1/miR-153-3p/SNAI1 axis. This study revealed a novel mechanism involved in the crosstalk between HCC cells and CAFs in the tumor microenvironment, which can aid in the development of novel and efficient therapeutic strategies for primary liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chuzhi Shang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaohong Gai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tao Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shaoshan Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qingguang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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Xue D, Zheng Y, Wen J, Han J, Tuo H, Liu Y, Peng Y. Role of chemokines in hepatocellular carcinoma (Review). Oncol Rep 2021; 45:809-823. [PMID: 33650640 PMCID: PMC7859922 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide, with an unsatisfactory prognosis, although treatments are improving. One of the main challenges for the treatment of HCC is the prevention or management of recurrence and metastasis of HCC. It has been found that chemokines and their receptors serve a pivotal role in HCC progression. In the present review, the literature on the multifactorial roles of exosomes in HCC from PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase were obtained, with a specific focus on the functions and mechanisms of chemokines in HCC. To date, >50 chemokines have been found, which can be divided into four families: CXC, CX3C, CC and XC, according to the different positions of the conserved N‑terminal cysteine residues. Chemokines are involved in the inflammatory response, tumor immune response, proliferation, invasion and metastasis via modulation of various signaling pathways. Thus, chemokines and their receptors directly or indirectly shape the tumor cell microenvironment, and regulate the biological behavior of the tumor. In addition, the potential application of chemokines in chemotaxis of exosomes as drug vehicles is discussed. Exosomes containing chemokines or expressing receptors for chemokines may improve chemotaxis to HCC and may thus be exploited for targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Xue
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Ya Zheng
- Medical Center Laboratory, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Junye Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Jingzhao Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Hongfang Tuo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | - Yanhui Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
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Laskaratos FM, Levi A, Schwach G, Pfragner R, Hall A, Xia D, von Stempel C, Bretherton J, Thanapirom K, Alexander S, Ogunbiyi O, Watkins J, Luong TV, Toumpanakis C, Mandair D, Caplin M, Rombouts K. Transcriptomic Profiling of In Vitro Tumor-Stromal Cell Paracrine Crosstalk Identifies Involvement of the Integrin Signaling Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Mesenteric Fibrosis in Human Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms. Front Oncol 2021; 11:629665. [PMID: 33718208 PMCID: PMC7943728 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.629665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim Analysis of the pathophysiology of mesenteric fibrosis (MF) in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI-NETs) in an in vitro paracrine model and in human SI-NET tissue samples. Methods An indirect co-culture model of SI-NET cells KRJ-I and P-STS with stromal cells HEK293 was designed to evaluate the paracrine effects on cell metabolic activity, gene expression by RT2 PCR Profilers to analyse cancer and fibrosis related genes, and RNA sequencing. The integrin signaling pathway, a specific Ingenuity enriched pathway, was further explored in a cohort of human SI-NET tissues by performing protein analysis and immunohistochemistry. Results RT Profiler array analysis demonstrated several genes to be significantly up- or down-regulated in a cell specific manner as a result of the paracrine effect. This was further confirmed by employing RNA sequencing revealing multiple signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis and fibrogenesis that were significantly affected in these cell lines. A significant upregulation in the expression of various integrin pathway – related genes was identified in the mesenteric mass of fibrotic SI-NET as confirmed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Protein analysis demonstrated downstream activation of the MAPK and mTOR pathways in some patients with fibrotic SI-NETs. Conclusion This study has provided the first comprehensive analysis of the crosstalk of SI-NET cells with stromal cells. A novel pathway – the integrin pathway – was identified and further validated and confirmed in a cohort of human SI-NET tissue featured by a dual role in fibrogenesis/carcinogenesis within the neoplastic fibrotic microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faidon-Marios Laskaratos
- Neuroendocrine Tumour Unit, ENETS Centre of Excellence, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Levi
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gert Schwach
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Roswitha Pfragner
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andrew Hall
- Academic Centre for Cellular Pathology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dong Xia
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Conrad von Stempel
- Radiology Department, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Josephine Bretherton
- Radiology Department, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kessarin Thanapirom
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Alexander
- Academic Centre for Cellular Pathology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Olagunju Ogunbiyi
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Watkins
- Academic Centre for Cellular Pathology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tu Vinh Luong
- Academic Centre for Cellular Pathology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christos Toumpanakis
- Neuroendocrine Tumour Unit, ENETS Centre of Excellence, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dalvinder Mandair
- Neuroendocrine Tumour Unit, ENETS Centre of Excellence, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martyn Caplin
- Neuroendocrine Tumour Unit, ENETS Centre of Excellence, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krista Rombouts
- Regenerative Medicine and Fibrosis Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Dituri F, Scialpi R, Schmidt TA, Frusciante M, Mancarella S, Lupo LG, Villa E, Giannelli G. Proteoglycan-4 is correlated with longer survival in HCC patients and enhances sorafenib and regorafenib effectiveness via CD44 in vitro. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:984. [PMID: 33199679 PMCID: PMC7669886 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sorafenib and regorafenib administration is among the preferential approaches to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but does not provide satisfactory benefits. Intensive crosstalk occurring between cancer cells and other multiple non-cancerous cell subsets present in the surrounding microenvironment is assumed to affect tumor progression. This interplay is mediated by a number of soluble and structural extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins enriching the stromal milieu. Here we assess the HCC tumor expression of the ECM protein proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and its potential pharmacologic activity either alone, or in combination with sorafenib and regorafenib. PRG4 mRNA levels resulted strongly correlated with increased survival rate of HCC patients (p = 0.000) in a prospective study involving 78 HCC subjects. We next showed that transforming growth factor beta stimulates PRG4 expression and secretion by primary human HCC cancer-associated fibroblasts, non-invasive HCC cell lines, and ex vivo specimens. By functional tests we found that recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4) impairs HCC cell migration. More importantly, the treatment of HCC cells expressing CD44 (the main PRG4 receptor) with rhPRG4 dramatically enhances the growth-limiting capacity of sorafenib and regorafenib, whereas not significantly affecting cell proliferation per se. Conversely, rhPRG4 only poorly potentiates drug effectiveness on low CD44-expressing or stably CD44-silenced HCC cells. Overall, these data suggest that the physiologically-produced compound PRG4 may function as a novel tumor-suppressive agent by strengthening sorafenib and regorafenib effects in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis" Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte, Italy.
| | - Rosanna Scialpi
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis" Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Tannin A Schmidt
- Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Connecticut Health Centre, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Martina Frusciante
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis" Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis" Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte, Italy
| | - Luigi Giovanni Lupo
- University of Bari, Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Policlinico - piazza Giulio Cesare 14, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Erica Villa
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis" Research Hospital, 70013, Castellana Grotte, Italy
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Lin L, Chen G, Chen Z, Lu J, Zhu W, Zhong J, Peng F, Huang A. Prognostic value of tumor stromal collagen features in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma revealed by second-harmonic generation microscopy. Exp Mol Pathol 2020; 116:104513. [PMID: 32735795 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. The search for new biomarkers that predict the outcome of HCC patients is ongoing. We propose the second harmonic generation-based quantitative assessment approach to evaluate the prognostic value of tumor stromal collagen in HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated tumor stromal collagen in paraffin-embedded specimens from 109 HCC patients by second-harmonic generation imaging. The parameters and quantitative assessment of collagen were obtained using a fiber network extraction algorithm. The relationships between collagen features and clinical pathological features and overall survival were statistically analyzed. RESULT Among the collagen features, some parameters of aggregated collagen correlated well with clinical pathological features, especially the aggregated collagen cross-linked density. Cross-linked collagen fibers form a fiber network in moderately and poor differentiated HCCs. Kaplan-Meier analyses and the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that high aggregated collagen cross-linked density was associated with poor overall survival. The chi-squared test showed that aggregated cross-link density was significantly associated with histological grade and tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION Our results indicate the prognostic value of the quantitative evaluation of tumor stromal collagen using second harmonic generation imaging of patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Lin
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, PR China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, PR China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fuzhou Second Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Fuzhou 350007, PR China
| | - Jianping Lu
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, PR China
| | - Weifeng Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, PR China
| | - Jing Zhong
- Department of Radiology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, PR China
| | - Fengying Peng
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, PR China
| | - Aimin Huang
- Department of Pathology and Institute of Oncology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, PR China.
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Cheng Z, Wei-Qi J, Jin D. New insights on sorafenib resistance in liver cancer with correlation of individualized therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188382. [PMID: 32522600 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer is highly malignant and insensitive to cytotoxic chemotherapy and is associated with very poor patient prognosis. In 2007, the small-molecule targeted drug sorafenib was approved for the treatment of advanced liver cancer. In the subsequent ten years, sorafenib has been the only first-line therapeutic targeted drug for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, a number of clinical studies show that a considerable percentage of patients with liver cancer are insensitive to sorafenib. The number of patients who actually benefit significantly from sorafenib treatment is very limited, and the overall efficacy of sorafenib is far from satisfactory, which has attracted the attention of researchers. Based on previous studies and reports, this article reviews the potential mechanisms of sorafenib resistance (SR) and summarizes the biomarkers and clinicopathological indicators that might be used for predicting sorafenib response and developing personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Cheng
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jiang Wei-Qi
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Ding Jin
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; National Center for Liver Cancer, Shanghai 200433, China.
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21
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Xia L, Teng Q, Chen Q, Zhang F. Preparation and Characterization of Anti-GPC3 Nanobody Against Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:2197-2205. [PMID: 32280214 PMCID: PMC7125335 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s235058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a newly identified target molecule for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while targeted inhibition of GPC3 signaling may help to control the proliferation and metastasis of HCC cells. The purpose of this study was to prepare the anti-GPC3 nanobody and to investigate the affinity of the anti-GPC3 nanobodies in vitro and the anticancer effects on hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. Methods To screen for unknown anti-GPC3 antibodies, we constructed an antibody phage display library. After three rounds of panning, positive phage clones were identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Further, the nanobody fusion protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 cells and purified by affinity chromatography. Competitive ELISA and flow cytometry were conducted to confirm the affinity of the anti-GPC3 nanobodies in vitro. The antitumor effects of VHHGPC3 were assessed in vivo. Results The results showed that the nanobody VHHGPC3 had specific high-affinity binding to His-GPC3 antigen. Moreover, VHHGPC3 exhibited specific binding to commercial human GPC3 and recognized the surface GPC3 protein of the hepatoma cell line HepG2. Importantly, in vivo study showed that GPC3 nanobody suppresses the growth of HepG2 and improves the survival rate of tumor mice. Discussion In summary, our new anti-GPC3 nanobody suggests a strong application potential for targeted therapy of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Xia
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiao Teng
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Chen
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuchun Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, People's Republic of China
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Kiruthiga C, Devi KP, Nabavi SM, Bishayee A. Autophagy: A Potential Therapeutic Target of Polyphenols in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030562. [PMID: 32121322 PMCID: PMC7139730 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved biological phenomenon that maintains cellular homeostasis through the clearing of damaged cellular components under cellular stress and offers the cell building blocks for cellular survival. Aberrations in autophagy subsidize to various human pathologies, such as dementia, cardiovascular diseases, leishmaniosis, influenza, hepatic diseases, and cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is the fifth common mortal type of liver cancer globally, with an inhomogeneous topographical distribution and highest incidence tripled in men than women. Existing treatment procedures with liver cancer patients result in variable success rates and poor prognosis due to their drug resistance and toxicity. One of the pathophysiological mechanisms that are targeted during the development of anti-liver cancer drugs is autophagy. Generally, overactivated autophagy may lead to a non-apoptotic form of programmed cell death (PCD) or autophagic cell death or type II PCD. Emerging evidence suggests that manipulation of autophagy could induce type II PCD in cancer cells, acting as a potential tumor suppressor. Hence, altering autophagic signaling offers new hope for the development of novel drugs for the therapy of resistant cancer cells. Natural polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids and non-flavonoids, execute their anticarcinogenic mechanism through upregulating tumor suppressors and autophagy by modulating canonical (Beclin-1-dependent) and non-canonical (Beclin-1-independent) signaling pathways. Additionally, there is evidence signifying that plant polyphenols target angiogenesis and metastasis in HCC via interference with multiple intracellular signals and decrease the risk against HCC. The current review offers a comprehensive understanding of how natural polyphenolic compounds exhibit their anti-HCC effects through regulation of autophagy, the non-apoptotic mode of cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandramohan Kiruthiga
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University (Science Campus), Karaikudi 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Kasi Pandima Devi
- Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University (Science Campus), Karaikudi 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India;
- Correspondence: (K.P.D.); or (A.B.); Tel.: +91-4565223325 (K.P.D.); +1-941-782-5950 (A.B.)
| | - Seyed M. Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1435916471, Iran;
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
- Correspondence: (K.P.D.); or (A.B.); Tel.: +91-4565223325 (K.P.D.); +1-941-782-5950 (A.B.)
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23
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Pan L, Fang J, Chen MY, Zhai ST, Zhang B, Jiang ZY, Juengpanich S, Wang YF, Cai XJ. Promising key genes associated with tumor microenvironments and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:789-803. [PMID: 32148377 PMCID: PMC7052538 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i8.789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite significant advances in multimodality treatments, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignant tumors. Identification of novel prognostic biomarkers and molecular targets is urgently needed.
AIM To identify potential key genes associated with tumor microenvironments and the prognosis of HCC.
METHODS The infiltration levels of immune cells and stromal cells were calculated and quantified based on the ESTIMATE algorithm. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high and low groups according to immune or stromal scores were screened using the gene expression profile of HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas and were further linked to the prognosis of HCC. These genes were validated in four independent HCC cohorts. Survival-related key genes were identified by a LASSO Cox regression model.
RESULTS HCC patients with a high immune/stromal score had better survival benefits than patients with a low score. A total of 899 DEGs were identified and found to be involved in immune responses and extracellular matrices, 147 of which were associated with overall survival. Subsequently, 52 of 147 survival-related DEGs were validated in additional cohorts. Finally, ten key genes (STSL2, TMC5, DOK5, RASGRP2, NLRC3, KLRB1, CD5L, CFHR3, ADH1C, and UGT2B15) were selected and used to construct a prognostic gene signature, which presented a good performance in predicting overall survival.
CONCLUSION This study extracted a list of genes associated with tumor microenvironments and the prognosis of HCC, thereby providing several valuable directions for the prognostic prediction and molecular targeted therapy of HCC in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Pan
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Province Medical Research Center of Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Diseases, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jing Fang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Province Medical Research Center of Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Diseases, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ming-Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Province Medical Research Center of Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Diseases, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shu-Ting Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Province Medical Research Center of Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Diseases, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Province Medical Research Center of Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Diseases, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhi-Yu Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Sarun Juengpanich
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Fan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Province Medical Research Center of Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Diseases, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiu-Jun Cai
- Key Laboratory of Laparoscopic Technique Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
- Zhejiang Province Medical Research Center of Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Diseases, Hangzhou 310016, Zhejiang Province, China
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Lai KP, Cheung A, Ho CH, Tam NYK, Li JW, Lin X, Chan TF, Lee NPY, Li R. Transcriptomic analysis reveals the oncogenic role of S6K1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Cancer 2020; 11:2645-2655. [PMID: 32201535 PMCID: PMC7065997 DOI: 10.7150/jca.40726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), a serine/threonine kinase, is commonly overexpressed in a variety of cancers. However, its expression level and functional roles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, is still largely unknown. In the current report, we show the in vivo and in vitro overexpression of S6K1 in HCC. In the functional analysis, we demonstrate that S6K1 is required for the proliferation and colony formation abilities in HCC. By using comparative transcriptomic analysis followed by gene ontology enrichment analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, we find that the depletion of S6K1 can elevate the expression of a cluster of apoptotic genes, tumor suppressor genes and immune responsive genes. Moreover, the knockdown of S6K1 is predicted to reduce the tumorigenicity of HCC through the regulation of hubs of genes including STAT1, HDAC4, CEBPA and ONECUT1. In conclusion, we demonstrate the oncogenic role of S6K1 in HCC, suggesting the possible use of S6K1 as a therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keng Po Lai
- Guanxi Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, PR China.,Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Angela Cheung
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cheuk Hin Ho
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nathan Yi-Kan Tam
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jing Woei Li
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiao Lin
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ting Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nikki Pui-Yue Lee
- Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rong Li
- Guanxi Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, PR China
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Gu Y, Li X, Bi Y, Zheng Y, Wang J, Li X, Huang Z, Chen L, Huang Y, Huang Y. CCL14 is a prognostic biomarker and correlates with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:784-807. [PMID: 31927532 PMCID: PMC6977663 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
C-C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) is a chemokine promoting the activation of immune cells. However, the relationship between CCL14 expression, tumor immunity, and prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. CCL14 expression and its influence on tumor prognosis were analyzed by the ONCOMINE, Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) and Kaplan-Meier plotter. The relationship between CCL14 expression and tumor immunity were analyzed by TIMER and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). CCL14 expression was significantly lower in several human cancers, including HCC, than in corresponding normal tissues. CCL14 expression in HCC tissues correlated with prognosis. Low CCL14 expression associated with poorer overall survival, disease-specific survival, progression-free survival, and relapse-free survival in multiple cohorts of HCC patients, particularly at early disease stages (stage 1+2 or grade 2). CCL14 showed strong correlation with tumor-infiltrating B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. CCL14 expression in HCC negatively correlated with expression of several immune cell markers, including exhausted T cell markers, PD-1, TIM-3 and CTLA-4, suggesting its role in regulating tumor immunity. These findings demonstrate that CCL14 is a potential prognostic biomarker that determines cancer progression and correlated with tumor immune cells infiltration in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Gu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangyong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhua Bi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yubao Zheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jialiang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zexuan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lubiao Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanlin Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuehua Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Samidurai D, Pandurangan AK, Krishnamoorthi SK, Perumal MK, Nanjian R. Sinensetin isolated from Orthosiphon aristatus inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Process Biochem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2019.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cirrhotic Human Liver Extracellular Matrix 3D Scaffolds Promote Smad-Dependent TGF-β1 Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition. Cells 2019; 9:cells9010083. [PMID: 31905709 PMCID: PMC7017194 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
An altered liver microenvironment characterized by a dysregulated extracellular matrix (ECM) supports the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The development of experimental platforms able to reproduce these physio-pathological conditions is essential in order to identify and validate new therapeutic targets for HCC. The aim of this work was to validate a new in vitro model based on engineering three-dimensional (3D) healthy and cirrhotic human liver scaffolds with HCC cells recreating the micro-environmental features favoring HCC. Healthy and cirrhotic human livers ECM scaffolds were developed using a high shear stress oscillation-decellularization procedure. The scaffolds bio-physical/bio-chemical properties were analyzed by qualitative and quantitative approaches. Cirrhotic 3D scaffolds were characterized by biomechanical properties and microarchitecture typical of the native cirrhotic tissue. Proteomic analysis was employed on decellularized 3D scaffolds and showed specific enriched proteins in cirrhotic ECM in comparison to healthy ECM proteins. Cell repopulation of cirrhotic scaffolds highlighted a unique up-regulation in genes related to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TGFβ signaling. This was also supported by the presence and release of higher concentration of endogenous TGFβ1 in cirrhotic scaffolds in comparison to healthy scaffolds. Fibronectin secretion was significantly upregulated in cells grown in cirrhotic scaffolds in comparison to cells engrafted in healthy scaffolds. TGFβ1 induced the phosphorylation of canonical proteins Smad2/3, which was ECM scaffold-dependent. Important, TGFβ1-induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3 was significantly reduced and ECM scaffold-independent when pre/simultaneously treated with the TGFβ-R1 kinase inhibitor Galunisertib. In conclusion, the inherent features of cirrhotic human liver ECM micro-environment were dissected and characterized for the first time as key pro-carcinogenic components in HCC development.
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Zhang M, Chua MS, Hu J, Li H, Zhang S, Wu L, Han B. High Inflammatory Factor Grading Predicts Poor Disease-Free Survival in AJCC Stage I-II Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients After R0 Resection. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:10623-10632. [PMID: 31908534 PMCID: PMC6927565 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s230386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose In this study, we established the inflammatory factor grade system (IFGs) based on the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) microenvironment to investigate the role of inflammatory factor grade (IFG) in predicting the prognosis of patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage I-II. Patients and methods We enrolled 87 HCC patients with AJCC stage I-II who underwent R0 resection between 2000 and 2012 and had paraffin-embedded specimens. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to investigate the expression of 12 inflammatory factors and then to establish the IFGs (grade A or B) based on the IHC data. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier and Cox univariate/multivariate survival analyses were performed to examine the potential prognostic significance. Results Higher IFG (IFG-B) is significantly associated with greater tumor size (P=0.037), and IFG-B predicts a worse disease-free survival (DFS, P<0.001). Moreover, a platelet count (PLT) ≤100×109/L, tumor size ≥5 cm, poor tumor differentiation, and IFG-B are independent risk factors for DFS. Conclusion Overall, by establishing a grading system for the level of inflammatory factors in the HCC microenvironment, IFG-B can effectively predict poor DFS in AJCC stage I-II HCC patients after R0 resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Sze Chua
- Asian Liver Center, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jie Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Liqun Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, People's Republic of China
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29
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Liao X, Bu Y, Chang F, Jia F, Song G, Xiao X, Zhang M, Ning P, Jia Q. Remodeling of hepatic stellate cells orchestrated the stroma-derived oxaliplatin-resistance through CCN3 paracrine in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:1192. [PMID: 31805888 PMCID: PMC6896671 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-6362-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) have a key role in fibrogenesis and in the filtrates of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stroma, in which they are remodeled and play a critical role in HCC progression. However, the precise role of HSCs trending, infiltration and paracrine in orchestrating the stroma-derived oxaliplatin-resistance in HCC is still vague. METHODS The chemo-resistant models were established to explore the correlation between HSC cells and the condition of chemoresistance. The HCC clinical samples were collected to confirm this phenomenon. Then, the relationship between secretory CCN3 from oxaliplatin-resistant HCC and the infiltration of HSCs in associated HCC microenvironment was evaluated. Finally, the role and mechanism of HSCs remodeling in the orchestration of oxaliplatin-resistant HCC were explored. RESULTS The increased infiltration of HSCs and collagen accumulation were found in the microenvironment of oxaliplatin-resistant HCC. The cDNA profiles of the oxaliplatin-resistant HCC was reanalyzed, and CCN3 was one of the significantly increased genes. In HCC clinical samples, the levels of CCN3 and α-SMA are positively correlated, and high expression of CCN3 and α-SMA are positively associated with malignant phenotype and poor prognosis. Then the enhanced abilities of migration and proliferation of HSCs, and elevation of the cytokines paracrine from HSCs relating to HCC malignancy were proved in vitro and in vivo, and which were related to CCN3-ERK signaling pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS HSCs remodeling are positively related to CCN3 paracrine in hepatocellular carcinoma, which orchestrated the stroma-derived resistance to chemotherapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Liao
- Department of Nutrition, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Yang Bu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, General Hospital, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750001, China
| | - Fan Chang
- Metabolite Research Center, Shaanxi Institute of Microbiology, Xi'an, 710043, China
| | - Fengan Jia
- Metabolite Research Center, Shaanxi Institute of Microbiology, Xi'an, 710043, China
| | - Ge Song
- Department of Nutrition, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Xuelian Xiao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Pengbo Ning
- School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingan Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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30
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Li Y, Liu Z, Wang J, Yu J, Li Z, Yang H, Tang J, Chen Z. Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 3 Deficiency Recruits Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through the Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Ligand 1-Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Receptor 2 Axis. Hepatology 2019; 70:1564-1581. [PMID: 31021443 PMCID: PMC6900048 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) is the core regulator that switches cell death from apoptosis to necrosis. However, its role in tumor immunity is unknown. In this study, decreased RIP3 expression was observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which correlates with myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) accumulation. Moreover, RIP3 is a prognosis factor for patients with HCC. We further found that RIP3 knockdown results in an increase of MDSCs and a decrease of interferon gamma-positive (IFN-γ+ ) cluster of differentiation 8-positive (CD8+ ) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells) in hepatoma tissues, thus promoting immune escape and HCC growth in immunocompetent mice. By phosphorylating P65Ser536 and promoting phosphorylated P65Ser536 nuclear translocation, RIP3 knockdown increases the expression of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) in HCC cells. RIP3 knockdown induces MDSC recruitment through the CXCL1-chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 (CXCR2) axis. Furthermore, a CXCR2 antagonist substantially suppresses MDSC chemotaxis and HCC growth in RIP3 knockout mice. Conclusion: RIP3 deficiency is an essential factor directing MDSC homing to HCC and promoting CXCL1/CXCR2-induced MDSC chemotaxis to facilitate HCC immune escape and HCC progression; blocking the CXCL1-CXCR2 chemokine axis may provide an immunological therapeutic approach to suppress progression of RIP3 deficiency HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi‐Ming Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Zhen‐Yu Liu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Jian‐Chao Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Jing‐Min Yu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Zhu‐Chun Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Hai‐Jiao Yang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Juan Tang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Zhi‐Nan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell BiologyThe Fourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
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31
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Hongfeng Z, Andong J, Liwen S, Mingping B, Xiaowei Y, Mingyong L, Aimin Y. lncRNA RMRP knockdown suppress hepatocellular carcinoma biological activities via regulation miRNA-206/TACR1. J Cell Biochem 2019; 121:1690-1702. [PMID: 31579977 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA, RNA component of mitochondrial RNA processing endoribonuclease (RMRP) plays an important role in cancer development and is closely correlated with prognosis in cancer patients. However, whether RMRP affects prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression level of RMRP in HCC and its correlation with prognosis in patients with HCC and explain the effects and associated mechanisms by conducting an in vitro study. The high expression level of RMRP was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC. Using in vitro analysis, RMRP knockdown suppressed HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration (P < .05). miRNA-206 overexpression had similar effects in HCC cell lines (Bel-7402 and Huh-7). Using Western blot analysis and cellular immunofluorescence detection, RMRP downregulation significantly suppressed TACR1/Erk1/2 pathway, while miRNA-206 was significantly upregulated (P < .05). RMRP downregulation inhibits HCC-related biological activities by the regulation of miRNA-206/TACR1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Hongfeng
- Oncology Department, Affiliated Xinxiang Central Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Ju Andong
- Oncology Department, Affiliated Xinxiang Central Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Sun Liwen
- Oncology Department, Affiliated Xinxiang Central Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Bi Mingping
- Oncology Department, Affiliated Xinxiang Central Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Yang Xiaowei
- Oncology Department, Affiliated Xinxiang Central Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Li Mingyong
- Oncology Department, Affiliated Xinxiang Central Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Yue Aimin
- Oncology Department, Affiliated Xinxiang Central Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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32
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Bárcena-Varela M, Caruso S, Llerena S, Álvarez-Sola G, Uriarte I, Latasa MU, Urtasun R, Rebouissou S, Alvarez L, Jimenez M, Santamaría E, Rodriguez-Ortigosa C, Mazza G, Rombouts K, San José-Eneriz E, Rabal O, Agirre X, Iraburu M, Santos-Laso A, Banales JM, Zucman-Rossi J, Prósper F, Oyarzabal J, Berasain C, Ávila MA, Fernández-Barrena MG. Dual Targeting of Histone Methyltransferase G9a and DNA-Methyltransferase 1 for the Treatment of Experimental Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepatology 2019; 69:587-603. [PMID: 30014490 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications such as DNA and histone methylation functionally cooperate in fostering tumor growth, including that of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pharmacological targeting of these mechanisms may open new therapeutic avenues. We aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of action of our dual G9a histone-methyltransferase and DNA-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitor in human HCC cells and their crosstalk with fibrogenic cells. The expression of G9a and DNMT1, along with that of their molecular adaptor ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains-1 (UHRF1), was measured in human HCCs (n = 268), peritumoral tissues (n = 154), and HCC cell lines (n = 32). We evaluated the effect of individual and combined inhibition of G9a and DNMT1 on HCC cell growth by pharmacological and genetic approaches. The activity of our lead compound, CM-272, was examined in HCC cells under normoxia and hypoxia, human hepatic stellate cells and LX2 cells, and xenograft tumors formed by HCC or combined HCC+LX2 cells. We found a significant and correlative overexpression of G9a, DNMT1, and UHRF1 in HCCs in association with poor prognosis. Independent G9a and DNMT1 pharmacological targeting synergistically inhibited HCC cell growth. CM-272 potently reduced HCC and LX2 cells proliferation and quelled tumor growth, particularly in HCC+LX2 xenografts. Mechanistically, CM-272 inhibited the metabolic adaptation of HCC cells to hypoxia and induced a differentiated phenotype in HCC and fibrogenic cells. The expression of the metabolic tumor suppressor gene fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP1), epigenetically repressed in HCC, was restored by CM-272. Conclusion: Combined targeting of G9a/DNMT1 with compounds such as CM-272 is a promising strategy for HCC treatment. Our findings also underscore the potential of differentiation therapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Caruso
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors, Inserm U1162, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, Université Paris 13, IUH, France
| | - Susana Llerena
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gloria Álvarez-Sola
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iker Uriarte
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - M Ujue Latasa
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Raquel Urtasun
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Rebouissou
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors, Inserm U1162, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, Université Paris 13, IUH, France
| | - Laura Alvarez
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Eva Santamaría
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Rodriguez-Ortigosa
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Mazza
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krista Rombouts
- Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edurne San José-Eneriz
- Oncohematology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Obdulia Rabal
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Xabier Agirre
- Oncohematology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maria Iraburu
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Santos-Laso
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, Ikerbasque, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jesus M Banales
- CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Biodonostia Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, Ikerbasque, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jessica Zucman-Rossi
- Functional Genomics of Solid Tumors, Inserm U1162, Université Paris Descartes, Université Paris Diderot, Université Paris 13, IUH, France
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Oncohematology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Julen Oyarzabal
- Molecular Therapeutics Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Berasain
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernández-Barrena
- Hepatology Program, Cima-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra-IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
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33
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Liu LZ, Zhang Z, Zheng BH, Shi Y, Duan M, Ma LJ, Wang ZC, Dong LQ, Dong PP, Shi JY, Zhang S, Ding ZB, Ke AW, Cao Y, Zhang XM, Xi R, Zhou J, Fan J, Wang XY, Gao Q. CCL15 Recruits Suppressive Monocytes to Facilitate Immune Escape and Disease Progression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Hepatology 2019; 69:143-159. [PMID: 30070719 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chemokines play a key role in orchestrating the recruitment and positioning of myeloid cells within the tumor microenvironment. However, the tropism regulation and functions of these cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not completely understood. Herein, by scrutinizing the expression of all chemokines in HCC cell lines and tissues, we found that CCL15 was the most abundantly expressed chemokine in human HCC. Further analyses showed that CCL15 expression was regulated by genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironmental factors, and negatively correlated with patient clinical outcome. In addition to promoting tumor invasion in an autocrine manner, CCL15 specifically recruited CCR1+ cells toward HCC invasive margin, approximately 80% of which were CD14+ monocytes. Clinically, a high density of marginal CCR1+ CD14+ monocytes positively correlated with CCL15 expression and was an independent index for dismal survival. Functionally, these tumor-educated monocytes directly accelerated tumor invasion and metastasis through bursting various pro-tumor factors and activating signal transducer and activator of transcription 1/3, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog signaling in HCC cells. Meanwhile, tumor-derived CCR1+ CD14+ monocytes expressed significantly higher levels of programmed cell death-ligand 1, B7-H3, and T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-3 that may lead to immune suppression. Transcriptome sequencing confirmed that tumor-infiltrating CCR1+ CD14+ monocytes were reprogrammed to upregulate immune checkpoints, immune tolerogenic metabolic enzymes (indoleamine and arginase), inflammatory/pro-angiogenic cytokines, matrix remodeling proteases, and inflammatory chemokines. Orthotopic animal models confirmed that CCL15-CCR1 axis forested an inflammatory microenvironment enriched with CCR1+ monocytes and led to increased metastatic potential of HCC cells. Conclusion: A complex tumor-promoting inflammatory microenvironment was shaped by CCL15-CCR1 axis in human HCC. Blockade of CCL15-CCR1 axis in HCC could be an effective anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Zi Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo-Hao Zheng
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Shi
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Men Duan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Jie Ma
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang-Qing Dong
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping-Ping Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie-Yi Shi
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen-Bin Ding
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ai-Wu Ke
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Cao
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institute Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruibin Xi
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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34
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Chen HL, OuYang HY, Le Y, Jiang P, Tang H, Yu ZS, He MK, Tang YQ, Shi M. Aberrant MCT4 and GLUT1 expression is correlated with early recurrence and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy. Cancer Med 2018; 7:5339-5350. [PMID: 30306706 PMCID: PMC6246944 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is a key determinant of cancer cell biology. The microenvironment is a complex mixture of tumor cells, stromal cells, and proteins, extracellular matrix, oxygen tension, and pH levels surrounding the cells that regulate the tumor progress. This study identified the prognostic factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and MCT4 and GLUT1 expression levels in HCC specimens. In this study, we analyzed MCT4 and GLUT1 expression levels in tissue samples from 213 patients with HCC by immunohistochemical analyses and in HCC tumor tissues and matched adjacent nonneoplastic tissues by quantitative real‐time PCR. We conducted a prognostic analysis of the overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR) using immunoreactivity and other common clinical and pathological parameters. All variables with prognostic impact were further analyzed by multivariate analysis. We found that MCT4 and GLUT1 expression levels were significantly higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent nontumor tissues, and they were positively correlated with tumor size. Survival analysis showed that patients with high expression levels of MCT4 or GLUT1 had a poor OS and TTR. In patients with HCC, MCT4 expression was an independent negative prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.617; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.102–2.374; P = 0.014), and metabolic indicators were independent prognostic factors for OS (HR = 1.617, 95% CI = 1.102−2.374, P = 0.006) and TTR (HR = 1.348, 95% CI = 1.079−1.685, P = 0.009). Interestingly, patients with positive metabolic indicator expression in tumor cells had a significantly shorter OS and earlier TTR than those with negative metabolic indicator expression in tumor cells in the ≤5 cm and >5 cm subgroups. In summary, using the expression of MCT4 and GLUT1 and their metabolic parameters to determine the metabolic status of tumors is promising for predicting the prognosis of patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Long Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Sate Key Laboratory of Oncology in South Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Han-Yue OuYang
- GI Cell Biology Research Laboratory, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yong Le
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Sate Key Laboratory of Oncology in South Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Peng Jiang
- Fourth Internal Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi-Shan Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Sate Key Laboratory of Oncology in South Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Min-Ke He
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Sate Key Laboratory of Oncology in South Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
| | - Yun-Qiang Tang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Shi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China.,Sate Key Laboratory of Oncology in South Guangzhou, 510060, Guangdong, China
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35
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Virzì A, Roca Suarez AA, Baumert TF, Lupberger J. Oncogenic Signaling Induced by HCV Infection. Viruses 2018; 10:v10100538. [PMID: 30279347 PMCID: PMC6212953 DOI: 10.3390/v10100538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is frequently exposed to toxins, metabolites, and oxidative stress, which can challenge organ function and genomic stability. Liver regeneration is therefore a highly regulated process involving several sequential signaling events. It is thus not surprising that individual oncogenic mutations in hepatocytes do not necessarily lead to cancer and that the genetic profiles of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) are highly heterogeneous. Long-term infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) creates an oncogenic environment by a combination of viral protein expression, persistent liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronically deregulated signaling events that cumulate as a tipping point for genetic stability. Although novel direct-acting antivirals (DAA)-based treatments efficiently eradicate HCV, the associated HCC risk cannot be fully eliminated by viral cure in patients with advanced liver disease. This suggests that HCV may persistently deregulate signaling pathways beyond viral cure and thereby continue to perturb cancer-relevant gene function. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about oncogenic signaling pathways derailed by chronic HCV infection. This will not only help to understand the mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis but will also highlight potential chemopreventive strategies to help patients with a high-risk profile of developing HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Virzì
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Armando Andres Roca Suarez
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
- Pôle Hépato-digestif, Institut Hospitalo-universitaire, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Joachim Lupberger
- Inserm, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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36
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Fabregat I, Caballero-Díaz D. Transforming Growth Factor-β-Induced Cell Plasticity in Liver Fibrosis and Hepatocarcinogenesis. Front Oncol 2018; 8:357. [PMID: 30250825 PMCID: PMC6139328 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) family plays relevant roles in the regulation of different cellular processes that are essential for tissue and organ homeostasis. In the case of the liver, TGF-β signaling participates in different stages of disease progression, from initial liver injury toward fibrosis, cirrhosis and cancer. When a chronic injury takes place, mobilization of lymphocytes and other inflammatory cells occur, thus setting the stage for persistence of an inflammatory response. Macrophages produce profibrotic mediators, among them, TGF-β, which is responsible for activation -transdifferentiation- of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSC) to a myofibroblast (MFB) phenotype. MFBs are the principal source of extracellular matrix protein (ECM) accumulation and prominent mediators of fibrogenesis. TGF-β also mediates an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in hepatocytes that may contribute, directly or indirectly, to increase the MFB population. In hepatocarcinogenesis, TGF-β plays a dual role, behaving as a suppressor factor at early stages, but contributing to later tumor progression, once cells escape from its cytostatic effects. As part of its potential pro-tumorigenic actions, TGF-β induces EMT in liver tumor cells, which increases its pro-migratory and invasive potential. In parallel, TGF-β also induces changes in tumor cell plasticity, conferring properties of a migratory tumor initiating cell (TIC). The main aim of this review is to shed light about the pleiotropic actions of TGF-β that explain its effects on the different liver cell populations. The cross-talk with other signaling pathways that contribute to TGF-β effects, in particular the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), will be presented. Finally, we will discuss the rationale for targeting the TGF-β pathway in liver pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Fabregat
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Oncology Program, CIBEREHD, National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Caballero-Díaz
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Oncology Program, CIBEREHD, National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
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37
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Gao J, Rong Y, Huang Y, Shi P, Wang X, Meng X, Dong J, Wu C. Cirrhotic stiffness affects the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and induces sorafenib resistance through YAP. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:2639-2648. [PMID: 30145835 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A majority of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) combine with liver cirrhosis. The cirrhotic liver has been implicated in interfering with the effects of HCC-targeted drugs, including sorafenib. Alterations in the tumor microenvironment of the cirrhotic liver include both biochemical and biomechanical factors. In this study, we induced sorafenib resistance in HCC cells. We observed changes in cell morphology, cytoskeletal architecture, and cellular stiffness in these sorafenib-resistant cells, resembling those adapted to stiffer substrates. To examine the contribution of mechanical factors in HCC cell growth and drug resistance, we used an in vitro cell culture system with adjustable stiffness mimicking the normal or cirrhotic liver tissues. We identified that mechanical adaptation conferred HCC cells with increased motility and sorafenib resistance. We further reported the mechanism underlying the involvement of the transcription coactivator YAP. Our results underline the important role of mechanical factors in the interaction between tumor cells and their microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Gao
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yingxue Rong
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yuxing Huang
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Shi
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xitao Wang
- Department of Pancreaticobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xuan Meng
- Hospital & Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiahong Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Congying Wu
- Institute of Systems Biomedicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
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38
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Song T, Wang C, Guo C, Liu Q, Zheng X. Pentraxin 3 overexpression accelerated tumor metastasis and indicated poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma via driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition. J Cancer 2018; 9:2650-2658. [PMID: 30087705 PMCID: PMC6072810 DOI: 10.7150/jca.25188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As a pattern recognition receptor, pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has been found to exert the pleiotropic roles on a variety of cancers. However, the accurate clinical significance of PTX3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been well defined. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the expression characteristics, prognostic significance, and the relevant biological effect of PTX3 in HCC. The expression of PTX3 was evaluated in tumor and adjacent liver tissues from 210 HCC patients using immunohistochemistry staining. And it was found that a marked up-regulation in the expression of PTX3 in the HCC specimens, which was remarkably correlated with high serum AFP level (P = 0.006), larger tumor size (P <0.001), liver cirrhosis (P = 0.004), advanced TNM stage (P = 0.022), PVTT (P = 0.010), intra-hepatic metastases (P = 0.019), and MVI (P <0.001). PTX3 was identified as an independent predictive factor of poor prognosis by multivariate analysis. Ectopic expression of PTX3 enhanced proliferation, migration, invasion capacities of Huh7 cells and induced EMT phenotype. Silencing PTX3 obtained the opposite results. Moreover, the in vivo experiments confirmed PTX3 induced EMT and promoted proliferation and growth of HCC cells. Collectivelly, these data indicated that PTX3 could accelerate HCC progression through activating EMT and served as a potential predictive factor and therapeutic target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Cheng Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Qingguang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
| | - Xin Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China
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39
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Teng C, Chang H, Tsai H, Hsieh W, Kuo Y, Su I, Lin Y. Liver regeneration accelerates hepatitis B virus-related tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:1175-1187. [PMID: 29729074 PMCID: PMC6026873 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although partial hepatectomy (PH) to remove tumors provides a potential cure of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), long-term survival of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC patients after PH remains a big challenge. Early recurrence within 2 years post-PH is associated with the dissemination of primary HCC. However, late recurrence after 2 years post-PH is supposed due to the de novo or a secondary tumor. Since PH initiates liver regeneration (LR), we hypothesize that LR may accelerate tumorigenesis through activation of pre-existing precancerous lesions in the remaining liver. In this study, we explored the potential role of several LR-related factors in the de novo recurrence in a HBV X protein (HBx) transgenic mouse model receiving PH to mimic human HCC development. Following PH, we observed that tumor development was significantly accelerated from 16.9 to 10.4 months in HBx transgenic mice. The expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family proteins was remarkably suppressed in livers of HBx transgenic relative to non-transgenic mice from early to late stages after PH as compared with non-PH mice. The expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad pathway, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Myc, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and β-Catenin also showed a significant difference between livers of HBx transgenic and non-transgenic mice at variable time points after PH in comparison with non-PH mice. Taken together, our results provide an explanation for the high de novo recurrence of HBV-related HCC after PH, probably through induction of the sequential changes of LR-related SOCS family proteins, growth factors, and transcription factors, which may promote growth on the precancerous remnant liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiao‐Fang Teng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical SciencesChina Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Organ Transplantation CenterChina Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
| | - Hong‐Yi Chang
- Department of BiotechnologySouthern Taiwan University of Science and TechnologyTainanTaiwan
| | - Hung‐Wen Tsai
- Department of PathologyNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
- Institute of Clinical MedicineCollege of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Wen‐Chuan Hsieh
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesTainanTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Hao Kuo
- Organ Transplantation CenterChina Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
| | - Ih‐Jen Su
- Department of BiotechnologySouthern Taiwan University of Science and TechnologyTainanTaiwan
- Department of PathologyNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesTainanTaiwan
| | - Yih‐Jyh Lin
- Division of General and Transplant SurgeryDepartment of SurgeryNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
- Department of SurgeryCollege of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Liver Cancer Collaborative Oncology GroupNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
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40
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Caja L, Dituri F, Mancarella S, Caballero-Diaz D, Moustakas A, Giannelli G, Fabregat I. TGF-β and the Tissue Microenvironment: Relevance in Fibrosis and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018. [PMID: 29701666 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051294.pmid:29701666;pmcid:pmc5983604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a cytokine essential for the induction of the fibrotic response and for the activation of the cancer stroma. Strong evidence suggests that a strong cross-talk exists among TGF-β and the tissue extracellular matrix components. TGF-β is stored in the matrix as part of a large latent complex bound to the latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP) and matrix binding of latent TGF-β complexes, which is required for an adequate TGF-β function. Once TGF-β is activated, it regulates extracellular matrix remodelling and promotes a fibroblast to myofibroblast transition, which is essential in fibrotic processes. This cytokine also acts on other cell types present in the fibrotic and tumour microenvironment, such as epithelial, endothelial cells or macrophages and it contributes to the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype. Furthermore, TGF-β exerts anti-tumour activity by inhibiting the host tumour immunosurveillance. Aim of this review is to update how TGF-β and the tissue microenvironment cooperate to promote the pleiotropic actions that regulate cell responses of different cell types, essential for the development of fibrosis and tumour progression. We discuss recent evidences suggesting the use of TGF-β chemical inhibitors as a new line of defence against fibrotic disorders or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Caja
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Box 582, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Daniel Caballero-Diaz
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncology Program, CIBEREHD, National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Box 582, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncology Program, CIBEREHD, National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
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41
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Caja L, Dituri F, Mancarella S, Caballero-Diaz D, Moustakas A, Giannelli G, Fabregat I. TGF-β and the Tissue Microenvironment: Relevance in Fibrosis and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051294. [PMID: 29701666 PMCID: PMC5983604 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a cytokine essential for the induction of the fibrotic response and for the activation of the cancer stroma. Strong evidence suggests that a strong cross-talk exists among TGF-β and the tissue extracellular matrix components. TGF-β is stored in the matrix as part of a large latent complex bound to the latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP) and matrix binding of latent TGF-β complexes, which is required for an adequate TGF-β function. Once TGF-β is activated, it regulates extracellular matrix remodelling and promotes a fibroblast to myofibroblast transition, which is essential in fibrotic processes. This cytokine also acts on other cell types present in the fibrotic and tumour microenvironment, such as epithelial, endothelial cells or macrophages and it contributes to the cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) phenotype. Furthermore, TGF-β exerts anti-tumour activity by inhibiting the host tumour immunosurveillance. Aim of this review is to update how TGF-β and the tissue microenvironment cooperate to promote the pleiotropic actions that regulate cell responses of different cell types, essential for the development of fibrosis and tumour progression. We discuss recent evidences suggesting the use of TGF-β chemical inhibitors as a new line of defence against fibrotic disorders or cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Caja
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Box 582, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Daniel Caballero-Diaz
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncology Program, CIBEREHD, National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Box 582, 75123 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- TGF-β and Cancer Group, Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Gran Via de l'Hospitalet, 199, 08908 Barcelona, Spain.
- Oncology Program, CIBEREHD, National Biomedical Research Institute on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
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42
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Seino S, Tsuchiya A, Watanabe Y, Kawata Y, Kojima Y, Ikarashi S, Yanai H, Nakamura K, Kumaki D, Hirano M, Funakoshi K, Aono T, Sakai T, Sakata J, Takamura M, Kawai H, Yamagiwa S, Wakai T, Terai S. Clinical outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma can be predicted by the expression of hepatic progenitor cell markers and serum tumour markers. Oncotarget 2018; 9:21844-21860. [PMID: 29774107 PMCID: PMC5955154 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The high heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) complicates stratification of HCC patients for treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive panel of HCC biomarkers related to tumour behaviour and cancer prognosis. Resected HCCs from 251 patients were stained for hepatic progenitor cell (HPC) markers epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1), and cytokeratin 19 (CK19). Staining patterns were analysed for their prognostic association with relapse-free survival and overall survival. α-Fetoprotein (AFP), lectin-reactive α-fetoprotein (AFP-L3), and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) were assessed as indicators of HPC protein expression. Expression pattern of HPC markers correlated with tumour malignancy indicated by high AFP/AFP-L3 serum levels, more frequent vascular invasion, and poorer tumour differentiation. EpCAM expression, DCP ≥300 mAU/ml, age ≥60, and Child-Pugh score grade B or C were independent prognostic factors of poor outcome and were used in a new scoring system for HCC prognosis after operation. Expression of two or more HPC markers was a significant predictor of poor HCC outcome and serum levels of AFP/AFP-L3 correlated with the expression of HPC proteins. Our study paved the way for further elucidation of the association among HPC markers, serum tumour markers, and HCC clinical outcome for precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Seino
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Atsunori Tsuchiya
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Yusuke Watanabe
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Yuzo Kawata
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Yuichi Kojima
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Shunzo Ikarashi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yanai
- Drug Discovery Laboratories, Chiome Bioscience Inc., 907 Nogawa, Miyamae-Ku, Kawasaki-Shi, Kanagawa 216-0001, Japan
| | - Koji Nakamura
- Drug Discovery Laboratories, Chiome Bioscience Inc., 907 Nogawa, Miyamae-Ku, Kawasaki-Shi, Kanagawa 216-0001, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kumaki
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital, Joetsu-Shi, Niigata 943-0147, Japan
| | - Masaaki Hirano
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital, Joetsu-Shi, Niigata 943-0147, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Funakoshi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital, Joetsu-Shi, Niigata 943-0147, Japan
| | - Takashi Aono
- Division of Surgery, Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital, Joetsu-Shi, Niigata 943-0147, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sakai
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital, Joetsu-Shi, Niigata 943-0147, Japan
| | - Jun Sakata
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Masaaki Takamura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kawai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamagiwa
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Wakai
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Shuji Terai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Chuo-Ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
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43
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Yang C, Su H, Liao X, Han C, Yu T, Zhu G, Wang X, Winkler CA, O'Brien SJ, Peng T. Marker of proliferation Ki-67 expression is associated with transforming growth factor beta 1 and can predict the prognosis of patients with hepatic B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:679-696. [PMID: 29692627 PMCID: PMC5901156 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s162595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent malignancy of the liver. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) and marker of proliferation Ki-67 (MKI67) regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth. The association between MKI67 and TGFB1 expression and its clinical implications in HCC remain unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengkun Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Hao Su
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xiwen Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Chuangye Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Tingdong Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Guangzhi Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Xiangkun Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
| | - Cheryl Ann Winkler
- Basic Research Laboratory, CCR, NCI, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Stephen J O'Brien
- Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA.,Theodosius Dobzhansky Center for Genome Bioinformatics, St. Petersburg State University, St Petersburg, Russia.,Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province, China
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44
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Hu K, Wang ZM, Li JN, Zhang S, Xiao ZF, Tao YM. CLEC1B Expression and PD-L1 Expression Predict Clinical Outcome in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Tumor Hemorrhage. Transl Oncol 2018. [PMID: 29525632 PMCID: PMC5884195 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous tumor hemorrhage (TH) is frequently observed in solid tumors including human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TH implies fast-growing and worse tumor immunological microenvironment; however, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. CLEC1B is a signature gene highly associated with tumor progression. PD-L1 expression is a key biomarker predictive of immune checkpoint therapies, which showed astonishing effect on various types of tumor. We assume that, in HCC, TH may closely associate with the expression of these two molecules. In this study, 136 patients with HCC were enrolled. qRT-PCR showed that CLEC1B expression is significantly lower in HCC tumor tissue. Immunohistochemistry of HCC tissue microarrays demonstrated that PD-L1high and CLEC1Blow expressions were significantly correlated with TH and clinicopathological features indicating worse HCC progression. According to univariate/multivariate analysis, a combination of PD-L1high and CLEC1Blow expression was an independent prognostic factor indicating the poor outcome. The prognostic value of PD-L1high and CLEC1Blow was validated by Cox proportional-hazard analyses. Collectively, tumor with TH is closely associated with CLEC1Blow & PD-L1high expression, which may imply high response of PD-L1/PD-1 immune checkpoint therapies. CLEC1B may be a potential therapeutic target for PD-L1/PD-1 immunotherapy. PD-L1high and CLEC1Blow can be a valuable prognosis factor implying worse clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juan-Ni Li
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sai Zhang
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhong-Fu Xiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yi-Ming Tao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Rani B, Malfettone A, Dituri F, Soukupova J, Lupo L, Mancarella S, Fabregat I, Giannelli G. Galunisertib suppresses the staminal phenotype in hepatocellular carcinoma by modulating CD44 expression. Cell Death Dis 2018. [PMID: 29515105 PMCID: PMC5841307 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0384-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) niche in the tumor microenvironment is
responsible for cancer recurrence and therapy failure. To better understand its
molecular and biological involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression,
one can design more effective therapies and tailored then to individual patients.
While sorafenib is currently the only approved drug for first-line treatment of
advanced stage HCC, its role in modulating the CSC niche is estimated to be small.
By contrast, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β
pathway seems to influence the CSC and thus may impact hallmarks of HCC, such as
liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and tumor progression. Therefore, blocking this pathway
may offer an appealing and druggable target. In our study, we have used galunisertib
(LY2157299), a selective ATP-mimetic inhibitor of TGF-β receptor I (TGFβI/ALK5)
activation, currently under clinical investigation in HCC patients. Because the drug
resistance is mainly mediated by CSCs, we tested the effects of galunisertib on
stemness phenotype in HCC cells to determine whether TGF-β signaling modulates CSC
niche and drug resistance. Galunisertib modulated the expression of stemness-related
genes only in the invasive (HLE and HLF) HCC cells inducing a decreased expression
of CD44 and THY1. Furthermore, galunisertib also reduced the stemness-related
functions of invasive HCC cells decreasing the formation of colonies, liver
spheroids and invasive growth ability. Interestingly, CD44 loss of function mimicked
the galunisertib effects on HCC stemness-related functions. Galunisertib treatment
also reduced the expression of stemness-related genes in ex vivo human HCC
specimens. Our observations are the first evidence that galunisertib effectiveness
overcomes stemness-derived aggressiveness via decreased expression CD44 and
THY1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavna Rani
- School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Malfettone
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Dituri
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Jitka Soukupova
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luigi Lupo
- School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Serena Mancarella
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy
| | - Isabel Fabregat
- Oncobell Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. de Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy.
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Govaere O, Petz M, Wouters J, Vandewynckel YP, Scott EJ, Topal B, Nevens F, Verslype C, Anstee QM, Van Vlierberghe H, Mikulits W, Roskams T. The PDGFRα-laminin B1-keratin 19 cascade drives tumor progression at the invasive front of human hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncogene 2017; 36:6605-6616. [PMID: 28783171 PMCID: PMC5702717 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) expressing the biliary/hepatic progenitor cell marker keratin 19 (K19) have been linked with a poor prognosis and exhibit an increase in platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) and laminin beta 1 (LAMB1) expression. PDGFRα has been reported to induce de novo synthesis of LAMB1 protein in a Sjogren syndrome antigen B (La/SSB)-dependent manner in a murine metastasis model. However, the role of this cascade in human HCC remains unclear. This study focused on the functional role of the PDGFRα-La/SSB-LAMB1 pathway and its molecular link to K19 expression in human HCC. In surgical HCC specimens from a cohort of 136 patients, PDGFRα expression correlated with K19 expression, microvascular invasion and metastatic spread. In addition, PDGFRα expression in pre-operative needle biopsy specimens predicted poor overall survival during a 5-year follow-up period. Consecutive histological staining demonstrated that the signaling components of the PDGFRα-La/SSB-LAMB1 pathway were strongly expressed at the invasive front. K19-positive HCC cells displayed high levels of α2β1 integrin (ITG) receptor, both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro activation of PDGFRα signaling triggered the translocation of nuclear La/SSB into the cytoplasm, enhanced the protein synthesis of LAMB1 by activating its internal ribosome entry site, which in turn led to increased secretion of laminin-111. This effect was abrogated by the PDGFRα-specific inhibitor crenolanib. Importantly LAMB1 stimulated ITG-dependent focal adhesion kinase/Src proto-oncogene non-receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. It also promoted the ITG-specific downstream target Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2, induced K19 expression in an autocrine manner, invadopodia formation and cell invasion. Finally, we showed that the knockdown of LAMB1 or K19 in subcutaneous xenograft mouse models resulted in significant loss of cells invading the surrounding stromal tissue and reduced HepG2 colonization into lung and liver after tail vein injection. The PDGFRα-LAMB1 pathway supports tumor progression at the invasive front of human HCC through K19 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Govaere
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Liver Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - M Petz
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Wouters
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Y-P Vandewynckel
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - E J Scott
- Liver Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - B Topal
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - F Nevens
- Department of Hepatology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - C Verslype
- Department of Hepatology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Q M Anstee
- Liver Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - H Van Vlierberghe
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - W Mikulits
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Roskams
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven and University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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47
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Overexpression of Rabl3 and Cullin7 is associated with pathogenesis and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hum Pathol 2017; 67:146-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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48
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Microenvironment inflammatory infiltrate drives growth speed and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective clinical study. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3017. [PMID: 28837142 PMCID: PMC5596578 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In HCC, tumor microenvironment, heavily influenced by the underlying chronic liver disease, etiology and stage of the tissue damage, affects tumor progression and determines the high heterogeneity of the tumor. Aim of this study was to identify the circulating and tissue components of the microenvironment immune-mediated response affecting the aggressiveness and the ensuing clinical outcome. We analyzed the baseline paired HCC and the surrounding tissue biopsies from a prospective cohort of 132 patients at the first diagnosis of HCC for immunolocalization of PD-1/PD-L1, FoxP3, E-cadherin, CLEC2 and for a panel of 82 microRNA associated with regulation of angiogenesis, cell proliferation, cell signaling, immune control and autophagy. Original microarray data were also explored. Serum samples were analyzed for a panel of 19 cytokines. Data were associated with biochemical data, histopathology and survival. Patients with a more aggressive disease and shorter survival, who we named fast-growing accordingly to the tumor doubling time, at presentation had significantly higher AFP levels, TGF-β1 and Cyphra 21-1 levels. Transcriptomic analysis evidenced a significant downregulation of CLEC2 and upregulation of several metalloproteinases. A marked local upregulation of both PD-1 and PD-L1, a concomitant FoxP3-positive lymphocytic infiltrate, a loss of E-cadherin, gain of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and extreme poor differentiation at histology were also present. Upregulated microRNA in fast-growing HCCs are associated with TGF-β signaling, angiogenesis and inflammation. Our data show that fast HCCs are characterized not only by redundant neo-angiogenesis but also by unique features of distinctively immunosuppressed microenvironment, prominent EMT, and clear-cut activation of TGFβ1 signaling in a general background of long-standing and permanent inflammatory state.
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49
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Liu Y, Cheng Y, Xu Y, Wang Z, Du X, Li C, Peng J, Gao L, Liang X, Ma C. Increased expression of programmed cell death protein 1 on NK cells inhibits NK-cell-mediated anti-tumor function and indicates poor prognosis in digestive cancers. Oncogene 2017; 36:6143-6153. [PMID: 28692048 PMCID: PMC5671935 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal expression of activating/inhibitory receptors leads to natural killer (NK) cells dysfunction in tumor. Here we show that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a well-known immune checkpoint of T cells, is highly expressed on peripheral and tumor-infiltrating NK cells from patients with digestive cancers including esophageal, liver, colorectal, gastric and biliary cancer. The increased PD-1 expression on NK cells indicates poorer survival in esophageal and liver cancers. Blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling markedly enhances cytokines production and degranulation and suppresses apoptosis of NK cells in vitro. PD-1/PD-L1 exerts inhibitory effect through repressing the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling in NK cells. More importantly, a PD-1 blocking antibody was found to significantly suppress the growth of xenografts in nude mice, and this inhibition of tumor growth was completely abrogated by NK depletion. These findings strongly suggested that PD-1 is an inhibitory regulator of NK cells in digestive cancers. PD-1 blockade might be an efficient strategy in NK cell-based tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Liu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Y Cheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Y Xu
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Z Wang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - X Du
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - C Li
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - J Peng
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - L Gao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - X Liang
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - C Ma
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education and Department of Immunology, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
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50
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Precision medicine for hepatocelluar carcinoma using molecular pattern diagnostics: results from a preclinical pilot study. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2867. [PMID: 28594404 PMCID: PMC5520889 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to design a road map for personalizing cancer therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by using molecular pattern diagnostics. As an exploratory study, we investigated molecular patterns of tissues of two tumors from individual HCC patients, which in previous experiments had shown contrasting reactions to the phase 2 transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 inhibitor galunisertib. Cancer-driving molecular patterns encompass – inter alias – altered transcription profiles and somatic mutations in coding regions differentiating tumors from their respective peritumoral tissues and from each other. Massive analysis of cDNA ends and all-exome sequencing demonstrate a highly divergent transcriptional and mutational landscape, respectively, for the two tumors, that offers potential explanations for the tumors contrasting responses to galunisertib. Molecular pattern diagnostics (MPDs) suggest alternative, individual-tumor-specific therapies, which in both cases deviate from the standard sorafenib treatment and from each other. Suggested personalized therapies use kinase inhibitors and immune-focused drugs as well as low-toxicity natural compounds identified using an advanced bioinformatics routine included in the MPD protocol. The MPD pipeline we describe here for the prediction of suitable drugs for treatment of two contrasting HCCs may serve as a blueprint for the design of therapies for various types of cancer.
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