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Han H, Yuan Y, Li C, Liu L, Yu H, Han G, Wang Q, Lin M, Huang J. RNA-binding motif protein 28 enhances angiogenesis by improving STAT3 translation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Lett 2024; 604:217191. [PMID: 39181434 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor characterized by extensive angiogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms of HCC pathogenesis remain unclear. Previous studies have shown that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are implicated in HCC pathogenesis. In this study, we observed that increased RBM28 expression in HCC tissues was positively correlated with tumor microvascular density and negatively correlated with patient prognosis. Overexpression of RBM28 in HCC cells promoted tubule formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, whereas inhibition of RBM28 had the opposite effect, furthermore, the role of RBM28 in the progression of HCC was assessed using transgenic mouse models and chemically induced HCC models. We used various molecular assays and high-throughput detection methods to evaluate the role of RBM28 in promoting angiogenesis in HCC. Increased RBM28 expression in HCC directly binds to STAT3 mRNA, recruiting EIF4E to increase STAT3 expression and enhancing the secretion and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A; consequently, promoting neovascularization in HCC. The potential of RBM28 as a viable diagnostic and therapeutic target for HCC was assessed using multi-cohort clinical samples and animal models. In summary, our results provide insights into the pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis, and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hexu Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, PR China.
| | - Yin Yuan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, PR China.
| | - Caiying Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, PR China.
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China; Innovative Institute of Tumor Immunity and Medicine (ITIM), Hefei, Anhui, PR China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Hefei, Anhui, PR China.
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, PR China.
| | - Gaohua Han
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, PR China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, PR China; Innovative Institute of Tumor Immunity and Medicine (ITIM), Hefei, Anhui, PR China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Hefei, Anhui, PR China.
| | - Mei Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, PR China.
| | - Junxing Huang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, PR China.
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Xu F, Ye Y, Gao Y, Xu S. Dual Role of Necroptosis in Cervical Cancer: Promoting Tumor Aggression and Modulating the Immune Microenvironment via the JAK2-STAT3 Pathway. J Cancer 2024; 15:5288-5307. [PMID: 39247606 PMCID: PMC11375541 DOI: 10.7150/jca.98738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In the dynamic landscape of cervical cancer (CC) pathophysiology, this study aimed to elucidate the role of necroptosis in modulating tumor proliferation, invasion, and the immune microenvironment in CC. In this study, the impact of necroptosis on CC was evaluated through a series of bioinformatical analyses and experimental approaches. The impact of necroptosis on CC was illustrated by analyzing its effects on tumor aggression, immune responses, and the JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), was also evaluated for its potential induction of necroptosis in CC cells and its interaction with necroptosis inhibitors. Additionally, the study assessed the influence of necroptosis on the immune microenvironment, particularly in T-cell-related pathways and the expression of tumor suppressor genes in CC. Necroptosis was found to enhance VEGFA expression through the activation of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, promoting tumor proliferative and invasive capabilities in CC. Bevacizumab induced necroptosis in CC cells, potentially leading to resistance to therapy. The combination of bevacizumab with necroptosis inhibitors attenuated VEGFA expression, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy. Additionally, necroptosis activated T-cell-related pathways and promoted the infiltration and activation of Jurkat T cells. CD3D-a tumor suppressor gene in CC-was identified as a critical marker and its expression could be upregulated by necroptosis via the JAK2-STAT3 pathway in Jurkat T cells. Treatment of CC cells with supernatants from necroptosis-induced Jurkat cells resulted in reduced tumor cell proliferation and invasion. This study reveals a complex interaction between necroptosis, tumor progression, and the immune response in CC. The findings propose a nuanced approach to leveraging necroptosis for therapeutic interventions, highlighting the potential of combining necroptosis inhibitors with existing therapies to improve treatment outcomes in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yingjun Ye
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yueqing Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaohua Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Yang A, Huang H, Xie J, Tian Y, Wang L, Liu D, Wei X, Tan P, Chai X, Zha X, Tu P, Hu Z. Interfering with the AKT/mTOR/STAT3/ID1 signaling axis with usenamine A restrains the proliferative and invasive potential of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Chin Med 2024; 19:4. [PMID: 38183094 PMCID: PMC10770941 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00875-w] [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: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Usenamine A, a novel natural compound initially isolated from the lichen Usnea longissima, has exhibited promising efficacy against hepatoma in prior investigation. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms responsible for its antihepatoma effects remain unclear. Furthermore, the role of the AKT/mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/inhibitor of differentiation/DNA binding 1 (ID1) signaling axis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the potential anti-HCC effects of drugs targeting this pathway are not well understood. METHODS CCK-8 assay was used to investigate the effects of usenamine A on the proliferation of human HCC cells. Moreover, the effects of usenamine A on the invasion ability of human HCC cells were evaluated by transwell assay. In addition, expression profiling analysis, quantitative real-time PCR, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, RNAi, immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were used to explore the effects of usenamine A on the newly identified AKT/mTOR/STAT3/ID1 signaling axis in human HCC cells. RESULTS Usenamine A inhibited the proliferation and invasion of human HCC cell lines (HepG2 and SK-HEP-1). Through the analysis of gene expression profiling, we identified that usenamine A suppressed the expression of ID1 in human HCC cells. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that usenamine A facilitated the degradation of the ID1 protein via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Moreover, usenamine A inhibited the activity of STAT3 in human HCC cells. ChIP analysis demonstrated that STAT3 positively regulated ID1 expression at the transcriptional level in human HCC cells. The STAT3/ID1 axis played a role in mediating the anti-proliferative and anti-invasive impacts of usenamine A on human HCC cells. Additionally, usenamine A suppressed the STAT3/ID1 axis through AKT/mTOR signaling in human HCC cells. CONCLUSION Usenamine A displayed robust anti-HCC potential, partly attributed to its capacity to downregulate the AKT/mTOR/STAT3/ID1 signaling pathway and promote ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated ID1 degradation. Usenamine A has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for HCC cases characterized by abnormal AKT/mTOR/STAT3/ID1 signaling, and targeting the AKT/mTOR/STAT3 signaling pathway may be a viable option for treating patients with HCC exhibiting elevated ID1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Yang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Huiming Huang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxin Xie
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Tian
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Longyan Wang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongxiao Liu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuejiao Wei
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Tan
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingyun Chai
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Zha
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Pengfei Tu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongdong Hu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11 North 3rd Ring East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
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Jiao J, Sanchez JI, Saldarriaga OA, Solis LM, Tweardy DJ, Maru DM, Stevenson HL, Beretta L. Spatial molecular and cellular determinants of STAT3 activation in liver fibrosis progression in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100628. [PMID: 36687470 PMCID: PMC9850198 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its severe form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is increasing. Individuals with NASH often develop liver fibrosis and advanced liver fibrosis is the main determinant of mortality in individuals with NASH. We and others have reported that STAT3 contributes to liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Methods Here, we explored whether STAT3 activation in hepatocyte and non-hepatocyte areas, measured by phospho-STAT3 (pSTAT3), is associated with liver fibrosis progression in 133 patients with NAFLD. We further characterized the molecular and cellular determinants of STAT3 activation by integrating spatial distribution and transcriptomic changes in fibrotic NAFLD livers.Results: pSTAT3 scores in non-hepatocyte areas progressively increased with fibrosis severity (r = 0.53, p <0.001). Correlation analyses between pSTAT3 scores and expression of 1,540 immune- and cancer-associated genes revealed a large effect of STAT3 activation on gene expression changes in non-hepatocyte areas and confirmed a major role for STAT3 activation in fibrogenesis. Digital spatial transcriptomic profiling was also performed on 13 regions selected in hepatocyte and non-hepatocyte areas from four NAFLD liver biopsies with advanced fibrosis, using a customized panel of markers including pSTAT3, PanCK+CK8/18, and CD45. The regions were further segmented based on positive or negative pSTAT3 staining. Cell deconvolution analysis revealed that activated STAT3 was enriched in hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) and sinusoidal endothelial cells. Regression of liver fibrosis upon STAT3 inhibition in mice with NASH resulted in a reduction of HPCs, demonstrating a direct role for STAT3 in HPC expansion. Conclusion Increased understanding of the spatial dependence of STAT3 signaling in NASH and liver fibrosis progression could lead to novel targeted treatment approaches. Impact and implications Advanced liver fibrosis is the main determinant of mortality in patients with NASH. This study showed using liver biopsies from 133 patients with NAFLD, that STAT3 activation in non-hepatocyte areas is strongly associated with fibrosis severity, inflammation, and progression to NASH. STAT3 activation was enriched in hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), as determined by innovative technologies interrogating the spatial distribution of pSTAT3. Finally, STAT3 inhibition in mice resulted in reduced liver fibrosis and depletion of HPCs, suggesting that STAT3 activation in HPCs contributes to their expansion and fibrogenesis in NAFLD.
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Key Words
- DSP, digital spatial profiler
- FC, fold change
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HFD, high-fat diet
- HPCs, hepatic progenitor cells
- HSCs, hepatic stellate cells
- IPA, Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis
- LSECs, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells
- NAFLD
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NAS, NAFLD activity score
- NASH
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- SECs, sinusoidal endothelial cells
- STAT, signal transducer and activator of transcription
- STAT3
- cirrhosis
- fibrosis
- liver cancer
- pSTAT3, phospho-STAT3
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Jiao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica I. Sanchez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Omar A. Saldarriaga
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Luisa M. Solis
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David J. Tweardy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dipen M. Maru
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heather L. Stevenson
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston TX, USA
| | - Laura Beretta
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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HDAC6 promotes aggressive development of liver cancer by improving egfr mRNA stability. Neoplasia 2022; 35:100845. [PMID: 36334332 PMCID: PMC9640351 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Shih CH, Chang YC, Lai YC, Chiou HY. Investigating the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in feline injection site sarcoma. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:276. [PMID: 35836213 PMCID: PMC9281114 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03352-y] [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: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs) are malignant mesenchymal tumors of different histotypes. The pathogenesis of FISS has been correlated with chronic inflammation, resulting in neoplastic transformation. Activation of the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) have been demonstrated to play a critical role in tumor development by regulating signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis in human medicine. To characterize the role of STAT3 in FISS, we first detected STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) FISS tissues using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS STAT3 was detected in 88.9% (40/45) of FISS cases, and phosphorylated STAT3 was detected in 53.3% (24/45) of cases. However, the expression levels of both forms of STAT3 were not correlated with tumor grade. To study the role of STAT3 in tumor survival, two primary cells derived from FISSs of two cats exhibiting consistent immunophenotypes with their parental FFPE tissues were established. A dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was observed in both primary FISS cells treated with the STAT3 inhibitor, 5-hydroxy-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-1-sulfonamide. CONCLUSIONS The STAT 3 may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of FISS and be a potential molecular therapeutic target for FISS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hsin Shih
- Graduate Institute of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Chen Chang
- Graduate Institute of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Chiang Lai
- Graduate Institute of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hue-Ying Chiou
- Graduate Institute of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, 402, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Tweardy DJ. DRUGGING "UNDRUGGABLE" DISEASE-CAUSING PROTEINS: FOCUS ON SIGNAL TRANSDUCER AND ACTIVATOR OF TRANSCRIPTION (STAT) 3. TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN CLINICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 2022; 132:61-76. [PMID: 36196170 PMCID: PMC9480546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 has been assigned to the group of "undruggable" disease-causing proteins, despite its containing a Src-homology (SH) 2 domain, a potential Achilles' heel that has eluded successful targeting by academic and pharmaceutical groups over the past 30 years. Based on mutational and modeling studies, our group developed a unique virtual ligand screening strategy targeting the STAT3 SH2 domain that was coupled to robust biochemical and cellular assays and structure-based medicinal chemistry and led to the identification of TTI-101. TTI-101 represents one of the most advanced, direct, small-molecule inhibitors of an SH2 domain-containing, disease-causing protein in clinical development. TTI-101 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 study to determine safety and tolerability in addition to pharmacodynamic effects and efficacy in patients with advanced solid tumors.
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Liu Y, Li YQ, Huang SH, Li YL, Xia JW, Jia JS, Wei F, Wang JH, Dai GQ, Wang YC, Li XY, Han LX, Zhang XL, Xiang XD, Zhao WT, Xiao D, Lin XL. Liver-specific over-expression of Cripto-1 in transgenic mice promotes hepatocyte proliferation and deregulated expression of hepatocarcinogenesis-related genes and signaling pathways. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:21155-21190. [PMID: 34517344 PMCID: PMC8457585 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the role of embryonic gene Cripto-1 (CR-1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using hepatocyte-specific CR-1-overexpressing transgenic mice. The expression of truncated 1.7-kb CR-1 transcript (SF-CR-1) was significantly higher than the full-length 2.0-kb CR-1 transcript (FL-CR-1) in a majority of HCC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, CR-1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in HCC tissues than adjacent normal liver tissues. Hepatocyte-specific over-expression of CR-1 in transgenic mice enhanced hepatocyte proliferation after 2/3 partial hepatectomy (2/3 PHx). CR-1 over-expression significantly increased in vivo xenograft tumor growth of HCC cells in nude mice and in vitro HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. CR-1 over-expression in the transgenic mouse livers deregulated HCC-related signaling pathways such as AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, Stat3, MAPK/ERK, JNK, TGF-β and Notch, as well as expression of HCC-related genes such as CD5L, S100A8, S100A9, Timd4, Orm2, Orm3, PDK4, DMBT1, G0S2, Plk2, Plk3, Gsta1 and Gsta2. However, histological signs of precancerous lesions, hepatocyte dysplasia or HCC formation were not observed in the livers of 3-, 6- or 8-month-old hepatocyte-specific CR-1-overexpressing transgenic mice. These findings demonstrate that liver-specific CR-1 overexpression in transgenic mice deregulates signaling pathways and genes associated with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yan-Qing Li
- Department of Hematology, Central Hospital of Xuhui District, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shi-Hao Huang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yong-Long Li
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Wei Xia
- The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Jun-Shuang Jia
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Fang Wei
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jia-Hong Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guan-Qi Dai
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yu-Cai Wang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Li
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liu-Xin Han
- The Third People’s Hospital of Kunming (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Dali University), Kunming 650041, China
| | - Xiao-Ling Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Xu-Dong Xiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Wen-Tao Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital, Yunnan Cancer Center), Kunming 650118, China
| | - Dong Xiao
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine and Laboratory Animal Center, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Lin
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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Qin J, Shen X, Zhang J, Jia D. Allosteric inhibitors of the STAT3 signaling pathway. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 190:112122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Hepatic Stress Response in HCV Infection Promotes STAT3-Mediated Inhibition of HNF4A- miR-122 Feedback Loop in Liver Fibrosis and Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11101407. [PMID: 31547152 PMCID: PMC6827087 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection compromises the natural defense mechanisms of the liver leading to a progressive end stage disease such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The hepatic stress response generated due to viral replication in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) undergoes a stepwise transition from adaptive to pro-survival signaling to improve host cell survival and liver disease progression. The minute details of hepatic pro-survival unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling that contribute to HCC development in cirrhosis are unknown. This study shows that the UPR sensor, the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), mediates the pro-survival signaling through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation in a persistent HCV infection model of Huh-7.5 liver cells. The NRF2-mediated STAT3 activation in persistently infected HCV cell culture model resulted in the decreased expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A), a major liver-specific transcription factor. The stress-induced inhibition of HNF4A expression resulted in a significant reduction of liver-specific microRNA-122 (miR-122) transcription. It was found that the reversal of hepatic adaptive pro-survival signaling and restoration of miR-122 level was more efficient by interferon (IFN)-based antiviral treatment than direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). To test whether miR-122 levels could be utilized as a biomarker of hepatic adaptive stress response in HCV infection, serum miR-122 level was measured among healthy controls, and chronic HCV patients with or without cirrhosis. Our data show that serum miR-122 expression level remained undetectable in most of the patients with cirrhosis (stage IV fibrosis), suggesting that the pro-survival UPR signaling increases the risk of HCC through STAT3-mediated suppression of miR-122. In conclusion, our data indicate that hepatic pro-survival UPR signaling suppresses the liver-specific HNF4A and its downstream target miR-122 in cirrhosis. These results provide an explanation as to why cirrhosis is a risk factor for the development of HCC in chronic HCV infection.
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CPAP promotes angiogenesis and metastasis by enhancing STAT3 activity. Cell Death Differ 2019; 27:1259-1273. [PMID: 31511651 PMCID: PMC7206147 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0413-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Centrosomal P4.1-associated protein (CPAP) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and positively correlated with recurrence and vascular invasion. Here, we found that CPAP plays an important role in HCC malignancies. Functional characterization indicated that CPAP overexpression increases tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis ex vivo and in vivo. In addition, overexpressed CPAP contributes to sorafenib resistance. Mechanical investigation showed that the expression level of CPAP is positively correlated with activated STAT3 in HCC. CPAP acts as a transcriptional coactivator of STAT3 by directly binding with STAT3. Interrupting the interaction between CPAP and STAT3 attenuates STAT3-mediated tumor growth and angiogenesis. Overexpression of CPAP upregulates several STAT3 target genes such as IL-8 and CD44 that are involved in angiogenesis, and CPAP mRNA expression is positively correlated with the levels of both mRNAs in HCC. Knocked-down expression of CPAP impairs IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation, target gene expression, cell migration, and invasion abilities. IL-6/STAT3-mediated angiogenesis is significantly increased by CPAP overexpression and can be blocked by decreased expression of IL-8. Our findings not only shed light on the importance of CPAP in HCC malignancies, but also provide potential therapeutic strategies for inhibiting the angiogenesis pathway and treating metastatic HCC.
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Zhu M, Liu X, Wang Y, Chen L, Wang L, Qin X, Xu J, Li L, Tu Y, Zhou T, Sang A, Song E. YAP via interacting with STAT3 regulates VEGF-induced angiogenesis in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. Exp Cell Res 2018; 373:155-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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13
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Zhang X, Zhang S, Sun Q, Jiao W, Yan Y, Zhang X. Compound K Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Human Liver Cancer Cells by Regulating STAT3. Molecules 2018; 23:E1482. [PMID: 29921768 PMCID: PMC6099685 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ginsenoside compound K (20-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol; CK) is an intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginseng protopanaxadiol saponin that has been reported to induce apoptosis in many cancer cells; however, the precise mechanisms of its activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that CK inhibited the growth and colony formation of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells, phenotypes that were mediated by inducing apoptosis. Meanwhile, CK showed lower toxicity in normal hepatoma cells. After treating HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells with CK, p-STAT3 levels decreased, the three branches of the unfolded protein response were activated, and levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related proteins were increased. We also revealed that CK decreased the DNA-binding capacity of STAT3. Moreover, silencing STAT3 with CRISPR/Cas9 technology enhanced CK-induced ERS and apoptosis. Finally, we showed that CK inhibited the growth of liver cancer xenografts with little toxicity. Mice bearing human HCC xenografts that were treated with CK showed increased GRP78 expression and decreased p-STAT3 levels. Taken together, these data showed that CK induced ERS and apoptosis by inhibiting p-STAT3 in human liver cancer cells; thus, CK might be a potential therapeutic candidate for human HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China.
| | - Silin Zhang
- College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China.
| | - Qitong Sun
- College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China.
| | - Wenjun Jiao
- College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China.
| | - Yan Yan
- College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China.
| | - Xuewu Zhang
- College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji 133000, China.
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Yang T, Shi X, Kang Y, Zhu M, Fan M, Zhang D, Zhang Y. Novel compounds TAD-1822-7-F2 and F5 inhibited HeLa cells growth through the JAK/Stat signaling pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 103:118-126. [PMID: 29649626 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical carcinoma remains the second most common malignancy with a high mortality rate among women worldwide. TAD-1822-7-F2 (F2) and TAD-1822-7-F5 (F5) are novel compounds synthesized on the chemical structure of taspine derivatives, and show an effective suppression for HeLa cells. Our study aims to confirm the potential targets of F2 and F5, and investigate the underlying mechanism of the inhibitory effect on HeLa cells. In this study, Real Time Cell Analysis and crystal violet staining assay were conducted to investigate the effect of F2 and F5 on HeLa cells proliferation. And the analytical methods of surface plasmon resonance and quartz crystal microbalance were established and employed to study the interaction between F2 and F5 and potential target protein JAK2, suggesting that both compounds have strong interaction with the JAK2 protein. Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence staining study and PCR was conducted to investigate the molecules of JAK/Stat signaling pathway. Interestingly, F2 and F5 showed diverse regulation for signaling molecules because of their different chemical structure. F2 increased the expression of JAK2 and downregulated the level of P-JAK1 and P-JAK2, and decreased P-Stat3 (Ser727). While F5 could increase the expression of JAK2 and naturally decrease the phosphorylation of JAK1 and Tyk2, and decreased the expression of P-Stat6. Moreover, F2 and F5 showed the same downregulation on the P-Stat3 (Tyr705). Therefore, F2 and F5 could target the JAK2 protein and prevent the phosphorylation of JAKs to suppress the phosphorylation of the downstream effector Stats, which suggested that F2 and F5 have great potential to be the inhibitors of the JAK/Stat signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfeng Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta Weststreet, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China
| | - Xianpeng Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta Weststreet, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China
| | - Yuan Kang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta Weststreet, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China
| | - Man Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta Weststreet, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China
| | - Mengying Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta Weststreet, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China
| | - Dongdong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta Weststreet, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China.
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 76, Yanta Weststreet, #54, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710061, PR China.
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15
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Liang C, Xu Y, Ge H, Li G, Wu J. Clinicopathological significance and prognostic role of p-STAT3 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:1203-1214. [PMID: 29551899 PMCID: PMC5843139 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s156198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aim Constitutive activation of STAT3 through its phosphorylation (p-STAT3) plays a key role in the development and progression of various cancers. However, the relationship between p-STAT3 expression and the clinicopathological features and prognostic value in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of p-STAT3 in HCC. Methods The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, Chinese CNKI, and Chinese Wanfang databases were searched using the appropriate terms to find the relevant studies on p-STAT3 and HCC. The relationship between p-STAT3 expression and clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic value was established. Pool odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were calculated using the STATA 14.2 software. Results The eight articles included in this meta-analysis comprised 752 patients. Expression of p-STAT3 was associated with incidence, age, liver cirrhosis, tumor size, vascular invasion, and TNM stage of HCC, but it was not related to gender, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), number of tumors, and tumor differentiation. Additionally, the expression of p-STAT3 was related to a poor 3- and 5-year overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate. Conclusion Expression of p-STAT3 was associated with the incidence, age, liver cirrhosis, tumor size, vascular invasion, and TNM stage. Thus, p-STAT3 can be a reliable prognostic biomarker for HCC. Further high-quality studies with larger numbers of patients are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Liang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingchen Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Ge
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangming Li
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jixiang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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16
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Liver regeneration microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma for prevention and therapy. Oncotarget 2018; 8:1805-1813. [PMID: 27655683 PMCID: PMC5352100 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on liver cancer prevention and treatment has mainly focused on the liver cancer cells themselves. Currently, liver cancers are no longer viewed as only collections of genetically altered cells but as aberrant organs with a plastic stroma, matrix, and vasculature. Improving the microenvironment of the liver to promote liver regeneration and repair by affecting immune function, inflammation and vasculature can regulate the dynamic imbalance between normal liver regeneration and repair and abnormal liver regeneration, thus improving the microenvironment of liver regeneration for the prevention and treatment of liver cancer. This review addresses the basic theory of the liver regeneration microenvironment, including the latest findings on immunity, inflammation and vasculature. Attention is given to the potential design of molecular targets in the microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In an effort to improve the liver regeneration microenvironment of HCC, researchers have extensively utilized the enhancement of immunity, anti-inflammation and the vasculature niche, which are discussed in detail in this review. In addition, the authors summarize the latest pro-fibrotic transition characteristics of the vascular niche and review potential cell therapies for liver disease.
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17
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Kong X, Wu W, Yuan Y, Pandey V, Wu Z, Lu X, Zhang W, Chen Y, Wu M, Zhang M, Li G, Tan S, Qian P, Perry JK, Lobie PE, Zhu T. Human growth hormone and human prolactin function as autocrine/paracrine promoters of progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 7:29465-79. [PMID: 27102295 PMCID: PMC5045410 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The death rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are extremely high due to the paucity of therapeutic options. Animal models and anecdotal clinical evidence indicate a potential role of hGH and hPRL in HCC. However, the prognostic relevance and the functional role of tumor expression of these hormones in human HCC are not defined. Herein, we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of hGH and hPRL in histopathological samples of non-neoplastic liver and HCC by in situ hybridization, PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques. Increased mRNA and protein expression of both hormones was observed in HCC compared with non-neoplastic liver tissues. hGH expression was significantly associated with tumor size and tumor grade. No significant association was observed between the expression of hPRL and any histopathological features. Amplification of both hGH and hPRL genes in HCC was observed when compared to non-neoplastic tissue. Expression of both hGH and hPRL was associated with worse relapse-free and overall survival in HCC patients. In vitro and in vivo functional assays performed with HCC cell lines demonstrated that autocrine expression of hGH or hPRL in HCC cells increased STAT3 activation, oncogenicity and tumor growth while functional antagonism with hGH-G120R significantly reduced these parameters. Hence, tumor expression of hGH/hPRL is associated with a worse survival outcome for patients with HCC and hGH/hPRL function as autocrine/paracrine promoters of HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Kong
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wenyong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Vijay Pandey
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhengsheng Wu
- Department of Pathology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xuefei Lu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Weijie Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yijun Chen
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mingming Wu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Min Zhang
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Gaopeng Li
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Sheng Tan
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Pengxu Qian
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jo K Perry
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter E Lobie
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,National University Cancer Institute of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Tao Zhu
- The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences and Medical Center, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, Anhui, China
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Stattic Enhances Radiosensitivity and Reduces Radio-Induced Migration and Invasion in HCC Cell Lines through an Apoptosis Pathway. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:1832494. [PMID: 29226125 PMCID: PMC5684518 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1832494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) is involved in tumorigenesis, development, and radioresistance of many solid tumors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of stattic (an inhibitor of STAT3) on the radiosensitivity and radio-induced migration and invasion ability in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Methods HCC cells were treated with stattic, and cell survival rate was analyzed through CCK-8 assay. Radiosensitivity was evaluated using cloning formation analysis; STAT3, p-STAT3, and apoptosis related proteins were detected by western blot. Radio-induced migration and invasion ability in HCC cells were analyzed by wound-healing assay and transwell test. Results Stattic inhibits the expression of p-STAT3 and reduces cell survival in a dose-dependent manner in HCC cell lines, and the IC50 values for Hep G2, Bel-7402, and SMMC-7721 are 2.94 μM, 2.5 μM, and 5.1 μM, respectively. Cloning formation analysis shows that stattic enhances the radiosensitivity of HCC cells. Wound-healing assay and transwell test show that stattic inhibits radio-induced migration and invasion. Further study indicates that stattic promotes radio-induce apoptosis through regulating the expression of apoptosis related proteins in HCC cells. Conclusion Stattic enhances radiosensitivity and reduces radio-induced migration and invasion ability in HCC cells probably through apoptosis pathway.
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Secretion of interleukin-6 by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20170181. [PMID: 28659496 PMCID: PMC5567045 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20170181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) interact with tumor cells and regulate
tumorigenesis and metastasis. As one of the important components of the tumor
microenvironment, MSC-secreted cytokines play a critical role in cancer
development. However, whether and how bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) and their
secreted cytokines participate in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression,
still remains largely unknown. In the present study, we first measured the
concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in BMSC conditioned medium (BMSC-CM).
Next, we assessed the changes of invasion ability in response to treatment of
BMSC-CM or recombinant IL-6 in two human HCC cell lines Bel-7404 and HepG2. Then
we analyzed the level of key components of the IL-6 signal pathway, including
IL-6 receptor and signal transducer (i.e. IL-6R and gp130), a transcription
factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), as well as
its target genes BCL2, CCND1, MCL1 and MMP2, in BMSC-CM or recombinant IL-6
treated Bel-7404 and HepG2 cells. Results showed that a considerable amount of
IL-6 was secreted by BMSCs, and BMSC-CM markedly elevated Bel-7404 cell invasion
rate and stimulated the signal transduction of IL-6/STAT3 pathway.
Neutralizing the secreted IL-6 bioactivity by the anti-IL-6 antibody diminished
the invasion-promoting effect and down-regulated IL-6/STAT3 pathway of
BMSC-CM treated Bel-7404 cells. In conclusion, we found that BMSCs may activate
the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and promote cell invasion in Bel-7404
cells, suggesting that this protumor effect should be seriously considered
before clinical application of MSC-mediated cancer therapy.
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Zhu KT, Wu ZR, Lu XF, Ji HJ, Zhou YJ, Cao XY, Zhu YJ, Bu H, Shi YJ. Clinical significance of expression of histone deacetylase 3 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2017; 25:922-928. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v25.i10.922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To detect the expression of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and analyze its clinicopathological significance.
METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed in 60 pairs of HCC tissues and tumor-adjacent normal tissues. The relationship of HDAC3 expression with clinical and pathological features and overall survival was analyzed statistically.
RESULTS HDAC3 expression was significantly up-regulated in the HCC specimens compared to corresponding normal tissues (P < 0.05). The expression of HDAC3 in HCC had no significant correlation with gender, age, history of hepatitis B virus infection, TNM stage, pathological classification, α-fetoprotein level, liver cirrhosis, tumor size, or tumor number (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation between HDAC3 and p-STAT3 expression in HCC tissues (r2 = 0.622, P < 0.001). However, HDAC3 expression had a significant correlation with tumor recurrence (P < 0.05). The overall survival of postoperative HCC patients in the HDAC3 positive group was obviously poorer than that of patients in the HDAC3 negative group (P < 0.05), suggesting that high HDAC3 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in HCC patients.
CONCLUSION The up-regulated expression of HDAC3 may be closely related with the occurrence and development of HCC.
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Song L, Guo L, Li Z. Molecular mechanisms of 3,3'4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 322:75-88. [PMID: 28284859 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are classic persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Many studies have found a positive association between the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and PCBs exposure. However, the influence of PCBs on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC remains to be unclear. In this study, we explored the effect of PCB126 on EMT in HCC cells and its underlying mechanisms. The data showed that PCB126, exposing both Bel-7402 and SMMC-7721 cells for 48h, promoted EMT that was demonstrated by E-cadherin repression, up-regulation of N-cadherin and vimentin, and morphological alteration. We found that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/Snail1 signaling was activated after PCB126 exposure, and the addition of STAT3 inhibitor WP1066 blocked PCB126-induced down-regulation of E-cadherin as well as up-regulation of N-cadherin and vimentin. Moreover, PCB126 exposure increased pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) expression and its nuclear translocation, whereas treatment with PKM2 shRNA suppressed the activation of STAT3/Snail1 signaling and the alternation of EMT-related molecules (E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin). Furthermore, this study indicated estrogen receptor (ER) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were involved in PCB126-induced effects on PKM2, STAT3/Snail1 signaling and EMT by according treatment using ER inhibitor ICI and AhR shRNA. Notably, PCB126-increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via AhR is associated with activation of PKM2/STAT3/Snail1 cascades and contributes to EMT. Taken together, these results indicated that PCB126 promotes EMT process of HCC cells via PKM2/STAT3/Snail1 signaling which is mediated by ER and AhR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Song
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Linlin Guo
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Zhuoyu Li
- Institute of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of National Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China; College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
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Li B, Huang C. Regulation of EMT by STAT3 in gastrointestinal cancer (Review). Int J Oncol 2017; 50:753-767. [PMID: 28098855 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.3846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is characterized by its aggressiveness and tendency to metastasize at early stage. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), commonly known as the preparing step of metastasis, may account for the aggressive phenotype of GI cancer cells. The process of EMT is finely orchestrated by multiple layers of regulators. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a transcription factor constitutively activated in diverse malignancies. Recent studies have suggested an involvement of STAT3 in GI cancer EMT. In this review, we first take an insight into the oncogenic functions of STAT3 in GI cancer, and then summarize the possible mechanisms by which STAT3 regulates the EMT process. Through the extensive interactions with EMT-inducing transcription factors and non-coding RNAs, and crosstalk with other signaling pathways, STAT3 has been demonstrated to promote the mesenchymal and invasive phenotype of GI cancer, which provides rationales for specifically targeting STAT3 to prevent and reverse the progression of GI cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
| | - Chen Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, P.R. China
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Bharadwaj U, Kasembeli MM, Tweardy DJ. STAT3 Inhibitors in Cancer: A Comprehensive Update. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-42949-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Patel P, Schutzer SE, Pyrsopoulos N. Immunobiology of hepatocarcinogenesis: Ways to go or almost there? World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2016; 7:242-255. [PMID: 27574562 PMCID: PMC4981764 DOI: 10.4291/wjgp.v7.i3.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is on the rise and occurs in the setting of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Though treatment modalities are available, mortality from this cancer remains high. Medical therapy with the utilization of biologic compounds such as the Food and Drug Administration approved sorafenib might be the only option that can increase survival. Immunotherapy, with modern pharmacologic developments, is a new frontier in cancer therapy and therefore the immunobiology of hepatocarcinogenesis is under investigation. This review will discuss current concepts of immunobiology in hepatocarcinogenesis along with current treatment modalities employing immunotherapy. The tumor microenvironment along with a variety of immune cells coexists and interplays to lead to tumorigenesis. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes including CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells along with regulatory T cells, tumor associated macrophages, tumor associated neutrophils, myeloid derived suppressor cells, and natural killer cells interact to actively provide anti-tumor or pro-tumor effects. Furthermore, oncogenic pathways such as Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase pathway, phosphatidyl-3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target or rapamycin, Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear factor-κB and signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 may lead to activation and proliferation of tumor cells and are also considered cornerstones in tumorigenesis. Immunotherapy directed at this complex milieu of cells has been showned to be successful in cancer treatment. The use of vaccines, adoptive cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor modulation are current options for therapy. Further translational research will shed light to concepts such as anti-tumor immunity which can add another alternative in the therapeutic armamentarium.
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Yang CJ, Liu YP, Dai HY, Shiue YL, Tsai CJ, Huang MS, Yeh YT. Nuclear HDAC6 inhibits invasion by suppressing NF-κB/MMP2 and is inversely correlated with metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 6:30263-76. [PMID: 26388610 PMCID: PMC4745796 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a unique member of the histone deacetylase family. Although HDAC6 is mainly localized in the cytoplasm, it can regulate the activities of the transcription factors in the nucleus. However, a correlation of intracellular distribution of HDAC6 with tumor progression is lacking. In this study, we found that a low frequency of nuclear HDAC6-positive cells in tumors was associated with distant metastasis and a worse overall survival in 134 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Ectopic expression of wild-type HDAC6 promoted migration and invasion of A549 and H661 cells. However, the enforced expression of nuclear export signal-deleted HDAC6 inhibited the invasion but not the migration of both cell lines. The inhibitory effect of nuclear HDAC6 on invasion was mediated by the deacetylation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-κB, which decreased its DNA-binding activity to the MMP2 promoter, leading to the downregulation of MMP2 expression. Our findings indicated that the loss of nuclear HDAC6 may be a potential biomarker for predicting metastasis in patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Jen Yang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Peng Liu
- Department of Genome Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Ying Dai
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yow-Ling Shiue
- Institute of Biomedical Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shyan Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Tsung Yeh
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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26
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Yang SF, Hou MF, Chen FM, Ou-Yang F, Wu YC, Chai CY, Yeh YT. Prognostic value of protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 in breast cancer patients receiving hormone therapy. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:20. [PMID: 26768588 PMCID: PMC4714466 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2063-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deregulated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling has been well documented in certain cancers. Alterations in specific negative regulators, such as protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 (PIAS3), may contribute to cancer development. Methods The expression of total PIAS3 was determined in 100 paired cancerous and non-cancerous breast tissues by immunoblotting and was statistically analyzed along with the clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival of the patients. XTT, immunoblotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (Chip) were used to examine the biological effect of PIAS3 in breast cancer cells. Results Hormone therapy failed to improve the overall survival in patients presenting with increased PIAS3 expression. Ectopic PIAS3 overexpression increased the proliferation and expression of cyclin D1 in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 and T47D cells, but decreased those in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 and SKBR3 cells. Furthermore, PIAS3 overexpression attenuated cytotoxicity of tamoxifen and increased proliferation and cyclin D1 expression in MCF-7 cells. PIAS3 also decreased the binding of itself on the cyclin D1 promoter and this decreased binding was not affected by tamoxifen. Conclusion PIAS3 may serve as a biomarker for predicting hormone therapy stratification, although it is limited to those breast cancer patients receiving hormone therapy Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2063-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheau-Fang Yang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Zhonghua 3rd Rd, Qianjin Dist, Kaohsiung, 801, R O C, Taiwan.,Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No.100, Shiquan 1st Rd, Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung, 807, R O C, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Feng Hou
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Zhonghua 3rd Rd, Qianjin Dist, Kaohsiung, 801, R O C, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd, Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung, 807, R O C, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ming Chen
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Zhonghua 3rd Rd, Qianjin Dist, Kaohsiung, 801, R O C, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd, Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung, 807, R O C, Taiwan.,Department of Laboratory, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Zhonghua 3rd Rd, Qianjin Dist, Kaohsiung, 801, R O C, Taiwan
| | - Fu Ou-Yang
- Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, No. 68, Zhonghua 3rd Rd, Qianjin Dist, Kaohsiung, 801, R O C, Taiwan.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shiquan 1st Rd, Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung, 807, R O C, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Chang Wu
- School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, R O C, 40402, Taiwan.,Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Road, Taichung, 40447, R O C, Taiwan
| | - Chee-Yin Chai
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No.100, Shiquan 1st Rd, Sanmin Dist, Kaohsiung, 807, R O C, Taiwan.
| | - Yao-Tsung Yeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology, Fooyin University, No.151, Jinxue Rd, Daliao Dist, Kaohsiung, 831, R O C, Taiwan.
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Gu J, Sun R, Shen S, Yu Z. The influence of TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharides on hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the feasibility of its application in treating liver cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2015; 8:2215-25. [PMID: 26345468 PMCID: PMC4551308 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s86536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was designed to explore the influence of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on liver cancer cell and the feasibility to perform liver cancer adjuvant therapy. METHODS Human liver cancer cell lines HepG2, H7402, and PLC/PRF/5 were taken as models, and the expression of TLRs mRNA was detected by real time-polymerase chain reaction method semiquantitatively. WST-1 method was used to detect the influence of LPS on the proliferation ability of liver cancer cells; propidium iodide (PI) single staining and Annexin V/PI double staining were used to test the influence of LPS on the cell cycle and apoptosis, respectively, on human liver cancer cell line H7402. Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot method were used to determine the change of expression of Cyclin D1. RESULTS The results demonstrated that most TLRs were expressed in liver cancer cells; stimulating TLR4 by LPS could upregulate TLR4 mRNA and the protein level, activate NF-κB signaling pathway downstream of TLR4, and mediate the generation of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α; LPS was found to be able to strengthen the proliferation ability of liver cancer cells, especially H7402 cells; the expression of Cyclin D1 rose and H7402 cells were promoted to transit from G1 stage to S stage under the stimulation of LPS, but cell apoptosis was not affected. It was also found that LPS was able to activate signal transducer and activator of transcription -3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in H7402 cells and meanwhile significantly increase the initiation activity of STAT3; proliferation promoting effect of LPS to liver cancer cells remarkably lowered once STAT3 was blocked or inhibited. CONCLUSION Thus, TLR4 agonist LPS is proved to be able to induce liver cancer cells to express inflammation factors and mediate liver cancer cell proliferation and generation of multidrug resistance by activating the cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin signal axis as well as the STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsheng Gu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ranran Sun
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shen Shen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zujiang Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
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Lin A, Wang G, Zhao H, Zhang Y, Han Q, Zhang C, Tian Z, Zhang J. TLR4 signaling promotes a COX-2/PGE 2/STAT3 positive feedback loop in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Oncoimmunology 2015; 5:e1074376. [PMID: 27057441 PMCID: PMC4801438 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2015.1074376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 07/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can be expressed by tumor cells, and each TLR exhibits different biological functions. Evidences showed the activation of some certain TLRs could promote tumor progression. One of which TLR4 has been found to promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells proliferation, but the detailed mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, we verified that TLR4 was functionally expressed on HCC cells, and TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could stimulate the proliferation and clone formation of HCC cells. Most importantly, we found a COX-2/PGE2/STAT3 positive feedback loop exists in HCC cells, which could be provoked by TLR4 activation. Consistently, the expression of TLR4, COX-2 and p-STAT3Y705 was positively correlated with each other in liver tumor tissues from patients with primary HCC. Further investigation demonstrated this loop played a dominant role in TLR4-induced HCC cell proliferation and multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy. Inhibition of TLR4 or COX-2/PGE2/STAT3 loop would attenuate LPS-induced inflammation and proliferation of HCC cells, and enhance the sensitivity of HCC cells to chemotherapeutics in vitro. By using a primary HCC model, we observed COX-2/PGE2/STAT3 loop was significantly blocked in TLR4−/− mice compared to wild type mice, and there was no obvious tumorgenesis sign in TLR4−/− mice. Therefore, these findings provided the precise molecular mechanism of TLR4 signaling pathway involved in HCC progress, and suggested that TLR4 may be a promising target for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Lin
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan, China
| | - Huajun Zhao
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan, China
| | - Yuyi Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan, China
| | - Qiuju Han
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan, China
| | - Cai Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan, China
| | - Zhigang Tian
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China; School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University , Jinan, China
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29
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Luo Y, Ren F, Liu Y, Shi Z, Tan Z, Xiong H, Dang Y, Chen G. Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of high Ki-67 labeling index in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a meta-analysis. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015; 8:10235-10247. [PMID: 26379815 PMCID: PMC4565198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and clinical outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been investigated by various studies, but no consistent result has been concluded. To define the prognostic significance of Ki-67 LI in patients with HCC, we performed a meta-analysis. METHODS We searched for literatures in the following databases: PubMed, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese VIP and WanFang Databases. Our search ended on April 6th, 2015. Data were extracted from eligible studies and the correlation between Ki-67 LI and clinicopathological features of HCC was analyzed and pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for eligible studies were calculated by STATA 11.0 (STATA Corp., College, TX). RESULTS In total, 54 studies involving 4996 patients were included in the current meta-analysis. The meta-analysis provided evidence that high Ki-67 LI was closely associated with histological grade, tumor size, number of tumor nodes, the status of metastasis, cirrhosis and vein invasion in HCC patients. The pooled HRs showed that high Ki-67 LI had an unfavorable impact on disease-free survival (DFS) (HR=1.626, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.364-1.939, P<0.001), relapse-free survival (RFS) (HR=1.820, 95% CI: 1.215-2.725, P=0.004) and overall survival (OS) (HR=1.170, 95% CI: 1.102-1.243, P<0.001), respectively. Additionally, subgroup analysis indicated that high Ki-67 LI was related to poorer DFS, RFS and OS independent of regions, treatment strategies or statistical methods, except that no statistical significance was found on RFS (HR=2.413, 95% CI: 0.523-11.142, P=0.259) and OS (HR=1.998, 95% CI: 0.797-5.009, P=0.14) in patients with liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Our meta-analysis suggests that higher Ki-67 LI confers a fast progression and poor prognosis for HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihuan Luo
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Fanghui Ren
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Yongru Liu
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Zhenhong Shi
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Zhong Tan
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Huojie Xiong
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Yiwu Dang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, P. R. China
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30
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Chen KW, Ou TM, Hsu CW, Horng CT, Lee CC, Tsai YY, Tsai CC, Liou YS, Yang CC, Hsueh CW, Kuo WH. Current systemic treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A review of the literature. World J Hepatol 2015; 7:1412-20. [PMID: 26052386 PMCID: PMC4450204 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i10.1412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 11/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common form of human cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. The strategies of various treatments for HCC depend on the stage of tumor, the status of patient's performance and the reserved hepatic function. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system is currently used most for patients with HCC. For example, for patients with BCLC stage 0 (very early stage) and stage A (early stage) HCC, the curable treatment modalities, including resection, transplantation and radiofrequency ablation, are taken into consideration. If the patients are in BCLC stage B (intermediate stage) and stage C (advanced stage) HCC, they may need the palliative transarterial chemoembolization and even the target medication of sorafenib. In addition, symptomatic treatment is always recommended for patients with BCLC stage D (end stage) HCC. In this review, we will attempt to summarize the historical perspective and the current developments of systemic therapies in BCLC stage B and C in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Wen Chen
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ming Ou
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Wen Hsu
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Ting Horng
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chang Lee
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Yuan Tsai
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chang Tsai
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Sheng Liou
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chieh Yang
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Wen Hsueh
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
| | - Wu-Hsien Kuo
- Kai-Wen Chen, Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien 97144, Taiwan
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31
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Tejeda-Maldonado J, García-Juárez I, Aguirre-Valadez J, González-Aguirre A, Vilatobá-Chapa M, Armengol-Alonso A, Escobar-Penagos F, Torre A, Sánchez-Ávila JF, Carrillo-Pérez DL. Diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: An update. World J Hepatol 2015; 7:362-376. [PMID: 25848464 PMCID: PMC4381163 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i3.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies leading to high mortality rates in the general population; in cirrhotic patients, it is the primary cause of death. The diagnosis is usually delayed in spite of at-risk population screening recommendations, i.e., patients infected with hepatitis B or C virus. Hepatocarcinogenesis hinges on a great number of genetic and molecular abnormalities that lead to tumor angiogenesis and foster their dissemination potential. The diagnosis is mainly based on imaging studies such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, in which lesions present a characteristic classical pattern of early arterial enhancement followed by contrast medium “washout” in late venous phase. On occasion, when imaging studies are not conclusive, biopsy of the lesion must be performed to establish the diagnosis. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging method is the most frequently used worldwide and recommended by the international guidelines of HCC management. Currently available treatments include tumor resection, liver transplant, sorafenib and loco-regional therapies (alcoholization, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization). The prognosis of hepatocarcinoma is determined according to the lesion’s stage and in cirrhotic patients, on residual liver function. Curative treatments, such as liver transplant, are sought in patients diagnosed in early stages; patients in more advanced stages, were not greatly benefitted by chemotherapy in terms of survival until the advent of target molecules such as sorafenib.
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32
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Yin X, Zhang BH, Zheng SS, Gao DM, Qiu SJ, Wu WZ, Ren ZG. Coexpression of gene Oct4 and Nanog initiates stem cell characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition through activation of Stat3/Snail signaling. J Hematol Oncol 2015; 8:23. [PMID: 25879771 PMCID: PMC4377043 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-015-0119-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Oct4 and Nanog are key regulatory genes that maintain the pluripotency and self-renewal properties of embryonic stem cells. We previously reported that the two stemness markers were tightly associated with cancer progression and poor outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we demonstrate that coexpression of Oct4/Nanog modulates activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), an oncogenic transcription factor that is activated in many human malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as the expression of Snail, a key regulator implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor metastasis. Methods Oct4 and Nanog were ectopic expressed in MHCC97-L cell lines via lentiviral gene transfection. The stemness characteristics including self-renewal, proliferation, chemoresistance, and tumorigenicity were assessed. The effect of coexpression of Oct4 and Nanog on epithelial-mesenchymal transition change, and the underlying molecular signaling was investigated. Results Ectopic coexpression of Oct4 and Nanog empowered MHCC97-L cells with cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, including self-renewal, extensive proliferation, drug resistance, and high tumorigenic capacity. Significantly, Oct4 and Nanog encouraged epithelial-mesenchymal transition change contributing to tumor migration, invasion/metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Following molecular mechanism investigation indicated Oct4/Nanog-regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition change through Stat3-dependent Snail activation. Moreover, silencing Stat3 abrogates Oct4/Nanog-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) change and invasion/metastasis in HCC. Conclusions We delineate Oct4 and Nanog initiate stem cell characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma and promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition through activation of Stat3/Snail signaling. Our findings propose Stat3/Snail pathway as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of progression and metastasis of HCC with CSC-like signatures and epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-015-0119-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yin
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Bo-Heng Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Su-Su Zheng
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Dong-Mei Gao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Shuang-Jian Qiu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Wei-Zhong Wu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Zheng-Gang Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhong Shan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Fu XT, Dai Z, Song K, Zhang ZJ, Zhou ZJ, Zhou SL, Zhao YM, Xiao YS, Sun QM, Ding ZB, Fan J. Macrophage-secreted IL-8 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating the JAK2/STAT3/Snail pathway. Int J Oncol 2015; 46:587-96. [PMID: 25405790 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are a major component of the leukocyte infiltrate of tumors and play a pivotal role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanisms by which macrophages promote HCC invasion are poorly understood. The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between macrophages and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC. Double-staining immunohistochemistry was used to observe the association between macrophages and EMT markers in clinical HCC samples and it showed that EMT primarily occurred at the edge of the tumor nest, in which infiltrating macrophages were always observed. This indicated that CD68 which is a marker of macrophages, was correlated with EMT marker levels. In addition, after being cultured with macrophages for 24 h, the ability of HCC cells to migrate and invade increased, Snail and N-Cadherin expression was upregulated, and E-Cadherin was downregulated. An antibody array assay was applied to analyze the supernatant of these cultures and it demonstrated IL-8 increased significantly in the macrophage co-culture system. Finally, the role of macrophage-derived IL-8 in the invasion of HCC cells was assayed, and downstream signaling pathways were also investigated. We found that IL-8: i) may induce EMT and promote HCC cell migration and invasion and ii) is associated with the JAK2/STAT3/Snail signaling pathway. Taking together, these findings revealed that macrophages that have infiltrated tumors may induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells via the IL-8 activated JAK2/STAT3/Snail pathway. Thus, this may offer a potential target for developing new HCC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Tao Fu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhi Dai
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Kang Song
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhuo-Jun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Zheng-Jun Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Shao-Lai Zhou
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yi-Ming Zhao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Sheng Xiao
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Qi-Man Sun
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhen-Bin Ding
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jia Fan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Fudan University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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Zou Y, Xiong H, Xiong H, Lu T, Zhu F, Luo Z, Yuan X, Wang Y. A polysaccharide from mushroom Huaier retards human hepatocellular carcinoma growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis in nude mice. Tumour Biol 2014; 36:2929-36. [PMID: 25492485 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2923-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mushroom Huaier has become a focus of interest in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Presently, we isolated and purified one polysaccharide from this mushroom. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SP1 on tumor growth and metastasis in a HCC xenograft model and explore its possible mechanism of action. Our results showed that SP1 not only significantly inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells in vitro at the concentration ranging from 0 to 800 μg/ml but also suppressed the HCC tumor growth and metastatic nodules to the lung in SMMC-7721-bearing mice by oral administration at three doses of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg. Concomitantly, immunohistochemistry analysis of tumor tissues identified that SP1 administration at three doses significantly inhibited the in vivo cancer cell proliferation and microvessel density (MVD) formation, evidenced by a low proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD34 expression, but increased the percentage of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells. Keeping in line with this observation, SP1 treatment decreased serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, downregulated the protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha, VEGF, MMP2, bcl-2, N-cadherin, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and metadherin (MTDH), and upregulated bax and NE-cadherin protein expression in tumor tissues. Taken together, our data suggest that SP1 appears to be a promising chemopreventive agent for the tumorigenesis and metastasis in patients with HCC, especially at advanced stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Zou
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
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Mano Y, Aishima S, Kubo Y, Tanaka Y, Motomura T, Toshima T, Shirabe K, Baba S, Maehara Y, Oda Y. Correlation between biological marker expression and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in hepatocellular carcinoma. Am J Clin Pathol 2014; 142:391-7. [PMID: 25125631 DOI: 10.1309/ajcpg8afj5nrkllm] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated the association between several biological markers and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Forty-two patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent FDG positron emission tomography were included in the study. Tumor sections were immunohistochemically stained for phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3), hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), GLUT2, GLUT3, and GLUT4. RESULTS The high standardized uptake value (SUV) group showed larger tumor size, more frequent vascular invasion, and poorer differentiation compared with the low SUV group. The high SUV group also showed significantly higher immunohistochemical expression of pSTAT3, HIF1α, and GLUT1. The GLUT1 high-expression group showed higher α-fetoprotein (a tumor marker) and poorer differentiation than did the GLUT1 low-expression group. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that FDG uptake is associated with the expression of pSTAT3, HIF1α, and GLUT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. The expression of these proteins shows a correlation with poor differentiation and vascular invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Mano
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shinichi Aishima
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Kubo
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Tanaka
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Motomura
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeo Toshima
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ken Shirabe
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shingo Baba
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Maehara
- Department of Surgery and Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinao Oda
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Wang SN, Yang SF, Tsai HH, Lee KT, Yeh YT. Increased adiponectin associated with poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastroenterol 2014; 49:1342-51. [PMID: 24132578 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-013-0898-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations of adiponectin (APN), one of the adipokines, have been associated with human cancers. However, the clinical significance and impacts of APN on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain undetermined. METHODS Using immunohistochemistry, expression patterns of APN were semiquantitatively scored and further statistically correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival. Furthermore, the bioeffects and underlying mechanisms of ectopic APN overexpression were determined in Hep3B and HepG2 cells by XTT, immunoblotting, flowcytometry, and invasion assays with or without chemical inhibitors and neutralization antibody. RESULTS We found that cytoplasmic APN staining in 85 cancerous lesions was increased and associated with a poor survival rate (P = 0.007), even when using the Cox regression model (OR = 3.590; 95 % CI = 1.240-10.394; P = 0.018). Ectopic overexpression of APN in Hep3B and HepG2 cells increased proliferation and invasion as well as the levels of p-AKT (Ser473), p-STAT3 (Tyr705), and those downstream, i.e., cyclin D1 and β-catenin. Similar results were also demonstrated in a stable APN-overexpressing clone, HepG2#136. APN neutralization antibody and LY294002 blocked the APN-mediated effects via inhibition of activated AKT. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that increased APN may contribute to HCC at least in part through its activation of AKT signalling and may serve as a prognostic factor in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen-Nien Wang
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Ziyou 1st Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung, 80756, Taiwan, ROC
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Tu T, Budzinska MA, Maczurek AE, Cheng R, Di Bartolomeo A, Warner FJ, McCaughan GW, McLennan SV, Shackel NA. Novel aspects of the liver microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis and development. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:9422-58. [PMID: 24871369 PMCID: PMC4100103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15069422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent primary liver cancer that is derived from hepatocytes and is characterised by high mortality rate and poor prognosis. While HCC is driven by cumulative changes in the hepatocyte genome, it is increasingly recognised that the liver microenvironment plays a pivotal role in HCC propensity, progression and treatment response. The microenvironmental stimuli that have been recognised as being involved in HCC pathogenesis are diverse and include intrahepatic cell subpopulations, such as immune and stellate cells, pathogens, such as hepatitis viruses, and non-cellular factors, such as abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) and tissue hypoxia. Recently, a number of novel environmental influences have been shown to have an equally dramatic, but previously unrecognized, role in HCC progression. Novel aspects, including diet, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microflora and circulating microvesicles, are now being recognized as increasingly important in HCC pathogenesis. This review will outline aspects of the HCC microenvironment, including the potential role of GIT microflora and microvesicles, in providing new insights into tumourigenesis and identifying potential novel targets in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tu
- Liver Cell Biology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
| | | | | | - Robert Cheng
- Liver Cell Biology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
| | - Anna Di Bartolomeo
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Fiona J Warner
- Liver Cell Biology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
| | | | - Susan V McLennan
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Taniguchi K, Karin M. IL-6 and related cytokines as the critical lynchpins between inflammation and cancer. Semin Immunol 2014; 26:54-74. [PMID: 24552665 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2014.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 495] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory responses play pivotal roles in cancer development, including tumor initiation, promotion, progression, and metastasis. Cytokines are now recognized as important mediators linking inflammation and cancer, and are therefore potential therapeutic and preventive targets as well as prognostic factors. The interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines, especially IL-6 and IL-11, is highly up-regulated in many cancers and considered as one of the most important cytokine families during tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review discusses molecular mechanisms linking the IL-6 cytokine family to solid malignancies and their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Taniguchi
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinano-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Michael Karin
- Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Signal Transduction, Departments of Pharmacology and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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Kong J, Kong F, Gao J, Zhang Q, Dong S, Gu F, Ke S, Pan B, Shen Q, Sun H, Zheng L, Sun W. YC-1 enhances the anti-tumor activity of sorafenib through inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cancer 2014; 13:7. [PMID: 24418169 PMCID: PMC3895679 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-13-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Traditional systemic chemotherapy does not provide survival benefits in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Molecular targeted therapy shows promise for HCC treatment, however, the duration of effectiveness for targeted therapies is finite and combination therapies offer the potential for improved effectiveness. Methods Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, and YC-1, a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activator, were tested in HCC by proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis and western blot in vitro and orthotopic and ectopic HCC models in vivo. Results In vitro, combination of sorafenib and YC-1 synergistically inhibited proliferation and colony formation of HepG2, BEL-7402 and HCCLM3 cells. The combination also induced S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, as observed by activated PARP and caspase 8. Sorafenib and YC-1 respectively suppressed the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) (Y705) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Combination of sorafenib and YC-1 significantly inhibited the expression of p-STAT3 (Y705) (S727), p-ERK1/2, cyclin D1 and survivin and SHP-1 activity compared with sorafenib or YC-1 used alone in all tested HCC cell lines. In vivo, sorafenib-YC-1 combination significantly suppressed the growth of HepG2 tumor xenografts with decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis observed by PCNA and PARP. Similar results were also confirmed in a HCCLM3 orthotopic model. There was a reduction in CD31-positive blood vessels and reduced VEGF expression, which suggested a combinational effect of sorafenib and YC-1 on angiogenesis. The reduced expression of p-STAT3, cyclin D1 and survivin was also observed with the combination of sorafenib and YC-1. Conclusions Our data show that sorafenib-YC-1 combination is a novel potent therapeutic agent that can target the STAT3 signaling pathway to inhibit HCC tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lemin Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, People's Republic of China.
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Ye H, Zhang C, Wang BJ, Tan XH, Zhang WP, Teng Y, Yang X. Synergistic function of Kras mutation and HBx in initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma in mice. Oncogene 2013; 33:5133-8. [PMID: 24213574 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2013] [Revised: 08/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although the activation of Ras pathway is frequently observed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the in vivo role of Ras activation in HCC initiation and progression is underdetermined. To test the consequence of Kras activation in hepatocyte, we generated a hepatocyte-specific Kras(G12D) transgenic mouse strain and observed spontaneous development of HCC in these mice. Remarkably, HBV X protein (HBx) expression significantly promotes the formation and malignant progression of Kras(G12D)-driven HCC as shown with the accelerated tumor onset, the increased tumor burden and the more poorly differentiated lesions. At the cellular level, concomitant expression of Kras(G12D) and HBx results in a robust increase in hepatocellular proliferation. We reveal that the Akt, MAPK, p53 and TGF-β pathways are deregulated in the Kras(G12D)-driven HCCs. Also, the dysregulation is more pronounced in the HCCs developed in Kras(G12D) and HBx double transgenic mice. In addition, the altered expressions of β-catenin, CD44 and E-cadherin are only observed in the Kras(G12D) and HBx double transgenic mice. These results demonstrate a crucial role of Ras activation in hepatocellular carcinogenesis and the functional synergy between Kras(G12D) and HBx in HCC initiation and progression. The novel genetic mouse models that closely recapitulate the histopathologic progression and molecular alterations of human HCC may potentially facilitate the future therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ye
- 1] Model Organism Division, E-institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China [2] State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Genetic Laboratory of Development and Disease, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - C Zhang
- 1] Model Organism Division, E-institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China [2] State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Genetic Laboratory of Development and Disease, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - B-J Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Genetic Laboratory of Development and Disease, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - X-H Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Genetic Laboratory of Development and Disease, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - W-P Zhang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Y Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Genetic Laboratory of Development and Disease, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - X Yang
- 1] Model Organism Division, E-institutes of Shanghai Universities, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China [2] State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Genetic Laboratory of Development and Disease, Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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Xander P, Brito RRNE, Pérez EC, Pozzibon JM, de Souza CF, Pellegrino R, Bernardo V, Jasiulionis MG, Mariano M, Lopes JD. Crosstalk between B16 melanoma cells and B-1 lymphocytes induces global changes in tumor cell gene expression. Immunobiology 2013; 218:1293-303. [PMID: 23731774 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2013.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The analysis of gene expression patterns in cancers has improved the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the process of metastatic progression. However, the acquisition of invasive behavior in melanoma is poorly understood. In melanoma, components of the immune system can contribute to tumor progression, and inflammatory cells can influence almost all aspects of cancer progression, including metastasis. Recent studies have attributed an important role to B-1 cells, a subset of B lymphocytes, in melanoma progression. In vitro interactions between B16 melanoma cells and B-1 lymphocytes lead to increased B16 cell metastatic potential, but the molecular changes induced by B-1 lymphocytes on B16 cells have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we used a microarray approach to assess the gene expression profile of B16 melanoma cells following contact with B-1 lymphocytes (B16B1). The microarray analysis identified upregulation in genes involved with metastatic progression, such as ctss, ccl5, cxcl2 and stat3. RT-qPCR confirmed this increase in mRNA expression in B16B1 samples. As previous studies have indicated that the ERK1/2 MAPK cascade is activated in melanoma cells following contact with B-1 lymphocytes, RT-qPCR was performed with RNA from melanoma cells before and after contacting B-1 cells and untreated or treated with ERK phosphorylation inhibitors. The results showed that the expression of stat3, ctss and cxcl2 increased in B16B1 but decreased following ERK1/2 MAPK inhibition. Ccl5 gene expression increased after contacting B-1 cells and was maintained at the same level following inhibitor treatment. Stat3 was verified and validated at the protein level by Western blot analysis. STAT3 expression was also significantly increased in B16B1, suggesting that this pathway can also contribute to the increased metastatic phenotype observed in our model. These results indicated that B-1 cells induce important global gene expression changes in B16 melanoma cells. We also evaluated the relationship of some of the genes identified as differentially expressed and the ERK1/2 MAPK cascade. This work may have important implications for understanding the role of B-1 lymphocytes and the ERK/MAPK cascade in the metastatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Xander
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Diadema, Brazil
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Mano Y, Aishima S, Fujita N, Tanaka Y, Kubo Y, Motomura T, Taketomi A, Shirabe K, Maehara Y, Oda Y. Tumor-associated macrophage promotes tumor progression via STAT3 signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathobiology 2013; 80:146-54. [PMID: 23364389 DOI: 10.1159/000346196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is activated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and tumor-associated macrophage plays an important role in tumor progression. Therefore, we examined STAT3 activation, cytokine expression and infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages in resected HCCs as well as the alteration of cell growth and migration by cytokine stimulation in HCC cell lines. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3), CD163, interleukin (IL)-6, Ki-67 and Bcl-XL was performed for 101 cases of resected HCC, and correlations between pSTAT3 staining and clinicopathological findings were analyzed. In HCC cell lines (PLC/PRF/5 and Huh7), cell proliferation and migration by IL-6 stimulation and S3I-201 (STAT3 inhibitor) treatment were analyzed. RESULTS In HCC specimens, the pSTAT3-positive group showed high levels of α-fetoprotein (p = 0.0276), large tumor size (p = 0.0092), frequent intrahepatic metastasis (p = 0.0214), high Ki-67 (p = 0.0002) and Bcl-XL (p = 0.0001), poor prognosis (p = 0.0234), and high recurrence rate (p = 0.0003). CD163-positive cells were frequently observed in the pSTAT3-positive group (p = 0.0013). In two HCC cell lines, IL-6 stimulation promoted cell proliferation and migration via the STAT3 phosphorylation, and S3I-201 inhibited this activation. CONCLUSIONS STAT3 activation was correlated with aggressive behavior of HCC and may be mediated via tumor-associated macrophage. We expect that STAT3 signaling and tumor-associated macrophages can be attractive therapeutic targets in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Mano
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Abstract
BACKGROUND MKP-1 dephosphorylates and inactivates MAPKs, whose constitutive activations have been associated with human cancers. RESULTS We found that total MKP-1 protein levels were decreased in 63.7 % of breast cancer tissues compared with the paired noncancerous breast tissues. Decreased MKP-1 protein levels were correlated with increased tumor stage and positive recurrence and were associated with poor survival, even when using a multivariate Cox regression model. Intriguingly, nuclear MKP-1 staining was positively correlated with ER status. In vitro, tamoxifen increased MKP-1 expression in ER-positive but not ER-negative breast cancer cells. ER-specific siRNA was able to attenuate tamoxifen-induced MKP-1 expression. Furthermore, tamoxifen prolonged the duration of MKP-1 elevation and the binding time of ER to the promoter of the MKP-1/DUSP-1 gene compared with estrogen. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that alterations of MKP-1 may serve as a prognostic factor in breast cancer. In addition, the regulation of MKP-1 may be related to the ER.
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Subramaniam A, Shanmugam MK, Perumal E, Li F, Nachiyappan A, Dai X, Swamy SN, Ahn KS, Kumar AP, Tan BKH, Hui KM, Sethi G. Potential role of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 signaling pathway in inflammation, survival, proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2012; 1835:46-60. [PMID: 23103770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2012.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Revised: 10/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignancies, and is also the fourth most common cancer worldwide with around 700,000 new cases each year. Currently, first line chemotherapeutic drugs used for HCC include fluorouracil, cisplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel and mitomycin, but most of these are non-selective cytotoxic molecules with significant side effects. Sorafenib is the only approved targeted therapy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for HCC treatment, but patients suffer from various kinds of adverse effects, including hypertension. The signal-transducer-and-activator-of-transcription 3 (STAT3) protein, one of the members of STATs transcription factor family, has been implicated in signal transduction by different cytokines, growth factors and oncogenes. In normal cells, STAT3 activation is tightly controlled to prevent dysregulated gene transcription, whereas constitutively activated STAT3 plays an important role in tumorigenesis through the upregulation of genes involved in anti-apoptosis, proliferation and angiogenesis. Thus, pharmacologically safe and effective agents that can block STAT3 activation have the potential both for the prevention and treatment of HCC. In the present review, we discuss the possible role of STAT3 signaling cascade and its interacting partners in the initiation of HCC and also analyze the role of various STAT3 regulated genes in HCC progression, inflammation, survival, invasion and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruljothi Subramaniam
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597
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Tian Y, Guo B, Jia H, Ji K, Sun Y, Li Y, Zhao T, Gao L, Meng Y, Kalvakolanu DV, Kopecko DJ, Zhao X, Zhang L, Xu D. Targeted therapy via oral administration of attenuated Salmonella expression plasmid-vectored Stat3-shRNA cures orthotopically transplanted mouse HCC. Cancer Gene Ther 2012; 19:393-401. [PMID: 22555509 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2012.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The development of RNA interference-based cancer gene therapies has been delayed due to the lack of effective tumor-targeting delivery systems. Attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) has a natural tropism for solid tumors. We report here the use of attenuated S. Typhimurium as a vector to deliver shRNA directly into tumor cells. Constitutively activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is a key transcription factor involved in both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and metastasis. In this study, attenuated S. Typhimurium was capable of delivering shRNA-expressing vectors to the targeted cancer cells and inducing RNA interference in vivo. More importantly, a single oral dose of attenuated S. Typhimurium carrying shRNA-expressing vectors targeting Stat3 induced remarkably delayed and reduced HCC (in 70% of mice). Cancer in these cured mice did not recur over 2 years following treatment. These data demonstrated that RNA interference combined with Salmonella as a delivery system may offer a novel clinical approach for cancer gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Tian
- Prostate Diseases Prevention and Treatment Research Centre and Department of Pathophysiology, Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
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Zhang CH, Xu GL, Jia WD, Li JS, Ma JL, Ren WH, Ge YS, Yu JH, Liu WB, Wang W. Activation of STAT3 Signal Pathway Correlates with Twist and E-Cadherin Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Their Clinical Significance. J Surg Res 2012; 174:120-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2010.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2010] [Revised: 10/22/2010] [Accepted: 10/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Prognostic significance of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 expression in human cutaneous melanoma. Melanoma Res 2012; 21:483-90. [PMID: 21876460 DOI: 10.1097/cmr.0b013e32834acc37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous malignant melanoma is one of the most common and aggressive forms of human cancers and has a poor prognosis. Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been found in several human cancers and is thought to correlate aggressive disease and poor response. In this study, we investigated the clinical role of STAT3 and its natural inhibitor, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), in human cutaneous melanoma development and progression. Immunohistochemical analysis of pSTAT3, SOCS3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 expression was performed on 90 primary melanomas and 43 common melanocytic nevi specimens. The expression of STAT3 mRNA was further detected by in-situ hybridization in the same cohort of patients. The association of STAT3 mRNA, pSTAT3, and SOCS3 protein expression with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival was analyzed. Altered expression of STAT3 mRNA, pSTAT3, and SOCS3 protein was observed in melanoma specimens, compared with benign melanocytic nevi. High expression of pSTAT3 was correlated to large tumor diameter, depth of tumor invasion, tumor lymph node metastasis, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, and poor patient survival. Decreased expression of SOCS3 was correlated to depth of tumor invasion, tumor lymph node metastasis, the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and pSTAT3, and poor patient survival. Moreover, the expression of pSTAT3 was conversely correlated to SOCS3 expression in melanoma. Our results indicate that deregulated expression of pSTAT3 and SOCS3 might possess potential roles in the development and progression of human cutaneous melanoma.
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Cervello M, McCubrey JA, Cusimano A, Lampiasi N, Azzolina A, Montalto G. Targeted therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: novel agents on the horizon. Oncotarget 2012; 3:236-60. [PMID: 22470194 PMCID: PMC3359882 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 03/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer, accounting for 90% of primary liver cancers. In the last decade it has become one of the most frequently occurring tumors worldwide and is also considered to be the most lethal of the cancer systems, accounting for approximately one third of all malignancies. Although the clinical diagnosis and management of early-stage HCC has improved significantly, HCC prognosis is still extremely poor. Furthermore, advanced HCC is a highly aggressive tumor with a poor or no response to common therapies. Therefore, new effective and well-tolerated therapy strategies are urgently needed. Targeted therapies have entered the field of anti-neoplastic treatment and are being used on their own or in combination with conventional chemotherapy drugs. Molecular-targeted therapy holds great promise in the treatment of HCC. A new therapeutic opportunity for advanced HCC is the use of sorafenib (Nexavar). On the basis of the recent large randomized phase III study, the Sorafenib HCC Assessment Randomized Protocol (SHARP), sorafenib has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced HCC. Sorafenib showed to be able to significantly increase survival in patients with advanced HCC, establishing a new standard of care. Despite this promising breakthrough, patients with HCC still have a dismal prognosis, as it is currently the major cause of death in cirrhotic patients. Nevertheless, the successful results of the SHARP trial underscore the need for a comprehensive understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this devastating disease. In this review we summarize the most important studies on the signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of HCC, as well as the newest emerging drugs and their potential use in HCC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, "Alberto Monroy" National Research Council (C.N.R), Palermo, Italy.
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Wu WY, Li J, Wu ZS, Zhang CL, Meng XL. STAT3 activation in monocytes accelerates liver cancer progression. BMC Cancer 2011; 11:506. [PMID: 22136659 PMCID: PMC3241618 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-11-506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important transcription factor ubiquitously expressed in different cell types. STAT3 plays an essential role in cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Aberrantly hyper-activated STAT3 signaling in cancer cells and in the tumor microenvironment has been detected in a wide variety of human cancers and is considered an important factor for cancer initiation, development, and progression. However, the role of STAT3 activation in monocytes in the development of HCC has not been well understood. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis of phosphorylated STAT3 was performed on tissue microarray from HCC patients. Using a co-culture system in vivo, HCC cell growth was determined by the MTT assay. In vivo experiments were conducted with mice given diethylinitrosamine (DEN), which induces HCC was used to investigate the role of STAT3 expression in monocytes on tumor growth. Real-time PCR was used to determine the expression of cell proliferation and cell arrest associated genes in the tumor and nontumor tissue from liver. Results Phosphorylated STAT3 was found in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissue samples and was expressed in tumor cells and also in monocytes. Phosphorylated STAT3 expression in monocyte was significantly correlated to advanced clinical stage of HCC and a poor prognosis. Using a co-culture system in vivo, monocytes promoted HCC cell growth via the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. The STAT3 inhibitor, NSC 74859, significantly suppressed tumor growth in vivo in mice with diethylinitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. In this animal model, blockade of STAT3 with NSC 74859 induced tumor cell apoptosis, while inhibiting both tumor cells and monocytes proliferation. Furthermore, NSC 74859 treatment suppressed cancer associated inflammation in DEN-induce HCC. Conclusion Our data suggest constitutively activated STAT3 monocytes promote liver tumorigenesis in clinical patients and animal experiments. Thus, STAT3 in tumor infiltrating inflammatory cells may an attractive target for liver cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yong Wu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui MedicalUniversity, Anhui, Hefei, People’s Republic of China
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Gu FM, Li QL, Gao Q, Jiang JH, Huang XY, Pan JF, Fan J, Zhou J. Sorafenib inhibits growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by blocking STAT3. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17:3922-32. [PMID: 22025881 PMCID: PMC3198022 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i34.3922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the inhibitory role and the underlying mechanisms of sorafenib on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
METHODS: Human and rat HCC cell lines were treated with sorafenib. Proliferation and STAT3 dephosphorylation were assessed. Potential molecular mechanisms of STAT3 pathway inhibition by sorafenib were evaluated. In vivo antitumor action and STAT3 inhibition were investigated in an immunocompetent orthotopic rat HCC model.
RESULTS: Sorafenib decreased STAT3 phosphorylation at the tyrosine and serine residues (Y705 and S727), but did not affect Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and phospha-tase shatterproof 2 (SHP2), which is associated with growth inhibition in HCC cells. Dephosphorylation of S727 was associated with attenuated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, similar to the effects of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126, suggesting that sorafenib induced S727 dephosphorylation by inhibiting MEK/ERK signaling. Meanwhile, sorafenib could also inhibit Akt phosphorylation, and both the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 and Akt knockdown resulted in Y705 dephosphorylation, indicating that Y705 dephosphorylation by sorafenib was mediated by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway. Finally, in the rat HCC model, sorafenib significantly inhibited STAT3 activity, reducing tumor growth and metastasis.
CONCLUSION: Sorafenib inhibits growth and metastasis of HCC in part by blocking the MEK/ERK/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt/STAT3 signaling pathways, but independent of JAK2 and SHP2 activation.
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