1
|
Wang K, Peng B, Xu R, Lu T, Chang X, Shen Z, Shi J, Li M, Wang C, Zhou X, Xu C, Chang H, Zhang L. Comprehensive analysis of PPP4C's impact on prognosis, immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy response in lung adenocarcinoma using single-cell sequencing and multi-omics. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1416632. [PMID: 39026674 PMCID: PMC11254641 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1416632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Elevated PPP4C expression has been associated with poor prognostic implications for patients suffering from lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). The extent to which PPP4C affects immune cell infiltration in LUAD, as well as the importance of associated genes in clinical scenarios, still requires thorough investigation. Methods In our investigation, we leveraged both single-cell and comprehensive RNA sequencing data, sourced from LUAD patients, in our analysis. This study also integrated datasets of immune-related genes from InnateDB into the framework. Our expansive evaluation employed various analytical techniques; these included pinpointing differentially expressed genes, constructing WGCNA, implementing Cox proportional hazards models. We utilized these methods to investigate the gene expression profiles of PPP4C within the context of LUAD and to clarify its potential prognostic value for patients. Subsequent steps involved validating the observed enhancement of PPP4C expression in LUAD samples through a series of experimental approaches. The array comprised immunohistochemistry staining, Western blotting, quantitative PCR, and a collection of cell-based assays aimed at evaluating the influence of PPP4C on the proliferative and migratory activities of LUAD cells. Results In lung cancer, elevated expression levels of PPP4C were observed, correlating with poorer patient prognoses. Validation of increased PPP4C levels in LUAD specimens was achieved using immunohistochemical techniques. Experimental investigations have substantiated the role of PPP4C in facilitating cellular proliferation and migration in LUAD contexts. Furthermore, an association was identified between the expression of PPP4C and the infiltration of immune cells in these tumors. A prognostic framework, incorporating PPP4C and immune-related genes, was developed and recognized as an autonomous predictor of survival in individuals afflicted with LUAD. This prognostic tool has demonstrated considerable efficacy in forecasting patient survival and their response to immunotherapeutic interventions. Conclusion The involvement of PPP4C in LUAD is deeply intertwined with the tumor's immune microenvironment. PPP4C's over-expression is associated with negative clinical outcomes, promoting both tumor proliferation and spread. A prognostic framework based on PPP4C levels may effectively predict patient prognoses in LUAD, as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy strategy. This research sheds light on the mechanisms of immune interaction in LUAD and proposes a new strategy for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyu Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Bo Peng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ran Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Tong Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhiping Shen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiaxin Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Meifeng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chenghao Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chengyu Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hao Chang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Linyou Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
He Z, Zhong Y, Lv T, Wang J, Jin Y, Li F, Hu H. PP4R1 promotes glycolysis and gallbladder cancer progression through facilitating ERK1/2 mediated PKM2 nuclear translocation. Cancer Lett 2024; 586:216677. [PMID: 38301910 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a common solid tumor of the biliary tract with a high mortality rate and limited curative benefits from surgical resection. Here, we aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of GBC from the perspective of molecular mechanisms and determined that protein phosphatase 4 regulator subunit 1 (PP4R1) is overexpressed in GBC tissues and contributes to poor prognosis. Through a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, we demonstrated that PP4R1 overexpression improved tumorigenesis in GBC cells. Further mechanistic exploration revealed that PP4R1 directly interacts with pyruvate kinase-M2 (PKM2), a key regulator of glycolysis. PP4R1 promotes the extracellular signal-related kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2)-mediated PKM2 nuclear translocation, thereby participating in the regulation of tumor glycolysis. Interestingly, we determined that PP4R1 strengthens the interaction between ERK1/2 and PKM2. Furthermore, PP4R1 enhanced the suppressive effects of the ERK inhibitor SCH772984 on GBC. In conclusion, our data showed that PP4R1 is a promising biomarker associated with GBC and confirmed that PP4R1 regulates PKM2-mediated tumor glycolysis, which provides a metabolic growth advantage to GBC cells, thereby promoting GBC tumor growth and metastasis1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang He
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Yuhan Zhong
- Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Tianrun Lv
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Junke Wang
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Yanwen Jin
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China
| | - Fuyu Li
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| | - Haijie Hu
- Department of Biliary Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hou Y, Zhao X, Nie X. Enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of NK cells in the treatment of ovarian cancer (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:50. [PMID: 38299257 PMCID: PMC10851334 DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a prevalent gynecological malignancy associated with a high mortality rate and a low 5‑year survival rate. Typically, >70% of patients present with an advanced stage of the disease, resulting in a high number of ovarian cancer‑associated deaths worldwide. Over the past decade, adoptive cellular immunotherapy has been investigated in clinical trials, and the results have led to the increased use in cancer treatment. Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphoid cells that recognize and lyse transformed cells, thereby impeding tumor growth. Thus, NK cells exhibit potential as a form of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer. However, some patients with ovarian cancer treated with NK cells have experienced unsatisfactory outcomes. Therefore, further optimization of NK cells is required to increase the number of patients achieving long‑term remission. In the present review article, studies focusing on improving NK cell function were systematically summarized, and innovative strategies that augment the anticancer properties of NK cells were proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhu Hou
- Department of Gynecology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, P.R. China
| | - Xiujun Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqian Nie
- Department of Gynecology, Qingdao Eighth People's Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Johnson H, Narayan S, Sharma AK. Altering phosphorylation in cancer through PP2A modifiers. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:11. [PMID: 38184584 PMCID: PMC10770906 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03193-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a serine/threonine phosphatase integral to the regulation of many cellular processes. Due to the deregulation of PP2A in cancer, many of these processes are turned toward promoting tumor progression. Considerable research has been undertaken to discover molecules capable of modulating PP2A activity in cancer. Because PP2A is capable of immense substrate specificity across many cellular processes, the therapeutic targeting of PP2A in cancer can be completed through either enzyme inhibitors or activators. PP2A modulators likewise tend to be effective in drug-resistant cancers and work synergistically with other known cancer therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the patterns of PP2A deregulation in cancer, and its known downstream signaling pathways important for cancer regulation, along with many activators and inhibitors of PP2A known to inhibit cancer progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Johnson
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Satya Narayan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Arun K Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wang Y, Han W, Yun S, Han J. Identification of protein phosphatase 4 catalytic subunit as a Wnt promoting factor in pan-cancer and Xenopus early embryogenesis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10240. [PMID: 37353511 PMCID: PMC10290155 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35719-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein Phosphatase 4 Catalytic Subunit (PPP4C) is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in multiple biological and pathological events, including embryogenesis, organogenesis, cellular homeostasis, and oncogenesis. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying these processes remain largely unknown. Thus, we investigated the potential correlation between PPP4C and biological processes (BPs) and canonical Wnt signaling using pan-cancer analysis and Xenopus laevis (X. laevis) embryo model. Our results indicate that PPP4C is a potential biomarker for specific cancer types due to its high diagnostic accuracy and significant prognostic correlation. Furthermore, in multiple cancer types, PPP4C-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in pattern specification, morphogenesis, and canonical Wnt activation. Consistently, perturbation of Ppp4c in X. laevis embryos interfered with normal embryogenesis and canonical Wnt responses. Moreover, biochemical analysis of X. laevis embryos demonstrated that both endogenous and exogenous Ppp4c negatively regulated AXIN1 (Wnt inhibitor) abundance. This study provides novel insights into PPP4C roles in pattern specification and Wnt activation. The similarities in BPs and Wnt signaling regulation regarding PPP4C support the intrinsic link between tumorigenesis and early embryogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- YiLi Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea
| | - WonHee Han
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea
- Department of Neurology, F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - SeokMin Yun
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea
| | - JinKwan Han
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Guo D, Jin C, Gao Y, Lin H, Zhang L, Zhou Y, Yao J, Duan Y, Ren Y, Hui X, Ge Y, Yang R, Jiang W. GPR116 receptor regulates the antitumor function of NK cells via Gαq/HIF1α/NF-κB signaling pathway as a potential immune checkpoint. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:51. [PMID: 36895027 PMCID: PMC9999509 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01005-7] [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: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND NK cell is one of innate immune cells and can protect the body from cancer-initiating cells. It has been reported that GPR116 receptor is involved in inflammation and tumors. However, the effect of GPR116 receptor on the NK cells remains largely unclear. RESULTS We discovered that GPR116-/- mice could efficiently eliminate pancreatic cancer through enhancing the proportion and function of NK cells in tumor. Moreover, the expression of GPR116 receptor was decreased upon the activation of the NK cells. Besides, GPR116-/- NK cells showed higher cytotoxicity and antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo by producing more GzmB and IFNγ than wild-type (WT) NK cells. Mechanistically, GPR116 receptor regulated the function of NK cells via Gαq/HIF1α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, downregulation of GPR116 receptor promoted the antitumor activity of NKG2D-CAR-NK92 cells against pancreatic cancer both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicated that GPR116 receptor had a negatively effect on NK cell function and downregulation of GPR116 receptor in NKG2D-CAR-NK92 cells could enhance the antitumor activity, which provides a new idea to enhance the antitumor efficiency of CAR NK cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Chenxu Jin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yaoxin Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Haizhen Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Jie Yao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yixin Duan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yaojun Ren
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Xinhui Hui
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yujia Ge
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Renzheng Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Wenzheng Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Rood, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| |
Collapse
|