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Qiang Z, Wan J, Chen X, Wang H. Mechanisms and therapeutic targets of ErbB family receptors in hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review. Transl Cancer Res 2024; 13:3156-3178. [PMID: 38988928 PMCID: PMC11231811 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-24-837] [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: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objective Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous and aggressive tumor. In recent years, the incidence of HCC has been increasing worldwide. Despite notable advancements in treatment methodologies, the prognosis of HCC patients remains unsatisfactory. ErbB family proteins play important roles in the occurrence, progression, and metastasis of HCC, and their abnormal expression is often closely associated with poor patient prognosis. This article sought to investigate the current status and research progress of ErbB family protein targeted therapy in HCC in recent years to provide a reference for basic research and clinical treatment. Methods We performed a comprehensive, narrative review of the latest literature to define the current progress of ErbB family receptors in HCC in both the pre-clinical and clinical arenas. Key Content and Findings The ErbB family belongs to the tyrosine kinase (TK) receptor family that comprises four members. These members are closely associated with proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and migration during HCC development through multiple signaling pathways. ErbB-targeted therapy has shown tremendous potential and prospects in the treatment of HCC. Conclusions Through in-depth research and the application of ErbB-targeted therapy, broader avenues will be opened for the treatment of HCC and other tumors, leading to more personalized and precise treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyuan Qiang
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Wan
- West China Centre of Excellence for Pancreatitis, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine/West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiangzheng Chen
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haichuan Wang
- Division of Liver Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Laboratory of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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2
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Haga Y, Bandyopadhyay D, Khatun M, Tran E, Steele R, Banerjee S, Ray R, Nazzal M, Ray RB. Increased expression of long non-coding RNA FIRRE promotes hepatocellular carcinoma by HuR-CyclinD1 axis signaling. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107247. [PMID: 38556083 PMCID: PMC11061211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a critical need to understand the disease processes and identify improved therapeutic strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) display diverse effects on biological regulations. The aim of this study was to identify a lncRNA as a potential biomarker of HCC and investigate the mechanisms by which the lncRNA promotes HCC progression using human cell lines and in vivo. Using RNA-Seq analysis, we found that lncRNA FIRRE was significantly upregulated in hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated liver tissue and identified that lncRNA FIRRE is significantly upregulated in HCV-associated HCC compared to adjacent non-tumor liver tissue. Further, we observed that FIRRE is significantly upregulated in HCC specimens with other etiologies, suggesting this lncRNA has the potential to serve as an additional biomarker for HCC. Overexpression of FIRRE in hepatocytes induced cell proliferation, colony formation, and xenograft tumor formation as compared to vector-transfected control cells. Using RNA pull-down proteomics, we identified HuR as an interacting partner of FIRRE. We further showed that the FIRRE-HuR axis regulates cyclin D1 expression. Our mechanistic investigation uncovered that FIRRE is associated with an RNA-binding protein HuR for enhancing hepatocyte growth. Together, these findings provide molecular insights into the role of FIRRE in HCC progression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Humans
- Mice
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Proliferation
- Cyclin D1/metabolism
- Cyclin D1/genetics
- ELAV-Like Protein 1/metabolism
- ELAV-Like Protein 1/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Liver Neoplasms/genetics
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Liver Neoplasms/virology
- Mice, Nude
- RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
- RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/genetics
- Hepatitis C/complications
- Up-Regulation
- Biomarkers, Tumor
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Haga
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Mousumi Khatun
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ellen Tran
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robert Steele
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sumona Banerjee
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ranjit Ray
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Mustafa Nazzal
- Department of Surgery, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ratna B Ray
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
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3
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Liu C, Lu C, Yixi L, Hong J, Dong F, Ruan S, Hu T, Zhao X. Exosomal Linc00969 induces trastuzumab resistance in breast cancer by increasing HER-2 protein expression and mRNA stability by binding to HUR. Breast Cancer Res 2023; 25:124. [PMID: 37848981 PMCID: PMC10580635 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-023-01720-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant disease in female patients worldwide. In HER-2+ BC patients, trastuzumab therapy is associated with a better prognosis. However, many HER-2+ BC patients experience recurrence or metastasis because of trastuzumab resistance. The mechanisms underlying trastuzumab resistance remain unclear. Recently, substantial evidence has suggested that exosomes are associated with drug resistance, and lncRNAs have attracted increasing attention due to their potential role in the regulation of trastuzumab resistance. METHODS We collected the exosomes from the plasma of BC patients with and without trastuzumab resistance, sequenced the whole transcriptomes, identified differentially expressed lncRNAs, and identified lncRNA Linc00969, which was overexpressed in trastuzumab-resistant patients. Then, we established trastuzumab-resistant BC cell lines and explored the role of exosomal Linc00969 in trastuzumab resistance in vitro and in vivo by silencing or overexpressing Linc00969 and performing a series of functional analyses. Furthermore, to explore the mechanism by which exosomal Linc00969 contributes to trastuzumab resistance, we measured changes in HER-2, HUR and autophagy-related protein expression levels after regulating Linc00969 expression. In addition, we investigated the interaction between Linc00969 and HUR via pull-down and RIP assays and the effect of HUR on HER-2 expression and trastuzumab resistance after blocking HUR. RESULTS We first found that exosomal lncRNA Linc00969 was overexpressed in trastuzumab-resistant BC patients and that exosome-mediated Linc00969 transfer could disseminate trastuzumab resistance in BC. Then, we found that silencing Linc00969 could reduce trastuzumab resistance and that overexpressing Linc00969 could enhance trastuzumab resistance. Furthermore, our results showed that Linc00969 could upregulate HER-2 expression at the protein level and maintain the stability of HER-2 mRNA by binding to HUR. Additionally, we found that exosomal Linc00969 could regulate trastuzumab resistance by inducing autophagy. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we first identified that exosomal lncRNA Linc00969 could induce trastuzumab resistance by increasing HER-2 protein expression and mRNA stability by binding to HUR, and Linc00969 might also be involved in trastuzumab resistance by inducing autophagy. Our results elucidate a novel mechanism underlying trastuzumab resistance, and Linc00969 might be a new target for improving the treatment of HER-2+ BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiwei Liu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Chong Lu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Lamu Yixi
- Tibet Shannan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shannan, 856000, Tibet, China
| | - Jiaxing Hong
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Fang Dong
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Shengnan Ruan
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ting Hu
- Cancer Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Precision Radiation Oncology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Institute of Radiation Oncology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Tibet Shannan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Shannan, 856000, Tibet, China.
| | - Xiangwang Zhao
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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Rou WS, Eun HS, Choung S, Jeon HJ, Joo JS, Kang SH, Lee ES, Kim SH, Kwon IS, Ku BJ, Lee BS. Prognostic Value of Erythroblastic Leukemia Viral Oncogene Homolog 2 and Neuregulin 4 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092634. [PMID: 37174100 PMCID: PMC10177431 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092634] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the roles of erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2), neuregulin 4 (NRG4), and mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG6) in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other malignancies have been previously investigated, the prognostic value of their serum levels in HCC remains undetermined. In the present study, correlations between serum levels and tumor characteristics, overall survival, and tumor recurrence were analyzed. Furthermore, the prognostic potential of the serum levels of these biomarkers was evaluated relative to that of alpha-fetoprotein. Both ERBB2 and NRG4 correlated with the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, ERBB2 correlated with the tumor-maximal diameter, and NRG4 correlated with a tumor number. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that ERBB2 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.719; p = 0.007) was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. Furthermore, ERBB2 (HR, 2.338; p = 0.002) and NRG4 (HR, 431.763; p = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for tumor recurrence. The products of ERBB2 and NRG4 had a better area under the curve than alpha-fetoprotein for predicting 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year mortality. Therefore, these factors could be used to evaluate prognosis and monitor treatment response in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo Sun Rou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong 30099, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Soo Eun
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Sorim Choung
- Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Jae Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong 30099, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Seok Joo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong 30099, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hyung Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Eaum Seok Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - In Sun Kwon
- Clinical Trial Center, Statistics Office, Biomedical Research Institute, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Bon Jeong Ku
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Seok Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Daejeon 35015, Republic of Korea
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5
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Magalhães D, Dos Santos J, Frutuoso A, Mesquita A. Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Expression by Immunohistochemistry and Its Clinical Significance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Analysis. Cureus 2023; 15:e34724. [PMID: 36909127 PMCID: PMC9997104 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a member of the tyrosine kinase receptor family. It has been identified as an oncogene and is associated with poor outcomes in multiple tumor types. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there are contradictory data regarding the HER2 expression and its role in tumor development and progression. Some studies have identified HER2 expression as an early event during tumorigenesis, which decreases with progression and metastasis. Additional data provided evidence that treatment with anti-HER2 therapy resulted in local response and reduction in the metastasis rate in HCC mice models. METHODS Patients with histological diagnoses of HCC between 2010 and 2020 were included. HER2 staining was performed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and scoring was done in accordance with the gastric cancer guidelines as 0, 1+, 2+, and 3+. Clinicopathological features were accessed by medical records. This study aims to evaluate HER2 expression by IHC in HCC and to correlate this expression with some clinicopathological features such as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging, number of hepatic lesions, alpha-fetoprotein level, underlying liver disease, presence of liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh score, and tumor recurrence. RESULTS A total of 57 specimens from 54 patients were included. Of the patients, 85% were men, and the median age at diagnosis was 71 years (interquartile range: 59-75 years). Regarding stage, 61% were at stage 0-A of BCLC. Of the patients, 57% had a solitary HCC nodule. Concerning treatment, surgery was performed in 50% of the patients. HER2 expression was identified in seven patients: five in the membrane and two in the cytoplasm. Concerning the membrane staining, HER2 expression was scored as 1+/2+ in 7.4% (n = 4 patients). Of the patients with HER2 expression, four had a BCLC stage of 0-A and a single HCC nodule; alpha-fetoprotein was <400 ng/mL in all cases. There was no correlation to clinicopathological features. In one patient with HER2 2+ expression at diagnosis, this expression was not identified at tumor progression. Median disease-free survival in HER2 with IHC scores 1+/2+ and cytoplasmatic was 38 months versus 22 months in HER2 with a score of 0 (p = 0.604). CONCLUSIONS HER2 expression is a rare event in HCC. It was not possible to identify any relation to clinicopathological features. However, when we relate our data to previous trials, HER2 appears to be an early event in the course of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alexandra Mesquita
- Oncology, Hospital Pedro Hispano, Matosinhos, PRT.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, PRT
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6
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You H, Yuan D, Li Q, Zhang N, Kong D, Yu T, Liu X, Liu X, Zhou R, Kong F, Zheng K, Tang R. Hepatitis B virus X protein increases LASP1 SUMOylation to stabilize HER2 and facilitate hepatocarcinogenesis. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 226:996-1009. [PMID: 36473530 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBX), a viral macromolecule, plays a vital role in the development of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Increased expression of HER2 is linked to HBV infection, and HBX is responsible for HER2 upregulation in HCC. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In the study, we discovered that HBX promoted HER2 expression to facilitate the sensitization of the insulin signaling pathway and enhance the growth and migration of HCC cells. Mechanistically, the viral protein enhanced the stability of HER2 by preventing its ubiquitination-mediated proteasomal degradation through LASP1, which could bind to HER2. Furthermore, increased SUMOylation of LASP1 contributed to the upregulation of HER2 and the interaction of LASP1 with HER2. In addition, RANBP2 and RANGAP1 were found to interact with LASP1 and promote SUMOylation of LASP1 to upregulate HER2 expression in HBX-associated hepatoma cells. In summary, our work provides a novel insight into hepatocarcinogenesis mediated by HBX and estimates the detailed mechanisms related to the increase in HER2 regulated by the viral protein, which might help provide a theoretical basis for identifying novel targets for HBV-positive HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan You
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dongchen Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qi Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Delong Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tong Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiangye Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaomei Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fanyun Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Renxian Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Hepatitis B Virus-Encoded HBsAg Contributes to Hepatocarcinogenesis by Inducing the Oncogenic Long Noncoding RNA LINC00665 through the NF-κB Pathway. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0273121. [PMID: 35993712 PMCID: PMC9603668 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02731-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical and in vivo studies have demonstrated a role for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of HBsAg in regulating long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in HCC progression. Our analysis of microarray data sets identified LINC00665 as an HBsAg-regulated lncRNA. Furthermore, LINC00665 is upregulated in liver samples from HBV-infected patients as well as in HCC, specifically in HBV-related HCC liver samples. These findings were supported by our in vitro data demonstrating that HBsAg, as well as HBV, positively regulates LINC00665 in multiple HBV cell culture models. Next, we evaluated the oncogenic potential of LINC00665 by its overexpression and CRISPR interference (CRISPRi)-based knockdown in various cell-based assays. LINC00665 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation but inhibited cell apoptosis in vitro. We then identified the underlying mechanism of HBsAg-mediated regulation of LINC00665. We used immunofluorescence assays to show that HBsAg enhanced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB factors in HepG2 cells, confirming that HBsAg activates NF-κB. Inhibition of NF-κB signaling nullified HBsAg-mediated LINC00665 upregulation, suggesting that HBsAg acts through NF-κB to regulate LINC00665. Furthermore, the LINC00665 promoter contains NF-κB binding sites, and their disruption abrogated HBsAg-induced LINC00665 upregulation. Finally, HBsAg facilitated the enrichment of the NF-κB factors NF-κB1, RelA, and c-Rel in the LINC00665 promoter. Taken together, this work shows that HBsAg can drive hepatocarcinogenesis by upregulating oncogenic LINC000665 through the NF-κB pathway, thereby identifying a novel mechanism in HBV-related HCC. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Numerous reports indicate an oncogenic role for HBV-encoded HBsAg; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we studied the role of HBsAg in regulating lncRNAs involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. We demonstrate that HBsAg, as well as HBV, positively regulates oncogenic lncRNA LINC00665. The clinical significance of this lncRNA is highlighted by our observation that LINC00665 is upregulated in liver samples during HBV infection and HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, we show LINC00665 can drive hepatocarcinogenesis by promoting cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration and inhibiting apoptosis. Taken together, this work identified LINC00665 as a novel gene through which HBsAg can drive hepatocarcinogenesis. Finally, we show that HBsAg enhances LINC00665 levels in hepatocytes by activating the NF-κB pathway, thereby identifying a novel mechanism by which HBV may contribute to HCC.
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Hu Antigen R (HuR) Protein Structure, Function and Regulation in Hepatobiliary Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112666. [PMID: 35681645 PMCID: PMC9179498 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatobiliary tumors are a group of primary malignancies encompassing the liver, the intra- and extra-hepatic biliary tracts, and the gall bladder. Within the liver, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary cancer, which is, also, representing the third-most recurrent cause of cancer-associated death and the sixth-most prevalent type of tumor worldwide, nowadays. Although less frequent, cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is, currently, a fatal cancer with limited therapeutic options. Here, we review the regulatory role of Hu antigen R (HuR), a ubiquitous member of the ELAV/Hu family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), in the pathogenesis, progression, and treatment of HCC and CCA. Overall, HuR is proposed as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker, as well as a therapeutic target in hepatobiliary cancers. Therefore, novel therapeutic approaches that can selectively modulate HuR function appear to be highly attractive for the clinical management of these types of tumors. Abstract Hu antigen R (HuR) is a 36-kDa ubiquitous member of the ELAV/Hu family of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which plays an important role as a post-transcriptional regulator of specific RNAs under physiological and pathological conditions, including cancer. Herein, we review HuR protein structure, function, and its regulation, as well as its implications in the pathogenesis, progression, and treatment of hepatobiliary cancers. In particular, we focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), tumors where the increased cytoplasmic localization of HuR and activity are proposed, as valuable diagnostic and prognostic markers. An overview of the main regulatory axes involving HuR, which are associated with cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, and autophagy in HCC, is provided. These include the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational modulators of HuR function, in addition to HuR target transcripts. Finally, whereas studies addressing the relevance of targeting HuR in CCA are limited, in the past few years, HuR has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in HCC. In fact, the therapeutic efficacy of some pharmacological inhibitors of HuR has been evaluated, in early experimental models of HCC. We, further, discuss the major findings and future perspectives of therapeutic approaches that specifically block HuR interactions, either with post-translational modifiers or cognate transcripts in hepatobiliary cancers.
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9
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Lin Y, Liu Y, Xu D, Guo F, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Bai G. HBxAg promotes HBV replication and EGFR activation in human placental trophoblasts. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1211. [PMID: 34584556 PMCID: PMC8422389 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global epidemic. The main transmission route of chronic HBV infection is from mother to child, yet the mechanisms underlying HBV intrauterine infection remain unclear. In the present study, the effect and the mechanism underlying hepatitis B virus X antigen (HBxAg) on HBV replication and EGFR activation in trophoblasts was investigated. Serum samples from pregnant women with HBV infection were used to infect trophoblasts and HBxAg expression was detected using ELISA. HBV plasmids carrying either full length hepatitis B virus X (HBx) or HBx with a deletion mutation (ΔHBx) were transfected into trophoblasts and expression levels of HBV DNA, hepatitis B e-antigen and pregenomic (pg)RNA, and structural maintenance of chromosomes (Smc) 5/6 were assessed. The association between HBx and EGFR promoters was characterized using a luciferase reporter assay and EGFR/PI3K/phosphorylated (p)-AKT expression and apoptosis rate were also monitored. The results of the present study indicated that HBxAg expression increased with the increasing titre of HBV DNA (P<0.05). Compared with the wild-type group, the amount of HBV DNA in the supernatant and cells was significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the ΔHBx group and the intracellular HBeAg and pgRNA levels were also significantly decreased (P<0.05). In addition, Smc5/6 expression was also significantly decreased (P<0.05) when the intracellular HBx protein was expressed compared with mock-transfected cells. Co-transfection of HBx and EGFR promoter plasmids in JEG-3 and HTR-8 cells significantly elevated EGFR promoter driven luciferase expression relative to the control group (P<0.01). In EGFR overexpressing cells, the expression of PI3K/p-AKT was significantly increased, whereas the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased (P<0.05). These results were reversed in the EGFR-knockdown group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that HBx promotes HBV replication in trophoblasts via downregulation of Smc5/6, activates the EGFR promoter and inhibits trophoblast apoptosis via the PI3K/p-AKT downstream signalling pathway, thereby increasing the risk of HBV intrauterine infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yayun Lin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100141, P.R. China
| | - Dongping Xu
- Institute of Infectious Diseases, 5th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100141, P.R. China
| | - Fanfan Guo
- College of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Wentao Zhang
- College of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yidan Zhang
- College of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Guiqin Bai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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10
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mRNA Post-Transcriptional Regulation by AU-Rich Element-Binding Proteins in Liver Inflammation and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186648. [PMID: 32932781 PMCID: PMC7554771 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AU-rich element-binding proteins (AUBPs) represent important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. AUBPs can bind to the AU-rich elements present in the 3'-UTR of more than 8% of all mRNAs and are thereby able to control the stability and/or translation of numerous target mRNAs. The regulation of the stability and the translation of mRNA transcripts by AUBPs are highly complex processes that occur through multiple mechanisms depending on the cell type and the cellular context. While AUBPs have been shown to be involved in inflammatory processes and the development of various cancers, their important role and function in the development of chronic metabolic and inflammatory fatty liver diseases (FLDs), as well as in the progression of these disorders toward cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has recently started to emerge. Alterations of either the expression or activity of AUBPs are indeed significantly associated with FLDs and HCC, and accumulating evidence indicates that several AUBPs are deeply involved in a significant number of cellular processes governing hepatic metabolic disorders, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. Herein, we discuss our current knowledge of the roles and functions of AUBPs in liver diseases and cancer. The relevance of AUBPs as potential biomarkers for different stages of FLD and HCC, or as therapeutic targets for these diseases, are also highlighted.
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11
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The RNA-Binding Protein HuR in Digestive System Tumors. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:9656051. [PMID: 32775456 PMCID: PMC7396115 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9656051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human antigen R (HuR) is a member of the Hu family of RNA-binding proteins. This molecule, which was first described in tumors nearly two decades ago, has recently received much attention in tumor-related research because it regulates the expression of many tumor-associated molecules through posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms, thereby affecting biological characteristics. It is suggested that HuR might be a novel therapeutic target and a marker for therapeutic response and prognostic assessment. Increasing evidence supports that HuR also plays critical roles in the development, therapy, and prognosis of digestive system tumors. Herein, we review the relationships between HuR and digestive system tumors, demonstrating the importance of HuR in digestive system tumor diagnosis.
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12
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Döring P, Calvisi DF, Dombrowski F. Nuclear ErbB2 expression in hepatocytes in liver disease. Virchows Arch 2020; 478:309-318. [PMID: 32591879 PMCID: PMC7969555 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-020-02871-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
ErbB2 is a prominent representative of the epidermal growth factor receptors that mainly attract attention as oncogenic drivers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Besides transmembrane signaling, ErbB2 may also translocate into the nucleus and mediate distinct nuclear signaling effects including DNA repair and cell cycle arrest. Unexpectedly, we found nuclear ErbB2 expression in human hepatocytes in various liver diseases so we aimed to investigate the characteristics of liver disease leading to nuclear ErbB2 translocation. The immunohistochemical pattern of ErbB2 staining was analyzed in 1125 liver biopsy samples from patients with hepatic dysfunction. Further signaling and metabolic markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in selected liver biopsy samples. We found a cytoplasmic and nuclear ErbB2 expression in hepatocytes from different disease conditions with the strongest expression detected in alcoholic steatohepatitis. Nuclear ErbB2 positivity significantly correlated with histologic parameters of hepatocellular damage including inflammatory activity in steatohepatitis, hepatocellular ballooning, and cholestasis. ErbB2 overexpressing hepatocytes revealed an increase of phospho-STAT3, a downstream effector of nuclear ErbB2 signaling. Notably, we observed in nuclear ErbB2-positive hepatocytes a downregulation of estrogen receptor expression. In alcoholic steatohepatitis and other toxic liver diseases, hepatocytes revealed a nuclear ErbB2 expression implying a so far unknown mechanism in hepatocytes upon cellular stress that might lead to resistance to cell death. Nuclear ErbB2-positive hepatocytes showed downregulation of estrogen receptor expression and increased levels of pSTAT3, which are signs of functionality of nuclear ErbB2 signaling. Furthermore, analysis of hepatocellular ErbB2 expression could serve as helpful tool for diagnosis of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Döring
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Straße 23e, 17475, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Diego F Calvisi
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Frank Dombrowski
- Institute of Pathology, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler-Straße 23e, 17475, Greifswald, Germany
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13
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Human antigen R: A potential therapeutic target for liver diseases. Pharmacol Res 2020; 155:104684. [PMID: 32045667 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Human antigen R (HuR), also known as HuA and embryonic lethal abnormal vision-like 1 (ELAVL1), is a ubiquitously expressed RNA binding protein and functions as an RNA regulator and mediates the expression of various proteins by diverse post-transcriptional mechanisms. HuR has been well characterized in the inflammatory responses and in the development of various cancers. The importance of HuR-mediated roles in cell signaling, inflammation, fibrogenesis and cancer development in the liver has attracted a great deal of attention. However, there is still a substantial gap between the current understanding of the potential roles of HuR in the progression of liver disease and whether HuR can be targeted for the treatment of liver diseases. In this review, we introduce the function and mechanistic characterization of HuR, and then focus on the physiopathological roles of HuR in the development of different liver diseases, including hepatic inflammation, alcoholic liver diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis and liver cancers. We also summarize existing approaches targeting HuR function. In conclusion, although characterizing the liver-specific HuR function and demonstrating the multi-level regulative networks of HuR in the liver are still required, emerging evidence supports the notion that HuR represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic liver diseases.
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14
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Seshachalam VP, Sekar K, Hui KM. Insights into the etiology-associated gene regulatory networks in hepatocellular carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 33:2037-2047. [PMID: 29672926 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are the major known risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There have been very few studies comparing the underlying biological mechanisms associated with the different etiologies of HCC. In this study, we hypothesized the existence of different regulatory networks associated with different liver disease etiologies involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS Using upstream regulatory analysis tool in ingenuity pathway analysis software, upstream regulators (URs) were predicted using differential expressed genes for HCC to facilitate the interrogation of global gene regulation. RESULTS Analysis of regulatory networks for HBV HCC revealed E2F1 as activated UR, regulating genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication, and HNF4A and HNF1A as inhibited UR. In hepatitis C virus HCC, interferon-γ, involved in cellular movement and signaling, was activated, while IL1RN, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 involved in interleukin 22 signaling and immune response, was inhibited. In alcohol consumption HCC, ERBB2 involved in inflammatory response and cellular movement was activated, whereas HNF4A and NUPR1 were inhibited. For HCC derived from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, miR-1249-5p was activated, and NUPR1 involved in cell cycle and apoptosis was inhibited. The prognostic value of representative genes identified in the regulatory networks for HBV HCC can be further validated by an independent HBV HCC dataset established in our laboratory with survival data. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified functionally distinct candidate URs for HCC developed from different etiologic risk factors. Further functional validation studies of these regulatory networks could facilitate the management of HCC towards personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karthik Sekar
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kam M Hui
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore.,Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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15
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Yao Y, Chu H, Wang J, Wang B. Decreased human antigen R expression confers resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant lung cancer by inhibiting Bim expression. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:2930-2942. [PMID: 30226552 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor‑tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‑TKIs) is an obstacle for the treatment of non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the associated mechanisms are not well understood. Studies have reported that Bim expression levels may be associated with the efficacy of EGFR‑TKI treatment in NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutations. Human antigen R (HuR) regulates the mRNA and protein expression of target genes, including certain B‑cell lymphoma 2 family members. The present study investigated whether HuR mediates resistance to EGFR‑TKIs via the regulation of Bim. The results demonstrated that decreased levels of HuR and Bim protein expression are associated with primary resistance to EGFR‑TKIs and reduced median progression‑free survival in NSCLC patients. In vitro assays also revealed that knockdown of HuR resulted in primary EGFR‑TKI resistance and reduced gefitinib‑induced apoptosis in HCC827 cells by decreasing Bim expression. Furthermore, elevated HuR expression restored gefitinib sensitivity and enhanced gefitinib‑induced apoptosis in H1650 cells by increasing Bim expression. In vivo, it was further demonstrated that overexpression of HuR was able to restore the gefitinib sensitivity of H1650 cells. Therefore, altered HuR/Bim expression is proposed to be a novel mechanism of EGFR‑TKI resistance in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Yao
- Institute of Post‑Graduate, The Second Military Medical University, People's Liberation Army, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Huili Chu
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital, Jinan Command of The People's Liberation Army, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital, Jinan Command of The People's Liberation Army, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Baocheng Wang
- Institute of Post‑Graduate, The Second Military Medical University, People's Liberation Army, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
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16
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Delgado TC, Barbier-Torres L, Zubiete-Franco I, Lopitz-Otsoa F, Varela-Rey M, Fernández-Ramos D, Martínez-Chantar ML. Neddylation, a novel paradigm in liver cancer. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 3:37. [PMID: 30050997 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2018.06.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is the sixth most prevailing cancer worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, has a rather heterogeneous pathogenesis making it highly refractive to current therapeutic approaches. Hence, HCC patients have a poor and gloomy prognosis making liver cancer the second leading cause of global cancer-related deaths. On this basis, a more global mechanism, such as post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins, may provide a valuable therapeutic approach for HCC clinical management by simultaneously regulating multiple disrupted signaling pathways. In the last years, the ubiquitin-like molecule NEDD8 (Neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated-8) conjugation pathway, neddylation, was shown to be aberrant in HCC patients with a significant positive correlation found among global levels of neddylation and poorer prognosis. Even though the best-established role for NEDD8 is the activation of ubiquitin E3 ligase family of cullin-RING ligases, the putative role for other NEDD8 substrates has been explored in recent years leading to the identification of novel neddylation targets in HCC. Importantly, treatment with the small pharmacological inhibitor Pevonedistat (MLN4924) (Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Takeda Pharmaceutical), currently in clinical trials for the treatment of some types of leukemias and other advanced solid tumors, was shown to suppress the outgrowth of hepatoma cells and liver cancer in pre-clinical mouse models. Overall, considering that the neddylation inhibitor Pevonedistat was well-tolerated and displayed a significant antitumor effect in pre-clinical models, combinatory pharmacological treatment based on Pevonedistat are highly recommended to enter clinical trials targeting advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Cardoso Delgado
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Lúcia Barbier-Torres
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,Division of Gastroenterology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Imanol Zubiete-Franco
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fernando Lopitz-Otsoa
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Marta Varela-Rey
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - David Fernández-Ramos
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - María-Luz Martínez-Chantar
- CIC bioGUNE, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
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17
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Huang WC, Hung CM, Wei CT, Chen TM, Chien PH, Pan HL, Lin YM, Chen YJ. Interleukin-6 expression contributes to lapatinib resistance through maintenance of stemness property in HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:62352-62363. [PMID: 27694691 PMCID: PMC5308732 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Lapatinib is an inhibitor of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which is overexpressed in 20-25% of breast cancers. Clinically, lapatinib has shown promising benefits for HER2-positive breast cancer patients; however, patients eventually acquire resistance, limiting its long-term use. In a previous study, we found that interleukin-6 (IL-6) production was increased in acquired lapatinib-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer cells. In the present study, we confirmed that lapatinib-resistant cells had elevated IL-6 expression and also maintained both stemness population and property. The increase in IL-6 was required for stemness property maintenance, which was mediated primarily through the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Blocking IL-6 activity reduced spheroid formation, cell viability and subsequently overcame lapatinib resistance, whereas stimulation of IL-6 rendered parental cells more resistant to lapatinib-induced cytotoxicity. These results point to a novel mechanism underlying lapatinib resistance and provide a potential strategy to overcome resistance via IL-6 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chien Huang
- The Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taichung 404, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan.,Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Ming Hung
- School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.,Department of General Surgery, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ting Wei
- School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.,Department of General Surgery, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Ming Chen
- Department and Graduate Institute of Aquaculture, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Kaohsiung 811, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsuan Chien
- Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Lin Pan
- School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Ming Lin
- Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 824, Taiwan
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18
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Wang W, Bai G, Zhang Y, Zhang T, Li C, Yuan Y, Liu S, Wang C. HBxAg suppresses cell apoptosis and promotes the secretion of placental hormones in human placental trophoblasts via activation of the EGFR/Akt pathway. Cell Biol Int 2017; 42:237-247. [PMID: 29052908 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Hepatitis B virus x (HBx) in the growth and secretion of human placental trophoblasts. Firstly, placenta tissues were collected from pregnant HBV carriers with various viral loads. The results of immunohistochemical technique showed that the HBx protein and pEGFR protein levels were both markedly increased with the viral load elevation. Then, a placental trophoblast cell strain (JEG-3-HBx), which stably expressed HBx mRNA and protein, was established with the pcDNA-HBx transfection followed by the G418 selection. The JEG-3-HBx strain displayed distinct activation of the EGFR/AKT pathway, a lower level of cell apoptosis, and higher secretion levels of placental hormones, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone, estrogen and β-endorphin. Subsequently, HBx siRNA was used to silence the HBx gene in the JEG-3-HBx strain. Our data showed that the HBx siRNA transfection markedly suppressed the activation of the EGFR/AKT pathway, promoted cell apoptosis, and reduced the secretion of the placental hormones. Finally, EGF was applied to simulate the JEG-3-HBx strain with or without the HBx siRNA transfection. EGF treatment counteracted the reduction of cell apoptosis and the suppression of hormone secretion caused by HBx siRNA in the cell strain. In conclusion, the pEGFR protein was robustly upregulated in HBx-infected human placenta tissues and trophoblast cells. HBx reduces cell apoptosis and promotes the secretion of placental hormones in human placental trophoblast cells via activation of the EGFR/Akt pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an City, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Guiqin Bai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an City, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an City, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an City, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an City, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yongxing Yuan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an City, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Sixue Liu
- College of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an City, China
| | - Caili Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 277, Yanta West Road, Xi'an City, 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
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19
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Ho J, Moyes DL, Tavassoli M, Naglik JR. The Role of ErbB Receptors in Infection. Trends Microbiol 2017; 25:942-952. [PMID: 28522156 PMCID: PMC7126822 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Members of the epidermal growth factor receptor family (ErbB family) possess a wide distribution and diverse functions ranging from cellular growth to migration and apoptosis. Though highly implicated in a variety of cancers, their involvement in infectious disease is less recognised. A growing body of evidence now highlights the importance of the ErbB family in a variety of infections. Their role as growth factor receptors, along with other characteristics, such as surface expression and continuous intracellular trafficking, make this receptor family ideally placed for exploitation by pathogens. Herein, we review our current understanding of the role of the ErbB family in the context of infectious disease, exploring the mechanisms that govern pathogen exploitation of this system. A wide and diverse variety of microbes have each evolved distinct mechanisms to exploit ErbB receptors, highlighting this receptor kinase family as a critical factor in initiation and maintenance of pathogen infections. ErbB family members are utilised by pathogens attempting to gain cellular entry, subvert immune responses, and manipulate the cell cycle of infected host cells. These events support and are necessary for pathogen persistence. Pathogen-mediated ErbB-exploitation may contribute to cellular transformation and oncogenesis in a variety of cancers. The use of existing FDA-approved drugs that target ErbB receptors and associated signalling components may offer potential future therapies against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemima Ho
- Mucosal & Salivary Biology Division, Dental Institute, King's College London SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - David L Moyes
- Centre for Host Microbiome interactions, Mucosal & Salivary Biology Division, Dental Institute, King's College London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Mahvash Tavassoli
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Mucosal & Salivary Biology Division, Dental Institute, King's College London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Julian R Naglik
- Mucosal & Salivary Biology Division, Dental Institute, King's College London SE1 1UL, UK
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20
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Ahadi M, Naseh V, Salehipour M. The HER-2 as a Target Gene of Curcumin to Protect Hepatocytes Against the Arsenic-induced Carcinoma in Mice. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 12:158-164. [PMID: 29515638 PMCID: PMC5831072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE The HER-2 gene is an important on co protein overexpressed in many types of cancers. The current study hypothesized that curcumin downregulates HER-2 and inhibits the signal transduction pathway of PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and activation of NFκB, which could be useful to treat overexpressed-HER-2 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS In the current study, 40 male NMRI (Naval Medical Research Institute) mice were divided into 4 groups of 10 as follow: Group1 (control group) only received 5 mL/kg corn oil, group 2 (poisoned group) received 30 mg/L arsenic (As2O3) dissolved in water, group3 (curcumin treated), and group 4 (curcumin and arsenic treated) received 10 to 20mg/5mL/kg for 60 days. Once experimental period was completed, liver samples were collected. The analysis of the gene expression was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. RESULTS Gene expression analysis showed that curcumin had significantly downregulated the activity of HER-2, in poisoned mice. CONCLUSION According to the current study results, it could be concluded that curcumin has the inhibitory potential toward HER-2-overexpressed HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Ahadi
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
| | - Vahid Naseh
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
| | - Masoud Salehipour
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
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21
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IRAV ( FLJ11286), an Interferon-Stimulated Gene with Antiviral Activity against Dengue Virus, Interacts with MOV10. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01606-16. [PMID: 27974568 PMCID: PMC5309953 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01606-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is a member of the genus Flavivirus and can cause severe febrile illness. Here, we show that FLJ11286, which we refer to as IRAV, is induced by DENV in an interferon-dependent manner, displays antiviral activity against DENV, and localizes to the DENV replication complex. IRAV is an RNA binding protein and localizes to cytoplasmic processing bodies (P bodies) in uninfected cells, where it interacts with the MOV10 RISC complex RNA helicase, suggesting a role for IRAV in the processing of viral RNA. After DENV infection, IRAV, along with MOV10 and Xrn1, localizes to the DENV replication complex and associates with DENV proteins. Depletion of IRAV or MOV10 results in an increase in viral RNA. These data serve to characterize an interferon-stimulated gene with antiviral activity against DENV, as well as to propose a mechanism of activity involving the processing of viral RNA.
IMPORTANCE Dengue virus, a member of the family Flaviviridae, can result in a life-threatening illness and has a significant impact on global health. Dengue virus has been shown to be particularly sensitive to the effects of type I interferon; however, little is known about the mechanisms by which interferon-stimulated genes function to inhibit viral replication. A better understanding of the interferon-mediated antiviral response to dengue virus may aid in the development of novel therapeutics. Here, we examine the influence of the interferon-stimulated gene IRAV (FLJ11286) on dengue virus replication. We show that IRAV associates with P bodies in uninfected cells and with the dengue virus replication complex after infection. IRAV also interacts with MOV10, depletion of which is associated with increased viral replication. Our results provide insight into a newly identified antiviral gene, as well as broadening our understanding of the innate immune response to dengue virus infection.
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22
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Chen JY, Chen YJ, Yen CJ, Chen WS, Huang WC. HBx sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to lapatinib by up-regulating ErbB3. Oncotarget 2016; 7:473-89. [PMID: 26595522 PMCID: PMC4808012 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor prognosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves HBV X protein (HBx)-induced tumor progression. HBx also contributes to chemo-resistance via inducing the expressions of anti-apoptosis and multiple drug resistance genes. However, the impact of HBx expression on the therapeutic efficacy of various receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors remains unknown. In this study, our data showed that HBx overexpression did not alter the cellular sensitivity of HCC cell lines to sorafenib but unexpectedly enhanced the cell death induced by EGFR family inhibitors, including gefitinib, erlotinib, and lapatinib due to ErbB3 up-regulation. Mechanistically, HBx transcriptionally up-regulates ErbB3 expression in a NF-κB dependent manner. In addition, HBx also physically interacts with ErbB2 and ErbB3 proteins and enhances the formation of ErbB2/ErbB3 heterodimeric complex. The cell viability of HBx-overexpressing cells was decreased by silencing ErbB3 expression, further revealing the pivotal role of ErbB3 in HBx-mediated cell survival. Our data suggest that HBx shifts the oncogenic addiction of HCC cells to ErbB2/ErbB3 signaling pathway via inducing ErbB3 expression and thereby enhances their sensitivity to EGFR/ErbB2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhen-Yu Chen
- The Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Ju Chen
- Department of Biological Science & Technology, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine for International Students, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Internal Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Shu Chen
- Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chien Huang
- The Ph.D. Program for Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, China Medical University and Academia Sinica, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Center for Molecular Medicine, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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23
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Yung MK, Lo KW, Yip CW, Chung GTY, Tong CYK, Cheung PFY, Cheung TT, Poon RTP, So S, Fan ST, Cheung ST. Copy number gain of granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP) at chromosome 17q21 associates with overexpression in human liver cancer. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:264. [PMID: 25885205 PMCID: PMC4403714 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1294-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP), a secretory growth factor, demonstrated overexpression in various human cancers, however, mechanism remain elusive. Primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), ranks the second in cancer-related death globally. GEP controlled growth, invasion, metastasis and chemo-resistance in liver cancer. Noted that GEP gene locates at 17q21 and the region has been frequently reported to be amplified in subset of HCC. The study aims to investigate if copy number gain would associate with GEP overexpression. METHODS Quantitative Microsatellite Analysis (QuMA) was used to quantify the GEP DNA copy number, and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed to consolidate the amplification status. GEP gene copy number, mRNA expression level and clinico-pathological features were analyzed. RESULTS GEP DNA copy number determined by QuMA corroborated well with the FISH data, and the gene copy number correlated with the expression levels (n = 60, r = 0.331, P = 0.010). Gain of GEP copy number was observed in 20% (12/60) HCC and associated with hepatitis B virus infection status (P = 0.015). In HCC with increased GEP copy number, tight association between GEP DNA and mRNA levels were observed (n = 12, r = 0.664, P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS Gain of the GEP gene copy number was observed in 20% HCC and the frequency comparable to literatures reported on the chromosome region 17q. Increased gene copy number contributed to GEP overexpression in subset of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Kuen Yung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Kwok Wai Lo
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chi Wai Yip
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Grace T Y Chung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Carol Y K Tong
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Phyllis F Y Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Tan To Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Ronnie T P Poon
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Samuel So
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, USA.
| | - Sheung Tat Fan
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Siu Tim Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. .,Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, L9-55, Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China.
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24
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Zhu H, Berkova Z, Mathur R, Sehgal L, Khashab T, Tao RH, Ao X, Feng L, Sabichi AL, Blechacz B, Rashid A, Samaniego F. HuR Suppresses Fas Expression and Correlates with Patient Outcome in Liver Cancer. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:809-18. [PMID: 25678597 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) show resistance to chemotherapy and have blunt response to apoptotic stimuli. HCC cell lines express low levels of the Fas death receptor and are resistant to FasL stimulation, whereas immortalized hepatocytes are sensitive. The variable Fas transcript levels and consistently low Fas protein in HCC cells suggest posttranscriptional regulation of Fas expression. The 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of Fas mRNA was found to interact with the ribonucleoprotein Human Antigen R (HuR) to block mRNA translation. Silencing of HuR in HCC cells increased the levels of cell surface Fas and sensitized HCC cells to FasL. Two AU-rich domains within the 3'-UTR of Fas mRNA were identified as putative HuR-binding sites and were found to mediate the translational regulation in reporter assay. Hydrodynamic transfection of HuR plasmid into mice induced downregulation of Fas expression in livers and established functional resistance to the killing effects of Fas agonist. Human HCC tumor tissues showed significantly higher overall and cytoplasmic HuR staining compared with normal liver tissues, and the high HuR staining score correlated with worse survival of patients with early-stage HCC. Combined, the protumorigenic ribonucleoprotein HuR blocks the translation of Fas mRNA and effectively prevents Fas-mediated apoptosis in HCC, suggesting that targeting HuR would sensitize cells to apoptotic stimuli and reverse tumorigenic properties. IMPLICATIONS Demonstrating how death receptor signaling pathways are altered during progression of HCC will enable the development of better methods to restore this potent apoptosis mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Zhu
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Zuzana Berkova
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Rohit Mathur
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lalit Sehgal
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Tamer Khashab
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Rong-Hua Tao
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xue Ao
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Statistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Boris Blechacz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Asif Rashid
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Felipe Samaniego
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
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25
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Cao C, Sun J, Zhang D, Guo X, Xie L, Li X, Wu D, Liu L. The long intergenic noncoding RNA UFC1, a target of MicroRNA 34a, interacts with the mRNA stabilizing protein HuR to increase levels of β-catenin in HCC cells. Gastroenterology 2015; 148:415-26.e18. [PMID: 25449213 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Altered activities of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been associated with cancer development. We investigated the mechanisms by which the long intergenic noncoding RNA UFC1 (lincRNA-UFC1) promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using human tissues and cell lines. METHODS We used microarrays to compare expression profiles of lncRNAs in HCC samples and adjacent nontumor tissues (controls) from 7 patients. HCC and nontumor tissues were collected from 2006 through 2012 from patients in Guangzhou, China. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure levels of lincRNA-UFC1 in tissues from 49 patients, and in situ hybridization to measure levels in samples from 131 patients; clinical data were collected from patients for up to 5 years. The lincRNA-UFC1 was expressed transgenically, or knocked down with short hairpin RNAs, in BEL-7402, SK-Hep1, Huh7, and MHCC-97H HCC cell lines; luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation and pull-down assays were performed. We also analyzed growth of xenograft tumors from these cells in BALB/c nude mice. RESULTS Levels of the lincRNA-UFC1 were increased in HCC tissues compared with controls, and associated with tumor size, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, and patient outcomes. Transgenic expression of the lincRNA-UFC1 in HCC cells promoted their proliferation and cell-cycle progression and inhibited apoptosis, whereas short hairpin RNA knockdown of lincRNA-UFC1 had opposite effects. Xenograft tumors grown from cells overexpressing lincRNA-UFC1 had larger mean volumes and weights, and formed more rapidly, than tumors grown from control cells. Tumors grown from lincRNA-UFC1 knockdown were smaller than controls. The lincRNA-UFC1 interacted directly with the messenger RNA (mRNA) stabilizing protein HuR (encoded by ELAVL1) to increase levels of β-catenin mRNA (encoded by CTNNB1) and protein. Levels of lincRNA-UFC1 correlated with those of β-catenin in HCC tissues. In contrast, there was a negative correlation between levels of microRNA 34a and lincRNA-UFC1 in HCC tissues; microRNA 34a reduced the stability of lincRNA-UFC1. CONCLUSIONS The lincRNA-UFC1, a target of microRNA 34a, promotes proliferation and reduces apoptosis in HCC cells to promote growth of xenograft tumors in mice. It interacts directly with the mRNA stabilizing protein HuR to regulate levels of β-catenin in HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanhui Cao
- Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyuan Sun
- Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongyan Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuejun Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liwei Xie
- Center of Molecular Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Xin Li
- Cancer Research Institute, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dehua Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Li Liu
- Hepatology Unit and Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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