1
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Villareal LB, Falcon DM, Xie L, Xue X. Hypoxia-inducible factor 3α1 increases epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and iron uptake to drive colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1904-1915. [PMID: 38693428 PMCID: PMC11183190 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02699-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-3α1's role in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, especially its effects on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) gene expression, and iron metabolism, remains largely unstudied. This research sought to elucidate these relationships. METHODS RNA-seq was conducted to investigate the impact of HIF-3α1 overexpression in CRC cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assays assessed the direct targeting of ZEB2 by HIF-3α1. Scratch assays measured changes in cell migration following HIF-3α1 overexpression and ZEB2 knockdown. The effects of HIF-3α1 overexpression on colon tumour growth and liver metastasis were examined in vivo. Iron chelation was used to explore the role of iron metabolism in HIF-3α1-mediated EMT and tumour growth. RESULTS HIF-3α1 overexpression induced EMT and upregulated ZEB2 expression, enhancing cancer cell migration. ZEB2 knockdown reduced mesenchymal markers and cell migration. HIF-3α1 promoted colon tumour growth and liver metastasis, increased transferrin receptor (TFRC) expression and cellular iron levels, and downregulated HIF-1α, HIF-2α, and NDRG1. Iron chelation mitigated HIF-3α1-mediated EMT, tumour growth, and survival. CONCLUSIONS HIF-3α1 plays a critical role in colon cancer progression by promoting EMT, iron accumulation, and metastasis through ZEB2 and TFRC regulation, suggesting potential therapeutic targets in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke B Villareal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Daniel M Falcon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Liwei Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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2
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Wang C, Chu Q, Dong W, Wang X, Zhao W, Dai X, Liu W, Wang B, Liu T, Zhong W, Jiang C, Cao H. Microbial metabolite deoxycholic acid-mediated ferroptosis exacerbates high-fat diet-induced colonic inflammation. Mol Metab 2024; 84:101944. [PMID: 38642891 PMCID: PMC11070703 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.101944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD) has long been recognized as risk factors for the development and progression of ulcerative colitis (UC), but the exact mechanism remained elusive. Here, HFD increased intestinal deoxycholic acid (DCA) levels, and DCA further exacerbated colonic inflammation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that DCA triggered ferroptosis pathway in colitis mice. Mechanistically, DCA upregulated hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α) and divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1) expression, causing the ferrous ions accumulation and ferroptosis in intestinal epithelial cells, which was reversed by ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1. DCA failed to promote colitis and ferroptosis in intestine-specific HIF-2α-null mice. Notably, byak-angelicin inhibited DCA-induced pro-inflammatory and pro-ferroptotic effects through blocking the up-regulation of HIF-2α by DCA. Moreover, fat intake was positively correlated with disease activity in UC patients consuming HFD, with ferroptosis being more pronounced. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that HFD exacerbated colonic inflammation by promoting DCA-mediated ferroptosis, providing new insights into diet-related bile acid dysregulation in UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiao Chu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenxiao Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjing Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Dai
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Wentian Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Bangmao Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China
| | - Tianyu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China.
| | - Weilong Zhong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China.
| | - Changtao Jiang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Hailong Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, National Key Clinical Specialty, Tianjin Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, Tianjin, China.
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3
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Arcos M, Liu Z, Villareal LB, Velez PK, Desai SP, Noureddine A, Zheng H, Martin DR, Brinker J, Zhang D, Xue X. Myeloid NCOA4 sequesters KEAP1 to reduce ferroptosis for protection against salmonellosis in mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4278310. [PMID: 38798412 PMCID: PMC11118698 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4278310/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Salmonellosis, caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, is a significant global threat. Host immunity limits bacterial replication by inducing hepcidin, which degrades ferroportin, reducing iron transfer. However, this boosts macrophage iron storage, aiding intracellular pathogens like Salmonella. Mice lacking ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) in myeloid cells suffer worsened Salmonella infection. Nuclear receptor co-activator 4 (NCOA4) regulates iron release via FTH1 degradation during low iron, but its role in salmonellosis is unclear. Here, we reveal that myeloid NCOA4 deficiency augments spleen iron levels and increases cellular iron accumulation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in bone marrow-derived macrophages. This deficiency also increases susceptibility to Salmonella-induced colitis in mice. Mechanistically, NCOA4 suppresses oxidative stress by directly binding to the E3 ubiquitin ligase Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and stabilizing the antioxidant transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). Activation of NRF2 protects myeloid NCOA4 knockout mice from Salmonella-induced colitis. Antioxidant Tempol and myeloid cell-targeted curcumin offer protection against colitis in myeloid NCOA4-deficient mice. A low iron diet and ferroptosis inhibition also mitigate the heightened colitis in these mice. Overexpression of myeloid cell-specific NCOA4 confers protection against Salmonella-induced colitis via upregulating NRF2 signaling. Serum iron was reduced in myeloid NCOA4-overexpressing mice, but not in NCOA4-deficient mice. Targeted serum metabolomics analysis revealed that many lipids were decreased in myeloid NCOA4-deficient mice, while several of them were increased in myeloid NCOA4-overexpressing mice. Together, this study not only advances our understanding of NCOA4/KEAP1/NRF2/ferroptosis axis but also paves the way for novel myeloid cell-targeted therapies to combat salmonellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella Arcos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Zhaoli Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Luke B Villareal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Paloma Kai Velez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Sharina P Desai
- Department of Molecular Genetics Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Achraf Noureddine
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Huayu Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - David R Martin
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Jeffrey Brinker
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
| | - Donna Zhang
- Center for Inflammation Science and Systems Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
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4
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Dentand AL, Schubert MG, Krayenbuehl PA. Current iron therapy in the light of regulation, intestinal microbiome, and toxicity: are we prescribing too much iron? Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38606523 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2024.2331477] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Iron deficiency is a widespread global health concern with varying prevalence rates across different regions. In developing countries, scarcity of food and chronic infections contribute to iron deficiency, while in industrialized nations, reduced food intake and dietary preferences affect iron status. Other causes that can lead to iron deficiency are conditions and diseases that result in reduced intestinal iron absorption and blood loss. In addition, iron absorption and its bioavailability are influenced by the composition of the diet. Individuals with increased iron needs, including infants, adolescents, and athletes, are particularly vulnerable to deficiency. Severe iron deficiency can lead to anemia with performance intolerance or shortness of breath. In addition, even without anemia, iron deficiency leads to mental and physical fatigue, which points to the fundamental biological importance of iron, especially in mitochondrial function and the respiratory chain. Standard oral iron supplementation often results in gastrointestinal side effects and poor compliance. Low-dose iron therapy seems to be a valid and reasonable therapeutic option due to reduced hepatic hepcidin formation, facilitating efficient iron resorption, replenishment of iron storage, and causing significantly fewer side effects. Elevated iron levels influence gut microbiota composition, favoring pathogenic bacteria and potentially disrupting metabolic and immune functions. Protective bacteria, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, are particularly susceptible to increased iron levels. Dysbiosis resulting from iron supplementation may contribute to gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic disturbances. Furthermore, gut microbiota alterations have been linked to mental health issues. Future iron therapy should consider low-dose supplementation to mitigate adverse effects and the impact on the gut microbiome. A comprehensive understanding of the interplay between iron intake, gut microbiota, and human health is crucial for optimizing therapeutic approaches and minimizing potential risks associated with iron supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaëlle L Dentand
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Morton G Schubert
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Alexandre Krayenbuehl
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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5
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Huang W, Das NK, Radyk MD, Keeley T, Quiros M, Jain C, El-Derany MO, Swaminathan T, Dziechciarz S, Greenson JK, Nusrat A, Samuelson LC, Shah YM. Dietary Iron Is Necessary to Support Proliferative Regeneration after Intestinal Injury. J Nutr 2024; 154:1153-1164. [PMID: 38246358 PMCID: PMC11181351 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tissue repair and regeneration in the gastrointestinal system are crucial for maintaining homeostasis, with the process relying on intricate cellular interactions and affected by micro- and macro-nutrients. Iron, essential for various biological functions, plays a dual role in tissue healing by potentially causing oxidative damage and participating in anti-inflammatory mechanisms, underscoring its complex relationship with inflammation and tissue repair. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to elucidate the role of low dietary iron in gastrointestinal tissue repair. METHODS We utilized quantitative iron measurements to assess iron levels in inflamed regions of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In addition, 3 mouse models of gastrointestinal injury/repair (dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, radiation injury, and wound biopsy) were used to assess the effects of low dietary iron on tissue repair. RESULTS We found that levels of iron in inflamed regions of both patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are elevated. Similarly, during gastrointestinal repair, iron levels were found to be heightened, specifically in intestinal epithelial cells across the 3 injury/repair models. Mice on a low-iron diet showed compromised tissue repair with reduced proliferation. In standard diet, epithelial cells and the stem cell compartment maintain adequate iron stores. However, during a period of iron deficiency, epithelial cells exhaust their iron reserves, whereas the stem cell compartments maintain their iron pools. During injury, when the stem compartment is disrupted, low iron levels impair proliferation and compromise repair mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS Low dietary iron impairs intestinal repair through compromising the ability of epithelial cells to aid in intestinal proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Huang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Nupur K Das
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Megan D Radyk
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Theresa Keeley
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Miguel Quiros
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Chesta Jain
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Marwa O El-Derany
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Thaarini Swaminathan
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sofia Dziechciarz
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Joel K Greenson
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Asma Nusrat
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Linda C Samuelson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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6
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Villareal LB, Xue X. The emerging role of hypoxia and environmental factors in inflammatory bowel disease. Toxicol Sci 2024; 198:169-184. [PMID: 38200624 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae004] [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] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and debilitating disorder characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of IBD remains unknown, hampering the development of effective therapies. However, emerging evidence suggests that hypoxia, a condition resulting from inadequate oxygen supply, plays a crucial role in intestinal inflammation and tissue damage in IBD. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), transcription factors that regulate the cellular response to low oxygen levels, have gained attention for their involvement in modulating inflammatory processes and maintaining tissue homeostasis. The two most studied HIFs, HIF-1α and HIF-2α, have been implicated in the development and progression of IBD. Toxicological factors encompass a wide range of environmental and endogenous agents, including dietary components, microbial metabolites, and pollutants. These factors can profoundly influence the hypoxic microenvironment within the gut, thereby exacerbating the course of IBD and fostering the progression of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. This review explores the regulation of hypoxia signaling at the molecular, microenvironmental, and environmental levels, investigating the intricate interplay between toxicological factors and hypoxic signaling in the context of IBD, focusing on its most concerning outcomes: intestinal fibrosis and colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke B Villareal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
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7
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Liu S, Yue M, Lu Y, Wang Y, Luo S, Liu X, Jiang J. Advancing the frontiers of colorectal cancer treatment: harnessing ferroptosis regulation. Apoptosis 2024; 29:86-102. [PMID: 37752371 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-023-01891-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, colorectal cancer incidence and mortality have increased significantly due to poor lifestyle choices. Despite the development of various treatments, their effectiveness against advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer remains unsatisfactory due to drug resistance. However, ferroptosis, a novel iron-dependent cell death process induced by lipid peroxidation and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels along with reduced activity of the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) antioxidant enzyme system, shows promise as a therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. This review aims to delve into the regulatory mechanisms of ferroptosis in colorectal cancer, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic approaches. By targeting ferroptosis, new avenues can be explored for innovative therapies to combat colorectal cancer more effectively. In addition, understanding the molecular pathways involved in ferroptosis may help identify biomarkers for prognosis and treatment response, paving the way for personalized medicine approaches. Furthermore, exploring the interplay between ferroptosis and other cellular processes can uncover combination therapies that enhance treatment efficacy. Investigating the tumor microenvironment's role in regulating ferroptosis may offer strategies to sensitize cancer cells to cell death induction, leading to improved outcomes. Overall, ferroptosis presents a promising avenue for advancing the treatment of colorectal cancer and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyue Liu
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Ming Yue
- Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, the Central Hospital of Wuhan, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430014, China
| | - Yukang Lu
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Shiwen Luo
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Xiaoliu Liu
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China.
| | - Jue Jiang
- Institute of Infection, Immunology and Tumor Microenvironment, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China.
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8
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Solanki S, Shah YM. Hypoxia-Induced Signaling in Gut and Liver Pathobiology. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY 2024; 19:291-317. [PMID: 37832943 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-051122-094743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen (O2) is essential for cellular metabolism and biochemical reactions. When the demand for O2 exceeds the supply, hypoxia occurs. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are essential to activate adaptive and survival responses following hypoxic stress. In the gut (intestines) and liver, the presence of oxygen gradients or physiologic hypoxia is necessary to maintain normal homeostasis. While physiologic hypoxia is beneficial and aids in normal functions, pathological hypoxia is harmful as it exacerbates inflammatory responses and tissue dysfunction and is a hallmark of many cancers. In this review, we discuss the role of gut and liver hypoxia-induced signaling, primarily focusing on HIFs, in the physiology and pathobiology of gut and liver diseases. Additionally, we examine the function of HIFs in various cell types during gut and liver diseases, beyond intestinal epithelial and hepatocyte HIFs. This review highlights the importance of understanding hypoxia-induced signaling in the pathogenesis of gut and liver diseases and emphasizes the potential of HIFs as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet Solanki
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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9
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Singhal R, Kotla NK, Solanki S, Huang W, Bell HN, El-Derany MO, Castillo C, Shah YM. Disruption of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α in neutrophils decreases colitis-associated colon cancer. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2024; 326:G53-G66. [PMID: 37933447 PMCID: PMC11208019 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00182.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Neutrophils are abundant immune cells in the colon tumor microenvironment. Studies have shown that neutrophils are recruited into hypoxic foci in colon cancer. However, the impact of hypoxia signaling on neutrophil function and its involvement in colon tumorigenesis remain unclear. To address this, we generated mice with a deletion of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α or HIF-2α in neutrophils driven by the MRP8Cre (HIF-1αΔNeu) or (HIF-2αΔNeu) and littermate controls. In an azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colon cancer, the disruption of neutrophils-HIF-1α did not result in any significant changes in body weight, colon length, tumor size, proliferation, or burden. However, the disruption of HIF-2α in neutrophils led to a slight increase in body weight, a significant decrease in the number of tumors, and a reduction in tumor size and volume compared with their littermate controls. Histological analysis of colon tissue from mice with HIF-2α-deficient neutrophils revealed notable reductions in proliferation as compared with control mice. In addition, we observed reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, in neutrophil-specific HIF-2α-deficient mice in both the tumor tissue as well as the neutrophils. Importantly, it is worth noting that the reduced tumorigenesis associated with HIF-2α deficiency in neutrophils was not evident in already established syngeneic tumors or a DSS-induced inflammation model, indicating a potential role of HIF-2α specifically in colon tumorigenesis. In conclusion, we found that the loss of neutrophil-specific HIF-2α slows colon tumor growth and progression by reducing the levels of inflammatory mediators.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Despite the importance of hypoxia and neutrophils in colorectal cancer (CRC), the contribution of neutrophil-specific HIFs to colon tumorigenesis is not known. We describe that neutrophil HIF-1α has no impact on colon cancer, whereas neutrophil HIF-2α loss reduces CRC growth by decreasing proinflammatory and immunosuppressive cytokines. Furthermore, neutrophil HIF-2α does not reduce preestablished tumor growth or inflammation-induced colitis. The present study offers novel potential of neutrophil HIF-2α as a therapeutic target in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Singhal
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Nikhil Kumar Kotla
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Sumeet Solanki
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Wesley Huang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Cellular and Molecular Biology and Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Hannah N Bell
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Marwa O El-Derany
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Cristina Castillo
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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10
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Liu Z, Villareal L, Goodla L, Kim H, Falcon DM, Haneef M, Martin DR, Zhang L, Lee HJ, Kremer D, Lyssiotis CA, Shah YM, Lin HC, Lin HK, Xue X. Iron promotes glycolysis to drive colon tumorigenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166846. [PMID: 37579983 PMCID: PMC10530594 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166846] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and is also the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the USA. Understanding the mechanisms of growth and progression of CRC is essential to improve treatment. Macronutrients such as glucose are energy source for a cell. Many tumor cells exhibit increased aerobic glycolysis. Increased tissue micronutrient iron levels in both mice and humans are also associated with increased colon tumorigenesis. However, if iron drives colon carcinogenesis via affecting glucose metabolism is still not clear. Here we found the intracellular glucose levels in tumor colonoids were significantly increased after iron treatment. 13C-labeled glucose flux analysis indicated that the levels of several labeled glycolytic products were significantly increased, whereas several tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates were significantly decreased in colonoids after iron treatment. Mechanistic studies showed that iron upregulated the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and mediated an inhibition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex function via directly binding with tankyrase and/or pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) 3. Pharmacological inhibition of GLUT1 or PDHK reactivated PDH complex function and reduced high iron diet-enhanced tumor formation. In conclusion, excess iron promotes glycolysis and colon tumor growth at least partly through the inhibition of the PDH complex function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoli Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Luke Villareal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Lavanya Goodla
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Hyeoncheol Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Daniel M Falcon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Mohammad Haneef
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - David R Martin
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ho-Joon Lee
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Daniel Kremer
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Henry C Lin
- Section of Gastroenterology, Medicine Service, New Mexico VA Health Care System, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Hui-Kuan Lin
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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11
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Estêvão D, da Cruz-Ribeiro M, Cardoso AP, Costa ÂM, Oliveira MJ, Duarte TL, da Cruz TB. Iron metabolism in colorectal cancer: a balancing act. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2023; 46:1545-1558. [PMID: 37273145 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00828-3] [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] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second deadliest malignancy worldwide. Current dietary habits are associated with increased levels of iron and heme, both of which increase the risk of developing CRC. The harmful effects of iron overload are related to the induction of iron-mediated pro-tumorigenic pathways, including carcinogenesis and hyperproliferation. On the other hand, iron deficiency may also promote CRC development and progression by contributing to genome instability, therapy resistance, and diminished immune responses. In addition to the relevance of systemic iron levels, iron-regulatory mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment are also believed to play a significant role in CRC and to influence disease outcome. Furthermore, CRC cells are more prone to escape iron-dependent cell death (ferroptosis) than non-malignant cells due to the constitutive activation of antioxidant genes expression. There is wide evidence that inhibition of ferroptosis may contribute to the resistance of CRC to established chemotherapeutic regimens. As such, ferroptosis inducers represent promising therapeutic drugs for CRC. CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES This review addresses the complex role of iron in CRC, particularly in what concerns the consequences of iron excess or deprivation in tumor development and progression. We also dissect the regulation of cellular iron metabolism in the CRC microenvironment and emphasize the role of hypoxia and of oxidative stress (e.g. ferroptosis) in CRC. Finally, we underline some iron-related players as potential therapeutic targets against CRC malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Estêvão
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Cancer Research Institute, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Miguel da Cruz-Ribeiro
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana P Cardoso
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ângela M Costa
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria J Oliveira
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- FMUP - Faculty of Medicine, Pathology Department, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tiago L Duarte
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tânia B da Cruz
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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12
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Deris Zayeri Z, Parsi A, Shahrabi S, Kargar M, Davari N, Saki N. Epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming in inflammatory bowel diseases: diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:264. [PMID: 37936149 PMCID: PMC10631091 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03117-z] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM "Inflammatory bowel disease" (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract that typically begins at a young age and might transit to colorectal cancer (CRC). In this manuscript, we discussed the epigenetic and metabolic change to present a extensive view of IBDs transition to CRC. This study discusses the possible biomarkers for evaluating the condition of IBDs patients, especially before the transition to CRC. RESEARCH APPROACH We searched "PubMed" and "Google Scholar" using the keywords from 2000 to 2022. DISCUSSION In this manuscript, interesting titles associated with IBD and CRC are discussed to present a broad view regarding the epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming and the biomarkers. CONCLUSION Epigenetics can be the main reason in IBD transition to CRC, and Hypermethylation of several genes, such as VIM, OSM4, SEPT9, GATA4 and GATA5, NDRG4, BMP3, ITGA4 and plus hypomethylation of LINE1 can be used in IBD and CRC management. Epigenetic, metabolisms and microbiome-derived biomarkers, such as Linoleic acid and 12 hydroxy 8,10-octadecadienoic acid, Serum M2-pyruvate kinase and Six metabolic genes (NAT2, XDH, GPX3, AKR1C4, SPHK and ADCY5) expression are valuable biomarkers for early detection and transition to CRC condition. Some miRs, such as miR-31, miR-139-5p, miR -155, miR-17, miR-223, miR-370-3p, miR-31, miR -106a, miR -135b and miR-320 can be used as biomarkers to estimate IBD transition to CRC condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Deris Zayeri
- Golestan Hospital Clinical Research Development Unit, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Abazar Parsi
- Alimentary Tract Research Center, Clinical Sciences Research Inistitute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Saeid Shahrabi
- Department of Biochemistry and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Masoud Kargar
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Nader Davari
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Najmaldin Saki
- Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
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13
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Liu Z, Arcos M, Martin DR, Xue X. Myeloid FTH1 Deficiency Protects Mice From Colitis and Colitis-associated Colorectal Cancer via Reducing DMT1-Imported Iron and STAT3 Activation. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2023; 29:1285-1296. [PMID: 36745026 PMCID: PMC10393209 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myeloid cells are critical for iron and immune homeostasis. Ferritin heavy chain (FTH1) is essential for intracellular iron storage. Myeloid FTH1 is important in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. However, the role of myeloid FTH1 in colitis and colitis-associated cancer has not been determined. METHODS Myeloid FTH1 deficient and wild-type mice were treated with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) or azoxymethane (AOM)-DSS to compare their susceptibility to acute colitis or colitis-associated cancer. RESULTS Myeloid FTH1-deficient mice fed with a high-iron diet were less susceptible to DSS-induced acute colitis than wild type mice. Mechanistic studies showed that myeloid FTH1 deficiency resulted in lower expression of an iron uptake protein divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and active phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the colon tissues. Our studies also showed that pharmacological STAT3 reactivation restored the susceptibility of myeloid FTH1-deficient mice to DSS-induced acute colitis. Consistently, myeloid FTH1-deficient mice fed with a high-iron diet had reduced DMT1, phosphorylated STAT3 and inflammation in their colon tissues, and were less susceptible to colitis-associated colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that myeloid FTH1 is required for colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer via maintaining of DMT1-iron-STAT3 signaling activation under excess iron condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoli Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Mariella Arcos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - David R Martin
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
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14
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Formica V, Riondino S, Morelli C, Guerriero S, D'Amore F, Di Grazia A, Del Vecchio Blanco G, Sica G, Arkenau HT, Monteleone G, Roselli M. HIF2α, Hepcidin and their crosstalk as tumour-promoting signalling. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:222-236. [PMID: 37081189 PMCID: PMC10338631 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02266-2] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Not all aspects of the disruption of iron homeostasis in cancer have been fully elucidated. Iron accumulation in cancer cells is frequent for many solid tumours, and this is often accompanied by the contemporary rise of two key iron regulators, HIF2α and Hepcidin. This scenario is different from what happens under physiological conditions, where Hepcidin parallels systemic iron concentrations while HIF2α levels are inversely associated to Hepcidin. The present review highlights the increasing body of evidence for the pro-tumoral effect of HIF2α and Hepcidin, discusses the possible imbalance in HIF2α, Hepcidin and iron homeostasis during cancer, and explores therapeutic options relying on these pathways as anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Formica
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Riondino
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Morelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Systems and Experimental Medicine (XXXV cycle), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Guerriero
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica D'Amore
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Grazia
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Sica
- Department of Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Monteleone
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Roselli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
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15
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Morales M, Xue X. Hypoxia in the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Compr Physiol 2023; 13:4767-4783. [PMID: 37358514 PMCID: PMC10799609 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic disease of disordered chronic inflammation in the intestines that affects many people across the world. While the disease is still being better characterized, greater progress has been made in understanding the many components that intersect in the disease. Among these components are the many pieces that compose the intestinal epithelial barrier, the various cytokines and immune cells, and the population of microbes that reside in the intestinal lumen. Since their discovery, the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) have been found to play an expansive role in physiology as well as diseases such as inflammation due to their role in oxygen sensing-related gene transcription, and metabolic control. Making use of existing and developing paradigms in the immuno-gastroenterology of IBD, we summarized that hypoxic signaling plays as another component in the status and progression of IBD, which may include possible functions at the origins of inflammatory dysregulation. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:4767-4783, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Morales
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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16
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Yan H, Talty R, Jain A, Cai Y, Zheng J, Shen X, Muca E, Paty PB, Bosenberg MW, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Discovery of decreased ferroptosis in male colorectal cancer patients with KRAS mutations. Redox Biol 2023; 62:102699. [PMID: 37086630 PMCID: PMC10172914 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant tumor metabolism is a hallmark of cancer in which metabolic rewiring can support tumor growth under nutrient deficient conditions. KRAS mutations occur in 35-45% of all colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and are difficult to treat. The relationship between mutant KRAS and aberrant metabolism in CRCs has not been fully explored and could be a target for intervention. We previously acquired non-targeted metabolomics data from 161 tumor tissues and 39 normal colon tissues from stage I-III chemotherapy naïve CRC patients. In this study, we revealed that only in male patients, tumors with KRAS mutations had several altered pathways that suppress ferroptosis, including glutathione biosynthesis, transsulfuration activity, and methionine metabolism. To validate this phenotype, MC38 CRC cells (KRASG13R) were treated with a ferroptosis inducer; RAS-selected lethal (RSL3). RSL3 altered metabolic pathways in the opposite direction to that seen in KRAS mutant tumors from male patients confirming a suppressed ferroptosis metabolic phenotype in these patients. We further validated gene expression data from an additional CRC patient cohort (Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO)), and similarly observed differences in ferroptosis-related genes by sex and KRAS status. Further examination of the relationship between these genes and overall survival (OS) in the GEO cohort showed that KRAS mutant tumors are associated with poorer 5-year OS compared to KRAS wild type tumors, and only in male patients. Additionally, high compared to low expression of GPX4, FTH1, FTL, which suppress ferroptosis, were associated with poorer 5-year OS only in KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients. Additionally, low compared to high expression of ACSL4 was associated with poorer OS for this group. Our results show that KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients have suppressed ferroptosis, and gene expression changes that suppress ferroptosis associate with adverse outcomes for these patients, revealing a novel potential avenue for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Ronan Talty
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Yuping Cai
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA; Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Xinyi Shen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Engjel Muca
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Philip B Paty
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Marcus W Bosenberg
- Departments of Pathology, Dermatology, and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Sajid A Khan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Caroline H Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA.
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17
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Leischner C, Marongiu L, Piotrowsky A, Niessner H, Venturelli S, Burkard M, Renner O. Relevant Membrane Transport Proteins as Possible Gatekeepers for Effective Pharmacological Ascorbate Treatment in Cancer. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040916. [PMID: 37107291 PMCID: PMC10135768 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasing number of newly diagnosed malignancies worldwide, therapeutic options for some tumor diseases are unfortunately still limited. Interestingly, preclinical but also some clinical data suggest that the administration of pharmacological ascorbate seems to respond well, especially in some aggressively growing tumor entities. The membrane transport and channel proteins are highly relevant for the use of pharmacological ascorbate in cancer therapy and are involved in the transfer of active substances such as ascorbate, hydrogen peroxide, and iron that predominantly must enter malignant cells to induce antiproliferative effects and especially ferroptosis. In this review, the relevant conveying proteins from cellular surfaces are presented as an integral part of the efficacy of pharmacological ascorbate, considering the already known genetic and functional features in tumor tissues. Accordingly, candidates for diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets are mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Leischner
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Luigi Marongiu
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine VIII, University Hospital Tuebingen, Otfried-Mueller-Straße 10, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Alban Piotrowsky
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Heike Niessner
- Department of Dermatology, Division of Dermatooncology, University of Tuebingen, Liebermeisterstraße 25, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC 2180) "Image Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sascha Venturelli
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, Department of Vegetative and Clinical Physiology, University of Tuebingen, Wilhelmstraße 56, 72074 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Markus Burkard
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Olga Renner
- Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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18
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Kim H, Villareal LB, Liu Z, Haneef M, Falcon DM, Martin DR, Lee H, Dame MK, Attili D, Chen Y, Varani J, Spence JR, Kovbasnjuk O, Colacino JA, Lyssiotis CA, Lin HC, Shah YM, Xue X. Transferrin Receptor-Mediated Iron Uptake Promotes Colon Tumorigenesis. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207693. [PMID: 36703617 PMCID: PMC10074045 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Transferrin receptor (TFRC) is the major mediator for iron entry into a cell. Under excessive iron conditions, TFRC is expected to be reduced to lower iron uptake and toxicity. However, the mechanism whereby TFRC expression is maintained at high levels in iron-enriched cancer cells and the contribution of TFRC to cancer development are enigmatic. Here the work shows TFRC is induced by adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene loss-driven β-catenin activation in colorectal cancer, whereas TFRC-mediated intratumoral iron accumulation potentiates β-catenin signaling by directly enhancing the activity of tankyrase. Disruption of TFRC leads to a reduction of colonic iron levels and iron-dependent tankyrase activity, which caused stabilization of axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2) and subsequent repression of the β-catenin/c-Myc/E2F Transcription Factor 1/DNA polymerase delta1 (POLD1) axis. POLD1 knockdown, iron chelation, and TFRC disruption increase DNA replication stress, DNA damage response, apoptosis, and reduce colon tumor growth. Importantly, a combination of iron chelators and DNA damaging agents increases DNA damage response and reduces colon tumor cell growth. TFRC-mediated iron import is at the center of a novel feed-forward loop that facilitates colonic epithelial cell survival. This discovery may provide novel strategies for colorectal cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeoncheol Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Luke B Villareal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Zhaoli Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Mohammad Haneef
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Daniel M Falcon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - David R Martin
- Department of PathologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Ho‐Joon Lee
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Michael K Dame
- Department of Internal MedicineDivision of GastroenterologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Durga Attili
- Department of PathologyThe University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Ying Chen
- Center for clinical research and translational medicineYangpu hospitalTongji University School of MedicineShanghai200090China
| | - James Varani
- Department of PathologyThe University of Michigan Medical SchoolAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Jason R. Spence
- Department of Internal MedicineDivision of GastroenterologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Olga Kovbasnjuk
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicinethe University of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Justin A Colacino
- Department of Environmental Health SciencesUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Costas A. Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Henry C Lin
- Section of GastroenterologyMedicine ServiceNew Mexico VA Health Care SystemAlbuquerqueNM87108USA
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMI48109USA
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerqueNM87131USA
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19
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Yan H, Talty R, Aladelokun O, Bosenberg M, Johnson CH. Ferroptosis in colorectal cancer: a future target? Br J Cancer 2023; 128:1439-1451. [PMID: 36703079 PMCID: PMC10070248 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02149-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and is characterised by frequently mutated genes, such as APC, TP53, KRAS and BRAF. The current treatment options of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are met with challenges such as cancer recurrence, drug resistance, and overt toxicity. CRC therapies exert their efficacy against cancer cells by activating biological pathways that contribute to various forms of regulated cell death (RCD). In 2012, ferroptosis was discovered as an iron-dependent and lipid peroxide-driven form of RCD. Recent studies suggest that therapies which target ferroptosis are promising treatment strategies for CRC. However, a greater understanding of the mechanisms of ferroptosis initiation, propagation, and resistance in CRC is needed. This review provides an overview of recent research in ferroptosis and its potential role as a therapeutic target in CRC. We also propose future research directions that could help to enhance our understanding of ferroptosis in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Ronan Talty
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Oladimeji Aladelokun
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Caroline H Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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20
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Yan H, Talty R, Jain A, Cai Y, Zheng J, Shen X, Muca E, Paty PB, Bosenberg MW, Khan SA, Johnson CH. Discovery of decreased ferroptosis in male colorectal cancer patients with KRAS mutations. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.28.530478. [PMID: 36909561 PMCID: PMC10002683 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.28.530478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant tumor metabolism is a hallmark of cancer in which metabolic rewiring can support tumor growth under nutrient deficient conditions. KRAS mutations occur in 35-45% of all colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and are difficult to treat. The relationship between mutant KRAS and aberrant metabolism in CRCs has not been fully explored and could be a target for intervention. We previously acquired non-targeted metabolomics data from 161 tumor tissues and 39 normal colon tissues from stage I-III chemotherapy naïve CRC patients. In this study, we revealed that tumors from male patients with KRAS mutations only, had several altered pathways that suppress ferroptosis, including glutathione biosynthesis, transsulfuration activity, and methionine metabolism. To validate this phenotype, MC38 CRC cells (KRAS G13R ) were treated with a ferroptosis inducer; RAS-selected lethal (RSL3). RSL3 altered metabolic pathways in the opposite direction to that seen in KRAS mutant tumors from male patients confirming a suppressed ferroptosis metabolic phenotype in these patients. We further validated gene expression data from an additional CRC patient cohort (Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and similarly observed differences in ferroptosis-related genes by sex and KRAS status. Further examination of the relationship between these genes and overall survival (OS) in the GEO cohort showed that KRAS mutant tumors are associated with poorer 5-year OS compared to KRAS wild type tumors, and only in male patients. Additionally, high compared to low expression of GPX4, FTH1, FTL , which suppressed ferroptosis, were associated with poorer 5-year OS only in KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients. Low compared to high expression of ACSL4 was associated with poorer OS for this group. Our results show that KRAS mutant tumors from male CRC patients have suppressed ferroptosis, and gene expression changes that suppress ferroptosis associate with adverse outcomes for these patients, revealing a novel potential avenue for therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yan
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Ronan Talty
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Abhishek Jain
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Yuping Cai
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Xinyi Shen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
| | - Engjel Muca
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Philip B. Paty
- Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
| | - Marcus W. Bosenberg
- Departments of Pathology, Dermatology, and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Sajid A. Khan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, USA
| | - Caroline H. Johnson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, USA
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21
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Chen J, Li M, Liu Y, Guan T, Yang X, Wen Y, Zhu Y, Xiao Z, Shen X, Zhang H, Tang H, Liu T. PIN1 and CDK1 cooperatively govern pVHL stability and suppressive functions. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1082-1095. [PMID: 36813923 PMCID: PMC10070344 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01128-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The VHL protein (pVHL) functions as a tumor suppressor by regulating the degradation or activation of protein substrates such as HIF1α and Akt. In human cancers harboring wild-type VHL, the aberrant downregulation of pVHL is frequently detected and critically contributes to tumor progression. However, the underlying mechanism by which the stability of pVHL is deregulated in these cancers remains elusive. Here, we identify cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN1) as two previously uncharacterized regulators of pVHL in multiple types of human cancers harboring wild-type VHL including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). PIN1 and CDK1 cooperatively modulate the protein turnover of pVHL, thereby conferring tumor growth, chemotherapeutic resistance and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CDK1 directly phosphorylates pVHL at Ser80, which primes the recognition of pVHL by PIN1. PIN1 then binds to phosphorylated pVHL and facilitates the recruitment of the E3 ligase WSB1, therefore targeting pVHL for ubiquitination and degradation. Furthermore, the genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of CDK1 by RO-3306 and PIN1 by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the standard care for Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia could markedly suppress tumor growth, metastasis and sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in a pVHL dependent manner. The histological analyses show that PIN1 and CDK1 are highly expressed in TNBC samples, which negatively correlate with the expression of pVHL. Taken together, our findings reveal the previous unrecognized tumor-promoting function of CDK1/PIN1 axis through destabilizing pVHL and provide the preclinical evidence that targeting CDK1/PIN1 is an appealing strategy in the treatment of multiple cancers with wild-type VHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Chen
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Mei Li
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Yeqing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, P. R. China
| | - Tangming Guan
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Yang
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Yalei Wen
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Yingjie Zhu
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Zeyu Xiao
- The Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging for Clinical Translation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Xiangchun Shen
- The State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, School of Pharmaceutic Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, University Town, Guiyang City and Guian New District, Guiyang, 550025, P. R. China
| | - Haoxing Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Stability and Disease Prevention, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China.
| | - Hui Tang
- Department of Central Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, 510632, Guangzhou, P. R. China. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University Heyuan Shenhe People's Hospital, Heyuan, 517000, P. R. China.
| | - Tongzheng Liu
- College of Pharmacy/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Ministry of Education (MOE) of China, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, P. R. China. .,The State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550014, P. R. China.
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22
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Association of NRF2 with HIF-2α-induced cancer stem cell phenotypes in chronic hypoxic condition. Redox Biol 2023; 60:102632. [PMID: 36791645 PMCID: PMC9950657 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of the cancer stem cell (CSC) properties is often mediated by the surrounding microenvironment, and tumor hypoxia is considered an important factor for CSC phenotype development. High levels of NRF2 (Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Like 2; NFE2L2), a transcription factor that maintains cellular redox balance, have been associated with facilitated tumor growth and therapy resistance. In this study, we investigated the role of NRF2 in hypoxia-induced CSC phenotypes in colorectal cancer cells. Chronic hypoxia for 72 h resulted in CSC phenotypes, including elevation of krupple-like factor 4 (KLF4) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), and an increase in cancer migration and spheroid growth with concomitant hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) accumulation. All these chronic hypoxia-induced CSC properties were attenuated following HIF-2α-specific silencing. In this chronic hypoxia model, NRF2 inhibition by shRNA-based silencing or brusatol treatment blocked HIF-2α accumulation, which consequently resulted in decreased CSC marker expression and inhibition of CSC properties such as spheroid growth. In contrast, NRF2 overactivation by genetic or chemical approach enhanced the chronic hypoxia-induced HIF-2α accumulation and cancer migration. As a molecular mechanism of the NRF2-inhibition-mediated HIF-2α dysregulation, we demonstrated that miR-181a-2-3p, whose expression is elevated in NRF2-silenced cells, targeted the HIF-2α 3'UTR and subsequently suppressed the chronic hypoxia-induced HIF-2α and CSC phenotypes. The miR-181a-2-3p inhibitor treatment in NRF2-silenced cells could restore the levels of HIF-2α and CSC markers, and increased cancer migration and sphere formation under chronic hypoxia. In line with this, the miR-181a-2-3p inhibitor transfection could increase tumorigenicity of NRF2-silenced colorectal cancer cells. Collectively, our study suggests the involvement of NRF2/miR181a-2-3p signaling in the development of HIF-2α-mediated CSC phenotypes in sustained hypoxic environments.
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23
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Huang L, Li W, Lu Y, Ju Q, Ouyang M. Iron metabolism in colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1098501. [PMID: 36910614 PMCID: PMC9992732 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1098501] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron, as one of the essential trace elements in the human body, is involved in a wide range of critical biochemical reactions and physiological processes, including the maintenance of the normal cell cycle, mitochondrial function, nucleotide metabolism, and immune response. In this context, iron is naturally associated with cancer occurrence. Cellular iron deficiency can induce apoptosis, however, iron can also engage in potentially harmful reactions that produce free radicals because of its capacity to gain and lose electrons. Studies suggest that dietary iron, particularly heme iron, may be one of the leading causes of colorectal cancer (CRC). Moreover, patients with CRC have abnormal iron absorption, storage, utilization, and exportation. Therefore, iron is crucial for the development and progression of CRC. Elaborating on the alterations in iron metabolism during the onset and advancement of CRC would help to further explain the role and mechanism of iron inside the body. Thus, we reviewed the alterations in numerous iron metabolism-related molecules and their roles in CRC, which may provide new clues between iron metabolism and CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luji Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China.,The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wangji Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China.,The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Center, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Guangdong, China
| | - Qinuo Ju
- Guangdong Country Garden School, Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong, China
| | - Manzhao Ouyang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde Foshan), Foshan, Guangdong, China
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24
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QU L, HE X, TANG Q, FAN X, LIU J, LIN A. Iron metabolism, ferroptosis, and lncRNA in cancer: knowns and unknowns. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:844-862. [PMID: 36226538 PMCID: PMC9561407 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2200194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells undergo substantial metabolic alterations to sustain increased energy supply and uncontrolled proliferation. As an essential trace element, iron is vital for many biological processes. Evidence has revealed that cancer cells deploy various mechanisms to elevate the cellular iron concentration to accelerate proliferation. Ferroptosis, a form of cell death caused by iron-catalyzed excessive peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is a promising therapeutic target for therapy-resistant cancers. Previous studies have reported that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a group of critical regulators involved in modulating cell metabolism, proliferation, apoptosis, and ferroptosis. In this review, we summarize the associations among iron metabolism, ferroptosis, and ferroptosis-related lncRNA in tumorigenesis. This information will help deepen understanding of the role of lncRNA in iron metabolism and raise the possibility of targeting lncRNA and ferroptosis in cancer combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei QU
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Xinyu HE
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Qian TANG
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining314400, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310006, China,College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH16 4SB, UK,Biomedical and Health Translational Research Center of Zhejiang Province, Haining314400, China
| | - Xiao FAN
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China
| | - Jian LIU
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining314400, China,Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Cancer Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310006, China,College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, the University of Edinburgh, EdinburghEH16 4SB, UK,Biomedical and Health Translational Research Center of Zhejiang Province, Haining314400, China,Jian LIU,
| | - Aifu LIN
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou310058, China,Key Laboratory for Cell and Gene Engineering of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou310058, China,Breast Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou310003, China,International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu322000, China,ZJU-QILU Joint Research Institute, Hangzhou310058, China,Aifu LIN,
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25
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Hypoxia signaling in human health and diseases: implications and prospects for therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:218. [PMID: 35798726 PMCID: PMC9261907 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular oxygen (O2) is essential for most biological reactions in mammalian cells. When the intracellular oxygen content decreases, it is called hypoxia. The process of hypoxia is linked to several biological processes, including pathogenic microbe infection, metabolic adaptation, cancer, acute and chronic diseases, and other stress responses. The mechanism underlying cells respond to oxygen changes to mediate subsequent signal response is the central question during hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) sense hypoxia to regulate the expressions of a series of downstream genes expression, which participate in multiple processes including cell metabolism, cell growth/death, cell proliferation, glycolysis, immune response, microbe infection, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Importantly, hypoxia signaling also interacts with other cellular pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) signaling, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This paper systematically reviews the mechanisms of hypoxia signaling activation, the control of HIF signaling, and the function of HIF signaling in human health and diseases. In addition, the therapeutic targets involved in HIF signaling to balance health and diseases are summarized and highlighted, which would provide novel strategies for the design and development of therapeutic drugs.
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26
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Schützhold V, Gravemeyer J, Bicker A, Hager T, Padberg C, Schäfer J, Wrobeln A, Steinbrink M, Zeynel S, Hankeln T, Becker JC, Fandrey J, Winning S. Knockout of Factor-Inhibiting HIF ( Hif1an) in Colon Epithelium Attenuates Chronic Colitis but Does Not Reduce Colorectal Cancer in Mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:1280-1291. [PMID: 35121641 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease such as chronic colitis promotes colorectal cancer, which is a common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Hypoxia is a characteristic of inflammation as well as of solid tumors and enforces a gene expression response controlled by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). Once established, solid tumors are immunosuppressive to escape their abatement through immune cells. Although HIF activity is known to 1) promote cancer development and 2) drive tumor immune suppression through the secretion of adenosine, both prolyl hydroxylases and an asparaginyl hydroxylase termed factor-inhibiting HIF (FIH) negatively regulate HIF. Thus, FIH may act as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer development. In this study, we examined the role of colon epithelial FIH in a mouse model of colitis-induced colorectal cancer. We recapitulated colitis-associated colorectal cancer development in mice using the azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate model in Vil1-Cre/FIH+f/+f and wild-type siblings. Colon samples were analyzed regarding RNA and protein expression and histology. Vil1-Cre/FIH+f/+f mice showed a less severe colitis progress compared with FIH+f/+f animals and a lower number of infiltrating macrophages in the inflamed tissue. RNA sequencing analyses of colon tissue revealed a lower expression of genes associated with the immune response in Vil1-Cre/FIH+f/+f mice. However, tumor occurrence did not significantly differ between Vil1-Cre/FIH+f/+f and wild-type mice. Thus, FIH knockout in colon epithelial cells did not modulate colorectal cancer development but reduced the inflammatory response in chronic colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Schützhold
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Gravemeyer
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, Dermatologie, Universitätsmedizin Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anne Bicker
- Molekulargenetik und Genomanalyse, Institut für Organismische und Molekulare Evolutionsbiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany; and
| | - Thomas Hager
- Institut für Pathologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Claudia Padberg
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jana Schäfer
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anna Wrobeln
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Seher Zeynel
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hankeln
- Molekulargenetik und Genomanalyse, Institut für Organismische und Molekulare Evolutionsbiologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany; and
| | - Jürgen Christian Becker
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, Dermatologie, Universitätsmedizin Essen, Essen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Fandrey
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany;
| | - Sandra Winning
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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27
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Yuan J, Liu T, Zhang Y. An Iron Metabolism-Related Gene Signature for the Prognosis of Colon Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:786684. [PMID: 35118074 PMCID: PMC8804292 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.786684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
As an essential microelement, the iron ion is involved in cell proliferation, metabolism, and differentiation. Iron metabolism plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). In this study, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analyses were conducted to construct the gene signature, based on a dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas. We identified the prognostic value of two iron metabolism-related genes [SLC39A8 (encoding solute carrier family 39 member 8) and SLC48A1 (encoding solute carrier family 48 member 1)] in COAD. A nomogram model was established to predict the overall survival of patients with COAD. Functional analysis showed that the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltrate were different between the low risk and high risk subgroups. This study verified that the iron metabolism-related gene signature (SLC39A8 and SLC48A1) could be used as a prognostic biomarker for patients with COAD.
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28
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Guo Q, Li L, Hou S, Yuan Z, Li C, Zhang W, Zheng L, Li X. The Role of Iron in Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2021; 11:778492. [PMID: 34858857 PMCID: PMC8631356 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.778492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential trace element for the human body, and its deficiency or excess can induce a variety of biological processes. Plenty of evidences have shown that iron metabolism is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, iron plays an important role in cell death, which is very important for the development of potential strategies for tumor treatment. Here, we reviewed the latest research about iron metabolism disorders in various types of tumors, the functions and properties of iron in ferroptosis and ferritinophagy, and new opportunities for iron-based on treatment methods for tumors, providing more information regarding the prevention and treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liwen Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanshan Hou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, China
| | - Ziqiao Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenhui Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenzhou Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lufeng Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoman Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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29
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Mertens C, Marques O, Horvat NK, Simonetti M, Muckenthaler MU, Jung M. The Macrophage Iron Signature in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168457. [PMID: 34445160 PMCID: PMC8395084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout life, macrophages are located in every tissue of the body, where their main roles are to phagocytose cellular debris and recycle aging red blood cells. In the tissue niche, they promote homeostasis through trophic, regulatory, and repair functions by responding to internal and external stimuli. This in turn polarizes macrophages into a broad spectrum of functional activation states, also reflected in their iron-regulated gene profile. The fast adaptation to the environment in which they are located helps to maintain tissue homeostasis under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mertens
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, INF 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (O.M.); (N.K.H.); (M.U.M.)
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (M.J.); Tel.: +(49)-622-156-4582 (C.M.); +(49)-696-301-6931 (M.J.)
| | - Oriana Marques
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, INF 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (O.M.); (N.K.H.); (M.U.M.)
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Natalie K. Horvat
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, INF 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (O.M.); (N.K.H.); (M.U.M.)
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Collaboration for Joint PhD Degree between EMBL and the Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuela Simonetti
- Institute of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, INF 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Martina U. Muckenthaler
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, University of Heidelberg, INF 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (O.M.); (N.K.H.); (M.U.M.)
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michaela Jung
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence: (C.M.); (M.J.); Tel.: +(49)-622-156-4582 (C.M.); +(49)-696-301-6931 (M.J.)
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Kerk SA, Papagiannakopoulos T, Shah YM, Lyssiotis CA. Metabolic networks in mutant KRAS-driven tumours: tissue specificities and the microenvironment. Nat Rev Cancer 2021; 21:510-525. [PMID: 34244683 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00375-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in KRAS drive common metabolic programmes that facilitate tumour survival, growth and immune evasion in colorectal carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, the impacts of mutant KRAS signalling on malignant cell programmes and tumour properties are also dictated by tumour suppressor losses and physiological features specific to the cell and tissue of origin. Here we review convergent and disparate metabolic networks regulated by oncogenic mutant KRAS in colon, lung and pancreas tumours, with an emphasis on co-occurring mutations and the role of the tumour microenvironment. Furthermore, we explore how these networks can be exploited for therapeutic gain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Kerk
- Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thales Papagiannakopoulos
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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31
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Morales M, Xue X. Targeting iron metabolism in cancer therapy. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:8412-8429. [PMID: 34373750 PMCID: PMC8344014 DOI: 10.7150/thno.59092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is a critical component of many cellular functions including DNA replication and repair, and it is essential for cell vitality. As an essential element, iron is critical for maintaining human health. However, excess iron can be highly toxic, resulting in oxidative DNA damage. Many studies have observed significant associations between iron and cancer, and the association appears to be more than just coincidental. The chief characteristic of cancers, hyper-proliferation, makes them even more dependent on iron than normal cells. Cancer therapeutics are becoming as diverse as the disease itself. Targeting iron metabolism in cancer cells is an emerging, formidable field of therapeutics. It is a strategy that is highly diverse with regard to specific targets and the various ways to reach them. This review will discuss the importance of iron metabolism in cancer and highlight the ways in which it is being explored as the medicine of tomorrow.
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32
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Schwartz AJ, Goyert JW, Solanki S, Kerk SA, Chen B, Castillo C, Hsu PP, Do BT, Singhal R, Dame MK, Lee HJ, Spence JR, Lakhal-Littleton S, Vander Heiden MG, Lyssiotis CA, Xue X, Shah YM. Hepcidin sequesters iron to sustain nucleotide metabolism and mitochondrial function in colorectal cancer epithelial cells. Nat Metab 2021; 3:969-982. [PMID: 34155415 PMCID: PMC8316354 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00406-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) requires massive iron stores, but the complete mechanisms by which CRC modulates local iron handling are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that hepcidin is activated ectopically in CRC. Mice deficient in hepcidin specifically in the colon tumour epithelium, compared with wild-type littermates, exhibit significantly diminished tumour number, burden and size in a sporadic model of CRC, whereas accumulation of intracellular iron by deletion of the iron exporter ferroportin exacerbates these tumour parameters. Metabolomic analysis of three-dimensional patient-derived CRC tumour enteroids indicates a prioritization of iron in CRC for the production of nucleotides, which is recapitulated in our hepcidin/ferroportin mouse CRC models. Mechanistically, our data suggest that iron chelation decreases mitochondrial function, thereby altering nucleotide synthesis, whereas exogenous supplementation of nucleosides or aspartate partially rescues tumour growth in patient-derived enteroids and CRC cell lines in the presence of an iron chelator. Collectively, these data suggest that ectopic hepcidin in the tumour epithelium establishes an axis to sequester iron in order to maintain the nucleotide pool and sustain proliferation in colorectal tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Schwartz
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Joshua W Goyert
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sumeet Solanki
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samuel A Kerk
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brandon Chen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Cristina Castillo
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peggy P Hsu
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brian T Do
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rashi Singhal
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Michael K Dame
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ho-Joon Lee
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jason R Spence
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Matthew G Vander Heiden
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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33
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Singhal R, Mitta SR, Das NK, Kerk SA, Sajjakulnukit P, Solanki S, Andren A, Kumar R, Olive KP, Banerjee R, Lyssiotis CA, Shah YM. HIF-2α activation potentiates oxidative cell death in colorectal cancers by increasing cellular iron. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:143691. [PMID: 33914705 DOI: 10.1172/jci143691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is a hallmark of solid tumors that promotes cell growth, survival, and metastasis and confers resistance to chemo and radiotherapies. Hypoxic responses are largely mediated by the transcription factors hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and HIF-2α. Our work demonstrates that HIF-2α is essential for colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. However, targeting hypoxic cells is difficult, and tumors rapidly acquire resistance to inhibitors of HIF-2α. To overcome this limitation, we performed a small molecule screen to identify HIF-2α-dependent vulnerabilities. Several known ferroptosis activators and dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a cell-permeable mitochondrial metabolite derivative, led to selective synthetic lethality in HIF-2α-expressing tumor enteroids. Our work demonstrated that HIF-2α integrated 2 independent forms of cell death via regulation of cellular iron and oxidation. First, activation of HIF-2α upregulated lipid and iron regulatory genes in CRC cells and colon tumors in mice and led to a ferroptosis-susceptible cell state. Second, via an iron-dependent, lipid peroxidation-independent pathway, HIF-2α activation potentiated ROS via irreversible cysteine oxidation and enhanced cell death. Inhibition or knockdown of HIF-2α decreased ROS and resistance to oxidative cell death in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated a mechanistic vulnerability in cancer cells that were dependent on HIF-2α that can be leveraged for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nupur K Das
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
| | - Samuel A Kerk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology.,Rogel Cancer Center, and
| | | | | | | | - Roshan Kumar
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kenneth P Olive
- Department of Pathology.,Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, and.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ruma Banerjee
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Costas A Lyssiotis
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology.,Rogel Cancer Center, and
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology.,Rogel Cancer Center, and
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34
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Liu Q, Yang Y, Li X, Zhang S. Implications of Habitual Alcohol Intake With the Prognostic Significance of Mean Corpuscular Volume in Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:681406. [PMID: 34195083 PMCID: PMC8236820 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.681406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To elucidate the prognostic significance of mean corpuscular volume (MCV), with implications of habitual alcohol intake in stage II-III colorectal cancer (CRC). Background MCV had the potential to become an ideal prognostic biomarker and be put into clinical application. Few studies, however, have explored whether habitual alcohol intake which greatly increased the value of MCV would affect the prognostic role of MCV. Methods Eligible patients were identified from the CRC database of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) between January 2012 and December 2013. Survival analyses were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method to evaluate the survival time distribution, and the log-rank test was used to determine the survival differences. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were built to calculate the hazard ratios of different prognostic factors. Results A total of 694 patients diagnosed with stage II-III CRC between January 2012 and December 2013 were identified from FUSCC. Low pretreatment MCV was independently associated with 72.0% increased risk of overall mortality compared with normal MCV (HR = 1.720, 95%CI =1.028-2.876, P =0.039, using normal MCV as the reference). In patients with habitual alcohol intake, however, pretreatment MCV positively correlated with the mortality (P = 0.02) and tumor recurrence (P = 0.002) after adjusting for other known prognostic factors. Conclusions In CRC patients without habitual alcohol intake, low (<80 fL) level of pretreatment MCV was a predictor of poor prognosis. In patients with habitual alcohol intake, however, pretreatment MCV showed the opposite prognostic role, which would elicit many fundamental studies to elucidate the mechanisms behind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufei Yang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinxiang Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Guangdong Lung Cancer Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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35
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Hereditary hemochromatosis promotes colitis and colon cancer and causes bacterial dysbiosis in mice. Biochem J 2021; 477:3867-3883. [PMID: 32955078 PMCID: PMC7557149 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), an iron-overload disease, is a prevalent genetic disorder. As excess iron causes a multitude of metabolic disturbances, we postulated that iron overload in HH disrupts colonic homeostasis and colon–microbiome interaction and exacerbates the development and progression of colonic inflammation and colon cancer. To test this hypothesis, we examined the progression and severity of colitis and colon cancer in a mouse model of HH (Hfe−/−), and evaluated the potential contributing factors. We found that experimentally induced colitis and colon cancer progressed more robustly in Hfe−/− mice than in wild-type mice. The underlying causes were multifactorial. Hfe−/− colons were leakier with lower proliferation capacity of crypt cells, which impaired wound healing and amplified inflammation-driven tissue injury. The host/microflora axis was also disrupted. Sequencing of fecal 16S RNA revealed profound changes in the colonic microbiome in Hfe−/− mice in favor of the pathogenic bacteria belonging to phyla Proteobacteria and TM7. There was an increased number of bacteria adhered onto the mucosal surface of the colonic epithelium in Hfe−/− mice than in wild-type mice. Furthermore, the expression of innate antimicrobial peptides, the first-line of defense against bacteria, was lower in Hfe−/− mouse colon than in wild-type mouse colon; the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines upon inflammatory stimuli was also greater in Hfe−/− mouse colon than in wild-type mouse colon. These data provide evidence that excess iron accumulation in colonic tissue as happens in HH promotes colitis and colon cancer, accompanied with bacterial dysbiosis and loss of function of the intestinal/colonic barrier.
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36
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Ni S, Kuang Y, Yuan Y, Yu B. Mitochondrion-mediated iron accumulation promotes carcinogenesis and Warburg effect through reactive oxygen species in osteosarcoma. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:399. [PMID: 32831652 PMCID: PMC7437012 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01494-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Iron metabolism disorder is closely associated with several malignant tumors, however the mechanisms underlying iron and the carcinogenesis in osteosarcoma are not yet well understood. Methods Cell proliferation ability of osteosarcoma cell lines was measured by CCK-8, EdU incorporation and colony formation assays. Cell cycle analysis was detected by flow cytometry. The carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma was measured by soft-agar formation, trans-well and Wound healing-scratch assay. Warburg effect was detected by Seahorse respirometry assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured by Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probes. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of mitoferrin 1 (SLC25A37) and mitoferrin 2 (SLC25A28). Iron level in vitro and vivo was detected by iron assay kit. RNAi stable cell lines was generated using shRNA. Results Iron promoted proliferation, carcinogenesis and Warburg effect of osteosarcoma cells. Iron-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) played an important role in these processes. Iron accumulated more in mitochondrion than in cytoplasm, suggesting mitochondrion-mediated iron accumulation was involved in the development of osteosarcoma. Moreover, iron upregulated the expression of mitoferrin 1 (SLC25A37) and mitoferrin 2 (SLC25A28). Knock-down of mitoferrin 1 (SLC25A37) and mitoferrin 2 (SLC25A28) decreased the production of ROS. In addition, iron increased the expression of Warburg key enzymes HK2 and Glut1, and affected AMPK/mTORC1 signaling axis. Conclusions Mitochondrion-mediated iron accumulation promotes carcinogenesis and Warburg effect of osteosarcoma cells. Meanwhile, iron deprivation might be a novel effective strategy in the treatment of osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Ni
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399 China
| | - Yanbin Kuang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127 China
| | - Yin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003 China
| | - Baoqing Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University Pudong Medical Center, 2800 Gongwei Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201399 China
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37
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Hasan M, Reddy SM, Das NK. Ferritinophagy is not required for colon cancer cell growth. Cell Biol Int 2020; 44:2307-2314. [PMID: 32767706 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ferritinophagy is a form of selective autophagy responsible for degrading intracellular ferritin, mediated by nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4). NCOA4 plays significant roles in systemic iron homeostasis, and its disruption leads to simultaneous anemia and susceptibility to iron overload. The importance of iron colorectal cancer pathogenesis is well studied; however, the role of ferritinophagy in colon cancer cell growth has not been assessed. Disruption of ferritinophagy via NCOA4 knockout leads to only marginal differences in growth under basal and iron-restricted conditions. Moreover, NCOA4 played no significant role in cell death induced by 5-fluorouracil and erastin. Western blotting analysis for ferritin and transferrin receptor 1 found a dose-dependent effect on expression in both proteins in wild-type and NCOA4 knockout cell lines, but further investigation revealed no difference in growth response when treated at both high and low doses. Our data demonstrate a marginal role for ferritinophagy in growth both under normal and cytotoxic conditions in colon cancer cells, as well as a possible compensatory mechanism in colon cancer cells in response to ferroptosis induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen Hasan
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sreedhar M Reddy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nupur K Das
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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38
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Singhal R, Shah YM. Oxygen battle in the gut: Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors in metabolic and inflammatory responses in the intestine. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10493-10505. [PMID: 32503843 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.011188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is a highly proliferative and regenerative tissue. The intestine also harbors a large and diverse microbial population collectively called the gut microbiome (microbiota). The microbiome-intestine cross-talk includes a dynamic exchange of gaseous signaling mediators generated by bacterial and intestinal metabolisms. Moreover, the microbiome initiates and maintains the hypoxic environment of the intestine that is critical for nutrient absorption, intestinal barrier function, and innate and adaptive immune responses in the mucosal cells of the intestine. The response to hypoxia is mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). In hypoxic conditions, the HIF activation regulates the expression of a cohort of genes that promote adaptation to hypoxia. Physiologically, HIF-dependent genes contribute to the aforementioned maintenance of epithelial barrier function, nutrient absorption, and immune regulation. However, chronic HIF activation exacerbates disease conditions, leading to intestinal injury, inflammation, and colorectal cancer. In this review, we aim to outline the major roles of physiological and pathological hypoxic conditions in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and in the onset and progression of disease with a major focus on understanding the complex pathophysiology of the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Singhal
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA .,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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39
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Turning the Oxygen Dial: Balancing the Highs and Lows. Trends Cell Biol 2020; 30:516-536. [PMID: 32386878 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen is both vital and toxic to life. Molecular oxygen is the most used substrate in the human body and is required for several hundred diverse biochemical reactions. The discovery of the PHD-HIF-pVHL system revolutionized our fundamental understanding of oxygen sensing and cellular adaptations to hypoxia. It deepened our knowledge of the biochemical underpinnings of numerous diseases, ranging from anemia to cancer. Cellular dysfunction and tissue pathology can result from a mismatch of oxygen supply and demand. Recent work has shown that mitochondrial disease models display tissue hyperoxia and that disease pathology can be reversed by normalization of excess oxygen, suggesting that certain disease states can potentially be treated by modulating oxygen levels. In this review, we describe cellular and organismal mechanisms of oxygen sensing and adaptation. We provide a revitalized framework for understanding pathologies of too little or too much oxygen.
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40
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Postovalova EA, Makarova OV, Kosyreva AM, Dzhalilova DS. Hypoxia is a key mechanism for regulating inflammation in ulcerative colitis. RUSSIAN OPEN MEDICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.15275/rusomj.2020.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC), is the group of difficult to diagnose widespread among the population diseases. Pathogenesis of the disease is associated with a complex interaction of the genetic factors, the environment, the microbiome and the unpredicted reaction of the immune system, and the existing treatment methods are not effective enough. It is known, that hypoxia plays a key role in both system and local inflammatory reactions, mainly due to microcirculatory disorders and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Therefore a lot of studies have demonstrated that severity of any inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease (CD) and UC depends on hypoxia resistance. In this review we discussed microcirculation of blood and physiological hypoxia in the intestine, the role of hypoxia-inducible factors in the development of IBD and UC, as well as their influence on the severity of the inflammatory process. Authors described the protective effect of various PHD inhibitors and its benefits and disadvantages, so as new approaches of searching of very specific low molecular weight substanses as drugs for the control of IBD and UC.
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41
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Brown E, Rowan C, Strowitzki MJ, Fagundes RR, Faber KN, Güntsch A, Halligan DN, Kugler J, Jones F, Lee CT, Doherty G, Taylor CT. Mucosal inflammation downregulates PHD1 expression promoting a barrier-protective HIF-1α response in ulcerative colitis patients. FASEB J 2020; 34:3732-3742. [PMID: 31944416 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902103r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The HIF hydroxylase enzymes (PHD1-3 and FIH) are cellular oxygen-sensors which confer hypoxic-sensitivity upon the hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Microenvironmental hypoxia has a strong influence on the epithelial and immune cell function through HIF-dependent gene expression and consequently impacts upon the course of disease progression in ulcerative colitis (UC), with HIF-1α being protective while HIF-2α promotes disease. However, little is known about how inflammation regulates hypoxia-responsive pathways in UC patients. Here we demonstrate that hypoxia is a prominent microenvironmental feature of the mucosa in UC patients with active inflammatory disease. Furthermore, we found that inflammation drives transcriptional programming of the HIF pathway including downregulation of PHD1 thereby increasing the tissue responsiveness to hypoxia and skewing this response toward protective HIF-1 over detrimental HIF-2 activation. We identified CEBPα as a transcriptional regulator of PHD1 mRNA expression which is downregulated in both inflamed tissue derived from patients and in cultured intestinal epithelial cells treated with inflammatory cytokines. In summary, we propose that PHD1 downregulation skews the hypoxic response toward enhanced protective HIF-1α stabilization in the inflamed mucosa of UC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Brown
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine Rowan
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Moritz J Strowitzki
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Raphael R Fagundes
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.,Department Hepatology & Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Klaas Nico Faber
- Department Hepatology & Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie Güntsch
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Doug N Halligan
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julia Kugler
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona Jones
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Chee T Lee
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Glen Doherty
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.,Centre for Colorectal Disease, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cormac T Taylor
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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42
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Das NK, Schwartz AJ, Barthel G, Inohara N, Liu Q, Sankar A, Hill DR, Ma X, Lamberg O, Schnizlein MK, Arqués JL, Spence JR, Nunez G, Patterson AD, Sun D, Young VB, Shah YM. Microbial Metabolite Signaling Is Required for Systemic Iron Homeostasis. Cell Metab 2020; 31:115-130.e6. [PMID: 31708445 PMCID: PMC6949377 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Iron is a central micronutrient needed by all living organisms. Competition for iron in the intestinal tract is essential for the maintenance of indigenous microbial populations and for host health. How symbiotic relationships between hosts and native microbes persist during times of iron limitation is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that indigenous bacteria possess an iron-dependent mechanism that inhibits host iron transport and storage. Using a high-throughput screen of microbial metabolites, we found that gut microbiota produce metabolites that suppress hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF-2α) a master transcription factor of intestinal iron absorption and increase the iron-storage protein ferritin, resulting in decreased intestinal iron absorption by the host. We identified 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP) and reuterin as inhibitors of HIF-2α via inhibition of heterodimerization. DAP and reuterin effectively ameliorated systemic iron overload. This work provides evidence of intestine-microbiota metabolic crosstalk that is essential for systemic iron homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nupur K Das
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Andrew J Schwartz
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gabrielle Barthel
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Naohiro Inohara
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Amanda Sankar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David R Hill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Xiaoya Ma
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Olivia Lamberg
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Matthew K Schnizlein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Juan L Arqués
- Departamento Tecnología de Alimentos, INIA, Carretera de La Coruña Km 7, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Jason R Spence
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Gabriel Nunez
- Department of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Andrew D Patterson
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Duxin Sun
- College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Vincent B Young
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yatrik M Shah
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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The Role of Immune Cells and Cytokines in Intestinal Wound Healing. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20236097. [PMID: 31816903 PMCID: PMC6929186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal wound healing is a complicated process that not only involves epithelial cells but also immune cells. In this brief review, we will focus on discussing the contribution and regulation of four major immune cell types (neutrophils, macrophages, regulatory T cells, and innate lymphoid cells) and four cytokines (interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-22) to the wound repair process in the gut. Better understanding of these immune factors will be important for developing novel targeted therapy.
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Fadaka AO, Pretorius A, Klein A. MicroRNA Assisted Gene Regulation in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4899. [PMID: 31623294 PMCID: PMC6801675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of cancer death and a major public health problem. Nearly 80% CRC cases are diagnosed after the disease have metastasized and are often too advanced for treatment. Small non-coding RNA guides argonaute protein to their specific target for regulation as the sole of RNA induced silencing complex for gene silencing. These non-coding RNA for example microRNA, are thought to play a key role in affecting the efficiency of gene regulation in cancer, especially CRC. Understanding the mechanism at the molecular level could lead to improved diagnosis, treatment, and management decisions for CRC. The study aimed to predict the molecular mechanism of gene regulation based microRNA-mRNA duplex as a lead in the silencing mechanism. Five candidate microRNAs were identified through the in silico approach. The MicroRNA target prediction and subsequent correlation, and prioritization were performed using miRTarBase, gbCRC and CoReCG, and DAVID databases respectively. Protein selection and preparation were carried out using PDB and Schrödinger suits. The molecular docking analysis was performed using PATCHDOCK webserver and visualized by discovery studio visualizer. The results of the study reveal that the candidate microRNAs have strong binding affinity towards their targets suggesting a crucial factor in the silencing mechanism. Furthermore, the molecular docking of the receptor to both the microRNA and microRNA-mRNA duplex were analyzed computationally to understand their interaction at the molecular level. Conclusively, the study provides an explanation for understanding the microRNAs-based gene regulation (silencing mechanism) in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adewale O Fadaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535 Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Ashley Pretorius
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535 Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Ashwil Klein
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535 Cape Town, South Africa.
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Utilisation of the STEAP protein family in a diagnostic setting may provide a more comprehensive prognosis of prostate cancer. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0220456. [PMID: 31393902 PMCID: PMC6687176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men worldwide; however, few patients are affected by clinically significant disease within their lifetime. Unfortunately, the means to discriminate between patients with indolent disease and those who progress to aggressive prostate cancer is currently unavailable, resulting in over-treatment of patients. We therefore aimed to determine biomarkers of prostate cancer that can be used in the clinic to aid the diagnosis and prognosis. Immunohistochemistry analysis was carried out on prostate cancer specimens with a range of Gleason scores. Samples were stained and analysed for intensity of the Seven Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate (STEAP)-1, -2, -3, -4 and the Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1) proteins to determine suitable biomarkers for classification of patients likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer. Additionally, these proteins were also analysed to determine whether any would be able to predict future relapse using Kaplan Meier analysis. Data generated demonstrated that the protein expression levels of STEAP2 correlated significantly with Gleason score; furthermore, STEAP4 was a significant predictor of relapse. This data indicates that STEAP2 could be potential prognostic candidate for use in combination with the current prostate cancer detection methods and the presence of STEAP4 could be an indicator of possible relapse.
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46
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Solanki S, Devenport SN, Ramakrishnan SK, Shah YM. Temporal induction of intestinal epithelial hypoxia-inducible factor-2α is sufficient to drive colitis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2019; 317:G98-G107. [PMID: 31241981 PMCID: PMC6734372 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00081.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a notable feature of inflammatory bowel disease and chronic induction of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α (endothelial PAS domain protein 1, EPAS1) play important, but opposing, roles in its pathogenesis. While activation of HIF-1α decreases intestinal inflammation and is beneficial in colitis, activation of HIF-2α exacerbates colitis and increases colon carcinogenesis in animal models, primarily due to the role of epithelial HIF-2α in mounting a potent inflammatory response. Previous work from our laboratory showed that mice overexpressing intestinal epithelial HIF-2α led to massive intestinal inflammation and decreased survival. As oxygen homeostasis and HIFs are critical in embryonic development, it is not clear whether the observed intestinal inflammatory response was secondary to developmental defects. To address this question, the present study used a mouse model to temporally modulate expression of intestinal epithelial HIF-2α to assess its role in mediating inflammatory response. Remarkably, activation of HIF-2α in intestinal epithelial cells in adult mice increased expression of proinflammatory mediators; however, no decrease in survival was observed. Furthermore, in an acute model of colitis, activation of HIF-2α was sufficient to exacerbate colitis. These data confirm our previous finding that epithelial HIF-2α mediates inflammatory response and demonstrates that activation of HIF-2α is sufficient to exacerbate colitis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract. Hypoxia and activation of its downstream transcription factors hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α are notable features of IBD. HIF-1α has well-characterized protective roles in IBD; however, the role of HIF-2α has been less studied. Using novel HIF-2α mouse models, we show that activation of HIF-2α in intestinal epithelial cells is sufficient to exacerbate colitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet Solanki
- 1Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Samantha N. Devenport
- 1Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,2Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sadeesh K. Ramakrishnan
- 1Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Yatrik M. Shah
- 1Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,3Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Competitive Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) Regulation Network of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA in Colorectal Carcinogenesis. Dig Dis Sci 2019; 64:1868-1877. [PMID: 30734239 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-019-05506-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulation suggested complex network of all transcript RNAs including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which can act as natural miRNA sponges to inhibit miRNA functions and modulate mRNA expression. Until now, the specific ceRNA regulatory mechanism of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC) still remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS RNA sequencing data of 478 colon adenocarcinoma cases and 41 controls as well as 166 rectum adenocarcinoma cases and 10 controls were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to investigate the significant changes of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs in colorectal carcinogenesis. The target lncRNAs and mRNAs of miRNAs were predicted by miRWalk. Functional and enrichment analyses were conducted by DAVID database. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape. RESULTS We constructed ceRNA regulatory networks including 22 up-regulated lncRNAs, 12 down-regulated miRNAs and 122 up-regulated mRNAs, as well as 8 down-regulated lncRNAs, 43 up-regulated miRNAs and 139 down-regulated mRNAs. The GO enrichment showed that up-regulated genes mainly enriched in biological process including organic anion transport, collagen catabolic process, wound healing, Wnt receptor signalling and in pathways of tyrosine metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, melanogenesis and phenylalanine metabolism. For down-regulated genes, significant enrichment was found in biological process of metal ion homeostasis, transmission of nerve impulse, cell-cell signalling, transmembrane transport and in pathways of ABC transporters, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, retinol metabolism, nitrogen metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis. CONCLUSION We identified significantly altered lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs in colorectal carcinogenesis, which might serve as potential biomarkers for tumorigenesis of CRC. In addition, the ceRNA regulatory network of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA was constructed, which would elucidate novel molecular mechanisms involved in initiation and progression of CRC, thus providing promising clues for clinical diagnosis and therapy.
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48
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Bajbouj K, Shafarin J, Hamad M. Estrogen-dependent disruption of intracellular iron metabolism augments the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin in select breast and ovarian cancer cells. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:4655-4668. [PMID: 31213891 PMCID: PMC6536718 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s204852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Increased iron content in cancer cells is associated with resistance to chemotherapy. Recent studies have demonstrated that estrogen (E2) suppresses hepcidin synthesis and enhances intracellular iron efflux. Herein, we investigated whether E2-driven intracellular iron efflux renders cancer cells more susceptible to doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cytotoxicity. Methods: Breast, ovarian, and liver cancer cell lines treated with E2, Dox, or a combination of both were assessed for intracellular iron status, mitochondrial function, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Results: E2+Dox treatment in MCF7, SKOV3 and MDA-MB231 cells resulted in enhanced apoptosis compared with Dox-treated cells. Expression of γH2AX was significantly higher and that of survivin significantly lower in E2+Dox-treated cells than Dox-treated cells. At 48 hours, E2+Dox had induced a significant increase in the percentage of sub-G1 apoptotic cells, increased CHK1 expression, and decreased cyclin D1, CDK4, and CDK6 expression. Ferroportin and ferritin expression was significantly higher and that of TfR1 significantly lower in E2+Dox-treated cells than Dox-treated cells. Intracellular iron content was significantly reduced in E2+Dox-treated cells at 48 hours posttreatment. Lastly, E2+Dox-treated cells showed higher levels of mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization than Dox-treated cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest that E2 disrupts intracellular iron metabolism in such a way that increases cell susceptibility to Dox-induced cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khuloud Bajbouj
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jasmin Shafarin
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mawieh Hamad
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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49
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Mora J, Mertens C, Meier JK, Fuhrmann DC, Brüne B, Jung M. Strategies to Interfere with Tumor Metabolism through the Interplay of Innate and Adaptive Immunity. Cells 2019; 8:cells8050445. [PMID: 31083487 PMCID: PMC6563030 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory tumor microenvironment is an important regulator of carcinogenesis. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells promote each step of tumor development, exerting crucial functions from initiation, early neovascularization, to metastasis. During tumor outgrowth, tumor-associated immune cells, including myeloid cells and lymphocytes, acquire a tumor-supportive, anti-inflammatory phenotype due to their interaction with tumor cells. Microenvironmental cues such as inflammation and hypoxia are mainly responsible for creating a tumor-supportive niche. Moreover, it is becoming apparent that the availability of iron within the tumor not only affects tumor growth and survival, but also the polarization of infiltrating immune cells. The interaction of tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells is multifaceted and complex, finally leading to different activation phenotypes of infiltrating immune cells regarding their functional heterogeneity and plasticity. In recent years, it was discovered that these phenotypes are mainly implicated in defining tumor outcome. Here, we discuss the role of the metabolic activation of both tumor cells and infiltrating immune cells in order to adapt their metabolism during tumor growth. Additionally, we address the role of iron availability and the hypoxic conditioning of the tumor with regard to tumor growth and we describe the relevance of therapeutic strategies to target such metabolic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Mora
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Christina Mertens
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Julia K Meier
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Dominik C Fuhrmann
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Bernhard Brüne
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt, Germany.
- Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology TMP, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Michaela Jung
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
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Kim H, Yin K, Falcon DM, Xue X. The interaction of Hemin and Sestrin2 modulates oxidative stress and colon tumor growth. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 374:77-85. [PMID: 31054940 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Several large epidemiological and animal studies demonstrate a direct correlation between dietary heme iron intake and/or systemic iron levels and cancer risk in several cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the precise mechanisms for how heme iron contributes to CRC and how cancer cells respond to heme iron-induced stress are still unclear. Previously we have shown that one of the stress-inducible proteins, Sestrin2 (SESN2), is a novel tumor suppressor in colon by limiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling and tumor growth. But the relationship between heme iron and SESN2, especially in the context of colon carcinogenesis, was not investigated previously. Here, we found that hemin dose-dependently increased SESN2 expression in an oxidative stress and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NFE2L2, NRF2)-dependent manner. Since SESN2 overexpression reduced hemin-induced oxidative stress, SESN2 could be an important target of NRF2 exerting antioxidant function. Indeed, expression of several oxidative stress responsive proteins such as NRF2 and its target genes was reduced by SESN2. Although we formerly reported that SESN2 expression was reduced after p53 mutation in colon tumors, mouse colon tumors, which have intact p53 and NRF2, induced SESN2 expression in response to iron stimulus. Although SESN2 overexpression decreased murine colon tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, it rendered colon cancer cells more resistant to hemin-induced apoptosis and therefore promoted tumor growth during hemin treatment. Taken together, although SESN2 generally suppresses tumorigenesis, it can produce tumor-promoting role in iron-rich environment by suppressing oxidative stress-associated cancer cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeoncheol Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States of America
| | - Kunlun Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States of America
| | - Daniel M Falcon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States of America
| | - Xiang Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States of America.
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