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Feng G, Arima Y, Midorikawa K, Kobayashi H, Oikawa S, Zhao W, Zhang Z, Takeuchi K, Murata M. Knockdown of TFRC suppressed the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by downregulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:185. [PMID: 37644594 PMCID: PMC10466839 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02995-7] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transferrin receptor (TfR) encoded by TFRC gene is the main cellular iron importer. TfR is highly expressed in many cancers and is expected to be a promising new target for cancer therapy; however, its role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unknown. METHODS The TfR levels were investigated in NPC tissues and cell lines using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Knockdown of TFRC using two siRNA to investigate the effects on intracellular iron level and biological functions, including proliferation by CKK-8 assay, colony formation, cell apoptosis and cell cycle by flow cytometry, migration and invasion, and tumor growth in vivo by nude mouse xenografts. RNA sequencing was performed to find possible mechanism after TFRC knockdown on NPC cells and further verified by western blotting. RESULTS TfR was overexpressed in NPC cell lines and tissues. Knockdown of TFRC inhibited cell proliferation concomitant with increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and it decreased intracellular iron, colony formation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HK1-EBV cells. Western blotting showed that TFRC knockdown suppressed the levels of the iron storage protein FTH1, anti-apoptotic marker BCL-xL, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers. We confirmed in vivo that TFRC knockdown also inhibited NPC tumor growth and decreased Ki67 expression in tumor tissues of nude mouse xenografts. RNA sequencing and western blotting revealed that TFRC silencing inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that TfR was overexpressed in NPC, and TFRC knockdown inhibited NPC progression by suppressing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Thus, TfR may serve as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofei Feng
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, 514-8507, Mie, Japan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Yasushi Arima
- Graduate School of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka, 510-0226, Mie, Japan
| | - Kaoru Midorikawa
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Hatasu Kobayashi
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Shinji Oikawa
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, 514-8507, Mie, Japan
| | - Weilin Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, China
| | - Kazuhiko Takeuchi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, 514-8507, Mie, Japan.
| | - Mariko Murata
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, 514-8507, Mie, Japan.
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Daniels-Wells TR, Candelaria PV, Kranz E, Wen J, Wang L, Kamata M, Almagro JC, Martínez-Maza O, Penichet ML. Efficacy of Antibodies Targeting TfR1 in Xenograft Mouse Models of AIDS-Related Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1816. [PMID: 36980702 PMCID: PMC10046321 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), also known as CD71, is a transmembrane protein involved in the cellular uptake of iron and the regulation of cell growth. This receptor is expressed at low levels on a variety of normal cells, but is upregulated on cells with a high rate of proliferation, including malignant cells and activated immune cells. Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to the chronic activation of B cells, resulting in high expression of TfR1, B-cell dysfunction, and ultimately the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (AIDS-NHL). Importantly, TfR1 expression is correlated with the stage and prognosis of NHL. Thus, it is a meaningful target for antibody-based NHL therapy. We previously developed a mouse/human chimeric IgG3 specific for TfR1 (ch128.1/IgG3) and showed that this antibody exhibits antitumor activity in an in vivo model of AIDS-NHL using NOD-SCID mice challenged intraperitoneally with 2F7 human Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cells that harbor the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). We have also developed an IgG1 version of ch128.1 that shows significant antitumor activity in SCID-Beige mouse models of disseminated multiple myeloma, another B-cell malignancy. Here, we aim to explore the utility of ch128.1/IgG1 and its humanized version (hu128.1) in mouse models of AIDS-NHL. To accomplish this goal, we used the 2F7 cell line variant 2F7-BR44, which is more aggressive than the parental cell line and forms metastases in the brain of mice after systemic (intravenous) administration. We also used the human BL cell line JB, which in contrast to 2F7, is EBV-negative, allowing us to study both EBV-infected and non-infected NHL tumors. Treatment with ch128.1/IgG1 or hu128.1 of SCID-Beige mice challenged locally (subcutaneously) with 2F7-BR44 or JB cells results in significant antitumor activity against different stages of disease. Treatment of mice challenged systemically (intravenously) with either 2F7-BR44 or JB cells also showed significant antitumor activity, including long-term survival. Taken together, our results suggest that targeting TfR1 with antibodies, such as ch128.1/IgG1 or hu128.1, has potential as an effective therapy for AIDS-NHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy R. Daniels-Wells
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Pierre V. Candelaria
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Emiko Kranz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA AIDS Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jing Wen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA AIDS Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lan Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA AIDS Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Masakazu Kamata
- Department of Microbiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | - Otoniel Martínez-Maza
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA AIDS Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Manuel L. Penichet
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA AIDS Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- The Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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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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