Autocrine Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Promotes Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression via Src Family Kinase-Dependent Yes-Associated Protein Activation

IL-1β transgenic mouse model of inflammation driven esophageal and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Chronic inflammation is integral to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), although the latter has not been associated with reflux esophagitis. The L2-IL-1β transgenic mice, expressing human interleukin (IL)-1β in the oral, esophageal and forestomach squamous epithelia feature chronic inflammation and a stepwise development of Barrett's esophagus-like metaplasia, dysplasia and adenocarcinoma at the squamo-columnar junction. However, the functional consequences of IL-1β-mediated chronic inflammation in the oral and esophageal squamous epithelia remain elusive. We report for the first time that in addition to the previously described Barrett's esophagus-like metaplasia, the L2-IL-1β mice also develop squamous epithelial dysplasia with progression to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the esophagus and the tongue. L2-IL-1β showed age-dependent progression of squamous dysplasia to SCC with approximately 40% (n = 49) and 23.5% (n = 17) incidence rates for esophageal and tongue invasive SCC respectively, by 12-15 months of age. Interestingly, SCC development and progression in L2-IL-1β was similar in both Germ Free (GF) and Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) conditions. Immunohistochemistry revealed a T cell predominant inflammatory profile with enhanced expression of Ki67, Sox2 and the DNA double-strand break marker, γ-H2AX, in the dysplastic squamous epithelia of L2-IL-1β mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunomodulatory players, chemoattractants for inflammatory cells (T cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages) and oxidative damage marker, iNOS, were significantly increased in the esophageal and tongue tissues of L2-IL-1β mice. Our recent findings have expanded the translational utility of the IL-1β mouse model to aid in further characterization of the key pathways of inflammation driven BE and EAC as well as ESCC and Oral SCC.

LncRNA-412.25 activates the LIF/STAT3 signaling pathway in ovarian granulosa cells of Hu sheep by sponging miR-346

Although long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are reported to regulate follicular development and reproductive disease pathogenesis, the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. In this study, lncRNA expression profiling of different-sized healthy follicles from Hu sheep with different prolificacy revealed 50 613 lncRNAs. Numerous lncRNAs were differentially expressed among different comparison groups. This study characterized one novel transcript, lncRNA-412.25 (from healthy follicles with a diameter of >5 mm), which was predominantly expressed in the high prolificacy group and localized to the cytoplasm of granulosa cells (GCs). LncRNA-412.25 knockdown promoted and inhibited Hu sheep GC apoptosis and proliferation, respectively. Interestingly, lncRNA-412.25 could directly bind to miR-346, which can target the gene of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Knockdown of lncRNA-412.25 promoted GC apoptosis by downregulating LIF expression, where this effect was attenuated by miR-346. Moreover, the miR-346 inhibitor mitigated the lncRNA-412.25 knockdown-induced downregulation of phosphorylated protein of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which was validated using immunofluorescence analysis. Our results demonstrated that lncRNA-412.25 regulates GC proliferation and apoptosis in Hu sheep by binding to miR-346 and then activating the LIF/STAT3 pathway. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep.

Inflammation-Induced Tumorigenesis and Metastasis

Inflammation, especially chronic inflammation, plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis through various mechanisms and is now recognized as a hallmark of cancer and an attractive therapeutic target in cancer. In this review, we discuss recent advances in molecular mechanisms of how inflammation promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis and suppresses anti-tumor immunity in various types of solid tumors, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancer as well as hematopoietic malignancies.

Immunomodulation by Inflammation during Liver and Gastrointestinal Tumorigenesis and Aging

Chronic inflammation is thought to promote tumorigenesis and metastasis by several mechanisms, such as affecting tumor cells directly, establishing a tumor-supporting microenvironment, enhancing tumor angiogenesis, and suppressing antitumor immunity. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of how inflammation induces the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, such as increasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and immunosuppressive molecules, inducing immune checkpoint molecules and cytotoxic T-cell exhaustion, and accumulating regulatory T (Treg) cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). The suppression of antitumor immunity by inflammation is especially examined in the liver and colorectal cancer. In addition, chronic inflammation is induced during aging and causes age-related diseases, including cancer, by affecting immunity. Therefore, we also discuss the age-related diseases regulated by inflammation, especially in the liver and colon.