1
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Agca S, Kir S. The role of interleukin-6 family cytokines in cancer cachexia. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38975832 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17224] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
Cachexia is a wasting syndrome that manifests in more than half of all cancer patients. Cancer-associated cachexia negatively influences the survival of patients and their quality of life. It is characterized by a rapid loss of adipose and skeletal muscle tissues, which is partly mediated by inflammatory cytokines. Here, we explored the crucial roles of interleukin-6 (IL-6) family cytokines, including IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor, and oncostatin M, in the development of cancer cachexia. These cytokines have been shown to exacerbate cachexia by promoting the wasting of adipose and muscle tissues, activating mechanisms that enhance lipolysis and proteolysis. Overlapping effects of the IL-6 family cytokines depend on janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling. We argue that the blockade of these cytokine pathways individually may fail due to redundancy and future therapeutic approaches should target common downstream elements to yield effective clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samet Agca
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serkan Kir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
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2
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Ebrahimi B, Viswanadhapalli S, Pratap UP, Rahul G, Yang X, Pitta Venkata P, Drel V, Santhamma B, Konda S, Li X, Sanchez ALR, Yan H, Sareddy GR, Xu Z, Singh BB, Valente PT, Chen Y, Lai Z, Rao M, Kost ER, Curiel T, Tekmal RR, Nair HB, Vadlamudi RK. Pharmacological inhibition of the LIF/LIFR autocrine loop reveals vulnerability of ovarian cancer cells to ferroptosis. NPJ Precis Oncol 2024; 8:118. [PMID: 38789520 PMCID: PMC11126619 DOI: 10.1038/s41698-024-00612-y] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Of all gynecologic cancers, epithelial-ovarian cancer (OCa) stands out with the highest mortality rates. Despite all efforts, 90% of individuals who receive standard surgical and cytotoxic therapy experience disease recurrence. The precise mechanism by which leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its receptor (LIFR) contribute to the progression of OCa remains unknown. Analysis of cancer databases revealed that elevated expression of LIF or LIFR was associated with poor progression-free survival of OCa patients and a predictor of poor response to chemotherapy. Using multiple primary and established OCa cell lines or tissues that represent five subtypes of epithelial-OCa, we demonstrated that LIF/LIFR autocrine signaling is active in OCa. Moreover, treatment with LIFR inhibitor, EC359 significantly reduced OCa cell viability and cell survival with an IC50 ranging from 5-50 nM. Furthermore, EC359 diminished the stemness of OCa cells. Mechanistic studies using RNA-seq and rescue experiments unveiled that EC359 primarily induced ferroptosis by suppressing the glutathione antioxidant defense system. Using multiple in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models including cell-based xenografts, patient-derived explants, organoids, and xenograft tumors, we demonstrated that EC359 dramatically reduced the growth and progression of OCa. Additionally, EC359 therapy considerably improved tumor immunogenicity by robust CD45+ leukocyte tumor infiltration and polarizing tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward M1 phenotype while showing no impact on normal T-, B-, and other immune cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that the LIF/LIFR autocrine loop plays an essential role in OCa progression and that EC359 could be a promising therapeutic agent for OCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Ebrahimi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
| | - Uday P Pratap
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Gopalam Rahul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, PR China
| | - Prabhakar Pitta Venkata
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Viktor Drel
- Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | | | - Xiaonan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | - Hui Yan
- Department of microbiology and immunology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Gangadhara R Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Zhenming Xu
- Department of microbiology and immunology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Brij B Singh
- Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Philip T Valente
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yidong Chen
- Department of Population Sciences, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Zhao Lai
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Manjeet Rao
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Edward R Kost
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Tyler Curiel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Rajeshwar R Tekmal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
- Audie L. Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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3
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Rios SA, Oyervides S, Uribe D, Reyes AM, Fanniel V, Vazquez J, Keniry M. Emerging Therapies for Glioblastoma. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1485. [PMID: 38672566 PMCID: PMC11048459 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081485] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is most commonly a primary brain tumor and the utmost malignant one, with a survival rate of approximately 12-18 months. Glioblastoma is highly heterogeneous, demonstrating that different types of cells from the same tumor can manifest distinct gene expression patterns and biological behaviors. Conventional therapies such as temozolomide, radiation, and surgery have limitations. As of now, there is no cure for glioblastoma. Alternative treatment methods to eradicate glioblastoma are discussed in this review, including targeted therapies to PI3K, NFKβ, JAK-STAT, CK2, WNT, NOTCH, Hedgehog, and TGFβ pathways. The highly novel application of oncolytic viruses and nanomaterials in combating glioblastoma are also discussed. Despite scores of clinical trials for glioblastoma, the prognosis remains poor. Progress in breaching the blood-brain barrier with nanomaterials and novel avenues for targeted and combination treatments hold promise for the future development of efficacious glioblastoma therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Megan Keniry
- School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, College of Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA; (S.A.R.); (D.U.); (A.M.R.)
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4
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Di Giorgio C, Bellini R, Lupia A, Massa C, Urbani G, Bordoni M, Marchianò S, Rosselli R, De Gregorio R, Rapacciuolo P, Sepe V, Morretta E, Monti MC, Moraca F, Cari L, Ullah KRS, Natalizi N, Graziosi L, Distrutti E, Biagioli M, Catalanotti B, Donini A, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. The leukemia inhibitory factor regulates fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 transcription in gastric cancer. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:695-710. [PMID: 37945798 PMCID: PMC11090936 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00893-8] [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] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The gastric adenocarcinoma (GC) represents the third cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and available therapeutic options remain sub-optimal. The Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) are oncogenic transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors. FGFR inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of various cancers and a STAT3-dependent regulation of FGFR4 has been documented in the H.pylori infected intestinal GC. Therefore, the modulation of FGFR4 might be useful for the treatment of GC. METHODS To investigate wich factors could modulate FGFR4 signalling in GC, we employed RNA-seq analysis on GC patients biopsies, human patients derived organoids (PDOs) and cancer cell lines. RESULTS We report that FGFR4 expression/function is regulated by the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) an IL-6 related oncogenic cytokine, in JAK1/STAT3 dependent manner. The transcriptomic analysis revealed a direct correlation between the expression of LIFR and FGFR4 in the tissue of an exploratory cohort of 31 GC and confirmed these findings by two external validation cohorts of GC. A LIFR inhibitor (LIR-201) abrogates STAT3 phosphorylation induced by LIF as well as recruitment of pSTAT3 to the promoter of FGFR4. Furthermore, inhibition of FGFR4 by roblitinib or siRNA abrogates STAT3 phosphorylation and oncogentic effects of LIF in GC cells, indicating that FGFR4 is a downstream target of LIF/LIFR complex. Treating cells with LIR-201 abrogates oncogenic potential of FGF19, the physiological ligand of FGFR4. CONCLUSIONS Together these data unreveal a previously unregnized regulatory mechanism of FGFR4 by LIF/LIFR and demonstrate that LIF and FGF19 converge on the regulation of oncogenic STAT3 in GC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachele Bellini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Lupia
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Net4Science Srl, University "Magna Græcia", Campus Salvatore Venuta, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmen Massa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ginevra Urbani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Rosa De Gregorio
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Federica Moraca
- Net4Science Srl, University "Magna Græcia", Campus Salvatore Venuta, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Cari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Annibale Donini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
- Department Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy.
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5
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Zaporowska-Stachowiak I, Springer M, Stachowiak K, Oduah M, Sopata M, Wieczorowska-Tobis K, Bryl W. Interleukin-6 Family of Cytokines in Cancers. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2024; 44:45-59. [PMID: 38232478 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0103] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Nine soluble ligands [interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-11 (IL-11), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M (OSM), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), cardiotrophin-like cytokine, interleukin-27 (IL-27), and interleukin-31] share the ubiquitously expressed transmembrane protein-glycoprotein-130 beta-subunit (gp130) and thus form IL-6 family cytokines. Proteins that may be important for cancerogenesis, CT-1, IL-11, IL-27, LIF, OSM, and CNTF, belong to the superfamily of IL-6. Cytokines such as IL-6, IL-11, and IL-27 are better investigated in comparison with other members of the same family of cytokines, eg, CT-1. Gp130 is one of the main receptors through which these cytokines exert their effects. The clinical implication of understanding the pathways of these cytokines in oncology is that targeted therapy to inhibit or potentiate cytokine activity may lead to remission in some cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Zaporowska-Stachowiak
- Department and Clinic of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Palliative Medicine In-Patient Unit, University Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Michał Springer
- Department of Internal Diseases, Metabolic Disorders and Arterial Hypertension, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | | | - Mary Oduah
- English Students' Research Association, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Sopata
- Department and Clinic of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Palliative Medicine In-Patient Unit, University Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis
- Department and Clinic of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- Palliative Medicine In-Patient Unit, University Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wiesław Bryl
- Department of Internal Diseases, Metabolic Disorders and Arterial Hypertension, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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6
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Yang X, Wang J, Chang CY, Zhou F, Liu J, Xu H, Ibrahim M, Gomez M, Guo GL, Liu H, Zong WX, Wondisford FE, Su X, White E, Feng Z, Hu W. Leukemia inhibitory factor suppresses hepatic de novo lipogenesis and induces cachexia in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:627. [PMID: 38245529 PMCID: PMC10799847 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44924-w] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a systemic metabolic syndrome characterized by involuntary weight loss, and muscle and adipose tissue wasting. Mechanisms underlying cachexia remain poorly understood. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a multi-functional cytokine, has been suggested as a cachexia-inducing factor. In a transgenic mouse model with conditional LIF expression, systemic elevation of LIF induces cachexia. LIF overexpression decreases de novo lipogenesis and disrupts lipid homeostasis in the liver. Liver-specific LIF receptor knockout attenuates LIF-induced cachexia, suggesting that LIF-induced functional changes in the liver contribute to cachexia. Mechanistically, LIF overexpression activates STAT3 to downregulate PPARα, a master regulator of lipid metabolism, leading to the downregulation of a group of PPARα target genes involved in lipogenesis and decreased lipogenesis in the liver. Activating PPARα by fenofibrate, a PPARα agonist, restores lipid homeostasis in the liver and inhibits LIF-induced cachexia. These results provide valuable insights into cachexia, which may help develop strategies to treat cancer cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jianming Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Chun-Yuan Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Juan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Huiting Xu
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Maria Ibrahim
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Maria Gomez
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Grace L Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Wei-Xing Zong
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Fredric E Wondisford
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Su
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Metabolomics Core Facility, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Eileen White
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Ludwig Princeton Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Zhaohui Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Wenwei Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
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7
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Spencer N, Rodriguez Sanchez AL, Gopalam R, Subbarayalu P, Medina DM, Yang X, Ramirez P, Randolph L, Aller EJ, Santhamma B, Rao MK, Tekmal RR, Nair HB, Kost ER, Vadlamudi RK, Viswanadhapalli S. The LIFR Inhibitor EC359 Effectively Targets Type II Endometrial Cancer by Blocking LIF/LIFR Oncogenic Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17426. [PMID: 38139260 PMCID: PMC10744027 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417426] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (ECa) is the most common female gynecologic cancer. When comparing the two histological subtypes of endometrial cancer, Type II tumors are biologically more aggressive and have a worse prognosis than Type I tumors. Current treatments for Type II tumors are ineffective, and new targeted therapies are urgently needed. LIFR and its ligand, LIF, have been shown to play a critical role in the progression of multiple solid cancers and therapy resistance. The role of LIF/LIFR in the progression of Type II ECa, on the other hand, is unknown. We investigated the role of LIF/LIFR signaling in Type II ECa and tested the efficacy of EC359, a novel small-molecule LIFR inhibitor, against Type II ECa. The analysis of tumor databases has uncovered a correlation between diminished survival rates and increased expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), suggesting a potential connection between altered LIF expression and unfavorable overall survival in Type II ECa. The results obtained from cell viability and colony formation assays demonstrated a significant decrease in the growth of Type II ECa LIFR knockdown cells in comparison to vector control cells. Furthermore, in both primary and established Type II ECa cells, pharmacological inhibition of the LIF/LIFR axis with EC359 markedly decreased cell viability, long-term cell survival, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Additionally, EC359 treatment reduced the activation of pathways driven by LIF/LIFR, such as AKT, mTOR, and STAT3. Tumor progression was markedly inhibited by EC359 treatment in two different patient-derived xenograft models in vivo and patient-derived organoids ex vivo. Collectively, these results suggest LIFR inhibitor EC359 as a possible new small-molecule therapeutics for the management of Type II ECa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Spencer
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Alondra Lee Rodriguez Sanchez
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Rahul Gopalam
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Panneerdoss Subbarayalu
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (P.S.); (D.M.M.); (M.K.R.)
| | - Daisy M. Medina
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (P.S.); (D.M.M.); (M.K.R.)
| | - Xue Yang
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Paulina Ramirez
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Lois Randolph
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Emily Jean Aller
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | | | - Manjeet K. Rao
- Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy, Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (P.S.); (D.M.M.); (M.K.R.)
| | - Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | | | - Edward R. Kost
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
| | - Ratna K. Vadlamudi
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Audie L. Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli
- Division of Reproductive Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; (N.S.); (A.L.R.S.); (R.G.); (X.Y.); (P.R.); (L.R.); (E.J.A.); (R.R.T.); (E.R.K.); (R.K.V.)
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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8
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Yang X, Ren H, Li Z, Peng X, Fu J. Combinations of radiotherapy with immunotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111094. [PMID: 37871379 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is currently based on concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The prognosis of early NPC is better, while the prognosis of advanced NPC is poor. Immunotherapy is becoming increasingly commonly employed in clinical practice as a new strategy for treating malignant tumors. It has shown promising results in the treatment of certain malignant tumors, making it a current clinical research hotspot. METHODS This review summarizes the current immunotherapy on NPC, highlighting the application of immunotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of NPC. RESULTS X-rays can either increase or suppress anti-tumor immune responses through various pathways and mechanisms. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can usually enhance X-ray-induced anti-tumor immune responses. Detecting the immune checkpoint markers and tumor mutation markers, and the functional status of effector cells in patients can aid in the development of individualized treatment that improves the treatment efficacy with reducing drug resistance and adverse reactions. The development of a multivalent vaccine for NPC will help improve the efficacy of the vaccine. Combining techniques that increase the tumor antigens release, such as radiotherapy and oncolytic virus vaccines, may enhance the ability of the immune response. CONCLUSIONS To shed further light on the application of immunotherapy in NPC, large pooled studies must accumulate sufficient cases with detailed exposure data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanru Ren
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Pudong Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Peng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Fu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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9
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Olivera I, Luri-Rey C, Teijeira A, Eguren-Santamaria I, Gomis G, Palencia B, Berraondo P, Melero I. Facts and Hopes on Neutralization of Protumor Inflammatory Mediators in Cancer Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:4711-4727. [PMID: 37522874 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-3653] [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] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
In cancer pathogenesis, soluble mediators are responsible for a type of inflammation that favors the progression of tumors. The mechanisms chiefly involve changes in the cellular composition of the tumor tissue stroma and in the functional modulation of myeloid and lymphoid leukocytes. Active immunosuppression, proangiogenesis, changes in leukocyte traffic, extracellular matrix remodeling, and alterations in tumor-antigen presentation are the main mechanisms linked to the inflammation that fosters tumor growth and metastasis. Soluble inflammatory mediators and their receptors are amenable to various types of inhibitors that can be combined with other immunotherapy approaches. The main proinflammatory targets which can be interfered with at present and which are under preclinical and clinical development are IL1β, IL6, the CXCR1/2 chemokine axis, TNFα, VEGF, leukemia inhibitory factor, CCL2, IL35, and prostaglandins. In many instances, the corresponding neutralizing agents are already clinically available and can be repurposed as a result of their use in other areas of medicine such as autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Olivera
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Luri-Rey
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñaki Eguren-Santamaria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Gomis
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Belen Palencia
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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10
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Soler MF, Abaurrea A, Azcoaga P, Araujo AM, Caffarel MM. New perspectives in cancer immunotherapy: targeting IL-6 cytokine family. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007530. [PMID: 37945321 PMCID: PMC10649711 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation has been recognized as a canonical cancer hallmark. It is orchestrated by cytokines, which are master regulators of the tumor microenvironment (TME) as they represent the main communication bridge between cancer cells, the tumor stroma, and the immune system. Interleukin (IL)-6 represents a keystone cytokine in the link between inflammation and cancer. Many cytokines from the IL-6 family, which includes IL-6, oncostatin M, leukemia inhibitory factor, IL-11, IL-27, IL-31, ciliary neurotrophic factor, cardiotrophin 1, and cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1, have been shown to elicit tumor-promoting roles by modulating the TME, making them attractive therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.The development of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapies has radically changed the outcome of some cancers including melanoma, lung, and renal, although not without hurdles. However, ICB shows limited efficacy in other solid tumors. Recent reports support that chronic inflammation and IL-6 cytokine signaling are involved in resistance to immunotherapy. This review summarizes the available preclinical and clinical data regarding the implication of IL-6-related cytokines in regulating the immune TME and the response to ICB. Moreover, the potential clinical benefit of combining ICB with therapies targeting IL-6 cytokine members for cancer treatment is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Florencia Soler
- Biogipuzkoa (previously known as Biodonostia) Health Research Institute, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Andrea Abaurrea
- Biogipuzkoa (previously known as Biodonostia) Health Research Institute, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Peio Azcoaga
- Biogipuzkoa (previously known as Biodonostia) Health Research Institute, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Angela M Araujo
- Biogipuzkoa (previously known as Biodonostia) Health Research Institute, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Maria M Caffarel
- Biogipuzkoa (previously known as Biodonostia) Health Research Institute, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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11
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Kaya NA, Tai D, Lim X, Lim JQ, Lau MC, Goh D, Phua CZJ, Wee FYT, Joseph CR, Lim JCT, Neo ZW, Ye J, Cheung L, Lee J, Loke KSH, Gogna A, Yao F, Lee MY, Shuen TWH, Toh HC, Hilmer A, Chan YS, Lim TKH, Tam WL, Choo SP, Yeong J, Zhai W. Multimodal molecular landscape of response to Y90-resin microsphere radioembolization followed by nivolumab for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e007106. [PMID: 37586766 PMCID: PMC10432632 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007106] [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: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combination therapy with radioembolization (yttrium-90)-resin microspheres) followed by nivolumab has shown a promising response rate of 30.6% in a Phase II trial (CA209-678) for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the response mechanisms and relevant biomarkers remain unknown. METHODS By collecting both pretreatment and on-treatment samples, we performed multimodal profiling of tissue and blood samples and investigated molecular changes associated with favorable responses in 33 patients from the trial. RESULTS We found that higher tumor mutation burden, NCOR1 mutations and higher expression of interferon gamma pathways occurred more frequently in responders. Meanwhile, non-responders tended to be enriched for a novel Asian-specific transcriptomic subtype (Kaya_P2) with a high frequency of chromosome 16 deletions and upregulated cell cycle pathways. Strikingly, unlike other cancer types, we did not observe any association between T-cell populations and treatment response, but tumors from responders had a higher proportion of CXCL9+/CXCR3+ macrophages. Moreover, biomarkers discovered in previous immunotherapy trials were not predictive in the current cohort, suggesting a distinctive molecular landscape associated with differential responses to the combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS This study unraveled extensive molecular changes underlying distinctive responses to the novel treatment and pinpointed new directions for harnessing combination therapy in patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neslihan Arife Kaya
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - David Tai
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Xinru Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Jia Qi Lim
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Mai Chan Lau
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency of Science Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Denise Goh
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Cheryl Zi Jin Phua
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Felicia Yu Ting Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Craig Ryan Joseph
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Jeffrey Chun Tatt Lim
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Zhen Wei Neo
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Jiangfeng Ye
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Lawrence Cheung
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
| | - Joycelyn Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Kelvin S H Loke
- Duke NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Apoorva Gogna
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Fei Yao
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - May Yin Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
| | | | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Axel Hilmer
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Koln, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yun Shen Chan
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Tony Kiat-Hon Lim
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Su Pin Choo
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joe Yeong
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Weiwei Zhai
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science(A*STAR), Technology and Research, Singapore
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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12
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Rashidfarrokhi A, Pillai R, Hao Y, Wu WL, Karadal-Ferrena B, Dimitriadoy SG, Cross M, Yeaton AH, Huang SM, Bhutkar AJ, Herrera A, Rajalingam S, Hayashi M, Huang KL, Bartnicki E, Zavitsanou AM, Wohlhieter CA, Leboeuf SE, Chen T, Loomis C, Mezzano V, Kulicke R, Davis FP, Stransky N, Smolen GA, Rudin CM, Moreira AL, Khanna KM, Pass HI, Wong KK, Koide S, Tsirigos A, Koralov SB, Papagiannakopoulos T. Tumor-intrinsic LKB1-LIF signaling axis establishes a myeloid niche to promote immune evasion and tumor growth. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.15.549147. [PMID: 37502974 PMCID: PMC10370066 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.15.549147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Tumor mutations can influence the surrounding microenvironment leading to suppression of anti-tumor immune responses and thereby contributing to tumor progression and failure of cancer therapies. Here we use genetically engineered lung cancer mouse models and patient samples to dissect how LKB1 mutations accelerate tumor growth by reshaping the immune microenvironment. Comprehensive immune profiling of LKB1 -mutant vs wildtype tumors revealed dramatic changes in myeloid cells, specifically enrichment of Arg1 + interstitial macrophages and SiglecF Hi neutrophils. We discovered a novel mechanism whereby autocrine LIF signaling in Lkb1 -mutant tumors drives tumorigenesis by reprogramming myeloid cells in the immune microenvironment. Inhibiting LIF signaling in Lkb1 -mutant tumors, via gene targeting or with a neutralizing antibody, resulted in a striking reduction in Arg1 + interstitial macrophages and SiglecF Hi neutrophils, expansion of antigen specific T cells, and inhibition of tumor progression. Thus, targeting LIF signaling provides a new therapeutic approach to reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment of LKB1 -mutant tumors.
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13
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Wang J, Karime C, Majeed U, Starr JS, Borad MJ, Babiker HM. Targeting Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023:1-13. [PMID: 37092893 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2206558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) is a member of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine family. Known to induce differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells, evidence has accumulated supporting its role in cancer evolution though regulating cell differentiation, renewal, and survival. LIF has recently emerged as a biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The first-in-human clinical trial has shown promising safety profile and has suggested a potential role for LIF inhibitor in combination regimen. AREAS COVERED Herein, we summarize, discuss, and give an expert opinion on the role of LIF in PDAC promotion, and its potential role as a biomarker and target of anti-cancer therapy. We conducted an exhaustive PubMed search for English-language articles published from January 1, 1970, to August 1, 2022. EXPERT OPINION PDAC carries a devastating prognosis for patients, highlighting the need for advancing drug development. The results of the phase 1 trial with MSC-1 demonstrated tolerability and safety but modest efficacy. Future research should focus on investigating LIF targets in combination with current standard-of-care chemotherapy and immunotherapy can be a promising approach. Further, larger multicenter clinical trials are needed to define the use of LIF as a new biomarker in PDAC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Umair Majeed
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Jason S Starr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Mitesh J Borad
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona USA
| | - Hani M Babiker
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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14
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Zutautas KB, Sisnett DJ, Miller JE, Lingegowda H, Childs T, Bougie O, Lessey BA, Tayade C. The dysregulation of leukemia inhibitory factor and its implications for endometriosis pathophysiology. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1089098. [PMID: 37033980 PMCID: PMC10076726 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1089098] [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: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is an estrogen dominant, chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside of the uterus. The most common symptoms experienced by patients include manifestations of chronic pelvic pain- such as pain with urination, menstruation, or defecation, and infertility. Alterations to Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), a cytokine produced by the luminal and glandular epithelium of the endometrium that is imperative for successful pregnancy, have been postulated to contribute to infertility. Conditions such as recurrent implantation failure, unexplained infertility, and infertility associated diseases such as adenomyosis and endometriosis, have demonstrated reduced LIF production in the endometrium of infertile patients compared to fertile counterparts. While this highlights the potential involvement of LIF in infertility, LIF is a multifaceted cytokine which plays additional roles in the maintenance of cell stemness and immunomodulation. Thus, we sought to explore the implications of LIF production within ectopic lesions on endometriosis pathophysiology. Through immunohistochemistry of an endometrioma tissue microarray and ELISA of tissue protein extract and peritoneal fluid samples, we identify LIF protein expression in the ectopic lesion microenvironment. Targeted RT qPCR for LIF and associated signaling transcripts, identify LIF to be significantly downregulated in the ectopic tissue compared to eutopic and control while its receptor, LIFR, is upregulated, highlighting a discordance in ectopic protein and mRNA LIF expression. In vitro treatment of endometriosis representative cell lines (12Z and hESC) with LIF increased production of immune-recruiting cytokines (MCP-1, MCP-3) and the angiogenic factor, VEGF, as well as stimulated tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Finally, LIF treatment in a syngeneic mouse model of endometriosis induced both local and peripheral alterations to immune cell phenotypes, ultimately reducing immunoregulatory CD206+ small peritoneal macrophages and T regulatory cells. These findings suggest that LIF is present in the ectopic lesions of endometriosis patients and could be contributing to lesion vascularization and immunomodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine B. Zutautas
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Danielle J. Sisnett
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica E. Miller
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Timothy Childs
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Olga Bougie
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce A. Lessey
- School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Chandrakant Tayade
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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15
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Di Giorgio C, Bellini R, Lupia A, Massa C, Bordoni M, Marchianò S, Rosselli R, Sepe V, Rapacciuolo P, Moraca F, Morretta E, Ricci P, Urbani G, Monti MC, Biagioli M, Distrutti E, Catalanotti B, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Discovery of BAR502, as potent steroidal antagonist of leukemia inhibitory factor receptor for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1140730. [PMID: 36998446 PMCID: PMC10043345 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1140730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), is a cytokine belonging to IL-6 family, whose overexpression correlate with poor prognosis in cancer patients, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). LIF signaling is mediate by its binding to the heterodimeric LIF receptor (LIFR) complex formed by the LIFR receptor and Gp130, leading to JAK1/STAT3 activation. Bile acids are steroid that modulates the expression/activity of membrane and nuclear receptors, including the Farnesoid-X-Receptor (FXR) and G Protein Bile Acid Activated Receptor (GPBAR1).MethodsHerein we have investigated whether ligands to FXR and GPBAR1 modulate LIF/LIFR pathway in PDAC cells and whether these receptors are expressed in human neoplastic tissues. ResultsThe transcriptome analysis of a cohort of PDCA patients revealed that expression of LIF and LIFR is increased in the neoplastic tissue in comparison to paired non-neoplastic tissues. By in vitro assay we found that both primary and secondary bile acids exert a weak antagonistic effect on LIF/LIFR signaling. In contrast, BAR502 a non-bile acid steroidal dual FXR and GPBAR1 ligand, potently inhibits binding of LIF to LIFR with an IC50 of 3.8 µM.DiscussionBAR502 reverses the pattern LIF-induced in a FXR and GPBAR1 independent manner, suggesting a potential role for BAR502 in the treatment of LIFR overexpressing-PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachele Bellini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Lupia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Net4Science srl, University “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmen Massa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Federica Moraca
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Net4Science srl, University “Magna Græcia”, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ricci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ginevra Urbani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eleonora Distrutti
- Department of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Stefano Fiorucci,
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16
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Chen E, Huang J, Chen M, Wu J, Ouyang P, Wang X, Shi D, Liu Z, Zhu W, Sun H, Yang S, Zhang B, Deng W, Qiu H, Xie F. FLI1 regulates radiotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma through TIE1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. J Transl Med 2023; 21:134. [PMID: 36814284 PMCID: PMC9945741 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03986-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiotherapy resistance is the main cause of treatment failure in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which leads to poor prognosis. It is urgent to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying radiotherapy resistance. METHODS RNA-seq analysis was applied to five paired progressive disease (PD) and complete response (CR) NPC tissues. Loss-and gain-of-function assays were used for oncogenic function of FLI1 both in vitro and in vivo. RNA-seq analysis, ChIP assays and dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to explore the interaction between FLI1 and TIE1. Gene expression with clinical information from tissue microarray of NPC were analyzed for associations between FLI1/TIE1 expression and NPC prognosis. RESULTS FLI1 is a potential radiosensitivity regulator which was dramatically overexpressed in the patients with PD to radiotherapy compared to those with CR. FLI1 induced radiotherapy resistance and enhanced the ability of DNA damage repair in vitro, and promoted radiotherapy resistance in vivo. Mechanistic investigations showed that FLI1 upregulated the transcription of TIE1 by binding to its promoter, thus activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. A decrease in TIE1 expression restored radiosensitivity of NPC cells. Furthermore, NPC patients with high levels of FLI1 and TIE1 were correlated with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION Our study has revealed that FLI1 regulates radiotherapy resistance of NPC through TIE1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting that targeting the FLI1/TIE1 signaling pathway could be a potential therapeutic strategy to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enni Chen
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Jiajia Huang
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Miao Chen
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Jiawei Wu
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Puyun Ouyang
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Xiaonan Wang
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Dingbo Shi
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Zhiqiao Liu
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Wancui Zhu
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Haohui Sun
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Baoyu Zhang
- grid.488530.20000 0004 1803 6191State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Wuguo Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Huijuan Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
| | - Fangyun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
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Wang J, Chang CY, Yang X, Zhou F, Liu J, Feng Z, Hu W. Leukemia inhibitory factor, a double-edged sword with therapeutic implications in human diseases. Mol Ther 2023; 31:331-343. [PMID: 36575793 PMCID: PMC9931620 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.12.016] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) superfamily. LIF was initially discovered as a factor to induce the differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells and thus inhibit their proliferation. Subsequent studies have highlighted the multi-functions of LIF under a wide variety of physiological and pathological conditions in a highly cell-, tissue-, and context-dependent manner. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that LIF plays an essential role in the stem cell niche, where it maintains the homeostasis and regeneration of multiple somatic tissues, including intestine, neuron, and muscle. Further, LIF exerts a crucial regulatory role in immunity and functions as a protective factor against many immunopathological diseases, such as infection, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and graft-verse-host disease (GVHD). It is worth noting that while LIF displays a tumor-suppressive function in leukemia, recent studies have highlighted the oncogenic role of LIF in many types of solid tumors, further demonstrating the complexities and context-dependent effects of LIF. In this review, we summarize the recent insights into the roles and mechanisms of LIF in stem cell homeostasis and regeneration, immunity, and cancer, and discuss the potential therapeutic options for human diseases by modulating LIF levels and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Wang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Chun-Yuan Chang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Xue Yang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Fan Zhou
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Juan Liu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Zhaohui Feng
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.
| | - Wenwei Hu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.
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Zhang F, Wang Y, Li H, Li L, Yang X, You X, Tang L. Pan-cancer analysis identifies LIFR as a prognostic and immunological biomarker for uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1118906. [PMID: 36925915 PMCID: PMC10011451 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1118906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) exhibits significant tumor-promoting function, while its cognate receptor (LIFR) is considered to act as either a tumor promoter or suppressor. Dysregulation of LIF and LIFR is associated with the initiation, progression and metastasis of multiple cancer entities. Although increasing numbers of studies are revealing an indispensable critical role of LIFR in tumorigenesis for various different cancers, no systematic analysis of LIFR has appeared thus far. Methods Here, we comprehensively analyzed the expression profile and prognostic value of LIFR, and correlations between LIFR and the infiltration of immune cells and clinicopathological parameters across different tumor types using several bioinformatic tools. The expression profile of LIFR in various tumor types and clinical stages was investigated using the TIMER2 and GEPIA2 databases. Genetic alternations of LIFR were extracted from cBioPortal. The prognostic value of LIFR was assessed using GEPIA2 and Sanger box databases, and correlations between LIFR expression and immune infiltration were analyzed using the CIBERSORT method and TIMER2 database. The correlations between LIFR expression and immune and stromal scores were assessed using ESTIMATE. We also analyzed correlations between LIFR and immunoregulators. Finally, we detected an effect of LIFR on Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) and evaluated the expression level of LIFR in clinical UCEC samples. Results Aberrant expression of LIFR in cancers and its prognosis ability, especially in UCEC was documented. Significantly lower levels of LIFR expression level correlated with better prognosis in multiple tumor types. LIFR expression was positively correlated with the abundance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, LIFR expression was strongly associated with the presence of immune modulators and checkpoint genes. Overexpression of LIFR suppressed the migration and invasion of UCEC cells in vitro. Conclusion Our pan-cancer detection data provided a novel understanding of the roles of LIFR in oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hongjuan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan You
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lina Tang
- Metabolic Disease Research Center, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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19
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Zhou J, Shi LF, Wang Z, Li M, Zhang JS, Mao Y, Hua W. OLIG2 expression level could be used as an independent prognostic factor for patients with cerebellar Glioblastoma (cGBM). Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2023; 78:100120. [PMID: 37001387 PMCID: PMC10126729 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2022.100120] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The incidence of cerebellar Glioblastoma Multiforme (cGBM) is rare. Database like TCGA have not distinguish cGBM from GBM, our knowledge on cGBM gene expression characteristics is limited. The expression status of Oligodendrocyte Lineage Transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) and its clinical significance in cGBM is still unclear. METHODS The clinical data and tissue specimens of 73 cGBM patients were retrospectively studied. The association between OLIG2 expression level and the demographic characteristics of cGBM patients was identified by the Chi-Square test. The survival curves were drawn by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The independent prognostic factors was calculated according to Cox regression analysis. RESULTS The OLIG2 high expression was observed in about 57.5% (42/73) of the cGBM patients. Patients with high OLIG2 expression levels had a higher alive ratio at the end of follow-up (alive ratio: 70.6% vs. 29.4%, p = 0.04). The median survival time was 21 months and 13 months for high and low expression of OLIG2 (p < 0 .05). Univariate analysis and Multivariate analysis indicated that EOR (HR = 3.89, 95% CI 1.23‒12.26, p = 0.02), low OLIG2 expression (HR = 5.26, 95% CI 1.13‒24.59, p = 0.04), and without adjuvant therapy (HR = 4.95, 95% CI 1.22‒20.00, p = 0.03) were independent risk factors for the OS of cGBM patients. CONCLUSION High expression level of OLIG2 could be used as an independent favorable prognosis indicator in cGBM patients and be recognized as a characteristic biomarker of cGBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ling-Fei Shi
- Department of Geriatics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Li
- Cancer Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-Seng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Hua
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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20
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Ray S, Luharuka S. Targeting the gp130_D5 domain through pharmacophore modelling and structure-based virtual screening using natural plant products: A detailed molecular dynamics study for development of novel anti-cancer therapeutics. J Mol Graph Model 2022; 117:108290. [PMID: 36029729 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108290] [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: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
An overexpression and upregulation has been observed in the activity of LIF in various cancers which leads to the worsening prognosis of numerous patients. Domain D5 of gp130 forms a crucial part of the downstream signalling pathway necessary for the activity of this cytokine. Due to the absence of any known inhibitors or previous studies conducted on this domain, this domain presents itself as a novel potential therapeutic target for the development of anti-cancer drugs. Here, an attempt has been made to discover one such potential lead drug candidate via the application of various computer-aided drug designing techniques. A natural plant products library was used along with known inhibitors of the STAT3 signalling pathway through which LIF exerts its activity. The ligand displaying the highest interaction with the target, a good docking score, and an optimal bioavailability was chosen. This ligand- ZINC02131250 forms a very strong complex with the target domain thatremains stable throughout the simulation period. Binding of the ligand to the target also results in an overall decrease in the domain's flexibility, free energy, and motion. Thus, this ligand can be taken for further testing using bioassays and then be used as a viable novel treatment for many cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujay Ray
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Kolkata, India.
| | - Shreya Luharuka
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Kolkata, India
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21
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Lv J, Gao R, Wang Y, Huang C, Wu R. Protective effect of leukemia inhibitory factor on the retinal injury induced by acute ocular hypertension in rats. Exp Ther Med 2022; 25:19. [PMID: 36561619 PMCID: PMC9748713 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. As such, neuroprotective therapy is essential for the treatment of this disease. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a member of the IL-6 cytokine family and the LIF signaling pathway is considered to be one of the major endogenous factors mediating neuroprotection in the retina. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the possible effects of LIF in acute ocular hypertension (AOH). The intraocular pressure in rat eyes was raised to 110 mmHg for 1 h by infusing the anterior chamber with normal saline to establish the AOH model. In the treatment group, LIF was then injected into the vitreous cavity after AOH was ceased. The retinal tissues were obtained after the termination of AOH, and H&E staining was conducted to assess the morphological damage. The number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was counted using the Fluoro-Gold retrograde staining method. TUNEL staining was used to determine the extent of apoptosis among the retinal cells. In addition, the protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), STAT3 and components of the AKT/mTOR/70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) signaling pathway were examined by western blotting. The results showed that AOH induced tissue swelling and structural damage in the retina, which were reversed by LIF injection. In the LIF treatment group, RGC loss was significantly inhibited and the quantity of TUNEL-stained cells was also significantly reduced, whereas the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP was decreased. Furthermore, increased phosphorylation of STAT3, AKT, mTOR and p70S6K was observed after LIF treatment. By contrast, pretreatment with the STAT3 inhibitor C188-9 or the PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor LY3023414 reversed the LIF-induced inhibition of RGC loss. These results suggested that exogenous LIF treatment inhibited the retinal damage induced by AOH, which was associated with the activation of STAT3 and mTOR/p70S6K signaling. Therefore, LIF may serve a role in neuroprotection for glaucoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexuan Lv
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361001, P.R. China
| | - Ruxin Gao
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361001, P.R. China
| | - Yao Wang
- Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Shaanxi Clinical Study Center for Ocular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Medical School, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710002, P.R. China
| | - Changquan Huang
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361001, P.R. China,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Corneal and Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian 361001, P.R. China
| | - Renyi Wu
- Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361001, P.R. China,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Corneal and Ocular Surface Diseases, Xiamen, Fujian 361001, P.R. China,Department of Glaucoma, Shanghai Peace Eye Hospital, Shanghai 200437, P.R. China,Correspondence to: Professor Renyi Wu, Eye Institute and Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, 336 Xiahe Road, Xiamen, Fujian 361001, P.R. China
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22
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Di Giorgio C, Lupia A, Marchianò S, Bordoni M, Bellini R, Massa C, Urbani G, Roselli R, Moraca F, Sepe V, Catalanotti B, Morretta E, Monti MC, Biagioli M, Distrutti E, Zampella A, Fiorucci S. Repositioning Mifepristone as a Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor Antagonist for the Treatment of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Cells 2022; 11:3482. [PMID: 36359879 PMCID: PMC9657739 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality and is projected to become the second-most common cause of cancer mortality in the next decade. While gene-wide association studies and next generation sequencing analyses have identified molecular patterns and transcriptome profiles with prognostic relevance, therapeutic opportunities remain limited. Among the genes that are upregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC), the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a cytokine belonging to IL-6 family, has emerged as potential therapeutic candidate. LIF is aberrantly secreted by tumour cells and promotes tumour progression in pancreatic and other solid tumours through aberrant activation of the LIF receptor (LIFR) and downstream signalling that involves the JAK1/STAT3 pathway. Since there are no LIFR antagonists available for clinical use, we developed an in silico strategy to identify potential LIFR antagonists and drug repositioning with regard to LIFR antagonists. The results of these studies allowed the identification of mifepristone, a progesterone/glucocorticoid antagonist, clinically used in medical abortion, as a potent LIFR antagonist. Computational studies revealed that mifepristone binding partially overlapped the LIFR binding site. LIF and LIFR are expressed by human PDAC tissues and PDAC cell lines, including MIA-PaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. Exposure of these cell lines to mifepristone reverses cell proliferation, migration and epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by LIF in a concentration-dependent manner. Mifepristone inhibits LIFR signalling and reverses STAT3 phosphorylation induced by LIF. Together, these data support the repositioning of mifepristone as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Di Giorgio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Lupia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Campus Salvatore Venuta, Net4Science Srl, University “Magna Græcia”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Silvia Marchianò
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina Bordoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Rachele Bellini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carmen Massa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ginevra Urbani
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Roselli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Moraca
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Campus Salvatore Venuta, Net4Science Srl, University “Magna Græcia”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Sepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Catalanotti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Michele Biagioli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Angela Zampella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiorucci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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Lee PJ, Sui YH, Liu TT, Tsang NM, Huang CH, Lin TY, Chang KP, Liu SC. Epstein-Barr viral product-containing exosomes promote fibrosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression through activation of YAP1/FAPα signaling in fibroblasts. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:254. [PMID: 35986369 PMCID: PMC9392321 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02456-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is profoundly affected by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. However, the role of EBV in the intercommunication between NPC and surrounding stromal cells has yet to be explored.
Methods
NPC biopsies were obtained for immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. Clinical correlations between the expression of active YAP1/FAPα and the fibrotic response and between YAP1/FAPα and the density of cytotoxic CD8a+ T lymphocytes were determined. Survival times based on IHC scores were compared between groups using Kaplan-Meier survival and log-rank tests. Independent prognostic factors for metastasis/recurrence-free survival and overall survival were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Fibroblasts were isolated from human nasopharyngeal biopsies. Exosomes were purified from culture supernatants of EBV+-positive NPC cells. The effects of EBV product-containing exosomes on fibroblast activation, fibrotic response, tumor growth, immune response, and correlations between the expression of featured genes were investigated using gel contraction assays, ELISAs, EdU incorporation assays, real-time impedance assays, RNA sequencing, immunostaining, 3D cancer spheroid coculture systems, and an NPC xenograft model.
Results
NPC patients who developed metastasis had significantly higher levels of active YAP1 and FAPα in their tumor stroma, which was further correlated with tumor fibrosis and poorer metastasis-free survival. Exosomes released from EBV+-NPC cells contained abundant FAPα protein and EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1. Viral product-containing exosomes markedly enhanced the fibrotic response and tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. IHC analyses of human NPC and NPC xenografts revealed positive correlations between levels of active YAP1 and FAPα, YAP1 and the fibrotic response, and FAPα and the fibrotic response. Mechanistic studies showed that treatment of fibroblasts with viral product-containing exosomes promoted the characteristics of cancer-associated fibroblasts by stimulating YAP1 signaling and the production of the immunosuppressive cytokines IL8, CCL2, and IL6. Inhibition of YAP1 activation markedly reversed these exosome-mediated protumoral effects, resulting in reduced contractility, inactivation of YAP1 signaling, and decreased production of immunosuppressive cytokines in fibroblasts. Furthermore, fibroblasts stimulated with these viral product-containing exosomes promoted NPC resistance to T cell-mediated cytotoxicity within tumor spheroids. In NPC tissues, a significant negative correlation was found between YAP1/FAPα and the density of CD8a+ T lymphocytes with a granzyme B signature.
Conclusion
EBV orchestrates interactions with the host and surrounding stroma by stimulating the functions of YAP1 and FAPα in fibroblasts through exosome cargos to create a more immunosuppressive, proinvasive microenvironment.
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Zhong W, Liu H, Li F, lin Y, Ye Y, Xu L, Li S, Chen H, Li C, Lin Y, Zhuang W, Lin Y, Wang Q. Elevated expression of LIF predicts a poor prognosis and promotes cell migration and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:934128. [PMID: 35992780 PMCID: PMC9382297 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.934128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the seventh most common cancer in humans, of which clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for the majority. Recently, although there have been significant breakthroughs in the treatment of ccRCC, the prognosis of targeted therapy is still poor. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic protein, which is overexpressed in many cancers and plays a carcinogenic role. In this study, we explored the expression and potential role of LIF in ccRCC. Methods The expression levels and prognostic effects of the LIF gene in ccRCC were detected using TCGA, GEO, ICGC, and ArrayExpress databases. The function of LIF in ccRCC was investigated using a series of cell function approaches. LIF-related genes were identified by weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA). GO and KEGG analyses were performed subsequently. Cox univariate and LASSO analyses were used to develop risk signatures based on LIF-related genes, and the prognostic model was validated in the ICGC and E-MTAB-1980 databases. Then, a nomogram model was constructed for survival prediction and validation of ccRCC patients. To further explore the drug sensitivity between LIF-related genes, we also conducted a drug sensitivity analysis based on the GDSC database. Results The mRNA and protein expression levels of LIF were significantly increased in ccRCC patients. In addition, a high expression of LIF has a poor prognostic effect in ccRCC patients. LIF knockdown can inhibit the migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. By using WGCNA, 97 LIF-related genes in ccRCC were identified. Next, a prognostic risk prediction model including eight LIF-related genes (TOB2, MEPCE, LIF, RGS2, RND3, KLF6, RRP12, and SOCS3) was developed and validated. Survival analysis and ROC curve analysis indicated that the eight LIF-related-gene predictive model had good performance in evaluating patients’ prognosis in different subgroups of ccRCC. Conclusion Our study revealed that LIF plays a carcinogenic role in ccRCC. In addition, we firstly integrated multiple LIF-related genes to set up a risk-predictive model. The model could accurately predict the prognosis of ccRCC, which offers clinical implications for risk stratification, drug screening, and therapeutic decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Zhong
- Central Laboratory at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Traditional Chinese Medical University, Fujian-Macao Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Oriented Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment, Innovation and Transformation Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongxia Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Youyu lin
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Ye
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Luyun Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - ShengZhao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hui Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chengcheng Li
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuxuan Lin
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhuang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qingshui Wang, ; Yao Lin, ; ; Wei Zhuang,
| | - Yao Lin
- Central Laboratory at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Traditional Chinese Medical University, Fujian-Macao Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Oriented Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment, Innovation and Transformation Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qingshui Wang, ; Yao Lin, ; ; Wei Zhuang,
| | - Qingshui Wang
- Central Laboratory at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Traditional Chinese Medical University, Fujian-Macao Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Oriented Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment, Innovation and Transformation Center, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qingshui Wang, ; Yao Lin, ; ; Wei Zhuang,
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Borazanci E, Schram AM, Garralda E, Brana I, Vieito Villar M, Spreafico A, Oliva M, Lakhani NJ, Hoffman K, Hallett RM, Maetzel D, Hua F, Hilbert J, Giblin P, Anido J, Kelly A, Vickers PJ, Wasserman R, Seoane J, Siu LL, Hyman DM, Hoff DV, Tabernero J. Phase I, first-in-human study of MSC-1 (AZD0171), a humanized anti-leukemia inhibitory factor monoclonal antibody, for advanced solid tumors. ESMO Open 2022; 7:100530. [PMID: 35921760 PMCID: PMC9434412 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - A M Schram
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - E Garralda
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Brana
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Vieito Villar
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Spreafico
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - M Oliva
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - K Hoffman
- Northern Biologics, Inc., Toronto, Canada
| | | | - D Maetzel
- Northern Biologics, Inc., Toronto, Canada
| | - F Hua
- Applied BioMath, Concord, USA
| | | | - P Giblin
- Northern Biologics, Inc., Toronto, Canada
| | - J Anido
- Northern Biologics, Inc., Toronto, Canada
| | - A Kelly
- Northern Biologics, Inc., Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - J Seoane
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), CIBERONC, Barcelona
| | - L L Siu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - D M Hyman
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | | | - J Tabernero
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain; UVic-UCC, IOB-Quiron, Barcelona, Spain
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26
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Halder S, Parte S, Kshirsagar P, Muniyan S, Nair HB, Batra SK, Seshacharyulu P. The Pleiotropic role, functions and targeted therapies of LIF/LIFR axis in cancer: Old spectacles with new insights. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188737. [PMID: 35680099 PMCID: PMC9793423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The dysregulation of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its cognate receptor (LIFR) has been associated with multiple cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. LIF plays a significant tumor-promoting role in cancer, while LIFR functions as a tumor promoter and suppressor. Epithelial and stromal cells secrete LIF via autocrine and paracrine signaling mechanism(s) that bind with LIFR and subsequently with co-receptor glycoprotein 130 (gp130) to activate JAK/STAT1/3, PI3K/AKT, mTORC1/p70s6K, Hippo/YAP, and MAPK signaling pathways. Clinically, activating the LIF/LIFR axis is associated with poor survival and anti-cancer therapy resistance. This review article provides an overview of the structure and ligands of LIFR, LIF/LIFR signaling in developmental biology, stem cells, cancer stem cells, genetics and epigenetics of LIFR, LIFR regulation by long non-coding RNAs and miRNAs, and LIF/LIFR signaling in cancers. Finally, neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors preferentially blocking LIF interaction with LIFR and antagonists against LIFR under pre-clinical and early-phase pre-clinical trials were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushanta Halder
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Seema Parte
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Prakash Kshirsagar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | - Sakthivel Muniyan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA
| | | | - Surinder K. Batra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, USA,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA,Corresponding authors at: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA. (S.K. Batra), (P. Seshacharyulu)
| | - Parthasarathy Seshacharyulu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA,Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, USA,Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA,Corresponding authors at: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5870, USA. (S.K. Batra), (P. Seshacharyulu)
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27
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Viswanadhapalli S, Dileep KV, Zhang KY, Nair HB, Vadlamudi RK. Targeting LIF/LIFR signaling in cancer. Genes Dis 2022; 9:973-980. [PMID: 35685476 PMCID: PMC9170604 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and its receptor (LIFR), are commonly over-expressed in many solid cancers and recent studies have implicated LIF/LIFR axis as a promising clinical target for cancer therapy. LIF/LIFR activate oncogenic signaling pathways including JAK/STAT3 as immediate effectors and MAPK, AKT, mTOR further downstream. LIF/LIFR signaling plays a key role in tumor growth, progression, metastasis, stemness and therapy resistance. Many solid cancers show overexpression of LIF and autocrine stimulation of the LIF/LIFR axis; these are associated with a poorer relapse-free survival. LIF/LIFR signaling also plays a role in modulating multiple immune cell types present in tumor micro environment (TME). Recently, two targeted agents that target LIF (humanized anti-LIF antibody, MSC-1) and LIFR inhibitor (EC359) were under development. Both agents showed effectivity in preclinical models and clinical trials using MSC-1 antibody are in progress. This article reviews the significance of LIF/LIFR pathways and inhibitors that disrupt this process for the treatment of cancer.
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Key Words
- AKT, protein kinase B
- HER2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
- JAK, Janus kinase
- LIF
- LIF receptor, (LIFR)
- LIFR
- LIFR inhibitor
- STAT3
- Targeted therapy
- breast cancer, (BCa)
- cancer stem cells, (CSCs)
- cardiotrophin 1, (CTF1)
- ciliary neurotrophic factor, (CNTF)
- colorectal cancer, (CRC)
- endometrial cancer, (ECa)
- humanized Anti-LIF antibody, (MSC-1)
- leukemia inhibitory factor, (LIF)
- mammalian target of rapamycin, (mTOR)
- mitogen activated protein kinase, (MAPK)
- oncostatin M, (OSM)
- ovarian cancer, (OCa)
- pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, (PDAC)
- programmed death-ligand 1, (PD-L1)
- prostate cancer, (PCa)
- signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, (STAT3)
- triple negative breast cancer, (TNBC)
- tumor micro environment, (TME)
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Affiliation(s)
- Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Kalarickal V. Dileep
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kam Y.J. Zhang
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | | | - Ratna K. Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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28
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The Molecular Basis and Therapeutic Potential of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in Cancer Cachexia. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122955. [PMID: 35740622 PMCID: PMC9221449 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The mechanism of cancer cachexia is linked to a variety of factors, and inflammatory factors are thought to play a key role. We summarize the main roles of LIF in the development of cancer cachexia, including promoting fat loss, inducing skeletal muscle atrophy and causing anorexia nervosa. The main aim of this review is to increase the understanding of the effects of LIF in cachexia and to provide new insights into the treatment of cancer cachexia. Abstract Cachexia is a chronic metabolic syndrome that is characterized by sustained weight and muscle mass loss and anorexia. Cachexia can be secondary to a variety of diseases and affects the prognosis of patients significantly. The increase in inflammatory cytokines in plasma is deeply related to the occurrence of cachexia. As a member of the IL-6 cytokine family, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) exerts multiple biological functions. LIF is over-expressed in the cancer cells and stromal cells of various tumors, promoting the malignant development of tumors via the autocrine and paracrine systems. Intriguingly, increasing studies have confirmed that LIF contributes to the progression of cachexia, especially in patients with metastatic tumors. This review combines all of the evidence to summarize the mechanism of LIF-induced cachexia from the following four aspects: (i) LIF and cancer-associated cachexia, (ii) LIF and alterations of adipose tissue in cachexia, (iii) LIF and anorexia nervosa in cachexia, and (iv) LIF and muscle atrophy in cachexia. Considering the complex mechanisms in cachexia, we also focus on the interactions between LIF and other key cytokines in cachexia and existing therapeutics targeting LIF.
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29
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Inalegwu A, Cuypers B, Claesen J, Janssen A, Coolkens A, Baatout S, Laukens K, De Vos WH, Quintens R. Fractionated irradiation of MCF7 breast cancer cells rewires a gene regulatory circuit towards a treatment-resistant stemness phenotype. Mol Oncol 2022; 16:3410-3435. [PMID: 35579852 PMCID: PMC9533694 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy is the standard of care for breast cancer. However, surviving radioresistant cells can repopulate following treatment and provoke relapse. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of radiation resistance may help improve treatment of radioresistant tumors. To emulate radiation therapy at the cellular level, we exposed MCF7 breast cancer cells to daily radiation doses of 2 Gy up to an accumulated dose of 20 Gy. Fractionally irradiated cells (FIR20) displayed increased clonogenic survival and population doubling time as compared to age-matched sham-irradiated cells and untreated parental MCF7 cells. RNA-sequencing revealed a core signature of 229 mRNAs and 7 circular RNAs of which the expression was significantly altered in FIR20 cells. Dysregulation of several top genes was mirrored at the protein level. The FIR20 cell transcriptome overlapped significantly with canonical radiation response signatures and demonstrated a remarkable commonality with radiation and endocrine therapy resistance expression profiles, suggesting crosstalk between both acquired resistance pathways, as indicated by reduced sensitivity to tamoxifen cytotoxicity of FIR20 cells. Using predictive analyses and functional enrichment, we identified a gene-regulatory network that promotes stemness and inflammatory signaling in FIR20 cells. We propose that these phenotypic traits render breast cancer cells more radioresistant but may at the same time serve as potential targets for combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Auchi Inalegwu
- Radiobiology Unit, SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, 2400, Mol, Belgium.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.,Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bart Cuypers
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jürgen Claesen
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, VU, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ann Janssen
- Radiobiology Unit, SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Amelie Coolkens
- Radiobiology Unit, SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Kris Laukens
- Adrem Data Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.,Antwerp Centre for Advanced Microscopy (ACAM), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, SCK CEN, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, 2400, Mol, Belgium
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30
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Huang S, Du K, Liu Z, Li J. Inhibition of mTOR by temsirolimus overcomes radio-resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2022; 49:703-709. [PMID: 35488735 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Radio-resistance is a leading cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment failure and identification of sensitizing therapeutic target is an unmet need to enhance clinical management. Given that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling confers resistance to cancer therapy, we investigated whether mTOR contributes to radio-resistance in NPC and pharmacological inhibition of mTOR can overcome radio-resistance. We found that mTOR mRNA and protein levels, and phosphorylation of its downstream effector were increased in radio-resistant NPC compared with parental cells. mTOR inhibitor temsirolimus inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in a panel of NPC cell lines. Importantly, temsirolimus acts synergistically with radiation and is effective against radio-resistant cells. Using radio-resistant xenograft mouse model, we validated the efficacy of temsirolimus in preventing tumor formation and inhibiting tumor growth. Temsirolimus overcome radio-resistance in NPC via inhibiting mTOR signaling. Our work provides the pre-clinical evidence that the combination of radiation and mTOR inhibitor may be a therapeutic strategy in NPC. Our findings might accelerate the initiation of clinical trials on radio-resistant NPC patients using temsirolimus. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyong Huang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Ke Du
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Zeng Liu
- Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
| | - Jiangping Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China
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31
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Yue X, Wang J, Chang CY, Liu J, Yang X, Zhou F, Qiu X, Bhatt V, Guo JY, Su X, Zhang L, Feng Z, Hu W. Leukemia inhibitory factor drives glucose metabolic reprogramming to promote breast tumorigenesis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:370. [PMID: 35440095 PMCID: PMC9018736 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04820-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
LIF, a multifunctional cytokine, is frequently overexpressed in many types of solid tumors, including breast cancer, and plays an important role in promoting tumorigenesis. Currently, how LIF promotes tumorigenesis is not well-understood. Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer cells and a key contributor to cancer progression. However, the role of LIF in cancer metabolic reprogramming is unclear. In this study, we found that LIF increases glucose uptake and drives glycolysis, contributing to breast tumorigenesis. Blocking glucose uptake largely abolishes the promoting effect of LIF on breast tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, LIF overexpression enhances glucose uptake via activating the AKT/GLUT1 axis to promote glycolysis. Blocking the AKT signaling by shRNA or its inhibitors greatly inhibits glycolysis driven by LIF and largely abolishes the promoting effect of LIF on breast tumorigenesis. These results demonstrate an important role of LIF overexpression in glucose metabolism reprogramming in breast cancers, which contributes to breast tumorigenesis. This study also reveals an important mechanism underlying metabolic reprogramming of breast cancers, and identifies LIF and its downstream signaling as potential therapeutic targets for breast cancers, especially those with LIF overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetian Yue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jianming Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Chun-Yuan Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Juan Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Fan Zhou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Xia Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Vrushank Bhatt
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jessie Yanxiang Guo
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology, Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Su
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Metabolomics Shared Resource, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lanjing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, NJ, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Zhaohui Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Wenwei Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
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32
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Yuan Y, Li K, Teng F, Wang W, Zhou B, Zhou X, Lin J, Ye X, Deng Y, Liu W, Luo S, Zhang P, Liu D, Zheng M, Li J, Lu Y, Zhang H. Leukemia inhibitory factor protects against liver steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients and obese mice. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101946. [PMID: 35447114 PMCID: PMC9123280 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms that promote dysregulation of hepatic triglyceride metabolism and lead to NAFLD are poorly understood, and effective treatments are limited. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a member of the interleukin-6 cytokine family and has been shown to regulate a variety of physiological processes, although its role in hepatic triglyceride metabolism remains unknown. In the present study, we measured circulating LIF levels by ELISA in 214 patients with biopsy-diagnosed NAFLD as well as 314 normal control patients. We further investigated the potential role and mechanism of LIF on hepatic lipid metabolism in obese mice. We found that circulating LIF levels correlated with the severity of liver steatosis. Patients with ballooning, fibrosis, lobular inflammation, and abnormally elevated liver injury markers alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase also had higher levels of serum LIF than control patients. Furthermore, animal studies showed that white adipose tissue–derived LIF could ameliorate liver steatosis through activation of hepatic LIF receptor signaling pathways. Together, our results suggested that targeting LIF-LIF receptor signaling might be a promising strategy for treating NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwen Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangli Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Teng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiayang Lin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueru Ye
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yajuan Deng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenhui Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shenjian Luo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peizhen Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Deying Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minghua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease, Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin Li
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Shanxi Medical University affiliated Second Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yan Lu
- The Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, the Ministry of Education, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Huijie Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Shock and Microcirculation, Guangzhou, China.
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33
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Su ZY, Siak PY, Leong CO, Cheah SC. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Its Microenvironment: Past, Current, and Future Perspectives. Front Oncol 2022; 12:840467. [PMID: 35311066 PMCID: PMC8924466 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.840467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy that raises public health concerns in endemic countries. Despite breakthroughs in therapeutic strategies, late diagnosis and drug resistance often lead to unsatisfactory clinical outcomes in NPC patients. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex niche consisting of tumor-associated cells, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, leukocytes, that influences tumor initiation, progression, invasion, and metastasis. Cells in the TME communicate through various mechanisms, of note, exosomes, ligand-receptor interactions, cytokines and chemokines are active players in the construction of TME, characterized by an abundance of immune infiltrates with suppressed immune activities. The NPC microenvironment serves as a target-rich niche for the discovery of potential promising predictive or diagnostic biomarkers and the development of therapeutic strategies. Thus, huge efforts have been made to exploit the role of the NPC microenvironment. The whole picture of the NPC microenvironment remains to be portrayed to understand the mechanisms underlying tumor biology and implement research into clinical practice. The current review discusses the recent insights into the role of TME in the development and progression of NPC which results in different clinical outcomes of patients. Clinical interventions with the use of TME components as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets, their challenges, and future perspectives will be introduced. This review anticipates to provide insights to the researchers for future preclinical, translational and clinical research on the NPC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yi Su
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pui Yan Siak
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Onn Leong
- Centre of Cancer and Stem Cells Research, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shiau-Chuen Cheah
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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34
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Lee K, Jung I, Odom TW. Delivery Order of Nanoconstructs Affects Intracellular Trafficking by Endosomes. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:5274-5279. [PMID: 35302362 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c02276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports how the endosomal pathways of nanoparticle (NP) constructs with different surface curvatures are affected by their order of delivery. Sequential incubation of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG)-conjugated spiky and spherical gold NPs with macrophages resulted in different nanoconstruct ratios at the interior edges of endosomes. Application of spiky NPs after spherical NPs accelerated the formation of late-stage endosomes and resulted in larger endosomes, and the spherical NPs were enclosed by the spiky NPs. In contrast, the reverse incubation order produced an asymmetric distribution of the two nanoconstruct shapes in smaller endosomes. Macrophages with a higher proportion of the enclosed spherical NPs as well as a larger ratio of spiky to spherical NPs at the endosomal edge showed enhanced toll-like receptor 9 activation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Our results indicate that the subcellular trafficking of targeting nanoconstructs by vesicles is affected by both the delivery order and the endosomal distribution. Our study also establishes a new approach for nanoscale monitoring of intracellular therapeutics delivery with conventional electron microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwahun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Insub Jung
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Teri W Odom
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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35
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Jorgensen MM, de la Puente P. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor: An Important Cytokine in Pathologies and Cancer. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12020217. [PMID: 35204717 PMCID: PMC8961628 DOI: 10.3390/biom12020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) is a member of the IL-6 cytokine family and is expressed in almost every tissue type within the body. Although LIF was named for its ability to induce differentiation of myeloid leukemia cells, studies of LIF in additional diseases and solid tumor types have shown that it has the potential to contribute to many other pathologies. Exploring the roles of LIF in normal physiology and non-cancer pathologies can give important insights into how it may be dysregulated within cancers, and the possible effects of this dysregulation. Within various cancer types, LIF expression has been linked to hallmarks of cancer, such as proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance, as well as overall patient survival. The mechanisms behind these effects of LIF are not well understood and can differ between different tissue types. In fact, research has shown that while LIF may promote malignancy progression in some solid tumors, it can have anti-neoplastic effects in others. This review will summarize current knowledge of how LIF expression impacts cellular function and dysfunction to help reveal new adjuvant treatment options for cancer patients, while also revealing potential adverse effects of treatments targeting LIF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Jorgensen
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
- MD/PhD Program, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | - Pilar de la Puente
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
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36
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Tan W, Li Z, Xia W, Zhu J, Fan R. miR-221-3p regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion via targeting LIFR. Ann Hepatol 2022; 27 Suppl 1:100567. [PMID: 34699986 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2021.100567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and fatal cancers in the world. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which miR-221-3p regulates HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, so as to provide a new idea for targeted therapy towards HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression quantification data including mature miRNA and mRNA were accessed from TCGA-LIHC dataset, and matched clinical information was obtained as well, which helped identify the miRNA of interest. Thereafter, effect of the miRNA on HCC cell biological functions was assessed with a series of in vitro experiments, such as qRT-PCR, MTT, wound healing assay and Transwell. To gain more insight into the mechanism of the miRNA in HCC, bioinformatics method was conducted to predict downstream target gene. The potential targeting relationship between the miRNA and the predicted mRNA was validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Western blot was performed to test protein expression. RESULTS MiR-221-3p identified by differential expression analysis was found to be significantly elevated in HCC tissue. Overexpressing miR-221-3p noticeably enhanced HCC cell proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities. Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), confirmed as a downstream target of miR-221-3p in HCC by dual-luciferase reporter assay, was poorly expressed in HCC tissue and cells. Additionally, the expression of LIFR was decreased following the targeted binding between miR-221-3p and LIFR 3'-UTR, while increasing the expression of LIFR attenuated the promoting effect of miR-221-3p on HCC cells. CONCLUSION MiR-221-3p is an oncogene in HCC cells, and it exerts its role in HCC cell viability and motility via targeting LIFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Zhuokai Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Weifen Xia
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Jinde Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Rengen Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Yancheng First Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, The First people's Hospital of Yancheng, 166 West Yulong Road, Yancheng 224000, Jiangsu province, China.
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37
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Wang X, Cheng H, Yang Y, Zuo X, Shao L, Yu D, Yang N, Zhang Y, Li R, Wang X, Shen B, Wang J, Shi X, Cao P, Sun L, Han X, Sun Y. The enhancer rare germline variation rs548071605 contributes to lung cancer development. Hum Mutat 2021; 43:200-214. [PMID: 34859522 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24310] [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: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Rare germline variations contribute to the missing heritability of human complex diseases including cancers. Given their very low frequency, discovering and testing disease-causing rare germline variations remains challenging. The tag-single nucleotide polymorphism rs17728461 in 22q12.2 is highly associated with lung cancer risk. Here, we identified a functional rare germline variation rs548071605 (A>G) in a p65-responsive enhancer located within 22q12.2. The enhancer significantly promoted lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model by upregulating the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) gene via the formation of a chromatin loop. Differential expression of LIF and its significant correlation with first progression survival time of patients further supported the lung cancer-driving effects of the 22q-Enh enhancer. Importantly, the rare variation was harbored in the p65 binding sequence and dramatically increased the enhancer activity by increasing responsiveness of the enhancer to p65 and B-cell lymphoma 3 protein, an oncoprotein that assisted the p65 binding. Our study revealed a regulatory rare germline variation with a potential lung cancer-driving role in the 22q12.2 risk region, providing intriguing clues for investigating the "missing heritability" of cancers, and also offered a useful experimental model for identifying causal rare variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuchun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - He Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xianglin Zuo
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lipei Shao
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dawei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Nan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruilei Li
- Department of Cancer Biotherapy Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Shi
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pingping Cao
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luan Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujie Sun
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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38
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The low-complexity domains of the KMT2D protein regulate histone monomethylation transcription to facilitate pancreatic cancer progression. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2021; 26:45. [PMID: 34758724 PMCID: PMC8579673 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-021-00292-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) within the nucleus is directly linked to driving gene expression through transcriptional complexes. Histone lysine methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D) is widely present in many cancers. It is known to epigenetically stimulate the expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis. Our analyses show that KMT2D possesses two distinct low-complexity domains (LCDs) capable of driving the assembly of membrane-less condensates. The dependence of the mechanisms underlying monomethylation of H3K4 on the LLPS microenvironment derived from KMT2D LCDs is unclear in tumor. METHODS KMT2D LCD-depletion cells were used to investigate tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. We identified some core proteins, including WDR5, RBBP5, and ASH2L, which are involved in the KMT2D-associated catalytic complex in KMT2D LCD-deficient cells to further elucidate the mechanism that decreases monomethylation of H3K4. We also evaluated the viability of KMT2D LCD-deficient cells in vivo. Finally, using 1,6-hexanediol (HD), an inhibitor of LLPS, we determined cell activities associated with KMT2D function in wild-type PANC-1 cells. RESULTS Without the LLPS microenvironment in KMT2D LCD-deficient cells or wild-type PANC-1 cells treated with HD, the WDR5 protein was significantly less stable and the protein-protein interactions between the components of the KMT2D-enzyme complex were attenuated, impairing the formation of the complex. Moreover, with the decrease in H3K4me1 level at enhancers, transcription factors such as LIFR and KLF4 were markedly downregulated, effectively inhibiting tumor progression. In xenograft tumor models, PANC-1 cells lacking the KMT2D LCDs showed effectively suppressed tumor growth compared to normal cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that the two low-complexity domains of the KMT2D protein could form a stable LLPS microenvironment, promoting the KMT2D catalysis of H3K4 monomethylation through stabilization of the WDR5 protein and KMT2D-enzyme complex. Therefore, finding ways to regulate the LLPS microenvironment will be benefitial for new cancer treatment strategies.
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Li M, Viswanadhapalli S, Santhamma B, Pratap UP, Luo Y, Liu J, Altwegg KA, Tang W, Liu Z, Li X, Ebrahimi B, Yan H, Zou Y, Konda S, Sareddy GR, Xu Z, Chen Y, Rao MK, Brenner AJ, Kaklamani VG, Tekmal RR, Ahmed G, Raj GV, Nickisch KJ, Nair HB, Vadlamudi RK. LIFR inhibition enhances the therapeutic efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in triple negative breast cancer. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1235. [PMID: 34716410 PMCID: PMC8556368 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02741-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are identified as novel therapeutic agents, however, recent clinical studies suggested that they are marginally effective in treating triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we show that first-in-class Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor (LIFRα) inhibitor EC359 could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of HDACi against TNBC. We observed that both targeted knockdown of LIFR with CRISPR or treatment with EC359 enhanced the potency of four different HDACi in reducing cell viability, cell survival, and enhanced apoptosis compared to monotherapy in TNBC cells. RNA-seq studies demonstrated oncogenic/survival signaling pathways activated by HDACi were attenuated by the EC359 + HDACi therapy. Importantly, combination therapy potently inhibited the growth of TNBC patient derived explants, cell derived xenografts and patient-derived xenografts in vivo. Collectively, our results suggest that targeted inhibition of LIFR can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of HDACi in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, 410008, P.R. China
| | - Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
| | | | - Uday P Pratap
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yiliao Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, 410008, P.R. China
| | - Junhao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, 410008, P.R. China
| | - Kristin A Altwegg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Weiwei Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China
| | - Zexuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, 410008, P.R. China
| | - Xiaonan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Behnam Ebrahimi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Hui Yan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yi Zou
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | - Gangadhara R Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Zhenming Xu
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Yidong Chen
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Manjeet K Rao
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Andrew J Brenner
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Hematology & Oncology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Virginia G Kaklamani
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Rajeshwar R Tekmal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | - Ganesh V Raj
- Departments of Urology and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | | | | | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
- Audie L. Murphy Division, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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40
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Yu S, Li Q, Wang Y, Cui Y, Yu Y, Li W, Liu F, Liu T. Tumor-derived LIF promotes chemoresistance via activating tumor-associated macrophages in gastric cancers. Exp Cell Res 2021; 406:112734. [PMID: 34265288 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy is the preferred clinical treatment for advanced stage gastric cancer (GC) patients, of which efficacy could be markedly impaired due to the development of chemoresistance. Alternatively activated or M2-type tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) are recruited under chemotherapy and are highly implicated in the chemoresistance development, but underlying molecular mechanism for TAM activation is largely unknown. Here, we present that tumor-derived Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) induced by chemo drugs represses the chemo sensitivity of gastric tumor cells in a TAM-dependent manner. Mechanistically, cisplatin-induced HIF1α signaling activation directly drive the transcription of LIF, which promotes the resistance of gastric tumors to chemo drug. Further study revealed that tumor cell-derived LIF stimulates macrophages into tumor-supporting M2-type phenotype via activating STAT3 signaling pathway. Therapeutically, blocking LIF efficiently elevates chemo sensitivity of tumor cells and further represses the growth rates of tumors under chemotherapy. Therefore, our study reveals a novel insight in understanding the cross talking between tumor cells and immune cells and provides new therapeutic targets for gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yuehong Cui
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yiyi Yu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fenglin Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Tianshu Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Center of Evidence-based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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41
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Tang W, Ramasamy K, Pillai SMA, Santhamma B, Konda S, Pitta Venkata P, Blankenship L, Liu J, Liu Z, Altwegg KA, Ebrahimi B, Pratap UP, Li X, Valente PT, Kost E, Sareddy GR, Vadlamudi RK, Nair HB, Tekmal RR, Viswanadhapalli S. LIF/LIFR oncogenic signaling is a novel therapeutic target in endometrial cancer. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:216. [PMID: 34400617 PMCID: PMC8367961 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00603-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common cancer in women. Advanced-stage EC has limited treatment options with a poor prognosis. There is an unmet need for the identification of actionable drivers for the development of targeted therapies in EC. Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) and its ligand LIF play a major role in cancer progression, metastasis, stemness, and therapy resistance. However, little is known about the functional significance of the LIF/LIFR axis in EC progression. In this study using endometrial tumor tissue arrays, we identified that expression of LIF, LIFR is upregulated in EC. Knockout of LIFR using CRISPR/Cas9 in two different EC cells resulted in a significant reduction of their cell viability and cell survival. In vivo studies demonstrated that LIFR-KO significantly reduced EC xenograft tumor growth. Treatment of established and primary patient-derived EC cells with a novel LIFR inhibitor, EC359 resulted in the reduction of cell viability with an IC50 in the range of 20-100 nM and induction of apoptosis. Further, treatment with EC359 reduced the spheroid formation of EC cancer stem cells and reduced the levels of cancer stem cell markers SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, and Axin2. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that EC359 treatment attenuated the activation of LIF-LIFR driven pathways, including STAT3 and AKT/mTOR signaling in EC cells. Importantly, EC359 treatment resulted in a significant reduction of the growth of EC patient-derived explants ex vivo, EC cell line-derived xenografts, and patient-derived xenografts in vivo. Collectively, our work revealed the oncogenic potential of the LIF/LIFR axis in EC and support the utility of LIFR inhibitor, EC359, as a novel targeted therapy for EC via the inhibition of LIF/LIFR oncogenic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210028, Nanjing, China
| | - Kumaraguruparan Ramasamy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Sureshkumar M A Pillai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | | | - Prabhakar Pitta Venkata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Logan Blankenship
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Junhao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Zexuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Kristin A Altwegg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Behnam Ebrahimi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Uday P Pratap
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Xiaonan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Philip T Valente
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Edward Kost
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Gangadhara R Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | - Rajeshwar R Tekmal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
- Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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42
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Yue X, Wu F, Wang J, Kim K, Santhamma B, Dileep KV, Zhang KYJ, Viswanadhapalli S, Vadlamudi RK, Ahmed G, Feng Z, Nickisch K, Hu W. EC330, a small-molecule compound, is a potential novel inhibitor of LIF signaling. J Mol Cell Biol 2021; 12:477-480. [PMID: 32221559 PMCID: PMC7333478 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xuetian Yue
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Fangnan Wu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Jianming Wang
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Kaitlin Kim
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | | | - Kalarickal V Dileep
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Kam Y J Zhang
- Laboratory for Structural Bioinformatics, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Suryavathi Viswanadhapalli
- Department of Obstertrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstertrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | | | - Zhaohui Feng
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | | | - Wenwei Hu
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
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43
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Christianson J, Oxford JT, Jorcyk CL. Emerging Perspectives on Leukemia Inhibitory Factor and its Receptor in Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:693724. [PMID: 34395259 PMCID: PMC8358831 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.693724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumorigenesis and metastasis have deep connections to inflammation and inflammatory cytokines, but the mechanisms underlying these relationships are poorly understood. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) and its receptor (LIFR), part of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine family, make up one such ill-defined piece of the puzzle connecting inflammation to cancer. Although other members of the IL-6 family have been shown to be involved in the metastasis of multiple types of cancer, the role of LIF and LIFR has been challenging to determine. Described by others in the past as enigmatic and paradoxical, LIF and LIFR are expressed in a diverse array of cells in the body, and the narrative surrounding them in cancer-related processes has been vague, and at times even contradictory. Despite this, recent insights into their functional roles in cancer have highlighted interesting patterns that may allude to a broader understanding of LIF and LIFR within tumor growth and metastasis. This review will discuss in depth the signaling pathways activated by LIF and LIFR specifically in the context of cancer–the purpose being to summarize recent literature concerning the downstream effects of LIF/LIFR signaling in a variety of cancer-related circumstances in an effort to begin teasing out the intricate web of contradictions that have made this pair so challenging to define.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Christianson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Julia Thom Oxford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States
| | - Cheryl L Jorcyk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States.,Biomolecular Sciences Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID, United States
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44
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Wang H, Si S, Jiang M, Chen L, Huang K, Yu W. Leukemia inhibitory factor is involved in the pathogenesis of NSCLC through activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:663. [PMID: 34386085 PMCID: PMC8299032 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a tumor promoter in several cancer types. However, the role of LIF in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be explored. The present study explored the hypothesis that LIF is important for NSCLC development by measuring LIF expression and its downstream signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in tumor samples derived from patients with NSCLC. The association between LIF expression and clinical features was analyzed in two cancer subtypes. The effects of LIF on cell proliferation, migration and invasion were also evaluated in a NSCLC-derived cell line, A549. LIF mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in tumor tissues compared with those in the corresponding adjacent and normal lung tissues. Regarding NSCLC subtypes, LIF expression was significantly higher in adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma tissues. It was also found that phosphorylated-STAT3 levels were higher in tumor tissues compared with those in the corresponding adjacent and normal lung tissues, which was in agreement with the LIF expression levels in NSCLC tissues. Clinically, overexpression of LIF was positively correlated with aggressive tumor characteristics, including lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor stage. In A549 cells, LIF treatment enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. LIF also increased STAT3 phosphorylation in A549 cells, and the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic decreased A549 cell migration and invasion following LIF stimulation. The present results demonstrate that LIF is overexpressed in NSCLC, and that LIF can promote NSCLC development through activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway. The present study indicates that LIF may serve as a potential prognostic marker for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaying Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Sai'nv Si
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Mingjun Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Kefeng Huang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
| | - Wanjun Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, People's Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Yinzhou People's Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315040, P.R. China
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45
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Li Z, Zhao Y. Influence of CDK5 Regulatory Subunit-Associated Protein 1-Like 1 Expression on the Survival of Patients with Non-Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:4821-4828. [PMID: 34168501 PMCID: PMC8216668 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s314925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of CDK5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1-like 1 (CDKAL1) expression on the survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Methods A total of 140 non-metastatic NPC patients were retrospectively analyzed. The expression of CDKAL1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The CDKAL1-negative group exhibited better overall survival (OS) according to Kaplan–Meier curve analysis (p = 0.006), with 5-year OS rates for the CDKAL1-negative and -positive groups of 89.7% and 70.2%, respectively. The CDKAL1-negative group also exhibited a tendency toward a better progression-free survival (PFS) rate. Multivariate analysis showed that CDKAL1 expression was independently associated with both OS (p = 0.002) and PFS (p = 0.043). Conclusion CDKAL1 expression is an independent negative predictor of patient survival in non-metastatic NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanzhan Li
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajie Zhao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, People's Republic of China
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46
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The role of leukemia inhibitory factor in pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia: molecular and cell signaling approach. J Mol Histol 2021; 52:635-642. [PMID: 34076833 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-021-09989-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is considered as the main hallmark of Preeclampsia (PE). Despite the unknown pathogenesis of PE, different possible causes have been suggested in various studies. In this review, we first studied the Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) role in the related pathways to the PE pathogenesis, such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. LIF can increase the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 via the JAK/STAT3 pathway, thereby inducing inflammatory responses and endothelial dysfunction. It can also be involved in the vascular vasoconstriction and hypertension by reducing the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. Identifying the link between LIF and pathways associated with PE pathogenesis could be effective to achieve an effective PE treatment in the future.
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47
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He H, Zhang L, Lin K, Huang Z, Zhou Y, Lin S, Su Y, Pan J. The Prognosis Value of PSPC1 Expression in Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:3281-3291. [PMID: 33883941 PMCID: PMC8053714 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s300567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Paraspeckle component 1 (PSPC1) is overexpressed in various cancer and correlated with poor survival in the patients. However, little is known about its expression and role in the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). The purpose of this study is to examine PSPC1 expression in NPC and explore its role in clinical prognosis of radiation therapy. Methods The association of PSPC1 expression with clinicopathological features of 109 NPC patients was examined using partial correlation analysis. Cancer tissues were obtained prior to clinical treatment. All cases were diagnosed and pathologically confirmed to be poorly differentiated or undifferentiated NPC without distant metastasis. The patients were then treated with radiation and followed-up. Survival analysis was performed. Results Partial correlation analysis revealed that the PSPC1 expression in NPC was correlated with N classification, recurrence, prognosis and radiosensitivity in NPC patients, but not with the gender, age, pathohistological pattern, clinical stage, and T classification. The overexpression of PSPC1 was detected in 64 samples (58.72%). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that the overall survival (OS) was longer in NPC patients with PSPC1 low expression than that in those with PSPC1 high expression. Moreover, patients with the overexpression of PSPC1 had a low progression-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival rate, compared to those who had a low expression of PSPC1. Although not statistically significant, patients with high expression of PSPC1 had a lower locoregional recurrence-free survival rate than those with low expression, and the curves between the two groups was well separated. Conclusion PSPC1 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis for NPC, which might be a novel useful biomarker to predict the response of NPC to radiation therapy and its clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huocong He
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Lurong Zhang
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyu Lin
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengrong Huang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaojun Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Su
- Laboratory of Radiation Biology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianru Pan
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, People's Republic of China
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48
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Liu SC, Tsang NM, Lee PJ, Sui YH, Huang CH, Liu TT. Epstein-Barr Virus Induces Adipocyte Dedifferentiation to Modulate the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancer Res 2021; 81:3283-3294. [PMID: 33824135 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The most frequent location of metastatic EBV+ nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the bone marrow, an adipocyte-dominant region. Several EBV-associated lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) types also grow in the anatomical vicinity of fat tissues. Here we show that in an adipose tissue-rich tumor setting, EBV targets adipocytes and remodels the tumor microenvironment. Positive immunoreactivity for EBV-encoded early antigen D was detected in adipose tissue near tumor beds of bone marrow metastatic NPC. EBV was capable of infecting primary human adipocytes in vitro, triggering expression of multiple EBV-encoded mRNA and proteins. In infected adipocytes, lipolysis was stimulated through enhanced expression of lipases and the AMPK metabolic pathway. The EBV-mediated imbalance in energy homeostasis was further confirmed by increased release of free fatty acids, glycerol, and expression of proinflammatory adipokines. Clinically, enhanced serum levels of free fatty acids in patients with NPC correlated with poorer recurrence-free survival. EBV-induced delipidation stimulated dedifferentiation of adipocytes into fibroblast-like cells expressing higher levels of S100A4, a marker protein of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). IHC analyses of bone marrow metastatic NPC and salivary LELC revealed similar structural changes of dedifferentiated adipocytes located at the boundaries of EBV+ tumors. S100A4 expression in adipose tissues near tumor beds correlated with fibrotic response, implying that CAFs in the tumor microenvironment are partially derived from EBV-induced dedifferentiated adipocytes. Our data suggest that adipose tissue serves as an EBV reservoir, where EBV orchestrates the interactions between adipose tissues and tumor cells by rearranging metabolic pathways to benefit virus persistence and to promote a protumorigenic microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that Epstein-Barr virus hijacks adipocyte lipid metabolism to create a tumor-promoting microenvironment from which reactivation and relapse of infection could potentially occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chen Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
| | - Ngan-Ming Tsang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.,Department of Radiation Oncology, China Medical University Hsinchu Hospital, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ju Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Hua Sui
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Han Huang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Tung Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
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49
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Lo AKF, Dawson CW, Lung HL, Wong KL, Young LS. The Role of EBV-Encoded LMP1 in the NPC Tumor Microenvironment: From Function to Therapy. Front Oncol 2021; 11:640207. [PMID: 33718235 PMCID: PMC7947715 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.640207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. It is also characterized by heavy infiltration with non-malignant leucocytes. The EBV-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is believed to play an important role in NPC pathogenesis by virtue of its ability to activate multiple cell signaling pathways which collectively promote cell proliferation and survival, angiogenesis, invasiveness, and aerobic glycolysis. LMP1 also affects cell-cell interactions, antigen presentation, and cytokine and chemokine production. Here, we discuss how LMP1 modulates local immune responses that contribute to the establishment of the NPC tumor microenvironment. We also discuss strategies for targeting the LMP1 protein as a novel therapy for EBV-driven malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hong Lok Lung
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-Leung Wong
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lawrence S. Young
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
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50
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Wrona E, Potemski P, Sclafani F, Borowiec M. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor: A Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Pancreatic Cancer. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2021; 69:2. [PMID: 33630157 PMCID: PMC7907038 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-021-00605-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive, treatment-resistant cancer. Five-year survival rate is about 9%, one of the lowest among all solid tumors. Such a poor outcome is partly due to the limited knowledge of tumor biology, and the resulting lack of effective treatment options and robust predictive biomarkers. The leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has recently emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for PDAC. Accumulating evidence has suggested that LIF plays a role in supporting cancer evolution as a regulator of cell differentiation, renewal and survival. Interestingly, it can be detected in the serum of PDAC patients at higher concentrations than healthy individuals, this supporting its potential value as diagnostic biomarker. Furthermore, preliminary data indicate that testing for LIF serum concentration or tissue expression may help with treatment response monitoring and prognostication. Finally, studies in PDAC mouse models have also shown that LIF may be a valuable therapeutic target, and first-in-human clinical trial is currently ongoing. This article aims to review the available data on the role of LIF in PDAC promotion, and to discuss the evidence supporting its potential role as a biomarker and target of effective anti-cancer therapy in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Wrona
- Department of Clinical and Laboratory Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
- Department of Chemotherapy, Medical University of Lodz, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland.
| | - Piotr Potemski
- Department of Chemotherapy, Medical University of Lodz, Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland
| | - Francesco Sclafani
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet - Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maciej Borowiec
- Department of Clinical and Laboratory Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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