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Chen C, Pan Y, Yang X, Li H, Cai X, He S, Wang Q, Yang Y, Zheng R, Li H, Yuan S, Dong X, Samarawickrama PN, Zi M, He Y, Zhang X. Liver-targeting chimeras as a potential modality for the treatment of liver diseases. J Control Release 2024; 374:627-638. [PMID: 39208934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.08.044] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Liver diseases pose significant challenges to global public health. In the realm of drug discovery and development, overcoming 'on-target off-tissue' effects remains a substantial barrier for various diseases. In this study, we have pioneered a Liver-Targeting Chimera (LIVTAC) approach using a proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) molecule coupled to the liver-specific asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) through an innovative linker attachment strategy for the precise induction of target protein degradation within the liver. As a proof-of-concept study, we designed XZ1606, a mammalian bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET)-targeting LIVTAC agent, which not only demonstrated enduring tumor suppression (over 2 months) in combination with sorafenib but also an improved safety profile, notably ameliorating the incidence of thrombocytopenia, a common and severe on-target dose-limiting toxic effect associated with conventional BET inhibitors. These encouraging results highlight the potential of LIVTAC as a versatile platform for addressing a broad spectrum of liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjie Chen
- Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongzhang Pan
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiqin Li
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xinhui Cai
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengyuan He
- Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yiwen Yang
- Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Runzi Zheng
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Aging and Tumor, Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Huiwen Li
- Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengjie Yuan
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Priyadarshani Nadeeshika Samarawickrama
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Meiting Zi
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yonghan He
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution & Animal Models, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Drug Discovery & Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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Ahmadpour Youshanlui M, Yari A, Bahojb Mahdavi SZ, Amini M, Baradaran B, Ahangar R, Pourbagherian O, Mokhtarzadeh AA. BRD4 expression and its regulatory interaction with miR-26a-3p, DLG5-AS1, and JMJD1C-AS1 lncRNAs in gastric cancer progression. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:356. [PMID: 39152304 PMCID: PMC11329449 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-01230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer remains a significant health challenge despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment. Early detection is critical to reducing mortality, necessitating the investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying gastric cancer progression. This study focuses on BRD4 expression and its correlation with miR-26a-3p, DLG5-AS1, and JMJD1C-AS1 lncRNAs in gastric cancer. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets revealed significant upregulation of BRD4 in gastric cancer tissues compared to normal tissues, correlating negatively with miR-26a-3p and positively with DLG5-AS1 and JMJD1C-AS1 lncRNAs. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed these findings in 25 gastric cancer tissue samples and 25 normal samples. BRD4's overexpression was associated with reduced survival rates and older patient age. MiR-26a-3p, a known tumor suppressor, showed decreased expression in gastric cancer tissues, with ROC analysis suggesting it, alongside BRD4, as a potential diagnostic biomarker. Additionally, bioinformatics predicted miR-26a-3p's interaction with BRD4 mRNA. Upregulated lncRNAs DLG5-AS1 and JMJD1C-AS1 likely act as competing endogenous RNAs, sponging miR-26a-3p, thus promoting BRD4 dysregulation. These lncRNAs have not been previously studied in gastric cancer. The findings propose a novel BRD4/lncRNA/miRNA regulatory axis in gastric cancer, highlighting the potential of BRD4, DLG5-AS1, and JMJD1C-AS1 as biomarkers for early diagnosis. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in vivo and in vitro experiments are needed to elucidate this regulatory mechanism's role in gastric cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amirhossein Yari
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Amini
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ramin Ahangar
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Omid Pourbagherian
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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3
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Hashimoto M, Masuda T, Nakano Y, Tobo T, Saito H, Koike K, Takahashi J, Abe T, Ando Y, Ozato Y, Hosoda K, Higuchi S, Hisamatsu Y, Toshima T, Yonemura Y, Hata T, Uemura M, Eguchi H, Doki Y, Mori M, Mimori K. Tumor suppressive role of the epigenetic master regulator BRD3 in colorectal cancer. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:1866-1880. [PMID: 38494600 PMCID: PMC11145117 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16129] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) family proteins are epigenetic master regulators of gene expression via recognition of acetylated histones and recruitment of transcription factors and co-activators to chromatin. Hence, BET family proteins have emerged as promising therapeutic targets in cancer. In this study, we examined the functional role of bromodomain containing 3 (BRD3), a BET family protein, in colorectal cancer (CRC). In vitro and vivo analyses using BRD3-knockdown or BRD3-overexpressing CRC cells showed that BRD3 suppressed tumor growth and cell cycle G1/S transition and induced p21 expression. Clinical analysis of CRC datasets from our hospital or The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed that BET family genes, including BRD3, were overexpressed in tumor tissues. In immunohistochemical analyses, BRD3 was observed mainly in the nucleus of CRC cells. According to single-cell RNA sequencing in untreated CRC tissues, BRD3 was highly expressed in malignant epithelial cells, and cell cycle checkpoint-related pathways were enriched in the epithelial cells with high BRD3 expression. Spatial transcriptomic and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of CRC tissues showed that BRD3 expression was positively associated with high p21 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of BRD3 combined with knockdown of, a driver gene in the BRD family, showed strong inhibition of CRC cells in vitro. In conclusion, we demonstrated a novel tumor suppressive role of BRD3 that inhibits tumor growth by cell cycle inhibition in part via induction of p21 expression. BRD3 activation might be a novel therapeutic approach for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Hashimoto
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Takaaki Masuda
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Yusuke Nakano
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Taro Tobo
- Department of PathologyKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Hideyuki Saito
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Kensuke Koike
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | | | - Tadashi Abe
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Yuki Ando
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Yuki Ozato
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Kiyotaka Hosoda
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Satoshi Higuchi
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | | | - Takeo Toshima
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Yusuke Yonemura
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hata
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Mamoru Uemura
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Hidetoshi Eguchi
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- Department of Gastroenterological SurgeryOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Masaki Mori
- Tokai University School of MedicineIseharaJapan
| | - Koshi Mimori
- Department of SurgeryKyushu University Beppu HospitalBeppuJapan
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4
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Li N, Zhang E, Li Z, Lv S, Zhao X, Ke Q, Zou Q, Li W, Wang Y, Guo H, Song T, Sun L. The P53-P21-RB1 pathway promotes BRD4 degradation in liver cancer through USP1. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105707. [PMID: 38309505 PMCID: PMC10907170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is notoriously refractory to conventional therapeutics. Tumor progression is governed by the interplay between tumor-promoting genes and tumor-suppressor genes. BRD4, an acetyl lysine-binding protein, is overexpressed in many cancer types, which promotes activation of a pro-tumor gene network. But the underlying mechanism for BRD4 overexpression remains incompletely understood. In addition, understanding the regulatory mechanism of BRD4 protein level will shed insight into BRD4-targeting therapeutics. In this study, we investigated the potential relation between BRD4 protein level and P53, the most frequently dysregulated tumor suppressor. By analyzing the TCGA datasets, we first identify a strong negative correlation between protein levels of P53 and BRD4 in liver cancer. Further investigation shows that P53 promotes BRD4 protein degradation. Mechanistically, P53 indirectly represses the transcription of USP1, a deubiquitinase, through the P21-RB1 axis. USP1 itself is also overexpressed in liver cancer and we show USP1 deubiquitinates BRD4 in vivo and in vitro, which increases BRD4 stability. With cell proliferation assays and xenograft model, we show the pro-tumor role of USP1 is partially mediated by BRD4. With functional transcriptomic analysis, we find the USP1-BRD4 axis upholds expression of a group of cancer-related genes. In summary, we identify a functional P53-P21-RB1-USP1-BRD4 axis in liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Erlei Zhang
- Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zhenyong Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Suli Lv
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuefeng Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Ke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qingli Zou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wensheng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Haocheng Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tanjing Song
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Cell Architecture Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Lidong Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Cell Architecture Research Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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5
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Li L, Gao L, Zhou H, Shi C, Zhang X, Zhang D, Liu H. High Expression Level of BRD4 Is Associated with a Poor Prognosis and Immune Infiltration in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Dig Dis Sci 2023:10.1007/s10620-023-07907-3. [PMID: 36933111 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-023-07907-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is a reader of histone acetylation and is associated with a variety of diseases. AIM To investigate the expression level of BRD4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), its prognostic value and its relationship with immune infiltration. METHODS The study included 94 ESCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and 179 ESCC patients from Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University. The expression levels of proteins in tissue microarray were detected by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve and univariate and multivariate cox regression. The ESTIMATE website was used to calculate the stromal, immune and ESTIMATE score. CIBERSORT was used to calculate the abundance of immune infiltrates. Spearman and Phi coefficient were used for correlation analysis. The TIDE algorithm was used to predict treatment response to immune checkpoint blockade. RESULTS BRD4 is up-regulated in ESCC, and high BRD4 expression level is associated with poor prognosis and adverse clinicopathological features. In addition, the monocyte count, systemic inflammatory-immunologic index, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio in the BRD4 high expression level group were higher than in the low expression level group. Finally, we found that BRD4 expression level correlated with immune infiltration and that it was inversely correlated with infiltration of CD8 + T cells. Higher TIDE scores in the BRD4 high expression group than in the low expression group. CONCLUSION BRD4 is associated with poor prognosis and immune infiltration in ESCC, and may be a potential biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Gao
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Shi
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, 226001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Shengli Road No. 666, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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Hamidi AA, Taghehchian N, Zangouei AS, Akhlaghipour I, Maharati A, Basirat Z, Moghbeli M. Molecular mechanisms of microRNA-216a during tumor progression. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:19. [PMID: 36740668 PMCID: PMC9899407 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02865-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as the members of non-coding RNAs family are involved in post-transcriptional regulation by translational inhibiting or mRNA degradation. They have a critical role in regulation of cell proliferation and migration. MiRNAs aberrations have been reported in various cancers. Considering the importance of these factors in regulation of cellular processes and their high stability in body fluids, these factors can be suggested as suitable non-invasive markers for the cancer diagnosis. MiR-216a deregulation has been frequently reported in different cancers. Therefore, in the present review we discussed the molecular mechanisms of the miR-216a during tumor progression. It has been reported that miR-216a mainly functioned as a tumor suppressor through the regulation of signaling pathways and transcription factors. This review paves the way to suggest the miR-216a as a probable therapeutic and diagnostic target in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abbas Hamidi
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Negin Taghehchian
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Sadra Zangouei
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Iman Akhlaghipour
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Maharati
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Zahra Basirat
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Meysam Moghbeli
- grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran ,grid.411583.a0000 0001 2198 6209Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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7
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Yang Z, Liu Y, Cheng Q, Chen T. Targeting super enhancers for liver disease: a review. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14780. [PMID: 36726725 PMCID: PMC9885865 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Super enhancers (SEs) refer to the ultralong regions of a gene accompanied by multiple transcription factors and cofactors and strongly drive the expression of cell-type-related genes. Recent studies have demonstrated that SEs play crucial roles in regulating gene expression related to cell cycle progression and transcription. Aberrant activation of SEs is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver disease. Liver disease, especially liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), constitutes a major class of diseases that seriously endanger human health. Currently, therapeutic strategies targeting SEs can dramatically prevent disease progression and improve the prognosis of animal models. The associated new approaches to the treatment of related liver disease are relatively new and need systematic elaboration. Objectives In this review, we elaborate on the features of SEs and discuss their function in liver disease. Additionally, we review their application prospects in clinical practice in the future. The article would be of interest to hepatologists, molecular biologists, clinicians, and all those concerned with targeted therapy and prognosis of liver disease. Methodology We searched three bibliographic databases (Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, PubMed) from 01/1981 to 06/2022 for peer-reviewed scientific publications focused on (1) gene treatment of liver disease; (2) current status of SE research; and (3) targeting SEs for liver disease. We included English language original studies only. Results The number of published studies considering the role of enhancers in liver disease is considerable. Since SEs were just defined in 2013, the corresponding data on SEs are scarce: approximately 50 papers found in bibliographic databases on the correlation between enhancers (or SEs) and liver disease. Remarkably, half of these papers were published in the past three years, indicating the growing interest of the scientific community in this issue. Studies have shown that treatments targeting components of SEs can improve outcomes in liver disease in animal and clinical trials. Conclusions The treatment of liver disease is facing a bottleneck, and new treatments are needed. Therapeutic regimens targeting SEs have an important role in the treatment of liver disease. However, given the off-target effect of gene therapy and the lack of clinical trials, the available experimental data are still fragmented and controversial.
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8
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Xu KY, Wang XT, Cheng L, Cui QH, Shi JT, Zhang LW, Chen SW. Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of quinoxalinone derivatives as potent BRD4 inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 78:117152. [PMID: 36599264 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.117152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has gained growing interest as an effective drug target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of quinoxalinone derivatives as BRD4 inhibitors via scaffold hopping. The representative compound X9 showed potent BRD4 inhibitory activity (with IC50 = 82.3 nM), and preferable antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cells (with IC50 = 1.13 ± 0.07 μM), as well as less toxicity against GES-1 cells (with IC50 = 57.24 ± 5.46 μM). Furthermore, compound X9 dose-dependently inhibited colony formation and blocked the migration of HepG2 cells by down-regulating the expression of Snail and MMP-9 while up-regulating the E-cadherin and Occludin. Besides, compound X9 efficiently down-regulated the expression of c-Myc in HepG2 cells, induced apoptosis, and arrested at G0/G1 phase. In total, quinoxalinone was a potential core as BRD4 inhibitor and compound X9 might be effective for liver cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yan Xu
- School of Pharmacy & Collaborative Innovation Center for Northwestern Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xue-Ting Wang
- School of Pharmacy & Collaborative Innovation Center for Northwestern Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- School of Pharmacy & Collaborative Innovation Center for Northwestern Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qi-Hang Cui
- School of Pharmacy & Collaborative Innovation Center for Northwestern Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jian-Tao Shi
- School of Pharmacy & Collaborative Innovation Center for Northwestern Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Li-Wen Zhang
- School of Pharmacy & Collaborative Innovation Center for Northwestern Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Shi-Wu Chen
- School of Pharmacy & Collaborative Innovation Center for Northwestern Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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9
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Wang Y, Wu Y, Jiang J, Zhang Y, Fu Y, Zheng M, Tao X, Yi J, Mu D, Cao X. The prognostic significance of bromodomain protein 4 expression in solid tumor patients: A meta-analysis. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 234:153918. [PMID: 35561521 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153918] [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: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. At present, several inhibitors of bromodomain protein 4 have shown promising anti-tumor responses in clinical trials. Numerous studies have reported the value of bromodomain protein 4 expression in predicting the prognosis of patients with cancers, but their conclusions remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the association between bromodomain protein 4 and patient prognosis with the aim to provide new directions for the development of strategies for targeted cancer therapy. METHODS The meta-analysis was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; Registration No. CRD42020184948) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. PubMed Central, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase were thoroughly searched to identify eligible studies published through March 31, 2021. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to demonstrate the relationship between bromodomain protein 4 expression and clinicopathological features. We computed pooled estimated hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals using Stata 12.0 software to clarify the relationship between bromodomain protein 4 expression and overall survival of various cancers. A quality assessment of the eligible articles was performed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS A total of 974 patients from 10 studies were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Our results revealed that compared to low bromodomain protein 4 expression, high bromodomain protein 4 expression in cancer tissues was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (Odds ratio = 3.59, 95% confidence interval: 2.62-4.91), distant metastasis (Odds ratio = 4.22, 95% confidence interval: 2.40-7.45), advanced TNM stage (III+IV vs. I+II: Odds ratio = 3.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.29-8.08), and poorly differentiated tumors (Odds ratio = 1.87, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-2.63). In addition, an elevated expression of bromodomain protein 4 tended to shorten survival time (Hazard ratio = 2.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.62-3.07). The subgroup analysis results showed that bromodomain protein 4 upregulation was related to poor prognosis in patients with digestive system cancers (Hazard ratio = 2.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.85-3.50). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis indicated that bromodomain protein 4 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker for cancers and a direct effective cancer treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqi Wang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Yanhua Wu
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Jing Jiang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Yangyu Zhang
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Yingli Fu
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Min Zheng
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Xuerong Tao
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Jiaxin Yi
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Dongmei Mu
- Division of Clinical Research, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
| | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
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10
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Mines RC, Lipniacki T, Shen X. Slow nucleosome dynamics set the transcriptional speed limit and induce RNA polymerase II traffic jams and bursts. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009811. [PMID: 35143483 PMCID: PMC8865691 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleosomes are recognized as key regulators of transcription. However, the relationship between slow nucleosome unwrapping dynamics and bulk transcriptional properties has not been thoroughly explored. Here, an agent-based model that we call the dynamic defect Totally Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process (ddTASEP) was constructed to investigate the effects of nucleosome-induced pausing on transcriptional dynamics. Pausing due to slow nucleosome dynamics induced RNAPII convoy formation, which would cooperatively prevent nucleosome rebinding leading to bursts of transcription. The mean first passage time (MFPT) and the variance of first passage time (VFPT) were analytically expressed in terms of the nucleosome rate constants, allowing for the direct quantification of the effects of nucleosome-induced pausing on pioneering polymerase dynamics. The mean first passage elongation rate γ(hc, ho) is inversely proportional to the MFPT and can be considered to be a new axis of the ddTASEP phase diagram, orthogonal to the classical αβ-plane (where α and β are the initiation and termination rates). Subsequently, we showed that, for β = 1, there is a novel jamming transition in the αγ-plane that separates the ddTASEP dynamics into initiation-limited and nucleosome pausing-limited regions. We propose analytical estimates for the RNAPII density ρ, average elongation rate v, and transcription flux J and verified them numerically. We demonstrate that the intra-burst RNAPII waiting times tin follow the time-headway distribution of a max flux TASEP and that the average inter-burst interval tIBI¯ correlates with the index of dispersion De. In the limit γ→0, the average burst size reaches a maximum set by the closing rate hc. When α≪1, the burst sizes are geometrically distributed, allowing large bursts even while the average burst size NB¯ is small. Last, preliminary results on the relative effects of static and dynamic defects are presented to show that dynamic defects can induce equal or greater pausing than static bottle necks. To perform specific functions, cells must express specific genes by copying the information in DNA into RNA via transcription. Structural proteins called nucleosomes are spaced every 200 base pairs along the length of a strand of DNA and play a crucial function in the regulation of gene activity by tightly binding DNA strands and condensing them into heterochromatin, preventing transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Even on active genes where nucleosomes are loosely attached to DNA strands, the wrapping and unwrapping of nucleosomes pause transcription as RNAPII passes by. Previous mathematical models of transcription have compared this biological process to traffic on a one lane highway without obstructions. In contrast, our proposed model simulates transcription like traffic in a grid system where nucleosomes can be thought of as pedestrians or other vehicles crossing the road at regularly spaced intersections. Just as side street traffic and pedestrian crossings can cause cars to form convoys and cause jams limiting the max speed in an area, nucleosomes can cause RNAPII to form convoys that lead to bursts of mRNA production and limit the average polymerase flux through the gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Mines
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Tomasz Lipniacki
- Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- * E-mail: (TL); (XS)
| | - Xiling Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Woo Center for Big Data and Precision Health, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (TL); (XS)
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11
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Sun HY, Du ST, Li YY, Deng GT, Zeng FR. Bromodomain and extra-terminal inhibitors emerge as potential therapeutic avenues for gastrointestinal cancers. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:75-89. [PMID: 35116104 PMCID: PMC8790409 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i1.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer and gastric cancer, are severe social burdens due to high incidence and mortality rates. Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers consisting of four conserved members (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4 and BRDT). BET family perform pivotal roles in tumorigenesis through transcriptional regulation, thereby emerging as potential therapeutic targets. BET inhibitors, disrupting the interaction between BET proteins and acetylated lysines, have been reported to suppress tumor initiation and progression in most of GI cancers. In this review, we will demonstrate how BET proteins participate in the GI cancers progression and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting BET proteins for GI cancers treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Yan Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Song-Tao Du
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Colorectal Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin 150081, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Ya-Yun Li
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Guang-Tong Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
| | - Fu-Rong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Skin Health and Disease, Hunan Key Laboratory of Skin Cancer and Psoriasis, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, China
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12
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Discovery of 1-(5-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)ethan-1-one derivatives as novel and potent bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors with anticancer efficacy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 227:113953. [PMID: 34731760 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As epigenetic readers, bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins bind to acetylated-lysine residues in histones and recruit protein complexes to promote transcription initiation and elongation. Inhibition of BET bromodomains by small molecule inhibitors has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. Herein, we describe our efforts toward the discovery of a novel series of 1-(5-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2-yl)-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)ethan-1-one derivatives as BET inhibitors. Intensive structural modifications led to the identification of compound 35f as the most active inhibitor of BET BRD4 with selectivity against BET family proteins. Further biological studies revealed that compound 35f can arrest the cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and induce apoptosis via decreasing the expression of c-Myc and other proteins related to cell cycle and apoptosis. More importantly, compound 35f showed favorable pharmacokinetic properties and antitumor efficacy in MV4-11 mouse xenograft model with acceptable tolerability. These results indicated that BET inhibitors could be potentially used to treat hematologic malignancies and some solid tumors.
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13
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Saraswat A, Vemana HP, Dukhande VV, Patel K. Galactose-decorated liver tumor-specific nanoliposomes incorporating selective BRD4-targeted PROTAC for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08702. [PMID: 35036599 PMCID: PMC8749201 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This research deals with the development of asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) directed nanoliposomes incorporating a novel BRD4 (Bromodomain-containing protein 4) protein-targeted PROTAC (Proteolysis Targeting Chimera), ARV-825 (ARV) (GALARV), and to investigate the anticancer efficacy of GALARV for specific delivery in hepatocellular carcinoma. GALARV were prepared using the modified hydration method and characterized for their physicochemical properties as well as anticancer activity using 2D and 3D cell culture models. ARV and GALARV (93.83 ± 10.05 nm) showed significant in vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. GALARV also demonstrated a substantially higher intracellular concentration of ARV compared to non-targeted nanoliposomes (∼3 fold) and ARV alone (∼4.5 fold), showed good physical stability and negligible hemolysis. Immunoblotting results depicted substantial downregulation of target BRD4 protein, oncogenic c-Myc, apoptotic Bcl-2, and survivin proteins. Notably, GALARV treatment resulted in significant apoptosis and subsequent inhibition of the cell viability of 3D tumor spheroids of hepatocellular carcinoma. These results suggest that GALARV is a novel actively targeted PROTAC-based nanotherapeutic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Saraswat
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Hari Priya Vemana
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Vikas V. Dukhande
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
| | - Ketan Patel
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, 11439, USA
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14
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Niu X, Wang W, Liang T, Li S, Yang C, Xu X, Li L, Liu S. CPI-203 improves the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy by inhibiting the induced PD-L1 overexpression in liver cancer. Cancer Sci 2021; 113:28-40. [PMID: 34727389 PMCID: PMC8748230 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the commonest lethal malignancies worldwide, and often diagnosed at an advanced stage, without any curative therapy. Immune checkpoint blockers targeting the programmed death receptor 1 (PD‐1) have shown impressive antitumor activity in patients with advanced‐stage HCC, while the response rate is only 30%. Inducible PD‐L1 overexpression may result in a lack of response to cancer immunotherapy, which is attributed to a mechanism of adaptive immune resistance. Our study investigated that the overexpression of PD‐L1 promoted the invasion and migration of liver cancer cells in vitro, and the induced overexpression of PD‐L1 in the tumor microenvironment could weaken the effects of anti‐PD‐1 immunotherapy in a BALB/c mouse model of liver cancer. CPI‐203, a small‐molecule bromodomain‐containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor, which can potently inhibit PD‐L1 expression in vitro and in vivo, combined with PD‐1 antibody improved the response to immunotherapy in a liver cancer model. Cell transfection and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay manifested that BRD4 plays a key role in PD‐L1 expression; CPI‐203 can inhibit PD‐L1 expression by inhibiting the BRD4 occupation of the PD‐L1 promoter region. This study indicates a potential clinical immunotherapy method to reduce the incidence of clinical resistance to immunotherapy in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoge Niu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Special Medical Service Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Taizhen Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shasha Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chan Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinfeng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Nephrology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Niu H, Song F, Wei H, Li Y, Huang H, Wu C. Inhibition of BRD4 Suppresses the Growth of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Invest 2021; 39:826-841. [PMID: 34519605 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2021.1975736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) binds acetylated lysine residues on histones to facilitate the epigenetic regulation of many genes, and it plays a key role in many cancer types. Despite many prior reports that have explored the importance of BRD4 in oncogenesis and the regulation of epigenetic memory, its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) progression is poorly understood. Here, we investigated BRD4 expression in human ESCC tissues to understand how it regulates the biology of these tumor cells. METHODS BRD4 expression in ESCC tissues was measured via immunohistochemical staining. BRD4 inhibition in the Eca-109 and KYSE-150 ESCC cell lines was conducted to explore its functional role in these tumor cells. RESULTS BRD4 overexpression was observed in ESCC tissues and cells, and inhibiting the function of the gene impaired the proliferative, invasive, and migratory activity of these cells while promoting their apoptosis. Cyclin D1 and c-Myc expression were also suppressed by BRD4 inhibition, and the expression of key epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers including E-cadherin and Vimentin was markedly altered by such inhibition. CONCLUSIONS BRD4 plays key functional roles in the biology of ESCC, proposing that it could be a viable therapeutic target for treating this cancer type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyu Niu
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,Institute of Cell Therapy, Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Feixue Song
- Department of Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hanwen Wei
- Department of Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Lanzhou, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Institute of Cell Therapy, Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Institute of Cell Therapy, Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Changping Wu
- Department of Tumor Biological Treatment, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for Tumor Immunotherapy, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Institute of Cell Therapy, Soochow University, Changzhou, China.,Department of Oncology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China
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16
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Arechederra M, Recalde M, Gárate-Rascón M, Fernández-Barrena MG, Ávila MA, Berasain C. Epigenetic Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Liver Disease. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1265. [PMID: 33809263 PMCID: PMC7998165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Research in the last decades has demonstrated the relevance of epigenetics in controlling gene expression to maintain cell homeostasis, and the important role played by epigenome alterations in disease development. Moreover, the reversibility of epigenetic marks can be harnessed as a therapeutic strategy, and epigenetic marks can be used as diagnosis biomarkers. Epigenetic alterations in DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) expression have been associated with the process of hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we summarize epigenetic alterations involved in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease (CLD), particularly focusing on DNA methylation. We also discuss their utility as epigenetic biomarkers in liquid biopsy for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Finally, we discuss the potential of epigenetic therapeutic strategies for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Arechederra
- Program of Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.A.); (M.R.); (M.G.-R.); (M.G.F.-B.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miriam Recalde
- Program of Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.A.); (M.R.); (M.G.-R.); (M.G.F.-B.)
| | - María Gárate-Rascón
- Program of Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.A.); (M.R.); (M.G.-R.); (M.G.F.-B.)
| | - Maite G. Fernández-Barrena
- Program of Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.A.); (M.R.); (M.G.-R.); (M.G.F.-B.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Carlos III Health Institute), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Matías A. Ávila
- Program of Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.A.); (M.R.); (M.G.-R.); (M.G.F.-B.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Carlos III Health Institute), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Berasain
- Program of Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain; (M.A.); (M.R.); (M.G.-R.); (M.G.F.-B.)
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Carlos III Health Institute), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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17
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Zhao X, Zhou HB, Liu J, Xie J, Hu R. Apigenin suppresses proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cervical carcinoma cells by regulation of miR-152/BRD4 axis. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2021; 37:583-593. [PMID: 33611824 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the role of apigenin and the molecular mechanism of miR-152-5p and bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) in the proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cervical carcinoma cells. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the transfection efficiency and the expression of miR-152-5p and BRD4. Western blotting was conducted to evaluate the protein level of BRD4, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and MMP9. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm whether miR-152-5p bound to BRD4. MTT and Transwell invasion assay were applied to determine the cell proliferation and invasion, respectively. MiR-152-5p was downregulated and BRD4 was upregulated in cervical carcinoma tissue. Besides, miR-152-5p could directly bind to BRD4 in Hela and CaSki cells. In addition, apigenin inhibited proliferation, invasion, and EMT of Hela and CaSki cells by regulating miR-152-5p/BRD4 axis. Apigenin suppresses proliferation, invasion, and induced EMT of cervical carcinoma cells by regulation of miR-152-5p/BRD4 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The first Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Hua-Bo Zhou
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Hengyang City Central Hospital, Hengyang, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The first Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The first Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Radiology, The first Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China
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18
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Fernández-Barrena MG, Arechederra M, Colyn L, Berasain C, Avila MA. Epigenetics in hepatocellular carcinoma development and therapy: The tip of the iceberg. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100167. [PMID: 33134907 PMCID: PMC7585149 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2020.100167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly tumour whose causative agents are generally well known, but whose pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Nevertheless, key genetic alterations are emerging from a heterogeneous molecular landscape, providing information on the tumorigenic process from initiation to progression. Among these molecular alterations, those that affect epigenetic processes are increasingly recognised as contributing to carcinogenesis from preneoplastic stages. The epigenetic machinery regulates gene expression through intertwined and partially characterised circuits involving chromatin remodelers, covalent DNA and histone modifications, and dedicated proteins reading these modifications. In this review, we summarise recent findings on HCC epigenetics, focusing mainly on changes in DNA and histone modifications and their carcinogenic implications. We also discuss the potential drugs that target epigenetic mechanisms for HCC treatment, either alone or in combination with current therapies, including immunotherapies.
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Key Words
- 5acC, 5-acetylcytosine
- 5fC, 5-formylcytosine
- 5hmC, 5-hydoxymethyl cytosine
- 5mC, 5-methylcytosine
- Acetyl-CoA, acetyl coenzyme A
- BER, base excision repair
- BRD, bromodomain
- CDA, cytidine deaminase
- CGI, CpG island
- CIMP, CGI methylator phenotype
- CTLA-4, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4
- DNMT, DNA methyltransferase
- DNMTi, DNMT inhibitor
- Epigenetics
- FAD, flavin adenine dinucleotide
- HAT, histone acetyltransferases
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HDAC, histone deacetylase
- HDACi, HDAC inhibitor
- HDM, histone demethylase
- HMT, histone methyltransferase
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- KMT, lysine methyltransferase
- LSD/KDM, lysine specific demethylases
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NK, natural killer
- NPC, nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- PD-L1, programmed cell death ligand-1
- PD1, programmed cell death protein 1
- PHD, plant homeodomain
- PTM, post-translational modification
- SAM, S-adenosyl-L-methionine
- TDG, thymidine-DNA-glycosylase
- TERT, telomerase reverse transcriptase
- TET, ten-eleven translocation
- TME, tumour microenvironment
- TSG, tumour suppressor gene
- Therapy
- UHRF1, ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 1
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- ncRNAs, non-coding RNAs
- α-KG, α-ketoglutarate
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite G. Fernández-Barrena
- Hepatology Program CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Carlos III Health Institute), Madrid, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - María Arechederra
- Hepatology Program CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Leticia Colyn
- Hepatology Program CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carmen Berasain
- Hepatology Program CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Carlos III Health Institute), Madrid, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matias A. Avila
- Hepatology Program CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases (CIBERehd, Carlos III Health Institute), Madrid, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
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19
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Wu D, Qiu Y, Jiao Y, Qiu Z, Liu D. Small Molecules Targeting HATs, HDACs, and BRDs in Cancer Therapy. Front Oncol 2020; 10:560487. [PMID: 33262941 PMCID: PMC7686570 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.560487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence for research over the past decade shows that epigenetic regulation mechanisms run through the development and prognosis of tumors. Therefore, small molecular compounds targeting epigenetic regulation have become a research hotspot in the development of cancer therapeutic drugs. According to the obvious abnormality of histone acetylation when tumors occur, it suggests that histone acetylation modification plays an important role in the process of tumorigenesis. Currently, as a new potential anti-cancer therapeutic drugs, many active small molecules that target histone acetylation regulatory enzymes or proteins such as histone deacetylases (HDACs), histone acetyltransferase (HATs) and bromodomains (BRDs) have been developed to restore abnormal histone acetylation levels to normal. In this review, we will focus on summarizing the changes of histone acetylation levels during tumorigenesis, as well as the possible pharmacological mechanisms of small molecules that target histone acetylation in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglu Wu
- School of Clinical Medical, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Effective Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Ye Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Effective Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.,School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yunshuang Jiao
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Zhidong Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Effective Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.,School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Da Liu
- Key Laboratory of Effective Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China.,School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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20
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BRD4/8/9 are prognostic biomarkers and associated with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:17541-17567. [PMID: 32927435 PMCID: PMC7521508 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bromodomain (BRD)-containing proteins are a class of epigenetic readers with unique recognition for N-acetyl-lysine in histones and functions of gene transcription and chromatin modification, known to be critical in various cancers. However, little is known about the roles of distinct BRD-containing protein genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most recently, we investigated the transcriptional and survival data of BRD1, BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, BRD7, BRD8, BRD9 in HCC patients through ONCOMINE, UALCAN, Human Protein Atlas, GEPIA, cBioPortal, STRING, TIMER databases. BRD1/2/3/4/7/8/9 were over-expressed in HCC and were significantly associated with clinical cancer stages and pathological tumor grades. High mRNA expressions of BRD4/8/9 were promising candidate biomarkers in HCC patients. The rate of sequence alternations in BRD1/2/3/4/7/8/9 was relatively high (52%) in HCC patients, and the genetic alternations were correlated with shorter overall survival and disease-free survival in HCC patients. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of individual BRD genes were significantly positively associated with the immune infiltrating levels of B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. And the associations between BRD1/2/3/4/7/8/9 and diverse immune marker sets showed a significance. Overall, these results indicated that BRD4/8/9 could be potential prognostic markers and druggable epigenetic targets in HCC patients.
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21
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Liu C, Miao X, Wang Y, Wen L, Cheng X, Kong D, Zhao P, Song D, Wang X, Ding X, Xia H, Wang W, Sun Q, Gong W. Bromo- and extraterminal domain protein inhibition improves immunotherapy efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2020; 111:3503-3515. [PMID: 32726482 PMCID: PMC7540980 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents the majority of liver cancer and is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. Although advances in molecular targeted therapy have shown promise, none of these agents has yet demonstrated significant clinical benefit. Bromo- and extraterminal domain (BET) protein inhibitors have been considered potential therapeutic drugs for HCC but the biological activity remains unclear. This study found that BET protein inhibition did not effectively suppress the progression of HCC, using a transgenic HCC mouse model. Mechanistically, the BET protein inhibitor JQ1 upregulated the expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on the plasma membrane in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, JQ1 enhanced the expression of Rab8A, which upregulated the expression of PD-L1 on the plasma membrane. This study also showed that JQ1 combined with anti-PD-L1 Ab effectively suppressed HCC progression, and this benefit was obtained by enhancing the activation and cytotoxic capabilities of CD8 T cells. These results revealed the crucial role and regulation of BET protein inhibition on the expression of PD-L1 in HCC. Thus, combining BET protein inhibition with immune checkpoint blockade offers an efficient therapeutic approach for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Liu
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Miao
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yao Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Wen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiawei Cheng
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Deqiang Kong
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengwei Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, and Department of Cardiology of Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Song
- Department of Biochemistry, and Department of Cardiology of Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, and Department of Cardiology of Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xianfeng Ding
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongguang Xia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weilin Wang
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiming Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, and Department of Cardiology of Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weihua Gong
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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22
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Zhou X, Cui Z, Liu Y, Yue Z, Xie F, Ding L, Xu S, Han J, Zhang H. Correlation of Bromodomain Protein BRD4 Expression With Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Disease Severity in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:413. [PMID: 32923445 PMCID: PMC7456959 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and disease severity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Methods: We performed immunofluorescent (IF) staining to evaluate the expression of BRD4 in the polyp tissues of CRSwNP and inferior turbinate mucosa of healthy controls. The relationship between BRD4 and EMT was evaluated by the BRD inhibitor JQ1 and BRD4 siRNA in primary human nasal polyp–derived epithelial cells. Disease severity was scored by using the Lund–Mackay scores of paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. Results: The expression of BRD4 in patients with CRSwNP was significantly higher than that in healthy controls. The loss of BRD4 function by the BRD inhibitor JQ1 and BRD4 siRNA resulted in the reduction of E-cadherin, increasing vimentin, and Snai1 mRNA expression. Moreover, the expression of BRD4 was related to the total CT scan scores (r = 0.4682, P = 0.0210). Conclusions: BRD4 had higher expression in CRSwNP than in healthy controls and might be associated with EMT in CRSwNP. BRD4 mRNA expression was associated with disease severity in CRSwNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanchen Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaoyang Cui
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yiqing Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiyong Yue
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Fengyang Xie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Ling Ding
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuai Xu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Health Management Center, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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23
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Xu W, Sun D, Wang Y, Zheng X, Li Y, Xia Y, Teng Y. Inhibitory effect of microRNA-608 on lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting BRD4 through the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2020; 20:347-356. [PMID: 31621555 PMCID: PMC7416174 DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2019.4216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality around the world. This malignancy has a 5-year survival rate of 21%, because most of the patients are diagnosed in the middle or late stage of the disease when local metastasis and tumor invasion have already progressed. Therefore, the investigation of the pathogenesis of lung cancer is an issue of crucial importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) seem to be involved in the evolution and development of lung cancer. MicroRNA-608 is likely to be downregulated in lung cancer tissues. Regarding this, the current study involved the determination of the fundamental mechanism of microRNA-608 in the development of lung cancer. Based on the results of quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the expression level of microRNA-608 was downregulated in 40 lung cancer tissues, compared to that in the adjacent normal tissues. The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) was the direct target of microRNA-608. Accordingly, the lung cancer tissues had an elevated expression level of BRD4, in contrast to the adjacent normal tissues. The results of Cell Counting Kit 8 assay demonstrated that the high expression of microRNA-608 notably restrained lung cancer cell proliferation. The scratch wound and transwell assays showed that the upregulation of microRNA-608 suppressed the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells. Finally, the western blot assay showed that in the microRNA-608 mimics group, the expression levels of BRD4, p-JAK2, p-STATA3, CD44, and MMP9 were significantly decreased, compared with those in the negative control miRNA mimics group. Our results indicate that high expression of microRNA-608 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells by targeting BRD4 via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weigang Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Dapeng Sun
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Yanqin Wang
- Department of Health Examination, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Xinlin Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China
| | - Ya'nan Teng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Shandong, China
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24
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Ashrafizadeh M, Rafiei H, Mohammadinejad R, Farkhondeh T, Samarghandian S. Wnt-regulating microRNAs role in gastric cancer malignancy. Life Sci 2020; 250:117547. [PMID: 32173311 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. This cancer claims fifth place among other cancers. There are a number of factors associated with GC development such as alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. It seems that genetic factors play significant role in GC malignancy and progression. MicroRNAs (miRs) are short non-coding RNA molecules with negative impact on the expression of target genes. A variety of studies have elucidated the potential role of miRs in GC growth. Investigation of molecular pathways has revealed that miRs function as upstream modulators of Wnt signaling pathway. This signaling pathway involves in important biological processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation, and its dysregulation is associated with GC invasion. At the present review, we demonstrate that how miRs regulate Wnt signaling pathway in GC malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Rafiei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Mohammadinejad
- Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Tahereh Farkhondeh
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Healthy Ageing Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
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25
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Kato Y, Kondo S, Itakura T, Tokunaga M, Hatayama S, Katayama K, Sugimoto Y. SNAIL- and SLUG-induced side population phenotype of HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells and its regulation by BET inhibitors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 521:152-157. [PMID: 31653342 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.10.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with cancer malignancies such as invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this study, HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells were transduced with SLUG or SNAIL retroviruses, and EMT cells with mesenchymal morphology were established. The EMT cells showed a high invasive activity and resistance to several anticancer agents such as methotrexate, SN-38, and cisplatin. Furthermore, they contained about 1-10% side population (SP) cells that were not stained by Hoechst 33342. This SP phenotype was not stable; the isolated SP cells generated both SP and non-SP cells, suggesting a potential for differentiation. Gene expression analysis of SP cells suggested the alteration of genes that are involved in epigenetic changes. Therefore, we examined the effect of 74 epigenetic inhibitors, and found that two inhibitors, namely I-BET151 and bromosporine, targeting the bromodomain and extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, decreased the ratio of SP cells to <50% compared with the control, without affecting the immediate efflux of Hoechst 33342 by transporters. In addition, compared with the parental cells, the EMT cells showed a higher sensitivity to I-BET151 and bromosporine. This study suggests that EMT development and SP phenotype can be independent events but both are regulated by BET inhibitors in SLUG- or SNAIL-transducted HCT116 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Kato
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan.
| | - Shingo Kondo
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Taira Itakura
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Miku Tokunaga
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Shiori Hatayama
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Katayama
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Sugimoto
- Division of Chemotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, 1-5-30 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8512, Japan
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26
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Antitumor effects of a covalent cyclin-dependent kinase 7 inhibitor in colorectal cancer. Anticancer Drugs 2019; 30:466-474. [DOI: 10.1097/cad.0000000000000749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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27
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Liu C, Cheng X, Chen J, Wang Y, Wu X, Tian R, Liu B, Ding X, Sun Q, Gong W. Suppression of YAP/TAZ-Notch1-NICD axis by bromodomain and extraterminal protein inhibition impairs liver regeneration. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:3840-3852. [PMID: 31281517 PMCID: PMC6587347 DOI: 10.7150/thno.33370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims: Biological mechanisms that control liver regeneration remain poorly defined. However, these mechanisms are remarkable issues in the clinic that affect management of hepatic loss caused by liver surgery, traumatic injury, chronic infection, or liver poisoning. Increasing evidence has shown that various growth factors, cytokines, and metabolic signaling pathways affect the liver regenerative process. Our aim is to study the effect of bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein inhibition on liver regeneration and its mechanism. Methods: We studied the role of BET protein inhibitor, JQ1, in liver regeneration in a mouse model after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH). We evaluated yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) and Notch signaling pathways, which were affected by BET protein inhibitor in mouse hepatic tissues and primary hepatocytes in vivo and AML12 cell lines in vitro. We evaluated the relationship of YAP/TAZ and Notch signaling pathway using YAP/TAZ pathway inhibitor in liver regeneration in vivo. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship of YAP/TAZ and Notch signaling pathways via overexpression or RNA silencing of Yap in AML12 cells. Furthermore, we used Yap overexpression mouse model to examine whether it can rescue liver regeneration damage caused by inhibition of BET proteins. Results: In this study, we report that BET protein inhibitor JQ1 molecule impairs the early phase of liver regeneration in a mouse model after 70% PH. Mechanistically, YAP/TAZ and Notch1-NICD pathways were suppressed by BET protein inhibitor in mouse hepatic tissues and primary hepatocytes in vivo and mouse AML12 cell lines in vitro. By using YAP/TAZ pathway inhibitor, we confirmed that the liver regeneration and the activation of Notch pathway were impaired by the inhibition of YAP/TAZ pathway in vivo. Furthermore, the study showed that Yap knockdown by shRNA in normal mouse hepatic cell line downregulated Notch1 signal transduction, whereas Yap overexpression promoted Notch1-NICD signals. Specific overexpression of Yap in mouse liver could rescue the effect of BET protein inhibition on liver regeneration injury. Conclusion: These results revealed the crucial role of the YAP/TAZ-Notch1-NICD axis in liver regeneration. Therefore, BET protein inhibitors must be used in caution in the treatment of hepatic diseases by reason of its suppressive roles in liver regeneration.
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28
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Song H, Shi L, Xu Y, Xu T, Fan R, Cao M, Xu W, Song J. BRD4 promotes the stemness of gastric cancer cells via attenuating miR-216a-3p-mediated inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 852:189-197. [PMID: 30876979 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein BRD4 is emerging as a potential target for cancer therapy. However, BRD4 roles in regulating the stemness of gastric cancer cells are unclear. Here, we demonstrated that BRD4 expression was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues, cell spheroids, and BRD4 knockdown attenuated the stemness of gastric cancer cells characterized as the decrease of stemness markers expression, capacity of cells spheroids formation and ALDH1 activity. Importantly, BRD4 expression was negatively correlated with overall survival, first progression survival and post progression survival of gastric cancer patients. Mechanistic investigations revealed that miR-216a-3p was the most remarkably upregulated miRNA in response to BRD4 knockdown and Wnt/β-catenin signaling was necessary for BRD4-mediated promotion on the stemness of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, BRD4 directly bound to the promoter and promoted the methylation level of MIR216A promoter, thus decreasing miR-216a-3p level. Notably, Wnt3a was identified as the direct target of miR-216a-3p in gastric cancer cells. Therefore, our results defined a BRD4/miR-216a-3p/Wnt/β-catenin pathway in regulating the stemness of gastric cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Song
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China
| | - Linseng Shi
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China
| | - Yixin Xu
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China
| | - Teng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China
| | - Ruizhi Fan
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China
| | - Meng Cao
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China
| | - Jun Song
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, 99 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China; Institute of Digestive Disease, Xuzhou Medical University, 84 West Huaihai Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221002, PR China.
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Pericole FV, Lazarini M, de Paiva LB, Duarte ADSS, Vieira Ferro KP, Niemann FS, Roversi FM, Olalla Saad ST. BRD4 Inhibition Enhances Azacitidine Efficacy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Front Oncol 2019; 9:16. [PMID: 30761268 PMCID: PMC6361844 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell-based disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, increased genomic instability and a tendency to progress toward acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS and AML cells present genetic and epigenetic abnormalities and, due to the heterogeneity of these molecular alterations, the current treatment options remain unsatisfactory. Hypomethylating agents (HMA), especially azacitidine, are the mainstay of treatment for high-risk MDS patients and HMA are used in treating elderly AML. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of the epigenetic reader bromodomain-containing protein-4 (BRD4) in MDS and AML patients. We identified the upregulation of the short variant BRD4 in MDS and AML patients, which was associated with a worse outcome of MDS. Furthermore, the inhibition of BRD4 in vitro with JQ1 or shRNA induced leukemia cell apoptosis, especially when combined to azacitidine, and triggered the activation of the DNA damage response pathway. JQ1 and AZD6738 (a specific ATR inhibitor) also synergized to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells. Our results indicate that the BRD4-dependent transcriptional program is a defective pathway in MDS and AML pathogenesis and its inhibition induces apoptosis of leukemia cells, which is enhanced in combination with HMA or an ATR inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Vieira Pericole
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Lazarini
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Bueno de Paiva
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana da Silva Santos Duarte
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karla Priscila Vieira Ferro
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Soares Niemann
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Marconi Roversi
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade São Francisco (USF), Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara Teresinha Olalla Saad
- Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Center, Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia do Sangue, University of Campinas, Hemocentro-Unicamp, São Paulo, Brazil
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microRNA-608 inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation via targeting the BET family protein BRD4. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 501:1060-1067. [PMID: 29777702 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.05.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over-expression of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family protein BRD4 is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. In the present study, we indentified a novel putative anti-BRD4 microRNA: microRNA-608 ("miR-608"). In HepG2 cells and primary human HCC cells, over-expression of miR-608, using a lentiviral construct, induced BRD4 downregulation and proliferation inhibition. Conversely, transfection of the miR-608 inhibitor increased BRD4 expression to promote HepG2 cell proliferation. Our results suggest that BRD4 is the primary target gene of miR-608 in HepG2 cells. shRNA-mediated knockdown or CRSIPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of BRD4 mimicked and overtook miR-608's actions in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, introduction of a 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) mutant BRD4 (UTR-A1718G) blocked miR-608-induced c-Myc downregulation and proliferation inhibition in HepG2 cells. In vivo, HepG2 xenograft tumor growth was significantly inhibited after expressing miR-608 or BRD4 CRSIPR/Cas9-KO construct. Importantly, BRD4 mRNA was upregulated in human HCC tissues, which was correlated with downregulation of miR-608. Together, we conclude that miR-608 inhibits HCC cell proliferation possibly via targeting BET family protein BRD4.
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31
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Russell JO, Ko S, Saggi HS, Singh S, Poddar M, Shin D, Monga SP. Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) Proteins Regulate Hepatocyte Proliferation in Hepatocyte-Driven Liver Regeneration. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 188:1389-1405. [PMID: 29545201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) proteins recruit key components of basic transcriptional machinery to promote gene expression. Aberrant expression and mutations in BET genes have been identified in many malignancies. Small molecule inhibitors of BET proteins such as JQ1 have shown efficacy in preclinical cancer models, including affecting growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. BET proteins also regulate cell proliferation in nontumor settings. We recently showed that BET proteins regulate cholangiocyte-driven liver regeneration. Here, we studied the role of BET proteins in hepatocyte-driven liver regeneration in partial hepatectomy (PHx) and acetaminophen-induced liver injury models in mice and zebrafish. JQ1 was injected 2 or 16 hours after PHx in mice to determine effect on hepatic injury, regeneration, and signaling. Mice treated with JQ1 after PHx displayed increased liver injury and a near-complete inhibition of hepatocyte proliferation. Levels of Ccnd1 mRNA and Cyclin D1 protein were reduced in animals injected with JQ1 16 hours after PHx and were even further reduced in animals injected with JQ1 2 hours after PHx. JQ1-treated zebrafish larvae after acetaminophen-induced injury also displayed notably impaired hepatocyte proliferation. In both models, Wnt signaling was prominently suppressed by JQ1. Our results show that BET proteins regulate hepatocyte proliferation-driven liver regeneration, and Wnt signaling is particularly sensitive to BET protein inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn O Russell
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Harvinder S Saggi
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sucha Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Minakshi Poddar
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Donghun Shin
- Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | - Satdarshan P Monga
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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32
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Sahni JM, Keri RA. Targeting bromodomain and extraterminal proteins in breast cancer. Pharmacol Res 2018; 129:156-176. [PMID: 29154989 PMCID: PMC5828951 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer is a collection of distinct tumor subtypes that are driven by unique gene expression profiles. These transcriptomes are controlled by various epigenetic marks that dictate which genes are expressed and suppressed. During carcinogenesis, extensive restructuring of the epigenome occurs, including aberrant acetylation, alteration of methylation patterns, and accumulation of epigenetic readers at oncogenes. As epigenetic alterations are reversible, epigenome-modulating drugs could provide a mechanism to silence numerous oncogenes simultaneously. Here, we review the impact of inhibitors of the Bromodomain and Extraterminal (BET) family of epigenetic readers in breast cancer. These agents, including the prototypical BET inhibitor JQ1, have been shown to suppress a variety of oncogenic pathways while inducing minimal, if any, toxicity in models of several subtypes of breast cancer. BET inhibitors also synergize with multiple approved anti-cancer drugs, providing a greater response in breast cancer cell lines and mouse models than either single agent. The combined findings of the studies discussed here provide an excellent rationale for the continued investigation of the utility of BET inhibitors in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Sahni
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
| | - Ruth A Keri
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States; Department of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States.
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33
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Hong SH, Eun JW, Choi SK, Shen Q, Choi WS, Han JW, Nam SW, You JS. Epigenetic reader BRD4 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to suppress E2F2-cell cycle regulation circuit in liver cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:32628-40. [PMID: 27081696 PMCID: PMC5078039 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of the epigenome component affects multiple pathways in the cancer phenotype since the epigenome acts at the pinnacle of the hierarchy of gene expression. Pioneering work over the past decades has highlighted that targeting enzymes or proteins involved in the epigenetic regulation is a valuable approach to cancer therapy. Very recent results demonstrated that inhibiting the epigenetic reader BRD4 has notable efficacy in diverse cancer types. We investigated the potential of BRD4 as a therapeutic target in liver malignancy. BRD4 was overexpressed in three different large cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients as well as in liver cancer cell lines. BRD4 inhibition by JQ1 induced anti-tumorigenic effects including cell cycle arrest, cellular senescence, reduced wound healing capacity and soft agar colony formation in liver cancer cell lines. Notably, BRD4 inhibition caused MYC-independent large-scale gene expression changes in liver cancer cells. Serial gene expression analyses with SK-Hep1 liver cancer cells treated with JQ1 to delineate the key player of BRD4 inhibition identified E2F2 as the first line of downstream direct target of BRD4. Further experiments including chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and loss of function study confirmed E2F2 as key player of BRD4 inhibition. Overexpressed E2F2 is a crucial center of cell cycle regulation and high expression of E2F2 is significantly associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. Our findings reveal BRD4-E2F2-cell cycle regulation as a novel molecular circuit in liver cancer and provide a therapeutic strategy and innovative insights for liver cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Hwi Hong
- Konkuk University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - Jung Woo Eun
- Functional RNomics Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul 137-701, Korea
| | - Sung Kyung Choi
- Konkuk University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - Qingyu Shen
- Functional RNomics Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul 137-701, Korea
| | - Wahn Soo Choi
- Konkuk University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - Jeung-Whan Han
- Research Center for Epigenome Regulation, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Korea
| | - Suk Woo Nam
- Functional RNomics Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul 137-701, Korea
| | - Jueng Soo You
- Konkuk University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
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34
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Yu SL, Wu JC, Liu PF, Liu K, Ye C, Zhou KL, Li ZR, Xu YP. Up-regulation of RNF187 induces hepatocellular carcinoma cell epithelial to mesenchymal transitions. Oncotarget 2017; 8:101876-101886. [PMID: 29254210 PMCID: PMC5731920 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ring finger protein 187 (RNF187) has been identified to be a co-activator linking c Jun to Ras signaling. However, the expression and function of RNF187 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) remains unclear. Here, we tried to determine the expression and roles of RNF187 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).The expression of RNF187 was determined in HCC tissues and cell lines, and we found that RNF187 expressed highly in HCC tissues compared with the corresponding adjacent liver tissues both in mRNA and protein level, which was consistent with the result of immunohistochemistry on HCC tissue microarrays. In HCC cell lines, the level of RNF187 was positively associated with the HCC cells metastatic potential. By the RNF187 interference and cDNA transfection, we showed that the high level of RNF187 induced the HCC cells invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the high ability of colony formation.Mechanistically, we detected the high level of RNF187 promoted cell scatter by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Clinically, the high level of RNA187 was significantly correlated with a malignant phenotype, including larger tumor size, multiple tumors, and microvascular invasion. Importantly, high level of RNF187 correlated with HCC patients' shorter OS and lower disease free survival rates than those with low level of RNF187. Our results revealed that elevated expression of RNF187 induced hepatocellular carcinoma cell epithelial to mesenchymal transitions, and represented a novel marker for predicting the poor prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Lin Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Jin-Cai Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Hainan Provincial People's Hospital, University of South China, Haikou 570311, China
| | - Peng-Fei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Chun Ye
- Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China
| | - Kai-Lun Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Hainan Provincial People's Hospital, University of South China, Haikou 570311, China
| | - Zhuo-Ri Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Hainan Provincial People's Hospital, University of South China, Haikou 570311, China
| | - Ya-Ping Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
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35
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Targeting the cancer epigenome: synergistic therapy with bromodomain inhibitors. Drug Discov Today 2017; 23:76-89. [PMID: 28943305 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic and genomic alterations regulate the transcriptional landscape of cells during cancer onset and progression. Recent clinical studies targeting the epigenetic 'readers' (bromodomains) for cancer therapy have established the effectiveness of bromodomain (BRD) and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors in treating several types of cancer. In this review, we discuss key mechanisms of BET inhibition and synergistic combinations of BET inhibitors with histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone methyltransferase inhibitors (HMTi), DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi), kinase, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and proteosome inhibitors, and immunomodulatory drugs for cancer therapy. We also highlight the potential of such combinations to overcome drug resistance, and the evolving approaches to developing novel BET inhibitors.
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36
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Zhu Y, Yang W, Ji G, Lin N, Wu W, Xiong P, Zheng C, Yan L, Wan P, Wang Y. Bromodomain protein 4 is a novel predictor of survival for gastric carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:31092-31100. [PMID: 28415703 PMCID: PMC5458191 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) has been reported to predict a worse prognosis in solid tumors. However, its expression profile and prognostic value in gastric carcinoma (GC) remains unknown. Here we investigated BRD4 expression in GC and explored its association with patient survival. Tissue samples were obtained from 95 GC patients who underwent surgical resection to remove the primary tumor from January 2009 to December 2010. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BRD4 in GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze the data of BRD4 expression profile and clinicopathological characteristics. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed BRD4 was overexpressed in GC tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue. BRD4 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage (p < 0.001), lymphatic permeation (p = 0.011), and vital status at the end of follow-up (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test demonstrated that higher BRD4 expression was an adverse predictive factor for survival in GC. Multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazards regression revealed that BRD4 expression was an independent worse prognostic factor in GC. In conclusion, BRD4 could act as a potential biomarker for prognostic assessment of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Zhu
- Clinical Institute of Fuzhou General Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Weijin Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou 350025, China
| | - Guangnian Ji
- Dongfang Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | - Nan Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou 350025, China
| | - Weihang Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou 350025, China
| | - Ping Xiong
- Clinical Institute of Fuzhou General Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Chenxin Zheng
- Clinical Institute of Fuzhou General Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Lei Yan
- Clinical Institute of Fuzhou General Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
| | - Peng Wan
- Department of General Surgery, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou 350025, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Dongfang Hospital, Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350025, China
- Department of General Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou 350025, China
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Abstract
In the past few years, it has become clear that mutations in epigenetic regulatory genes are common in human cancers. Therapeutic strategies are now being developed to target cancers with mutations in these genes using specific chemical inhibitors. In addition, a complementary approach based on the concept of synthetic lethality, which allows exploitation of loss-of-function mutations in cancers that are not targetable by conventional methods, has gained traction. Both of these approaches are now being tested in several clinical trials. In this Review, we present recent advances in epigenetic drug discovery and development, and suggest possible future avenues of investigation to drive progress in this area.
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Liu Z, Liu J, Zhao L, Geng H, Ma J, Zhang Z, Yu D, Zhong C. Curcumin reverses benzidine-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition via suppression of ERK5/AP-1 in SV-40 immortalized human urothelial cells. Int J Oncol 2017; 50:1321-1329. [PMID: 28259934 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.3887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Overexposure to benzidine has been manifested as an important cause of bladder cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of benzidine-induced malignancy is still insufficiently interpreted. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial pathophysiological process in embryonic development as well as initiation and development of epithelium-originated malignant tumors. The role of extracellular regulated protein kinase 5 (ERK5) in benzidine-meditated bladder cancer development has not been explored. In the present study, we explored the role of ERK5/AP-1 pathway in benzidine-induced EMT in human normal urothelial cells and the intervention effect of curcumin on bezidine-induced EMT. We found that benzidine-induced EMT in SV-40 immortalized human urothelial cells (SV-HUC-1) at low concentrations. We detected that ERK5/AP-1 pathway was notably activated. Specific ERK5 inhibitor, XMD8-92 was applied to determine the role of ERK5 in benzidine-induced EMT. Results indicated that XMD8-92 reversed the EMT process. Furthermore, curcumin effectively attenuated benzidine-induced urocystic EMT by suppressing ERK5/AP-1 pathway. In conclusion, the present study revealed the positive role of ERK5/AP-1 in benzidine-provoked urocystic EMT and the curcumin promising use in bladder cancer prevention and intervention via ERK5/AP-1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Hao Geng
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Jiaxing Ma
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Dexin Yu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Caiyun Zhong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, P.R. China
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Suppression of BRD4 inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma by repressing MYC and enhancing BIM expression. Oncotarget 2016; 7:2462-74. [PMID: 26575167 PMCID: PMC4823048 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain 4 (BRD4) is an epigenetic regulator that, when inhibited, has anti-cancer effects. In this study, we investigated whether BRD4 could be a target for treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We show that BRD4 is over-expressed in HCC tissues. Suppression of BRD4, either by siRNA or using JQ1, a pharmaceutical BRD4 inhibitor, reduced cell growth and induced apoptosis in HCC cell lines while also slowing HCC xenograft tumor growth in mice. JQ1 treatment induced G1 cell cycle arrest by repressing MYC expression, which led to the up-regulation of CDKN1B (P27). JQ1 also de-repressed expression of the pro-apoptotic BCL2L11 (BIM). Moreover, siRNA knockdown of BIM attenuated JQ1-triggered apoptosis in HCC cells, suggesting an essential role for BIM in mediating JQ1 anti-HCC activity.
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40
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Lee JY, Kong G. Roles and epigenetic regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its transcription factors in cancer initiation and progression. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:4643-4660. [PMID: 27460000 PMCID: PMC11108467 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial developmental process by which epithelial cells undergo a mesenchymal phenotypic change. During EMT, epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation and histone modifications are involved in the regulation of EMT-related genes. The epigenetic gene silencing of the epithelial marker E-cadherin has been well characterized. In particular, three major transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin, Snail, ZEB, and Twist families, also known as EMT-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs), play a crucial role in this process by cooperating with multiple epigenetic modifiers. Furthermore, recent studies have identified the novel epigenetic modifiers that control the expression of EMT-TFs, and these modifiers have emerged as critical regulators of cancer development and as novel therapeutic targets for human cancer. In this review, the diverse functions of EMT-TFs in cancer progression, the cooperative mechanisms of EMT-TFs with epigenetic modifiers, and epigenetic regulatory roles for the expression of EMT-TFs will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Yeon Lee
- Institute for Bioengineering and Biopharmaceutical Research (IBBR), Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gu Kong
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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41
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Tian B, Zhao Y, Sun H, Zhang Y, Yang J, Brasier AR. BRD4 mediates NF-κB-dependent epithelial-mesenchymal transition and pulmonary fibrosis via transcriptional elongation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 311:L1183-L1201. [PMID: 27793799 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00224.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic epithelial injury triggers a TGF-β-mediated cellular transition from normal epithelium into a mesenchymal-like state that produces subepithelial fibrosis and airway remodeling. Here we examined how TGF-β induces the mesenchymal cell state and determined its mechanism. We observed that TGF-β stimulation activates an inflammatory gene program controlled by the NF-κB/RelA signaling pathway. In the mesenchymal state, NF-κB-dependent immediate-early genes accumulate euchromatin marks and processive RNA polymerase. This program of immediate-early genes is activated by enhanced expression, nuclear translocation, and activating phosphorylation of the NF-κB/RelA transcription factor on Ser276, mediated by a paracrine signal. Phospho-Ser276 RelA binds to the BRD4/CDK9 transcriptional elongation complex, activating the paused RNA Pol II by phosphorylation on Ser2 in its carboxy-terminal domain. RelA-initiated transcriptional elongation is required for expression of the core epithelial-mesenchymal transition transcriptional regulators SNAI1, TWIST1, and ZEB1 and mesenchymal genes. Finally, we observed that pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 can attenuate experimental lung fibrosis induced by repetitive TGF-β challenge in a mouse model. These data provide a detailed mechanism for how activated NF-κB and BRD4 control epithelial-mesenchymal transition initiation and transcriptional elongation in model airway epithelial cells in vitro and in a murine pulmonary fibrosis model in vivo. Our data validate BRD4 as an in vivo target for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis associated with inflammation-coupled remodeling in chronic lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Tian
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; .,Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Yingxin Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.,Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; and.,Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Yueqing Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.,Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Allan R Brasier
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.,Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; and.,Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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42
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Singh AR, Joshi S, Burgoyne AM, Sicklick JK, Ikeda S, Kono Y, Garlich JR, Morales GA, Durden DL. Single Agent and Synergistic Activity of the "First-in-Class" Dual PI3K/BRD4 Inhibitor SF1126 with Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 2016; 15:2553-2562. [PMID: 27496136 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Deregulated PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MAPK, and c-Myc signaling pathways are of prognostic significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib, the only drug clinically approved for patients with advanced HCC, blocks the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway but it does not inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway or c-Myc activation. Hence, there is an unmet medical need to identify potent PI3K/BRD4 inhibitors, which can be used either alone or in combination with sorafenib to treat patients with advanced HCC. Herein, we show that SF1126 (pan PI3K/BRD4 inhibitor) as single agent or in combination with sorafenib inhibited proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and multiple key enzymes in PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway in Hep3B, HepG2, SK-Hep1, and Huh7 HCC cell lines. We demonstrate that the active moiety of the SF1126 prodrug LY294002 binds to and blocks BRD4 interaction with the acetylated histone-H4 chromatin mark protein and displaced BRD4 coactivator protein from the transcriptional start site of MYC in Huh7 and SK-Hep1 HCC cell lines. Moreover, SF1126 blocked expression levels of c-Myc in HCC cells. Treatment of SF1126 either alone or in combination with sorafenib showed significant antitumor activity in vivo Our results establish that SF1126 is a dual PI3K/BRD4 inhibitor. This agent has completed a phase I clinical trial in humans with good safety profile. Our data support the potential future consideration of a phase II clinical trial of SF1126, a clinically relevant dual "first-in-class" PI3K/BRD4 inhibitor in advanced HCC, and a potential combination with sorafenib. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(11); 2553-62. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok R Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Shweta Joshi
- Department of Pediatrics, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Adam M Burgoyne
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Jason K Sicklick
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Sadakatsu Ikeda
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Yuko Kono
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | | | | | - Donald L Durden
- Department of Pediatrics, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
- SignalRx Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, California
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, UCSD Rady Children's Hospital, University of California San Diego Health System, La Jolla, California
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43
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Zhou J, Li W, Guo J, Li G, Chen F, Zhou J. Downregulation of miR-329 promotes cell invasion by regulating BRD4 and predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:3561-9. [PMID: 26456956 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4109-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence indicates that abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression is related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Our study aimed to elucidate the essential role of miR-329 in HCC progression. Real-time PCR was used to analyze miR-329 and bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) expression in HCC samples (n = 135). Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometric analysis were used to investigate cell proliferation and apoptosis. The transwell assay was used to examine the cell invasive ability. The regulation mechanism was confirmed by luciferase reporter and western blot assays. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to detect the function of miR-329 on the prognosis of HCC patients. miR-329 was decreased in HCC samples and was related to tumor development. Furthermore, miR-329 significantly regulated cell invasion by targeting BRD4 but had no effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, downregulation of miR-329 predicted poor prognosis of HCC patients. miR-329 could control cell invasion via regulating BRD4 expression and may be a prognostic marker in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Zhou
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, 214200, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiling Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, 214200, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfeng Guo
- Department of B-Ultrasound Room, Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, 214200, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Li
- Department of B-Ultrasound Room, Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, 214200, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Operating Theater, Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, 214200, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangang Zhou
- Department of Orthopedic, Affiliated Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, Yixing, 214200, People's Republic of China.
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