Bispecific antibody suppresses osteosarcoma aggressiveness through regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway

Intricate confrontation: Research progress and application potential of TRIM family proteins in tumor immune escape

BACKGROUND

Tripartite motif (TRIM) family proteins have more than 80 members and are widely found in various eukaryotic cells. Most TRIM family proteins participate in the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system as E3-ubiquitin ligases; therefore, they play pivotal regulatory roles in the occurrence and development of tumors, including tumor immune escape. Due to the diversity of functional domains of TRIM family proteins, they can extensively participate in multiple signaling pathways of tumor immune escape through different substrates. In current research and clinical contexts, immune escape has become an urgent problem. The extensive participation of TRIM family proteins in curing tumors or preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis makes them promising targets.

AIM OF REVIEW

The aim of the review is to make up for the gap in the current research on TRIM family proteins and tumor immune escape and propose future development directions according to the current progress and problems.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

This up-to-date review summarizes the characteristics and biological functions of TRIM family proteins, discusses the mechanisms of TRIM family proteins involved in tumor immune escape, and highlights the specific mechanism from the level of structure-function-molecule-pathway-phenotype, including mechanisms at the level of protein domains and functions, at the level of molecules and signaling pathways, and at the level of cells and microenvironments. We also discuss the application potential of TRIM family proteins in tumor immunotherapy, such as possible treatment strategies for combination targeting TRIM family protein drugs and checkpoint inhibitors for improving cancer treatment.

The TRIM proteins in cancer: from expression to emerging regulatory mechanisms

New clinical evidence suggests that dysregulation of the ubiquitin-mediated destruction of tumor suppressors or oncogene products is probably engaged in the etiology of leukemia and carcinoma. The superfamily of tripartite motif (TRIM)-containing protein family is among the biggest recognized single protein RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligases that are considered vital carcinogenesis regulators, which is not shocking since TRIM proteins are engaged in various biological processes, including cell growth, development, and differentiation; hence, TRIM proteins' alterations may influence apoptosis, cell proliferation, and transcriptional regulation. In this review article, the various mechanisms through which TRIM proteins exert their role in the most prevalent malignancies including lung, prostate, colorectal, liver, breast, brain cancer, and leukemia are summarized.

Tripartite motif-containing 14 (TRIM14) promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition via ZEB2 in glioblastoma cells

BACKGROUND

Several members of the tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) protein family have been reported to serve as vital regulators of tumorigenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated an oncogenic role of TRIM 14 in multiple human cancers; however, the importance of this protein in glioblastoma remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

The expression levels of TRIM14 were analyzed in a series of database and were examined in a variety of glioblastoma cell lines. Two independent TRIM14 shRNA were transfected into LN229 and U251 cells, and the effect of TRIM14 depletion was confirmed. Transwell assay and wound healing assay assay were carried out to assess the effect of TRIM14 depletion on glioblastoma cell invasion and migration. Western blotting was performed to screen the downstream gene of TRIM14. The stability analysis and Ubiquitylation assays and Orthotopic xenograft studies were also performed to investigate the role of TRIM14 and the relationship with downstream gene. Human glioblastoma tissues were obtained and immunohistochemical staining were carried out to confirm the clinical significance of TRIM14.

RESULTS

In this study, we showed that TRIM14 was upregulated in human glioblastoma specimens and cell lines, and correlated with glioblastoma progression and shorter patient survival times. Functional experiments showed that decreased TRIM14 expression reduced glioblastoma cell invasion and migration. Furthermore, we identified that zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2), a transcription factor involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, is a downstream target of TRIM14. Further investigation revealed that TRIM14 inactivation significantly facilitated ZEB2 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, which led to aggressive invasion and migration. Our findings provide insight into the specific biological role of TRIM14 in tumor invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide insight into the specific biological role of TRIM14 in tumor invasion, and suggest that targeting the TRIM14/ZEB2 axis might be a novel therapeutic approach for blocking glioblastoma.

TRIM14 promotes the migration and invasion of gastric cancer by regulating epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition via activation of AKT signaling regulated by miR‑195‑5p

Tripartite motif-containing 14 (TRIM14) is a member of the TRIM protein family which has been implicated in several critical processes and is dysregulated in human cancers in a cancer-specific trend. However, its expression and function in human gastric cancer (GC) are still largely unknown. In this study, we confirmed for the first time that TRIM14 mRNA and protein were upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines as determined by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Clinical data disclosed that high TRIM14 expression was significantly associated with aggressive prognostic features, including advanced TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. In regards to 5-year survival, TRIM14 served as a potential prognostic marker for GC. Notably, TRIM14 promoted migration, invasion as measured by Transwell and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as determined by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence (IF) in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, TRIM14 induced protein kinase B (AKT) pathway activation, and inhibition of AKT reversed the TRIM14-induced promotive effects on cell migration, invasion and EMT progression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TRIM14 expression was regulated by miR-195-5p. miR-195-5p exerted an inhibitory role in GC migration and invasion. Finally, we confirmed that alteration of TRIM14 expression abolished the effects of miR-195-5p on GC cells. Conclusively, our results demonstrated that TRIM14 functions as an oncogene in regulating EMT and metastasis of GC via activating AKT signaling, which was regulated by miR-195-5p, supporting its potential utility as a therapeutic target for GC.