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Zhou Y, Tao L, Qiu J, Xu J, Yang X, Zhang Y, Tian X, Guan X, Cen X, Zhao Y. Tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:132. [PMID: 38763973 PMCID: PMC11102923 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01823-2] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor biomarkers, the substances which are produced by tumors or the body's responses to tumors during tumorigenesis and progression, have been demonstrated to possess critical and encouraging value in screening and early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of cancers. Over the past decades, continuous progress has been made in exploring and discovering novel, sensitive, specific, and accurate tumor biomarkers, which has significantly promoted personalized medicine and improved the outcomes of cancer patients, especially advances in molecular biology technologies developed for the detection of tumor biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the discovery and development of tumor biomarkers, including the history of tumor biomarkers, the conventional and innovative technologies used for biomarker discovery and detection, the classification of tumor biomarkers based on tissue origins, and the application of tumor biomarkers in clinical cancer management. In particular, we highlight the recent advancements in biomarker-based anticancer-targeted therapies which are emerging as breakthroughs and promising cancer therapeutic strategies. We also discuss limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and provide insights and perspectives to turn challenges into opportunities in this field. Collectively, the discovery and application of multiple tumor biomarkers emphasized in this review may provide guidance on improved precision medicine, broaden horizons in future research directions, and expedite the clinical classification of cancer patients according to their molecular biomarkers rather than organs of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiahao Qiu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- School of Medicine, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Xinyu Tian
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xinqi Guan
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Shardina KY, Zamorina SA, Timganova VP, Bochkova MS, Uzhviyuk SV, Chereshnev VA. Alpha-Fetoprotein as a Factor of Differentiation and Functional Activity of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 175:535-543. [PMID: 37773570 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05901-3] [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: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
We studied the role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in regulation of differentiation and functional activity of human myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in vitro. To obtain MDSC, CD11b+ cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors followed by cytokine induction (IL-1β+GM-CSF) into the MDSC phenotype. The cell functions were assessed by the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and arginase-1 (Arg1) and cytokine profile of the cell cultures. Native AFP did not affect the total number of MDSC and the percentage of polymorphonuclear MDSC (PMN-MDSC), but increased the number of monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC). AFP did not change the expression of Arg1, but in low concentrations (10 and 50 U/ml) increased the number of IDO-containing cells. AFP modulated the cytokine profile of CD11b+ cells: it reliably decreased the level of IL-19 (50 and100 U/ml) and showed a tendency to decrease the levels of IL-34, MMP-2, sCD163, CHI3L1, OPN and to increase the levels of IL-29, IL-32, APRIL, PTX3, and sTNF-R1. Thus, we have demonstrated a regulatory effect of native AFP at the level of MDSC generated from CD11b+ cells under conditions of cytokine induction in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Yu Shardina
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Branch of Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia.
| | - S A Zamorina
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Branch of Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
- Perm State National Research University, Perm, Russia
| | - V P Timganova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Branch of Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
| | - M S Bochkova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Branch of Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
- Perm State National Research University, Perm, Russia
| | - S V Uzhviyuk
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Branch of Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
| | - V A Chereshnev
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences - Branch of Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
- Perm State National Research University, Perm, Russia
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Guibourdenche J, Leguy MC, Pidoux G, Hebert-Schuster M, Laguillier C, Anselem O, Grangé G, Bonnet F, Tsatsaris V. Biochemical Screening for Fetal Trisomy 21: Pathophysiology of Maternal Serum Markers and Involvement of the Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087669. [PMID: 37108840 PMCID: PMC10146970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It is now well established that maternal serum markers are often abnormal in fetal trisomy 21. Their determination is recommended for prenatal screening and pregnancy follow-up. However, mechanisms leading to abnormal maternal serum levels of such markers are still debated. Our objective was to help clinicians and scientists unravel the pathophysiology of these markers via a review of the main studies published in this field, both in vivo and in vitro, focusing on the six most widely used markers (hCG, its free subunit hCGβ, PAPP-A, AFP, uE3, and inhibin A) as well as cell-free feto-placental DNA. Analysis of the literature shows that mechanisms underlying each marker's regulation are multiple and not necessarily directly linked with the supernumerary chromosome 21. The crucial involvement of the placenta is also highlighted, which could be defective in one or several of its functions (turnover and apoptosis, endocrine production, and feto-maternal exchanges and transfer). These defects were neither constant nor specific for trisomy 21, and might be more or less pronounced, reflecting a high variability in placental immaturity and alteration. This explains why maternal serum markers can lack both specificity and sensitivity, and are thus restricted to screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Guibourdenche
- Hormonologie CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Christelle Laguillier
- Hormonologie CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- UMR-S1139, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Olivia Anselem
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
- Maternité Port Royal CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Gilles Grangé
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
- Maternité Port Royal CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Fidéline Bonnet
- Hormonologie CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Vassilis Tsatsaris
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
- Maternité Port Royal CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
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4
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Głowska-Ciemny J, Szymański M, Kuszerska A, Malewski Z, von Kaisenberg C, Kocyłowski R. The Role of Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in Contemporary Oncology: The Path from a Diagnostic Biomarker to an Anticancer Drug. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032539. [PMID: 36768863 PMCID: PMC9917199 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This article presents contemporary opinion on the role of alpha-fetoprotein in oncologic diagnostics and treatment. This role stretches far beyond the already known one-that of the biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma. The turn of the 20th and 21st centuries saw a significant increase in knowledge about the fundamental role of AFP in the neoplastic processes, and in the induction of features of malignance and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma. The impact of AFP on the creation of an immunosuppressive environment for the developing tumor was identified, giving rise to attempts at immunotherapy. The paper presents current and prospective therapies using AFP and its derivatives and the gene therapy options. We directed our attention to both the benefits and risks associated with the use of AFP in oncologic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Głowska-Ciemny
- PreMediCare New Med Medical Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland
- Correspondence: (J.G.-C.); (R.K.)
| | - Marcin Szymański
- PreMediCare New Med Medical Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland
| | - Agata Kuszerska
- PreMediCare New Med Medical Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland
| | - Zbyszko Malewski
- Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-535 Poznań, Poland
| | - Constantin von Kaisenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Rafał Kocyłowski
- PreMediCare New Med Medical Center, ul. Czarna Rola 21, 61-625 Poznań, Poland
- Correspondence: (J.G.-C.); (R.K.)
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Paskeh MDA, Ghadyani F, Hashemi M, Abbaspour A, Zabolian A, Javanshir S, Razzazan M, Mirzaei S, Entezari M, Goharrizi MASB, Salimimoghadam S, Aref AR, Kalbasi A, Rajabi R, Rashidi M, Taheriazam A, Sethi G. Biological impact and therapeutic perspective of targeting PI3K/Akt signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma: Promises and Challenges. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106553. [PMID: 36400343 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer progression results from activation of various signaling networks. Among these, PI3K/Akt signaling contributes to proliferation, invasion, and inhibition of apoptosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with high incidence rate, especially in regions with high prevalence of viral hepatitis infection. Autoimmune disorders, diabetes mellitus, obesity, alcohol consumption, and inflammation can also lead to initiation and development of HCC. The treatment of HCC depends on the identification of oncogenic factors that lead tumor cells to develop resistance to therapy. The present review article focuses on the role of PI3K/Akt signaling in HCC progression. Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling promotes glucose uptake, favors glycolysis and increases tumor cell proliferation. It inhibits both apoptosis and autophagy while promoting HCC cell survival. PI3K/Akt stimulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increases matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) expression during HCC metastasis. In addition to increasing colony formation capacity and facilitating the spread of tumor cells, PI3K/Akt signaling stimulates angiogenesis. Therefore, silencing PI3K/Akt signaling prevents aggressive HCC cell behavior. Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling can confer drug resistance, particularly to sorafenib, and decreases the radio-sensitivity of HCC cells. Anti-cancer agents, like phytochemicals and small molecules can suppress PI3K/Akt signaling by limiting HCC progression. Being upregulated in tumor tissues and clinical samples, PI3K/Akt can also be used as a biomarker to predict patients' response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahshid Deldar Abad Paskeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghadyani
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Abbaspour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center,Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Resident of department of Orthopedics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Javanshir
- Young Researchers and Elite Club, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrnaz Razzazan
- Medical Student, Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Entezari
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Shokooh Salimimoghadam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc. 6, Tide Street, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Alireza Kalbasi
- Department of Pharmacy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Romina Rajabi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Rashidi
- Department Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; The Health of Plant and Livestock Products Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Afshin Taheriazam
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore; NUS Centre for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.
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Uldbjerg CS, Lim YH, Glazer CH, Hauser R, Juul A, Bräuner EV. Maternal Serum α-Fetoprotein Levels during Pregnancy and Testicular Cancer in Male Offspring: A Cohort Study within a Danish Pregnancy Screening Registry. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192114112. [PMID: 36360990 PMCID: PMC9655085 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Testicular cancer is believed to originate from disruptions of normal androgen-estrogen balance in-utero. α-fetoprotein (AFP) may modify fetal response to estrogens via estrogen interaction. In a cohort study, we investigated the association between circulating maternal pregnancy AFP and testicular cancer risk in offspring. Of the 56,709 live-born males from a pregnancy screening registry in 1980-1995, our study included 50,519 singleton males with available second trimester blood samples from their mothers and complete covariate ascertainment. Testicular cancer diagnoses and covariate data were obtained from nationwide Danish health registries. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses estimated the prospective risk of testicular cancer (all, seminoma, nonseminoma) by AFP multiples of the median. During follow-up, 163 (0.3%) of the included males developed testicular cancer, of which 89 (54.6%) were nonseminomas. Maternal serum AFP levels greater than/equal to the median were associated with a relative risk of testicular cancer close to unity (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.76; 1.41) compared to AFP below the median. Associations differed by type of testicular cancer (RRseminoma 0.81, 95% CI 0.51; 1.29, RRnonseminoma 1.31, 95% CI 0.85; 2.02). On balance, our findings do not support that serum AFP in pregnancy can be used as a predictor of testicular cancer in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie S. Uldbjerg
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Youn-Hee Lim
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Clara H. Glazer
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Urology, Zealand University Hospital, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elvira V. Bräuner
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital—Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-3545-0820
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Circulating biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:670-681. [PMID: 35676420 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00620-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The treatment of HCC remains challenging and is largely predicated on early diagnosis. Surveillance of high-risk groups using abdominal ultrasonography, with or without serum analysis of α-fetoprotein (AFP), can permit detection of early, potentially curable tumours, but is limited by its insensitivity. Reviewed here are two current approaches that aim to address this limitation. The first is to use old re-emerged empirically derived biomarkers such as AFP, now applied within statistical models. The second is to use circulating nucleic acid biomarkers, which include cell-free DNA (for example, circulating tumour DNA, cell-free mitochondrial DNA and cell-free viral DNA) and cell-free RNA, applying modern molecular biology-based technologies and machine learning techniques closely allied to the underlying biology of cancer. Taken together, these approaches are likely to be complementary. Both hold considerable promise for achieving earlier diagnosis as well as offering additional functionalities including improved monitoring of therapy and prediction of response thereto.
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Fetal Programming of the Endocrine Pancreas: Impact of a Maternal Low-Protein Diet on Gene Expression in the Perinatal Rat Pancreas. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911057. [PMID: 36232358 PMCID: PMC9569808 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In rats, the time of birth is characterized by a transient rise in beta cell replication, as well as beta cell neogenesis and the functional maturation of the endocrine pancreas. However, the knowledge of the gene expression during this period of beta cell expansion is incomplete. The aim was to characterize the perinatal rat pancreas transcriptome and to identify regulatory pathways differentially regulated at the whole organ level in the offspring of mothers fed a regular control diet (CO) and of mothers fed a low-protein diet (LP). We performed mRNA expression profiling via the microarray analysis of total rat pancreas samples at embryonic day (E) 20 and postnatal days (P) 0 and 2. In the CO group, pancreas metabolic pathways related to sterol and lipid metabolism were highly enriched, whereas the LP diet induced changes in transcripts involved in RNA transcription and gene regulation, as well as cell migration and apoptosis. Moreover, a number of individual transcripts were markedly upregulated at P0 in the CO pancreas: growth arrest specific 6 (Gas6), legumain (Lgmn), Ets variant gene 5 (Etv5), alpha-fetoprotein (Afp), dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (Dusp6), and angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4). The LP diet induced the downregulation of a large number of transcripts, including neurogenin 3 (Neurog3), Etv5, Gas6, Dusp6, signaling transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), growth hormone receptor (Ghr), prolactin receptor (Prlr), and Gas6 receptor (AXL receptor tyrosine kinase; Axl), whereas upregulated transcripts were related to inflammatory responses and cell motility. We identified differentially regulated genes and transcriptional networks in the perinatal pancreas. These data revealed marked adaptations of exocrine and endocrine in the pancreas to the low-protein diet, and the data can contribute to identifying novel regulators of beta cell mass expansion and functional maturation and may provide a valuable tool in the generation of fully functional beta cells from stem cells to be used in replacement therapy.
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Oruc A, Simsek G. A Pathophysiological Approach To Current Biomarkers. Biomark Med 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/9789815040463122010012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are necessary for screening and diagnosing numerous diseases,
predicting the prognosis of patients, and following-up treatment and the course of the
patient. Everyday new biomarkers are being used in clinics for these purposes. This
section will discuss the physiological roles of the various current biomarkers in a
healthy person and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the release of these
biomarkers. This chapter aims to gain a new perspective for evaluating and interpreting
the most current biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Oruc
- Department of Physiology,Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa,
Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gonul Simsek
- Department of Physiology,Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa,
Istanbul, Turkey
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Peris M, Reid SM, Dobie S, Bonacquisto L, Shepherd DA, Amor DJ. Second trimester maternal serum biomarkers and the risk of cerebral palsy. Prenat Diagn 2021; 41:1101-1110. [PMID: 34270813 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To investigate whether second trimester maternal serum screening (2TMSS) biomarkers are associated with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify CP characteristics associated with abnormal biomarker levels. METHOD In this retrospective case-control data linkage study, we linked mothers of 129 singleton CP cases from a population register to their 2TMSS records and selected 10 singleton pregnancy controls per case (n = 1290). We compared mean and abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin between cases and controls and within CP subgroups. RESULTS Compared to control pregnancies, CP pregnancies had higher mean levels of AFP (1.10 vs. 1.01 multiple of the population median [MoM], p = 0.01) and inhibin (1.10 vs. 0.98 MoM, p ≤ 0.01). CP pregnancies were 2.5 times more likely to be associated with high levels of AFP (OR 2.52 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30, 4.65]; p < 0.01) and 2.6 times for inhibin (OR 2.63 [95% CI 1.37, 4.77]; p < 0.01), and 6.8 times when AFP and inhibin were both elevated (OR 6.75 [95% CI 2.41, 18.94]; p < 0.01). In CP cases, high AFP and high inhibin levels were associated with preterm birth and low birthweight. INTERPRETATION Abnormal second-trimester biomarker levels suggest abnormal placentation plays a role in the causal pathway of some CP cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Peris
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan M Reid
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stephen Dobie
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Daisy A Shepherd
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David J Amor
- Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Neurodevelopment and Disability, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Melbourne, Australia
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Bhargava A, Arnold AP, Bangasser DA, Denton KM, Gupta A, Hilliard Krause LM, Mayer EA, McCarthy M, Miller WL, Raznahan A, Verma R. Considering Sex as a Biological Variable in Basic and Clinical Studies: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. Endocr Rev 2021; 42:219-258. [PMID: 33704446 PMCID: PMC8348944 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In May 2014, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated its intent to "require applicants to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) in the design and analysis of NIH-funded research involving animals and cells." Since then, proposed research plans that include animals routinely state that both sexes/genders will be used; however, in many instances, researchers and reviewers are at a loss about the issue of sex differences. Moreover, the terms sex and gender are used interchangeably by many researchers, further complicating the issue. In addition, the sex or gender of the researcher might influence study outcomes, especially those concerning behavioral studies, in both animals and humans. The act of observation may change the outcome (the "observer effect") and any experimental manipulation, no matter how well-controlled, is subject to it. This is nowhere more applicable than in physiology and behavior. The sex of established cultured cell lines is another issue, in addition to aneuploidy; chromosomal numbers can change as cells are passaged. Additionally, culture medium contains steroids, growth hormone, and insulin that might influence expression of various genes. These issues often are not taken into account, determined, or even considered. Issues pertaining to the "sex" of cultured cells are beyond the scope of this Statement. However, we will discuss the factors that influence sex and gender in both basic research (that using animal models) and clinical research (that involving human subjects), as well as in some areas of science where sex differences are routinely studied. Sex differences in baseline physiology and associated mechanisms form the foundation for understanding sex differences in diseases pathology, treatments, and outcomes. The purpose of this Statement is to highlight lessons learned, caveats, and what to consider when evaluating data pertaining to sex differences, using 3 areas of research as examples; it is not intended to serve as a guideline for research design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Bhargava
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kate M Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Arpana Gupta
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lucinda M Hilliard Krause
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emeran A Mayer
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Margaret McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology and Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Walter L Miller
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Armin Raznahan
- Section on Developmental Neurogenomics, Human Genetics Branch, National Institutes of Mental Health, Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ragini Verma
- Diffusion and Connectomics In Precision Healthcare Research (DiCIPHR) lab, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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12
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Hu JL, Zhang YJ, Zhang JM, Zhu S, Li DM, Yin YF, Su J, Chan Y, He J, Cao YJ, Zhu BS. Pregnancy outcomes of women with elevated second-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 59:73-78. [PMID: 32039804 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2019.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the overall distribution of pregnancy outcomes in women with elevated second-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP), and to determine the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) by MS-AFP level. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 429 women with elevated MS-AFP (≥2.5 multiple of the median (MOM)) and 1555 women with normal MS-AFP (0.5-2.49MOM) from a total of 46,741 prenatally screened singleton pregnant women. The overall distribution of APOs of the two groups, the risk of APOs by MS-AFP level, and the predictive value of elevated MS-AFP to APOs were analyzed. RESULTS The incidence rate of APOs in elevated MS-AFP group was significantly higher than that in normal MS-AFP group (42.89 vs. 8.23%). In elevated MS-AFP group, the top three APOs, in term of incidence rate, were structural fetal abnormalities (7.93%), spontaneous abortion (7.46%) and preterm birth (7.23%); regarding to the risk, the top three APOs were stillbirth, spontaneous abortion and early-onset preeclampsia (odds ratio 35.98, 20.81 and 8.58 respectively). For structural fetal abnormalities, MS-AFP had predictive values for fetal open neural tube defects (ONTDs), gastroschisis and multiple malformations. CONCLUSION Elevated MS-AFP is associated with increased risks of APOs. ONTDs complicate merely a small proportion of pregnancies with elevated MS-AFP, and the rest of them have high risks of obstetric complications. MS-AFP can help to identify these women at high risk of APOs in earlier second-trimester.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Lin Hu
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, PR China; Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Yang-Jia Zhang
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Jin-Man Zhang
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, PR China; National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Shu Zhu
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Dong-Mei Li
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Yi-Fei Yin
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Jie Su
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Ying Chan
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Jing He
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Yong-Jiu Cao
- National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China
| | - Bao-Sheng Zhu
- Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, PR China; National Health Commission's Key Laboratory for Healthy Births in Western China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, PR China.
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Aglycosylated antibody-producing mice for aglycosylated antibody-lectin coupled immunoassay for the quantification of tumor markers (ALIQUAT). Commun Biol 2020; 3:636. [PMID: 33128033 PMCID: PMC7599229 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01363-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting aberrant glycoforms has been validated for in vitro cancer diagnostic development, and several assays are currently in routine clinical use. Because N-glycans in Fc region of antibodies show cross-reactivity with various lectins, high-quality aglycosylated antibodies are exceptionally important for immunoassay platform-based quantitative measurements. Previously, aglycosylated antibody acquisition relied on incomplete, uneconomical and onerous enzymatic and chemical methods. Here, we edited four murine immunoglobulin G genes using adenine base-editing and homology-directed recombination (HDR)-mediated gene editing methods to generate aglycosylated antibody-producing mice. Resulting aglycosylated antibodies showed required analytical performances without compromised protein stability. Thus, this aglycosylated monoclonal antibody-lectin coupled immunoassay for the quantification of tumour markers (ALIQUAT) method can provide a robust, versatile and accessible immunoassay platform to quantify specific glycoforms in precision cancer diagnostics. Moreover, the engineered mice can be used as a host to produce various aglycosylated antibodies in a convenient and robust fashion, thereby expanding in vitro diagnostic development opportunities that utilize glycoforms as a disease-specific biomarkers. Lee et al. describe the generation of aglycosylated antibody-producing mice. These aglycosylated antibodies, lacking glycans prevent unwanted interactions with the lectins, and are used as reagents in a tool they developed called ALIQUAT. This aglycosylated antibody and lectin-based immunoassay diagnostic platform can be used to detect disease specific glycan biomarkers.
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Chen T, Dai X, Dai J, Ding C, Zhang Z, Lin Z, Hu J, Lu M, Wang Z, Qi Y, Zhang L, Pan R, Zhao Z, Lu L, Liao W, Lu X. AFP promotes HCC progression by suppressing the HuR-mediated Fas/FADD apoptotic pathway. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:822. [PMID: 33009373 PMCID: PMC7532541 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03030-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is reactivated in a majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated with poor patient outcomes. Although increasing evidence has shown that AFP can regulate HCC cell growth, the precise functions of AFP in hepatocarcinogenesis and the associated underlying mechanism remain incompletely understood. In this study, we demostrated that depleting AFP significantly suppressed diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver tumor progression in an AFP gene-deficient mouse model. Similarly, knocking down AFP expression inhibited human HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth by inducing apoptosis. AFP expression level was inversely associated with the apoptotic rate in mouse and human HCC specimens. Investigation of potential cross-talk between AFP and apoptotic signaling revealed that AFP exerted its growth-promoting effect by suppressing the Fas/FADD-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Mechanistically, AFP bound to the RNA-binding protein HuR, increasing the accumulation of HuR in the cytoplasm and subsequent inhibition of Fas mRNA translation. In addition, we found that inhibiting AFP enhanced the cytotoxicity of therapeutics to AFP-positive HCC cells by activating HuR-mediated Fas/FADD apoptotic signaling. Conclusion: Our study defined the pro-oncogenic role of AFP in HCC progression and uncovered a novel antiapoptotic mechanism connecting AFP to HuR-mediated Fas translation. Our findings suggest that AFP is involved in the pathogenesis and chemosensitivity of HCC and that blockade of AFP may be a promising strategy to treat advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianke Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Dai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Juji Dai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chaodong Ding
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ziqi Lin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jin Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Mei Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhanyu Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yalei Qi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Rulu Pan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhu Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Liting Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wanqin Liao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xincheng Lu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, 325035, Wenzhou, China.
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Moldogazieva NT, Ostroverkhova DS, Kuzmich NN, Kadochnikov VV, Terentiev AA, Porozov YB. Elucidating Binding Sites and Affinities of ERα Agonists and Antagonists to Human Alpha-Fetoprotein by In Silico Modeling and Point Mutagenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030893. [PMID: 32019136 PMCID: PMC7036865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a major embryo- and tumor-associated protein capable of binding and transporting a variety of hydrophobic ligands, including estrogens. AFP has been shown to inhibit estrogen receptor (ER)-positive tumor growth, which can be attributed to its estrogen-binding ability. Despite AFP having long been investigated, its three-dimensional (3D) structure has not been experimentally resolved and molecular mechanisms underlying AFP–ligand interaction remains obscure. In our study, we constructed a homology-based 3D model of human AFP (HAFP) with the purpose of molecular docking of ERα ligands, three agonists (17β-estradiol, estrone and diethylstilbestrol), and three antagonists (tamoxifen, afimoxifene and endoxifen) into the obtained structure. Based on the ligand-docked scoring functions, we identified three putative estrogen- and antiestrogen-binding sites with different ligand binding affinities. Two high-affinity binding sites were located (i) in a tunnel formed within HAFP subdomains IB and IIA and (ii) on the opposite side of the molecule in a groove originating from a cavity formed between domains I and III, while (iii) the third low-affinity binding site was found at the bottom of the cavity. Here, 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation allowed us to study their geometries and showed that HAFP–estrogen interactions were caused by van der Waals forces, while both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were almost equally involved in HAFP–antiestrogen binding. Molecular mechanics/Generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) rescoring method exploited for estimation of binding free energies (ΔGbind) showed that antiestrogens have higher affinities to HAFP as compared to estrogens. We performed in silico point substitutions of amino acid residues to confirm their roles in HAFP–ligand interactions and showed that Thr132, Leu138, His170, Phe172, Ser217, Gln221, His266, His316, Lys453, and Asp478 residues, along with two disulfide bonds (Cys224–Cys270 and Cys269–Cys277), have key roles in both HAFP–estrogen and HAFP–antiestrogen binding. Data obtained in our study contribute to understanding mechanisms underlying protein–ligand interactions and anticancer therapy strategies based on ERα-binding ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurbubu T. Moldogazieva
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.S.O.); (N.N.K.); (Y.B.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Daria S. Ostroverkhova
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.S.O.); (N.N.K.); (Y.B.P.)
- Department of Bioengineering, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolai N. Kuzmich
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.S.O.); (N.N.K.); (Y.B.P.)
- Department of Drug Safety, I.M. Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, WHO National Influenza Centre of Russia, 197376 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir V. Kadochnikov
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Engineering, Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, 197101 Saint-Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Alexander A. Terentiev
- Deparment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 117997 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yuri B. Porozov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991 Moscow, Russia; (D.S.O.); (N.N.K.); (Y.B.P.)
- Department of Food Biotechnology and Engineering, Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, 197101 Saint-Petersburg, Russia;
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Heiat M, Negahdary M. Sensitive diagnosis of alpha-fetoprotein by a label free nanoaptasensor designed by modified Au electrode with spindle-shaped gold nanostructure. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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17
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Vasani A, Kumar MS. Advances in the proteomics of amniotic fluid to detect biomarkers for chromosomal abnormalities and fetomaternal complications during pregnancy. Expert Rev Proteomics 2019; 16:277-286. [PMID: 30722712 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2019.1578213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amniotic fluid (AF) is a dynamic and complex mixture that reflects the physiological condition of developing fetus. In the last decade, proteomic analysis of AF for 16-18 weeks normal pregnancy has been done for the composition and functions of this fluid. Other body fluids such as urine, sweat, tears, etc. are being used for diagnosis of disease, but an insight into protein biomarkers of amniotic fluid can save the fetus and mother from future complications. Areas covered: We have covered the proteomics of amniotic fluid done since 2000, in order to strengthen the establishment of these techniques as a recognized diagnostic tool in the field. After classifying the diseases based on chromosomal aneuploidies, gestational changes, and inflammation caused during pregnancy; we have focused on amniotic fluid to detect various complications during and post pregnancy and its effect on the fetomaternal relationship. Expert comment: The main protein biomarkers responsible for various syndromes, diseases, and complications have been summarized. Major proteins identified for gestational conditions are IGFBP-1, fibrinogen, neutrophil defensins like calgranulins A and C, cathelicidin, APOA1, TRFE, etc. Validation of particular technique and establishing a single standardized biomarker for the diagnosis to avoid any overlapping for different diseases is required. After certain improvements, proteomics approach can be considered for diagnosis of diseases associated with fetal-maternal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aayushi Vasani
- a Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management , SVKM'S NMIMS , V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle west, Mumbai - 400056 , India
| | - Maushmi S Kumar
- a Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management , SVKM'S NMIMS , V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle west, Mumbai - 400056 , India
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18
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Cui H, Han F, Zhang L, Wang L, Kumar M. Gamma linolenic acid regulates PHD2 mediated hypoxia and mitochondrial apoptosis in DEN induced hepatocellular carcinoma. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:4241-4252. [PMID: 30587920 PMCID: PMC6296206 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s178519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the known major health problems across the globe, and is sixth ranked among all cancer, due to its high mortality rate. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in the formation of a cell membrane, along with the fluidity of the membrane and proteins. Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is member of the ω-6 family of PUFAs and converts into the arachidonic acid via a series of elongation and desaturation reactions. The aim of the current investigation was to scrutinize the effect of GLA on mitochondrial mediated apoptosis and anti-inflammatory pathway against diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced HCC. Materials and methods Chemical carcinogenesis in Wistar rats was introduced by an intra-peritoneal dose of DEN (200 mg/kg). The rats received the various doses of GLA for 22 weeks. The progressions of serum biomarkers and histopathology components of hepatic tissue were used to access the prophylactic effects. The antioxidant parameters, cancer preventive agent status, and apoptosis mechanism were reviewed to scrutinize the possible mechanism. Results Dose-dependent treatment of GLA significantly (P<−0.001) modulated the hepatic nodules, hepatic, body weight, antioxidant, and non-hepatic parameters. Curiously, the Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting showed the GLA altered reduced the hypoxic microenvironment, mitochondrial mediated death apoptosis, and anti-inflammsatory pathways. Conclusion On the basis of the above results, we can conclude that the GLA exhibited a chemo-protective effect against DEN induced HCC that might be due to the altered hypoxic microenvironment, mitochondrial mediated death apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory pathway, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Cui
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province 450008, China
| | - Feng Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province 450008, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province 450008, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province 450008, China
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Chandra Shekhar Singh College of Pharmacy, Allahabad, India,
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Wang S, Zhu M, Wang Q, Hou Y, Li L, Weng H, Zhao Y, Chen D, Ding H, Guo J, Li M. Alpha-fetoprotein inhibits autophagy to promote malignant behaviour in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:1027. [PMID: 30301886 PMCID: PMC6177398 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-1036-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been recognized as a key regulator of cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether AFP functions in cancer cell autophagy remains unknown. This study investigated the effects of AFP on autophagy in HCC cells. The role of AFP was studied in two HCC cell lines, PLC/PRF/5 and HLE. Cell autophagy, apoptosis, proliferation, migration and invasion were analysed with Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP), immunofluorescence, animal models, MTT assays, flow cytometry (FCM), Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8, and scratch and transwell assays. In PLC/PRF/5 cells, AFP interacted with PTEN and activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling. In HLE cells, overexpressed AFP similarly interacted with PTEN, leading to PI3K/Akt/mTOR activation and reduced cell autophagy. When AFP was silenced in PLC/PRF/5 cells, cell proliferation, tumour growth, migration and invasion were inhibited, and the numbers of S-phase and apoptotic cells were increased. In contrast, AFP overexpression in HLE cells enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion and reduced apoptosis. AFP-dependent autophagy, proliferation, migration and apoptosis were inhibited by rapamycin. In summary, AFP plays critical roles in the inhibition of autophagy and apoptosis in HCC cells and promotes proliferation, migration and invasion. The role of AFP in autophagy inhibition in HCC cells may involve the activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Mingyue Zhu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Qiaoyun Wang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China
| | - Yuli Hou
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Honglei Weng
- Molecular Hepatology, University of Heidelberg, University Medical Center Mannheim, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Yan Zhao
- Clinical Laboratory Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dexi Chen
- Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Precision Medicine and Transformation Engineering Technology Research Center of Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Huiguo Ding
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Junli Guo
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China.
| | - Mengsen Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China.
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20
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Griswold C, Durica AR, Dennis LG, Jewell AF. Prenatal Bowel Findings in Male Siblings With a Confirmed FOXP3 Mutation. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2018; 37:1033-1037. [PMID: 28960390 DOI: 10.1002/jum.14428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There are multiple etiologies for fetal dilated bowel loops on ultrasonography (US), and we present a unique case of male siblings with a forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) mutation. Both children presented with fetal bowel anomalies on prenatal US. Family histories of cystic fibrosis and immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome were reported. Amniocentesis in both pregnancies identified a normal male karyotype and the familial mutation associated with IPEX syndrome. IPEX syndrome is one of a group of conditions known as congenital diarrhea disorders. Other congenital diarrhea disorder cases have presented with similar prenatal US findings. As a result of these associations, we suggest considering IPEX syndrome as a potential cause of fetal bowel anomalies, particularly with a known family history. However, continued research into the phenotypic and genotypic correlations for IPEX syndrome is likely needed to better understand this possible prenatal presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Griswold
- Carilion Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia USA; and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Allison R Durica
- Carilion Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia USA; and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Larry G Dennis
- Carilion Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia USA; and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Ann F Jewell
- Carilion Clinic Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia USA; and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
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Belyaev NN, Abdolla N, Perfilyeva YV, Ostapchuk YO, Krasnoshtanov VK, Kali A, Tleulieva R. Daunorubicin conjugated with alpha-fetoprotein selectively eliminates myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and inhibits experimental tumor growth. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:101-111. [PMID: 28956104 PMCID: PMC11028061 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-017-2067-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Failure of antitumor immunity in cancer was shown to be mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are considered to be one of the key factors contributing to the development of malignant diseases. Therefore, the development of pharmacological approaches to effectively eliminate MDSCs in organisms carrying growing tumors is a promising pathway for potential treatment. For this purpose we propose alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) conjugated with a cytotoxic agent as a vector molecule, specifically recognizing MDSCs. The present study was aimed at examination of this suggestion using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. MDSCs, obtained from the spleen of Ehrlich carcinoma bearing mice, selectively bound AFP labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. AFP conjugated to daunorubicin (AFP-DR) and DR alone showed similar in vitro cytotoxicity against the granulocytic MDSC subpopulation. The monocytic MDSC subpopulation was resistant to treatment with DR, whereas it was completely depleted in the presence of AFP-DR. Treatment of mice bearing Ehrlich carcinoma with AFP-DR resulted in reduced numbers of splenic MDSCs, normalization of NK cell levels, and inhibition of tumor growth. The obtained results demonstrate that cytotoxic conjugates based on AFP are promising anticancer drugs, which, in addition to the direct effect on tumor cells expressing receptors to AFP, may contribute to elimination of MDSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai N Belyaev
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, M. A. Aitkhozhin's Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan.
| | - Nurshat Abdolla
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, M. A. Aitkhozhin's Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
- Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Yuliya V Perfilyeva
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, M. A. Aitkhozhin's Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
| | - Yekaterina O Ostapchuk
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, M. A. Aitkhozhin's Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Aikyn Kali
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, M. A. Aitkhozhin's Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
| | - Raikhan Tleulieva
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Immunobiotechnology, M. A. Aitkhozhin's Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, 86 Dosmukhamedov St., Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
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22
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De Mees C, Bakker J, Szpirer J, Szpirer C. Alpha-Fetoprotein: From a Diagnostic Biomarker to a Key Role in Female Fertility. Biomark Insights 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/117727190600100002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a well-known diagnostic biomarker used in medicine to detect fetal developmental anomalies such as neural tube defects or Down's syndrome, or to follow up the development of tumors such as hepatocellular carcinomas. However, and despite the fact that the protein was discovered almost half a century ago, little was known about its physiological function. The study of Afp knock-out mice uncovered a surprising function of AFP: it is essential for female fertility and for expression of normal female behaviors, and this action is mediated through its estrogen binding capacity. AFP sequestrates estrogens and by so doing protects the female developing brain from deleterious (defeminizing/masculinizing) effects of these hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christelle De Mees
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Rue Profs Jeener & Brachet, 12; B-6041 Gosselies (Charleroi), Belgium
| | - Julie Bakker
- University of Liège, Center for Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology, Avenue de l'Hopital 1, B36; B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Josiane Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Rue Profs Jeener & Brachet, 12; B-6041 Gosselies (Charleroi), Belgium
| | - Claude Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Institut de Biologie et de Médecine Moléculaires, Rue Profs Jeener & Brachet, 12; B-6041 Gosselies (Charleroi), Belgium
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23
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Li L, Chen J, Xu W, Ding X, Wang X, Liang J. Clinical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with normal serum alpha-fetoprotein level: A study of 112 consecutive cases. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2017; 14:e336-e340. [PMID: 29071776 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level is normal in 30-40% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and knowledge on its characteristics and clinical outcome is limited. The purpose of this observational study was to determine the clinical presentation, biological behavior and outcome of HCC patients with normal AFP level. METHODS Data of 112 consecutive HCC patients with normal AFP level were analyzed retrospectively. Statistical analysis including survival and factors associated with serum AFP level were performed by Kaplan-Meier method and t-test, respectively. RESULTS Hepatitis B virus infection exited in 83.0% of all 112 HCC patients with normal AFP level. During a mean 52 ± 20 months (range 5-85 months) follow-up, the 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 97.2%, 85.3% and 81.7%, respectively. The OS rates at 3 years stratified by stages at diagnosis were 100%, 96.2%, 85.7%, 11.1% and 0%, respectively for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0-D diseases. Significant difference in OS was observed among patients with BCLC stage 0-D diseases, P < 0.05. Using 8.78 ng/mL as the cut off value, serum AFP level elevated beyond normal figure during follow-up (AFP conversion) in 16 patients, which related with deterioration of liver function, quantitative changes of T helper cell subsets, rapid tumor progression and shorter survival. Patients with sustained normal AFP level had better survival than patients with AFP conversion, P < 0.05. There was significant difference between the time of diagnosis with HCC to serum AFP level elevation and the time of AFP elevation to death, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION Prognosis of HCC patients with normal AFP level was relatively optimal. Serum AFP level elevation during follow-up was significantly associated with clinical outcome in terms of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglong Chen
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiran Xu
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaosheng Ding
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyi Wang
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Liang
- Department of Oncology, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
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24
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Risk of preterm birth among women using drugs during pregnancy with elevated α-fetoprotein. J Perinatol 2017; 37:220-225. [PMID: 27929528 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2016.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the risk of preterm birth (PTB) among women who use drugs during pregnancy and have elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP). STUDY DESIGN The sample included California singleton live births in 2005 to 2010 contained within a hospital discharge database linked to the Prenatal Screening Program. A selection of mothers who did not use drugs was selected at a ratio of 4:1. Risk of PTB was calculated using adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for women who did or did not use drugs by their AFP percentile. RESULTS We identified 7190 women who used drugs and selected 28 760 women who did not. Of women using cocaine with AFP ⩾95th percentile, 43.8% delivered prematurely. Women using drugs with AFP ⩾95th percentile were 11 to 35 times as likely to deliver <32 weeks. CONCLUSION The combination of drug use and elevated AFP results in high rates of PTB. This combination results in an additive risk.
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25
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Description and characterization of a unique human immunoglobulin G1 kappa idiotype found in placental tissue. Placenta 2017; 50:84-93. [PMID: 28161067 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Does maternal IgG found in placental tissue provide the fetus with more than just humoral immunity? To address this question, the IgGs from twelve placentas were studied and four of these samples were examined using mass spectrometry which revealed an IgG1k idiotype. A special dodecapeptide portion of the 3rd framework region of the VH chain sequence was identified as an idiotypic determinant in these placental- IgG1k (p-IgG1k) and referred to as peptideX2 and found to have biological activity. Antiserum to peptideX2 was made and then used with Western Immunoblotting to show that this unique H chain (containing peptideX2) appears to be present in all p-IgG tested and in all subjects tested. It appears that the placenta contains not only conventional polyclonal maternal IgGs but also an idiotypic population of maternal IgG1k which binds to TLR2>TLR4 via the epitope "peptideX2″ and promotes IL-6, TNFα, and IL-10 production and may play a role in maternal-fetal tolerance.
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26
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Mizejewski GJ. Physiology of Alpha-Fetoprotein as a Biomarker for Perinatal Distress: Relevance to Adverse Pregnancy Outcome. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 232:993-1004. [PMID: 17720945 DOI: 10.3181/0612-mr-291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The many physiologic roles of human alpha-fetoprotein (HAFP) and its correlation with perinatal distress/pregnancy outcome are rarely addressed together in the biomedical literature, even though HAFP has long been used as a biomarker for fetal birth defects. Although the well being of the fetus can be monitored by the measurement of gestational age–dependent HAFP in biologic fluid levels (serum, amniotic fluid, urine, and vaginal fluids) throughout pregnancy, the majority of clinical reports reflect largely second trimester and (less likely) first trimester testing due to regulatory clinical restrictions. However, reports of third-trimester and pregnancy term measurement of HAFP levels performed in clinical research and/or investigational settings have gradually increased over the years and have expanded our base knowledge of AFP-associated pregnancy disorders during these stages. The different structural forms of HAFP (isoforms, epitopes, molecular variants, etc.) detected in the various biologic fluid compartments have been limited by antibody recognition of specific epitopic sites developed by the kit manufacturers based on antibody specificity, sensitivity, and precision. Concomitantly, the advances in elucidating the various biologic actions of AFP are opening new vistas toward understanding the physiologic roles of AFP during pregnancy. The present review surveys HAFP as a biomarker for fetal distress during the perinatal period in view of its structural and functional properties. An attempt is then made to relate the AFP fluid levels to adverse pregnancy complications and outcomes. Hence, the present review was divided into two major sections: (I) AFP structure and function considerations and (II) the relationship of AFP levels to the distressed fetus during the third trimester and at term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald J Mizejewski
- The Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12201, USA.
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27
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Mizejewski GJ. Does alpha-fetoprotein contribute to the mortality and morbidity of human hepatocellular carcinoma? A commentary. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2016; 3:37-40. [PMID: 27703963 PMCID: PMC5036612 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s114198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The fifth most common cancer worldwide is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while being the third leading cause of global cancer-related deaths. Although HCC incidence is less frequent in North America, it is a common malignancy in Asia and Africa associated with a high rate of mortality and morbidity due to ineffective therapies against cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis. It is well established that serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the "gold standard" biomarker for liver cancer; however, less known are the biological activities of AFP regarding carcinogenesis, growth, proliferation, and metastasis. Clinicians are well aware that increasing AFP serum levels parallel disease progression of HCC patients, but many are less knowledgeable in the lethal growth-promoting properties of AFP as an autocrine stimulator of hepatoma cell proliferation. This commentary addresses the mortality and morbidity concerning AFP in the genesis, growth, progression, and spread of HCC and emphasizes the perilous consequences of AFP-supported growth in human liver cancer even after liver resection and transplantation. Thus, AFP is not just a biomarker for HCC but also an ardent promoter of liver cancer growth and progression.
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28
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Darouich AA, Liehr T, Weise A, Schlembach D, Schleußner E, Kiehntopf M, Schreyer I. Alpha-fetoprotein and its value for predicting pregnancy outcomes - a re-evaluation. J Prenat Med 2016; 9:18-23. [PMID: 27358693 DOI: 10.11138/jpm/2015.9.3.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations can be determined framing others from invasively acquired amnion fluid (AF-AFP). While the biological role of AFP remains unclear it is well known that AFP-levels can be altered in connection with specific clinical and/or genetic alterations of the fetus. MATERIALS AND METHOD here a retrospective study based on 3,119 singleton and 56 twin pregnancies is presented. The standard levels of amnion fluid derived alpha-fetoprotein level (AF-AFP) between 12th and 36th weeks of gestation were determined. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) test results for 63 cases, ultrasonography results for 32 cases and abnormal karyotypic findings for 100 cases were available for selected cases. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION according to the present data the AF-AFP test is reliable and provides expected test results in terms of population studies. However, individual AF-AFP test results can be subject to high individual variations. In this study AF-AFP multiple of medians (MoM) over 1.7 were indicative for neuronal tube defects and/or omphalocele in only 6.3% of the cases, while such AF-AFP values were hints on severe sonographic signs in 62% of the cases. Also, altered AF-AFP concentrations were present in 82% of cytogenetically abnormal cases. Overall, even though predicative value of the AF-AFP-test is matter of discussion it continues to be widely applied in invasive prenatal diagnostics. This study indicates that it only can be applied reliably in combination with other tests like banding cytogenetics, ultrasonography and all embedded in well-established genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayham Alhaj Darouich
- Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Human Genetics, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Liehr
- Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Human Genetics, Jena, Germany
| | - Anja Weise
- Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Human Genetics, Jena, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schlembach
- Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Placenta-Labor, Department of Obstetrics, Jena, Germany
| | - Ekkehart Schleußner
- Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Placenta-Labor, Department of Obstetrics, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Kiehntopf
- Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Diagnostics, Jena, Germany
| | - Isolde Schreyer
- Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Human Genetics, Jena, Germany; Jena University Hospital, Zentrum für ambulante Medizin, Jena, Germany
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29
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Morozkina EV, Vavilova EA, Zatcepin SS, Klyachko EV, Yagudin TA, Chulkin AM, Dudich IV, Semenkova LN, Churilova IV, Benevolensky SV. Engineering of a System for the Production of Mutant Human Alpha-Fetoprotein in the Methylotrophic Yeast Pichia pastoris. APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683816020125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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30
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Small non-coding RNAs transfer through mammalian placenta and directly regulate fetal gene expression. Protein Cell 2016; 6:391-396. [PMID: 25963995 PMCID: PMC4444809 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-015-0156-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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31
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Baer RJ, Currier RJ, Norton ME, Flessel MC, Goldman S, Towner D, Jelliffe-Pawlowski LL. Outcomes of pregnancies with more than one positive prenatal screening result in the first or second trimester. Prenat Diagn 2015; 35:1223-31. [PMID: 26288069 DOI: 10.1002/pd.4682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe adverse outcomes and fetal abnormalities in women with a positive prenatal screening result for more than one disorder. STUDY DESIGN Study participants were drawn from a population of 452 901 women pregnant with singletons entering the California Prenatal Screening Program in their first-trimester. Risk assessment was provided for trisomy 21 and trisomy 18 in the first-trimester and trisomy 21, trisomy 18, neural tube defects, and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome in the second-trimester. Inclusion in this study required positive screening for more than one of the screened conditions and a completed outcome of pregnancy survey. RESULTS A total of 874 women met our study inclusion criteria. Over 25% of these pregnancies had a fetus with a chromosomal abnormality. Of the euploid pregnancies, 6.9% had a fetus with a major birth defect. Of the pregnancies with a fetus with neither a chromosomal abnormality nor a major birth defect, 9.3% ended in fetal demise. Overall, more than 50% of women with multiple positive screening results had either a fetus with a birth defect or a poor pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION Although it is rare to screen positive for more than one condition, such results indicate a very high risk for chromosomal abnormality, fetal demise, or structural abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Baer
- Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - R J Currier
- Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - M E Norton
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M C Flessel
- Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - S Goldman
- Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA
| | - D Towner
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - L L Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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32
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Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) modulates the effect of serum albumin on brain development by restraining the neurotrophic effect of oleic acid. Brain Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Sofronova SI, Gaynullina DK, Martyanov AA, Tarasova OS. Endogenous oestrogens do not regulate endothelial nitric oxide production in early postnatal rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 765:598-605. [PMID: 26415981 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Previously we showed that endothelium of 1-2-weeks old rats exerts an anticontractile effect due to spontaneous NO production which correlates with a higher eNOS expression level compared to adult rats. Oestrogens are powerful regulators of eNOS expression and activity in arterial endothelium. This study tested the hypothesis that anticontractile influence of endothelium in young rats is regulated by endogenous oestrogens. Wistar rats were daily treated with ICI 182,780 or letrozole (oestrogen receptor antagonist and aromatase inhibitor, respectively; s.c., 1mg/kg/day) from the second postnatal day, control pups received vehicle injections. At the age of 10-12-days we studied contraction of saphenous arteries using wire myography. ELISA and qPCR were used to evaluate blood sex steroids levels and mRNA expression in arterial tissue, respectively. Ten-12 days old male rats compared to adult male rats demonstrated 78% higher serum 17β-oestradiol concentration and several-fold increase in mRNA contents of oestrogen receptors (ERα and GPER1). However, treatments with ICI 182,780 or letrozole did not affect arterial sensitivity to methoxamine (α1-adrenoceptor agonist) in 10-12-days old males. The blockade of NO-synthase with L-NNA caused tonic contraction and potentiated the response to methoxamine, these effects were similar in control and both treated groups. The sensitivity of endothelium-denuded saphenous arteries to NO-donor DEA/NO did not differ between control and treated groups as well. In addition, treatments with ICI 182,780 or letrozole did not change eNOS expression level in arterial tissue. Our results suggest that endogenous oestrogens do not regulate anticontractile effect of NO during early postnatal development in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana I Sofronova
- Institute for Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Khoroshevskoe shosse 76A, 123007 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, 119234 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Dina K Gaynullina
- Institute for Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Khoroshevskoe shosse 76A, 123007 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; Department of Physiology, Russian National Research Medical University, Ostrovitianova street 1, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey A Martyanov
- Institute for Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Khoroshevskoe shosse 76A, 123007 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga S Tarasova
- Institute for Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Khoroshevskoe shosse 76A, 123007 Moscow, Russia; Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1/12, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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2D DIGE proteomic analysis highlights delayed postnatal repression of α-fetoprotein expression in homocystinuria model mice. FEBS Open Bio 2015. [PMID: 26199862 PMCID: PMC4506956 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2015.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystathionine β-synthase-deficient (Cbs (-/-)) mice, an animal model for homocystinuria, exhibit hepatic steatosis and juvenile semilethality via as yet unknown mechanisms. The plasma protein profile of Cbs (-/-) mice was investigated by proteomic analysis using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/mass spectrometry. We found hyperaccumulation of α-fetoprotein (AFP) and downregulation of most other plasma proteins. AFP was highly expressed in fetal liver, but its expression declined dramatically via transcriptional repression after birth in both wild-type and Cbs (-/-) mice. However, the repression was delayed in Cbs (-/-) mice, causing high postnatal AFP levels, which may relate to transcriptional repression of most plasma proteins originating from liver and the observed hepatic dysfunction.
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Key Words
- 2D DIGE
- 2D DIGE, two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis
- AFP, α-fetoprotein
- CBS, cystathionine β-synthase
- CTH, cystathionine γ-lyase
- Cystathionine β-synthase
- DTT, dithiothreitol
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- IEF, isoelectric focusing
- IPG, immobilized pH gradient
- MALDI-TOF/MS
- MALDI-TOF/MS, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/mass spectrometry
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- PAGE, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
- Proteomics
- Transcriptional regulation
- qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction
- α-Fetoprotein
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Mizejewski GJ. Nonsecreted cytoplasmic alpha-fetoprotein: a newly discovered role in intracellular signaling and regulation. An update and commentary. Tumour Biol 2015; 36:9857-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3736-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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36
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The use of α-fetoprotein for the delivery of cytotoxic payloads to cancer cells. Ther Deliv 2015; 5:885-92. [PMID: 25337646 DOI: 10.4155/tde.14.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One approach to improving the activity of anticancer drugs is to bind them to the human α-fetoprotein (HAFP) that recognizes the tumor-associated cell-surface HAFP receptor. A drug can be bound to the HAFP by covalent conjugation or within a non-covalent complex. Specially designed linkers couple cytotoxins to the HAFP and ensure the stability of the HAFP-drug conjugate in the circulation and the activation of the drug in the cancer cell. On the other hand, AFP-drug non-covalent complexes can exploit the natural role of the AFP as a nutrition delivery "shuttle". In this article we review the design of HAFP-drug conjugates and AFP-drug complexes and their potential uses.
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Tahtouh R, Azzi AS, Alaaeddine N, Chamat S, Bouharoun-Tayoun H, Wardi L, Raad I, Sarkis R, Antoun NA, Hilal G. Telomerase inhibition decreases alpha-fetoprotein expression and secretion by hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines: in vitro and in vivo study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119512. [PMID: 25822740 PMCID: PMC4379025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A direct relationship between poor prognosis and the concentration of serum AFP has been observed. Telomerase, an enzyme that stabilizes the telomere length, is expressed by 90% of HCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of telomerase inhibition on AFP secretion and the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Proliferation and viability tests were performed using tetrazolium salt. Apoptosis was determined through the Annexin V assay using flow cytometry. The concentrations of AFP were measured using ELISA kits. The AFP mRNA expression was evaluated using RT-PCR, and cell migration was evaluated using a Boyden chamber assay. The in vivo effect of costunolide on AFP production was tested in NSG mice. Telomerase inhibition by costunolide and BIBR 1532 at 5 and 10 μM decreased AFP mRNA expression and protein secretion by HepG2/C3A cells. The same pattern was obtained with cells treated with hTERT siRNA. This treatment exhibited no apoptotic effect. The AFP mRNA expression and protein secretion by PLC/PRF/5 was decreased after treatment with BIBR1532 at 10 μM. In contrast, no effect was obtained for PLC/PRF/5 cells treated with costunolide at 5 or 10 μM. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway decreased the AFP concentration. In contrast, the MAPK/ERK pathway appeared to not be involved in HepG2/C3A cells, whereas ERK inhibition decreased the AFP concentration in PLC/PRF/5 cells. Modulation of the AFP concentration was also obtained after the inhibition or activation of PKC. Costunolide (30 mg/kg) significantly decreased the AFP serum concentration of NSG mice bearing HepG2/C3A cells. Both the inhibition of telomerase and the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway decreased the AFP production of HepG2/C3A and PLC/PRF/5 cells, suggesting a relationship between telomerase and AFP expression through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
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MESH Headings
- Aminobenzoates/pharmacology
- Animals
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Hep G2 Cells
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/metabolism
- Liver Neoplasms/pathology
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Naphthalenes/pharmacology
- Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology
- Neoplasm Invasiveness/prevention & control
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA, Neoplasm/genetics
- RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- Sesquiterpenes/pharmacology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
- Telomerase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Telomerase/genetics
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- alpha-Fetoproteins/genetics
- alpha-Fetoproteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Roula Tahtouh
- Cancer and Metabolism Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Anne-Sophie Azzi
- Cancer and Metabolism Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nada Alaaeddine
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Soulaima Chamat
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Lebanese University, Fanar, Lebanon
| | | | - Layal Wardi
- Cancer and Metabolism Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Issam Raad
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Riad Sarkis
- Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University and Hotel-Dieu de France, Surgery Department, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - George Hilal
- Cancer and Metabolism Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
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Probert PME, Meyer SK, Alsaeedi F, Axon AA, Fairhall EA, Wallace K, Charles M, Oakley F, Jowsey PA, Blain PG, Wright MC. An expandable donor-free supply of functional hepatocytes for toxicology. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c4tx00214h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The B-13 cell is a readily expandable rat pancreatic acinar-like cell that differentiates on simple plastic culture substrata into replicatively-senescent hepatocyte-like (B-13/H) cells in response to glucocorticoid exposure. B-13/H cells express a variety of liver-enriched and liver-specific genes, many at levels similar to hepatocytes in vivo. Furthermore, the B-13/H phenotype is maintained for at least several weeks in vitro, in contrast to normal hepatocytes which rapidly de-differentiate under the same simple – or even under more complex – culture conditions. The origin of the B-13 cell line and the current state of knowledge regarding differentiation to B-13/H cells are presented, followed by a review of recent advances in the use of B-13/H cells in a variety of toxicity endpoints. B-13 cells therefore offer Toxicologists a cost-effective and easy to use system to study a range of toxicologically-related questions. Dissecting the mechanism(s) regulating the formation of B-13/H cell may also increase the likelihood of engineering a human equivalent, providing Toxicologists with an expandable donor-free supply of functional rat and human hepatocytes, invaluable additions to the tool kit of in vitro toxicity tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M. E. Probert
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Stephanie K. Meyer
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Fouzeyyah Alsaeedi
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew A. Axon
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Emma A. Fairhall
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Karen Wallace
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michelle Charles
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Fiona Oakley
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Paul A. Jowsey
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Peter G. Blain
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Matthew C. Wright
- Institute Cellular Medicine, Level 4 Leech Building; Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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39
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Jyoti S, Tandon S. Genetic basis for developmental toxicity due to statin intake using embryonic stem cell differentiation model. Hum Exp Toxicol 2015; 34:965-84. [PMID: 25712412 DOI: 10.1177/0960327114564795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The in utero environment is a key factor controlling the fate of the growing embryo. The deleterious effects of statins during the fetal development are still not very well understood. Data from animal studies and retrospective studies performed in pregnant women give conflicting reports. In this study, using in vitro differentiation model of embryonic stem cells, which mimic the differentiation process of the embryo, we have systematically exposed the cells to lipophilic statins, simvastatin, and atorvastatin at various doses and at critical times during differentiation. The analysis of key genes controlling the differentiation into ecto-, meso- and endodermal lineages was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our results show that genes of the mesodermal lineage were most sensitive to statins, leading to changes in the transcript levels of brachyury, Flk-1, Nkx2.5, and α/β-myosin heavy chain. In addition, changes to endodermal marker α-fetoprotein, along with ectodermal Nes and Neurofilament 200 kDa, imply that during early differentiation exposure to these drugs leads to altered signaling, which could translate to the congenital abnormalities seen in the heart and limbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Jyoti
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Solan, India
| | - S Tandon
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Solan, India
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40
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Puntachai P, Wanapirak C, Sirichotiyakul S, Tongprasert F, Srisupundit K, Luewan S, Traisrisilp K, Tongsong T. Associations between pregnancy outcomes and unexplained high and low maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2014; 292:81-5. [DOI: 10.1007/s00404-014-3606-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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41
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Hong H, Branham WS, Ng HW, Moland CL, Dial SL, Fang H, Perkins R, Sheehan D, Tong W. Human sex hormone-binding globulin binding affinities of 125 structurally diverse chemicals and comparison with their binding to androgen receptor, estrogen receptor, and α-fetoprotein. Toxicol Sci 2014; 143:333-48. [PMID: 25349334 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One endocrine disruption mechanism is through binding to nuclear receptors such as the androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) in target cells. The concentration of a chemical in serum is important for its entry into the target cells to bind the receptors, which is regulated by the serum proteins. Human sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is the major transport protein in serum that can bind androgens and estrogens and thus change a chemical's availability to enter the target cells. Sequestration of an androgen or estrogen in the serum can alter the chemical elicited AR- and ER-mediated responses. To better understand the chemical-induced endocrine activity, we developed a competitive binding assay using human pregnancy plasma and measured the binding to the human SHBG for 125 structurally diverse chemicals, most of which were known to bind AR and ER. Eighty seven chemicals were able to bind the human SHBG in the assay, whereas 38 chemicals were nonbinders. Binding data for human SHBG are compared with that for rat α-fetoprotein, ER and AR. Knowing the binding profiles between serum and nuclear receptors will improve assessment of a chemical's potential for endocrine disruption. The SHBG binding data reported here represent the largest data set of structurally diverse chemicals tested for human SHBG binding. Utilization of the SHBG binding data with AR and ER binding data could enable better evaluation of endocrine disrupting potential of chemicals through AR- and ER-mediated responses since sequestration in serum could be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixiao Hong
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - William S Branham
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - Hui Wen Ng
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - Carrie L Moland
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - Stacey L Dial
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - Hong Fang
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - Roger Perkins
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - Daniel Sheehan
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
| | - Weida Tong
- *Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Division of Systems Biology, Division of Genetic and Molecular Toxicology and Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079
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42
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Parpart S, Roessler S, Dong F, Rao V, Takai A, Ji J, Qin L, Ye Q, Jia H, Tang Z, Wang XW. Modulation of miR-29 expression by α-fetoprotein is linked to the hepatocellular carcinoma epigenome. Hepatology 2014; 60:872-83. [PMID: 24798303 PMCID: PMC4146718 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 70%-85% of primary liver cancers and ranks as the second leading cause of male cancer death. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), normally highly expressed in the liver only during fetal development, is reactivated in 60% of HCC tumors and associated with poor patient outcome. We hypothesize that AFP+ and AFP- tumors differ biologically. Multivariable analysis in 237 HCC cases demonstrates that AFP level predicts poor survival independent of tumor stage (P<0.043). Using microarray-based global microRNA (miRNA) profiling, we found that miRNA-29 (miR-29) family members were the most significantly (P<0.001) down-regulated miRNAs in AFP+ tumors. Consistent with miR-29's role in targeting DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A), a key enzyme regulating DNA methylation, we found a significant inverse correlation (P<0.001) between miR-29 and DNMT3A gene expression, suggesting that they might be functionally antagonistic. Moreover, global DNA methylation profiling reveals that AFP+ and AFP- HCC tumors have distinct global DNA methylation patterns and that increased DNA methylation is associated with AFP+ HCC. Experimentally, we found that AFP expression in AFP- HCC cells induces cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of AFP, or conditioned media from AFP+ cells, inhibits miR-29a expression and induces DNMT3A expression in AFP- HCC cells. AFP also inhibited transcription of the miR-29a/b-1 locus, and this effect is mediated through c-MYC binding to the transcript of miR-29a/b-1. Furthermore, AFP expression promotes tumor growth of AFP- HCC cells in nude mice. CONCLUSION Tumor biology differs considerably between AFP+ HCC and AFP- HCC; AFP is a functional antagonist of miR-29, which may contribute to global epigenetic alterations and poor prognosis in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Parpart
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, NCI, Bethesda, MD,Tumor Biology Department, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | | | - Fei Dong
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, NCI, Bethesda, MD
| | - Vinay Rao
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, NCI, Bethesda, MD
| | - Atsushi Takai
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, NCI, Bethesda, MD
| | - Junfang Ji
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, NCI, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lun–Xiu Qin
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing–Hai Ye
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hu–Liang Jia
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao–You Tang
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wei Wang
- Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, NCI, Bethesda, MD,Correspondence: Xin Wei Wang, National Cancer Institute, 37 Convent Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; ; Phone: 301-496-2099; Fax: 301-496-0497
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43
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Bogdanov AY, Bogdanova TM, Ilin AI. Endocytic pathway of alpha-fetoprotein in mouse bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells: Molecular characterization and role in biological activity modification. CYTOL GENET+ 2014. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452714010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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44
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Tumour markers and kidney function: a systematic review. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:647541. [PMID: 24689048 PMCID: PMC3933284 DOI: 10.1155/2014/647541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Revised: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tumour markers represent useful tools in diagnosis and clinical management of patients with cancer, because they are easy to use, minimally invasive, and easily measured in either blood or urine. Unfortunately, such an ideal marker, as yet, does not exist. Different pathological states may increase the level of a tumour marker in the absence of any neoplasia. Alternatively, low levels of tumour markers could be also found in the presence of neoplasias. We aimed at reviewing studies currently available in the literature examining the association between tumour markers and different renal impairment conditions. Each tumour marker was found to be differently influenced by these criteria; additionally we revealed in many cases a lack of available published data.
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45
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Richardson M, Guo M, Fauser B, Macklon N. Environmental and developmental origins of ovarian reserve. Hum Reprod Update 2013; 20:353-69. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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46
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Chiplunkar AR, Curtis BC, Eades GL, Kane MS, Fox SJ, Haar JL, Lloyd JA. The Krüppel-like factor 2 and Krüppel-like factor 4 genes interact to maintain endothelial integrity in mouse embryonic vasculogenesis. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2013; 13:40. [PMID: 24261709 PMCID: PMC4222490 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-13-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Krüppel-like Factor 2 (KLF2) plays an important role in vessel maturation during embryonic development. In adult mice, KLF2 regulates expression of the tight junction protein occludin, which may allow KLF2 to maintain vascular integrity. Adult tamoxifen-inducible Krüppel-like Factor 4 (KLF4) knockout mice have thickened arterial intima following vascular injury. The role of KLF4, and the possible overlapping functions of KLF2 and KLF4, in the developing vasculature are not well-studied. Results Endothelial breaks are observed in a major vessel, the primary head vein (PHV), in KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos at E9.5. KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos die by E10.5, which is earlier than either single knockout. Gross hemorrhaging of multiple vessels may be the cause of death. E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4+/- embryos do not exhibit gross hemorrhaging, but cross-sections display disruptions of the endothelial cell layer of the PHV, and these embryos generally also die by E10.5. Electron micrographs confirm that there are gaps in the PHV endothelial layer in E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos, and show that the endothelial cells are abnormally bulbous compared to KLF2-/- and wild-type (WT). The amount of endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) mRNA, which encodes an endothelial regulator, is reduced by 10-fold in E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4-/- compared to KLF2-/- and WT embryos. VEGFR2, an eNOS inducer, and occludin, a tight junction protein, gene expression are also reduced in E9.5 KLF2-/-KLF4-/- compared to KLF2-/- and WT embryos. Conclusions This study begins to define the roles of KLF2 and KLF4 in the embryonic development of blood vessels. It indicates that the two genes interact to maintain an intact endothelial layer. KLF2 and KLF4 positively regulate the eNOS, VEGFR2 and occludin genes. Down-regulation of these genes in KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos may result in the observed loss of vascular integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi R Chiplunkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0035, USA.
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47
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Shen J, Zhang W, Fang H, Perkins R, Tong W, Hong H. Homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations elucidated α-fetoprotein binding modes. BMC Bioinformatics 2013; 14 Suppl 14:S6. [PMID: 24266910 PMCID: PMC3851483 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-14-s14-s6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An important mechanism of endocrine activity is chemicals entering target cells via transport proteins and then interacting with hormone receptors such as the estrogen receptor (ER). α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a major transport protein in rodent serum that can bind and sequester estrogens, thus preventing entry to the target cell and where they could otherwise induce ER-mediated endocrine activity. Recently, we reported rat AFP binding affinities for a large set of structurally diverse chemicals, including 53 binders and 72 non-binders. However, the lack of three-dimensional (3D) structures of rat AFP hinders further understanding of the structural dependence for binding. Therefore, a 3D structure of rat AFP was built using homology modeling in order to elucidate rat AFP-ligand binding modes through docking analyses and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Methods Homology modeling was first applied to build a 3D structure of rat AFP. Molecular docking and Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) scoring were then used to examine potential rat AFP ligand binding modes. MD simulations and free energy calculations were performed to refine models of binding modes. Results A rat AFP tertiary structure was first obtained using homology modeling and MD simulations. The rat AFP-ligand binding modes of 13 structurally diverse, representative binders were calculated using molecular docking, (MM-GBSA) ranking and MD simulations. The key residues for rat AFP-ligand binding were postulated through analyzing the binding modes. Conclusion The optimized 3D rat AFP structure and associated ligand binding modes shed light on rat AFP-ligand binding interactions that, in turn, provide a means to estimate binding affinity of unknown chemicals. Our results will assist in the evaluation of the endocrine disruption potential of chemicals.
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48
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Kobayashi H, Yoshida S, Sun YJ, Shirasawa N, Naito A. Postnatal development of gastric aromatase and portal venous estradiol-17β levels in male rats. J Endocrinol 2013; 218:117-24. [PMID: 23606751 DOI: 10.1530/joe-13-0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Gastric parietal cells synthesize and secrete estradiol-17β (E₂) into gastric veins joining the portal vein, and a large amount of gastric E₂ first binds to its receptors in the liver. However, the role of the gastric E₂ is not entirely clear during postnatal development. The objective of this study was to reveal the onset of aromatase and other steroid-synthesizing enzymes in the gastric mucosa; to determine the period of rising E₂ levels in the portal vein; and to further understand the relationship between gastric E₂ and liver estrogen receptor α (ERα). The immunoblot bands and the immunohistochemistry of gastric mucosa revealed that aromatase protein began to express itself at 20 days and then increased in the levels of aromatase protein from 20 days onward. Expression of mRNAs for gastric aromatase (Cyp19a1) and other steroid-synthesizing enzymes, 17α-Hydroxylase (Cyp17a1) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD17b3), also increased similar to the increment of aromatase protein. Portal venous E₂ levels were elevated after 20 days and increased remarkably between 23 and 30 days, similar to gastric aromatase mRNA levels. The E₂ level was approximately three times higher at 40 days than that at 20 days. The liver weight and Esr1 levels began to increase after 20 days and the increment was positively correlated with the change of portal venous E₂ levels. These findings suggest that some changes may occur around 20 days to regulate the gastric E₂ synthesis and secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto Kobayashi
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Science, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-nishi, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan
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Alpha-fetoprotein contributes to THP-1 cell invasion and chemotaxis via protein kinase and Gi-protein-dependent pathways. Mol Cell Biochem 2013; 379:283-93. [PMID: 23615710 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-013-1650-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for long was known as immunomodulator and tumor marker having multifaceted actions on the activity of normal and transformed cells. In present study, we have investigated the involvement of AFP in regulation of THP-1 cell line invasion and underlying mechanisms. Treatment with human recombinant AFP causes up-regulation of MMP9 expression, chemotaxis and calcium mobilization, and increases invasion through Matrigel, with no significant impact on THP-1 cell growth or viability. Using small molecule inhibitors, we have shown that the rhAFP-induced MMP9 expression depends on the activation of ERK1,2, JNK and Akt kinases, with the involvement of NFκB and likely, AP-1 transcription factors. In contrast, inhibition of p38 kinase, but not of JNK, had dramatic suppressive effect on the rhAFP-triggered chemotaxis. In addition, rhAFP-induced MMP9 expression and calcium response were completely blocked by pertussis toxin, indicating that Gi-protein-coupled receptor(s) has a mediatory role in these processes. CCR5 chemokine receptor is the only known Gi-protein binding to AFP. The action of CCR5 inhibitor Maraviroc results in partial suppression of MMP9 up-regulation and calcium response suggesting that CCR5 might be involved in these effects.
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50
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Wojtulewicz JP, Coakley JC. Alpha-fetoprotein-a potential biomarker of intestinal regeneration in the infant. Med Hypotheses 2013; 81:335-7. [PMID: 23692971 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Revised: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesise that the human infant, whether born prematurely or at term, may have special capacities when mounting a healing response to severe post-natal gastrointestinal injury consequent upon stem cells of endodermal origin, located in the infant gut, persisting beyond the intrauterine period. Should such endodermal stem cells persist beyond birth, and should they survive any gastro-intestinal injury, there would be a possibility for them to be re-activated, and then to differentiate into progeny cells appropriate to replacement of the destroyed intestinal cell type(s). We therefore postulate that in infants who survive significant intestinal necrosis requiring surgical excision in the perinatal period, a component of the recovery process may include some degree of intestinal regeneration. Evidence for the regeneration of intestine would be evinced by measurement of a biomarker in the plasma of recovering infants--alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)--as this protein would be produced by early generations of these putative replacement progeny intestinal cells. We would anticipate an initial significant rise in the plasma AFP, prior to a plateau in levels, and then a subsequent fall in plasma AFP values. This would indicate the activity, then subsequent cessation, of any intestinal cell regenerative process. We have recently published a previously undescribed pattern of anomalous serial plasma concentrations of AFP in several infants who survived following significant intestinal necrosis and subsequent surgical resection. We consider this novel hypothesis, and our associated observation of another cause of rising AFP in the post-natal period, to support our contention regarding the presence and potential of intestinal stem cells, and a regenerative process within the infant gastro-intestinal system. This hypothesis has important implications for the understanding of the physiologic responses following gut cell necrosis in the human newborn as well as future approaches to research directions, clinical support and potential treatment modalities, during their recovery phase. Further studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian P Wojtulewicz
- Department of Paediatrics and Clinical Biochemistry, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, Australia.
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