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Chen X, Fan R. Inhibin A contributes to the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by KIAA1429-mediated m6A modification. J Oral Pathol Med 2024; 53:266-274. [PMID: 38531807 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibin A and N6-methyladenosine methylation modifications participate in oral squamous cell carcinoma development. However, the N6-methyladenosine modification of Inhibin A in oral squamous cell carcinoma has not been revealed. This study reveals a key gene "Inhibin A" that may affect the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma and its molecular mechanisms on N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase KIAA1429-mediated N6-methyladenosine methylation modification. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction identified the potential regulatory genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma. We examined the changes in the proliferation (Cell Counting Kit-8 assay), migration (transwell migration assay), and invasion (transwell invasion assays) of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. We performed a xenograft tumor experiment to validate the role of Inhibin A in oral squamous cell carcinoma in vivo. The interactions between Inhibin A and KIAA1429 were analyzed using bioinformatics, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting experiments. RESULTS Inhibin A had the highest expression in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Inhibin A silencing impaired the ability of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells to proliferate, migrate, and invade, as well as limited the tumorous growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Inhibin A expression positively interacted with KIAA1429 expression in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The levels were also upregulated in our clinical samples. Furthermore, KIAA1429 silencing repressed the N6-methyladenosine level of Inhibin A in oral squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Inhibin A promotes the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by KIAA1429-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification. This study adds to our current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying oral squamous cell carcinoma malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Chen
- Department of Stomatology, The Sixth Hospital of Wuhan Affiliated Hospital of Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Renxiu Fan
- Department of Stomatology, Puren Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Zhang H, Huang Y, Wen Q, Li Y, Guo L, Ge N. INHBA gene silencing inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by repressing TGF-β signaling pathway activation. J Orthop Surg Res 2023; 18:848. [PMID: 37940978 PMCID: PMC10634167 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04330-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma (OS) is a refractory malignancy. This study aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of Inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) in OS. METHODS INHBA expression levels in OS tissues and cells were assessed using RT-qPCR and western blotting. The impact of INHBA silencing on OS development was then explored by transfecting the OS cell lines U2OS and MG63 with INHBA-small interfering RNA (siRNA). The influence of INHBA silencing on U2OS and MG63 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was examined using MTT and Transwell assays. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin and N-cadherin) were analyzed by RT-qPCR. The expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and the TGF-β signaling pathway was evaluated by western blotting and RT-qPCR. RESULTS INHBA levels were elevated in the OS tissues and cells. Furthermore, the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway of OS cells was suppressed in response to INHBA-siRNA, whereas proliferation, migration, and invasion of OS cells were inhibited. Besides, INHBA-siRNA significantly inhibited OS cell EMT, evidenced by enhanced E-cadherin mRNA expression and reduced N-cadherin mRNA expression. Further mechanistic studies revealed that the TGF-β1 agonist SRI-011381 hydrochloride increased OS cell proliferation, migration, and invasion after INHBA downregulation. CONCLUSION We found that INHBA silencing could play a vital role in OS via TGF-β1-regulated proliferation, migration, and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhang
- Second Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medial University, Qiqihar, 161000, China
| | - Yuemei Huang
- Wuzhou Red Cross Hospital, Wuzhou, 543002, China
| | - Qiuting Wen
- Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, 161006, China
| | - Yan Li
- The First Hospital of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, 161005, China
| | - Lin Guo
- Second Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medial University, Qiqihar, 161000, China
| | - Na Ge
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medial University, No. 27 Taishun Street, Qiqihar, 161000, China.
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Liu F, Liu J, Shi X, Hu X, Wei L, Huo B, Chang L, Han Y, Liu G, Yang L. Identification of INHBA as a potential biomarker for gastric cancer through a comprehensive analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12494. [PMID: 37528145 PMCID: PMC10394090 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39784-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA) is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily that plays a fundamental role in various cancers. However, a systematic analysis of the exact role of INHBA in patients with gastric cancer (GC) has not yet been conducted. We evaluated the expression levels of INHBA and the correlation between INHBA and GC prognosis in GC. The relationship between INHBA expression, immune infiltration levels, and type markers of immune cells in GC was also explored. In addition, we studied INHBA mutations, promoter methylation, and functional enrichment analysis. Besides, high expression levels of INHBA in GC were significantly related to unfavorable prognosis. INHBA was negatively correlated with B cell infiltration, but positively correlated with macrophage and most anticancer immunity steps. INHBA expression was positively correlated with the type markers of CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells. INHBA has a weak significant methylation level change between tumor and normal tissues and mainly enriched in cancer-related signaling pathways. The present study implies that INHBA may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with GC. INHBA is a promising predictor of immunotherapy response, with higher levels of INHBA indicating greater sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050001, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayi Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinrui Shi
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojie Hu
- Department of General Surgery, Hebei Provincial People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050055, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lai Wei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050001, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingjie Huo
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050001, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Chang
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050001, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaqing Han
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050001, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangjie Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, 050001, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lei Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Public Health, Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, People's Republic of China.
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Zeng L, Sun X. Correlation of INHBA Overexpression with Pathological Features, Antitumor Immune Response and Clinical Prognosis in Cervical Cancer. Medicina (B Aires) 2023; 59:medicina59030495. [PMID: 36984496 PMCID: PMC10051788 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer (CC) is a malignant tumor occurring in the cervical epithelium, which is one of the most common cancer-caused deaths in females. Inhibin β A (INHBA) is the most widely expressed biomarker of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family in tumor cells, and has predictive value for tumor development and prognosis. In this study, the expression of INHBA in CC tissue was examined to analyze the relationship between INHBA expression and pathological characteristics, anti-tumor immune response and clinical prognosis of CC. In addition, the factors affecting the prognosis of CC patients were explored. Materials and Methods: 84 patients with CC, who underwent surgical resection in our hospital from March 2016 to August 2017, were retrospectively picked. The tumor tissues and normal adjacent tissues of patients with CC were collected, and the expression of INHBA in CC tissues and adjacent tissues was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship between INHBA expression and clinicopathological characteristics of CC patients was analyzed. The relationship between INHBA expression and clinical prognosis was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival curve. The levels of anti-tumor immune-response-related factors (interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) and IL-2) were evaluated in patients with negative and positive expressions of INHBA. The patients were followed up for 60 months and were graded as a good prognosis group and poor prognosis group according to whether the patients died or had recurrence and metastasis. Relevant factors affecting the prognosis of the patients were analyzed. Results: INHBA was localized in the cytoplasm of cancer tissues. The positive expression rate in cancer tissues was 67.86%, which was much higher than the 28.57% in normal adjacent tissues (p < 0.05). Expression of INHBA was closely correlated with Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, differentiation and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). Compared with INHBA-negative expression group, the contents of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 were much lower, while the level of IL-10 was strongly elevated in the INHBA-positive expression group (p < 0.01). Eighty-four patients with CC were followed up for 36 months. The K–M survival curve showed that the patients with a positive expression of INHBA had a significantly shorter survival period than the patients with a negative expression of INHBA (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in FIGO staging, differentiation, lymph node metastasis and INHBA expression between patients with a good prognosis and poor prognosis (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that FIGO stage, differentiation degree, lymph node metastasis and INHBA were the factors influencing the poor prognosis of patients with CC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The abnormally high expression of INHBA in patients with CC was related to the pathological characteristics, anti-tumor immune response and survival time, and leaded to a poor prognosis. It was speculated that INHBA exerted an important reference role in tumor invasion and clinical prognosis evaluation, which could act as a new target for anti-tumor treatment of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zeng
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Department of Pathology, The Third Hospital of Mianyang, Sichuan Mental Health Center, Mianyang 621000, China
| | - Xingwang Sun
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Correspondence:
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Zhang S, Duan S, Xie Z, Bao W, Xu B, Yang W, Zhou L. Epigenetic Therapeutics Targeting NRF2/KEAP1 Signaling in Cancer Oxidative Stress. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:924817. [PMID: 35754474 PMCID: PMC9218606 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.924817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its negative regulator kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) regulate various genes involved in redox homeostasis, which protects cells from stress conditions such as reactive oxygen species and therefore exerts beneficial effects on suppression of carcinogenesis. In addition to their pivotal role in cellular physiology, accumulating innovative studies indicated that NRF2/KEAP1-governed pathways may conversely be oncogenic and cause therapy resistance, which was profoundly modulated by epigenetic mechanism. Therefore, targeting epigenetic regulation in NRF2/KEAP1 signaling is a potential strategy for cancer treatment. In this paper, the current knowledge on the role of NRF2/KEAP1 signaling in cancer oxidative stress is presented, with a focus on how epigenetic modifications might influence cancer initiation and progression. Furthermore, the prospect that epigenetic changes may be used as therapeutic targets for tumor treatment is also investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sining Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhuojun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wanlin Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Department of Stomatology, Panzhihua Central Hospital, Panzhihua, China
| | - Wenbin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Medical Affairs, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingyun Zhou
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Single-cell analysis reveals that cancer-associated fibroblasts stimulate oral squamous cell carcinoma invasion via the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2022; 55:262-273. [PMID: 36148955 PMCID: PMC10157546 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2022132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although substantial progress has been made in cancer biology and treatment, the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still not satisfactory because of local tumor invasion and frequent lymph node metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a potential target in which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are of great significance due to their interactions with cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we focus on the crosstalk between cancer cells and CAFs and discover that CAFs are the main source of TGF-β1. Transwell assays and western blot analysis further prove that CAFs activate the TGF-β1/Smad pathway to promote OSCC invasion. Through survival analysis, we confirm that CAF overexpression is correlated with poor overall survival in OSCC. To further elucidate the origin and role of CAFs in OSCC, we analyze single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 14 OSCC tumor samples and identify four distinct cell types, including CAFs, in the TME, indicating high intratumoral heterogeneity. Then, two subtypes of CAFs, namely, myofibroblasts (mCAFs) and inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs), are further distinguished. Based on the differentially upregulated genes of mCAFs and iCAFs, GO enrichment analysis reveals their different roles in OSCC progression. Furthermore, the gene expression pattern is dynamically altered across pseudotime, potentially taking part in the transformation from epithelial to mCAFs or iCAFs through the epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
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