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Jin T, Wang Z, Fan F, Wei W, Zhou C, Zhang Z, Gao Y, Li W, Zhu L, Hao J. HDAC1 Promotes Mitochondrial Pathway Apoptosis and Inhibits the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response in High Glucose-Treated Schwann Cells via Decreased U4 Spliceosomal RNA. Neurochem Res 2024:10.1007/s11064-024-04200-1. [PMID: 38916813 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04200-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Dysfunction of Schwann cells, including cell apoptosis, autophagy inhibition, dedifferentiation, and pyroptosis, is a pivotal pathogenic factor in induced diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are an important family of proteins that epigenetically regulate gene transcription by affecting chromatin dynamics. Here, we explored the effect of HDAC1 on high glucose-cultured Schwann cells. HDAC1 expression was increased in diabetic mice and high glucose-cultured RSC96 cells, accompanied by cell apoptosis. High glucose also increased the mitochondrial pathway apoptosis-related Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9 ratios and decreased endoplasmic reticulum response-related GRP78, CHOP, and ATF4 expression in RSC96 cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, overexpression of HDAC1 increased the ratios of Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 and reduced the levels of GRP78, CHOP, and ATF4 in RSC96 cells (P < 0.05). In contrast, knockdown of HDAC1 inhibited high glucose-promoted mitochondrial pathway apoptosis and suppressed the endoplasmic reticulum response. Moreover, RNA sequencing revealed that U4 spliceosomal RNA was significantly reduced in HDAC1-overexpressing RSC96 cells. Silencing of U4 spliceosomal RNA led to an increase in Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-9 and a decrease in CHOP and ATF4. Conversely, overexpression of U4 spliceosomal RNA blocked HDAC1-promoted mitochondrial pathway apoptosis and inhibited the endoplasmic reticulum response. In addition, alternative splicing analysis of HDAC1-overexpressing RSC96 cells showed that significantly differential intron retention (IR) of Rpl21, Cdc34, and Mtmr11 might be dominant downstream targets that mediate U4 deficiency-induced Schwann cell dysfunction. Taken together, these findings indicate that HDAC1 promotes mitochondrial pathway-mediated apoptosis and inhibits the endoplasmic reticulum stress response in high glucose-cultured Schwann cells by decreasing the U4 spliceosomal RNA/IR of Rpl21, Cdc34, and Mtmr11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Jin
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
- Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Experimental Center of Clinical College, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Fan Fan
- Department of Investigation, Hebei Vocational College of Public Security Police, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wandi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
- Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Chenming Zhou
- Department of Electron Microscopy, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
- Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yue Gao
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
- Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China
- Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Electromyogram, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, 139 Ziqiang Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050051, China.
| | - Jun Hao
- Department of Pathology, Hebei Medical University, 361 Zhongshan East Road, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050017, China.
- Center of Metabolic Diseases and Cancer Research, Institute of Medical and Health Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
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2
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Ding S, Dong X, Song X. Tumor educated platelet: the novel BioSource for cancer detection. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:91. [PMID: 37170255 PMCID: PMC10176761 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Platelets, involved in the whole process of tumorigenesis and development, constantly absorb and enrich tumor-specific substances in the circulation during their life span, thus called "Tumor Educated Platelets" (TEPs). The alterations of platelet mRNA profiles have been identified as tumor markers due to the regulatory mechanism of post-transcriptional splicing. Small nuclear RNAs (SnRNAs), the important spliceosome components in platelets, dominate platelet RNA splicing and regulate the splicing intensity of pre-mRNA. Endogenous variation at the snRNA levels leads to widespread differences in alternative splicing, thereby driving the development and progression of neoplastic diseases. This review systematically expounds the bidirectional tumor-platelets interactions, especially the tumor induced alternative splicing in TEP, and further explores whether molecules related to alternative splicing such as snRNAs can serve as novel biomarkers for cancer diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Ding
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xiaohan Dong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Xingguo Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, PR China.
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3
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The Breast Cancer Protooncogenes HER2, BRCA1 and BRCA2 and Their Regulation by the iNOS/NOS2 Axis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061195. [PMID: 35740092 PMCID: PMC9227079 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; NOS2) and derived NO in various cancers was reported to exert pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects depending on the levels of expression and the tumor types. In humans, the breast cancer level of iNOS was reported to be overexpressed, to exhibit pro-tumorigenic activities, and to be of prognostic significance. Likewise, the expression of the oncogenes HER2, BRCA1, and BRCA2 has been associated with malignancy. The interrelationship between the expression of these protooncogenes and oncogenes and the expression of iNOS is not clear. We have hypothesized that there exist cross-talk signaling pathways between the breast cancer protooncogenes, the iNOS axis, and iNOS-mediated NO mutations of these protooncogenes into oncogenes. We review the molecular regulation of the expression of the protooncogenes in breast cancer and their interrelationships with iNOS expression and activities. In addition, we discuss the roles of iNOS, HER2, BRCA1/2, and NO metabolism in the pathophysiology of cancer stem cells. Bioinformatic analyses have been performed and have found suggested molecular alterations responsible for breast cancer aggressiveness. These include the association of BRCA1/2 mutations and HER2 amplifications with the dysregulation of the NOS pathway. We propose that future studies should be undertaken to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the expression of iNOS and various breast cancer oncogenes, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets for the treatment of breast cancers that are refractory to current treatments.
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Liang Z, Su D, Liu K, Jiang H. Comprehensive analysis of molecular mechanism and a novel prognostic signature based on small nuclear RNA biomarkers in gastric cancer patients. Open Med (Wars) 2022; 17:991-1006. [PMID: 35733621 PMCID: PMC9164292 DOI: 10.1515/med-2022-0493] [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: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are rarely reported in cancer. This study is based on The Cancer Genome Atlas genome-wide data set to explore the prognostic value and molecular mechanism of snRNAs in gastric cancer (GC). Gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and gene set enrichment analysis were used to explore the molecular mechanism of snRNAs. A total of 351 patients were included in the survival analysis, and 14 prognostic snRNAs were identified using multivariate survival analysis. We constructed a prognostic signature containing nine snRNAs, which can signally classify patients into high- and low-risk phenotypes (adjusted P < 0.0001, hazard ratio = 2.671, 95% confidence interval = 1.850–3.858). Combining the molecular mechanisms obtained by the three functional enrichment approaches, we concluded that this prognostic signature snRNAs participated in classical tumor-related signaling pathways, including Notch, PI3K, toll-like receptor, etc.; cell adhesion; cell cycle; cell proliferation; and other biological processes that affect the biological phenotype of cancer cells. We also found significant downregulation of the abundance of immune cell infiltrates and immune microenvironment scores for high-risk phenotypes of GC patients. In conclusion, this study has identified 14 prognostic snRNAs signally associated with GC overall survival and also constructed a novel prognostic signature containing nine prognostic snRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning , 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , People’s Republic of China
| | - Dongxing Su
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning , 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , People’s Republic of China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University , Nanning , 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , People’s Republic of China
| | - Haixing Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University , Shuang Yong Road 6 , Nanning , 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , People’s Republic of China
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Zhong Y, Chen X, Huang Y, Jiang Y, Chen T, Nie X, Cheng W. Ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma with elevated β-human chorionic gonadotropin: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e28144. [PMID: 34941061 PMCID: PMC8702252 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the syncytiotrophoblasts of the placenta. However, hCG (particularly β-hCG) is also expressed in many normal nontrophoblastic tissues. Here, we report the case of a 50-year-old woman diagnosed with ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma with elevated β-hCG, which was insensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs and had a poor prognosis. PATIENT CONCERNS A 50-year-old woman with abdominal distention was admitted to our hospital. Pelvic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were highly suggestive of multiple metastases of ovarian cancer. Surprisingly, an elevation in β-hCG levels was also measured. DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTIONS The patient underwent laparoscopic examination and was diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. After 2 prior chemotherapies with paclitaxel and carboplatin, the patient underwent cytoreductive surgery and continued receiving chemotherapy. However, recurrent lesions were observed during the period of chemotherapy, and the level of β-hCG increased. Alternative chemotherapy with liposomal doxorubicin was administered, but it also had a poor therapeutic effect. OUTCOMES The progression was rapid with a continuous increase in β-hCG levels, and the patient died 9 months after surgery. LESSONS Gynecologists should be aware of women with ovarian carcinoma with an elevated β-hCG level, which suggests a poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhong
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Huang
- Department of Women Health, Zhangqiu Women and Children Health Hospital, Zhangqiu District, Ji’nan, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xianglin Nie
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjun Cheng
- Department of Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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6
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Park Y, Lee K, Kim SW, Lee MW, Kim B, Lee SG. Effects of Induced Exosomes from Endometrial Cancer Cells on Tumor Activity in the Presence of Aurea helianthus Extract. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26082207. [PMID: 33921245 PMCID: PMC8068874 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26082207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) cells metastasize to various regions, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, blood, liver, bone, and brain. Various carcinogens are known to cause EC. Exosomes are released from several types of cells and contain various cellular components. In this study, flow cytometry and quantitative PCR were used to evaluate marker levels, cell migration, cell invasion, and mitochondrial membrane potential, and cellular senescence tests were used to estimate cancer activity. The microRNAs were profiled using next-generation sequencing. Although tocopherol-α and rutin content in Aurea helianthus is high, A. helianthus extract was more useful in modulating tumor activity compared to the two aforementioned substances. Notably, we established that the extract induced bioactive exosomes in EC cells, and profiling of miRNAs in the extract-inducing exosomes (EIE) indicated their potency to be developed as a biological drug. The extract and EIE contributed to the following five biological process categories for EC cells: (1) cell migration and invasion suppression, (2) cellular senescence activation by attenuating mitochondrial membrane potential and enhancing autophagy, (3) reproductive cancer activity attenuation, (4) drug susceptibility activation, and (5) EIE containing miRNAs associated with decreasing inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonjin Park
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (Y.P.); (S.W.K.); (M.W.L.)
- Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Life Together, 13 Gongdan-ro, Chuncheon-si 24232, Gangwon, Korea
| | - Kyunghwa Lee
- Mitosbio, 13 Gongdan-ro, Chuncheon-si 24232, Gangwon, Korea;
| | - Suhng Wook Kim
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (Y.P.); (S.W.K.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Min Woo Lee
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (Y.P.); (S.W.K.); (M.W.L.)
| | - Boyong Kim
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (Y.P.); (S.W.K.); (M.W.L.)
- Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Life Together, 13 Gongdan-ro, Chuncheon-si 24232, Gangwon, Korea
- Mitosbio, 13 Gongdan-ro, Chuncheon-si 24232, Gangwon, Korea;
- Correspondence: (B.K.); (S.G.L.); Tel.: +82-10-9105-1435 (B.K. & S.G.L.)
| | - Seung Gwan Lee
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea; (Y.P.); (S.W.K.); (M.W.L.)
- Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Correspondence: (B.K.); (S.G.L.); Tel.: +82-10-9105-1435 (B.K. & S.G.L.)
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7
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Querat B. Unconventional Actions of Glycoprotein Hormone Subunits: A Comprehensive Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:731966. [PMID: 34671318 PMCID: PMC8522476 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.731966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycoprotein hormones (GPH) are heterodimers composed of a common α subunit and a specific β subunit. They act by activating specific leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptors. However, individual subunits have been shown to elicit responses in cells devoid of the receptor for the dimeric hormones. The α subunit is involved in prolactin production from different tissues. The human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (βhCG) plays determinant roles in placentation and in cancer development and metastasis. A truncated form of the thyrotropin (TSH) β subunit is also reported to have biological effects. The GPH α- and β subunits are derived from precursor genes (gpa and gpb, respectively), which are expressed in most invertebrate species and are still represented in vertebrates as GPH subunit paralogs (gpa2 and gpb5, respectively). No specific receptor has been found for the vertebrate GPA2 and GPB5 even if their heterodimeric form is able to activate the TSH receptor in mammals. Interestingly, GPA and GPB are phylogenetically and structurally related to cysteine-knot growth factors (CKGF) and particularly to a group of antagonists that act independently on any receptor. This review article summarizes the observed actions of individual GPH subunits and presents the current hypotheses of how these actions might be induced. New approaches are also proposed in light of the evolutionary relatedness with antagonists of the CKGF family of proteins.
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8
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Andruska N, Mahapatra L, Brenneman R, MacArthur KM, Oppelt P, Baumann BC. False-positive pregnancy test secondary to ectopic expression of human chorionic gonadotropin by a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. J Surg Oncol 2020; 122:809-812. [PMID: 32615029 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26067] [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] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Tumors can rarely overexpress human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) resulting in false-positive pregnancy tests. Here, we report a 44-year-old female with a metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) who presented with a positive urine pregnancy test before radiotherapy. Further workup ruled out pregnancy. Following radiotherapy, her metastatic disease progressed and her hCG level continued to rise. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a GIST tumor overexpressing hCG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neal Andruska
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Lily Mahapatra
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Randall Brenneman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kelly M MacArthur
- Department of Dermatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Peter Oppelt
- Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Brian C Baumann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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9
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Śliwa A, Kubiczak M, Szczerba A, Walkowiak G, Nowak-Markwitz E, Burczyńska B, Butler S, Iles R, Białas P, Jankowska A. Regulation of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit expression in ovarian cancer. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:746. [PMID: 31362717 PMCID: PMC6664497 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5960-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit by cancers is extensively documented, yet regulation of the multiple genes that can code for this protein is poorly understood. The aim of the study was to examine the mechanisms regulating CGB gene expression in ovarian cancer. METHODS Expression of CGB genes and SP1, SP3, TFAP2A transcription factor genes was evaluated by RT-qPCR. The methylation status of CGB genes promoter regions was examined by methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS mRNA arising from multiple CGB genes was detected in both ovarian control and malignant tissues. However, expression of CGB3-9 genes was shown to be significantly higher in malignant than healthy ovarian tissues. CGB1 and CGB2 transcripts were shown to be present in 20% of ovarian cancers, but were not detected in any of the control samples. Malignant tissues were characterized by DNA demethylation of CGB promoter regions. In ovarian cancer CGB expression positively correlated with TFAP2A transcripts level and expression of TFAP2A transcription factor was significantly higher in cancer than in control tissues. In contrast SP3 expression level was significantly lower in ovarian tumours than in control ovarian tissue. CONCLUSIONS In ovarian cancers increased expression of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit is associated with demethylation of CGB promoter regions. CGB3-9 expression level strongly correlates with expression of the TFAP2A transcription factor. Presence of mRNA arising from CGB1 and CGB2 genes appears to be a unique feature of a subset of ovarian cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Śliwa
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 5D Rokietnicka Street, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Marta Kubiczak
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 5D Rokietnicka Street, 60-806, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Szczerba
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 5D Rokietnicka Street, 60-806, Poznan, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Walkowiak
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 5D Rokietnicka Street, 60-806, Poznan, Poland
| | - Ewa Nowak-Markwitz
- Gynaecologic Oncology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 33 Polna Street, 60-101, Poznan, Poland
| | - Beata Burczyńska
- Centre for Investigative and Diagnostic Oncology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Stephen Butler
- MAP Diagnostics Ltd, The iLAB, Stannard Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3RZ, UK
| | - Ray Iles
- MAP Diagnostics Ltd, The iLAB, Stannard Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44 3RZ, UK.,College of Health, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Piotr Białas
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 5D Rokietnicka Street, 60-806, Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Jankowska
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 5D Rokietnicka Street, 60-806, Poznan, Poland
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10
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Kvirkvelia N, Chikadze N, Makinde J, McBride JD, Porakishvili N, Hills FA, Martensen PM, Justesen J, Delves PJ, Lund T, Roitt IM. Investigation of factors influencing the immunogenicity of hCG as a potential cancer vaccine. Clin Exp Immunol 2018; 193:73-83. [PMID: 29601077 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and its β-subunit (hCGβ) are tumour autocrine growth factors whose presence in the serum of cancer patients has been linked to poorer prognosis. Previous studies have shown that vaccines which target these molecules and/or the 37 amino acid C-terminal hCGβ peptide (hCGβCTP) induce antibody responses in a majority of human recipients. Here we explored whether the immunogenicity of vaccines containing an hCGβ mutant (hCGβR68E, designed to eliminate cross-reactivity with luteinizing hormone) or hCGβCTP could be enhanced by coupling the immunogen to different carriers [keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) or heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70)] using different cross-linkers [1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carboiimide (EDC) or glutaraldehyde (GAD)] and formulated with different adjuvants (RIBI or Montanide ISA720). While there was little to choose between KLH and Hsp70 as carriers, their influence on the effectiveness of a vaccine containing the BAChCGβR68E mutant was less marked, presumably because, being a foreign species, this mutant protein itself might provide T helper epitopes. The mutant provided a significantly better vaccine than the hCGβCTP peptide irrespective of the carrier used, how it was cross-linked to the carrier or which adjuvant was used when hCG was the target. Nonetheless, for use in humans where hCG is a tolerated self-protein, the need for a carrier is of fundamental importance. Highest antibody titres were obtained by linking the BAChCGβR68E to Hsp70 as a carrier by GAD and using RIBI as the adjuvant, which also resulted in antibodies with significantly higher affinity than those elicited by hCGβCTP peptide vaccine. This makes this mutant vaccine a promising candidate for therapeutic studies in hCGβ-positive cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kvirkvelia
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - N Chikadze
- Division of Immunology and Microbiology, Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia, USA
| | - J Makinde
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - J D McBride
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - N Porakishvili
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - F A Hills
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Technology, University of Middlesex, London, UK
| | - P M Martensen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - J Justesen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - P J Delves
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - T Lund
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Technology, University of Middlesex, London, UK
| | - I M Roitt
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Technology, University of Middlesex, London, UK
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11
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BRCA1 regulation on β-hCG: a mechanism for tumorigenicity in BRCA1 defective breast cancer. Oncogenesis 2017; 6:e376. [PMID: 28869585 PMCID: PMC5623901 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2017.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin β (β-hCG) has been implicated in breast tumorigenesis. However, the role of this hormone is highly controversial as certain studies suggest it has anti-tumor properties while others have found it to be pro-tumorigenic. To unveil the truth, we have analyzed the expression of β-hCG in breast cancer. We identified for the first time that β-hCG expression is linked to BRCA1 status and its overexpression is seen in BRCA1 mutated breast cancer cells, BRCA1 conditional knockout mouse breast cancer tissues and BRCA1 floxed basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tissues. An analysis of three large, transcriptomic data sets from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) expression profile confirmed the inverse correlation between BRCA1 and β-hCG in human breast cancer. Using ChIP and luciferase assays, we also demonstrated that the cancer cells with wild-type but not mutant BRCA1 directly repress the expression of β-hCG by binding to its promoter. Further, β-hCG promotes migration and invasion predominantly in BRCA1 mutant breast cancer cells. Interestingly, stable overexpression of β-hCG in BRCA1 mutant but not wild-type breast cancer cells results in the formation of spheres even on monolayer cultures. The cells of these spheres show high expression of both EMT and stem cell markers. Since β-hCG belongs to a cysteine knot family of proteins like TGFβ and TGFβ signaling is deregulated in BRCA1 defective tumors, we checked whether β-hCG can mediate signaling through TGFβRII in BRCA1 mutated cells. We found for the first time that β-hCG can bind and phosphorylate TGFβRII, irrespective of LHCGR status and induce proliferation in BRCA1 defective cells. Our results confirmed that there exists a transcriptional regulation of BRCA1 on β-hCG and BRCA1 mutation promotes β-hCG mediated tumorigenesis through TGFβRII signaling. Thus inhibiting β-hCG-TGFβRII could prove an effective treatment strategy for BRCA1 mutated tumors.
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Schüler-Toprak S, Treeck O, Ortmann O. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18071587. [PMID: 28754015 PMCID: PMC5536074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18071587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is well known as a malignancy being strongly influenced by female steroids. Pregnancy is a protective factor against breast cancer. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a candidate hormone which could mediate this antitumoral effect of pregnancy. For this review article, all original research articles on the role of HCG in breast cancer were considered, which are listed in PubMed database and were written in English. The role of HCG in breast cancer seems to be a paradox. Placental heterodimeric HCG acts as a protective agent by imprinting a permanent genomic signature of the mammary gland determining a refractory condition to malignant transformation which is characterized by cellular differentiation, apoptosis and growth inhibition. On the other hand, ectopic expression of β-HCG in various cancer entities is associated with poor prognosis due to its tumor-promoting function. Placental HCG and ectopically expressed β-HCG exert opposite effects on breast tumorigenesis. Therefore, mimicking pregnancy by treatment with HCG is suggested as a strategy for breast cancer prevention, whereas targeting β-HCG expressing tumor cells seems to be an option for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schüler-Toprak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Oliver Treeck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Olaf Ortmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Regensburg, Caritas-Hospital St. Josef, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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Fluorescence resonance energy transfer usage to track the sequence promoter changes in CGB5 gene in ovarian cancer patients. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 90:139-146. [PMID: 28355589 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.02.113] [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: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The survival rates for ovarian cancer patients remain very low, often as a result of late diagnosis due to the asymptomatic course of the early stage disease. Based on the important biological contribution of human chorionic gonadotropin to various key processes including; cell cycle control, DNA repair, cellular differentiation and developmental processes, we hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms in the genes promoter could be associated with ovarian cancer risk. Thus, the purpose of the study was to determine whether particular polymorphisms occur in the promoter region of the human chorionic gonadotropin polypeptide 5 encoding gene, and if so, are they associated with ovarian cancer outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed Central European females diagnosed with ovarian cancer (n=95) and controls (n=76) for the occurrence of at least one of three polymorphisms (rs7260002, rs7246045, rs540432391) and their impact on cancer risk. The fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique was used in order to conduct single nucleotide polymorphisms genotyping. RESULTS The occurrence of two studied polymorphisms, rs7260002 and rs540432391 present in the 5' upstream region of the chorionic gonadotropin (CG) gene were associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The former polymorphism had a minor impact on cancer risk (P=0.049; OR=1.95; 95% CI=0.97-3.92), while the latter had a much larger impact and may be of great importance in the evaluation of cancer development in the analyzed population (p<0.001; OR 8.5; 95% CI 3.59-20.23). CONCLUSIONS The fluorescence resonance energy transfer application used in tracking the sequence promoter variations of genes expressed during tumorigenesis may be an important factor in early prediction of ovarian cancer. Taking under consideration the elevated CG expression associated with several different cancer types it seems reasonable to estimate if the analyzed polymorphisms could affect cancer outcome.
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Szczerba A, Śliwa A, Kubiczak M, Nowak-Markwitz E, Jankowska A. Human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit affects the expression of apoptosis-regulating factors in ovarian cancer. Oncol Rep 2015; 35:538-45. [PMID: 26530886 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin, especially its free β subunit (hCGβ) were shown to play an important role in cancer growth, invasion and metastasis. It is postulated that hCGβ is one of the factors determining cancer cell survival. To test this hypothesis, we applied two models: an in vitro model of ovarian cancer using OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 cell lines transfected with the CGB5 gene and an in vivo model of ovarian cancer tissues. The material was tested against changes in expression level of genes encoding factors involved in apoptosis: BCL2, BAX and BIRC5. Overexpression of hCGβ was found to cause a decrease in expression of the analyzed genes in the transfected cells compared with the control cells. In ovarian cancer tissues, high expression of CGB was related to significantly lower BCL2 but higher BAX and BIRC5 transcript levels. Moreover, a low BCL2/BAX ratio, characteristic of advanced stages of ovarian cancer, was revealed. Since tumors were discriminated by a significantly lower LHCGR level than the level noted in healthy fallopian tubes and ovaries, it may be stated that the effect of hCGβ on changes in the expression of apoptosis-regulating agents observed in ovarian cancer is LHCGR-independent. The results of the study suggest that the biological effects evoked by hCGβ are related to apoptosis suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Szczerba
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Śliwa
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Kubiczak
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Ewa Nowak-Markwitz
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Jankowska
- Department of Cell Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
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Su M, Fan C, Gao S, Shen A, Wang X, Zhang Y. An HCG-rich microenvironment contributes to ovarian cancer cell differentiation into endothelioid cells in a three-dimensional culture system. Oncol Rep 2015; 34:2395-402. [PMID: 26479853 DOI: 10.3892/or.2015.4215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the expression of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and its effects on vasculogenic mimicry (VM) formation in ovarian cancer cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions in three-dimensional matrices preconditioned by an endothelial-trophoblast cell co-culture system. The co-culture model was established using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and HTR-8 trophoblast cells in a three-dimensional culture system. The co-cultured cells were removed with NH4OH, and ovarian cancer cells were implanted into the preconditioned matrix. VM was identified morphologically and by detecting vascular markers expressed by cancer cells. The specificity of the effects of exogenous HCG in the microenvironment was assessed by inhibition with a neutralizing anti-HCG antibody. HCG siRNA was used to knock down endogenous HCG expression in OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cells. HTR-8 cells 'fingerprinted' HUVECs to form capillary-like tube structures in co-cultures. In the preconditioned HCG-rich microenvironment, the number of vessel-like network structures formed by HCG receptor-positive OVCAR-3 cells and the expression levels of CD31, VEGF and factor VIII were significantly increased. The preconditioned HCG-rich microenvironment significantly increased the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF‑1α) and VM formation in OVCAR-3 cells under hypoxic conditions. Treatment with a neutralizing anti-HCG antibody but not HCG siRNA significantly inhibited the formation of vessel-like network structures. HCG in the microenvironment contributes to OVCAR-3 differentiation into endothelioid cells in three-dimensional matrices preconditioned with an endothelial-trophoblast cell co-culture system. HCG may synergistically enhance hypoxia-induced vascular markers and HIF-1α expression. These findings would provide perspectives on new therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Chao Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Sainan Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Aiguo Shen
- The Immunology Laboratory of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- The Immunology Laboratory of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Yuquan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
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U1 interference (U1i) for Antiviral Approaches. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 848:51-69. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2432-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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CGB activates ERK and AKT kinases in cancer cells via LHCGR-independent mechanism. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:5467-79. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1715-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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Motevaseli E, Shirzad M, Akrami SM, Mousavi AS, Mirsalehian A, Modarressi MH. Normal and tumour cervical cells respond differently to vaginal lactobacilli, independent of pH and lactate. J Med Microbiol 2013; 62:1065-1072. [PMID: 23618799 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.057521-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a human papilloma virus (HPV)-related cancer, but most HPV infections are transient or intermittent and resolve spontaneously. Thus, other factors, such as cervical microflora, which are dominated by lactobacilli, must be involved in invasive cervical carcinoma development after HPV infection. Previous studies have demonstrated that lactobacilli have antitumour effects, and it is possible that vaginal lactobacilli prevent cervical cancer. Here we examined the proliferative and apoptotic responses of normal and tumour cervical cells to common vaginal lactobacilli components by investigating human normal fibroblast-like cervical (normal cervical) and HeLa (cervical tumour) cell responses to Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus crispatus. The effects of different lactobacilli components, such as culture supernatants, cytoplasmic extracts, cell-wall extracts and live cells, were determined by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, trypan blue staining, lactate dehydrogenase assay and colorimetric caspase-3 activity assay. Changes in caspase-3 and human chorionic gonadotropin β (hCGβ) expression were analysed by quantitative RT-PCR. Tumour cell growth inhibition by culture supernatants was higher than that by pH- and lactate-adjusted controls. However, the effects of the supernatants on normal cells were similar to those of lactate-adjusted controls. Apoptosis was inhibited by supernatants, which was consistent with higher hCGβ expression since hCG inhibits apoptosis. Our study demonstrated that common vaginal lactobacilli exert cytotoxic effects on cervical tumour cells, but not on normal cells, and that this cytotoxicity is independent of pH and lactate. Our results encourage further studies on the interaction between lactobacilli and cervical cells, and administration of common vaginal lactobacilli as probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Motevaseli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Shirzad
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Azam-Sadat Mousavi
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, Valli-e-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akbar Mirsalehian
- Department of Microbiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Sachdeva R, Bhardwaj N, Huhtaniemi I, Aggrawal U, Jain SK, Zaidi R, Singh O, Pal R. Transgenesis-mediated reproductive dysfunction and tumorigenesis: effects of immunological neutralization. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51125. [PMID: 23226476 PMCID: PMC3511405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was initially thought to be made only during pregnancy, but is now known to also be synthesized by a variety of cancers and is associated with poor patient prognosis. Transgenic expression of βhCG in mice causes hyper-luteinized ovaries, a loss in estrous cyclicity and infertility, increased body weight, prolactinomas and mammary gland tumors. Strategies were devised to generate antibody responses against hCG to investigate whether reversal of the molecular processes driving tumorigenesis would follow. hCG-immunized transgenic mice did not exhibit increases in body weight or serum prolactin levels, and gross ovarian and pituitary morphology remained normal. While non-immunized transgenic animals demonstrated heightened levels of transcripts associated with pituitary tumorigenesis (HMG2A, E2F1, CCND1, PRL, GH, GAL, PTTG1, BMP4) and decreased levels of CDK inhibitors CDKN1B (p27), CDKN2A (p16) and CDKN2c (p18), immunization led to a reversal to levels found in non-transgenic animals. Serum derived from transgenic (but not non-transgenic) mice led to enhanced transcription as well as expression of VEGF, IL-8, KC (murine IL-8) and MMP-9 in tumor cells, effects not seen when sera derived from hCG-immunized transgenic mice was employed. As the definitive indication of the restoration of the reproductive axis, immunization led to the resumption of estrous cyclicity as well as fertility in transgenic mice. These results indicate that hCG may influence cancer pathogenesis and progression via several distinct mechanisms. Using a stringent in vivo system in which βhCG acts both a “self” antigen and a tumor-promoting moiety (putatively akin to the situation in humans), the data builds a case for anti-gonadotropin vaccination strategies in the treatment of gonadotropin-dependent or secreting malignancies that frequently acquire resistance to conventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Sachdeva
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Neetu Bhardwaj
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College, London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Usha Aggrawal
- Institute of Pathology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Rana Zaidi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (RZ); (OS); (RP)
| | - Om Singh
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (RZ); (OS); (RP)
| | - Rahul Pal
- National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail: (RZ); (OS); (RP)
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Knoepfel SA, Abad A, Abad X, Fortes P, Berkhout B. Design of modified U1i molecules against HIV-1 RNA. Antiviral Res 2012; 94:208-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Andrusiewicz M, Szczerba A, Wołuń-Cholewa M, Warchoł W, Nowak-Markwitz E, Gąsiorowska E, Adamska K, Jankowska A. CGB and GNRH1 expression analysis as a method of tumor cells metastatic spread detection in patients with gynecological malignances. J Transl Med 2011; 9:130. [PMID: 21827674 PMCID: PMC3173340 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metastasis is a common feature of many advanced stage cancers and metastatic spread is thought to be responsible for cancer progression. Most cancer cells are localized in the primary tumor and only a small population of circulating tumor cells (CTC) has metastatic potential. CTC amount reflects the aggressiveness of tumors, therefore their detection can be used to determine the prognosis and treatment of cancer patients.The aim of this study was to evaluate human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (CGB) and gonadoliberin type 1 (GNRH1) expression as markers of tumor cells circulating in peripheral blood of gynecological cancer patients, indicating the metastatic spread of tumor. METHODS CGB and GNRH1 expression level in tumor tissue and blood of cancer patients was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. The data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and Spearman tests. In order to distinguish populations with homogeneous genes' expression the maximal likelihood method for one- and multiplied normal distribution was used. RESULT Real time RT-PCR results revealed CGB and GNRH1 genes activity in both tumor tissue and blood of gynecological cancers patients. While the expression of both genes characterized all examined tumor tissues, in case of blood analysis, the transcripts of GNRH1 were found in all cancer patients while CGB were present in 93% of patients. CGB and GNRH1 activity was detected also in control group, which consisted of tissue lacking cancerous changes and blood of healthy volunteers. The log-transformation of raw data fitted to multiplied normal distribution model showed that CGB and GNRH1 expression is heterogeneous and more than one population can be distinguished within defined groups.Based on CGB gene activity a critical value indicating the presence of cancer cells in studied blood was distinguished. In case of GNRH1 this value was not established since the results of the gene expression in blood of cancer patients and healthy volunteers were overlapping. However one subpopulation consists of cancer patient with much higher GNRH1 expression than in control group was found. CONCLUSIONS Assessment of CGB and GNRH1 expression level in cancer patients' blood may be useful for indicating metastatic spread of tumor cells.
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Overexpression of the β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin promotes the transformation of human ovarian epithelial cells and ovarian tumorigenesis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 179:1385-93. [PMID: 21763678 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2010] [Revised: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, however underlying molecular events remain elusive. Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit (β-hCG) is clinically significant for both trophoblastic and nontrophoblastic cancers; however, whether β-hCG facilitates ovarian epithelial cell tumorigenic potential remains uncharacterized. Immortalized nontumorigenic ovarian epithelial T29 and T80 cells stably overexpressing β-hCG were examined for alterations in cell cycle and apoptotic status by flow cytometry, expression of proteins regulating cell cycle and apoptosis by Western blot, proliferation status by MTT assay, anchorage-independent colony formation, and mouse tumor formation. Immunoreactivity for β-hCG was evaluated using mouse xenografts and on human normal ovarian, fallopian tube, endometrium, and ovarian carcinoma tissues. T29 and T80 cells overexpressing β-hCG demonstrated significantly increased proliferation, anchorage-independent colony formation, prosurvival Bcl-X(L) protein expression, G2-checkpoint progression, elevated cyclins E/D1 and Cdk 2/4/6, and decreased apoptosis. Collectively, these transformational alterations in phenotype facilitated increased xenograft tumorigenesis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, β-hCG immunoreactivity was elevated in malignant ovarian tumors, compared with normal epithelial expression in ovaries, fallopian tube, and endometrium (P < 0.001). Our data indicate that elevated β-hCG transforms ovarian surface epithelial cells, facilitating proliferation, cell cycle progression, and attenuated apoptosis to promote tumorigenesis. Our results further decipher the functional role and molecular mechanism of β-hCG in ovarian carcinoma. β-hCG may contribute to ovarian cancer etiology, which introduces a new therapeutic intervention target for ovarian cancer.
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Talwar GP, Gupta JC, Shankar NV. Immunological Approaches Against Human Chorionic Gonadotropin for Control of Fertility and Therapy of Advanced-Stage Cancers Expressing hCG/Subunits. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66:26-39. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01002.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Koornneef A, van Logtenstein R, Timmermans E, Pisas L, Blits B, Abad X, Fortes P, Petry H, Konstantinova P, Ritsema T. AAV-mediated in vivo knockdown of luciferase using combinatorial RNAi and U1i. Gene Ther 2011; 18:929-35. [PMID: 21472008 PMCID: PMC3169806 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) has been successfully employed for specific inhibition of gene expression; however, safety and delivery of RNAi remain critical issues. We investigated the combinatorial use of RNAi and U1 interference (U1i). U1i is a gene-silencing technique that acts on the pre-mRNA by preventing polyadenylation. RNAi and U1i have distinct mechanisms of action in different cellular compartments and their combined effect allows usage of minimal doses, thereby avoiding toxicity while retaining high target inhibition. As a proof of concept, we investigated knockdown of the firefly luciferase reporter gene by combinatorial use of RNAi and U1i, and evaluated their inhibitory potential both in vitro and in vivo. Co-transfection of RNAi and U1i constructs showed additive reduction of luciferase expression up to 95% in vitro. We attained similar knockdown when RNAi and U1i constructs were hydrodynamically transfected into murine liver, demonstrating for the first time successful in vivo application of U1i. Moreover, we demonstrated long-term gene silencing by AAV-mediated transduction of murine muscle with RNAi/U1i constructs targeting firefly luciferase. In conclusion, these results provide a proof of principle for the combinatorial use of RNAi and U1i to enhance target gene knockdown in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Koornneef
- Department of Research and Development, Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Iles RK, Delves PJ, Butler SA. Does hCG or hCGβ play a role in cancer cell biology? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 329:62-70. [PMID: 20654692 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2010] [Revised: 06/22/2010] [Accepted: 07/13/2010] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The role that hCG might play in the oncogenic process in cancer is certainly complex. We know that the expression of hCG and its beta subunit is a widespread phenomenon which has been described in many cancer subtypes. However, hCG's involvement in breast cancer has been antithetical: the detection of ectopically expressed hCG(β) by breast tumors has been employed as a biomarker of malignancy, and hCG has been proposed as a ligand vehicle for toxic drugs, with the aim of targeting the LH/hCG receptor which is reported to be expressed by malignant breast tissue. However, it has also been proposed that hCG is a protective agent against the development of breast cancer, leading some to advocate hCG administration to non-pregnant women as a prophylactic measure against cancer. Nevertheless, suggestions that hCG is involved in the angiogenesis, metastasis and immune escape that are central to cancer progression - are phenomena which clearly apply to breast cancer. Indeed, a tumor vaccine based upon hCG has very recently been shown to protect against mammary tumors in mice. We propose that this apparent paradox is resolved if the free beta subunit of hCG produced by tumors acts as an autocrine anti-apoptotic and angiogenic growth factor, whilst intact heterodimeric hCG, as in pregnancy, is part of developmental signaling that initiates tissue differentiation (including breast ductal tissue development), and hence reduces the population of stem-like cells which are susceptible to oncogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Iles
- Centre for Investigative and Diagnostic Oncology, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London NW4 4BT, UK.
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Huhtaniemi I. Are gonadotrophins tumorigenic--a critical review of clinical and experimental data. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 329:56-61. [PMID: 20471448 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2010.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2009] [Revised: 04/12/2010] [Accepted: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The growth of many gonadal and extragonadal tumors is stimulated by gonadal sex hormones. Because gonadal hormone production is regulated by pituitary gonadotrophins, the latter hormones can be considered as indirect tumor promoters. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that both gonadal (e.g. ovarian cancer) and extragonadal (e.g. breast, uterus, prostate and adrenal) tumors express gonadotrophin receptors, indicating the possibility of a direct tumorigenic role for FSH and LH. The purpose of this brief review is to present a critical evaluation of the current information, both clinical and experimental, about the direct involvement of gonadotrophins in the induction and growth of gonadal and extragonadal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, IRDB Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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