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Zhang R, Zhang L, Fan S, Wang L, Wang B, Wang L. Squalene monooxygenase (SQLE) protects ovarian cancer cells from ferroptosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:22646. [PMID: 39349544 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-72506-9] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Altered cholesterol metabolism has been linked to a poor prognosis in various types of cancer. Cholesterol oxidation can lead to lipid peroxidation, membrane damage, and cell death. Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides, which significantly inhibits the growth of ovarian cancer cells. SQLE is the primary enzyme responsible for catalyzing cholesterol lipid synthesis and is notably expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cells. This study aims to investigate the role of squalene monooxygenase (SQLE) in ferroptosis in ovarian cancer. The protein and mRNA expression of SQLE was assessed using qRT-PCR, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry. The association between SQLE and ferroptosis was demonstrated through analysis of TCGA and GTEx databases, TMT protein sequencing, as well as validation by qRT-PCR, Western Blot, immunofluorescence, ROS detection, and lipid peroxide detection. Animal experiments further confirmed the relationship between SQLE and ferroptosis in ovarian cancer. The protein and mRNA expression of SQLE was found to be upregulated in both ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. Decreased SQLE expression led to ferroptosis in ovarian cancer cells, thereby increasing their sensitivity to ferroptosis inducers. Our research demonstrates that SQLE is significantly upregulated in both ovarian cancer tissues and cells. The overexpression of SQLE in ovarian cancer may facilitate tumorigenesis by conferring resistance to ferroptosis, thus shedding light on potential novel therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Changhuai Road, Longzih, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Lingmei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Changhuai Road, Longzih, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Sizhe Fan
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Changhuai Road, Longzih, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Liangliang Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Changhuai Road, Longzih, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Beibei Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Changhuai Road, Longzih, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Lihua Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, 287 Changhuai Road, Longzih, Bengbu, Anhui, China.
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Chen X, Peng H, Zhang Z, Yang C, Liu Y, Chen Y, Yu F, Wu S, Cao L. SPDYC serves as a prognostic biomarker related to lipid metabolism and the immune microenvironment in breast cancer. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09505-5. [PMID: 38890248 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09505-5] [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: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer remains the most common malignant carcinoma among women globally and is resistant to several therapeutic agents. There is a need for novel targets to improve the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to explore potentially relevant prognostic genes in breast cancer using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Gene subtypes were categorized by machine learning algorithms. The machine learning-related breast cancer (MLBC) score was evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA) of clinical patients' pathological statuses and subtypes. Immune cell infiltration was analyzed using the xCell and CIBERSORT algorithms. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis elucidated regulatory pathways related to speedy/RINGO cell cycle regulator family member C (SPDYC) in breast cancer. The biological functions and lipid metabolic status of breast cancer cell lines were validated via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR) assays, western blotting, CCK-8 assays, PI‒Annexin V fluorescence staining, transwell assays, wound healing assays, and Oil Red O staining. Key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in breast cancer from the TCGA and GEO databases were screened and utilized to establish the MLBC score. Moreover, the MLBC score we established was negatively correlated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Furthermore, the impacts of SPDYC on the tumor immune microenvironment and lipid metabolism in breast cancer were revealed and validated. SPDYC is closely related to activated dendritic cells and macrophages and is simultaneously correlated with the immune checkpoints CD47, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), and poliovirus receptor (PVR). SPDYC strongly correlated with C-C motif chemokine ligand 7 (CCL7), a chemokine that influences breast cancer patient prognosis. A significant relationship was discovered between key genes involved in lipid metabolism and SPDYC, such as ELOVL fatty acid elongase 2 (ELOVL2), malic enzyme 1 (ME1), and squalene epoxidase (SQLE). Potent inhibitors targeting SPDYC in breast cancer were also discovered, including JNK inhibitor VIII, AICAR, and JW-7-52-1. Downregulation of SPDYC expression in vitro decreased proliferation, increased the apoptotic rate, decreased migration, and reduced lipid droplets. SPDYC possibly influences the tumor immune microenvironment and regulates lipid metabolism in breast cancer. Hence, this study identified SPDYC as a pivotal biomarker for developing therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haojie Peng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Changnian Yang
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yingqi Liu
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanzhen Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
| | - Lixue Cao
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Coates HW, Nguyen TB, Du X, Olzomer EM, Farrell R, Byrne FL, Yang H, Brown AJ. The constitutively active form of a key cholesterol synthesis enzyme is lipid droplet-localized and upregulated in endometrial cancer tissues. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107232. [PMID: 38537696 PMCID: PMC11061744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107232] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholesterol is essential for both normal cell viability and cancer cell proliferation. Aberrant activity of squalene monooxygenase (SM, also known as squalene epoxidase), the rate-limiting enzyme of the committed cholesterol synthesis pathway, is accordingly implicated in a growing list of cancers. We previously reported that hypoxia triggers the truncation of SM to a constitutively active form, thus preserving sterol synthesis during oxygen shortfalls. Here, we show SM truncation is upregulated and correlates with the magnitude of hypoxia in endometrial cancer tissues, supporting the in vivo relevance of our earlier work. To further investigate the pathophysiological consequences of SM truncation, we examined its lipid droplet-localized pool using complementary immunofluorescence and cell fractionation approaches and found that it exclusively comprises the truncated enzyme. This partitioning is facilitated by the loss of an endoplasmic reticulum-embedded region at the SM N terminus, whereas the catalytic domain containing membrane-associated C-terminal helices is spared. Moreover, we determined multiple amphipathic helices contribute to the lipid droplet localization of truncated SM. Taken together, our results expand on the striking differences between the two forms of SM and suggest upregulated truncation may contribute to SM-related oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hudson W Coates
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tina B Nguyen
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ximing Du
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ellen M Olzomer
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rhonda Farrell
- Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Frances L Byrne
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hongyuan Yang
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew J Brown
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Zhang L, Cao Z, Hong Y, He H, Chen L, Yu Z, Gao Y. Squalene Epoxidase: Its Regulations and Links with Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3874. [PMID: 38612682 PMCID: PMC11011400 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073874] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is a key enzyme in the mevalonate-cholesterol pathway that plays a critical role in cellular physiological processes. It converts squalene to 2,3-epoxysqualene and catalyzes the first oxygenation step in the pathway. Recently, intensive efforts have been made to extend the current knowledge of SQLE in cancers through functional and mechanistic studies. However, the underlying mechanisms and the role of SQLE in cancers have not been fully elucidated yet. In this review, we retrospected current knowledge of SQLE as a rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate-cholesterol pathway, while shedding light on its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic marker, and revealed its therapeutic values in cancers. We showed that SQLE is regulated at different levels and is involved in the crosstalk with iron-dependent cell death. Particularly, we systemically reviewed the research findings on the role of SQLE in different cancers. Finally, we discussed the therapeutic implications of SQLE inhibitors and summarized their potential clinical values. Overall, this review discussed the multifaceted mechanisms that involve SQLE to present a vivid panorama of SQLE in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Zheng Cao
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yuheng Hong
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Haihua He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Leifeng Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Zhentao Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Central Laboratory & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Precision Medicine for Cancers, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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Li H, Liu S, Zhang D, Zong X, Jiang G, Zhu C. Dysregulation of ferroptosis may participate in the mitigating effect of CoCl 2 on contrast-induced nephropathy. Nefrologia 2024; 44:180-193. [PMID: 38697696 DOI: 10.1016/j.nefroe.2024.04.003] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Contrast agents can directly or indirectly induce renal tubular ischemia and hypoxic damage. Given that cobalt chloride (CoCl2) can protect renal tubules, the protective effect and potential mechanism of action of CoCl2 on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) warrant investigation. METHODS A CIN mouse model was established to determine the protective effect of CoCl2 on renal injury in vivo. Then, TMT-based proteomics was performed to determine the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), following which, enrichment analyses of gene ontology and the KEGG pathway were performed. In vitro, a CIN model was constructed with renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) to determine the effect of CoCl2 on potential targets and the role of the key protein identified from the in vivo experiments. RESULTS CoCl2 treatment decreased the levels of BUN and serum creatinine (sCr), while increasing the levels of urea and creatinine (Cr) in the urine of mice after CIN injury. Damage to the renal tubules in the CoCl2 treatment group was significantly less than in the CIN model group. We identified 79 DEPs after treating the in vivo model with CoCl2, and frequently observed ferroptosis-related GO and KEGG pathway terms. Of these, Hp (haptoglobin) was selected and found to have a strong renoprotective effect, even though its expression level in kidney tissue decreased after CoCl2 treatment. In HK-2 cells, overexpression of Hp reduced the ferroptosis caused by erastin, while knocking down Hp negated the attenuation effect of CoCl2 on HK-2 cell ferroptosis. CONCLUSION CoCl2 attenuated kidney damage in the CIN model, and this effect was associated with the decrease in ferroptosis mediated by Hp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Li
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Shuang Liu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xue Zong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Gengru Jiang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chun Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Chongming Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Chongming Branch, Shanghai 202150, China.
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Yang Y, Du J, Huang YF, He W, Liu L, Li D, Chen R. Identification of TFR2 as a novel ferroptosis‑related gene that serves an important role in prognosis and progression of triple‑negative breast cancer. Oncol Lett 2024; 27:43. [PMID: 38106522 PMCID: PMC10722555 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective targeted therapeutic strategies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most malignant subtype of breast cancer, are currently lacking. Ferroptosis has been reported to be associated with the onset and advancement of various cancer types, including TNBC. However, there are limited studies on the correlation between TNBC and ferroptosis-related genes. In addition, the potential biomarkers of ferroptosis in TNBC need further investigation. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic role of a novel ferroptosis-related gene signature in the context of TNBC. The signature was established utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. This three-gene model [transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2), regulator of G protein signaling 4 and zinc finger protein 36] was developed utilizing least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis and demonstrated satisfactory predictive performance in TNBC. The area under the curve values of the receiver operating characteristic curves in this model concerning the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival prediction were 0.721, 0.840 and 0.856, respectively. The predictive performance of the model was verified using the TNBC dataset GSE25307. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated the enrichment of genes in the low-risk group in a number of important metabolic pathways. Single-sample GSEA demonstrated a variation in the expression levels of immune checkpoint molecules between the high- and low-risk groups. The inhibitory impact of TFR2 knockdown on the proliferative capacity of TNBC cells was verified through in vitro experiments. The data also demonstrated that TFR2 knockdown facilitated the ferroptosis of TNBC cells. Additional assessments indicated that the effects of TFR2 knockdown were partially reversed upon treatment with the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1. In conclusion, in the present study, a novel and accurate ferroptosis-related predictive signature was established for TNBC with potential future clinical applications. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report that TFR2 regulated ferroptosis in TNBC cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
- School of Forensic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Jie Du
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Fei Huang
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Wei He
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Li Liu
- Clinical Medical College, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Dan Li
- Clinical Medical College, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563003, P.R. China
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Tang W, Li G, Lin Q, Zhu Z, Wang Z, Wang Z. Multiplex immunohistochemistry defines two cholesterol metabolism patterns predicting immunotherapeutic outcomes in gastric cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:887. [PMID: 38062450 PMCID: PMC10702056 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04758-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of cholesterol metabolism in gastric cancer (GC) and its implications for tumor characteristics and immunotherapy response remain poorly understood. In this study, our aim was to investigate this role, identify associated metabolic subtypes, and assess their clinical implications in GC. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive analysis of cholesterol metabolism genes (CMGs) using transcriptomic data from TCGA and GEO. Based on 23 representative CMGs, we classified GC into metabolic subtypes. We evaluated clinical features and immune cell infiltration between these subtypes. Additionally, we identified a CMG signature and assessed its clinical relevance in GC. We retrospectively enrolled thirty-five GC patients receiving chemotherapy plus a PD-1 inhibitor to assess the CMG signature using multiplex immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our analysis revealed two cholesterol metabolism subtypes in GC: Cholesterol Metabolism Type 1 (CMT1) and Cholesterol Metabolism Type 2 (CMT2). These subtypes exhibited distinct patterns: CMT1 indicated heightened cholesterol biosynthesis, while CMT2 showed abnormal cholesterol transport. CMT2 was associated with unfavorable clinical features, enriched malignant pathways, and a pro-tumor immune microenvironment. Furthermore, we developed a five-CMG prognostic signature (ABCA1, NR1H3, TSPO, NCEH1, and HMGCR) that effectively predicted the prognosis of patients with GC and their response to chemotherapy plus a PD-1 inhibitor. This signature was validated in a clinical cohort using multiplex immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION Our results highlight the effectiveness of cholesterol metabolism patterns as biomarkers for predicting the prognosis and immunotherapy response in GC. The expression of cholesterol metabolism genes and the assessment of cholesterol metabolism patterns have the potential to predict the outcome of immunotherapy and guide treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Tang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan 2nd Street, No. 58, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanghua Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan 2nd Street, No. 58, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Lin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan 2nd Street, No. 58, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenzhen Zhu
- Stroke Center, Panyu Central Hospital, Fuyu East Street No. 8, Guangzhou, 511400, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan 2nd Street, No. 58, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhixiong Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan 2nd Street, No. 58, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Tuluhong D, Gao H, Li X, Wang L, Zhu Y, Xu C, Wang J, Li H, Li Q, Wang S. Squalene epoxidase promotes breast cancer progression by regulating CCNB1 protein stability. Exp Cell Res 2023; 433:113805. [PMID: 37839786 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113805] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy affecting women, characterized by a substantial occurrence rate. Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is a crucial regulator of ferroptosis and has been associated with promoting cell growth and invasion in different types of human cancers. This study aimed to investigate the functional significance of SQLE in BC and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS SQLE expression levels in BC tissues were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Cell viability, invasion, migration, and cell cycle distribution were assessed using a combination of assays, including the Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU, colony formation, Transwell, and wound healing assays and flow cytometry analysis. Measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde assay, and glutathione assay were utilized to investigate ferroptosis. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays were conducted to explore the correlation between SQLE and CCNB1. The in vivo tumor growth was evaluated by conducting a xenograft tumorigenicity assay to investigate the impact of SQLE. RESULTS SQLE expression was significantly increased in BC, and higher SQLE expression levels were significantly associated with an unfavorable prognosis. In vitro functional assays revealed that the overexpression of SQLE markedly enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of BC cells. Furthermore, SQLE overexpression facilitated tumor growth in nude mice. Mechanistically, SQLE alleviated the ubiquitination modification of CCNB1, leading to enhanced stability of the CCNB1 protein and decreased intracellular ROS levels. Ultimately, this inhibited ferroptosis and facilitated the progression of BC. Our findings have provided insights into a crucial pathway by which elevated SQLE expression confers protection to BC cells against ferroptosis, thus promoting cancer progression. SQLE may serve as a novel oncological marker and a potential therapeutic target for BC progression. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study provides evidence that SQLE plays a regulatory role in BC progression by modulating CCNB1 and ferroptosis. These findings offer valuable insights into the role of SQLE in the pathogenesis of BC and demonstrate its potential as a therapeutic target for treating BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilihumaer Tuluhong
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, No. 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China
| | - Hongyu Gao
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, No. 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China
| | - Xinfang Li
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, No. 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China
| | - Yueyun Zhu
- Department of General Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China
| | - Jingjie Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China
| | - Hanjun Li
- Department of General Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China
| | - Qiurong Li
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, No. 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China.
| | - Shaohua Wang
- Research Institute of General Surgery, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, No. 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China; Department of General Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China.
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Ma L, Huang W, Liang X, Bai G, Wang X, Jiang H, Xin Y, Hu L, Chen X, Liu C. Inhibition of squalene epoxidase linking with PI3K/AKT signaling pathway suppresses endometrial cancer. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:3595-3607. [PMID: 37438885 PMCID: PMC10475781 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15900] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common malignant tumor that lacks any therapeutic target and, in many cases, recurrence is the leading ca use of morbidity and mortality in women. Widely known EC has a strongly positive correlation with abnormal lipid metabolism. Squalene epoxidase (SQLE), a crucial enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway regulating lipid metabolic processes has been found to be associated with various cancers in recent years. Here, we focused on studying the role of SQLE in EC. Our study revealed that SQLE expression level was upregulated significantly in EC tissues. In vitro experiments showed that SQLE overexpression significantly promoted the proliferation, and inhibited cell apoptosis of EC cells, whereas SQLE knockdown or use of terbinafine showed the opposite results. Furthermore, we found out that the promotional effect of SQLE on the proliferation of EC cells might be achieved by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo, studies confirmed that the knockdown of SQLE or terbinafine can observably inhibit tumor growth in nude mice. These results indicate that SQLE may promote the progression of EC by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, SQLE is a potential target for EC treatment and its inhibitor, terbinafine, has the potential to become a targeted drug for EC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangjian Ma
- Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology Gansu ProvinceThe First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Wunan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology Gansu ProvinceThe First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Xiaolei Liang
- Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology Gansu ProvinceThe First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
| | - Guannan Bai
- The Children's HospitalZhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Department of Breast Surgery and Oncology, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Hua Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yang Xin
- Department of Genetics and Metabolism, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthNational Children's Regional Medical CenterHangzhouChina
| | - Lidan Hu
- The Children's HospitalZhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child HealthHangzhouChina
| | - Xiangjun Chen
- Eye Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of MedicineZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Chang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology Gansu ProvinceThe First Hospital of Lanzhou UniversityLanzhouChina
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Chen Z, Wang W, Abdul Razak SR, Han T, Ahmad NH, Li X. Ferroptosis as a potential target for cancer therapy. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:460. [PMID: 37488128 PMCID: PMC10366218 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05930-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a recently discovered essential type of cell death that is mainly characterized by iron overload and lipid peroxidation. Emerging evidence suggests that ferroptosis is a double-edged sword in human cancer. However, the precise underlying molecular mechanisms and their differential roles in tumorigenesis are unclear. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and briefly present the key pathways of ferroptosis, paying special attention to the regulation of ferroptosis as well as its dual role as an oncogenic and as a tumor suppressor event in various human cancers. Moreover, multiple pharmacological ferroptosis activators are summarized, and the prospect of targeting ferroptosis in cancer therapy is further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Therapy Medicine, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam 13200, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory for Molecular Therapy of Cancer, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
| | - Weilong Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Therapy Medicine, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam 13200, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory for Molecular Therapy of Cancer, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
| | - Siti Razila Abdul Razak
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam 13200, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Tao Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Therapy Medicine, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory for Molecular Therapy of Cancer, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China
| | - Nor Hazwani Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam 13200, Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
| | - Xiumin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Therapy Medicine, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, China.
- Xinxiang Key Laboratory for Molecular Therapy of Cancer, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan Province, P. R. China.
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11
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Yuan L, Liu J, Bao L, Qu H, Xiang J, Sun P. Upregulation of the ferroptosis-related STEAP3 gene is a specific predictor of poor triple-negative breast cancer patient outcomes. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1032364. [PMID: 37064114 PMCID: PMC10102497 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1032364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveThis study was designed to assess ferroptosis regulator gene (FRG) expression patterns in patients with TNBC based on data derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Further, it was utilized to establish a TNBC FRG signature, after which the association between this signature and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) composition was assessed, and relevant prognostic factors were explored.MethodsThe TCGA database was used to obtain RNA expression datasets and clinical information about 190 TNBC patients, after which a prognostic TNBC-related FRG signature was established using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression approach. These results were validated with separate data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The TNBC-specific prognostic gene was identified via this method. The STEAP3 was then validated through Western immunoblotting, immunohistochemical staining, and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses of clinical tissue samples and TNBC cell lines. Chemotherapy interactions and predicted drug sensitivity studies were investigated to learn more about the potential clinical relevance of these observations.ResultsThese data revealed that 87 FRGs were differentially expressed when comparing TNBC tumors and healthy tissue samples (87/259, 33.59%). Seven of these genes (CA9, CISD1, STEAP3, HMOX1, DUSP1, TAZ, HBA1) are significantly related to the overall survival of TNBC patients. Kaplan-Meier analyses and established FRG signatures and nomograms identified CISD1 and STEAP3 genes of prognostic relevance. Prognostic Risk Score values were positively correlated with the infiltration of CD4+ T cells (p = 0.001) and myeloid dendritic cells (p =0.004). Further evidence showed that STEAP3 was strongly and specifically associated with TNBC patient OS (P<0.05). The results above were confirmed by additional examinations of STEAP3 expression changes in TNBC patient samples and cell lines. High STEAP3 levels were negatively correlated with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for GSK1904529A (IGF1R inhibitor), AS601245 (JNK inhibitor), XMD8−85 (Erk5 inhibitor), Gefitinib, Sorafenib, and 5-Fluorouracil (P < 0.05) in patients with TNBC based on information derived from the TCGA-TNBC dataset.ConclusionIn the present study, a novel FRG model was developed and used to forecast the prognosis of TNBC patients accurately. Furthermore, it was discovered that STEAP3 was highly overexpressed in people with TNBC and associated with overall survival rates, laying the groundwork for the eventually targeted therapy of individuals with this form of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, Yantai, China
- Department of Breast Oncology, Huanxing Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiannan Liu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Lei Bao
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Huajun Qu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Jinyu Xiang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Oncology, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Shandong University, Yantai, China
- *Correspondence: Ping Sun,
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12
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Sae-fung A, Mutirangura A, Jitkaew S. Identification and validation of a novel ferroptosis-related gene signature for prognosis and potential therapeutic target prediction in cholangiocarcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1051273. [PMID: 36733386 PMCID: PMC9887182 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1051273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly heterogeneous and aggressive malignancy of the bile ducts with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Effective targeted therapy and accurate prognostic biomarkers are still lacking. Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death implicated in cancer progression and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in various cancers. However, a comprehensive analysis of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) for predicting CCA prognosis and therapeutic targets and determining the role of ferroptosis in CCA remain to be performed. Here, we developed a prognostic FRG signature using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis in a training cohort. We then validated it using four independent public datasets. The six-FRG signature was developed to predict CCA patient survival, stratifying them into low-risk and high-risk groups based on survival time. Significantly, the high-risk CCA patients had shorter overall survival. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis further confirmed the prognostic FRG signature's strong predictive ability, indicating that it was an independent prognostic indicator for CCA patients. Furthermore, the high-risk group was associated with fluke infection and high clinical stages. Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) score and CAF markers were significantly higher in the high-risk group than the low-risk group. Moreover, our FRG signature could predict immune checkpoint markers for immunotherapy and drug sensitivity. The mRNA expression levels of the six-FRG signature was validated in 10 CCA cell lines and dividing them into low-risk and high-risk groups using the FRG signature. We further showed that high-risk CCA cell lines were more resistant to ferroptosis inducers, including erastin and RSL3, than the low-risk CCA cell lines. Our study constructed a novel FRG signature model to predict CCA prognoses which might provide prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for CCA patients. Ferroptosis sensitivity in high-risk and low-risk CCA cell lines suggests that ferroptosis resistance is associated with high-risk group CCA. Therefore, ferroptosis could be a promising therapeutic target for precision therapy in CCA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apiwit Sae-fung
- Graduate Program in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apiwat Mutirangura
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Molecular Genetics of Cancer and Human Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Jitkaew
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,Age-Related Inflammation and Degeneration Research Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,*Correspondence: Siriporn Jitkaew,
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13
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Pei Z, Qin Y, Fu X, Yang F, Huo F, Liang X, Wang S, Cui H, Lin P, Zhou G, Yan J, Wu J, Chen ZN, Zhu P. Inhibition of ferroptosis and iron accumulation alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in a bleomycin model. Redox Biol 2022; 57:102509. [PMID: 36302319 PMCID: PMC9614651 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death characterized by the lethal accumulation of iron and lipid peroxidation, which is associated with many diseases. Our study addressed the potential role played by ferroptosis and iron accumulation in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. We found that the inducers of pulmonary fibrosis and injury, namely, bleomycin (BLM) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induced ferroptosis of lung epithelial cells. Both the ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1 (Lip-1) and the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) alleviated the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin or LPS. TGF-β stimulation upregulated the expression of transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFRC) in the human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) and mouse primary lung fibroblasts, resulting in increased intracellular Fe2+, which promoted the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Mechanistically, TGF-β enhanced the expression and nuclear localization of the transcriptional coactivator tafazzin (TAZ), which combined with the transcription factor TEA domain protein (TEAD)-4 to promote the transcription of TFRC. In addition, elevated Fe2+ failed to induce the ferroptosis of fibroblasts, which might be related to the regulation of iron export and lipid metabolism. Finally, we specifically knocked out TFRC expression in fibroblasts in mice, and compared with those in the control mice, the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis were reduced in the knockout mice after bleomycin induction. Collectively, these findings suggest the therapeutic potential of ferroptosis inhibitors and iron chelators in treating pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Pei
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yifei Qin
- Guangzhou (Jinan) Biomedical Research and Development Center, Institute of Biomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xianghui Fu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Fengfan Yang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Fei Huo
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xue Liang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Hongyong Cui
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Peng Lin
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Gang Zhou
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Jiangna Yan
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Jiao Wu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Zhi-Nan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Ping Zhu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Jiang H, Du H, Liu Y, Tian X, Xia J, Yang S. Identification of novel prognostic biomarkers for osteosarcoma: a bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes in the mesenchymal stem cells from single-cell sequencing data set. Transl Cancer Res 2022; 11:3841-3852. [PMID: 36388032 PMCID: PMC9641133 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-22-2370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in osteosarcoma (OS) growth and progression. This study conducted a bioinformatics analysis of a single-cell ribonucleic acid sequencing data set and explored the MSC-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in advanced OS. METHODS MSC-specific DEGs from GSE152048 was extracted using Seurat R package. These DEGs were then subjected to the functional analysis, and several key genes were further identified and underwent a prognosis analysis. RESULTS A total of 234 upregulated and 280 downregulated DEGs were identified between the MSCs and other cells, and a total of 188 upregulated and 158 downregulated DEGs were identified between the MSCs and osteoblastic cells. The Gene Ontology (GO) functional analysis showed that the specific DEGs between the MSCs and osteoblastic cells were enriched in GO terms such as "collagen catabolic process", "positive regulation of pathway-restricted SMAD protein phosphorylation", "osteoblast differentiation", "regulation of release of cytochrome c from mitochondria" and "interleukin-1 production". The specific DEGs between the MSCs and osteoblastic cells were subjected to a protein-protein interaction network analysis. Further, a survival analysis of 20 genes with combined scores >0.94 revealed that the low expression of ANXA1 (annexin A1) and TPM1 (tropomyosin 1) was associated with the shorter overall survival of OS patients, while the high expression of FDPS (farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase), IFITM5 (interferon-induced transmembrane protein 5), FKBP11 (FKBP prolyl isomerase 11), SP7, and SQLE (squalene epoxidase) was associated with the shorter overall survival of OS patients. In a further analysis, we compared the expression of ANXA1, FDPS, IFITM5, FKBP11, SP7, SQLE, and TPM1 between the MSCs and high-grade OS cells. Further validation studies using the GSE42352 data set revealed that ANXA1, FKBP11, SP7, and TPM1 were more upregulated in the MSCs than the high-grade OS cells, while FDPS, IFITM5, and SQLE were more downregulated in the MSCs than the high-grade OS cells. CONCLUSIONS Our bioinformatics analysis revealed 7 hub genes derived from the specific DEGs between the MSCs and osteoblastic cells. The 7 hub genes may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers for patients with OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoli Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haoyuan Du
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University & the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Yingnan Liu
- Department of Hand and Micro-Vasscular Surgery, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University & the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiao Tian
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huaian, China
| | - Jinquan Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shucai Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Pingshan District People’s Hospital of Shenzhen (Pingshan General Hospital of Southern Medical University), Shenzhen, China
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Yao L, Li J, Zhang X, Zhou L, Hu K. Downregulated ferroptosis-related gene SQLE facilitates temozolomide chemoresistance, and invasion and affects immune regulation in glioblastoma. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:2104-2115. [PMID: 35962621 PMCID: PMC9627366 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemoresistance in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a common reason hindering the success of treatment. Recently, ferroptosis has been reported to be associated with chemoresistance in different types of cancer, while the role of ferroptosis-related genes in GBM have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to demonstrate the roles and mechanism of ferroptosis-related genes in chemoresistance and metastasis of GBM. First, two candidate genes, squalene epoxidase (SQLE) and FANCD2, were identified to be associated with ferroptosis-related chemoresistance in GBM from three temozolomide (TMZ) therapeutic datasets and one ferroptosis-related gene dataset. Then, comprehensive bio-informatics data from different databases testified that SQLE was significantly downregulated both in GBM tissue and cells and displayed a better prognosis in GBM. Clinical data identified lower expression of SQLE was significantly associated with WHO grade and 1p/19q codeletion. Moreover, through in vitro experiments, SQLE was confirmed to suppress ERK-mediated TMZ chemoresistance and metastasis of GBM cells. The KEGG analysis of SQLE-associated co-expressed genes indicated SQLE was potentially involved in the cell cycle. Furthermore, SQLE was found to have the most significant correlations with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and immunomodulators. These findings highlighted that SQLE could be a potential target and a biomarker for therapy and prognosis of patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yao
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Juanni Li
- Department of PathologyXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaChina,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DisordersXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xiaofang Zhang
- Departments of Burn and PlasticNingxiang People's Hospital, Hunan University of Chinese MedicineChangshaChina
| | - Lei Zhou
- Department of AnesthesiologyThird Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Kuan Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary SurgeryXiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityChangshaChina
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Mehta V, Suman P, Chander H. High levels of unfolded protein response component CHAC1 associates with cancer progression signatures in malignant breast cancer tissues. CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FEDERATION OF SPANISH ONCOLOGY SOCIETIES AND OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE OF MEXICO 2022; 24:2351-2365. [PMID: 35930144 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-022-02889-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aberrant mRNA expression of a UPR component Cation transport regulator homolog 1 (CHAC1) has been reported to be associated with poor survival in breast and ovarian cancer patients, however, the expression of CHAC1 at protein levels in malignant breast tissues is underreported. The following study aimed at analyzing CHAC1 protein expression in malignant breast cancer tissues. METHODS Evaluation of CHAC1 expression in invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) with known ER, PR, and HER2 status was carried out using immunohistochemistry (IHC) with CHAC1 specific antibody. The Human breast cancer tissue microarray (TMA, cat# BR1503f, US Biomax, Inc., Rockville, MD) was used to determine CHAC1 expression. The analysis of CHAC1 IHC was done to determine its expression in terms of molecular subtypes of breast cancer, lymph node status, and proliferation index using Qu-Path software. Survival analysis was studied with a Kaplan-Meier plotter. RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis of CHAC1 in breast cancer tissues showed significant up-regulation of CHAC1 as compared to the adjacent normal and benign tissues. Interestingly, CHAC1 immunostaining revealed high expression in tumor tissues with high proliferation and positive lymph node metastasis suggesting that CHAC1 might have an important role to play in breast cancer progression. Furthermore, high CHAC1 expression is associated with poor overall survival (OS) in large breast cancer patient cohorts. CONCLUSION As a higher expression of CHAC1 was observed in tissue cores with high Ki67 index and positive lymph node metastasis it may be concluded that enhanced CHAC1 expression correlates with proliferation and metastasis. The further analysis of breast cancer patients' survival data through KM plot indicated that high CHAC1 expression is associated with a bad prognosis hinting that CHAC1 may have a possible prognostic significance in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikrant Mehta
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Prabhat Suman
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India
| | - Harish Chander
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, 151401, India. .,Biotherapeutics Division, National Institute of Biologicals, Noida, 201309, India.
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Yang J, Wei X, Hu F, Dong W, Sun L. Development and validation of a novel 3-gene prognostic model for pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on ferroptosis-related genes. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:21. [PMID: 35033072 PMCID: PMC8760727 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02431-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Molecular markers play an important role in predicting clinical outcomes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) patients. Analysis of the ferroptosis-related genes may provide novel potential targets for the prognosis and treatment of PAAD. Methods RNA-sequence and clinical data of PAAD was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public databases. The PAAD samples were clustered by a non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between different subtypes were used by “limma_3.42.2” package. The R software package clusterProfiler was used for functional enrichment analysis. Then, a multivariate Cox proportional and LASSO regression were used to develop a ferroptosis-related gene signature for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. A nomogram and corrected curves were constructed. Finally, the expression and function of these signature genes were explored by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and proliferation, migration and invasion assays. Results The 173 samples were divided into 3 categories (C1, C2, and C3) and a 3-gene signature model (ALOX5, ALOX12, and CISD1) was constructed. The prognostic model showed good independent prognostic ability in PAAD. In the GSE62452 external validation set, the molecular model also showed good risk prediction. KM-curve analysis showed that there were significant differences between the high and low-risk groups, samples with a high-risk score had a worse prognosis. The predictive efficiency of the 3-gene signature-based nomogram was significantly better than that of traditional clinical features. For comparison with other models, that our model, with a reasonable number of genes, yields a more effective result. The results obtained with qPCR and IHC assays showed that ALOX5 was highly expressed, whether ALOX12 and CISD1 were expressed at low levels in tissue samples. Finally, function assays results suggested that ALOX5 may be an oncogene and ALOX12 and CISD1 may be tumor suppressor genes. Conclusions We present a novel prognostic molecular model for PAAD based on ferroptosis-related genes, which serves as a potentially effective tool for prognostic differentiation in pancreatic cancer patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02431-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihua Yang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - XiaoHong Wei
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liao Sun
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, China.
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