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Aguiar TFM, Rivas MP, de Andrade Silva EM, Pires SF, Dangoni GD, Macedo TC, Defelicibus A, Barros BDDF, Novak E, Cristofani LM, Odone V, Cypriano M, de Toledo SRC, da Cunha IW, da Costa CML, Carraro DM, Tojal I, de Oliveira Mendes TA, Krepischi ACV. First Transcriptome Analysis of Hepatoblastoma in Brazil: Unraveling the Pivotal Role of Noncoding RNAs and Metabolic Pathways. Biochem Genet 2024:10.1007/s10528-024-10764-y. [PMID: 38649558 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-024-10764-y] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Hepatoblastoma stands as the most prevalent liver cancer in the pediatric population. Characterized by a low mutational burden, chromosomal and epigenetic alterations are key drivers of its tumorigenesis. Transcriptome analysis is a powerful tool for unraveling the molecular intricacies of hepatoblastoma, shedding light on the effects of genetic and epigenetic changes on gene expression. In this study conducted in Brazilian patients, an in-depth whole transcriptome analysis was performed on 14 primary hepatoblastomas, compared to control liver tissues. The analysis unveiled 1,492 differentially expressed genes (1,031 upregulated and 461 downregulated), including 920 protein-coding genes (62%). Upregulated biological processes were linked to cell differentiation, signaling, morphogenesis, and development, involving known hepatoblastoma-associated genes (DLK1, MEG3, HDAC2, TET1, HMGA2, DKK1, DKK4), alongside with novel findings (GYNG4, CDH3, and TNFRSF19). Downregulated processes predominantly centered around oxidation and metabolism, affecting amines, nicotinamides, and lipids, featuring novel discoveries like the repression of SYT7, TTC36, THRSP, CCND1, GCK and CAMK2B. Two genes, which displayed a concordant pattern of DNA methylation alteration in their promoter regions and dysregulation in the transcriptome, were further validated by RT-qPCR: the upregulated TNFRSF19, a key gene in the embryonic development, and the repressed THRSP, connected to lipid metabolism. Furthermore, based on protein-protein interaction analysis, we identified genes holding central positions in the network, such as HDAC2, CCND1, GCK, and CAMK2B, among others, that emerged as prime candidates warranting functional validation in future studies. Notably, a significant dysregulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), predominantly upregulated transcripts, was observed, with 42% of the top 50 highly expressed genes being ncRNAs. An integrative miRNA-mRNA analysis revealed crucial biological processes associated with metabolism, oxidation reactions of lipids and carbohydrates, and methylation-dependent chromatin silencing. In particular, four upregulated miRNAs (miR-186, miR-214, miR-377, and miR-494) played a pivotal role in the network, potentially targeting multiple protein-coding transcripts, including CCND1 and CAMK2B. In summary, our transcriptome analysis highlighted disrupted embryonic development as well as metabolic pathways, particularly those involving lipids, emphasizing the emerging role of ncRNAs as epigenetic regulators in hepatoblastomas. These findings provide insights into the complexity of the hepatoblastoma transcriptome and identify potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita Ferreira Marques Aguiar
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Human Genome and Stem-Cell Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Prates Rivas
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Human Genome and Stem-Cell Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edson Mario de Andrade Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Sara Ferreira Pires
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Human Genome and Stem-Cell Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Dib Dangoni
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Human Genome and Stem-Cell Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Taiany Curdulino Macedo
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Human Genome and Stem-Cell Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Estela Novak
- Pediatric Cancer Institute (ITACI) at the Pediatric Department, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lilian Maria Cristofani
- Pediatric Cancer Institute (ITACI) at the Pediatric Department, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vicente Odone
- Pediatric Cancer Institute (ITACI) at the Pediatric Department, São Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica Cypriano
- Department of Pediatrics, Adolescent and Child With Cancer Support Group (GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia Regina Caminada de Toledo
- Department of Pediatrics, Adolescent and Child With Cancer Support Group (GRAACC), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Dirce Maria Carraro
- International Center for Research, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Israel Tojal
- International Center for Research, A. C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ana Cristina Victorino Krepischi
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Human Genome and Stem-Cell Research Center, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Liu Y, Chen H, Xiao L, Dong P, Ma Y, Zhou Y, Yang J, Bian B, Xie G, Chen L, Shen L. Notum enhances gastric cancer stem-like cell properties through upregulation of Sox2 by PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:463-480. [PMID: 37749430 PMCID: PMC11090966 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00875-w] [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] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Considerable evidence suggests that tumor cells with stemness features contribute to initiation, progression, recurrence of gastric cancer (GC) and resistance to therapy, but involvement of underlying regulators and mechanisms remain largely unclear. However, the clinical significance and biological function of Notum in GC tumor sphere formation and tumorigenesis remain unclear. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis, RT-qPCR, western blot and imunohistochemistry staining were applied to characterize Notum expression in GC specimens. The early diagnostic value of Notum was analyzed by logistic regression analysis method. Cancer stemness assays were used in Notum knockdown and overexpressing cells in vitro and in vivo. RNA-seq was employed to reveal the downstream effectors of Notum. RESULTS Notum is highly expressed in early stage of GC patients and stem-like GC cells. For discriminating the early-stage and advanced GC patients, the joint analysis had a better diagnostic value. Overexpression of Notum markedly increased stemness features of GC cells to promote tumor sphere formation and tumorigenesis. Conversely, Notum knockdown attenuated the stem-like cell properties in vitro and in vivo. Mechanically, Notum upregulates Sox2 through activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Notum inhibitor Caffeine exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on stemness features by impairing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activity and targeting Sox2. CONCLUSION Our findings confer a comprehensive and mechanistic function of Notum in GC tumor sphere formation and tumorigenesis that may provide a novel and promising target for early diagnosis and clinical therapy of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lanshu Xiao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ping Dong
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yanhui Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yunlan Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Junyao Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bingxian Bian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Guohua Xie
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Lisong Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Experimental Medicine, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Yamaguchi K, Horie C, Takane K, Ikenoue T, Nakagawa S, Isobe Y, Ota Y, Ushiku T, Tanaka M, Fujishiro J, Hoshino N, Arisue A, Nishizuka S, Aikou S, Shida D, Furukawa Y. Identification of odontogenic ameloblast associated as a novel target gene of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:948-960. [PMID: 36382598 PMCID: PMC9986071 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15657] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a key role in development and carcinogenesis. Although some target genes of this signaling have been identified in various tissues and neoplasms, the comprehensive understanding of the target genes and their roles in the development of human cancer, including hepatoma and colorectal cancer remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we searched for genes regulated by the Wnt signaling in liver cancer using HuH-7 hepatoma cells. A comparison of the expression profiles between cells expressing an active form of mutant β-catenin and cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) identified seven genes upregulated by the mutant β-catenin gene (CTNNB1). Among the seven genes, we focused in this study on ODAM, odontogenic, ameloblast associated, as a novel target gene. Interestingly, its expression was frequently upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal adenocarcinoma, and hepatoblastoma. We additionally identified a distant enhancer region that was associated with the β-catenin/TCF7L2 complex. Further analyses revealed that ODAM plays an important role in the regulation of the cell cycle, DNA synthesis, and cell proliferation. These data may be useful for clarification of the main molecular mechanism(s) underlying these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Yamaguchi
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiaki Horie
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Takane
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuneo Ikenoue
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Saya Nakagawa
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumiko Isobe
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Ota
- Department of Pathology, Research Hospital, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mariko Tanaka
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Fujishiro
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Hoshino
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuhiro Arisue
- Department of Surgery, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine, Yahaba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nishizuka
- Division of Biomedical Research and Development, Iwate Medical University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Yahaba, Japan
| | - Susumu Aikou
- Division of Frontier Surgery, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Dai Shida
- Division of Frontier Surgery, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Furukawa
- Division of Clinical Genome Research, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Placental Galectins in Cancer: Why We Should Pay More Attention. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030437. [PMID: 36766779 PMCID: PMC9914345 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The first studies suggesting that abnormal expression of galectins is associated with cancer were published more than 30 years ago. Today, the role of galectins in cancer is relatively well established. We know that galectins play an active role in many types of cancer by regulating cell growth, conferring cell death resistance, or inducing local and systemic immunosuppression, allowing tumor cells to escape the host immune response. However, most of these studies have focused on very few galectins, most notably galectin-1 and galectin-3, and more recently, galectin-7 and galectin-9. Whether other galectins play a role in cancer remains unclear. This is particularly true for placental galectins, a subgroup that includes galectin-13, -14, and -16. The role of these galectins in placental development has been well described, and excellent reviews on their role during pregnancy have been published. At first sight, it was considered unlikely that placental galectins were involved in cancer. Yet, placentation and cancer progression share several cellular and molecular features, including cell invasion, immune tolerance and vascular remodeling. The development of new research tools and the concomitant increase in database repositories for high throughput gene expression data of normal and cancer tissues provide a new opportunity to examine the potential involvement of placental galectins in cancer. In this review, we discuss the possible roles of placental galectins in cancer progression and why they should be considered in cancer studies. We also address challenges associated with developing novel research tools to investigate their protumorigenic functions and design highly specific therapeutic drugs.
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Liu S, Zheng Q, Zhang R, Li T, Zhan J. Construction of a combined random forest and artificial neural network diagnosis model to screening potential biomarker for hepatoblastoma. Pediatr Surg Int 2022; 38:2023-2034. [PMID: 36271952 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-022-05255-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of our study is to identify potential biomarkers of hepatoblastoma (HB) and further explore the pathogenesis of it. METHODS Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were incorporated into the combined random forest and artificial neural network diagnosis model to screen candidate genes for HB. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the ARHGEF2. Student's t test was performed to evaluate the difference of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) between normal and HB samples. Spearson correlation analysis was used to calculate the correlation between ARHGEF2 and TIICs. RESULTS ARHGEF2, TCF3, TMED3, STMN1 and RAVER2 were screened by the new model. The GSEA of ARHGEF2 included cell cycle pathway and antigen processing presenting pathway. There were significant differences in the composition of partial TIICs between HB and normal samples (p < 0.05). ARHGEF2 was significantly correlated with memory B cells (Cor = 0.509, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION These 5 candidate genes contribute to the molecular diagnosis and targeted therapy of HB. And we found "ARHGEF2-RhoA-Cyclin D1/CDK4/CDK6-EF2" is a key mechanism regulating cell cycle pathway in HB. This will be helpful in the treatment of HB. The occurrence of HB is related to abnormal TIICs. We speculated that memory B cells play an important role in HB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowen Liu
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China
| | - Qipeng Zheng
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China
| | - Ruifeng Zhang
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China
| | - Tengfei Li
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China
| | - Jianghua Zhan
- Clinical School of Paediatrics, Tianjin Medical University, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China. .,Tianjin Children's Hospital, 238 Longyan Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China.
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Auld FM, Sergi CM, Leng R, Shen F. The Role of N6-Methyladenosine in the Promotion of Hepatoblastoma: A Critical Review. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091516. [PMID: 35563821 PMCID: PMC9101889 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Hepatoblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric tumor of the liver. Unlike hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) which has been associated with hepatitis B virus infection or cirrhosis, the etiology of hepatoblastoma remains vague. Genetic syndromes, including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), and trisomy 18 syndrome, have been associated with hepatoblastoma. BWS is an overgrowth syndrome which exhibits an alteration of genomic imprinting on chromosome 11p15.5. N6-Methyladenosine (M6A) is an RNA modification with rampant involvement in the metabolism of cells and malignant diseases. It has been observed to impact the development of various cancers via its governance of gene expression. Here, we explore the role of m6A and its genetic associates in promoting HB, and the impact this may have on our future management of the disease. Abstract Hepatoblastoma (HB) is a rare primary malignancy of the developing fetal liver. Its course is profoundly influenced by genetics, in the context of sporadic mutation or genetic syndromes. Conventionally, subtypes of HB are histologically determined based on the tissue type that is recapitulated by the tumor and the direction of its differentiation. This classification is being reevaluated based on advances on molecular pathology. The therapeutic approach comprises surgical intervention, chemotherapy (in a neoadjuvant or post-operative capacity), and in some cases, liver transplantation. Although diagnostic modalities and treatment options are evolving, some patients experience complications, including relapse, metastatic spread, and suboptimal response to chemotherapy. As yet, there is no consistent framework with which such outcomes can be predicted. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an RNA modification with rampant involvement in the normal processing of cell metabolism and neoplasia. It has been observed to impact the development of a variety of cancers via its governance of gene expression. M6A-associated genes appear prominently in HB. Literature data seem to underscore the role of m6A in promotion and clinical course of HB. Illuminating the pathogenetic mechanisms that drive HB are promising additions to the understanding of the clinically aggressive tumor behavior, given its potential to predict disease course and response to therapy. Implicated genes may also act as targets to facilitate the evolving personalized cancer therapy. Here, we explore the role of m6A and its genetic associates in the promotion of HB, and the impact this may have on the management of this neoplastic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Morgan Auld
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada;
| | - Consolato M. Sergi
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada;
- Correspondence: (C.M.S.); (F.S.)
| | - Roger Leng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada;
| | - Fan Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada;
- Correspondence: (C.M.S.); (F.S.)
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