ASIC1α up-regulates MMP-2/9 expression to enhance mobility and proliferation of liver cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

CTLA-4 silencing could promote anti-tumor effects in hepatocellular

Preclinical and clinical research showed that immune checkpoint blockade provides beneficial effects for many patients with liver cancer. This study aimed to assess the effect of CTLA-4-specific siRNA on the proliferation, cell cycle, migration, and apoptosis of HePG2 cells. Transfection of siRNA was performed by electroporation. The viability of cells was determined through MTT assay. Flow cytometry was performed to investigate the cell cycle and apoptosis rate, and the wound-healing assay was used to determine HepG2 cells migration. The expression levels of CTLA-4, c-Myc, Ki-67, BCL-2, BAX, caspase-9 (CAS9), and MMP-2,9,13 were measured by qRT-PCR. Transfection of specific CTLA-4-siRNA significantly inhibited the expression of the CTLA-4 gene. Also, our results revealed that CTLA-4 silencing diminished the proliferation and migration as well as induced the apoptosis of HePG2 cells. CTLA-4-siRNA transfection induced the cell cycle arrest in G2 phase. Moreover, CTLA-4-siRNA transfection reduced the expression levels of c-Myc, Ki-67, BCL-2, MMP-2,9,13, and elevated the expression levels of BAX and caspase-9. Our results suggest that silencing CTLA-4 through specific siRNA may be a promising strategy for future therapeutic interventions for treating liver cancer.

Molecular mechanisms of TACE refractoriness: Directions for improvement of the TACE procedure

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is the standard of care for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma and selected patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, TACE does not achieve a satisfactory objective response rate, and the concept of TACE refractoriness has been proposed to identify patients who do not fully benefit from TACE. Moreover, repeated TACE is necessary to obtain an optimal and sustained anti-tumour response, which may damage the patient's liver function. Therefore, studies have recently been performed to improve the effectiveness of TACE. In this review, we summarise the detailed molecular mechanisms associated with TACE responsiveness and relapse after this treatment to provide more effective targets for adjuvant therapy while helping to improve TACE regimens.

EGFR mediates epithelial‑mesenchymal transition through the Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway to promote liver cancer proliferation and migration

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed in various types of cancer and is associated with the malignant biological behavior of cancer cells. In the present study, the expression of EGFR in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and liver cancer cells was detected by immunohistochemical staining, western blotting and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, a lentivirus was transduced into HepG2 liver cancer cells to knock down EGFR expression. Cell proliferation and migration, and the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were assessed by EdU staining, Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays, and western blotting. The results revealed that EGF/EGFR can mediate EMT through the Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/Snail signaling pathway to promote HepG2 cell proliferation and migration. Inhibition of the activation of the EGFR signaling pathway can help to partially reverse the EMT phenotype, and inhibit the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the EGFR/Akt/GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway serves an important role in HCC progression, and inhibition of the activation of the EGFR signaling pathway may be a valuable strategy in liver cancer treatment.

ADAR1 affects gastric cancer cell metastasis and reverses cisplatin resistance through AZIN1

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA1 (ADAR1) are involved in the occurrence and development of cancers. Although the role of ADAR1 in gastric cancer metastasis has been reported, the role of ADAR1 in the mechanism of cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer is not clear. In this study, human gastric cancer tissue specimens were used to construct cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cells; the results indicated that the mechanism underlying the inhibition of gastric cancer metastasis and reversal of cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer by ADAR1 inhibits gastric cancer occurs through the antizyme inhibitor 1 (AZIN1) pathway. We assessed ADAR1 and AZIN1 expression in the tissues of patients with low to moderately differentiated gastric cancer. Gastric cancer cells (human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line [AGS] and HGC-27 cells) and gastric cancer cisplatin-resistant cells (AGS CDDP and HGC-27 CDDP ) were selected, and the protein expression of ADAR1 and AZIN1 was detected using immunocytochemistry and immunocytofluorescence. The effects of ADAR1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the invasion, migration and proliferation of cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cells were investigated. Western blot assays were used to assess the protein expression levels of ADAR1, AZIN1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers. In-vivo experiments, a subcutaneous tumor formation model of nude mice was established, and the effects of ADAR1 on tumor growth and AZIN1 expression level were detected by hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry and western blot. The expression of ADAR1 and AZIN1 in human gastric cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues. The colocalization of ADAR1, AZIN1 and E-cadherin expression in immunofluorescence assays indicated a significant correlation between the three. In in-vitro experiments, ADAR1 knockout not only reduced the invasion and migration ability of AGS and HGC-27 cells but also reduced that of cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cells. ADAR1 siRNA inhibited the proliferation and decreased the colony number of cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cells. ADAR1 siRNA decreased the expression of AZIN1 and EMT-related marker proteins (vimentin, N-cadherin, β-catenin, MMP9, MMP2 and TWIST). The effect of ADAR1 siRNA combined with AZIN1 siRNA was more significant. In-vivo, the knockdown of ADAR1 significantly inhibited tumor growth and AZIN1 expression. ADAR1 and AZIN1 are antimetastatic targets of gastric cancer, and AZIN1 is a downstream regulatory target of ADAR1. ADAR1 knockout can inhibit the metastasis of gastric cancer cells and reverse the cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer cells by downregulating the expression of AZIN1, potentially resulting in increased treatment efficacy.

Regulation of Tumor Apoptosis of Poriae cutis-Derived Lanostane Triterpenes by AKT/PI3K and MAPK Signaling Pathways In Vitro

Poria cocos is traditionally used as both food and medicine. Triterpenoids in Poria cocos have a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as diuretic, sedative and tonic properties. In this study, the anti-tumor activities of poricoic acid A (PAA) and poricoic acid B (PAB), purified by high-speed counter-current chromatography, as well as their mechanisms and signaling pathways, were investigated using a HepG2 cell model. After treatment with PAA and PAB on HepG2 cells, the apoptosis was obviously increased (p < 0.05), and the cell cycle arrested in the G2/M phase. Studies showed that PAA and PAB can also inhibit the occurrence and development of tumor cells by stimulating the generation of ROS in tumor cells and inhibiting tumor migration and invasion. Combined Polymerase Chain Reaction and computer simulation of molecular docking were employed to explore the mechanism of tumor proliferation inhibition by PAA and PAB. By interfering with phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B, Mitogen-activated protein kinases and p53 signaling pathways; and further affecting the expression of downstream caspases; matrix metalloproteinase family, cyclin-dependent kinase -cyclin, Intercellular adhesion molecules-1, Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and Cyclooxygenase -2, may be responsible for their anti-tumor activity. Overall, the results suggested that PAA and PAB induced apoptosis, halted the cell cycle, and inhibited tumor migration and invasion through multi-pathway interactions, which may serve as a potential therapeutic agent against cancer.

Indirect bilirubin impairs invasion of osteosarcoma cells via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/MMP-2 signaling pathway by suppressing intracellular ROS

Background

Osteosarcoma is most prevalently found primary malignant bone tumors, with primary metastatic patients accounting for approximately 25% of all osteosarcoma patients, yet their 5-year OS remains below 30%. Bilirubin plays a key role in oxidative stress-associated events, including malignancies, making the regulation of its serum levels a potential anti-tumor strategy. Herein, we investigated the association of osteosarcoma prognosis with serum levels of TBIL, IBIL and DBIL, and further explored the mechanisms by which bilirubin affects tumor invasion and migration.

Methods

ROC curve was plotted to assess survival conditions based on the determined optimal cut-off values and the AUC. Then, Kaplan-Meier curves, along with Cox proportional hazards model, was applied for survival analysis. Inhibitory function of IBIL on the malignant properties of osteosarcoma cells was examined using the qRT-PCR, transwell assays, western blotting, and flow cytometry.

Results

We found that, versus osteosarcoma patients with pre-operative higher IBIL (>8.9 μmol/L), those with low IBIL (≤8.9 μmol/L) had shorter OS and PFS. As indicated by the Cox proportional hazards model, pre-operative IBIL functioned as an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS in total and gender-stratified osteosarcoma patients (P < 0.05 for all). In vitro experiments further confirmed that IBIL inhibits PI3K/AKT phosphorylation and downregulates MMP-2 expression via reducing intracellular ROS, thereby decreasing the invasion of osteosarcoma cells.

Conclusions

IBIL may serve as an independent prognostic predictor for osteosarcoma patients. IBIL impairs invasion of osteosarcoma cells through repressing the PI3K/AKT/MMP-2 pathway by suppressing intracellular ROS, thus inhibiting its metastatic potential.

Overexpression of YEATS2 Remodels the Extracellular Matrix to Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression via the PI3K/AKT Pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers and the fourth leading cause of death in men. YEATS domain containing 2 (YEATS2) gene encodes a scaffolding subunit of the ATAC complex. We found that YEATS2 was upregulated in HCC tissues and was associated with a poor prognosis. However, the role of YEATS2 in HCC remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of YEATS2 on the progression of HCC and to elucidate its related mechanisms. We found that overexpression of YEATS2 promoted tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and regulation of extracellular matrix. These findings help to understand the role of YEATS2 in HCC, and YEATS2 may become a new target for HCC therapy.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents in chronic liver diseases: Molecular mechanisms and therapy

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a continuous process that causes a reduction of liver function lasting more than six months. CLD includes alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic viral infection, and autoimmune hepatitis, which can lead to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Liver inflammation and oxidative stress are commonly associated with the development and progression of CLD. Molecular signaling pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), C-Jun N-terminal kinase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of CLD. Therefore, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents from natural products are new potent therapies for ALD, NAFLD, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we summarize some powerful products that can be potential applied in all the stages of CLD, from ALD/NAFLD to HCC. The selected agents such as β-sitosterol, curcumin, genistein, and silymarin can regulate the activation of several important molecules, including AMPK, Farnesoid X receptor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2, PPARs, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, and lysyl oxidase-like proteins. In addition, clinical trials are undergoing to evaluate their efficacy and safety.

IGF-1R down regulates the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma to sorafenib through the PI3K / akt and RAS / raf / ERK signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) promotes cell proliferation and migration and inhibitsapoptosis, all of which can contribute to the development of cancers.

METHOD

This study investigated the effect and mechanism of IGF-1R in mediating the desensitization of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to sorafenib.

RESULTS

IGF-1R, highly expressed in the HCC cell lines SK-Hep1 and HepG2, promotes cell proliferation, migration, and anti-apoptosis through PI3K / Akt and RAS / Raf / ERK signaling pathways, resulting in HCC resistance to sorafenib. Knockdown of IGF-1R by RNA interference decreased proliferation and cell migration and upregulation of sorafenib-induced apoptosis of HCC cells. In vivo studies demonstrated that IGF-1R knockdown inhibited the growth of SK-Hep1 xenografts.

CONCLUSION

These data are evidence that IGF-1R participates in regulating the survival and cell growth of HCC through the PI3K / Akt and RAS / Raf / ERK signaling pathways. Intervention in the expression of IGF-1R may increase the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on HCC.