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Zhang G. Prognostic clinical phenotypes associated with tumor stemness in the immune microenvironment of T-cell exhaustion for hepatocellular carcinoma. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:203. [PMID: 37957420 PMCID: PMC10643807 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00819-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell exhaustion (TEX) and high heterogeneity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) are associated with progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we aim to characterize TEX-stemness-related genes (TEXSRGs) and screen for HCC patients who are more sensitive to immunotherapy. The immune cell abundance identifier (ImmuCellAI) was utilized to precisely evaluate the abundance of TEX and screen TEX-related genes. The stemness index (mRNAsi) of samples was analyzed through the one-class logistic regression (OCLR) algorithm. Application of the non-negative matrix decomposition algorithm (NMF) for subtype identification of HCC samples. The different subtypes were assessed for differences in prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME) landscape, and immunotherapy treatment response. Then, the TEXSRGS-score, which can accurately forecast the survival outcome of HCC patients, was built by LASSO-Cox and multivariate Cox regression, and experimentally validated for the most important TEXSRGs. We also analyzed the expression of TEXSRGs and the infiltration of CD8+ T cells in clinical samples using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Based on 146 TEXSRGs, we found two distinct clinical phenotypes with different TEX infiltration abundance, tumor stemness index, enrichment pathways, mutational landscape, and immune cell infiltration through the non-negative matrix decomposition algorithm (NMF), which were confirmed in the ICGC dataset. Utilizing eight TEXSRGs linked to clinical outcome, we created a TEXSRGs-score model to further improve the clinical applicability. Patients can be divided into two groups with substantial differences in the characteristics of immune cell infiltration, TEX infiltration abundance, and survival outcomes. The results of qRT-PCR and IHC analysis showed that PAFAH1B3, ZIC2, and ESR1 were differentially expressed in HCC and normal tissues and that patients with high TEXSRGs-scores had higher TEX infiltration abundance and tumor stemness gene expression. Regarding immunotherapy reaction and immune cell infiltration, patients with various TEXSRGs-score levels had various clinical traits. The outcome and immunotherapy efficacy of patients with low TEXSRGs-score was favorable. In conclusion, we identified two clinical subtypes with different prognoses, TEX infiltration abundance, tumor cell stemness index, and immunotherapy response based on TEXSRGs, and developed and validated a TEXSRGs-score capable of accurately predicting survival outcomes in HCC patients by comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. We believe that the TEXSRGs-score has prospective clinical relevance for prognostic assessment and may help physicians select prospective responders in preference to current immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Genhao Zhang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Zhengzhou University First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.
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Li J, Liang H, Xiao W, Wei P, Chen H, Chen Z, Yang R, Jiang H, Zhang Y. Whole-exome mutational landscape and molecular marker study in mucinous and clear cell ovarian cancer cell lines 3AO and ES2. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:321. [PMID: 37024829 PMCID: PMC10080944 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10791-9] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in women because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The molecular markers investigated thus far have been unsatisfactory. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing on the human ovarian cancer cell lines 3AO and ES2 and the normal ovarian epithelial cell line IOSE-80. Molecular markers of ovarian cancer were screened from shared mutation genes and copy number variation genes in the 6q21-qter region. RESULTS We found that missense mutations were the most common mutations in the gene (93%). The MUC12, FLG and MUC16 genes were highly mutated in 3AO and ES2 cells. Copy number amplification occurred mainly in 4p16.1 and 11q14.3, and copy number deletions occurred in 4q34.3 and 18p11.21. A total of 23 hub genes were screened, of which 16 were closely related to the survival of ovarian cancer patients. The three genes CCDC170, THBS2 and COL14A1 are most significantly correlated with the survival and prognosis of ovarian cancer. In particular, the overall survival of ovarian cancer patients with high CCDC170 gene expression was significantly prolonged (P < 0.001). The expression of CCDC170 in normal tissues was significantly higher than that in ovarian cancer tissues (P < 0.05), and its expression was significantly decreased in advanced ovarian cancer. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays also showed that the expression of CCDC170 in ovarian cancer cells was significantly lower than that in normal cells (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS CCDC170 is expected to become a new diagnostic molecular target and prognostic indicator for ovarian cancer patients, which can provide new ideas for the design of antitumor drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxiong Li
- Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City (Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College), Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Huaguo Liang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Wentao Xiao
- Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City (Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College), Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Peng Wei
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Hongmei Chen
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Zexin Chen
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Ruihui Yang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Huan Jiang
- Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City (Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College), Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yongli Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, PR China
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Salgüero S, Brochado-Kith Ó, Verdices AV, Berenguer J, González-García J, Martínez I, Díez C, Hontañón V, Pérez-Latorre L, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Jiménez-Sousa MÁ, Resino S. PBMCs gene expression signature of advanced cirrhosis with high risk for clinically significant portal hypertension in HIV/HCV coinfected patients: A cross-control study. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114220. [PMID: 36628818 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114220] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with advanced cirrhosis are at high risk of developing clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). We analyzed the gene expression profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HIV/HCV coinfected patients to identify a gene expression signature of advanced cirrhosis with high risk for CSPH. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study on 68 patients. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) was used to stratify patients into < 12.5 kPa (no cirrhosis, n = 19), 12.5 - 24.9 kPa (cirrhosis, n = 20), and ≥ 25 kPa (advanced cirrhosis with high risk for CSPH, n = 29). Besides, we further evaluated LSM < 25 kPa (n = 39) vs. ≥ 25 kPa (n = 29). Total RNA was extracted from PBMCs, and poly(A) RNA sequencing was performed. Two significant differentially expressed (SDE) transcripts were validated by quantitative PCR in a different cohort (n = 46). RESULTS We found 60 SDE transcripts between patients with LSM < 12.5 kPa and ≥ 25 kPa. Partial least squares discriminant analysis showed that those 60 SDE transcripts collectively discriminated LSM ≥ 25 kPa, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.84. Eight genes had an AUROC ≥ 0.75 for LSM ≥ 25 kPa: five were positively associated with LSM values (SCAMP1, ABHD17B, GPR146, GTF2A1, and TMEM64), while three were inversely associated (ZFHX2-AS1, MDK, and STAG3L2). We validated the two SDE transcripts with the highest discrimination capacity in a different cohort, finding significant differences between < 25 kPa and ≥ 25 kPa (MDK (p = 0.006) and STAG3L2 (p = 0.021)). CONCLUSIONS A gene expression signature of 60 transcripts was associated with advanced cirrhosis with high risk for CSPH in HIV/HCV coinfected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Salgüero
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital El Escorial, Spain.
| | - Óscar Brochado-Kith
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ana Virseda Verdices
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan Berenguer
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas/VIH; Hospital General Universitario "Gregorio Marañón", Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan González-García
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de VIH; Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "La Paz", Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isidoro Martínez
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Cristina Díez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas/VIH; Hospital General Universitario "Gregorio Marañón", Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Víctor Hontañón
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de VIH; Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "La Paz", Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Leire Pérez-Latorre
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas/VIH; Hospital General Universitario "Gregorio Marañón", Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Amanda Fernández-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - María Ángeles Jiménez-Sousa
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Salvador Resino
- Unidad de Infección Viral e Inmunidad, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Londero M, Gallo A, Cattaneo C, Ghilardi A, Ronzio M, Del Giacco L, Mantovani R, Dolfini D. NF-YAl drives EMT in Claudin low tumours. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:65. [PMID: 36707502 PMCID: PMC9883497 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
NF-Y is a trimeric transcription factor whose binding site -the CCAAT box- is enriched in cancer-promoting genes. The regulatory subunit, the sequence-specificity conferring NF-YA, comes in two major isoforms, NF-YA long (NF-YAl) and short (NF-YAs). Extensive expression analysis in epithelial cancers determined two features: widespread overexpression and changes in NF-YAl/NF-YAs ratios (NF-YAr) in tumours with EMT features. We performed wet and in silico experiments to explore the role of the isoforms in breast -BRCA- and gastric -STAD- cancers. We generated clones of two Claudinlow BRCA lines SUM159PT and BT549 ablated of exon-3, thus shifting expression from NF-YAl to NF-YAs. Edited clones show normal growth but reduced migratory capacities in vitro and ability to metastatize in vivo. Using TCGA, including upon deconvolution of scRNA-seq data, we formalize the clinical importance of high NF-YAr, associated to EMT genes and cell populations. We derive a novel, prognostic 158 genes signature common to BRCA and STAD Claudinlow tumours. Finally, we identify splicing factors associated to high NF-YAr, validating RBFOX2 as promoting expression of NF-YAl. These data bring three relevant results: (i) the definition and clinical implications of NF-YAr and the 158 genes signature in Claudinlow tumours; (ii) genetic evidence of 28 amino acids in NF-YAl with EMT-promoting capacity; (iii) the definition of selected splicing factors associated to NF-YA isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Londero
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Gallo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Cattaneo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
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Ye Y, Lui VCH, Tam PKH. Pathogenesis of Choledochal Cyst: Insights from Genomics and Transcriptomics. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13061030. [PMID: 35741793 PMCID: PMC9223186 DOI: 10.3390/genes13061030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Choledochal cysts (CC) is characterized by extra- and/or intra-hepatic b\ile duct dilations. There are two main theories, “pancreaticobiliary maljunction” and “congenital stenosis of bile ducts” proposed for the pathogenesis of CC. Although family cases or CC associated with other anomalies have been reported, the molecular pathogenesis of CC is still poorly understood. Recent advances in transcriptomics and genomics analysis platforms have unveiled key expression signatures/genes/signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of human diseases including CC. This review summarizes insights from genomics and transcriptomics studies into the pathogenesis of CC, with the aim to improve (i) our understanding of its underlying complex pathomechanisms, and (ii) clinical management of different subtypes of CC, in particular their associated hepatic fibrotic change and their risk of malignancy transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqin Ye
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China;
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Vincent Chi Hang Lui
- Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Paul Kwong Hang Tam
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China;
- Correspondence:
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Luo S, Su T, Zhou X, Hu WX, Hu J. Chromosome 1 instability in multiple myeloma: Aberrant gene expression, pathogenesis, and potential therapeutic target. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22341. [PMID: 35579877 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM), the terminally differentiated B cells malignancy, is widely considered to be incurable since many patients have either developed drug resistance or experienced an eventual relapse. To develop precise and efficient therapeutic strategies, we must understand the pathogenesis of MM. Thus, unveiling the driver events of MM and its further clonal evolution will help us understand this complicated disease. Chromosome 1 instabilities are the most common genomic alterations that participate in MM pathogenesis, and these aberrations of chromosome 1 mainly include copy number variations and structural changes. The chromosome 1q gains/amplifications and 1p deletions are the most frequent structural changes of chromosomes in MM. In this review, we intend to focus on the genes that are affected by chromosome 1 instability: some tumor suppressors were lost or down regulated in 1p deletions, and others that contributed to tumorigenesis were upregulated in 1q gains/amplifications. We have summarized their biological function as well as their roles in the MM pathogenesis, hoping to uncover potential novel therapeutical targets and promote the development of future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saiqun Luo
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tao Su
- Department of Hematology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei-Xin Hu
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingping Hu
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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ErbB4 Is a Potential Key Regulator of the Pathways Activated by NTRK-Fusions in Thyroid Cancer. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12052506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
NTRK gene fusions are drivers of tumorigenesis events that specific Trk-inhibitors can target. Current knowledge of the downstream pathways activated has been previously limited to the pathways of regulator proteins phosphorylated directly by Trk receptors. Here, we aimed to detect genes whose expression is increased in response to the activation of these pathways. We identified and analyzed differentially expressed genes in thyroid cancer samples with NTRK1 or NTRK3 gene fusions, and without any NTRK fusions, versus normal thyroid gland tissues, using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas, the DESeq2 tool, and the Genome Enhancer and geneXplain platforms. Searching for the genes activated only in samples with an NTRK fusion as opposed to those without NTRK fusions, we identified 29 genes involved in nervous system development, including AUTS2, DTNA, ERBB4, FLRT2, FLRT3, RPH3A, and SCN4A. We found that genes regulating the expression of the upregulated genes (i.e., upstream regulators) were enriched in the “signaling by ERBB4” pathway. ERBB4 was also one of three genes encoding master regulators whose expression was increased only in samples with an NTRK fusion. Moreover, the algorithm searching for positive feedback loops for gene promoters and transcription factors (a so-called “walking pathways” algorithm) identified the ErbB4 protein as the key master regulator. ERBB4 upregulation (p-value = 0.004) was confirmed in an independent sample of ETV6-NTRK3-positive FFPE specimens. Thus, ErbB4 is the potential key regulator of the pathways activated by NTRK gene fusions in thyroid cancer. These results are preliminary and require additional biochemical validation.
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Gallerani G, Rossi T, Valgiusti M, Angeli D, Fici P, De Fanti S, Bandini E, Cocchi C, Frassineti GL, Bonafè M, Fabbri F. CNA Profiling of Single CTCs in Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer Patients during Therapy Highlights Unexplored Molecular Pathways. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6369. [PMID: 34944989 PMCID: PMC8699413 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Here, we monitored the evolution of CTCs spread in 11 patients affected by locally advanced EC who were undergoing therapy. METHODS In this perspective study, we designed multiple blood biopsies from individual patients: before and after neoadjuvant chemo-radio therapy and after surgery. We developed a multi-target array, named Grab-all assay, to estimate CTCs for their epithelial (EpCAM/E-Cadherin/Cytokeratins) and mesenchymal/stem (N-Cadherin/CD44v6/ABCG2) phenotypes. Identified CTCs were isolated as single cells by DEPArray, subjected to whole genome amplification, and copy number aberration (CNA) profiles were determined. Through bioinformatic analysis, we assessed the genomic imbalance of single CTCs, investigated specific focal copy number changes previously reported in EC and aberrant pathways using enrichment analysis. RESULTS Longitudinal monitoring allowed the identification of CTCs in at least one time-point per patient. Through single cell CNA analysis, we revealed that CTCs showed significantly dynamic genomic imbalance during treatment. Individual CTCs from relapsed patients displayed a higher degree of genomic imbalance relative to disease-free patients' groups. Genomic aberrations previously reported in EC occurred mostly in post-neoadjuvant therapy CTCs. In-depth analysis showed that networks enrichment in all time-point CTCs were inherent to innate immune system. Transcription/gene regulation, post-transcriptional and epigenetic modifications were uniquely affected in CTCs of relapsed patients. CONCLUSIONS Our data add clues to the comprehension of the role of CTCs in EC aggressiveness: chromosomal aberrations on genes related to innate immune system behave as relevant to the onset of CTC-status, whilst pathways of transcription/gene regulation, post-transcriptional and epigenetic modifications seem linked to patients' outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gallerani
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (T.R.); (P.F.); (E.B.); (C.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Tania Rossi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (T.R.); (P.F.); (E.B.); (C.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Martina Valgiusti
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (M.V.); (G.L.F.)
| | - Davide Angeli
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy;
| | - Pietro Fici
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (T.R.); (P.F.); (E.B.); (C.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Sara De Fanti
- Interdepartmental Centre “Alma Mater Research Institute on Global Challenges and Climate Change (Alma Climate)”, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Erika Bandini
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (T.R.); (P.F.); (E.B.); (C.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Claudia Cocchi
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (T.R.); (P.F.); (E.B.); (C.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Giovanni Luca Frassineti
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (M.V.); (G.L.F.)
| | - Massimiliano Bonafè
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Francesco Fabbri
- Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, 47014 Meldola, Italy; (T.R.); (P.F.); (E.B.); (C.C.); (F.F.)
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Zhang J, Ding N, He Y, Tao C, Liang Z, Xin W, Zhang Q, Wang F. Bioinformatic identification of genomic instability-associated lncRNAs signatures for improving the clinical outcome of cervical cancer by a prognostic model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20929. [PMID: 34686717 PMCID: PMC8536663 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-00384-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The research is executed to analyze the connection between genomic instability-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the prognosis of cervical cancer patients. We set a prognostic model up and explored different risk groups' features. The clinical datasets and gene expression profiles of 307 patients have been downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We established a prognostic model that combined somatic mutation profiles and lncRNA expression profiles in a tumor genome and identified 35 genomic instability-associated lncRNAs in cervical cancer as a case study. We then stratified patients into low-risk and high-risk groups and were further checked in multiple independent patient cohorts. Patients were separated into two sets: the testing set and the training set. The prognostic model was built using three genomic instability-associated lncRNAs (AC107464.2, MIR100HG, and AP001527.2). Patients in the training set were divided into the high-risk group with shorter overall survival and the low-risk group with longer overall survival (p < 0.001); in the meantime, similar comparable results were found in the testing set (p = 0.046), whole set (p < 0.001). There are also significant differences in patients with histological grades, FIGO stages, and different ages (p < 0.05). The prognostic model focused on genomic instability-associated lncRNAs could predict the prognosis of cervical cancer patients, paving the way for further research into the function and resource of lncRNAs, as well as a key approach to customizing individual care decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Nan Ding
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Yongxing He
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Chengbin Tao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Zhongzhen Liang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Wenhu Xin
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Qianyun Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China.
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Xu W, Lu X, Liu J, Chen Q, Huang X, Huang K, Liu H, Zhu W, Zhang X. Identification of PAFAH1B3 as Candidate Prognosis Marker and Potential Therapeutic Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:700700. [PMID: 34490100 PMCID: PMC8418329 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.700700] [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: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. PAFAH1B3 plays an important role on occurrence and development in a variety tumor. However, the function of PAFAH1B3 in HCC remains unclear. Methods The TIMER, ONCOMINE, Human Protein Atlas (HPA), GEPIA, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), HCCDB, UALCAN and LinkedOmics database were used to analyze the prognostic value, co-expression genes and regulator networks of PAFAH1B3 in HCC. siRNA transfections and inhibitor of PAFAH1B3 P11 were used to verify the anti-tumor effect on HCC cell lines. Gene expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The functions of PAFAH1B3 downregulation in HCC cell lines were investigated using cell cycle analysis, apoptosis detection, CCK8 assay and transwell assay. Western blot was used to evaluate the role of PAFAH1B3 on metabolic pathways in HCC cells. Results Based on the data from databases, the expression of PAFAH1B3 was remarkably increased in HCC patients. High expression of PAFAH1B3 was associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). And PAFAH1B3 was notably linked to age, sex, grade, stage, race, and TP53 mutational status. Then, the functional network analysis showed PAFAH1B3 may be involved in HCC through cell cycle, cell metabolism, spliceosome, and RNA transport. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of PAFAH1B3 was also increased in HCC cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis showed that PAFAH1B3 manipulated apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. CCK8 assay showed that PAFAH1B3 silencing or pharmacologic inhibitor of PAFAH1B3 inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, Huh7 and MHCC-97H cells. Transwell assay results showed that PAFAH1B3 silencing also significantly impaired the invasion and migratory ability of HCC cells. In addition, PAFAH1B3 silencing significantly downregulated the expression of glycolysis and lipid synthesis signaling pathways. Conclusion Our findings suggested that PAFAH1B3 plays a critical role in progression of HCC. PAFAH1B3 as a prognosis marker and potential target for HCC has prospective clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qianhui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kuiyuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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