Knockdown of annexin A5 restores gefitinib sensitivity by promoting G2/M cell cycle arrest

Augmentation of hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy by annexin A5 through modulation of invasion and angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to play a substantial role in cancer-related morbidity and mortality, largely owing to its pronounced tumor heterogeneity and propensity for recurrence. This underscores the pressing need for in-depth examination of its highly malignant mechanisms. Annexin A5 (ANXA5), recognized as a hallmark tumor protein, has emerged as a focal point of interest because of its ambiguous function and mechanism in HCC prognosis. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of ANXA5 in the malignant progression of human HCC cells by employing an integrative approach that combines conventional experimental methods with RNA sequencing.

METHODS

Differences in ANXA5 expression between HCC tissues and corresponding nontumor tissues were evaluated using immunofluorescence (n = 25). Correlation analysis was subsequently performed to assess the association between ANXA5 expression and clinicopathological features (n = 65). The role of ANXA5 in human HCC cell lines with ANXA5 gene knockout and overexpression was explored in vitro using migration and invasion assays and Ki-67 indices and in vivo based on node mice xenograft model. A tube formation assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was conducted to demonstrate the angiogenic effects of ANXA5 in HCC. Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing was used to further investigate the underlying mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

This study revealed that ANXA5 is highly expressed in patients with HCC and correlates with poor prognosis. Assays for migration, invasion, and proliferation based on ANXA5 gene knockout and overexpression systems in human HCC cell lines have demonstrated that ANXA5 enhances HCC malignancy in vitro and in vivo. Tube formation assays of HUVECs indicated that ANXA5 facilitates angiogenesis and recruits endothelial cells to HCC cells. Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data analysis further confirmed that ANXA5 expression in HCC is associated with hepatocyte metabolism, immune response activation, and various oncogenic signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a meaningful association between elevated ANXA5 expression in tumor tissues and an unfavorable prognosis in patients with HCC. In addition, ANXA5 promotes HCC malignancy by promoting invasion and angiogenesis. Thus, ANXA5 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for HCC and has the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Integrated Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, Molecular Simulation, and In Vitro Validation Revealed the Bioactive Components in Soy-Fermented Food Products and the Underlying Mechanistic Pathways in Lung Cancer

Globally, lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, warranting the exploration of novel and effective therapeutic approaches. Soy-fermented food products have long been associated with potential health benefits, including anticancer properties. There is still a lack of understanding of the active components of these drugs as well as their underlying mechanistic pathways responsible for their anti-lung cancer effects. In this study, we have undertaken an integrated approach combining network pharmacology and molecular docking to elucidate the mechanism of action of soy-fermented food products against lung cancer through simulation and in vitro validation. Using network pharmacology, we constructed a comprehensive network of interactions between the identified isoflavones in soy-fermented food products and lung cancer-associated targets. Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding affinities of these compounds with key lung cancer-related proteins. Additionally, molecular simulation was utilized to investigate the stability of the compound-target complexes over time, providing insights into their dynamic interactions. Our results identified daidzein as a potential active component in soy-fermented food products with high binding affinities towards critical lung cancer targets. Molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the stability of the daidzein-MMP9 and daidzein-HSP90AA1 complexes, suggesting their potential as effective inhibitors. Additionally, in vitro validation experiments demonstrated that treatment with daidzein significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation and suppressed cancer cell migration and the invasion of A549 lung cancer cells. Consequently, the estrogen signaling pathway was recognized as the pathway modulated by daidzein against lung cancer. Overall, the findings of the present study highlight the therapeutic potential of soy-fermented food products in lung cancer treatment and provide valuable insights for the development of targeted therapies using the identified bioactive compounds. Further investigation and clinical studies are warranted to validate these findings and translate them into clinical applications for improved lung cancer management.

Annexin A5 suppression promotes the progression of cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a common malignant gynecological disease that threatens the health of women all over the world. The abnormal expression of Annexin A5 (ANXA5) is closely related to the biological behavior of various malignant tumors, however, the relationship between ANXA5 and cervical cancer is still unclear. Therefore, the effects of low expression of ANXA5 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and its related mechanism were explored.

METHODS

The cells were divided into three groups: ANXA5-si group, negative control group and blank group. RNA interference was used to suppress ANXA5 expression. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and propidium iodide (PI) staining, wound healing assay and transwell assay were employed to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion respectively. Meanwhile, gene expression was detected by qPCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

ANXA5 suppression lead to the increase of proliferation, migration, invasion and the decrease of apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells. Furthermore, the expression of both pPI3K and pAkt increased.

CONCLUSION

ANXA5 might inhibit Hela cells proliferation and metastasis by regulating PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

Exosomal annexin A6 induces gemcitabine resistance by inhibiting ubiquitination and degradation of EGFR in triple-negative breast cancer

Exosomes are carriers of intercellular information that regulate the tumor microenvironment, and they have an essential role in drug resistance through various mechanisms such as transporting RNA molecules and proteins. Nevertheless, their effects on gemcitabine resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of exosomes on TNBC cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and annexin A6 (ANXA6)/EGFR expression. We addressed their roles in gemcitabine resistance and the underlying mechanism. Our results revealed that exosomes derived from resistant cancer cells improved cell viability and colony formation and inhibited apoptosis in sensitive cancer cells. The underlying mechanism included the transfer of exosomal ANXA6 from resistant cancer cells to sensitive cancer cells. Isobaric peptide labeling–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and western blotting revealed that ANXA6 was upregulated in resistant cancer cells and their derived exosomes. Sensitive cancer cells exhibited resistance with increased viability and colony formation and decreased apoptosis when ANXA6 was stably overexpressed. On the contrary, knockdown ANXA6 restored the sensitivity of cells to gemcitabine. Co-immunoprecipitation expression and GST pulldown assay demonstrated that exosomal ANXA6 and EGFR could interact with each other and exosomal ANXA6 was associated with the suppression of EGFR ubiquitination and downregulation. While adding lapatinib reversed gemcitabine resistance induced by exosomal ANXA6. Moreover, ANXA6 and EGFR protein expression was correlated in TNBC tissues, and exosomal ANXA6 levels at baseline were lower in patients with highly sensitive TNBC than those with resistant TNBC when treated with first-line gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. In conclusion, resistant cancer cell-derived exosomes induced gemcitabine resistance via exosomal ANXA6, which was associated with the inhibition of EGFR ubiquitination and degradation. Exosomal ANXA6 levels in the serum of patients with TNBC might be predictive of the response to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.

MPEG-PCL Nanomicelles Platform for Synergistic Metformin and Chrysin Delivery to Breast Cancer in Mice

BACKGROUND

Metformin (MET) is a well-known anti-diabetic drug that also has anti-cancer effects. However, high therapeutic doses of MET on cancer cells and the low efficacy of combinatory therapeutic approaches limit its clinical application. Recent studies have shown that chrysin (CHR) can improve the pharmaceutical efficacy of MET by suppressing human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and cyclin D1 gene expression.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop different ratios of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(e-caprolactone) (MPEG-PCL) micelles for breast cancer to co-deliver a synergistic CHR/MET combination.

METHODS

CHR/MET drug-loaded micelles were prepared by modified thin-film hydration. Fourier infrared spectrum, gel permeation chromatography, transmission electron microscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of nanostructures. Cell proliferation and cell apoptosis were assessed by MTT and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining method. The gene expression of hTERT and cyclin D1 was measured by real-time PCR assay. A subcutaneous mouse T47D xenograft model was established to evaluate the in vivo efficiency.

RESULTS

When the ratio of MPEG-PCL was 1:1.7, the highest drug loading rate and encapsulation efficiency of CHR (11.31±0.37) and MET (12.22±0.44) were observed. Uniform MPEG-PCL micelles of 51.70±1.91 nm allowed MET to incorporate with CHR, which were co-delivered to breast cancer cells. We demonstrated that CHR/MET co-delivery micelles showed a good synergistic effect on inhibiting proliferation in T47D cells (combination index=0.87) by suppressing hTERT and cyclin D1 gene expression. Compared with the free CHR/MET group, the apoptosis rate on T47D cells by CHR/MET nano-micelles significantly improved from 71.33% to 79.25%. The tumour volume and tumour weight of the CHR/MET group increased more slowly than that of the single-drug treatment group (P<0.05). Compared with the CHR/MET group, the tumour volume and tumour weight of the CHR/MET nano-micelle group decreased by 42% and 59%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that ratiometric CHR/MET micelles could provide an effective technique for the treatment of breast cancer.

Annexin Animal Models-From Fundamental Principles to Translational Research

Routine manipulation of the mouse genome has become a landmark in biomedical research. Traits that are only associated with advanced developmental stages can now be investigated within a living organism, and the in vivo analysis of corresponding phenotypes and functions advances the translation into the clinical setting. The annexins, a family of closely related calcium (Ca²⁺)- and lipid-binding proteins, are found at various intra- and extracellular locations, and interact with a broad range of membrane lipids and proteins. Their impacts on cellular functions has been extensively assessed in vitro, yet annexin-deficient mouse models generally develop normally and do not display obvious phenotypes. Only in recent years, studies examining genetically modified annexin mouse models which were exposed to stress conditions mimicking human disease often revealed striking phenotypes. This review is the first comprehensive overview of annexin-related research using animal models and their exciting future use for relevant issues in biology and experimental medicine.

Glucocorticoid resistance induced by ANXA5 overexpression in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Development of chemo‑resistance is ultimately responsible for treatment failure and relapse in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). However, the mechanism underlying glucocorticoid (GC) resistance remains unclear. This study was performed to identify GC resistance-related genes using the transcriptome chip from the GEO database, and preliminarily analyze drug resistance mechanism in B-ALL. Here, we found that ANXA5 expression was upregulated in B-ALL cells and high-level ANXA5 was associated with dexamethasone (DEX) resistance. Then, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed to silence ANXA5 expression in the B-ALL cell lines, and the apoptotic rate of cells treated with DEX was detected by flow cytometry. As a result, cell apoptosis was dramatically promoted in B-ALL cells following silencing of ANXA5 and DEX administration versus that in ANXA5-silenced alone or DEX-treated alone cells. It was further found that down-regulation of ANXA5 in B-ALL cells significantly increased the relative amount of cleaved Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 induced by DEX. Collectively, inhibition of ANXA5 gene expression may represent a novel method to restore the sensitivity of treatment-resistant B-ALL tumors to GC-induced cell death, which is of important clinical significance to overcome drug resistance associated with B-ALL.

Discovery of potential targets of Triptolide through inverse docking in ovarian cancer cells

Triptolide (TPL) is proposed as an effective anticancer agent known for its anti-proliferation of a variety of cancer cells including ovarian cancer cells. Although some studies have been conducted, the mechanism by which TPL acts on ovarian cancer remains to be clearly described. Herein, systematic work based on bioinformatics was carried out to discover the potential targets of TPL in SKOV-3 cells. TPL induces the early apoptosis of SKOV-3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ = 40 ± 0.89 nM when cells are incubated for 48 h. Moreover, 20 nM TPL significantly promotes early apoptosis at a rate of 40.73%. Using a self-designed inverse molecular docking protocol, we fish the top 19 probable targets of TPL from the target library, which was built on 2,250 proteins extracted from the Protein Data Bank. The 2D-DIGE assay reveals that the expression of eight genes is affected by TPL. The results of western blotting and qRT-PCR assay suggest that 40 nM of TPL up-regulates the level of Annexin A5 (6.34 ± 0.07 fold) and ATP syn thase (4.08 ± 0.08 fold) and down-regulates the level of β-Tubulin (0.11 ± 0.12 fold) and HSP90 (0.21 ± 0.09 fold). More details of TPL affecting on Annexin A5 signaling pathway will be discovered in the future. Our results define some potential targets of TPL, with the hope that this agent could be used as therapy for the preclinical treatment of ovarian cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor paracrine upregulation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fibroblasts is blocked by nintedanib

Although present in normal cells, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in a variety of tumors and has been associated with decreased survival. Because activated fibroblasts are considered key effectors in fibrosis and because metastatic and fibrotic processes were shown to share similar signaling pathways, we investigated the contribution of EGFR signaling to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) progression in lung fibroblasts derived from patients with IPF (IPF-HLF). EGFR expression and EGFR-related signaling were evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Supernatants (SN) from cultured IPF-HLF and N-HLF were added to N-HLF, and their effect on cell phenotype was tested. Growth factor levels in the SN were measured by ELISA-based arrays. EGFR activity was blocked by erlotinib (Tarceva, 0.1-0.5 µM). Expression of EGFR, phosphorylated (p)EGFR-1068 and pAkt-473 was significantly higher in IPF-HLF compared with lung fibroblasts from control donors (N-HLF) (P < 0.05). Apparent expression of p/total EGFR and pAkt-473 was found in the myofibroblastic foci of IPF patients. Erlotinib significantly inhibited IPF-HLF but not N-HLF proliferation. IPF-HLF-SN elevated N-HLF cell number, viability, EGFR expression, and pAkt-473 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation (P < 0.05). Because high basic fibroblast growth factor levels were found in the IPF-HLF-SN, nintedanib (10-100 nM) was used to inhibit fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) activation. Unlike erlotinib, nintedanib completely blocked IPF-HLF-SNs' effects on the N-HLF cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In summary, IPF-HLF paracrine signaling elevates EGFR expression, which in turn, affects N-HLF survival. The FGF-EGFR interplay facilitates cellular responses that could potentially promote fibrotic disease. This interplay was successfully blocked by nintedanib.

Comprehensive Genetic Search to Clarify the Molecular Mechanism of Drug Resistance Identifies ASCL2-LEF1/TSPAN8 Axis in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Treatment-resistance genes limiting anticancer therapy have not been well clarified in colorectal cancer (CRC). We explored gene expression profiles to identify biomarkers for predicting treatment resistance to an anticancer drug in CRC.

METHODS

Six CRC cell lines were treated with phenylbutyrate (PB). The gene expression profiles were then compared using microarrays (harboring 54,675 genes), and genes associated with PB resistance were identified. Candidate genes were functionally examined in cell lines and clinically validated for treatment resistance in clinical samples.

RESULTS

Both DLD1 and HCT15 cells were PB resistant, while HCT116 cells were identified as PB sensitive. On microarray analysis, among the PB resistance-related genes, the expression of the genes ASCL2, LEF1, and TSPAN8 was clearly associated with PB resistance. PB-sensitive cells transfected with one of these three genes exhibited significant (P < 0.001) augmentation of PB resistance; ASCL2 induced expression of both LEF1 and TSPAN8, while neither LEF1 nor TSPAN8 induced ASCL2. RNA interference via ASCL2 knockdown made PB-resistant cells sensitive to PB and inhibited both genes. ASCL2 knockdown also played a critical role in sensitivity to treatment by 5-fluorouracil and radiotherapy in addition to PB. Finally, ASCL2 expression was significantly correlated with histological grade of rectal cancer with preoperative chemoradiation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

ASCL2 was identified as a causative gene involved in therapeutic resistance against anticancer treatments in CRC.

Calpain 2 knockdown promotes cell apoptosis and restores gefitinib sensitivity through epidermal growth factor receptor/protein kinase B/survivin signaling

Gefitinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-specific drug, is effective for ~1 year, after which resistance is inevitable. Calpain 2 (CAPN2) is known to serve a role in the drug response and resistance in certain cancer therapies. However, the full function of CAPN2, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer, has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, CAPN2 expression in gefitinib-resistant lung adenocarcinoma cells was investigated. CAPN2 function in these cells was further evaluated using gene knockdown both in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrated that CAPN2 was strongly associated with gefitinib-resistance, and CAPN2 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in gefitinib-resistant cell lines. Furthermore, CAPN2 knockdown inhibited gefitinib-resistant cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. CAPN2 conferred gefitinib-resistance by inhibiting cell apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle. CAPN2 knockdown also induced caspase activation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and its function in gefitinib resistance appeared to be largely mediated by EGFR/protein kinase B/survivin signaling pathway activation. These results suggest that CAPN2 is responsible for EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and CAPN2 inhibition may be used to provide therapeutic benefits in the treatment of gefitinib resistance.