Clinical value and potential mechanisms of COL8A1 upregulation in breast cancer: a comprehensive analysis

Clinical pathological significance and biological function of PLIN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma: bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Perilipin 1 (PLIN1) is an essential lipid droplet surface protein that participates in cell life activities by regulating energy balance and lipid metabolism. PLIN1 has been shown to be closely related to the development of numerous tumor types. The purpose of this work was to elucidate the clinicopathologic significance of PLIN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as its impact on the biological functions of HCC cells, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved.

METHODS

Public high-throughput RNA microarray and RNA sequencing data were collected to examine PLIN1 levels and clinical significance in patients with HCC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR) were conducted to assess the expression levels and the clinicopathological relevance of PLIN1 in HCC. Then, SK and Huh7 cells were transfected with a lentivirus overexpressing PLIN1. CCK8 assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometric analysis were conducted to explore the effects of PLIN1 overexpression on HCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle distribution. Ultimately, Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of PLIN1 in HCC progression based on HCC differentially expressed genes and PLIN1 co-expressed genes.

RESULTS

PLIN1 was markedly downregulated in HCC tissues, which correlated with a noticeably worse prognosis for HCC patients. Additionally, PLIN1 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SK and Huh7 cells in vitro, as well as arresting the HCC cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. More significantly, energy conversion-related biological processes, lipid metabolism, and cell cycle signalling pathways were the three most enriched molecular mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that PLIN1 downregulation is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients and accelerated HCC progression by promoting cellular proliferation, migration, and metastasis, as well as the mechanisms underlying the regulation of lipid metabolism-related pathways in HCC.

Bibliometric analysis of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 expression in breast cancer and its distinct upregulation in triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) has been identified as a possible biomarker for breast cancer (BC) and may play a role in the development and advancement of triple-negative BC (TNBC).

AIM

To explore the PGK1 and BC research status and PGK1 expression and mechanism differences among TNBC, non-TNBC, and normal breast tissue.

METHODS

PGK1 and BC related literature was downloaded from Web of Science Core Collection Core Collection. Publication counts, key-word frequency, cooperation networks, and theme trends were analyzed. Normal breast, TNBC, and non-TNBC mRNA data were gathered, and differentially expressed genes obtained. Area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity and specificity of PGK1 expression were determined. Kaplan Meier revealed PGK1's prognostic implication. PGK1 co-expressed genes were explored, and Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Disease Ontology applied. Protein-protein interaction networks were constructed. Hub genes identified.

RESULTS

PGK1 and BC related publications have surged since 2020, with China leading the way. The most frequent keyword was "Expression". Collaborative networks were found among co-citations, countries, institutions, and authors. PGK1 expression and BC progression were research hotspots, and PGK1 expression and BC survival were research frontiers. In 16 TNBC vs non-cancerous breast and 15 TNBC vs non-TNBC datasets, PGK1 mRNA levels were higher in 1159 TNBC than 1205 non-cancerous breast cases [standardized mean differences (SMD): 0.85, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.54-1.16, I² = 86%, P < 0.001]. PGK1 expression was higher in 1520 TNBC than 7072 non-TNBC cases (SMD: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.03-0.47, I² = 91%, P = 0.02). Recurrence free survival was lower in PGK1-high-expression than PGK1-low-expression group (hazard ratio: 1.282, P = 0.023). PGK1 co-expressed genes were concentrated in ATP metabolic process, HIF-1 signaling, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways.

CONCLUSION

PGK1 expression is a research hotspot and frontier direction in the BC field. PGK1 may play a strong role in promoting cancer in TNBC by mediating metabolism and HIF-1 signaling pathways.

COL8A1 Regulates Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma Proliferation and Invasion Through PI3K/AKT Pathway

PURPOSE

Esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) is a gastrointestinal malignancy with a high mortality, but the tumorigenesis is still unclear, restricting the target therapy development of ESCC. We explored the role of COL8A1 in ESCC development.

METHODS

Tissue microarrays were used to investigate the expression level of COL8A1 in ESCC tissues. The association between COL8A1 and the overall survival of ESCC patients was assessed. The effect of differential COL8A1 expression on tumor growth was investigated by the xenograft model. The regulation of COL8A1 on tumor growth, migration, and invasion was studied by using ESCC cell lines. The signal transduction pathways involved in COL8A1 were bioinformatically profiled and validated.

RESULTS

The COL8A1 was significantly expressed in cancerous tissues and was associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC. In vivo, the tumor growth obviously declined after inhibition of the COL8A1 expression. The abilities of cell proliferation and invasion were both decreased when the expression of COL8A1 was knockdown in ESCC cell line. Furthermore, we found the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT pathway that was mediated by knockdown of COL8A1 in ESCC cells, which was reversed with COL8A1 overexpression, whereas the cell proliferation and invasion ability were restored.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report that COL8A1 promote ESCC progression, which hopefully will provide a theoretical basis for clinical targeting of ESCC.

Integrating artificial intelligence in osteosarcoma prognosis: the prognostic significance of SERPINE2 and CPT1B biomarkers

The principal aim of this investigation is to identify pivotal biomarkers linked to the prognosis of osteosarcoma (OS) through the application of artificial intelligence (AI), with an ultimate goal to enhance prognostic prediction. Expression profiles from 88 OS cases and 396 normal samples were procured from accessible public databases. Prognostic models were established using univariate COX regression analysis and an array of AI methodologies including the XGB method, RF method, GLM method, SVM method, and LASSO regression analysis. Multivariate COX regression analysis was also employed. Immune cell variations in OS were examined using the CIBERSORT software, and a differential analysis was conducted. Routine blood data from 20,679 normal samples and 437 OS cases were analyzed to validate lymphocyte disparity. Histological assessments of the study's postulates were performed through immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. AI facilitated the identification of differentially expressed genes, which were utilized to construct a prognostic model. This model discerned that the survival rate in the high-risk category was significantly inferior compared to the low-risk cohort (p < 0.05). SERPINE2 was found to be positively associated with memory B cells, while CPT1B correlated positively with CD8 T cells. Immunohistochemical assessments indicated that SERPINE2 was more prominently expressed in OS tissues relative to adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Conversely, CPT1B expression was elevated in the adjacent non-tumorous tissues compared to OS tissues. Lymphocyte counts from routine blood evaluations exhibited marked differences between normal and OS groups (p < 0.001). The study highlights SERPINE2 and CPT1B as crucial biomarkers for OS prognosis and suggests that dysregulation of lymphocytes plays a significant role in OS pathogenesis. Both SERPINE2 and CPT1B have potential utility as prognostic biomarkers for OS.

The collagen landscape in cancer: profiling collagens in tumors and in circulation reveals novel markers of cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) deposit and remodel collagens in the tumor stroma, impacting cancer progression and efficacy of interventions. CAFs are the focus of new therapeutics with the aim of normalizing the tumor microenvironment. To do this, a better understanding of CAF heterogeneity and collagen composition in cancer is needed. In this study, we sought to profile the expression of collagens at multiple levels with the goal of identifying cancer biomarkers. We investigated the collagen expression pattern in various cell types and CAF subtypes in a publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) dataset of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Next, we investigated the collagen expression profile in tumor samples across cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and evaluated if specific patterns of collagen expression were associated with prognosis. Finally, we profiled circulating collagen peptides using a panel of immunoassays to measure collagen fragments in the serum of cancer patients. We found that pancreatic stellate cells and fibroblasts were the primary producers of collagens in the pancreas. COL1A1, COL3A1, COL5A1, COL6A1 were expressed in all CAF subtypes, whereas COL8A1, COL10A1, COL11A1, COL12A1 were specific to myofibroblast CAFs (myCAF) and COL14A1 specific to inflammatory CAFs (iCAF). In TCGA database, myCAF collagens COL10A1 and COL11A1 were elevated across solid tumor types, and multiple associations between high expression and worse survival were found. Finally, circulating collagen biomarkers were elevated in the serum of patients with cancer relative to healthy controls with COL11A1 (myCAF) having the best diagnostic accuracy of the markers measured. In conclusion, CAFs express a noncanonical collagen profile with specific collagen subtypes associated with iCAFs and myCAFs in PDAC. These collagens are deregulated at the cellular, tumor, and systemic levels across different solid tumors and associate with survival. These findings could lead to new discoveries such as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

ZNF714 Supports Pro-Oncogenic Features in Lung Cancer Cells

Despite the ongoing progress in diagnosis and treatments, cancer remains a threat to more than one-third of the human population. The emerging data indicate that many Krüppel-associated box zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZNF) belonging to a large gene family may be involved in carcinogenesis. Our previous study identified Zinc Finger Protein 714 (ZNF714), a KRAB-ZNF gene of unknown function, as being commonly overexpressed in many tumors, pointing to its hypothetical oncogenic role. Here, we harnessed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-centered databases and performed functional studies with transcriptomic and methylomic profiling to explore ZNF714 function in cancer. Our pan-cancer analyses confirmed frequent ZNF714 overexpression in multiple tumors, possibly due to regional amplification, promoter hypomethylation, and Nuclear Transcription Factor Y Subunit Beta (NFYB) signaling. We also showed that ZNF714 expression correlates with tumor immunosuppressive features. The in vitro studies indicated that ZNF714 expression positively associates with proliferation, migration, and invasion. The transcriptomic analysis of ZNF714 knocked-down cells demonstrated deregulation of cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Importantly, we provided evidence that ZNF714 negatively regulates the expression of several known TSGs indirectly via promoter methylation. However, as ZNF714 did not show nuclear localization in our research model, the regulatory mechanisms exerted by ZNF714 require further investigation. In conclusion, our results reveal, for the first time, that ZNF714 may support pro-oncogenic features in lung cancer cells.

MicroRNA-210-3p Regulates Endometriotic Lesion Development by Targeting IGFBP3 in Baboons and Women with Endometriosis

MicroRNAs (miRs) play an important role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis; however, the role of miR-210 in endometriosis remains unclear. This study explores the role of miR-210 and its targets, IGFBP3 and COL8A1, in ectopic lesion growth and development. Matched eutopic (EuE) and ectopic (EcE) endometrial samples were obtained for analysis from baboons and women with endometriosis. Immortalized human ectopic endometriotic epithelial cells (12Z cells) were utilized for functional assays. Endometriosis was experimentally induced in female baboons (n = 5). Human matched endometrial and endometriotic tissues were obtained from women (n = 9, 18-45 years old) with regular menstrual cycles. Quantitative reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis was performed for in vivo characterization of miR-210, IGFBP3, and COL8A1. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis were performed for cell-specific localization. Immortalized endometriotic epithelial cell lines (12Z) were utilized for in vitro functional assays. MiR-210 expression was decreased in EcE, while IGFBP3 and COL8A1 expression was increased in EcE. MiR-210 was expressed in the glandular epithelium of EuE but attenuated in those of EcE. IGFBP3 and COL8A1 were expressed in the glandular epithelium of EuE and were increased compared to EcE. MiR-210 overexpression in 12Z cells suppressed IGFBP3 expression and attenuated cell proliferation and migration. MiR-210 repression and subsequent unopposed IGFBP3 expression may contribute to endometriotic lesion development by increasing cell proliferation and migration.

Convolutional neural network for biomarker discovery for triple negative breast cancer with RNA sequencing data

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are tumors with a poor treatment response and prognosis. In this study, we propose a new approach, candidate extraction from convolutional neural network (CNN) elements (CECE), for discovery of biomarkers for TNBCs. We used the GSE96058 and GSE81538 datasets to build a CNN model to classify TNBCs and non-TNBCs and used the model to make TNBC predictions for two additional datasets, the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) breast cancer RNA sequencing data and the data from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC). Using correctly predicted TNBCs from the GSE96058 and TCGA datasets, we calculated saliency maps for these subjects and extracted the genes that the CNN model used to separate TNBCs from non-TNBCs. Among the TNBC signature patterns that the CNN models learned from the training data, we found a set of 21 genes that can classify TNBCs into two major classes, or CECE subtypes, with distinct overall survival rates (P = 0.0074). We replicated this subtype classification in the FUSCC dataset using the same 21 genes, and the two subtypes had similar differential overall survival rates (P = 0.0490). When all TNBCs were combined from the 3 datasets, the CECE II subtype had a hazard ratio of 1.94 (95% CI, 1.25-3.01; P = 0.0032). The results demonstrate that the spatial patterns learned by the CNN models can be utilized to discover interacting biomarkers otherwise unlikely to be identified by traditional approaches.

COL8A1 enhances the invasion/metastasis in MDA-MB-231 cells via the induction of IL1B and MMP1 expression

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer with a high probability of metastasis and a lack of specific targets and targeted therapeutics. Previously, we have reported that COL8A1, which is highly expressed in the mesenchymal stem-like (MSL) subtype of TNBC, facilitates TNBC growth via FAK/Src activation. Furthermore, we have found that COL8A1 enhances the invasion and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells, classified into MSL. However, the mechanism of invasion and metastasis by COL8A1 remains unclear. Here, we investigated the biological function of COL8A1 on the invasion and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells.

METHODS

The invasion and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells were evaluated using three-dimensional (3D) culture methods and xenograft mouse models. DNA microarray analysis examined the gene expression in COL8A1-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cells and control cells. Gene expression was verified using RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

COL8A1-deficient cells showed little or no metastasis, whereas forced expression of COL8A1 in MDA-MB-231 cells, the MSL subtype of TNBC cell lines, significantly promoted distant metastasis after tumor resection. As with in vivo, 3D invasion assay revealed that COL8A1 increased the invasion capacity of MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells, classified into the MSL subtype of TNBC. DNA microarray analysis for COL8A1-overexpressing cells indicated that COL8A1 induces interleukin 1B (IL1B) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) expression, both of which are correlated with COL8A1 expression in the mesenchymal subtypes of TNBC, and the Kaplan-Meier plotter provided evidence that the prognosis in the MSL subtype was strongly associated with both gene expressions and COL8A1 expression. Pharmacological inhibitor treatment showed that COL8A1 regulated IL1B and MMP1 expression through a different pathway. Moreover, the knockdown of each gene expression reduced the invasion capacity of COL8A1-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that COL8A1-induced IL1B and MMP1 enhanced the invasion and metastasis of the MSL subtype of TNBC. Considering our previous findings that COL8A1 promotes tumor growth, COL8A1 may be a prognostic and practical therapeutic target in TNBC.

Tumor and stroma COL8A1 secretion induces autocrine and paracrine progression signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Several collagen subtypes are involved in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) desmoplasia, which constrains therapeutic efficacy. We evaluated collagen type VIII alpha 1 chain (COL8A1), whose function in PDAC is currently unknown. We identified COL8A1 expression in 7 examined PDAC cell lines by microarray analysis, western blotting, and RT‒qPCR. Higher COL8A1 expression occurred in 2 gemcitabine-resistant PDAC cell lines; pancreas tissue (n=15) from LSL-Kras^G12D/+; p48-Cre mice with advanced PDAC predisposition; and PDAC parenchyma and stroma of a patient tissue microarray (n=82). Bioinformatic analysis confirmed higher COL8A1 expression in PDAC patient tissue available from TCGA (n=183), GTEx (n=167), and GEO (n=261) databases. siRNA or lentiviral sh-mediated COL8A1 inhibition in PDAC cells reduced migration, invasion and gemcitabine resistance and resulted in lower cytidine deaminase and thymidine kinase 2 expression and was rescued by COL8A1-secreting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). The activation of COL8A1 expression involved cJun/AP-1, as demonstrated by CHIP assay and siRNA inhibition. Downstream of COL8A1, activation of ITGB1 and DDR1 receptors and PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling occurred, as detected by expression, adhesion and EMSA binding studies. Orthotopic transplantation of PDAC cells with downregulated COL8A1 expression resulted in reduced tumor xenograft growth and lower gemcitabine resistance but was prevented by cotransplantation of COL8A1-secreting CAFs. Most importantly, COL8A1 expression in PDAC patient tissues from our clinic (n=84) correlated with clinicopathological data, and we confirmed these findings by the use of patient data (n=177) from the TCGA database. These findings highlight COL8A1 expression in tumor and stromal cells as a new biomarker for PDAC progression.

Potential Molecular Mechanism of Upregulated Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator 2 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Background. Currently, the benefits of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) therapy are limited, and it is necessary to further explore possible therapeutic targets. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2) has been extensively studied in other cancer species, but little has been explored in NPC. The aim of this study was to verify the expression level of ARNT2 and its underlying mechanism in NPC. Methods. Datasets containing ARNT2 mRNA expression levels were retrieved and collected from various databases to explore the expression status of ARNT2 in NPC. ARNT2-related coexpressed genes, differential expressed genes, and target genes were obtained for functional enrichment analysis. The potential target gene of ARNT2 and their regulatory relationship were studied through ChIP-seq data. CIBERSORTx was used to assess the immune infiltration of NPC, and the association with ARNT2 expression was calculated through correlation analysis. Results. ARNT2 was upregulated and possessed an excellent discriminatory capability in NPC samples. ARNT2 positively correlated target genes were clustered in pathways in cancer, while negatively correlated target genes were enriched in immune-related pathway. The ChIP-seq information of ARNT2 and histone showed that prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) was a potential target gene of ARNT2. CIBERSORTx revealed the immunity status in NPC, and ARNT2 expression was correlated with infiltration of five immune cells. Conclusions. ARNT2 is overexpressed in NPC and may regulate PTGS2 to participate in the cancer process. ARNT2 serves as a key oncogenic target in NPC patients.

Collagen Remodeling along Cancer Progression Providing a Novel Opportunity for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a significant factor in cancer progression. Collagens, as the main component of the ECM, are greatly remodeled alongside cancer development. More and more studies have confirmed that collagens changed from a barrier to providing assistance in cancer development. In this course, collagens cause remodeling alongside cancer progression, which in turn, promotes cancer development. The interaction between collagens and tumor cells is complex with biochemical and mechanical signals intervention through activating diverse signal pathways. As the mechanism gradually clears, it becomes a new target to find opportunities to diagnose and treat cancer. In this review, we investigated the process of collagen remodeling in cancer progression and discussed the interaction between collagens and cancer cells. Several typical effects associated with collagens were highlighted in the review, such as fibrillation in precancerous lesions, enhancing ECM stiffness, promoting angiogenesis, and guiding invasion. Then, the values of cancer diagnosis and prognosis were focused on. It is worth noting that several generated fragments in serum were reported to be able to be biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, which is beneficial for clinic detection. At a glance, a variety of reported biomarkers were summarized. Many collagen-associated targets and drugs have been reported for cancer treatment in recent years. The new targets and related drugs were discussed in the review. The mass data were collected and classified by mechanism. Overall, the interaction of collagens and tumor cells is complicated, in which the mechanisms are not completely clear. A lot of collagen-associated biomarkers are excavated for cancer diagnosis. However, new therapeutic targets and related drugs are almost in clinical trials, with merely a few in clinical applications. So, more efforts are needed in collagens-associated studies and drug development for cancer research and treatment.

Identification and Verification of Potential Biomarkers in Gastric Cancer By Integrated Bioinformatic Analysis

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cancer with high mortality. This study aimed to identify its differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using bioinformatics methods.

Methods: DEGs were screened from four GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) gene expression profiles. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. Expression and prognosis were assessed. Meta-analysis was conducted to further validate prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was analyzed to identify diagnostic markers, and a nomogram was developed. Exploration of drugs and immune cell infiltration analysis were conducted.

Results: Nine up-regulated and three down-regulated hub genes were identified, with close relations to gastric functions, extracellular activities, and structures. Overexpressed Collagen Type VIII Alpha 1 Chain (COL8A1), Collagen Type X Alpha 1 Chain (COL10A1), Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing 1 (CTHRC1), and Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) correlated with poor prognosis. The area under the curve (AUC) of ADAM Metallopeptidase With Thrombospondin Type 1 Motif 2 (ADAMTS2), COL10A1, Collagen Type XI Alpha 1 Chain (COL11A1), and CTHRC1 was >0.9. A nomogram model based on CTHRC1 was developed. Infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells positively correlated with COL8A1, COL10A1, CTHRC1, and FAP. Meta-analysis confirmed poor prognosis of overexpressed CTHRC1.

Conclusion: ADAMTS2, COL10A1, COL11A1, and CTHRC1 have diagnostic values in GC. COL8A1, COL10A1, CTHRC1, and FAP correlated with worse prognosis, showing prognostic and therapeutic values. The immune cell infiltration needs further investigations.

COL8A1 Predicts the Clinical Prognosis of Gastric Cancer and Is Related to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignant tumor and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Because GC has the characteristics of high heterogeneity, unclear mechanism, limited treatment methods, and low five-year survival rate, it is necessary to find the prognostic biomarkers of GC and explore the mechanism of GC.

Methods

We first identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between gastric cancer and normal gastric cells through expression analysis. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to find tightly connected modules. We performed survival analysis on the DEGs in the modules to identify genes with prognostic significance. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to identify gene enrichment pathways. Finally, we used our own collected clinical samples of 119 gastric adenocarcinoma (STAD) tissues and 40 normal gastric tissues to perform immunohistochemical (IHC) staining to verify the differential expression of COL8A1 in STAD tissues and normal gastric tissues and its correlation with epithelial-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) related factors.

Results

We identified 356 DEGs through differential expression analysis. Through PPI analysis and survival analysis, we determined that the collagen type VII alpha-1 chain (COL8A1) gene has prognostic significance. GSEA analysis showed that COL8A1 was significantly enriched in the EMT. IHC results showed that COL8A1 was upregulated in STAD tissues and could be used as an independent prognostic factor and was related to EMT.

Conclusion

This study shows that COL8A1 is related to the prognosis of GC patients and might affect the progress of GC through the EMT pathway. Therefore, COL8A1 may be a biomarker for predicting the prognosis of GC.

COL8A1 facilitates the growth of triple-negative breast cancer via FAK/Src activation

PURPOSE

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes, and treatment options are limited because of the lack of signature molecules and heterogeneous properties of cancer. COL8A1 expression is higher in breast cancer than in normal tissues and is strongly correlated with worse overall survival in patients with breast cancer. However, the biological function of COL8A1 on cancer progression is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the biological function of COL8A1 on TNBC progression.

METHODS

COL8A1-deficient cells were generated using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The tumor growth and metastasis of TNBC cells were evaluated using three-dimensional culture (3D) methods and xenograft mouse models. The activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Src by COL8A1 in TNBC cells was evaluated by immunoblotting.

RESULTS

COL8A1 expression was primarily distributed into TNBC cell lines. Further, relapse-free survival in TNBC patients with the MSL subtype was strongly associated with the COL8A1 expression. MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells, classified as the MSL subtype, strongly express COL8A1, and COL8A1 protein expression was induced by hypoxia in both cell lines. Loss of COL8A1 expression inhibited spheroid /tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Further, exogenous COL8A1 promoted TNBC growth via the FAK/Src activation. Finally, the spheroid growth of MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T cells was inhibited by defactinib, a FAK inhibitor, without cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that COL8A1-mediated FAK/Src activation produces a more aggressive phenotype in TNBC, and its target inhibition may be an efficacious treatment for TNBC.

Transcriptomic Profiling of Gene Expression Associated with Granulosa Cell Tumor Development in a Mouse Model

Ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are rare sex cord-stromal tumors, accounting for ~5% ovarian tumors. The etiology of GCTs remains poorly defined. Genetically engineered mouse models are potentially valuable for understanding the pathogenesis of GCTs. Mice harboring constitutively active TGFβ signaling (TGFBR1-CA) develop ovarian GCTs that phenocopy several hormonal and molecular characteristics of human GCTs. To determine molecular alterations in the ovary upon TGFβ signaling activation, we performed transcriptomic profiling of gene expression associated with GCT development using ovaries from 1-month-old TGFBR1-CA mice and age-matched controls. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis coupled with the validation of select target genes revealed dysregulations of multiple cellular events and signaling molecules/pathways. The differentially expressed genes are enriched not only for known GCT-related pathways and tumorigenic events but also for signaling events potentially mediated by neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, relaxin signaling, insulin signaling, and complements in TGFBR1-CA ovaries. Additionally, a comparative analysis of our data in mice with genes dysregulated in human GCTs or granulosa cells overexpressing a mutant FOXL2, the genetic hallmark of adult GCTs, identified some common genes altered in both conditions. In summary, this study has revealed the molecular signature of ovarian GCTs in a mouse model that harbors the constitutive activation of TGFBR1. The findings may be further exploited to understand the pathogenesis of a class of poorly defined ovarian tumors.

The role of network-forming collagens in cancer progression

Collagens are the main components of extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment. Both fibrillar and nonfibrillar collagens are involved in tumor progression. The nonfibrillar network-forming collagens such as type IV and type VIII collagens are frequently overexpressed in various types of human cancers, which promotes tumor cell proliferation, adhesion, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Studies on the roles of these collagens have shed light on the mechanisms underpinning the effects of this protein family. Future research has to explicit the role of network-forming collagens with respect to cancer progression and treatment. Herein, we review the regulation of network-forming collagens expression in cancer; the roles of network-forming collagens in tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis; and the clinical significance of network-forming collagens expression in cancer patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The Indication of Poor Prognosis by High Expression of ENO1 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

The purpose of this study is to investigate the significance of alpha-enolase (ENO1) expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (LUSC), its prognostic value, and prospective molecular mechanism. Using multiplatforms data, including in-house immunohistochemistry, in-house real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), in-house microarray, and public high-throughput data, the expression significance and prognostic role of ENO1 in LUSC tissues were analyzed comprehensively. With the combination of all eligible cases, compared with 941 non-LUSC lung tissues, ENO1 was significantly overexpressed in 1163 cases of LUSC (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.76–1.70, P < 0.001). ENO1 also displayed a great ability to differentiate LUSC tissues from non-LUSC lung tissues (AUC = 0.8705) with the comprehensive sensitivity being 0.88 [0.83–0.92], and comprehensive specificity being 0.89 [0.84–0.94]). Moreover, in 1860 cases of LUSC with survival information, patients with higher expression of ENO1 had poorer prognosis (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.01–1.43, P = 0.043). ENO1 and its related genes mainly participated in the pathways of cell division and proliferation. In conclusion, the upregulation of ENO1 could affect the carcinogenesis and unfavorable outcome of LUSC.

Assessment of Significant Pathway Signaling and Prognostic Value of GNG11 in Ovarian Serous Cystadenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

GNG11 (G protein subunit gamma 11) is a member of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) gamma family. Few studies elucidated the role of GNG11 in human disease, especially in tumors. The present study initially analyzed the function of GNG11 in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The differential expression of GNG11 mRNA in ovarian cancer and normal tissues was evaluated through Oncomine, CCLE, Gepia, UCSC Xena and UALCAN databases. The protein expression of GNG11 was assessed via HPA database. Prognosis analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Restrict survival analysis to subtypes including tumor grade, cancer stage and TP53 mutation status was then carried out. GSEA enrichment analysis was performed to explore the significant pathways associated with GNG11 in ovarian cancer. Finally, the upstream miRNAs of GNG11 were predicted by DIANA, Target Scan, miRDB and miRWalk databases, and the potential key KEGG pathways were subsequently determined by DIANA.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of GNG11 was down-regulated in ovarian cancer patients (P<0.05). The cancer stage of patients correlated with the expression of GNG11 (P<0.05). Survival analysis indicated that GNG11 high expression statistically shortened the overall survival time of patients (HR=1.26, P=0.0043) compared with low expression group, especially for the patients with earlier stage (HR=2.48, P=0.035) and lower grade (HR=1.72, P=0.0016). Subsequently, the consistent upstream miRNA of GNG11, hsa-miR-22-5p, was predicted from 4 databases. The differential expression profile of hsa-miR-22-5p in blood was observed in ovarian cancer patients. According to the GSEA analysis on GNG11 and KEGG analysis on hsa-miR-22-5p, the consistent pathway of ECM-receptor interaction was observed (all P<0.01). ECM-receptor interaction pathway and differential expression of hsa-miR-22-5p in blood suggested the migration risk of ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSION

High expression of GNG11 indicated the poor prognosis of ovarian cancer patients. GNG11 might play a crucial role in the biological process of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma by ECM-receptor interaction pathway, thus affecting the prognosis of patients.