Fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression by regulating hypoxia signaling pathway

Identification of NR3C2 as a functional diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including the lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) subtypes, is a malignant tumor type with a poor 5-year survival rate. The identification of new powerful diagnostic biomarkers, prognostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets in NSCLC is urgently required.

Methods

The UCSC Xena, UALCAN, and GEO databases were used to screen and analyze differentially expressed genes, regulatory modes, and genetic/epigenetic alterations in NSCLC. The UCSC Xena database, GEO database, tissue microarray, and immunohistochemistry staining analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic values. Gain-of-function assays were performed to examine the roles. The ESTIMATE, TIMER, Linked Omics, STRING, and DAVID algorithms were used to analyze potential molecular mechanisms.

Results

NR3C2 was identified as a potentially important molecule in NSCLC. NR3C2 is expressed at low levels in NSCLC, LUAD, and LUSC tissues, which is significantly related to the clinical indexes of these patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggests that the altered NR3C2 expression patterns have diagnostic value in NSCLC, LUAD, and especially LUSC patients. Decreased NR3C2 expression levels can help predict poor prognosis in NSCLC and LUAD patients but not in LUSC patients. These results have been confirmed both with database analysis and real-world clinical samples on a tissue microarray. Copy number variation contributes to low NR3C2 expression levels in NSCLC and LUAD, while promoter DNA methylation is involved in its downregulation in LUSC. Two NR3C2 promoter methylation sites have high sensitivity and specificity for LUSC diagnosis with clinical application potential. NR3C2 may be a key participant in NSCLC development and progression and is closely associated with the tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration. NR3C2 co-expressed genes are involved in many cancer-related signaling pathways, further supporting a potentially significant role of NR3C2 in NSCLC.

Conclusions

NR3C2 is a novel potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in NSCLC.

Is fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) a predictive marker for breast cancer?

The prognostic role of fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) has only been reported in cancers such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and prostate cancer. The role of FGF11 in breast cancer is not fully known. It was aimed to compare FGF11 expression levels in de novo metastatic hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal reseptor-2-negative breast tumor tissue and healthy breast tissue and investigate the effect of the FGF11 expression on survival in breast cancer patients. To determine the FGF11 expression rate, breast tumor tissue of breast cancer patients diagnosed by breast biopsy and healthy breast tissue of healthy individuals who underwent breast biopsy due to benign lesions were used. The study population included 38 breast cancer patients and 24 healthy controls. The number of patients with a FGF11 expression level score of 1 (15.8% vs 12.5%), score of 2 (18.4% vs 12.5%), and score of 3 (31.6% vs 0%) was significantly higher in the patient group compared to the healthy control group. The median overall survival and progression-free survival were numerically better in the group with a FGF11 expression score of 0 to 1 than the group with a FGF11 expression score of 2 and 3, but this difference was not statistically significant. FGF11 may be a predictive marker for breast cancer formation. Additionally, with new FGF11-targeted treatment agents to be developed, endocrine resistance may be reduced, and better survival results may be achieved in hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal reseptor-2-negative breast cancer.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α modulates interstitial pneumonia-mediated lung cancer progression

BACKGROUND

The prognosis of patients with lung cancer accompanied by interstitial pneumonia is poorer than that of patients with lung cancer but without interstitial pneumonia. Moreover, the available therapeutic interventions for lung cancer patients with interstitial pneumonia are limited. Therefore, a new treatment strategy for these patients is required. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathophysiological relationship between interstitial pneumonia and lung cancer and explore potential therapeutic agents.

METHODS

A novel hybrid murine model of lung cancer with interstitial pneumonia was established via bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis followed by orthotopic lung cancer cell transplantation into the lungs. Changes in tumor progression, lung fibrosis, RNA expression, cytokine levels, and tumor microenvironment in the lung cancer with interstitial pneumonia model were investigated, and therapeutic agents were examined. Additionally, clinical data and samples from patients with lung cancer accompanied by interstitial pneumonia were analyzed to explore the potential clinical significance of the findings.

RESULTS

In the lung cancer with interstitial pneumonia model, accelerated tumor growth was observed based on an altered tumor microenvironment. RNA sequencing analysis revealed upregulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway. These findings were consistent with those obtained for human samples. Moreover, we explored whether ascorbic acid could be an alternative treatment for lung cancer with interstitial pneumonia to avoid the disadvantages of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 inhibitors. Ascorbic acid successfully downregulated the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway and inhibited tumor progression and lung fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The hypoxia-inducible factor 1 pathway is critical in lung cancer with interstitial pneumonia and could be a therapeutic target for mitigating interstitial pneumonia-mediated lung cancer progression.

Extracellular fibrin promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression through integrin β1/PTEN/AKT signaling

The extracellular matrix (ECM) has been strongly correlated with cancer progression in various tumor types. However, the specific mechanisms underlying ECM-associated tumor behaviors remain unclear. In this study, we found an enriched distribution of fibrin in tumor tissues obtained from high-grade non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. For further investigation, we established an in vitro 3D culture system using fibrin gel and found that NSCLC cells grown in this system exhibited increased stemness and tumorigenesis. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that fibrin facilitated the activation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway through integrin β1. Furthermore, we found that blocking integrin β1 signals enhanced the tumor suppressive effects of chemotherapy, providing a novel approach for clinical therapy for NSCLC.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 11 (FGF11) Promotes Progression and Cisplatin Resistance Through the HIF-1α/FGF11 Signaling Axis in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma

Background

A poor prognosis is often associated with ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) due to its relative resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. Although several studies have been launched to explore the pathogenesis of OCCC, the mechanism of chemoresistance has yet to be uncovered.

Methods

Nanostring nCounter PanCancer Pathways Panel was performed to explore the expression profiles of OCCC tissues from patients showing different platinum sensitivity. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to select genes associated with chemoresistance and cell function assays, including colony formation, wound healing, transwell and flow cytometric analysis, were used to explore the role of the target gene in the progression of OCCC and resistance to cisplatin (DDP).

Results

Gene expression profiles and bioinformatic analysis verified that the expression of fibroblast growth factor 11 (FGF11) was significantly increased in platinum-resistant OCCC tissues and increased FGF11 expression was related to poorer survival. Downregulation of FGF11 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, reversing the DDP resistance of OCCC cells. Mechanically, FGF11 was regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) to modulate the DDP sensitivity.

Conclusion

FGF11 was highly expressed in platinum-resistant OCCC tissues, promoting progression and resistance to DDP through the HIF-1α/FGF11 signaling axis.

High Levels of FGF11 Correlate with Poor Survival in Patients with Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is associated with a favourable prognosis. It has therefore been suggested that treatment should be individualized and separated by HPV status. However, additional prognostic markers are still needed before treatment can be individualized for this patient group. For this purpose, all patients diagnosed with HPV and p16-positive OPSCC in Stockholm 2000-2009, identified as having a partial/nonresponse to treatment and having viable tumour cells in their neck specimen with material available were categorized as cases. These were matched to controls (complete responders), and the differences in the gene expression were analysed. Two separate verification cohorts were identified including patients with HPV- and p16-positive OPSCC, and the data from the case-control study were verified by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the respective cohorts. A separation of gene expression in correlation with survival was observed in the case-control study, and FGF11 expression was identified as significantly differently expressed between the two groups. The prognostic role of FGF11 was validated in the two cohorts on the RNA and protein levels, respectively. Taken together, our findings suggest that FGF11 may indicate a poor prognosis in HPV-positive OPSCC and may serve as a prognostic biomarker.

Interactions between non-coding RNAs and HIF-1α in the context of cancer

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a subunit of the HIF-1 transcription factor which is encoded by the HIF1A gene. This transcription factor is the main modulator of the cell response to hypoxia. Hypoxia-induced up-regulation of HIF-1α is involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. Recently, the interactions of several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) with HIF-1α have been reported. These ncRNAs regulate the expression of HIF-1α through different mechanisms. The regulatory roles of ncRNAs on HIF-1α are involved in the response of cancer cells to a wide range of anticancer drugs such as sorafenib, cisplatin, propofol, doxorubicin, and paclitaxel. Therefore, identification of the complex network between ncRNAs and HIF-1α not only facilitates the design of novel therapies but also promotes the efficacy of conventional anticancer treatments. This review aims to explain the interactions between these classes of ncRNAs and HIF-1α in the context of cancer.

Hypoxic microenvironment in cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions

Having a hypoxic microenvironment is a common and salient feature of most solid tumors. Hypoxia has a profound effect on the biological behavior and malignant phenotype of cancer cells, mediates the effects of cancer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy through complex mechanisms, and is closely associated with poor prognosis in various cancer patients. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that through normalization of the tumor vasculature, nanoparticle carriers and biocarriers can effectively increase the oxygen concentration in the tumor microenvironment, improve drug delivery and the efficacy of radiotherapy. They also increase infiltration of innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune cells to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. Furthermore, drugs targeting key genes associated with hypoxia, including hypoxia tracers, hypoxia-activated prodrugs, and drugs targeting hypoxia-inducible factors and downstream targets, can be used for visualization and quantitative analysis of tumor hypoxia and antitumor activity. However, the relationship between hypoxia and cancer is an area of research that requires further exploration. Here, we investigated the potential factors in the development of hypoxia in cancer, changes in signaling pathways that occur in cancer cells to adapt to hypoxic environments, the mechanisms of hypoxia-induced cancer immune tolerance, chemotherapeutic tolerance, and enhanced radiation tolerance, as well as the insights and applications of hypoxia in cancer therapy.

FGF13 suppresses acute myeloid leukemia by regulating bone marrow niches

Fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13) is aberrantly expressed in multiple cancer types, suggesting its essential role in tumorigenesis. Hence, we aimed to explore its definite role in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and emphasize its associations with bone marrow niches. Results showed that FGF13 was lowly expressed in patients with AML and that its elevated expression was related to prolonged overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified FGF13 as an independent prognostic factor. A prognostic nomogram integrating FGF13 and clinicopathologic variables was constructed to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS. Gene mutation and functional analyses indicated that FGF13 was not associated with AML driver mutations but was related to bone marrow niches. As for immunity, FGF13 was remarkably associated with T cell count, immune checkpoint genes, and cytokines. In addition, FGF13 overexpression substantially inhibited the growth and significantly induced the early apoptosis of AML cells. The xenograft study indicated that FGF13 overexpression prolonged the survival of recipient mice. Overall, FGF13 could serve as an independent prognostic factor for AML, and it was closely related to the bone marrow microenvironment.

Integrated spatial analysis of gene mutation and gene expression for understanding tumor diversity in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung adenocarcinoma

Introduction

A deeper understanding of intratumoral heterogeneity is essential for prognosis prediction or accurate treatment plan decisions in clinical practice. However, due to the cross-links and degradation of biomolecules within formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens, it is challenging to analyze them. In this study, we aimed to optimize the simultaneous extraction of mRNA and DNA from microdissected FFPE tissues (φ = 100 µm) and apply the method to analyze tumor diversity in lung adenocarcinoma before and after erlotinib administration.

Method

Two magnetic beads were used for the simultaneous extraction of mRNA and DNA. The decross-linking conditions were evaluated for gene mutation and gene expression analyses of microdissected FFPE tissues. Lung lymph nodes before treatment and lung adenocarcinoma after erlotinib administration were collected from the same patient and were preserved as FFPE specimens for 4 years. Gene expression and gene mutations between histologically classified regions of lung adenocarcinoma (pre-treatment tumor in lung lymph node biopsies and post-treatment tumor, normal lung, tumor stroma, and remission stroma, in resected lung tissue) were compared in a microdissection-based approach.

Results

Using the optimized simultaneous extraction of DNA and mRNA and whole-genome amplification, we detected approximately 4,000-10,000 expressed genes and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) driver gene mutations from microdissected FFPE tissues. We found the differences in the highly expressed cancer-associated genes and the positive rate of EGFR exon 19 deletions among the tumor before and after treatment and tumor stroma, even though they were collected from tumors of the same patient or close regions of the same specimen.

Conclusion

Our integrated spatial analysis method would be applied to various FFPE pathology specimens providing area-specific gene expression and gene mutation information.

Hypoxia signaling in human health and diseases: implications and prospects for therapeutics

Molecular oxygen (O₂) is essential for most biological reactions in mammalian cells. When the intracellular oxygen content decreases, it is called hypoxia. The process of hypoxia is linked to several biological processes, including pathogenic microbe infection, metabolic adaptation, cancer, acute and chronic diseases, and other stress responses. The mechanism underlying cells respond to oxygen changes to mediate subsequent signal response is the central question during hypoxia. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) sense hypoxia to regulate the expressions of a series of downstream genes expression, which participate in multiple processes including cell metabolism, cell growth/death, cell proliferation, glycolysis, immune response, microbe infection, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Importantly, hypoxia signaling also interacts with other cellular pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) signaling, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This paper systematically reviews the mechanisms of hypoxia signaling activation, the control of HIF signaling, and the function of HIF signaling in human health and diseases. In addition, the therapeutic targets involved in HIF signaling to balance health and diseases are summarized and highlighted, which would provide novel strategies for the design and development of therapeutic drugs.

Apelin Promotes Endothelial Progenitor Cell Angiogenesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease via the miR-525-5p/Angiopoietin-1 Pathway

Angiogenesis is a critical process in the formation of new capillaries and a key participant in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. The adipokine apelin (APLN) plays critical roles in several cellular functions, including angiogenesis. We report that APLN treatment of RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) increased angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) expression. Ang1 antibody abolished endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) tube formation and migration in conditioned medium from APLN-treated RASFs. We also found significantly higher levels of APLN and Ang1 expression in synovial fluid from RA patients compared with those with osteoarthritis. APLN facilitated Ang1-dependent EPC angiogenesis by inhibiting miR-525-5p synthesis via phospholipase C gamma (PLCγ) and protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) signaling. Importantly, infection with APLN shRNA mitigated EPC angiogenesis, articular swelling, and cartilage erosion in ankle joints of mice with collagen-induced arthritis. APLN is therefore a novel therapeutic target for RA.