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Kciuk M, Gielecińska A, Kałuzińska-Kołat Ż, Yahya EB, Kontek R. Ferroptosis and cuproptosis: Metal-dependent cell death pathways activated in response to classical chemotherapy - Significance for cancer treatment? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189124. [PMID: 38801962 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189124] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Apoptosis has traditionally been regarded as the desired cell death pathway activated by chemotherapeutic drugs due to its controlled and non-inflammatory nature. However, recent discoveries of alternative cell death pathways have paved the way for immune-stimulatory treatment approaches in cancer. Ferroptosis (dependent on iron) and cuproptosis (dependent on copper) hold promise for selective cancer cell targeting and overcoming drug resistance. Copper ionophores and iron-bearing nano-drugs show potential for clinical therapy as single agents and as adjuvant treatments. Here we review up-to-date evidence for the involvement of metal ion-dependent cell death pathways in the cytotoxicity of classical chemotherapeutic agents (alkylating agents, topoisomerase inhibitors, antimetabolites, and mitotic spindle inhibitors) and their combinations with cuproptosis and ferroptosis inducers, indicating the prospects, advantages, and obstacles of their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kciuk
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
| | - A Gielecińska
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland; University of Lodz, Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Banacha Street 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ż Kałuzińska-Kołat
- Department of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Narutowicza 60, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
| | - E B Yahya
- Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia
| | - R Kontek
- University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
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2
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Yan W, Wang X, Wang W, Guo Q, Huang N, Chen H, Liang XJ, Han Y, Liu D, Zhang J. The p38/MAPK pathway as a therapeutic target to prevent therapeutic escape of breast cancer stem cells. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024:10.1007/s11427-023-2585-5. [PMID: 38951428 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2585-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in metastasis development, tumor recurrence, and treatment resistance, and are essential for the eradication of cancer. Currently, therapies fail to eradicate CSCs due to their therapeutic stress-induced cellular escape, which leads to enhanced aggressive behaviors compared with CSCs that have never been treated. However, the underlying mechanisms regulating the therapeutic escape remain unknown. To this end, we established a model to isolate the therapeutic escaped CSCs (TSCSCs) from breast CSCs and performed the transcription profile to reveal the mechanism. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the behavior of therapeutic escape was regulated through the p38/MAPK signaling pathway, resulting in TSCSCs exhibiting enhanced motility and metastasis. Notably, blocking the p38/MAPK signaling pathway effectively reduced motility and metastasis ability both in vitro and in vivo, which were further supported by downregulated motility-related genes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins vimentin and N-cadherin. The obtained findings reveal the p38/MAPK pathway as a potential therapeutic target for TSCSCs and would provide profound implications for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixiao Yan
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Qi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Na Huang
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Hao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biological Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yu Han
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China.
| | - Jinchao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients; Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of the Ministry of Education; College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China.
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3
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Li L, Zhou H, Zhang C. Cuproptosis in cancer: biological implications and therapeutic opportunities. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:91. [PMID: 38918694 PMCID: PMC11201306 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00608-3] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis, a newly identified copper (Cu)-dependent form of cell death, stands out due to its distinct mechanism that sets it apart from other known cell death pathways. The molecular underpinnings of cuproptosis involve the binding of Cu to lipoylated enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This interaction triggers enzyme aggregation and proteotoxic stress, culminating in cell death. The specific mechanism of cuproptosis has yet to be fully elucidated. This newly recognized form of cell death has sparked numerous investigations into its role in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on Cu metabolism and its link to cancer. Furthermore, we delineated the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and summarized the roles of cuproptosis-related genes in cancer. Finally, we offered a comprehensive discussion of the most recent advancements in Cu ionophores and nanoparticle delivery systems that utilize cuproptosis as a cutting-edge strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Houfeng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenliang Zhang
- Division of Abdominal Cancer, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Morelli MB, Caviglia M, Santini C, Del Gobbo J, Zeppa L, Del Bello F, Giorgioni G, Piergentili A, Quaglia W, Battocchio C, Bertelà F, Amatori S, Meneghini C, Iucci G, Venditti I, Dolmella A, Di Palma M, Pellei M. Copper-Based Complexes with Adamantane Ring-Conjugated bis(3,5-Dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)acetate Ligand as Promising Agents for the Treatment of Glioblastoma. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9662-9685. [PMID: 38831692 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The new ligand L2Ad, obtained by conjugating the bifunctional species bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-acetate and the drug amantadine, was used as a chelator for the synthesis of new Cu complexes 1-5. Their structures were investigated by synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SR-XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, and by combining X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy techniques and DFT modeling. The structure of complex 3 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Tested on U87, T98, and U251 glioma cells, Cu(II) complex 3 and Cu(I) complex 5 decreased cell viability with IC50 values significantly lower than cisplatin, affecting cell growth, proliferation, and death. Their effects were prevented by treatment with the Cu chelator tetrathiomolybdate, suggesting the involvement of copper in their cytotoxic activity. Both complexes were able to increase ROS production, leading to DNA damage and death. Interestingly, nontoxic doses of 3 or 5 enhanced the chemosensitivity to Temozolomide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Beatrice Morelli
- School of Pharmacy, Immunopathology and Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Miriam Caviglia
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Carlo Santini
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Jo' Del Gobbo
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Laura Zeppa
- School of Pharmacy, Immunopathology and Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Fabio Del Bello
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Gianfabio Giorgioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Piergentili
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Wilma Quaglia
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Chiara Battocchio
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Roma, Italy
| | - Federica Bertelà
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Roma, Italy
| | - Simone Amatori
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Roma, Italy
| | - Carlo Meneghini
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanna Iucci
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Roma, Italy
| | - Iole Venditti
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Roma, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dolmella
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Michele Di Palma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Maura Pellei
- School of Science and Technology, Chemistry Division, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri (ChIP), 62032 Camerino, Italy
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5
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Wang Y, Tang T, Yuan Y, Li N, Wang X, Guan J. Copper and Copper Complexes in Tumor Therapy. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202400060. [PMID: 38443744 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202400060] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Copper (Cu), a crucial trace element in physiological processes, has garnered significant interest for its involvement in cancer progression and potential therapeutic applications. The regulation of cellular copper levels is essential for maintaining copper homeostasis, as imbalances can lead to toxicity and cell death. The development of drugs that target copper homeostasis has emerged as a promising strategy for anticancer treatment, with a particular focus on copper chelators, copper ionophores, and novel copper complexes. Recent research has also investigated the potential of copper complexes in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqiao Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tingxi Tang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Nan Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jian Guan
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Tumor Pathology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Xu X, Zheng Y, Luo L, You Z, Chen H, Wang J, Zhang F, Liu Y, Ke Y. Glioblastoma stem cells deliver ABCB4 transcribed by ATF3 via exosomes conferring glioblastoma resistance to temozolomide. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:318. [PMID: 38710703 PMCID: PMC11074105 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06695-6] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) play a key role in glioblastoma (GBM) resistance to temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. With the increase in research on the tumour microenvironment, exosomes secreted by GSCs have become a new focus in GBM research. However, the molecular mechanism by which GSCs affect drug resistance in GBM cells via exosomes remains unclear. Using bioinformatics analysis, we identified the specific expression of ABCB4 in GSCs. Subsequently, we established GSC cell lines and used ultracentrifugation to extract secreted exosomes. We conducted in vitro and in vivo investigations to validate the promoting effect of ABCB4 and ABCB4-containing exosomes on TMZ resistance. Finally, to identify the transcription factors regulating the transcription of ABCB4, we performed luciferase assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR. Our results indicated that ABCB4 is highly expressed in GSCs. Moreover, high expression of ABCB4 promoted the resistance of GSCs to TMZ. Our study found that GSCs can also transmit their highly expressed ABCB4 to differentiated glioma cells (DGCs) through exosomes, leading to high expression of ABCB4 in these cells and promoting their resistance to TMZ. Mechanistic studies have shown that the overexpression of ABCB4 in GSCs is mediated by the transcription factor ATF3. In conclusion, our results indicate that GSCs can confer resistance to TMZ in GBM by transmitting ABCB4, which is transcribed by ATF3, through exosomes. This mechanism may lead to drug resistance and recurrence of GBM. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug resistance in GBM and provide novel insights into its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdong Xu
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
| | - Yaofeng Zheng
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
| | - Linting Luo
- Department of Neurology, Liwan Central Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Zhongsheng You
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
| | - Huajian Chen
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
| | - Jihui Wang
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China
| | - Fabing Zhang
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China.
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China.
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China.
| | - Yiquan Ke
- Department of Neuro-oncological Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China.
- The Neurosurgery Institute of Guangdong Province, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510282, PR China.
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7
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Han J, Luo J, Wang C, Kapilevich L, Zhang XA. Roles and mechanisms of copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in osteoarticular diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116570. [PMID: 38599063 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116570] [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: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential trace element in the human body that is extensively distributed throughout various tissues. The appropriate level of copper is crucial to maintaining the life activities of the human body, and the excess and deficiency of copper can lead to various diseases. The copper levels in the human body are regulated by copper homeostasis, which maintains appropriate levels of copper in tissues and cells by controlling its absorption, transport, and storage. Cuproptosis is a distinct form of cell death induced by the excessive accumulation of intracellular copper. Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis has recently elicited increased attention in the realm of human health. Cuproptosis has emerged as a promising avenue for cancer therapy. Studies concerning osteoarticular diseases have elucidated the intricate interplay among copper homeostasis, cuproptosis, and the onset of osteoarticular diseases. Copper dysregulation and cuproptosis cause abnormal bone and cartilage metabolism, affecting related cells. This phenomenon assumes a critical role in the pathophysiological processes underpinning various osteoarticular diseases, with implications for inflammatory and immune responses. While early Cu-modulating agents have shown promise in clinical settings, additional research and advancements are warranted to enhance their efficacy. In this review, we summarize the effects and potential mechanisms of copper homeostasis and cuproptosis on bone and cartilage, as well as their regulatory roles in the pathological mechanism of osteoarticular diseases (e.g., osteosarcoma (OS), osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)). We also discuss the clinical-application prospects of copper-targeting strategy, which may provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarticular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjuan Han
- College of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110100, China
| | - Jiayi Luo
- College of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110100, China
| | - Cuijing Wang
- College of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110100, China
| | - Leonid Kapilevich
- Faculty of Physical Education, Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Xin-An Zhang
- College of Exercise and Health, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang 110100, China.
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8
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Feng Y, Yang Z, Wang J, Zhao H. Cuproptosis: unveiling a new frontier in cancer biology and therapeutics. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:249. [PMID: 38693584 PMCID: PMC11064406 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01625-7] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Copper plays vital roles in numerous cellular processes and its imbalance can lead to oxidative stress and dysfunction. Recent research has unveiled a unique form of copper-induced cell death, termed cuproptosis, which differs from known cell death mechanisms. This process involves the interaction of copper with lipoylated tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes, causing protein aggregation and cell death. Recently, a growing number of studies have explored the link between cuproptosis and cancer development. This review comprehensively examines the systemic and cellular metabolism of copper, including tumor-related signaling pathways influenced by copper. It delves into the discovery and mechanisms of cuproptosis and its connection to various cancers. Additionally, the review suggests potential cancer treatments using copper ionophores that induce cuproptosis, in combination with small molecule drugs, for precision therapy in specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Feng
- Department of Emergency, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266005, Shandong, China
| | - Zhibo Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, 3201 Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Hanzhong, 723000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianpeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266005, Shandong, China
| | - Hai Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266005, Shandong, China.
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9
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Tarin M, Babaei M, Eshghi H, Matin MM, Saljooghi AS. Targeted delivery of elesclomol using a magnetic mesoporous platform improves prostate cancer treatment both in vitro and in vivo. Talanta 2024; 270:125539. [PMID: 38141466 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2023.125539] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To improve the anticancer properties of elesclomol (ELC), targeted theranostic nanoparticles (NPs; APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC) were designed to increase the selectivity of the drug delivery system (DDS). MATERIALS AND METHODS ELC was synthesized and entrapped in the open porous structure of magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMNPs). The pore entrance of MMNPs was then blocked using gold gatekeepers. Finally, the external surfaces of the particles were grafted with functional polyethylene glycol (PEG) and EpCAM aptamer to generate biocompatible and targeted NPs. In the next step, the physicochemical properties of prepared NPs were fully evaluated and their anticancer potential was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS The targeted NPs were successfully synthesized with a final size diameter of 81.13 ± 7.41 nm. The results indicated a pH-dependent release pattern, which sustained for 72 h despite an initial rapid release. Upon exposure to APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC, higher cytotoxicity was observed in human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) as compared with control Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, indicating higher specificity of targeted NPs against EpCAM-positive cancerous cells. Moreover, APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC could induce apoptosis in PC-3 cells. In vivo results on a PC-3 xenograft tumor model demonstrated that targeted NPs could significantly inhibit tumor growth and diminish severe side effects of ELC, compared to the free drug. CONCLUSION Collectively, APT-PEG-Au-MMNPs@ELC could be considered a promising theranostic platform for the targeted delivery of ELC to improve its therapeutic effects in prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Tarin
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Babaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Eshghi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam M Matin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Amir Sh Saljooghi
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran; Novel Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
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10
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Li HY, Feng YH, Lin CL, Hsu TI. Mitochondrial Mechanisms in Temozolomide Resistance: Unraveling the Complex Interplay and Therapeutic Strategies in Glioblastoma. Mitochondrion 2024; 75:101836. [PMID: 38158149 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2023.101836] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal brain tumor, with temozolomide (TMZ) being the standard chemotherapeutic agent for its treatment. However, TMZ resistance often develops, limiting its therapeutic efficacy and contributing to poor patient outcomes. Recent evidence highlights the crucial role of mitochondria in the development of TMZ resistance through various mechanisms, including alterations in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, metabolic reprogramming, apoptosis regulation, biogenesis, dynamics, stress response, and mtDNA mutations. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mitochondrial mechanisms involved in TMZ resistance and discuss potential therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms to overcome resistance in GBM. We explore the current state of clinical trials targeting mitochondria or related pathways in primary GBM or recurrent GBM, as well as the challenges and future perspectives in this field. Understanding the complex interplay between mitochondria and TMZ resistance will facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies and ultimately improve the prognosis for GBM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Yi Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich 81377, Germany; Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich 81377, Germany
| | | | | | - Tsung-I Hsu
- Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei 110, Taiwan; International Master Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; TMU Research Center of Neuroscience, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan; TMU Research Center of Cancer Translational Medicine, Taipei 110, Taiwan.
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11
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Castellani G, Buccarelli M, D'Alessandris QG, Ilari R, Cappannini A, Pedini F, Boe A, Lulli V, Parolini I, Giannetti S, Biffoni M, Zappavigna V, Marziali G, Pallini R, Ricci-Vitiani L. Extracellular vesicles produced by irradiated endothelial or Glioblastoma stem cells promote tumor growth and vascularization modulating tumor microenvironment. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:72. [PMID: 38347567 PMCID: PMC10863174 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03253-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor in adult, characterized by highly aggressive and infiltrative growth. The current therapeutic management of GBM includes surgical resection followed by ionizing radiations and chemotherapy. Complex and dynamic interplay between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment drives the progression and contributes to therapeutic resistance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in the intercellular communication by delivering bioactive molecules in the surrounding milieu modulating tumor microenvironment. METHODS In this study, we isolated by ultracentrifugation EVs from GBM stem-like cell (GSC) lines and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) exposed or not to ionizing irradiation. After counting and characterization, we evaluated the effects of exposure of GSCs to EVs isolated from endothelial cells and vice versa. The RNA content of EVs isolated from GSC lines and HMVECs exposed or not to ionizing irradiation, was analyzed by RNA-Seq. Periostin (POSTN) and Filamin-B (FLNB) emerged in gene set enrichment analysis as the most interesting transcripts enriched after irradiation in endothelial cell-derived EVs and GSC-derived EVs, respectively. POSTN and FLNB expression was modulated and the effects were analyzed by in vitro assays. RESULTS We confirmed that ionizing radiations increased EV secretion by GSCs and normal endothelial cells, affected the contents of and response to cellular secreted EVs. Particularly, GSC-derived EVs decreased radiation-induced senescence and promoted migration in HMVECs whereas, endothelial cell-derived EVs promoted tumorigenic properties and endothelial differentiation of GSCs. RNA-Seq analysis of EV content, identified FLNB and POSTN as transcripts enriched in EVs isolated after irradiation from GSCs and HMVECs, respectively. Assays performed on POSTN overexpressing GSCs confirmed the ability of POSTN to mimic the effects of endothelial cell-derived EVs on GSC migration and clonogenic abilities and transdifferentiation potential. Functional assays performed on HMVECs after silencing of FLNB supported its role as mediator of the effects of GSC-derived EVs on senescence and migration. CONCLUSION In this study, we identified POSTN and FLNB as potential mediators of the effects of EVs on GSC and HMVEC behavior confirming that EVs play a crucial role in the intercellular communication by delivering bioactive molecules in the surrounding milieu modulating tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Quintino Giorgio D'Alessandris
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institutes of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
| | - Ramona Ilari
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Pedini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Boe
- Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Lulli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Parolini
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Stefano Giannetti
- Institute of Human Anatomy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Zappavigna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Marziali
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Pallini
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Feng Q, Huo C, Wang M, Huang H, Zheng X, Xie M. Research progress on cuproptosis in cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1290592. [PMID: 38357312 PMCID: PMC10864558 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1290592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a recently discovered form of cell death that is mediated by copper (Cu) and is a non-apoptotic form of cell death related to oligomerization of lipoylated proteins and loss of Fe-S protein clusters. Since its discovery, cuproptosis has been extensively studied by researchers for its mechanism and potential applications in the treatment of cancer. Therefore, this article reviews the specific mechanism of cuproptosis currently studied, as well as its principles and strategies for use in anti-cancer treatment, with the aim of providing a reference for cuproptosis-based cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingbo Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Chenyu Huo
- West China School of Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Maijian Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Handong Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xingbin Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Ming Xie
- Department of General Surgery, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
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13
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Liu WQ, Lin WR, Yan L, Xu WH, Yang J. Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in cancer immunity and therapy. Immunol Rev 2024; 321:211-227. [PMID: 37715546 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Copper is an essential nutrient for maintaining enzyme activity and transcription factor function. Excess copper results in the aggregation of lipoylated dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), which correlates to the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, resulting in proteotoxic stress and eliciting a novel cell death modality: cuproptosis. Cuproptosis exerts an indispensable role in cancer progression, which is considered a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Cancer immunotherapy has gained extensive attention owing to breakthroughs in immune checkpoint blockade; furthermore, cuproptosis is strongly connected to the modulation of antitumor immunity. Thus, a thorough recognition concerning the mechanisms involved in the modulation of copper metabolism and cuproptosis may facilitate improvement in cancer management. This review outlines the cellular and molecular mechanisms and characteristics of cuproptosis and the links of the novel regulated cell death modality with human cancers. We also review the current knowledge on the complex effects of cuproptosis on antitumor immunity and immune response. Furthermore, potential agents that elicit cuproptosis pathways are summarized. Lastly, we discuss the influence of cuproptosis induction on the tumor microenvironment as well as the challenges of adding cuproptosis regulators to therapeutic strategies beyond traditional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Qing Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wan-Rong Lin
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Li Yan
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wen-Hao Xu
- Department of Internal Medicine-Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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14
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Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhang J, Yang Y, Fleishman JS, Wang Y, Wang J, Chen J, Li Y, Wang H. Cuproptosis: A novel therapeutic target for overcoming cancer drug resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2024; 72:101018. [PMID: 37979442 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2023.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a newly identified form of cell death driven by copper. Recently, the role of copper and copper triggered cell death in the pathogenesis of cancers have attracted attentions. Cuproptosis has garnered enormous interest in cancer research communities because of its great potential for cancer therapy. Copper-based treatment exerts an inhibiting role in tumor growth and may open the door for the treatment of chemotherapy-insensitive tumors. In this review, we provide a critical analysis on copper homeostasis and the role of copper dysregulation in the development and progression of cancers. Then the core molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis and its role in cancer is discussed, followed by summarizing the current understanding of copper-based agents (copper chelators, copper ionophores, and copper complexes-based dynamic therapy) for cancer treatment. Additionally, we summarize the emerging data on copper complexes-based agents and copper ionophores to subdue tumor chemotherapy resistance in different types of cancers. We also review the small-molecule compounds and nanoparticles (NPs) that may kill cancer cells by inducing cuproptosis, which will shed new light on the development of anticancer drugs through inducing cuproptosis in the future. Finally, the important concepts and pressing questions of cuproptosis in future research that should be focused on were discussed. This review article suggests that targeting cuproptosis could be a novel antitumor therapy and treatment strategy to overcome cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Yongming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Junjing Zhang
- Department of Hepato-Biliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Huhhot First Hospital, Huhhot 010030, PR China
| | - Yihui Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Joshua S Fleishman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatobiliary Disease Research & Division of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, PR China
| | - Jinhua Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, PR China
| | - Jichao Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yuanfang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Hongquan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, PR China.
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15
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Conforti RA, Delsouc MB, Zorychta E, Telleria CM, Casais M. Copper in Gynecological Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17578. [PMID: 38139406 PMCID: PMC10743751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417578] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for the correct development of eukaryotic organisms. This metal plays a key role in many cellular and physiological activities, including enzymatic activity, oxygen transport, and cell signaling. Although the redox activity of Cu is crucial for enzymatic reactions, this property also makes it potentially toxic when found at high levels. Due to this dual action of Cu, highly regulated mechanisms are necessary to prevent both the deficiency and the accumulation of this metal since its dyshomeostasis may favor the development of multiple diseases, such as Menkes' and Wilson's diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. As the relationship between Cu and cancer has been the most studied, we analyze how this metal can affect three fundamental processes for tumor progression: cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Gynecological diseases are characterized by high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, depending on the case, and mainly include benign and malignant tumors. The cellular processes that promote their progression are affected by Cu, and the mechanisms that occur may be similar. We analyze the crosstalk between Cu deregulation and gynecological diseases, focusing on therapeutic strategies derived from this metal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío A. Conforti
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL-CONICET), San Luis CP D5700HHW, Argentina; (R.A.C.); (M.B.D.)
| | - María B. Delsouc
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL-CONICET), San Luis CP D5700HHW, Argentina; (R.A.C.); (M.B.D.)
| | - Edith Zorychta
- Experimental Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
| | - Carlos M. Telleria
- Experimental Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada;
- Cancer Research Program, Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Marilina Casais
- Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis (UNSL), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL-CONICET), San Luis CP D5700HHW, Argentina; (R.A.C.); (M.B.D.)
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16
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Graham RE, Elliott RJR, Munro AF, Carragher NO. A cautionary note on the use of N-acetylcysteine as a reactive oxygen species antagonist to assess copper mediated cell death. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294297. [PMID: 38079440 PMCID: PMC10712875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A new form of cell death has recently been proposed involving copper-induced cell death, termed cuproptosis. This new form of cell death has been widely studied in relation to a novel class of copper ionophores, including elesclomol and disulfiram. However, the exact mechanism leading to cell death remains contentious. The oldest and most widely accepted biological mechanism is that the accumulated intracellular copper leads to excessive build-up of reactive oxygen species and that this is what ultimately leads to cell death. Most of this evidence is largely based on studies using N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, to relieve the oxidative stress and prevent cell death. However, here we have demonstrated using inductively coupled mass-spectrometry, that NAC pretreatment significantly reduces intracellular copper uptake triggered by the ionophores, elesclomol and disulfiram, suggesting that reduction in copper uptake, rather than the antioxidant activity of NAC, is responsible for the diminished cell death. We present further data showing that key mediators of reactive oxygen species are not upregulated in response to elesclomol treatment, and further that sensitivity of cancer cell lines to reactive oxygen species does not correlate with sensitivity to these copper ionophores. Our findings are in line with several recent studies proposing the mechanism of cuproptosis is instead via copper mediated aggregation of proteins, resulting in proteotoxic stress leading to cell death. Overall, it is vital to disseminate this key piece of information regarding NAC's activity on copper uptake since new research attributing the effect of NAC on copper ionophore activity to quenching of reactive oxygen species is being published regularly and our studies suggest their conclusions may be misleading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Graham
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. R. Elliott
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alison F. Munro
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Neil O. Carragher
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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17
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Xu L, Liu K, Wang F, Su Y. Cuproptosis and its application in different cancers: an overview. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2683-2693. [PMID: 36914880 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04693-4] [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: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal ions are essential micronutrients for human health. They are also indispensable to maintaining health and regular operation of organs. Increasing or decreasing these metal ions will lead to cell death, such as ferroptosis. Tsvetkov et al. have recently proposed a novel cell death method called "Cuproptosis". Many researchers have linked this form of death to the diagnosis, prognosis, microenvironment infiltration, and prediction of immunotherapeutic efficacy of various tumors to better understand these tumors. Similarly, with the proposal of this mechanism, the killing effect of copper ionophores on cancer cells has come to our attention again. We introduced the mechanism of cuproptosis in detail and described the establishment of the corresponding prognostic model and risk score for uveal melanoma through cuproptosis. In addition, we describe the current progress in the study of cancer in other organs through cuproptosis and summarize the treatment of tumours by copper ionophore and its future research direction. With further research, the concept of cuproptosis may help us understand cancer and guide its clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Kexin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
| | - Ying Su
- Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
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18
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Li Z, Zhou H, Zhai X, Gao L, Yang M, An B, Xia T, Du G, Li X, Wang W, Jin B. MELK promotes HCC carcinogenesis through modulating cuproptosis-related gene DLAT-mediated mitochondrial function. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:733. [PMID: 37949877 PMCID: PMC10638394 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06264-3] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Cuproptosis caused by copper overload is mediated by a novel regulatory mechanism that differs from previously documented mechanisms regulating cell death. Cells dependent on mitochondrial respiration showed increased sensitivity to a copper ionophore elesclomol that induced cuproptosis. Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase(MELK) promotes tumorigenesis and tumor progression through the PI3K/mTOR pathway, which exerts its effects partly by targeting the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex(PDHc) and reprogramming the morphology and function of mitochondria. However, the role of MELK in cuproptosis remains unclear. Here, we validated that elevated MELK expression enhanced the activity of PI3K/mTOR signaling and subsequently promoted Dihydrolipoamide S-Acetyltransferase (DLAT) expression and stabilized mitochondrial function. This regulatory effect helped to improve mitochondrial respiration, eliminate excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduce intracellular oxidative stress/damage and the possibility of mitochondria-induced cell fate alternations, and ultimately promote the progression of HCC. Meanwhile, elesclomol reduced translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20(TOM 20) expression and increased DLAT oligomers. Moreover, the above changes of MELK to HCC were abolished by elesclomol. In conclusion, MELK enhanced the levels of the cuproptosis-related signature(CRS) gene DLAT (especially the proportion of DLAT monomer) by activating the PI3K/mTOR pathway, thereby promoting elesclomol drug resistance, altering mitochondrial function, and ultimately promoting HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Second Clinical Medical School of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huaxin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Second Clinical Medical School of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Second Clinical Medical School of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lin Gao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mengfan Yang
- Organ Transplant Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baokun An
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
- The Second Clinical Medical School of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tong Xia
- Organ Transplant Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Gang Du
- Organ Transplant Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital, Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital, Jinan, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Medical integration and practice center of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Bin Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Organ Transplant Department, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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19
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Gao J, Wu X, Huang S, Zhao Z, He W, Song M. Novel insights into anticancer mechanisms of elesclomol: More than a prooxidant drug. Redox Biol 2023; 67:102891. [PMID: 37734229 PMCID: PMC10518591 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102891] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential micronutrient for humans, the metabolism of copper is fine-tuned by evolutionarily conserved homeostatic mechanisms. Copper toxicity occurs when its concentration exceeds a certain threshold, which has been exploited in the development of copper ionophores, such as elesclomol, for anticancer treatment. Elesclomol has garnered recognition as a potent anticancer drug and has been evaluated in numerous clinical trials. However, the mechanisms underlying elesclomol-induced cell death remain obscure. The discovery of cuproptosis, a novel form of cell death triggered by the targeted accumulation of copper in mitochondria, redefines the significance of elesclomol in cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of copper homeostasis and its associated pathological disorders, especially copper metabolism in carcinogenesis. We summarize our current knowledge of the tumor suppressive mechanisms of elesclomol, with emphasis on cuproptosis. Finally, we discuss the strategies that may contribute to better application of elesclomol in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialing Gao
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Xiaoxue Wu
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Shuting Huang
- School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Ziyi Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Weiling He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Xiang'an Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361000, China.
| | - Mei Song
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
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20
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Liu X, Luo B, Wu X, Tang Z. Cuproptosis and cuproptosis-related genes: Emerging potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189013. [PMID: 37918452 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide, and thus, it is important to enhance its treatment efficacy [1]. Copper has emerged as a critical trace element that affects various intracellular signaling pathways, gene expression, and biological metabolic processes [2], thereby playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Recent studies have identified cuproptosis, a newly discovered type of cell death, as an emerging therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment, thereby offering new hope for breast cancer patients. Tsvetkov's research has elucidated the mechanism of cuproptosis and uncovered the critical genes involved in its regulation [3]. Manipulating the expression of these genes could potentially serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer treatment. Additionally, using copper ionophores and copper complexes combined with nanomaterials to induce cuproptosis may provide a potential approach to eliminating drug-resistant breast cancer cells, thus improving the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy and eventually eradicating breast tumors. This review aims to highlight the practical significance of cuproptosis-related genes and the induction of cuproptosis in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. We examine the potential of cuproptosis as a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer, and we explore the present challenges and limitations of this approach. Our objective is to provide innovative ideas and references for the development of breast cancer treatment strategies based on cuproptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdong Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy Center, Hubei Cancer Hospital, The Seventh Clinical School Affiliated of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Bo Luo
- Department of Radiotherapy Center, Hubei Cancer Hospital, The Seventh Clinical School Affiliated of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Xinhong Wu
- Department of Breast Surgery, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Breast Cancer, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Zijian Tang
- College of Biomedicine and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
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21
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Velásquez Sotomayor MB, Campos Segura AV, Asurza Montalva RJ, Marín-Sánchez O, Murillo Carrasco AG, Ortiz Rojas CA. Establishment of a 7-gene expression panel to improve the prognosis classification of gastric cancer patients. Front Genet 2023; 14:1206609. [PMID: 37772256 PMCID: PMC10522918 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1206609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth in incidence and fourth in mortality worldwide. The high death rate in patients with GC requires new biomarkers for improving survival estimation. In this study, we performed a transcriptome-based analysis of five publicly available cohorts to identify genes consistently associated with prognosis in GC. Based on the ROC curve, patients were categorized into high and low-expression groups for each gene using the best cutoff point. Genes associated with survival (AUC > 0.5; univariate and multivariate Cox regressions, p < 0.05) were used to model gene expression-based scores by weighted sum using the pooled Cox β regression coefficients. Cox regression (p < 0.05), AUC > 0.5, sensitivity > 0.5, and specificity > 0.5 were considered to identify the best scores. Gene set enrichment analysis (KEGG, REACTOME, and Gene Ontology databases), as well as microenvironment composition and stromal cell signatures prediction (CIBERSORT, EPIC, xCell, MCP-counter, and quanTIseq web tools) were performed. We found 11 genes related to GC survival in the five independent cohorts. Then, we modeled scores by calculating all possible combinations between these genes. Among the 2,047 scores, we identified a panel based on the expression of seven genes. It was named GES7 and is composed of CCDC91, DYNC1I1, FAM83D, LBH, SLITRK5, WTIP, and NAP1L3 genes. GES7 features were validated in two independent external cohorts. Next, GES7 was found to recategorize patients from AJCC TNM stages into a best-fitted prognostic group. The GES7 was associated with activation of the TGF-β pathway and repression of anticancer immune cells. Finally, we compared the GES7 with 30 previous proposed scores, finding that GES7 is one of the most robust scores. As a result, the GES7 is a reliable gene-expression-based signature to improve the prognosis estimation in GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Belén Velásquez Sotomayor
- Immunology and Cancer Research Group (IMMUCA), Lima, Peru
- Escuela de Medicina Humana, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú
| | - Anthony Vladimir Campos Segura
- Immunology and Cancer Research Group (IMMUCA), Lima, Peru
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima, Peru
- Laboratory of Genomics and Molecular Biology, International Center of Research CIPE, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo José Asurza Montalva
- Immunology and Cancer Research Group (IMMUCA), Lima, Peru
- Escuela de Medicina Humana, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Perú
| | - Obert Marín-Sánchez
- Immunology and Cancer Research Group (IMMUCA), Lima, Peru
- Departamento Académico de Microbiología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Alexis Germán Murillo Carrasco
- Immunology and Cancer Research Group (IMMUCA), Lima, Peru
- Centro de Investigação Translacional em Oncologia (LIM24), Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo and Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - César Alexander Ortiz Rojas
- Immunology and Cancer Research Group (IMMUCA), Lima, Peru
- Laboratório de Investigação Médica (LIM) 31, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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22
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Wen H, Qu C, Wang Z, Gao H, Liu W, Wang H, Sun H, Gu J, Yang Z, Wang X. Cuproptosis enhances docetaxel chemosensitivity by inhibiting autophagy via the DLAT/mTOR pathway in prostate cancer. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23145. [PMID: 37584654 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300980r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Cuproptosis, a newly discovered programmed cell death induced by copper ions, is associated with the progression and drug resistance of various tumors. Docetaxel plays a vital role as a first-line chemotherapeutic agent for advanced prostate cancer; however, most patients end up with prostate cancer progression because of inherent or acquired resistance. Herein, we examined the role of cuproptosis in the chemotherapeutic resistance of prostate cancer to docetaxel. We treated prostate cancer cell lines with elesclomol-CuCl2 , as well as with docetaxel. We performed analyses of CCK8, colony formation tests, cell cycle flow assay, transmission electron microscopy, and mTOR signaling in treated cells, and treated a xenograft prostate cancer model with elesclomol-CuCl2 and docetaxel in vivo, and performed immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis in treated tumors. We found that elesclomol-CuCl2 could promote cell death and enhance chemosensitivity to docetaxel. Elesclomol-CuCl2 induced cell death and inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells relying on copper ions-induced cuproptosis, not elesclomol. In addition, dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) was involved in cuproptosis-enhanced drug sensitivity to docetaxel. Mechanistically, upregulated DLAT by cuproptosis inhibited autophagy, promoted G2/M phase retention of cells, and enhanced the sensitivity to docetaxel chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo via the mTOR signaling pathway. Our findings demonstrated that the cuproptosis-regulated DLAT/mTOR pathway inhibited autophagy and promoted cells in G2/M phase retention, thus enhancing the chemosensitivity to docetaxel. This discovery may provide an effective therapeutic option for treating advanced prostate cancer by inhibiting the chemotherapeutic resistance to docetaxel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhuang Wen
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Changbao Qu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhu Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Haitao Gao
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Wuyao Liu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hu Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Junfei Gu
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhan Yang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
- Molecular Biology Laboratory, Talent and Academic Exchange Center, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaolu Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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23
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Zhou X, An B, Lin Y, Ni Y, Zhao X, Liang X. Molecular mechanisms of ROS-modulated cancer chemoresistance and therapeutic strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115036. [PMID: 37354814 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is the main obstacle to achieving a cure in many cancer patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are master regulators of cancer development that act through complex mechanisms. Remarkably, ROS levels and antioxidant content are typically higher in drug-resistant cancer cells than in non-resistant and normal cells, and have been shown to play a central role in modulating drug resistance. Therefore, determining the underlying functions of ROS in the modulation of drug resistance will contribute to develop therapies that sensitize cancer resistant cells by leveraging ROS modulation. In this review, we summarize the notable literature on the sources and regulation of ROS production and highlight the complex roles of ROS in cancer chemoresistance, encompassing transcription factor-mediated chemoresistance, maintenance of cancer stem cells, and their impact on the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the potential of ROS-targeted therapies in overcoming tumor therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Biao An
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Yi Lin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Yanghong Ni
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Development and Related Disease of Women and Children Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
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24
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Garimella SV, Gampa SC, Chaturvedi P. Mitochondria in Cancer Stem Cells: From an Innocent Bystander to a Central Player in Therapy Resistance. Stem Cells Cloning 2023; 16:19-41. [PMID: 37641714 PMCID: PMC10460581 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s417842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer continues to rank among the world's leading causes of mortality despite advancements in treatment. Cancer stem cells, which can self-renew, are present in low abundance and contribute significantly to tumor recurrence, tumorigenicity, and drug resistance to various therapies. The drug resistance observed in cancer stem cells is attributed to several factors, such as cellular quiescence, dormancy, elevated aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, apoptosis evasion mechanisms, high expression of drug efflux pumps, protective vascular niche, enhanced DNA damage response, scavenging of reactive oxygen species, hypoxic stability, and stemness-related signaling pathways. Multiple studies have shown that mitochondria play a pivotal role in conferring drug resistance to cancer stem cells, through mitochondrial biogenesis, metabolism, and dynamics. A better understanding of how mitochondria contribute to tumorigenesis, heterogeneity, and drug resistance could lead to the development of innovative cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sireesha V Garimella
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Siri Chandana Gampa
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 530045, India
| | - Pankaj Chaturvedi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
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25
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Gao L, Zhang A. Copper-instigated modulatory cell mortality mechanisms and progress in oncological treatment investigations. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1236063. [PMID: 37600774 PMCID: PMC10433393 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1236063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper, a transition metal, serves as an essential co-factor in numerous enzymatic active sites and constitutes a vital trace element in the human body, participating in crucial life-sustaining activities such as energy metabolism, antioxidation, coagulation, neurotransmitter synthesis, iron metabolism, and tetramer deposition. Maintaining the equilibrium of copper ions within biological systems is of paramount importance in the prevention of atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular diseases. Copper induces cellular demise through diverse mechanisms, encompassing reactive oxygen species responses, apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent research has identified and dubbed a novel regulatory cell death modality-"cuprotosis"-wherein copper ions bind to acylated proteins in the tricarboxylic acid cycle of mitochondrial respiration, resulting in protein aggregation, subsequent downregulation of iron-sulfur cluster protein expression, induction of proteotoxic stress, and eventual cell death. Scholars have synthesized copper complexes by combining copper ions with various ligands, exploring their significance and applications in cancer therapy. This review comprehensively examines the multiple pathways of copper metabolism, copper-induced regulatory cell death, and the current status of copper complexes in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gao
- Medical Imaging Department, Huabei Petroleum Administration Bureau General Hospital, Renqiu, China
| | - Anqi Zhang
- Oncology Department, Huabei Petroleum Administration Bureau General Hospital, Renqiu, China
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26
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Chen G, Zhang J, Teng W, Luo Y, Ji X. FDX1 inhibits thyroid cancer malignant progression by inducing cuprotosis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18655. [PMID: 37554785 PMCID: PMC10404994 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuprotosis is a recently identified cell death form that caused by intracellular copper accumulation and regulated by FDX1. This work aimed to explore the role of cuprotosis and the pivotal regulatory gene FDX1 in thyroid cancer development. We observed that expression of FDX1 in tumor section was notably lower than that in non-tumor sections in clinical samples. Induction of cuprotosis by elesclomol (ES) significantly repressed the in vitro and in vivo growth of thyroid cancer cells, simultaneously elevated Cu level and expression of FDX1, whereas depletion of FDX1 abolished these effects. Knockdown of FDX1 decreased the lipoylation level of DLAT and DLST in thyroid cancer cells, alleviated cuprotosis-induced cell death, simultaneously upregulated the levels of PA and α-KG. These findings demonstrated that FDX1 promotes the cuprotosis of thyroid cancer cells via regulating the lipoylation of DLAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxiang Chen
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, No.57 XingNing Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jianan Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, No.57 XingNing Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Weifeng Teng
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, No.57 XingNing Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yong Luo
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, No.57 XingNing Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaochun Ji
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, No.57 XingNing Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China
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27
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Lu J, Ling X, Sun Y, Liu L, Liu L, Wang X, Lu C, Ren C, Han X, Yu Z. FDX1 enhances endometriosis cell cuproptosis via G6PD-mediated redox homeostasis. Apoptosis 2023; 28:1128-1140. [PMID: 37119432 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-023-01845-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a new form of programmed cell death, which is associated with the mitochondrial TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle. But the functions of cuproptosis in endometriosis progression are still unknown. Here, we find that cuproptosis suppresses the growth of endometriosis cells and the growth of ectopic endometrial tissues in a mouse model. FDX1 as a key regulator in cuproptosis pathway could promote cuproptosis in endometriosis cells. Interestingly, FDX1 interacts with G6PD, and reduces its protein stability, which predominantly affects the cellular redox-regulating systems. Then, the reduced G6PD activity enhances cuproptosis via down-regulating NADPH and GSH levels. Collectively, our study demonstrates that FDX1 mediates cuproptosis in endometriosis via G6PD pathway, resulting in repression of endometriosis cell proliferation and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Lu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Xi Ling
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Yonghong Sun
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Lan Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyun Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Chao Lu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Chune Ren
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
| | - Xue Han
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
| | - Zhenhai Yu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
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28
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Yassin-Kassab A, Wang N, Foley J, Stewart TM, Burns MR, Casero RA, Harbison RA, Duvvuri U. Polyamine transport inhibition and cisplatin synergistically enhance tumor control through oxidative stress in murine head and neck cancer models. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.25.550524. [PMID: 37546993 PMCID: PMC10402081 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.25.550524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Surgery and/or platinum-based chemoradiation remain standard of care for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). While these therapies are effective in a subset of patients, a substantial proportion experience recurrence or treatment resistance. As cisplatin mediates cytotoxicity through oxidative stress while polyamines play a role in redox regulation, we posited that combining cisplatin with polyamine transport inhibitor, AMXT-1501, would increase oxidative stress and tumor cell death in HNSCC cells. Methods Cell proliferation was measured in syngeneic mouse HNSCC cell lines treated with cisplatin ± AMXT-1501. Synergy was determined by administering cisplatin and AMXT-1501 at a ratio of 1:10 to cancer cells in vitro . Cancer cells were transferred onto mouse flanks to test the efficacy of treatments in vivo . Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Cellular apoptosis was measured with flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI staining. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to quantify polyamines in cell lines. Cell viability and ROS were measured in the presence of exogenous cationic amino acids. Results The combination of cisplatin and AMXT-1501 synergize in vitro on HNSCC cell lines. In vivo combination treatment resulted in tumor growth inhibition greater than either treatment individually. The combination treatment increased ROS production and induced apoptotic cell death. HPLC revealed the synergistic mechanism was independent of intracellular polyamine levels. Supplementation of cationic amino acids partially rescued cancer cell viability and reduced ROS. Conclusion AMXT-1501 enhances the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in vitro and in vivo in aggressive HNSCC cell lines through a polyamine-independent mechanism.
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Zhou C, Yang J, Liu T, Jia R, Yang L, Sun P, Zhao W. Copper metabolism and hepatocellular carcinoma: current insights. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1186659. [PMID: 37476384 PMCID: PMC10355993 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1186659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Copper is an essential trace element that acts as a cofactor in various enzyme active sites in the human body. It participates in numerous life activities, including lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and neurotransmitter synthesis. The proposal of "Cuproptosis" has made copper metabolism-related pathways a research hotspot in the field of tumor therapy, which has attracted great attention. This review discusses the biological processes of copper uptake, transport, and storage in human cells. It highlights the mechanisms by which copper metabolism affects hepatocellular carcinogenesis and metastasis, including autophagy, apoptosis, vascular invasion, cuproptosis, and ferroptosis. Additionally, it summarizes the current clinical applications of copper metabolism-related drugs in antitumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhou
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jinqiu Yang
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tong Liu
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ran Jia
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xianyang Central Hospital Affiliated to Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, China
| | - Pengfei Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxia Zhao
- The First College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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30
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Tang X, Yan Z, Miao Y, Ha W, Li Z, Yang L, Mi D. Copper in cancer: from limiting nutrient to therapeutic target. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1209156. [PMID: 37427098 PMCID: PMC10327296 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1209156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential nutrient, copper's redox properties are both beneficial and toxic to cells. Therefore, leveraging the characteristics of copper-dependent diseases or using copper toxicity to treat copper-sensitive diseases may offer new strategies for specific disease treatments. In particular, copper concentration is typically higher in cancer cells, making copper a critical limiting nutrient for cancer cell growth and proliferation. Hence, intervening in copper metabolism specific to cancer cells may become a potential tumor treatment strategy, directly impacting tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we discuss the metabolism of copper in the body and summarize research progress on the role of copper in promoting tumor cell growth or inducing programmed cell death in tumor cells. Additionally, we elucidate the role of copper-related drugs in cancer treatment, intending to provide new perspectives for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Tang
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The Second Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Zaihua Yan
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The Second Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yandong Miao
- Department of Oncology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, The Second Clinical Medical College of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Wuhua Ha
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Division of Thoracic Tumor Multimodality Treatment and Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lixia Yang
- Gansu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Denghai Mi
- The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Gansu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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31
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Gao F, Yuan Y, Ding Y, Li PY, Chang Y, He XX. DLAT as a Cuproptosis Promoter and a Molecular Target of Elesclomol in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Curr Med Sci 2023:10.1007/s11596-023-2755-0. [PMID: 37286711 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-023-2755-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cuproptosis is a novel cell death pathway that was newly discovered in early 2022. However, cuproptosis is still in its infancy in many respects and warrants further research in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to analyze the mechanism of cuprptosis in HCC. METHODS Herein, the tumor microenvironment infiltration landscape of molecular subtypes was illustrated using GSVA, ssGSEA, TIMER, CIBERSORT, and ESTIMATE algorithms based on the expression profile of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) from TCGA and GEO databases. Then, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression method was applied to construct a cuproptosis signature to quantify the cuproptosis profile of HCC. Further, we explored the expression of three hub CRGs in cell lines and clinical patient tissues of HCC by Western blotting, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Finally, we examined the function of dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT) in cuproptosis in HCC by loss-of-function strategy, Western blotting and CCK8 assay. RESULTS Three distinct molecular subtypes were identified. Cluster 2 had the greatest infiltration of immune cells with best prognosis. The cuproptosis signature was indicative of tumor subtype, immunity, and prognosis for HCC, and specifically, a low cuproptosis score foreshadowed good prognosis. DLAT was highly expressed in liver cancer cell lines and HCC tissues and positively correlated with clinical stage and grade. We also found that potent copper ionophore elesclomol could induce cuproptosis in a copper-dependent manner. Selective Cu++ chelator ammonium tetrathiomolybdate and downregulating DLAT expression by siRNA could effectively inhibit cuproptosis. CONCLUSION Cuproptosis and DLAT as a promising biomarker could help to determine the prognosis of HCC and may offer novel insights for effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yang Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Pei-Yuan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ying Chang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Xing-Xing He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China.
- Hubei Clinical Center and Key Laboratory of Intestinal and Colorectal Diseases, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Li D, Qu G, Ling S, Sun Y, Cui Y, Yang Y, Cao X. A cuproptosis-related lncRNA signature to predict prognosis and immune microenvironment of colon adenocarcinoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6284. [PMID: 37072493 PMCID: PMC10113217 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33557-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a novel cell death modality but its regulatory role in the colon cancer remains obscure. This study is committed to establishing a cuproptosis-related lncRNA (CRL) signature to forecast the prognosis for colon adenocarcinoma (COAD). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) samples were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. LASSO-COX analysis was performed to construct a prognostic signature consisting of five CRLs (AC015712.2, ZEB1-AS1, SNHG26, AP001619.1, and ZKSCAN2-DT). We found the patients with high-risk scores suffered from poor prognosis in training cohort (p < 0.001) and validation cohort (p = 0.004). Nomogram was created based on the 5-CRL signature. Calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated the nomogram performed well in 1‑, 3‑, and 5‑year overall survival (OS). Subsequently, we observed increased infiltration of multiple immune cells and upregulated expression of immune checkpoints and RNA methylation modification genes in high-risk patients. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed two tumor-related pathways, including MAPK and Wnt signaling pathways. Finally, we found AKT inhibitors, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), camptothecin, and thapsigargin had more sensitivity to antitumor therapy in high-risk patients. Collectively, this CRL signature is promising for the prognostic prediction and precise therapy of COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongming Li
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Guangzhen Qu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Shen Ling
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuanlin Sun
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yingnan Cui
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Yingchi Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Xueyuan Cao
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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Wang X, Zhou M, Liu Y, Si Z. Cope with copper: From copper linked mechanisms to copper-based clinical cancer therapies. Cancer Lett 2023; 561:216157. [PMID: 37011869 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have established a strong link between copper and cancer biology, as copper is necessary for cancer growth and metastasis. Beyond the conventional concept of copper serving as a catalytic cofactor of metalloenzymes, emerging evidence demonstrates copper as a regulator for signaling transduction and gene expression, which are vital for tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Interestingly, strong redox-active properties make copper both beneficial and detrimental to cancer cells. Cuproplasia is copper-dependent cell growth and proliferation, whereas cuproptosis is copper-dependent cell death. Both mechanisms act in cancer cells, suggesting that copper depletion and copper supplementation may be viable approaches for developing novel anticancer therapies. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of copper's biological role and related molecular mechanisms in cancer proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, autophagy, immunosuppressive microenvironment development, and copper-mediated cancer cell death. We also highlighted copper-based strategies for cancer treatment. The current challenges of copper in cancer biology and therapy and their potential solutions were also discussed. Further investigation in this field will yield a more comprehensive molecular explanation for the causal relationship between copper and cancers. It will reveal a series of key regulators governing copper-dependent signaling pathways, thereby providing potential targets for developing copper-related anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xidi Wang
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, PR China; Department of Pathology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Ningbo, PR China.
| | - Miao Zhou
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, PR China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, PR China
| | - Zizhen Si
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, PR China.
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34
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Luo Y, Deng X, Liao W, Huang Y, Lu C. Prognostic value of autophagy-related genes based on single-cell RNA-sequencing in colorectal cancer. Front Genet 2023; 14:1109683. [PMID: 37065476 PMCID: PMC10097963 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1109683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in China. Autophagy plays an important role in the initiation and development of CRC. Here, we assessed the prognostic value and potential functions of autophagy-related genes (ARGs) using integrated analysis using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).Methods: We analyzed GEO-scRNA-seq data from GEO using various single-cell technologies, including cell clustering, and identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different cell types. Additionally, we performed gene set variation analysis (GSVA). The differentially expressed ARGs among different cell types and those between CRC and normal tissues were identified using TCGA-RNA-seq data, and the hub ARGs were screened. Finally, a prognostic model based on the hub ARGs was constructed and validated, and patients with CRC in TCGA datasets were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on their risk-score, and immune cells infiltration and drug sensitivity analyses between the two groups were performed.Results: We obtained single-cell expression profiles of 16,270 cells, and clustered them into seven types of cells. GSVA revealed that the DEGs among the seven types of cells were enriched in many signaling pathways associated with cancer development. We screened 55 differentially expressed ARGs, and identified 11 hub ARGs. Our prognostic model revealed that the 11 hub ARGs including CTSB, ITGA6, and S100A8, had a good predictive ability. Moreover, the immune cell infiltrations in CRC tissues were different between the two groups, and the hub ARGs were significantly correlated with the enrichment of immune cell infiltration. The drug sensitivity analysis revealed that the patients in the two risk groups had difference in their response to anti-cancer drugs.Conclusion: We developed a novel prognostic 11-hub ARG risk model, and these hubs may act as potential therapeutic targets for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Luo
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Yuqi Luo,
| | - Xuesong Deng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weihua Liao
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou Nansha District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiwen Huang
- Department of Emergency, Nansha Hospital, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Caijie Lu
- Department of Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Xie J, Yang Y, Gao Y, He J. Cuproptosis: mechanisms and links with cancers. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:46. [PMID: 36882769 PMCID: PMC9990368 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01732-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 151.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis was a copper-dependent and unique kind of cell death that was separate from existing other forms of cell death. The last decade has witnessed a considerable increase in investigations of programmed cell death, and whether copper induced cell death was an independent form of cell death has long been argued until mechanism of cuproptosis has been revealed. After that, increasing number of researchers attempted to identify the relationship between cuproptosis and the process of cancer. Thus, in this review, we systematically detailed the systemic and cellular metabolic processes of copper and the copper-related tumor signaling pathways. Moreover, we not only focus on the discovery process of cuproptosis and its mechanism, but also outline the association between cuproptosis and cancers. Finally, we further highlight the possible therapeutic direction of employing copper ion ionophores with cuproptosis-inducing functions in combination with small molecule drugs for targeted therapy to treat specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Xie
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yannan Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Central Laboratory & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Epigenetics and Precision Medicine for Cancers, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, 518116, China. .,Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Cancer Center/National, Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 101399, China.
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China. .,Laboratory of Translational Medicine, National Cancer Center/National, Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 101399, China.
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36
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4-Octyl itaconate inhibits aerobic glycolysis by targeting GAPDH to promote cuproptosis in colorectal cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114301. [PMID: 36706634 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis, a novel copper-induced cell death pathway, is linked to mitochondrial respiration and mediated by protein lipoylation. The discovery of cuproptosis unfolds new areas of investigation, particularly in cancers. The present study aimed to explore the role of cuproptosis in colorectal cancer progression. The genetic alterations of cuproptosis in colon cancer were evaluated using a database. MTT assays, colony formation, and flow cytometry were used to examine the effect of elesclomol-Cu and 4-Octyl itaconate (4-OI) on colorectal cancer cell and oxaliplatin-resistant cell viability. The anti-tumor effect of elesclomol with 4-OI was verified in vivo assay. The results showed that FDX1, SDHB, DLAT, and DLST genes were more highly expressed in normal tissues than those in primary tumor tissues. Patients with high expressions of these genes in tumor tissues had a better prognosis. Using MTT assay and colony formation analysis, elesclomol-Cu pulse treatment showed significant inhibition of cell viability in HCT116, LoVo, and HCT116-R cells. In addition, flow cytometry revealed elesclomol-Cu significantly promoted apoptosis. Tetrathiomolybdate, a copper chelator, markedly inhibited cuproptosis. Subsequently, we found 2-deoxy-D-glucose, a glucose metabolism inhibitor, sensitized cuproptosis. Furthermore, galactose further promoted cuproptosis. Interestingly, 4-OI significantly enhanced cuproptosis which was irrelevant to ROS production, apoptosis, necroptosis, or pyroptosis pathways. Aerobic glycolysis was inhibited by 4-OI through GAPDH, one of the key enzymes of glycolysis, sensitizing cuproptosis. Meanwhile, FDX1 knockdown weakened the ability of 4-OI to promote cuproptosis. In vivo experiments, 4-OI with elesclomol-Cu showed better anti-tumor effects. These results indicated that elesclomol-Cu rapidly halted cell growth in colorectal cancer cells and oxaliplatin-resistant cell line. Importantly, we revealed that 4-OI inhibited aerobic glycolysis by targeting GAPDH to promote cuproptosis.
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37
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Wang W, Wu F, Mohammadniaei M, Zhang M, Li Y, Sun Y, Tang BZ. Genetically edited T-cell membrane coated AIEgen nanoparticles effectively prevents glioblastoma recurrence. Biomaterials 2023; 293:121981. [PMID: 36580721 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) are subpopulations of tumor-initiating cells responsible for glioblastoma (GBM) tumorigenesis and recurrence. Dual inhibition of vascular endothelium and GSCs is still a challenge due to their different pathological features. Here we present a combined all-in-control strategy to realize a local photothermal therapy (PTT). We designed T-cell-mimic nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics by coating the genetically engineered T cell membrane (CM) onto AIE nanoparticles (CM@AIE NPs). The CM shell was designed against CD133 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) which provides the possibility to target both GBM cells and GSCs for cancer therapy. CM@AIE NPs can serve as the tight junction (TJ) modulators to trigger an intracellular signaling cascade, causing TJ disruption and actin cytoskeleton reorganization to allow CM@AIE NPs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) silently. The 980 nm excitation-triggered PTT can completely inhibit tumorigenesis and recurrence. The combination of CM-coating nanotechnology and genetic editing technique can inspire further development of synergetic techniques for preventing GBM recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Wang
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Fan Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, PR China
| | - Mohsen Mohammadniaei
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark.
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China.
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, DK-2800, Denmark.
| | - Ben Zhong Tang
- School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, China.
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38
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Li D, Jin S, Chen P, Zhang Y, Li Y, Zhong C, Fan X, Lin H. Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs for prognostic significance and immune microenvironment characterization in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Immunol 2023; 13:991604. [PMID: 36685508 PMCID: PMC9846072 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.991604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis was characterized as a novel type of programmed cell death. Recently, however, the role of cuproptosis-related long noncoding RNAs (CRLs) in tumors has not yet been studied. Identifying a predictive CRL signature in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and investigating its putative molecular function were the goals of this work. Initially, Pearson's test was used to assess the relationship between lncRNAs and cuproptosis-associated genes obtained from HCC data of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). By implementing differential expression and univariate Cox analysis, 61 prognostic CRLs were subsequent to the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis. A prognostic risk score model was then constructed to evaluate its ability to predict patients' survival when combined with clinicopathological parameters in HCC. The five-lncRNA prognostic signature categorized the HCC patients into high- and low-risk groups. The low-risk group exhibited more sensitivity to elesclomol than the high-risk one. Surprisingly, distinct mitochondrial metabolism pathways connected to cuproptosis and pivotal immune-related pathways were observed between the two groups via gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Meanwhile, there were substantial differences between the high-risk group and the low-risk group in terms of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs). Furthermore, a positive relationship was shown between the risk score and the expression of immune checkpoints. Additionally, differential expression of the five lncRNAs was confirmed in our own HCC samples and cell lines via RT-qPCR. Finally, in vitro assays confirmed that WARS2-AS1 and MKLN1-AS knockdown could sensitize HCC cells to elesclomol-induced cuproptosis. Overall, our predictive signature may predict the prognosis of HCC patients in an independent manner, give a better understanding of how CRLs work in HCC, and offer therapeutic reference for patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duguang Li
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengxi Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiyin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yirun Li
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Fan
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Cognitive Healthcare, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Xu J, Hu Z, Cao H, Zhang H, Luo P, Zhang J, Wang X, Cheng Q, Li J. Multi-omics pan-cancer study of cuproptosis core gene FDX1 and its role in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:981764. [PMID: 36605188 PMCID: PMC9810262 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.981764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The mechanism of copper-induced cellular death was newly discovered and termed cuproptosis. Inducing cuproptosis in cancer cells is well anticipated for its curative potential in treating tumor diseases. However, ferredoxin 1 (FDX1), the core regulatory gene in cuproptosis, is rarely studied, and the regulation of FDX1 in tumor biology remains obscure. A comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of FDX1 is needed. Methods Thirty-three types of tumors were included with paired normal tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) datasets. The interaction between transcription, protein, phosphorylation, and promoter methylation levels was analyzed. Survival, immune infiltration, single-cell FDX1 expression, FDX1-related tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), stemness, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), and immunotherapy-related analyses were performed. FDX1 protein expression was assessed by kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) tissue microarray immunohistochemistry. The function of FDX1 in KIRC was further explored by experiments in 786-O cell lines in vitro. Results FDX1 is highly expressed in 15 tumor types and lowly expressed in 11 tumor types. The corresponding changes in protein expression, phosphorylation, and promoter methylation level of FDX1 have been described in several tumors. Survival analysis showed that FDX1 was related to favorable or poor overall survival in eight tumors and progression-free survival in nine tumors. Immune infiltration and single-cell analysis indicated the indispensable role of FDX1 expression in macrophages and monocytes. Multiple established immunotherapy cohorts suggested that FDX1 may be a potential predictor of treatment effects for tumor patients. Tissue microarray analysis showed decreased FDX1 expression in KIRC patients' tumor tissues. Knockdown of FDX1 resulted in the downregulation of cuproptosis in kidney renal clear tumor cells. Mechanistically, the FDX1-associated gene expression signature in KIRC is related to the enrichment of genes involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, NOTCH pathway, etc. Several NOTCH pathway genes were differentially expressed in the high- and low-FDX1 groups in KIRC. Conclusion Our analysis showed that the central regulatory gene of cuproptosis, FDX1, has differential expression and modification levels in various tumors, which is associated with cellular function, immune modulation, and disease prognosis. Thus, FDX1-dependent cuproptosis may serve as a brand-new target in future therapeutic approaches against tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahao Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhengang Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Cao
- Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Luo
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China,*Correspondence: Quan Cheng, ; Jingbo Li,
| | - Jingbo Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China,*Correspondence: Quan Cheng, ; Jingbo Li,
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40
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Characterization of Glioblastoma Cells Response to Regorafenib. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246193. [PMID: 36551679 PMCID: PMC9777191 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), the most malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Although not frequent, it has a relevant social impact because the peak incidence coincides with the age of professional maturity. A number of novel treatments have been proposed, yet clinical trials have been disappointing. Recently, a phase II clinical trial (REGOMA) demonstrated that the multikinase inhibitor regorafenib significantly increased the median overall survival (OS) of GBM patients when compared to lomustine-treated patients. On this basis, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2020 Guidelines included regorafenib as a preferred regimen in relapsed GBM treatment. Despite the use in GBM patients' therapy, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing regorafenib effectiveness on the GBM tumor. Here we report an in vitro characterization of GBM tumor cells' response to regorafenib, performed both on cell lines and on patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSCs). Overall, regorafenib significantly reduced cell growth of 2D tumor cell cultures and of 3D tumor spheroids. Strikingly, this effect was accompanied by transcriptional regulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) genes and by an increased ability of surviving tumor cells to invade the surrounding matrix. Taken together, our data suggest that regorafenib limits cell growth, however, it might induce an invasive phenotype.
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The Role of Copper Homeostasis in Brain Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213850. [PMID: 36430330 PMCID: PMC9698384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the human body, copper is an important trace element and is a cofactor for several important enzymes involved in energy production, iron metabolism, neuropeptide activation, connective tissue synthesis, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Copper is also necessary for cellular processes, such as the regulation of intracellular signal transduction, catecholamine balance, myelination of neurons, and efficient synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. Copper is naturally present in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement. Only small amounts of copper are typically stored in the body and a large amount of copper is excreted through bile and urine. Given the critical role of copper in a breadth of cellular processes, local concentrations of copper and the cellular distribution of copper transporter proteins in the brain are important to maintain the steady state of the internal environment. The dysfunction of copper metabolism or regulatory pathways results in an imbalance in copper homeostasis in the brain, which can lead to a myriad of acute and chronic pathological effects on neurological function. It suggests a unique mechanism linking copper homeostasis and neuronal activation within the central nervous system. This article explores the relationship between impaired copper homeostasis and neuropathophysiological progress in brain diseases.
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Zhang Z, Wang B, Xu X, Xin T. Cuproptosis-related gene signature stratifies lower-grade glioma patients and predicts immune characteristics. Front Genet 2022; 13:1036460. [PMID: 36386799 PMCID: PMC9640744 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1036460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis is the most recently discovered type of regulated cell death and is mediated by copper ions. Studies show that cuproptosis plays a significant role in cancer development and progression. Lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) are slow-growing brain tumors. The majority of LGGs progress to high-grade glioma, which makes it difficult to predict the prognosis. However, the prognostic value of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in LGG needs to be further explored. mRNA expression profiles and clinical data of LGG patients were collected from public sources for this study. Univariate Cox regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model were used to build a multigene signature that could divide patients into different risk groups. The differences in clinical pathological characteristics, immune infiltration characteristics, and mutation status were evaluated in risk subgroups. In addition, drug sensitivity and immune checkpoint scores were estimated in risk subgroups to provide LGG patients with precision medication. We found that all CRGs were differentially expressed in LGG and normal tissues. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups based on the risk score of the CRG signature. Patients in the high-risk group had a considerably lower overall survival rate than those in the low-risk group. According to functional analysis, pathways related to the immune system were enriched, and the immune state differed across the two risk groups. Immune characteristic analysis showed that the immune cell proportion and immune scores were different in the different groups. High-risk group was characterized by low sensitivity to chemotherapy but high sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The current study revealed that the novel CRG signature was related to the prognosis, clinicopathological features, immune characteristics, and treatment perference of LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bingcheng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoqin Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tao Xin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Tao Xin,
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43
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Buccarelli M, Castellani G, Ricci-Vitiani L. Glioblastoma-Specific Strategies of Vascularization: Implications in Anti-Angiogenic Therapy Resistance. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12101625. [PMID: 36294763 PMCID: PMC9604754 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis has long been implicated as a crucial process in GBM growth and progression. GBM can adopt several strategies to build up its abundant and aberrant vasculature. Targeting GBM angiogenesis has gained more and more attention in anti-cancer therapy, and many strategies have been developed to interfere with this hallmark. However, recent findings reveal that the effects of anti-angiogenic treatments are temporally limited and that tumors become refractory to therapy and more aggressive. In this review, we summarize the GBM-associated neovascularization processes and their implication in drug resistance mechanisms underlying the transient efficacy of current anti-angiogenic therapies. Moreover, we describe potential strategies and perspectives to overcome the mechanisms adopted by GBM to develop resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy as new potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Buccarelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Castellani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Ricci-Vitiani
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Zheng P, Zhou C, Lu L, Liu B, Ding Y. Elesclomol: a copper ionophore targeting mitochondrial metabolism for cancer therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:271. [PMID: 36089608 PMCID: PMC9465867 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02485-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Elesclomol is an anticancer drug that targets mitochondrial metabolism. In the past, elesclomol was recognized as an inducer of oxidative stress, but now it has also been found to suppress cancer by inducing cuproptosis. Elesclomol’s anticancer activity is determined by the dependence of cancer on mitochondrial metabolism. The mitochondrial metabolism of cancer stem cells, cancer cells resistant to platinum drugs, proteasome inhibitors, molecularly targeted drugs, and cancer cells with inhibited glycolysis was significantly enhanced. Elesclomol exhibited tremendous toxicity to all three kinds of cells. Elesclomol's toxicity to cells is highly dependent on its transport of extracellular copper ions, a process involved in cuproptosis. The discovery of cuproptosis has perfected the specific cancer suppressor mechanism of elesclomol. For some time, elesclomol failed to yield favorable results in oncology clinical trials, but its safety in clinical application was confirmed. Research progress on the relationship between elesclomol, mitochondrial metabolism and cuproptosis provides a possibility to explore the reapplication of elesclomol in the clinic. New clinical trials should selectively target cancer types with high mitochondrial metabolism and attempt to combine elesclomol with platinum, proteasome inhibitors, molecularly targeted drugs, or glycolysis inhibitors. Herein, the particular anticancer mechanism of elesclomol and its relationship with mitochondrial metabolism and cuproptosis will be presented, which may shed light on the better application of elesclomol in clinical tumor treatment.
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45
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Yan X, Wang N, Dong J, Wang F, Zhang J, Hu X, Zhao H, Gao X, Liu Z, Li Y, Hu S. A cuproptosis-related lncRNAs signature for prognosis, chemotherapy, and immune checkpoint blockade therapy of low-grade glioma. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:966843. [PMID: 36060266 PMCID: PMC9428515 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.966843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cuproptosis is a new type of cell death that is associated with mitochondrial respiration of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Previous studies showed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulated low-grade glioma (LGG) progression. However, the potential applications of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) in LGG were not explored. A comprehensive analysis was performed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) cohorts. We first screened two distinct cuproptosis subtypes based on prognostic CRLs using consensus clustering. To facilitate individualized survival prediction in LGG, we constructed a prognostic signature (including CRNDE, HAR1A, and FAM181A-AS1) in the TCGA dataset. The prognostic signature exhibited excellent predictive ability and reliability, which was validated in the CGGA_325 and CGGA_693 datasets. Notably, patients in the high-risk group had increased immune cell infiltration and expression of immune checkpoints, which indicated that they may benefit more from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Finally, the prognostic signature screened the population with sensitivity to chemotherapy and ICB therapy. In summary, this study initially explored the mechanism of CRLs in LGG and provides some insights into chemotherapy and ICB therapy of LGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuwei Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiheng Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueyan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongtao Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhihui Liu, ; Yongzhe Li, ; Shaoshan Hu,
| | - Yongzhe Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Zhihui Liu, ; Yongzhe Li, ; Shaoshan Hu,
| | - Shaoshan Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhihui Liu, ; Yongzhe Li, ; Shaoshan Hu,
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Ji ZH, Ren WZ, Wang HQ, Gao W, Yuan B. Molecular Subtyping Based on Cuproptosis-Related Genes and Characterization of Tumor Microenvironment Infiltration in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:919083. [PMID: 35875087 PMCID: PMC9299088 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.919083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is rising worldwide, and the prognosis is poor. Cuproptosis is a new form of cell death that is dependent on and regulated by copper ions. The relationship between cuproptosis and KIRC remains unclear. In the current study, changes in cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in TCGA-KIRC transcriptional datasets were characterized, and the expression patterns of these genes were analyzed. We identified three main molecular subtypes and discovered that multilayer CRG changes were associated with patient clinicopathological traits, prognosis, elesclomol sensitivity, and tumor microenvironment (TME) cell infiltration characteristics. Then, a CRG score was created to predict overall survival (OS). The CRG score was found to be strongly linked to the TME. These findings may help elucidate the roles of CRGs in KIRC, potentially enhancing understanding of cuproptosis and supporting the development of more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Hao Ji
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Basic Medicine, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, China
| | - Wen-Zhi Ren
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hao-Qi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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47
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Schwestermann J, Besse A, Driessen C, Besse L. Contribution of the Tumor Microenvironment to Metabolic Changes Triggering Resistance of Multiple Myeloma to Proteasome Inhibitors. Front Oncol 2022; 12:899272. [PMID: 35692781 PMCID: PMC9178120 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.899272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Virtually all patients with multiple myeloma become unresponsive to treatment with proteasome inhibitors over time. Relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma is accompanied by the clonal evolution of myeloma cells with heterogeneous genomic aberrations, diverse proteomic and metabolic alterations, and profound changes of the bone marrow microenvironment. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive resistance to proteasome inhibitors within the context of the bone marrow microenvironment remain elusive. In this review article, we summarize the latest knowledge about the complex interaction of malignant plasma cells with its surrounding microenvironment. We discuss the pivotal role of metabolic reprograming of malignant plasma cells within the tumor microenvironment with a subsequent focus on metabolic rewiring in plasma cells upon treatment with proteasome inhibitors, driving multiple ways of adaptation to the treatment. At the same time, mutual interaction of plasma cells with the surrounding tumor microenvironment drives multiple metabolic alterations in the bone marrow. This provides a tumor-promoting environment, but at the same time may offer novel therapeutic options for the treatment of relapsed/refractory myeloma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lenka Besse
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Clinics for Medical Hematology and Oncology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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ALDH1L2 Knockout in U251 Glioblastoma Cells Reduces Tumor Sphere Formation by Increasing Oxidative Stress and Suppressing Methionine Dependency. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14091887. [PMID: 35565854 PMCID: PMC9105572 DOI: 10.3390/nu14091887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, the in vitro growth of cancer stem cells in the form of tumor spheres from five different brain cancer cell lines was found to be methionine-dependent. As this earlier work indicated that ALDH1L2, a folate-dependent mitochondria aldehyde dehydrogenase gene, is upregulated in glioblastoma stem cells, we invalidated this gene using CRISPR-cas 9 technique in this present work. We reported here that this invalidation was effective in U251 glioblastoma cells, and no cas9 off target site could be detected by genome sequencing of the two independent knockout targeting either exon I or exon III. The knockout of ALDH1L2 gene in U251 cells rendered the growth of the cancer stem cells of U251 methionine independent. In addition, a much higher ROS (reactive oxygen radicals) level can be detected in the knockout cells compared to the wild type cells. Our evidence here linked the excessive ROS level of the knockout cells to reduced total cellular NADPH. Our evidence suggested also that the cause of the slower growth of the knockout turmor sphere may be related to its partial differentiation.
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49
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Signore M, Manganelli V. Reverse Phase Protein Arrays in cancer stem cells. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 171:33-61. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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