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Fontana F, Giannitti G, Marchesi S, Limonta P. The PI3K/Akt Pathway and Glucose Metabolism: A Dangerous Liaison in Cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3113-3125. [PMID: 38904014 PMCID: PMC11186371 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.89942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway commonly occurs in cancers and correlates with multiple aspects of malignant progression. In particular, recent evidence suggests that the PI3K/Akt signaling plays a fundamental role in promoting the so-called aerobic glycolysis or Warburg effect, by phosphorylating different nutrient transporters and metabolic enzymes, such as GLUT1, HK2, PFKB3/4 and PKM2, and by regulating various molecular networks and proteins, including mTORC1, GSK3, FOXO transcription factors, MYC and HIF-1α. This leads to a profound reprogramming of cancer metabolism, also impacting on pentose phosphate pathway, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, de novo lipid synthesis and redox homeostasis and thereby allowing the fulfillment of both the catabolic and anabolic demands of tumor cells. The present review discusses the interactions between the PI3K/Akt cascade and its metabolic targets, focusing on their possible therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Fontana
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Xie S, Li X, Zhao J, Zhang F, Shu Z, Cheng H, Liu S, Shi S. The effect and mechanism of hexokinase-2 on cisplatin resistance in lung cancer cells A549. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:2667-2680. [PMID: 38224486 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hexokinase (HK) is the first rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis, which can convert glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. There are several subtypes of HK, including HK2, which is highly expressed in a variety of different tumors and is closely associated with survival. METHODS Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells with stable overexpression and knockdown of HK2 were obtained by lentivirus transfection. The effects of overexpression and knockdown of HK2 on proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolytic activity of A549 cells were investigated. The effects on apoptosis were also analyzed using western blot and flow cytometry. In addition, the mitochondria and cytoplasm were separated and the expression of apoptotic proteins was detected by western blot respectively. RESULTS Upregulation of HK2 could promote glycolysis, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, which would be inhibited through the knockdown of HK2. HK2 overexpression contributed to cisplatin resistance, whereas HK2 knockdown enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of HK2 can promote the proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance of A549 cells by enhancing aerobic glycolysis and inhibiting apoptosis. Reducing HK2 expression or inhibiting HK2 activity can inhibit glycolysis and induce apoptosis in A549 cells, which is expected to be a potential treatment method for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishun Xie
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Department of Respiratory medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiangjun Li
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianjun Zhao
- Department of Respiratory medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- General Surgery Center, Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhiyun Shu
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hongyuan Cheng
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Siyao Liu
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shaomin Shi
- Department of Respiratory medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Wang Y, Chen X, Yang Y. CircRNA-regulated glucose metabolism in ovarian cancer: an emerging landscape for therapeutic intervention. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:584-596. [PMID: 37578652 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03285-4] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate among female reproductive system tumours, with limited efficacy of traditional treatments and 5-year survival rates that rarely exceed 40%. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a stable endogenous circular RNA that typically regulates protein expression by binding to downstream miRNA. It has been demonstrated that circRNAs play an important role in the proliferation, migration, and glucose metabolism (such as the Warburg effect) of OC and can regulate the expression of glucose metabolism-related proteins such as GLUT1 and HK2, promoting anaerobic glycolysis of cancer cells, increasing glucose uptake and ATP production, and affecting energy supply and biosynthetic substances to support tumour growth and invasion. This review summarises the formation and characteristics of circRNAs and focuses on their role in regulating glucose metabolism in OC cells and their potential therapeutic value, providing insights for identifying new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaolong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Gynecological Oncology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Key Laboratory of Gynecological Oncology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yongxiu Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Key Laboratory of Gynecological Oncology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
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Zhang K, Feng S, Wang Y, Feng W, Shen Y. Significant Prognostic Factor at Age Cut-off of 73 Years for Advanced Ovarian Serous Cystadenocarcinoma Patients: Insights from Real-World Study. Int J Womens Health 2024; 16:203-218. [PMID: 38332982 PMCID: PMC10849902 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s439335] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The objective of this research was to determine the age cut-off for worse prognosis and investigate age-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with advanced ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (AOSC). Methods In this research, we included a cohort of 20,846 patients diagnosed with AOSC, along with RNA-seq data from 374 patients in publicly available databases. Then we used the X-tile software to determine the age cut-off and stratified the patients into young and old groups. We utilized propensity score matching (PSM) to balance baseline between the young and old groups. Furthermore, we conducted an enrichment analysis of DEGs between the two age groups using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and gene ontology (GO) to identify dysregulated pathways. To evaluate the potential prognostic value of the DEGs, we performed survival analysis, such as Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log rank test. Results We stratified the patients into young group (n=16,336) and old group (n=4510) based on the cut-off age of 73 years by X-tile software. Age over 73 years was identified as an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Next, we identified 436 DEGs and found that the neurotrophin signaling pathway and translation factor activity were associated with prognosis outcomes. Among the top 10 hub genes (RELA, NFKBIA, TRAF6, IRAK2, TAB3, AKT1, TBP, EIF2S2, MAPK10, and SUPT3H), RELA, TAB3, AKT1, TBP, and SUPT3H were found to be significantly associated with poor prognosis in old patients with AOSC. Conclusion Our study determined 73 years as the cutoff value for age in patients with AOSC. RELA, TAB3, AKT1, TBP, and SUPT3H were identified as age-related DEGs that could contribute to the poor prognosis of older patients with AOSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Songwei Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen Feng
- Department of Gynecology, The First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, 222000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Sports and Health, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
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Wu K, Gong W, Sun H, Li W, Chen L, Duan Y, Zhu J, Zhang H, Ke H. SMAD4 inhibits glycolysis in ovarian cancer through PI3K/AKT/HK2 signaling pathway by activating ARHGAP10. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2024; 7:e1976. [PMID: 38230565 PMCID: PMC10849991 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1976] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ARHGAP10 is a tumor-suppressor gene related to ovarian cancer (OC) progression; however, its specific mechanism is unclear. AIMS To investigate the effect of ARHGAP10 on OC cell migration, invasion, and glycolysis. METHODS AND RESULTS Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) quantified mRNA and protein expressions of AKT, p-AKT, HK2, and SMAD4 were tested by Western blot. EdU, Wound healing, and Transwell assay were utilized to evaluate OC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We used a Seahorse XF24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer to monitor cellular oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and extracellular acidification rates (ECAR). Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to analyze the transcriptional regulation of ARHGAP10 by SMAD4. ARHGAP10 expression in OC tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that ARHGAP10 expression was negatively related to lactate levels in human OC tissues. ARHGAP10 overexpression can inhibit the migration, proliferation, and invasion of OC cells, and this function can be blocked by 2-Deoxy-D-glucose. Moreover, we found that ARHGAP10 expression can be rescued with the AKT inhibitor LY294002. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that the antitumor effects of ARHGAP10 in vivo and in vitro possibly suppress oncogenic glycolysis through the PI3K/AKT/HK2-regulated glycolysis metabolism pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Wei Gong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Huanmei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Wenjiao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Yingchun Duan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Jianlong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Hu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
| | - Huihui Ke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Pudong HospitalFudan University Pudong Medical CenterShanghaiPR China
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Song C, Kong F, Nong H, Cai L, Tian Y, Hou H, Wang L, Qiu X. Ammonium Persulfate-Loaded Carboxylic Gelatin-Methacrylate Nanoparticles Promote Cardiac Repair by Activating Epicardial Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition via Autophagy and the mTOR Pathway. ACS NANO 2023; 17:20246-20261. [PMID: 37782701 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Restoring damaged myocardial tissue with therapeutic exogenous cells still has some limitations, such as immunological rejection, immature cardiac properties, risk of tumorigenicity, and a low cell survival rate in the ischemic myocardium microenvironment. Activating the endogenous stem cells with functional biomaterials might overcome these limitations. Research has highlighted the multiple differentiation potential of epicardial cells via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in both heart development and cardiac regeneration. In our previous research, a carboxylic gelatin-methacrylate (carbox-GelMA) nanoparticle (NP) was fabricated to carry ammonium persulfate (APS), and APS-loaded carbox-GelMA NPs (NPs/APS) could drive the EMT of MCF-7 cells in vitro and promote cancer cell migration and invasion in vivo. The present study explored the roles of functional NPs/APS in the EMT of Wilms' tumor 1-positive (WT1+) epicardial cells and in the repair of myocardial infarction (MI). The WT1+ epicardial cells transformed into endothelial-like cells after being treated with NPs/APS in vitro, and the cardiac functions were improved significantly after injecting NPs/APS into the infarcted hearts in vivo. Furthermore, simultaneous activation of both autophagy and the mTOR pathway was confirmed during the NPs/APS-induced EMT process in WT1+ epicardial cells. Together, this study highlights the function of NPs/APS in the repair of MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Song
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510900, China
| | - Fanxuan Kong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huijia Nong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Liu Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Honghao Hou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Leyu Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiaozhong Qiu
- The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510900, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510515, China
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Aleksandrova Y, Neganova M. Deciphering the Mysterious Relationship between the Cross-Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative and Oncological Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14766. [PMID: 37834214 PMCID: PMC10573395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914766] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders is extremely complex and is a topic of concern among a growing number of researchers around the world. In recent years, convincing scientific evidence has accumulated that indicates the contribution of a number of etiological factors and pathophysiological processes to the pathogenesis of these two fundamentally different diseases, thus demonstrating an intriguing relationship between oncology and neurodegeneration. In this review, we establish the general links between three intersecting aspects of oncological pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., oxidative stress, epigenetic dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction, examining each process in detail to establish an unusual epidemiological relationship. We also focus on reviewing the current trends in the research and the clinical application of the most promising chemical structures and therapeutic platforms that have a modulating effect on the above processes. Thus, our comprehensive analysis of the set of molecular determinants that have obvious cross-functional pathways in the pathogenesis of oncological and neurodegenerative diseases can help in the creation of advanced diagnostic tools and in the development of innovative pharmacological strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Aleksandrova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds at Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia;
| | - Margarita Neganova
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds at Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia;
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, FRC Kazan Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 420088 Kazan, Russia
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Ma X, Chen J, Huang B, Fu S, Qu S, Yu R, Zhao Y. ErbB2-upregulated HK1 and HK2 promote breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Med Oncol 2023; 40:154. [PMID: 37079118 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02008-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
ErbB2 is overexpressed in 15-20% of breast cancer, which is associated with malignancy and poor prognosis. We previously reported that ErbB2 supports malignant progression of breast cancer by upregulating lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), an important enzyme in glycolysis. However, whether ErbB2 promotes breast cancer progression through other glycolytic enzymes remains unclear. Hexokinase 1 (HK1) and hexokinase 2 (HK2) are the first rate-limiting enzymes of glycolysis and both of them are increased in breast cancer. Here, we aim to investigate whether ErbB2 upregulates HK1 and HK2 and the role of HK1 and HK2 in the malignant progression of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer. In current study, we found that the mRNA level of ErbB2 was positively correlated with that of HK1 and HK2, respectively. Moreover, ErbB2 upregulated the protein levels of HK1 and HK2 in breast cancer cells. We also found that both siHK1 and siHK2 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Taken together, our findings suggested that ErbB2 promoted the malignant progression of breast cancer cells by upregulating HK1 and HK2, and HK1 and HK2 might serve as promising therapeutic targets for ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejiao Ma
- Department of Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Pharmacy, The First People's Hospital of Kunming City, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jingruo Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bohan Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shiqi Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shuai Qu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Rong Yu
- Department of Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery System of Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Yuhua Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Gao C, Pan H, Ma F, Zhang Z, Zhao Z, Song J, Li W, Fan X. Centipeda minima active components and mechanisms in lung cancer. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:89. [PMID: 36959600 PMCID: PMC10035269 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-03915-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been extensively used for neoplasm treatment and has provided many promising therapeutic candidates. We previously found that Centipeda minima (C. minima), a Chinese medicinal herb, showed anti-cancer effects in lung cancer. However, the active components and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we used network pharmacology to evaluate C. minima active compounds and molecular mechanisms in lung cancer. METHODS We screened the TCMSP database for bioactive compounds and their corresponding potential targets. Lung cancer-associated targets were collected from Genecards, OMIM, and Drugbank databases. We then established a drug-ingredients-gene symbols-disease (D-I-G-D) network and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using Cytoscape software, and we performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses using R software. To verify the network pharmacology results, we then performed survival analysis, molecular docking analysis, as well as in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS We identified a total of 21 C. minima bioactive compounds and 179 corresponding targets. We screened 804 targets related to lung cancer, 60 of which overlapped with C. minima. The top three candidate ingredients identified by D-I-G-D network analysis were quercetin, nobiletin, and beta-sitosterol. PPI network and core target analyses suggested that TP53, AKT1, and MYC are potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, molecular docking analysis confirmed that quercetin, nobiletin, and beta-sitosterol, combined well with TP53, AKT1, and MYC respectively. In vitro experiments verified that quercetin induced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell death in a dose-dependent manner. GO and KEGG analyses found 1771 enriched GO terms and 144 enriched KEGG pathways, including a variety of cancer related pathways, the IL-17 signaling pathway, the platinum drug resistance pathway, and apoptosis pathways. Our in vivo experimental results confirmed that a C. minima ethanol extract (ECM) enhanced cisplatin (CDDP) induced cell apoptosis in NSCLC xenografts. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the key C. minima active ingredients and molecular mechanisms in the treatment of lung cancer, providing a molecular basis for further C. minima therapeutic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiyun Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Huafeng Pan
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengjun Ma
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Zedan Zhao
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jialing Song
- School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiangzhen Fan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong, China.
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Yang Y, Fu X, Liu R, Yan L, Yang Y. Exploring the prognostic value of HK3 and its association with immune infiltration in glioblastoma multiforme. Front Genet 2023; 13:1033572. [PMID: 36712881 PMCID: PMC9877303 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1033572] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hexokinase 3 (HK3) is one of the key enzymes involved in glucose phosphorylation (the first step in most glucose metabolic pathways). Many studies have demonstrated the vital role of dysregulation of HK3 in several tumors. However, there is a need for in-depth characterization of the role of HK3 in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Methods: All data were sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). Kaplan-Meier analysis and univariate regression were applied for survival analysis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used for enrichment analysis. Tumor Immune Single Cell Hub (TISCH) database was applied for single-cell analysis. Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) analysis was applied to evaluate the immune response. Results: HK3 expression was upregulated in GBM and correlated with poor prognosis. The high HK3 expression group was primarily enriched in adaptive immune response, chemokine signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. The high HK3 expression group showed significantly greater enrichment of the majority of immune cells and immune-related pathways. HK3 showed significant correlation with most immune cells, especially macrophages (p < .001, R = .81). TISCH analysis showed that HK3 was predominantly expressed in macrophages in most cancers. HK3 showed significant correlation with most immune-related genes, such as PD-1 (p < .001, R = .41), PDL-1 (p < .001, R = .27), and CTLA-4 (p < .001, R = .29). TIDE analysis revealed that the low HK3 expression group has a lower TIDE score and may benefit from immunotherapy. Drug sensitivity analysis showed that patients with high HK3 expression frequently showed drug resistance. Conclusion: HK3 was associated with poor prognosis and may serve as a biomarker of macrophages in GBM. HK3 was also associated with immune response and drug resistance. Our findings may provide novel insights for GBM immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xing Fu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ankang Central Hospital, Ankang, China
| | - Runsha Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lijuan Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yiping Yang
- Clinical Research Center for Shaanxi Provincial Radiotherapy, Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Xi’an, China,*Correspondence: Yiping Yang,
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